initial commit of ebook 24343HEADmain

10 files changed, 7582 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/24343-8.txt b/24343-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..242b0fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/24343-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2473 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462
+       Volume 18, New Series, November 6, 1852
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: William Chambers
+        Robert Chambers
+
+Release Date: January 17, 2008 [EBook #24343]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAMBERS' EDINBURGH JOURNAL
+
+  CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, EDITORS OF 'CHAMBERS'S
+  INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE,' 'CHAMBERS'S EDUCATIONAL COURSE,' &c.
+
+
+  No. 462. NEW SERIES.   SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1852.   PRICE 1-1/2_d._
+
+
+
+
+THE MANAGING PARTNER.
+
+
+She is neither your partner, nor ours, nor anybody else's in
+particular. She is in general business, of which matrimony is only a
+department. How she came to be concerned in so many concerns, is a
+mystery of nature, like the origin of the Poet--or rather of black
+Topsy. The latter, you know, was not born at all, she never had no
+father nor mother, she was not made by nobody--she _growed_; and so it
+is with the managing partner, who was a managing partner from her
+infancy. It is handed down by tradition that she screamed lustily in
+the nurse's arms when anything went wrong, or as she would not have
+it; and this gave rise, among superficial observers, to the notion,
+that Missy was naturally cross. But the fact is, her screams were
+merely substitutes for words, like the inarticulate cries by which
+dumb persons express their emotions. When language came, she gave up
+screaming--but not managing. She did not so much play, as direct the
+play--distributing the parts to her companions, and remaining herself
+an abstraction. If she was ever seen cuffing a doll on the side of the
+head, or shaking it viciously by the arm, this was merely a burst of
+natural impatience with the stupid thing; but in general, she
+contented herself with desiring the mother of the offender to bestow
+the necessary chastisement. Her orders were usually obeyed; for they
+were seen to proceed from no selfish motive, but from an innate sense
+of right. This fact was obvious from the very words in which they were
+conveyed: You _should_ be so and so; you _should_ do so and so; you
+_should_ say so and so. Her orders were, in fact, a series of moral
+maxims, which the other partners in the juvenile concern took upon
+trust.
+
+As she grew up into girlhood, and then into young-womanhood, business
+multiplied upon her hands. She was never particular as to what
+business it was. Like Wordsworth, when invited in to lunch, she was
+perfectly willing to take a hand in 'anything that was going forward;'
+and that hand was sure to be an important one: she never entered a
+concern of which she did not at once become the managing partner. In
+another of these chalk (and water) portraits, we described the
+Everyday Young Lady as the go-between in numberless love affairs, but
+never the principal in any. This is precisely the case with the young
+lady we are now taking off--yet how different are the functions of the
+two! The former listens, and sighs, and blushes, and sympathises,
+pressing the secret into the depths of her bosom, turning down her
+conscious eyes from the world's face, and looking night and day as if
+she was haunted by a Mystery. She is, in fact, of no use, but as a
+reservoir into which her friend may pour her feelings, and come for
+them again when she chooses, to enjoy and gloat over them at leisure.
+Her nerves are hardly equal to a message; but a note feels red-hot in
+her bosom, and when she has one, she looks down every now and then
+spasmodically, as if to see whether it has singed the muslin. When the
+affair has been brought to a happy issue, she attends, in an official
+capacity, the busking of the victim; and when she sees her at length
+assume the (lace) veil, and prepare to go forth to be actually
+married--a contingency she had till that moment denied in her secret
+heart to be within the bounds of possibility--she falls upon her neck
+as hysterically as a regard for the frocks of both will allow, and
+indulges in a silent fit of tears, and terror, and triumph.
+
+But the managing partner is altogether of a more practical character.
+She no sooner gets an inkling of what is going forward, than she steps
+into the concern as confidently as if any number of parchments had
+been signed and scaled. She is not _assumed_ as a partner (in the
+Scottish phrase), but assumes to be one, and her assumption is
+unconsciously submitted to. To the other young lady the
+bride-expectant goes for sympathy, to this one for advice. And what
+she receives is advice, and nothing but advice. The Manager does not
+put her own hand to the business: she dictates what is to be done; she
+carries neither note nor message, but suggests the purport of both,
+and the messenger to be employed; she repeats the moral maxims of her
+childhood--You should be so and so; you should do so and so; you
+should say so and so. Sometimes she makes a mistake--but what then?
+she has plenty of other businesses to attend to, and the average is
+sure to come up well. In philosophy, she is a decided utilitarian;
+bearing with perfect never-mindingness the misfortunes of individuals,
+and holding by the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
+
+When the managing partner is herself married, the sphere of her
+exertions widens, and her perfect unselfishness becomes more and more
+apparent. She directs the affairs of her husband, of her friends, of
+her neighbours--everybody's affairs, in short, but her own. She has
+the most uncomfortable house, the most uncared-for children, the most
+untidy person in the parish: but how could it be otherwise, since all
+her thoughts and cares are given to her neighbours? Some people
+suppose that ambition is at the bottom of all this; but we do not
+share the opinion. The woman of the world is ambitious, for the
+aggrandisement of herself or family is the main-spring of all her
+management; but _our_ manager finds in the trouble she takes its own
+reward. The other would not stir hand or tongue without some selfish
+end in view; while she will work morning, noon, and night, without the
+faintest dream of remuneration. Again, Bottom the weaver is an
+ambitious character. Not satisfied with playing Pyramus--'An' I may
+hide my face,' says he, 'let me play Thisbe too!' And so likewise,
+when the lion is mentioned, he would fain play the lion in addition to
+both, promising to aggravate his voice in such a way as to roar you as
+gently as any sucking-dove. The managing partner would shrink from
+this kind of active employment. She would compose the play, distribute
+the parts, shift the scenes, and snuff the candles; but she would take
+no part in the performance. This makes her character a difficult
+study; but though difficult, it is not impossible for those who are
+gifted in that way to get to the bottom of it. _Our_ theory is, that
+the fundamental motive of the managing partner is PHILANTHROPY.
+
+In order to understand this, we must remember that she is original and
+unique only in the length to which she carries a common principle in
+human nature. Society is full of advisers on a small scale. If you ask
+your way to such a place in the street, the Mentor you invoke is
+instantaneously seized with a strong desire to befriend you. He calls
+after you a supplement to his directions; and if you chance to turn
+your head, you will observe him watching to see whether you do take
+the right hand. When the opinions of two advisers, no matter on what
+subject, clash, mark the heat and obstinacy with which they are
+defended. Each considers himself in the right; and believing your
+wellbeing to depend upon the choice you make, is humanely solicitous
+that you should give the preference to him. The managing partner
+merely carries out this feeling to a noble, not to say sublime extent,
+and becomes the philanthropist _par excellence_. Philanthropy is
+virtue, and virtue, we all know, is its own reward--that is, we all
+say; for in reality the idea is somewhat obscure. Perhaps we mean that
+it is the feeling of being virtuous which rewards the act of virtue,
+and if so, how happy must the managing partner be! Troubled by no
+vulgar ambition, by no hankering after notoriety, by no yearning to
+join ostensibly in the game of life, she shrouds herself in obscurity,
+as the widow Bessie Maclure in _Old Mortality_ did in an old red
+cloak, and directs with a whisper the way of the passer-by. There is a
+certain awful pride which must swell at times in that woman's bosom,
+as she thinks of the events which her counsel is now governing, and of
+the wheels that are now turning and twirling in obedience to the
+impulse they received from her!
