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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/11405-0.txt b/11405-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5fa10d --- /dev/null +++ b/11405-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1526 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11405 *** + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 11405-h.htm or 11405-h.zip: + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/4/0/11405/11405-h/11405-h.htm) + or + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/4/0/11405/11405-h.zip) + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 12, NO. 342.] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1828. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + +[Illustration: COUNCIL OFFICE, &c. WHITEHALL. ] + + +COUNCIL OFFICE, &c. WHITEHALL. + + +From the Druids' Temple, at Abury, (our last engraving,) to the Council +Office, at Whitehall, is a long stride in the march of time. From "grave +to gay, and lively to severe," is nothing to it; but variety is the +public dictum; and with more sincerity than the courtier in _Tom Thumb_, +we say to the public, + + + "Whate'er your majesty shall please to name, + Long cut or short cut, to us' tis all the same." + + +On the annexed page is represented the new splendid range of buildings, +including the _Council Office_, _Board of Trade_, &c. at +Whitehall. The architect, Mr. Soane, has adapted the façade from the +Temple of Jupiter Stator, at Rome.[1] + +But Mr. Soane's adaptation has been only partial, and he has adhered +merely to the details of the columns and entablature. "The façade," it is +well observed in an early Number of the _Athenaeum_, "enjoys one of +the most favourable sites for the display of a public building which the +metropolis affords; no limit has been set to the expense; the finest +materials the country yields have been used in its construction; the +richest example of the richest order which antiquity has left us, has +been lavishly employed in its decoration; and yet," continues the critic, +"is not the whole a failure?" He then describes the effect of it as "poor, +or at best but pretty," and attributes the absence of grandeur to the +"want of sufficient elevation."--"To the general elevation it may be +objected, that it has no prominent centre; that, composed of two wings +and an intermediate space receding, it has more the character of a flank +than a front building; and that the want of a central entrance derogates +greatly from its dignity as a principal façade." + +But we are mere amateurs in these matters, and it will be as well to +leave the remainder of this criticism to the more studious reader. We +have, however, glanced at the principal defects which the writer in the +_Athenaeum_ points out, and we are bound to admit the justice of his +remarks. The details which produce this effect would not be so generally +interesting. "The order itself," says he, "it must be admitted, is well +copied, and excellently executed;" but Mr. Soane's application of it is +loudly censured--a Roman temple being inappropriate for a British Council +Office. Perhaps our critic would have preferred a façade like that of the +Palais de Justice at Paris,--a platform, ascended by an immense flight of +steps, which serves as a basement for a projecting body of four Doric +columns; with four large pedestals in front, and statues of _Strength_, +_Plenty_, _Justice_, and _Prudence_, as the cardinal virtues of English +legislation and trade. + +Upon the whole, we cannot help thinking some of the details of this new +range extremely rich and pleasing, although we assent to the above +character of their general effect. The columns, of fluted Corinthian, and +the cornice of the order, are to us very beautiful; but the upper windows +are unsightly, or, as a wag would say, purely attic; and the entrances +are too strictly _official_ for the architecture of the building. +This brings us again to the inappropriateness of the adaptation, which +made these introductions unavoidable.[2] + +The front of the building is not completed, the northern wing having yet +to be erected. When this is finished, the effect may be materially +assisted. + +While we are in this quarter, and lest "we may never come again," it may +be as well to thank our correspondent, "An Architect," for his letter on +"Whitehall," a very small portion of which has ever been completed. What +has been finished--the Banqueting House--is one of the triumphs of Inigo +Jones, but like all human works, is sadly dilapidated; although this is +attributable to the bad material, rather than to the interval since its +erection. The _whole_ was, indeed, a magnificent design. + + [1] The portion of this temple which is still standing in the Campo + Vaccino, and which consists of three marble columns, with a + fragment of entablature, is universally acknowledged to be the + finest specimen, not only of the architecture of the Augustan + age, but of the Corinthian order, not merely in Rome, but + throughout the whole ancient world. Whether contemplated in the + original, or through the medium of drawings, it inspires + unequivocal admiration as a perfect model of the florid style: + and from the inferences deducible from the dimensions and + relative position of the three columns and their entablature, + it is clear that the elegance and propriety of their arrangement, + as members of an entire edifice, were equal to the grace of the + proportions of the still existing parts, and to the beauty, + however exquisite, of their enrichments. + + [2] One of the most characteristic buildings recently erected in + the metropolis, was the ill-fated _Brunswick Theatre_, the + propriety of whose facade was universally acknowledged. + + * * * * * + + +CROMLECH. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + + +In No. 328 of the MIRROR, you mistake in spelling _cromlech_; the +last syllable is always written _lech_, not _leh_; neither is +it derived from _crom_ and _leac_, the Irish, but from _crom_ and _llech_, +the Celtic, of which the Irish is the most corrupted, and the present +Welsh the most pure dialect. _Llech_ signifies a stone in Welsh, and is +pronounced in a way peculiar to the Welsh; when simple it is _llech_, +when compounded _lech_. + +RUPERT C. + + * * * * * + + +GARDEN OF HYACINTHS + +IN THE SERAGLIO, CONSTANTINOPLE. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +In this garden the sultan passes most of his leisure hours, free from the +outward parade attendant on his rank. It is small, but tastefully +disposed in oblong beds, edged with fine porcelain; no plant is allowed +to grow in it except the hyacinth; whence the name of the garden and the +apartment it contains. Nothing can be more beautiful than the interior; +three sides are formed by a divan, the cushions and pillows of which were +of black satin, exquisitely embroidered. The floor was covered with +Gobelin tapestry, and the ceiling magnificently gilded and burnished. +Opposite the windows of the chamber was a fire-place, in the European +manner; and on each side a door, covered with hangings of crimson cloth. +Between each of these doors appeared a glass-case, containing the sultan's +private library; every volume was in manuscript, with the name written +on the edges of the leaves. Opposite the doors and fire-place hung three +gold cages, containing artificial birds, which sang by mechanism. On one +side was a raised bench, on which was placed an embroidered towel, a +splendid vase, and basin for washing the hands and beard; upon the wall +over it was suspended an embroidered portfolio, worked with silver on +yellow leather, to contain the petitions presented to the sultan when he +goes in procession to the mosque. Close to the door was placed a pair of +yellow boots and slippers, which are always at the entrance of every +apartment frequented by the sultan. Groups of arms, such as pistols, +sabres, and poniards, were displayed with great taste and effect on the +compartments of the walls; the handles were covered with diamonds and +jewels of large size, which, as they glittered around, gave an almost +dazzling brilliancy to this sumptuous chamber, thus characterizing the +amusements of the man when divested of the ceremony and formality of the +sultan. + +INA. + + * * * * * + + + +NEEDLE-WORK ALTAR-PIECE. + +_(For the Mirror.)_ + + +The town of Welwyn, Hertfordshire, was the last place of residence of Dr. +Young, author of "Night Thoughts," where he was rector. His pious lady +employed her leisure hours with her needle, in the completion of a most +elegant altar-piece, which now embellishes the sacramental table in the +church; and, through the care of the parish clerk, this specimen of the +indefatigable mind of Mrs. Young has been surprisingly preserved. The +words down the centre, + + + I AM + THE BREAD + OF + LIFE, + + +have the appearance of being the production of a most masterly pencil; +and the word "life" is in as fine a state of preservation as on the day +when it was first presented by the benevolent artist; every tint, +including the light and shade which surround the word, having withstood +the ravages of time, and been ingeniously preserved by a kind of gauze +covering. + +W.G.C. + + * * * * * + + +LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +It has not been till lately that any of the travellers into Palestine +have told what was meant by the locusts mentioned by St. Matthew as part +of the food of John the Baptist. Dr. Clarke first related, that a tree +grows in the Holy Land, which is called the locust tree, and produces an +eatable fruit; but this fact was well known to many who had been in the +Mediterranean. The tree grows in several of the countries which border +that sea. It has been found in much greater abundance in some parts of +the East Indies, whence it has now become an article of export. Many +thousands of its pods are annually imported by the East India Company; +and, either because the fruit is richer in more southern climates, or for +some other reason, a great quantity of them are shipped for Venice and +Trieste, where there is distilled from them a liquor, which is supposed +to be an antidote to the plague, or at least useful in curing it. These +pods are about twenty inches long, and from half to three-quarters of an +inch in diameter. We call them pods for want of a term which would more +accurately describe them; but they are not flat, neither have they that +sort of hinge on one side, and slight fastening on the other, which +plainly show how the shells of peas and beans are to be opened. On the +contrary, these are round; but there are two opposite lines along them, +where the colour alone would induce any one to suppose the skin to be, as +it is, thinner than elsewhere. Having the fruit before us only in a dry +state, we can describe it in no other; but at present a knife could +scarcely be made to penetrate the thicker part, and does not very easily +make its way into the thinner. The fruit, which lies in little cells +within, is a pulp, or paste, somewhat like that of tamarinds, but +smoother, and not so sweet. There are pips in it nearly as hard, and +about half as large, as those of a tamarind, containing a kernel in each. +It should be added, that in the stems of this locust tree wild bees still +deposit their honey. + +W.G.C. + + * * * * * + + + +FLOWERS. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + + +On reading the MIRROR, No. 337, my attention was attracted to one of your +many pleasant and amusing extracts from the "Public Journals," bearing +the title of "Flowers." Being myself a great admirer of that beautiful +and delightful part of creation, I was led to peruse the article with +somewhat increased attention. In all ages flowers have been regarded with +peculiar sympathy; they have been associated with the calm serenity of +virtue; they have been strewed around the altars of devotion; have been +made to accompany the lonely, unobtrusive works of merit; and hung around +the grave of faded and departed innocence, thus silently, but powerfully, +depicting virtue, the essence of felicity. Although I do not consider you +to be accountable for statements contained in the articles extracted from +other journals, still I presume you would not knowingly make your work +the vehicle of any matter which would lead your readers astray. I have, +therefore, ventured to call your attention to a particular part of the +above article, and to correct what I presume to be a misstatement. + +In the article alluded to, the writer states, "It has been said that +flowers placed in bed-rooms are not wholesome; that cannot," he remarks, +"be meant of such as are in a state of vegetation," &c. + +Now plants, it is well known, respire similarly to animals, through the +pores of their leaves. By the agency of the sun, during the day, a +quantity of pure gas, called oxygen, is given out; but on the contrary, +during the night, or absence of the sun, gas of a most noxious and +pernicious nature is emitted, and at the same time a portion of the pure +air (oxygen gas) is absorbed. The greater part of the atmosphere must +therefore be impregnated with this deleterious gas. Taking into +consideration the confined state of a bed-chamber, the great increase of +perspiration of the body, with the continual increase of carbonic gas +from respiration, and this in an apartment where every thing _ought_ +most sedulously to be avoided which in the least tends to deteriorate the +atmosphere, it must be evident the practice ought to be avoided, if we +are desirous of preserving health. + +Flowers in a state of vegetation are, I consider, more pernicious _at +night_, or during the absence of the sun, than those plucked and put +into water, provided they be not immersed too long a time; for +immediately the stem is severed from the plant, the vital action, if it +may be so termed, ceases, and decomposition commences; but till the +decomposition has been going on some time, nothing of a pernicious nature +need be apprehended. In like manner, directly the vital principle becomes +extinct in animals, decomposition ensues. For the space of five or six +days, however, no perceptible alteration of the fibres is visible; but +after that time a compound of gases begins to exhale from the body, +accompanied with a fetid odour, till the parts are entirely decomposed. + +The effluvium arising from the _farina_ and _petals_ is +considered unwholesome, however agreeable it may be to the senses, +whether the plant be in a state of vegetation or not, it being too +powerful for the olfactory nerve. + +S.S.T. + +Our pages are always open to the correction of our readers, and in +this instance we thank _S.S.T._ for the above, although we think he +has misconceived some portion of the article on "Flowers," the writer +adding to that passage quoted by our correspondent, "_provided fresh +air is frequently introduced_"; of course, he does not refer to the +_night-time_, although it would have been clearer, had he suggested the +removal of flowers from bed-rooms during the night.--ED. + + * * * * * + + +CIRCULAR TEMPLES. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +These structures are generally supposed to have been built with +astronomical allusions, especially the noble temple at _Stonehenge_. +Circular temples existed among the Israelites. In Exodus, c. xxiv. v. 4, +it is written that "Moses rose up early in the morning, and builded an +altar under the hill, and twelve pillars." Again in Joshua, iv. 9, Joshua +set up twelve stones; and it is well worthy of remark, that the twelve +pillars of Moses and Joshua correspond with the number of stones of the +inner circles at Abury. It is possible that these stones were plastered +over, and probably highly ornamented, as in Deuteronomy, xxvii. 2, we +read, "Thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with +plaster;" and there is a large, upright stone in Ireland, which, +according to the legend of the country, was once covered over with gold. +On some of these pillars it is likewise probable that certain characters +were traced, as among the Israelites words of the law were written upon +similar obelisks or columns. + +The earliest temples in Greece were formed of obeliscal columns; and in +some parts of Africa the custom obtains to this day. Hence the pillars of +our present temples are the most ancient; and subsequent builders of holy +sanctuaries filled up the intercolumniations till the temples were +constructed as we now see their ruins in Athens and elsewhere. But many +of the early temples were round; and it is a curious fact, hitherto +unnoticed, I believe, that the altar end, the sanctum of our earliest +Saxon churches, is circular. + +JAMES SILVESTER. + + * * * * * + + +ST. OLAVE.--A MANX LEGEND. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +[Magnus, King of Norway, having committed sacrilege, by opening the grave +of St. Olave, he was commanded by the spirit of the offended saint to +perform the voluntary penance of quitting the kingdom in thirty days. He +obeyed this intimation, and immediately left Norway. Having conquered +many of the Western Isles, at length he established himself in the Isle +of Man. Afterwards attempting the reduction of Ireland, he was surrounded +by the natives and slain, with the whole of his followers.] + + + Olave, of rocky Norway's saints, the holiest and the best, + Entomb'd in tumulus, enjoys a calm and peerless rest; + By all of heav'ns votaries in saintly rank renown'd, + As high in blessedness, and chief in holy missal crown'd. + + The dead--in holy, stilly peace, the sacred dead repose, + Afar from earth's turmoil and grief, and all of sick'ning woes; + From racking pain, and withering pride, and avarice's care, + Secure they rest in solitude, unaw'd by sin or snare. + + To sack the gloomy sepulchre of lately living clay, + From cheerful day and life remov'd, by dreaded death away, + Is crime indeed of blackest hue, deserving exile's fate, + From native climes ordain'd to feel an outlaw's dreary state. + + Could Norway's priest-despising chief, deem sacrilege a crime + Fitting for absolution,--or dark penance of set time + That daring such all dreaded sin, he gazes on the grave, + And tramples o'er the hallow'd dust of canoniz'd Olave. + + Lone sepulchre in holy earth--sure wickedness so dire, + Of holy man, and sacred place, incenses heaven's ire; + Can less than ever banishment from Norway's ice bound land, + Stay sure revenge--pursuing fate--and justice' awful hand? + + Away he sails--the foaming seas as Corsair now he laves, + Dauntless--heroic--daring winds, and man-entombing waves, + To visit other lands afar,--to combat chiefs of fame; + In battle-field to spread around the dread of Norway's name. + + Lone Mona's sea-girt isle he dares with spear and flashing sword, + Usurping regal rule and right by power of pirate horde; + Yet vengeance drear, and dark desert of direst actions, crave + A bloody death, a justice clear, and dark usurper's grave. + + On Erin's lovely land he falls--awarded darksome doom, + When, ruffian-like, he dared profane the saintly Olave's tomb: + He leaves his conquests, kingdoms, crowns, and all of earthly state, + To sleep in loneliness, and fill his dark predicted fate. + + +_Kirk Michael, Isle of Man_. A B.C. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE ANECDOTE GALLERY. + + * * * * * + + +A LIVING ALCHEMIST. + +(_From Sir R. Phillips's Tour_.) + + +At Luton, Beds. Sir Richard hears of an ALCHEMIST, who lives at the +village of Lilley, midway between Luton and Hitchen. The whole of his +interview with this eccentric personage, will doubtless be interesting to +our readers. + +It was four miles out of my road, but I thought a modern alchemist worthy +of a visit, particularly as several inhabitants of Luton gravely assured +me, that he had succeeded in discovering the Philosopher's Stone, and +also the Universal Solvent. The reports about him would have rendered it +culpable not to have hazarded anything for a personal interview. I learnt +that he had been a man of fashion, and at one time largely concerned in +adventures on the turf, but that for many years he had devoted himself to +his present pursuits; while for some time past, he had been inaccessible +and invisible to the world, the house being shut and barricadoed, and the +walls of his grounds protected by hurdles, with spring-guns so planted as +to resist intrusion in every direction. Under these circumstances, I had +no encouragement to go to Lilley, but I thought that even the external +inspection of such premises would repay me for the trouble. At Lilley, +I inquired for his house of various people, and they looked ominous; some +smiled, others shook their heads, and all appeared surprised at the +approach of an apparent visiter to Mr. Kellerman. + +The appearance of the premises did not belie vulgar report. I could not +help shuddering at seeing the high walls of respectable premises, lined +at the top with double tiers of hurdles, and on driving my chaise to the +front of the house, I perceived the whole in a state of horrid +dilapidation. Contrary, however, to my expectation, I found a young man +who appeared to belong to the out-buildings, and he took charge of my +card for his master, and went to the back part of the house to deliver it. +The front windows on the ground-floor and upper stories were entirely +closed by inside shutters, much of the glass was broken, and the premises +appeared altogether as if deserted. I was pleased at the words, "My +master will be happy to see you," and in a minute the front door was +opened, and Mr. Kellerman presented himself.--I lament that I have not +the pencil of Hogarth, for a more original figure never was seen. He was +about six feet high, and of athletic make; on his head was a white +night-cap, and his dress consisted of a long great-coat once green, and +he had a sort of jockey waistcoat with three tiers of pockets. His manner +was extremely polite and graceful, but my attention was chiefly absorbed +by his singular physiognomy. His complexion was deeply sallow, and his +eyes large, black, and rolling. He conducted me into a very large parlour, +with a window looking backward, and having locked the door, and put the +key in his pocket, he desired me to be seated in one of two large arm +chairs covered with sheepskins. The room was a realization of the +well-known picture of Teniers' Alchemist. The floor was covered with +retorts, crucibles, alembics, jars, bottles in various shapes, +intermingled with old books piled upon each other, with a sufficient +quantity of dust and cobwebs. Different shelves were filled in the same +manner, and on one side stood his bed. In a corner somewhat shaded from +the light, I beheld two heads, white, with dark wigs on them; I +entertained no doubt therefore, that among other fancies he was engaged +in re-making the brazen speaking head of Roger Bacon and Albertus. Many +persons might have felt alarmed at the peculiarity of my situation, but +being accustomed to mingle with eccentric characters, and having no fear +from any pretensions of the black art, I was infinitely gratified by all +I saw. + +Having stated the reports which I had heard, relative to his wonderful +discoveries, I told him frankly that mine was a visit of curiosity, and +stated that if what I had heard was matter of fact, the researches of the +ancient chemists had been unjustly derided. He then gave me a history of +his studies, mentioned some men whom I had happened to know in London, +who he alleged had assured him that they had made gold. That having in +consequence examined the works of the ancient alchemists, and discovered +the key which they had studiously concealed from the multitude, he had +pursued their system under the influence of new lights; and after +suffering numerous disappointments, owing to the ambiguity with which +they described their processes, he had, at length, happily succeeded; had +made gold, and could make as much more as he pleased, even to the extent +of paying off the national debt in the coin of the realm. + +I yielded to the declaration, expressed my satisfaction at so +extraordinary a discovery, and asked him, to oblige me so far, as to show +me some of the precious metal which he had made. + +"Not so," said he; "I will show it to no one. I made Lord Liverpool the +offer, that if he would introduce me to the king, I would show it to his +majesty; but Lord Liverpool insolently declined, on the ground that there +was no precedent; and I am therefore determined, that the secret shall +die with me. It is true that, in order to avenge myself of such contempt, +I made a communication to the French ambassador, Prince Polignac, and +offered to go to France, and transfer to the French government, the +entire advantages of the discovery; but after deluding me, and shuffling +for some time, I found it necessary to treat him with the same contempt +as the others." + +I expressed my convictions in regard to the double dealing of men in +office. + +"O," said he, "as to that, every court in Europe well knows that I have +made the discovery, and they are all in confederacy against me; lest by +giving it to any one, I should make that country master of all the +rest--the world, Sir," he exclaimed with great emotion, "is in my hands +and my power." + +Satisfied with this announcement of the discovery of the philosopher's +stone, I now inquired about the sublime alkahest or universal solvent, +and whether he had succeeded in deciphering the enigmatical descriptions +of the ancient writers on that most curious topic. + +"Certainly," he replied, "I succeeded in that several years ago." + +"Then," I proceeded, "have you effected the other great desideratum, the +fixing of mercury?" + +"Than that process," said he, "there is nothing more easy; at the same +time it is proper I should inform you, that there are a class of +impostors, who mistaking the ancient writers, pretend it can be done by +heat; but I can assure you, it can only be effected by water." + +I then besought him to do me the favour, to show me some of his fixed +mercury, having once seen some which had been fixed by cold. + +This proposition, however, he declined, because he said he had refused +others. "That you may, however, be satisfied that I have made great +discoveries, here is a bottle of oil, which I have purified, and rendered +as transparent as spring water. I was offered £10,000. for this discovery; +but I am so neglected, and so conspired against, that I am determined it +and all my other discoveries shall die with me." + +I now inquired, whether he had been alarmed by the ignorance of the +people in the country, so as to shut himself up in so unusual a manner. + +"No," he replied, "not on their account wholly. They are ignorant and +insolent enough; but it was to protect myself against the governments of +Europe, who are determined to get possession of my secret by force. I +have been," he exclaimed, "twice fired at in one day through that window, +and three times attempted to be poisoned. They believed I had written a +book containing my secrets, and to get possession of this book has been +their object. To baffle them, I burnt all that I had ever written, and I +have so guarded the windows with spring-guns, and have such a collection +of combustibles in the range of bottles which stand at your elbow, that I +could destroy a whole regiment of soldiers if sent against me." He then +related, that as a further protection he lived entirely in that room, and +permitted no one to come into the house; while he had locked up every +room except that with patent padlocks, and sealed the key-holes. + +It would be tedious and impossible to follow Mr. Kellerman through a +conversation of two or three hours, in which he enlarged upon the merits +of the ancient alchemists, and on the blunders and impertinent +assumptions of the modern chemists, with whose writings and names it is +fair to acknowledge he seemed well acquainted. He quoted the authorities +of Roger and Lord Bacon, Paracelsus, Boyle, Boerhaave, Woolfe, and others, +to justify his pursuits. As to the term philosopher's stone, he alleged +that it was a mere figure, to deceive the vulgar. He appeared also to +give full credit to the silly story about Dee's assistant, Kelly, finding +some of the powder of projection in the tomb of Roger Bacon at +Glastonbury, by means of which, as was said, Kelly for a length of time +supported himself in princely splendour. + +I inquired whether he had discovered the blacker than black of Apollonius +Tyaneus; and this, he assured me, he had effected; it was itself the +powder of projection for producing gold. + +Amidst all this delusion and illusion on these subjects, Mr. Kellerman +behaved in other respects with great propriety and politeness; and having +unlocked the door, he took me to the doors of some of the other rooms, to +show me how safely they were padlocked; and on taking leave, directed me +in my course towards Bedford. + +In a few minutes, I overtook a man, and on inquiring what the people +thought of Mr. Kellerman, he told me that he had lived with him for seven +years; that he was one of eight assistants whom he kept for the purpose +of superintending his crucibles, two at a time relieving each other every +six hours; that he had exposed some preparations to intense heat for many +months at a time, but that all except one crucible had burst, and that he +called on him to observe, that it contained the true "blacker than black." +The man protested, however, that no gold had ever been made, and that no +mercury had ever been fixed; for he was quite sure, that if he had made +any discovery, he could not have concealed it from the assistants; while, +on the contrary, they witnessed his severe disappointments, at the +termination of his most elaborate experiments. + +On my telling the man that I had been in his room, he seemed much +astonished at my boldness; for he assured me, that he carried a loaded +pistol in every one of his six waistcoat pockets. I learnt also from this +man, that he has or had considerable property in Jamaica; that he has +lived in the premises at Lilley about twenty-three years, and during +fourteen of them pursued his alchemical researches with unremitting +ardour; but for the last few years shut himself up as a close prisoner, +and lived in the manner I have described. + + * * * * * + + + Here lyeth wrapt in clay, + The body of William Wray: + I have no more to say. + + +_Weever's Epitaphs_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Notes of a Reader. + + * * * * * + + +COURT OF CHARLES II. + + +In the last No. of the _Edinburgh Review_, there is an admirably written +article on Hallam's "Constitutional History," not a mere essay, but +somewhat more like a review than usual. It contains an abundance of +florid, bold, and vigorous writing, extending through upwards of 70 +pages. Among the most striking passages we notice a parallel between +Cromwell and Napoleon, drawn with considerable force. But our extract is +from the lighter portion, as the following ludicrous sketches of some of +the enormities of Charles II. "Towards the close of the Protectorate, +many signs indicated that a time of license was at hand. But the +restoration of Charles II rendered the change wonderfully rapid and +violent. A deep and general taint infected the morals of the most +influential classes, and spread itself through every province of +letters. Poetry inflamed the passions; philosophy undermined the +principles; divinity itself, inculcating an abject reverence for the +court, gave additional effect to its licentious example. ... The +favourite duchess stamps about Whitehall, cursing and swearing. The +ministers employ their time at the council board in making mouths at +each other, and taking off each other's gestures for the amusement of +the king. The peers at a conference begin to pommel each other, and to +tear collars and periwigs. A speaker in the House of Commons gives +offence to the court. He is way-laid by a gang of bullies, and his nose +is cut to the bone. ... The second generation of the statesmen of this +reign, were worthy of the schools in which they had been trained, of the +gaming table of Grammont, and the tiring room of Nell ----." This is but +a small portion of the good set terms in which the reviewer illustrates +the licentiousness of the times. Speaking of Clarendon, he says, "Mr. +Hallam scarcely makes sufficient allowance for the wear and tear which +honesty almost necessarily sustains in the friction of political life, +and which in times so rough as those through which Clarendon passed, +must be very considerable. When these are fairly estimated, we think +that his integrity may be allowed to pass muster." Perhaps political +honesty is like Joseph Surface's French plate, or the tinsel spread over +a pair of Birmingham saleshop candlesticks, whose tenderness will not +withstand the wear and tear of conveyance in the purchaser's pocket. But +the oddity of the reviewer's comparisons even puts one in good humour +with their virulence. + + * * * * * + + +STREET SYMPATHIES. + + +During "the season" the veriest stranger who has an eye and ear, and +thoughts, must find in London sufficient to occupy his attention; true, +he may start and sigh, to think that of the busy and enormous multitude +around him, not one would care, if, treading on yonder bit of orange peel, +he should slip off the flagway, and falling beneath the wheel of that +immense coal-wagon, have his thigh crushed to atoms, while you'd be +saying "Jack Robinson." But if he do sigh, the more fool he; first, +because "grieving's a folly," as the old sea song hath it; next because +he is mistaken in supposing that no one would feel interested in his +misfortune. There are two upon the very flagway with him, who would +evince the greatest sympathy in his fate; the one is a surgeon's +apprentice, who, with anxious care, would bear him off to _his_ +hospital, that he might "try his 'prentice hand" to doctor him while +living, and dissect him when dead; and the other is a running reporter to +one of the morning papers, who would with gentle and soothing accents +inquire his name, condition, and abode, to swell the paragraph, and +increase his pay.--_Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +LINES TO EDWARD LYTTON BULWER, ON THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILD. + + + My heart is with you, Bulwer, and portrays + The blessings of your first paternal days; + To clasp the pledge of purest, holiest faith, + To taste one's own and love-born infant's breath, + I know, nor would for worlds forget the bliss. + I've felt that to a father's heart that kiss, + As o'er its little lips you smile and cling, + Has fragrance which Arabia could not bring. + + Such are the joys, ill mock'd in ribald song, + In thought, ev'n fresh'ning life our life-time long, + That give our souls on earth a heaven-drawn bloom; + Without them we are weeds upon a tomb. + + Joy be to thee, and her whose lot with thine, + Propitious stars saw Truth and Passion twine! + Joy be to her who in your rising name + Feels Love's bower brighten'd by the beams of Fame! + I lack'd a father's claim to her--but knew + Regard for her young years so pure and true, + That, when she at the altar stood your bride, + A sire could scarce have felt more sire-like pride. + + +_T. Campbell_. + + * * * * * + + +The Duc de Laval has the character of being a perfect fool. It is said +that on one occasion he talked of having received an anonymous letter, +signed by all the officers of his regiment; that on another, he ordered +ottomans to be placed in the four corners of his octagon +saloon!--_Josephine's Memoirs_. + + * * * * * + + +CAUSE AND EFFECT. + + +Infinite are the consequences which follow from a single, and often +apparently a very insignificant circumstance. Paley himself narrowly +escaped being a baker; here was a decision upon which hung in one scale, +perhaps, the immortal interests of thousands, and, in the other, the +gratification of the taste of the good people of Giggleswick for hot +rolls. Cromwell was near being strangled in his cradle by a monkey; here +was this wretched ape wielding in his paws the destinies of nations. +Then, again, how different in their kind, as well as in their magnitude, +are these consequences from anything that might have been _à priori_ +expected. Henry VIII. is smitten with the beauty of a girl of eighteen; +and ere long, + + + "The Reformation beams from Bullen's eyes." + + +Charles Wesley refuses to go with his wealthy namesake to Ireland, and +the inheritance, which would have been his, goes to build up the +fortunes of a Wellesley instead of a Wesley; and to this decision of a +schoolboy (as Mr. Southey observes) Methodism may owe its existence, and +England its military--and, we trust we may now add, its civil and +political--glory--_Quarterly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +SERVANTS. + + +A fund has lately been established at Stockholm, from which it is +intended to reward good and faithful servants. The king has contributed +to it 1,000 crowns; the prince royal 500; and the princess royal 300. +This has been suggested as an example worthy of our imitation; many +legacies, &c. have from time to time been bequeathed for the +encouragement of faithful servants in England; some are claimed, but the +majority are shamefully misapplied by those to whom their distribution +has been entrusted. + + * * * * * + + +LONDON LUXURIES. + + +A capital like London is a Maelstrom--an immense whirlpool--whose +gyrations sweep in whatever is peculiarly desirable from the most +distant regions of the empire--so active becomes the love of gain when +set in motion by the love of luxury. We recollect once being on shipboard +to the north of Duncan's Bay Head, and out of sight of land, the nearest +being the Feroe Islands:--we were walking the deck, watching a whale +which was gamboling at some distance, throwing up his huge side to the +sun, and sending ever and anon a sheet of water and foam from his +nostrils. Our thoughts were on Hecla and on the icebergs of the Pole, on +the Scalds of Iceland and the sea-kings of Norway, when a sail hove in +sight: we asked what craft it was--and were answered, "a Gravesend brig +dredging for lobsters." Never was enchantment so effectually +broken--never stage-trick in pantomime more successfully played off. Scene +changes from Feroe and Iceland to the Albion in Aldersgate-street--Exeunt +Scald, champion, and whale--Enter common councilman, turbot, and +lobster-sauce.--_Quarterly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BEAUTIFUL. + + +To be convinced that, at some period or another of their history, the +Egyptians had conceived a _beau-ideal_ superior to the beautiful +which nature habitually produced in their country, we have only to +examine the young Memnon, at the British Museum, and the heads of many of +the sphinxes which remain.--_Weekly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +ALGEBRA. + + +Algebra I was charmed with, and found so much pleasure in resolving its +questions, that I have often sat till morning at the engaging work, +without a notion of its being day till I opened the shutters of my +closet. I recommend this study in particular to young gentlemen, and am +satisfied, if they would but take some pains at first to understand it, +they would have so great a relish for its operations, as to prefer them +many an evening to clamorous pleasures; or, at least, not be uneasy for +being alone now and then, since their algebra was with them.--_Life of +John Buncle._ + + * * * * * + + +A LUCKY MATCH. + + +The late Mr. Locke, of Norbury Park, commissioned one Jenkins, a dealer +in pictures, residing at Rome, to send him any piece of sculpture which +might not exceed fifty guineas. Jenkins sent a head of Minerva, which Mr. +Locke, not liking, returned, paying the carriage, and all other expenses. +Nollekens, who was then also at Rome, having purchased a trunk of +Minerva for fifty pounds, upon the return of this head, found that its +proportion and character accorded with his torso. This discovery induced +him to accept an offer made by Jenkins of the head itself; and 220 +guineas to share the profits. After Nollekens had joined the head and +trunk, or, what is called "restored it," which he did at the expense of +twenty guineas more for stone and labour, it proved a most fortunate hit, +for they sold it for the enormous sum of 1,000 guineas! and it is now at +Newby, in Yorkshire.--_Nollekens and his Times._ + + * * * * * + + +NELSON. + + +We received the following little anecdote from a letter of a gentleman +now at the head of the medical profession, with which he favoured us +shortly after perusing Salmonia. "I was (says our friend) at the Naval +Hospital, at Yarmouth, on the morning when Nelson, after the battle of +Copenhagen (having sent the wounded before him,) arrived at the Roads, +and landed on the jutty. The populace soon surrounded him, and the +military were drawn up in the market-place ready to receive him; but +making his way through the crowd, and the dust, and the clamour, he went +straight to the hospital. I went round the wards with him, and was much +interested in observing his demeanour to the sailors; he stopped at every +bed, and to every man he had something kind and cheering to say. At +length, he stopped opposite a bed on which a sailor was lying who had +lost his right arm close to the shoulder-joint, and the following short +dialogue passed between, them:"--_Nelson_. "Well, Jack, what's the +matter with you?"--_Sailor_. "Lost my right arm, your honour."--Nelson +paused, looked down at his own empty sleeve, then at the sailor, +and said playfully, "Well, Jack, then you and I are spoiled for +fishermen--cheer up, my brave fellow." And he passed briskly on to the +next bed; but these few words had a magical effect upon the poor fellow, +for I saw his eyes sparkle with delight as Nelson turned away and pursued +his course through the wards. As this was the only occasion on which I +saw Nelson, I may, possibly, overrate the value of the incident.--_Q. +Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BRITISH ALMANAC. + + +This work, though only in its second year, is too well known to be +benefited by our recommendation. As a compilation, with occasional +originality, it is one of the best executed labours of the Society from +whom it emanates, and who, from the multiplicity of facts here assembled, +may be called "The Society for the" _Condensation_ "of Useful +Knowledge." + +In the Almanac for 1829 we notice several improvements upon that of last +year. The "Remarks on Weather" are valuable; and the "Garden Plants in +Flower" in each month, in themselves extremely interesting, contrast the +unchanging course of nature with the grand revolutions and events of the +column of "Anniversaries." Thus, what different emotions are produced by +reading April 6, "First Abdication of Bonaparte, 1814," and "Primrose +Peerless (_Narcissus biflorus_) in flower." The "Useful Remarks," +though not a new feature in an almanac, are profitable helps to social +duties, especially when drawn from such a source as Owen Feltham's +Resolves--a golden treasury of world-knowledge, which may serve as a +text-book for every family. Among the useful facts we notice the +following:--"By a parliamentary return of the year 1828 we find that the +stamp duty paid upon the almanacs of England amounts to 30,136_l_. 3_s_. +9_d_.--which, the duty being _fifteen-pence_ upon each almanac, exhibits +a circulation of 451,593 annually." + +_Remarks on Weather._ + +"The mean temperature of London is about 2° higher than that of the +surrounding country; the difference exists chiefly in the night, and is +greatest in winter and least in summer." + +"Mr. Howard is of opinion, from a careful comparison of a long series of +observations, that a wet spring is an indication of a dry time for the +ensuing harvest." + +"The greatest depression of temperature in every month happens, all +other circumstances being the same, a short time before sun-rise." + +"There are only two months, namely, July and August, in which, taking +into consideration the power of radiation, vegetation, in certain +situations, is not exposed to a temperature of 32°." + +"The temperature of August is but little reduced, owing to the prevalence +of hot nights. The action of the sun's rays is considerably assisted by +the warm earth which radiates heat into the air; while, in spring, it +absorbs every day a proportion of the heat which the sun produces." + +"_October_--Now that the fruits of the earth are laid in store, the +increase of wet is attended by no injurious effects, the remaining heat +of the earth is preserved from needless expenditure, and guarded from +dissipation, by an increasing canopy of clouds, by which the effect of +radiation is greatly reduced." + +"The comparative warmth of November is owing to the heat given out by +the condensation of the vapour in the atmosphere into rain." + +"The mean temperature of the whole year is not found to vary, in +different years, more than four degrees and a half." + + * * * * * + + +Such as hold superstition sweet to the soul, and love to exercise their +ingenuity in hieroglyphics, the baseless grounds of tea, and lucky dreams +and omens, will find little amusement in the British Almanac; but their +absence is more than supplied by information "which almost every man +engaged in the world requires." + + * * * * * + + + + +THE SKETCH BOOK. + + * * * * * + + +A VISION OF PURGATORY. + +_By William Maginn, Esq._ + + +The churchyard of Inistubber is as lonely a one as you would wish to see +on a summer's day, or avoid on a winter's night. Under the east window of +the church is a mouldering vault of the De Lacys,--a branch of a family +descended from one of the conquerors of Ireland; and there they are +buried, when the allotted time calls them to the tomb. Sir Theodore De +Lacy had lived a jolly, thoughtless life, rising early for the hunt, and +retiring late from the bottle. A good-humoured bachelor who took no care +about the management of his household, provided that the hounds were in +order for his going out, and the table ready on his coming in. As for the +rest,--an easy landlord, a quiet master, a lenient magistrate (except to +poachers,) and a very excellent foreman of a grand jury. He died one +evening while laughing at a story which he had heard regularly thrice a +week for the last fifteen years of his life, and his spirit mingled with +the claret. In former times when the De Lacys were buried, there was a +grand breakfast, and all the party rode over to the church to see the +last rites paid. The keeners lamented; the country people had a wake +before the funeral, and a dinner after it--and there was an end. But +with the march of mind comes trouble and vexation. A man has now-a-days +no certainty of quietness in his coffin--unless it be a patent one. He is +laid down in the grave, and the next morning finds himself called upon to +demonstrate an interesting fact! No one, I believe, admires this ceremony, +and it is not to be wondered at that Sir Theodore De Lacy held it in +especial horror. "I'd like," said he one evening, "to catch one of the +thieves coming after me when I'm dead--By the God of War, I'd break every +bone in his body;--but," he added with a sigh, "as I suppose I'll not be +able to take my own part then, upon you I leave it, Larry Sweeney, to +watch me three days and three nights after they plant me under the sod. +There's Doctor Dickenson there, I see the fellow looking at me--fill your +glass, Doctor--here's your health! and shoot him, Larry, do you hear, +shoot the Doctor like a cock, if he ever comes stirring up my poor old +bones from their roost of Inistubber." "Why, then," Larry answered, +accepting the glass which followed this command, "long life to both your +honours; and it's I that would like to be putting a bullet into Doctor +Dickenson--heaven between him and harm--for hauling your honour away, +as if you was a horse's head, to a bonfire. There's nothing, I 'shure you, +gintlemin, poor as I am, that would give me greater pleasure." "We feel +obliged, Larry" said Sir Theodore, "for your good wishes." "Is it I pull +you out of the grave, indeed!" continued the whipper-in, for such he was, +--"I'd let nobody pull your honour out of any place, saving 'twas +purgatory; and out of that I'd pull you myself, if I saw you going +_there_." "I am of opinion, Larry," said Doctor Dickenson, "you would +turn tail if you saw Sir Theodore on that road. You might go further, and +fare worse, you know." "Turn tail!" replied Larry, "it is I that +wouldn't--I appale to St. Patrick himself over beyond"--pointing to a +picture of the Prime Saint of Ireland, which hung in gilt daubery behind +his master's chair, right opposite to him. To Larry's horror and +astonishment, the picture fixing its eyes upon him, winked with the most +knowing air, as if acknowledging the appeal. "What makes you turn so +white then at the very thought," said the doctor, interpreting the +visible consternation of our hero in his own way. "Nothing particular," +answered Larry; "but a wakeness has come strong over me, gintlemin, and +if you'd have no objection, I'd like to go into the air for a bit." Leave +was of course granted, and Larry retired amid the laughter of the +guests--but as he retreated, he could not avoid casting a glance on the +awful picture--and again the Saint winked, with a most malicious smile. +It was impossible to endure the repeated infliction, and Larry rushed +down the stairs in an agony of fright and amazement. "May be," thought +he, "it might be my own eyes that wasn't quite steady--or the flame of +the candle. But no--he winked at me as plain as ever I winked at Judy +Donaghue of a May morning. What he manes by it I can't say--but there's +no use of thinking about it--no, nor of talking neither, for who' d +believe me if I tould them of it?" + +The next evening Sir Theodore died, as has been mentioned; and in due +time thereafter was buried according to the custom of the family, by +torch-light, in the churchyard of Inistubber. All was fitly performed; +and although Dickenson had no design upon the jovial knight--and if he +had not, there was nobody within fifteen miles that could be suspected +of such an outrage,--yet Larry Sweeney was determined to make good his +promise of watching his master. "I'd think little of telling a lie to him, +by the way of no harm when he was alive," said he, wiping his eyes, as +soon as the last of the train had departed, leaving him with a single +companion in the lonely cemetery; "but now that he's dead--God rest his +soul!