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diff --git a/11348-0.txt b/11348-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..06d3241 --- /dev/null +++ b/11348-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1719 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11348 *** + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 11348-h.htm or 11348-h.zip: + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/3/4/11348/11348-h/11348-h.htm) + or + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/3/4/11348/11348-h.zip) + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 13, No. 368.] SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1829. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + + +CLARENDON HOUSE, PICCADILLY. + + +[Illustration: CLARENDON HOUSE, PICCADILLY.] + + +The virtuous and uncompromising chancellor, the Earl of Clarendon, had +a splendid mansion facing the upper end of St. James's-street, on the +site of the present Grafton-street. Of this princely pile, the above +is an accurate engraving. It was built by Clarendon with the stone +intended for the rebuilding of St. Paul's. "He purchased the +materials," says Pennant, "but a nation soured with an unsuccessful +war, with fire, and with pestilence, imputed everything as a crime to +this great and envied character; his enemies called it Dunkirk House, +calumniating him with having built it with the money arising from the +sale of that town, which had just before been given up to the French, +for a large sum, by his Master." + +It is true that Clarendon built this mansion in a season of +discontent; but so sensible was he of his vanity and imprudence in +building so large a house, and of the envy it drew upon him, that he +afterwards apologized for the act; which he declares, so far exceeded +the proposed expense, as to add greatly to the embarrassment of his +affairs. + +This mansion cost £50,000. and 300 men were employed in the building. +It was purchased from his lordship by George Monk, Duke of Albemarle, +and afterwards by another nobleman, inferior indeed in abilities, but +not inferior in virtues. In 1670, James, Duke of Ormond, resided at +Clarendon House; and on his way thither, he was one day dragged out of +his coach by the infamous Blood and his associates, who intended to +hang his Grace at Tyburn, in revenge for justice done, under his +administration in Ireland, on some of their companions. "This +refinement in revenge," says Pennant, "saved the duke's life; he had +leisure to disengage himself from the villain on horseback, to whom he +was tied; by which time he was discovered by his servants, and rescued +from death." + +The original of our Engraving was copied from a rare print, which, in +the year 1790, was in the collection of Thomas Allen, Esq. Appended to +the former is a section, showing the relative situation of Clarendon +House, which was taken from a map of London (supposed to be unique) in +an illustrated _Clarendon's History_, in the possession of John +Charles Crowle, Esq. By the section, the entrance-gate to the +court-yard of the house appears to have been in Piccadilly, in a +direct line with St. James's Street, and the grounds to have extended +to Bruton Street at the back, where there was likewise a +communication. The site of the front gate is now, therefore, the +commencement of _Albemarle Street_, named after one of the +distinguished occupants of Clarendon House. + +Notwithstanding the revolutions of time and fashion in this quarter, +the illustrious name of the founder of Clarendon House is still +preserved in the "_Clarendon Hotel_," which occupies a portion of the +original ground already described. One of the changes is, that instead +of the Chancellor meditating upon his dismissal from office, which his +very virtues and stately dignity, and a weak king, and a more wicked +and envious faction had brought about,--we have well-living twos and +fours hob-nobbing over Chateau-Margaux, or yielding to the delightful +inspirations of Ay Champagne. Not a few more of the good things of +this great town are assembled near the same spot. Albemarle Street has +many first-rate hotels, and two handsome club-houses; while on the +Bond Street side of the quadrangle are two or three extensive +libraries, an immense porcelain repository, and a score of fashionable +_artistes_. What idle delights are all these compared with the wisdom +and virtue which once dwelt on the same spot. But had Clarendon lived +to see Crockford's splendid subscription-house rise after a golden +shower, in St. James's Street, (and this he might have done from the +front-windows of Clarendon House) he would, perhaps, have given us an +extra volume of _Essays_. We would that he _had_ so lived, if only +that his sublime truths might thus nave been multiplied for the good +of mankind, if not for the weak heads of St. James's Street. + + * * * * * + + +THE GLANCIN' E'E. + + + Oh lassie tell me can'st thou lo'e, + I hae gaz'd upon thy glancin' e'e; + It soars aboon, it rolls below, + But, ah, it never rests on me. + + Oh lassie I hae socht the hour + When pity wak'nin' lo'e might be, + Tell my sair heart a gauldin' flower + Has droopit in thy glancin' e'e. + + Oh lassie, turn not sae awa' + Disdainfu', gie na death to me; + Does pity mark the tears that fa'? + Exhale them wi' thy glancin' e'e. + +C.C. + + * * * * * + + +WESTMINSTER ABBEY. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + +"There is a voice from the grave sweeter than song."--_Washington +Irving_. + + + Illustrious dead! one tributary sigh, + In that great temple where the mighty lie, + I breath'd for you--a magic charm was there + Where rest the great and good, the wise and fair; + Their glittering day of fame has had its close + And beauty, genius, grandeur, there repose. + Immortal names! kings, queens, and statesmen rise + In marble forms before the gazer's eyes. + Cold, pale, and silent, down each lessening aisle + They clustering stand, and mimic life awhile. + The warrior chief, in sculptur'd beauty dies, + And in Fame's clasping arms for ever lies. + "Each in his place of state," the rivals stand, + The senators, who saved a sinking land; + Majestic, graceful,--each with "lips apart" + Whose eloquence subdued and won the heart. + Pitt! round thy name how bright a halo burns, + When memory to thy day of glory turns; + And views thee in life's bright meridian lie, + And victim to thy patriot spirit die! + Round Fox's tomb, what forms angelic weep, + And ever watch that chill and marble sleep! + Silence, how eloquent! how deep--profound-- + She holds her reign above the hallow'd ground. + Here sceptred monarchs in death's slumbers lie, + Tudors, Plantagenets--they too could die! + Beneath a 'scutcheon'd arch, with banners spread, + Unhappy, murdered, Richard rests his head. + While Pomfret's walls in "ruin greenly tell," + How fought the brave and how the noble fell! + Pale rose of York! thy sanguine rival rears + Full many a tomb, and many a trophy bears. + But who lies here? in marble lovely still, + Here let me pause, and fancy take her fill. + Poor ill-starr'd Mary; Melancholy gloom + And fond regrets are waking o'er thy tomb. + Bright was thy morn of promise, dark the day, + That clos'd thy fate in murderous Fotheringay! + How near thee lies that "bright star of the west," + Elizabeth, of queens the wisest, best; + Her "lion port," and her imperial brow, + The dark grey stone essays in vain to show. + Ye royal rivals of a former day, + How has your love and hatred pass'd away! + To future times how faint the voice of fame, + For greatness here but "stalks an empty name." + Around, above, how sorrow builds her throne, + To snatch from death's embrace each treasure gone. + See, how the horrid phantom bends his bow, + And points his dart to lay that victim low![1] + She sinks, she falls, and her fond husband's breast + Is the cold pillow to that marble rest! + But softly tread upon the sacred ground, + Where Britain's bards lie sepulchred round. + Sons of the muse, who woke the magic spell, + From the deep windings of "Apollo's shell!" + Mute is each lyre, their silent strings are bound + With willow, yew, and cypress wreath'd around. + Their hopes, joys, sorrows, rest within the grave + Admiring nations to their relics gave. + Hail, mighty shades! bright spirits of the past; + Here may your ashes sleep while time shall last. + Let kindred genius shed the pensive tear, + And grace with votive elegy each bier. + While far beyond this melancholy vale, + When faded sorrow tells her mournful tale, + "O'er this dim spot of earth," in regions fair + Your spirits dwell, and joys eternal share. + + [1] The tomb of Mrs. Nightingale. + +_Kirton Lindsey_. + +ANNIE R. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE COSMOPOLITE. + + * * * * * + + +THE TIMES NEWSPAPER. + + +We are not about to write an advertisement for this advertised of all +advertisers--nor to talk of its square feet--its crowded broadside--or +the myriads of letters that make it resemble a sea of animalculae. We +are content to leave all the pride of its machinery to Messrs. +Applegath and Cowper, and the clang of its engine to the peaceful +purlieus of Printing-house Square. Yet these are interesting items in +the advancement of science, and in the history of mankind; for whether +taken mechanically or morally, the _Times_ is, without exception, the +newspaper of all newspapers, "the observed of all _observers_" and +altogether, the most extraordinary production of this or any other +age. + +But we are more anxious to reach what may be called the philosophy of +a newspaper--that broad volume of human life, in which "the follies, +vices, and consequent miseries of multitudes are displayed." To prove +this, only let the reader glance over the twenty-four columns of a +Times newspaper, and attempt a calculation of the many thousand events +that spring from and are connected with their contents. Yet this sheet +is but as it were a day in the life of man--a mere thread of the +mingled yarn of his existence--and 313 such sheets, or 1,252 such +folios make but a year of his history. The subject is too vast and +comprehensive for continued contemplation, for it is like all other +wheels of vicissitude; we become giddy by looking too steadfastly on +its twinings. + +Let us take one side of any recent _Times _newspaper--say that of +_Thursday last_--and attempt something like an abstract of its +_memorabilia_. This may appear for us a toilsome task, but if the +reader be not fatigued also, our time will not be misspent. Begin "at +the beginning" with the old English title, broken by the royal +arms--like a blocking-course; and the No. and date in a sort of +typographical entablature. The first side is filled by 188 +advertisements, for the most part, classed according to their objects. + +Thus, we start, and not unappropriately, with notices of vessels _to +sail_ for India and the new settlement on _Swan River_. What +temptations for adventure and avarice--what associations of industry +and indolence--luxury and squalid misery--do these announcements +create in the reflective mind. The nabob in his chintz--the speculator +with his last hundred--and the half-starved agriculturist--are but +sorry portraits beside the class to whom the next notice is +addressed.--Packets to Calais, Dieppe, and Margate--necessity on her +last leg, and luxury on the fantastic toe--the wasted mind and +famished visage beside hoyden mirth and bloated luxury. Then the South +American Mining Association Deed "lies for signature:"--what a relief +in this sheet of _chiaro-scuro_--a kind of tinsel to set off its grave +parts, with gold dust enough to blind half its readers. To this little +flash of golden light succeeds shade--Chancery and creditors' +notices--proving debts and consciences--followed by civil contracts +for Bridewell and building a Lunatic Asylum in Kent. The association +is too obvious, and verily, the maker-up of the Times newspaper is a +Hogarth in his way; for what Hogarth did with pencil and brush, he +does with metallic types. Next is a Saw Mill to be sold cheap, +constructed for the express purpose of being sent to the Swan River +settlement--how fortunate--for surely any idle wight would make his +way with such assistance, especially as the machine is "on improved +principles." _Luxury_ again--paper-hangings, French lamps, and French +roses--_necessity_ again--Money on mortgage, and bills discounted: how +obvious the connexion--the very cause and effect--the lamps will not +burn without oil, and the roses will not bloom without money--at least +they will only waste their fragrance in the desert air of the +nursery-ground. + +The _second column_ begins with a solicitor's inquiry for a person +long unheard of, who, if alive, "may hear of somewhat very +considerably to his advantage"--any person proving his death, shall be +rewarded. Next is a notice from the City Chamber Court of Stralsund, +of a man who has been missing twenty years, and unless he informs the +court of his existence on or before Lady-day, 1830, he will be +declared dead--poor fellow--yet how many would rejoice at such an +opportunity of escaping from their worldly cares. Next comes a little +string of Anniversaries of Charities--followed by Exhibitions of the +Fine Arts--had their position been reversed, the effect would have +been better; for fine painting prepares the heart for acts of +benevolence, and kindleth all its best feelings. Portraits of the Rev. +Matthew Wilks and Pope Pius VII. (the latter a splendid mezzotinto +from Sir T. Lawrence's picture) are followed by a "_Speaking_ French +Grammar," a very good companion for any Englishman about to visit the +continent; for with many, their stock of French does not last out +their cash. Next is fourteen years of the Morning Post to be sold--a +bargain for a fashionable novelist, and in fact, a complete +stock-in-trade for any court or town Adonis; a perfect vocabulary of +fashion, detailing the rise and progress of all the fashionable arts +since the peace--the gazette appointments and disappointments--and +elopements and _faux pas_, sufficient for all the comedy-writers of +the present century--the respective claims of Spanish Refugees and +Spitalfields Weavers--charitable concerts and opera benefits--and all +the lumber and light artillery of the _grand monde_. + +The _third column_ is almost entirely occupied by "Wanted" +advertisements and we had resolved to pass over all their "Wants;" had +not some of them occurred to us as rather singular, even in these +times of general distress. The first of these is for a respectable +middle-aged woman, as lady's maid--"to understand dress-making, +millinery, hair-dressing, getting-up fine linen, and to be useful and +obliging." All this is reasonable enough; but mark the inducement: "a +clever person fond of the country, and who can bear confinement, will +find this a comfortable situation!" "This is too much." Another is for +a butler and a valet, to "undertake the care and responsibility of a +numerous family:" another is a young man for "a situation in any shop +or warehouse, not particular what:" another of "a nurse, who can cut +and make children's dresses, and instruct them in reading and +spelling;" a school-assistant "to fill the second desk," &c. Next come +a few characteristics of a scientific age--as patent trouser-straps, +to "prevent the dirt getting between the strap and the boot, &c.;" and +patent springs for waistcoat backs--to cause the clothes to fit well +to the shape, &c.--and, above all, a legitimate, scientific _Diaphane_ +parasol. + +The "Wants" are resumed in the _fourth column_. One is a young man to +be able to walk well; "it is immaterial what he has been accustomed +to." + +In the fourth column we find "a family grave to be sold, unused for +nearly 50 years at that period, but partly occupied. _To save +trouble_, price 25_l_." Another advertisement--"to small capitalists" +is a perfect puzzle; for the advertiser will not describe the +"ready-money concern" to be disposed of, but says, "the principal +article of sale is what is consumed, either in a greater or less +degree, by almost every individual." Next is a tallowchandler's +business in a situation which "will command an extensive trade +immediately the new Fleet Market is erected"--rather anticipatory, to +be sure. Another, "worthy of notice," offers for 260 guineas, seven +houses, which cost 800 in building--a tolerable speculation. + +The _last column_ commences with a fine brown gelding, (like most +friends) parted with for no fault, free from vice, although, "a +_trial_ will be granted." Another announces for sale, several "_bays_, +greys, roans, _creams_, and _duns_:" a chaise "parted with for no +other fault than the present owner having purchased a four-wheeled +one;" and "a house near the church, commanding extensive and pleasing +prospects." + +The fourth folio, or side of the paper, is nearly filled with +advertisements of _sales by auction_, a single glance at which would +convince us of the instability of human affairs, even if we did not +read in one corner, of a theatrical wardrobe, containing five splendid +new court dresses, trimmed with gold and silver (except the pockets,) +and 52 very fine wigs. + +The inner, or second and third folios of the paper, present still +finer studies for our reflection. The eye almost instinctively lights +on the "Foreign Papers," detailing the progress of war and the balance +of power--Francfort Fair, and English manufactures. Below is the +well-known graphic relief--a clock, and two opened and one closed +book, with "The Times"--past and future, decorated with oak and +laurel. Then come the theatrical announcements teeming with novelty +and attraction, which stand like the sauces, savoury dishes, and +sweetmeats of the day's repast. + +(_To be concluded in our next_.) + + * * * * * + + + + +OLD POETS. + + * * * * * + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + +The following song is said to be the most ancient in the English +language, and to have been written so early as the year 1250, almost a +century before Geoffrey Chaucer, (who is styled the father of English +poetry,) produced his _Court of Love_, which was written at the early +age of eighteen. + +CHAS. COLE. + + +THE CUCCU. + + Summer is icumen in; + Lhude sing cuccu: + Groweth sed and bloweth med, + And springeth the wde nu + Sing cuccu. + + Awe bleteth after lomb; + Lhouth after calve cu: + Bulluc sterteth, + Buck verteth, + Murie sing cuccu, + Cuccu, cuccu, + Wel singes this cuccu; + Ne swik thu naver. + + +_Glossary_--Sumer, summer--icumen, a coming--lhude, loud--sed, +seed--med, mead--wde, wood--nu, new--awe, ewe--lomb, lamb--lhouth, +loweth--cu, cow--murie, merry--singes, sing'st--thu, thou--Ne swik thu +naver, May'st thou never cease. + + * * * * * + + + + +MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS. + + * * * * * + + +MAY DAY. + + +It would seem that among our Pagan ancestors, before the introduction +of Christianity, the _first day of May_ was the great festival in +honour of the sun, and that fires were then kindled and rejoicings +made, in honour of that great luminary. The first day of May is still +called _Beltan_, or _Baal-tein_, "the fire of Baal." In some parts of +the country the shepherds still make festivals of milk and eggs on +that day, but the custom is rapidly declining. In the