+
+The managing partner manages a great many benevolent societies, but it
+is unnecessary here to mention more than one. This is the
+Advice-to-the-poor-and-needy-giving Ladies' Samaritan Association. The
+business of this admirable institution is carried on by the
+lady-collectors, who solicit subscriptions, chiefly from the bachelors
+on their beat; and the lady-missionaries, who visit the lowest dens in
+the place, to distribute, with a beautiful philanthropy, moral Tracts,
+and Exhortations to be good, tidy, church-going, and happy, to the
+ragged and starving inmates. Although these, however, are the
+functionaries ostensible to the public, it is the managing partner who
+sets them in motion. She is neither president nor vice-president, nor
+treasurer nor secretary, nor collector nor missionary; but she is a
+power over all these, supreme, though nameless. She is likewise the
+editor (with a sub-editor for work) of the tracts and exhortations;
+and in the course of this duty she mingles charity with business in a
+way well worthy of imitation. The productions in question are usually
+received gratuitously, for advice of all kinds, as we have remarked,
+is common and plenty; but sometimes the demand is so great as to
+require the aid of a purchased pen. On such occasions the individual
+employed by the managing partner is a broken-down clergyman, who was
+deprived at once of his sight and his living by the visitation of God,
+and who writes for the support of a wife and fourteen children. This
+respectable character is induced, by fear of competition, and the
+strong necessity of feeding sixteen mouths with something or other, to
+use his pen for the Association at half-price; while he is compelled
+by his circumstances to reside in the very midst of the destitution he
+addresses, where he learns in suffering what he teaches in prose-ing.
+But, notwithstanding all this beautiful management, her schemes, being
+of human device, sometimes fail. An example of this is offered by the
+one she originated on hearing the first terrible cry of Destitution in
+the Highlands. Under her auspices, the Female Benevolent Trousers
+Society became extremely popular. Its object, of course, was to supply
+these garments gratuitously to the perishing mountaineers, in lieu of
+the cold unseemly kilt. It was discovered, however, after a time, that
+the Highlanders do not wear kilts at all; and the society was broken
+up, and its funds handed over, at the suggestion of the institutor,
+for the Encouragement of the interesting Mieau tribe of Old Christians
+in Abyssinia. The tenets of this tribe, you are aware, are in several
+instances wonderfully similar to our own; only, they abjure in their
+totality the filthy rags of the moral law, which has drawn upon them
+the bitter persecution of the heathenish Mohammedans in their
+neighbourhood.
+
+We have observed that the managing partner is impatient of another
+counsellor. This is a remarkable trait in her character. Even the
+woman of the world looks with approbation upon the doings of a
+congener, when they do not come into collision with her own; even the
+everyday married lady bends her head confidentially towards her
+double, as they sit side by side, and rises from the tête-à-tête
+charmed and edified: the managing partner alone is solitary and
+unsocial. This is demanded by the lofty nature of her duties. Every
+business, great and small, should have a single head to direct; and
+she feels satisfied, after dispassionate reflection, that the best
+head of all is her own. This makes her wish conscientiously that there
+was only one business on the earth, that all mankind were her clients,
+and that there was not another individual of her class extant.
+
+In her last moments, and only then, this great-minded woman thinks of
+herself--if that can be said to be herself which remains in the world
+after she is defunct. She thinks of what is to become of her body, and
+feels a melancholy pleasure in arranging the ceremonies of its
+funeral. Everything must be ordered by herself; and when the last is
+said, her breath departs in a sigh of satisfaction. But sometimes
+death is in a hurry, or her voice low and indistinct. It happened in a
+case of this kind, that a doubt arose in the minds of the bystanders
+as to the shoulder she intended to be taken by one of the friends.
+They looked at her; but her voice was irretrievably gone, and they
+considered that, in so far as this point was concerned, the management
+had devolved upon them. Not so: the dying woman could not speak; but
+with a convulsive effort, she moved one of her hands, touched the left
+shoulder, and expired.
+
+_De mortuis nil nisi bonum_ is an excellent maxim; but in concluding
+this sketch, there can be no harm in at least regretting the
+imperfection of human nature. If its eminent subject, instead of
+spending abroad upon the world her great capacity, had been able to
+concentrate it in some measure upon herself and family, there can be
+little doubt that she would have been regarded in society with less of
+the contempt which genius, and less of the dislike which virtue
+inspires in the foolish and wicked, and that fewer unreflecting
+readers would at this moment be whispering to themselves the
+concluding line of Pope's malignant libel--
+
+    Alive ridiculous, and dead forgot!
+
+
+
+
+THE MOUNTAIN OF THE CHAIN AND ITS LEGEND.
+
+
+The neighbourhood of Gebel Silsilis, or the Mountain of the Chain, is
+very interesting in many respects. After flowing for some distance
+through the usual strip of alluvial plain, bordered by not very lofty
+undulating ground, the Nile suddenly sweeps into a gap between two
+imposing masses of rock that overhang the stream for above a mile on
+either hand. The appearance of the precipices thus hemming in and
+narrowing so puissant a volume of water, covered with eddies and
+whirlpools, would be picturesque enough in itself; but we have here,
+in addition, an immense number of caves, grottos, quarries, and
+rock-temples, dotting the surface of the rock, and suggesting at first
+sight the idea of a city just half ground down and solidified into a
+mountain. On the western bank, numerous handsome façades and porticos
+have indeed been hewn out; and mightily interesting they were to
+wander through, with their elaborate tablets and cursory inscriptions,
+their hieroglyphical scrolls, their sculptured gods and symbols, and
+all the luxury of their architectural ornaments. But the grandest
+impressions are to be sought for on the other side, whence the
+materials of whole capital cities must have been removed. There is, in
+fact, a wilderness of quarries there, approached by deep perpendicular
+cuts, like streets leading from the river's bank, which must have
+furnished a wonderful amount of sandstone to those strange old
+architects who, whilst they sometimes chose to convert a mountain into
+a temple, generally preferred to build up a temple into a mountain. It
+takes hours merely to have a glimpse at these mighty excavations, some
+of which are cavernous, with roofs supported by huge square pillars,
+but most of which form great squares worked down to an enormous depth.
+
+The rock's on the western bank are not isolated, but seem to be the
+termination of a range projecting from the interior of the desert; and
+a minor range, branching off, hugs the river to the northward pretty
+closely for a great distance; but those on the other side are
+separated by what may almost be called a plain from the Arabian chain
+of hills, and might be supposed by the fanciful to have been formerly
+surrounded by the rapid waters of the Nile. They are admirably placed
+for the purpose to which they were applied; and although I have not
+the presumption to fix dates, and say under what dynasty the quarries
+first began to be worked, there is no rashness in presuming that it
+must have been at a very early period indeed. The sandstone is
+excellent for building purposes--far superior to the friable limestone
+found lower down--and has been removed not only from this one block,
+but from both sides, here and there, for a considerable distance to
+the north. Many quarries likewise no doubt remain still undiscovered
+and unexplored in this neighbourhood. We found the mountains worked
+more or less down as far as Ramadeh; and inscriptions and sculptures,
+evidently dating from very ancient times, are met with in many.