--I'd scorn it. So Jack Kinaley, as behoves my first cousin's son, +stay you with me here this blessed night, for betune (between) you and I, +it an't lucky to stay by one's self in this ruinated old rookery, where +ghosts, God help us, is as thick as bottles in Sir Theodore's cellar!" +"Never you mind that, Larry," said Kinaley, a discharged soldier, who had +been through all the campaigns of the Peninsula; "never mind, I say, such +botherations. Han't I lain in bivouack on the field at Salamanca, and +Tallawara, and the Pyrumnees, and many another place beside, where there +was dead corpses lying about in piles, and there was no more ghosts than +kneebuckles in a ridgemint of Highlanders. Here, let me prime them pieces, +and hand us over the bottle; we'll stay snug under this east window, for +the wind's coming down the hill, and I defy"--"None of that bould talk, +Jack," said his cousin; "as for what ye saw in foreign parts, of dead men +killed afighting, sure that's nothing to the dead--God rest 'em!--that's +here. There you see, they had company one with the other, and being +killed fresh-like that morning, had no heart to stir; but here, faith! +'tis a horse of another colour." "May be it is," said Jack, "but the +night's coming on; so I'll turn in. Wake me if you sees any thing; and +after I've got my two hours' rest, I'll relieve you." + +With these words the soldier turned on his side, under shelter of a grave, +and as his libations had been rather copious during the day, it was not +long before he gave audible testimony that the dread of supernatural +visitants had had no effect in disturbing the even current of his fancy. +Although Larry had not opposed the proposition of his kinsman, yet he +felt by no means at ease. He put in practice all the usually recommended +nostrums for keeping away unpleasant thoughts:--all would not do. "If it +was a common, dacent, quite (quiet,) well-behaved churchyard a'self," +thought Larry, half-aloud--"but when 'tis a place like this forsaken ould +berrin'-ground, which is noted for villiany"--"For what, Larry?" said a +gentleman, stepping out of a niche which contained the only statue time +had spared. It was the figure of Saint Colman, to whom the church was +dedicated. Larry had been looking at the figure, as it shone forth in +ebon and ivory in the light and shadow of the now high-careering moon, +"For what, Larry," said the gentleman,--"for what do you say the +churchyard is noted?" "For nothing at all, plase your honour," replied +Larry, "except the height of gentility." The stranger was about four feet +high, dressed in what might be called flowing garments,--if, in spite of +their form, their rigidity did not deprive them of all claim to such an +appellation. He wore an antique mitre upon his head; his hands were +folded upon his breast; and over his right shoulder rested a pastoral +crook. There was a solemn expression in his countenance, and his eye +might truly be called stony. His beard could not be well said to wave +upon his bosom; but it lay upon it in ample profusion, stiffer than that +of a Jew on a frosty morning after mist. In short, as Larry soon +discovered to his horror, on looking up at the niche, it was no other +than Saint Colman himself, who had stept forth, indignant (in all +probability) at the stigma cast by the watcher of the dead on the +churchyard of which his Saintship was patron. He smiled with a grisly +solemnity--just such a smile as you might imagine would play round the +lips of a milestone (if it had any,) at the recantation so quickly +volunteered by Larry. "Well," said he, "Lawrence Sweeney"--"How well the +old rogue," thought Larry, "knows my name!" "Since you profess yourself +such an admirer of the merits of the churchyard of Inistubber, get up and +follow me, till I show you the civilities of the place--for I am master +here, and must do the honours." "Willingly would I go with your worship," +replied our friend; "but you see here I am engaged to Sir Theodore, who, +though a good master, was a mighty passionate man when every thing was +not done as he ordered it; and I am feared to stir." "Sir Theodore," said +the Saint, "will not blame you for following me. I assure you he will +not." "But then," said Larry--"Follow me!" cried the Saint, in a hollow +voice, and casting upon him his stony eye, drew poor Larry after him, as +the bridal guest was drawn by the lapidary glance of the Ancient Mariner; +or, as Larry himself afterwards expressed it, "as a jaw tooth is wrinched +out of an ould woman with a pair of pinchers." The Saint strode before +him in silence, not in the least incommoded by the stones and rubbish, +which at every step sadly contributed to the discomfiture of Larry's +shins, who followed his marble conductor into a low vault, situated at +the west end of the church. The path lay through coffins piled up on each +side of the way in various degrees of decomposition; and, excepting that +the solid footsteps of the saintly guide, as they smote heavily on the +floor of stone, broke the deadly silence, all was still. Stumbling and +staggering along, directed only by the casual glimpses of light afforded +by the moon, where it broke through the dilapidated roof of the vault, +and served to discover only sights of woe, Larry followed. He soon felt +that he was descending, and could not help wondering at the length of the +journey. He began to entertain the most unpleasant suspicions as to the +character of his conductor;--but what could he do? Flight was out of the +question, and to think of resistance was absurd. "Needs must, they say," +thought he to himself, "when the devil drives. I see it's much the same +when a saint, leads." + +At last the dolorous march had an end; and not a little to Larry's +amazement, he found that his guide had brought him to the gate of a lofty +hall, before which a silver lamp, filled with naphtha, "yielded light as +from a sky."--From within loud sounds of merriment were ringing; and it +was evident, from the jocular harmony and the tinkling of glasses, that +some subterraneous catch-club were not idly employed over the bottle. +"Who's there?" said a porter, roughly responding to the knock of Saint +Colman. "Be so good," said the Saint, mildly, "my very good fellow, as to +open the door without further questions, or I'll break your head. I'm +bringing a gentleman here on a visit, whose business is pressing." "May +be so," thought Larry, "but what that business may be, is more than I can +tell." The porter sulkily complied with the order, after having +apparently communicated the intelligence that a stranger was at hand; for +a deep silence immediately followed the tipsy clamour; and Larry, +sticking close to his guide, whom he now looked upon almost as a friend, +when compared with these underground revellers to whom he was about to +be introduced, followed him through a spacious vestibule, which gradually +sloped into a low-arched room, where the company was assembled. And a +strange-looking company it was. Seated round a long table were +three-and-twenty grave and venerable personages, bearded, mitred, stoled, +and croziered,--all living statues of stone, like the Saint who had +walked out of his niche. On the drapery before them were figured the +images of the sun, moon, and stars--the inexplicable bear--the mystic +temple, built by the hand of Hiram--and other symbols, of which the +uninitiated knew nothing. The square, the line, the trowel, were not +wanting, and the hammer was lying in front of the chair. Labour, however, +was over, and the time for refreshment having arrived, each of the stony +brotherhood had a flagon before him; and when we mention that the Saints +were Irish, and that St. Patrick in person was in the chair, it is not to +be wondered at that the mitres, in some instances, hung rather loosely on +the side of the heads of some of the canonized compotators. Among the +company were found St. Senanus of Limerick, St. Declan of Ardmore, St. +Canice of Kilkenny, St. Finbar of Cork, St. Michan of Dublin, St. Brandon +of Kerry, St. Fachnan of Ross, and others of that holy brotherhood; a +vacant place, which completed the four-and-twentieth, was left for St. +Colman, who, as every body knows, is of Cloyne; and he, having taken his +seat, addressed the president, to inform him that he had brought the man. +The man (viz. Larry himself) was awestruck with the company in which he +so unexpectedly found himself; and trembled all over when, on the notice +of his guide, the eight-and-forty eyes of stone were turned directly upon +himself. "You have just nicked the night to a shaving, Larry," said St. +Patrick: "this is our chapter-night, and myself and brethren are here +'assembled on merry occasion.'--You know who I am?" "God bless your +reverence," said Larry, "it's I that do well. Often did I see your +picture hanging over the door of places where it is"--lowering his +voice--"pleasanter to be than here, buried under an ould church." "You +may as well say it out, Larry," said St. Patrick; "and don't think I'm +going to be angry with you about it; for I was once flesh and blood +myself. But you remember, the other night, saying that you would think +nothing of pulling your master out of purgatory, if you could get at him +there, and appealing to me to stand by your words. + +"Y-e-e-s," said Larry, most mournfully; for he recollected the +significant look he had received from the picture. "And," continued St. +Patrick, "you remember also that I gave you a wink, which you know is as +good, any day, as a nod--at least, to a blind horse." "I'm sure, your +reverence," said Larry, with a beating heart, "is too much of a gintleman +to hould a poor man hard to every word he may say of an evening, and +therefore"--"I was thinking so," said the saint, "I guessed you'd prove a +poltroon when put to the push. What do you think, my brethren, I should +do to this fellow?" A hollow sound burst from the bosoms of the unanimous +assembly. The verdict was short and decisive:--"Knock out his brains!" And +in order to suit the action to the word, the whole four-and-twenty arose +at once, and with their immovable eyes fixed firmly on the face of our +hero--who horror struck with the sight as he was, could not close +his--they began to glide slowly but regularly towards him, bending their +line into the form of a crescent, so as to environ him on all sides. In +vain he fled to the door; its massive folds resisted mortal might. In +vain he cast his eyes around in quest of a loophole of retreat--there was +none. Closer and closer pressed on the slowly-moving phalanx, and the +uplifted croziers threatened soon to put their sentence into execution. +Supplication was all that remained--and Larry sunk upon his knees. "Ah! +then," said he, "gintlemin and ancient ould saints as you are, don't kill +the father of a large small family, who never did hurt to you or yours. +Sure, if 'tis your will that I should go to--no matter who, for there's +no use in naming his name--might I not as well make up my mind to go +there, alive and well, stout and hearty, and able to face him,--as with +my head knocked into bits, as if I had been after a fair or a patthern?" +"You say right," said St. Patrick, checking with a motion of his crozier +the advancing assailants, who returned to their seats. "I am glad to see +you coming to reason. Prepare for your journey." "And how, plase your +Saintship, am I to go?" asked Larry. "Why," said St. Patrick, "as Colman +here has guided you so far, he may guide you further. But as the journey +is into foreign parts, where you arn't likely to be known, you had better +take this letter of introduction, which may be of use to you." "And here, +also, Lawrence," said a Dublin Saint--perhaps Michan--"take you this box +also, and make use of it as he to whom you speak shall suggest." "Take a +hold, and a firm one," said St. Colman, "Lawrence, of my cassock, and we' +ll start." "All right behind?" cried St. Patrick. "All right!" was the +reply. In an instant!--vault--table--saints--bell--church, faded into air; +a rustling hiss of wings was all that was heard; and Larry felt his cheek +swept by a current, as if a covey of birds of enormous size were passing +him. (It was, in all probability, the flight of the saints returning to +heaven, but on that point nothing certain has reached us up to the +present time of writing.) He had not a long time to wonder at the +phenomenon, for he himself soon began to soar, dangling in mid sky at the +skirt of the cassock of his sainted guide. Earth, and all that appertains +thereto, speedily passed from his eyes, and they were alone in the midst +of circumfused ether, glowing with a sunless light. Above, in immense +distance, was fixed the firmament, fastened up with bright stars, fencing +around the world with its azure wall. They fled far, before any +distinguishable object met their eyes. At length a long, white streak, +shining like silver in the moonbeam, was visible to their sight. "That," +said St. Colman, "is the Limbo which adjoins the earth, and is the +highway for ghosts departing the world. It is called in Milton, a book +which I suppose, Larry, you never have read"--"And how could I, plase +your worship," said Larry, "seein' I don't know a B from a bull's foot!" +"Well, it is called in Milton the Paradise of Fools: and if it were indeed +peopled by all of that tribe who leave the world, it would contain the +best company that ever figured on the earth. To the north, you see a +bright speck?" "I do." "That marks the upward path,--narrow and hard to +find. To the south you may see a darksome road--broad, smooth, and easy +of descent; that is the lower way. It is thronged with the great ones of +the world; you may see their figures in the gloom. Those who are soaring +upwards are wrapt in the flood of light flowing perpetually from that +single spot, and you cannot see them. The silver path on which we enter +is the Limbo. Here I part with you. You are to give your letter to the +first person you meet. Do your best;--be courageous, but observe +particularly that you profane no holy name, or I will not answer for the +consequences." + +His guide had scarcely vanished, when Larry heard the tinkling of a bell +in the distance, and turning his eyes in the quarter whence it proceeded, +he saw a grave-looking man in black, with eyes of fire, driving before +him a flock of ghosts with a switch, as you see turkeys driven on the +western road, at the approach of Christmas. They were on the highway to +Purgatory. The ghosts were shivering in the thin air, which pinched them +severely, now that they had lost the covering of their bodies. Among the +group, Larry recognised his old master, by the same means that Ulysses, +Aeneas, and others, recognised the bodiless forms of their friends in the +regions of Acheron. "What brings a living person," said the man in black, +"on this pathway? I shall make legal capture of you, Larry Sweeney, for +trespassing. You have no business here." "I have come," said Larry, +plucking up courage, "to bring your honour's glory a letter from a +company of gintlemin with whom I had the pleasure of spending the evening, +underneath the ould church of Inistubber." "A letter," said the man in +black, "where is it?" "Here, my lord," said Larry. "Ho!" cried the black +gentleman, on opening it, "I know the handwriting. It won't do, however, +my lad,--I see they want to throw dust in my eyes." "Whew," thought Larry, +"that's the very thing. 'Tis for that the ould Dublin boy gave me the box. +I'd lay a tinpenny to a brass farthing that it's filled with Lundy Foot." +Opening the box, therefore, he flung its contents right into the fiery +eyes of the man in black, while he was still occupied with reading the +letter,--and the experiment was successful. "Curses--tche-tche-tche,-- +Curses on it," exclaimed he, clapping his hand before his eyes, and +sneezing most lustily.--"Run, you villians, run," cried Larry, to the +ghosts--"run, you villians, now that his eyes are off of you--O master, +master! Sir Theodore, jewel! run to the right-hand side, make for the +bright speck, and God give you luck." + +He had forgotten his injunction. The moment the word was uttered he felt +the silvery ground sliding from under him; and with the swiftness of +thought he found himself on the flat of his back, under the very niche of +the old church wall whence he had started, dizzy and confused with a +measureless tumble. The emancipated ghosts floated in all directions, +emitting their shrill and stridulous cries in the gleaming expanse. Some +were again gathered by their old conductor; some scudding about at +random, took the right hand path, others the left. Into which of them Sir +Theodore struck, is not recorded; but as he had heard the direction, let +us hope that he made the proper choice. Larry had not much time given him +to recover from his fall, for almost in an instant he heard an angry +snorting rapidly approaching, and looking up, whom should he see but the +gentleman in black, with eyes gleaming more furiously than ever, and his +horns (for, in his haste, he had let his hat fall) relieved in strong +shadow against the moon. Up started Larry--away ran his pursuer after him. +The safest refuge was, of course, the church,--thither ran our hero--and +after him--fiercer than the shark, swifter than the hounds--fled the +black gentleman. The church is cleared; the chancel entered; and the hot +breath of his pursuer glows upon the outstretched neck of Larry. Escape +is impossible--the extended talons of the fiend have clutched him by the +hair. "You are mine," cried the demon,--"if I have lost any of my flock, +I have at last got you." "Oh, St. Patrick!" exclaimed our hero, in horror, +--"Oh, St. Patrick have mercy upon me, and save me!" "I tell you what, +cousin Larry," said Kinaley, chucking him up from behind a gravestone, +where he had fallen--"all the St. Patricks that ever were born would not +have saved you from ould Tom Picton, if he caught you sleeping on your +post as I've caught you now. By the word of an ould soldier, he'd have +had the provost-marshal upon you, and I'd not give two-pence for the loan +of your life. And then, too, I see you have drunk every drop in the +bottle. What can you say for yourself?" "Nothing at all," said Larry, +scratching his head,--"but it was an unlucky dream, and I'm glad it's +over."--_Literary Souvenir._ + + * * * * * + + +Ancient Roman Festivals. + +NOVEMBER. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +The _Epulum Jovis_ was a sumptuous feast offered to Jupiter on the +13th of November. The gods were formally invited, and attended; for the +statues were brought in rich beds, furnished with soft pillows, called +_pulvinaria_. Thus accommodated, their godships were placed on their +couches at the most honourable part of the table, and served with the +rich dainties, as if they were able to eat; but the _epulones_, or +ministers, who had the care and management of the feast, performed that +function for them, and no doubt did the part of _gastronomic proxies_ +with _eclat_. + +The _Brumalia_ was a feast of Bacchus, celebrated among the Romans +during the space of thirty days, commencing on the 24th of November. It +was instituted by Romulus, who used, during this time, to entertain the +senate. During this feast indications were taken of the felicity of the +remaining part of the winter. + +P.T.W. + + * * * * * + + + + +The Gatherer. + + + "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." +SHAKSPEARE. + + * * * * * + + +INNOCENT CONFESSION. + + +A Lady at confession, amongst other heinous crimes, accused herself of +using rouge. "What is the use of it?" asked the confessor. "I do it to +make myself handsomer."--"And does it produce that effect?" "At least +I think so, father."--The confessor on this took his penitent out of the +confessional, and having looked at her attentively in the light, said, +"Well, madam, you may use rouge, for you are ugly enough even with it." + + * * * * * + + +MERCHANT TAILORS. + + +A Clergyman hearing a remark made on the humility of the Merchant Tailors' +motto, "_Concordiâ parvae res crescunt_" replied, "Yes, that is to +say, nine tailors make a man." + + * * * * * + + +RABELAIS. + +A JEU D'ESPRIT. + + + In France they say + Lived RABELAIS, + A witty wight, and a right merry fellow. + Who in good company was sometimes mellow: + And, + Although he was a priest, + Thought it no sacramental sin--to feast. + I can't say much for his morality: + But for his immortality, + Good luck! + Why he's bound in calf, and squeezed in boards, + And scarcely a good library's shelf + But boasts acquaintance with the elf. + But now I'll tell you what I should have told before, + A grievous illness brought him nigh _Death's_ door. + Who, bony wight, + Enjoyed the sight-- + And grinn'd as he thought of the fun there'd be + When the jester had joined his company. + + Rab's friends, good folk! + Thought it no joke + To the poor joker; they therefore sent around + For all the Esculapians to be found; + And in a trice + (For doctors always haste to give advice-- + Mind--don't mistake--I mean when there's a fee) + They mustered two--to which add three. + + Now about the bed + Is seen each learned head. + The patient's pulse is felt--with graver air + Each M.D. seats him in a chair. + Crosses his legs--leans on his stick, mums--hahs--and hums + Pulls out his watch--takes snuff--and twirls his thumbs. + At length, + The awful stillness broke-- + As if from silence gathering strength + Most lustily they all did croak, + Their opinions mingling, + In discordant jingling-- + "A purge"--"a blister"--"shave his head" + "Senna and salts"--"a clyster"--"have him bled," + "A pill at noon"--"another pill at night," + "A warm-bath, sure, would set him right." + Thus with purges and blisters, + Pills, bleeding, and clysters, + The poor patient they threatened + Should be deluged and sweatened. + + Unable to endure the riot, + And wishing for a little quiet, + The sickman raised his head, + And said-- + Gentlemen, I do beseech ye, cease your pother, + Nor any more with me your wise heads bother, + Scratching your wigs, + Like sapient pigs; + Whate'er you may decide is my disease, + I humbly do conceive a little ease + From your infernal noise and chatter. + With which I'm dunn'd + And nearly stunn'd, + Would greatly tend to mend the matter; + And if, perforce, I must resign my breath, + For heav'n's sake let me _die_ a NATURAL _death_. + + +P.M. + + * * * * * + + +AN AGITATOR. + + +M. Monchenut, an old man of eighty, afflicted with the palsy, was +arrested during the reign of terror, under suspicion of being an agitator. +Being asked what he had to say to the accusation, "Alas, gentlemen, it is +very true, I am agitated enough, God knows, for I have not been able to +keep a limb still for these fifteen years." + + * * * * * + + +CHINESE POLITENESS. + + +There is one striking particular in which the Chinese politeness is quite +the reverse of ours. To take off their caps when they salute one another, +or even accidentally to appear uncovered, is esteemed the height of ill +breeding and indecency. + +HALBERT H. + + * * * * * + + +PURCHASERS of the MIRROR, who may wish to complete their sets are +informed, that every volume is complete in itself, and may be purchased +separately. The whole of the numbers are now in print, and can be +procured by giving an order to any Bookseller or Newsvender. + +Complete sets Vol. I. to XI. in boards, price £2. l9_s_. 6_d_. half bound, +£3. l7_s_. + + * * * * * + + +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 l3s. 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. boards. + +The ARCANA of SCIENCE for 1828. Price 4s. 6d. + + +Any of the above Works can be purchased in Parts. + +GOLDSMITH'S ESSAYS. Price 8d. + +DR. FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS. Price 1s. 2d. + +BACON'S ESSAYS Price 8d. + +SALMAGUNDI. Price 1s. 8d. + + * * * * * + + +_Printed and Published by J. LAMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset House.) +London; sold by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; and by all +Newsmen and Booksellers._ + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11405 *** diff --git a/11405-h/11405-h.htm b/11405-h/11405-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7551cbb --- /dev/null +++ b/11405-h/11405-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2190 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 12, Issue 342, November 22, 1828, by Various</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + + .note, .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + + span.pagenum {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + + .figure {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em; margin: auto;} + .figure img {border: none;} + .figure p + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + --> + /*]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11405 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction, Vol. 12, Issue 342, November 22, 1828, by Various</h1> +<br /> +<br /> +<center><b>E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Allen Siddle, David Garcia,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</b></center> +<br /> +<br /> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page337" name="page337"></a>[pg + 337]</span> + <h1> + THE MIRROR<br /> + OF<br /> + LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + </h1> + <hr class="full" /> + <table width="100%" summary="Banner"> + <tr> + <td align="left"> + <b>VOL. XII, NO. 342.]</b> + </td> + <td align="center"> + <b>SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1828.</b> + </td> + <td align="right"> + <b>[PRICE 2d.</b> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <div class="figure" style="width: 100%;"> + <a href="images/342-1.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/342-1.png" + alt="Council office, etc. Whitehall." /></a> + </div> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page338" name="page338"></a>[pg + 338]</span> + </p> + <h3> + COUNCIL OFFICE, &c. WHITEHALL. + </h3> + <p> + From the Druids' Temple, at Abury, (our last engraving,) to + the Council Office, at Whitehall, is a long stride in the + march of time. From "grave to gay, and lively to severe," is + nothing to it; but variety is the public dictum; and with + more sincerity than the courtier in <i>Tom Thumb</i>, we say + to the public, + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + "Whate'er your majesty shall please to name, + </p> + <p> + Long cut or short cut, to us' tis all the same." + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + On the annexed page is represented the new splendid range of + buildings, including the <i>Council Office</i>, <i>Board of + Trade</i>, &c. at Whitehall. The architect, Mr. Soane, + has adapted the façade from the Temple of Jupiter + Stator, at Rome.<a id="footnotetag1" + name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Soane's adaptation has been only partial, and he has + adhered merely to the details of the columns and entablature. + "The façade," it is well observed in an early Number + of the <i>Athenaeum</i>, "enjoys one of the most favourable + sites for the display of a public building which the + metropolis affords; no limit has been set to the expense; the + finest materials the country yields have been used in its + construction; the richest example of the richest order which + antiquity has left us, has been lavishly employed in its + decoration; and yet," continues the critic, "is not the whole + a failure?" He then describes the effect of it as "poor, or + at best but pretty," and attributes the absence of grandeur + to the "want of sufficient elevation."—"To the general + elevation it may be objected, that it has no prominent + centre; that, composed of two wings and an intermediate space + receding, it has more the character of a flank than a front + building; and that the want of a central entrance derogates + greatly from its dignity as a principal façade." + </p> + <p> + But we are mere amateurs in these matters, and it will be as + well to leave the remainder of this criticism to the more + studious reader. We have, however, glanced at the principal + defects which the writer in the <i>Athenaeum</i> points out, + and we are bound to admit the justice of his remarks. The + details which produce this effect would not be so generally + interesting. "The order itself," says he, "it must be + admitted, is well copied, and excellently executed;" but Mr. + Soane's application of it is loudly censured—a Roman + temple being inappropriate for a British Council Office. + Perhaps our critic would have preferred a façade like + that of the Palais de Justice at Paris,—a platform, + ascended by an immense flight of steps, which serves as a + basement for a projecting body of four Doric columns; with + four large pedestals in front, and statues of + <i>Strength</i>, <i>Plenty</i>, <i>Justice</i>, and + <i>Prudence</i>, as the cardinal virtues of English + legislation and trade. + </p> + <p> + Upon the whole, we cannot help thinking some of the details + of this new range extremely rich and pleasing, although we + assent to the above character of their general effect. The + columns, of fluted Corinthian, and the cornice of the order, + are to us very beautiful; but the upper windows are + unsightly, or, as a wag would say, purely attic; and the + entrances are too strictly <i>official</i> for the + architecture of the building. This brings us again to the + inappropriateness of the adaptation, which made these + introductions unavoidable.<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> + </p> + <p> + The front of the building is not completed, the northern wing + having yet to be erected. When this is finished, the effect + may be materially assisted. + </p> + <p> + While we are in this quarter, and lest "we may never come + again," it may be as well to thank our correspondent, "An + Architect," for his letter on "Whitehall," a very small + portion of which has ever been completed. What has been + finished—the Banqueting House—is one of the + triumphs of Inigo Jones, but like all human works, is sadly + dilapidated; although this is attributable to the bad + material, rather than to the interval since its erection. The + <i>whole</i> was, indeed, a magnificent design. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + CROMLECH. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + In No. 328 of the MIRROR, you mistake in spelling + <i>cromlech</i>; the last syllable is always written + <i>lech</i>, not <i>leh</i>; neither is it derived from + <i>crom</i> and <i>leac</i>, the Irish, but from <i>crom</i> + and <i>llech</i>, the Celtic, of which the Irish is the most + corrupted, and the present Welsh the most pure dialect. + <i>Llech</i> signifies a stone in Welsh, and is pronounced in + a way peculiar to the Welsh; when simple it is <i>llech</i>, + when compounded <i>lech</i>. + </p> + <p> + RUPERT C. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page339" name="page339"></a>[pg + 339]</span> + </p> + <h3> + GARDEN OF HYACINTHS + </h3> + <center> + IN THE SERAGLIO, CONSTANTINOPLE. + </center> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror.</i>) + </p> + <p> + In this garden the sultan passes most of his leisure hours, + free from the outward parade attendant on his rank. It is + small, but tastefully disposed in oblong beds, edged with + fine porcelain; no plant is allowed to grow in it except the + hyacinth; whence the name of the garden and the apartment it + contains. Nothing can be more beautiful than the interior; + three sides are formed by a divan, the cushions and pillows + of which were of black satin, exquisitely embroidered. The + floor was covered with Gobelin tapestry, and the ceiling + magnificently gilded and burnished. Opposite the windows of + the chamber was a fire-place, in the European manner; and on + each side a door, covered with hangings of crimson cloth. + Between each of these doors appeared a glass-case, containing + the sultan's private library; every volume was in manuscript, + with the name written on the edges of the leaves. Opposite + the doors and fire-place hung three gold cages, containing + artificial birds, which sang by mechanism. On one side was a + raised bench, on which was placed an embroidered towel, a + splendid vase, and basin for washing the hands and beard; + upon the wall over it was suspended an embroidered portfolio, + worked with silver on yellow leather, to contain the + petitions presented to the sultan when he goes in procession + to the mosque. Close to the door was placed a pair of yellow + boots and slippers, which are always at the entrance of every + apartment frequented by the sultan. Groups of arms, such as + pistols, sabres, and poniards, were displayed with great + taste and effect on the compartments of the walls; the + handles were covered with diamonds and jewels of large size, + which, as they glittered around, gave an almost dazzling + brilliancy to this sumptuous chamber, thus characterizing the + amusements of the man when divested of the ceremony and + formality of the sultan. + </p> + <p> + INA. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + NEEDLE-WORK ALTAR-PIECE. + </h3> + <p> + <i>(For the Mirror.)</i> + </p> + <p> + The town of Welwyn, Hertfordshire, was the last place of + residence of Dr. Young, author of "Night Thoughts," where he + was rector. His pious lady employed her leisure hours with + her needle, in the completion of a most elegant altar-piece, + which now embellishes the sacramental table in the church; + and, through the care of the parish clerk, this specimen of + the indefatigable mind of Mrs. Young has been surprisingly + preserved. The words down the centre, + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + I AM + </p> + <p> + THE BREAD + </p> + <p> + OF + </p> + <p> + LIFE, + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + have the appearance of being the production of a most + masterly pencil; and the word "life" is in as fine a state of + preservation as on the day when it was first presented by the + benevolent artist; every tint, including the light and shade + which surround the word, having withstood the ravages of + time, and been ingeniously preserved by a kind of gauze + covering. + </p> + <p> + W.G.C. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + It has not been till lately that any of the travellers into + Palestine have told what was meant by the locusts mentioned + by St. Matthew as part of the food of John the Baptist. Dr. + Clarke first related, that a tree grows in the Holy Land, + which is called the locust tree, and produces an eatable + fruit; but this fact was well known to many who had been in + the Mediterranean. The tree grows in several of the countries + which border that sea. It has been found in much greater + abundance in some parts of the East Indies, whence it has now + become an article of export. Many thousands of its pods are + annually imported by the East India Company; and, either + because the fruit is richer in more southern climates, or for + some other reason, a great quantity of them are shipped for + Venice and Trieste, where there is distilled from them a + liquor, which is supposed to be an antidote to the plague, or + at least useful in curing it. These pods are about twenty + inches long, and from half to three-quarters of an inch in + diameter. We call them pods for want of a term which would + more accurately describe them; but they are not flat, neither + have they that sort of hinge on one side, and slight + fastening on the other, which plainly show how the shells of + peas and beans are to be opened. On the contrary, these are + round; but there are two opposite lines along them, where the + colour alone would induce any one to suppose the skin to be, + as it is, thinner than elsewhere. Having the fruit before us + only in a dry state, we can describe it in no other; but at + present a knife could scarcely be made to penetrate the + thicker part, and does not very easily make its way into the + thinner. The fruit, which lies in little cells within, is a + pulp, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page340" + name="page340"></a>[pg 340]</span> or paste, somewhat like + that of tamarinds, but smoother, and not so sweet. There are + pips in it nearly as hard, and about half as large, as those + of a tamarind, containing a kernel in each. It should be + added, that in the stems of this locust tree wild bees still + deposit their honey. + </p> + <p> + W.G.C. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + FLOWERS. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + On reading the MIRROR, No. 337, my attention was attracted to + one of your many pleasant and amusing extracts from the + "Public Journals," bearing the title of "Flowers." Being + myself a great admirer of that beautiful and delightful part + of creation, I was led to peruse the article with somewhat + increased attention. In all ages flowers have been regarded + with peculiar sympathy; they have been associated with the + calm serenity of virtue; they have been strewed around the + altars of devotion; have been made to accompany the lonely, + unobtrusive works of merit; and hung around the grave of + faded and departed innocence, thus silently, but powerfully, + depicting virtue, the essence of felicity. Although I do not + consider you to be accountable for statements contained in + the articles extracted from other journals, still I presume + you would not knowingly make your work the vehicle of any + matter which would lead your readers astray. I have, + therefore, ventured to call your attention to a particular + part of the above article, and to correct what I presume to + be a misstatement. + </p> + <p> + In the article alluded to, the writer states, "It has been + said that flowers placed in bed-rooms are not wholesome; that + cannot," he remarks, "be meant of such as are in a state of + vegetation," &c. + </p> + <p> + Now plants, it is well known, respire similarly to animals, + through the pores of their leaves. By the agency of the sun, + during the day, a quantity of pure gas, called oxygen, is + given out; but on the contrary, during the night, or absence + of the sun, gas of a most noxious and pernicious nature is + emitted, and at the same time a portion of the pure air + (oxygen gas) is absorbed. The greater part of the atmosphere + must therefore be impregnated with this deleterious gas. + Taking into consideration the confined state of a + bed-chamber, the great increase of perspiration of the body, + with the continual increase of carbonic gas from respiration, + and this in an apartment where every thing <i>ought</i> most + sedulously to be avoided which in the least tends to + deteriorate the atmosphere, it must be evident the practice + ought to be avoided, if we are desirous of preserving health. + </p> + <p> + Flowers in a state of vegetation are, I consider, more + pernicious <i>at night</i>, or during the absence of the sun, + than those plucked and put into water, provided they be not + immersed too long a time; for immediately the stem is severed + from the plant, the vital action, if it may be so termed, + ceases, and decomposition commences; but till the + decomposition has been going on some time, nothing of a + pernicious nature need be apprehended. In like manner, + directly the vital principle becomes extinct in animals, + decomposition ensues. For the space of five or six days, + however, no perceptible alteration of the fibres is visible; + but after that time a compound of gases begins to exhale from + the body, accompanied with a fetid odour, till the parts are + entirely decomposed. + </p> + <p> + The effluvium arising from the <i>farina</i> and + <i>petals</i> is considered unwholesome, however agreeable it + may be to the senses, whether the plant be in a state of + vegetation or not, it being too powerful for the olfactory + nerve. + </p> + <p> + S.S.T. + </p> + <p> + Our pages are always open to the correction of our readers, + and in this instance we thank <i>S.S.T.</i> for the above, + although we think he has misconceived some portion of the + article on "Flowers," the writer adding to that passage + quoted by our correspondent, "<i>provided fresh air is + frequently introduced</i>"; of course, he does not refer to + the <i>night-time</i>, although it would have been clearer, + had he suggested the removal of flowers from bed-rooms during + the night.—ED. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + CIRCULAR TEMPLES. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + These structures are generally supposed to have been built + with astronomical allusions, especially the noble temple at + <i>Stonehenge</i>. Circular temples existed among the + Israelites. In Exodus, c. xxiv. v. 4, it is written that + "Moses rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar + under the hill, and twelve pillars." Again in Joshua, iv. 9, + Joshua set up twelve stones; and it is well worthy of remark, + that the twelve pillars of Moses and Joshua correspond with + the number of stones of the inner circles at Abury. It is + possible that these stones were plastered over, and probably + highly ornamented, as in Deuteronomy, xxvii. 2, we read, + "Thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with + plaster;" and there is a large, upright stone in Ireland, + which, according to the legend of the country, was once + covered over with gold. On some of these + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page341" name="page341"></a>[pg + 341]</span> pillars it is likewise probable that certain + characters were traced, as among the Israelites words of the + law were written upon similar obelisks or columns. + </p> + <p> + The earliest temples in Greece were formed of obeliscal + columns; and in some parts of Africa the custom obtains to + this day. Hence the pillars of our present temples are the + most ancient; and subsequent builders of holy sanctuaries + filled up the intercolumniations till the temples were + constructed as we now see their ruins in Athens and + elsewhere. But many of the early temples were round; and it + is a curious fact, hitherto unnoticed, I believe, that the + altar end, the sanctum of our earliest Saxon churches, is + circular. + </p> + <p> + JAMES SILVESTER. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + ST. OLAVE.—A MANX LEGEND. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + [Magnus, King of Norway, having committed sacrilege, by + opening the grave of St. Olave, he was commanded by the + spirit of the offended saint to perform the voluntary penance + of quitting the kingdom in thirty days. He obeyed this + intimation, and immediately left Norway. Having conquered + many of the Western Isles, at length he established himself + in the Isle of Man. Afterwards attempting the reduction of + Ireland, he was surrounded by the natives and slain, with the + whole of his followers.] + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Olave, of rocky Norway's saints, the holiest and the + best, + </p> + <p> + Entomb'd in tumulus, enjoys a calm and peerless rest; + </p> + <p> + By all of heav'ns votaries in saintly rank renown'd, + </p> + <p> + As high in blessedness, and chief in holy missal crown'd. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + The dead—in holy, stilly peace, the sacred dead + repose, + </p> + <p> + Afar from earth's turmoil and grief, and all of sick'ning + woes; + </p> + <p> + From racking pain, and withering pride, and avarice's + care, + </p> + <p> + Secure they rest in solitude, unaw'd by sin or snare. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + To sack the gloomy sepulchre of lately living clay, + </p> + <p> + From cheerful day and life remov'd, by dreaded death + away, + </p> + <p> + Is crime indeed of blackest hue, deserving exile's fate, + </p> + <p> + From native climes ordain'd to feel an outlaw's dreary + state. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Could Norway's priest-despising chief, deem sacrilege a + crime + </p> + <p> + Fitting for absolution,—or dark penance of set time + </p> + <p> + That daring such all dreaded sin, he gazes on the grave, + </p> + <p> + And tramples o'er the hallow'd dust of canoniz'd Olave. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Lone sepulchre in holy earth—sure wickedness so + dire, + </p> + <p> + Of holy man, and sacred place, incenses heaven's ire; + </p> + <p> + Can less than ever banishment from Norway's ice bound + land, + </p> + <p> + Stay sure revenge—pursuing fate—and justice' + awful hand? + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Away he sails—the foaming seas as Corsair now he + laves, + </p> + <p> + Dauntless—heroic—daring winds, and + man-entombing waves, + </p> + <p> + To visit other lands afar,—to combat chiefs of + fame; + </p> + <p> + In battle-field to spread around the dread of Norway's + name. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Lone Mona's sea-girt isle he dares with spear and + flashing sword, + </p> + <p> + Usurping regal rule and right by power of pirate horde; + </p> + <p> + Yet vengeance drear, and dark desert of direst actions, + crave + </p> + <p> + A bloody death, a justice clear, and dark usurper's + grave. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + On Erin's lovely land he falls—awarded darksome + doom, + </p> + <p> + When, ruffian-like, he dared profane the saintly Olave's + tomb: + </p> + <p> + He leaves his conquests, kingdoms, crowns, and all of + earthly state, + </p> + <p> + To sleep in loneliness, and fill his dark predicted fate. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + <i>Kirk Michael, Isle of Man</i>. A B.C. + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2> + THE ANECDOTE GALLERY. + </h2> + <hr /> + <h3> + A LIVING ALCHEMIST. + </h3> + <center> + (<i>From Sir R. Phillips's Tour</i>.) + </center> + <p> + At Luton, Beds. Sir Richard hears of an ALCHEMIST, who lives + at the village of Lilley, midway between Luton and Hitchen. + The whole of his interview with this eccentric personage, + will doubtless be interesting to our readers. + </p> + <p> + It was four miles out of my road, but I thought a modern + alchemist worthy of a visit, particularly as several + inhabitants of Luton gravely assured me, that he had + succeeded in discovering the Philosopher's Stone, and also + the Universal Solvent. The reports about him would have + rendered it culpable not to have hazarded anything for a + personal interview. I learnt that he had been a man of + fashion, and at one time largely concerned in adventures on + the turf, but that for many years he had devoted himself to + his present pursuits; while for some time past, he had been + inaccessible and invisible to the world, the house being shut + and barricadoed, and the walls of his grounds protected by + hurdles, with spring-guns so planted as to resist intrusion + in every direction. Under these circumstances, I had no + encouragement to go to Lilley, but I thought that even the + external inspection of such premises would repay me for the + trouble. At Lilley, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page342" + name="page342"></a>[pg 342]</span> I inquired for his house + of various people, and they looked ominous; some smiled, + others shook their heads, and all appeared surprised at the + approach of an apparent visiter to Mr. Kellerman. + </p> + <p> + The appearance of the premises did not belie vulgar report. I + could not help shuddering at seeing the high walls of + respectable premises, lined at the top with double tiers of + hurdles, and on driving my chaise to the front of the house, + I perceived the whole in a state of horrid dilapidation. + Contrary, however, to my expectation, I found a young man who + appeared to belong to the out-buildings, and he took charge + of my card for his master, and went to the back part of the + house to deliver it. The front windows on the ground-floor + and upper stories were entirely closed by inside shutters, + much of the glass was broken, and the premises appeared + altogether as if deserted. I was pleased at the words, "My + master will be happy to see you," and in a minute the front + door was opened, and Mr. Kellerman presented himself.