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diff --git a/11447-h/11447-h.htm b/11447-h/11447-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f1acab7 --- /dev/null +++ b/11447-h/11447-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1671 @@ +<!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. 14, Issue 401, November 28, 1829, 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;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + + .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 11447 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction, Vol. 14, Issue 401, November 28, 1829, by Various</h1> +<br /> +<br /> +<center><b>E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram, Andy Jewell, David Garcia,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</b></center> +<br /> +<br /> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page353" name="page353"></a>[pg + 353]</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. XIV, NO. 401.]</b></td> + + <td align="center"><b>SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1829.</b></td> + + <td align="right"><b>[PRICE 2d.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>The Siamese Twins.</h2> + + <div class="figure" style="width: 100%;"> + <a href="images/401-1.png"><img width="100%" src= + "images/401-1.png" alt="The Siamese Twins." /></a> + </div> + + <p>The Engraving is an accurate sketch of this extraordinary + <i>lusus naturae</i>, which promises to occupy the attention of + the whole Town, and has already excited no ordinary curiosity + among all ranks of the scientific and sight-loving. Deviations + from the usual forms of nature are almost universally offensive; + but, in this case, neither the personal appearance of the boys, + nor the explanation of the phenomenon by which they are united, + is calculated to raise a single unpleasant emotion. The subject + is, therefore, not unfit for our pages, and the following + descriptive particulars, which we have collected from various + authentic sources, and our own observation, will, we are + persuaded, be read with considerable interest:</p> + + <p>The earliest account of the Siamese Twins is by Dr. I.C. + Warren, of Boston, and was published in Professor Silliman's + Journal of October last. They were received of their mother by + Captain Coffin and Mr. Hunter, in a village of Siam, where the + last-mentioned gentleman saw them, fishing on the banks of the + river. Their father has been some time dead, since which they + lived with their mother in a state of poverty. They were confined + within certain limits, by order of the Siamese Government, and + supported themselves principally by taking fish. Their exhibition + to the world was suggested to the mother as a means of bettering + their condition; to which proposition she acceded for a liberal + compensation, and the promised return of her sons at a specific + time. She accompanied them on board the <span class= + "pagenum"><a id="page354" name="page354"></a>[pg 354]</span> ship + and, as it was not about to sail for some time, she was invited + to remain on board; but she declined, observing that she might as + well part with them then as a few days hence. They were first + exhibited at Boston, and subsequently at New York, in the United + States. At Boston, Dr. Warren was appointed to report on them; + and such of his observations as are free from anatomical + technicalities, and otherwise adapted for our pages, will be + found in the subsequent pages. In the meantime, we shall proceed + with a more popular account of their present appearance, which + has some of the most interesting characteristics of human + nature.</p> + + <p>They are two distinct and perfect youths, well formed and + straight, about eighteen years of age, and possessing all the + faculties and powers usually enjoyed at that period of life. They + are united together by a short band at the pit of the stomach. On + first seeing them, it may be supposed, so closely are their sides + together—or rather, they over-lap a little—that there + is no space between them. On examining them, however, they are + found not to touch each other, the band which connects them + being, at its shortest part, which is the upper and back part, + about two inches long. At the lower front part the band, which is + there soft and fleshy, or rather like soft thick skin, is about + five inches long, and would be elastic, were it not for a thick + rope-like cartilaginous or gristly substance, which forms the + upper part of the band, and which is not above three inches long. + The band is probably two inches thick at the upper part, and + above an inch at the lower part. The back part of the band, which + is rounded from a thickening at the places where it grows from + each body, is not so long as the front part, which is + comparatively flat. The breadth or depth of the band is about + four inches. It grows from the lower and centre part of the + breast of each boy, being a continuation of the cartilaginous + termination of the breast bone, accompanied by muscles and + blood-vessels, and enveloped, like every other portion of the + body, with skin, &c. At present this band is not very + flexible; and there is reason to believe that the cartilaginous + substance of the upper part is gradually hardening, and will + eventually become bone. From the nature of the band, and the + manner in which it grows from each boy, it is impossible that + they should be in any other position in relation to each other, + but side by side, like soldiers, or coming up a little to front + each other. Their arms and legs are perfectly free to move. The + band is the only connexion between them; and their proximity does + not inconvenience either; each of them, whether standing, + sitting, or moving, generally has his arm round the neck or the + waist of the other. When they take the arm from this position, so + close are they kept together that their shoulders cannot be held + straight; and the near shoulder of each being obliged to be held + down or up, to allow them room to stand, gives them the + appearance of being deformed; but two straighter bodies can + scarcely be seen.</p> + + <p>In their ordinary motions they may be said to resemble two + persons waltzing. In a room they seem to roll about, as it were, + but when they walk to any distance, they proceed straight forward + with a gait like other people. As they rise up or sit down, or + stoop, their movements are playful, though strange, not + ungraceful, and without the appearance of constraint. The average + height of their countrymen is less than that of Europeans, and + they seem rather short for their age, even judging them by their + own standard. They are much shorter than the ordinary run of + youths in this country at eighteen years of age, and are both of + the same height. In personal appearance there is a striking + resemblance between them; this, however, is but on first + impression, for, on closer examination, considerable difference + will be observed. The colour of their skin and form of the nose, + lips, and eyes, denote them as belonging to the Chinese; but they + have not that broad and flat face which is characteristic of the + Mingol race. Their foreheads are higher and narrower than those + of their countrymen generally. Both are lively and intelligent; + they pay much attention to what is passing around them; and are + very grateful for any little attention that is paid to them. As a + proof of their intelligence, it may be stated that they learned + to play at Draughts very readily, and were soon able to beat + those who had assisted in teaching them. Their appearance is + perfect health. To their friends and attendants, and to each + other, they are said to be much attached. They appear to be + excellent physiognomists, for they read the countenance of the + visiter readily, and are easily affronted with any contemptuous + expressions. It is said they have not learnt any manual art + beyond rowing a boat, but they can run and jump, and climb cracks + and rigging with great facility. They are dressed in short, + loose, green jackets and trousers, <span class="pagenum"><a id= + "page355" name="page355"></a>[pg 355]</span> the costume of their + country, which is very convenient, and allows the utmost freedom + of motion, but does not show the form of the boys to advantage. + With their arms twined round each other, as they bend down or + move about, they look like a group of statuary. Dr. Warren, in + his report, states that he <i>never heard them speak to each + other</i>, though they were very fond of talking with a young + Siamese, who was brought with them as a companion. They, however, + appear to have a means of communication more rapid than by words. + The point most worthy of remark, in regard to their actions and + movements, is, that they seem, generally speaking, to be actuated + but by one will; and that from whichever of them the volition of + the moment proceeds, it seems imperative upon both. Occasionally, + there is an exception to this remark—as, on the voyage from + Siam to the United States, when one wanted to bathe, and the + other refused, on account of the coldness of the weather, they + quarrelled on the subject.</p> + + <p>Each has a name of his own—the one, <i>Chang</i>, and + the other, <i>Eng</i>; but, when persons wish to address them as + one—to claim their attention to anything, for example, or + to call them—they are addressed as—<i>Chang + Eng</i>.