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diff --git a/13108-0.txt b/13108-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d2cde2 --- /dev/null +++ b/13108-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1514 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13108 *** + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 17, No. 492.] SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 1831. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + +THREE BOROUGHS + +[Illustration: _Proposed to be wholly disfranchised by the_ REFORM BILL. +1. DUNWICH. 2. OLD SARUM. 3. BRAMBER.] + + +THREE BOROUGHS: + + 1. DUNWICH, SUFFOLK. + 2. OLD SARUM, WILTS. + 3. BRAMBER, SUSSEX. + +_Proposed to be wholly disfranchised by "the Reform Bill."_ + +We feel ourselves on ticklish--debateable ground; yet we only wish to +illustrate the topographical history of the above _places_; their +parliamentary history must, however be alluded to; but their future fate +we leave to the 658 prime movers of government mechanics. Mr. Oldfield's +_History of the Boroughs_, the best companion of the member of +parliament, shall aid us: instead of companion we might, however, call +this work his _family_, for there are six full-grown octavo volumes, +which would occupy a respectable portion of any library table. + + * * * * * + +Dunwich is a market town in the hundred of Blything, Suffolk, three and +a half miles from Southwold, and one hundred from London. It was once an +important, opulent, and commercial city, but is now a mean village. It +was also an episcopal see, but William I. transferred the see to +Thetford, and thence to Norwich. Dunwich stands on a cliff of +considerable height commanding an extensive view of the German Ocean, +and we learn that its ruin is owing chiefly to the encroachments of the +sea. It is a poor, desolate place, as the cut implies. Mr. Shoberl, in +the _Beauties of England and Wales_, tells us "seated upon a hill +composed of loam and sand of a loose texture, on a coast destitute of +rocks, it is not surprising that its building shall have successively +yielded to the impetuosity of the billows, breaking against, and easily +undermining the foot of the precipice." Certainly not, say we; and it is +equally un-surprising that seven out of its eight parishes having been +long ago destroyed, their political consequence should not exist beyond +their extermination. Mr. Oldfield, whom we remember to have often met, +was a man of jocose turn, and he has not spared Dunwich his whip of +humour, for, speaking of its gradual decay by the sea, he says--"the +encroachment that is still making, (1816) will probably, in a few years, +oblige the constituent body to betake themselves to a boat, whenever the +king's writ shall summon them to the exercise of their elective +functions; as the necessity of adhering to _forms_, in the farcical +solemnity of borough elections, is not to be dispensed with." + +We must be brief with its representative and political history. "Out +brief candle!" It has sent members since the 23rd Edward I. Bribery and +other irregularities against the sitting members in procuring votes were +proved in 1696: in 1708, Sir Charles Bloyce, one of the bailiffs was +returned, but upon a petition proving bribery, menaces, treating, &c. +this was proved to be "no return:" Sir Charles was declared not capable +of being elected, "as being one of the bailiffs; nor had the other +bailiff alone any authority to make a return, the two bailiffs making +but one officer."[1] In 1722 another bribery petition was presented, but +the affair was made up, and the complaint withdrawn. After this display +of venality, it is amusing to read that the corporation consists of two +bailiffs and twelve _capital_ burgesses.[2] + + [1] The reader may often have noticed in county advertisements + the two sheriffs designated as _one officer_. Thus, in the + advertisement of the recent Middlesex election:-- + + SIR CHAPMAN MARSHALL, } Sheriff of Middlesex. + SIR W.H. POLAND. } + + [2] This reminds one of the admiration of the Lord Mayor in + Richard III. by George the Second, so ill-timedly expressed by + the King to Garrick, the stage king:-- + + "Fine Lord Mayor! capital Lord Mayor! where you get such + Lord Mayor?" + +Mr. Oldfield described this borough fourteen years ago, as consisting of +only forty-two houses, and _half a church_, the other part having been +demolished. Here _were_ six if not eight parish churches: namely, St. +John's, (which was a rectory, and seems to have been swallowed up by the +sea about the year 1540;) St. Martin's, St. Nicholas's, and St. Peter's, +which were likewise rectories; and St. Leonard's and All Saints, which +were impropriated. The register of Eye also mentions the churches of St. +Michael and St. Bartholomew, which were swallowed up by the sea before +the year 1331. The ocean here appears to have almost a corporation +swallow. The walls, which encompassed upwards of seven acres of land, +had three gates. That to the eastward is quite demolished; but the +arches of the two gates to the westward continue pretty firm, and are of +curious workmanship, which nature has almost covered with ivy. + +By aid of the excellent parliamentary _anatomy_, in the _Spectator_ +newspaper, we learn that DUNWICH, according to the census of 1821, +contained 200 persons. + +The "patrons," or "prevailing influence," are Mr. M. Barne and Lord +Huntingfield. The number of votes is 18. + +The members "returned" to the last parliament were F. Barne and the +Earl of Brecknock, who were also returned at the recent election. + + * * * * * + +Old Sarum, Wilts, the second Borough, has been already fully illustrated +in vol. x., No. 290, of _The Mirror_. It fell, or was rather pulled +down, in consequence of a squabble between the civil and ecclesiastical +authorities; and soon after 1217, the inhabitants removed the city, by +piecemeal, to another site, which they called _New_ Sarum, now +Salisbury. The site of the old city was very recently a field of oats; +and the remains of its cathedral, castle, &c., were heaps of rubbish, +covered with unprofitable verdure. We may therefore say, + + Ubi seges, _Sarum_ fuit. + +Mr. Britton, in the _Beauties of England and Wales_, discourses +diligently of its antiquarian history, which we have glanced at in our +tenth volume. It is in the parish of Stratford-under-the-Castle; and +under an old tree, near the church, is the spot where the members for +Old Sarum are elected, or rather deputed, to sit in parliament. The +father of the great Earl of Chatham once resided at an old family +mansion in this parish; and the latter was first sent to parliament from +the borough of Old Sarum, in February, 1735; yet "the great Earl Chatham +called these boroughs the excrescences, the rotten part of the +constitution, which must be amputated to save the body from a +mortification."--(_Oldfield_.) + +Few particulars of its representative history are worth relating. The +borough returned members to Parliament 23rd Edward I., and then +intermitted till 34th Edward III., since which time it has constantly +returned. By the return 1 Henry V. it appears that its representatives +were with those of other boroughs elected at the county court. + +Old Sarum was the property of the late Lord Camelford, who sold it to +the Earl of Caledon. The suffrage is by burgage-tenure. The voters, +seven, are nominated by the proprietor; but (says Oldfield) actually +only one. + +The population of Old Sarum is included in the parish, and is not +distinguished in its returns. + +The proprietor is Lord Caledon; and the members in the last parliament +were J.J. and J.D. Alexander, who were again returned at the recent +election. + +The Cut is an accurate view of the old borough, with Salisbury Cathedral +in the distance. + + * * * * * + +Bramber is here represented by the forlorn ruins of its Castle. It is +in the hundred of Steyning, rape of Bramber, Sussex, and is half a mile +from Steyning. It sent members as early as the two previous boroughs; it +afterwards intermitted sending, and sometimes sent in conjunction with +Steyning, before the 7th Edward IV. There is much "tampering" in its +representative records: in 1700, one Mr. Samuel Shepherd was charged +with these matters here, and in Wiltshire and Hampshire, when he was +ordered to the Tower of London; but a week afterwards, Mr. Shepherd was +declared to have absconded. In 1706, a Mr. Asgill, one of the Bramber +members, was delivered out of the Fleet by his parliamentary privilege, +and the aid of the Sergeant-at-Arms and his mace; but in the following +month he was expelled the house for his writings. + +The right of election is in resident burgage-holders; and the number of +voters is stated to be twenty. The place consists of a few miserable +thatched cottages. The Duke of Norfolk is lord of the manor. The +cottages are one half of them the property of the Duke of Rutland, and +the other of Lord Calthorpe, who, since the year 1786, have each agreed +to send one member.