Highlands the +festival is still continued with singular ceremonies. On Beltan day +all the boys in a township or hamlet meet in the moors; they cut a +table in the green sod, of a round figure, by casting a trench in the +ground of such circumference as to hold the whole company; they kindle +a fire, and dress a meal of eggs and milk of the consistence of a +custard; and then knead a cake of oatmeal, which is toasted at the +embers against a stone. After the custard is eaten up, they divide the +cake into as many portions, similar in size and shape, as there are +persons in the company. They then daub over one of these portions with +charcoal until it is perfectly black; they put all the bits of the +cake into a bonnet; when each of the company, blindfolded, draws out a +portion. He who holds the bonnet is entitled to the last bit. Whoever +draws the black piece is the devoted person to be sacrificed to Baal, +whose favour they mean to implore in rendering the season productive. +There is little doubt but that such inhuman sacrifices were once +offered in this country as well as in the east; although the act of +sacrifice is now dispensed with, the devoted person being only +compelled to leap three times through the flames, with which the +ceremony of the festival is closed. + +That the Caledonians paid a superstitious respect to the sun, as was +the practice among many other nations, is evident, not only from the +sacrifice of Beltan, but from many other circumstances. When a +Highlander goes to bathe, or to drink water out of a consecrated +fountain, he must always approach by going round the place from east +to west on the south side, in imitation of the apparent diurnal motion +of the sun. When the dead are laid in the earth, the grave is +approached by going round in the same manner. The bride is conducted +to her future spouse in the presence of the minister; and the glass +goes round in company in the course of the sun. This is called in +Gaelic, going round in the right or lucky way; the opposite course is +the wrong or unlucky way. + +FHAOLAIN. + + * * * * * + + +ABORIGINES OF VAN DIEMAN'S LAND. + + +So little is known of these children of nature, and still less has +been done to gain any knowledge of them, that not much can be offered +as to their present numbers or condition. From what I have seen and +read, the natives of Van Dieman's Land are unlike any other Indians, +either in features, their mode of living, hunting, &c. There are many +hundreds of people who have lived for years in the colony, and yet +have never seen a native. ... The features of these people are any +thing but pleasing: a large flat nose, with immense nostrils; lips +particularly thick; a wide mouth, with a tolerably good set of teeth; +the hair long and woolly, which, as if to confer additional beauty, is +besmeared with red clay (similar to our red ochre) and grease. Their +limbs are badly proportioned; the women appear to be generally better +formed than the men. Their only covering is a few kangaroo skins, +rudely stitched, and thrown over the shoulders; but more frequently +they appear in a state of nudity; indeed, so little knowledge have +they of decency or comfort, that they never avail themselves of the +purposes for which apparel is given to them. Lieut. Collins, in his +account of the natives of New South Wales, describes their marriage +ceremonies as being most barbarous and brutal; and I have also heard +from individuals who have visited New South Wales, that it is not +uncommon to see a poor woman almost beaten to death by her lover, +previous to his marrying her. From the shyness of the natives of Van +Dieman's Land, and the constant warfare that has been carried on +between them and the remote stock-keepers, (which is not likely to +render them more familiar,) I have never been able to ascertain +whether there is any trace of religion among them, or if they have +the slightest idea of a Supreme Being. I believe, and it is generally +supposed, they have not. It is but fair to remark, however, that +nothing has been done for them; the few that can speak a little +English, only curse and swear, and this they catch up very readily +from the different convicts they meet with. + + * * * * * + +There are but few instances of any native having entirely forsaken his +tribe, however young he may have been taken away; they appear to +dislike any thing in the shape of labour, although, if they take to +cattle, they are, beyond any thing, quick in tracing and finding those +lost. So acute is their power of discrimination, that they have been +known to trace the footsteps of bush-rangers over mountains and rocks; +and, although the individual they have been in pursuit of has walked +into the sides of the river as if to cross it, to elude the vigilance +of his pursuers, and has swam some distance down and crossed when +convenient, yet nothing can deceive them. Indeed, so remarkable is +their discernment, that if but the slightest piece of moss on a rock +has been disturbed by footsteps, they will instantly detect it. The +aborigines of this island have no appointed place or situation to live +in; they roam about at will, followed by a pack of dogs, of different +sorts and sizes, but which are used principally for hunting the +kangaroo, oppossum, bandicoot, &c. They are passionately fond of their +dogs; so much so, that the females are frequently known to suckle a +favourite puppy instead of the child. They rarely ever move at night, +but encircle themselves round a large fire, and sleep in a sitting +posture, with their heads between their knees. So careless are they of +their children, that it is not uncommon to see boys grown up with feet +exhibiting the loss of a toe or two, having, when infants, been +dropped into the fire by the mother. The children are generally +carried (by the women) astride across the shoulders, in a careless +manner. They live entirely by hunting, and do not fish so much, or use +the canoe, as in New South Wales, although the women are tolerably +expert divers; the craw-fish and oyster, if immediately on the coast, +are their principal food. Oppossums and kangaroos may be said to be +their chief support; the latter is as delicious a treat to an epicure, +as the former is the reverse. The manner of cooking their victuals is +by throwing it on the fire, merely to singe off the hair; they eat +voraciously, and are very little removed from the brute creation as to +choice of food; entrails, &c. sharing the same chance as the choicest +parts. They are extremely expert in climbing, and can reach the top of +the largest forest-trees without the aid of branches; they effect this +by means of a small sharp flint, which they clasp tightly in the ball +of their four fingers, and having cut a notch out of the bark, they +easily ascend, with the large toe of each foot in one notch, and their +curiously manufactured hatchet in the other. Their weapons of defence +are the spear and waddie; the former is about twelve feet long, and as +thick as the little finger of a man; the tea-tree supplies them with +this matchless weapon; they harden one end, which is very sharply +pointed, by burning and filing it with a flint prepared for the +purpose. In throwing the spear they are very expert; indeed, of late, +their audacious atrocities have been lamentably great, although, at +the same time, I have little hesitation in saying, they have arisen +from the cruel treatment experienced by some of their women from the +hands of the distant stock-keepers. Indeed, these poor mortals, I +know, have been shot at merely to gratify a most barbarous cruelty.... + +After killing a white man, the natives have a sort of dance and +rejoicing, jumping, and singing, and sending forth the strangest +noises ever heard. They do not molest the body when dead, nor have I +ever heard of their stripping or robbing the deceased. Among +themselves they have no funeral rites; and those who are aged or +diseased are left in hollow trees, or under the ledges of rocks, to +pine and die. These people are subject to a disease, which causes the +most loathsome ulcerated sores; two or three whom I saw were +wretched-looking objects. I remember a very old man, who was thus +affected, being tried and hung, for spearing one of Mr. Hart's men; +the culprit was so ill and infirm as to be obliged to be carried to +the place of execution. I think the colonial surgeons call the disease +the "bush scab;" and that it is occasioned by a filthy mode of life. +The population of natives is very small in proportion to the extent of +the island: several causes may be alleged for their smallness of +numbers; the principal one is their having been driven about from +place to place, by settlers taking new locations; another cause is the +great destruction of the kangaroo, which obliges the natives to labour +hard to procure food sufficient for their sustenance: this, and their +having no means of procuring vegetables, besides being constantly +exposed to the weather, together with their offensive habits of +living, produce the disease above mentioned, with its fatal +consequences. _Widdowson's Van Dieman's Land_. + + +Retrospective Gleanings. + + +OLD ROSE. + + +Walton, in his "Angler," makes the hunter, in the second chapter, +propose that they shall sing "Old Rose," which is presumed to refer to +the ballad, "Sing, old Rose, and burn the bellows," of which every one +has heard, but much trouble has been taken, in vain, to find a copy of +it. + + * * * * * + + +AUCTIONS. + + +Elihu Yale was remarkable for his auctions. The first of these was +about the year 1700. He had brought such quantities of goods from +India, that, finding no one house large enough to stow