</p> + + <p>The union of twins is not an unusual occurrence, and various + anatomical collections present many such objects. Ambrose + Paré relates several instances. Dr. Warren is, however, of + opinion, that the <i>Siamese Boys</i> present the most remarkable + case of the <i>lusus naturae</i> which has yet been known, taking + into view the perfection and distinctness of organization, and + the length of time they have lived. The whole phenomenon may be + described in a very few words—<i>two perfect bodies united + and bound together by an inseparable link</i>. As we have already + stated, their health is at present good; but, observes Dr. + Warren, "it is probable that the change of their simple living + for the luxuries they now obtain, together with the confinement + their situation necessarily involves, will bring their lives to a + close within a few years." We hope that such will not be the + result of their leaving their native shores; and we are much + pleased with this passage in a letter from Drs. Samuel Mitchill + and Anderson to Capt. Coffin—"They (the youths) are under + the protection of a kind and benevolent gentleman, and we know + you will take good care of them, and if they live, return them to + their homes again." Of their strength many instances are related: + since they have arrived in London they have lifted a gentleman of + considerable weight, with great ease; and on this point Drs. + Mitchill and Anderson say—"As they are so vigorous and + alert, we readily coincide that in ten seconds they can lay a + stout ordinary man on his back."</p> + + <p>We shall not go out of our way to state half the curious + questions which forcibly arose in our minds on visiting this + interesting exhibition. One of the most important, and least easy + of solution, is the structure of the connecting band—how it + is kept alive—whether blood flows into and circulates + through it from each, and passes into the system of the + other—whether it be composed of bone, as well as of + cartilage—and whether it could be safely divided? Upon + examining the connexion, or <i>cord</i>, Dr. Warren + says—"Placing my hand on this substance, I found it + extremely hard. On further examination, the hardness was found to + exist at the upper part of the cord only, and to be prolonged + into the breast of each boy. Tracing it upwards, I found it to be + constituted by a prolongation of the <i>ensiform cartilage of the + sternum</i>, or extremity of the breast-bone. The cartilages + proceeding from each sternum meet at an angle, and then seem to + be connected by a ligament, so as to form a joint. This joint has + a motion upwards and downwards, and also a lateral + motion—the latter operating in such a way, that when the + boys turn in either direction, the edges of the cartilage are + found to open and shut.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>"Besides this there is nothing remarkable felt in the + connecting substance. I could distinguish no pulsating vessel. + The whole of this cord is covered by the skin. It is remarkably + strong, and has no great sensibility, for they allow themselves + to be pulled by a rope fastened to it, without exhibiting + uneasiness. On ship board, one of them sometimes climbed on the + capstan of the vessel, the other following as well as he could, + without complaining. When I first saw the boys, I expected to see + them pull on this cord in different directions, as their + attention was attracted by different objects. I soon perceived + that this did not happen. The slightest impulse of one to move in + any direction is immediately followed by the other; so that they + appear to be influenced by the same wish."</p> + + <p>This harmony in their movements, Dr. Warren thinks, is a habit + formed by necessity. His further account of their habits is + extremely curious:</p> + + <p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page356" name="page356"></a>[pg + 356]</span> "They always face in one direction, standing nearly + side by side, and are not able, without inconvenience, to face in + the opposite direction—so that one is always at the right, + and the other at the left. Although not placed exactly in a + parallel line, they are able to run and leap with surprising + activity. On some occasions a gentleman, in sport, pursued them + round the ship, when they came suddenly to the hatchway, which + had been inadvertently left open. The least check would have + thrown them down the hatchway, and probably killed one, or both, + but they leaped over it without difficulty. They differ in + intellectual vigour; the perceptions of one are more acute than + those of the other, and there is a corresponding coincidence in + moral qualities. He who appears most intelligent is somewhat + irritable in temper, while the other's disposition is mild."</p> + + <p>The connexion between these boys might present an opportunity + for some interesting observations in regard to physiology and + pathology. There is, no doubt, a network of blood-vessels and + some minute nerves passing from one to the other. How far these + parts are capable of transmitting the action of medicines, and of + diseases, and especially what medicines and diseases, are points + well worthy of consideration. Dr. W. thinks that any + indisposition of one extends to the other; that they are inclined + to sleep at the same time; eat about the same quantity, and + perform other acts with great similarity. Both he and Mr. Hunter + are of opinion that touching one of them when they are asleep, + awakens both. When they are awake, an impulse given to one does + not in the least affect the other. There is evidently no + impression received by him who is not touched. But the opinion + just mentioned is undoubtedly erroneous. The slightest movement + of one is so speedily perceived by the other, as to deceive those + who have not observed closely. There is no part of them which has + a common perception, excepting the middle of the connecting cord, + and a space near it. When a pointed instrument is applied + precisely to the middle of the cord, it is felt by both, and also + for about an inch on each side; beyond which the impression is + limited to the individual of the side touched.</p> + + <p>"In the function of the circulation there is a remarkable + uniformity in the two bodies. The pulsations of the hearts of + both coincide exactly under ordinary circumstances. I counted + seventy-three pulsations in a minute while they were + sitting—counting first in one boy and then in the other; I + then placed my fingers on an arm of each boy, and found the + pulsations take place exactly together. One of them stooping + suddenly to look at my watch, his pulse became much quicker than + that of the other; but after he had returned to his former + posture, in about a quarter of a minute his pulse was precisely + like that of the other; this happened repeatedly. Their + respirations are, of consequence, exactly simultaneous."</p> + + <p>Dr. Warren next starts a question as to their moral identity, + and says—"There is no reason to doubt that the intellectual + operations of the two are as perfectly distinct as those of any + two individuals who might be accidentally confined together. + Whether similarity of education, and identity of position as to + external objects, have inspired them with any extraordinary + sameness of mental action, I am unable to say—any farther, + at least, than that they seem to agree in their habits and + tastes." The concluding observation is on their separation, which + we may remark, appears to be to them a painful subject; for + whenever it is mentioned, they weep bitterly. Dr. Warren thinks + an attempt to cut the cord, or separate them, would be attended + with danger, though not necessarily fatal, and as they are happy + in their present state, he reasonably enough thinks such an + operation uncalled for. "Should one die before the other," adds + he, "they should be cut apart immediately." He, however, quotes a + case from Ambrose Paré, of two girls united by the + forehead, one of whom died at ten years of age, when a separation + was made; and the wound of the surviving girl soon proved + fatal.</p> + + <p>From the report of Drs. Mitchill and Anderson, we collect + their opinion that the band which joins these boys, has a canal + with a protrusion of viscera from the abdomen of each boy, upon + every effort of coughing or other exercise. The sense of feeling + on the skin of this band is connected with each boy, as far as + the middle of its length from his body. There can be no doubt, + but that if the band was cut across at any part, a large opening + would be made into the belly of each, and the wound prove + fatal.</p> + + <p>Such are the principal and most popular descriptive details of + the Siamese Youths, with the substance of the reports of the + American physicians who have examined them. Of course, we look + with some anxiety for the opinions of the professional men of our + own <span class="pagenum"><a id="page357" name="page357"></a>[pg + 357]</span> country. Of equal importance are the questions + connected with the <i>minds</i> of the two youths, which can only + be settled by continued observation. The phenomenon is altogether + of the most attractive character, and will doubtless receive all + the attention it deserves from our <i>savans</i>, as well as from + all those who delight in witnessing the curiosities of + Nature.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>CURTIUS.</h3> + + <center> + A DRAMATIC SKETCH. + </center> + + <p>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</p> + + <p><i>The Roman Forum.—An opening in the ground. M. + Curtius, Soothsayers, and a vast concourse of Citizens.</i></p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Cit</i>.—Place ingot upon ingot, till the mass + exceed</p> + + <p>The bulk of Croesus' wealth, or Sardanapalus' pile.</p> + + <p>Let every Roman contribution bring</p> + + <p>An offering worthy of his house, since what</p> + + <p>Is valued most must in the gulf be cast,</p> + + <p>To save us from an overwhelming death.</p> + + <p>A richer treasure than the gorgeous Xerxes knew</p> + + <p>Will we entomb.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Cur</i>.—How base the offering that were made in + gold.</p> + + <p>What are riches to the blood that flows</p> + + <p>Within a good man's veins? rather let him</p> + + <p>Who is the wisest, bravest, best amongst us</p> + + <p>Fall in this fearful pit. Now ye who read</p> + + <p>The hidden books of nature say—who is</p> + + <p>The man most envied by his fellows,—by the gods</p> + + <p>Most lov'd?