[3] + + [3] It is related, that in an election contest, in 1786, the + tenant of one of the cottages had the integrity to reject £1,000 + for his vote. + +The history of the Castle seen in the Cut merits note, especially as it +is the only relic of the former consequence of the place. It was the +baronial castle of the honour of Bramber, which, at the time of the +Conqueror's survey, belonged to William de Braose, who possessed forty +other manors in this county. These were held by his descendants for +several generations by the service of the knights' fees; and they +obtained permission to build themselves a castle here; but the exact +date of its erection is not known. Its ruins attest that it was once a +strong and extensive edifice. It appears to have completely covered the +top of a rugged eminence, which commands a fine view of the adjacent +country and the sea, and to have been surrounded by a triple trench. The +population of Bramber is in the Returns of 1821--ninety-eight persons. +The members in the last parliament were the Honourable F.G. Calthorpe +and John Irving; at the recent election, the members returned were J. +Irving and W.S. Dugdale. + + * * * * * + +Such is an outline of the histories of the annexed three Boroughs. Two +of them are sites of great beauty; and we leave the reader to reflect on +these pleasant features in association with their rise, decline, and we +opine, political extermination. + + * * * * * + + + +MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS. + + * * * * * + + +ORIGIN OF THE COBBLER'S ARMS. + +Charles V., in his intervals of relaxation, used to retire to Brussels. +He was a prince curious to know the sentiments of his meanest subjects, +concerning himself and his administration; he therefore often went out +_incog_. and mixed in such companies and conversations as he thought +proper. One night his boot required immediate mending; he was directed +to a cobbler not inclined for work, who was in the height of his jollity +among his acquaintance. The emperor acquainted him with what he wanted, +and offered a handsome remuneration for his trouble. + +"What, friend," says the fellow, "do you know no better than to ask any +of our craft to work on St. Crispin? Was it Charles the Fifth himself, +I'd not do a stitch for him now; but if you'll come in and drink St. +Crispin, do, and welcome--we are merry as the emperor can be." + +The sovereign accepted his offer; but while he was contemplating on +their rude pleasure, instead of joining in it, the jovial host thus +accosts him: + +"What, I suppose you are some courtier politician or other, by that +contemplative phiz!--nay, by your long nose, you may be a bastard of the +emperor's; but, be who or what you will, you're heartily welcome. Drink +about; here's Charles the Fifth's health." + +"Then you love Charles the Fifth?" replied the emperor. + +"Love him!" says the son of Crispin, "ay, ay, I love his long-noseship +well enough; but I should love him much more, would he but tax us a +little less. But what the devil have we to do with politics! Round with +the glass, and merry be our hearts!" + +After a short stay, the emperor took his leave, and thanked the cobbler +for his hospitable reception. "That," cried he, "you're welcome to; but +I would not to day have dishonoured St. Crispin to have worked for the +emperor." + +Charles, pleased with the honest good nature and humour of the fellow, +sent for him next morning to court. You may imagine his surprise, to see +and hear that his late guest was his sovereign: he was afraid his joke +on his long nose would be punished with death. The emperor thanked him +for his hospitality, and, as a reward for it, bid him ask for what he +most desired, and to take the whole night to think of it. The next day +he appeared, and requested that for the future the cobblers of Flanders +might bear for their arms a boot with the emperor's crown upon it. + +That request was granted; and so moderate was his ambition, that the +emperor bid him make another. "If," says the cobbler, "I might have my +utmost wish, command that for the future the company of cobblers shall +take place of the company of shoemakers." + +It was accordingly so ordained by the emperor; and to this day there is +to be seen a chapel in Brussels adorned round with a boot and imperial +crown, and in all processions the company of cobblers take precedence of +the company of shoemakers. + +G.K. + + * * * * * + + +SINGULAR TENURE. + + +King John gave several lands, at Kepperton and Atterton, in Kent, to +Solomon Attefeld, to be held by this singular service--that as often as +the king should be pleased to cross the sea, the said Solomon, or his +heirs, should be obliged to go with him, to _hold his majesty's head_, +if there should be occasion for it, "that is, if he should be sea-sick;" +and it appears, by the record in the Tower, that this same office of +_head-holding_ was actually performed in the reign of Edward the First. + +J.R.S. + + * * * * * + + +"AS BAD AS PLOUGHING WITH DOGS." + +(_To the Editor_.) + + +Famed as your miscellany is for local and provincial terms, customs, and +proverbs, I have often wondered never to have met with therein this old +comparative north country proverb--"As bad as ploughing with dogs;" +which evidently originated from the Farm-house; for when ploughmen +(through necessity) have a new or awkward horse taken into their team, +by which they are hindered and hampered, they frequently observe, "This +is as bad as ploughing with dogs." This proverb is in the country so +common, that it is applied to anything difficult or abstruse: even at a +rubber at whist, I have heard the minor party execrate the business in +these words, "It is as bad as ploughing with dogs," give it up for lost, +change chairs, cut for partners, and begin a new game. + +H.B.A. + + * * * * * + + +CROESUS.--A DRAMATIC SKETCH. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +_Cyrus, Courtiers, and Officers of State. Croesus bound upon the funeral +pile which is guarded by Persian soldiers, several of them bearing +lighted torches, which they are about to apply to the pile_. + + _Croesus_.--O, Solon, Solon, Solon. + + _Cyrus_.--Whom calls he on? + + _Attendant_.--Solon, the sage. + + _Croesus_.--How true thy words + No man is happy till he knows his end. + + _Cyrus_.--Can Solon help thee? + + _Croesus_.--He hath taught me that + Which it were well for kings to know. + + _Cyrus_.--Unbind him--we would hear it. + + _Croesus_.--The fame of Solon having spread o'er Greece, + We sent for him to Sardis. Robed in purple, + We and our court received him: costly gems + Bedecked us--glittering in golden beds, + We told him of our riches. He was moved not. + We showed him our vast palace, hall, and chamber, + Cellar and attic not omitting-- + Statues and urns, and tapestry of gold, + Carpets and furniture, and Grecian paintings, + Diamonds and sapphires, rubies, emeralds, + And pearls, that would have dazzled eagles' sight. + Lastly, our treasury!--we showed him Lydia's wealth! + And then exulting, asked him, whom of all men + That in the course of his long travels he had seen + He thought most happy?--He replied, + "One Tellus, an Athenian citizen, + Of little fortune, and of less ambition, + Who lived in ignorance of penury, + And ever saw his country flourish; + His children were esteemed--he lived to see + His children's children--then he fell in battle, + A patriot, a hero, and a martyr!" + Whom next?--I asked, "Two Argive brothers, + Whose pious pattern of fraternal love + And filial duty and affection, + Is worthy of example and remembrance. + Their mother was a priestess of the queen + Of the supreme and mighty Jupiter! + And she besought her goddess to send down + The best of blessings on her duteous sons. + Her prayers were heard--they slept and died!" + Then you account me not among the happy? + To which the sage gave answer-- + "King of Lydia! Our philosophy + Is but ill suited to the courts of kings. + We do not glory in our own prosperity, + Nor yet admire the happiness of others. + All bliss is brief and superficial, + And should not be accounted as a good, + But that which lasts unto our being's end. + The life of man is threescore years and ten, + Which being summed in the whole amount + Unto some thousands of swift-winged days, + Of which there are not two alike; + So those which are to come, being unknown, + Are but a series of accidents: + Therefore esteem we no man happy, + But him whose happiness continues to the end! + We cannot win the prize until the contest's o'er!" + + _Cyrus_.