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diff --git a/12568-0.txt b/12568-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..68552d7 --- /dev/null +++ b/12568-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1556 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12568 *** + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. XVII, NO. 477.] SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1831. [PRICE 2d. + + * * * * * + +[Illustration: MOUNT ST. MICHAEL, NORMANDY.] + + + + +MOUNT ST. MICHAEL, NORMANDY. + + +The interest attached to this extraordinary place is of so popular +a character as fully to justify its introduction to our pages. It is +situate at the southern extremity of the ancient province of Normandy, +a district of considerable importance in the early histories of France +and England. The "Mount" is likewise one of the most stupendous of +Nature's _curiosities_, it being _one mass of granite_, and +referred to by geologists as a fine specimen of that primary or +primitive rock; or, to speak untechnically, of that rock "which is most +widely spread over the globe in the lowest relative situation," and +which contains no remains of a former world.[1] St. Michael's therefore +stands pre-eminently in the sublime philosophy of Nature. It figures +also in the page of man's history: its early celebrity is recognised in +the chronicles of olden France and England; and it promises note in the +history of our own times; since to this monastic spot will the political +balance of France, in all probability, exile the person of the ambitious +Polignac, ex-minister of France. The reader will perhaps suspect the +political concatenation of Lulworth Castle, the Hotel de Ville, and the +Palais Royal in our last volume; and the Prison of Vincennes and Mount +St. Michael in the present. Instead of catching "the manners living as +they _rise_," we appear to be looking out for crowns and ministers +headlong as they _fall_. + +St. Michael's is in that portion of Normandy which is not often visited +by English tourists. One of its recent visitors was Mrs. Charles +Stothard, wife of the distinguished artist, who, in 1820, published +a narrative of her journey in, the autumn of 1818. Mrs. Stothard's +description of the "Mount" is dated from Avranches, a coast town of some +consequence, not far from Caen. Speaking of the delightfully situated +town of Avranches, the fair correspondent says, + +"Beyond, in the midst of the sea, arises 400 feet above the surface of +the water, the majestic rock of Mount St. Michael, and near it another, +but smaller rock, called the Tombalaine. In the distant and blue horizon +appears the long and extending land of Britanny, mingling with the +surrounding atmosphere, from which it is alone distinguished by +a faint and uncertain line, that, like the prospect of our future +years, impresses the mind with a deeper interest from its distant and +impenetrable form. Mount St. Michael is a league in circumference; in +some parts of the rock is perpendicular; it is flooded entirely at high +water, but when the tide is out, the rock may be approached by the +sands; some danger, however, attends the passage to those who are not +perfectly well acquainted with the track, as many quicksands intercept, +where travellers have frequently been lost. + +"There is a small town on Mount St. Michael. The castle, which stands at +the top, is accessible by steps cut in the solid rock. In the year 708, +St. Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, here first created the chapel dedicated +to St. Michael; in 966, Richard the first Duke of Normandy, established +a convent of monks of the order of St. Benoit, and in 1024, Richard +the second Duke of Normandy, built the church, which still exists. The +provisions that supply the fortress, are sent up in a basket drawn by a +machine. Tradition says, that there was in this castle an obligatory, or +concealed trap-door, where, in feudal times, persons were taken, whom +the state directed should be secretly put out of the way. Under pretext, +of showing them the castle, they were conducted into a remote chamber, +there they soon met their destined fate, for chancing to step upon the +concealed door, they were precipitated into the abyss, many hundred feet +below. They still exhibit at this fortress the sword and shield of St. +Michael, and some cannon left by the English, when they made a fruitless +attempt to take possession of the rock. Here it was that in former +times, the Kings of France and the Dukes of Britanny made frequent +pilgrimages, and performed penance at the shrine of St. Michael." + +The lofty situation of the church appears to be peculiar to the churches +dedicated to St. Michael. In many parts of the world they are built on +very lofty eminences, in allusion, it is said, to St. Michael's having +been the highest of the heavenly host. St. Michael's, in Cornwall, is +another confirmation of this remark. + +We have the pleasure of acknowledging the original of our Engraving +from an elegant Print Scrap Book, now in course of publication by Mr. +H. Dawe. It consists of well executed mezzotinto prints which are worthy +of the album of any fair subscriber. + + [1] Primary rocks are supposed by geologists to constitute the + foundation on which rocks of all the other classes are laid; + and if we take an enlarged view of the structure of the globe, + we may admit this to be the fact,--but the admission requires + certain limitations.--Bakewell. + + + * * * * * + + +NIOBE. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + + Hush'd are the groans of death, heart-piercing sound, + That mournful rose in peals on peals around; + Child after child by heav'nly darts expires, + And frequent corses feed the gloomy pyres. + Aghast she stands!--now here in wild amaze-- + Now there the mother casts her madd'ning gaze: + In fixedness of grief, in dumb despair, + Her looks, her mien, her inmost soul declare: + Her looks, her mien, her deep-sunk anguish show + With all the silent eloquence of woe. + + See! from her cheek the rosy lustre flies; + How dim the beams that sparkled in her eyes. + No more so softly heaves the throbbing breast; + The purple currents in their channels rest;-- + No more the Zephyr's balmy breath can wave + The graceful locks which laughing Hebe gave;-- + And fade those lips where fresh vermilion shone, + Cold as the clay, or monumental stone;-- + O'er all her limbs an icy numbness spreads, + And marble death eternal quiet sheds. + + [2]Great sculptor hail! whom Nature's self design'd + To trace the labyrinths of the human mind-- + To read the heart, and give with strong control, + To stone the silent workings of the soul: + Thine all-creative hand, thy matchless skill + Could what unbounded genius plann'd, fulfil. + Hence sprang that grief-wrung form--the languid eye-- + The bloodless lip, and look of agony-- + That face, where mute contending passions play-- + That life of pain, of anguish, and dismay. + + To sink she seems beneath the afflictive weight + Of gloomy cares portentous of her fate;-- + Yet on her brow still soft Affection beams, + Tho' Desperation prompts her sombre dreams. + Parental feelings thrill her tortur'd breast, + And all the frantic mother stands confest-- + A very Niobe--sad, hapless name! + In figure, features, and in all the same: + The same in all as Vengeance fierce pursued + Far to a wild and cheerless solitude. + For Salmo's bard has sung (by Heaven's decrees) + In awful pomp she mounted on the breeze-- + Borne by the buoyant wind--a ghostly form-- + She sail'd along the region of the storm. + + So oft 'tis said in Lapland's chill domain, + Where dreary winter holds a lengthen'd reign, + What time the Runic drum and magic spell + Evoke the rapt soul from its fragile cell, + Attendant spirits, won by charms and prayer, + In gliding motion float upon the air. + + +_Sydenham._ + +S.S. + + + [2] Praxiteles. + + * * * * * + + +THE RHINE. + +(_To the Editor._) + + +In looking over the last volume (16) of your interesting miscellany, +I was much amused with a humorous legend at page 108, called the Rat's +Tower, and according to your reference, having turned to page 68, of +vol. xii. was equally entertained with the same laughable and well told +story versified. This humorous production is extracted from a work +entitled, if I mistake not, "The Rhinish Keepsake," containing many +of the most wonderful and spirit-stirring legends connected with old +chateaux, &c. on the banks of that majestic river, the Rhine. Amongst +other pretty and choice _morceaux_, is a poem under the name of +"_L'Envoy_," which may probably interest yourself and the readers +of the _Mirror_. In perusing the enclosed, you will observe the +infancy, manhood, and old age of "Father Rhine," as he is called, are +all brought in succession before our eyes, which happy and ingenious +idea is taken from a highly descriptive French publication, and perhaps +having named the work, you will pardon my having extracted that portion +which refers more particularly to the subject before us. The author +says, "Dans son enfance le Rhin joue entre les fleurs des Alpes de +la Suisse, il se berce dans le lac de Constance, il en sort avec des +forces nouvelles, il devient un adolescent bouillant, fait une chute +a Schaffhouse, s'avance vers l'age mur, se plait a remplir sa coupe +de vin, court chercher les dangers et les affronte contre les écueils +et les rochers: puis parvenu a un age plus avancée il abandonne les +illusions, les sites romanesques, et cherche l'útile. Dans sa caducité +il desserit et disparait enfin on ne sait trop comment!" + + +L'ENVOY. + + + Cologne! Cologne! Thy walls are won, + Farewell my bark--be hush'd my song; + My voyage is o'er--my task is done-- + Too pleasant both to last me long. + + Adieu, thou noble Rhine, adieu, + Thy scenes for ever rich and new, + Thy cheerful towns, thy Gothic piles, + Thy rude ravines, thy verdant isles; + Thy golden hills with garlands bound, + Thy giant crags with castles crown'd! + + I have seen thee by morning's early light, + I have seen thee by evening gray; + With the crimson blush of sun-set bright, + And lit by the moon's pale ray; + + Shrouded in mist and darken'd by storm, + With the countless tints of autumn warm: + In ev'ry hue that can o'er thee fall; + And lovely, lovely thou art in all. + The Rhine!