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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 14, Issue 403, December 5, 1829, by Various</title>
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11458 ***</div>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and
+Instruction, Vol. 14, Issue 403, December 5, 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="page385" name="page385"></a>[pg
+ 385]</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. 403.]</b>
+ </td>
+ <td align="center">
+ <b>SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1829.</b>
+ </td>
+ <td align="right">
+ <b>[PRICE 2d.</b>
+ </td>
+ </tr>
+ </table>
+ <hr class="full" />
+ <h2>
+ Fall of the Staubbath.
+ </h2>
+ <div class="figure" style="width: 100%;">
+ <a href="images/403-1.png"><img width="100%"
+ src="images/403-1.png" alt="Fall of the Staubbath." /></a>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ In the poet and the philosopher, the lover of the sublime,
+ and the student of the beautiful in art&mdash;the
+ contemplation of such a scene as this must awaken ecstatic
+ feelings of admiration and awe. Its effect upon the mere man
+ of the world, whose mind is clogged up with common-places of
+ life, must be overwhelming as the torrent itself; perchance
+ he soon recovers from the impression; but the lover of
+ Nature, in her wonders, reads lessons of infinite wisdom,
+ combined with all that is most fascinating to the mind of
+ inquiring man. In the school of her philosophy, mountains,
+ rivers, and falls not only astonish and delight him in their
+ vast outlines and surfaces, but in their exhaustless
+ varieties and transformations, he enjoys old and new worlds
+ of knowledge, apart from the proud histories of man, and the
+ comparative insignificance of all that he has laboured to
+ produce on the face of the globe.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Few have witnessed the <i>Staubbach</i>, or similar wonders
+ without acknowledging the force of their impressions. This
+ Fall is in the valley of Lauterbrun, the most picturesque
+ district of Switzerland. Simond,<a id="footnotetag1"
+ name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a>
+ in describing its beauties, says, "we began to ascend the
+ valley of Lauterbrun, by the side of its torrent (the
+ Lutschine) among fragments of rocks, torn from the heights on
+ both sides, and beautiful trees, shooting up with great
+ luxuriance and in infinite variety; smooth pastures of the
+ richest verdure, carpeted over every interval of plain
+ ground; and the harmony of the sonorous cow-bell of the Alps,
+ heard among the precipices above our heads and below us, told
+ us we were not in a desart." "The ruins of the mineral world,
+ apparently so durable, and yet in a state of incessant
+ decomposition, form a striking contrast with the perennial
+ youth of the vegetable world; each individual plant, so frail
+ and perishable, while the species is eternal in the existing
+ economy of nature. Imperceptible forests of timber scarcely
+ tinge their inert masses of gneiss and granite, into which
+ they anchor their roots; grappling with substances which,
+ when <span class="pagenum"><a id="page386"
+ name="page386"></a>[pg 386]</span> struck with steel, tear up
+ the tempered grain, and dash out the spark." This may be an
+ enthusiastic, but is doubtless the faithful, impression of
+ our tourist; and in descriptions of sublime nature, we should
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Survey the whole; nor seek slight fault to find,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Where Nature moves, and rapture warms the mind.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ Each valley has its appropriate stream, proportioned to its
+ length, and the number of lateral valleys opening into it.
+ The boisterous Lutschine is the stream of Lauterbrun, and it
+ carries to the Lake of Brientz scarcely less water than the
+ Aar itself. About half way between Interlaken and Lauterbrun,
+ is the junction of the two Lutschines, the black and the
+ white, from the different substances with which they have
+ been in contact.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Simond says, "after passing several falls of water, each of
+ which we mistook for the Staubbach, we came at last to the
+ house where we were to sleep. It had taken us three hours to
+ come thus far; in twenty minutes more we reached the heap of
+ rubbish accumulated by degrees at the foot of the Staubbach;
+ its waters descending from the height of the Pletschberg,
+ form in their course several mighty cataracts, and the last
+ but one is said to be the finest; but is not readily
+ accessible, nor seen at all from the valley. The fall of the
+ Staubbach, about <i>eight hundred feet in height</i>, wholly
+ detached from the rock, is reduced into vapour long before it
+ reaches the ground; the water and the vapour undulating
+ through the air with more grace and elegance than sublimity.
+ While amusing ourselves with watching the singular appearance
+ of rockets of water shooting down into the dense cloud of
+ vapour below, we were joined by some country girls, who gave
+ us a concert of three voices, pitched excessively high, and
+ more like the vibrations of metal or glass than the human
+ voice, but in perfect harmony, and although painful in some
+ degree, yet very fine. In winter an immense accumulation of
+ ice takes place at the foot of the Fall, sometimes as much as
+ three hundred feet broad, with two enormous icy stalactites
+ hanging down over it. When heat returns, the falling waters
+ hollow out cavernous channels through the mass, the effect of
+ which is said to be very fine; this, no doubt, is the proper
+ season to see the Staubbach to most advantage." Six or eight
+ miles further, the valley ends in glaciers scarcely
+ practicable for chamois hunters. About forty years since some
+ miners who belonged to the Valais, and were at work at
+ Lauterbrun, undertook to cross over to their own country,
+ simply to hear mass on a Sunday. They traversed the level top
+ of the glacier in three hours; then descended, amidst the
+ greatest dangers, its broken slope into the Valais, and
+ returned the day after by the same way; but no one else has
+ since ventured on the dangerous enterprise.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Apart from the romantic attraction of the Fall, the
+ broad-eaved chalet and its accessaries form a truly
+ interesting picture of village simplicity and repose. Here
+ you are deemed rich with a capital of three hundred pounds.
+ All that is not made in the country, or of its growth, is
+ deemed luxury: a silver chain here as at Berne, is
+ transmitted from mother to daughter. Dwellings and barns
+ covered with tiles, and windows with large panes of glass,
+ give to the owner a reputation of wealth; and if the outside
+ walls are adorned with paintings, and passages of Scripture
+ are inscribed on the front of the house, the owner ranks at
+ once among the aristocracy of the country. What an
+ association of primitive happiness do these humble attributes
+ and characteristics of Swiss scenery convey to the
+ unambitious mind. Think of this, ye who regard palaces as
+ symbols of true enjoyment! and ye who imprison yourselves in
+ overgrown cities, and wear the silken fetters of wealth and
+ pride!&mdash;an aristocrat of Lauterbrun eclipses all your
+ splendour, and a poor Swiss cottager in his humble chalet, is
+ richer than the wealthiest of you&mdash;for he is
+ <i>content</i>.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ PSALMODY.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ (<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.)
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ In my paper of the 22nd of August, on this subject, I
+ promised to resume it on my next coming to London, which has
+ been retarded by several causes.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ In visiting the Churches of All Souls, and Trinity, the
+ psalmody is by no means to be praised. It is chiefly by the
+ charity children, the singing (or rather noise) is in their
+ usual way, and which will go on to the end of time, unless by
+ the permission of the clergy, some intelligent instructors
+ are allowed to lead as in the Chapel of St. James, near
+ Mornington Place, in the Hampstead Road. The author of the
+ paper on Music, in your publication of the 6th of September,
+ very fairly puts the question, "Why are not the English a
+ musical people?" and he shows many of
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page387" name="page387"></a>[pg
+ 387]</span> the interrupting causes. It may happen, however,
+ that by cultivating psalmody in our churches and chapels,
+ considerable progress may be made. The young will be
+ instructed, and the more advanced will <i>attend</i>, and we
+ know the power of <i>attention</i> (the only quality in which
+ Sir Isaac Newton could be persuaded to believe he had any one
+ advantage in intellect over his fellow men.)