--Solon hath saved one king + And taught another! Torchmen, we reprieve + The captive Croesus. + +CYMBELINE. + + * * * * * + + +PAUL'S CROSS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + + "----Friers and faytours have fonden such questions + To plese with the proud men, sith the pestilence time,[4] + And preachen at St. Paul's, for pure envi fo clarkes, + That praiers have no powre the pestilence to lette." + +_Piers Plowman's Visions_. + + [4] The great plague in 1347. + +The early celebrity of Paul's Cross, as the greatest seat of pulpit +eloquence, is evinced in the lines above quoted, which give us to +understand that the most subtle and abstract questions in theology were +handled here by the Friars, in opposition to the secular clergy, almost +at the first settlement of that popular order of preachers in England. + +Of the custom of preaching at crosses it is difficult to trace the +origin; it was doubtless far more remote than the period alluded to, and +_Pennant_ thinks, at first accidental. The sanctity of this species of +pillar, he observes, often caused a considerable resort of people to pay +their devotion to the great object of their erection. A preacher, seeing +a large concourse might be seized by a sudden impulse, ascend the steps, +and deliver out his pious advice from a station so fit to inspire +attention, and so conveniently formed for the purpose. The example might +be followed till the practice became established by custom. + +The famous Paul's Cross, like many others in various parts of the +kingdom (afterwards converted to the same purpose,) was doubtless at +first a mere common cross, and might be coeval with the Church. When it +was covered and used as a pulpit cross, we are not informed. Stowe +describes it in his time, "as a pulpit-crosse of timber, mounted upon +steppes of stone, and covered with leade, standing in the church-yard, +the very antiquitie whereof was to him unknowne." We hear of its being +in use as early as the year 1259, when Henry III., in person commanded +the mayor to swear before him every stripling of twelve years old and +upwards, to be true to him and his heirs. Here in 1299, Ralph de Baldoc, +dean of St. Paul's, cursed all those who had searched, in the church, of +St. Martin in the Fields, for a hoard of gold, &c. Before this cross in +1483, was brought, divested of all her splendour, Jane Shore, the +charitable, the merry concubine of Edward IV., and, after his death, of +his favourite, the unfortunate Lord Hastings. After the loss of her +protectors, she fell a victim to the malice of crook-backed Richard. He +was disappointed (by her excellent defence) of convicting her of +witchcraft, and confederating with her lover to destroy him. He then +attacked her on the weak side of frailty. This was undeniable. He +consigned her to the severity of the church: she was carried to the +bishop's palace, clothed in a white sheet, with a taper in her hand, and +from thence conducted to the cathedral, and the cross, before which she +made a confession of her only fault. Every other virtue bloomed in this +ill-fated fair with the fullest vigour. She could not resist the +solicitations of a youthful monarch, the handsomest man of his time. On +his death she was reduced to necessity, scorned by the world, and cast +off by her husband, with whom she was paired in her childish years, and +forced to fling herself into the arms of Hastings. "In her penance she +went," says _Holinshed_ "in countenance and pase demure, so womanlie, +that, albeit she were out of all araie, save her kirtle onlie, yet went +she so faire and lovelie, namelie, while the woondering of the people +cast a comlie rud in hir cheeks, (of which she before had most misse) +that hir great shame won hir much praise among those that were more +amorous of hir bodie than curious of hir soule." She lived to a great +age, but in great distress and miserable poverty; deserted even by those +to whom she had, during prosperity, done the most essential services. + +From this time the Cross continually occurs in history. "It was used not +only for the instruction of mankind by the doctrine of the preacher, but +for every purpose, political or ecclesiastical; for giving force to +oaths; for promulgating of laws, or rather the royal pleasure; for royal +contracts of marriage; for the emission of papal bulls; for +anathematizing sinners; for benedictions; for exposing of penitents +under the censure of the church; for recantations; for the private ends +of the ambitious; and for the defaming of those who had incurred the +displeasure of crowned heads." + +Bishop King preached the last sermon here, of any note, before James I., +and his court on _Midlent Sunday_, 1620. The object of the sermon was +the repairing of the cathedral; and the ceremony was conducted with so +much magnificence, that the prelate exclaims, in a part of his +sermon,--"But will it almost be believed, that a King should come from +his court to this crosse, where princes seldom or never come, and that +comming to bee in a state, with a kinde of sacred pompe and procession, +accompanied with all the faire _flowers_ of his field, and the fairest +_rose_ (the Queen) of his owne garden!" The cross was demolished by +order of Parliament in 1643, executed by the willing hands of Isaac +Pennington, the fanatical Lord Mayor of that year, who died a convicted +regicide in the Tower. It stood at the north-east end of St. Paul's +Churchyard; a print of the cross, and likewise the shrouds, where the +company sat in wet weather, may be seen in Speed's Theatre of Great +Britain. + +J.R.S. + + * * * * * + + +ADA. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + + She stood in the midst of that gorgeous throng, + Her praise was the theme of every tongue; + Warriors were there, whose glance of fire + Spoke to their foes of vengeance dire, + But they were enslaved by beauty's power, + And knelt at her shrine in that moonlit bower. + Sweet words were breathed in Ada's ear + By many a noble cavalier; + Maidens with fairy steps were there, + Who seemed to float on the ambient air, + But none in the mazy dance could move + Like Ada, the queen of this bower of love! + The moon in her silvery beauty shines + On this joyous throng through the lofty pines; + Lamps gleaming forth from every tree, + All was splendour and revelry; + Sweet perfumes were wafted by every breeze + From the flowering shrubs and the orange trees, + Mingling with sounds which were borne along + From the lover's lute and the minstrel's song; + Fair Ada's praise was the theme of all, + She was the queen of this festival. + + * * * * * + + She left the crowd and wandered on-- + Where, oh where is the maiden gone? + She hears no longer the minstrel's lay, + The last sweet notes have died away, + Like the low, faint sound of maiden's sigh. + When the youth that she loves is standing by. + + * * * * * + + But where, oh where is Ada gone? + She is kneeling in a dungeon lone; + Her fillet of snowy pearls has now + Fall'n from its throne on her whiter brow, + And her fair, rich tresses, like floods of gold, + Gleam on the floor so damp and cold. + Her cheek is pale, but her eye of blue + Now wears a bright and more glorious hue; + It tells of a maiden's constancy, + Of her faith in the hour of adversity; + On a pallet of straw in that gloomy cell, + Is a captive knight whom she loves so well, + That she's left her joyous and splendid bower + To dwell with him in his dying hour, + To pillow his head on her breast of snow, + To kiss the dew from his pallid brow; + With smiles to chase the thoughts of gloom + Which darken his way to an early tomb, + To shed no tear, and to heave no sigh, + Though her heart is breaking in agony. + +M.A.J. + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY. + + * * * * * + + +PITCAIRN'S ISLAND. + +The _Quarterly Review_ (89) last published, is, indeed, a _Reform_ +Number; for all the papers, save one, relate to some species of reform +or improvement.--Thus, we have papers on Captain Beechey's recent Voyage +to co-operate with the Polar Expeditions--Population and Emigration--the +notable _Conspiration de Babeuf_--the West India Question--and last, +though not least, "the Bill" itself. We have endeavoured to adopt from +the first paper, some particulars of a spot which bears high interest +for every lover of adventure; the reviewer's observations connecting the +extracts from Captain Beechey's large work. + +His Majesty's Ship Blossom, Captain F.W. Beechey, sailed from England +May 19, 1825, and having looked in at the usual stopping places, +Teneriffe and Rio de Janeiro, proceeded round the Horn, and touched at +Conception and Valparaiso, on the coast of Chili. In a few days the +Blossom reached the Easter Island, of Cook. Her next visit was to +Pitcairn's Island, which the reviewer thinks "the most interesting point +in the whole voyage." We do not proceed in the outline, but "look in" at +"the Island." To this spot, as the public have for some years been +aware, the Mutineers of the Bounty carried that ship, after they had +deprived Capt. Bligh of his command, and turned him adrift in the middle +of the Pacific Ocean.