--That little word will be + For aye a spell of power to me, + And conjure up, in care's despite, + A thousand visions of delight. + + The Rhine! O where beneath the sun + Doth that fair river's rival run? + Where dawns the day upon a stream, + Can in such changeful beauty shine, + Outstripping Fancy's wildest dream, + Like yon green, glancing, glorious Rhine. + + Born where blooms the Alpine rose, + Cradled in the Boden--see,[3] + Forth the infant river flows, + Leaping on in childish glee. + Coming to a riper age, + He crowns his rocky cup with wine, + And makes a gallant pilgrimage + To many a ruin'd tower and shrine. + Strong and swift, and wild and brave, + On he speeds with crested wave; + And spurning aught like check or stay, + Fights and foams along his way, + O'er crag and shoal, until his flood + Boils like manhood's hasty blood! + + Older, broader, deeper grown, + All romantic follies flown, + Now the laden Beurtschiff sails + Slowly o'er his sober tide, + Which wanders on through fertile vales, + And looks like Peace by Plenty's side. + + Joy and strife, and labour past, + In his grave he sinks at last! + Not the common river's tomb-- + Not the ocean's mighty womb; + Into earth he melts away, + Like that very thing of clay, + Man, whose brief and checker'd course + He hath copied from his source.[4] + + Farewell thou "Father Rhine," as they + Who dwell beside thee fondly say, + May thy delicious valley long + Echo the sweet and grateful song. + Which ever round the goblet rose-- + And well thy minstrel's lay may close. + + +Y.O.S. + + [3] The Lake of Constance. + + [4] The Rhine loses itself in the sands of Holland before its waters + can mingle with the sea. + + + * * * * * + + +KATERFELTO. + +(_To the Editor._) + + +In reply to the question of your correspondent--"Who was Katerfelto?" I +am enabled to offer the few brief particulars which follow. With regard +to his birth, parentage, and education, I am, however, not qualified to +convey any information. I know not "to whom he was related, or by whom +forgot." I became acquainted with him about the year 1790 or 1791, when +he visited the City of Durham, accompanied by his wife and daughter. He +then appeared to be about sixty years of age. His travelling equipage +consisted of an old rumbling coach, a pair of sorry hacks, and two black +servants. They wore green liveries with red collars, but the colours +were sadly faded by long use. + +Having taken suitable apartments, the black servants were sent round the +town, blowing trumpets and delivering bills, announcing their master's +astonishing performances, which in the day time consisted in displaying +the wonders of the microscope, &c. and in the evening in exhibiting +electrical experiments, in the course of which he introduced his two +celebrated black cats, generally denominated the Doctor's Devils--for, +be it understood, that our hero went under the dignified style and +title of _Doctor_ Katerfelto. Tricks of legerdemain concluded the +evening's entertainments. + +The first night of the Doctor's performance was extremely wet, and the +writer of this, who was then quite a boy, composed his whole audience. +The Doctor's spouse invited me behind the curtains to the fire, on one +side of which sat the great conjuror himself, his person being enveloped +in an old green, greasy roquelaire, and his head decorated with a black +velvet cap. On the other side of the fire-place sat Mrs. Katerfelto and +daughter, in a corresponding style of dress--that is to say, equally +ancient and uncleanly. The family appeared, indeed, to be in distressed +circumstances. The Doctor told me the following odd anecdote:--Some time +before he had sent up from a town in Yorkshire a fire-balloon, for the +amusement of the country people, and at which they were not a little +astonished; but in a few days afterwards the Doctor was himself more +astonished on being arrested for having set fire to a hay rick! The +balloon, it appeared, had in its descent fallen upon a rick, which it +consumed, and the owner, having ascertained by whom the combustible +material had been dispatched, arrested the doctor for the damage. As the +Doctor was unable to pay the amount, he was obliged to go to prison, +thus proving that it is sometimes easier to raise the devil than to +"raise the wind." Having been admitted behind the scenes, I had an +opportunity of seeing the conjuror's apparatus, but the performance +was postponed to another evening. + +On the next night of the Doctor's appearance he had a tolerably +respectable auditory, and the following incidents may amuse your +readers, as they occasioned much laughter at the moment. Among the +company was the Rev. Mr. P., a minor canon. The conjuror, in the course +of his tricks, desired a card to be drawn from the pack, by one of the +company, which was done, the card examined and returned into the pack, +in the presence of the audience; but on the company being requested to +take the card again from the pack, it could not be found. The Doctor +said it must have been taken out by some one present, and civilly begged +the reverend gentleman to search his pockets. Indignant at such an +insinuation, the inflamed divine for some time refused to comply, but at +length being persuaded, he drew forth the identical card, much to his +own surprise and the amusement of the spectators. A similar trick was +also played with some money, which unaccountably found its way into the +reverend gentleman's pocket, a circumstance which put him out of all +patience; and he proceeded most sternly to lecture the astounded Doctor +for having practised his levity on a gentleman of his cloth, upon which, +and threatening the poor conjuror with vengeance, he strode out of the +room. Katerfelto declared that, although he was a conjuror, he did not +know the gentleman was a divine. + +Katerfelto left Durham soon afterwards, and I have heard died at +Bristol. + +_Pentonville._ + +DUNELM. + + * * * * * + + +(_To the Editor._) + +A correspondent having expressed a wish to obtain some knowledge of +Dr. Katerfelto, of juggling memory, perhaps the following may be +acceptable: Between thirty and forty years ago he travelled through the +principal towns of the northern counties with a caravan filled with +philosophical apparatus, giving lectures where a sufficient audience +could be collected. He appeared to be about five feet ten, rather thin, +and towards fifty. He was dressed in a black gown and square cap; his +apparatus was in excellent order, and very well managed, he conducted +every experiment with great certainty, never failing; and though much +knowledge might be gained from his lecture, people seemed more inclined +to laugh than to learn; perhaps from his peculiar manner, and partly +from his introducing something ludicrous, as on exhibiting the powers of +a magnet, by lifting a large box, he observed it was not empty, and on +opening the lid, five or six black cats put up their heads, which he +instantly put down, saying, "it is not your hour yet." Also when about +to prove the truth of what he advanced, by experiment, he had a strange +way of calling your attention by saying, "But then look _here_," +raising his voice loud at the word "here." The lecture was succeeded +by a display of legerdemain, in which I thought him very superior +to Breslaw. + +It was said then, that he had originally been a soldier in the Prussian +service, and had procured his discharge. + +J.G. + +P. + + * * * * * + + + + +NOTES OF A READER. + + * * * * * + + +PUBLIC EXECUTIONS. + + +Far better would it be if, in the few cases for which death ought to be +inflicted, the execution were to take place within the walls of the +prison, none being present except the proper officers, the clergyman, +and those persons whom the sufferer might desire to have with him at his +departure. The effect might possibly be impressive to some good end, +which most certainly it is not now, if there were no other announcement +than that of tolling a bell, when all was over, and hoisting a black +flag, where it might be seen far and wide; and if the body of a murderer +were carried under a pall, with some appropriate solemnity, to the place +of dissection. Executions ought never to be made a spectacle for the +multitude, who, if they can bear the sight, always regard it as a +pastime; nor for the curiosity of those who shudder while they gratify +it. Indeed, there are few circumstances in which it is not expedient +that a veil should be drawn over the crimes and sufferings of our +fellow-creatures; and it is greatly to be wished, that in all cases of +turpitude and atrocity, no further publicity were given to the offence +than is necessary for the ends of justice. For no one who is conversant +with criminal courts, or has obtained any insight into the human mind, +can entertain a doubt that such examples are infectious.