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ It is much to be regretted that the poetry in which our
+ Episcopal Psalms and Hymns are sung, is confined to the
+ versions of Sternhold and Hopkins, and of Tate and Brady. The
+ poetry of Sternhold and Hopkins is in general uncouth with
+ some few exceptions. Tate and Brady have made their
+ versification somewhat more congenial with the modern
+ improvements of our language; but each confines himself to
+ the very literal language of the Old Testament; Sternhold and
+ Hopkins in this respect have the advantage of their
+ successors, Tate and Brady; for the translations of Sternhold
+ and Hopkins are nearer to the original Hebrew.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The main object of my hope is, that the version of the Psalms
+ now in use may be altered, or rather improved, in such a
+ manner as to manifest their prophetic and typical relation to
+ Christianity, to which in their present form so little
+ reference is to be perceived by those "who should read as
+ they run." A change or improvement in this respect would give
+ a more enlivening interest in Psalmody. Dr. Watts has done
+ this with great truth and effect, and the singing in the
+ churches and chapels in which his version is in whole or in
+ part introduced, proceeds with a more Christian spirit: and a
+ vast improvement has sprung from this source, in the sacred
+ music of those churches and chapels.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To illustrate this part of my paper, let me refer to the
+ version employed in several of the new churches, and to the
+ version of Dr. Watts, in the spiritual interpretation of the
+ 4th Psalm. In the version first referred to, the words
+ are&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ The place of ancient sacrifice
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Let <i>righteousness</i> supply,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And let your hope securely fix'd
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ On Him alone rely.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ Now in this version it naturally occurs to inquire <i>what
+ righteousness</i>? The high churchman will content himself
+ that it is a literal translation; but the way-faring man sees
+ nothing of the atoning righteousness of Christ in this
+ translation; but which according to the 11th article of the
+ Church of England, he reasonably looks for. Even the
+ Unitarians refer to this and other parts of our translation
+ of the Hebrew Psalms, as a justification of THEIR main
+ principle of the unity alone in the godhead.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Dr. Watts, a genuine Christian, believing in the union of the
+ Father, Son, and Spirit, and manifesting this pure faith to
+ the end of a well-spent life, gives the Christian meaning of
+ this righteousness, in his version of the 4th Psalm:
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Know that the Lord divides his Saints
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ From all the tribes of men beside,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ He hears the cry of penitents
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ For the dear sake of Christ who died.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ Here the true typical and prophetic meaning of the Old
+ Testament is given.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The version used by the English church in the 5th Psalm is
+ subject to the same observation as on the 4th.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The church version is
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Thou in the morn shall hear my voice
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And with the dawn of day,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To thee devoutly I look up,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To thee devoutly pray.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ Dr. Watts, who gives the Christian meaning of this Psalm,
+ translates or paraphrases thus truly:&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Lord in the morning thou shall hear
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ My voice ascending high,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To thee will I direct my pray'r,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To thee lift up mine eye.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Up to the hills where Christ is gone
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ <i>To plead for all his Saints</i>,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Presenting at his father's throne,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Our songs and our complaints.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ Psalmody, or the singing of sacred music, conducted by such a
+ gracious and animated sense of the revealed word of God, must
+ naturally be performed, as it must be ardently felt, in a
+ different spirit&mdash;and this truth we perceive daily
+ verified; but while a considerable portion of our clergy not
+ only are strict in confining the singing to the last
+ <i>version</i>, or to parts of Sternhold, and even prescribe
+ the very dull old <i>tunes</i> to be made use of, improvement
+ in church music is not to be expected. I have before me a
+ list of tunes, to which the organists of our churches and
+ episcopal chapels are limited in their playing; and, what is
+ singular, three of the chief clergymen of the churches
+ confess they literally have no ear for music, and are utter
+ strangers to what an <i>octave</i> means, and yet their
+ <i>authority</i> decides.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ It is not intended to enter into any polemical discussion, as
+ controversy is not necessary to the improvement of psalmody;
+ but less than has been stated would not have shown the
+ advantage to be acquired by the use of a more Christian sense
+ to those who rely on Christ as their Redeemer. We know, from
+ experience, how agreeable it is to the
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page388" name="page388"></a>[pg
+ 388]</span> mind and senses to hear the praises to the
+ Almighty sung by the proper rules of harmony, and with what
+ spiritual animation the upright and sincere youth of both
+ sexes unite in this delightful service.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ With these views, I respectfully submit to the clergymen of
+ the new churches to pursue the course which receives such
+ universal approbation in St. James's Chapel,
+ Mornington-place, Hampstead-road. The simplicity and effect
+ must be strong motives to excite their attention, and I hope
+ to witness its adoption.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ CHRISTIANUS.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ THE THIEF.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ (<i>For the Mirror</i>.)
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ I tell with equal truth and grief,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ That little C&mdash;'s an arrant thief,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Before the urchin well could go,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ She stole the whiteness of the snow.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And more&mdash;that whiteness to adorn,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ She snatch'd the blushes of the morn;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Stole all the softness aether pours
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ On primrose buds in vernal show'rs.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ There's no repeating all her wiles,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ She stole the Graces' winning smiles;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 'Twas quickly seen she robb'd the sky,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To plant a star in either eye;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ She pilfer'd orient pearl for teeth,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And suck'd the cow's ambrosial breath;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The cherry steep'd in morning dew
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Gave moisture to her lips and hue.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ These were her infant spoils, a store
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To which in time she added more;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ At twelve she stole from Cyprus' Queen
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Her air and love-commanding mien;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Stole <i>Juno's</i> dignity, and stole
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ From <i>Pallas</i> sense, to charm the soul;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ She sung&mdash;amaz'd the Sirens heard
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And to assert their voice appear'd.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ She play'd, the Muses from their hill,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Marvell'd who thus had stole their skill;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ <i>Apollo's</i> wit was next her prey,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Her next the beam that lights the day;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ While <i>Jove</i> her pilferings to crown,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Pronounc'd these beauties all her own;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Pardon'd her crimes, and prais'd her art,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And t'other day she stole&mdash;my heart.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Cupid, if lovers are thy care,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Revenge thy vot'ry on this fair;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Do justice on her stolen charms,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And let her prison be&mdash;my arms.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ W.H.H.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ SHAKSPEARE.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ (<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.)
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ In the Drama entitled <i>Shakspeare's Early Days</i>, the
+ compliment which the poet is made to pay the queen: "That as
+ at her birth she wept when all around was joy, so at her
+ death she will smile while all around is grief," has been
+ admired by the critics. In this jewel-stealing age, it is but
+ just to restore the little brilliant to its owner. The
+ following lines are in Sir William Jones's Life, translated
+ by him from one of the Eastern poets, and are so exquisitely
+ beautiful that I think they will be acceptable to some of
+ your fair readers for their albums.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ T.B.
+ </p>
+ <h3>
+ TO AN INFANT.
+ </h3>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ On parent's knees, a naked new-born child,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Weeping thou sat'st, while all around thee smil'd.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ So live, that sinking to thy last long sleep,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Calm thou may'st smile, while all around thee&mdash;weep.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza"></div>
+ </div>
+ <h3>
+ THE RUINED WELL.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ (<i>For the Mirror</i>.)
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ The form of ages long gone by
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Crowd thick on Fancy's wondering eye,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And wake the soul to musings high!
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ J.T. WALTER.
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Where are the lights that shone of yore
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ Around this haunted spring?
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Do they upon some distant shore
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ Their holy lustre fling?
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ It was not thus when pilgrims came
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ To hymn beneath the night,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And dimly gleam'd the censor's flame
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ When stars and streams were bright.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ What art thou&mdash;since five hundred years
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ Have o'er thy waters roll'd;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Since clouds have wept their crystal tears
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ From skies of beaming gold?
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Thy rills receive the tint of heaven,
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ Which erst illum'd thy shrine;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And sweetest birds their songs have given,
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ For music more divine.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Beside thee hath the maiden kept
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ Her vigils pale and lone;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ While darkly have her ringlets swept
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ The chapel's sculptur'd stone;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And when the vesper-hymn was sung
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ Around the warrior's bier,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ With cross and banner o'er him hung,
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ What splendour crown'd thee here!
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ But a cloud has fall'n upon thy fame!
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ The woodman laves his brow,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Where shrouded monks and vestals came
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ With many a sacred vow;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And bluely gleams thy sainted spring
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ Beneath the sunny tree;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Then let no heart its sadness bring,
+ </p>
+ <p class="i2">
+ <i>When</i> Nature is with thee.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ REGINALD AUGUSTINE.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <p>
+ A Siamese Chief hearing an Englishman expatiate upon the
+ magnitude of our navy, and afterwards that England was at
+ peace, cooly observed, "If you are at peace with all the
+ world, why do you keep up so great a navy?"
+ </p>
+ <hr class="full" />
+ <p>
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page389" name="page389"></a>[pg
+ 389]</span>
+ </p>
+ <h2>
+ THE SKETCH-BOOK.
+ </h2>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ WRECK ON A CORAL REEF.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ (<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.)