—That man is more than all the gems</p> + + <p>This teeming earth can boast. Name but that man</p> + + <p>And in an instant shall the debt be paid;</p> + + <p>For Rome's best patriot is her greatest good.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Sooth</i>.—Ay, noble Curtius, and that man art + thou,</p> + + <p>Thy words proclaim thy patriotic blood!</p> + + <p>Thy tongue first names the gift that angry heav'n</p> + + <p>Asks of rebellious earth. We need thy life.</p> + + <p>Destruction hovers o'er the trembling crew,</p> + + <p>That fills this little forum. Thou alone,</p> + + <p>The noblest, bravest, wisest, best of us,</p> + + <p>Canst scare the monster from the frowning skies,</p> + + <p>And fill the gulf that yawns beneath us.</p> + + <p>Die, Curtius, and thy name shall be enroll'd</p> + + <p>With gods and heroes—honour'd, lov'd, and fam'd.</p> + + <p>When senates are forgot!</p> + </div> + </div> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Cur</i>.—Since then by dying I can refound + Rome,</p> + + <p>For Rome preserv'd is built and born again.</p> + + <p>Be mine a Roman's death. Else 'twere in vain</p> + + <p>That once Eneas toil'd—that Romulus bore sway!</p> + + <p>In vain the matron's tears subdued her flinty son!</p> + + <p>In vain did Manlius for his country fight!</p> + + <p>In vain Lucretia and Virginia bleed!</p> + + <p>Romans, farewell!—I look around and see</p> + + <p>A band of augurs—an assembled senate,</p> + + <p>Plebeians and patricians—</p> + + <p>A people and a nation met together</p> + + <p>In council to avert calamity,</p> + + <p>And all are friends. Farewell, farewell, farewell!</p> + + <p>Favourites of Fortune what is it to die?</p> + + <p>Ye sons of pleasure! look on him who once</p> + + <p>Did sternly look on you—who dies for you!</p> + + <p>Scions of Victory! how cracks the heart,</p> + + <p>In that short moment of a bright career,</p> + + <p>When the last echo from the couch of Fame</p> + + <p>Falls on the dying ear? Oh! this mine act</p> + + <p>Were best done whilst the blood is warm—lest + time</p> + + <p>For thought should mar the purpose. Thought?—a + glorious deed</p> + + <p>Needs none. Come horse!—and at one fearful bound</p> + + <p>Plunge in the gulf beneath!</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><i>Curtius leaps into the chasm.</i></p> + + <p><i>Sooth</i>.—The gods attest the worth of this bold + youth.</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p><i>Cit</i>.—The chasm closes—and the dangers + pass:</p> + + <p>With buried Curtius following envy lies,</p> + + <p>Nor dare she lift her sickly head</p> + + <p>Above his giant grave.</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>CYMBELINE.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>ETYMOLOGICAL CURIOSITIES.</h3> + + <p>(<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.)</p> + + <p>Probably the following observations upon singular words, may + amuse some of your readers. I should, however, premise that as + regards myself, the greater part are not original.</p> + + <p>Without further preface, allow me in the first place to call + your attention to a word, which, by adding a syllable, becomes + shorter, viz. the word <i>short</i>—on the other hand we + have words of one syllable, which, by taking away two letters, + become words of two syllables, as plague, league, both of which, + by such an elision, leave <i>ague</i>. By dropping the two first + letters of the word <i>monosyllable</i>, we have <i>no + syllable</i> remaining.</p> + + <p>It has been remarked that <i>heroine</i> is one of the most + peculiar words in our language, as it may be thus + divided—the two first letters of it are male—the + three first female—the four first a brave man, and the + whole word a brave woman. Thus: <i>he, her, hero, heroine</i>. A + beggar may address himself, and say, <i>mend I + can't!</i>—leave out the apostrophe and he still remains a + <i>mendicant</i>. <i>Tartar, papa, murmur, etc.</i> may be + noticed as doubling the first syllable, and <i>eye, level</i>, + and other words as having the same meaning whether read backwards + or forwards. Some few by a reverse reading give a different sense + as <i>leper, revel, etc.</i></p> + + <p>W.F.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page358" name="page358"></a>[pg + 358]</span></p> + + <h2>FINE ARTS</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>ADDITIONAL REMARKS ON THE SCHOOL OF PAINTING, AT THE BRITISH + INSTITUTION.</h3> + + <p>(<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.)</p> + + <p>My first view of the copies at the British Institution being + rather too cursory to allow me to do ample justice to several of + much merit. Another visit has enabled me to make a few additional + remarks on the performances of many worthy young aspirants, who, + it is presumed, will receive fresh stimulus from the approbation + extended to them.</p> + + <p>In my last notice, which appeared in No. 396, of the MIRROR, I + adverted to Miss Sharpe's water-colour drawing of the Holy + Family, by Sir J. Reynolds; this is really an inimitable copy, + possessing all the richness of tint, and even the boldness and + texture, of the original. It is unquestionably the finest copy in + water ever executed in the Institution, to which, as well as to + the talented lady, it is a very high honour. From the numerous + <i>small</i> copies <i>in oil</i> of the Holy Family, I regret + not being able to select more than one—that by Mr. + Sargeant.</p> + + <p>Mr. Heaphy, in all his drawings, evinces considerable + artistical knowledge; his small study from Vandyke's Portrait of + a Gentleman is admirable in colour and execution.</p> + + <p>Messrs. Drake, Fussell, and Sargeant, have cleverly imitated + the fine Cattle Piece, by Cuyp; and Messrs. Pasmore and Novice + deserve notice for their studies from Gainsborough's large + landscape with figures. Messrs. Anderson and Woolmer are the best + imitators of Berghem's Landscape and Cattle; and the Interior of + a Kitchen, by Maaes, has met with the greatest possible attention + from Miss Alabaster, Mr. Bone, Jun., and Messrs. Novice and Buss. + The best attempts from the Canaletti are by Miss Dujardin, Mr. F. + Watts, and D. Pasmore, Jun. From the copies of Titian's Holy + Family, we may prefer Mr. Rochard's, which is the same size as + the original.</p> + + <p>Guercino's magnificent work, the Soul of St. Peter ascending + into Heaven attended by Angels, which was formerly an + altar-piece, has been copied in small. This is not, perhaps, at + first sight, a very attractive picture; but the longer we look at + it, the longer we seem disposed to admire it, for it insensibly + conveys to the mind sublime ideas, seldom experienced before.</p> + + <p>Perhaps the most novel performance in the present school is by + Mr. Davis; representing a View of the Gallery, with all the + original pictures, the different styles of which he has well + succeeded in. His work is a sort of <i>multum in parvo,</i> + extremely pretty and interesting.</p> + + <p>To conclude—the copies by Mrs. Pearson, Miss Farrier, + Miss Kearsley, &c. are very clever; as are those by Messrs. + Wate, Phillips, Brough, Hastings, Mackay, and Irving.</p> + + <p>G.W.N.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>THE NOVELIST</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>ISABEL.</h3> + + <p>Several years ago I took up my abode at the retired village of + D——. I had chosen this residence on account of its + sequestered situation, as solitude was, at that time, more + accordant to my feelings than the bustle of a populous town. At + no great distance from my habitation stood the Castle of + D——, an ancient Gothic structure, sinking fast into + decay. The last of its original possessors had been dead more + than half a century, and it was the property of a gentleman who + resided on the continent. The interior of the mansion spoke + loudly of desolation and ruin: the state apartments were + despoiled of their magnificent decorations, and scarcely a + vestige remained of their former splendour. An aged female + domestic was the sole inhabitant of this deserted pile. Born in + the service of the family of D——, she had survived + the last of its race, and remained a solitary relic of that + illustrious house. It was the business of old Alice to show the + castle to strangers; and I soon became a favourite with her, from + the interest I appeared to take in the fate of its former + inhabitants. The gallery was our chief resort; and, finding me a + willing listener, my ancient companion delighted to inform me of + all tradition had supplied her with, respecting the mighty + warriors and stately dames, whose portraits still hung on the + walls, smiling, as if in mockery of the desolation around.