—I + lament that I have not the pencil of Hogarth, for a more + original figure never was seen. He was about six feet high, + and of athletic make; on his head was a white night-cap, and + his dress consisted of a long great-coat once green, and he + had a sort of jockey waistcoat with three tiers of pockets. + His manner was extremely polite and graceful, but my + attention was chiefly absorbed by his singular physiognomy. + His complexion was deeply sallow, and his eyes large, black, + and rolling. He conducted me into a very large parlour, with + a window looking backward, and having locked the door, and + put the key in his pocket, he desired me to be seated in one + of two large arm chairs covered with sheepskins. The room was + a realization of the well-known picture of Teniers' + Alchemist. The floor was covered with retorts, crucibles, + alembics, jars, bottles in various shapes, intermingled with + old books piled upon each other, with a sufficient quantity + of dust and cobwebs. Different shelves were filled in the + same manner, and on one side stood his bed. In a corner + somewhat shaded from the light, I beheld two heads, white, + with dark wigs on them; I entertained no doubt therefore, + that among other fancies he was engaged in re-making the + brazen speaking head of Roger Bacon and Albertus. Many + persons might have felt alarmed at the peculiarity of my + situation, but being accustomed to mingle with eccentric + characters, and having no fear from any pretensions of the + black art, I was infinitely gratified by all I saw. + </p> + <p> + Having stated the reports which I had heard, relative to his + wonderful discoveries, I told him frankly that mine was a + visit of curiosity, and stated that if what I had heard was + matter of fact, the researches of the ancient chemists had + been unjustly derided. He then gave me a history of his + studies, mentioned some men whom I had happened to know in + London, who he alleged had assured him that they had made + gold. That having in consequence examined the works of the + ancient alchemists, and discovered the key which they had + studiously concealed from the multitude, he had pursued their + system under the influence of new lights; and after suffering + numerous disappointments, owing to the ambiguity with which + they described their processes, he had, at length, happily + succeeded; had made gold, and could make as much more as he + pleased, even to the extent of paying off the national debt + in the coin of the realm. + </p> + <p> + I yielded to the declaration, expressed my satisfaction at so + extraordinary a discovery, and asked him, to oblige me so + far, as to show me some of the precious metal which he had + made. + </p> + <p> + "Not so," said he; "I will show it to no one. I made Lord + Liverpool the offer, that if he would introduce me to the + king, I would show it to his majesty; but Lord Liverpool + insolently declined, on the ground that there was no + precedent; and I am therefore determined, that the secret + shall die with me. It is true that, in order to avenge myself + of such contempt, I made a communication to the French + ambassador, Prince Polignac, and offered to go to France, and + transfer to the French government, the entire advantages of + the discovery; but after deluding me, and shuffling for some + time, I found it necessary to treat him with the same + contempt as the others." + </p> + <p> + I expressed my convictions in regard to the double dealing of + men in office. + </p> + <p> + "O," said he, "as to that, every court in Europe well knows + that I have made the discovery, and they are all in + confederacy against me; lest by giving it to any one, I + should make that country master of all the rest—the + world, Sir," he exclaimed with great emotion, "is in my hands + and my power." + </p> + <p> + Satisfied with this announcement of the discovery of the + philosopher's stone, I now inquired about the sublime + alkahest or universal solvent, and whether he had succeeded + in deciphering the enigmatical descriptions of the ancient + writers on that most curious topic. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly," he replied, "I succeeded in that several years + ago." + </p> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page343" name="page343"></a>[pg + 343]</span> "Then," I proceeded, "have you effected the other + great desideratum, the fixing of mercury?" + </p> + <p> + "Than that process," said he, "there is nothing more easy; at + the same time it is proper I should inform you, that there + are a class of impostors, who mistaking the ancient writers, + pretend it can be done by heat; but I can assure you, it can + only be effected by water." + </p> + <p> + I then besought him to do me the favour, to show me some of + his fixed mercury, having once seen some which had been fixed + by cold. + </p> + <p> + This proposition, however, he declined, because he said he + had refused others. "That you may, however, be satisfied that + I have made great discoveries, here is a bottle of oil, which + I have purified, and rendered as transparent as spring water. + I was offered £10,000. for this discovery; but I am so + neglected, and so conspired against, that I am determined it + and all my other discoveries shall die with me." + </p> + <p> + I now inquired, whether he had been alarmed by the ignorance + of the people in the country, so as to shut himself up in so + unusual a manner. + </p> + <p> + "No," he replied, "not on their account wholly. They are + ignorant and insolent enough; but it was to protect myself + against the governments of Europe, who are determined to get + possession of my secret by force. I have been," he exclaimed, + "twice fired at in one day through that window, and three + times attempted to be poisoned. They believed I had written a + book containing my secrets, and to get possession of this + book has been their object. To baffle them, I burnt all that + I had ever written, and I have so guarded the windows with + spring-guns, and have such a collection of combustibles in + the range of bottles which stand at your elbow, that I could + destroy a whole regiment of soldiers if sent against me." He + then related, that as a further protection he lived entirely + in that room, and permitted no one to come into the house; + while he had locked up every room except that with patent + padlocks, and sealed the key-holes. + </p> + <p> + It would be tedious and impossible to follow Mr. Kellerman + through a conversation of two or three hours, in which he + enlarged upon the merits of the ancient alchemists, and on + the blunders and impertinent assumptions of the modern + chemists, with whose writings and names it is fair to + acknowledge he seemed well acquainted. He quoted the + authorities of Roger and Lord Bacon, Paracelsus, Boyle, + Boerhaave, Woolfe, and others, to justify his pursuits. As to + the term philosopher's stone, he alleged that it was a mere + figure, to deceive the vulgar. He appeared also to give full + credit to the silly story about Dee's assistant, Kelly, + finding some of the powder of projection in the tomb of Roger + Bacon at Glastonbury, by means of which, as was said, Kelly + for a length of time supported himself in princely splendour. + </p> + <p> + I inquired whether he had discovered the blacker than black + of Apollonius Tyaneus; and this, he assured me, he had + effected; it was itself the powder of projection for + producing gold. + </p> + <p> + Amidst all this delusion and illusion on these subjects, Mr. + Kellerman behaved in other respects with great propriety and + politeness; and having unlocked the door, he took me to the + doors of some of the other rooms, to show me how safely they + were padlocked; and on taking leave, directed me in my course + towards Bedford. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes, I overtook a man, and on inquiring what the + people thought of Mr. Kellerman, he told me that he had lived + with him for seven years; that he was one of eight assistants + whom he kept for the purpose of superintending his crucibles, + two at a time relieving each other every six hours; that he + had exposed some preparations to intense heat for many months + at a time, but that all except one crucible had burst, and + that he called on him to observe, that it contained the true + "blacker than black." The man protested, however, that no + gold had ever been made, and that no mercury had ever been + fixed; for he was quite sure, that if he had made any + discovery, he could not have concealed it from the + assistants; while, on the contrary, they witnessed his severe + disappointments, at the termination of his most elaborate + experiments. + </p> + <p> + On my telling the man that I had been in his room, he seemed + much astonished at my boldness; for he assured me, that he + carried a loaded pistol in every one of his six waistcoat + pockets. I learnt also from this man, that he has or had + considerable property in Jamaica; that he has lived in the + premises at Lilley about twenty-three years, and during + fourteen of them pursued his alchemical researches with + unremitting ardour; but for the last few years shut himself + up as a close prisoner, and lived in the manner I have + described. + </p> + <hr /> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Here lyeth wrapt in clay, + </p> + <p> + The body of William Wray: + </p> + <p> + I have no more to say. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + <i>Weever's Epitaphs</i>. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page344" name="page344"></a>[pg + 344]</span> + </p> + <h2> + Notes of a Reader. + </h2> + <hr /> + <h3> + COURT OF CHARLES II. + </h3> + <p> + In the last No. of the <i>Edinburgh Review</i>, there is an + admirably written article on Hallam's "Constitutional + History," not a mere essay, but somewhat more like a review + than usual. It contains an abundance of florid, bold, and + vigorous writing, extending through upwards of 70 pages. + Among the most striking passages we notice a parallel between + Cromwell and Napoleon, drawn with considerable force. But our + extract is from the lighter portion, as the following + ludicrous sketches of some of the enormities of Charles II. + "Towards the close of the Protectorate, many signs indicated + that a time of license was at hand. But the restoration of + Charles II rendered the change wonderfully rapid and violent. + A deep and general taint infected the morals of the most + influential classes, and spread itself through every province + of letters. Poetry inflamed the passions; philosophy + undermined the principles; divinity itself, inculcating an + abject reverence for the court, gave additional effect to its + licentious example. ... The favourite duchess stamps about + Whitehall, cursing and swearing. The ministers employ their + time at the council board in making mouths at each other, and + taking off each other's gestures for the amusement of the + king. The peers at a conference begin to pommel each other, + and to tear collars and periwigs. A speaker in the House of + Commons gives offence to the court. He is way-laid by a gang + of bullies, and his nose is cut to the bone. ... The second + generation of the statesmen of this reign, were worthy of the + schools in which they had been trained, of the gaming table + of Grammont, and the tiring room of Nell ——." + This is but a small portion of the good set terms in which + the reviewer illustrates the licentiousness of the times. + Speaking of Clarendon, he says, "Mr. Hallam scarcely makes + sufficient allowance for the wear and tear which honesty + almost necessarily sustains in the friction of political + life, and which in times so rough as those through which + Clarendon passed, must be very considerable. When these are + fairly estimated, we think that his integrity may be allowed + to pass muster." Perhaps political honesty is like Joseph + Surface's French plate, or the tinsel spread over a pair of + Birmingham saleshop candlesticks, whose tenderness will not + withstand the wear and tear of conveyance in the purchaser's + pocket. But the oddity of the reviewer's comparisons even + puts one in good humour with their virulence. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + STREET SYMPATHIES. + </h3> + <p> + During "the season" the veriest stranger who has an eye and + ear, and thoughts, must find in London sufficient to occupy + his attention; true, he may start and sigh, to think that of + the busy and enormous multitude around him, not one would + care, if, treading on yonder bit of orange peel, he should + slip off the flagway, and falling beneath the wheel of that + immense coal-wagon, have his thigh crushed to atoms, while + you'd be saying "Jack Robinson." But if he do sigh, the more + fool he; first, because "grieving's a folly," as the old sea + song hath it; next because he is mistaken in supposing that + no one would feel interested in his misfortune. There are two + upon the very flagway with him, who would evince the greatest + sympathy in his fate; the one is a surgeon's apprentice, who, + with anxious care, would bear him off to <i>his</i> hospital, + that he might "try his 'prentice hand" to doctor him while + living, and dissect him when dead; and the other is a running + reporter to one of the morning papers, who would with gentle + and soothing accents inquire his name, condition, and abode, + to swell the paragraph, and increase his + pay.—<i>Blackwood's Magazine.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + LINES TO EDWARD LYTTON BULWER, ON THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILD. + </h3> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + My heart is with you, Bulwer, and portrays + </p> + <p> + The blessings of your first paternal days; + </p> + <p> + To clasp the pledge of purest, holiest faith, + </p> + <p> + To taste one's own and love-born infant's breath, + </p> + <p> + I know, nor would for worlds forget the bliss. + </p> + <p> + I've felt that to a father's heart that kiss, + </p> + <p> + As o'er its little lips you smile and cling, + </p> + <p> + Has fragrance which Arabia could not bring. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Such are the joys, ill mock'd in ribald song, + </p> + <p> + In thought, ev'n fresh'ning life our life-time long, + </p> + <p> + That give our souls on earth a heaven-drawn bloom; + </p> + <p> + Without them we are weeds upon a tomb. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Joy be to thee, and her whose lot with thine, + </p> + <p> + Propitious stars saw Truth and Passion twine! + </p> + <p> + Joy be to her who in your rising name + </p> + <p> + Feels Love's bower brighten'd by the beams of Fame! + </p> + <p> + I lack'd a father's claim to her—but knew + </p> + <p> + Regard for her young years so pure and true, + </p> + <p> + That, when she at the altar stood your bride, + </p> + <p> + A sire could scarce have felt more sire-like pride. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + <i>T. Campbell</i>. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The Duc de Laval has the character of being a perfect fool. + It is said that on one occasion he talked of having received + an anonymous letter, signed by all the officers of his + regiment; that on another, he ordered ottomans to be placed + in the four corners of his octagon + saloon!—<i>Josephine's Memoirs</i>. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page345" name="page345"></a>[pg + 345]</span> + </p> + <h3> + CAUSE AND EFFECT. + </h3> + <p> + Infinite are the consequences which follow from a single, and + often apparently a very insignificant circumstance. Paley + himself narrowly escaped being a baker; here was a decision + upon which hung in one scale, perhaps, the immortal interests + of thousands, and, in the other, the gratification of the + taste of the good people of Giggleswick for hot rolls. + Cromwell was near being strangled in his cradle by a monkey; + here was this wretched ape wielding in his paws the destinies + of nations. Then, again, how different in their kind, as well + as in their magnitude, are these consequences from anything + that might have been <i>à priori</i> expected. Henry + VIII. is smitten with the beauty of a girl of eighteen; and + ere long, + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + "The Reformation beams from Bullen's eyes." + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + Charles Wesley refuses to go with his wealthy namesake to + Ireland, and the inheritance, which would have been his, goes + to build up the fortunes of a Wellesley instead of a Wesley; + and to this decision of a schoolboy (as Mr. Southey observes) + Methodism may owe its existence, and England its + military—and, we trust we may now add, its civil and + political—glory—<i>Quarterly Rev.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + SERVANTS. + </h3> + <p> + A fund has lately been established at Stockholm, from which + it is intended to reward good and faithful servants. The king + has contributed to it 1,000 crowns; the prince royal 500; and + the princess royal 300. This has been suggested as an example + worthy of our imitation; many legacies, &c. have from + time to time been bequeathed for the encouragement of + faithful servants in England; some are claimed, but the + majority are shamefully misapplied by those to whom their + distribution has been entrusted. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + LONDON LUXURIES. + </h3> + <p> + A capital like London is a Maelstrom—an immense + whirlpool—whose gyrations sweep in whatever is + peculiarly desirable from the most distant regions of the + empire—so active becomes the love of gain when set in + motion by the love of luxury. We recollect once being on + shipboard to the north of Duncan's Bay Head, and out of sight + of land, the nearest being the Feroe Islands:—we were + walking the deck, watching a whale which was gamboling at + some distance, throwing up his huge side to the sun, and + sending ever and anon a sheet of water and foam from his + nostrils. Our thoughts were on Hecla and on the icebergs of + the Pole, on the Scalds of Iceland and the sea-kings of + Norway, when a sail hove in sight: we asked what craft it + was—and were answered, "a Gravesend brig dredging for + lobsters." Never was enchantment so effectually + broken—never stage-trick in pantomime more successfully + played off. Scene changes from Feroe and Iceland to the + Albion in Aldersgate-street—Exeunt Scald, champion, and + whale—Enter common councilman, turbot, and + lobster-sauce.—<i>Quarterly Rev.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + THE BEAUTIFUL. + </h3> + <p> + To be convinced that, at some period or another of their + history, the Egyptians had conceived a <i>beau-ideal</i> + superior to the beautiful which nature habitually produced in + their country, we have only to examine the young Memnon, at + the British Museum, and the heads of many of the sphinxes + which remain.—<i>Weekly Rev.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + ALGEBRA. + </h3> + <p> + Algebra I was charmed with, and found so much pleasure in + resolving its questions, that I have often sat till morning + at the engaging work, without a notion of its being day till + I opened the shutters of my closet. I recommend this study in + particular to young gentlemen, and am satisfied, if they + would but take some pains at first to understand it, they + would have so great a relish for its operations, as to prefer + them many an evening to clamorous pleasures; or, at least, + not be uneasy for being alone now and then, since their + algebra was with them.—<i>Life of John Buncle.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + A LUCKY MATCH. + </h3> + <p> + The late Mr. Locke, of Norbury Park, commissioned one + Jenkins, a dealer in pictures, residing at Rome, to send him + any piece of sculpture which might not exceed fifty guineas. + Jenkins sent a head of Minerva, which Mr. Locke, not liking, + returned, paying the carriage, and all other expenses. + Nollekens, who was then also at Rome, having purchased a + trunk of Minerva for fifty pounds, upon the return of this + head, found that its proportion and character accorded with + his torso. This discovery induced him to accept an offer made + by Jenkins of the head itself; and 220 guineas to share the + profits. After Nollekens had joined the head and trunk, or, + what is called "restored it," which he did at the expense of + twenty guineas more for stone and labour, it proved a most + fortunate hit, for they sold it for the enormous sum of 1,000 + guineas! and it is now at Newby, in + Yorkshire.—<i>Nollekens and his Times.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page346" name="page346"></a>[pg + 346]</span> + </p> + <h3> + NELSON. + </h3> + <p> + We received the following little anecdote from a letter of a + gentleman now at the head of the medical profession, with + which he favoured us shortly after perusing Salmonia. "I was + (says our friend) at the Naval Hospital, at Yarmouth, on the + morning when Nelson, after the battle of Copenhagen (having + sent the wounded before him,) arrived at the Roads, and + landed on the jutty. The populace soon surrounded him, and + the military were drawn up in the market-place ready to + receive him; but making his way through the crowd, and the + dust, and the clamour, he went straight to the hospital. I + went round the wards with him, and was much interested in + observing his demeanour to the sailors; he stopped at every + bed, and to every man he had something kind and cheering to + say. At length, he stopped opposite a bed on which a sailor + was lying who had lost his right arm close to the + shoulder-joint, and the following short dialogue passed + between, them:"—<i>Nelson</i>. "Well, Jack, what's the + matter with you?"—<i>Sailor</i>. "Lost my right arm, + your honour."—Nelson paused, looked down at his own + empty sleeve, then at the sailor, and said playfully, "Well, + Jack, then you and I are spoiled for fishermen—cheer + up, my brave fellow." And he passed briskly on to the next + bed; but these few words had a magical effect upon the poor + fellow, for I saw his eyes sparkle with delight as Nelson + turned away and pursued his course through the wards. As this + was the only occasion on which I saw Nelson, I may, possibly, + overrate the value of the incident.—<i>Q. Rev.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + THE BRITISH ALMANAC. + </h3> + <p> + This work, though only in its second year, is too well known + to be benefited by our recommendation. As a compilation, with + occasional originality, it is one of the best executed + labours of the Society from whom it emanates, and who, from + the multiplicity of facts here assembled, may be called "The + Society for the" <i>Condensation</i> "of Useful Knowledge." + </p> + <p> + In the Almanac for 1829 we notice several improvements upon + that of last year. The "Remarks on Weather" are valuable; and + the "Garden Plants in Flower" in each month, in themselves + extremely interesting, contrast the unchanging course of + nature with the grand revolutions and events of the column of + "Anniversaries." Thus, what different emotions are produced + by reading April 6, "First Abdication of Bonaparte, 1814," + and "Primrose Peerless (<i>Narcissus biflorus</i>) in + flower." The "Useful Remarks," though not a new feature in an + almanac, are profitable helps to social duties, especially + when drawn from such a source as Owen Feltham's + Resolves—a golden treasury of world-knowledge, which + may serve as a text-book for every family. Among the useful + facts we notice the following:—"By a parliamentary + return of the year 1828 we find that the stamp duty paid upon + the almanacs of England amounts to 30,136<i>l</i>. 3<i>s</i>. + 9<i>d</i>.—which, the duty being <i>fifteen-pence</i> + upon each almanac, exhibits a circulation of 451,593 + annually." + </p> + <center> + <i>Remarks on Weather.</i> + </center> + <p> + "The mean temperature of London is about 2° higher than + that of the surrounding country; the difference exists + chiefly in the night, and is greatest in winter and least in + summer." + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Howard is of opinion, from a careful comparison of a + long series of observations, that a wet spring is an + indication of a dry time for the ensuing harvest." + </p> + <p> + "The greatest depression of temperature in every month + happens, all other circumstances being the same, a short time + before sun-rise." + </p> + <p> + "There are only two months, namely, July and August, in + which, taking into consideration the power of radiation, + vegetation, in certain situations, is not exposed to a + temperature of 32°." + </p> + <p> + "The temperature of August is but little reduced, owing to + the prevalence of hot nights. The action of the sun's rays is + considerably assisted by the warm earth which radiates heat + into the air; while, in spring, it absorbs every day a + proportion of the heat which the sun produces." + </p> + <p> + "<i>October</i>—Now that the fruits of the earth are + laid in store, the increase of wet is attended by no + injurious effects, the remaining heat of the earth is + preserved from needless expenditure, and guarded from + dissipation, by an increasing canopy of clouds, by which the + effect of radiation is greatly reduced." + </p> + <p> + "The comparative warmth of November is owing to the heat + given out by the condensation of the vapour in the atmosphere + into rain." + </p> + <p> + "The mean temperature of the whole year is not found to vary, + in different years, more than four degrees and a half." + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Such as hold superstition sweet to the soul, and love to + exercise their ingenuity in hieroglyphics, the baseless + grounds of tea, and lucky dreams and omens, will find little + amusement in the British Almanac; but their absence is more + than supplied by information "which almost every man engaged + in the world requires." + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page347" name="page347"></a>[pg + 347]</span> + </p> + <h2> + THE SKETCH BOOK. + </h2> + <hr /> + <h3> + A VISION OF PURGATORY. + </h3> + <p> + <i>By William Maginn, Esq.</i> + </p> + <p> + The churchyard of Inistubber is as lonely a one as you would + wish to see on a summer's day, or avoid on a winter's night. + Under the east window of the church is a mouldering vault of + the De Lacys,—a branch of a family descended from one + of the conquerors of Ireland; and there they are buried, when + the allotted time calls them to the tomb. Sir Theodore De + Lacy had lived a jolly, thoughtless life, rising early for + the hunt, and retiring late from the bottle. A good-humoured + bachelor who took no care about the management of his + household, provided that the hounds were in order for his + going out, and the table ready on his coming in. As for the + rest,—an easy landlord, a quiet master, a lenient + magistrate (except to poachers,) and a very excellent foreman + of a grand jury. He died one evening while laughing at a + story which he had heard regularly thrice a week for the last + fifteen years of his life, and his spirit mingled with the + claret. In former times when the De Lacys were buried, there + was a grand breakfast, and all the party rode over to the + church to see the last rites paid. The keeners lamented; the + country people had a wake before the funeral, and a dinner + after it—and there was an end. But with the march of + mind comes trouble and vexation. A man has now-a-days no + certainty of quietness in his coffin—unless it be a + patent one. He is laid down in the grave, and the next + morning finds himself called upon to demonstrate an + interesting fact! No one, I believe, admires this ceremony, + and it is not to be wondered at that Sir Theodore De Lacy + held it in especial horror. "I'd like," said he one evening, + "to catch one of the thieves coming after me when I'm + dead—By the God of War, I'd break every bone in his + body;—but," he added with a sigh, "as I suppose I'll + not be able to take my own part then, upon you I leave it, + Larry Sweeney, to watch me three days and three nights after + they plant me under the sod. There's Doctor Dickenson there, + I see the fellow looking at me—fill your glass, + Doctor—here's your health! and shoot him, Larry, do you + hear, shoot the Doctor like a cock, if he ever comes stirring + up my poor old bones from their roost of Inistubber." "Why, + then," Larry answered, accepting the glass which followed + this command, "long life to both your honours; and it's I + that would like to be putting a bullet into Doctor + Dickenson—heaven between him and harm—for hauling + your honour away, as if you was a horse's head, to a bonfire. + There's nothing, I 'shure you, gintlemin, poor as I am, that + would give me greater pleasure." "We feel obliged, Larry" + said Sir Theodore, "for your good wishes." "Is it I pull you + out of the grave, indeed!" continued the whipper-in, for such + he was, —"I'd let nobody pull your honour out of any + place, saving 'twas purgatory; and out of that I'd pull you + myself, if I saw you going <i>there</i>." "I am of opinion, + Larry," said Doctor Dickenson, "you would turn tail if you + saw Sir Theodore on that road. You might go further, and fare + worse, you know." "Turn tail!" replied Larry, "it is I that + wouldn't—I appale to St. Patrick himself over + beyond"—pointing to a picture of the Prime Saint of + Ireland, which hung in gilt daubery behind his master's + chair, right opposite to him. To Larry's horror and + astonishment, the picture fixing its eyes upon him, winked + with the most knowing air, as if acknowledging the appeal. + "What makes you turn so white then at the very thought," said + the doctor, interpreting the visible consternation of our + hero in his own way. "Nothing particular," answered Larry; + "but a wakeness has come strong over me, gintlemin, and if + you'd have no objection, I'd like to go into the air for a + bit." Leave was of course granted, and Larry retired amid the + laughter of the guests—but as he retreated, he could + not avoid casting a glance on the awful picture—and + again the Saint winked, with a most malicious smile. It was + impossible to endure the repeated infliction, and Larry + rushed down the stairs in an agony of fright and amazement. + "May be," thought he, "it might be my own eyes that wasn't + quite steady—or the flame of the candle. But + no—he winked at me as plain as ever I winked at Judy + Donaghue of a May morning. What he manes by it I can't + say—but there's no use of thinking about it—no, + nor of talking neither, for who' d believe me if I tould them + of it?" + </p> + <p> + The next evening Sir Theodore died, as has been mentioned; + and in due time thereafter was buried according to the custom + of the family, by torch-light, in the churchyard of + Inistubber. All was fitly performed; and although Dickenson + had no design upon the jovial knight—and if he had not, + there was nobody within fifteen miles that could be suspected + of such an outrage,—yet Larry Sweeney was determined to + make good his promise of watching his master. "I'd think + little of telling a lie to him, by the + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page348" name="page348"></a>[pg + 348]</span> way of no harm when he was alive," said he, + wiping his eyes, as soon as the last of the train had + departed, leaving him with a single companion in the lonely + cemetery; "but now that he's dead—God rest his + soul!—I'd scorn it. So Jack Kinaley, as behoves my + first cousin's son, stay you with me here this blessed night, + for betune (between) you and I, it an't lucky to stay by + one's self in this ruinated old rookery, where ghosts, God + help us, is as thick as bottles in Sir Theodore's cellar!" + "Never you mind that, Larry," said Kinaley, a discharged + soldier, who had been through all the campaigns of the + Peninsula; "never mind, I say, such botherations. Han't I + lain in bivouack on the field at Salamanca, and Tallawara, + and the Pyrumnees, and many another place beside, where there + was dead corpses lying about in piles, and there was no more + ghosts than kneebuckles in a ridgemint of Highlanders. Here, + let me prime them pieces, and hand us over the bottle; we'll + stay snug under this east window, for the wind's coming down + the hill, and I defy"—"None of that bould talk, Jack," + said his cousin; "as for what ye saw in foreign parts, of + dead men killed afighting, sure that's nothing to the + dead—God rest 'em!—that's here. There you see, + they had company one with the other, and being killed + fresh-like that morning, had no heart to stir; but here, + faith! 'tis a horse of another colour." "May be it is," said + Jack, "but the night's coming on; so I'll turn in. Wake me if + you sees any thing; and after I've got my two hours' rest, + I'll relieve you." + </p> + <p> + With these words the soldier turned on his side, under + shelter of a grave, and as his libations had been rather + copious during the day, it was not long before he gave + audible testimony that the dread of supernatural visitants + had had no effect in disturbing the even current of his + fancy. Although Larry had not opposed the proposition of his + kinsman, yet he felt by no means at ease. He put in practice + all the usually recommended nostrums for keeping away + unpleasant thoughts:—all would not do. "If it was a + common, dacent, quite (quiet,) well-behaved churchyard + a'self," thought Larry, half-aloud—"but when 'tis a + place like this forsaken ould berrin'-ground, which is noted + for villiany"—"For what, Larry?" said a gentleman, + stepping out of a niche which contained the only statue time + had spared. It was the figure of Saint Colman, to whom the + church was dedicated. Larry had been looking at the figure, + as it shone forth in ebon and ivory in the light and shadow + of the now high-careering moon, "For what, Larry," said the + gentleman,—"for what do you say the churchyard is + noted?" "For nothing at all, plase your honour," replied + Larry, "except the height of gentility." The stranger was + about four feet high, dressed in what might be called flowing + garments,—if, in spite of their form, their rigidity + did not deprive them of all claim to such an appellation. He + wore an antique mitre upon his head; his hands were folded + upon his breast; and over his right shoulder rested a + pastoral crook. There was a solemn expression in his + countenance, and his eye might truly be called stony. His + beard could not be well said to wave upon his bosom; but it + lay upon it in ample profusion, stiffer than that of a Jew on + a frosty morning after mist. In short, as Larry soon + discovered to his horror, on looking up at the niche, it was + no other than Saint Colman himself, who had stept forth, + indignant (in all probability) at the stigma cast by the + watcher of the dead on the churchyard of which his Saintship + was patron. He smiled with a grisly solemnity—just such + a smile as you might imagine would play round the lips of a + milestone (if it had any,) at the recantation so quickly + volunteered by Larry. "Well," said he, "Lawrence + Sweeney"—"How well the old rogue," thought Larry, + "knows my name!" "Since you profess yourself such an admirer + of the merits of the churchyard of Inistubber, get up and + follow me, till I show you the civilities of the + place—for I am master here, and must do the honours." + "Willingly would I go with your worship," replied our friend; + "but you see here I am engaged to Sir Theodore, who, though a + good master, was a mighty passionate man when every thing was + not done as he ordered it; and I am feared to stir." "Sir + Theodore," said the Saint, "will not blame you for following + me. I assure you he will not." "But then," said + Larry—"Follow me!" cried the Saint, in a hollow voice, + and casting upon him his stony eye, drew poor Larry after + him, as the bridal guest was drawn by the lapidary glance of + the Ancient Mariner; or, as Larry himself afterwards + expressed it, "as a jaw tooth is wrinched out of an ould + woman with a pair of pinchers." The Saint strode before him + in silence, not in the least incommoded by the stones and + rubbish, which at every step sadly contributed to the + discomfiture of Larry's shins, who followed his marble + conductor into a low vault, situated at the west end of the + church. The path lay through coffins piled up on each side of + the way in various <span class="pagenum"><a id="page349" + name="page349"></a>[pg 349]</span> degrees of decomposition; + and, excepting that the solid footsteps of the saintly guide, + as they smote heavily on the floor of stone, broke the deadly + silence, all was still. Stumbling and staggering along, + directed only by the casual glimpses of light afforded by the + moon, where it broke through the dilapidated roof of the + vault, and served to discover only sights of woe, Larry + followed. He soon felt that he was descending, and could not + help wondering at the length of the journey. He began to + entertain the most unpleasant suspicions as to the character + of his conductor;—but what could he do? Flight was out + of the question, and to think of resistance was absurd. + "Needs must, they say," thought he to himself, "when the + devil drives. I see it's much the same when a saint, leads." + </p> + <p> + At last the dolorous march had an end; and not a little to + Larry's amazement, he found that his guide had brought him to + the gate of a lofty hall, before which a silver lamp, filled + with naphtha, "yielded light as from a sky."—From + within loud sounds of merriment were ringing; and it was + evident, from the jocular harmony and the tinkling of + glasses, that some subterraneous catch-club were not idly + employed over the bottle. "Who's there?" said a porter, + roughly responding to the knock of Saint Colman. "Be so + good," said the Saint, mildly, "my very good fellow, as to + open the door without further questions, or I'll break your + head. I'm bringing a gentleman here on a visit, whose + business is pressing." "May be so," thought Larry, "but what + that business may be, is more than I can tell." The porter + sulkily complied with the order, after having apparently + communicated the intelligence that a stranger was at hand; + for a deep silence immediately followed the tipsy clamour; + and Larry, sticking close to his guide, whom he now looked + upon almost as a friend, when compared with these underground + revellers to whom he was about to be introduced, followed him + through a spacious vestibule, which gradually sloped into a + low-arched room, where the company was assembled. And a + strange-looking company it was. Seated round a long table + were three-and-twenty grave and venerable personages, + bearded, mitred, stoled, and croziered,—all living + statues of stone, like the Saint who had walked out of his + niche. On the drapery before them were figured the images of + the sun, moon, and stars—the inexplicable + bear—the mystic temple, built by the hand of + Hiram—and other symbols, of which the uninitiated knew + nothing. The square, the line, the trowel, were not wanting, + and the hammer was lying in front of the chair. Labour, + however, was over, and the time for refreshment having + arrived, each of the stony brotherhood had a flagon before + him; and when we mention that the Saints were Irish, and that + St. Patrick in person was in the chair, it is not to be + wondered at that the mitres, in some instances, hung rather + loosely on the side of the heads of some of the canonized + compotators. Among the company were found St. Senanus of + Limerick, St. Declan of Ardmore, St. Canice of Kilkenny, St. + Finbar of Cork, St. Michan of Dublin, St. Brandon of Kerry, + St. Fachnan of Ross, and others of that holy brotherhood; a + vacant place, which completed the four-and-twentieth, was + left for St. Colman, who, as every body knows, is of Cloyne; + and he, having taken his seat, addressed the president, to + inform him that he had brought the man. The man (viz. Larry + himself) was awestruck with the company in which he so + unexpectedly found himself; and trembled all over when, on + the notice of his guide, the eight-and-forty eyes of stone + were turned directly upon himself. "You have just nicked the + night to a shaving, Larry," said St. Patrick: "this is our + chapter-night, and myself and brethren are here 'assembled on + merry occasion.'—You know who I am?" "God bless your + reverence," said Larry, "it's I that do well. Often did I see + your picture hanging over the door of places where it + is"—lowering his voice—"pleasanter to be than + here, buried under an ould church." "You may as well say it + out, Larry," said St. Patrick; "and don't think I'm going to + be angry with you about it; for I was once flesh and blood + myself. But you remember, the other night, saying that you + would think nothing of pulling your master out of purgatory, + if you could get at him there, and appealing to me to stand + by your words. + </p> + <p> + "Y-e-e-s," said Larry, most mournfully; for he recollected + the significant look he had received from the picture. "And," + continued St. Patrick, "you remember also that I gave you a + wink, which you know is as good, any day, as a nod—at + least, to a blind horse." "I'm sure, your reverence," said + Larry, with a beating heart, "is too much of a gintleman to + hould a poor man hard to every word he may say of an evening, + and therefore"—"I was thinking so," said the saint, "I + guessed you'd prove a poltroon when put to the push. What do + you think, my brethren, I should do to this fellow?" A hollow + sound burst from the bosoms of the unanimous assembly. + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page350" name="page350"></a>[pg + 350]</span> The verdict was short and decisive:—"Knock + out his brains!" And in order to suit the action to the word, + the whole four-and-twenty arose at once, and with their + immovable eyes fixed firmly on the face of our hero—who + horror struck with the sight as he was, could not close + his—they began to glide slowly but regularly towards + him, bending their line into the form of a crescent, so as to + environ him on all sides. In vain he fled to the door; its + massive folds resisted mortal might. In vain he cast his eyes + around in quest of a loophole of retreat—there was + none. Closer and closer pressed on the slowly-moving phalanx, + and the uplifted croziers threatened soon to put their + sentence into execution. Supplication was all that + remained—and Larry sunk upon his knees. "Ah! then," + said he, "gintlemin and ancient ould saints as you are, don't + kill the father of a large small family, who never did hurt + to you or yours. Sure, if 'tis your will that I should go + to—no matter who, for there's no use in naming his + name—might I not as well make up my mind to go there, + alive and well, stout and hearty, and able to face + him,—as with my head knocked into bits, as if I had + been after a fair or a patthern?" "You say right," said St. + Patrick, checking with a motion of his crozier the advancing + assailants, who returned to their seats. "I am glad to see + you coming to reason. Prepare for your journey." "And how, + plase your Saintship, am I to go?" asked Larry. "Why," said + St. Patrick, "as Colman here has guided you so far, he may + guide you further. But as the journey is into foreign parts, + where you arn't likely to be known, you had better take this + letter of introduction, which may be of use to you." "And + here, also, Lawrence," said a Dublin Saint—perhaps + Michan—"take you this box also, and make use of it as + he to whom you speak shall suggest." "Take a hold, and a firm + one," said St. Colman, "Lawrence, of my cassock, and we' ll + start." "All right behind?" cried St. Patrick. "All right!" + was the reply. In an + instant!—vault—table—saints—bell—church, + faded into air; a rustling hiss of wings was all that was + heard; and Larry felt his cheek swept by a current, as if a + covey of birds of enormous size were passing him. (It was, in + all probability, the flight of the saints returning to + heaven, but on that point nothing certain has reached us up + to the present time of writing.) He had not a long time to + wonder at the phenomenon, for he himself soon began to soar, + dangling in mid sky at the skirt of the cassock of his + sainted guide. Earth, and all that appertains thereto, + speedily passed from his eyes, and they were alone in the + midst of circumfused ether, glowing with a sunless light. + Above, in immense distance, was fixed the firmament, fastened + up with bright stars, fencing around the world with its azure + wall. They fled far, before any distinguishable object met + their eyes. At length a long, white streak, shining like + silver in the moonbeam, was visible to their sight. "That," + said St. Colman, "is the Limbo which adjoins the earth, and + is the highway for ghosts departing the world. It is called + in Milton, a book which I suppose, Larry, you never have + read"—"And how could I, plase your worship," said + Larry, "seein' I don't know a B from a bull's foot!" "Well, + it is called in Milton the Paradise of Fools: and if it were + indeed peopled by all of that tribe who leave the world, it + would contain the best company that ever figured on the + earth. To the north, you see a bright speck?" "I do." "That + marks the upward path,—narrow and hard to find. To the + south you may see a darksome road—broad, smooth, and + easy of descent; that is the lower way. It is thronged with + the great ones of the world; you may see their figures in the + gloom. Those who are soaring upwards are wrapt in the flood + of light flowing perpetually from that single spot, and you + cannot see them. The silver path on which we enter is the + Limbo. Here I part with you. You are to give your letter to + the first person you meet. Do your best;—be courageous, + but observe particularly that you profane no holy name, or I + will not answer for the consequences." + </p> + <p> + His guide had scarcely vanished, when Larry heard the + tinkling of a bell in the distance, and turning his eyes in + the quarter whence it proceeded, he saw a grave-looking man + in black, with eyes of fire, driving before him a flock of + ghosts with a switch, as you see turkeys driven on the + western road, at the approach of Christmas. They were on the + highway to Purgatory. The ghosts were shivering in the thin + air, which pinched them severely, now that they had lost the + covering of their bodies. Among the group, Larry recognised + his old master, by the same means that Ulysses, Aeneas, and + others, recognised the bodiless forms of their friends in the + regions of Acheron. "What brings a living person," said the + man in black, "on this pathway? I shall make legal capture of + you, Larry Sweeney, for trespassing. You have no business + here." "I have come," said Larry, plucking up courage, "to + bring <span class="pagenum"><a id="page351" + name="page351"></a>[pg 351]</span> your honour's glory a + letter from a company of gintlemin with whom I had the + pleasure of spending the evening, underneath the ould church + of Inistubber." "A letter," said the man in black, "where is + it?" "Here, my lord," said Larry. "Ho!" cried the black + gentleman, on opening it, "I know the handwriting. It won't + do, however, my lad,—I see they want to throw dust in + my eyes." "Whew," thought Larry, "that's the very thing. 'Tis + for that the ould Dublin boy gave me the box. I'd lay a + tinpenny to a brass farthing that it's filled with Lundy + Foot." Opening the box, therefore, he flung its contents + right into the fiery eyes of the man in black, while he was + still occupied with reading the letter,—and the + experiment was successful. + "Curses—tche-tche-tche,— Curses on it," exclaimed + he, clapping his hand before his eyes, and sneezing most + lustily.