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ I take the liberty of transmitting you an authentic, though
+ somewhat concise, narrative of the loss of the Hon. Company's
+ regular ship, "Cabalva," (on the Cargados, Carajos, in the
+ Indian Seas, in latitude 16&deg; 45 s.) in July, 1818, no
+ detailed account having hitherto appeared. The following was
+ written by one of the surviving officers, in a letter to a
+ friend.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ A CONSTANT READER.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The Hon. Company's ship, Cabalva, having struck on the Owers,
+ in the English Channel, and from that circumstance, proving
+ leaky, and manifesting great weakness in her frame, it was
+ thought advisable to bear up for Bombay in order to dock the
+ ship. Meeting with a severe gale of wind off the Cape, (in
+ which we made twenty inches of water per hour,) we parted
+ from our consort, and shaped a course for Bombay; but on the
+ 7th of July, between four and five A.M. (the weather dark and
+ cloudy) the ship going seven or eight knots, an alarm was
+ given of breakers on the larboard bow; the helm was instantly
+ put hard-a-port, and the head sheets let go; but before it
+ could have the desired effect, she struck; the shock was so
+ violent, that every person was instantly on deck, with horror
+ and amazement depicted on their countenances. An effort was
+ made to get the ship off, but it was immediately seen that
+ all endeavours to save her must be useless; she soon became
+ fixed, and the sea broke over her with tremendous force;
+ stove in her weather side, making a clear
+ passage&mdash;washed through the hatchways, tearing up the
+ decks, and all that opposed its violence.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ We were now uncertain of our distance from a place of safety;
+ the surf burst over the vessel in a dreadful cascade, the
+ crew despairing and clinging to her sides to avoid its
+ violence, while the ship was breaking up with a rapidity and
+ crashing noise, which added to the roaring of the breakers,
+ drowned the voices of the officers. The masts were cut away
+ to ease the ship, and the cutter cleared from the booms and
+ launched from the lee-gunwale. When the long wished-for dawn
+ at last broke on us, instead of alleviating, it rather added
+ to, our distress. We found the ship had run on the
+ south-easternmost extremity of a coral reef, surrounding on
+ the eastern side those sand-banks or islands in the Indian
+ ocean, called Cargados, Carajos: the nearest of these was
+ about three miles distant, but not the least appearance of
+ verdure could be discovered, or the slightest trace of
+ anything on which we might hope to subsist. In two or three
+ places some pyramidical rocks appeared above the rest like
+ distant sails, and were repeatedly cheered as such by the
+ crew, till it was soon perceived they had no motion, and the
+ delusion vanished. The masts had fallen towards the reef, the
+ ship having fortunately canted in that direction, and the
+ boat was thereby protected in some measure from the surf. Our
+ commander, whom a strong sense of misfortune had entirely
+ deprived of mind so necessary on these occasions, was
+ earnestly requested to get into the boat, but he would not,
+ thinking her unsafe. He maintained his station on the mizen
+ top-mast that lay among the wreck to leeward; the surf which
+ was rushing round the bow and stern continually overwhelming
+ him. I was myself close to him on the same spar, and in this
+ situation we saw many of our shipmates meet an untimely end,
+ being either dashed against the rocks or swept over by the
+ breakers. The large cutter, full of officers and men, now
+ cleared a passage through the mass of wreck, and being
+ furnished with oars, watched the proper moment and pushed off
+ for the reef, which she fortunately gained in safety; they
+ were all washed out of her in an instant by a tremendous
+ surf, yet out of more than sixty which it contained, only one
+ man was drowned. Our captain seeing this, wished he had taken
+ advice, which was now of no use. Finding I could not longer
+ maintain myself on the same spar, and seeing the captain in a
+ very exhausted state, I solicited him to return to the wreck,
+ but he replied, that since we must all eventually perish, I
+ should not think of his, but rather of my own, preservation.
+ An enormous breaker now burst on us with irresistible force,
+ so that I scarcely noticed what occurred to him afterwards,
+ being buried by successive seas. At length, after the most
+ desperate efforts, I was thrown on the reef, half drowned and
+ severely cut by the sharp coral, when I silently offered up
+ thanks for my preservation, and crawling up the reef, waved
+ my hand to encourage those who remained behind.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The captain, however, was not to be seen, and most of the
+ others had returned to the wreck and were employed in getting
+ the small cutter into the
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page390" name="page390"></a>[pg
+ 390]</span> water, which they accomplished, and safely
+ reached the shore. About noon, when we had all left the ship,
+ she was a perfect wreck. The whole of the upper works, from
+ the after part of the forecastle to the break of the poop
+ deck, had separated from her bottom about the upper
+ futtock-heads, and was driving in towards the reef. Most of
+ the lighter cargo had floated out of her. Bales of company's
+ cloth, cases of wine, puncheons of spirits, barrels of
+ gunpowder, hogsheads of beer, &amp;c. lay strewed on the
+ shore, together with a chest of tools. Finding the men
+ beginning to commit the usual excesses, we stove in the heads
+ of the spirit casks, to prevent mischief, and endeavoured to
+ direct their attention to the general benefit. The tide was
+ flowing fast, and we saw that the reef must soon be covered;
+ we therefore conveyed the boats to a place of safety, and
+ filling them with all the provisions that could be collected,
+ proceeded to the highest sand-bank as the only place which
+ held out the remotest chance of security. Our progress was
+ attended with the most excruciating pain I ever endured, with
+ feet cut to the bones by the rocks, and back blistered by the
+ sun&mdash;exhausted with fatigue&mdash;up to the
+ waist&mdash;sometimes to the neck in the water, and
+ frequently obliged to swim. Seeing, however, that several had
+ reached the highest sand-bank, lighted a fire, and were
+ employed in erecting a tent from the cloth and small spars
+ which had floated up, I felt my spirits revive, and had
+ strength sufficient to reach the desired spot, when I was
+ invited to partake of a shark which had just been caught by
+ the people. Having set a watch to announce the approach of
+ the sea, lest it should cover us unawares, I sunk exhausted
+ on the sand, and fell into a sound sleep. I awoke in the
+ morning stiff with the exertions of the former day, yet
+ feeling grateful to Providence that I was still alive.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The people now collected together to ascertain who had
+ perished, when sixteen were missing: the captain, surgeon's
+ assistant, and fourteen of the crew. We divided the crew into
+ parties, each headed by an officer; some were sent to the
+ wreck and along the beach in search of provisions, others to
+ roll up the hogsheads of beer, and butts of water that had
+ floated on shore; but the greater number were employed in
+ hauling the two cutters up, when the carpenters were directed
+ to repair them.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ By the time it was dark, we had collected about eighty pieces
+ of salt pork, ten hogsheads of beer, three butts of water,
+ several bottles of wine, and many articles of use and value;
+ particularly three sextants and a quadrant, Floresburg's
+ <i>Directory</i>, and <i>Hamilton Moore</i>; the latter were
+ deemed inestimable. In course of time four live pigs, and
+ five live sheep, came on shore through the surf.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ We first began upon the dead stock, serving out two ounces to
+ each, and half a pint of beer for the day. Nothing but
+ brackish water could be obtained by digging in the sand. We
+ collected all the provisions together near the tent, and
+ formed a kind of storehouse, setting an officer to guard them
+ from plunder, to which indeed some of the evil characters
+ were disposed; but as they were threatened with instant death
+ if detected, they were soon deterred. The second night was
+ passed like the first, all being huddled together under one
+ large tent; the more robust, however, soon began to build
+ separate tents for themselves, and divided into messes, as on
+ board. A staff was next erected, on which we hoisted a red
+ flag, as a signal to any vessel which might be passing. Every
+ morning, to each mess, was distributed the allowance of two
+ ounces per man, and half a pint of beer; if they got any
+ thing else, it was what they could catch by fishing, &amp;c.
+ Of fish, indeed, there was a great variety, but we had few
+ facilities for catching them, so that upon the whole, we were
+ no better than half-starved. The bank on which we lived, was
+ in latitude 16&deg; 45 s. and about two miles in
+ circumference at low water; the high tides would sometimes
+ leave us scarcely half a mile of sand, and often approached
+ close to the tents; and if the wind had blown from the
+ westward, or shifted only a few points, we must inevitably
+ have been swept away, as an encampment of fishermen had been,
+ a short time previous from the same spot; however, Providence
+ was pleased to preserve us, one hundred and twenty in number,
+ to return to our native country.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ On the 13th the largest boat was repaired, and the officers
+ thought it advisable to despatch her for relief to the Isle
+ of France, distant about four hundred miles. The superior
+ officers finding it impossible to leave the crew, dedicated
+ the charge of her to the purser. We furnished him with two
+ sextants, a navigation book, sails, oars, and log line. Six
+ officers and eight men, who perfectly understood the
+ management of the boat, joined him. He was directed to run
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page391" name="page391"></a>[pg
+ 391]</span> first into the latitude, and then bear up for the
+ land. On the 17th he arrived at the Mauritius, and on the
+ 20th returned by his Majesty's vessels, Magician and
+ Challenger. On the 21st we were taken on board, after being
+ sixteen days on this barren reef, suffering great distress in
+ mind and body. We all received the most humane attention from
+ the captains of his Majesty's vessels, and on the 28th, we
+ reached the Mauritius whence I returned to England.
+ </p>
+ <hr class="full" />
+ <h2>
+ MANNERS &amp; CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.
+ </h2>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ SINGING OF PSALMS.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ This has been a very ancient custom both among the Jews and
+ Christians. St. Paul mentions this practice, which has
+ continued in all succeeding ages, with some variations as to
+ mode and circumstance; for so long as immediate inspiration
+ lasted, the preacher, &amp;c. frequently gave out a hymn; and
+ when this ceased, proper portions of scripture were selected,
+ or agreeable hymns thereto composed; but by the council of
+ Laodicea, it was ordered that no private composition should
+ be used in church; the council also ordered that the psalms
+ should no longer be one continued service, but that proper
+ lessons should be interposed to prevent the people being
+ tired. At first the whole congregation bore a part, singing
+ all together; afterwards the manner was altered, and they
+ sung alternately, some repeating one verse, and some another.
+ After the emperors became Christians, and persecution ceased,
+ singing grew much more into use, so that not only in the
+ churches but also in private houses, the ancient music not
+ being quite lost, they diversified into various sorts of
+ harmony, and altered into soft, strong, gay, sad, grave, or
+ passionate, &amp;c. Choice was always made of that which
+ agreed with the majesty and purity of religion, avoiding soft
+ and effeminate airs; in some churches they ordered the psalms
+ to be pronounced with so small an alteration of voice, that
+ it was little more than plain speaking, like the reading of
+ psalms in our cathedrals, &amp;c. at this day; but in process
+ of time, instrumental music was introduced first amongst the
+ Greeks.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Pope Gregory the Great refined upon the church music and made
+ it more exact and harmonious; and that it might be general,
+ he established singing schools at Rome, wherein persons were
+ educated to be sent to the distant churches, and where it has
+ remained ever since; only among the reformed there are
+ various ways of performing, and even in the same church,
+ particularly that of England, in which parish churches differ
+ much from cathedrals; but most dissenters comply with this
+ part of worship in some form or other.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ HALBERT H.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ SKIMINGTON RIDING.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ (<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.)