</p> + + <p>One fine autumnal evening found me, as usual, in my favourite + retreat. The rays of the departing sun streamed in rich dyes + through the coloured window, and fell with softened glory on the + picture of a bridal ceremony. I was surprised that it had never + before engaged my attention. The bridegroom was young, graceful, + and noble—the bride, fair, soft, and delicate. By her side + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page359" name="page359"></a>[pg + 359]</span> stood a form of unequalled loveliness: it seemed too + beautiful to have belonged to a daughter of earth; and I imagined + the painter had designed it to represent the guardian saint of + the youthful pair. I inquired of my ancient conductress the + history of this picture, and whether the beautiful female was not + an ideal being? "Alas!" said she, "it commemorates a heavy day + for the house of D——; on that day the last and + fairest of its race sunk the victim of unrequited affection. That + is her picture; but, oh! her soul was more angelic than her + person; she"—but, reader, let me give the story in my own + words. The Lady Isabel was the last descendant of the family of + D——; her father had fallen in battle; his lady did + not long survive him; and thus, at an early age, Isabel became an + orphan. Her mother's brother was appointed her guardian, and, + with his son Albert, came to reside at the Castle. The children, + thus insulated from the world, and educated entirely at home, saw + nothing so worthy to be loved as each other, and their attachment + was as romantic as the scenes around them. They both (but + particularly Isabel) delighted in the high chivalrous legends of + antiquity—and the tales of eternal constancy and + self-devoted affection recorded of some of the earlier heroines + of her family, were read with sacred veneration by the young + enthusiast. In a mind of ordinary temperament, little harm would + have resulted from the indulgence of such a taste; to the + impassioned soul of Isabel it was destructive and fatal. Deprived + by death of the mother who might have taught her to restrain and + regulate her ardent feelings, they acquired by neglect additional + strength, and eventually concentrated into a passion deep and + lasting as her existence. As years passed on, so did her love + increase; she regarded Albert as the perfection of human + excellence, and worshipped him with all the full devotedness of + her warm heart. It was not so with Albert; he thought of his fair + cousin with pride—with tenderness; but it was only the calm + affection of a brother: other feelings than those of love + possessed him—he languished for fame, for honourable + distinction among his fellow men, and at length left his peaceful + home, and the sweet companion of his youth, to fight the battles + of his country. His career was glorious; and after an absence of + three years, he was recalled by the death of his father. Isabel + welcomed him with rapturous joy; he embraced her with a brother's + fondness, and gazed with delight on her improved beauty. He + suspected not that she loved him with more than a sisterly + affection, and thought not of the wound he was about to inflict + on this tender, enthusiastic being. He told her of his attachment + to a fair girl, who had consented to become his bride at the + expiration of the term of mourning for his father. She heard him + with death-like silence, checked the groan that was bursting from + her agonized heart, and strove to assume a look of cheerfulness. + Retired to the solitude of her apartment, she wept in bitter + anguish—her young soul was blighted; she had nothing left + to live for; hope, happiness, and love were at an end; for love + would now be guilt. At length she grew calm, but it was the + fearful calmness of despair; she complained not—reproached + not; for she felt that she had been self-deceived; she could not, + however, conceal the devastation which sorrow was making in her + graceful form. Albert beheld her with concern, but ascribed the + alteration to her grief for his father's loss, for Isabel had + tenderly loved her uncle. She rejoiced at his mistake, and + attempted not to undeceive him: one only wish possessed + her—it was, to see the chosen of her Albert; and, with a + feverish impatience, she urged him to accelerate his nuptials. + The appointed day arrived—Isabel, attired in robes of + richest state, stood beside the altar, and witnessed the + annihilation of all her earthly happiness; still she sunk not; + but, with a mighty effort, pronounced a blessing on the wedded + pair. The excitement brought back a vivid colour to her cheeks, + and rekindled the lustre of her large dark eyes. The painter had + seized that moment to depict her glowing form—the + enthusiasm was but momentary—her angel face soon lost its + lovely tint, and her beautiful eyes sunk again into languor. The + castle was thronged with noble guests—sick at heart the + wretched Isabel wandered abstractedly amid the gay + assembly—her large floating eyes seemed straying vacantly + around, until they met the bridegroom's look of joy. Then came + the madness of recollection; with a convulsive shuddering she + averted her head, and stole unnoticed from the company. Morning + came, but she appeared not; her chamber was searched—she + had not entered it. Albert flew distractedly into the park, and, + at length perceived her quietly sitting by the side of the lake, + near a bower, which, when a boy, he had helped to decorate. She + was still clad in the robes of last night's festival. He ran + eagerly towards her—she <span class="pagenum"><a id= + "page360" name="page360"></a>[pg 360]</span> spoke not—he + entreated her to answer him, but he implored in vain—there + was neither breath, nor sense, nor motion—she was dead! + 'Twas a mournful sight! one white hand, stiffened to marble, was + pressed upon her broken heart, as she had sought to stay its + painful throbbings—the cold night dews hung in large drops + upon her silken hair, and shed a tremulous gleam upon the + diamonds that sparkled on her pale, icy forehead—the + withered leaves had found a resting place upon her bosom, and her + white garments were embroidered by their many colourings. The + castle became hateful to Albert after this event: he removed to a + distant part of the country, and never again revisited the scenes + of his earlier years. He also was dead; and Isabel, her love, and + her despair, were forgotten by all, save one aged, isolated + being, whose time-whitened locks and decrepit frame showed that + she too was rapidly descending to the silence of the grave.</p> + + <p><i>London University Magazine</i>. No. II.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>NOTES OF A READER.</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>MOLES</h3> + + <p>Are so voracious as not even to spare their own species. If + two are shut up together without food, there will shortly be + nothing left of the weakest but its skin, slit along the + belly.—<i>Cuvier</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>SCOTCH ALE.</h3> + + <p>The strength of Scotch ale, whence it deserves the name, + ranges between 32 and 44 pounds weight to the imperial barrel, + according to the price at which it is meant to be sold. The + general mode of charge is by the hogshead (about a barrel and a + half,) for which five pounds, six, seven, or eight pounds are + paid, as the quality may warrant; the strength for every + additional pound of price being increased by about four pounds + per barrel of weight.—<i>Library of Useful + Knowledge</i>.—Scotch two-penny was so called because it + was sold at twopence the Scotch pint, which was nearly two + English quarts.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>In a Scotch brewer's instructions for Scotch ale, dated 1793, + we meet with the following curious mystical instruction:—"I + throw a little dry malt, which is left on purpose, on the top of + the mash, with a handful of salt, to <i>keep the witches from + it</i>, and then cover it up. Perhaps this custom gave rise to + the vulgar term <i>water bewitched</i> for indifferent beer."</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>AMERICAN LAW.</h3> + + <p>A recent traveller, in describing the American courts of law + and their proceedings, says, in one instance Counsellor Lloyd had + grossly insulted Judge Turner in the street, and was tried for + the offence by the judge. He was half-drunk, but defended himself + by the vilest abuse of the judge, who could not silence him. No + jury was appealed to; but (we suppose for contempt of court) he + was ordered to give security for one year's good behaviour, and, + not procuring sufficient bail, was committed to prison.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The Galwegians who attended David I. of Scotland to Custon + Moor, had a favourite amusement of tossing infants upon their + pikes!</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>A CAT STORY.</h3> + + <p>Lady Morgan tells a story of an "amiable and intelligent" + grimalkin, which belonged to a young girl who was subject to + epileptic fits. Puss, by dint of repeated observation, knew when + they were coming on, and would run, frisking her tail, to the + girl's parents, mewing in the most heart-breaking tones, and + clawing at their legs, till she made them follow her. Her name + was <i>Mina</i>; and her history is extant in "choice Italian." + At length the girl died, and poor puss went to the funeral of her + own accord. Being a black cat, she was already in + mourning—"nature's mourning!" She wanted to jump into the + grave, but that was prevented. So puss, the "chief mourner," was + carried home again. But her amiable heart could not survive the + shock, for, after pining three months, refusing boiled liver and + new milk, poor grimalkin was found "dead upon the green mound + that covered her beloved mistress's remains." There was a cat for + you!</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>TURKS AND RUSSIANS.</h3> + + <p>The character of the Russ differs from that of the Turk in + little more than in the quality of his barbarism. The Turk loves + blood;—the Russ loves craft;—The Turk takes at once + to the dagger;—the Russ begins by the snare; but when the + matter presses, he will use the steel as readily as any Turk on + earth. The ferocity of the Turk flourishes in the streets, in his + own house, in the seraglio—every where that he has a victim + within his reach, and that it pleases him to destroy that victim. + The Russ knows something more of the <span class="pagenum"><a id= + "page361" name="page361"></a>[pg 361]</span> law, and is by no + means so domestic a cut-throat; but his mercy in the field or in + the stormed city, is massacre.—<i>Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>MR. PITT.