them in, he had +a public sale of the over-plus; and that was the first auction of the +kind in England. + + * * * * * + + +LILLY, THE ASTROLOGER. + + +While this impudent cheat is ridiculed for his absurdities, let him +have credit for as lucky a guess as ever blessed the pages even of +"Francis Moore, physician." In his "Astrologicall Predictions for +1648," there occurs the following passage, in which we must needs +allow that he attained to "something like prophetic strain," when we +call to mind that the great Plague of London occurred in 1665, and the +great Fire in the year following: + +"In the year 1656 the aphelium of Mars, who is the generall +significator of England, will be in Virgo, which is assuredly the +ascendant of the English Monarchy, but Aries of the kingdom. When this +absis, therefore, of Mars shall appear in Virgo, who shall expect less +than a strange _catastrophe_ of human affairs in the commonwealth, +monarchy, and kingdom of England? There will then, either in or about +these times, or neer that year, _or within ten years, more or less, of +that time_, appear in this kingdom so strange a revolution of fate, +_so grand a catastrophe_, and great mutation unto this monarchy and +government, as never yet appeared; of which, as the times now stand, I +have no liberty or encouragement to deliver any opinion. _Only, it +will be ominous to London, unto her merchants at sea, to her traffique +at land, to her poor, to her rich, to all sorts of people inhabiting +in her or her liberties, BY REASON OF SUNDRY FIRES AND A CONSUMING +PLAGUE." + +This is the prediction which, in 1666, led to his being examined by a +Committee of the House of Commons; not, as has been supposed, that he +might "discover by the stars who were the authors of the Fire of +London," but because the precision with which he was thought to have +foretold the event, gave birth to a suspicion that he was already +acquainted with them, and privy to the (supposed) machinations which +had brought about the catastrophe. Curran says, there are two kind of +prophets, those who are really inspired, and those who prophesy events +which they intend themselves to bring about. Upon this occasion, poor +Lilly had the ill-luck to be deemed one of the latter class. + + * * * * * + + +WHIGS AND TORIES. + + +Whenever these terms were first introduced, and whatever might be +their original meaning, it is certain that in the reign of Charles the +Second they carried the political signification which they still +retain. Take, as a proof, the following nervous passage from Dryden's +Epilogue to "The Duke of Guise," 1683: + + + "Damn'd neuters, in their middle way of steering, + Are neither fish, nor flesh, nor good red herring: + Nor whigs, nor Tories they; nor this nor that; + Not birds, not beasts, but just a kind of bat: + A twilight animal, true to neither cause, + With _Tory_ wings, but _Whiggish_ teeth and claws." + + * * * * * + + +OTWAY'S "CAIUS MARIUS." + + +When poor Otway's "unpardonable piracy," in taking part of this play +from "Romeo and Juliet," was reprobated so severely, the critic might +have done him the justice to mention, that, instead of attempting to +pass off the borrowed beauties as his own, he, in the prologue, fully +avowed his obligations. It contains an animated eulogy on Shakspeare, +which thus concludes:-- + + + "Though much the most unworthy of the throng, + Our this day's poet fears he's done him wrong. + Like greedy beggars, that steal sheaves away, + _You'll find he's rifled him of half a play;_ + Among his baser dross you'll see it shine, + Most beautiful, amazing, and divine." + + * * * * * + + +NANCY DAWSON + + +Was a dancer at Covent Garden Theatre, previous to the accession of +his late majesty; and in 1760 transferred her services to the other +house. On the 23rd of September, in that year, the "Beggar's Opera" +was performed at Drury Lane, when the play-bill thus announced her: +"In Act III, a hornpipe by Miss Dawson, her first appearance +here."--It seems she was engaged to oppose Mrs. Vernon in the same +exhibition at the rival house. That her performance of it was somewhat +celebrated, may be inferred from the circumstance of there being a +full-length print of her in it.--_Gentleman's Magazine_. + + * * * * * + +RELIC OF JOHN BUNYAN. + + +[Illustration: Relic of John Bunyan.] + + +The cut represents the vessel from which John Bunyan, the author of +that popular allegory, "the Pilgrim's Progress," was accustomed to +drink syllabub, during his incarceration in Bedford County Gaol. The +original is in the possession of the correspondent who has furnished +us with the sketch for the engraver. It is of common earthen-ware, +7-1/2 inches in height, and will contain 3-1/2 pints; one of the +handles is partly broken off; the glaze is of a light flesh tint; and +the vessel is a fair specimen of pottery in the early part of the +seventeenth century. + +Bunyan, it will be recollected, was born in 1628, at Elstow, near +Bedford, where the cottage stood in its original state till within +these few years. It has latterly been new fronted, but the interior +remains nearly as in Bunyan's time. He was the son of a tinker, and +followed his father's trade; and at Elstow are the remains of a closet +in which, in early life, he carried on business. During the civil war +he served as a soldier in the parliament army; and subsequently joined +a society of Anabaptists at Bedford, and became their public teacher. +Soon after the Restoration, he was indicted for "abstaining from +coming to church," and holding "unlawful meetings and conventicles," +for which he was sentenced to transportation, which was not executed, +as he was detained in prison upwards of twelve years, and at last +liberated through the charitable interposition of Dr. Barlow, Bishop +of Lincoln. + +Sir Richard Phillips, in his recent "Personal Tour," says, "on +inquiring for relics of honest Bunyan, I was introduced to Mr. +Hilyard, the present amiable and exemplary pastor of the large +Independent Congregation, which 150 years since was under the +spiritual care of Bunyan. Mr. H. at his meeting-house, showed me the +vestry-chair of Bunyan; and the present pulpit is that in which Bunyan +used to preach. At his own house he preserves the records of the +establishment, many pages of which are in a neat and very scholastic +hand by Bunyan, and contain many of his signatures." + +Bunyan's imprisonment gave rise to "The Pilgrim's Progress," a work, +which like "Robinson Crusoe," has remained unrivalled amidst a host of +imitators. He was too, a wit as well as a preacher. Towards the close +of his imprisonment a Quaker called on him, probably to make a convert +of the author of the Pilgrim. He thus addressed him:--"Friend John, I +am come to thee with a message from the Lord; and after having +searched for thee in half the prisons in England, I am glad that I +have found thee at last." "If the Lord had sent you," sarcastically +replied Bunyan, "you need not have taken so much pains, for the Lord +knows that I have been a prisoner in Bedford Gaol for these twelve +years past." + + * * * * * + + +SKELETON OF AN ELEPHANT. + + +The bones of poor Chunee, the stupendous elephant shot at Exeter +'Change, in 1826, have, at a considerable expense, been accurately +articulated, and the entire skeleton is now exhibiting in one of the +chambers at "the Egyptian Hall," in Piccadilly. We remember the +interest, the "sensation," which the death of Chunee occasioned: it +was a fertile incident--for we gave an engraving of the enormous +deceased in his den at Exeter 'Change. It is little more than three +years since, and probably in three years more, Chunee will figure in +books of Natural History, and Exeter 'Change in the antiquarian's +portfolio. + +We recommend the Naturalist and all such as delight in contemplating +sublime objects of nature, to see this skeleton; and there can +scarcely be an exhibition better calculated to impress the youthful +mind with the vastness of creation. It stands nearly 13 feet high, and +the clear space beneath the ribs is 6 feet. + +It would, we think, suit the Zoological Society, and make a fine +_nucleus_ for their Museum. + + * * * * * + + +ROYAL VISITS TO THE THEATRES. + + +When the King visited the Opera in 1821, the preparations cost upwards +of £300. The ante-room and the box were hung with satin, and festoons +of gold lace. + +When his Majesty visited Covent Garden Theatre in 1823, there were 4,255 +persons present, and the receipts were £971. 18_s_. 6_d_.--_Companion to +the Theatres_. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY. + + +EMIGRATION. + +_NEW COLONY ON SWAN RIVER_. + + +We have abridged the following very important and interesting +information respecting the New Settlement on the Western Coast of +Australia, from the last Number of the _Quarterly Review_. The writer +appears to have profited by access to official sources, and thus +enhanced the value of his paper; but, disposed as we are, generally, +to coincide with his views on the subject of _Emigration_, we do not +think it necessary to detail them in this place. We have, however, +retained the "Regulations," as issued from the Colonial Office, and +made occasional quotations from Captain Stirling's Report; besides +availing ourselves of a pamphlet lately published, entitled "Hints on +Emigration to the New Settlement on the Swan and Canning Rivers."