[5] + + [5] Who does not recollect the delightful narrative published + some years since by Mr. Mariner, in his account of the Tonga + Islands; the poem of "the Island," by Lord Byron; and countless + dramatic representations of this unhappy affair. We remember an + affecting version about seven years since at Sadler's Wells + Theatre: and only a few weeks since a few of its incidents were + embodied in a melo-dramatic piece called "Neuha's Cave, or the + South Sea Mutineers," at Covent Garden Theatre. + +In the end, only one white man, old Adams, remained alive of the +mutineers who had landed. Of these, only one died a natural death; +another was killed by accident; six were murdered; and but one remained +to tell the tale. + +After the greater number of the party had been murdered off, things went +on pretty smoothly, till one M'Coy, who had been employed in a +distillery in Scotland, tried an experiment with the tea-root, and +succeeded in producing a bottle of ardent spirits. This induced one +Quintal to 'alter his kettle into a still,' and the natural consequence +ensued. Like the philosopher who destroyed himself with his own +gunpowder, M'Coy, intoxicated to frenzy, threw himself from a cliff and +was killed; and Quintal having lost his wife by accident, demanded the +lady of one of his two remaining companions. This modest request being +refused, he attempted to murder his countrymen; but they, having +discovered his intention, agreed, that as Quintal was no longer a safe +member of their community, the sooner he was put out of the way the +better. Accordingly, they split his skull with an axe. + +Adams and Young were now the sole survivors out of the fifteen males +that landed upon the island. Young did not live long. + +Adams was thus left the only Englishman on Pitcairn's Island. Being +thoroughly tired of mutiny, bloodshed, and irreligion, and deeply +sensible of the extent of his own guilt, he resolutely set about the +only sound course of repentance, by exhibiting an amended life, and by +training up in habits of virtue those helpless beings thrown upon his +care for good or for evil. + +He had an arduous task to perform. Besides the children to be educated, +the Otaheitan women were to be converted; and as the example of the +parents had a powerful influence over their children, he resolved to +make them his first care. His labours succeeded; the Otaheitans were +naturally of a tractable disposition, and gave him less trouble than he +anticipated. The children also acquired such a thirst after scriptural +knowledge, that Adams in a short time had little else to do than to +answer their interrogatories, and put them in the right way. As they +grew up, they acquired fixed habits of morality and piety; their colony +improved, and intermarriages occurred; and they now form a happy and +well-regulated society, the merit of which, in a great degree, belongs +to Adams, and tends to redeem the errors of his former life. + +The affection of these simple islanders for the venerable father of the +colony is the best proof of the success which has attended his +instructions; and it is really astonishing to observe how much has been +accomplished by an illiterate seaman--strongly excited, indeed, and +prompted to persevere in his course by motives which never err. When it +was seen by these poor people that Adams did not immediately return from +the Blossom (off the island), they took alarm, lest he should be +detained; and one of their party, a recent settler, and a sea-faring +man, having discovered the ship to be a vessel of war, their fears +redoubled. When, at last, the old man landed, his daughter, Hannah, +hurried to the beach to kiss her father's cheek, with a fervency +demonstrative of the warmest affection. + +It seems to have been a part of Adams's policy to make religious +ceremonies an important part of their daily business, not merely an +occasional duty. In describing a dinner scene, after stating that the +knives and forks, though more abundant than he had expected to find in +so remote a part of the world, were scarcely enough according to +civilized notions, he goes on thus-- + + "The smoking pig, by a skilful dissection, was soon portioned to + every guest, but no one ventured to put its excellent qualities + to the test, until a lengthened _Amen_, pronounced by all the + party, had succeeded an emphatic grace delivered by the village + parson. '_Turn to_' was then the signal for attack; and as it is + convenient that all the party should finish their meal about the + same time, in order that one grace might serve for all, each + made the most of his time. In Pitcairn's Island it is not deemed + proper to touch even a bit of bread without a grace before and + after it; and a person is accused of inconsistency if he leaves + off and begins again. So strict is their observance of this + form, that we do not know of any instance in which it has been + forgotten. On one occasion I had engaged Adams in conversation, + and he incautiously took the first mouthful without having said + his grace; but before he had swallowed it he recollected + himself, and feeling as if he had committed a crime, immediately + put away what he had in his mouth, and commenced his prayer." + +The "village parson" above alluded to is thus described by Capt. Beechey: + + "They have very fortunately found an able and willing master in + John Buffet, who belonged to a ship which visited the island, + and was so infatuated with their behaviour, being himself + naturally of a devout and serious turn of mind, that he resolved + to remain among them; and in addition to the instruction of the + children, has taken upon himself the duty of clergyman, and is + the oracle of the community." + +Our gallant officers were not a little disappointed to find that the +ladies were excluded from the table. Indeed the Pitcairn islanders +appear to have adopted, though not in all its rigour, the South Sea +prejudice against allowing a woman to eat in the presence of her +husband. In some parts of the Archipelago this crime is punishable by +death. The only thing like an argument by which the men defended this +custom was, that as the male was made first, he ought on all occasions +to be served first: a new reading of the saying "first come first +served." The good-natured woman-kind of Pitcairn's Island, however, +seemed far from considering themselves neglected or ill-used in this +matter, for they remained behind the seats, flapping away the flies, and +chatting with their guests.--The couches prepared for the strangers +consisted of palm-leaves, covered with native cloth: the sheets were of +the same material. + + "The whole arrangement was extremely comfortable, and highly + inviting to repose, which the freshness of the apartment, + rendered cool by a free circulation of air through its sides, + enabled us to enjoy without any annoyance from heat or insects. + One interruption only disturbed our first sleep--it was the + pleasing melody of the evening hymn, which, after the lights + were put out, was chanted by the whole family in the middle of + the room. In the morning also we were awoke by their morning + hymn, and family devotion." + +In speaking of the scenery of the island, Captain Beechey describes a +singular spot set apart for himself by the ringleader of the mutiny. + + "At the northern extremity of this ridge is a cave of some + interest, as being the intended retreat of Christian, in the + event of a landing being effected by any ship sent in pursuit of + him, and where he resolved to sell his life as dearly as he + could. In this recess he always kept a store of provisions, and + near it erected a small hut, well concealed by trees, which + served the purpose of a watch-house. So difficult was the + approach to this cave, that even if the party were successful in + crossing the ridge, as long as his ammunition lasted, he might + have bid defiance to any force. An unfrequented and dangerous + path leads from this place to a peak which commands a view of + the western and southern coasts." + +In the account given by Adams, it is stated that Christian was uniformly +cheerful; but, as he was a man of education, and by no means without +feeling, we must suppose that this serene aspect was the result of +effort; and we can readily conceive the bitterness with which, on +retiring to this cave, like a hunted wild-beast, he gave way to the deep +sense of shame and unavailing remorse which must at all times have +weighed on his mind. + +The Pitcairn islanders are no great musicians, and sing all their songs +to one air. Captain Beechey, with a laudable desire to improve and +enlarge their taste in this matter, begged one of his officers, who +played on the violin, to favour the natives with a tune; but though it +was well executed, the new melody appeared to be wasted on the audience. +None of them, he says, appeared to have the least ear for music. + +One of the officers took considerable pains to teach them the 100th +psalm, that they might not chant all their psalms and hymns to the same +air, but they did not evince the least aptitude or desire to learn it. + +These interesting people appear to be strongly possessed with the +binding nature of a promise, however remote the period in which it was +made, or however indiscreet in itself. Of this we have the following +rather pathetic example:-- + + "Wives upon Pitcairn's Island, it may be imagined, are very + scarce, as the same restrictions with regard to relationship + exist as in England. George Adams, son of the Patriarch, in his + early days, had fallen in love with Polly Young, a girl a little + older than himself; but Polly, probably at that time liking some + one else, and being at the age when young ladies' expectations + are at the highest, had incautiously said, she _never would_ + give her hand to George Adams. He, nevertheless, indulged a hope + that she would one day relent; and to this end was unremitting + in his endeavours to please her. In this expectation he was not + mistaken; his constancy and attentions, and, as he grew into + manhood, his handsome form, which George took every opportunity + of throwing into the most becoming attitudes before her, + softened Polly's heart into a regard for him, and, had nothing + passed before, she would willingly have given him her hand; but + the vow of her youth was not to be got over, and the love-sick + couple languished on from day to day, victims to the folly of + early resolutions. + + "The weighty case was referred for our consideration; and the + fears of the party were in some measure relieved by the result, + which was, that it would be much better to marry than to + continue unhappy, in consequence of a hasty determination made + before the judgment was matured. They could not, however, be + prevailed on to yield to our decision, and we left them + unmarried." + +It gives us particular pleasure to have it in our power to relieve the +anxiety of our sentimental friends, who cannot bear that a romance +should end unhappily, by quoting the following passage from a letter +addressed from Pitcairn's Island to Captain Beechey, and dated the 19th +March, 1830:--"George Adams is married to Polly Young, and has two +sons." + +The same communication, we are grieved to add, contains also this +sentence:--"I am sorry to inform you that John Adams is no more; he +departed this life March 5th, 1829, aged 65, after a short illness. His +wife survived him but a few months."