</h3> + + <p>Lady Hester Stanhope related the following to Mr. + Madden:—</p> + + <p>When Mr. Pitt was out of office, I acted as his secretary, and + he had then as much business as when he was in. He very seldom + opposed my opinions, and always respected my antipathies. In + private life he was cheerful and affable; he would rise in the + midst of his gravest avocations to hand me a fallen handkerchief; + he was always polite to women, and a great favourite with many of + them; but he was wedded to the state, and nothing but death could + divorce him from his country. He was fond of me; he loved + originality in any shape. His great recreation, after the fatigue + of business, was stealing into the country, entering a clean + cottage, where there was a tidy woman and a nicely-scoured table, + and there he would eat bread and cheese like any ploughman. He + detested routs, and always sat down to plain dinners. He never + ate before he went to the House; but when any thing important was + to be discussed, he was in the habit of taking a glass of port + wine with a tea-spoonful of bark.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>ENGLISH AND FRENCH.</h3> + + <p>In the arts, while French productions display resource, + ingenuity, and dexterity, they at the same time show a striking + want of the sense of fitness, and are unfinished and flimsy. + Such, in the cities of France, is remarkably the case with + whatever regards furniture and decoration, while the productions + of cookery are at once impregnated with filth, and admirably + calculated to conceal it. In the country, again, with a climate + superior to that of England, there is everywhere to be seen open + fields, later harvests, corn full of weeds, and inferior grain. + The difference between French and English taste in dress is very + remarkable. Even when English women take a hint from French + contrivances, they endeavour to be more natural, modest, and + classical. As to male dress, an English gentleman always desires + his tailor to avoid the extremes of fashion; and, as his dress is + grave and manly, it is generally followed throughout Europe. The + French use of forks, napkins, &c. really requires some + notice. A French gentleman, in adjusting himself at his coarse + deal table and shabby cloth, does not hesitate to fix a napkin + about his neck, in such a manner as to protect his clothes in + front against the certainty of being bespattered by his mode of + eating. An Englishman of the middle class would be ashamed of + such a contrivance; for, without any particular care, he eats so + as not even to stain the damask cloth with which his mahogany + table is covered. The French gentleman is perpetually wiping his + dirty fingers on a napkin spread out before him, and of which the + beauties are not invisible to his neighbours on each side. The + Englishman of the middle class requires no napkin, because his + fingers are never soiled. The French gentleman, incapable of + raising his left hand properly to his mouth, first hastily hacks + his meat into fragments, then throws down his dirty knife on the + cloth, and seizing the fork in his right hand, while his left + fixes a mass of bread on his plate, he runs up each fragment + against it, and having eaten these, he wipes up his plate with + the bread and swallows it. An English peasant would blush at such + bestiality. A French gentleman not only washes his filthy hands + at table, but, after gulping a mouthful, and using it as a + gargle, squirts it into the basin standing before him, and the + company, who may see the charybdis or maelstrom he has made in + it, and the floating filth he has discharged, and which is now + whirling in its vortex. In England this practice is unknown, + except to those whose taste and stomach are too strong for + offence. It has been stupidly borrowed from the Oriental nations, + who use no knives and forks, and where, though it has this + apology, it has always excited the disgust of enlightened + travellers. When dinner is over, the Englishman's carpet is as + clean as before; the Frenchman's bare boards resemble those of a + hog-sty. In short, in all that regards the table, the French are + some centuries behind the English.—<i>Blackwood's + Magazine.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <p>In the last <i>Quarterly Review</i> we find that "the safety + of the British empire is now entrusted to 130,000 men. Now + France, we believe, maintains about 200,000 soldiers. The forces + of Austria and Prussia have always been on a much higher footing + than ours. Even the late King of Bavaria kept, we know not how, + 70,000 men under arms. Indeed Old England is by nothing more + happily distinguished from her neighbours <span class= + "pagenum"><a id="page362" name="page362"></a>[pg 362]</span> than + by the silence of the trumpet and drum. At this moment, moreover, + the due level of our peace establishment is but an object of + speculative research. No man who looks to the placing of + Roumelia, or whose vision reaches even to the palace of + Elysée Bourbon, would consent that this country should + lose the aid of a single right."</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>ALI PACHA'S HEAD.</h3> + + <p>Dr. Walsh tells us that the head of Ali Pacha was sent to + Constantinople, and exhibited to the public on a dish. As the + name of Ali had made a considerable noise in Europe, and more + particularly in England, in consequence of his negociations with + Sir Thomas Maitland, and still more, perhaps, the stanzas in + <i>Childe Harold</i>, a merchant of Constantinople thought it no + bad speculation to purchase the head and dish, and send them to + London for exhibition; but a former confidential agent obtained + it from the executioner for a higher price than the merchant had + offered; and together with the heads of his three sons and + grandson, who, according to custom, were all seized and + decapitated, had them deposited near one of the city gates, with + a tombstone and inscription.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE GOUT.</h3> + + <p>Imagine a sensation in the great toe, as if it had been + suddenly seized with a pair of red-hot pincers. Whew! There they + are at it! nipping and tearing the flesh, and then rubbing the + lacerated joint with aquafortis, or a solution of blue vitriol. + And now, the pain shoots along the nerves on that side, till my + head bumps and bumps as if a legion of imps were playing at + leap-frog in it.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>AMERICA.</h3> + + <p>The state of business in the United States is thus described + in a letter from Boston, dated the 7th of last July:—"The + commercial world over the globe seems paralyzed, and many + manufactories on a large scale, with the proprietors and + stockholders, have failed, and are utterly ruined. All business + is confined to the wants only of the day, teaching a necessary + absolute economy, which men of business in times past have not + been accustomed to."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Rice Paper is the pith of the Tong-t-sao—a valuable + Chinese tree.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>THE SELECTOR and LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>EMIGRATION TO NEW SOUTH WALES.</h3> + + <p>People who are accustomed to sit half the day with their hands + folded, over a bright November fire, talking of hard times and + other standing grievances, will do well to read "<i>A Letter from + Sydney, the principal town of Australasia, edited by Robert + Ganger</i>;" and study an annexed system of colonization as a + remedy for their distress. The Letter is written by a + plain-sailing, plain-dealing man of the world, and though on a + foreign topic, is in a homely style. We are therefore persuaded + that a few extracts will be useful to the above class of thinkers + and readers, as well as to others who do not, like the great man + of antiquity, sigh for new worlds.</p> + + <center> + <i>Climate and Soil</i>. + </center> + + <p>All that you read in the works of Wentworth and Cunningham, as + to the healthfulness and beauty of the climate, is strictly true. + There are scarcely any diseases but what result immediately from + intemperance. Dropsy, palsy, and the whole train of nervous + complaints, are common enough; but then, drunkenness is the vice + <i>par excellence</i> of the lower orders; and the better class + of settlers have not learned those habits of temperance which are + suited to the climate of Naples. The two classes often remind me + of English squires and their grooms, as I used to see them at + Florence, just after the peace; masters drinking at dinner, + because they were abroad, and after dinner because they were + Englishmen; the servants drinking always, because wine and brandy + were cheap. Perhaps a generation must pass away before the people + here will accommodate their habits to the climate, which is that + of Italy, without either malaria or the sirocco.</p> + + <p>The soil of New South Wales is not particularly fertile. The + plains of the Granges, and of the great rivers of China, the + lowlands of the West India islands, the swamps of the Gulf of + Mexico, and even the marshes of Essex, produce crops of which the + people here have no conception; but then, as we are without great + masses of alluvial deposit, so are agues and intermittent fevers + absolutely unknown. In point of natural fertility, I am inclined + to compare this soil to that of France; and I have no doubt that, + if the same quantity of agricultural labour as is employed in + France, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page363" name= + "page363"></a>[pg 363]</span> were here bestowed upon an area + equal to the French territory, the quantity of produce would + fully equal that of France. Timber, coal, iron, and other useful + minerals, abound; the harbours and rivers teem with fish; cattle + of all sorts thrive and multiply with astonishing rapidity; every + fruit that flourishes in Spain and Italy comes to the highest + perfection; and Nature fully performs her part in bestowing upon + man the necessaries, comforts, and luxuries of life.</p> + + <center> + <i>Value of Land, &c.