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Having noticed a description of an exhibition called
+ "Skimington Riding," in the present volume of the MIRROR, and
+ your correspondent being at a loss for the origin of such a
+ title, allow me to observe, that it appears to me that it
+ originated from a skimmer being always used (as I have heard
+ from very good authority it is) as the leading instrument
+ towards making the various sounds usual on such occasions. I
+ think it, therefore, very probable it took its rise from the
+ utensil skimmer, and would be more properly called
+ Skimmerting Riding.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ <i>Dorset</i>
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ FELIX.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ RECONCILIATION.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ At Lynn Regis, Norfolk, on every first Monday of the month,
+ the mayor, aldermen, magistrates, and preachers, meet to hear
+ and determine controversies between the inhabitants in an
+ amicable manner, to prevent lawsuits. This custom was first
+ established in 1583, and is called the Feast of
+ Reconciliation.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ HALBERT H.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ ANCIENT SUPERSTITION RESPECTING FELLING OAKS.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ In the <i>Magna Britannia</i>, the author in his <i>Account
+ of the Hundred of Croydon</i>, says, "Our historians take
+ notice of two things in this parish, which may not be
+ convenient to us to omit, viz. a great wood called Norwood,
+ belonging to the archbishops, wherein was anciently a tree
+ called the vicar's oak, where four parishes met, as it were
+ in a point. It is said to have consisted wholly of oaks, and
+ among them was one that bore mistletoe, which some persons
+ were so hardy as to cut for the gain of selling it to the
+ apothecaries of London, leaving a branch of it to sprout out;
+ but they proved unfortunate after it, for one of them fell
+ lame, and others lost an eye. At length in the year 1678, a
+ certain man, notwithstanding he was warned against it, upon
+ the account of what the others had suffered, adventured to
+ cut the tree down, and he soon after broke his leg. To fell
+ oaks hath <span class="pagenum"><a id="page392"
+ name="page392"></a>[pg 392]</span> long been counted fatal,
+ and such as believe it produce the instance of the Earl of
+ Winchelsea, who having felled a curious grove of oaks, soon
+ after found his countess dead in her bed suddenly, and his
+ eldest son, the Lord Maidstone, was killed at sea by a cannon
+ ball."
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ P.T.W.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ THE MODERN GREEKS
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ Have preserved dances in honour of Flora. The wives and
+ maidens of the village gather and scatter flowers, and bedeck
+ themselves from head to foot. She who leads the dance, more
+ ornamented than the others, represents Flora and the Spring,
+ whose return the hymn they sing announces; one of them
+ sings&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ "Welcome sweet nymph,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Goddess of the month of May."
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ In the Grecian villages, and among the Bulgarians, they still
+ observe the feast of Ceres. When harvest is almost ripe, they
+ go dancing to the sound of the lyre, and visit the fields,
+ whence they return with their heads ornamented with wheat
+ ears, interwoven with the hair. Embroidering is the
+ occupation of the Grecian women; to the Greeks we owe this
+ art, which is exceedingly ancient among them, and has been
+ carried to the highest degree of perfection. Enter the
+ chamber of a Grecian girl, and you will see blinds at the
+ window, and no other furniture than a sofa, and a chest
+ inlaid with ivory, in which are kept silk, needles, and
+ articles for embroidery. Apologues, tales, and romances, owe
+ their origin to Greece. The modern Greeks love tales and
+ fables, and have received them from the Orientals and Arabs,
+ with as much eagerness as they formerly adopted them from the
+ Egyptians. The old women love always to relate, and the young
+ pique themselves on repeating those they have learnt, or can
+ make, from such incidents as happen within their knowledge.
+ The Greeks at present have no fixed time for the celebration
+ of marriages, like the ancients; among whom the ceremony was
+ performed in the month of January. Formerly the bride was
+ bought by real services done to the father; which was
+ afterwards reduced to presents, and to this time the custom
+ is continued, though the presents are arbitrary. The man is
+ not obliged to purchase the woman he marries, but, on the
+ contrary, receives a portion with her equal to her condition.
+ It is on the famous shield of Achilles that Homer has
+ described a marriage procession&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Here sacred pomp and genial feast delight,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And solemn dance and hymeneal rite.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Along the streets the new made bride is led,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ With torches flaming to the nuptial bed;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The youthful dancers in a circle bound
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To the saft lute and cittern's silver sound,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Through the fair streets the matrons in a row,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Stand in their porches, and enjoy the show.
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ POPE.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The same pomp, procession, and music, are still in use.
+ Dancers, musicians, and singers, who chant the Epithalamium,
+ go before the bride; loaded with ornaments, her eyes
+ downcast, and herself sustained by women, or two near
+ relations, she walks extremely slow. Formerly the bride wore
+ a red or yellow veil. The Arminians do so still; this was to
+ hide the blush of modesty, the embarrassment, and the tears
+ of the young virgin. The bright torch of Hymen is not
+ forgotten among the modern Greeks. It is carried before the
+ new married couple into the nuptial chamber, where it burns
+ till it is consumed, and it would be an ill omen were it by
+ any accident extinguished, wherefore it is watched with as
+ much care as of old was the sacred fire of the vestals.
+ Arrived at the church, the bride and bridegroom each wear a
+ crown, which, during the ceremony, the priest changes, by
+ giving the crown of the bridegroom to the bride, and that of
+ the bride to the bridegroom, which custom is also derived
+ from the ancients.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ I must not forget an essential ceremony which the Greeks have
+ preserved, which is the cup of wine given to the bridegroom
+ as a token of adoption; it was the symbol of contract and
+ alliance. The bride drank from the same cup, which afterwards
+ passed round to the relations and guests. They dance and sing
+ all night, but the companions of the bride are
+ excluded&mdash;they feast among themselves in separate
+ apartments, far from the tumult of the nuptials. The modern
+ Greeks, like the ancient, on the nuptial day, decorate their
+ doors with green branches and garlands of flowers.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ W.G.C.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ THE KING'S COCK CROWER.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ Among the customs which formerly prevailed in this country
+ during the season of Lent, was the following:&mdash;An
+ officer denominated the King's Cock Crower, crowed the hour
+ each night, within the precincts of the palace, instead of
+ proclaiming it in the manner of the late watchmen. This
+ absurd ceremony did not fall into disuse till the reign of
+ George I.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ C.J.T.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <p>
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page393" name="page393"></a>[pg
+ 393]</span>
+ </p>
+ <h3>
+ HERRINGS.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ Yarmouth is bound by its charter, to send to the Sheriffs of
+ Norwich a tribute of one hundred herrings, baked in
+ twenty-four pasties, which they ought to deliver to the Lord
+ of the Manor of East Charlton, and he is obliged to present
+ them to the King wherever he is. Is not this a dainty dish to
+ set before the King?
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ CURING A SCOLD.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ Newcastle-Under-Line was once famous for a peculiar method of
+ taming shrews: this was by putting a bridle into the scold's
+ mouth, in such a manner as quite to deprive her of speech for
+ the time, and so leading her about the town till she made
+ signs of her intention to keep her tongue in better
+ discipline for the future.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ HALBERT H.
+ </p>
+ <hr class="full" />
+ <h2>
+ THE SELECTOR, AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.
+ </h2>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ PICTURE OF SHEFFIELD.
+ </h3>
+ <center>
+ <i>Sir Richard Phillips's Personal Tour, Part III</i>.
+ </center>
+ <p>
+ Our extracts from the previous portion of this work, have
+ forcibly illustrated the striking originality of its style,
+ and the interesting character of its information.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The present Part concludes Newstead, and includes Mansfield,
+ Chesterfield, Dronfield, Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley;
+ and from it we extract the following facts, which almost form
+ a <i>picture of Sheffield</i>.<a id="footnotetag2"
+ name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a>
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "The drive from Dronfield to Sheffield is pleasant and
+ picturesque. It is the dawn of a region of high hills, a fine
+ range of which stretch westward into Derbyshire, while on
+ every side there are lofty eminences and deep valleys.
+ Sheffield opens magnificently on the right, and its villas
+ and ornamented suburbs stretch full two miles on the
+ eminences to the left. At two or three miles from Sheffield,
+ the western suburbs display a rich and pleasing variety of
+ villas and country-houses. On the left, the Dore-moors, a
+ ridge of barren hills, stretch to an indefinite distance: and
+ on the right, some high hills skreen from sight the town of
+ Sheffield. At a mile distant, the view to the right opens,
+ and from a rise in the road is beheld the fine amphitheatre
+ of Sheffield; the sun displaying its entire extent, and the
+ town being surmounted by fine hills in the rear. The wind
+ carried the smoke to the east of the town, and the sun in the
+ meridian presented as fine a <i>coup d'oeil</i> as can be
+ conceived. The approach was by a broad and well-built street,
+ the population were in activity, and I entered a celebrated
+ place with many agreeable expectations.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "Sheffield is within the bounds of Yorkshire, but on the
+ verge of Derbyshire, and was the most remarkable place and
+ society of human beings which I had yet seen. It stands in
+ one of the most picturesque situations that can be imagined,
+ originally at the south end of a valley surrounded by high
+ hills, but now extended around the western hill; the first as
+ a compact town, and the latter as scattered villas and houses
+ on the same hill, to the distance of two miles from the
+ ancient site. It is connected with London by Nottingham and
+ Derby, and distant from Leeds 33 miles, and York 54 miles.