—"Run, you villians, run," cried Larry, to the + ghosts—"run, you villians, now that his eyes are off of + you—O master, master! Sir Theodore, jewel! run to the + right-hand side, make for the bright speck, and God give you + luck." + </p> + <p> + He had forgotten his injunction. The moment the word was + uttered he felt the silvery ground sliding from under him; + and with the swiftness of thought he found himself on the + flat of his back, under the very niche of the old church wall + whence he had started, dizzy and confused with a measureless + tumble. The emancipated ghosts floated in all directions, + emitting their shrill and stridulous cries in the gleaming + expanse. Some were again gathered by their old conductor; + some scudding about at random, took the right hand path, + others the left. Into which of them Sir Theodore struck, is + not recorded; but as he had heard the direction, let us hope + that he made the proper choice. Larry had not much time given + him to recover from his fall, for almost in an instant he + heard an angry snorting rapidly approaching, and looking up, + whom should he see but the gentleman in black, with eyes + gleaming more furiously than ever, and his horns (for, in his + haste, he had let his hat fall) relieved in strong shadow + against the moon. Up started Larry—away ran his pursuer + after him. The safest refuge was, of course, the + church,—thither ran our hero—and after + him—fiercer than the shark, swifter than the + hounds—fled the black gentleman. The church is cleared; + the chancel entered; and the hot breath of his pursuer glows + upon the outstretched neck of Larry. Escape is + impossible—the extended talons of the fiend have + clutched him by the hair. "You are mine," cried the + demon,—"if I have lost any of my flock, I have at last + got you." "Oh, St. Patrick!" exclaimed our hero, in horror, + —"Oh, St. Patrick have mercy upon me, and save me!" "I + tell you what, cousin Larry," said Kinaley, chucking him up + from behind a gravestone, where he had fallen—"all the + St. Patricks that ever were born would not have saved you + from ould Tom Picton, if he caught you sleeping on your post + as I've caught you now. By the word of an ould soldier, he'd + have had the provost-marshal upon you, and I'd not give + two-pence for the loan of your life. And then, too, I see you + have drunk every drop in the bottle. What can you say for + yourself?" "Nothing at all," said Larry, scratching his + head,—"but it was an unlucky dream, and I'm glad it's + over."—<i>Literary Souvenir.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + Ancient Roman Festivals. + </h3> + <center> + NOVEMBER. + </center> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + The <i>Epulum Jovis</i> was a sumptuous feast offered to + Jupiter on the 13th of November. The gods were formally + invited, and attended; for the statues were brought in rich + beds, furnished with soft pillows, called <i>pulvinaria</i>. + Thus accommodated, their godships were placed on their + couches at the most honourable part of the table, and served + with the rich dainties, as if they were able to eat; but the + <i>epulones</i>, or ministers, who had the care and + management of the feast, performed that function for them, + and no doubt did the part of <i>gastronomic proxies</i> with + <i>eclat</i>. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Brumalia</i> was a feast of Bacchus, celebrated among + the Romans during the space of thirty days, commencing on the + 24th of November. It was instituted by Romulus, who used, + during this time, to entertain the senate. During this feast + indications were taken of the felicity of the remaining part + of the winter. + </p> + <p> + P.T.W. + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2> + The Gatherer. + </h2> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." + </p> + <p> + SHAKSPEARE. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + <h3> + INNOCENT CONFESSION. + </h3> + <p> + A Lady at confession, amongst other heinous crimes, accused + herself of using rouge. "What is the use of it?" asked the + confessor. "I do it to make myself handsomer."—"And + does it produce that effect?" "At least I think so, + father."—The confessor on this took his + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page352" name="page352"></a>[pg + 352]</span> penitent out of the confessional, and having + looked at her attentively in the light, said, "Well, madam, + you may use rouge, for you are ugly enough even with it." + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + MERCHANT TAILORS. + </h3> + <p> + A Clergyman hearing a remark made on the humility of the + Merchant Tailors' motto, "<i>Concordiâ parvae res + crescunt</i>" replied, "Yes, that is to say, nine tailors + make a man." + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + RABELAIS. + </h3> + <center> + A JEU D'ESPRIT. + </center> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + In France they say + </p> + <p> + Lived RABELAIS, + </p> + <p> + A witty wight, and a right merry fellow. + </p> + <p> + Who in good company was sometimes mellow: + </p> + <p class="i2"> + And, + </p> + <p> + Although he was a priest, + </p> + <p> + Thought it no sacramental sin—to feast. + </p> + <p> + I can't say much for his morality: + </p> + <p> + But for his immortality, + </p> + <p class="i2"> + Good luck! + </p> + <p> + Why he's bound in calf, and squeezed in boards, + </p> + <p> + And scarcely a good library's shelf + </p> + <p> + But boasts acquaintance with the elf. + </p> + <p> + But now I'll tell you what I should have told before, + </p> + <p> + A grievous illness brought him nigh <i>Death's</i> door. + </p> + <p> + Who, bony wight, + </p> + <p> + Enjoyed the sight— + </p> + <p> + And grinn'd as he thought of the fun there'd be + </p> + <p> + When the jester had joined his company. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Rab's friends, good folk! + </p> + <p> + Thought it no joke + </p> + <p> + To the poor joker; they therefore sent around + </p> + <p> + For all the Esculapians to be found; + </p> + <p> + And in a trice + </p> + <p> + (For doctors always haste to give advice— + </p> + <p> + Mind—don't mistake—I mean when there's a fee) + </p> + <p> + They mustered two—to which add three. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Now about the bed + </p> + <p> + Is seen each learned head. + </p> + <p> + The patient's pulse is felt—with graver air + </p> + <p> + Each M.D. seats him in a chair. + </p> + <p> + Crosses his legs—leans on his stick, + mums—hahs—and hums + </p> + <p> + Pulls out his watch—takes snuff—and twirls + his thumbs. + </p> + <p class="i2"> + At length, + </p> + <p> + The awful stillness broke— + </p> + <p class="i2"> + As if from silence gathering strength + </p> + <p> + Most lustily they all did croak, + </p> + <p> + Their opinions mingling, + </p> + <p> + In discordant jingling— + </p> + <p> + "A purge"—"a blister"—"shave his head" + </p> + <p> + "Senna and salts"—"a clyster"—"have him + bled," + </p> + <p> + "A pill at noon"—"another pill at night," + </p> + <p> + "A warm-bath, sure, would set him right." + </p> + <p> + Thus with purges and blisters, + </p> + <p> + Pills, bleeding, and clysters, + </p> + <p> + The poor patient they threatened + </p> + <p> + Should be deluged and sweatened. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Unable to endure the riot, + </p> + <p> + And wishing for a little quiet, + </p> + <p> + The sickman raised his head, + </p> + <p> + And said— + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, I do beseech ye, cease your pother, + </p> + <p> + Nor any more with me your wise heads bother, + </p> + <p> + Scratching your wigs, + </p> + <p> + Like sapient pigs; + </p> + <p> + Whate'er you may decide is my disease, + </p> + <p> + I humbly do conceive a little ease + </p> + <p> + From your infernal noise and chatter. + </p> + <p> + With which I'm dunn'd + </p> + <p> + And nearly stunn'd, + </p> + <p> + Would greatly tend to mend the matter; + </p> + <p> + And if, perforce, I must resign my breath, + </p> + <p> + For heav'n's sake let me <i>die</i> a NATURAL + <i>death</i>. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + P.M. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + AN AGITATOR. + </h3> + <p> + M. Monchenut, an old man of eighty, afflicted with the palsy, + was arrested during the reign of terror, under suspicion of + being an agitator. Being asked what he had to say to the + accusation, "Alas, gentlemen, it is very true, I am agitated + enough, God knows, for I have not been able to keep a limb + still for these fifteen years." + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + CHINESE POLITENESS. + </h3> + <p> + There is one striking particular in which the Chinese + politeness is quite the reverse of ours. To take off their + caps when they salute one another, or even accidentally to + appear uncovered, is esteemed the height of ill breeding and + indecency. + </p> + <p> + HALBERT H. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + PURCHASERS of the MIRROR, who may wish to complete their sets + are informed, that every volume is complete in itself, and + may be purchased separately. The whole of the numbers are now + in print, and can be procured by giving an order to any + Bookseller or Newsvender. + </p> + <p> + Complete sets Vol. I. to XI. in boards, price £2. + l9<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>. half bound, £3. l7<i>s</i>. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + LIMBIRD'S EDITIONS. + </h3> + <center> + CHEAP and POPULAR WORKS published at the MIRROR OFFICE in the + Strand, near Somerset House. + </center> + <p> + The ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS, Embellished with nearly + 150 Engravings. Price 6s. 6d. boards. + </p> + <p> + The TALES of the GENII. Price 2s. + </p> + <p> + The MICROCOSM. By the Right Hon. G. CANNING. &c. Price + 2s. + </p> + <p> + PLUTARCH'S LIVES, with Fifty Portraits, 2 vols. price l3s. + boards. + </p> + <p> + COWPER'S POEMS, with 12 Engravings, price 3s. 6d boards. + </p> + <p> + COOK'S VOYAGES, 2 vols. price 8s. boards. + </p> + <p> + The CABINET of CURIOSITIES: or, WONDERS of the WORLD + DISPLAYED Price 5s. boards. + </p> + <p> + BEAUTIES of SCOTT, 2 vols. price 7s. boards. + </p> + <p> + The ARCANA of SCIENCE for 1828. Price 4s. 6d. + </p> + <p> + Any of the above Works can be purchased in Parts. + </p> + <p> + GOLDSMITH'S ESSAYS. Price 8d. + </p> + <p> + DR. FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS. Price 1s. 2d. + </p> + <p> + BACON'S ESSAYS Price 8d. + </p> + <p> + SALMAGUNDI. Price 1s. 8d. + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>: + <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + <p> + The portion of this temple which is still standing in the + Campo Vaccino, and which consists of three marble columns, + with a fragment of entablature, is universally acknowledged + to be the finest specimen, not only of the architecture of + the Augustan age, but of the Corinthian order, not merely + in Rome, but throughout the whole ancient world. Whether + contemplated in the original, or through the medium of + drawings, it inspires unequivocal admiration as a perfect + model of the florid style: and from the inferences + deducible from the dimensions and relative position of the + three columns and their entablature, it is clear that the + elegance and propriety of their arrangement, as members of + an entire edifice, were equal to the grace of the + proportions of the still existing parts, and to the beauty, + however exquisite, of their enrichments. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>: + <a href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + <p> + One of the most characteristic buildings recently erected + in the metropolis, was the ill-fated <i>Brunswick + Theatre</i>, the propriety of whose facade was universally + acknowledged. + </p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="full" /> + <p> + <i>Printed and Published by J. LAMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near + Somerset House.) London; sold by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New + Market, Leipsic; and by all Newsmen and Booksellers.</i> + </p> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11405 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/11405-h/images/342-1.png b/11405-h/images/342-1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a7b91d --- /dev/null +++ b/11405-h/images/342-1.png diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b1641c7 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #11405 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11405) diff --git a/old/11405-8.txt b/old/11405-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ca0b3e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11405-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1955 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction, Vol. 12, Issue 342, November 22, 1828, by Various + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 12, +Issue 342, November 22, 1828 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: March 2, 2004 [eBook #11405] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, +AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 12, ISSUE 342, NOVEMBER 22, 1828*** + + +E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Allen Siddle, David Garcia, and the +Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 11405-h.htm or 11405-h.zip: + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/4/0/11405/11405-h/11405-h.htm) + or + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/4/0/11405/11405-h.zip) + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 12, NO. 342.] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1828. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + +[Illustration: COUNCIL OFFICE, &c. WHITEHALL. ] + + +COUNCIL OFFICE, &c. WHITEHALL. + + +From the Druids' Temple, at Abury, (our last engraving,) to the Council +Office, at Whitehall, is a long stride in the march of time. From "grave +to gay, and lively to severe," is nothing to it; but variety is the +public dictum; and with more sincerity than the courtier in _Tom Thumb_, +we say to the public, + + + "Whate'er your majesty shall please to name, + Long cut or short cut, to us' tis all the same." + + +On the annexed page is represented the new splendid range of buildings, +including the _Council Office_, _Board of Trade_, &c. at +Whitehall. The architect, Mr. Soane, has adapted the façade from the +Temple of Jupiter Stator, at Rome.[1] + +But Mr. Soane's adaptation has been only partial, and he has adhered +merely to the details of the columns and entablature. "The façade," it is +well observed in an early Number of the _Athenaeum_, "enjoys one of +the most favourable sites for the display of a public building which the +metropolis affords; no limit has been set to the expense; the finest +materials the country yields have been used in its construction; the +richest example of the richest order which antiquity has left us, has +been lavishly employed in its decoration; and yet," continues the critic, +"is not the whole a failure?" He then describes the effect of it as "poor, +or at best but pretty," and attributes the absence of grandeur to the +"want of sufficient elevation."--"To the general elevation it may be +objected, that it has no prominent centre; that, composed of two wings +and an intermediate space receding, it has more the character of a flank +than a front building; and that the want of a central entrance derogates +greatly from its dignity as a principal façade." + +But we are mere amateurs in these matters, and it will be as well to +leave the remainder of this criticism to the more studious reader. We +have, however, glanced at the principal defects which the writer in the +_Athenaeum_ points out, and we are bound to admit the justice of his +remarks. The details which produce this effect would not be so generally +interesting. "The order itself," says he, "it must be admitted, is well +copied, and excellently executed;" but Mr. Soane's application of it is +loudly censured--a Roman temple being inappropriate for a British Council +Office. Perhaps our critic would have preferred a façade like that of the +Palais de Justice at Paris,--a platform, ascended by an immense flight of +steps, which serves as a basement for a projecting body of four Doric +columns; with four large pedestals in front, and statues of _Strength_, +_Plenty_, _Justice_, and _Prudence_, as the cardinal virtues of English +legislation and trade. + +Upon the whole, we cannot help thinking some of the details of this new +range extremely rich and pleasing, although we assent to the above +character of their general effect. The columns, of fluted Corinthian, and +the cornice of the order, are to us very beautiful; but the upper windows +are unsightly, or, as a wag would say, purely attic; and the entrances +are too strictly _official_ for the architecture of the building. +This brings us again to the inappropriateness of the adaptation, which +made these introductions unavoidable.[2] + +The front of the building is not completed, the northern wing having yet +to be erected. When this is finished, the effect may be materially +assisted. + +While we are in this quarter, and lest "we may never come again," it may +be as well to thank our correspondent, "An Architect," for his letter on +"Whitehall," a very small portion of which has ever been completed. What +has been finished--the Banqueting House--is one of the triumphs of Inigo +Jones, but like all human works, is sadly dilapidated; although this is +attributable to the bad material, rather than to the interval since its +erection. The _whole_ was, indeed, a magnificent design. + + [1] The portion of this temple which is still standing in the Campo + Vaccino, and which consists of three marble columns, with a + fragment of entablature, is universally acknowledged to be the + finest specimen, not only of the architecture of the Augustan + age, but of the Corinthian order, not merely in Rome, but + throughout the whole ancient world. Whether contemplated in the + original, or through the medium of drawings, it inspires + unequivocal admiration as a perfect model of the florid style: + and from the inferences deducible from the dimensions and + relative position of the three columns and their entablature, + it is clear that the elegance and propriety of their arrangement, + as members of an entire edifice, were equal to the grace of the + proportions of the still existing parts, and to the beauty, + however exquisite, of their enrichments. + + [2] One of the most characteristic buildings recently erected in + the metropolis, was the ill-fated _Brunswick Theatre_, the + propriety of whose facade was universally acknowledged. + + * * * * * + + +CROMLECH. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + + +In No. 328 of the MIRROR, you mistake in spelling _cromlech_; the +last syllable is always written _lech_, not _leh_; neither is +it derived from _crom_ and _leac_, the Irish, but from _crom_ and _llech_, +the Celtic, of which the Irish is the most corrupted, and the present +Welsh the most pure dialect. _Llech_ signifies a stone in Welsh, and is +pronounced in a way peculiar to the Welsh; when simple it is _llech_, +when compounded _lech_. + +RUPERT C. + + * * * * * + + +GARDEN OF HYACINTHS + +IN THE SERAGLIO, CONSTANTINOPLE. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +In this garden the sultan passes most of his leisure hours, free from the +outward parade attendant on his rank. It is small, but tastefully +disposed in oblong beds, edged with fine porcelain; no plant is allowed +to grow in it except the hyacinth; whence the name of the garden and the +apartment it contains. Nothing can be more beautiful than the interior; +three sides are formed by a divan, the cushions and pillows of which were +of black satin, exquisitely embroidered. The floor was covered with +Gobelin tapestry, and the ceiling magnificently gilded and burnished. +Opposite the windows of the chamber was a fire-place, in the European +manner; and on each side a door, covered with hangings of crimson cloth. +Between each of these doors appeared a glass-case, containing the sultan's +private library; every volume was in manuscript, with the name written +on the edges of the leaves. Opposite the doors and fire-place hung three +gold cages, containing artificial birds, which sang by mechanism. On one +side was a raised bench, on which was placed an embroidered towel, a +splendid vase, and basin for washing the hands and beard; upon the wall +over it was suspended an embroidered portfolio, worked with silver on +yellow leather, to contain the petitions presented to the sultan when he +goes in procession to the mosque. Close to the door was placed a pair of +yellow boots and slippers, which are always at the entrance of every +apartment frequented by the sultan. Groups of arms, such as pistols, +sabres, and poniards, were displayed with great taste and effect on the +compartments of the walls; the handles were covered with diamonds and +jewels of large size, which, as they glittered around, gave an almost +dazzling brilliancy to this sumptuous chamber, thus characterizing the +amusements of the man when divested of the ceremony and formality of the +sultan. + +INA. + + * * * * * + + + +NEEDLE-WORK ALTAR-PIECE. + +_(For the Mirror.)_ + + +The town of Welwyn, Hertfordshire, was the last place of residence of Dr. +Young, author of "Night Thoughts," where he was rector. His pious lady +employed her leisure hours with her needle, in the completion of a most +elegant altar-piece, which now embellishes the sacramental table in the +church; and, through the care of the parish clerk, this specimen of the +indefatigable mind of Mrs. Young has been surprisingly preserved. The +words down the centre, + + + I AM + THE BREAD + OF + LIFE, + + +have the appearance of being the production of a most masterly pencil; +and the word "life" is in as fine a state of preservation as on the day +when it was first presented by the benevolent artist; every tint, +including the light and shade which surround the word, having withstood +the ravages of time, and been ingeniously preserved by a kind of gauze +covering. + +W.G.C. + + * * * * * + + +LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +It has not been till lately that any of the travellers into Palestine +have told what was meant by the locusts mentioned by St. Matthew as part +of the food of John the Baptist. Dr. Clarke first related, that a tree +grows in the Holy Land, which is called the locust tree, and produces an +eatable fruit; but this fact was well known to many who had been in the +Mediterranean. The tree grows in several of the countries which border +that sea. It has been found in much greater abundance in some parts of +the East Indies, whence it has now become an article of export. Many +thousands of its pods are annually imported by the East India Company; +and, either because the fruit is richer in more southern climates, or for +some other reason, a great quantity of them are shipped for Venice and +Trieste, where there is distilled from them a liquor, which is supposed +to be an antidote to the plague, or at least useful in curing it. These +pods are about twenty inches long, and from half to three-quarters of an +inch in diameter. We call them pods for want of a term which would more +accurately describe them; but they are not flat, neither have they that +sort of hinge on one side, and slight fastening on the other, which +plainly show how the shells of peas and beans are to be opened. On the +contrary, these are round; but there are two opposite lines along them, +where the colour alone would induce any one to suppose the skin to be, as +it is, thinner than elsewhere. Having the fruit before us only in a dry +state, we can describe it in no other; but at present a knife could +scarcely be made to penetrate the thicker part, and does not very easily +make its way into the thinner. The fruit, which lies in little cells +within, is a pulp, or paste, somewhat like that of tamarinds, but +smoother, and not so sweet. There are pips in it nearly as hard, and +about half as large, as those of a tamarind, containing a kernel in each. +It should be added, that in the stems of this locust tree wild bees still +deposit their honey. + +W.G.C. + + * * * * * + + + +FLOWERS. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + + +On reading the MIRROR, No. 337, my attention was attracted to one of your +many pleasant and amusing extracts from the "Public Journals," bearing +the title of "Flowers." Being myself a great admirer of that beautiful +and delightful part of creation, I was led to peruse the article with +somewhat increased attention. In all ages flowers have been regarded with +peculiar sympathy; they have been associated with the calm serenity of +virtue; they have been strewed around the altars of devotion; have been +made to accompany the lonely, unobtrusive works of merit; and hung around +the grave of faded and departed innocence, thus silently, but powerfully, +depicting virtue, the essence of felicity. Although I do not consider you +to be accountable for statements contained in the articles extracted from +other journals, still I presume you would not knowingly make your work +the vehicle of any matter which would lead your readers astray. I have, +therefore, ventured to call your attention to a particular part of the +above article, and to correct what I presume to be a misstatement. + +In the article alluded to, the writer states, "It has been said that +flowers placed in bed-rooms are not wholesome; that cannot," he remarks, +"be meant of such as are in a state of vegetation," &c. + +Now plants, it is well known, respire similarly to animals, through the +pores of their leaves. By the agency of the sun, during the day, a +quantity of pure gas, called oxygen, is given out; but on the contrary, +during the night, or absence of the sun, gas of a most noxious and +pernicious nature is emitted, and at the same time a portion of the pure +air (oxygen gas) is absorbed. The greater part of the atmosphere must +therefore be impregnated with this deleterious gas. Taking into +consideration the confined state of a bed-chamber, the great increase of +perspiration of the body, with the continual increase of carbonic gas +from respiration, and this in an apartment where every thing _ought_ +most sedulously to be avoided which in the least tends to deteriorate the +atmosphere, it must be evident the practice ought to be avoided, if we +are desirous of preserving health. + +Flowers in a state of vegetation are, I consider, more pernicious _at +night_, or during the absence of the sun, than those plucked and put +into water, provided they be not immersed too long a time; for +immediately the stem is severed from the plant, the vital action, if it +may be so termed, ceases, and decomposition commences; but till the +decomposition has been going on some time, nothing of a pernicious nature +need be apprehended. In like manner, directly the vital principle becomes +extinct in animals, decomposition ensues. For the space of five or six +days, however, no perceptible alteration of the fibres is visible; but +after that time a compound of gases begins to exhale from the body, +accompanied with a fetid odour, till the parts are entirely decomposed. + +The effluvium arising from the _farina_ and _petals_ is +considered unwholesome, however agreeable it may be to the senses, +whether the plant be in a state of vegetation or not, it being too +powerful for the olfactory nerve. + +S.S.T. + +Our pages are always open to the correction of our readers, and in +this instance we thank _S.S.T._ for the above, although we think he +has misconceived some portion of the article on "Flowers," the writer +adding to that passage quoted by our correspondent, "_provided fresh +air is frequently introduced_"; of course, he does not refer to the +_night-time_, although it would have been clearer, had he suggested the +removal of flowers from bed-rooms during the night.--ED. + + * * * * * + + +CIRCULAR TEMPLES. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +These structures are generally supposed to have been built with +astronomical allusions, especially the noble temple at _Stonehenge_. +Circular temples existed among the Israelites. In Exodus, c. xxiv. v. 4, +it is written that "Moses rose up early in the morning, and builded an +altar under the hill, and twelve pillars." Again in Joshua, iv. 9, Joshua +set up twelve stones; and it is well worthy of remark, that the twelve +pillars of Moses and Joshua correspond with the number of stones of the +inner circles at Abury. It is possible that these stones were plastered +over, and probably highly ornamented, as in Deuteronomy, xxvii. 2, we +read, "Thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with +plaster;" and there is a large, upright stone in Ireland, which, +according to the legend of the country, was once covered over with gold. +On some of these pillars it is likewise probable that certain characters +were traced, as among the Israelites words of the law were written upon +similar obelisks or columns. + +The earliest temples in Greece were formed of obeliscal columns; and in +some parts of Africa the custom obtains to this day. Hence the pillars of +our present temples are the most ancient; and subsequent builders of holy +sanctuaries filled up the intercolumniations till the temples were +constructed as we now see their ruins in Athens and elsewhere. But many +of the early temples were round; and it is a curious fact, hitherto +unnoticed, I believe, that the altar end, the sanctum of our earliest +Saxon churches, is circular. + +JAMES SILVESTER. + + * * * * * + + +ST. OLAVE.--A MANX LEGEND. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +[Magnus, King of Norway, having committed sacrilege, by opening the grave +of St. Olave, he was commanded by the spirit of the offended saint to +perform the voluntary penance of quitting the kingdom in thirty days. He +obeyed this intimation, and immediately left Norway. Having conquered +many of the Western Isles, at length he established himself in the Isle +of Man. Afterwards attempting the reduction of Ireland, he was surrounded +by the natives and slain, with the whole of his followers.] + + + Olave, of rocky Norway's saints, the holiest and the best, + Entomb'd in tumulus, enjoys a calm and peerless rest; + By all of heav'ns votaries in saintly rank renown'd, + As high in blessedness, and chief in holy missal crown'd. + + The dead--in holy, stilly peace, the sacred dead repose, + Afar from earth's turmoil and grief, and all of sick'ning woes; + From racking pain, and withering pride, and avarice's care, + Secure they rest in solitude, unaw'd by sin or snare. + + To sack the gloomy sepulchre of lately living clay, + From cheerful day and life remov'd, by dreaded death away, + Is crime indeed of blackest hue, deserving exile's fate, + From native climes ordain'd to feel an outlaw's dreary state. + + Could Norway's priest-despising chief, deem sacrilege a crime + Fitting for absolution,--or dark penance of set time + That daring such all dreaded sin, he gazes on the grave, + And tramples o'er the hallow'd dust of canoniz'd Olave. + + Lone sepulchre in holy earth--sure wickedness so dire, + Of holy man, and sacred place, incenses heaven's ire; + Can less than ever banishment from Norway's ice bound land, + Stay sure revenge--pursuing fate--and justice' awful hand? + + Away he sails--the foaming seas as Corsair now he laves, + Dauntless--heroic--daring winds, and man-entombing waves, + To visit other lands afar,--to combat chiefs of fame; + In battle-field to spread around the dread of Norway's name. + + Lone Mona's sea-girt isle he dares with spear and flashing sword, + Usurping regal rule and right by power of pirate horde; + Yet vengeance drear, and dark desert of direst actions, crave + A bloody death, a justice clear, and dark usurper's grave. + + On Erin's lovely land he falls--awarded darksome doom, + When, ruffian-like, he dared profane the saintly Olave's tomb: + He leaves his conquests, kingdoms, crowns, and all of earthly state, + To sleep in loneliness, and fill his dark predicted fate. + + +_Kirk Michael, Isle of Man_. A B.C. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE ANECDOTE GALLERY. + + * * * * * + + +A LIVING ALCHEMIST. + +(_From Sir R. Phillips's Tour_.) + + +At Luton, Beds. Sir Richard hears of an ALCHEMIST, who lives at the +village of Lilley, midway between Luton and Hitchen. The whole of his +interview with this eccentric personage, will doubtless be interesting to +our readers. + +It was four miles out of my road, but I thought a modern alchemist worthy +of a visit, particularly as several inhabitants of Luton gravely assured +me, that he had succeeded in discovering the Philosopher's Stone, and +also the Universal Solvent. The reports about him would have rendered it +culpable not to have hazarded anything for a personal interview. I learnt +that he had been a man of fashion, and at one time largely concerned in +adventures on the turf, but that for many years he had devoted himself to +his present pursuits; while for some time past, he had been inaccessible +and invisible to the world, the house being shut and barricadoed, and the +walls of his grounds protected by hurdles, with spring-guns so planted as +to resist intrusion in every direction. Under these circumstances, I had +no encouragement to go to Lilley, but I thought that even the external +inspection of such premises would repay me for the trouble. At Lilley, +I inquired for his house of various people, and they looked ominous; some +smiled, others shook their heads, and all appeared surprised at the +approach of an apparent visiter to Mr. Kellerman. + +The appearance of the premises did not belie vulgar report. I could not +help shuddering at seeing the high walls of respectable premises, lined +at the top with double tiers of hurdles, and on driving my chaise to the +front of the house, I perceived the whole in a state of horrid +dilapidation. Contrary, however, to my expectation, I found a young man +who appeared to belong to the out-buildings, and he took charge of my +card for his master, and went to the back part of the house to deliver it. +The front windows on the ground-floor and upper stories were entirely +closed by inside shutters, much of the glass was broken, and the premises +appeared altogether as if deserted. I was pleased at the words, "My +master will be happy to see you," and in a minute the front door was +opened, and Mr. Kellerman presented himself.--I lament that I have not +the pencil of Hogarth, for a more original figure never was seen. He was +about six feet high, and of athletic make; on his head was a white +night-cap, and his dress consisted of a long great-coat once green, and +he had a sort of jockey waistcoat with three tiers of pockets. His manner +was extremely polite and graceful, but my attention was chiefly absorbed +by his singular physiognomy. His complexion was deeply sallow, and his +eyes large, black, and rolling. He conducted me into a very large parlour, +with a window looking backward, and having locked the door, and put the +key in his pocket, he desired me to be seated in one of two large arm +chairs covered with sheepskins. The room was a realization of the +well-known picture of Teniers' Alchemist. The floor was covered with +retorts, crucibles, alembics, jars, bottles in various shapes, +intermingled with old books piled upon each other, with a sufficient +quantity of dust and cobwebs. Different shelves were filled in the same +manner, and on one side stood his bed. In a corner somewhat shaded from +the light, I beheld two heads, white, with dark wigs on them; I +entertained no doubt therefore, that among other fancies he was engaged +in re-making the brazen speaking head of Roger Bacon and Albertus. Many +persons might have felt alarmed at the peculiarity of my situation, but +being accustomed to mingle with eccentric characters, and having no fear +from any pretensions of the black art, I was infinitely gratified by all +I saw. + +Having stated the reports which I had heard, relative to his wonderful +discoveries, I told him frankly that mine was a visit of curiosity, and +stated that if what I had heard was matter of fact, the researches of the +ancient chemists had been unjustly derided. He then gave me a history of +his studies, mentioned some men whom I had happened to know in London, +who he alleged had assured him that they had made gold. That having in +consequence examined the works of the ancient alchemists, and discovered +the key which they had studiously concealed from the multitude, he had +pursued their system under the influence of new lights; and after +suffering numerous disappointments, owing to the ambiguity with which +they described their processes, he had, at length, happily succeeded; had +made gold, and could make as much more as he pleased, even to the extent +of paying off the national debt in the coin of the realm. + +I yielded to the declaration, expressed my satisfaction at so +extraordinary a discovery, and asked him, to oblige me so far, as to show +me some of the precious metal which he had made. + +"Not so," said he; "I will show it to no one. I made Lord Liverpool the +offer, that if he would introduce me to the king, I would show it to his +majesty; but Lord Liverpool insolently declined, on the ground that there +was no precedent; and I am therefore determined, that the secret shall +die with me. It is true that, in order to avenge myself of such contempt, +I made a communication to the French ambassador, Prince Polignac, and +offered to go to France, and transfer to the French government, the +entire advantages of the discovery; but after deluding me, and shuffling +for some time, I found it necessary to treat him with the same contempt +as the others." + +I expressed my convictions in regard to the double dealing of men in +office. + +"O," said he, "as to that, every court in Europe well knows that I have +made the discovery, and they are all in confederacy against me; lest by +giving it to any one, I should make that country master of all the +rest--the world, Sir," he exclaimed with great emotion, "is in my hands +and my power." + +Satisfied with this announcement of the discovery of the philosopher's +stone, I now inquired about the sublime alkahest or universal solvent, +and whether he had succeeded in deciphering the enigmatical descriptions +of the ancient writers on that most curious topic. + +"Certainly," he replied, "I succeeded in that several years ago." + +"Then," I proceeded, "have you effected the other great desideratum, the +fixing of mercury?" + +"Than that process," said he, "there is nothing more easy; at the same +time it is proper I should inform you, that there are a class of +impostors, who mistaking the ancient writers, pretend it can be done by +heat; but I can assure you, it can only be effected by water." + +I then besought him to do me the favour, to show me some of his fixed +mercury, having once seen some which had been fixed by cold. + +This proposition, however, he declined, because he said he had refused +others. "That you may, however, be satisfied that I have made great +discoveries, here is a bottle of oil, which I have purified, and rendered +as transparent as spring water. I was offered £10,000. for this discovery; +but I am so neglected, and so conspired against, that I am determined it +and all my other discoveries shall die with me." + +I now inquired, whether he had been alarmed by the ignorance of the +people in the country, so as to shut himself up in so unusual a manner. + +"No," he replied, "not on their account wholly. They are ignorant and +insolent enough; but it was to protect myself against the governments of +Europe, who are determined to get possession of my secret by force. I +have been," he exclaimed, "twice fired at in one day through that window, +and three times attempted to be poisoned. They believed I had written a +book containing my secrets, and to get possession of this book has been +their object. To baffle them, I burnt all that I had ever written, and I +have so guarded the windows with spring-guns, and have such a collection +of combustibles in the range of bottles which stand at your elbow, that I +could destroy a whole regiment of soldiers if sent against me." He then +related, that as a further protection he lived entirely in that room, and +permitted no one to come into the house; while he had locked up every +room except that with patent padlocks, and sealed the key-holes. + +It would be tedious and impossible to follow Mr. Kellerman through a +conversation of two or three hours, in which he enlarged upon the merits +of the ancient alchemists, and on the blunders and impertinent +assumptions of the modern chemists, with whose writings and names it is +fair to acknowledge he seemed well acquainted. He quoted the authorities +of Roger and Lord Bacon, Paracelsus, Boyle, Boerhaave, Woolfe, and others, +to justify his pursuits. As to the term philosopher's stone, he alleged +that it was a mere figure, to deceive the vulgar. He appeared also to +give full credit to the silly story about Dee's assistant, Kelly, finding +some of the powder of projection in the tomb of Roger Bacon at +Glastonbury, by means of which, as was said, Kelly for a length of time +supported himself in princely splendour. + +I inquired whether he had discovered the blacker than black of Apollonius +Tyaneus; and this, he assured me, he had effected; it was itself the +powder of projection for producing gold. + +Amidst all this delusion and illusion on these subjects, Mr. Kellerman +behaved in other respects with great propriety and politeness; and having +unlocked the door, he took me to the doors of some of the other rooms, to +show me how safely they were padlocked; and on taking leave, directed me +in my course towards Bedford. + +In a few minutes, I overtook a man, and on inquiring what the people +thought of Mr. Kellerman, he told me that he had lived with him for seven +years; that he was one of eight assistants whom he kept for the purpose +of superintending his crucibles, two at a time relieving each other every +six hours; that he had exposed some preparations to intense heat for many +months at a time, but that all except one crucible had burst, and that he +called on him to observe, that it contained the true "blacker than black." +The man protested, however, that no gold had ever been made, and that no +mercury had ever been fixed; for he was quite sure, that if he had made +any discovery, he could not have concealed it from the assistants; while, +on the contrary, they witnessed his severe disappointments, at the +termination of his most elaborate experiments. + +On my telling the man that I had been in his room, he seemed much +astonished at my boldness; for he assured me, that he carried a loaded +pistol in every one of his six waistcoat pockets. I learnt also from this +man, that he has or had considerable property in Jamaica; that he has +lived in the premises at Lilley about twenty-three years, and during +fourteen of them pursued his alchemical researches with unremitting +ardour; but for the last few years shut himself up as a close prisoner, +and lived in the manner I have described. + + * * * * * + + + Here lyeth wrapt in clay, + The body of William Wray: + I have no more to say. + + +_Weever's Epitaphs_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Notes of a Reader. + + * * * * * + + +COURT OF CHARLES II. + + +In the last No. of the _Edinburgh Review_, there is an admirably written +article on Hallam's "Constitutional History," not a mere essay, but +somewhat more like a review than usual. It contains an abundance of +florid, bold, and vigorous writing, extending through upwards of 70 +pages. Among the most striking passages we notice a parallel between +Cromwell and Napoleon, drawn with considerable force. But our extract is +from the lighter portion, as the following ludicrous sketches of some of +the enormities of Charles II. "Towards the close of the Protectorate, +many signs indicated that a time of license was at hand. But the +restoration of Charles II rendered the change wonderfully rapid and +violent. A deep and general taint infected the morals of the most +influential classes, and spread itself through every province of +letters. Poetry inflamed the passions; philosophy undermined the +principles; divinity itself, inculcating an abject reverence for the +court, gave additional effect to its licentious example. ... The +favourite duchess stamps about Whitehall, cursing and swearing. The +ministers employ their time at the council board in making mouths at +each other, and taking off each other's gestures for the amusement of +the king. The peers at a conference begin to pommel each other, and to +tear collars and periwigs. A speaker in the House of Commons gives +offence to the court. He is way-laid by a gang of bullies, and his nose +is cut to the bone. ... The second generation of the statesmen of this +reign, were worthy of the schools in which they had been trained, of the +gaming table of Grammont, and the tiring room of Nell ----." This is but +a small portion of the good set terms in which the reviewer illustrates +the licentiousness of the times. Speaking of Clarendon, he says, "Mr. +Hallam scarcely makes sufficient allowance for the wear and tear which +honesty almost necessarily sustains in the friction of political life, +and which in times so rough as those through which Clarendon passed, +must be very considerable. When these are fairly estimated, we think +that his integrity may be allowed to pass muster." Perhaps political +honesty is like Joseph Surface's French plate, or the tinsel spread over +a pair of Birmingham saleshop candlesticks, whose tenderness will not +withstand the wear and tear of conveyance in the purchaser's pocket. But +the oddity of the reviewer's comparisons even puts one in good humour +with their virulence. + + * * * * * + + +STREET SYMPATHIES. + + +During "the season" the veriest stranger who has an eye and ear, and +thoughts, must find in London sufficient to occupy his attention; true, +he may start and sigh, to think that of the busy and enormous multitude +around him, not one would care, if, treading on yonder bit of orange peel, +he should slip off the flagway, and falling beneath the wheel of that +immense coal-wagon, have his thigh crushed to atoms, while you'd be +saying "Jack Robinson." But if he do sigh, the more fool he; first, +because "grieving's a folly," as the old sea song hath it; next because +he is mistaken in supposing that no one would feel interested in his +misfortune. There are two upon the very flagway with him, who would +evince the greatest sympathy in his fate; the one is a surgeon's +apprentice, who, with anxious care, would bear him off to _his_ +hospital, that he might "try his 'prentice hand" to doctor him while +living, and dissect him when dead; and the other is a running reporter to +one of the morning papers, who would with gentle and soothing accents +inquire his name, condition, and abode, to swell the paragraph, and +increase his pay.--_Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +LINES TO EDWARD LYTTON BULWER, ON THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILD. + + + My heart is with you, Bulwer, and portrays + The blessings of your first paternal days; + To clasp the pledge of purest, holiest faith, + To taste one's own and love-born infant's breath, + I know, nor would for worlds forget the bliss. + I've felt that to a father's heart that kiss, + As o'er its little lips you smile and cling, + Has fragrance which Arabia could not bring. + + Such are the joys, ill mock'd in ribald song, + In thought, ev'n fresh'ning life our life-time long, + That give our souls on earth a heaven-drawn bloom; + Without them we are weeds upon a tomb. + + Joy be to thee, and her whose lot with thine, + Propitious stars saw Truth and Passion twine! + Joy be to her who in your rising name + Feels Love's bower brighten'd by the beams of Fame! + I lack'd a father's claim to her--but knew + Regard for her young years so pure and true, + That, when she at the altar stood your bride, + A sire could scarce have felt more sire-like pride. + + +_T. Campbell_. + + * * * * * + + +The Duc de Laval has the character of being a perfect fool. It is said +that on one occasion he talked of having received an anonymous letter, +signed by all the officers of his regiment; that on another, he ordered +ottomans to be placed in the four corners of his octagon +saloon!