</i> + </center> + + <p>I was told that an estate of 10,000 acres might be obtained + for a mere trifle. This was true. I have got 20,000 acres, and + they did not cost me more than 2s. per acre. But I imagined that + a domain of that extent would be very valuable. In this I was + wholly mistaken. As my estate cost me next to nothing, so it is + worth next to nothing. It is a noble property to look at; and + "20,000 acres in a ring fence," sounds very well in England; but + here, such a property possesses no exchangeable value. The reason + is plain: there are millions upon millions of acres, as fertile + as mine, to be had for nothing; and, what is more, there are not + people to take them. Of my 20,000 acres I reckon about 5,000 to + be woodland, though, indeed, there are trees scattered over the + whole property, as in an English park. For my amusement, I had a + rough estimate made of the money that I could obtain for all this + timber, were it growing in any part of England. The valuation + amounts to above £150,000.</p> + + <center> + <i>Building</i>. + </center> + + <p>Having fortune enough for all my wants, I proposed to get a + large domain, to build a good house, to keep enough land in my + own hands for pleasure-grounds, park, and game preserves; and to + let the rest, after erecting farm-houses in the most suitable + spots. My mansion, park, preserves, and tenants, were all a mere + dream. I have not one of them. When, upon my first arrival, I + talked of these things to some sensible men, to whom I was + recommended, they laughed in my face. I soon found that a house + would, though the stone and timber were to be had for nothing, + cost three times as much as in England. This was on account of + the very high wages required by mechanics; but this was not all. + None of the materials of a house, except stone and timber, are + produced in the colony. Every pane of glass, every nail, every + grain of paint, and every piece of furniture, from the kitchen + copper to the drawing-room curtains, must have come from England. + My property is at a distance of nearly seventy miles from the + sea, and there is no road, but a track through the forest, for + two-thirds of that distance. The whole colony did not contain as + many masons, carpenters, glaziers, painters, black and + whitesmiths, and other mechanics, as I should have required. Of + course, I soon abandoned all thought of building a mansion. As + for a park, my whole property was a park, and a preserve for + kangaroos and emus.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>A friend of ours, a free emigrant, has more than once + facetiously wished for our company in the colony; but judging + from the following, we had rather "let well alone," and stay at + home, than play the schoolmaster or march-of-intellect-man at + Sydney:—</p> + + <p>As for mental wants, talking and reading are out of the + question, except it be to scold your servants, and to con over a + Sydney newspaper, which contains little else but the miserable + party politics of this speck upon the globe, reports of crime and + punishment, and low-lived slang and flash, such as fill the + pothouse Sunday papers of London.</p> + + <p>Literary men, men of science, philosophers, do not emigrate to + new countries where their acquirements would be neither rewarded + nor admired. Sir Walter Scott, Sir Humphry Davy, and Mr. Malthus, + would not earn as much in this colony as three brawny experienced + ploughmen; and though the inordinate vanity of a new people might + be gratified by the possession of them, they would be considered + as mere ornaments, and would often be wholly neglected for things + of greater utility.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>House-rent, that great bugbear of certain economists, is + indeed a grievous affair at Sydney, as page 20 proves:—</p> + + <p>Behold me established at Sydney, in a small house, a poor + vamped-up building, more inconvenient, and far more ugly, than + you can imagine, for which I pay a rent of £250 a year. For + half the money you could get twice as good a house in any English + country town. This excessive house-rent is caused by the dearness + of labour, which enhances the cost of building; for, either the + builder will exact a rent proportioned to his outlay, or (if he + cannot obtain such a rent) he will not build.</p> + + <center> + <i>Free Emigrants</i>. + </center> + + <p>Of what class then, you ask, have been the great mass of + emigrants from England, not convicts? Excellent people in + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page364" name="page364"></a>[pg + 364]</span> their way, most of them; farmers, army and navy + surgeons, subalterns on half-pay, and a number of indescribable + adventurers, from about the twentieth rank in England. They came + here to live, not to enjoy; to eat and drink, not to refine; "to + settle"—that is, to roll in a gross plenty for the body, + but to starve their minds. To these must be added convicts, many + of whom are become rich and influential; and some, not exactly + convicts, to whom England ceased to be a convenient residence. + The English who live at Boulogne, some for cheapness, some from + misfortune, and some from fear, would offer, I should think, a + fair sample of the materials which compose the best society in + New South Wales; though, I must admit, that the bustling, + thriving settler of New South Wales is a companion, rather + ignorant though he be—far away preferable to the not more + enlightened, but melancholy English sluggard of Boulogne. To form + a due conception of the "upper classes" here, suppose all the + natives of France annihilated, and the whole country belonging to + the English residents of Boulogne. In that case, there would be + an almost perfect resemblance between those Englishmen who, + across a narrow channel, can see their own country, and those + who, at its antipodes look upon the Pacific Ocean.</p> + + <center> + <i>Society and Manners</i>. + </center> + + <p>As in France, the first class call themselves "gens comme il + faut;" and in England, "people of fashion," or "the + world"—so here, the leaders of society are distinguished by + a peculiar term. They are called "respectable." Not to speak of + France, it is difficult to say what in England constitutes + "fashion." Not high birth, certainly—for some of the + despots of English society are sprung from the dunghill. Our + epithet to express exclusiveness is, I think better + chosen—for, though strictly speaking, it means worthy of + respect, it is claimed, here, only by those to whom respect is + paid. In England, the <i>Quarterly Review</i> tells us, + "respectability" sometimes means keeping a gig—here it + always means dining with the governor.</p> + + <p>Our manners set the fashion. Those whom we exclude, exclude + others. Free emigrants claim to be of a nature superior to + convicts; convicts, whose terms of punishment have expired, + behave as if their flesh and blood were wholly unlike that of + convicts still in durance; convicts, who have not been convicted + south of the line, scorn those who have; and these several + classes, except the last, are as proud and tenacious of their + privileges as is every distinctive class in England, except the + unhappy lowest; or, as is every shade of colour in the West + Indies except the perfect black.</p> + + <center> + <i>The Population</i> + </center> + + <p>Of the settlement may amount in round numbers to 45,000. Of + these only 14,000, including women and children, have not been + convicted of felony; and two-thirds of the remainder, + seven-eights being grown men, are galley-slaves, still in + chains!</p> + + <center> + <i>Influence of Convict Labour</i>. + </center> + + <p>Little more than forty years ago this country was an absolute + waste. By way of contrast, behold, in the parts first settled, + the following proofs of wealth: a thriving capital, and several + interior towns, the latter being larger and better constructed + than the capitals of some English settlements in America, a + hundred years after their foundation; excellent roads; productive + turnpikes; crowded market-places; public hotels, superior to the + best in North America, even at this late hour; warehouses, + through which there is a constant flow of luxuries from all parts + of the world; public carriages, almost as well managed as those + of England; an astonishing number of private carriages, built in + Long Acre; several newspapers, and other periodical works; + booksellers' shops, well supplied from Europe; two banks of + deposit and discount; many churches and chapels; very good + schools for rich and poor; scientific, literary, and + philanthropic societies; a botanical garden; a turf club; packs + of hounds; dinner parties, concerts and balls; fine furniture, + plate, and jewels; and though last, not least, many gradations in + society, being so many gradations in wealth.</p> + + <p>Whence have come all those things, over and above mere + subsistence, which astonish the beholder, when he reflects that + this colony has been planted little more than forty years?