[2] +The Report of Mr. Fraser, the government botanical surveyor, from +Sydney, who accompanied Captain Stirling, is not so easy of access. +The _Quarterly_ writer, by some coincident opinions and references, +appears to be acquainted with the above pamphlet, although it is not +mentioned in the review. The official Regulations are as follow:-- + +1. His majesty's government do not intend to incur any _expense_ in +conveying settlers to the New Colony on the Swan River; and will not +feel bound to defray the expense of supplying them with provisions or +other necessaries, after their arrival there, nor to assist their +removal to England, or elsewhere, should they be desirous of quitting +the Colony. + +2. Such persons who may arrive in that settlement before the end of +the year 1830, will receive, in the order of their arrival, grants of +land, free of quit rent, proportioned to the capital which they may be +prepared to invest in the improvement of the land, and of which +capital they maybe able to produce satisfactory proofs to the +Lieutenant Governor (or other officer administering the Colonial +Government,) or to any two officers of the Local Government appointed +by the Lieutenant Governor for that purpose, at the rate of forty +acres for every sum of three pounds which they may be prepared so to +invest. + +3. Under the head of investment of capital will be considered stock of +every description, all implements of husbandry, and other articles +which may be applicable to the purposes of productive industry, or +which may be necessary for the establishment of the settler on the +land where he is to be located. The amount of any half-pay or pension +which the applicant may receive from Government, will also be +considered as so much capital. + +4. Those who may incur the expense of taking out labouring persons, +will be entitled to an allowance of land at the rate of fifteen +pounds, that is, of two hundred acres of land, for the passage of +every such labouring person, over and above any other investment +of capital. In the class of "labouring persons," are included +women, and children above ten years old. Provision will be made by +law, at the earliest opportunity for rendering those capitalists, who +may be engaged in taking out labouring persons to this settlement, +liable for the future maintenance of those persons, should they, from +infirmity, of any other cause, become unable to maintain themselves +there. + +5. The license of occupation of land will be granted to the settler, +on satisfactory proof being exhibited to the Lieutenant Governor (or +other officer administering the Local Government,) of the amount of +property brought into the colony. The proofs required of such property +will be such satisfactory vouchers of expenses as would be received in +auditing public accounts. But the full title to the land will not be +granted in fee simple, until the settler has proved, (to the +satisfaction of the Lieutenant Governor for other officer +administering the Local Government,) that the sum required by Article +2 of these regulations (viz. one shilling and sixpence per acre) has +been expended in the cultivation of the land, or in solid +improvements, such as buildings, roads, or other works of the kind. + +6. Any grant of land thus allotted, of which a fair proportion, of at +least one fourth, shall not have been brought into cultivation, +otherwise improved or reclaimed from its wild state, to the extent of +one shilling and sixpence per acre, to the satisfaction of the Local +Government, within three years from the date of the license of +occupation, shall, at the end of three years, be liable to a payment +of sixpence per acre, into the public chest of the settlement; and, at +the expiration of seven years more, should the land still remain in an +uncultivated or unimproved state, it will revert absolutely to the +crown. + +7. After the year 1830, land will be disposed of to those settlers who +may resort to the colony, on such conditions as his Majesty's +Government shall see occasion to adopt. + +8. It is not intended that any convicts, or other description of +prisoners, be transported to this new settlement. + +9. The government will be administered by Captain Stirling, of the +Royal Navy, as Lieut. Governor of the settlement; and it is proposed +that a bill should be submitted to parliament, in the course of the +next session, to make provision for the civil government of the New +Settlement. + +_Downing Street, 13th January, 1829_. + +The intended settlement is designated, in the "Regulations," as the +"New Colony on the Swan River;"[3] but this is a name, we think, not +sufficiently comprehensive for the extent of territory meant to be +occupied. What its future designation is meant to be, we pretend not +to know, but if its soil should prove as fruitful as its climate is +fine, the position and aspect of this part of the coast might justify +the name of Southern, or Australian, _Hesperia_; under which might be +included all that line of coast from Cape Leuwin, the southernmost +point of New Holland, in lat. 34 deg. 30 min., long. 115 deg. 12 min. +east, to the lat. 31 deg. (or a degree or two more northerly) long. +115 deg. 15 min. east; and from the former point easterly to King +George's Sound, where an English colony has already been established. +This extent of territory, between the sea-coast and a range of +mountains parallel to it, hereafter to be described, may be estimated +to contain from five to six millions of acres, the greater part of +which, from the general appearance of the two extreme portions (the +only ones examined) may be considered as land fit for the plough, and, +therefore, fully capable of giving support to a million of souls. The +description we are about to give of this territory is mainly derived +from Captain Stirling, the intelligent officer who explored the +country, and of which he has been appointed the Lieutenant Governor, +and from Mr. Fraser, an excellent botanist, who accompanied him, and +who was well acquainted with the soil and products of New South Wales, +on the opposite side of Australia. + +Captain Stirling, when commanding the Success frigate, was sent to New +South Wales on a particular service, which the state of the monsoon +prevented him from carrying into immediate execution. He determined, +therefore, on the recommendation of General Darling, the governor, to +explore, in the meantime, this western part of Australia, which was +omitted to be surveyed by Captain King, on the ground that it had been +_visited_ by the French in the expedition of Captain Baudin: the +result of that visit, however, is so unsatisfactory, and so very +inaccurate, that we are rather surprised that Captain King should have +passed over so interesting a portion, geographically considered, as +the south-western angle of this great country. Captain Stirling +arrived at Cape Leuwin on the 2nd of March, 1827, stood along the +coast, and anchored in Gage's Roads, opposite Swan River, which he +afterwards ascended to its source in boats, and sent out exploring +parties to ascertain the nature of the surrounding territory. + +"We found," he says, "the country in general rich and romantic, gained +the summit of the first range of mountains, and had a bird's-eye view +of an immense plain, which extended as far as the eye could reach to +the northward, southward, and westward. After ten days' absence, we +returned to the ship; we encountered no difficulty that was not easily +removable; we were furnished with abundance of fresh provisions by our +guns, and met with no obstruction from the natives." + +Captain Stirling describes the weather as very different from that +which the French experienced; but the latter were on the coast at the +commencement of the winter season. They were apparently so alarmed at +the gales of wind, the rocks, and the reefs, and the banks, that they +hastened to leave behind them this part of the coast unexamined, with +all convenient speed. The strong westerly winds that prevail +throughout the year in the southern ocean to the southward of the +tropic, appear to assume a northern direction near this part of the +Coast of Australia. These winds are here found to be cool and +pleasant, and were generally accompanied by clear and serene weather. +The summer winds from the N.W. are not infrequent; and, coming charged +with moisture from a warm region into a colder one, they are +invariably accompanied by rain; but, in the immediate vicinity of the +shore, land and sea breezes are constant and regular. The climate +appears to be delightful. While the Success was on the coast--that is, +in the autumn--the average height of the thermometer was 72 deg., the +extremes being 84 deg. and 59 deg., the first occurring before the +sea-breeze set in, the latter at midnight. The French found the +temperature when at anchor, in June, from 14 deg. to 17 deg. of +Reaumur, or 63 deg. to 70 deg. of Fahrenheit. On the mountains, +Captain Stirling says, the temperature appeared to be about 15 deg. +below that of the plain. The alternate land and sea breezes create a +moisture in the atmosphere which renders the climate cool and +agreeable; the mornings and evenings are particularly so; and the +nights are almost invariably brilliant and clear. Such a climate, it +is almost unnecessary to say must be highly favourable to vegetation, +which was accordingly observed to be most luxuriant. "The verdant +appearance," says Captain Stirling, "and almost innumerable variety of +grasses, herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees, show that there is no +deficiency in the three great sources of their sustenance, soil, heat, +and moisture." + +The general structure and aspect of the country may be thus +described:--from Cape Leuwin to Cape Naturaliste (the southern head of +Baie Géographe,) which is not quite a degree of latitude, the coast is +formed of a range of hills, of uniform and moderate elevation. From +Geographer's Bay to the northward