--_Qry. +Review._ + +(There is so much sterling sense and knowledge of life displayed in +these "Notes" from the last published _Quarterly Review_, that we +continue their selection without apology to the reader.) + + * * * * * + + +BURNING ALIVE. + +Little more than fifty years have elapsed since a girl, just turned +fourteen, was condemned to be burnt alive, having been found guilty of +treason as an accomplice with her master in coining, because, at his +command, she had concealed some whitewashed counters behind her stays. +The master was hanged. The fagots were placed in readiness for her +execution; and it was averred, in the House of Commons, by Sir William +Meredith, at the time, that "the girl would have been burnt alive, on +the same day, had it not been for the humane, but casual interference of +Lord Weymouth." Mere accident saved the nation from this crime and this +national disgrace; but so torpid was public feeling in those days, that +the law remained unaltered till the year 1790; till which time the +sheriff who did not execute a sentence of this kind was liable to +prosecution; though, it may well be believed, no sheriff was then +inhuman enough to adhere to the letter of such a law.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + +PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS, + +As at present conducted, are said to do more harm than good. But though +this should be admitted, it would still be true that they have even now +their good as well as their evil; that there have been times when the +good greatly preponderated; that they have contributed in no slight +degree to civilization and refinement; and that in calling forth +Shakspeare's genius, which, by no other means, and in no other way, +could have been called forth with equal effect, they have done more good +than outweighs all the evil that they ever have done, or can do. Public +spectacles have been regarded in this light by the wisest legislators; +nor is it only human authority which has given them its sanction; they +made an essential part of the Jewish law; there is nothing opposed to +them in the spirit of Christianity; and if they are at any time +perverted to the gratification of evil passions, or the depravation +of manners, the fault is in that public opinion which calls for +and encourages such gratification, and in those governments which, +neglecting their paramount duty, tolerate such perversion.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + +LAW AND LAWYERS. + +It is related by Laud, in his Diary, that when he was standing one day, +during dinner, near his unfortunate master, then Prince Charles, the +prince, who was in cheerful spirits, talking of many things as occasion +offered, said, that if necessity compelled him to choose any particular +profession of life, he could not be a lawyer; "for," said he, "I can +neither defend a bad cause, nor yield in a good one." "_Sic in +majoribus succedas, in aeternum faustus!_" was the aspiration which +his faithful servant and fellow victim breathed, when he recorded this +trait of Christian character in private notes, which, beyond all doubt, +were never intended to be seen by any eyes but his own. Even then, the +practice had become so much an exercitation of subtlety, on the part of +its professors, to the utter disregard of its original end and object, +that, as Donne strongly expressed himself, the name of "law" had been +"strumpeted." It has been asked, if this be the fault of the men or of +the institutions--of the lawyers or of the law? and maintained that +the original fault is in the law: a conclusion more charitable than +satisfactory; for, by whom has the law been made what it is, but by +the lawyers? + +By the Roman laws, every advocate was required to swear that he would +not undertake a cause which he knew to be unjust, and that he would +abandon a defence which he should discover to be supported by falsehood +or iniquity. This is continued in Holland at this day; and if an +advocate brings forward a cause there, which appears to the court +plainly iniquitous, he is condemned in the costs of the suit: the +example will, of course, be very rare; more than one, however, has +occurred within the memory of persons who are now living. The possible +inconvenience that a cause just in itself might not be able to find a +defender, because of some strong and general prejudice concerning it, is +obviated in that country by an easy provision: a party who can find no +advocate, and is nevertheless persuaded of the validity of his cause, +may apply to the court, which has, in such cases, the discretionary +power of authorizing or appointing one.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + +RICH AND POOR. + +The most rational, the wisest, the best portion of mankind, belong +to that class who possess "neither poverty nor riches." Let the reader +look around him; let him observe who are the persons that contribute +most to the moral and physical melioration of mankind; who they are +that practically and personally support our unnumbered institutions +of benevolence; who they are that exhibit the worthiest examples of +intellectual exertion; who they are to whom he would himself apply if +he needed to avail himself of a manly and discriminating judgment. That +they are the poor is not to be expected; we appeal to himself, whether +they are the rich?--_Dymond's Principles of Morality._ + + * * * * * + + +SUNDAY. + +A day of rest it is by the laws of the land, and ought to be by the +laws of God--let us be thankful when we thus find them in agreement; +but a day wholly dedicated to devotion it was not intended to be by +either, nor in the nature of things can it possibly be so. The greater +part of it must be spent in the quiet enjoyment of domestic life, or in +out-of-door recreation, or in idleness. In the former and better manner +it is passed by the majority of the middle classes; it is the day on +which friends and relations meet, whom business keeps apart during six +days of the week; and the stoppage of stage-coaches within twenty miles +of London on the Sunday would take away more moral and wholesome +enjoyment than any act of the legislature can produce. But supposing +public worship were duly attended by all persons, as, according to what +has now become a fiction of the law, it is designed to be, how are the +remaining portions of the day to be disposed of by those who have no +domestic circle to which they can repair--no opportunities for that +refreshment both of body and mind, which the Sabbath, when wisely and +properly observed, affords? Or who, if belonging to or placed in +religious families, are not yet at years of such discretion as suffices +to repress their natural activity and the instinctive desire of +recreation? Rigorous gamelaws do not more certainly encourage poaching, +than the puritanical observance of the Sabbath leads to +Sabbath-breaking.--_Quarterly Review._ + + * * * * * + + +BURNS. + +This extraordinary man, before he produced any of the pieces on which +his fame is built, had educated himself abundantly; and when he died, +at the age of thirty-seven, knew more of books, as well as of men, than +fifty out of a hundred in any of the learned professions in any country +of the world are ever likely to do.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + +THE ETTRICK SHEPHERD. + +When the Ettrick Shepherd was first heard of, he had indeed but just +learned to write, by copying the letters of a printed ballad, as he +lay watching his flock on the mountains; but thirty years or more have +passed since then, and his acquirements are now such, that the Royal +Society of Literature, in patronizing him, might be justly said to +honour a laborious and successful student, as well as a masculine and +fertile genius. We may take the liberty of adding, in this place, what +perhaps may not be known to the excellent managers of that excellent +institution, that a more worthy, modest, sober, and loyal man does not +exist in his majesty's dominions than this distinguished poet, whom some +of his waggish friends have taken up the absurd fancy of exhibiting in +print as a sort of boozing buffoon; and who is now, instead of revelling +in the license of tavern-suppers and party politics, bearing up, as he +may, against severe and unmerited misfortunes, in as dreary a solitude +as ever nursed the melancholy of a poetical temperament.