+
+The people who inhabit the villages and hamlets of this district are
+not all fellahs; indeed, I question whether, properly speaking, any
+members of that humble race are to be found here. Their place is
+supplied by Bedawín Arabs of the Ababde tribe, who have, to a certain
+extent, abjured their wandering habits, and settled down on the
+borders of a narrow piece of land given to them by the Nile. The
+villages of Rasras and Fares, above the pass on the western bank, and
+of El-Hamam below, as well as the more extensive and better-favoured
+establishment of Silwa, with its little plain, are all peopled by men
+of the same race. With the exception of El-Hamam, which has a
+territory only a few feet wide, the cultivable land belonging to each
+village seems adequate to its support. They have a few small groves of
+palms; had just harvested some fair-sized dhourra-fields when we were
+last there; and had some fields of the castor-oil plant. Perhaps
+cultivation might be extended; a good deal of ground that seemed
+fitted for spade or plough was overrun with a useless but beautiful
+shrub called the silk-tree. Its pod, which, when just ripe, has a
+blush that might rival that on the cheek of a maiden, was beginning to
+wither and shrivel in the sun, and opening to scatter flakes of a
+silky substance finer than the thistle's beard, leaving bare the
+myriad seeds arranged something like a pine-cone.
+
+I have called the plant useless, because vain have been the attempts
+made to apply its produce to manufacturing purposes; but Arab mothers
+procure from the stem a poisonous milky substance, with which they
+sometimes blind their infants, to save them in after-life from the
+conscription. How strangely love is corrupted in its manifestations by
+the influence of tyranny! I have seen youths who have exhibited a foot
+or a hand totally disabled and shrivelled up, and who boasted that
+their mothers, in passionate tenderness and solicitude for them, had
+thrust their young limbs into the fire, that they might retain their
+presence through war, though maimed and rendered almost incapable of
+work.
+
+Few plants or trees of any value grow here spontaneously. The pretty
+shrub called el-egl droops beneath the rocks of Silsilis over the
+water, accompanied sometimes by a dwarf willow; and the sandy earth,
+washed down the gullies on the western bank in winter, produces a
+plentiful crop of the sakarân--a plant bearing a seed which has
+intoxicating qualities, as the name imports, and which is said to be
+used by robbers to poison or stupify persons whom they wish to rifle
+at their leisure. Some colocynth is gathered here and there, and dried
+in the hollows of the rocks.
+
+It is not legal, or rather not allowed in Egypt, to be in possession
+of arms without a permit; but throughout the whole of the upper
+country, it is found difficult to enforce such a regulation. Men with
+spears are often to be met. I saw some parties coming from Silwa armed
+with long straight swords, with a cross hilt. Most men are provided
+with a dagger fastened round their arm above the elbow with a thong;
+others have clubs heavily loaded, or covered at one end with crocodile
+scales; and guns are not unfrequent, though powder and shot are
+exceedingly scarce. Our two guides, Ismaeen and Abd-el-Mahjid, had
+each a single-barrelled fowling-piece--value from twenty-five to
+thirty shillings. They were both expert shots, as we had occasion to
+witness when we went hare-shooting with them. In fact, with their
+assistance, we had hare every day for dinner during our stay. They
+were very chary of their powder, and only fired when pretty sure of
+success. For catching doves, and other small game, they had ingenious
+little traps.
+
+During my wanderings one day among the rocks with Ismaeen, who had
+constituted himself my especial guide, I felt somewhat fatigued at a
+distance from the boats, and sat down to rest under the shade of a
+projecting rock. On all sides yawned the openings of quarries, cut
+sheer down into the heart of the mountain to a depth which I could not
+fathom from my vantage-ground. I seemed surrounded by abysses. In
+front, I could see the Nile whirling its rapid current between the
+overhanging rocks which closed up to the north; in the other
+direction, spread a desert plain intersected by a ribbon of bright
+water between two strips of brighter vegetation. Far away to the
+north-west, a solitary heap of mountains marked the spot where the
+unvisited ruins of Bergeh are said to lie.
+
+    [Transcriber's Note: A dieresis (umlaut) diacritical mark appears
+    above the letter 'g' in the word Bergeh in the above sentence in
+    the original.]
+
+Ismaeen sat before me, answering the various questions which the scene
+suggested. He was a fine open-faced young man, without any of the
+clownishness of the fellah, and spoke in a free and easy but gentle
+manner. He told me that he and Abd-el-Mahjid had been sworn friends
+from infancy; that they scarcely ever separated; that where one went,
+the other went; and that what one willed, the other willed. They were
+connected by blood and marriage--the sister of Ismaeen having become
+the wife of Abd-el-Mahjid. Both had seen what to them was a good deal
+of the world. They had driven horses, camels, sheep, goats, donkeys,
+as far as Keneh, even as far as Siout, for sale; and the desert was
+familiar to them. The salt sea had rolled its blue waves beneath their
+eyes; and they had been as far as the Gebel-el-Elbi, that mysterious
+stronghold of the Bisharee, far to the south, in the wildest region of
+the desert. Ismaeen, it is true, did not seem to think much of these
+wild and romantic journeyings. He laid more stress on having seen the
+beautiful city of Siout, where I have no doubt he felt the mingled
+contempt and admiration ascribed to the Yorkshireman when he first
+visits London.
+
+Having exhausted present topics, our conversation naturally turned to
+the past; and I began to be inquisitive about the legends of the
+place. I knew there was a local tradition as to the origin of the name
+Gebel Silsilis--the Mountain of the Chain--passed over usually with
+supercilious contempt in guide-books; and I desired much to hear the
+details. Ismaeen at first did not seem to attach any importance to the
+subject, gave me but a cursory answer, and proceeded to relate how he
+had sold donkeys for sixty piastres at Siout which were only worth
+thirty at most at Fares; but I returned to the charge, and after
+looking at me somewhat slyly perhaps, to ascertain if I was not making
+game of him by affecting an interest in these things, the young
+Ababde, with the sublime inattention to positive geography and record
+history characteristic of Eastern narrative, spoke nearly as
+follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In ancient times, there was a king named Mansoor, who reigned over
+Upper Egypt and over the Arabs in both deserts. His capital city was
+at this place (Silsilis), which he fortified; and his name was known
+and respected as far as the North Sea (the Mediterranean), and in all
+the countries of the blacks to the south. Kings, and princes, and
+emperors sent messages and presents to him, so that his pride was
+exalted, and his satisfaction complete. He reigned a period of fifty
+years, at the end of which the vigour of his frame was impaired, and
+his beard flowed white as snow upon his breast; and during all that
+time, he was different from every other man, in that he had not cared
+to have children, and had not repined when Heaven forbore to bestow
+that blessing upon him. One day, however, when he was well-stricken in
+years, he happened to feel weary in his mind; he yawned, and
+complained that he knew not what to do for occupation or employment.