--His memory will not be so +short-lived. Of all the repentant criminals we have read about, we think +the most interesting is John Adams; nor do we know where to find a more +beautiful example of the value of early good instruction than in the +history of this man--who, having run the full career of most kinds of +vice, was so effectually _pulled up_ by an interval of leisurely +reflection, and the sense of new duties awakened by the heaven-inspired +power of natural affections. + +This letter is from Mr. John Buffet, who still continues to officiate as +clergyman of the colony. He describes the natives 'as being all +satisfied at present with their little island, which they do not wish to +leave;' which remark he thinks it right to make in consequence of his +having received a letter from Mr. Nott, missionary, saying that a ship +was coming to remove the inhabitants of Pitcairn's Island to Otaheite, +or some other of the Friendly Islands. For our parts we trust this will +not be attempted without much larger consideration than such a matter is +likely to have met with, in the of late grievously over-worked state of +our public offices--distracted as they have all been by incessant change +of hands, to say nothing of systems. Should the population increase, as +doubtless it will ere long, beyond the means of subsistence which so +small a spot affords, there will never be wanting opportunities for the +roving spirits among them, male and female, to emigrate to other parts +of the world; but we confess we should witness with great regret the +summary breaking up of so virtuous and happy a community. To hear of +these innocent creatures being transplanted _per saltum_ into any of the +sinks of wickedness in New South Wales or Van Diemen's Land, would be +utterly horrible. It would not be much better than leaving 'Sweet +Auburn' for the hulks. + +Captain Beechey winds up his account of these interesting people in the +following words, with which, as they are calculated to leave a very +pleasing, and we believe a just impression on the reader's mind, we +shall conclude our notice of this part of the voyage:-- + + 'During the whole time I was with them, I never heard them + indulge in a joke, or other levity, and the practice of it is + apt to give offence: they are so accustomed to take what is said + in its literal meaning, that irony was always considered a + falsehood, in spite of explanation. They could not see the + propriety of uttering what was not strictly true, for any + purpose whatever. + + 'The Sabbath-day is devoted entirely to prayer, reading, and + serious meditation. No boat is allowed to quit the shore, nor + any work whatever to be done, cooking excepted, for which + preparation is made the preceding evening. I attended their + church on this day, and found the service well conducted; the + prayers were read by Adams, and the lessons by Buffet, the + service being preceded by hymns. The greatest devotion was + apparent in every individual, and in the children there was a + seriousness unknown in the younger part of our communities at + home. In the course of the Litany they prayed for their + sovereign and all the royal family with much apparent loyalty + and sincerity. Some family prayers, which were thought + appropriate to their particular case, were added to the usual + service; and Adams, fearful of leaving out any essential part, + read in addition all those prayers which are intended only as + substitutes for others. A sermon followed, which was very well + delivered by Buffet; and lest any part of it should be forgotten + or escape attention, it was read three times. The whole + concluded with hymns, which were first sung by the grown people, + and afterwards by the children. The service thus performed was + very long; but the neat and cleanly appearance of the + congregation, the devotion that animated every countenance, and + the innocence and simplicity of the little children, prevented + the attendance from becoming wearisome. In about half an hour + afterwards we again assembled to prayers, and at sunset service + was repeated; so that, with their morning and evening prayers, + they may be said to have church five times on a Sunday. + + 'All which remains to be said of these excellent people is, that + they appear to live together in perfect harmony and contentment; + to be virtuous, religious, cheerful, and hospitable, beyond the + limits of prudence; to be patterns of conjugal and parental + affection; and to have very few vices. We remained with them + many days, and their unreserved manners gave us the fullest + opportunity of becoming acquainted with any faults they might + have possessed.' + + * * * * * + + + +ANECDOTE GALLERY. + + * * * * * + + +Religious works do not usually unbend so pleasantly as in the following, +from the _Christian's Magazine_:-- + +_Joseph II. Emperor of Germany_.--In one of those excursions which this +emperor frequently took _incog_. he proceeded to Trieste. On his +arrival, he went into an inn, and asked if he could be accommodated with +a good room? He was told, that a German bishop had just engaged the +last; and that there were only two small rooms, without chimneys, +unoccupied. He desired a supper to be prepared. He was told there was +nothing left but some eggs and vegetables, the bishop and suite having +engaged all the poultry. The emperor requested that the bishop might be +asked if he would allow a stranger to sup with him. The bishop refused, +and the emperor supped with one of the bishop's almoners, who was not +admitted to his master's table. The emperor asked him what they were +going to do at Rome? "My lord," replied the almoner, "is going to +solicit a benefice of fifty thousand livres, before the emperor is +informed of its being vacant." They changed the conversation. The +emperor wrote a letter to the chancellor of Rome, and another to his +ambassador there. He made the almoner promise to deliver both letters, +agreeably to their address, on his arrival in Rome. He kept his +promise--the chancellor presented the patent for the benefice to the +astonished almoner! + + * * * * * + +_Character of Dr. Wilson, Bishop of Sodor and Man_.--This eminent +prelate was venerable in his aspect, meek in his deportment, his face +illuminated with benignity, and his heart glowing with piety: like his +divine master he went about doing good. With the pride and avarice of +prelacy he was totally unacquainted. His palace was a temple of charity. +Hospitality stood at his gate, and invited the stranger and beggar to a +plenteous repast. The day he devoted to benevolence, and the night to +piety. His revenue was dedicated to the poor and needy; and, not +contented with relieving the wants, and mitigating the woes of mankind, +he was solicitous, by precept and example, to conduct his little flock +to the kingdom of heaven. He died in the ninety-second year of his age, +justly revered and lamented by the whole island; while his grave was +watered with the tears of those whom his bounty had supported, his +benignity had gladdened, or his eloquent piety had turned into the +paths of righteousness. Reader, admire the virtues of this excellent +man, but do not stop short at admiration--"Go thou and do likewise." + + * * * * * + +_Robert Grosthead, Bishop of Lincoln_.--When a husbandman claimed +kinship with this prelate, and thereupon requested from him an +office,--"Cousin," replied the bishop, "if your cart be broken, I'll +mend it; if your plough be old, I'll give you a new one; and even seed +to sow your land! but a husbandman I found you, and a husbandman I'll +leave you!" + + * * * * * + +_Wheatley, Mayor of Coventry_.--Bablake Hospital, in Coventry, was +founded by Mr. Thomas Wheatley, Mayor of Coventry, in 1566. It is an +asylum for old men and boys, and owes its origin to the following +singular circumstance: Being engaged in the iron trade, Mr. Wheatley +sent an agent to Spain to purchase some barrels of steel gads. When the +casks arrived and were examined, they were found to contain cochineal +and ingots of silver. After fruitless endeavours to rectify the mistake, +and restore this valuable treasure to its right owner, he bestowed the +money it produced, to which he added his own estate, on the building and +endowment of this institution. + + * * * * * + +_A Robber converted into a Bishop_.