</p> + + <p>An example has just passed my window, in the shape of a + dashing English landau. It contains a "lady," who married a poor + half-pay lieutenant, and who now drinks tea that would cost in + England twenty shillings the pound. They emigrated to New South + Wales in 1815. But how did she get that carriage, and how does + she manage to send to China for the gunpowder? Thus:—Her + husband is both landowner and merchant. Being constantly supplied + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page365" name="page365"></a>[pg + 365]</span> with a number of convict labourers, he breeds cattle + and cultivates grain; and as he gives to his labourers but just + enough for their subsistence, he has a large surplus produce. + Having sold to the local government wheat and beef for the supply + of prisons, hospitals, and barracks, he is paid partly with bills + upon the English treasury, and partly with dollars, sent from + England for the support of the great penitentiary. He remits one + of those bills to his London agent, and desires him to purchase, + with the proceeds thereof, a superb landau. In less than a year, + his wife "rides in her coach." He sends some of the dollars to + Canton, and purchases therewith a cargo of tea, of which he gives + to his wife as much as she likes, and sells the rest to the wives + of other men, who pay him with bills or dollars, received again + from the government for wheat and beef. Thus, you see, Mrs. + —— is indebted for two decided proofs of wealth to + the prevalence of crime in England. Even the coat of arms on her + landau was found by your Herald's College, in return for a part + of the proceeds of that bill, which was drawn <i>to pay for the + food of the soldiers who drove the convicts, who produced the + food</i>. Our old friend Sir George Nayler would no doubt start + at being told of his obligation to the pickpockets of London. And + the rogues are little aware of their influence in political + economy; but I have stated a plain fact, which, if you have any + doubts about it, pray submit both to Sir George himself, and to + Mr. M'Culloch.</p> + + <p>That is, indeed, an ill-wind which blows no good. We owe every + thing, over and above mere subsistence, to the wickedness of the + people of England. Who built Sydney? Convicts. Who made the + excellent roads from Sydney to Parramatta, Windsor, and + Liverpool? Convicts. By whom is the land made to produce? By + convicts. Why do not all our labourers exact high wages, and, by + taking a large share of the produce of labour, prevent their + employers from becoming rich? Because most of them are convicts. + What has enabled the landowner readily to dispose of his surplus + produce? The demand of the keepers of convicts. What has brought + so many ships to Port Jackson, and occasioned a further demand + for agricultural produce? The transportation of convicts. What + has tempted free emigrants to bring capital into the settlement? + The true stories that they heard of fortunes made by employing + the cheap labour of convicts. But here are questions and answers + enough. The case is plain. Nearly all that we possess has arisen + from the happy influence of penal emigration and discipline, on + production, distribution, and consumption. Thanks to the system + of transportation, we have had cheap labour and a ready market; + production, consequently, has exceeded consumption; and the + degree of that excess is the measure of our + accumulation—that is, of our wealth.</p> + + <p>The transportation of at least ten males for one female, + maintains a great disproportion between the sexes. This is the + greatest evil of all.</p> + + <center> + <i>A Rover</i>. + </center> + + <p>On the banks of the Illinois, I met with a labouring man, who + was always tipsy without ever being drunk. Enervated by + dram-drinking, he had not the courage to obtain a bit of forest + and settle; but he could earn seven shillings a day by his + labour. When I spoke to him, he complained of low wages. "At New + York, friend," said I, "five shillings a day are thought quite + enough." "I know that," he answered; "I was born there, and came + here to get eight shillings a day, which, I was told, was the + lowest rate hereabouts." It turned out that he never worked more + than three days in the week, and that, in order to obtain + twenty-four shillings a week by three days' labour, he had made a + circuitous voyage of some thousand miles from the place where he + was born, and where he could have earned thirty shillings a week + by working every day.</p> + + <center> + <i>Slang</i>. + </center> + + <p>The base language of English thieves is becoming the + established language of the colony. Terms of slang and flash are + used, as a matter of course, every where, from the gaols to the + Viceroy's palace, not excepting the Bar and the Bench. No doubt + they will be reckoned quite parliamentary, as soon as we obtain a + parliament.</p> + + <center> + <i>Bush-ranging</i> + </center> + + <p>Is a dreadful evil, being a kind of land piracy. None but back + settlers, it is true, are exposed to its burnings, rapes, and + massacres; but these are as much British subjects as the + inhabitants of Sydney or of Downing Street. And, if the + inhabitants of towns escape those horrors, they are liable to be + murdered in a quiet way, and their property is exposed to every + kind of depredation. Their actual losses by robbery, including + the expense and loss of time occasioned by prosecutions, are very + great.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The concluding observations on "the <span class= + "pagenum"><a id="page366" name="page366"></a>[pg 366]</span> + extension of Britain," and her colonial interests, are in a + forcible and liberal tone, but as they take rather too political + a turn for our pages, we recommend the anxious reader to the + volume itself, which is altogether the production of an original + thinker and an impartial writer.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE CRUISE OF H.M. SHIP TORCH.</h3> + + <center> + <i>A Fragment</i>. + </center> + + <p>I was the mate of the morning watch, and, as day dawned, I had + amused myself with other younkers over the side, examining the + shot holes and other injuries sustained from the fire of the + frigate, and contrasting the clean, sharp, well-defined + apertures, made by the 24 lb. shot from the long guns, with the + bruised and splintered ones from the 32 lb. carronades; but the + men had begun to wash down the decks, and the first gush of + clotted blood and water from the scuppers fairly turned me sick. + I turned away, when Mr. Kennedy, our gunner, a good steady old + Scotchman, with whom I was a bit of a favourite, came up to + me—"Mr. Cringle, the captain has sent for you; poor Mr. + Johnstone is fast going, he wants to see you."</p> + + <p>I knew my young messmate had been wounded, for I had seen him + carried below after the frigate's second broad-side; but the + excitement of a boy, who had never smelled powder fired in anger + before, had kept me on deck the whole night, and it never once + occurred to me to ask for him, until the old gunner spoke.</p> + + <p>I hastened down to our small confined berth, and there I saw a + sight that quickly brought me to myself. Poor Johnstone was + indeed going; a grape shot had struck him, and torn his belly + open. There he lay in his bloody hammock on the deck, pale and + motionless as if he had already departed, except a slight + twitching at the corners of his mouth, and a convulsive + contraction and distension of his nostrils. His brown ringlets + still clustered over his marble forehead, but they were drenched + in the cold sweat of death. The surgeon could do nothing for him, + and had left him; but our old captain—bless him for + it—I little expected, from his usual crusty bearing, to + find him so employed—had knelt by his side, and, whilst he + read from the Prayer Book one of those beautiful petitions in our + church service to Almighty God, for mercy to the passing soul of + one so young, and so early cut off, the tears trickled down the + old man's cheeks, and filled the furrows worn in them by the + washing up of many a salt spray. On the other side of his narrow + bed, fomenting the rigid muscles of his neck and chest, sat + Mistress Connolly, one of three women on board—a rough + enough creature, heaven knows, in common weather; but her stifled + sobs showed that the mournful sight had stirred up all the woman + within her. She had opened the bosom of the poor boy's shirt, and + untying the ribbon that fastened a small gold crucifix round his + neck, she placed it in his cold hand. The young midshipman was of + a respectable family in Limerick, her native place, and a + Catholic—another strand of the cord that bound her to him. + When the captain finished reading, he bent over the departing + youth, and kissed his cheek. "Your young messmate just now + desired to see you, Mr. Cringle, but it is too late, he is + insensible and dying." Whilst he spoke, a strong shiver passed + through the boy's frame, his face became slightly convulsed, and + all was over! The captain rose, and Connolly, with a delicacy of + feeling which many might not have looked for in her situation, + spread one of our clean mess table-cloths over the body. "And is + it really gone you are, my poor, dear boy!" forgetting all + difference of rank in the fulness of her heart. "Who will tell + this to your mother, and nobody here to wake you but ould Kate + Connolly, and no time will they be giving me, nor + whisky—Ochon! ochon!"</p> + + <p>But enough and to spare of this piping work. The boatswain's + whistle now called me to the gangway, to superintend the handing + up, from a shore boat alongside, a supply of the grand staples of + the island—ducks and onions. The three 'Mudians in her were + characteristic samples of the inhabitants. Their faces and skins, + where exposed, were not tanned, but absolutely burnt into a + fiery-red colour by the sun. They guessed and drawled like any + buckskin from Virginia, superadding to their accomplishments + their insular peculiarity of always shutting one eye when they + spoke to you. They are all Yankees at bottom; and if they could + get their 365 <i>Islands</i>—so they call the large stones + on which they live—under weigh, they would not be long in + towing them into the Chesapeake.</p> + + <p>The word had been passed to get six of the larboard guns and + all the shot over to the other side, to give the brig a list + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page367" name="page367"></a>[pg + 367]</span> of a streak or two a-starboard, so that the stage on + which the carpenter and his crew were at work over the side, + stopping the shot holes above the water line, might swing clear + of the wash of the sea. I had jumped from the nettings, where I + was perched, to assist in unbolting one of the carronade slides, + when I slipped and capsized against a peg sticking out of one of + the scuppers. I took it for something else and damned the + ring-bolt incontinently. Caboose, the cook, was passing with his + mate, a Jamaica negro of the name of Johncrow, at the time. + "Don't damn the remains of your fellow-mortals, Master Cringle; + that is my leg." The cook of a man-of-war is no small beer, he is + his Majesty's warrant officer, a much bigger wig than a poor + little mid, with whom it is condescension on his part to + jest.