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + +MR. ALLAN CUNNINGHAM + +Needs no testimony either to his intellectual accomplishments or his +moral worth; nor, thanks to his own virtuous diligence, does he need +any patronage. He has been fortunate enough to secure a respectable +establishment in the _studio_ of a great artist, who is not less +good than great, and would thus be sufficiently in the eye of the world, +even were his literary talents less industriously exercised than they +have hitherto been. His recent Lives of the British Painters and +Sculptors form one of the most agreeable books in the language; and it +will always remain one of the most remarkable and delightful facts in +the history of letters, that such a work--one conveying so much valuable +knowledge in a style so unaffectedly attractive--so imbued throughout, +not only with lively sensibility, amiable feelings, honesty and candour, +but mature and liberal taste, was produced by a man who, some twenty +years before, earned his daily bread as a common stone-mason in the +wilds of Nithsdale. Examples like these will plead the cause of +struggling genius, wherever it may be found, more powerfully than +all the arguments in the world.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + +DUELLING + +Is the only crime into which an upright man, wanting in moral +firmness, can be impelled by the law of honour. Surely there could be +no difficulty in putting an end to this absurd and abominable practice +by wholesome laws. Appoint six months' imprisonment for the offence +of sending a challenge, or of accepting it; two years if the parties +meet; and if one falls, transport the other for life. Appoint the same +punishment in all cases for the seconds; and from the day in which such +a law should be enacted, not a pair of duelling pistols would ever again +be manufactured in this country, even for the Dublin market.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + +CARDINAL MAZARIN. + +The pecuniary wealth, the valuables and pictures of Mazarin, were +immense. He was fond of hoarding,--a passion that seized him when he +first found himself banished and destitute. His love of pictures was as +strong as his love of power--stronger, since it survived. A fatal malady +had seized on the cardinal, whilst engaged in the conferences of the +treaty, and worn by mental fatigue. He brought it home with him to the +Louvre. He consulted Guenaud, the great physician, who told him that he +had two months to live. Some days after receiving this dread mandate, +Brienne perceived the cardinal in night-cap and dressing gown tottering +along his gallery, pointing to his pictures, and exclaiming, "Must I +quit all these?" He saw Brienne, and seized him: "Look," exclaimed he, +"look at that Correggio! this Venus of Titian! that incomparable Deluge +of Caracci! Ah! my friend, I must quit all these. Farewell, dear +pictures, that I loved so dearly, and that cost me so much!" His friend +surprised him slumbering in his chair at another time, and murmuring, +"Gueriaud has said it! Guenaud has said it!" A few days before his +death, he caused himself to be dressed, shaved, rouged and painted, +"so that he never looked so fresh and vermilion," in his life. In this +state he was carried in his chair to the promenade, where the envious +courtiers cruelly rallied, and paid him ironical compliments on his +appearance. Cards were the amusement of his death-bed, his hand being +held by others; and they were only interrupted by the visit of the Papal +Nuncio, who came to give the cardinal that plenary indulgence to which +the prelates of the sacred college are officially entitled. Mazarin +expired on the 9th of March, 1661. + +_Lardner's Cyclopaedia_, vol. xv. + + * * * * * + + +"GOD SAVE THE KING" IN ITALY. + +On the 26th of December last, the King and Queen of Sardinia went +in state to the _Carlo Felice_ Theatre at Genoa, and presented to +the public, says an Italian correspondent, his niece, the betrothed +bride of the heir-apparent of the house of Austria. At seven the court +arrived, the curtain rose, and displayed the whole _corps dramatique_, +who sang _Dio Salve il Re;_ or an Italian version of the words and +music of our "God save the King," in which Madame Caradori took the +principal part. Thus our national anthem is getting naturalized in +Italy, the parent of song, and once the manufacturer of it for all +Europe. It is already adopted in Russia, I am told, and is well known +in France, though not likely to supplant the fine national air, "_Vive +Henri Quatre_."--_Harmonicon, Feb._ 1. + + * * * * * + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS OF SHAKSPEARE. + + +[Illustration: FLINT CASTLE.] + + +This Castle is, or rather was, situated on an insulated rock, in +a marsh on the river Dee, which still, at high tides, washes its walls. +It is a site of considerable historical interest, being the place where +the unhappy King Richard II was delivered into the hands of his rival, +Bolingbroke. The unfortunate monarch, it appears, finding himself +deserted, had withdrawn to North Wales, with a design to escape to +France. He was, however, decoyed to agree to a conference with +Bolingbroke, and on the road was seized by an armed force, conveyed to +Flint Castle, and thence led by his successful rival to the metropolis. + +Shakspeare has perpetuated Flint Castle by its frequent mention in his +"Life and Death of King Richard the Second." He has indeed invested it +with high poetical interest. Thus, in Scene 2 of Act iii. where occurs +that touching lament of unkingship-- + + ----Of comfort, no man speak: + Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs, &c. + +Again, where the moody monarch says-- + + + ----What comfort have we now? + By heaven! I'll hate him everlastingly, + That bids me be of comfort any more. + Go, to _Flint Castle_, there I'll pine away; + A king, woe's slave, shall kingly woe obey. + + +Then, the investiture of the Castle--"Scene 3.--_Wales--Before Flint +Castle;" "Enter, with drums and colours_, BOLINGBROKE _and Forces." +"A parle sounded, and answered.--Flourish.--Enter on the walls_ +KING RICHARD, &c." Shakspeare makes the capture _in the castle_. +Thus, Northumberland (from Bolingbroke before the castle) parleys +with the King-- + + + My lord, in the base court he doth attend + To speak with you, may't please you to come down? + + KING RICHARD. + + Down, down I come; like glistering Phaeton, + Wanting the management of unruly jades. + (_North retires to Boling._) + In the base court? Base court, where kings grow base, + To come at traitors' calls, and do them grace. + In the base court? Come Down? Down Court, Down King! + For night-owls shriek where mounting larks should sing. + (_Exeunt from above._) + + +Richard has been described as a prince of surpassing beauty; but +his mental powers did not correspond with his personal form, and his +character was both weak and treacherous. He, however, had some redeeming +points. His ordering some trees to be cut down at Sheen, because they +too forcibly reminded him of his deceased wife Anne, in whose company +he used to walk under them, affords a favourable testimony of his +susceptibility of the social affections. Of this sensitiveness, there +is also an interesting trait recorded by Froissart. From Flint Castle, +Richard was conveyed to London, and immured within the Tower cells. +While he was here one day conversing with Bolingbroke, his favourite +greyhound, Math, having been loosed by his keeper, instead of running +to the King, as usual, fawned upon the Duke. The latter inquiring the +cause of this unusual circumstance, was answered--"This greyhound +fondles and pays his court to you this day as King of England, which +you will surely be, and I shall be deposed." + +To return to Flint Castle. After the civil wars under Charles I. it was +ordered to be dismantled; but, among other rights, it was restored to +Sir Roger Mostyn, after the Restoration, in whose family it is still +vested, though the mayor of the borough acts as its constable. + + * * * * * + + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. + + * * * * * + + +WEBER AND DER FREISCHUTZ. + +In 1821, the newly-erected Royal Opera at Berlin was opened with "Der +Freyschütz." The effect produced by the first representation of this +romantic opera, which we shall never cease to regard as one of the +proudest achievements of genius, was almost unprecedented. It was +received with general acclamations, and raised his name at once to the +first eminence in operatic composition. In January it was played in +Dresden, in February at Vienna, and everywhere with the same +success.