--Kirk Maughold, in the Isle of Man, +although now a poor place, is not destitute of ancient fame, arising +from the following circumstance:--The captain of a band of Irish +robbers, repenting of his crimes, retired hither, and became eminent for +his piety, on which account he was chosen bishop of the island. There +still remains, near the church gate, a square pillar, inscribed with a +testimony of his virtues and exploits. The church is built on a lofty +promontory, in the middle of a very large burial ground. + + * * * * * + +_Bonaparte and the Koran_.--When Bonaparte was in Egypt, one of the +principal Osmanlis was lavish in praise of the Koran, in the general's +presence, "It contains," said he, "every thing."--"Does it contain the +service of cannon?" asked Bonaparte, with a smile. The Turk paused for a +moment. "Certainly it does, general; for as it contains every thing, it +must contain that." + + * * * * * + +_Queen Elizabeth's Prayer Book_.--An obscure individual at Blackburn is +said to be in possession of the prayer-book presented by Henry VIII. to +his daughter Elizabeth at her confirmation. This antiquarian curiosity +was (it is stated) stolen from its deposit at Hampstead Court about the +beginning of the last century, and the librarian dismissed for losing so +valuable a volume. It is enriched with notes or mottoes in manuscript, +and is even conjectured to be the actual token by which Essex might have +saved his forfeit life, if it had been delivered to the queen. The +title-page represents a triumphal arch, and has these words in black +letter: "C. Certeine, Prayers and Godly Meditacyions very nedefull for +every Christien." The imprint is: "Emprinted at Marlboro, the yere +of our Lord a Mcccccxxxviii, per me Joanis Philoparion." The volume +is in good preservation, bound in velvet, with the royal arms and roses +emblazoned. + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. + + * * * * * + + +THE KING. + +_Authentic narrative of a plan, (now first made public,) for capturing +Prince William Henry, his present Majesty, during his stay at New York +in 1782; with the original letters of General Washington_. + +(_From the Athenæum_.) + +It must be remembered that, wild as this project may seem, it was +sanctioned by the cool deliberate judgment of Washington; and it cannot, +therefore, be doubted, that his Royal Highness was, for a time, in a +situation of great though unknown danger. We leave it to our readers to +speculate on the possible consequences, had the plan succeeded. + +When his present Majesty William IV. served as a midshipman in the +British navy, he was for some time on the coast of the North American +colonies, then in a state of revolution, and passed the winter of 1782 +in the city of New York. He is still borne in lively recollection by +many of the elder inhabitants of that city, as a fine bluff boy of +sixteen: frank, cheery, and affable; and there are anecdotes still told +of his frolicsome pranks on shipboard. Among these, is the story of a +rough, though favourite, nautical joke, which he played off upon a +sailor boy, in cutting down his hammock while asleep. The sturdy sea +urchin resented this invasion of his repose; and, not knowing the +quality of his invader, a regular set-to of fisty-cuffs ensued in the +dark. In this, it is said, the Prince showed great bottom; and equal +generosity on the following morning, when he made the boy a handsome +present of money. His conduct in this boyish affair is said to have +gained him the hearts of all his shipmates. + +The Prince manifested, when on shore, a decided fondness for manly +pastimes. One of his favourite resorts was a small fresh-water lake in +the vicinity of the city, which presented a frozen sheet of many acres; +and was thronged by the younger part of the population for the amusement +of skating. As the Prince was unskilled in that exercise, he would sit +in a chair fixed on runners, which was pushed forward with great +velocity by a skating attendant, while a crowd of officers environed +him, and the youthful multitude made the air ring with their shouts for +Prince William Henry. It was an animating scene, in the bright sunny +winter-days, so common in that climate, and probably still retains a +place in his Majesty's memory. + +While the Prince was thus enjoying himself in the city of New York, a +daring plan was formed, by some adventurous partisans of the +revolutionary army, to pounce upon him and carry him off from the very +midst of his friends and guards. The deviser of this plan was Colonel +Ogden, a gallant officer, who had served with great bravery in the +revolutionary army from the very commencement of the war, and whose +regiment at that time was stationed in the province (now state) of New +Jersey. + +The present statement is drawn up from documents still preserved by the +family of Col. Ogden, a copy of which has been obtained from one of his +sons. The Prince at the time was living on shore, with Admiral Digby, in +quarters slightly guarded, more for form than security, no particular +danger being apprehended. The project of Colonel Ogden was to land +secretly on a stormy night, with a small but resolute force, to surprise +and carry off the Prince and the Admiral to the boats, and to make for +the Jersey shore. The plan was submitted to General Washington, who +sanctioned it, under the idea that the possession of the person of the +Prince would facilitate an adjustment of affairs with the mother +country, and a recognition of the United States as an independent +nation. + +The following is a copy of the letter of General Washington to Col. +Ogden on the occasion. The whole of the original is in the handwriting +of the General:-- + + _To Col. Ogden of the 1st Jersey Regiment_. + + "Sir,--The spirit of enterprise so conspicuous in your plan for + surprising in their quarters, and bringing off, the Prince + William Henry and Admiral Digby, merits applause; and you have + my authority to make the attempt in any manner and at such a + time as your judgment shall direct. + + "I am fully persuaded, that it is unnecessary to caution you + against offering insult or indignity to the persons of the + Prince or Admiral, should you be so fortunate as to capture + them; but it may not be amiss to press the propriety of a proper + line of conduct upon the party you command. + + "In case of success, you will, as soon as you get them to a + place of safety, treat them with all possible respect; but you + are to delay no time in conveying them to Congress, and report + your proceedings, with a copy of these orders. + + "Given at Morris Town, this 28th day of March, 1782. + + "G. WASHINGTON. + + "_Note_.--Take care not to touch upon the ground which is agreed + to be neutral--viz., from Raway to Newark, and four miles back." + +Before relating the particulars of this plan, it may be expedient to +state, that the city of New York is situated on the point of an island +which advances into the centre of a capacious bay. A narrow arm of the +sea, vulgarly called the East River, separates it on the left from Long +or Nassau Island; and the Hudson, commonly called the North River, +separates it from the state of New Jersey. The British army was in +possession of the city, and was strengthened by a fleet; but the +opposite bank of the Hudson, which is about two miles wide, was under +the power of Congress, and the revolutionary army was stationed at no +great distance in New Jersey, in a winter encampment of wooden huts. + +The party that should undertake this enterprise would have to embark in +boats from the Jersey shore: and it was essential that the whole affair +should be accomplished between sun and sun. + +The following is the plan intended to be observed, copied literally from +the original, in the handwriting of Col. Ogden:-- + + "It will be necessary to have four whale-boats (which can be + procured without cause for suspicion); they must be well manned + by their respective crews, including guides, etc.; beside these, + one captain, one subaltern, three sergeants, and thirty-six + men, with whom the boats can row with ease.--N.B. It is known + where the boats are, and that they can be collected without + suspicion, with their oars-men; and it is taken for granted, the + owners will not object, though, for fear of giving the least + cause of alarm, nothing has as yet been said to them. + + "The time of embarkation must be the first wet night after we + are prepared. The place is not yet agreed on, as it will be + necessary to consult those skilled in the tides previous to + determining, which must be put off until we are as nearly + prepared as possible, for fear of inferences being drawn from + our inquiries. We must, however, set off from such part of the + Jersey shore, as will give us time to be in the city by half + past nine. The men must be embarked in the order of debarkation. + + "The Prince quarters in Hanover Square, and has two sentinels + from the 40th British regiment, that are quartered in Lord + Stirling's old quarters in Broad Street, 200 yards from the + scene of action. The main guard, consisting of a captain and + forty men, is posted at the City Hall--a sergeant and twelve, at + the head of the old slip--a sergeant and twelve, opposite the + coffee-house--these are the troops we may be in danger from, and + must be guarded against. The place of landing at Coenties + Market, between the two sergeants' guards, at the head of the + old slip and opposite the coffee-house. + + "The order of debarkation to agree with the mode of attack, as + follows:-- + + "First--Two