</p> + + <p>It seems to be a sort of rule, that no old sailor who has not + lost a limb, or an eye at least, shall be eligible to the office; + but as the kind of maiming is so far circumscribed that all cooks + must have two arms, a laughable proportion of them have but one + leg. Besides the honour, the perquisites are good; accordingly, + all old quartermasters, captains of tops, &c., look forward + to the cookdom, as the cardinals look to the popedom; and really + there is some analogy between them, for neither is preferred from + any especial fitness for the office. A cardinal is made pope + because he is old, infirm, and imbecile—our friend Caboose + was made cook because he had been Lord Nelson's coxswain, was a + drunken rascal, and had a wooden leg; for, as to his + gastronomical qualifications, he knew no more of the science than + just sufficient to watch the copper where the salt junk and + potatoes were boiling. Having been a little in the wind + overnight, he had quartered himself, in the superabundance of his + heroism, at a gun where he had no business to be, and in running + it out, he had jammed his toe in a scupper hole, so fast that + there was no extricating him; and notwithstanding his piteous + entreaty "to be eased out handsomely, as the leg was made out of + a plank of the Victory, and the ring at the end out of one of her + bolts," the captain of the gun finding, after a stout pull, that + the man was like to come "home in his hand <i>without</i> the + leg," was forced "to break him short off," as he phrased it, to + get him out of the way, and let the carriage traverse. In the + morning when he sobered, he had quite forgotten where the leg + was, and how he broke it; he therefore got Kelson to splice the + stump with the butt-end of a mop; but in the hurry it had been + left three inches too long, so that he had to jerk himself up to + the top of his peg at every step. The doctor, glad to breathe the + fresh air after the horrible work he had gone through, was + leaning over the side, speaking to Kelson. When I fell, he turned + round and drew Cookee's fire on himself. "Doctor, you have not + prescribed for me yet."—"No, Caboose, I have not; what is + wrong?"—"Wrong, sir! why, I have lost my leg, and the + captain's clerk says I am not in the return!—Look here, + sir, had doctor Kelson not coopered me, where should I have + been?—Why, doctor, had I been looked after, amputation + might have been unnecessary; a <i>fish</i> might have done, + whereas I have had to be <i>spliced</i>." He was here cut short + by the voice of his mate, who had gone forward to slay a pig for + the gunroom mess. "Oh, Lad, oh!—Massa Caboose!—Dem + dam Yankee! De Purser killed, massa!—Dem shoot him troo de + head!—Oh, Oh, Lad!" Captain Deadeye had come on deck. "You, + Johncrow, what <i>is</i> wrong with you?"—"Why, de Purser + killed, captain, dat all."—"Purser killed?—Doctor, is + Saveall hurt?" Treenail could stand it no longer. "No, sir, no; + it is one of the gunroom pigs that we shipped at Halifax, three + cruises ago; I am sure I don't know how he survived one, but the + seamen took a fancy to him, and nicknamed him the Purser. You + know, sir, they make pets of any thing, and every thing, at a + pinch!"</p> + + <p>Here Johncrow drew the carcass from the hog-pen, and sure + enough a shot had cut the poor Purser's head nearly off. Blackee + looked at him with a most whimsical expression; they say no one + can fathom a negro's affection for a pig. "Poor Purser! de people + call him Purser, sir, because him knowing chap; him cabbage all + de grub, slush, and stuff in him own corner, and give only de + small bit, and de bad piece, to de oder pig; so, + captain"—Splinter saw the poor fellow was like to get into + a scrape. "That will do, Johncrow—forward with you now, and + lend a hand to cat the anchor.—All hands up anchor!" The + boatswain's hoarse voice repeated the command, and he in turn was + re-echoed by his mates; the capstan was manned, and the crew + stamped round to a point of war most villanously performed by a + bad drummer and a worse fifer, in as high glee as if those who + were killed had been snug and well in their hammocks on the + berth-deck, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page368" name= + "page368"></a>[pg 368]</span> in place of at the bottom of the + sea, with each a shot at his feet. We weighed, and began to work + up, tack and tack, towards the island of Ireland, where the + arsenal is, amongst a perfect labyrinth of shoals, through which + the 'Mudian pilot <i>cunned</i> the ship with great skill, taking + his stand, to our no small wonderment, not at the gangway or + poop, as usual, but on the bowsprit end, so that he might see the + rocks under foot, and shun them accordingly, for they are so + steep and numerous, (they look like large fish in the clear + water), and the channel is so intricate, that you have to go + quite close to them. At noon we arrived at the anchorage, and + hauled our moorings on board. <i>Blackwood's Magazine</i>.</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>SCRAPS.</h3> + + <p>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</p> + + <h3>DODSLEY.</h3> + + <p>About five or six miles from Mansfield is the mill where the + incident took place on which Dodsley founded his pleasing drama + of <i>The Miller of Mansfield</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Bottles for ginger-beer, soda-water, ink, blacking, &c. + are principally manufactured near Codnor Castle, in Derbyshire. + About fifty women and children finish one hundred gross per + day.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Glauber Salts are a more tonic aperient than Epsom Salts, + which is accounted for by the presence of a little iron, in the + one, which has not been detected in the other.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The tip of the cat's nose is always cold, except on the day of + the summer solstice, when it becomes lukewarm.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Cod-fish are sorely attacked by dog and cuttle-fish. The + latter, with their hard mouths, resembling parrots' bills, cut up + the mackerel and herrings with great adroitness. The cuttle-fish + are, in their turn, sometimes attacked by the dog-fish; but they + generally escape, by ejecting a liquid resembling <i>ink</i>, + which renders the water dark and turbid.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>MACKEREL.</h3> + + <p>When red mullet are abundant in fishmongers' shops, a fine + mackerel season may be expected. The early mackerel are + frequently attended by a few mullet; and whenever they nearly, if + not altogether, equal the mackerel in number, the circumstance is + generally the presage of the approach of great shoals of + mackerel.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The course of herrings and mackerel is traced by their eggs, + which, during a calm, may be seen floating on the surface of the + water, like saw-dust, amidst an appearance like the wake or track + of a vessel.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>SPRATS AND WHITE BAIT.</h3> + + <p>Mr. Yarrell has recently shown that the sprat is not the young + of the herring and pilchard, as has been generally supposed. One + of the most material differences is, that the vertebrae in the + sprat are forty-eight in number, while in the herring there are + fifty-six. The same gentleman has also proved that <i>white + bait</i> are not the young of the shad, or mother of herrings; + but that they are a well-marked and distinct species.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>WHISKY.</h3> + + <p>It is a curious fact, that until the legal distillation of + whisky was prohibited in the Highlands, it was never drunk at + gentlemen's tables. "Mountain dew," and such poetic names, are of + modern invention, since this liquor became fashionable. It is + altogether of modern introduction into the Highlands; the name + being only mentioned in modern ballads.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>ANNUALS FOR 1830.</h3> + + <p>The Second SUPPLEMENT, containing Choice Extracts from the + "Keepsake," "Forget-me-not," &c., with a fine Large Engraving + from the "Landscape Annual," will be published with our next + number.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>LIMBIRD'S EDITIONS.</h3> + + <p>CHEAP and POPULAR WORKS published at the MIRROR OFFICE in the + Strand, near Somerset House.</p> + + <p>The ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS, Embellished with nearly + 150 Engravings. In 6 Parts, 1s. each.</p> + + <p>The TALES of the GENII. 4 Parts, 6d. each.</p> + + <p>The MICROCOSM. By the Right Hon. G. CANNING. &c. 4 Parts, + 6d each.</p> + + <p>PLUTARCH'S LIVES, with Fifty Portraits, 12 Parts, 1s each.</p> + + <p>COWPER'S POEMS with 12 Engravings, 12 Numbers, 3d. each.</p> + + <p>COOK'S VOYAGES, 28 Numbers, 3d. each.</p> + + <p>The CABINET of CURIOSITIES: or, WONDERS of the WORLD DISPLAYED + 27 Nos. 2d. each.</p> + + <p>BEAUTIES of SCOTT. 36 Numbers, 3d. each.</p> + + <p>The ARCANA of SCIENCE for 1828. Price 4s. 6d.</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" /> + + <p><i>Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 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 11447 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/11447-h/images/401-1.png b/11447-h/images/401-1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..05530b6 --- /dev/null +++ b/11447-h/images/401-1.png |