+So his wezeer said to him: 'Let us clothe ourselves in the garments of
+the common people, and go forth into the city and the country, and
+hear what is said, and see what is done, and perhaps we may find
+matter of diversion.' The idea was pleasing to the king; and so they
+dressed in a humble fashion, and going out by the gate of the garden,
+entered at once into the streets and the bazaars. On other occasions,
+the bustle, and the noise, and the jokes they heard, and the accidents
+that used to happen, were agreeable to King Mansoor; but now he found
+all things unpleasant, and even became angry when hustled by the
+porters. He thought all the people he met insolent and ill-bred, and
+took note of a barber, who splashed him with the contents of his basin
+as he emptied it into the street, vowing that he would certainly cause
+him to be hanged next day. So the wezeer, afraid that he might be
+irritated into discovering himself, advised him to go forth into the
+country; and they went forth into a woody district, the king moving
+moodily on, neither looking to the right hand nor to the left.
+Suddenly, he heard a woman's voice speaking amidst the trees, and
+thought he distinguished the sound of his own name; so he stepped
+aside, and, cautiously advancing, beheld a young mother sitting by a
+fountain of water, dancing an infant on her knees, and singing: 'I
+have my Ali, I have my child; I am happier than King Mansoor, who has
+no Ali, no child.' The king frowned as black as thunder, and he
+understood wherefore he was unhappy: he had no child to play on his
+knee when care oppressed his heart. As he thought of this, rage
+increased within him, and drawing a concealed sword, before the wezeer
+could interpose with his wisdom, he smote the infant, crying: 'Woman,
+be as miserable as King Mansoor.' Then he dropped the sword, and
+alarmed by the shrieks of the poor mother, thought that if he was
+found in that costume, the people might do vengeance on him; so he
+fled by bypaths, and returned to his palace.
+
+Having been accustomed to deal death around, the murder of the infant
+did not prey upon his mind; but the words of the mother he never
+forgot. 'I am miserable, because I am childless,' he repeated every
+day; and he ordered all the women of his harem to be well beaten. But
+he was compelled to admit, that there was now little chance of his
+wishes being fulfilled. However, as a last resort, he consulted a
+magician, a man of Persian origin, who had recently arrived with
+merchandise in that country. This magician, after many very intricate
+calculations, told him that he was destined to have a son by the
+daughter of an Abyssinian prince, now betrothed to the son of the
+sultan of Damascus; but that her friends would endeavour to take her
+secretly down the river in a boat before the year was out, lest he
+might behold and covet her. The magician also asked him wherefore he
+had thrown away the 'sword of good-luck;' and explained by saying,
+that the ancestors of King Mansoor had always been in possession of a
+sword which brought them prosperity, and that the dynasty was to come
+to an end if it were lost.
+
+Upon this, the king gave, in the first place, orders to his servants
+and his guards to search for the sword he had lost; but the woman, who
+had concealed it, thinking it might afford some clue to the assassin
+of her child, instantly understood, on hearing these inquiries, that
+Mansoor was the man. So she vowed vengeance; and being a daughter of
+the Arabs of the desert, retired to a distant branch of her tribe with
+the sword, and effectually escaped all pursuit. Her name was Lulu;
+from that time forth she abjured all feminine pursuits, and became a
+man in action, riding a fierce horse, and wielding sword and spear;
+'For I,' said she, 'when the period is fulfilled, will smite down this
+king who has slain my child.'
+
+Meanwhile, Mansoor had also given orders to stretch an enormous chain
+across the river between the two parts of his city, so as to prevent
+all boats from passing until searched for the daughter of the
+Abyssinian prince; and this is the origin of the name of these
+mountains. For a long time, no such person could be discovered; but at
+length, when the year was nearly out, a maiden of surpassing
+loveliness was found concealed in a mean kanjia, and being brought
+before the king, and interrogated, confessed that she was the daughter
+of Sala-Solo, Prince of Gondar. Mansoor upon this explained the
+decrees of Heaven; and although she wept, and said that she was
+betrothed to the son of the sultan of Damascus, he paid no heed to
+her, but took her to wife, and in due course of time had a son by her,
+whom he named Ali; and he would thereafter smile grimly to, himself,
+and say: 'I now have an Ali, I now have a child.'
+
+The magician, who returned about this time, being consulted, said
+that if the boy passed the critical period of fifteen years, he would
+live, like his father, to a good old age. So Mansoor caused a
+subterranean palace to be hewn out of the mountain, in the deeper
+chambers of which, fitted up with all magnificence, he caused Ali to
+be kept by a faithful nurse; whilst he himself dwelt in the front
+chambers that overlooked the river, and gave audience to all who came
+and floated in boats beneath his balconies; but no one was allowed to
+ascend, except the wezeer and a few proved friends: [There, said
+Ismaeen, pointing to one of the largest excavations on the opposite
+side, there is the palace of King Mansoor.]
+
+Other things happened meanwhile. The mother of Ali refusing to be
+comforted, was divorced, and sent to the son of the king of Damascus,
+who loved her, and who took her to wife. She hated King Mansoor, but
+she yearned after her first-born, and she endeavoured to persuade her
+husband to raise an army, and march to Upper Egypt, to slay the one
+and seize the other. For many years he was not able to comply with her
+wishes; but at length he collected a vast power, and crossing the
+desert of Suwez, advanced rapidly towards the dominions of King
+Mansoor.
+
+It came to pass, that about the same time the fame of a mighty warrior
+grew among the Arabs, one who scoffed at the king's name, attacked his
+troops, and plundered his cultivated provinces. All the forces that
+could be collected, were despatched to reduce this rebel, but in vain.
+They were easily defeated, almost by the prowess of their chief's
+unassisted arm; and it became known that the capital itself was to be
+attacked before long. At this juncture, the intelligence arrived that
+a hostile army was approaching from the north, and had already reached
+the Two Mountains (Gebelein); and then, that another army had shewn
+itself to the south, about the neighbourhood of the Cataracts--the
+former, under the command of the sultan of Damascus; and the latter,
+under that of Sala-Solo, his father-in-law, Prince of Gondar. All
+misfortunes seemed to shower at once upon the unfortunate Mansoor. He
+made what military preparations he could, although his powers had
+already been taxed nearly to the utmost to repress the Arabs, and sent
+ambassadors to soften the wrath of his enemies. They would accept,
+however, no composition; and continued to close in upon him, one from
+the north, the other from the south, threatening destruction to the
+whole country.
+
+The miserable king now began to repent of having wished for a child.
+But he could not help loving Ali, in spite of all things; indeed, he
+perhaps loved him the more for the misfortunes he seemed to have
+brought. At anyrate, he spent night and day by his side, saying to
+himself, that yet a few days, and the fifteen years would be passed,
+and the boy at least would be safe. He was encouraged to hope by the
+slow progress of the two armies, which seemed bent more on enjoying
+themselves, than on performing any feats of arms.
+
+But there was an enemy more terrible than these two--namely, Lulu, the
+mother of the murdered child Ali, who had thrown aside her woman's
+garments, and become a mighty warrior, for the sake of her revenge.