--Weber alone seemed calm and undisturbed amid the general +enthusiasm. He pursued his studies quietly, and was already deeply +engaged in the composition of a comic opera, "The Three Pintos," never +completed, and had accepted a commission for another of a romantic cast +for the Vienna stage. The text was at first to have been furnished by +Rellstab, but was ultimately written by Madame de Chezy, and written in +so imperfect and impracticable a style, that, with all Rellstab's +alterations never had a musician more to contend with than poor Weber +had to do with this old French story. As it is, however, he has caught +the spirit of the tale. + + "Dance and Provençal song, and vintage mirth" + + +breathe in his melodies; and although a perplexed plot and want of +interest in the scene greatly impaired its theatrical effect, the +approbation with which it was notwithstanding received by all judges +of music on its first representation in Vienna (10th Oct. 1823) +sufficiently attested the triumph of the composer over his difficulties. +He was repeatedly called for and received with the loudest acclamations. +From Vienna, where he was conducting his Euryanthe, he was summoned to +Prague, to superintend the fiftieth representation of his "Freyschütz." +His tour resembled a triumphal procession; for, on his return to +Dresden, he was greeted with a formal public reception in the theatre. + +But while increasing in celebrity, and rising still higher, if that +were possible, in the estimation of the public, his health was rapidly +waning, amidst his anxious and multiplied duties. "Would to God," says +he in a letter written shortly afterwards--"Would to God that I were a +tailor, for then I should have a Sunday's holiday!" Meantime a cough, +the herald of consumption, tormented him, and "the slow minings of the +hectic fire" within began to manifest themselves more visibly in days +and nights of feverish excitement. It was in the midst of this that he +accepted the task of composing an opera for Covent Garden Theatre. His +fame, which had gradually made its way through the North of Germany +(where his Freyschütz was played in 1823) to England, induced the +managers to offer him liberal terms for an opera on the subject of +Oberon, the well-known fairy tale on which Wieland has reared his +fantastic, but beautiful and touching comic Epos. He received the first +act of Planché's manuscript in December, 1824, and forthwith began his +labours, though he seems to have thought that the worthy managers, +in the short time they were disposed to allow him, were expecting +impossibilities, particularly as the first step towards its composition, +on Weber's part, was the study of the English language itself, the right +understanding of which, Weber justly considered as preliminary to any +attempt to marry Mr. Planché's ephemeral verses to his own immortal +music. These exertions increased his weakness so much, that he found +it necessary to resort to a watering-place in the summer of 1825. In +December he returned to Berlin, to bring out his Euryanthe there in +person. It was received, as might have been anticipated, with great +applause, though less enthusiastically than the Freyschütz, the wild +and characteristic music of which, came home with more intensity to the +national mind. After being present at two representations, he returned +to his labours at Oberon. + +The work, finally, having been completed, Weber determined himself to +be present at the representation of this his last production. He hoped, +by his visit to London, to realize something for his wife and family; +for hitherto, on the whole, poverty had been his companion. Want had, +indeed, by unceasing exertion, been kept aloof, but still hovering +near him, and threatening with the decline of his health, and his +consequent inability to discharge his duties, a nearer and a nearer +approach. Already he felt the conviction that his death was not far off, +and that his wife and children would soon be deprived of that support +which his efforts had hitherto afforded them. His intention was to +return from London by Paris, where he expected to form a definitive +arrangement relative to an opera which the Parisians had long requested +from him. + +On the 2nd of March he left Paris for England, which he reached on +the 4th amidst a heavy shower of rain--a gloomy opening to his visit. +The first incident, however, that happened after his arrival, showed +how highly his character and talents were appreciated. Instead of +requiring to present himself as an alien at the Passport Office, he was +immediately waited upon by the officer with the necessary papers, and +requested to think of nothing but his own health, as everything would +be managed for him. On the 6th he writes to his wife from London: + +"God be thanked! here I sit, well and hearty, already quite at home, +and perfectly happy in the receipt of your dear letter, which assures +me that you and the children are well; what more or what better could +I wish for? After sleeping well and paying well at Dover, we set out +yesterday morning in the Express coach, a noble carriage, drawn by four +English horses, such as no prince need be ashamed of. With four persons +within, four in front, and four behind, we dashed on with the rapidity +of lightning, through this inexpressibly beautiful country: meadows of +the loveliest green, gardens blooming with flowers, and every building +displaying a neatness and elegance which form a striking contrast to +the dirt of France. The majestic river, covered with ships of all sizes +(among others, the largest ship of the line, of 148 guns), the graceful +country houses, altogether made the journey perfectly unique." + +He took up his residence with Sir George Smart, where everything that +could add to his comfort, or soothe his illness, had been provided by +anticipation. He found his table covered with cards from visiters who +had called before his arrival, and a splendid pianoforte in his room +from one of the first makers, with a request that he would make use +of it during his stay. + +"The whole day," he writes to his wife, "is mine till five--then dinner, +the theatre, or society. My solitude in England is not painful to me. +The English way of living suits mine exactly; and my little stock of +English, in which I make tolerable progress, is of incalculable use +to me. + +"Give yourself no uneasiness about the opera (Oberon), I shall have +leisure and repose here, for they respect my time. Besides, the Oberon +is not fixed for Easter Monday, but some time later; I shall tell you +afterwards when. The people are really too kind to me. No king ever +had more done for him out of love; I may almost say they carry me in +their arms. I take great care of myself, and you may be quite at ease +on my account. My cough is really a very odd one; for eight days it +disappeared entirely; then, upon the 3rd (of March) a vile spasmodic +attack returned before I reached Calais. Since that time it is quiet +again. I cannot, with all the consideration I have given it, understand +it at all. I sometimes deny myself every indulgence, and yet it comes. +I eat and drink every thing, and it does not come. But be it as God will. + +"At seven o'clock in the evening we went to Covent Garden, where Rob +Roy, an opera after Sir Walter Scott's novel, was played. The house +is handsomely decorated, and not too large. When I came forward to the +front of the stage-box, that I might have a better look of it, some one +called out, Weber! Weber is here!--and although I drew back immediately, +there followed a clamour of applause which I thought would never have +ended. Then the overture to the Freyschütz was called for, and every +time I showed myself the storm broke loose again. Fortunately, soon +after the overture, Rob Roy began, and gradually things became +quiet.--Could a man wish for more enthusiasm, or more love? I must +confess that I was completely overpowered by it, though I am of a calm +nature, and somewhat accustomed to such scenes. I know not what I would +have given to have had you by my side, that you might have seen me in +my foreign garb of honour. And now, my dear love, I can assure you that +you may be quite at ease, both as to the singers and the orchestra. +Miss Paton is a singer of the first rank, and will play Reiza divinely; +Braham not less so, though in a totally different style. There are also +several good tenors; and I really cannot see why the English singing +should be so much abused. The singers have a perfectly good Italian +education, fine voices, and expression. The orchestra is not remarkable, +but still very good, and the choruses particularly so. In short, I feel +quite at ease as to the fate of Oberon." + +The final production of the drama, however, was attended with more +difficulty than he had anticipated. He had the usual prejudices to +overcome, particular singers to conciliate, alterations to make, and +repeated rehearsals to superintend, before he could inspire the +performers with the proper spirit of the piece. + +"Braham," says he, "in another of his confidential letters to his wife," +(29th March, 1826) "begs for a grand scena instead of his first air, +which, in fact, was not written for him, and is rather high. The thought +of it was at first quite horrible; I could not hear of it. At last +I promised, when the opera was completed, if I had time enough, it should +be done; and now this grand scena, a confounded battle piece and what +not, is lying before me, and I am about to set to work, yet with the +greatest