of Swan River, the whole coast line +is a limestone ridge, varying in height from twenty to six hundred +feet, and extending inward to the distance of from one to five miles. +Behind this ridge (whose occasional naked and barren appearance +Captain Stirling also thinks may have caused the early and continued +prejudice against the fertility of this western coast) commences a +great plain, which occupies a space, from south to north, of +undetermined length, (reaching, perhaps, to King George's Sound,) and +varying, in breadth, from twenty to fifty miles. The eastern boundary +of this plain skirts the base of an almost continuous and abrupt chain +of mountains, to which Captain Stirling gave the name of "General +Darling's Range." One of the points, the highest seen and measured by +him, was about three thousand feet high, The average height is stated +to be from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred feet. The base is +granite; the sides, in many parts, naked; and the soil supports but +little vegetation, except the Stringy-bark and some hardy plants. + +Captain Stirling observes, that coal was not found, because it was not +particularly sought for; but he is of opinion that the general +character of the country is such as to warrant the belief that it +might be found; "for," he observes, "all the concomitant strata or +members of the coal formation are exposed on different parts of the +surface, below which I had no opportunity to explore. Indeed, the +carboniferous order of locks is that which is most frequently +exhibited throughout this territory; and I have no doubt important +results would arise from a proper examination into its mineralogical +resources." + +With reference to a supply of fresh water, so indispensably necessary +in every settled country, the researches made by Captain Stirling and +Mr. Fraser were attended with the most satisfactory results. The +former observes, that the clouds which are impelled against the +western side of the range of mountains are condensed into rain, the +water of which is conducted across the plain to the sea, in numerous +streams, but chiefly by three principal rivers, terminating in +estuaries, or salt-water lakes. These are--the Swan River, opposite +the Island Rottenest; the Rivière Vasse, and Port Leschenault, in +Geographer's Bay. "We found," says Captain Stirling, "a great number +of creeks, or rivulets, falling into Swan River, more particularly on +the eastern side; and I am inclined to think, that the country +generally is much divided by such water-courses. Its supply of fresh +water, from springs and lagoons, is abundant; for we found such +wherever we thought it necessary to ascertain their existence. At +Point Heathcote," he adds, "we met with a remarkable instance; for +there the beach of a narrow rocky promontory is a bed of springs, and +by tracing the finger along any part within four inches of the edge of +the salt water, pure and fresh water instantly occupied the trace." + +Mr. Fraser's testimony leaves no doubt of the abundance of fresh +water. "I was astonished," he says, "at the vivid green of the +Eucalyptus, and other trees and shrubs, so distinct from those of New +South Wales; but, on digging the soil to the depth of two feet, I +found the cause to arise apparently from the immense number of springs +with which this country abounds; for, at the depth above mentioned, I +found the soil quite moist, although evidently at the latter end of an +exceedingly dry season; and from the same cause must arise the great +luxuriance of the herbaceous plants on the banks, which exceeds any +thing I ever saw on the east coast. They consist principally of the +_senecia_ and the _sonchus_, which here attain the height of nine +feet." + +He further observes, that numerous active springs issue from the rocks +of the limestone ridge, and particularly in Geographer's Bay, the +whole coast of which, he says, "is a perfect source of active springs, +discharging themselves on the beach in rapid rills of considerable +extent, every six or seven yards." + +Between the two heads which form the entrance into Swan River, there +is, unfortunately, a bar, made by the continuity of the limestone +ridge. Over this bar, the depth, at low water, is but six feet, and is +therefore practicable only for boats or rafts. About a mile inside the +heads, the water deepens; and then commences a succession of cliffs, +or natural wharfs, with four, five, and six fathoms at their bases. +The same depths are extended over a magnificent expanse of salt water, +to which Captain Stirling has given the name of "Melville Water;" and +which, in his opinion, wants only a good entrance to make it one of +the finest harbours in the world, being seven or eight miles in +length, by three or four in width, and having a depth of water from +four to seven fathoms. This narrow entrance of the river, he thinks, +might be made navigable by ships of burthen, without difficulty or +great expense. + +When the town begins to rise, and substantial buildings are required, +the blocks of stone procured by quarrying this entrance will go far +towards paying the expense of excavation. + +Into this expansive sheet of water fall two rivers; one from the +north-east, which is properly the Swan River; the other from the +south-east, called Canning's River. Captain Stirling examined them both: +the former to its source, the latter beyond the point where the water +ceased to be brackish. They are both sufficiently convenient for boat +navigation, even at the end of the dry season; and any obstruction might +easily be removed to make them more so, by which the productions of an +immense extent of country might be transported by water-carriage. + +Mr. Fraser remarks that nothing of the mangrove appears along the banks +of the Swan River, the usual situation of this plant being here occupied +by the genus Metrosideros. The first plain, or flat, as it is called, +contiguous to the river, commencing at Point Fraser, is formed of a rich +soil, and appears, by a deposit of wreck, to be occasionally flooded to +a certain extent. Here are several extensive salt marshes, which Mr. +Fraser thinks are admirably adapted for the growth of cotton. The hills, +though scanty of soil, are covered with an immense variety of plants; +among others, a magnificent species of Angophera occupied the usual +place of the Eucalyptus, which, however, here as on the eastern side, +generally forms the principal feature in the botany of the country, +accompanied by Mimosa, Correa, Melaleuca, Casuarina, Banksia, and +Xanthorea. The brome, or kangaroo glass, was most abundant. On a more +elevated flat, a little further up the river, the botanist observes that +the "magnificence of the Banksia and arborescent Zamia, which was here +seen thirty feet in height, added to the immense size of the Xanthorea +near this spot, impart to the forest a character truly tropical." He +says that about five miles to the eastward of the river, there is an +evident change in the character of the country: extensive plains of the +richest description, consisting of an alluvial deposit, equalling in +fertility those of the banks of the River Hawkesbury in New South Wales, +and covered with the most luxuriant brome grass. The Casuarina, so +common near the limestone ridge of the coast, here disappears, and is +succeeded by a pendulous species of Metrosideros, which continues to the +source of the river. + +"From this point," says Mr. Fraser, "the country resembles, in every +essential character, that of the banks of those rivers which fall to +the westward of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, varying +alternately on each bank from hilly promontories of the finest red +loam, and covered with stupendous Angopheras, to extensive flats of +the finest description, studded with magnificent blue and water gums, +and occasional stripes of Accacias and papilionaceous shrubs, +resembling the green wattle of New South Wales." + +The higher the river is ascended, the more extended the flats become, +and the better is the quality of the soil. Here the country is said to +resemble in character that on the banks of the Macquarrie River, west +of Wellington valley; and though marks of occasional floods appeared +on the lower plains, the upper flats had evidently never been flooded. +The sides of the mountains were bare of underwood, and their summits +covered with large masses of iron stone, among which were growing +enormous trees of Angophera, and some straggling plants of Hakea. On a +careful examination of this part of the country bordering the two +rivers from the sea-coast to the mountains, Mr. Fraser says, "In +giving my opinion of the land seen on the banks of the Swan River, I +hesitate not in pronouncing it superior to any I ever saw in New South +Wales, east of the Blue Mountains, not only in its local character, +but in the many existing advantages which it holds out to settlers. +These advantages I consider to be, + +"First, the evident superiority of the soil. + +"Secondly, the facility with which a settler can bring his farm into a +state of immediate culture, in consequence of the open state of the +country, which allows not a greater average than two trees to an acre. + +"Thirdly, the general abundance of springs, producing water of the +best quality, and the consequent permanent humidity of the soil; two +advantages not existing on the eastern coast. And, + +"Fourthly, the advantages of water carriage to his door, and the +non-existence of impediments to land carriage." + + [2] Published by J. Cross, 18, Holborn, opposite Furnival's Inn. + + [3] The _Rivière de Cygnes_ of the French is a translation of the + _Zwanen