+She wielded the 'sword of good-luck;' and hearing of the approach of
+the two armies, feared that her projects might be interfered with by
+them. So she collected her forces, marched down to the city-walls,
+attacked them at night, was victorious, and before morning entirely
+possessed the place, with the exception of the subterranean retreat of
+King Mansoor, which it seemed almost impossible to take by force. She
+manned a large number of boats, came beneath the water-wall, and
+summoned the garrison to surrender; but they remained silent, and
+looked at the king, who stood upon the terrace, with his long white
+beard reaching to his knees, offering to parley, in order to gain
+time. Lulu, however, drawing the 'sword of good-luck,' ordered ladders
+to be placed, and mounting to the storm, gained a complete
+victory--all the garrison being slain, and Mansoor flying to his child
+in the interior chambers. Here the bereaved mother, hot for vengeance,
+followed, her flaming weapon in hand, and thrusting the trembling old
+man aside, smote the youth to the heart, crying: 'King Mansoor, be as
+miserable as Lulu, the mother of Ali.' He understood who it was, and
+cried and beat his breast, incapable of other action. Then Lulu slew
+him likewise, and returning to her followers, who were pillaging the
+city, related what she had done. The report soon spread abroad, and
+readied the two hostile armies, both of which were indignant at the
+death of Ali; so they advanced rapidly, and surrounding the place,
+attacked and utterly destroyed the followers of Lulu. She herself was
+taken prisoner, and being led before the queen of Damascus, was
+condemned by her to a cruel death, which she suffered accordingly. The
+city afterwards fell gradually to ruin, and the neighbouring country
+became desert.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This sanguinary story, though containing some of the staple machinery
+of Eastern fiction, was evidently rather of Bedawín than civilised
+origin; and, as such, interested me, in spite of the inartificial
+manner in which it was told, the meagre details, and the repulsive
+incidents. Ismaeen's only qualities as a historian were animation and
+faith. He had heard the narrative from his father, to whom, likewise,
+it had been handed down hereditarily. Everybody in the country knew it
+to be true. I might ask Abd-el-Mahjid. A shot close at hand announced
+the presence of that worthy, who soon appeared with a fine large hare.
+On being appealed to, the cunning rogue--perhaps anxious to be thought
+a philosopher--said that, for his part, though most people certainly
+believed the story, he really had no decided opinion about the matter.
+
+
+
+
+IRON SHIPS.
+
+
+As a quarter of a century has not elapsed since the commencement of
+iron ship-building, its history is soon told. Previous to 1838, it may
+be said to have had no proper existence, the builders being mere tyros
+in their profession, and their efforts only experimental. The first
+specimen made its appearance some twenty years ago on the Clyde--the
+cradle of steam-navigation. The inconsiderable Cart, however, claims
+the honour of for ever deciding the contest between iron and timber--a
+contest which can never be renewed with even a remote chance of
+success. In the year referred to, and subsequent years, an engineering
+firm in Paisley, with the aid of scientific oversight and skilful
+workmen, constructed a fleet of iron vessels upon entirely novel
+principles, which maintained the sovereignty of the waters for a
+lengthened period, and whose main features are retained in the most
+approved models of the present day. Their characteristics were speed,
+buoyancy, comfort, and elegance--a combination of every requisite for
+the safe and advantageous prosecution of passenger-traffic on streams
+and estuaries. About the same period, the Glasgow engineers succeeded
+in applying somewhat similar principles to the construction of
+sea-going vessels of large tonnage, and, in spite of deeply-rooted
+prejudices, have ultimately demonstrated the immense superiority of
+such constructions over the old wooden vessels. If proof of this were
+wanting, the removal of the costly, cumbersome steamers formerly
+engaged in the carrying-traffic between Glasgow and Liverpool, and the
+substitution in their room of light, capacious iron vessels, equally
+strong, and manageable with greater ease and at a considerable saving
+of expense--as, likewise the successful establishment of steam
+communication between the former city and New York, deemed
+impracticable under the old system--might serve to remove the doubts
+of the most incredulous.
+
+Although an infant in years, this new branch of engineering skill has
+already attained gigantic proportions and mature development. Its
+triumphs are on every sea, and on many waters never before traversed
+by the agency of steam. The vessels already afloat are numerically a
+trifle compared with those in contemplation; and perhaps the most
+astonishing feature of all, is the almost infinite number of new
+channels of trade they have opened, and are opening up. Ten years ago,
+one-half the vessels plying on the Clyde were built of timber, and all
+the larger ones, with a few solitary exceptions: at the present hour,
+one could not count ten in a fleet of sixty--the immense majority are
+of iron. The advertising columns of _one_ newspaper gave notice
+recently, in a single day, of the establishment of _three_ several
+routes of communication with foreign ports hitherto denied the means
+of direct intercourse with this country, all to be carried on by means
+of iron vessels. A sailing-vessel, constructed of this material, was
+announced at Lloyd's a few months ago, as having performed one of the
+speediest homeward passages from Eastern India yet recorded.
+
+A rough estimate of the extent to which this branch of industrial
+skill is carried, may be formed from the number of separate
+establishments in active operation on the Clyde. There are five of
+these in the neighbourhood of Govan, about two miles below Glasgow
+Bridge; two at Renfrew; three at Dumbarton, which is, more correctly
+speaking, on the Leven, but generally falls to be reckoned in common
+with the other places mentioned as a Clyde port; two below Port
+Glasgow; and three at Greenock--in all, fifteen establishments,
+employing between 4000 and 5000 hands in the construction of iron
+hulls alone. This, of course, does not include the army of labourers
+dependent for their very existence upon the demand thus created for
+materials--such as iron-smelters, forgemen, rivet-makers, &c.; nor
+those artisans employed alike on vessels of iron and timber--such as
+painters, blacksmiths, blockmakers, riggers, and others. As from the
+laying of a keel to the launching of a ship a longer period than six
+months rarely elapses, some idea may be formed of the continued press
+of work necessary to keep these thousands in full employment, as well
+as the dispatch exercised in the completion of orders. From ten to a
+dozen ships have been launched from the same building-yard within
+twelve months; and a vessel exceeding 1000 tons burden has been
+commenced, completed, and fully equipped for sea in little more than
+five. On one occasion lately, a passenger-steamer, 160 feet long, 16
+feet broad, and capable of accommodating 600 passengers with ease, was
+made ready for receiving her machinery in twelve working-days. At this
+rate, one would be inclined to fear that business must necessarily
+soon come to a dead stop: but there is not the slightest appearance of
+such result, nor is it even apprehended. In an age of steam and
+electricity, when time and space are threatened with annihilation, it
+became necessary to look abroad for some new agent by means of which
+the sea, the great highway of nations, might be made still more
+subservient to its legitimate purpose. The agent being found, its use
+will be commensurate with the growth of commerce, until its fitness is
+questioned in turn, and some improved method of conveyance drives its
+services from the field. After all, it may be but a step in the proper
+direction, an improvement upon the wisdom of our ancestors--another
+adaptation of the limitless resources placed at our disposal for
+satisfying the growing wants of a race toiling towards a development
+as yet unascertained.