reluctance. What can I do? Braham knows his public, and is +idolized by them. But for Germany I shall keep the opera as it is. +I hate the air I am going to compose (to-day I hope) by anticipation. +Adieu, and now for the battle. * * * * So, the battle is over, that is +to say, half the scene. To-morrow shall the Turks roar, the French shout +for joy, the warriors cry out victory!" + +The battle was, indeed, nearly over with Weber. The tired forces of +life, though they bore up gallantly against the enemy, had long been +wavering at their post, and now in fact only one brilliant movement +remained to be executed before they finally retreated from the field +of existence. This was the representation of Oberon, which for a time +rewarded him for all his toils and vexations. He records his triumph +with a mixture of humility, gratitude, affection, and piety. + + +"12th April, 1826. + +"My best beloved Caroline! Through God's grace and assistance, I have +this evening met with the most complete success. The brilliancy and +affecting nature of the triumph is indescribable. God alone be thanked +for it! When I entered the orchestra, the whole of the house, which was +filled to overflowing, rose up, and I was saluted with huzzas, waving +of hats and handkerchiefs, which I thought would never have done. They +insisted on encoring the overture. Every air was interrupted twice or +thrice by bursts of applause. * * * So much for this night, dear life. +From your heartily tired husband, who, however, could not sleep in +peace until he had communicated to you this new blessing of heaven. +Good-night." + +But his joy was interrupted by the gradual decline of his health. +The climate of London brought back all those symptoms which his +travelling had for a time alleviated or dissipated. After directing +twelve performances of his Oberon in crowded houses, he felt himself +completely exhausted and dispirited.--His melancholy was not abated +by the ill success of his concert, which, from causes which we cannot +pretend to explain, was no benefit to the poor invalid. His next +letters are in a desponding tone. + + +"17th April, 1826. + +"To-day is enough to be the death of any one. A thick, dark, +yellow fog overhangs the sky, so that one can hardly see in the +house without candles. The sun stands powerless, like a ruddy point, +in the clouds. No: there is no living in this climate. The longing +I feel for Hosterwitz, and the clear air, is indescribable. But +patience,--patience,--one day rolls on after another; two months are +already over. I have formed an acquaintance with Dr. Kind, a nephew of +our own Kind. He is determined to make me well. God help me, that will +never happen to me in this life. I have lost all hope in physicians and +their art. Repose is my best doctor, and henceforth it shall be my sole +object to obtain it. * * * * * + +"To-morrow is the first representation of my (so called) rival's +opera, 'Aladdin.' I am very curious to see it. Bishop is a man of +talent, though of no peculiar invention. I wish him every success. +There is room enough for all of us in the world." + + +"30th May. + +"Dearest Lina, excuse the shortness and hurry of this. I have so +many things on hand, writing is painful to me--my hands tremble so. +Already too impatience begins to awaken in me. You will not receive +many more letters from me. Address your answer not to London, but to +Frankfort--_poste restante_. You are surprised? Yes, I don't go +by Paris. What should I do there--I cannot move--I cannot speak---all +business I must give up for years. Then better, better, the straight way +to my home--by Calais, Brussels, Cologne, and Coblentz, up the Rhine +to Frankfort--a delightful journey. Though I must travel slowly, rest +sometimes half a day, I think in a fortnight, by the end of June, +I shall be in your arms. + +"If God will, we shall leave this on 12th June, if heaven will vouchsafe +me a little strength. Well, all will go better if we are once on the +way--once out of this wretched climate. I embrace you from my heart, +my dear ones--ever your loving father Charles." + +This letter, the last but one he ever wrote, shows the rapid decline of +his strength, though he endeavours to keep up the spirits of his family +by a gleam of cheerfulness. His longing for home now began to increase +till it became a pang. On the 6th of June he was to be present at the +Freyschütz, which was to be performed for his benefit, and then to leave +London for ever. His last letter, the thirty-third he had written from +England, was dated the second of June. Even here, though he could +scarcely guide the pen, anxious to keep up the drooping spirits of his +wife, he endeavours to speak cheerfully, and to inspire a hope of his +return. + +"As this letter will need no answer, it will be short enough. Need no +answer! Think of that! Furstenau has given up the idea of his concert, +so perhaps we shall be with you in two days sooner--huzza! God bless you +all and keep you well! O were I only among you! I kiss you in thought, +dear mother. Love me also, and think always of your Charles, who loves +you above all." + +On Friday the 3rd of June, he felt so ill, that the idea of his +attending at the representation of "Der Freyschütz" was abandoned, and +he was obliged to keep his room. On Sunday evening, the 5th, he was left +at eleven o'clock in good spirits, and at seven next morning was found +dead upon his pillow, his head resting upon his hand, as though he +had passed from life without a struggle. The peaceful slumber of the +preceding evening seemed to have gradually deepened into the sleep +of death. + +He was interred on the 21st, with the accustomed solemnities of the +Catholic Church, in the chapel at Moorfields, the Requiem of Mozart +being introduced into the service. In person, Weber is described +as having been of the middle height, extremely thin, and of dark +complexion. His countenance was strikingly intelligent, his face long +and pale, his forehead remarkably high, his features prominent, his +eyes dark and full. His usual look was one of calm placid thought, an +expression which was increased in some degree by spectacles, which he +wore on account of his shortness of sight. The force and acuteness of +his mind were indicated in the occasional brilliancy of the expression +of his countenance; the habitual patience and mildness of his +disposition, in its permanent look of placidity and repose.--_From an +interesting paper in No. XIII. of the Foreign Quarterly Review._ + + * * * * * + + +DIRGE. + + + The moon was a-waning, + The tempest was over; + Fair was the maiden, + And fond was the lover; + But the snow was so deep, + That his heart it grew weary, + And he sunk down to sleep, + In the moorland so dreary. + + Soft was the bed + She had made for her lover, + White were the sheets + And embroider'd the cover; + But his sheets are more white, + And his canopy grander, + And sounder he sleeps + Where the hill foxes wander. + + Alas, pretty maiden, + What sorrows attend you! + I see you sit shivering, + With lights at your window; + But long may you wait + Ere your arms shall enclose him, + For still, still he lies, + With a wreath on his bosom. + + How painful the task + The sad tidings to tell you!-- + An orphan you were, + Ere this misery befell you; + And far in yon wild, + Where the dead-tapers hover, + So cold, cold and wan, + Lies the corpse of your lover. + + +_The Ettrick Shepherd._ + + * * * * * + + + + +MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS. + + * * * * * + + +PREPARATIONS OF MILK, PARTICULARLY OF MARES' MILK, USED BY THE KALMUCK +TARTARS. + +The ordinary drink of the Kalmucks, and which forms an essential part +of their food, consists of various preparations of the milk supplied by +their cattle. The mares yield milk as well as the cows; and, for several +reasons, they prefer the former. When fresh, this milk has a taste of +onions, which is very repulsive; but, in proportion as it sours, if the +operation is performed with cleanliness, it becomes more liquid than the +other, acquires an agreeable vinous taste, and neither forms cream nor +coagulates. In this state, it furnishes a wholesome and refreshing +drink, and which, when in sufficient quantity, froths in a remarkable +degree. The cow's milk, on the contrary, both on account of the cheesy +matter which it contains and its disagreeable taste, becomes unpleasant +to drink when it sours; and, in persons not accustomed to it, induces +colics and diarrhoeas, although the Kalmucks themselves experience no +inconvenience from it, unless they have neglected to boil it. This they +do, in the first place, and never use it until it has undergone this +operation, without which they would be exposed to the inconveniences +with which sour milk affects Europeans. In like manner, the Kalmucks +do not relish water that has not been boiled. Poor persons, to prevent +their being reduced to the necessity of drinking it pure, mix it with +their milk, in the proportion of a third part or half, in order to make +the most of the latter as a drink. + +The milk is therefore heated as soon as it is withdrawn from the animal; +and, when warm, it