+ Its foundation was at the junction of two rivers, the Sheaf
+ and the Don; in the angle formed by which once stood the
+ Castle, built by the, Barons Furnival, Lords of Hallamshire;
+ but subsequently in the tenure of the Talbots, Earls of
+ Shrewsbury. Three or four miles from this Castle, on the
+ western hill, stood the Saxon town of <i>Hallam</i>, said to
+ have been destroyed by the Norman invaders, on account of
+ their gallant opposition.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "The town was originally a mere village, dependant on the
+ Castle; but its mineral and subterranean wealth led the early
+ inhabitants to become manufacturers of edged tools, of which
+ arrow heads, spear heads, &amp;c. are presumed to have been a
+ considerable part; a bundle of arrows being at this day in
+ the town arms, and cross arrows the badge of the ancient
+ Cutlers' Company of Sheffield.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "The exhaustless coal seams and iron-stone beds in the
+ vicinity, combined with the ingenuity of the people,
+ conferred early fame on their products; for Chaucer, in
+ alluding to a knife, calls it 'a Sheffield
+ thwittel,'&mdash;whittle being among the manufacturers at
+ this day the name of a common kind of knife.
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page394" name="page394"></a>[pg
+ 394]</span> The increasing demand for articles of cutlery,
+ and their multiplied variety have gradually enlarged the
+ population of Sheffield to 42,157 in 1821; since which it has
+ considerably increased, and may, in 1829, be estimated at
+ 50,000. In 1821, it contained 8,726 houses, and perhaps 500
+ have been built since, chiefly villas to the westward, while
+ the compact town is about one mile by half a mile. The
+ principal streets are well built, and there are three old
+ churches, and two new ones lately finished, besides another
+ now building.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "Sheffield presents at this time the extraordinary spectacle
+ of an immense town expanded from a village, without any
+ additional arrangements for its government beyond what it
+ originally possessed as a village. There is no corporation,
+ not even a resident magistrate, and yet all live in peace,
+ decorum, and advantageous mutual intercourse."
+ </p>
+ <center>
+ <i>Religion.</i>
+ </center>
+ <p>
+ "Order is a moral result of religion in Sheffield. No town in
+ the kingdom more universally exhibits the external forms of
+ devotion, and in none are there perhaps a greater number of
+ serious devotees. The largest erections in Sheffield are
+ those for the service of religion, and they are numerous.
+ Besides six old and new churches, adapted to accommodate from
+ 10,000 to 12,000 persons, there are seventeen chapels for the
+ various denominations of Dissenters, capable of affording
+ sitting room for 12,000 or 15,000 more. Except the Unitarian
+ Chapel, and perhaps the Catholic one, the doctrines preached
+ in all the others, are what, in London, and at Oxford and
+ Cambridge, would generally be called <i>Ultra</i>.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "A spectacle highly characteristic of Sheffield, and
+ exemplifying, at the same time the harmony of the several
+ sects, is the juxtaposition of four several chapels,
+ observable on one side of a main street; while nearly
+ adjoining is the church of St. Paul. There are thus every
+ Sunday, in simultaneous local devotion, the ceremonial
+ Catholics, the moral Unitarians, the metaphysical Calvinists,
+ the serious disciples of John Wesley, and the spiritual
+ members of the establishment.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "The whole of the places of worship afford accommodation for
+ about 12,000 Methodists and Dissenters, and about 9,500 of
+ the Church Establishment. So that, if half go twice a day,
+ and half once, 30,000 of the 50,000 inhabitants attend places
+ of worship every Sunday."
+ </p>
+ <center>
+ <i>Public Institutions.</i>
+ </center>
+ <p>
+ "There are the following institutions for the promotion of
+ knowledge and science:&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "1. A Permanent Library supported by the subscriptions of 270
+ members at one guinea each, and four guineas admission. The
+ books are numerous; but, contrary to the practice of other
+ similar institutions, books of Theology, and the trash of
+ modern Novels, are introduced.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "2. A Literary and Philosophical Society for lectures, and
+ the purchase of apparatus, now very complete, supported by 80
+ proprietors, at two guineas, besides a still greater number
+ of subscribers at one guinea per annum.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "3. Two News-rooms, in which the London and Provincial papers
+ may be read.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "4. A Public Concert, supported by subscriptions, which
+ amount to &pound;700 per annum, and of which Mr. Fritch, from
+ Derby, is the present leader.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "5. A Subscription Assembly held through the winter, but ill
+ supported.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "6. A Shakspeare Club, for sustaining the drama, consisting
+ of 80 members, who subscribe a guinea per annum, once a-year
+ bespeak a play, and partake of a dinner, to which the sons of
+ Thespis are invited.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "7. An Infirmary on a large scale, and munificently
+ supported.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "8. Two Schools, in which sixty boys and sixty girls are
+ clothed, fed, and educated.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "9. A Lancasterian and a National School well supported, and
+ numerously attended.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "10. Sunday Schools attached to the twenty-three
+ congregations, besides others.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "11. A Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor, in
+ much activity.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "12. Dorcas' Societies, connected with the churches and
+ chapels, to assist poor married women during child-birth.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "13. A Bible Society on the usual plan.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "14. Two Medical and Anatomical Schools.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "15. A thriving Mechanics' Library.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "Several of these institutions rendezvous in a spacious
+ building called the Music Hall. The concerts are given in the
+ upper room, a suitable saloon; and beneath are the
+ Subscription Library, the Commercial News-room, and the
+ Museum of the Literary and Philosophical Society."
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page395" name="page395"></a>[pg
+ 395]</span>
+ </p>
+ <center>
+ <i>Manufactures.</i>
+ </center>
+ <p>
+ "The staple manufactures of Sheffield embrace the metallic
+ arts in all their varieties. The chief articles are sharp
+ instruments, as knives, scissors, razors, saws, and
+ edge-tools of various kinds, and to these may be added, files
+ and plated goods to a great extent, besides stove-grates and
+ fenders of exquisite beauty. It is altogether performed by
+ hand, therefore the fabrication may always be rendered
+ correspondent with the demand, and may be arrested when the
+ demand ceases. This confers a definite advantage on the
+ manufactory, not enjoyed by other trades which operate in the
+ large way. The result is mediocrity of wealth, and little
+ ruinous speculation. At the same time, the sanguine
+ expectations of manufacturers often lead them to overstock
+ themselves, and as the demand has been, so they expect it
+ always to be.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "Sheffield employs about 15,000 persons in its various
+ branches, and of these full one-third are engaged on knives
+ and forks, pocket-knives, razors, and scissors. The rest are
+ engaged in the plated trades, in saws, files, and some fancy
+ trades. The following is an exact enumeration of the hands
+ employed in the various departments two or three years
+ since:&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <pre>
+ "On table-knives 2,240
+ On spring-knives 2,190
+ On razors 478
+ On scissors 806
+ On files 1,284
+ On saws 400
+ On edge-tools 541
+ On forks 480
+ In the country 130
+ In the plated trade nearly 2,000
+ ______
+ "About 10,549
+</pre>
+ <p>
+ "Besides those who are employed in Britannia-metal ware,
+ smelting, optical instruments, grinding, polishing, &amp;c.
+ &amp;c., making full 5,000 more.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "There are full 1,700 forges engaged in the various branches
+ of the trades, and of course as many fires, fixing oxygen to
+ make their heat, and evolving the undecomposed carbon in
+ active volumes of steam and smoke.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "The place is usually described as smoky, but I thought it
+ less so than the central parts of London. The manufactures,
+ for the most part, are carried on in an unostentatious way,
+ in small scattered shops, and no where make the noise and
+ bustle of a single great iron works. Compared with them
+ Sheffield is a seat of elegant arts, nevertheless compared
+ with the cotton and silk trades, it must be regarded as dirty
+ and smoky.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "The steel and plated manufactures require much taste, and in
+ some cases make a great display. Hence there were exhibitions
+ of elegant products, not exceeded in the Palais Royal, or any
+ other place abroad, and superior to any of the cutlers' shops
+ in London. All that the lustre of steel ware and silver plate
+ can produce, is, in Sheffield, exhibited in splendid
+ arrangement, in the warerooms of some of the principal
+ manufacturers. In particular Messrs. J. Rodgers and Sons,
+ cutlers to his Majesty, display in a magnificent saloon, all
+ the multiplied elegant products of their own most ingenious
+ manufactory.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "As proofs of their power of manufacturing, Messrs. Rodgers
+ have, in their show-rooms the most extraordinary products of
+ highly finished manufacture which are to be seen in the
+ world. Among them are the following:&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "1. An arrangement in a Maltese cross about 18 inches high,
+ and 10 inches broad, which developes 1,821 blades and
+ different instruments; worthy of a royal cabinet, but in the
+ best situation in the place which produced it.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "2. A knife which unfolds 200 blades for various purposes,
+ matchless in workmanship, and a wonderful display of
+ ingenuity. Its counterpart was presented to the King; and
+ that in possession of Messrs. Rodgers, is offered at 200
+ guineas, and is worthy of some imperial cabinet.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "3. A knife containing 75 blades, not a mere curiosity, but a
+ package of instruments of real utility in the compass of a
+ knife 4 inches long, 3 inches high, and 1-1/4 inches broad.