+
+The benefits already experienced, and likely still to flow from this
+large and growing accession to our marine strength, need scarcely be
+commented on. They are self-evident, and recommend themselves alike to
+the merchant, the trader, and the mere man of pastime, all of whom are
+in some degree participators. Besides the regularity and security
+attendant on the transmission of all sorts of merchandise, there is an
+immense saving of time and cost. Travelling by sea has changed
+entirely the aspect of this kind of transit. With spacious saloons,
+well-aired sleeping-apartments, roomy promenades protected from the
+weather, and a steady-going ship, a voyage even to distant lands is
+now little more than an excursion of pleasure. Eight miles an hour was
+considered fair work for the steamers of a dozen years ago; the
+present average rate of steaming on the Clyde is fourteen miles an
+hour. A very fine vessel, named the _Tourist_, which was exhibited on
+the Thames during the holding of the 'world's show' last summer,
+performed seventeen miles with perfect ease. What may be expected
+next?
+
+How far, as a material in the construction of sailing-bottoms, the use
+of iron is likely to supersede that of timber, is a question for the
+speculative. At present, our commercial activity affords ample
+employment for both. There can be no doubt, however, that in
+connection with the steam-engine, and that admirable invention of
+modern date, the screw-propeller, iron ship-building is destined to
+attain and enjoy an enlarged existence; to the full maturity of which
+its present condition, healthful and prosperous as it appears, is but
+a promising adolescence.
+
+We recently set out from Glasgow, to pay a visit to an iron
+ship-building yard on rather an interesting occasion. On rounding the
+base of Dumbarton Rock, where the waters of the Clyde and the Leven
+mingle in loving sisterhood, a scene of the gayest description
+presented itself. Gaudy banners floated in all directions; the vessels
+in the harbour and on the stocks were festooned with flaunting
+drapery, and everything wore a holiday appearance. So impressed were
+we with the pervading air of joyousness, that on reaching the town,
+and finding the inhabitants at their ordinary avocations, we could not
+help feeling disappointed, and we confess to having vented a sigh for
+grovelling humanity, which dared not venture upon one day of pure
+abandonment, separate from the counter and its cares. The joyous
+demonstrations, we learned, were in honour of an intended launch; but
+this created no stir beyond the circle more immediately interested in
+its successful accomplishment.
+
+On entering the building-yard, we found the ceremony was not to take
+place for an hour, and we had therefore time to make acquaintance with
+the interior of the works. An intelligent foreman acted as cicerone,
+and performed the duties with very gratifying cheerfulness.
+
+The Model-room of the establishment is first thrown open to the
+visitor. It is an oblong, well-lighted apartment, in a range of
+buildings termed the offices. A large flat table, with smooth surface,
+occupies the entire centre, around which are scattered a few chairs
+for the accommodation of the draughtsmen when at work. Beyond this,
+there is no furniture. The objects of interest are the models pegged
+to the unadorned walls. These are numerous, and kept with almost
+religious care; attached to each there 'hangs a tale,' which your
+conductor 'speaks trippingly,' and with no effort at concealment of
+satisfaction in the recital. A draughtsman's models are the trophies
+of his personal prowess--his letters of introduction--his true
+business-card. In the shapely blocks of wood placed for inspection,
+you are invited to contemplate the man in connection with his
+creations. He points to his model, dilates upon its beauties,
+criticises its defects, and leaves you to judge of him from his works.
+
+Crossing from the Model-room, you enter the Moulding-loft--a long,
+spacious apartment, not lofty but drearily spacious, and amazingly
+airy. Here the draughtsman's lines are extended into working
+dimensions, and transferred to wooden moulds, after which they are
+put into the hands of the carpenter. Proceeding down stairs, you are
+shewn the joiner's shop, filled with benches, work in an unfinished
+state, and busy workmen. Underneath this, again, are the saw-pits,
+where logs are cut into deals of all dimensions--a laborious and
+painful process when performed by manual labour, as must have been
+apparent to all who have witnessed it--and who has not? The sawn
+timber is stowed in 'racks' in the rear of the building.
+
+Proceeding to the centre of the yard, your attention is directed to an
+enormous furnace, near the mouth of which a score of partly undressed
+workmen are grouped in attitudes of repose. Around are strewn the
+implements of labour--large cast-iron blocks, wooden mallets hooped
+with iron, crowbars, and pincers. But, see! the cavern yawns, and from
+its glowing recesses the white plates are dragged with huge tongs.
+Laid on the block, each plate is beaten with the mallets into the
+requisite shape, and thrown aside to cool. In the meantime, the
+furnace has been recharged, to vomit forth again when the proper heat
+has been obtained.
+
+Behind are the cutting and boring machines, to each of which is
+attached a gang of five or six men. Here the plates, when cool, obtain
+the desired form, and are bored from corner to corner with two
+parallel rows of holes for admitting the rivets. They are now in
+readiness for the rivetter at work upon the ship's side, to whom they
+are borne on the shoulders of labourers employed for the purpose.
+
+Descending to the water's edge, we were shewn an immense mass of
+uprights--inverted arches of angle-iron--the framework of a hull
+intended to float 1500 tons of merchandise. Being in a chrysalis
+state, it afforded us little enlightenment, so we passed on to an
+adjoining one of similar dimensions, proceeding rapidly towards
+completion. Here the secrets of the trade--if there be any--lay
+patent, as the several branches of skilled labour were seen in
+thorough working order. On 'stages,' as the workmen call them, or
+temporary wooden galleries passing from stem to stern, and rising tier
+above tier, were the rivetters 'with busy hammers closing rivets up,'
+and keeping the echoes awake with their ceaseless, and, to
+unaccustomed ears, painful din. The rivet-boys, alike alarmed and
+amused us, as they leaped from gallery to gallery with fearless
+agility, brandishing their red-hot bolts, and replying in imp-like
+screechings to the hoarse commands of their seniors. The decks were
+filled with carpenters, the cabins with joiners, the rigging with
+painters, and all with seeming bluster and confusion: only seeming,
+however, for on attentive examination everything was found to be
+working sweetly, and under a superintending vigilance not to be
+trifled with or deceived with impunity.
+
+The ground-area of these works is of great extent, running parallel
+with the banks of the river, and flanked by the buildings lately
+visited. Between 400 and 500 workmen are employed upon the premises;
+labourers' wages rating 10s. and 12s. weekly; and those of skilled
+artisans ranging from 16s. to 23s. A small steam-engine, kept in
+constant motion, contributes to the lightening of toil, and the
+division of labour is practised wherever it can be done with
+advantage. With these facilities at command, no time is lost in the
+execution of orders, nor would present circumstances permit such
+extravagance, as a contract for 6000 tons of shipping must be
+fulfilled before midsummer. The vessel about to be launched, 1500 tons
+burden, had been on the stocks for a period of five mouths. But this
+reminds us that the fixed hour has come, the notes of preparation are
+already dinning in our ears.
+
+The yard was now filled with spectators, who discussed the merits of
+the vessel, while they watched with evident anxiety, and some measure
+of curiosity, the train of preparations for loosening her stays, and
+committing the monster fabric to her destined element. The shores
+around were lined with peering faces and a well-attired throng; the
+bosom of the stream was agreeably dotted with numerous row-boats,
+freighted with living loads, passing and repassing in a diversity of
+tracks. The sight, as a whole, was magnificent in its variety; and it
+was associated with a feeling of satisfaction, which so many happy
+faces wearing the bright flush of anticipation could alone produce.