--_Josephine's Memoirs_. + + * * * * * + + +CAUSE AND EFFECT. + + +Infinite are the consequences which follow from a single, and often +apparently a very insignificant circumstance. Paley himself narrowly +escaped being a baker; here was a decision upon which hung in one scale, +perhaps, the immortal interests of thousands, and, in the other, the +gratification of the taste of the good people of Giggleswick for hot +rolls. Cromwell was near being strangled in his cradle by a monkey; here +was this wretched ape wielding in his paws the destinies of nations. +Then, again, how different in their kind, as well as in their magnitude, +are these consequences from anything that might have been _à priori_ +expected. Henry VIII. is smitten with the beauty of a girl of eighteen; +and ere long, + + + "The Reformation beams from Bullen's eyes." + + +Charles Wesley refuses to go with his wealthy namesake to Ireland, and +the inheritance, which would have been his, goes to build up the +fortunes of a Wellesley instead of a Wesley; and to this decision of a +schoolboy (as Mr. Southey observes) Methodism may owe its existence, and +England its military--and, we trust we may now add, its civil and +political--glory--_Quarterly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +SERVANTS. + + +A fund has lately been established at Stockholm, from which it is +intended to reward good and faithful servants. The king has contributed +to it 1,000 crowns; the prince royal 500; and the princess royal 300. +This has been suggested as an example worthy of our imitation; many +legacies, &c. have from time to time been bequeathed for the +encouragement of faithful servants in England; some are claimed, but the +majority are shamefully misapplied by those to whom their distribution +has been entrusted. + + * * * * * + + +LONDON LUXURIES. + + +A capital like London is a Maelstrom--an immense whirlpool--whose +gyrations sweep in whatever is peculiarly desirable from the most +distant regions of the empire--so active becomes the love of gain when +set in motion by the love of luxury. We recollect once being on shipboard +to the north of Duncan's Bay Head, and out of sight of land, the nearest +being the Feroe Islands:--we were walking the deck, watching a whale +which was gamboling at some distance, throwing up his huge side to the +sun, and sending ever and anon a sheet of water and foam from his +nostrils. Our thoughts were on Hecla and on the icebergs of the Pole, on +the Scalds of Iceland and the sea-kings of Norway, when a sail hove in +sight: we asked what craft it was--and were answered, "a Gravesend brig +dredging for lobsters." Never was enchantment so effectually +broken--never stage-trick in pantomime more successfully played off. Scene +changes from Feroe and Iceland to the Albion in Aldersgate-street--Exeunt +Scald, champion, and whale--Enter common councilman, turbot, and +lobster-sauce.--_Quarterly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BEAUTIFUL. + + +To be convinced that, at some period or another of their history, the +Egyptians had conceived a _beau-ideal_ superior to the beautiful +which nature habitually produced in their country, we have only to +examine the young Memnon, at the British Museum, and the heads of many of +the sphinxes which remain.--_Weekly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +ALGEBRA. + + +Algebra I was charmed with, and found so much pleasure in resolving its +questions, that I have often sat till morning at the engaging work, +without a notion of its being day till I opened the shutters of my +closet. I recommend this study in particular to young gentlemen, and am +satisfied, if they would but take some pains at first to understand it, +they would have so great a relish for its operations, as to prefer them +many an evening to clamorous pleasures; or, at least, not be uneasy for +being alone now and then, since their algebra was with them.--_Life of +John Buncle._ + + * * * * * + + +A LUCKY MATCH. + + +The late Mr. Locke, of Norbury Park, commissioned one Jenkins, a dealer +in pictures, residing at Rome, to send him any piece of sculpture which +might not exceed fifty guineas. Jenkins sent a head of Minerva, which Mr. +Locke, not liking, returned, paying the carriage, and all other expenses. +Nollekens, who was then also at Rome, having purchased a trunk of +Minerva for fifty pounds, upon the return of this head, found that its +proportion and character accorded with his torso. This discovery induced +him to accept an offer made by Jenkins of the head itself; and 220 +guineas to share the profits. After Nollekens had joined the head and +trunk, or, what is called "restored it," which he did at the expense of +twenty guineas more for stone and labour, it proved a most fortunate hit, +for they sold it for the enormous sum of 1,000 guineas! and it is now at +Newby, in Yorkshire.--_Nollekens and his Times._ + + * * * * * + + +NELSON. + + +We received the following little anecdote from a letter of a gentleman +now at the head of the medical profession, with which he favoured us +shortly after perusing Salmonia. "I was (says our friend) at the Naval +Hospital, at Yarmouth, on the morning when Nelson, after the battle of +Copenhagen (having sent the wounded before him,) arrived at the Roads, +and landed on the jutty. The populace soon surrounded him, and the +military were drawn up in the market-place ready to receive him; but +making his way through the crowd, and the dust, and the clamour, he went +straight to the hospital. I went round the wards with him, and was much +interested in observing his demeanour to the sailors; he stopped at every +bed, and to every man he had something kind and cheering to say. At +length, he stopped opposite a bed on which a sailor was lying who had +lost his right arm close to the shoulder-joint, and the following short +dialogue passed between, them:"--_Nelson_. "Well, Jack, what's the +matter with you?"--_Sailor_. "Lost my right arm, your honour."--Nelson +paused, looked down at his own empty sleeve, then at the sailor, +and said playfully, "Well, Jack, then you and I are spoiled for +fishermen--cheer up, my brave fellow." And he passed briskly on to the +next bed; but these few words had a magical effect upon the poor fellow, +for I saw his eyes sparkle with delight as Nelson turned away and pursued +his course through the wards. As this was the only occasion on which I +saw Nelson, I may, possibly, overrate the value of the incident.--_Q. +Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BRITISH ALMANAC. + + +This work, though only in its second year, is too well known to be +benefited by our recommendation. As a compilation, with occasional +originality, it is one of the best executed labours of the Society from +whom it emanates, and who, from the multiplicity of facts here assembled, +may be called "The Society for the" _Condensation_ "of Useful +Knowledge." + +In the Almanac for 1829 we notice several improvements upon that of last +year. The "Remarks on Weather" are valuable; and the "Garden Plants in +Flower" in each month, in themselves extremely interesting, contrast the +unchanging course of nature with the grand revolutions and events of the +column of "Anniversaries." Thus, what different emotions are produced by +reading April 6, "First Abdication of Bonaparte, 1814," and "Primrose +Peerless (_Narcissus biflorus_) in flower." The "Useful Remarks," +though not a new feature in an almanac, are profitable helps to social +duties, especially when drawn from such a source as Owen Feltham's +Resolves--a golden treasury of world-knowledge, which may serve as a +text-book for every family. Among the useful facts we notice the +following:--"By a parliamentary return of the year 1828 we find that the +stamp duty paid upon the almanacs of England amounts to 30,136_l_. 3_s_. +9_d_.--which, the duty being _fifteen-pence_ upon each almanac, exhibits +a circulation of 451,593 annually." + +_Remarks on Weather._ + +"The mean temperature of London is about 2° higher than that of the +surrounding country; the difference exists chiefly in the night, and is +greatest in winter and least in summer." + +"Mr. Howard is of opinion, from a careful comparison of a long series of +observations, that a wet spring is an indication of a dry time for the +ensuing harvest." + +"The greatest depression of temperature in every month happens, all +other circumstances being the same, a short time before sun-rise." + +"There are only two months, namely, July and August, in which, taking +into consideration the power of radiation, vegetation, in certain +situations, is not exposed to a temperature of 32°." + +"The temperature of August is but little reduced, owing to the prevalence +of hot nights. The action of the sun's rays is considerably assisted by +the warm earth which radiates heat into the air; while, in spring, it +absorbs every day a proportion of the heat which the sun produces." + +"_October_--Now that the fruits of the earth are laid in store, the +increase of wet is attended by no injurious effects, the remaining heat +of the earth is preserved from needless expenditure, and guarded from +dissipation, by an increasing canopy of clouds, by which the effect of +radiation is greatly reduced." + +"The comparative warmth of November is owing to the heat given out by +the condensation of the vapour in the atmosphere into rain." + +"The mean temperature of the whole year is not found to vary, in +different years, more than four degrees and a half." + + * * * * * + + +Such as hold superstition sweet to the soul, and love to exercise their +ingenuity in hieroglyphics, the baseless grounds of tea, and lucky dreams +and omens, will find little amusement in the British Almanac; but their +absence is more than supplied by information "which almost every man +engaged in the world requires." + + * * * * * + + + + +THE SKETCH BOOK. + + * * * * * + + +A VISION OF PURGATORY. + +_By William Maginn, Esq._ + + +The churchyard of Inistubber is as lonely a one as you would wish to see +on a summer's day, or avoid on a winter's night. Under the east window of +the church is a mouldering vault of the De Lacys,--a branch of a family +descended from one of the conquerors of Ireland; and there they are +buried, when the allotted time calls them to the tomb. Sir Theodore De +Lacy had lived a jolly, thoughtless life, rising early for the hunt, and +retiring late from the bottle. A good-humoured bachelor who took no care +about the management of his household, provided that the hounds were in +order for his going out, and the table ready on his coming in. As for the +rest,--an easy landlord, a quiet master, a lenient magistrate (except to +poachers,) and a very excellent foreman of a grand jury. He died one +evening while laughing at a story which he had heard regularly thrice a +week for the last fifteen years of his life, and his spirit mingled with +the claret. In former times when the De Lacys were buried, there was a +grand breakfast, and all the party rode over to the church to see the +last rites paid. The keeners lamented; the country people had a wake +before the funeral, and a dinner after it--and there was an end. But +with the march of mind comes trouble and vexation. A man has now-a-days +no certainty of quietness in his coffin--unless it be a patent one. He is +laid down in the grave, and the next morning finds himself called upon to +demonstrate an interesting fact! No one, I believe, admires this ceremony, +and it is not to be wondered at that Sir Theodore De Lacy held it in +especial horror. "I'd like," said he one evening, "to catch one of the +thieves coming after me when I'm dead--By the God of War, I'd break every +bone in his body;--but," he added with a sigh, "as I suppose I'll not be +able to take my own part then, upon you I leave it, Larry Sweeney, to +watch me three days and three nights after they plant me under the sod. +There's Doctor Dickenson there, I see the fellow looking at me--fill your +glass, Doctor--here's your health! and shoot him, Larry, do you hear, +shoot the Doctor like a cock, if he ever comes stirring up my poor old +bones from their roost of Inistubber." "Why, then," Larry answered, +accepting the glass which followed this command, "long life to both your +honours; and it's I that would like to be putting a bullet into Doctor +Dickenson--heaven between him and harm--for hauling your honour away, +as if you was a horse's head, to a bonfire. There's nothing, I 'shure you, +gintlemin, poor as I am, that would give me greater pleasure." "We feel +obliged, Larry" said Sir Theodore, "for your good wishes." "Is it I pull +you out of the grave, indeed!" continued the whipper-in, for such he was, +--"I'd let nobody pull your honour out of any place, saving 'twas +purgatory; and out of that I'd pull you myself, if I saw you going +_there_." "I am of opinion, Larry," said Doctor Dickenson, "you would +turn tail if you saw Sir Theodore on that road. You might go further, and +fare worse, you know." "Turn tail!" replied Larry, "it is I that +wouldn't--I appale to St. Patrick himself over beyond"--pointing to a +picture of the Prime Saint of Ireland, which hung in gilt daubery behind +his master's chair, right opposite to him. To Larry's horror and +astonishment, the picture fixing its eyes upon him, winked with the most +knowing air, as if acknowledging the appeal. "What makes you turn so +white then at the very thought," said the doctor, interpreting the +visible consternation of our hero in his own way. "Nothing particular," +answered Larry; "but a wakeness has come strong over me, gintlemin, and +if you'd have no objection, I'd like to go into the air for a bit." Leave +was of course granted, and Larry retired amid the laughter of the +guests--but as he retreated, he could not avoid casting a glance on the +awful picture--and again the Saint winked, with a most malicious smile. +It was impossible to endure the repeated infliction, and Larry rushed +down the stairs in an agony of fright and amazement. "May be," thought +he, "it might be my own eyes that wasn't quite steady--or the flame of +the candle. But no--he winked at me as plain as ever I winked at Judy +Donaghue of a May morning. What he manes by it I can't say--but there's +no use of thinking about it--no, nor of talking neither, for who' d +believe me if I tould them of it?" + +The next evening Sir Theodore died, as has been mentioned; and in due +time thereafter was buried according to the custom of the family, by +torch-light, in the churchyard of Inistubber. All was fitly performed; +and although Dickenson had no design upon the jovial knight--and if he +had not, there was nobody within fifteen miles that could be suspected +of such an outrage,--yet Larry Sweeney was determined to make good his +promise of watching his master. "I'd think little of telling a lie to him, +by the way of no harm when he was alive," said he, wiping his eyes, as +soon as the last of the train had departed, leaving him with a single +companion in the lonely cemetery; "but now that he's dead--God rest his +soul!--I'd scorn it. So Jack Kinaley, as behoves my first cousin's son, +stay you with me here this blessed night, for betune (between) you and I, +it an't lucky to stay by one's self in this ruinated old rookery, where +ghosts, God help us, is as thick as bottles in Sir Theodore's cellar!" +"Never you mind that, Larry," said Kinaley, a discharged soldier, who had +been through all the campaigns of the Peninsula; "never mind, I say, such +botherations. Han't I lain in bivouack on the field at Salamanca, and +Tallawara, and the Pyrumnees, and many another place beside, where there +was dead corpses lying about in piles, and there was no more ghosts than +kneebuckles in a ridgemint of Highlanders. Here, let me prime them pieces, +and hand us over the bottle; we'll stay snug under this east window, for +the wind's coming down the hill, and I defy"--"None of that bould talk, +Jack," said his cousin; "as for what ye saw in foreign parts, of dead men +killed afighting, sure that's nothing to the dead--God rest 'em!--that's +here. There you see, they had company one with the other, and being +killed fresh-like that morning, had no heart to stir; but here, faith! +'tis a horse of another colour." "May be it is," said Jack, "but the +night's coming on; so I'll turn in. Wake me if you sees any thing; and +after I've got my two hours' rest, I'll relieve you." + +With these words the soldier turned on his side, under shelter of a grave, +and as his libations had been rather copious during the day, it was not +long before he gave audible testimony that the dread of supernatural +visitants had had no effect in disturbing the even current of his fancy. +Although Larry had not opposed the proposition of his kinsman, yet he +felt by no means at ease. He put in practice all the usually recommended +nostrums for keeping away unpleasant thoughts:--all would not do. "If it +was a common, dacent, quite (quiet,) well-behaved churchyard a'self," +thought Larry, half-aloud--"but when 'tis a place like this forsaken ould +berrin'-ground, which is noted for villiany"--"For what, Larry?" said a +gentleman, stepping out of a niche which contained the only statue time +had spared. It was the figure of Saint Colman, to whom the church was +dedicated. Larry had been looking at the figure, as it shone forth in +ebon and ivory in the light and shadow of the now high-careering moon, +"For what, Larry," said the gentleman,--"for what do you say the +churchyard is noted?" "For nothing at all, plase your honour," replied +Larry, "except the height of gentility." The stranger was about four feet +high, dressed in what might be called flowing garments,--if, in spite of +their form, their rigidity did not deprive them of all claim to such an +appellation. He wore an antique mitre upon his head; his hands were +folded upon his breast; and over his right shoulder rested a pastoral +crook. There was a solemn expression in his countenance, and his eye +might truly be called stony. His beard could not be well said to wave +upon his bosom; but it lay upon it in ample profusion, stiffer than that +of a Jew on a frosty morning after mist. In short, as Larry soon +discovered to his horror, on looking up at the niche, it was no other +than Saint Colman himself, who had stept forth, indignant (in all +probability) at the stigma cast by the watcher of the dead on the +churchyard of which his Saintship was patron. He smiled with a grisly +solemnity--just such a smile as you might imagine would play round the +lips of a milestone (if it had any,) at the recantation so quickly +volunteered by Larry. "Well," said he, "Lawrence Sweeney"--"How well the +old rogue," thought Larry, "knows my name!" "Since you profess yourself +such an admirer of the merits of the churchyard of Inistubber, get up and +follow me, till I show you the civilities of the place--for I am master +here, and must do the honours." "Willingly would I go with your worship," +replied our friend; "but you see here I am engaged to Sir Theodore, who, +though a good master, was a mighty passionate man when every thing was +not done as he ordered it; and I am feared to stir." "Sir Theodore," said +the Saint, "will not blame you for following me. I assure you he will +not." "But then," said Larry--"Follow me!" cried the Saint, in a hollow +voice, and casting upon him his stony eye, drew poor Larry after him, as +the bridal guest was drawn by the lapidary glance of the Ancient Mariner; +or, as Larry himself afterwards expressed it, "as a jaw tooth is wrinched +out of an ould woman with a pair of pinchers." The Saint strode before +him in silence, not in the least incommoded by the stones and rubbish, +which at every step sadly contributed to the discomfiture of Larry's +shins, who followed his marble conductor into a low vault, situated at +the west end of the church. The path lay through coffins piled up on each +side of the way in various degrees of decomposition; and, excepting that +the solid footsteps of the saintly guide, as they smote heavily on the +floor of stone, broke the deadly silence, all was still. Stumbling and +staggering along, directed only by the casual glimpses of light afforded +by the moon, where it broke through the dilapidated roof of the vault, +and served to discover only sights of woe, Larry followed. He soon felt +that he was descending, and could not help wondering at the length of the +journey. He began to entertain the most unpleasant suspicions as to the +character of his conductor;--but what could he do? Flight was out of the +question, and to think of resistance was absurd. "Needs must, they say," +thought he to himself, "when the devil drives. I see it's much the same +when a saint, leads." + +At last the dolorous march had an end; and not a little to Larry's +amazement, he found that his guide had brought him to the gate of a lofty +hall, before which a silver lamp, filled with naphtha, "yielded light as +from a sky."--From within loud sounds of merriment were ringing; and it +was evident, from the jocular harmony and the tinkling of glasses, that +some subterraneous catch-club were not idly employed over the bottle. +"Who's there?" said a porter, roughly responding to the knock of Saint +Colman. "Be so good," said the Saint, mildly, "my very good fellow, as to +open the door without further questions, or I'll break your head. I'm +bringing a gentleman here on a visit, whose business is pressing." "May +be so," thought Larry, "but what that business may be, is more than I can +tell." The porter sulkily complied with the order, after having +apparently communicated the intelligence that a stranger was at hand; for +a deep silence immediately followed the tipsy clamour; and Larry, +sticking close to his guide, whom he now looked upon almost as a friend, +when compared with these underground revellers to whom he was about to +be introduced, followed him through a spacious vestibule, which gradually +sloped into a low-arched room, where the company was assembled. And a +strange-looking company it was. Seated round a long table were +three-and-twenty grave and venerable personages, bearded, mitred, stoled, +and croziered,--all living statues of stone, like the Saint who had +walked out of his niche. On the drapery before them were figured the +images of the sun, moon, and stars--the inexplicable bear--the mystic +temple, built by the hand of Hiram--and other symbols, of which the +uninitiated knew nothing. The square, the line, the trowel, were not +wanting, and the hammer was lying in front of the chair. Labour, however, +was over, and the time for refreshment having arrived, each of the stony +brotherhood had a flagon before him; and when we mention that the Saints +were Irish, and that St. Patrick in person was in the chair, it is not to +be wondered at that the mitres, in some instances, hung rather loosely on +the side of the heads of some of the canonized compotators. Among the +company were found St. Senanus of Limerick, St. Declan of Ardmore, St. +Canice of Kilkenny, St. Finbar of Cork, St. Michan of Dublin, St. Brandon +of Kerry, St. Fachnan of Ross, and others of that holy brotherhood; a +vacant place, which completed the four-and-twentieth, was left for St. +Colman, who, as every body knows, is of Cloyne; and he, having taken his +seat, addressed the president, to inform him that he had brought the man. +The man (viz. Larry himself) was awestruck with the company in which he +so unexpectedly found himself; and trembled all over when, on the notice +of his guide, the eight-and-forty eyes of stone were turned directly upon +himself. "You have just nicked the night to a shaving, Larry," said St. +Patrick: "this is our chapter-night, and myself and brethren are here +'assembled on merry occasion.'--You know who I am?" "God bless your +reverence," said Larry, "it's I that do well. Often did I see your +picture hanging over the door of places where it is"--lowering his +voice--"pleasanter to be than here, buried under an ould church." "You +may as well say it out, Larry," said St. Patrick; "and don't think I'm +going to be angry with you about it; for I was once flesh and blood +myself. But you remember, the other night, saying that you would think +nothing of pulling your master out of purgatory, if you could get at him +there, and appealing to me to stand by your words. + +"Y-e-e-s," said Larry, most mournfully; for he recollected the +significant look he had received from the picture. "And," continued St. +Patrick, "you remember also that I gave you a wink, which you know is as +good, any day, as a nod--at least, to a blind horse." "I'm sure, your +reverence," said Larry, with a beating heart, "is too much of a gintleman +to hould a poor man hard to every word he may say of an evening, and +therefore"--"I was thinking so," said the saint, "I guessed you'd prove a +poltroon when put to the push. What do you think, my brethren, I should +do to this fellow?" A hollow sound burst from the bosoms of the unanimous +assembly. The verdict was short and decisive:--"Knock out his brains!" And +in order to suit the action to the word, the whole four-and-twenty arose +at once, and with their immovable eyes fixed firmly on the face of our +hero--who horror struck with the sight as he was, could not close +his--they began to glide slowly but regularly towards him, bending their +line into the form of a crescent, so as to environ him on all sides. In +vain he fled to the door; its massive folds resisted mortal might. In +vain he cast his eyes around in quest of a loophole of retreat--there was +none. Closer and closer pressed on the slowly-moving phalanx, and the +uplifted croziers threatened soon to put their sentence into execution. +Supplication was all that remained--and Larry sunk upon his knees. "Ah! +then," said he, "gintlemin and ancient ould saints as you are, don't kill +the father of a large small family, who never did hurt to you or yours. +Sure, if 'tis your will that I should go to--no matter who, for there's +no use in naming his name--might I not as well make up my mind to go +there, alive and well, stout and hearty, and able to face him,--as with +my head knocked into bits, as if I had been after a fair or a patthern?" +"You say right," said St. Patrick, checking with a motion of his crozier +the advancing assailants, who returned to their seats. "I am glad to see +you coming to reason. Prepare for your journey." "And how, plase your +Saintship, am I to go?" asked Larry. "Why," said St. Patrick, "as Colman +here has guided you so far, he may guide you further. But as the journey +is into foreign parts, where you arn't likely to be known, you had better +take this letter of introduction, which may be of use to you." "And here, +also, Lawrence," said a Dublin Saint--perhaps Michan--"take you this box +also, and make use of it as he to whom you speak shall suggest." "Take a +hold, and a firm one," said St. Colman, "Lawrence, of my cassock, and we' +ll start." "All right behind?" cried St. Patrick. "All right!" was the +reply. In an instant!--vault--table--saints--bell--church, faded into air; +a rustling hiss of wings was all that was heard; and Larry felt his cheek +swept by a current, as if a covey of birds of enormous size were passing +him. (It was, in all probability, the flight of the saints returning to +heaven, but on that point nothing certain has reached us up to the +present time of writing.) He had not a long time to wonder at the +phenomenon, for he himself soon began to soar, dangling in mid sky at the +skirt of the cassock of his sainted guide. Earth, and all that appertains +thereto, speedily passed from his eyes, and they were alone in the midst +of circumfused ether, glowing with a sunless light. Above, in immense +distance, was fixed the firmament, fastened up with bright stars, fencing +around the world with its azure wall. They fled far, before any +distinguishable object met their eyes. At length a long, white streak, +shining like silver in the moonbeam, was visible to their sight. "That," +said St. Colman, "is the Limbo which adjoins the earth, and is the +highway for ghosts departing the world. It is called in Milton, a book +which I suppose, Larry, you never have read"--"And how could I, plase +your worship," said Larry, "seein' I don't know a B from a bull's foot!" +"Well, it is called in Milton the Paradise of Fools: and if it were indeed +peopled by all of that tribe who leave the world, it would contain the +best company that ever figured on the earth. To the north, you see a +bright speck?" "I do." "That marks the upward path,--narrow and hard to +find. To the south you may see a darksome road--broad, smooth, and easy +of descent; that is the lower way. It is thronged with the great ones of +the world; you may see their figures in the gloom. Those who are soaring +upwards are wrapt in the flood of light flowing perpetually from that +single spot, and you cannot see them. The silver path on which we enter +is the Limbo. Here I part with you. You are to give your letter to the +first person you meet. Do your best;--be courageous, but observe +particularly that you profane no holy name, or I will not answer for the +consequences." + +His guide had scarcely vanished, when Larry heard the tinkling of a bell +in the distance, and turning his eyes in the quarter whence it proceeded, +he saw a grave-looking man in black, with eyes of fire, driving before +him a flock of ghosts with a switch, as you see turkeys driven on the +western road, at the approach of Christmas. They were on the highway to +Purgatory. The ghosts were shivering in the thin air, which pinched them +severely, now that they had lost the covering of their bodies. Among the +group, Larry recognised his old master, by the same means that Ulysses, +Aeneas, and others, recognised the bodiless forms of their friends in the +regions of Acheron. "What brings a living person," said the man in black, +"on this pathway? I shall make legal capture of you, Larry Sweeney, for +trespassing. You have no business here." "I have come," said Larry, +plucking up courage, "to bring your honour's glory a letter from a +company of gintlemin with whom I had the pleasure of spending the evening, +underneath the ould church of Inistubber." "A letter," said the man in +black, "where is it?" "Here, my lord," said Larry. "Ho!" cried the black +gentleman, on opening it, "I know the handwriting. It won't do, however, +my lad,--I see they want to throw dust in my eyes." "Whew," thought Larry, +"that's the very thing. 'Tis for that the ould Dublin boy gave me the box. +I'd lay a tinpenny to a brass farthing that it's filled with Lundy Foot." +Opening the box, therefore, he flung its contents right into the fiery +eyes of the man in black, while he was still occupied with reading the +letter,--and the experiment was successful. "Curses--tche-tche-tche,-- +Curses on it," exclaimed he, clapping his hand before his eyes, and +sneezing most lustily.--"Run, you villians, run," cried Larry, to the +ghosts--"run, you villians, now that his eyes are off of you--O master, +master! Sir Theodore, jewel! run to the right-hand side, make for the +bright speck, and God give you luck." + +He had forgotten his injunction. The moment the word was uttered he felt +the silvery ground sliding from under him; and with the swiftness of +thought he found himself on the flat of his back, under the very niche of +the old church wall whence he had started, dizzy and confused with a +measureless tumble. The emancipated ghosts floated in all directions, +emitting their shrill and stridulous cries in the gleaming expanse. Some +were again gathered by their old conductor; some scudding about at +random, took the right hand path, others the left. Into which of them Sir +Theodore struck, is not recorded; but as he had heard the direction, let +us hope that he made the proper choice. Larry had not much time given him +to recover from his fall, for almost in an instant he heard an angry +snorting rapidly approaching, and looking up, whom should he see but the +gentleman in black, with eyes gleaming more furiously than ever, and his +horns (for, in his haste, he had let his hat fall) relieved in strong +shadow against the moon. Up started Larry--away ran his pursuer after him. +The safest refuge was, of course, the church,--thither ran our hero--and +after him--fiercer than the shark, swifter than the hounds--fled the +black gentleman. The church is cleared; the chancel entered; and the hot +breath of his pursuer glows upon the outstretched neck of Larry. Escape +is impossible--the extended talons of the fiend have clutched him by the +hair. "You are mine," cried the demon,--"if I have lost any of my flock, +I have at last got you." "Oh, St. Patrick!" exclaimed our hero, in horror, +--"Oh, St. Patrick have mercy upon me, and save me!" "I tell you what, +cousin Larry," said Kinaley, chucking him up from behind a gravestone, +where he had fallen--"all the St. Patricks that ever were born would not +have saved you from ould Tom Picton, if he caught you sleeping on your +post as I've caught you now. By the word of an ould soldier, he'd have +had the provost-marshal upon you, and I'd not give two-pence for the loan +of your life. And then, too, I see you have drunk every drop in the +bottle. What can you say for yourself?" "Nothing at all," said Larry, +scratching his head,--"but it was an unlucky dream, and I'm glad it's +over."--_Literary Souvenir._ + + * * * * * + + +Ancient Roman Festivals. + +NOVEMBER. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +The _Epulum Jovis_ was a sumptuous feast offered to Jupiter on the +13th of November. The gods were formally invited, and attended; for the +statues were brought in rich beds, furnished with soft pillows, called +_pulvinaria_. Thus accommodated, their godships were placed on their +couches at the most honourable part of the table, and served with the +rich dainties, as if they were able to eat; but the _epulones_, or +ministers, who had the care and management of the feast, performed that +function for them, and no doubt did the part of _gastronomic proxies_ +with _eclat_. + +The _Brumalia_ was a feast of Bacchus, celebrated among the Romans +during the space of thirty days, commencing on the 24th of November. It +was instituted by Romulus, who used, during this time, to entertain the +senate. During this feast indications were taken of the felicity of the +remaining part of the winter. + +P.T.W. + + * * * * * + + + + +The Gatherer. + + + "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." +SHAKSPEARE. + + * * * * * + + +INNOCENT CONFESSION. + + +A Lady at confession, amongst other heinous crimes, accused herself of +using rouge. "What is the use of it?" asked the confessor. "I do it to +make myself handsomer."--"And does it produce that effect?" "At least +I think so, father."--The confessor on this took his penitent out of the +confessional, and having looked at her attentively in the light, said, +"Well, madam, you may use rouge, for you are ugly enough even with it." + + * * * * * + + +MERCHANT TAILORS. + + +A Clergyman hearing a remark made on the humility of the Merchant Tailors' +motto, "_Concordiâ parvae res crescunt_" replied, "Yes, that is to +say, nine tailors make a man." + + * * * * * + + +RABELAIS. + +A JEU D'ESPRIT. + + + In France they say + Lived RABELAIS, + A witty wight, and a right merry fellow. + Who in good company was sometimes mellow: + And, + Although he was a priest, + Thought it no sacramental sin--to feast. + I can't say much for his morality: + But for his immortality, + Good luck! + Why he's bound in calf, and squeezed in boards, + And scarcely a good library's shelf + But boasts acquaintance with the elf. + But now I'll tell you what I should have told before, + A grievous illness brought him nigh _Death's_ door. + Who, bony wight, + Enjoyed the sight-- + And grinn'd as he thought of the fun there'd be + When the jester had joined his company. + + Rab's friends, good folk! + Thought it no joke + To the poor joker; they therefore sent around + For all the Esculapians to be found; + And in a trice + (For doctors always haste to give advice-- + Mind--don't mistake--I mean when there's a fee) + They mustered two--to which add three. + + Now about the bed + Is seen each learned head. + The patient's pulse is felt--with graver air + Each M.D. seats him in a chair. + Crosses his legs--leans on his stick, mums--hahs--and hums + Pulls out his watch--takes snuff--and twirls his thumbs. + At length, + The awful stillness broke-- + As if from silence gathering strength + Most lustily they all did croak, + Their opinions mingling, + In discordant jingling-- + "A purge"--"a blister"--"shave his head" + "Senna and salts"--"a clyster"--"have him bled," + "A pill at noon"--"another pill at night," + "A warm-bath, sure, would set him right." + Thus with purges and blisters, + Pills, bleeding, and clysters, + The poor patient they threatened + Should be deluged and sweatened. + + Unable to endure the riot, + And wishing for a little quiet, + The sickman raised his head, + And said-- + Gentlemen, I do beseech ye, cease your pother, + Nor any more with me your wise heads bother, + Scratching your wigs, + Like sapient pigs; + Whate'er you may decide is my disease, + I humbly do conceive a little ease + From your infernal noise and chatter. + With which I'm dunn'd + And nearly stunn'd, + Would greatly tend to mend the matter; + And if, perforce, I must resign my breath, + For heav'n's sake let me _die_ a NATURAL _death_. + + +P.M. + + * * * * * + + +AN AGITATOR. + + +M. Monchenut, an old man of eighty, afflicted with the palsy, was +arrested during the reign of terror, under suspicion of being an agitator. +Being asked what he had to say to the accusation, "Alas, gentlemen, it is +very true, I am agitated enough, God knows, for I have not been able to +keep a limb still for these fifteen years." + + * * * * * + + +CHINESE POLITENESS. + + +There is one striking particular in which the Chinese politeness is quite +the reverse of ours. To take off their caps when they salute one another, +or even accidentally to appear uncovered, is esteemed the height of ill +breeding and indecency. + +HALBERT H. + + * * * * * + + +PURCHASERS of the MIRROR, who may wish to complete their sets are +informed, that every volume is complete in itself, and may be purchased +separately. The whole of the numbers are now in print, and can be +procured by giving an order to any Bookseller or Newsvender. + +Complete sets Vol. I. to XI. in boards, price £2. l9_s_. 6_d_. half bound, +£3. l7_s_. + + * * * * * + + +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 l3s. 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. boards. + +The ARCANA of SCIENCE for 1828. Price 4s. 6d. + + +Any of the above Works can be purchased in Parts. + +GOLDSMITH'S ESSAYS. Price 8d. + +DR. FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS. Price 1s. 2d. + +BACON'S ESSAYS Price 8d. + +SALMAGUNDI. Price 1s. 8d. + + * * * * * + + +_Printed and Published by J. LAMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset House.) +London; sold by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; and by all +Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, +AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 12, ISSUE 342, NOVEMBER 22, 1828*** + + +******* This file should be named 11405-8.txt or 11405-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/4/0/11405 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 12, Issue 342, November 22, 1828</p> +<p>Author: Various</p> +<p>Release Date: March 2, 2004 [eBook #11405]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: iso-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 12, ISSUE 342, NOVEMBER 22, 1828***</p> +<br /> +<br /> +<center><b>E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Allen Siddle, David Garcia,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</b></center> +<br /> +<br /> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page337" name="page337"></a>[pg + 337]</span> + <h1> + THE MIRROR<br /> + OF<br /> + LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + </h1> + <hr class="full" /> + <table width="100%" summary="Banner"> + <tr> + <td align="left"> + <b>VOL. XII, NO. 342.]</b> + </td> + <td align="center"> + <b>SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1828.</b> + </td> + <td align="right"> + <b>[PRICE 2d.</b> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <div class="figure" style="width: 100%;"> + <a href="images/342-1.png"><img width="100%" + src="images/342-1.png" + alt="Council office, etc. Whitehall." /></a> + </div> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page338" name="page338"></a>[pg + 338]</span> + </p> + <h3> + COUNCIL OFFICE, &c. WHITEHALL. + </h3> + <p> + From the Druids' Temple, at Abury, (our last engraving,) to + the Council Office, at Whitehall, is a long stride in the + march of time. From "grave to gay, and lively to severe," is + nothing to it; but variety is the public dictum; and with + more sincerity than the courtier in <i>Tom Thumb</i>, we say + to the public, + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + "Whate'er your majesty shall please to name, + </p> + <p> + Long cut or short cut, to us' tis all the same." + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + On the annexed page is represented the new splendid range of + buildings, including the <i>Council Office</i>, <i>Board of + Trade</i>, &c. at Whitehall. The architect, Mr. Soane, + has adapted the façade from the Temple of Jupiter + Stator, at Rome.<a id="footnotetag1" + name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Soane's adaptation has been only partial, and he has + adhered merely to the details of the columns and entablature. + "The façade," it is well observed in an early Number + of the <i>Athenaeum</i>, "enjoys one of the most favourable + sites for the display of a public building which the + metropolis affords; no limit has been set to the expense; the + finest materials the country yields have been used in its + construction; the richest example of the richest order which + antiquity has left us, has been lavishly employed in its + decoration; and yet," continues the critic, "is not the whole + a failure?" He then describes the effect of it as "poor, or + at best but pretty," and attributes the absence of grandeur + to the "want of sufficient elevation."—"To the general + elevation it may be objected, that it has no prominent + centre; that, composed of two wings and an intermediate space + receding, it has more the character of a flank than a front + building; and that the want of a central entrance derogates + greatly from its dignity as a principal façade." + </p> + <p> + But we are mere amateurs in these matters, and it will be as + well to leave the remainder of this criticism to the more + studious reader. We have, however, glanced at the principal + defects which the writer in the <i>Athenaeum</i> points out, + and we are bound to admit the justice of his remarks. The + details which produce this effect would not be so generally + interesting. "The order itself," says he, "it must be + admitted, is well copied, and excellently executed;" but Mr. + Soane's application of it is loudly censured—a Roman + temple being inappropriate for a British Council Office. + Perhaps our critic would have preferred a façade like + that of the Palais de Justice at Paris,—a platform, + ascended by an immense flight of steps, which serves as a + basement for a projecting body of four Doric columns; with + four large pedestals in front, and statues of + <i>Strength</i>, <i>Plenty</i>, <i>Justice</i>, and + <i>Prudence</i>, as the cardinal virtues of English + legislation and trade. + </p> + <p> + Upon the whole, we cannot help thinking some of the details + of this new range extremely rich and pleasing, although we + assent to the above character of their general effect. The + columns, of fluted Corinthian, and the cornice of the order, + are to us very beautiful; but the upper windows are + unsightly, or, as a wag would say, purely attic; and the + entrances are too strictly <i>official</i> for the + architecture of the building. This brings us again to the + inappropriateness of the adaptation, which made these + introductions unavoidable.<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> + </p> + <p> + The front of the building is not completed, the northern wing + having yet to be erected. When this is finished, the effect + may be materially assisted. + </p> + <p> + While we are in this quarter, and lest "we may never come + again," it may be as well to thank our correspondent, "An + Architect," for his letter on "Whitehall," a very small + portion of which has ever been completed. What has been + finished—the Banqueting House—is one of the + triumphs of Inigo Jones, but like all human works, is sadly + dilapidated; although this is attributable to the bad + material, rather than to the interval since its erection. The + <i>whole</i> was, indeed, a magnificent design. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + CROMLECH. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + In No. 328 of the MIRROR, you mistake in spelling + <i>cromlech</i>; the last syllable is always written + <i>lech</i>, not <i>leh</i>; neither is it derived from + <i>crom</i> and <i>leac</i>, the Irish, but from <i>crom</i> + and <i>llech</i>, the Celtic, of which the Irish is the most + corrupted, and the present Welsh the most pure dialect. + <i>Llech</i> signifies a stone in Welsh, and is pronounced in + a way peculiar to the Welsh; when simple it is <i>llech</i>, + when compounded <i>lech</i>. + </p> + <p> + RUPERT C. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page339" name="page339"></a>[pg + 339]</span> + </p> + <h3> + GARDEN OF HYACINTHS + </h3> + <center> + IN THE SERAGLIO, CONSTANTINOPLE. + </center> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror.</i>) + </p> + <p> + In this garden the sultan passes most of his leisure hours, + free from the outward parade attendant on his rank. It is + small, but tastefully disposed in oblong beds, edged with + fine porcelain; no plant is allowed to grow in it except the + hyacinth; whence the name of the garden and the apartment it + contains. Nothing can be more beautiful than the interior; + three sides are formed by a divan, the cushions and pillows + of which were of black satin, exquisitely embroidered. The + floor was covered with Gobelin tapestry, and the ceiling + magnificently gilded and burnished. Opposite the windows of + the chamber was a fire-place, in the European manner; and on + each side a door, covered with hangings of crimson cloth. + Between each of these doors appeared a glass-case, containing + the sultan's private library; every volume was in manuscript, + with the name written on the edges of the leaves. Opposite + the doors and fire-place hung three gold cages, containing + artificial birds, which sang by mechanism. On one side was a + raised bench, on which was placed an embroidered towel, a + splendid vase, and basin for washing the hands and beard; + upon the wall over it was suspended an embroidered portfolio, + worked with silver on yellow leather, to contain the + petitions presented to the sultan when he goes in procession + to the mosque. Close to the door was placed a pair of yellow + boots and slippers, which are always at the entrance of every + apartment frequented by the sultan. Groups of arms, such as + pistols, sabres, and poniards, were displayed with great + taste and effect on the compartments of the walls; the + handles were covered with diamonds and jewels of large size, + which, as they glittered around, gave an almost dazzling + brilliancy to this sumptuous chamber, thus characterizing the + amusements of the man when divested of the ceremony and + formality of the sultan. + </p> + <p> + INA. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + NEEDLE-WORK ALTAR-PIECE. + </h3> + <p> + <i>(For the Mirror.)</i> + </p> + <p> + The town of Welwyn, Hertfordshire, was the last place of + residence of Dr. Young, author of "Night Thoughts," where he + was rector. His pious lady employed her leisure hours with + her needle, in the completion of a most elegant altar-piece, + which now embellishes the sacramental table in the church; + and, through the care of the parish clerk, this specimen of + the indefatigable mind of Mrs. Young has been surprisingly + preserved. The words down the centre, + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + I AM + </p> + <p> + THE BREAD + </p> + <p> + OF + </p> + <p> + LIFE, + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + have the appearance of being the production of a most + masterly pencil; and the word "life" is in as fine a state of + preservation as on the day when it was first presented by the + benevolent artist; every tint, including the light and shade + which surround the word, having withstood the ravages of + time, and been ingeniously preserved by a kind of gauze + covering. + </p> + <p> + W.G.C. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + It has not been till lately that any of the travellers into + Palestine have told what was meant by the locusts mentioned + by St. Matthew as part of the food of John the Baptist. Dr. + Clarke first related, that a tree grows in the Holy Land, + which is called the locust tree, and produces an eatable + fruit; but this fact was well known to many who had been in + the Mediterranean. The tree grows in several of the countries + which border that sea. It has been found in much greater + abundance in some parts of the East Indies, whence it has now + become an article of export. Many thousands of its pods are + annually imported by the East India Company; and, either + because the fruit is richer in more southern climates, or for + some other reason, a great quantity of them are shipped for + Venice and Trieste, where there is distilled from them a + liquor, which is supposed to be an antidote to the plague, or + at least useful in curing it. These pods are about twenty + inches long, and from half to three-quarters of an inch in + diameter. We call them pods for want of a term which would + more accurately describe them; but they are not flat, neither + have they that sort of hinge on one side, and slight + fastening on the other, which plainly show how the shells of + peas and beans are to be opened. On the contrary, these are + round; but there are two opposite lines along them, where the + colour alone would induce any one to suppose the skin to be, + as it is, thinner than elsewhere. Having the fruit before us + only in a dry state, we can describe it in no other; but at + present a knife could scarcely be made to penetrate the + thicker part, and does not very easily make its way into the + thinner. The fruit, which lies in little cells within, is a + pulp, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page340" + name="page340"></a>[pg 340]</span> or paste, somewhat like + that of tamarinds, but smoother, and not so sweet. There are + pips in it nearly as hard, and about half as large, as those + of a tamarind, containing a kernel in each. It should be + added, that in the stems of this locust tree wild bees still + deposit their honey. + </p> + <p> + W.G.C. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + FLOWERS. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + On reading the MIRROR, No. 337, my attention was attracted to + one of your many pleasant and amusing extracts from the + "Public Journals," bearing the title of "Flowers." Being + myself a great admirer of that beautiful and delightful part + of creation, I was led to peruse the article with somewhat + increased attention. In all ages flowers have been regarded + with peculiar sympathy; they have been associated with the + calm serenity of virtue; they have been strewed around the + altars of devotion; have been made to accompany the lonely, + unobtrusive works of merit; and hung around the grave of + faded and departed innocence, thus silently, but powerfully, + depicting virtue, the essence of felicity. Although I do not + consider you to be accountable for statements contained in + the articles extracted from other journals, still I presume + you would not knowingly make your work the vehicle of any + matter which would lead your readers astray. I have, + therefore, ventured to call your attention to a particular + part of the above article, and to correct what I presume to + be a misstatement. + </p> + <p> + In the article alluded to, the writer states, "It has been + said that flowers placed in bed-rooms are not wholesome; that + cannot," he remarks, "be meant of such as are in a state of + vegetation," &c. + </p> + <p> + Now plants, it is well known, respire similarly to animals, + through the pores of their leaves. By the agency of the sun, + during the day, a quantity of pure gas, called oxygen, is + given out; but on the contrary, during the night, or absence + of the sun, gas of a most noxious and pernicious nature is + emitted, and at the same time a portion of the pure air + (oxygen gas) is absorbed. The greater part of the atmosphere + must therefore be impregnated with this deleterious gas. + Taking into consideration the confined state of a + bed-chamber, the great increase of perspiration of the body, + with the continual increase of carbonic gas from respiration, + and this in an apartment where every thing <i>ought</i> most + sedulously to be avoided which in the least tends to + deteriorate the atmosphere, it must be evident the practice + ought to be avoided, if we are desirous of preserving health. + </p> + <p> + Flowers in a state of vegetation are, I consider, more + pernicious <i>at night</i>, or during the absence of the sun, + than those plucked and put into water, provided they be not + immersed too long a time; for immediately the stem is severed + from the plant, the vital action, if it may be so termed, + ceases, and decomposition commences; but till the + decomposition has been going on some time, nothing of a + pernicious nature need be apprehended. In like manner, + directly the vital principle becomes extinct in animals, + decomposition ensues. For the space of five or six days, + however, no perceptible alteration of the fibres is visible; + but after that time a compound of gases begins to exhale from + the body, accompanied with a fetid odour, till the parts are + entirely decomposed. + </p> + <p> + The effluvium arising from the <i>farina</i> and + <i>petals</i> is considered unwholesome, however agreeable it + may be to the senses, whether the plant be in a state of + vegetation or not, it being too powerful for the olfactory + nerve. + </p> + <p> + S.S.T. + </p> + <p> + Our pages are always open to the correction of our readers, + and in this instance we thank <i>S.S.T.</i> for the above, + although we think he has misconceived some portion of the + article on "Flowers," the writer adding to that passage + quoted by our correspondent, "<i>provided fresh air is + frequently introduced</i>"; of course, he does not refer to + the <i>night-time</i>, although it would have been clearer, + had he suggested the removal of flowers from bed-rooms during + the night.—ED. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + CIRCULAR TEMPLES. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + These structures are generally supposed to have been built + with astronomical allusions, especially the noble temple at + <i>Stonehenge</i>. Circular temples existed among the + Israelites. In Exodus, c. xxiv. v. 4, it is written that + "Moses rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar + under the hill, and twelve pillars." Again in Joshua, iv. 9, + Joshua set up twelve stones; and it is well worthy of remark, + that the twelve pillars of Moses and Joshua correspond with + the number of stones of the inner circles at Abury. It is + possible that these stones were plastered over, and probably + highly ornamented, as in Deuteronomy, xxvii. 2, we read, + "Thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with + plaster;" and there is a large, upright stone in Ireland, + which, according to the legend of the country, was once + covered over with gold. On some of these + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page341" name="page341"></a>[pg + 341]</span> pillars it is likewise probable that certain + characters were traced, as among the Israelites words of the + law were written upon similar obelisks or columns. + </p> + <p> + The earliest temples in Greece were formed of obeliscal + columns; and in some parts of Africa the custom obtains to + this day. Hence the pillars of our present temples are the + most ancient; and subsequent builders of holy sanctuaries + filled up the intercolumniations till the temples were + constructed as we now see their ruins in Athens and + elsewhere. But many of the early temples were round; and it + is a curious fact, hitherto unnoticed, I believe, that the + altar end, the sanctum of our earliest Saxon churches, is + circular. + </p> + <p> + JAMES SILVESTER. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + ST. OLAVE.—A MANX LEGEND. + </h3> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + [Magnus, King of Norway, having committed sacrilege, by + opening the grave of St. Olave, he was commanded by the + spirit of the offended saint to perform the voluntary penance + of quitting the kingdom in thirty days. He obeyed this + intimation, and immediately left Norway. Having conquered + many of the Western Isles, at length he established himself + in the Isle of Man. Afterwards attempting the reduction of + Ireland, he was surrounded by the natives and slain, with the + whole of his followers.] + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Olave, of rocky Norway's saints, the holiest and the + best, + </p> + <p> + Entomb'd in tumulus, enjoys a calm and peerless rest; + </p> + <p> + By all of heav'ns votaries in saintly rank renown'd, + </p> + <p> + As high in blessedness, and chief in holy missal crown'd. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + The dead—in holy, stilly peace, the sacred dead + repose, + </p> + <p> + Afar from earth's turmoil and grief, and all of sick'ning + woes; + </p> + <p> + From racking pain, and withering pride, and avarice's + care, + </p> + <p> + Secure they rest in solitude, unaw'd by sin or snare. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + To sack the gloomy sepulchre of lately living clay, + </p> + <p> + From cheerful day and life remov'd, by dreaded death + away, + </p> + <p> + Is crime indeed of blackest hue, deserving exile's fate, + </p> + <p> + From native climes ordain'd to feel an outlaw's dreary + state. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Could Norway's priest-despising chief, deem sacrilege a + crime + </p> + <p> + Fitting for absolution,—or dark penance of set time + </p> + <p> + That daring such all dreaded sin, he gazes on the grave, + </p> + <p> + And tramples o'er the hallow'd dust of canoniz'd Olave. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Lone sepulchre in holy earth—sure wickedness so + dire, + </p> + <p> + Of holy man, and sacred place, incenses heaven's ire; + </p> + <p> + Can less than ever banishment from Norway's ice bound + land, + </p> + <p> + Stay sure revenge—pursuing fate—and justice' + awful hand? + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Away he sails—the foaming seas as Corsair now he + laves, + </p> + <p> + Dauntless—heroic—daring winds, and + man-entombing waves, + </p> + <p> + To visit other lands afar,—to combat chiefs of + fame; + </p> + <p> + In battle-field to spread around the dread of Norway's + name. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Lone Mona's sea-girt isle he dares with spear and + flashing sword, + </p> + <p> + Usurping regal rule and right by power of pirate horde; + </p> + <p> + Yet vengeance drear, and dark desert of direst actions, + crave + </p> + <p> + A bloody death, a justice clear, and dark usurper's + grave. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + On Erin's lovely land he falls—awarded darksome + doom, + </p> + <p> + When, ruffian-like, he dared profane the saintly Olave's + tomb: + </p> + <p> + He leaves his conquests, kingdoms, crowns, and all of + earthly state, + </p> + <p> + To sleep in loneliness, and fill his dark predicted fate. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + <i>Kirk Michael, Isle of Man</i>. A B.C. + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2> + THE ANECDOTE GALLERY. + </h2> + <hr /> + <h3> + A LIVING ALCHEMIST. + </h3> + <center> + (<i>From Sir R. Phillips's Tour</i>.) + </center> + <p> + At Luton, Beds. Sir Richard hears of an ALCHEMIST, who lives + at the village of Lilley, midway between Luton and Hitchen. + The whole of his interview with this eccentric personage, + will doubtless be interesting to our readers. + </p> + <p> + It was four miles out of my road, but I thought a modern + alchemist worthy of a visit, particularly as several + inhabitants of Luton gravely assured me, that he had + succeeded in discovering the Philosopher's Stone, and also + the Universal Solvent. The reports about him would have + rendered it culpable not to have hazarded anything for a + personal interview. I learnt that he had been a man of + fashion, and at one time largely concerned in adventures on + the turf, but that for many years he had devoted himself to + his present pursuits; while for some time past, he had been + inaccessible and invisible to the world, the house being shut + and barricadoed, and the walls of his grounds protected by + hurdles, with spring-guns so planted as to resist intrusion + in every direction. Under these circumstances, I had no + encouragement to go to Lilley, but I thought that even the + external inspection of such premises would repay me for the + trouble. At Lilley, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page342" + name="page342"></a>[pg 342]</span> I inquired for his house + of various people, and they looked ominous; some smiled, + others shook their heads, and all appeared surprised at the + approach of an apparent visiter to Mr. Kellerman. + </p> + <p> + The appearance of the premises did not belie vulgar report. I + could not help shuddering at seeing the high walls of + respectable premises, lined at the top with double tiers of + hurdles, and on driving my chaise to the front of the house, + I perceived the whole in a state of horrid dilapidation. + Contrary, however, to my expectation, I found a young man who + appeared to belong to the out-buildings, and he took charge + of my card for his master, and went to the back part of the + house to deliver it. The front windows on the ground-floor + and upper stories were entirely closed by inside shutters, + much of the glass was broken, and the premises appeared + altogether as if deserted. I was pleased at the words, "My + master will be happy to see you," and in a minute the front + door was opened, and Mr. Kellerman presented himself.—I + lament that I have not the pencil of Hogarth, for a more + original figure never was seen. He was about six feet high, + and of athletic make; on his head was a white night-cap, and + his dress consisted of a long great-coat once green, and he + had a sort of jockey waistcoat with three tiers of pockets. + His manner was extremely polite and graceful, but my + attention was chiefly absorbed by his singular physiognomy. + His complexion was deeply sallow, and his eyes large, black, + and rolling. He conducted me into a very large parlour, with + a window looking backward, and having locked the door, and + put the key in his pocket, he desired me to be seated in one + of two large arm chairs covered with sheepskins. The room was + a realization of the well-known picture of Teniers' + Alchemist. The floor was covered with retorts, crucibles, + alembics, jars, bottles in various shapes, intermingled with + old books piled upon each other, with a sufficient quantity + of dust and cobwebs. Different shelves were filled in the + same manner, and on one side stood his bed. In a corner + somewhat shaded from the light, I beheld two heads, white, + with dark wigs on them; I entertained no doubt therefore, + that among other fancies he was engaged in re-making the + brazen speaking head of Roger Bacon and Albertus. Many + persons might have felt alarmed at the peculiarity of my + situation, but being accustomed to mingle with eccentric + characters, and having no fear from any pretensions of the + black art, I was infinitely gratified by all I saw. + </p> + <p> + Having stated the reports which I had heard, relative to his + wonderful discoveries, I told him frankly that mine was a + visit of curiosity, and stated that if what I had heard was + matter of fact, the researches of the ancient chemists had + been unjustly derided. He then gave me a history of his + studies, mentioned some men whom I had happened to know in + London, who he alleged had assured him that they had made + gold. That having in consequence examined the works of the + ancient alchemists, and discovered the key which they had + studiously concealed from the multitude, he had pursued their + system under the influence of new lights; and after suffering + numerous disappointments, owing to the ambiguity with which + they described their processes, he had, at length, happily + succeeded; had made gold, and could make as much more as he + pleased, even to the extent of paying off the national debt + in the coin of the realm. + </p> + <p> + I yielded to the declaration, expressed my satisfaction at so + extraordinary a discovery, and asked him, to oblige me so + far, as to show me some of the precious metal which he had + made. + </p> + <p> + "Not so," said he; "I will show it to no one. I made Lord + Liverpool the offer, that if he would introduce me to the + king, I would show it to his majesty; but Lord Liverpool + insolently declined, on the ground that there was no + precedent; and I am therefore determined, that the secret + shall die with me. It is true that, in order to avenge myself + of such contempt, I made a communication to the French + ambassador, Prince Polignac, and offered to go to France, and + transfer to the French government, the entire advantages of + the discovery; but after deluding me, and shuffling for some + time, I found it necessary to treat him with the same + contempt as the others." + </p> + <p> + I expressed my convictions in regard to the double dealing of + men in office. + </p> + <p> + "O," said he, "as to that, every court in Europe well knows + that I have made the discovery, and they are all in + confederacy against me; lest by giving it to any one, I + should make that country master of all the rest—the + world, Sir," he exclaimed with great emotion, "is in my hands + and my power." + </p> + <p> + Satisfied with this announcement of the discovery of the + philosopher's stone, I now inquired about the sublime + alkahest or universal solvent, and whether he had succeeded + in deciphering the enigmatical descriptions of the ancient + writers on that most curious topic. + </p> + <p> + "Certainly," he replied, "I succeeded in that several years + ago." + </p> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page343" name="page343"></a>[pg + 343]</span> "Then," I proceeded, "have you effected the other + great desideratum, the fixing of mercury?" + </p> + <p> + "Than that process," said he, "there is nothing more easy; at + the same time it is proper I should inform you, that there + are a class of impostors, who mistaking the ancient writers, + pretend it can be done by heat; but I can assure you, it can + only be effected by water." + </p> + <p> + I then besought him to do me the favour, to show me some of + his fixed mercury, having once seen some which had been fixed + by cold. + </p> + <p> + This proposition, however, he declined, because he said he + had refused others. "That you may, however, be satisfied that + I have made great discoveries, here is a bottle of oil, which + I have purified, and rendered as transparent as spring water. + I was offered £10,000. for this discovery; but I am so + neglected, and so conspired against, that I am determined it + and all my other discoveries shall die with me." + </p> + <p> + I now inquired, whether he had been alarmed by the ignorance + of the people in the country, so as to shut himself up in so + unusual a manner. + </p> + <p> + "No," he replied, "not on their account wholly. They are + ignorant and insolent enough; but it was to protect myself + against the governments of Europe, who are determined to get + possession of my secret by force. I have been," he exclaimed, + "twice fired at in one day through that window, and three + times attempted to be poisoned. They believed I had written a + book containing my secrets, and to get possession of this + book has been their object. To baffle them, I burnt all that + I had ever written, and I have so guarded the windows with + spring-guns, and have such a collection of combustibles in + the range of bottles which stand at your elbow, that I could + destroy a whole regiment of soldiers if sent against me." He + then related, that as a further protection he lived entirely + in that room, and permitted no one to come into the house; + while he had locked up every room except that with patent + padlocks, and sealed the key-holes. + </p> + <p> + It would be tedious and impossible to follow Mr. Kellerman + through a conversation of two or three hours, in which he + enlarged upon the merits of the ancient alchemists, and on + the blunders and impertinent assumptions of the modern + chemists, with whose writings and names it is fair to + acknowledge he seemed well acquainted. He quoted the + authorities of Roger and Lord Bacon, Paracelsus, Boyle, + Boerhaave, Woolfe, and others, to justify his pursuits. As to + the term philosopher's stone, he alleged that it was a mere + figure, to deceive the vulgar. He appeared also to give full + credit to the silly story about Dee's assistant, Kelly, + finding some of the powder of projection in the tomb of Roger + Bacon at Glastonbury, by means of which, as was said, Kelly + for a length of time supported himself in princely splendour. + </p> + <p> + I inquired whether he had discovered the blacker than black + of Apollonius Tyaneus; and this, he assured me, he had + effected; it was itself the powder of projection for + producing gold. + </p> + <p> + Amidst all this delusion and illusion on these subjects, Mr. + Kellerman behaved in other respects with great propriety and + politeness; and having unlocked the door, he took me to the + doors of some of the other rooms, to show me how safely they + were padlocked; and on taking leave, directed me in my course + towards Bedford. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes, I overtook a man, and on inquiring what the + people thought of Mr. Kellerman, he told me that he had lived + with him for seven years; that he was one of eight assistants + whom he kept for the purpose of superintending his crucibles, + two at a time relieving each other every six hours; that he + had exposed some preparations to intense heat for many months + at a time, but that all except one crucible had burst, and + that he called on him to observe, that it contained the true + "blacker than black." The man protested, however, that no + gold had ever been made, and that no mercury had ever been + fixed; for he was quite sure, that if he had made any + discovery, he could not have concealed it from the + assistants; while, on the contrary, they witnessed his severe + disappointments, at the termination of his most elaborate + experiments. + </p> + <p> + On my telling the man that I had been in his room, he seemed + much astonished at my boldness; for he assured me, that he + carried a loaded pistol in every one of his six waistcoat + pockets. I learnt also from this man, that he has or had + considerable property in Jamaica; that he has lived in the + premises at Lilley about twenty-three years, and during + fourteen of them pursued his alchemical researches with + unremitting ardour; but for the last few years shut himself + up as a close prisoner, and lived in the manner I have + described. + </p> + <hr /> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Here lyeth wrapt in clay, + </p> + <p> + The body of William Wray: + </p> + <p> + I have no more to say. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + <i>Weever's Epitaphs</i>. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page344" name="page344"></a>[pg + 344]</span> + </p> + <h2> + Notes of a Reader. + </h2> + <hr /> + <h3> + COURT OF CHARLES II. + </h3> + <p> + In the last No. of the <i>Edinburgh Review</i>, there is an + admirably written article on Hallam's "Constitutional + History," not a mere essay, but somewhat more like a review + than usual. It contains an abundance of florid, bold, and + vigorous writing, extending through upwards of 70 pages. + Among the most striking passages we notice a parallel between + Cromwell and Napoleon, drawn with considerable force. But our + extract is from the lighter portion, as the following + ludicrous sketches of some of the enormities of Charles II. + "Towards the close of the Protectorate, many signs indicated + that a time of license was at hand. But the restoration of + Charles II rendered the change wonderfully rapid and violent. + A deep and general taint infected the morals of the most + influential classes, and spread itself through every province + of letters. Poetry inflamed the passions; philosophy + undermined the principles; divinity itself, inculcating an + abject reverence for the court, gave additional effect to its + licentious example. ... The favourite duchess stamps about + Whitehall, cursing and swearing. The ministers employ their + time at the council board in making mouths at each other, and + taking off each other's gestures for the amusement of the + king. The peers at a conference begin to pommel each other, + and to tear collars and periwigs. A speaker in the House of + Commons gives offence to the court. He is way-laid by a gang + of bullies, and his nose is cut to the bone. ... The second + generation of the statesmen of this reign, were worthy of the + schools in which they had been trained, of the gaming table + of Grammont, and the tiring room of Nell ——." + This is but a small portion of the good set terms in which + the reviewer illustrates the licentiousness of the times. + Speaking of Clarendon, he says, "Mr. Hallam scarcely makes + sufficient allowance for the wear and tear which honesty + almost necessarily sustains in the friction of political + life, and which in times so rough as those through which + Clarendon passed, must be very considerable. When these are + fairly estimated, we think that his integrity may be allowed + to pass muster." Perhaps political honesty is like Joseph + Surface's French plate, or the tinsel spread over a pair of + Birmingham saleshop candlesticks, whose tenderness will not + withstand the wear and tear of conveyance in the purchaser's + pocket. But the oddity of the reviewer's comparisons even + puts one in good humour with their virulence. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + STREET SYMPATHIES. + </h3> + <p> + During "the season" the veriest stranger who has an eye and + ear, and thoughts, must find in London sufficient to occupy + his attention; true, he may start and sigh, to think that of + the busy and enormous multitude around him, not one would + care, if, treading on yonder bit of orange peel, he should + slip off the flagway, and falling beneath the wheel of that + immense coal-wagon, have his thigh crushed to atoms, while + you'd be saying "Jack Robinson." But if he do sigh, the more + fool he; first, because "grieving's a folly," as the old sea + song hath it; next because he is mistaken in supposing that + no one would feel interested in his misfortune. There are two + upon the very flagway with him, who would evince the greatest + sympathy in his fate; the one is a surgeon's apprentice, who, + with anxious care, would bear him off to <i>his</i> hospital, + that he might "try his 'prentice hand" to doctor him while + living, and dissect him when dead; and the other is a running + reporter to one of the morning papers, who would with gentle + and soothing accents inquire his name, condition, and abode, + to swell the paragraph, and increase his + pay.—<i>Blackwood's Magazine.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + LINES TO EDWARD LYTTON BULWER, ON THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILD. + </h3> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + My heart is with you, Bulwer, and portrays + </p> + <p> + The blessings of your first paternal days; + </p> + <p> + To clasp the pledge of purest, holiest faith, + </p> + <p> + To taste one's own and love-born infant's breath, + </p> + <p> + I know, nor would for worlds forget the bliss. + </p> + <p> + I've felt that to a father's heart that kiss, + </p> + <p> + As o'er its little lips you smile and cling, + </p> + <p> + Has fragrance which Arabia could not bring. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Such are the joys, ill mock'd in ribald song, + </p> + <p> + In thought, ev'n fresh'ning life our life-time long, + </p> + <p> + That give our souls on earth a heaven-drawn bloom; + </p> + <p> + Without them we are weeds upon a tomb. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Joy be to thee, and her whose lot with thine, + </p> + <p> + Propitious stars saw Truth and Passion twine! + </p> + <p> + Joy be to her who in your rising name + </p> + <p> + Feels Love's bower brighten'd by the beams of Fame! + </p> + <p> + I lack'd a father's claim to her—but knew + </p> + <p> + Regard for her young years so pure and true, + </p> + <p> + That, when she at the altar stood your bride, + </p> + <p> + A sire could scarce have felt more sire-like pride. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + <i>T. Campbell</i>. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + The Duc de Laval has the character of being a perfect fool. + It is said that on one occasion he talked of having received + an anonymous letter, signed by all the officers of his + regiment; that on another, he ordered ottomans to be placed + in the four corners of his octagon + saloon!—<i>Josephine's Memoirs</i>. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page345" name="page345"></a>[pg + 345]</span> + </p> + <h3> + CAUSE AND EFFECT. + </h3> + <p> + Infinite are the consequences which follow from a single, and + often apparently a very insignificant circumstance. Paley + himself narrowly escaped being a baker; here was a decision + upon which hung in one scale, perhaps, the immortal interests + of thousands, and, in the other, the gratification of the + taste of the good people of Giggleswick for hot rolls. + Cromwell was near being strangled in his cradle by a monkey; + here was this wretched ape wielding in his paws the destinies + of nations. Then, again, how different in their kind, as well + as in their magnitude, are these consequences from anything + that might have been <i>à priori</i> expected. Henry + VIII. is smitten with the beauty of a girl of eighteen; and + ere long, + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + "The Reformation beams from Bullen's eyes." + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + Charles Wesley refuses to go with his wealthy namesake to + Ireland, and the inheritance, which would have been his, goes + to build up the fortunes of a Wellesley instead of a Wesley; + and to this decision of a schoolboy (as Mr. Southey observes) + Methodism may owe its existence, and England its + military—and, we trust we may now add, its civil and + political—glory—<i>Quarterly Rev.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + SERVANTS. + </h3> + <p> + A fund has lately been established at Stockholm, from which + it is intended to reward good and faithful servants. The king + has contributed to it 1,000 crowns; the prince royal 500; and + the princess royal 300. This has been suggested as an example + worthy of our imitation; many legacies, &c. have from + time to time been bequeathed for the encouragement of + faithful servants in England; some are claimed, but the + majority are shamefully misapplied by those to whom their + distribution has been entrusted. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + LONDON LUXURIES. + </h3> + <p> + A capital like London is a Maelstrom—an immense + whirlpool—whose gyrations sweep in whatever is + peculiarly desirable from the most distant regions of the + empire—so active becomes the love of gain when set in + motion by the love of luxury. We recollect once being on + shipboard to the north of Duncan's Bay Head, and out of sight + of land, the nearest being the Feroe Islands:—we were + walking the deck, watching a whale which was gamboling at + some distance, throwing up his huge side to the sun, and + sending ever and anon a sheet of water and foam from his + nostrils. Our thoughts were on Hecla and on the icebergs of + the Pole, on the Scalds of Iceland and the sea-kings of + Norway, when a sail hove in sight: we asked what craft it + was—and were answered, "a Gravesend brig dredging for + lobsters." Never was enchantment so effectually + broken—never stage-trick in pantomime more successfully + played off. Scene changes from Feroe and Iceland to the + Albion in Aldersgate-street—Exeunt Scald, champion, and + whale—Enter common councilman, turbot, and + lobster-sauce.—<i>Quarterly Rev.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + THE BEAUTIFUL. + </h3> + <p> + To be convinced that, at some period or another of their + history, the Egyptians had conceived a <i>beau-ideal</i> + superior to the beautiful which nature habitually produced in + their country, we have only to examine the young Memnon, at + the British Museum, and the heads of many of the sphinxes + which remain.—<i>Weekly Rev.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + ALGEBRA. + </h3> + <p> + Algebra I was charmed with, and found so much pleasure in + resolving its questions, that I have often sat till morning + at the engaging work, without a notion of its being day till + I opened the shutters of my closet. I recommend this study in + particular to young gentlemen, and am satisfied, if they + would but take some pains at first to understand it, they + would have so great a relish for its operations, as to prefer + them many an evening to clamorous pleasures; or, at least, + not be uneasy for being alone now and then, since their + algebra was with them.—<i>Life of John Buncle.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + A LUCKY MATCH. + </h3> + <p> + The late Mr. Locke, of Norbury Park, commissioned one + Jenkins, a dealer in pictures, residing at Rome, to send him + any piece of sculpture which might not exceed fifty guineas. + Jenkins sent a head of Minerva, which Mr. Locke, not liking, + returned, paying the carriage, and all other expenses. + Nollekens, who was then also at Rome, having purchased a + trunk of Minerva for fifty pounds, upon the return of this + head, found that its proportion and character accorded with + his torso. This discovery induced him to accept an offer made + by Jenkins of the head itself; and 220 guineas to share the + profits. After Nollekens had joined the head and trunk, or, + what is called "restored it," which he did at the expense of + twenty guineas more for stone and labour, it proved a most + fortunate hit, for they sold it for the enormous sum of 1,000 + guineas! and it is now at Newby, in + Yorkshire.—<i>Nollekens and his Times.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page346" name="page346"></a>[pg + 346]</span> + </p> + <h3> + NELSON. + </h3> + <p> + We received the following little anecdote from a letter of a + gentleman now at the head of the medical profession, with + which he favoured us shortly after perusing Salmonia. "I was + (says our friend) at the Naval Hospital, at Yarmouth, on the + morning when Nelson, after the battle of Copenhagen (having + sent the wounded before him,) arrived at the Roads, and + landed on the jutty. The populace soon surrounded him, and + the military were drawn up in the market-place ready to + receive him; but making his way through the crowd, and the + dust, and the clamour, he went straight to the hospital. I + went round the wards with him, and was much interested in + observing his demeanour to the sailors; he stopped at every + bed, and to every man he had something kind and cheering to + say. At length, he stopped opposite a bed on which a sailor + was lying who had lost his right arm close to the + shoulder-joint, and the following short dialogue passed + between, them:"—<i>Nelson</i>. "Well, Jack, what's the + matter with you?"—<i>Sailor</i>. "Lost my right arm, + your honour."—Nelson paused, looked down at his own + empty sleeve, then at the sailor, and said playfully, "Well, + Jack, then you and I are spoiled for fishermen—cheer + up, my brave fellow." And he passed briskly on to the next + bed; but these few words had a magical effect upon the poor + fellow, for I saw his eyes sparkle with delight as Nelson + turned away and pursued his course through the wards. As this + was the only occasion on which I saw Nelson, I may, possibly, + overrate the value of the incident.—<i>Q. Rev.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + THE BRITISH ALMANAC. + </h3> + <p> + This work, though only in its second year, is too well known + to be benefited by our recommendation. As a compilation, with + occasional originality, it is one of the best executed + labours of the Society from whom it emanates, and who, from + the multiplicity of facts here assembled, may be called "The + Society for the" <i>Condensation</i> "of Useful Knowledge." + </p> + <p> + In the Almanac for 1829 we notice several improvements upon + that of last year. The "Remarks on Weather" are valuable; and + the "Garden Plants in Flower" in each month, in themselves + extremely interesting, contrast the unchanging course of + nature with the grand revolutions and events of the column of + "Anniversaries." Thus, what different emotions are produced + by reading April 6, "First Abdication of Bonaparte, 1814," + and "Primrose Peerless (<i>Narcissus biflorus</i>) in + flower." The "Useful Remarks," though not a new feature in an + almanac, are profitable helps to social duties, especially + when drawn from such a source as Owen Feltham's + Resolves—a golden treasury of world-knowledge, which + may serve as a text-book for every family. Among the useful + facts we notice the following:—"By a parliamentary + return of the year 1828 we find that the stamp duty paid upon + the almanacs of England amounts to 30,136<i>l</i>. 3<i>s</i>. + 9<i>d</i>.—which, the duty being <i>fifteen-pence</i> + upon each almanac, exhibits a circulation of 451,593 + annually." + </p> + <center> + <i>Remarks on Weather.</i> + </center> + <p> + "The mean temperature of London is about 2° higher than + that of the surrounding country; the difference exists + chiefly in the night, and is greatest in winter and least in + summer." + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Howard is of opinion, from a careful comparison of a + long series of observations, that a wet spring is an + indication of a dry time for the ensuing harvest." + </p> + <p> + "The greatest depression of temperature in every month + happens, all other circumstances being the same, a short time + before sun-rise." + </p> + <p> + "There are only two months, namely, July and August, in + which, taking into consideration the power of radiation, + vegetation, in certain situations, is not exposed to a + temperature of 32°." + </p> + <p> + "The temperature of August is but little reduced, owing to + the prevalence of hot nights. The action of the sun's rays is + considerably assisted by the warm earth which radiates heat + into the air; while, in spring, it absorbs every day a + proportion of the heat which the sun produces." + </p> + <p> + "<i>October</i>—Now that the fruits of the earth are + laid in store, the increase of wet is attended by no + injurious effects, the remaining heat of the earth is + preserved from needless expenditure, and guarded from + dissipation, by an increasing canopy of clouds, by which the + effect of radiation is greatly reduced." + </p> + <p> + "The comparative warmth of November is owing to the heat + given out by the condensation of the vapour in the atmosphere + into rain." + </p> + <p> + "The mean temperature of the whole year is not found to vary, + in different years, more than four degrees and a half." + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Such as hold superstition sweet to the soul, and love to + exercise their ingenuity in hieroglyphics, the baseless + grounds of tea, and lucky dreams and omens, will find little + amusement in the British Almanac; but their absence is more + than supplied by information "which almost every man engaged + in the world requires." + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <p> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page347" name="page347"></a>[pg + 347]</span> + </p> + <h2> + THE SKETCH BOOK. + </h2> + <hr /> + <h3> + A VISION OF PURGATORY. + </h3> + <p> + <i>By William Maginn, Esq.</i> + </p> + <p> + The churchyard of Inistubber is as lonely a one as you would + wish to see on a summer's day, or avoid on a winter's night. + Under the east window of the church is a mouldering vault of + the De Lacys,—a branch of a family descended from one + of the conquerors of Ireland; and there they are buried, when + the allotted time calls them to the tomb. Sir Theodore De + Lacy had lived a jolly, thoughtless life, rising early for + the hunt, and retiring late from the bottle. A good-humoured + bachelor who took no care about the management of his + household, provided that the hounds were in order for his + going out, and the table ready on his coming in. As for the + rest,—an easy landlord, a quiet master, a lenient + magistrate (except to poachers,) and a very excellent foreman + of a grand jury. He died one evening while laughing at a + story which he had heard regularly thrice a week for the last + fifteen years of his life, and his spirit mingled with the + claret. In former times when the De Lacys were buried, there + was a grand breakfast, and all the party rode over to the + church to see the last rites paid. The keeners lamented; the + country people had a wake before the funeral, and a dinner + after it—and there was an end. But with the march of + mind comes trouble and vexation. A man has now-a-days no + certainty of quietness in his coffin—unless it be a + patent one. He is laid down in the grave, and the next + morning finds himself called upon to demonstrate an + interesting fact! No one, I believe, admires this ceremony, + and it is not to be wondered at that Sir Theodore De Lacy + held it in especial horror. "I'd like," said he one evening, + "to catch one of the thieves coming after me when I'm + dead—By the God of War, I'd break every bone in his + body;—but," he added with a sigh, "as I suppose I'll + not be able to take my own part then, upon you I leave it, + Larry Sweeney, to watch me three days and three nights after + they plant me under the sod. There's Doctor Dickenson there, + I see the fellow looking at me—fill your glass, + Doctor—here's your health! and shoot him, Larry, do you + hear, shoot the Doctor like a cock, if he ever comes stirring + up my poor old bones from their roost of Inistubber." "Why, + then," Larry answered, accepting the glass which followed + this command, "long life to both your honours; and it's I + that would like to be putting a bullet into Doctor + Dickenson—heaven between him and harm—for hauling + your honour away, as if you was a horse's head, to a bonfire. + There's nothing, I 'shure you, gintlemin, poor as I am, that + would give me greater pleasure." "We feel obliged, Larry" + said Sir Theodore, "for your good wishes." "Is it I pull you + out of the grave, indeed!" continued the whipper-in, for such + he was, —"I'd let nobody pull your honour out of any + place, saving 'twas purgatory; and out of that I'd pull you + myself, if I saw you going <i>there</i>." "I am of opinion, + Larry," said Doctor Dickenson, "you would turn tail if you + saw Sir Theodore on that road. You might go further, and fare + worse, you know." "Turn tail!" replied Larry, "it is I that + wouldn't—I appale to St. Patrick himself over + beyond"—pointing to a picture of the Prime Saint of + Ireland, which hung in gilt daubery behind his master's + chair, right opposite to him. To Larry's horror and + astonishment, the picture fixing its eyes upon him, winked + with the most knowing air, as if acknowledging the appeal. + "What makes you turn so white then at the very thought," said + the doctor, interpreting the visible consternation of our + hero in his own way. "Nothing particular," answered Larry; + "but a wakeness has come strong over me, gintlemin, and if + you'd have no objection, I'd like to go into the air for a + bit." Leave was of course granted, and Larry retired amid the + laughter of the guests—but as he retreated, he could + not avoid casting a glance on the awful picture—and + again the Saint winked, with a most malicious smile. It was + impossible to endure the repeated infliction, and Larry + rushed down the stairs in an agony of fright and amazement. + "May be," thought he, "it might be my own eyes that wasn't + quite steady—or the flame of the candle. But + no—he winked at me as plain as ever I winked at Judy + Donaghue of a May morning. What he manes by it I can't + say—but there's no use of thinking about it—no, + nor of talking neither, for who' d believe me if I tould them + of it?" + </p> + <p> + The next evening Sir Theodore died, as has been mentioned; + and in due time thereafter was buried according to the custom + of the family, by torch-light, in the churchyard of + Inistubber. All was fitly performed; and although Dickenson + had no design upon the jovial knight—and if he had not, + there was nobody within fifteen miles that could be suspected + of such an outrage,—yet Larry Sweeney was determined to + make good his promise of watching his master. "I'd think + little of telling a lie to him, by the + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page348" name="page348"></a>[pg + 348]</span> way of no harm when he was alive," said he, + wiping his eyes, as soon as the last of the train had + departed, leaving him with a single companion in the lonely + cemetery; "but now that he's dead—God rest his + soul!—I'd scorn it. So Jack Kinaley, as behoves my + first cousin's son, stay you with me here this blessed night, + for betune (between) you and I, it an't lucky to stay by + one's self in this ruinated old rookery, where ghosts, God + help us, is as thick as bottles in Sir Theodore's cellar!" + "Never you mind that, Larry," said Kinaley, a discharged + soldier, who had been through all the campaigns of the + Peninsula; "never mind, I say, such botherations. Han't I + lain in bivouack on the field at Salamanca, and Tallawara, + and the Pyrumnees, and many another place beside, where there + was dead corpses lying about in piles, and there was no more + ghosts than kneebuckles in a ridgemint of Highlanders. Here, + let me prime them pieces, and hand us over the bottle; we'll + stay snug under this east window, for the wind's coming down + the hill, and I defy"—"None of that bould talk, Jack," + said his cousin; "as for what ye saw in foreign parts, of + dead men killed afighting, sure that's nothing to the + dead—God rest 'em!—that's here. There you see, + they had company one with the other, and being killed + fresh-like that morning, had no heart to stir; but here, + faith! 'tis a horse of another colour." "May be it is," said + Jack, "but the night's coming on; so I'll turn in. Wake me if + you sees any thing; and after I've got my two hours' rest, + I'll relieve you." + </p> + <p> + With these words the soldier turned on his side, under + shelter of a grave, and as his libations had been rather + copious during the day, it was not long before he gave + audible testimony that the dread of supernatural visitants + had had no effect in disturbing the even current of his + fancy. Although Larry had not opposed the proposition of his + kinsman, yet he felt by no means at ease. He put in practice + all the usually recommended nostrums for keeping away + unpleasant thoughts:—all would not do. "If it was a + common, dacent, quite (quiet,) well-behaved churchyard + a'self," thought Larry, half-aloud—"but when 'tis a + place like this forsaken ould berrin'-ground, which is noted + for villiany"—"For what, Larry?" said a gentleman, + stepping out of a niche which contained the only statue time + had spared. It was the figure of Saint Colman, to whom the + church was dedicated. Larry had been looking at the figure, + as it shone forth in ebon and ivory in the light and shadow + of the now high-careering moon, "For what, Larry," said the + gentleman,—"for what do you say the churchyard is + noted?" "For nothing at all, plase your honour," replied + Larry, "except the height of gentility." The stranger was + about four feet high, dressed in what might be called flowing + garments,—if, in spite of their form, their rigidity + did not deprive them of all claim to such an appellation. He + wore an antique mitre upon his head; his hands were folded + upon his breast; and over his right shoulder rested a + pastoral crook. There was a solemn expression in his + countenance, and his eye might truly be called stony. His + beard could not be well said to wave upon his bosom; but it + lay upon it in ample profusion, stiffer than that of a Jew on + a frosty morning after mist. In short, as Larry soon + discovered to his horror, on looking up at the niche, it was + no other than Saint Colman himself, who had stept forth, + indignant (in all probability) at the stigma cast by the + watcher of the dead on the churchyard of which his Saintship + was patron. He smiled with a grisly solemnity—just such + a smile as you might imagine would play round the lips of a + milestone (if it had any,) at the recantation so quickly + volunteered by Larry. "Well," said he, "Lawrence + Sweeney"—"How well the old rogue," thought Larry, + "knows my name!" "Since you profess yourself such an admirer + of the merits of the churchyard of Inistubber, get up and + follow me, till I show you the civilities of the + place—for I am master here, and must do the honours." + "Willingly would I go with your worship," replied our friend; + "but you see here I am engaged to Sir Theodore, who, though a + good master, was a mighty passionate man when every thing was + not done as he ordered it; and I am feared to stir." "Sir + Theodore," said the Saint, "will not blame you for following + me. I assure you he will not." "But then," said + Larry—"Follow me!" cried the Saint, in a hollow voice, + and casting upon him his stony eye, drew poor Larry after + him, as the bridal guest was drawn by the lapidary glance of + the Ancient Mariner; or, as Larry himself afterwards + expressed it, "as a jaw tooth is wrinched out of an ould + woman with a pair of pinchers." The Saint strode before him + in silence, not in the least incommoded by the stones and + rubbish, which at every step sadly contributed to the + discomfiture of Larry's shins, who followed his marble + conductor into a low vault, situated at the west end of the + church. The path lay through coffins piled up on each side of + the way in various <span class="pagenum"><a id="page349" + name="page349"></a>[pg 349]</span> degrees of decomposition; + and, excepting that the solid footsteps of the saintly guide, + as they smote heavily on the floor of stone, broke the deadly + silence, all was still. Stumbling and staggering along, + directed only by the casual glimpses of light afforded by the + moon, where it broke through the dilapidated roof of the + vault, and served to discover only sights of woe, Larry + followed. He soon felt that he was descending, and could not + help wondering at the length of the journey. He began to + entertain the most unpleasant suspicions as to the character + of his conductor;—but what could he do? Flight was out + of the question, and to think of resistance was absurd. + "Needs must, they say," thought he to himself, "when the + devil drives. I see it's much the same when a saint, leads." + </p> + <p> + At last the dolorous march had an end; and not a little to + Larry's amazement, he found that his guide had brought him to + the gate of a lofty hall, before which a silver lamp, filled + with naphtha, "yielded light as from a sky."