Rivière_ of Vlaming. + +(_To be concluded in our next_.) + + * * * * * + + +ST. PAULS' CATHEDRAL. + + +Our readers are aware that the interior of the cupola of this +magnificent cathedral, represents the life of St. Paul, painted by Sir +James Thornhill; but the neglect and decay of this grand specimen of +pictorial decoration may not be so well known. The great expense of +erecting a scaffold sufficient for its restoration, appears to have +been the principal difficulty, added to the want of artists +experienced in this department of art. These obstacles, however, we +trust have been surmounted by Mr. E.T. Parris, of whose talents we +spoke in our account of the Colosseum, and who has just completed a +model of an apparatus for getting at large domes. The model has +already been approved by an experienced architect, and submitted to +the dean and chapter of St. Paul's; so that the restoration of Sir +James Thornhill's labours presents an excellent opportunity for the +immediate application of Mr. Parris's machinery; whilst its +accomplishment would be the means of rewarding individual ingenuity, +and rescuing from decay a valuable triumph of British genius. + + +_Instantaneous Lights_. + +Oxymuriate matches must "hide their diminished heads" before the +recent invention of a method of obtaining light, by merely compressing +a match, which inflames instantaneously. These matches are called +_Prometheans_, and comparing small things with great, we know not a +better name to imply the scientific age to which the invention +belongs. + + + +_Fossil Fish_. + +Mr. Mantell, of Lewes, has lately added to his museum a fine specimen +of a fossil fish, discovered in a bed of clay belonging to the Hasting +sand formation. Similar remains are abundant in the strata of Tilgate +Forest, in the white rock at Hastings, and in the sandstone quarries +near Tunbridge Wells; but they consist, for the most part, of detached +scales only. + + + +_Wonders of Art_. + +Among the last we notice the model of a boat for aërial navigation, +lately sent to the French Academy from Rome; and the patent taken out +at Paris for a coach with one wheel only, to accommodate 30 or 40 +passengers. The perfection of the latter scheme in England would +render indispensable a complete revision of our Turnpike Acts. + + * * * * * + + + + +NOTES OF A READER. + + * * * * * + + +SCOTTISH INNS. + +_By Sir Walter Scott_. + + +The courtesy of an invitation to partake a traveller's meal, or at least +that of being invited to share whatever liquor the guest called for, was +expected by certain old landlords in Scotland, even in the youth of +the author. In requital, mine host was always furnished with the news +of the country, and was probably a little of a humourist to boot. The +devolution of the whole actual business and drudgery of the inn upon the +poor gudewife was very common among the Scottish bonifaces. There was +in ancient times, in the city of Edinburgh, a gentleman of good family, +who condescended, in order to gain a livelihood, to become the nominal +keeper of a coffee-house, one of the first places of the kind which +had been opened in the Scottish metropolis. As usual, it was entirely +managed by the careful and industrious Mrs. B----; while her husband +amused himself with field-sports, without troubling his head about the +matter. Once upon a time the premises having taken fire, the husband was +met walking up the High Street, loaded with his guns and fishing-rods, +and replied calmly to some one that inquired after his wife, "that the +poor woman was trying to save a parcel of crockery, and some trumpery +books;" the last being those which served her to conduct the business +of the house. There were many elderly gentlemen in the author's younger +days, who still held it part of the amusement of a journey "to parley +with mine host," who often resembled, in his quaint humour, mine Host of +the Garter, in the Merry Wives of Windsor; or Blague of the George, in +the Merry Devil of Edmonton. Sometimes the landlady took her share of +entertaining the company. In either case, the omitting to pay them due +attention gave displeasure, and perhaps brought down a smart jest, as on +the following occasion:--A jolly dame who, not "sixty years since," kept +the principal caravansary at Greenlaw, in Berwickshire, had the honour +to receive under her roof a very worthy clergyman, with three sons of +the same profession, each having a cure of souls; be it said in passing, +none of the reverend party were reckoned powerful in the pulpit. After +dinner was over, the worthy senior, in the pride of his heart, asked +Mrs. Buchan whether she ever had had such a party in her house before. +"Here sit I," he said, "a placed minister of the kirk of Scotland, +and here sit my three sons, each a placed minister of the same +kirk.--Confess, Luckie Buchan, you never had such a party in your house +before." The question was not premised by any invitation to sit down and +take a glass of wine or the like, so Mrs. B. answered drily, "Indeed, +sir, I cannot just say that ever I had such a party in my house before, +except once in the forty-five, when I had a Highland piper here, with +his three sons, all Highland pipers; _and deil a spring they could play +amang them!"--Notes to the New Edition of the Waverley Novels_. + + * * * * * + + +CATCHING TIGERS. + + +In some parts of South America, a great many tigers are caught with +the lasso by the Indian and Creole inhabitants for the sake of their +skins. They are also sometimes entrapped in the following manner: a +large chest, or wooden frame, is made, supported upon four wheels, and +is dragged by oxen to a place where the traces of tigers have been +discovered. In the furthest corner of the chest is put a putrid piece +of flesh, by way of bait, which is no sooner laid hold of by the tiger +than the door of the trap falls; he is killed by a musket ball, or a +spear thrust through the crevices of the planks.--_Memoirs of General +Miller_. + + * * * * * + +ODE. + +(_From the Persian_.) + + + The joys of love and youth be mine, + The cheerful glass, the ruby wine, + The social feast, the merry friend, + And brimming goblets without end. + + The maid whose lips all sweets contain, + The minstrel with bewitching strain, + And, by my side, the merry soul + Who briskly circulates the bowl! + + A maiden full of life and light, + Like Eden's fountains pure and bright; + Whose sweetness steals the heart away, + Mild, beauteous, as the moon of May. + + A banquet-hall, the social room, + Cool, spacious, breathing rich perfume, + Like that fair hall where, midst the roses, + Each saint in heaven above reposes! + + Servants in briskness who excel, + Friends who can keep a secret well, + And merry men who love their lass, + And drink your health in many a glass. + + Wine, sparkling like the ruby bright, + Neither too sweet, nor yet too light; + One draught from purple wine we'll sip, + And one from beauty's rosy lip! + + A maid, whose joyous glances roll + To cheer the heart and charm the soul; + Whose graceful locks, that flow behind, + Engage and captivate mankind! + + A noble friend, whose rank is grac'd + By learning and poetic taste; + Who, like my Patron, loves the bard, + Well skill'd true merit to reward! + + Breathes there a man too cold to prove + The joys of friendship or of love? + Oh, let him die! when these are fled + Scarce do we differ from the dead! + +_Gentleman's Magazine_. + + * * * * * + + +LITERARY GAZETTES. + + +As one of the signs of the times we notice the almost simultaneous +appearance of three new Literary Gazettes, at Edinburgh, Oxford, and +Manchester. One of the latter contains a wood-cut of the Manchester +Royal Institution, and eight quarto pages for three-pence. Among the +original articles is a sketch of Mr. Kean, in which the writer says, +"Mr. Kean's countenance was some years since, one of the finest ever +beheld, and his eye the brightest and most penetrating. Without ever +having seen Lord Byron, we should say there must have been a great +similarity of features and expression between them." + + * * * * * + + +DUELLING CODE. + + +People talk about the voluminous nature of our statute-books, +forsooth. Nonsense! they are not half large or numerous enough. There +is room and necessity for hundreds and thousands of new laws; and if +duelling cannot be prevented, it might at least be regulated, and a +shooting license regularly taken out every year; and the licenses only +granted to persons of a certain rank, and property, and age. Say, for +instance, that none under fifteen years shall be allowed a license; +that livery servants, apprentices, clerks in counting-houses, coach +and wagon offices, hair-dressers, and tailors who use the thimble in +person, should be considered as unqualified persons. This would render +duelling more select and respectable.