+ It is valued at 50 guineas.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "4. A miniature knife, enfolding 75 articles, which weigh but
+ 7 dwts., exquisitely wrought and valued at 50 guineas.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "5. A common quill, containing 24 dozen of scissors, perfect
+ in form, and made of polished steel.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "These are kept as trophies of skill, in the perfect
+ execution of which, the manufacturer considers that he
+ displays his power of producing any useful articles of which
+ the Sheffield manufacture consists. Mr. Rodgers obligingly
+ conducted me through his various workshops, and I discovered
+ that the perfection of the Sheffield manufacture arises from
+ the judicious division of labour. I saw knives, razors,
+ &amp;c. &amp;c., produced in a few minutes from the raw
+ material. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page396"
+ name="page396"></a>[pg 396]</span> I saw dinner knives made
+ from the steel bar and all the process of hammering it into
+ form, welding the tang of the handle to the steel of the
+ blade, hardening the metal by cooling it in water and
+ tempering it by de-carbonizing it in the fire with a rapidity
+ and facility that were astonishing.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "The number of hands through which a common table knife
+ passes in its formation is worthy of being known to all who
+ use them. The bar steel is heated in the forge by <i>the
+ maker</i>, and he and <i>the striker</i> reduce it in a few
+ minutes into the shape of a knife. He then heats a bar of
+ iron and welds it to the steel so as to form the tang of the
+ blade which goes into the handle. All this is done with the
+ simplest tools and contrivances. A few strokes of the hammer
+ in connexion with some trifling moulds and measures, attached
+ to the anvil, perfect, in two or three minutes the blade and
+ its tang or shank. Two men, the maker and striker, produce
+ about nine blades in an hour, or seven dozen and a half per
+ day.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "The rough blade thus produced then passes through the hands
+ of <i>the filer</i>, who files the blade into form by means
+ of a pattern in hard steel. It then goes to the halters to be
+ hafted in ivory, horn, &amp;c. as may be required; it next
+ proceeds to the finisher, to Mr. Rodgers for examination, and
+ is then packed for sale or exportation. In this progression
+ every table-knife, pocket-knife, or pen-knife, passes step by
+ step, through no less than sixteen hands, involving in the
+ language of Mr. Rodgers, at least 144 separate stages of
+ workmanship in the production of a single pen-knife. The
+ prices vary from 2<i>s</i>. 6<i>d</i>. per dozen knives and
+ forks, to &pound;10."
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ (<i>To be concluded in our next</i>.)
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ FUN.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ Monosyllables are always expressive, but seldom more
+ comprehensive than in this instance. A thousand recollections
+ of urchin waggeries spring up at its repetition. Our present
+ example is "<i>Skying a Copper</i>," from Mr. Hood's <i>Comic
+ Annual</i>, of which a copious notice will be found in the
+ SUPPLEMENT published with the present number.
+ </p>
+ <h3>
+ A REPORT FROM BELOW!
+ </h3>
+ <center>
+ "Blow high, blow low."&mdash;<i>Sea Song</i>.
+ </center>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ As Mister B. and Mrs. B.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ One night were sitting down to tea,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ With toast and muffins hot&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ They heard a loud and sudden bounce,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ That made the very china flounce,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ They could not for a time pronounce
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ If they were safe or shot&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ For memory brought a deed to match
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ At Deptford done by night&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Before one eye appear'd a Patch
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ In t'other eye a Blight!
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ To be belabour'd out of life,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Without some small attempt at strife,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Our nature will not grovel;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ One impulse mov'd both man and dame,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ He seized the tongs&mdash;she did the same,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Leaving the ruffian, if he came,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ The poker and the shovel.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Suppose the couple standing so,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ When rushing footsteps from below
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Made pulses fast and fervent;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And first burst in the frantic cat,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ All steaming like a brewer's rat,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And then&mdash;as white as my cravat&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Poor Mary May, the servant!
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ Lord how the couple's teeth did chatter,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Master and Mistress both flew at her,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ "Speak! Fire? or Murder? What's the matter?"
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Till Mary getting breath,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Upon her tale began to touch
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ With rapid tongue, full trotting, such
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ As if she thought she had too much
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ To tell before her death:&mdash;
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ "We was both, Ma'am, in the wash-house, Ma'am, a-standing
+ at our tubs,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And Mrs. Round was seconding what little things I rubs;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 'Mary,' says she to me, 'I say'&mdash;and there she stops
+ for coughin,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 'That dratted copper flue has took to smokin very often,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ But please the pigs,'&mdash;for that's her way of
+ swearing in a passion,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 'I'll blow it up, and not be set a coughin in this
+ fashion!'
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Well down she takes my master's horn&mdash;I mean his
+ horn for loading.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And empties every grain alive for to set the flue
+ exploding.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 'Lawk, Mrs. Round?' says I, and stares, 'that quantum is
+ unproper,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ I'm sartin sure it can't not take a pound to sky a
+ copper;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ You'll powder both our heads off, so I tells you, with
+ its puff,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ But she only dried her fingers, and she takes a pinch of
+ snuff.'
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Well, when the pinch is over&mdash;'Teach your
+ Grandmother to suck
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ A powder horn,' says she&mdash;Well, says I, I wish you
+ luck.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Them words sets up her back, so with her hands upon her
+ hips,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 'Come,' says she, quite in a huff, 'come keep your tongue
+ inside your lips;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Afore ever you was born, I was well used to things like
+ these;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ I shall put it in the grate, and let it burn up by
+ degrees.'
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ So in it goes, and Bounce&mdash;O Lord! it gives us such
+ a rattle,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ I thought we both were cannonized, like Sogers in a
+ battle!
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Up goes the copper like a squib, and us on both our
+ backs,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And bless the tubs, they bundled off, and split all into
+ cracks
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Well, there I fainted dead away, and might have been cut
+ shorter,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ But Providence was kind, and brought me to with scalding
+ water
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ I first looks round for Mrs. Round, and sees her at a
+ distance,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ As stiff as starch, and looked as dead as any thing in
+ existence;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ All scorched and grimed, and more than that, I sees the
+ copper slap
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Right on her head, for all the world like a percussion
+ copper cap.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Well, I crooks her little fingers, and crumps them well
+ up together,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ As humanity pints out, and burnt her nostrums with a
+ feather;
+ </p><span class="pagenum"><a id="page397"
+ name="page397"></a>[pg 397]</span>
+ <p>
+ But for all as I can do, to restore her to her mortality,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ She never gives a sign of a return to sensuality.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Thinks I, well there she lies, as dead as my own late
+ departed mother,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Well, she'll wash no more in this world, whatever she
+ does in t'other.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ So I gives myself to scramble up the linens for a minute,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Lawk, sich a shirt! thinks I, it's well my master wasn't
+ in it;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Oh! I never, never, never, never, never, see a sight so
+ shockin;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Here lays a leg, and there a leg&mdash;I mean, you know,
+ a stockin&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Bodies all slit and torn to rags, and many a tattered
+ skirt,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And arms burnt off and sides and backs all scotched and
+ black with dirt;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ But as nobody was in 'em&mdash;none but&mdash;nobody was
+ hurt!
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Well, there I am, a scrambling up the things, all in a
+ lump.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ When, mercy on us! such a groan as makes my heart to
+ jump.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And there she is, a-lying with a crazy sort of eye,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ A staring at the wash-house roof, laid open to the sky:
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Then she beckons with a finger, and so down to her I
+ reaches,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ And puts my ear agin her mouth to hear her dying
+ speeches,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ For, poor soul! she has a husband and young orphans, as I
+ knew;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Well, Ma'am, you won't believe it, but it's Gospel fact
+ and true,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ But these words is all she whispered&mdash;'Why, where
+ <i>is</i> the powder blew'"
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <hr class="full" />
+ <h2>
+ THE NATURALIST.