men with a guide, seconded by two others, for the + purpose of seizing the sentinels--these men to be armed with + naked bayonets and dressed in sailors' habits--they are not to + wait for anything, but immediately execute their orders. + + "Second--Eight men including guides with myself, preceded by two + men with each a crow-bar, and two with each an axe, these for + the purpose of forcing the doors should they be fast, and + followed by four men, entering the house and seizing the young + Prince, the Admiral, the young noblemen, aides, &c. + + "Third--A captain and eighteen to follow briskly, form, and + defend the house until the business is finished, and retreat a + half gun-shot in our rear. + + "Fourth--A subaltern and fourteen, with half of the remaining + boats' crew, and form on the right and left of the boats, and + defend them until we return--the remainder of the crews to hold + the boats in the best possible position for embarking. + + "Necessary--Two crow-bars, two axes, four dark-lanterns, and + four large oil-cloths. + + "The manner of returning as follows:-- + + "Six men with guns and bayonets, with those unemployed in + carrying off the prisoners, to precede those engaged in that + business, followed by the captain (joined by the four men from + the sentry) at a half gun-shot distance, who is to halt and give + a front to the enemy, until the whole are embarked in the + following order-- + + "First--The prisoners, with those preceding them. + + "Second--The guides and boatmen. + + "Third--The subalterns and fourteen. + + "Fourth--The rear." + +Such was the daring plan laid for the capture of the Prince, and which, +even if not fully successful, might have placed his Royal Highness in a +most perilous predicament. It appears, however, from a fragment of a +letter addressed by General Washington to Col. Ogden, and apparently +written almost immediately after the preceding one, that some inkling of +the design had reached Sir Henry Clinton, then in New York, and +Commander-in-chief of the British forces. General Washington +communicates, in his letter, the following paragraph from a secret +despatch, dated March 23rd, which he had just received from some +emissary in New York:-- + + "Great seem to be their apprehensions here. About a fortnight + ago a great number of flat boats were discovered by a sentinel + from the bank of the river (Hudson's), which are said to have + been intended to fire the suburbs, and in the height of the + conflagration to make a descent on the lower part of the city + and wrest from our embraces His Excellency Sir H. Clinton, + Prince William Henry, and several other illustrious personages, + since which great precautions have been taken for the security + of those gentlemen, by augmenting the guards, and to render + their persons as little exposed as possible." + +In another letter, dated Newburgh, April 2nd, 1782, General Washington +observes, "After I wrote to you from Morris Town, I received information +that the sentries at the door of Sir Henry Clinton were doubled at eight +o'clock every night, from an apprehension of an attempt to surprise him +in them. If this be true, it is more than probable the same precaution +extends to _other_ personages in the city of New York, a circumstance I +thought it proper for you to be advertised of." + +This intelligence of the awakened vigilance and precautionary measures +of the British commander, effectually disconcerted the plans of Colonel +Ogden, and His Royal Highness remained unmolested in his quarters until +the sailing of the squadron. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SELECTOR + +AND + +LITERARY NOTICES OF _NEW WORKS_. + + * * * * * + + +MICHAEL SCOTT, THE WIZARD. + + +No. 22 of the _Family Library_ is another volume of pleasant biography; +for, to speak the truth, the biographies, or _biographetts_ of this +series are the most agreeable reading of the day. The Lives are not of +undue length, and anecdote and judicious remark are abundantly scattered +along each of them. There are no dry details of "birth, parentage, and +education;" but these particulars are given with more attractions. In +short, the Lives are just suited for parlour and drawing-room libraries, +and many a reader who could not be persuaded to turn to Dr. Chalmers's +lengthy two-and-thirty tomes of Biography, would be tempted to sit down +and read a volume of the _Family_ Lives outright. + +The volume before us is the first of "the Lives of Scottish Worthies," +by Mr. Patrick Fraser Tytler, author of an excellent History of +Scotland. It comprises Alexander III., Michael Scott, Sir William +Wallace, and Robert Bruce. We quote from Scott, who, though a wizard, +deserves rank among "Worthies," and the philosophers and scholars of his +time. Thus, Mr. Tytler says "he was certainly the first who gave +Aristotle in a Latin translation to the learned world of the West. He +was eminent as a mathematician and an astronomer, learned in the +languages of modern Europe--deeply skilled in Arabic, and in the +sciences of the East; he had risen to high celebrity as a physician--and +his knowledge of courts and kings, had recommended him to be employed in +a diplomatic capacity by his own government." The following passage is, +however, from "his more popular and wider honour"--his superstitious +character,--whilst, as Mr. Tytler prettily observes, "his miracles and +incantations are yet recorded beside the cottage fire, by many a +grey-headed crone, and his fearful name still banishes the roses from +the cheeks of the little audience that surround her." + +In the brief but interesting accounts of this singular man, which we +meet with in the ancient Chronicles of Italy, it is mentioned that he +was the inventer of a new species of casque or steel basnet, denominated +a cervilerium,[6] which he commonly wore under the furred or velvet cap, +used by the learned of those times. The origin of this invention is +curious. In those dark periods, when the belief of magic was universal, +not only amongst the lower ranks, but with the learned and educated +classes of the community, it was reported that the Wizard, having cast +his own horoscope, had discovered that his death was to be occasioned by +a stone falling upon his bare skull. With that anxiety which clings to +life, he endeavoured to defeat the demon whom he served, and by repeated +incantations constructed this magic casque, which he vainly deemed +invulnerable. But his fate, according to the tradition of Italy, was not +to be avoided. In passing a cathedral, when the bell was ringing for +vespers, Michael entered to pay his devotions, and forgetful of his +cervilerium, which was fixed inside his cap, uncovered as he +reverentially knelt upon the stone floor. The moment of his fate was +arrived. The rope of the belfry had loosened one of the carved corbels +which ornamented the interior of the roof beneath which the Magician +knelt; before he could remove, the sharp and heavy mass descended on his +forehead, and whilst it confirmed the infallibility of his prescience, +in an instant deprived him of life. Michael, however, according to the +account of Benvenuto da Imola, had strength enough to lift up the stone, +and ascertain its weight, after which he declared it was of the exact +size he expected; and that nothing was left him but to die, which he did +accordingly,[7] after very properly making his will. It is needless to +remark that this fable is confuted by the return of Michael to his +native country; but it appears to have been the origin of a tradition +still current amongst the peasantry of Scotland, and which ascribes a +miraculous power to the bonnet of the Wizard. It is curious to find the +tale of the invulnerable cervilerium of the Italians, travelling on the +breath of credulity and superstition into the "far north countrie" of +which the Magician was a native, and only changed by tradition from the +blue steel worked and welded by magic art, into the blue bonnet which +was waited on by Scottish demons, who were heard wailing in mid air when +it was waved by its dreaded master. + + [6] Riocobaldi Ferrariensis Historia Imperatorum--in Muratori, + vol. ix. p. 128. + + [7] Benvenuto da Imola. Comment on Dante book xx. c. 115. + +It is well known to the student of Italian literature, that the +Magician has obtained a niche in the Inferno of Dante. + + "Quel altro che ne fianchi e cosi poco + Michele Scoto fu, che veramente + Delle magiche frode seppe il gioco." + +Another poet of Italy, but of infinitely inferior note, Theophilo +Folengi, who published a collection of Latin Macaronic verses, under the +fictitious name of Merlinus Coccaius, has given, in strange and almost +unintelligible language, a singular picture of his incantations. + + "Behold renown'd Scotus take his stand + Beneath a tree's deep shadow, and there draw + His magic circle--in its orb describe + Signs, cycles, characters of uncouth shapes; + And with imperious voice his demons call. + Four devils come--one from the golden west, + Another from the east; another still + Sails onwards from the south--and last of all + Arrives the northern devil; by their aid + He forms a wondrous bridle, which he fits + Upon a jet black steed, whose back, nor clothes, + Nor saddle, e'er encumber'd--Up he mounts, + Cleaves the thin air like shaft from Turkish bow, + Eyes with contemptuous gaze the fading earth, + And caprioles amongst the painted clouds. + Oft, too, with rites unhallow'd, from the neck + Of his dark courser he will pluck the locks, + And burn them as a sacrifice to Him + Who gives him power o'er Nature: next he limns + With silver wand upon the smooth firm beach + A mimic ship--look out, where ocean's verge + Meets the blue sky, a whitening speck is seen, + That nears and nears--her canvass spreads to heav'n; + Fair blows the wind, and roaring through the waves, + On comes the Demon ship, in which he sails + To farthest Ind--but this adventure needs + A sacrifice more potent--human marrow + Scoop'd from the spine, and burnt to the dark power + Whom he must serve. 