—From + within loud sounds of merriment were ringing; and it was + evident, from the jocular harmony and the tinkling of + glasses, that some subterraneous catch-club were not idly + employed over the bottle. "Who's there?" said a porter, + roughly responding to the knock of Saint Colman. "Be so + good," said the Saint, mildly, "my very good fellow, as to + open the door without further questions, or I'll break your + head. I'm bringing a gentleman here on a visit, whose + business is pressing." "May be so," thought Larry, "but what + that business may be, is more than I can tell." The porter + sulkily complied with the order, after having apparently + communicated the intelligence that a stranger was at hand; + for a deep silence immediately followed the tipsy clamour; + and Larry, sticking close to his guide, whom he now looked + upon almost as a friend, when compared with these underground + revellers to whom he was about to be introduced, followed him + through a spacious vestibule, which gradually sloped into a + low-arched room, where the company was assembled. And a + strange-looking company it was. Seated round a long table + were three-and-twenty grave and venerable personages, + bearded, mitred, stoled, and croziered,—all living + statues of stone, like the Saint who had walked out of his + niche. On the drapery before them were figured the images of + the sun, moon, and stars—the inexplicable + bear—the mystic temple, built by the hand of + Hiram—and other symbols, of which the uninitiated knew + nothing. The square, the line, the trowel, were not wanting, + and the hammer was lying in front of the chair. Labour, + however, was over, and the time for refreshment having + arrived, each of the stony brotherhood had a flagon before + him; and when we mention that the Saints were Irish, and that + St. Patrick in person was in the chair, it is not to be + wondered at that the mitres, in some instances, hung rather + loosely on the side of the heads of some of the canonized + compotators. Among the company were found St. Senanus of + Limerick, St. Declan of Ardmore, St. Canice of Kilkenny, St. + Finbar of Cork, St. Michan of Dublin, St. Brandon of Kerry, + St. Fachnan of Ross, and others of that holy brotherhood; a + vacant place, which completed the four-and-twentieth, was + left for St. Colman, who, as every body knows, is of Cloyne; + and he, having taken his seat, addressed the president, to + inform him that he had brought the man. The man (viz. Larry + himself) was awestruck with the company in which he so + unexpectedly found himself; and trembled all over when, on + the notice of his guide, the eight-and-forty eyes of stone + were turned directly upon himself. "You have just nicked the + night to a shaving, Larry," said St. Patrick: "this is our + chapter-night, and myself and brethren are here 'assembled on + merry occasion.'—You know who I am?" "God bless your + reverence," said Larry, "it's I that do well. Often did I see + your picture hanging over the door of places where it + is"—lowering his voice—"pleasanter to be than + here, buried under an ould church." "You may as well say it + out, Larry," said St. Patrick; "and don't think I'm going to + be angry with you about it; for I was once flesh and blood + myself. But you remember, the other night, saying that you + would think nothing of pulling your master out of purgatory, + if you could get at him there, and appealing to me to stand + by your words. + </p> + <p> + "Y-e-e-s," said Larry, most mournfully; for he recollected + the significant look he had received from the picture. "And," + continued St. Patrick, "you remember also that I gave you a + wink, which you know is as good, any day, as a nod—at + least, to a blind horse." "I'm sure, your reverence," said + Larry, with a beating heart, "is too much of a gintleman to + hould a poor man hard to every word he may say of an evening, + and therefore"—"I was thinking so," said the saint, "I + guessed you'd prove a poltroon when put to the push. What do + you think, my brethren, I should do to this fellow?" A hollow + sound burst from the bosoms of the unanimous assembly. + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page350" name="page350"></a>[pg + 350]</span> The verdict was short and decisive:—"Knock + out his brains!" And in order to suit the action to the word, + the whole four-and-twenty arose at once, and with their + immovable eyes fixed firmly on the face of our hero—who + horror struck with the sight as he was, could not close + his—they began to glide slowly but regularly towards + him, bending their line into the form of a crescent, so as to + environ him on all sides. In vain he fled to the door; its + massive folds resisted mortal might. In vain he cast his eyes + around in quest of a loophole of retreat—there was + none. Closer and closer pressed on the slowly-moving phalanx, + and the uplifted croziers threatened soon to put their + sentence into execution. Supplication was all that + remained—and Larry sunk upon his knees. "Ah! then," + said he, "gintlemin and ancient ould saints as you are, don't + kill the father of a large small family, who never did hurt + to you or yours. Sure, if 'tis your will that I should go + to—no matter who, for there's no use in naming his + name—might I not as well make up my mind to go there, + alive and well, stout and hearty, and able to face + him,—as with my head knocked into bits, as if I had + been after a fair or a patthern?" "You say right," said St. + Patrick, checking with a motion of his crozier the advancing + assailants, who returned to their seats. "I am glad to see + you coming to reason. Prepare for your journey." "And how, + plase your Saintship, am I to go?" asked Larry. "Why," said + St. Patrick, "as Colman here has guided you so far, he may + guide you further. But as the journey is into foreign parts, + where you arn't likely to be known, you had better take this + letter of introduction, which may be of use to you." "And + here, also, Lawrence," said a Dublin Saint—perhaps + Michan—"take you this box also, and make use of it as + he to whom you speak shall suggest." "Take a hold, and a firm + one," said St. Colman, "Lawrence, of my cassock, and we' ll + start." "All right behind?" cried St. Patrick. "All right!" + was the reply. In an + instant!—vault—table—saints—bell—church, + faded into air; a rustling hiss of wings was all that was + heard; and Larry felt his cheek swept by a current, as if a + covey of birds of enormous size were passing him. (It was, in + all probability, the flight of the saints returning to + heaven, but on that point nothing certain has reached us up + to the present time of writing.) He had not a long time to + wonder at the phenomenon, for he himself soon began to soar, + dangling in mid sky at the skirt of the cassock of his + sainted guide. Earth, and all that appertains thereto, + speedily passed from his eyes, and they were alone in the + midst of circumfused ether, glowing with a sunless light. + Above, in immense distance, was fixed the firmament, fastened + up with bright stars, fencing around the world with its azure + wall. They fled far, before any distinguishable object met + their eyes. At length a long, white streak, shining like + silver in the moonbeam, was visible to their sight. "That," + said St. Colman, "is the Limbo which adjoins the earth, and + is the highway for ghosts departing the world. It is called + in Milton, a book which I suppose, Larry, you never have + read"—"And how could I, plase your worship," said + Larry, "seein' I don't know a B from a bull's foot!" "Well, + it is called in Milton the Paradise of Fools: and if it were + indeed peopled by all of that tribe who leave the world, it + would contain the best company that ever figured on the + earth. To the north, you see a bright speck?" "I do." "That + marks the upward path,—narrow and hard to find. To the + south you may see a darksome road—broad, smooth, and + easy of descent; that is the lower way. It is thronged with + the great ones of the world; you may see their figures in the + gloom. Those who are soaring upwards are wrapt in the flood + of light flowing perpetually from that single spot, and you + cannot see them. The silver path on which we enter is the + Limbo. Here I part with you. You are to give your letter to + the first person you meet. Do your best;—be courageous, + but observe particularly that you profane no holy name, or I + will not answer for the consequences." + </p> + <p> + His guide had scarcely vanished, when Larry heard the + tinkling of a bell in the distance, and turning his eyes in + the quarter whence it proceeded, he saw a grave-looking man + in black, with eyes of fire, driving before him a flock of + ghosts with a switch, as you see turkeys driven on the + western road, at the approach of Christmas. They were on the + highway to Purgatory. The ghosts were shivering in the thin + air, which pinched them severely, now that they had lost the + covering of their bodies. Among the group, Larry recognised + his old master, by the same means that Ulysses, Aeneas, and + others, recognised the bodiless forms of their friends in the + regions of Acheron. "What brings a living person," said the + man in black, "on this pathway? I shall make legal capture of + you, Larry Sweeney, for trespassing. You have no business + here." "I have come," said Larry, plucking up courage, "to + bring <span class="pagenum"><a id="page351" + name="page351"></a>[pg 351]</span> your honour's glory a + letter from a company of gintlemin with whom I had the + pleasure of spending the evening, underneath the ould church + of Inistubber." "A letter," said the man in black, "where is + it?" "Here, my lord," said Larry. "Ho!" cried the black + gentleman, on opening it, "I know the handwriting. It won't + do, however, my lad,—I see they want to throw dust in + my eyes." "Whew," thought Larry, "that's the very thing. 'Tis + for that the ould Dublin boy gave me the box. I'd lay a + tinpenny to a brass farthing that it's filled with Lundy + Foot." Opening the box, therefore, he flung its contents + right into the fiery eyes of the man in black, while he was + still occupied with reading the letter,—and the + experiment was successful. + "Curses—tche-tche-tche,— Curses on it," exclaimed + he, clapping his hand before his eyes, and sneezing most + lustily.—"Run, you villians, run," cried Larry, to the + ghosts—"run, you villians, now that his eyes are off of + you—O master, master! Sir Theodore, jewel! run to the + right-hand side, make for the bright speck, and God give you + luck." + </p> + <p> + He had forgotten his injunction. The moment the word was + uttered he felt the silvery ground sliding from under him; + and with the swiftness of thought he found himself on the + flat of his back, under the very niche of the old church wall + whence he had started, dizzy and confused with a measureless + tumble. The emancipated ghosts floated in all directions, + emitting their shrill and stridulous cries in the gleaming + expanse. Some were again gathered by their old conductor; + some scudding about at random, took the right hand path, + others the left. Into which of them Sir Theodore struck, is + not recorded; but as he had heard the direction, let us hope + that he made the proper choice. Larry had not much time given + him to recover from his fall, for almost in an instant he + heard an angry snorting rapidly approaching, and looking up, + whom should he see but the gentleman in black, with eyes + gleaming more furiously than ever, and his horns (for, in his + haste, he had let his hat fall) relieved in strong shadow + against the moon. Up started Larry—away ran his pursuer + after him. The safest refuge was, of course, the + church,—thither ran our hero—and after + him—fiercer than the shark, swifter than the + hounds—fled the black gentleman. The church is cleared; + the chancel entered; and the hot breath of his pursuer glows + upon the outstretched neck of Larry. Escape is + impossible—the extended talons of the fiend have + clutched him by the hair. "You are mine," cried the + demon,—"if I have lost any of my flock, I have at last + got you." "Oh, St. Patrick!" exclaimed our hero, in horror, + —"Oh, St. Patrick have mercy upon me, and save me!" "I + tell you what, cousin Larry," said Kinaley, chucking him up + from behind a gravestone, where he had fallen—"all the + St. Patricks that ever were born would not have saved you + from ould Tom Picton, if he caught you sleeping on your post + as I've caught you now. By the word of an ould soldier, he'd + have had the provost-marshal upon you, and I'd not give + two-pence for the loan of your life. And then, too, I see you + have drunk every drop in the bottle. What can you say for + yourself?" "Nothing at all," said Larry, scratching his + head,—"but it was an unlucky dream, and I'm glad it's + over."—<i>Literary Souvenir.</i> + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + Ancient Roman Festivals. + </h3> + <center> + NOVEMBER. + </center> + <p> + (<i>For the Mirror</i>.) + </p> + <p> + The <i>Epulum Jovis</i> was a sumptuous feast offered to + Jupiter on the 13th of November. The gods were formally + invited, and attended; for the statues were brought in rich + beds, furnished with soft pillows, called <i>pulvinaria</i>. + Thus accommodated, their godships were placed on their + couches at the most honourable part of the table, and served + with the rich dainties, as if they were able to eat; but the + <i>epulones</i>, or ministers, who had the care and + management of the feast, performed that function for them, + and no doubt did the part of <i>gastronomic proxies</i> with + <i>eclat</i>. + </p> + <p> + The <i>Brumalia</i> was a feast of Bacchus, celebrated among + the Romans during the space of thirty days, commencing on the + 24th of November. It was instituted by Romulus, who used, + during this time, to entertain the senate. During this feast + indications were taken of the felicity of the remaining part + of the winter. + </p> + <p> + P.T.W. + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2> + The Gatherer. + </h2> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." + </p> + <p> + SHAKSPEARE. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <hr /> + <h3> + INNOCENT CONFESSION. + </h3> + <p> + A Lady at confession, amongst other heinous crimes, accused + herself of using rouge. "What is the use of it?" asked the + confessor. "I do it to make myself handsomer."—"And + does it produce that effect?" "At least I think so, + father."—The confessor on this took his + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page352" name="page352"></a>[pg + 352]</span> penitent out of the confessional, and having + looked at her attentively in the light, said, "Well, madam, + you may use rouge, for you are ugly enough even with it." + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + MERCHANT TAILORS. + </h3> + <p> + A Clergyman hearing a remark made on the humility of the + Merchant Tailors' motto, "<i>Concordiâ parvae res + crescunt</i>" replied, "Yes, that is to say, nine tailors + make a man." + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + RABELAIS. + </h3> + <center> + A JEU D'ESPRIT. + </center> + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + In France they say + </p> + <p> + Lived RABELAIS, + </p> + <p> + A witty wight, and a right merry fellow. + </p> + <p> + Who in good company was sometimes mellow: + </p> + <p class="i2"> + And, + </p> + <p> + Although he was a priest, + </p> + <p> + Thought it no sacramental sin—to feast. + </p> + <p> + I can't say much for his morality: + </p> + <p> + But for his immortality, + </p> + <p class="i2"> + Good luck! + </p> + <p> + Why he's bound in calf, and squeezed in boards, + </p> + <p> + And scarcely a good library's shelf + </p> + <p> + But boasts acquaintance with the elf. + </p> + <p> + But now I'll tell you what I should have told before, + </p> + <p> + A grievous illness brought him nigh <i>Death's</i> door. + </p> + <p> + Who, bony wight, + </p> + <p> + Enjoyed the sight— + </p> + <p> + And grinn'd as he thought of the fun there'd be + </p> + <p> + When the jester had joined his company. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Rab's friends, good folk! + </p> + <p> + Thought it no joke + </p> + <p> + To the poor joker; they therefore sent around + </p> + <p> + For all the Esculapians to be found; + </p> + <p> + And in a trice + </p> + <p> + (For doctors always haste to give advice— + </p> + <p> + Mind—don't mistake—I mean when there's a fee) + </p> + <p> + They mustered two—to which add three. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Now about the bed + </p> + <p> + Is seen each learned head. + </p> + <p> + The patient's pulse is felt—with graver air + </p> + <p> + Each M.D. seats him in a chair. + </p> + <p> + Crosses his legs—leans on his stick, + mums—hahs—and hums + </p> + <p> + Pulls out his watch—takes snuff—and twirls + his thumbs. + </p> + <p class="i2"> + At length, + </p> + <p> + The awful stillness broke— + </p> + <p class="i2"> + As if from silence gathering strength + </p> + <p> + Most lustily they all did croak, + </p> + <p> + Their opinions mingling, + </p> + <p> + In discordant jingling— + </p> + <p> + "A purge"—"a blister"—"shave his head" + </p> + <p> + "Senna and salts"—"a clyster"—"have him + bled," + </p> + <p> + "A pill at noon"—"another pill at night," + </p> + <p> + "A warm-bath, sure, would set him right." + </p> + <p> + Thus with purges and blisters, + </p> + <p> + Pills, bleeding, and clysters, + </p> + <p> + The poor patient they threatened + </p> + <p> + Should be deluged and sweatened. + </p> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <p> + Unable to endure the riot, + </p> + <p> + And wishing for a little quiet, + </p> + <p> + The sickman raised his head, + </p> + <p> + And said— + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, I do beseech ye, cease your pother, + </p> + <p> + Nor any more with me your wise heads bother, + </p> + <p> + Scratching your wigs, + </p> + <p> + Like sapient pigs; + </p> + <p> + Whate'er you may decide is my disease, + </p> + <p> + I humbly do conceive a little ease + </p> + <p> + From your infernal noise and chatter. + </p> + <p> + With which I'm dunn'd + </p> + <p> + And nearly stunn'd, + </p> + <p> + Would greatly tend to mend the matter; + </p> + <p> + And if, perforce, I must resign my breath, + </p> + <p> + For heav'n's sake let me <i>die</i> a NATURAL + <i>death</i>. + </p> + </div> + </div> + <p> + P.M. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + AN AGITATOR. + </h3> + <p> + M. Monchenut, an old man of eighty, afflicted with the palsy, + was arrested during the reign of terror, under suspicion of + being an agitator. Being asked what he had to say to the + accusation, "Alas, gentlemen, it is very true, I am agitated + enough, God knows, for I have not been able to keep a limb + still for these fifteen years." + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + CHINESE POLITENESS. + </h3> + <p> + There is one striking particular in which the Chinese + politeness is quite the reverse of ours. To take off their + caps when they salute one another, or even accidentally to + appear uncovered, is esteemed the height of ill breeding and + indecency. + </p> + <p> + HALBERT H. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + PURCHASERS of the MIRROR, who may wish to complete their sets + are informed, that every volume is complete in itself, and + may be purchased separately. The whole of the numbers are now + in print, and can be procured by giving an order to any + Bookseller or Newsvender. + </p> + <p> + Complete sets Vol. I. to XI. in boards, price £2. + l9<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>. half bound, £3. l7<i>s</i>. + </p> + <hr /> + <h3> + LIMBIRD'S EDITIONS. + </h3> + <center> + CHEAP and POPULAR WORKS published at the MIRROR OFFICE in the + Strand, near Somerset House. + </center> + <p> + The ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS, Embellished with nearly + 150 Engravings. Price 6s. 6d. boards. + </p> + <p> + The TALES of the GENII. Price 2s. + </p> + <p> + The MICROCOSM. By the Right Hon. G. CANNING. &c. Price + 2s. + </p> + <p> + PLUTARCH'S LIVES, with Fifty Portraits, 2 vols. price l3s. + boards. + </p> + <p> + COWPER'S POEMS, with 12 Engravings, price 3s. 6d boards. + </p> + <p> + COOK'S VOYAGES, 2 vols. price 8s. boards. + </p> + <p> + The CABINET of CURIOSITIES: or, WONDERS of the WORLD + DISPLAYED Price 5s. boards. + </p> + <p> + BEAUTIES of SCOTT, 2 vols. price 7s. boards. + </p> + <p> + The ARCANA of SCIENCE for 1828. Price 4s. 6d. + </p> + <p> + Any of the above Works can be purchased in Parts. + </p> + <p> + GOLDSMITH'S ESSAYS. Price 8d. + </p> + <p> + DR. FRANKLIN'S ESSAYS. Price 1s. 2d. + </p> + <p> + BACON'S ESSAYS Price 8d. + </p> + <p> + SALMAGUNDI. Price 1s. 8d. + </p> + <hr class="full" /> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>: + <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + <p> + The portion of this temple which is still standing in the + Campo Vaccino, and which consists of three marble columns, + with a fragment of entablature, is universally acknowledged + to be the finest specimen, not only of the architecture of + the Augustan age, but of the Corinthian order, not merely + in Rome, but throughout the whole ancient world. Whether + contemplated in the original, or through the medium of + drawings, it inspires unequivocal admiration as a perfect + model of the florid style: and from the inferences + deducible from the dimensions and relative position of the + three columns and their entablature, it is clear that the + elegance and propriety of their arrangement, as members of + an entire edifice, were equal to the grace of the + proportions of the still existing parts, and to the beauty, + however exquisite, of their enrichments. + </p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>: + <a href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + <p> + One of the most characteristic buildings recently erected + in the metropolis, was the ill-fated <i>Brunswick + Theatre</i>, the propriety of whose facade was universally + acknowledged. + </p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="full" /> + <p> + <i>Printed and Published by J. LAMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near + Somerset House.) London; sold by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New + Market, Leipsic; and by all Newsmen and Booksellers.</i> + </p> + <hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 12, ISSUE 342, NOVEMBER 22, 1828***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 11405-h.txt or 11405-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/4/0/11405">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/4/0/11405</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/11405-h/images/342-1.png b/old/11405-h/images/342-1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0a7b91d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11405-h/images/342-1.png diff --git a/old/11405.txt b/old/11405.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..32c9716 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11405.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1955 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction, Vol. 12, Issue 342, November 22, 1828, by Various + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 12, +Issue 342, November 22, 1828 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: March 2, 2004 [eBook #11405] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, +AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 12, ISSUE 342, NOVEMBER 22, 1828*** + + +E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Allen Siddle, David Garcia, and the +Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 11405-h.htm or 11405-h.zip: + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/4/0/11405/11405-h/11405-h.htm) + or + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/1/4/0/11405/11405-h.zip) + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 12, NO. 342.] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1828. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + +[Illustration: COUNCIL OFFICE, &c. WHITEHALL. ] + + +COUNCIL OFFICE, &c. WHITEHALL. + + +From the Druids' Temple, at Abury, (our last engraving,) to the Council +Office, at Whitehall, is a long stride in the march of time. From "grave +to gay, and lively to severe," is nothing to it; but variety is the +public dictum; and with more sincerity than the courtier in _Tom Thumb_, +we say to the public, + + + "Whate'er your majesty shall please to name, + Long cut or short cut, to us' tis all the same." + + +On the annexed page is represented the new splendid range of buildings, +including the _Council Office_, _Board of Trade_, &c. at +Whitehall. The architect, Mr. Soane, has adapted the facade from the +Temple of Jupiter Stator, at Rome.[1] + +But Mr. Soane's adaptation has been only partial, and he has adhered +merely to the details of the columns and entablature. "The facade," it is +well observed in an early Number of the _Athenaeum_, "enjoys one of +the most favourable sites for the display of a public building which the +metropolis affords; no limit has been set to the expense; the finest +materials the country yields have been used in its construction; the +richest example of the richest order which antiquity has left us, has +been lavishly employed in its decoration; and yet," continues the critic, +"is not the whole a failure?" He then describes the effect of it as "poor, +or at best but pretty," and attributes the absence of grandeur to the +"want of sufficient elevation."--"To the general elevation it may be +objected, that it has no prominent centre; that, composed of two wings +and an intermediate space receding, it has more the character of a flank +than a front building; and that the want of a central entrance derogates +greatly from its dignity as a principal facade." + +But we are mere amateurs in these matters, and it will be as well to +leave the remainder of this criticism to the more studious reader. We +have, however, glanced at the principal defects which the writer in the +_Athenaeum_ points out, and we are bound to admit the justice of his +remarks. The details which produce this effect would not be so generally +interesting. "The order itself," says he, "it must be admitted, is well +copied, and excellently executed;" but Mr. Soane's application of it is +loudly censured--a Roman temple being inappropriate for a British Council +Office. Perhaps our critic would have preferred a facade like that of the +Palais de Justice at Paris,--a platform, ascended by an immense flight of +steps, which serves as a basement for a projecting body of four Doric +columns; with four large pedestals in front, and statues of _Strength_, +_Plenty_, _Justice_, and _Prudence_, as the cardinal virtues of English +legislation and trade. + +Upon the whole, we cannot help thinking some of the details of this new +range extremely rich and pleasing, although we assent to the above +character of their general effect. The columns, of fluted Corinthian, and +the cornice of the order, are to us very beautiful; but the upper windows +are unsightly, or, as a wag would say, purely attic; and the entrances +are too strictly _official_ for the architecture of the building. +This brings us again to the inappropriateness of the adaptation, which +made these introductions unavoidable.[2] + +The front of the building is not completed, the northern wing having yet +to be erected. When this is finished, the effect may be materially +assisted. + +While we are in this quarter, and lest "we may never come again," it may +be as well to thank our correspondent, "An Architect," for his letter on +"Whitehall," a very small portion of which has ever been completed. What +has been finished--the Banqueting House--is one of the triumphs of Inigo +Jones, but like all human works, is sadly dilapidated; although this is +attributable to the bad material, rather than to the interval since its +erection. The _whole_ was, indeed, a magnificent design. + + [1] The portion of this temple which is still standing in the Campo + Vaccino, and which consists of three marble columns, with a + fragment of entablature, is universally acknowledged to be the + finest specimen, not only of the architecture of the Augustan + age, but of the Corinthian order, not merely in Rome, but + throughout the whole ancient world. Whether contemplated in the + original, or through the medium of drawings, it inspires + unequivocal admiration as a perfect model of the florid style: + and from the inferences deducible from the dimensions and + relative position of the three columns and their entablature, + it is clear that the elegance and propriety of their arrangement, + as members of an entire edifice, were equal to the grace of the + proportions of the still existing parts, and to the beauty, + however exquisite, of their enrichments. + + [2] One of the most characteristic buildings recently erected in + the metropolis, was the ill-fated _Brunswick Theatre_, the + propriety of whose facade was universally acknowledged. + + * * * * * + + +CROMLECH. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + + +In No. 328 of the MIRROR, you mistake in spelling _cromlech_; the +last syllable is always written _lech_, not _leh_; neither is +it derived from _crom_ and _leac_, the Irish, but from _crom_ and _llech_, +the Celtic, of which the Irish is the most corrupted, and the present +Welsh the most pure dialect. _Llech_ signifies a stone in Welsh, and is +pronounced in a way peculiar to the Welsh; when simple it is _llech_, +when compounded _lech_. + +RUPERT C. + + * * * * * + + +GARDEN OF HYACINTHS + +IN THE SERAGLIO, CONSTANTINOPLE. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +In this garden the sultan passes most of his leisure hours, free from the +outward parade attendant on his rank. It is small, but tastefully +disposed in oblong beds, edged with fine porcelain; no plant is allowed +to grow in it except the hyacinth; whence the name of the garden and the +apartment it contains. Nothing can be more beautiful than the interior; +three sides are formed by a divan, the cushions and pillows of which were +of black satin, exquisitely embroidered. The floor was covered with +Gobelin tapestry, and the ceiling magnificently gilded and burnished. +Opposite the windows of the chamber was a fire-place, in the European +manner; and on each side a door, covered with hangings of crimson cloth. +Between each of these doors appeared a glass-case, containing the sultan's +private library; every volume was in manuscript, with the name written +on the edges of the leaves. Opposite the doors and fire-place hung three +gold cages, containing artificial birds, which sang by mechanism. On one +side was a raised bench, on which was placed an embroidered towel, a +splendid vase, and basin for washing the hands and beard; upon the wall +over it was suspended an embroidered portfolio, worked with silver on +yellow leather, to contain the petitions presented to the sultan when he +goes in procession to the mosque. Close to the door was placed a pair of +yellow boots and slippers, which are always at the entrance of every +apartment frequented by the sultan. Groups of arms, such as pistols, +sabres, and poniards, were displayed with great taste and effect on the +compartments of the walls; the handles were covered with diamonds and +jewels of large size, which, as they glittered around, gave an almost +dazzling brilliancy to this sumptuous chamber, thus characterizing the +amusements of the man when divested of the ceremony and formality of the +sultan. + +INA. + + * * * * * + + + +NEEDLE-WORK ALTAR-PIECE. + +_(For the Mirror.)_ + + +The town of Welwyn, Hertfordshire, was the last place of residence of Dr. +Young, author of "Night Thoughts," where he was rector. His pious lady +employed her leisure hours with her needle, in the completion of a most +elegant altar-piece, which now embellishes the sacramental table in the +church; and, through the care of the parish clerk, this specimen of the +indefatigable mind of Mrs. Young has been surprisingly preserved. The +words down the centre, + + + I AM + THE BREAD + OF + LIFE, + + +have the appearance of being the production of a most masterly pencil; +and the word "life" is in as fine a state of preservation as on the day +when it was first presented by the benevolent artist; every tint, +including the light and shade which surround the word, having withstood +the ravages of time, and been ingeniously preserved by a kind of gauze +covering. + +W.G.C. + + * * * * * + + +LOCUSTS AND WILD HONEY. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +It has not been till lately that any of the travellers into Palestine +have told what was meant by the locusts mentioned by St. Matthew as part +of the food of John the Baptist. Dr. Clarke first related, that a tree +grows in the Holy Land, which is called the locust tree, and produces an +eatable fruit; but this fact was well known to many who had been in the +Mediterranean. The tree grows in several of the countries which border +that sea. It has been found in much greater abundance in some parts of +the East Indies, whence it has now become an article of export. Many +thousands of its pods are annually imported by the East India Company; +and, either because the fruit is richer in more southern climates, or for +some other reason, a great quantity of them are shipped for Venice and +Trieste, where there is distilled from them a liquor, which is supposed +to be an antidote to the plague, or at least useful in curing it. These +pods are about twenty inches long, and from half to three-quarters of an +inch in diameter. We call them pods for want of a term which would more +accurately describe them; but they are not flat, neither have they that +sort of hinge on one side, and slight fastening on the other, which +plainly show how the shells of peas and beans are to be opened. On the +contrary, these are round; but there are two opposite lines along them, +where the colour alone would induce any one to suppose the skin to be, as +it is, thinner than elsewhere. Having the fruit before us only in a dry +state, we can describe it in no other; but at present a knife could +scarcely be made to penetrate the thicker part, and does not very easily +make its way into the thinner. The fruit, which lies in little cells +within, is a pulp, or paste, somewhat like that of tamarinds, but +smoother, and not so sweet. There are pips in it nearly as hard, and +about half as large, as those of a tamarind, containing a kernel in each. +It should be added, that in the stems of this locust tree wild bees still +deposit their honey. + +W.G.C. + + * * * * * + + + +FLOWERS. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + + +On reading the MIRROR, No. 337, my attention was attracted to one of your +many pleasant and amusing extracts from the "Public Journals," bearing +the title of "Flowers." Being myself a great admirer of that beautiful +and delightful part of creation, I was led to peruse the article with +somewhat increased attention. In all ages flowers have been regarded with +peculiar sympathy; they have been associated with the calm serenity of +virtue; they have been strewed around the altars of devotion; have been +made to accompany the lonely, unobtrusive works of merit; and hung around +the grave of faded and departed innocence, thus silently, but powerfully, +depicting virtue, the essence of felicity. Although I do not consider you +to be accountable for statements contained in the articles extracted from +other journals, still I presume you would not knowingly make your work +the vehicle of any matter which would lead your readers astray. I have, +therefore, ventured to call your attention to a particular part of the +above article, and to correct what I presume to be a misstatement. + +In the article alluded to, the writer states, "It has been said that +flowers placed in bed-rooms are not wholesome; that cannot," he remarks, +"be meant of such as are in a state of vegetation," &c. + +Now plants, it is well known, respire similarly to animals, through the +pores of their leaves. By the agency of the sun, during the day, a +quantity of pure gas, called oxygen, is given out; but on the contrary, +during the night, or absence of the sun, gas of a most noxious and +pernicious nature is emitted, and at the same time a portion of the pure +air (oxygen gas) is absorbed. The greater part of the atmosphere must +therefore be impregnated with this deleterious gas. Taking into +consideration the confined state of a bed-chamber, the great increase of +perspiration of the body, with the continual increase of carbonic gas +from respiration, and this in an apartment where every thing _ought_ +most sedulously to be avoided which in the least tends to deteriorate the +atmosphere, it must be evident the practice ought to be avoided, if we +are desirous of preserving health. + +Flowers in a state of vegetation are, I consider, more pernicious _at +night_, or during the absence of the sun, than those plucked and put +into water, provided they be not immersed too long a time; for +immediately the stem is severed from the plant, the vital action, if it +may be so termed, ceases, and decomposition commences; but till the +decomposition has been going on some time, nothing of a pernicious nature +need be apprehended. In like manner, directly the vital principle becomes +extinct in animals, decomposition ensues. For the space of five or six +days, however, no perceptible alteration of the fibres is visible; but +after that time a compound of gases begins to exhale from the body, +accompanied with a fetid odour, till the parts are entirely decomposed. + +The effluvium arising from the _farina_ and _petals_ is +considered unwholesome, however agreeable it may be to the senses, +whether the plant be in a state of vegetation or not, it being too +powerful for the olfactory nerve. + +S.S.T. + +Our pages are always open to the correction of our readers, and in +this instance we thank _S.S.T._ for the above, although we think he +has misconceived some portion of the article on "Flowers," the writer +adding to that passage quoted by our correspondent, "_provided fresh +air is frequently introduced_"; of course, he does not refer to the +_night-time_, although it would have been clearer, had he suggested the +removal of flowers from bed-rooms during the night.--ED. + + * * * * * + + +CIRCULAR TEMPLES. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +These structures are generally supposed to have been built with +astronomical allusions, especially the noble temple at _Stonehenge_. +Circular temples existed among the Israelites. In Exodus, c. xxiv. v. 4, +it is written that "Moses rose up early in the morning, and builded an +altar under the hill, and twelve pillars." Again in Joshua, iv. 9, Joshua +set up twelve stones; and it is well worthy of remark, that the twelve +pillars of Moses and Joshua correspond with the number of stones of the +inner circles at Abury. It is possible that these stones were plastered +over, and probably highly ornamented, as in Deuteronomy, xxvii. 2, we +read, "Thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaster them with +plaster;" and there is a large, upright stone in Ireland, which, +according to the legend of the country, was once covered over with gold. +On some of these pillars it is likewise probable that certain characters +were traced, as among the Israelites words of the law were written upon +similar obelisks or columns. + +The earliest temples in Greece were formed of obeliscal columns; and in +some parts of Africa the custom obtains to this day. Hence the pillars of +our present temples are the most ancient; and subsequent builders of holy +sanctuaries filled up the intercolumniations till the temples were +constructed as we now see their ruins in Athens and elsewhere. But many +of the early temples were round; and it is a curious fact, hitherto +unnoticed, I believe, that the altar end, the sanctum of our earliest +Saxon churches, is circular. + +JAMES SILVESTER. + + * * * * * + + +ST. OLAVE.--A MANX LEGEND. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +[Magnus, King of Norway, having committed sacrilege, by opening the grave +of St. Olave, he was commanded by the spirit of the offended saint to +perform the voluntary penance of quitting the kingdom in thirty days. He +obeyed this intimation, and immediately left Norway. Having conquered +many of the Western Isles, at length he established himself in the Isle +of Man. Afterwards attempting the reduction of Ireland, he was surrounded +by the natives and slain, with the whole of his followers.] + + + Olave, of rocky Norway's saints, the holiest and the best, + Entomb'd in tumulus, enjoys a calm and peerless rest; + By all of heav'ns votaries in saintly rank renown'd, + As high in blessedness, and chief in holy missal crown'd. + + The dead--in holy, stilly peace, the sacred dead repose, + Afar from earth's turmoil and grief, and all of sick'ning woes; + From racking pain, and withering pride, and avarice's care, + Secure they rest in solitude, unaw'd by sin or snare. + + To sack the gloomy sepulchre of lately living clay, + From cheerful day and life remov'd, by dreaded death away, + Is crime indeed of blackest hue, deserving exile's fate, + From native climes ordain'd to feel an outlaw's dreary state. + + Could Norway's priest-despising chief, deem sacrilege a crime + Fitting for absolution,--or dark penance of set time + That daring such all dreaded sin, he gazes on the grave, + And tramples o'er the hallow'd dust of canoniz'd Olave. + + Lone sepulchre in holy earth--sure wickedness so dire, + Of holy man, and sacred place, incenses heaven's ire; + Can less than ever banishment from Norway's ice bound land, + Stay sure revenge--pursuing fate--and justice' awful hand? + + Away he sails--the foaming seas as Corsair now he laves, + Dauntless--heroic--daring winds, and man-entombing waves, + To visit other lands afar,--to combat chiefs of fame; + In battle-field to spread around the dread of Norway's name. + + Lone Mona's sea-girt isle he dares with spear and flashing sword, + Usurping regal rule and right by power of pirate horde; + Yet vengeance drear, and dark desert of direst actions, crave + A bloody death, a justice clear, and dark usurper's grave. + + On Erin's lovely land he falls--awarded darksome doom, + When, ruffian-like, he dared profane the saintly Olave's tomb: + He leaves his conquests, kingdoms, crowns, and all of earthly state, + To sleep in loneliness, and fill his dark predicted fate. + + +_Kirk Michael, Isle of Man_. A B.C. + + * * * * * + + + + +THE ANECDOTE GALLERY. + + * * * * * + + +A LIVING ALCHEMIST. + +(_From Sir R. Phillips's Tour_.) + + +At Luton, Beds. Sir Richard hears of an ALCHEMIST, who lives at the +village of Lilley, midway between Luton and Hitchen. The whole of his +interview with this eccentric personage, will doubtless be interesting to +our readers. + +It was four miles out of my road, but I thought a modern alchemist worthy +of a visit, particularly as several inhabitants of Luton gravely assured +me, that he had succeeded in discovering the Philosopher's Stone, and +also the Universal Solvent. The reports about him would have rendered it +culpable not to have hazarded anything for a personal interview. I learnt +that he had been a man of fashion, and at one time largely concerned in +adventures on the turf, but that for many years he had devoted himself to +his present pursuits; while for some time past, he had been inaccessible +and invisible to the world, the house being shut and barricadoed, and the +walls of his grounds protected by hurdles, with spring-guns so planted as +to resist intrusion in every direction. Under these circumstances, I had +no encouragement to go to Lilley, but I thought that even the external +inspection of such premises would repay me for the trouble. At Lilley, +I inquired for his house of various people, and they looked ominous; some +smiled, others shook their heads, and all appeared surprised at the +approach of an apparent visiter to Mr. Kellerman. + +The appearance of the premises did not belie vulgar report. I could not +help shuddering at seeing the high walls of respectable premises, lined +at the top with double tiers of hurdles, and on driving my chaise to the +front of the house, I perceived the whole in a state of horrid +dilapidation. Contrary, however, to my expectation, I found a young man +who appeared to belong to the out-buildings, and he took charge of my +card for his master, and went to the back part of the house to deliver it. +The front windows on the ground-floor and upper stories were entirely +closed by inside shutters, much of the glass was broken, and the premises +appeared altogether as if deserted. I was pleased at the words, "My +master will be happy to see you," and in a minute the front door was +opened, and Mr. Kellerman presented himself.