+ </h2>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ MODE OF DESTROYING EAGLES.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ In those parts of the Highlands of Scotland where eagles are
+ numerous, and where they commit great ravages among the young
+ lambs, the following methods are used for destroying
+ them:&mdash;When the nest happens to be in a place situated
+ in the direction of a perpendicular from the edge of a cliff
+ above, a bundle of dry heath or grass inclosing a burning
+ peat is let down into it. In other cases, a person is let
+ down by means of a rope, which is held above by four or five
+ men, and contrives to destroy the eggs or young. The person
+ who thus descends takes a large stick with him, to beat off
+ or intimidate the old eagles. The latter, however, always
+ keep at a respectable distance, for powerful as they are,
+ they possess little of the courage which has in all ages been
+ attributed to them, being in this respect much inferior to
+ the domestic cock, the raven, the sea-swallow, and a hundred
+ other birds. Sometimes eagles have their nests in places
+ accessible without a rope, and instances are known of persons
+ frequenting these nests, for the purpose of carrying off the
+ prey which the eagles carry to their young. A very prevalent
+ method by which eagles are destroyed, is the
+ following:&mdash;In a place not far from a nest, or a rock in
+ which eagles repose at night, or on the face of a hill which
+ they are frequently observed to scour in search of prey, a
+ pit is dug to the depth of a few feet, of sufficient size to
+ admit a man with ease. The pit is then covered over with
+ sticks, and pieces of turf, the latter not cut from the
+ vicinity, eagles, like other cowards, being extremely wary
+ and suspicious. A small hole is formed at one end of this
+ pit, through which projects the muzzle of a gun, while at the
+ other is left an opening large enough to admit a featherless
+ biped, who on getting in pulls after him a bundle of heath of
+ sufficient size to close it. A carcass of a sheep or dog, or
+ a fish or fowl, being previously without at the distance of
+ from twelve to twenty yards, the lyer-in-wait watches
+ patiently for the descent of the eagle, and, the moment it
+ has fairly settled upon the carrion, fires. In this manner,
+ multitudes of eagles are yearly destroyed in Scotland. The
+ head, claws, and quills, are kept by the shepherds, to be
+ presented to the factor at Martinmas or Whitsunday, for the
+ premium of from half-a-crown to five shillings which is
+ usually awarded on-such occasions.&mdash;<i>Edinburgh
+ Literary Gazette</i>.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ THE PIED OYSTER CATCHER.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ This separate and single genus of birds is seldom seen
+ amongst the numerous descriptions of wild fowl, which, in the
+ winter seasons, wing their flight to our marshes. The most
+ striking part of the Oyster-catcher is its bill, the colour
+ of which is scarlet, measuring in length nearly four inches,
+ wide at the nostrils, and grooved beyond them nearly half its
+ length: thence to the tip it is vertically compressed on the
+ sides, and ends obtusely. With this instrument, which in its
+ shape and structure is peculiar to this bird, it easily
+ disengages the limpets from the rocks, and plucks out the
+ oysters from their half-opened shells, on which it feeds, as
+ well as on other shell-fish, sea-worms, and insects.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ W.G.C.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ BUTTERFLIES.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ The splendid appearance of the plumage of tropical birds is
+ not superior to what the curious observer may discover in a
+ variety of Lepid&oacute;ptera; and those many-coloured eyes,
+ which deck so gorgeously the peacock's tail, are imitated
+ with success in Van&eacute;ssa Io, one of our most common
+ butterflies. "See," exclaims the illustrious Linnaeus, "the
+ large, elegant, painted wings of the butterfly,
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page398" name="page398"></a>[pg
+ 398]</span> four in number, covered with small imbricated
+ scales; with these it sustains itself in the air the whole
+ day, rivalling the flight of birds, and the brilliancy of the
+ peacock. Consider this insect through the wonderful progress
+ of its life, how different is the first period of its being
+ from the second, and both from the parent insect. Its changes
+ are an inexplicable enigma to us: we see a green caterpillar,
+ furnished with sixteen feet, creeping, hairy, and feeding
+ upon the leaves of a plant; this is changed into chrysalis,
+ smooth, of a golden lustre, hanging suspended to a fixed
+ point, without feet, and subsisting without food; this insect
+ again undergoes another transformation, acquires wings and
+ six feet, and becomes a variegated white butterfly, living by
+ suction upon the honey of plants. What has nature produced
+ more worthy of our admiration? Such an animal coming upon the
+ stage of the world, and playing its part there under so many
+ different masks! In the egg of the Papilio, the epidermis or
+ external integument falling off, a caterpillar is disclosed;
+ the second epidermis drying, and being detached, it is a
+ chrysalis; and the third, a butterfly. It should seem that
+ the ancients were so struck with the transformations of the
+ butterfly, and its revival from a seeming temporary death, as
+ to have considered it an emblem of the soul, the Greek word
+ <i>psyche</i> signifying both the soul and a butterfly. This
+ is also confirmed by their allegorical sculptures, in which
+ the butterfly occurs as an emblem of immortality."
+ Swammerdam, speaking of the metamorphosis of insects, uses
+ these strong words: "This process is formed in so remarkable
+ a manner in butterflies, that we see therein the resurrection
+ painted before our eyes, and exemplified so as to be examined
+ by our hands." "There is no one," says Paley, "who does not
+ possess some particular train of thought, to which the mind
+ naturally directs itself, when left entirely to its own
+ operations. It is certain too, that the choice of this train
+ of thinking may be directed to different ends, and may appear
+ to be more or less judiciously fixed, but in a <i>moral
+ view</i>, if one train of thinking be more desirable than
+ another, it is that which regards phenomena of nature with a
+ constant reference to a supreme intelligent Author. The works
+ of nature want only to be contemplated. In every portion of
+ them which we can decry, we find attention bestowed upon the
+ minuter objects. Every organized natural body, in the
+ provisions which it contains for its sustentation and
+ propagation, testifies a care, on the part of the Creator,
+ expressly directed to these purposes. We are on all sides
+ surrounded by bodies wonderfully curious, and no less
+ wonderfully diversified." Trifling, therefore, and, perhaps,
+ contemptible, as to the unthinking may seem the study of a
+ butterfly, yet, when we consider the art and mechanism
+ displayed in so minute a structure, the fluids circulating in
+ vessels so small as almost to escape the sight, the beauty of
+ the wings and covering, and the manner in which each part is
+ adapted for its peculiar functions, we cannot but be struck
+ with wonder and admiration, and must feel convinced that the
+ maker of all has bestowed equal skill in every class of
+ animated beings; and also allow with Paley, that "the
+ production of beauty was as much in the Creator's mind in
+ painting a butterfly, as in giving symmetry to the human
+ form."
+ </p>
+ <hr class="full" />
+ <h2>
+ SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.
+ </h2>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ LADY MORGAN'S EGOTISM.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ We know, and posterity will say the same, that there was
+ never such a paragon as her ladyship; that her house in
+ Kildare-street, Dublin, will be to future ages, what
+ Shakspeare's house in Henley-street, Stratford-upon-Avon, is
+ now; that pilgrims from all corners of the civilized globe
+ will pay their devotions at her shrine; and that the name of
+ Morgan will be remembered long after the language in which
+ she has immortalized it has ceased to be a living tongue. WE
+ are not the persons to deny this; for WE are but too proud of
+ being able to call ourselves her contemporary; but we do
+ dislike (and her ladyship will, forgive us for saying
+ so)&mdash;we do dislike the seeming vanity of proclaiming
+ this herself. She <i>is</i> a very great woman; an
+ extraordinary woman; an Irish prodigy; popes and emperors
+ <i>have</i> trembled before her; all Europe, all Asia, all
+ America, from the St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, ring
+ with her praises; there never has been such "a jewel of a
+ woman," as her own countrymen would say. She knows this, and
+ we know it; and "our husband" knows it; every body knows it;
+ then why need she tell us so a hundred times over in her
+ "Book of the Boudoir?"
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ There is another little circumstance which we would take the
+ liberty of mentioning. It is, that she is much too
+ scrupulous, much too delicate in naming
+ <span class="pagenum"><a id="page399" name="page399"></a>[pg
+ 399]</span> individuals, <i>unless they happen to be
+ dead</i>. When she mentions a civil thing said to her by a
+ prince, a duke, or a marquess, we never get at the
+ <i>person</i>. It is always the Prince of A&mdash;&mdash;, or
+ the Duke of B&mdash;&mdash;, or the Marquess of
+ C&mdash;&mdash;, or Count D&mdash;&mdash;, or Lady
+ E&mdash;&mdash;, or the Marchioness of F&mdash;&mdash;, or
+ the Countess of G&mdash;&mdash;, or Lord H&mdash;&mdash;, or
+ Sir George I&mdash;&mdash;, and so on through the alphabet.
+ Now we say again, that <i>we</i> have no doubt all these are
+ the initials of real persons, and that her ladyship is as
+ familiar with the blood royal and the aristocracy of Europe,
+ as "maids of fifteen are with puppy-dogs;" but the world, my
+ dear Lady Morgan&mdash;an ill-natured, sour, cynical, and
+ suspicious world, envious of your glory, will be apt to call
+ it nil fudge, blarney, or <i>blatherum-skite</i>, as they say
+ in your country; especially when it is observed that you
+ <i>always</i> give the names of the illustrious <i>dead</i>,
+ with whom you have been upon equally familiar terms of
+ intimacy, at <i>full length</i>; as if you knew that dead
+ people tell <i>no</i> tales; and that therefore you might
+ tell <i>any</i> tales you like about dead people. We put it
+ to your own good sense, my dear Lady Morgan, as the Duke of
+ X&mdash;&mdash; would call you, whether this remarkable
+ difference in mentioning living characters, and those who are
+ no longer living, does not look equivocal? For you know, my
+ dear Lady Morgan, that Prince R&mdash;&mdash; and Princess
+ W&mdash;&mdash;, by standing for any body, mean
+ nobody.&mdash;<i>Blackwood's Magazine</i>.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ CURE FOR SUPERSTITION.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ We find the following curious anecdote translated from a
+ German work, in the last <i>Foreign Quarterly
+ Review</i>:&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ A poor protestant who had fallen from his horse and done
+ himself some serious injury which had obviously ended in
+ derangement, came to a Catholic priest, declaring that he was
+ possessed, and telling a story of almost dramatic interest.