is poured into a large skin bottle, with which the +poorest hut is furnished, and in which there is always a remnant of sour +milk sufficient to sour the new milk, after it has been stirred with a +stick kept for the purpose. Those bottles are never washed or cleaned: +they are therefore always incrusted with cheese and dirt, and the smell +admitted by them is sufficient to show what they contain. But it is +precisely in this that the secret for making the milk undergo the vinous +fermentation consists. If it be intended to sour milk in empty or new +bottles, all that is necessary is to put into them the least drop of the +milk-brandy to be presently described, or a little of the curdled milk +that is found in the stomach of young lambs. + +All the preparations of milk are comprehended under the name of Tchigan. +The drinks prepared from pure mare's milk (the Koumys of the Tartars), +are named Gunna Tchigan, or Horse Tchigan; those into which mares' milk +and cow's milk enter are called Besrek;--sour cows' milk is named Airek; +and all kinds of fresh milk, Ussoun. + +In summer, and in general whenever their flocks yield them much milk, +the Kalmucks do not fail to inebriate themselves with the strong drink +which they derive from it. Mares' milk affords most spirit, and the milk +of the cow affords much less, especially in winter, when the fodder is +dry. Sheep's milk is never employed, as it does not contain spirit. + +The milk intended for distillation is only allowed to remain twenty-four +hours, in summer, in the skin-bottles to sour; but in winter, and in +cold weather, it may be left two or three days to be rendered fit for +distillation. The cream is not taken off; on the contrary, the milk is +agitated very strongly, from time to time, with the stick, and the +butter which forms of itself on the milk, or even on the common Tchigan, +is removed and employed for other uses. + +Notwithstanding the numerous testimonies on the subject, and the daily +experience, not of the nomadic tribes alone, but also of all the +Russians, many people in Europe cannot conceive how a spirituous and +inebriating liquor could be obtained from milk. But it cannot be +supposed that those travellers who have repeatedly seen these tribes +distil their brandy from milk, without adding the least vegetable matter +to the original liquid, and then, in their unbridled passion for +debauch, drink until they stagger and fall, have said so merely to +impose upon the public. Nor can it be objected that the weakness of +their head renders them liable to be easily inebriated by the vapours of +the milk, for the Kalmucks can take very large quantities of grain +brandy without losing the use of their legs; and there are Russians, +who, although professedly great drinkers, are sooner inebriated than the +Kalmucks by milk-brandy, and often even by the sour milk of mares, and +yet are extremely fond of this kind of drink. I am aware that strangers +have in vain tried to make milk-brandy. I shall even confess that I had +a trial made under my own eyes, at Selenginsk, by Kalmucks, and was so +unsuccessful, that I only obtained a watery fluid which had the smell of +sour milk; but the reason of this was, that two clean vessels had been +used. On the contrary, whenever I allowed these people to use their own +vessels, abundant alcoholic vapours were procured. It is, therefore, an +important point to determine, by means of vessels impregnated by long +use with a strong smell, and the remains of sour milk, that sudden +souring which developes a spirituous principle. This fermentation of a +rare species, and entirely _sui generis_, can only be brought to +the desired perfection by frequent repetition of the process, just as, +according to Russel,[5] the thick milk (_leban_), which the Arabs +habitually use for making cheese, can only be obtained by producing the +coagulation of the fresh milk by means of a milk previously curdled, or, +in other words, by the cohobation many times repeated of curdled milk. + +After describing the process of distillation, Pallas remarks, if +the brandy is made from cows' milk, what is obtained is equal to the +thirtieth, or at most to the twenty-fifth part of the mass; but when +from mares' milk, it equals the fifteenth part. The new fluid is pale +and watery, and does not inflame; but it keeps without spoiling, in +glass bottles, like weak corn-brandy. The rich Kalmucks render it +stronger by several distillations, and they have names for the products +of each rectification. The _arki_ is named _dang_ after its first +rectification; _arza_, after the second; _khortsa_, after the third. +They seldom go farther, although the rectifications are sometimes pushed to +six. The names given to the two last are _chingsta_ and _dingsta_. The +Kalmucks are generally, however, content with the products of the first +distillation. + +The receiver has scarcely been filled, when they pour the brandy warm +from it into a large wooden vessel with a spout, from which they fill +leather bottles, or gourds. + +It is customary for the host, with whom the company is then, to pour +brandy into a vessel, and afterwards to throw part of it into the fire, +and part towards the hole by which the smoke issues to render the +spirits of the air or his tutelary angel propitious. Lastly, the warm +brandy circulates among the company, composed of kinsfolk and friends, +in large cups, which often do not hold less than a bottle. If a little +is left, it is heated again before it is drunk. This milk-brandy, on +account of the aqueous parts which it contains, does not inebriate so +easily when a small quantity is taken, as brandy made from grain; but +it is found, by the example of the Russians and all the tribes of the +Steppes, that the drunkenness which it causes continues longer, and +entirely destroys the appetite. On the other hand, it does not produce +violent head-aches, like corn-brandy. + +The rich Kalmucks and Mongols are in the habit, when they pass the +winter near towns, of distilling with or without milk brandy from +leavened bread. The product, it is said, is stronger, and has a keener +taste than milk-brandy. The residuum of the distillation of milk-brandy, +which is sharp, and has a smell like wine lees, is applied to various +uses. Sometimes it is mixed with fresh milk, and immediately eaten; +sometimes it is applied for preparing sheep and lamb skins; sometimes +the women boil it, either by itself, or, if it is too sharp, with a +mixture of sweet milk, until it thickens, and then pour the cheesy +substance into bags, which, when thoroughly dried, they throw into +heaps. They also, like the Tartar tribes, frequently form it into round +cakes, which they dry in the sun, and keep principally for journeys and +for winter use. The residuum of distillation is called _bosson_, +and by the Mongols _tsakha_.--The cheese formed in heaps is named +_chourmyk_, that in cakes, _thorossoun_. + +They make another kind of cheese also, chiefly of sheep's and goats' +milk. The fresh milk is put into a kettle with a like sour milk +(_ederecksen ussun_), or some remnant of brandy (_bossah_). +They are well mixed, and then left for some time to sour. Fire is +then put under the kettle, and the mixture is stirred while it boils +briskly, that the cheesy parts may be converted into a kind of froth +(_koosoun_). When all the aqueous parts of the milk are expelled by +boiling, it little butter is added. The whole is again stirred, and left +upon the fire until the froth begins to dry and turn brown. It is then +ready, and if properly prepared, has an agreeable taste. + +The Kalmucks make their butter in the following manner: A sufficient +quantity of cows' or sheep's milk is put into a kettle, and boiled +for some time, after which there is added a little sour milk cream +(_areyn_). It is then withdrawn, and allowed to stand until it +sours, which does not require a whole day. This milk is then beaten with +a kind of butterstick, and poured into an earthen pot or other vessel, +when the decomposed butter comes to the surface, and is placed in +vessels, skins, or dried stomachs, in which it is kept. If the milk +still seems to contain fat, it is again treated in the same manner. +This milk is called _toussoun_ by the Kalmucks, and _oeroemae_ by +the Tartars.--_Jameson's Journal._ + + [5] Russel's Aleppo, p. 54. + + * * * * * + + +SOMERSET. + +In Congresbury parish, and the contiguous one of Puxton, were two large +pieces of common land, called East and West Dale Moors, (from the Saxon +_Dob_, share or portion) which were occupied till within these few +years in the following remarkable manner:--The land was divided into +single acres, each bearing a peculiar mark cut in the turf, such as a +horn, an ox, a horse, a cross, an oven, &c. On the Saturday before Old +Midsummer Day, the several proprietors of contiguous estates or their +tenants, assembled on these commons, with a number of apples marked +with similar figures, which were distributed by a boy to each of the +commoners from a bag; at the close of the distribution, each person +repaired to allotment with the figure corresponding with the one upon +his apple, and took possession of that piece of land for the ensuing +year. Four acres were reserved to pay the expenses of an entertainment +at the house of the Overseer of the Dale Moors, when the evening was +spent in festivity. + +_Rutter's Division of Somerset._ + + * * * * * + + + + +THE GATHERER. + + A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. + SHAKESPEARE. + + * * * * * + + +SLEEPING IN CHURCH. + +_From a Sermon by Swift._ + +(It may be somewhat derogatory to the genius of so great a writer +as SWIFT, to allow this extract to occupy its present place in our +arrangement--usually allotted to minor pieces. Our "Notes" are, for +the most part, from new books, and a similar object is explained in our +"Selector." We could hardly place "Sleeping in Church" under "Manners +and Customs," and sleep altogether is rather prospective, (in dreaming,) +than "Retrospective."