--I lament that I have not +the pencil of Hogarth, for a more original figure never was seen. He was +about six feet high, and of athletic make; on his head was a white +night-cap, and his dress consisted of a long great-coat once green, and +he had a sort of jockey waistcoat with three tiers of pockets. His manner +was extremely polite and graceful, but my attention was chiefly absorbed +by his singular physiognomy. His complexion was deeply sallow, and his +eyes large, black, and rolling. He conducted me into a very large parlour, +with a window looking backward, and having locked the door, and put the +key in his pocket, he desired me to be seated in one of two large arm +chairs covered with sheepskins. The room was a realization of the +well-known picture of Teniers' Alchemist. The floor was covered with +retorts, crucibles, alembics, jars, bottles in various shapes, +intermingled with old books piled upon each other, with a sufficient +quantity of dust and cobwebs. Different shelves were filled in the same +manner, and on one side stood his bed. In a corner somewhat shaded from +the light, I beheld two heads, white, with dark wigs on them; I +entertained no doubt therefore, that among other fancies he was engaged +in re-making the brazen speaking head of Roger Bacon and Albertus. Many +persons might have felt alarmed at the peculiarity of my situation, but +being accustomed to mingle with eccentric characters, and having no fear +from any pretensions of the black art, I was infinitely gratified by all +I saw. + +Having stated the reports which I had heard, relative to his wonderful +discoveries, I told him frankly that mine was a visit of curiosity, and +stated that if what I had heard was matter of fact, the researches of the +ancient chemists had been unjustly derided. He then gave me a history of +his studies, mentioned some men whom I had happened to know in London, +who he alleged had assured him that they had made gold. That having in +consequence examined the works of the ancient alchemists, and discovered +the key which they had studiously concealed from the multitude, he had +pursued their system under the influence of new lights; and after +suffering numerous disappointments, owing to the ambiguity with which +they described their processes, he had, at length, happily succeeded; had +made gold, and could make as much more as he pleased, even to the extent +of paying off the national debt in the coin of the realm. + +I yielded to the declaration, expressed my satisfaction at so +extraordinary a discovery, and asked him, to oblige me so far, as to show +me some of the precious metal which he had made. + +"Not so," said he; "I will show it to no one. I made Lord Liverpool the +offer, that if he would introduce me to the king, I would show it to his +majesty; but Lord Liverpool insolently declined, on the ground that there +was no precedent; and I am therefore determined, that the secret shall +die with me. It is true that, in order to avenge myself of such contempt, +I made a communication to the French ambassador, Prince Polignac, and +offered to go to France, and transfer to the French government, the +entire advantages of the discovery; but after deluding me, and shuffling +for some time, I found it necessary to treat him with the same contempt +as the others." + +I expressed my convictions in regard to the double dealing of men in +office. + +"O," said he, "as to that, every court in Europe well knows that I have +made the discovery, and they are all in confederacy against me; lest by +giving it to any one, I should make that country master of all the +rest--the world, Sir," he exclaimed with great emotion, "is in my hands +and my power." + +Satisfied with this announcement of the discovery of the philosopher's +stone, I now inquired about the sublime alkahest or universal solvent, +and whether he had succeeded in deciphering the enigmatical descriptions +of the ancient writers on that most curious topic. + +"Certainly," he replied, "I succeeded in that several years ago." + +"Then," I proceeded, "have you effected the other great desideratum, the +fixing of mercury?" + +"Than that process," said he, "there is nothing more easy; at the same +time it is proper I should inform you, that there are a class of +impostors, who mistaking the ancient writers, pretend it can be done by +heat; but I can assure you, it can only be effected by water." + +I then besought him to do me the favour, to show me some of his fixed +mercury, having once seen some which had been fixed by cold. + +This proposition, however, he declined, because he said he had refused +others. "That you may, however, be satisfied that I have made great +discoveries, here is a bottle of oil, which I have purified, and rendered +as transparent as spring water. I was offered L10,000. for this discovery; +but I am so neglected, and so conspired against, that I am determined it +and all my other discoveries shall die with me." + +I now inquired, whether he had been alarmed by the ignorance of the +people in the country, so as to shut himself up in so unusual a manner. + +"No," he replied, "not on their account wholly. They are ignorant and +insolent enough; but it was to protect myself against the governments of +Europe, who are determined to get possession of my secret by force. I +have been," he exclaimed, "twice fired at in one day through that window, +and three times attempted to be poisoned. They believed I had written a +book containing my secrets, and to get possession of this book has been +their object. To baffle them, I burnt all that I had ever written, and I +have so guarded the windows with spring-guns, and have such a collection +of combustibles in the range of bottles which stand at your elbow, that I +could destroy a whole regiment of soldiers if sent against me." He then +related, that as a further protection he lived entirely in that room, and +permitted no one to come into the house; while he had locked up every +room except that with patent padlocks, and sealed the key-holes. + +It would be tedious and impossible to follow Mr. Kellerman through a +conversation of two or three hours, in which he enlarged upon the merits +of the ancient alchemists, and on the blunders and impertinent +assumptions of the modern chemists, with whose writings and names it is +fair to acknowledge he seemed well acquainted. He quoted the authorities +of Roger and Lord Bacon, Paracelsus, Boyle, Boerhaave, Woolfe, and others, +to justify his pursuits. As to the term philosopher's stone, he alleged +that it was a mere figure, to deceive the vulgar. He appeared also to +give full credit to the silly story about Dee's assistant, Kelly, finding +some of the powder of projection in the tomb of Roger Bacon at +Glastonbury, by means of which, as was said, Kelly for a length of time +supported himself in princely splendour. + +I inquired whether he had discovered the blacker than black of Apollonius +Tyaneus; and this, he assured me, he had effected; it was itself the +powder of projection for producing gold. + +Amidst all this delusion and illusion on these subjects, Mr. Kellerman +behaved in other respects with great propriety and politeness; and having +unlocked the door, he took me to the doors of some of the other rooms, to +show me how safely they were padlocked; and on taking leave, directed me +in my course towards Bedford. + +In a few minutes, I overtook a man, and on inquiring what the people +thought of Mr. Kellerman, he told me that he had lived with him for seven +years; that he was one of eight assistants whom he kept for the purpose +of superintending his crucibles, two at a time relieving each other every +six hours; that he had exposed some preparations to intense heat for many +months at a time, but that all except one crucible had burst, and that he +called on him to observe, that it contained the true "blacker than black." +The man protested, however, that no gold had ever been made, and that no +mercury had ever been fixed; for he was quite sure, that if he had made +any discovery, he could not have concealed it from the assistants; while, +on the contrary, they witnessed his severe disappointments, at the +termination of his most elaborate experiments. + +On my telling the man that I had been in his room, he seemed much +astonished at my boldness; for he assured me, that he carried a loaded +pistol in every one of his six waistcoat pockets. I learnt also from this +man, that he has or had considerable property in Jamaica; that he has +lived in the premises at Lilley about twenty-three years, and during +fourteen of them pursued his alchemical researches with unremitting +ardour; but for the last few years shut himself up as a close prisoner, +and lived in the manner I have described. + + * * * * * + + + Here lyeth wrapt in clay, + The body of William Wray: + I have no more to say. + + +_Weever's Epitaphs_. + + * * * * * + + + + +Notes of a Reader. + + * * * * * + + +COURT OF CHARLES II. + + +In the last No. of the _Edinburgh Review_, there is an admirably written +article on Hallam's "Constitutional History," not a mere essay, but +somewhat more like a review than usual. It contains an abundance of +florid, bold, and vigorous writing, extending through upwards of 70 +pages. Among the most striking passages we notice a parallel between +Cromwell and Napoleon, drawn with considerable force. But our extract is +from the lighter portion, as the following ludicrous sketches of some of +the enormities of Charles II. "Towards the close of the Protectorate, +many signs indicated that a time of license was at hand. But the +restoration of Charles II rendered the change wonderfully rapid and +violent. A deep and general taint infected the morals of the most +influential classes, and spread itself through every province of +letters. Poetry inflamed the passions; philosophy undermined the +principles; divinity itself, inculcating an abject reverence for the +court, gave additional effect to its licentious example. ... The +favourite duchess stamps about Whitehall, cursing and swearing. The +ministers employ their time at the council board in making mouths at +each other, and taking off each other's gestures for the amusement of +the king. The peers at a conference begin to pommel each other, and to +tear collars and periwigs. A speaker in the House of Commons gives +offence to the court. He is way-laid by a gang of bullies, and his nose +is cut to the bone. ... The second generation of the statesmen of this +reign, were worthy of the schools in which they had been trained, of the +gaming table of Grammont, and the tiring room of Nell ----." This is but +a small portion of the good set terms in which the reviewer illustrates +the licentiousness of the times. Speaking of Clarendon, he says, "Mr. +Hallam scarcely makes sufficient allowance for the wear and tear which +honesty almost necessarily sustains in the friction of political life, +and which in times so rough as those through which Clarendon passed, +must be very considerable. When these are fairly estimated, we think +that his integrity may be allowed to pass muster." Perhaps political +honesty is like Joseph Surface's French plate, or the tinsel spread over +a pair of Birmingham saleshop candlesticks, whose tenderness will not +withstand the wear and tear of conveyance in the purchaser's pocket. But +the oddity of the reviewer's comparisons even puts one in good humour +with their virulence. + + * * * * * + + +STREET SYMPATHIES. + + +During "the season" the veriest stranger who has an eye and ear, and +thoughts, must find in London sufficient to occupy his attention; true, +he may start and sigh, to think that of the busy and enormous multitude +around him, not one would care, if, treading on yonder bit of orange peel, +he should slip off the flagway, and falling beneath the wheel of that +immense coal-wagon, have his thigh crushed to atoms, while you'd be +saying "Jack Robinson." But if he do sigh, the more fool he; first, +because "grieving's a folly," as the old sea song hath it; next because +he is mistaken in supposing that no one would feel interested in his +misfortune. There are two upon the very flagway with him, who would +evince the greatest sympathy in his fate; the one is a surgeon's +apprentice, who, with anxious care, would bear him off to _his_ +hospital, that he might "try his 'prentice hand" to doctor him while +living, and dissect him when dead; and the other is a running reporter to +one of the morning papers, who would with gentle and soothing accents +inquire his name, condition, and abode, to swell the paragraph, and +increase his pay.--_Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +LINES TO EDWARD LYTTON BULWER, ON THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILD. + + + My heart is with you, Bulwer, and portrays + The blessings of your first paternal days; + To clasp the pledge of purest, holiest faith, + To taste one's own and love-born infant's breath, + I know, nor would for worlds forget the bliss. + I've felt that to a father's heart that kiss, + As o'er its little lips you smile and cling, + Has fragrance which Arabia could not bring. + + Such are the joys, ill mock'd in ribald song, + In thought, ev'n fresh'ning life our life-time long, + That give our souls on earth a heaven-drawn bloom; + Without them we are weeds upon a tomb. + + Joy be to thee, and her whose lot with thine, + Propitious stars saw Truth and Passion twine! + Joy be to her who in your rising name + Feels Love's bower brighten'd by the beams of Fame! + I lack'd a father's claim to her--but knew + Regard for her young years so pure and true, + That, when she at the altar stood your bride, + A sire could scarce have felt more sire-like pride. + + +_T. Campbell_. + + * * * * * + + +The Duc de Laval has the character of being a perfect fool. It is said +that on one occasion he talked of having received an anonymous letter, +signed by all the officers of his regiment; that on another, he ordered +ottomans to be placed in the four corners of his octagon +saloon!--_Josephine's Memoirs_. + + * * * * * + + +CAUSE AND EFFECT. + + +Infinite are the consequences which follow from a single, and often +apparently a very insignificant circumstance. Paley himself narrowly +escaped being a baker; here was a decision upon which hung in one scale, +perhaps, the immortal interests of thousands, and, in the other, the +gratification of the taste of the good people of Giggleswick for hot +rolls. Cromwell was near being strangled in his cradle by a monkey; here +was this wretched ape wielding in his paws the destinies of nations. +Then, again, how different in their kind, as well as in their magnitude, +are these consequences from anything that might have been _a priori_ +expected. Henry VIII. is smitten with the beauty of a girl of eighteen; +and ere long, + + + "The Reformation beams from Bullen's eyes." + + +Charles Wesley refuses to go with his wealthy namesake to Ireland, and +the inheritance, which would have been his, goes to build up the +fortunes of a Wellesley instead of a Wesley; and to this decision of a +schoolboy (as Mr. Southey observes) Methodism may owe its existence, and +England its military--and, we trust we may now add, its civil and +political--glory--_Quarterly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +SERVANTS. + + +A fund has lately been established at Stockholm, from which it is +intended to reward good and faithful servants. The king has contributed +to it 1,000 crowns; the prince royal 500; and the princess royal 300. +This has been suggested as an example worthy of our imitation; many +legacies, &c. have from time to time been bequeathed for the +encouragement of faithful servants in England; some are claimed, but the +majority are shamefully misapplied by those to whom their distribution +has been entrusted. + + * * * * * + + +LONDON LUXURIES. + + +A capital like London is a Maelstrom--an immense whirlpool--whose +gyrations sweep in whatever is peculiarly desirable from the most +distant regions of the empire--so active becomes the love of gain when +set in motion by the love of luxury. We recollect once being on shipboard +to the north of Duncan's Bay Head, and out of sight of land, the nearest +being the Feroe Islands:--we were walking the deck, watching a whale +which was gamboling at some distance, throwing up his huge side to the +sun, and sending ever and anon a sheet of water and foam from his +nostrils. Our thoughts were on Hecla and on the icebergs of the Pole, on +the Scalds of Iceland and the sea-kings of Norway, when a sail hove in +sight: we asked what craft it was--and were answered, "a Gravesend brig +dredging for lobsters." Never was enchantment so effectually +broken--never stage-trick in pantomime more successfully played off. Scene +changes from Feroe and Iceland to the Albion in Aldersgate-street--Exeunt +Scald, champion, and whale--Enter common councilman, turbot, and +lobster-sauce.--_Quarterly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BEAUTIFUL. + + +To be convinced that, at some period or another of their history, the +Egyptians had conceived a _beau-ideal_ superior to the beautiful +which nature habitually produced in their country, we have only to +examine the young Memnon, at the British Museum, and the heads of many of +the sphinxes which remain.--_Weekly Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +ALGEBRA. + + +Algebra I was charmed with, and found so much pleasure in resolving its +questions, that I have often sat till morning at the engaging work, +without a notion of its being day till I opened the shutters of my +closet. I recommend this study in particular to young gentlemen, and am +satisfied, if they would but take some pains at first to understand it, +they would have so great a relish for its operations, as to prefer them +many an evening to clamorous pleasures; or, at least, not be uneasy for +being alone now and then, since their algebra was with them.--_Life of +John Buncle._ + + * * * * * + + +A LUCKY MATCH. + + +The late Mr. Locke, of Norbury Park, commissioned one Jenkins, a dealer +in pictures, residing at Rome, to send him any piece of sculpture which +might not exceed fifty guineas. Jenkins sent a head of Minerva, which Mr. +Locke, not liking, returned, paying the carriage, and all other expenses. +Nollekens, who was then also at Rome, having purchased a trunk of +Minerva for fifty pounds, upon the return of this head, found that its +proportion and character accorded with his torso. This discovery induced +him to accept an offer made by Jenkins of the head itself; and 220 +guineas to share the profits. After Nollekens had joined the head and +trunk, or, what is called "restored it," which he did at the expense of +twenty guineas more for stone and labour, it proved a most fortunate hit, +for they sold it for the enormous sum of 1,000 guineas! and it is now at +Newby, in Yorkshire.--_Nollekens and his Times._ + + * * * * * + + +NELSON. + + +We received the following little anecdote from a letter of a gentleman +now at the head of the medical profession, with which he favoured us +shortly after perusing Salmonia. "I was (says our friend) at the Naval +Hospital, at Yarmouth, on the morning when Nelson, after the battle of +Copenhagen (having sent the wounded before him,) arrived at the Roads, +and landed on the jutty. The populace soon surrounded him, and the +military were drawn up in the market-place ready to receive him; but +making his way through the crowd, and the dust, and the clamour, he went +straight to the hospital. I went round the wards with him, and was much +interested in observing his demeanour to the sailors; he stopped at every +bed, and to every man he had something kind and cheering to say. At +length, he stopped opposite a bed on which a sailor was lying who had +lost his right arm close to the shoulder-joint, and the following short +dialogue passed between, them:"--_Nelson_. "Well, Jack, what's the +matter with you?"--_Sailor_. "Lost my right arm, your honour."--Nelson +paused, looked down at his own empty sleeve, then at the sailor, +and said playfully, "Well, Jack, then you and I are spoiled for +fishermen--cheer up, my brave fellow." And he passed briskly on to the +next bed; but these few words had a magical effect upon the poor fellow, +for I saw his eyes sparkle with delight as Nelson turned away and pursued +his course through the wards. As this was the only occasion on which I +saw Nelson, I may, possibly, overrate the value of the incident.--_Q. +Rev._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BRITISH ALMANAC. + + +This work, though only in its second year, is too well known to be +benefited by our recommendation. As a compilation, with occasional +originality, it is one of the best executed labours of the Society from +whom it emanates, and who, from the multiplicity of facts here assembled, +may be called "The Society for the" _Condensation_ "of Useful +Knowledge." + +In the Almanac for 1829 we notice several improvements upon that of last +year. The "Remarks on Weather" are valuable; and the "Garden Plants in +Flower" in each month, in themselves extremely interesting, contrast the +unchanging course of nature with the grand revolutions and events of the +column of "Anniversaries." Thus, what different emotions are produced by +reading April 6, "First Abdication of Bonaparte, 1814," and "Primrose +Peerless (_Narcissus biflorus_) in flower." The "Useful Remarks," +though not a new feature in an almanac, are profitable helps to social +duties, especially when drawn from such a source as Owen Feltham's +Resolves--a golden treasury of world-knowledge, which may serve as a +text-book for every family. Among the useful facts we notice the +following:--"By a parliamentary return of the year 1828 we find that the +stamp duty paid upon the almanacs of England amounts to 30,136_l_. 3_s_. +9_d_.--which, the duty being _fifteen-pence_ upon each almanac, exhibits +a circulation of 451,593 annually." + +_Remarks on Weather._ + +"The mean temperature of London is about 2 deg. higher than that of the +surrounding country; the difference exists chiefly in the night, and is +greatest in winter and least in summer." + +"Mr. Howard is of opinion, from a careful comparison of a long series of +observations, that a wet spring is an indication of a dry time for the +ensuing harvest." + +"The greatest depression of temperature in every month happens, all +other circumstances being the same, a short time before sun-rise." + +"There are only two months, namely, July and August, in which, taking +into consideration the power of radiation, vegetation, in certain +situations, is not exposed to a temperature of 32 deg." + +"The temperature of August is but little reduced, owing to the prevalence +of hot nights. The action of the sun's rays is considerably assisted by +the warm earth which radiates heat into the air; while, in spring, it +absorbs every day a proportion of the heat which the sun produces." + +"_October_--Now that the fruits of the earth are laid in store, the +increase of wet is attended by no injurious effects, the remaining heat +of the earth is preserved from needless expenditure, and guarded from +dissipation, by an increasing canopy of clouds, by which the effect of +radiation is greatly reduced." + +"The comparative warmth of November is owing to the heat given out by +the condensation of the vapour in the atmosphere into rain." + +"The mean temperature of the whole year is not found to vary, in +different years, more than four degrees and a half." + + * * * * * + + +Such as hold superstition sweet to the soul, and love to exercise their +ingenuity in hieroglyphics, the baseless grounds of tea, and lucky dreams +and omens, will find little amusement in the British Almanac; but their +absence is more than supplied by information "which almost every man +engaged in the world requires." + + * * * * * + + + + +THE SKETCH BOOK. + + * * * * * + + +A VISION OF PURGATORY. + +_By William Maginn, Esq._ + + +The churchyard of Inistubber is as lonely a one as you would wish to see +on a summer's day, or avoid on a winter's night. Under the east window of +the church is a mouldering vault of the De Lacys,--a branch of a family +descended from one of the conquerors of Ireland; and there they are +buried, when the allotted time calls them to the tomb. Sir Theodore De +Lacy had lived a jolly, thoughtless life, rising early for the hunt, and +retiring late from the bottle. A good-humoured bachelor who took no care +about the management of his household, provided that the hounds were in +order for his going out, and the table ready on his coming in. As for the +rest,--an easy landlord, a quiet master, a lenient magistrate (except to +poachers,) and a very excellent foreman of a grand jury. He died one +evening while laughing at a story which he had heard regularly thrice a +week for the last fifteen years of his life, and his spirit mingled with +the claret. In former times when the De Lacys were buried, there was a +grand breakfast, and all the party rode over to the church to see the +last rites paid. The keeners lamented; the country people had a wake +before the funeral, and a dinner after it--and there was an end. But +with the march of mind comes trouble and vexation. A man has now-a-days +no certainty of quietness in his coffin--unless it be a patent one. He is +laid down in the grave, and the next morning finds himself called upon to +demonstrate an interesting fact! No one, I believe, admires this ceremony, +and it is not to be wondered at that Sir Theodore De Lacy held it in +especial horror. "I'd like," said he one evening, "to catch one of the +thieves coming after me when I'm dead--By the God of War, I'd break every +bone in his body;--but," he added with a sigh, "as I suppose I'll not be +able to take my own part then, upon you I leave it, Larry Sweeney, to +watch me three days and three nights after they plant me under the sod. +There's Doctor Dickenson there, I see the fellow looking at me--fill your +glass, Doctor--here's your health! and shoot him, Larry, do you hear, +shoot the Doctor like a cock, if he ever comes stirring up my poor old +bones from their roost of Inistubber." "Why, then," Larry answered, +accepting the glass which followed this command, "long life to both your +honours; and it's I that would like to be putting a bullet into Doctor +Dickenson--heaven between him and harm--for hauling your honour away, +as if you was a horse's head, to a bonfire. There's nothing, I 'shure you, +gintlemin, poor as I am, that would give me greater pleasure." "We feel +obliged, Larry" said Sir Theodore, "for your good wishes." "Is it I pull +you out of the grave, indeed!" continued the whipper-in, for such he was, +--"I'd let nobody pull your honour out of any place, saving 'twas +purgatory; and out of that I'd pull you myself, if I saw you going +_there_." "I am of opinion, Larry," said Doctor Dickenson, "you would +turn tail if you saw Sir Theodore on that road. You might go further, and +fare worse, you know." "Turn tail!" replied Larry, "it is I that +wouldn't--I appale to St. Patrick himself over beyond"--pointing to a +picture of the Prime Saint of Ireland, which hung in gilt daubery behind +his master's chair, right opposite to him. To Larry's horror and +astonishment, the picture fixing its eyes upon him, winked with the most +knowing air, as if acknowledging the appeal. "What makes you turn so +white then at the very thought," said the doctor, interpreting the +visible consternation of our hero in his own way. "Nothing particular," +answered Larry; "but a wakeness has come strong over me, gintlemin, and +if you'd have no objection, I'd like to go into the air for a bit." Leave +was of course granted, and Larry retired amid the laughter of the +guests--but as he retreated, he could not avoid casting a glance on the +awful picture--and again the Saint winked, with a most malicious smile. +It was impossible to endure the repeated infliction, and Larry rushed +down the stairs in an agony of fright and amazement. "May be," thought +he, "it might be my own eyes that wasn't quite steady--or the flame of +the candle. But no--he winked at me as plain as ever I winked at Judy +Donaghue of a May morning. What he manes by it I can't say--but there's +no use of thinking about it--no, nor of talking neither, for who' d +believe me if I tould them of it?" + +The next evening Sir Theodore died, as has been mentioned; and in due +time thereafter was buried according to the custom of the family, by +torch-light, in the churchyard of Inistubber. All was fitly performed; +and although Dickenson had no design upon the jovial knight--and if he +had not, there was nobody within fifteen miles that could be suspected +of such an outrage,--yet Larry Sweeney was determined to make good his +promise of watching his master. "I'd think little of telling a lie to him, +by the way of no harm when he was alive," said he, wiping his eyes, as +soon as the last of the train had departed, leaving him with a single +companion in the lonely cemetery; "but now that he's dead--God rest his +soul!--I'd scorn it. So Jack Kinaley, as behoves my first cousin's son, +stay you with me here this blessed night, for betune (between) you and I, +it an't lucky to stay by one's self in this ruinated old rookery, where +ghosts, God help us, is as thick as bottles in Sir Theodore's cellar!" +"Never you mind that, Larry," said Kinaley, a discharged soldier, who had +been through all the campaigns of the Peninsula; "never mind, I say, such +botherations. Han't I lain in bivouack on the field at Salamanca, and +Tallawara, and the Pyrumnees, and many another place beside, where there +was dead corpses lying about in piles, and there was no more ghosts than +kneebuckles in a ridgemint of Highlanders. Here, let me prime them pieces, +and hand us over the bottle; we'll stay snug under this east window, for +the wind's coming down the hill, and I defy"--"None of that bould talk, +Jack," said his cousin; "as for what ye saw in foreign parts, of dead men +killed afighting, sure that's nothing to the dead--God rest 'em!--that's +here. There you see, they had company one with the other, and being +killed fresh-like that morning, had no heart to stir; but here, faith! +'tis a horse of another colour." "May be it is," said Jack, "but the +night's coming on; so I'll turn in. Wake me if you sees any thing; and +after I've got my two hours' rest, I'll relieve you." + +With these words the soldier turned on his side, under shelter of a grave, +and as his libations had been rather copious during the day, it was not +long before he gave audible testimony that the dread of supernatural +visitants had had no effect in disturbing the even current of his fancy. +Although Larry had not opposed the proposition of his kinsman, yet he +felt by no means at ease. He put in practice all the usually recommended +nostrums for keeping away unpleasant thoughts:--all would not do. "If it +was a common, dacent, quite (quiet,) well-behaved churchyard a'self," +thought Larry, half-aloud--"but when 'tis a place like this forsaken ould +berrin'-ground, which is noted for villiany"--"For what, Larry?" said a +gentleman, stepping out of a niche which contained the only statue time +had spared. It was the figure of Saint Colman, to whom the church was +dedicated. Larry had been looking at the figure, as it shone forth in +ebon and ivory in the light and shadow of the now high-careering moon, +"For what, Larry," said the gentleman,--"for what do you say the +churchyard is noted?" "For nothing at all, plase your honour," replied +Larry, "except the height of gentility." The stranger was about four feet +high, dressed in what might be called flowing garments,--if, in spite of +their form, their rigidity did not deprive them of all claim to such an +appellation. He wore an antique mitre upon his head; his hands were +folded upon his breast; and over his right shoulder rested a pastoral +crook. There was a solemn expression in his countenance, and his eye +might truly be called stony. His beard could not be well said to wave +upon his bosom; but it lay upon it in ample profusion, stiffer than that +of a Jew on a frosty morning after mist. In short, as Larry soon +discovered to his horror, on looking up at the niche, it was no other +than Saint Colman himself, who had stept forth, indignant (in all +probability) at the stigma cast by the watcher of the dead on the +churchyard of which his Saintship was patron. He smiled with a grisly +solemnity--just such a smile as you might imagine would play round the +lips of a milestone (if it had any,) at the recantation so quickly +volunteered by Larry. "Well," said he, "Lawrence Sweeney"--"How well the +old rogue," thought Larry, "knows my name!" "Since you profess yourself +such an admirer of the merits of the churchyard of Inistubber, get up and +follow me, till I show you the civilities of the place--for I am master +here, and must do the honours." "Willingly would I go with your worship," +replied our friend; "but you see here I am engaged to Sir Theodore, who, +though a good master, was a mighty passionate man when every thing was +not done as he ordered it; and I am feared to stir." "Sir Theodore," said +the Saint, "will not blame you for following me. I assure you he will +not." "But then," said Larry--"Follow me!" cried the Saint, in a hollow +voice, and casting upon him his stony eye, drew poor Larry after him, as +the bridal guest was drawn by the lapidary glance of the Ancient Mariner; +or, as Larry himself afterwards expressed it, "as a jaw tooth is wrinched +out of an ould woman with a pair of pinchers." The Saint strode before +him in silence, not in the least incommoded by the stones and rubbish, +which at every step sadly contributed to the discomfiture of Larry's +shins, who followed his marble conductor into a low vault, situated at +the west end of the church. The path lay through coffins piled up on each +side of the way in various degrees of decomposition; and, excepting that +the solid footsteps of the saintly guide, as they smote heavily on the +floor of stone, broke the deadly silence, all was still. Stumbling and +staggering along, directed only by the casual glimpses of light afforded +by the moon, where it broke through the dilapidated roof of the vault, +and served to discover only sights of woe, Larry followed. He soon felt +that he was descending, and could not help wondering at the length of the +journey. He began to entertain the most unpleasant suspicions as to the +character of his conductor;--but what could he do? Flight was out of the +question, and to think of resistance was absurd. "Needs must, they say," +thought he to himself, "when the devil drives. I see it's much the same +when a saint, leads." + +At last the dolorous march had an end; and not a little to Larry's +amazement, he found that his guide had brought him to the gate of a lofty +hall, before which a silver lamp, filled with naphtha, "yielded light as +from a sky."--From within loud sounds of merriment were ringing; and it +was evident, from the jocular harmony and the tinkling of glasses, that +some subterraneous catch-club were not idly employed over the bottle. +"Who's there?" said a porter, roughly responding to the knock of Saint +Colman. "Be so good," said the Saint, mildly, "my very good fellow, as to +open the door without further questions, or I'll break your head. I'm +bringing a gentleman here on a visit, whose business is pressing." "May +be so," thought Larry, "but what that business may be, is more than I can +tell." The porter sulkily complied with the order, after having +apparently communicated the intelligence that a stranger was at hand; for +a deep silence immediately followed the tipsy clamour; and Larry, +sticking close to his guide, whom he now looked upon almost as a friend, +when compared with these underground revellers to whom he was about to +be introduced, followed him through a spacious vestibule, which gradually +sloped into a low-arched room, where the company was assembled. And a +strange-looking company it was. Seated round a long table were +three-and-twenty grave and venerable personages, bearded, mitred, stoled, +and croziered,--all living statues of stone, like the Saint who had +walked out of his niche. On the drapery before them were figured the +images of the sun, moon, and stars--the inexplicable bear--the mystic +temple, built by the hand of Hiram--and other symbols, of which the +uninitiated knew nothing. The square, the line, the trowel, were not +wanting, and the hammer was lying in front of the chair. Labour, however, +was over, and the time for refreshment having arrived, each of the stony +brotherhood had a flagon before him; and when we mention that the Saints +were Irish, and that St. Patrick in person was in the chair, it is not to +be wondered at that the mitres, in some instances, hung rather loosely on +the side of the heads of some of the canonized compotators. Among the +company were found St. Senanus of Limerick, St. Declan of Ardmore, St. +Canice of Kilkenny, St. Finbar of Cork, St. Michan of Dublin, St. Brandon +of Kerry, St. Fachnan of Ross, and others of that holy brotherhood; a +vacant place, which completed the four-and-twentieth, was left for St. +Colman, who, as every body knows, is of Cloyne; and he, having taken his +seat, addressed the president, to inform him that he had brought the man. +The man (viz. Larry himself) was awestruck with the company in which he +so unexpectedly found himself; and trembled all over when, on the notice +of his guide, the eight-and-forty eyes of stone were turned directly upon +himself. "You have just nicked the night to a shaving, Larry," said St. +Patrick: "this is our chapter-night, and myself and brethren are here +'assembled on merry occasion.'--You know who I am?" "God bless your +reverence," said Larry, "it's I that do well. Often did I see your +picture hanging over the door of places where it is"--lowering his +voice--"pleasanter to be than here, buried under an ould church." "You +may as well say it out, Larry," said St. Patrick; "and don't think I'm +going to be angry with you about it; for I was once flesh and blood +myself. But you remember, the other night, saying that you would think +nothing of pulling your master out of purgatory, if you could get at him +there, and appealing to me to stand by your words. + +"Y-e-e-s," said Larry, most mournfully; for he recollected the +significant look he had received from the picture. "And," continued St. +Patrick, "you remember also that I gave you a wink, which you know is as +good, any day, as a nod--at least, to a blind horse." "I'm sure, your +reverence," said Larry, with a beating heart, "is too much of a gintleman +to hould a poor man hard to every word he may say of an evening, and +therefore"--"I was thinking so," said the saint, "I guessed you'd prove a +poltroon when put to the push. What do you think, my brethren, I should +do to this fellow?" A hollow sound burst from the bosoms of the unanimous +assembly. The verdict was short and decisive:--"Knock out his brains!" And +in order to suit the action to the word, the whole four-and-twenty arose +at once, and with their immovable eyes fixed firmly on the face of our +hero--who horror struck with the sight as he was, could not close +his--they began to glide slowly but regularly towards him, bending their +line into the form of a crescent, so as to environ him on all sides. In +vain he fled to the door; its massive folds resisted mortal might. In +vain he cast his eyes around in quest of a loophole of retreat--there was +none. Closer and closer pressed on the slowly-moving phalanx, and the +uplifted croziers threatened soon to put their sentence into execution. +Supplication was all that remained--and Larry sunk upon his knees. "Ah! +then," said he, "gintlemin and ancient ould saints as you are, don't kill +the father of a large small family, who never did hurt to you or yours. +Sure, if 'tis your will that I should go to--no matter who, for there's +no use in naming his name--might I not as well make up my mind to go +there, alive and well, stout and hearty, and able to face him,--as with +my head knocked into bits, as if I had been after a fair or a patthern?" +"You say right," said St. Patrick, checking with a motion of his crozier +the advancing assailants, who returned to their seats. "I am glad to see +you coming to reason. Prepare for your journey." "And how, plase your +Saintship, am I to go?" asked Larry. "Why," said St. Patrick, "as Colman +here has guided you so far, he may guide you further. But as the journey +is into foreign parts, where you arn't likely to be known, you had better +take this letter of introduction, which may be of use to you." "And here, +also, Lawrence," said a Dublin Saint--perhaps Michan--"take you this box +also, and make use of it as he to whom you speak shall suggest." "Take a +hold, and a firm one," said St. Colman, "Lawrence, of my cassock, and we' +ll start." "All right behind?" cried St. Patrick. "All right!" was the +reply. In an instant!--vault--table--saints--bell--church, faded into air; +a rustling hiss of wings was all that was heard; and Larry felt his cheek +swept by a current, as if a covey of birds of enormous size were passing +him. (It was, in all probability, the flight of the saints returning to +heaven, but on that point nothing certain has reached us up to the +present time of writing.) He had not a long time to wonder at the +phenomenon, for he himself soon began to soar, dangling in mid sky at the +skirt of the cassock of his sainted guide. Earth, and all that appertains +thereto, speedily passed from his eyes, and they were alone in the midst +of circumfused ether, glowing with a sunless light. Above, in immense +distance, was fixed the firmament, fastened up with bright stars, fencing +around the world with its azure wall. They fled far, before any +distinguishable object met their eyes. At length a long, white streak, +shining like silver in the moonbeam, was visible to their sight. "That," +said St. Colman, "is the Limbo which adjoins the earth, and is the +highway for ghosts departing the world. It is called in Milton, a book +which I suppose, Larry, you never have read"--"And how could I, plase +your worship," said Larry, "seein' I don't know a B from a bull's foot!" +"Well, it is called in Milton the Paradise of Fools: and if it were indeed +peopled by all of that tribe who leave the world, it would contain the +best company that ever figured on the earth. To the north, you see a +bright speck?" "I do." "That marks the upward path,--narrow and hard to +find. To the south you may see a darksome road--broad, smooth, and easy +of descent; that is the lower way. It is thronged with the great ones of +the world; you may see their figures in the gloom. Those who are soaring +upwards are wrapt in the flood of light flowing perpetually from that +single spot, and you cannot see them. The silver path on which we enter +is the Limbo. Here I part with you. You are to give your letter to the +first person you meet. Do your best;--be courageous, but observe +particularly that you profane no holy name, or I will not answer for the +consequences." + +His guide had scarcely vanished, when Larry heard the tinkling of a bell +in the distance, and turning his eyes in the quarter whence it proceeded, +he saw a grave-looking man in black, with eyes of fire, driving before +him a flock of ghosts with a switch, as you see turkeys driven on the +western road, at the approach of Christmas. They were on the highway to +Purgatory. The ghosts were shivering in the thin air, which pinched them +severely, now that they had lost the covering of their bodies. Among the +group, Larry recognised his old master, by the same means that Ulysses, +Aeneas, and others, recognised the bodiless forms of their friends in the +regions of Acheron. "What brings a living person," said the man in black, +"on this pathway? I shall make legal capture of you, Larry Sweeney, for +trespassing. You have no business here." "I have come," said Larry, +plucking up courage, "to bring your honour's glory a letter from a +company of gintlemin with whom I had the pleasure of spending the evening, +underneath the ould church of Inistubber." "A letter," said the man in +black, "where is it?" "Here, my lord," said Larry. "Ho!" cried the black +gentleman, on opening it, "I know the handwriting. It won't do, however, +my lad,--I see they want to throw dust in my eyes." "Whew," thought Larry, +"that's the very thing. 'Tis for that the ould Dublin boy gave me the box. +I'd lay a tinpenny to a brass farthing that it's filled with Lundy Foot." +Opening the box, therefore, he flung its contents right into the fiery +eyes of the man in black, while he was still occupied with reading the +letter,--and the experiment was successful. "Curses--tche-tche-tche,-- +Curses on it," exclaimed he, clapping his hand before his eyes, and +sneezing most lustily.--"Run, you villians, run," cried Larry, to the +ghosts--"run, you villians, now that his eyes are off of you--O master, +master! Sir Theodore, jewel! run to the right-hand side, make for the +bright speck, and God give you luck." + +He had forgotten his injunction. The moment the word was uttered he felt +the silvery ground sliding from under him; and with the swiftness of +thought he found himself on the flat of his back, under the very niche of +the old church wall whence he had started, dizzy and confused with a +measureless tumble. The emancipated ghosts floated in all directions, +emitting their shrill and stridulous cries in the gleaming expanse. Some +were again gathered by their old conductor; some scudding about at +random, took the right hand path, others the left. Into which of them Sir +Theodore struck, is not recorded; but as he had heard the direction, let +us hope that he made the proper choice. Larry had not much time given him +to recover from his fall, for almost in an instant he heard an angry +snorting rapidly approaching, and looking up, whom should he see but the +gentleman in black, with eyes gleaming more furiously than ever, and his +horns (for, in his haste, he had let his hat fall) relieved in strong +shadow against the moon. Up started Larry--away ran his pursuer after him. +The safest refuge was, of course, the church,--thither ran our hero--and +after him--fiercer than the shark, swifter than the hounds--fled the +black gentleman. The church is cleared; the chancel entered; and the hot +breath of his pursuer glows upon the outstretched neck of Larry. Escape +is impossible--the extended talons of the fiend have clutched him by the +hair. "You are mine," cried the demon,--"if I have lost any of my flock, +I have at last got you." "Oh, St. Patrick!" exclaimed our hero, in horror, +--"Oh, St. Patrick have mercy upon me, and save me!" "I tell you what, +cousin Larry," said Kinaley, chucking him up from behind a gravestone, +where he had fallen--"all the St. Patricks that ever were born would not +have saved you from ould Tom Picton, if he caught you sleeping on your +post as I've caught you now. By the word of an ould soldier, he'd have +had the provost-marshal upon you, and I'd not give two-pence for the loan +of your life. And then, too, I see you have drunk every drop in the +bottle. What can you say for yourself?" "Nothing at all," said Larry, +scratching his head,--"but it was an unlucky dream, and I'm glad it's +over."--_Literary Souvenir._ + + * * * * * + + +Ancient Roman Festivals. + +NOVEMBER. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +The _Epulum Jovis_ was a sumptuous feast offered to Jupiter on the +13th of November. The gods were formally invited, and attended; for the +statues were brought in rich beds, furnished with soft pillows, called +_pulvinaria_. Thus accommodated, their godships were placed on their +couches at the most honourable part of the table, and served with the +rich dainties, as if they were able to eat; but the _epulones_, or +ministers, who had the care and management of the feast, performed that +function for them, and no doubt did the part of _gastronomic proxies_ +with _eclat_. + +The _Brumalia_ was a feast of Bacchus, celebrated among the Romans +during the space of thirty days, commencing on the 24th of November. It +was instituted by Romulus, who used, during this time, to entertain the +senate. During this feast indications were taken of the felicity of the +remaining part of the winter. + +P.T.W. + + * * * * * + + + + +The Gatherer. + + + "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." +SHAKSPEARE. + + * * * * * + + +INNOCENT CONFESSION. + + +A Lady at confession, amongst other heinous crimes, accused herself of +using rouge. "What is the use of it?" asked the confessor. "I do it to +make myself handsomer."--"And does it produce that effect?" "At least +I think so, father."--The confessor on this took his penitent out of the +confessional, and having looked at her attentively in the light, said, +"Well, madam, you may use rouge, for you are ugly enough even with it." + + * * * * * + + +MERCHANT TAILORS. + + +A Clergyman hearing a remark made on the humility of the Merchant Tailors' +motto, "_Concordia parvae res crescunt_" replied, "Yes, that is to +say, nine tailors make a man." + + * * * * * + + +RABELAIS. + +A JEU D'ESPRIT. + + + In France they say + Lived RABELAIS, + A witty wight, and a right merry fellow. + Who in good company was sometimes mellow: + And, + Although he was a priest, + Thought it no sacramental sin--to feast. + I can't say much for his morality: + But for his immortality, + Good luck! + Why he's bound in calf, and squeezed in boards, + And scarcely a good library's shelf + But boasts acquaintance with the elf. + But now I'll tell you what I should have told before, + A grievous illness brought him nigh _Death's_ door. + Who, bony wight, + Enjoyed the sight-- + And grinn'd as he thought of the fun there'd be + When the jester had joined his company. + + Rab's friends, good folk! + Thought it no joke + To the poor joker; they therefore sent around + For all the Esculapians to be found; + And in a trice + (For doctors always haste to give advice-- + Mind--don't mistake--I mean when there's a fee) + They mustered two--to which add three. + + Now about the bed + Is seen each learned head. + The patient's pulse is felt--with graver air + Each M.D. seats him in a chair. + Crosses his legs--leans on his stick, mums--hahs--and hums + Pulls out his watch--takes snuff--and twirls his thumbs. + At length, + The awful stillness broke-- + As if from silence gathering strength + Most lustily they all did croak, + Their opinions mingling, + In discordant jingling-- + "A purge"--"a blister"--"shave his head" + "Senna and salts"--"a clyster"--"have him bled," + "A pill at noon"--"another pill at night," + "A warm-bath, sure, would set him right." + Thus with purges and blisters, + Pills, bleeding, and clysters, + The poor patient they threatened + Should be deluged and sweatened. + + Unable to endure the riot, + And wishing for a little quiet, + The sickman raised his head, + And said-- + Gentlemen, I do beseech ye, cease your pother, + Nor any more with me your wise heads bother, + Scratching your wigs, + Like sapient pigs; + Whate'er you may decide is my disease, + I humbly do conceive a little ease + From your infernal noise and chatter. + With which I'm dunn'd + And nearly stunn'd, + Would greatly tend to mend the matter; + And if, perforce, I must resign my breath, + For heav'n's sake let me _die_ a NATURAL _death_. + + +P.M. + + * * * * * + + +AN AGITATOR. + + +M. Monchenut, an old man of eighty, afflicted with the palsy, was +arrested during the reign of terror, under suspicion of being an agitator. +Being asked what he had to say to the accusation, "Alas, gentlemen, it is +very true, I am agitated enough, God knows, for I have not been able to +keep a limb still for these fifteen years." + + * * * * * + + +CHINESE POLITENESS. + + +There is one striking particular in which the Chinese politeness is quite +the reverse of ours. To take off their caps when they salute one another, +or even accidentally to appear uncovered, is esteemed the height of ill +breeding and indecency. + +HALBERT H. + + * * * * * + + +PURCHASERS of the MIRROR, who may wish to complete their sets are +informed, that every volume is complete in itself, and may be purchased +separately. The whole of the numbers are now in print, and can be +procured by giving an order to any Bookseller or Newsvender. + +Complete sets Vol. I. to XI. in boards, price L2. l9_s_. 6_d_. half bound, +L3. l7_s_. + + * * * * * + + +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 l3s. 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. boards. + +The ARCANA of SCIENCE for 1828. Price 4s. 6d. + + +Any of the above Works can be purchased in Parts. + +GOLDSMITH'S ESSAYS. Price 8d. + +DR. 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