'Tis said that he who wears + His magic cap, invisible may walk, + And none so lynx-eyed as detect his presence, + In the most peopled city--yet beware, + Let him not, trusting to the demon's power, + Cross the white splendour of the sun, for there, + Although no palpable substance is discern'd, + His shadow will betray him." + +Such is a somewhat free translation of the verses of the pretended +Merlinus Coccaius.[8] It is well known that many traditions are still +prevalent in Scotland concerning the extraordinary powers of the Wizard; +and if we consider the thick cloud of ignorance which overspread the +country at the period of his return from the continent, and the very +small materials which are required by superstition as a groundwork for +her dark and mysterious stories, we shall not wonder at the result. The +Arabic books which he brought along with him, the apparatus of his +laboratory, his mathematical and astronomical instruments, the Oriental +costume generally worn by the astrologers of the times, and the +appearance of the white-haired and venerable sage, as he sat on the roof +of his tower of Balwearie, observing the face of the heavens, and +conversing with the stars, were all amply sufficient to impress the +minds of the vulgar with awe and terror. "Accordingly," says Sir Walter +Scott, in his Notes on the Lay of the Last Minstrel, "the memory of Sir +Michael Scott survives in many a legend, and in the south of Scotland +any work of great labour and antiquity is ascribed either to the agency +of Auld Michael, of Sir William Wallace, or of the devil." Some of the +most current of these traditions are so happily described by the +above-mentioned writer, that we cannot refrain from quoting the passage. +"Michael was chosen," it is said, "to go upon an embassy to obtain from +the King of France satisfaction for certain piracies committed by his +subjects upon those of Scotland. Instead of preparing a new equipage and +splendid retinue, the ambassador retreated to his study, and evoked a +fiend, in the shape of a huge black horse, mounted upon his back, and +forced him to fly through the air towards France. As they crossed the +sea, the devil insidiously asked his rider what it was that the old +women of Scotland muttered at bedtime. A less experienced wizard might +have answered, that it was the Pater Noster, which would have licensed +the devil to precipitate him from his back. But Michael sternly replied, +'What is that to thee? Mount, Diabolus, and fly!' When he arrived at +Paris, he tied his horse to the gate of the palace, entered, and boldly +delivered his message. An ambassador with so little of the pomp and +circumstance of diplomacy, was not received with much respect, and the +king was about to return a contemptuous refusal to his demand, when +Michael besought him to suspend his resolution till he had seen his +horse stamp three times. The first stamp shook every steeple in Paris, +and caused all the bells to ring, the second threw down three towers of +the palace, and the infernal steed had lifted his foot to give the third +stamp, when the king rather chose to dismiss Michael with the most ample +concessions, than to stand the probable consequences. Another time, it +is said, when residing at the tower of Oakwood, upon the Ettrick, about +three miles above Selkirk, he heard of the fame of a sorceress, called +the witch of Falsehope, on the opposite side of the river. Michael went +one morning to put her skill to the test, but was disappointed, by her +denying positively any knowledge of the necromantic art. In his +discourse with her, he laid his wand inadvertently on the table, which +the hag observing, suddenly snatched it up, and struck him with it. +Feeling the force of the charm, he rushed out of the house; but as it +had conferred on him the external appearance of a hare, his servant, who +waited without, halloo'd upon the discomfited Wizard his own hounds, and +pursued him so close, that in order to obtain a moment's breathing to +reverse the charm, Michael, after a very fatiguing course, was fain to +take refuge in his own jaw-hole, Anglice, common sewer. In order to +revenge himself of the witch of Falsehope, Michael, one morning in the +ensuing harvest, went to the hill above the house with his dogs, and +sent down his servant to ask a bit of bread from the goodwife for his +greyhounds, with instructions what to do if he met with a denial. +Accordingly, when the witch had refused the boon with contumely, the +servant, as his master had directed, laid above the door a paper which +he had given him, containing, amongst many cabalistical words, the +well-known rhyme, + + "Maister Michael Scott's man + Sought meat, and gat nane." + + [8] Merlini Coccaii Macaronica, xviii, p. 273. + +Immediately the good old woman, instead of pursuing her domestic +occupation, which was baking bread for the reapers, began to dance round +the fire, repeating the rhyme, and continued this exercise, till her +husband sent the reapers to the house, one after another, to see what +had delayed their provision, but the charm caught each as they entered, +and, losing all idea of returning, they joined in the dance and the +chorus. At length the old man himself went to the house, but as his +wife's frolic with Mr. Michael, whom he had seen on the hill, made him a +little cautious, he contented himself with looking in at the window, and +saw the reapers at their involuntary exercise, dragging his wife, now +completely exhausted, sometimes round, and sometimes through the fire, +which was, as usual, in the midst of the house. Instead of entering, he +saddled a horse, and rode up the hill, to humble himself before Michael, +and beg a cessation of the spell, which the good-natured warlock +immediately granted, directing him to enter the house backwards, and +with his left hand take the spell from above the door, which accordingly +ended the supernatural dance. * * * Michael Scott," continues the same +author, "once upon a time was much embarrassed by a spirit, for whom he +was under the necessity of finding constant employment. He commanded him +to build a cauld, or dam-head, across the Tweed at Kelso; it was +accomplished in one night, and still does honour to the infernal +architect. Michael next ordered that Eildon Hill, which was then a +uniform cone, should be divided into three. Another night was sufficient +to part its summit into the three picturesque peaks which it now bears. +At length the enchanter conquered this indefatigable demon, by employing +him in the hopeless and endless task of making ropes out of the +sea-sand."[9] + + [9] Notes to the lay of the Last Minstrel, p. 255. + +The embellishments, six in number, are engraved in a pleasing style by +W.H. Lizars. Two of them,--a Norwegian Barrow, and Turnberry Castle, are +very effective. + + * * * * * + + + +THE GATHERER. + + A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. + +SHAKSPEARE. + + * * * * * + + +An Irish knight was married to the daughter of a noble lord, a connexion +of which the knight was somewhat proud. Boasting of this union once to a +friend, he observed that his lordship had paid him the highest +compliment in his power. "He had seven daughters," said he, "and he gave +me the _ouldest_, and he told me, too, that if he had an _oulder_ I +should have her." + + * * * * * + + +A SHIRT WITHOUT A SEAM. + + +At Dumferline, in the corporation chest is preserved a man's shirt, +wrought in the loom about a century ago, by a weaver of the name of +Inglis. The shirt was formed without a seam, and finished without any +assistance from the needle; the only necessary parts he could not +accomplish were the neck and sleeve buttons. + +C.D. + + * * * * * + + +In the days of King Henry VII. when the king demanded the tenth penny +for carrying on the war in Britanny, and some of the courtiers in the +House of Commons spoke of the king's want in a very high tone, Sir John +Fineux, an eminent lawyer at that time, made use of this expression, +"Mr. Speaker, before we pay anything, let us see whether we have +anything we can call our own to pay with;" for which saying, the king +immediately made him a judge; in which office he acted with as much +integrity as in that of a representative in the Commons. + +G.K. + + * * * * * + +_Printed and published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) London: sold by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; G.G. +BENNIS, 55, Rue Neuve, St. Augustin, Paris; and by all Newsmen and +Booksellers_. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, +and Instruction, No. 492, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13108 *** |