--Yet reader, here it is--a still subject--but +fresh, vigorous, and written for all time.) + +There is one moral disadvantage to which all preaching is subject; that +those who, by the wickedness of their lives, stand in greatest need, +have usually the smallest share; for either they are absent upon the +account of idleness, or spleen, or hatred to religion, or in order to +doze away the intemperance of the week; or, if they do come, they are +sure to employ their minds rather any other way, than regarding or +attending to the business of the place. + +There is no excuse so trivial, that will not pass upon some men's +consciences to excuse their attendance at the public worship of God. +Some are so unfortunate as to be always indisposed on the Lord's day, +and think nothing so unwholesome as the air of a church. Others have +their affairs so oddly contrived, as to be always unluckily prevented by +business. With some it is a great mark of wit, and deep understanding, +to stay at home on _Sundays_. Others again discover strange fits +of laziness, that seize them, particularly on that day, and confine +them to their beds. Others are absent out of mere contempt of religion. +And, lastly, there are not a few who look upon it as a day of rest, and +therefore claim the privilege of their castle, to keep the Sabbath by +eating, drinking, and sleeping, after the toil and labour of the week. +Now in all this the worst circumstance is, that these persons are such +whose companies are most required, and who stand most in need of a +physician. + +But of all misbehaviour, none is comparable to that of those who come +here to sleep; opium is not so stupifying to many persons as an +afternoon sermon. Perpetual custom hath so brought it about, that the +words, of whatever preacher, become only a sort of uniform sound at +a distance, than which nothing is more effectual to lull the senses. +For, that it is the very sound of the sermon which bindeth up their +faculties, is manifest from hence, because they all awake so very +regularly as soon as it ceaseth, and with much devotion receive the +blessing, dozed and besotted with indecencies I am ashamed to repeat. + +One cause of this neglect is, a heart set upon worldly things. Men +whose minds are much enslaved to earthly affairs all the week, cannot +disengage or break the chain of their thoughts so suddenly, as to apply +to a discourse that is wholly foreign to what they have most at heart. +Tell an usurer of charity, and mercy, and restitution, you talk to the +deaf; his heart and soul, with all his senses, are got among his bags, +or he is gravely asleep, and dreaming of a mortgage. Tell a man of +business, that the cares of the world choke the good seed; that we must +not encumber ourselves with much serving; that the salvation of his +soul is the one thing necessary. You see, indeed, the shape of a man +before you, but his faculties are all gone off among clients and papers, +thinking how to defend a bad cause, or find flaws in a good one; or, he +weareth out the time in drowsy nods. + +There are many who place abundance of merit in going to church, although +it be with no other prospect but that of being well entertained, wherein +if they happen to fail, they return wholly disappointed. Hence it is +become an impertinent vein among people of all sorts to hunt after what +they call a good sermon, as if it were a matter of pastime and diversion. + +This indecent sloth is very much owing to that luxury and excess men +usually practise upon this day, by which half the service thereof is +turned to sin; men dividing the time between God and their bellies, +when, after a gluttonous meal, their senses dozed and stupified, they +retire to God's house to sleep out the afternoon. Surely, brethren, +these things ought not so to be. + + * * * * * + + +A CONVINCING PROOF. + +Miss D. had the misfortune to become what the language of our neighbours +delicately expresses by the compound word _fille-mère_, and wished to +bestow, or rather to force, the honours of paternity on the prince. The +subject of dispute having been brought into his presence, he glanced at +the child's raven air, and coolly observed, "to convince me that this girl +is mine, you must prove that black is white."--_Cabinet Library--Life +and Reign of George IV._ + + * * * * * + + +ASTRONOMY. + +A facetious fellow, after reading the Report of the Astronomical Society +for the past year, (which is very favourable) observed, "Well! Astronomy +is looking up." + + * * * * * + + +THE PENNANT. + +The following shows the derivation of pennant at the head of the +mainmast of a man of war:-- + +When Van Trump was sweeping the seas with his men of war, by way of a +boast he put a _broom_ at the head of his mast, for which, when +Elizabeth had notice, she desired all her men of war to mount a _long +strip of linen_ at the head of their masts, as much as to say she +would _flog_ them soundly if they dared to molest her. + +GEO. ST. CLAIR. + + * * * * * + + +CHESTNUTS + +Are sold at the corners of every street in Florence, in seven different +forms: raw, cooked, and hot, both roasted and boiled; dried by heat, +(the skins being taken off,) in which state they have a much sweeter and +superior flavour; and made into bread, a sort of stiff pudding; and into +thin cakes like pancakes.[6] This valuable fruit constitutes a +considerable portion of the food of the lower classes, who must daily +consume in Florence some tons. + + [6] In the confectioner's shops at Paris, they are sold peeled, + baked, and iced with sugar. We can answer for their being very + delicious. + + * * * * * + + +Lord Hudson, in Queen Elizabeth's time, said, "To have courage to +observe an affront, is to be even with an adversary. To have the +patience to forgive it, is to be above him." + +C.B. + + * * * * * + + +DEATH AMONGST LIONS. + +It is remarkable that in 1438, all the lions in the Tower of London +died. + +T. GILL. + + * * * * * + + +ANTIQUITY OF PORTERS. + +Saccarii, among the Romans were a company or fraternity of porters, +who had the sole privilege to carry all goods from the harbour to the +warehouses, none being allowed to employ their own slaves, and much less +those of others, for that purpose. + +The modern _Saccarii_, alias tackle porters and ticket porters, are +well known to Londoners, and have been thus poetized by Gay: + + "If drawn by business to a street unknown, + Let the _sworn porter_ point thee through the town." + + +These _portly gentry_ have been compared to kings. Howel says, "It is +with _kings_ sometimes as with _porters_, whose packs may jostle +one against the other, yet remain good friends still." + +N.B. This is a _knotty_ subject. + +P.T.W. + + * * * * * + + +STANZAS ON MADAME VESTRIS HAVING ESTABLISHED A THEATRE OF HER OWN. + +_Written by Sir Lumley Skeffington._ + + + Now Vestris, the tenth of the Muses, + To Mirth rears a fanciful dome, + We mark, while delight she infuses, + The Graces find beauty at home. + In her eye such vivacity glitters, + To her voice such perfections belong, + That care and the life it embitters, + Find balm in the sweets of her song. + + When monarchs o'er valleys are ranging, + A court is transferr'd to the green; + And flowers, transplanted, are changing + Not fragrance, but merely the scene. + 'Tis circumstance dignifies places; + A desert is charming with spring! + And pleasure finds twenty new graces, + Wherever the Vestris may sing! + +_Times._ + + * * * * * + + +LORD ANSON. + +(_To the Editor._) + +Being in Sussex a short time since, I observed at a public-house +adjoining the Duke of Richmond's, at Goodwood, the figure head of the +Centurion, the ship in which Lord Anson sailed round the world. On the +pedestal that supported it against the house, are the following lines:-- + + Stay traveller awhile and view + One who has travelled more than you, + Quite round the world, through each degree, + Anson and I have ploughed the sea, + Torrid and frigid zones have past, + And safe at home arrived at last. + + +There follow two other lines, which are almost unintelligible. + +O.P.Q. + + * * * * * + +_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._ + + * * * * * + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, +and Instruction, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 12568 *** |