+ In his sickness he had consulted a quack doctor, who told him
+ that he could cure him by charms. He wrote strange signs on
+ little fragments of paper, some of which were to be worn,
+ some to be eaten in bread and drunk in wine. These the poor
+ madman fancied afterwards were charms by which he had
+ unknowingly sold himself to the devil. The doctor, he
+ fancied, had done so before, and could only redeem his own
+ soul by putting another in the power of Satan. "I know that
+ this is my condition," said the poor madman, "by all I have
+ seen and heard, by all I have suffered, by the change which
+ has taken place in me, which has at length brought me to my
+ present condition. All I cannot reveal; the little I can and
+ dare tell must convince you. Often has my tormentor pent me
+ up in the stove, and let me lie among the burning brands
+ through the live long night. Then I hear him in my torment
+ talking loud, I know not what, over my head. All prayer he
+ forbids me, and he makes me tell whether I would give all I
+ have or my soul for my cure. Then he speaks to me of the
+ Bible; but he falsifies all he tells me of, or he tells me of
+ some new-born king or queen in the kingdom of God. I cannot
+ go to church; I cannot pray; I cannot think a good thought; I
+ see sights of horror ever before me, which fill me with
+ unutterable fear, and I know not what is rest; my one only
+ thought is how soon the devil will come to claim his wretched
+ victim and carry me to the place of torment." The poor
+ creature had a belief that a Roman Catholic priest had the
+ power of exorcism. The priest was most kind to the poor
+ maniac, and tried to convince him of the power and goodness
+ of God, and his love to his creatures. It need not be said
+ that this was talking to the wind. In fine, he said, "Well, I
+ will rid you of your tormentor. He shall have to do with me,
+ and not with you, in future." This promise had the desired
+ effect; and the priest followed it up by advising the maniac
+ to go to a good physician, to avoid solitude, to work hard,
+ to read his Bible, and remember the comfortable declarations
+ of which he had been just reminded, and if he was in any
+ doubt or anxiety, to go to his parish minister.
+ </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>
+ ADDISON.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ A certain author was introduced one day by a friend to Mr.
+ Addison, who requested him at the same time to peruse and
+ correct a copy of English verses. Addison took the verses and
+ found them afterwards very stupid. Observing that above
+ twelve lines from Homer were prefixed to them, by way of
+ motto, he only erased the Greek lines, without making any
+ amendment in the poem, and returned it. The author, seeing
+ this, desired his friend who had introduced him to inquire of
+ Mr. Addison the reason of his doing so. "Whilst the statues
+ of Caligula," said he, "were all of a piece, they were little
+ regarded by <span class="pagenum"><a id="page400"
+ name="page400"></a>[pg 400]</span> the people, but when he
+ fixed the heads of gods upon unworthy shoulders, he profaned
+ them, and made himself ridiculous. I, therefore, made no more
+ conscience to separate Homer's verses from this poem, than
+ the thief did who stole the silver head from the brazen body
+ in Westminster Abbey."<a id="footnotetag3"
+ name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a>
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <p>
+ A furious wife, like a musket, may do a great deal of
+ execution in her house, but then she makes a great noise in
+ it at the same time. A mild wife, will, like an air-gun, act
+ with as much power without being heard.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ L&mdash;W&mdash;R M.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ ST. MARTIN S LITTLE SUMMER.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ In <i>Time's Telescope</i> for 1825, we are told that the few
+ fine days which sometimes occur about the beginning of
+ November have been denominated, "St. Martin's Little Summer."
+ To this Shakspeare alludes in the first part of <i>King Henry
+ the Fourth</i> (Act. I, Scene 2), where Prince Henry says to
+ <i>Falstaff</i>, "Farewell, thou latter spring! farewell,
+ All-hallowen summer!" And in the first part of <i>King Henry
+ the Sixth</i>, (Act I, Scene 2), <i>Joan La Pucelle</i> says,
+ </p>
+ <div class="poem">
+ <div class="stanza">
+ <p>
+ "Assign'd am I to be the English scourge&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ This night the siege assuredly I'll raise:
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Expect St. Martin's Summer, halcyon days,
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ Since I have entered into these wars."
+ </p>
+ </div>
+ </div>
+ <p>
+ W.G.C.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ SCRAPS.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ (<i>For the Mirror</i>.)
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ M.F. Cuvier has found that all marshy countries are
+ remarkable for the small number of births in autumn, or the
+ period when the influence of the marshes is most dangerous.
+ Consequently, the marshes do not diminish the population by
+ adding to the number of deaths alone, but by attacking the
+ <i>fecundity</i>.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <p>
+ In Guiana balls are made of caoutchouc, for children to play
+ with; and so elastic are they, that they will rebound several
+ times between the ceiling and floor of a room, when thrown
+ with some force.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <p>
+ In turtles' eggs, the yolk soon becomes hard on boiling,
+ whilst the white remains liquid: a fact in direct opposition
+ to the changes in boiling the eggs of birds.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ WHEAT.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ There are 330 varieties and sub-varieties of wheat said to be
+ growing in-Britain, perhaps scarcely a dozen of which are
+ generally known to farmers.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ DUTCH BUTTER.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ Is made with cream alone, and is best preserved in casks or
+ tubs, with a pickle made of salt, which is removed from time
+ to time.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ SIAMESE COMMANDMENTS.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ The moral precepts of the Siamese are comprised in the
+ following Ten Commandments:&mdash;
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 1. Do not slay animals.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 2. Do not steal.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 3. Do not commit adultery.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 4. Do not tell lies nor backbite.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 5. Do not drink wine.<a id="footnotetag4"
+ name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a>
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 6. Do not eat after twelve o'clock.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 7. Do not frequent plays or public spectacles, nor listen to
+ music.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 8. Do not use perfumes, nor wear flowers, or other personal
+ ornaments.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 9. Do not sleep or recline upon a couch that is above one
+ cubit high.
+ </p>
+ <p>
+ 10. Do not borrow, nor be in debt.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <h3>
+ ANNUALS FOR 1830.
+ </h3>
+ <p>
+ The Supplement published with the present number contains a
+ Fine Large Engraving of the <i>Leaning Towers of Bologna</i>;
+ humorous cuts from the <i>Comic Annual</i>; and interesting
+ Notices and Unique Extracts from the <i>Keepsake, Landscape
+ Annual, Forget-Me Not, Bijou, Emmanuel</i>, &amp;c. and with
+ No. 400, forms the SPIRIT OF THE ANNUALS FOR 1830.
+ </p>
+ <hr />
+ <p>
+ LIMBIRD'S EDITION OF THE<br />
+ <i>Following Novels is already Published</i>:
+ </p>
+ <pre>
+ s. d.
+Mackenzie's Man of Feeling 0 6
+Paul and Virginia 0 6
+The Castle of Otranto 0 6
+Almoran and Ham et 0 6
+Elizabeth, or the Exiles of Siberia 0 6
+The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne 0 6
+Rasselas 0 8
+The Old English Baron 0 8
+Nature and Art 0 8
+Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield 0 10
+Sicilian Romance 1 0
+The Man of the World 1 0
+A Simple Story 1 4
+Joseph Andrews 1 6
+Humphry Clinker 1 8
+The Romance of the Forest 1 8
+The Italian 2 0
+Zeluco, by Dr. Moore 2 6
+Edward, by Dr. Moore 2 6
+Roderick Random 2 6
+The Mysteries of Udolpho 3 6
+Peregrine Pickle 4 6
+</pre>
+ <hr class="full" />
+ <blockquote class="footnote">
+ <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1</b>:
+ <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a>
+ <p>
+ Switzerland; or a Journal of a Tour and Residence in that
+ country, in 1817, 1818, and 1819. By L. Simond, 2 vols. 8
+ vo. Second Edit. 1823 Murray.
+ </p>
+ </blockquote>
+ <blockquote class="footnote">
+ <a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>:
+ <a href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a>
+ <p>
+ The utility of such a Tour as the present is greater than
+ may appear at first sight. Londoners are so absorbed with
+ the wealth and importance of their own city, as to form but
+ very erroneous notions of the extent and consequence of the
+ large towns of the empire&mdash;as Liverpool, Manchester,
+ &amp;c.; find those who live in small country towns are as
+ far removed from opportunities of improvement. The
+ <i>social economy</i> of different districts is therefore
+ important to both parties.
+ </p>
+ </blockquote>
+ <blockquote class="footnote">
+ <a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a> <b>Footnote 3</b>:
+ <a href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a>
+ <p>
+ In Henry the Seventh's chapel.
+ </p>
+ </blockquote>
+ <blockquote class="footnote">
+ <a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a> <b>Footnote 4</b>:
+ <a href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a>
+ <p>
+ The punishment for drinking wine is to have a stream of
+ melted copper poured down the throat; but wine is drunk,
+ and all classes feed upon flesh.
+ </p>
+ </blockquote>
+ <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 11458 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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