+But, boom! boom! the signal has been given for her release, and with a
+stately smile and queenly bearing the proud beauty takes her
+departure, bearing with her the best wishes of a joyous and excited
+multitude. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' shout the frenzied workmen, as, in token
+of success, they pelt the unconscious object of their solicitude with
+missiles of every conceivable size and shape. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' repeat
+the delighted multitude, as they toss their arms, and wave their hats
+and handkerchiefs in the air. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' exclaims a voice at my
+elbow. 'There flies the _Australian_ like a shaft from a bow, the
+first steamship, destined to convey Her Britannic Majesty's mail to
+the Australasian continent. May good fortune attend her!'
+
+
+
+
+SCIENCE OF POLITENESS IN FRANCE.
+
+
+For ages past, the amenity of foreign manners in general, and French
+manners in particular, has been the theme of every tongue; and the
+bold Briton, who would fain look down upon all other nations, cannot
+deny the superiority of his continental neighbours in this respect at
+least. Why this should be, it is difficult to say, but there is no
+doubt that it is so; and even the coarse German is less repulsive in
+his manner to strangers than the true-born and true-bred English man
+or woman. The French of all ranks teach their children, from their
+earliest years, politeness by _rule_, as they do grammar or geography,
+or any other branch of a sound education. From _La Civilité Puérile et
+Honnête_, up to works which treat of the etiquettes of polite society,
+there are books published for persons of every class in life; and
+although of late years one sees the same sort of writings advertised
+in England, they have certainly not as yet produced any apparent
+effect upon us--perhaps from being written by incompetent people, or
+perhaps from the author dwelling too exclusively upon usages which
+change with the fashion of the day, instead of being based upon right
+and kind feelings, or, at anyrate, the appearance of them. I have
+lately met with a little French book, entitled _Manuel Complet de la
+Bonne Compagnie, ou Guide de la Politesse, et de la Bienséance_,
+which, amid much that is, according to our ideas, unnecessary and
+almost ridiculous, contains a great deal we should do well to
+practise.
+
+It begins with treating of the proper behaviour to be observed in
+churches of all denominations and forms of faith. Keep silence, or at
+least speak rarely, and in a very low tone of voice, if you positively
+_must_ make a remark: look grave, walk slowly, and with the head
+uncovered. Whether it be a Catholic church, a Protestant temple, or a
+Jewish synagogue, remember that it is a place where men assemble to
+honour the Creator of the universe, to seek consolation in affliction,
+and pardon for sin. When you visit a sacred edifice from curiosity
+only, try to do so at a time when no religious service is going
+forward; and beware of imitating those Vandals who sully with their
+obscure and paltry names the monuments of ages. Do not wait to be
+asked for money by the guides, but give them what you judge a
+sufficient recompense for their civility, and this without demanding
+change, with which you should on such occasions always be provided
+beforehand. Whether you give or refuse your mite to a collection, do
+so with a polite bow, and never upon any account push or press forward
+in the house of God, or shew by your manner that you hold in contempt
+any unaccustomed ceremony you may happen to witness. Never in
+conversation ridicule or abuse any form of belief; it grieves the
+sincerely pious, gives rise to the expression of angry feeling in
+those more fanatical or prejudiced, and offends even the sceptic as a
+breach of good manners in any one--but in a woman peculiarly
+disgusting--even when the listeners are themselves deficient in
+Christian faith.
+
+In speaking of family duties, persons who have had educational
+advantages beyond those of their parents, are particularly recommended
+never to appear sensible of their superior cultivation, and to be even
+more submissive and respectful. All near relatives, whether by blood
+or marriage, are directed, whatever their feelings may be, 'to keep up
+a kindly intercourse by letter, word of mouth, trifling presents, and
+so forth, treating your husband or wife's connections in company as
+you do your own, merely introducing a little more ceremony.' Those
+newly-married couples who go into company to look at, dance with, and
+talk to each other, are held up to ridicule, and advised to follow the
+example of the English, who wisely remain secluded for a month, in
+order to be surfeited with each other's society, and repeat
+extravagantly fond epithets until they themselves feel the folly of
+them; and their mothers or maiden aunts--who are now sometimes found
+at large in France, since the practice of sending poor or plain girls
+into convents has ceased to be so general--come under reproof.
+'Consider, O ye affectionate-hearted women, that others feel no
+interest in the children who to your eyes seem so perfect, and have no
+inclination to act as inquisitors over their little talents and
+accomplishments. Spare your friends the thousand-and-one anecdotes of
+the extraordinary cleverness, vivacity, or piety of the little people
+you love so blindly: do not excoriate their ears by making them listen
+to recitations or the strumming of sonatos; or weary their eyes by
+requesting them to watch the leaping and kicking of small stick-like
+legs.' You only render your boys and girls conceited, and make them
+appear positive pests to your visitors, whose politeness in giving the
+praise you angle for is seldom sincere; and thus, by committing a
+fault yourself, you force your friends to do the like in a different
+way. 'But even this is better than finding fault with either children
+or servants in the presence of strangers; this is such gross
+ill-breeding, one feels astonished it should be necessary to take
+notice of it at all, and to the little ones themselves it is
+absolutely ruinous:' it makes them miserable in the meanwhile, and in
+the end, careless of appearances, indifferent to shame.
+
+I must leave out, or at least pass slightly over, a great deal which
+sounds most strange to us, such as, the necessity of preventing
+servants from 'sitting down in your presence, more especially when
+serving at table;' permitting ladies to wear curl papers on rising,
+but hinting that they should be hid under a cambric cap; and although
+taking it for granted a lady would 'not put on stays' at the same
+early hour, reminding her that she may still wear a bodice, and
+begging her not to make hot weather an excuse for going about with
+naked arms 'and _legs_ and feet thrust into slippers,' but to adopt
+fine thin stockings; 'and,' says our author, 'although the _tenue du
+lever_ for a gentleman is a cotton or silk night-cap, a waistcoat with
+sleeves, or a dressing-gown, he is recommended to abandon _cette mise
+matinale_ as early as may be, that so attired he may receive none but
+intimate friends.' Unmarried women, until they pass thirty, are
+debarred from wearing diamonds or expensive furs and shawls, or from
+venturing across so much as a narrow street without being accompanied
+by their mother or a female attendant; desired never to inquire after
+the health of _gentlemen_; nor, indeed, should married women permit
+themselves to do 'so, unless the person inquired after is very ill or
+very old.' When you dine out, you are requested 'not to pin your
+napkin to your shoulders;' not to say _bouilli_ for _boeuf_,
+_volaille_ for _poularde dindon_, or whatever name the winged animal
+goes by; or _champagne_ simply, instead of _vin-de-champagne_, which
+is _de rigueur_; not 'to turn up the cuffs of your coat when you
+carve,' eat your egg from the 'small end, or _neglect_ to break it on
+your plate _when emptied, with a coup de couteau_; to cut, instead of
+break your bread;' and so on.