--_Rank and Talent_. + + * * * * * + + +SOUTH AMERICAN BANDITTI. + + +The vicinity of Lima is occasionally infested by banditti, carrying on +their operations in open day with so much system, that all who chance +to travel at that time are sure to be relieved of their valuables. +These robbers are composed chiefly of free mulattoes and others of a +mixed race. The evil has existed from time immemorial, and is of +purely Spanish origin; for Indian honesty, in retired villages, is so +great, that when a family for a time leaves its cage-like hut, the +latchless wicket is left ajar; a brush is placed on the sill, and it +would be worse than sacrilege for any one to cross the threshold under +any pretence. It has happened that the brigands, well armed and well +mounted, have assembled at distant and uncertain periods within a mile +of Callao. They direct their course towards Lima, stop all whom they +meet, and having very civilly lightened them of their purses, oblige +the plundered persons to accompany the robbers, till all arrive near +to the city gate, when the banditti disperse. Some ride boldly into +the town; many conceal themselves in the thickets of canes; whilst +others cut across the country, and return quietly to their homes, to +enjoy the spoil, or follow their usual occupations. The banditti, on +such extraordinary occasions, amount to twenty or thirty in number; +and it has happened that they have had about twenty carriages, besides +persons dismounted and made to lead their own horses, in the train, +which was regularly brought up by a rear-guard, while the advanced +scouts pushed on to secure fresh booty. They seldom commit murder; and +whenever it is possible, they avoid robbing officers of the army, or +civilians in the employment of government. Neither do they, when +acting in small parties, attack persons of note. Foreigners and +strangers are in general their usual victims.--_Memoir of General +Miller_. + + * * * * * + + +STEALING A SHEET. + + +A bet was laid by a gentleman that he would procure an Indian thief +who should steal the sheet from under a person without waking him. The +thing was effected in the following manner:--the Bheel approaching the +person, who lay on his side, from behind, carefully folded up the +sheet in small compact plaits till it reached his back; then, taking a +feather, he tickled the nose of the sleeper, who immediately scratched +his face and rolled over on the other side, when with a slight effort +he completely released the sheet, and bore it off in triumph.--_Twelve +Years' Military Adventures_. + + * * * * * + + +EDUCATION AND AMUSEMENTS OF THE LOWER CLASSES. + + +A correspondent of the _Gardener's Magazine_ observes that "next to +the existing school societies, there is nothing I am more anxious to +see, or would more gladly contribute to, than a _Society for promoting +the Rational Amusements of the Lower Classes_, the first aim of which +should be to instruct itinerant teachers of music, singing, and +dancing, in improved modes of imparting their arts, and thus fairly +set the plan agoing, when it would soon work its own way, and might +then be extended to higher objects. The taste for flowers among the +Paisley weavers, for gooseberry-growing at Manchester, and for music +among the west of Yorkshire clothiers, originally sprang up from +imitation of one or two amateurs of each pursuit; and there only needs +a similar _first impulse_, which a society with a few thousands a year +might give, to spread a general taste for music, singing, and dancing, +and ultimately for other branches of the fine arts, as drawing and +painting, as well as for natural history, and the cultivation of +flowers and fruits, &c. + +"The lower classes in England, thus improved in morals and manners by a +better education and more humanising amusements, might be safely left +to choose their time of contracting marriage, and would then no more +make beasts of themselves by drinking fermented liquors, than do the +lower classes in the city from which I write, (Brussels) where +probably more beer (and that by no means weak) is drank than in any +town of similar size in England, every street being crowded with +_cabarets_ (public-houses,) and these in the evening almost always +filled. But how filled? Not with rioters and noisy drunkards, but with +parties at separate tables, often consisting of a man, his wife and +children, all sipping their pot of beer poured into very small glasses +to prolong the pleasure, and the gratification of drinking seeming +less than that of the cheerful chit-chat, which is the main object of +the whole assemblage. Deep-rooted national bad habits can be +eradicated only by the spread of knowledge, which will ultimately +teach our lower classes, as it has already done the bulk of the +higher, that _moderation_ is the condition of real enjoyments, and +must be the motto even of the sensualist who aims at long-continued +indulgence." + + * * * * * + + + + +THE GATHERER. + + "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." + +SHAKSPEARE. + + * * * * * + + +TOAST. + + +The Parting toast at one of the old gaming-houses in _Marybone_ was +"_May as many of us as remain unhanged next spring, meet here again_." + + * * * * * + + +EPIGRAM + +_Translated from the French of Mr. Patris, who composed it a few days +before his death. By J.C._ + + + Last night I dreamt that worn away + With sickness, I was dead, + And that my carcass, cheek by jowl, + Was by a poor man's laid. + + My stomach rose, methought, to see + The wretch so near me lie, + And straight his sauciness I chid, + Like corpse of quality. + + Scoundrel, cried I, move farther off, + And give your betters room, + Avaunt, you scrub, and rot elsewhere, + Foh! how you stink and fume. + + Scrub! quoth the saucy dog, that's well, + Pray who's more scrub than you? + Bethink you, Mr., where you are, + And do not rant it so. + + Hither on equal terms all come, + Here's neither rich nor poor, + My muck's my own, and be assur'd, + That your's can be no more. + + * * * * * + + +SONG. + + + Oh, yes! I always dream of her, + But never breathe her name; + Her spirit always dwells with me, + By night, by day the same! + The cheerful smile no more is mine; + I sorrow and regret; + I strive in vain to banish love, + But still I can't forget. + + My friends may try to rally me, + And chase my grief away; + I smile in sadness while they laugh, + But heed not what they say. + They must not know how deep I love, + Nor win my secret yet; + And when I smile amid the scene, + 'Tis not that I forget. + + My lips can never break the spell; + Her name is buried here! + And yet perchance she may bedew + My coffin with a tear! + But if in climes away from her + The sun of life should set, + Her name will quiver on my lip, + When I the world forget. + +Z. + + * * * * * + + +EPITAPH IN AWLISCOMBE CHURCHYARD, DEVONSHIRE. + + + Here lie the remains of James Pady, + _brickmaker_, late of this parish, in hopes + that his _clay_ will be _remoulded_ in a workmanlike + manner, far superior to his former + perishable materials. + + Keep death and judgment always in your _eye_, + Or else the devil off with you will fly, + And in his _kiln_ with brimstone ever fry. + If you neglect the narrow _road_ to seek, + Christ will reject you like a _half-burnt brick_. + +_Awliscombe_. + +J.S. + + * * * * * + + +In the sea-fight off Minorca, in 1756, a gunner had his right hand +shot off, just as he was going to fire off a gun. The brave fellow +took up the match, saying, quite unconcernedly, "So then you thought +that I had but one arm." + + * * * * * + + +FLOWERS. + + + With each expanding flower we find + Some pleasing sentiment combin'd; + Love in the myrtle bloom is seen, + Remembrance to the violet clings, + Peace brightens in the olive green, + Hope from the half-closed iris springs, + Victory from the laurel grows, + And woman blushes in the rose. + + * * * * * + + +GOOD MORROW, A SONG. + + + Fly, night, away! + And welcome day! + With night we banish sorrow; + Sweet air, blow soft, + Sunshine aloft, + To give my love good morrow! + + Wings from the wind + To please her mind, + Notes from the lark I'll borrow; + Lark, stretch thy wing, + And tow'ring sing, + To give my love good morrow! + + Ye violets blue, + Sweet drops of dew, + That shine in every furrow, + Fresh odours fling + On zephyr's wing, + To give my love good morrow! + + Bright Venus, spare + Awhile thy car, + Thy Cupid, dove, and sparrow, + To waft my fair, + Like my own star, + To give the world good morrow! + +G.R. + + * * * * * + + +The great Duke of Marlborough, who was, perhaps, the most accomplished +gentleman of his age, would never suffer any approaches to obscenity +in his presence; and it was said, by Lord Cobham, that he did not +reprove it as an immorality in the speaker, but resented it as an +indignity to himself; and it is evident, that to speak evil of the +absent, to utter lewdness, blasphemy, or treason, must degrade not +only him who speaks, but those who hear; for surely that dignity of +character, which a man ought always to sustain, is in danger, when he +is made the confidant of treachery, detraction, impiety, or lust; for +he who in conversation displays his own vices, imputes them; as he who +boasts of a robbery to another, presupposes that he is a +thief.--_Hawkesworth_. + + * * * * * + + + Silence in love bewrays more woe + Than words, tho' ne'er so witty; + A beggar that is dumb, you know, + May challenge double pity. + +_Sir W. Raleigh_. + + + * * * * * + + +TO SUBSCRIBERS. + +For the convenience of such of our Country Subscribers as may +experience any difficulty in procuring the Numbers, we beg to apprize +them, that the Monthly Part is ready for delivery with the Magazines, +and may be procured by giving an order to any Provincial Bookseller. + + * * * * * + + +_LIMBIRD'S EDITIONS_. + +CHEAP and POPULAR WORKS published at the MIRROR OFFICE in the Strand, +near Somerset House. + +The ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS. Embellished with nearly 150 +Engravings. Price 6s. 6d. boards. + +The TALES of the GENII. Price 2s. + +The MICROCOSM. By the Right Hon. G. CANNING. &c. Price 2s. + +PLUTARCH'S LIVES, with Fifty Portraits, 2 vols. price 13s. boards. + +COWPER'S POEMS, with 12 Engravings, price 3s. 6d. boards. + +COOK'S VOYAGES, 2 vols. price 8s. boards. + +The CABINET of CURIOSITIES: or, WONDERS of the WORLD DISPLAYED. Price +5s. boards. + +BEAUTIES of SCOTT. 2 vols. price 7s. + +The ARCANA of SCIENCE for 1828. 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