+
+There is a great deal of sensible advice upon dress. Ladies _sur le
+retour_--that is, those who are _cinquante ans sonnés_--are
+recommended never to wear gay colours, dresses of slight materials,
+flowers, feathers, or much jewellery; always to cover their hair, wear
+high-made gowns, and long sleeves; not to adopt a new fashion the very
+moment it appears; and all women, old or young, rich or poor, are
+reminded that what is new and fashionably made, and, above all, fresh
+and clean, looks infinitely better and more ladylike than the richest,
+most expensive dresses, caps, or bonnets that are the least tarnished,
+faded, or of a peculiar cut no longer worn. Those candid ladies who
+persist in wearing gray hair--a mode the author rather approves of,
+except where nature, which she sometimes does, silvers the locks while
+the countenance still continues youthful--are requested not to render
+themselves absurd by intermingling artificial flowers; and a great
+deal of ridicule is also directed against the English, who not only
+caricature the French fashions they copy, but go about grinning in
+incongruous colours, instead of tasteful contrasts, jumbling old
+bonnets with new gowns and half-dirty shawls, and who walk the streets
+in carriage costume. Brides bearing about orange-flowers longer than
+the day of their marriage are unmercifully quizzed; as likewise the
+habit of wearing satins in summer, or straw in winter--sins
+exclusively British. Young married women are told not to go into
+public without their husbands or some steady middle-aged matron; they
+may take a walk with an unmarried friend, although this last must
+never attempt to fly in the face of propriety by promenading with a
+companion like herself; and no lady of any age can possibly enter a
+library, museum, or picture-gallery alone, unless she wishes to study
+as an artist.
+
+I grieve to say, in that portion which is devoted to modesty and
+propriety of behaviour, the extreme freedom of manner and conversation
+in which young English females indulge, are both severely reprobated;
+their imprudence in walking about and sitting apart with young men
+held up as an example to be sedulously avoided by well-bred French
+girls; their so frequently taking _complimens d'usage_ for real
+admiration, and either fancying the poor man, innocently repeating
+mere words of course, to be a lover, or else blushing and looking
+offended, as if he meant to insult, is sneered at rather
+ill-naturedly. You are next told how you should enter a shop, which,
+however small, you must term a _magasin_, not a _boutique_; and the
+_marchand_ himself also receives his lesson: he is to salute his
+customer with a low bow and a respectful air, offer a seat, and
+display with alacrity all that is asked for; and however imperious or
+whimsical he or she may be, to continue the utmost urbanity of manner;
+though, if any positive impertinence is shewn, the shopman is
+permitted to be silent and grave; he must apologise if forced to give
+copper money in change, and treat his humblest customer with as much
+respect and attention as those who give large orders. But as
+politeness ought in all cases to be reciprocal, the purchaser is
+instructed to raise his hat on entering, and ask quietly and civilly
+for what he wishes to see. No one should say: 'I want so and so;'
+'Have you such and such a thing?' but, 'Will you be so good as shew
+me?' or, 'I beg of you to let me look at,' &c. Should you not succeed
+in suiting yourself, always express regret for the trouble you have
+given. If the price be above what you calculated upon, ask simply if
+it is the lowest; say you think you may find the article cheaper
+elsewhere; but should this be a mistake, you will certainly give the
+person you are speaking to the preference, &c. We ought to strive to
+be agreeable to every one.
+
+_Les gens de bureau_ come next under discussion. They are, it seems,
+not renowned for politeness; and one should not, therefore, be
+displeased if, instead of rising from his seat and placing a chair,
+the banker merely bows and points to one. Lawyers, on the contrary,
+are expected to behave like any other gentlemen; so also physicians.
+The patient is directed in both cases to relate his grievances in
+short, pithy sentences; answer all questions clearly; apologise for
+taking up their time by asking them in turn--in consequence, he must
+say, of his own ignorance; and then finish by warmly thanking them for
+the attention they give to his affairs. Authors and artists must
+affect great modesty if their performances are brought upon the
+_tapis_ and complimented, and say nothing that can lead to the
+supposition, that they are envious of any _confrère_ by criticising
+him. Their entertainers ought to talk to them in praise of their
+books, pictures, or performances; and if not connoisseurs, at least
+declare themselves amateurs of the particular sort their guest excels
+or would be thought to excel in; but not confining the conversation to
+this, as if you supposed it was the only subject the person you wished
+to please was capable of taking any interest in.
+
+Politeness in the streets is a chapter in itself, and a long one. To
+give the wall to females, old age, or high public dignitaries, is very
+right in France, where there seems to be no rule for going right or
+left. In England, however, it is surely more easy for all parties to
+keep to their proper side of the way; but in both countries
+burden-bearers, those of babies excepted, should give way, go into the
+kennel, and never presume to incommode passengers of any rank. You are
+entreated neither to elbow, push, nor jostle, but stand sideways to
+let elderly people or ladies pass, who in their turn should express
+their thanks by a slight inclination of the head. We are further
+directed to tread on the middle of the stone, and not slip carelessly
+into the mud, and run the risk of splashing our neighbour. An
+Englishwoman, it is observed, either allows her petticoats to sweep
+the streets, or lifts them in an awkward manner, sometimes even using
+both hands; whereas a Parisian with her right hand gathers all the
+folds to that side, and raises the whole dress a little above the
+ankle, without fuss or parade. We would recommend our fair
+countrywomen to practise this elegant mode of avoiding soiled
+garments, and likewise doing what is termed _s'effarer_--that is, to
+avoid as much as possible touching or being touched by those who pass;
+mutually giving way, instead of charging forward _à l'Anglaise_,
+careless of whom you run against, so as only you make your own way.
+Here follows what sounds strange to us--namely, that if you are
+overtaken by a heavy shower, and see a stranger walking in the same
+direction with an umbrella, you may, without a breach of good manners,
+request to share it. The umbrella-bearer should on his side, it is
+remarked, cheerfully accord you shelter; and if the end of your
+respective promenades are too distant from each other for him to
+conduct you to your residence, he should make an apology at being
+forced to deprive you of the accommodation, which, 'but for being
+obliged to be at home at such an hour, or some excuse,' it would
+otherwise have given him so much pleasure to afford you. 'Those little
+graceful turns of language,' which we might think downright
+falsehoods, are not to be more so considered than--'I am happy to see
+you,' or 'I am your obedient servant' at the end of a letter. They
+are, it is argued, understood forms of speech, which every well-bred
+person practises--some of the 'sweet small courtesies of life, which
+help to smooth its road.' When walking with a friend, should he raise
+his hat to an acquaintance whom you never even saw before, you are
+bound to pay the same compliment; and this idea is so much _de
+rigueur_, that formerly very polite persons would rather affect not to
+see their friends than force their companions to salute them also.
+Now, however, the proper style is to say: 'I take the liberty to
+salute Monsieur So-and-so,' to which the answer is: 'Je vous en prie
+monsieur.' 'Never,' says our author, 'appear to see any one who is
+looking out of his window or door, both improper practices, especially
+the latter.' When a gentleman speaks to one much older than himself,
+or to a lady, he not only raises his hat quite off his head--for none
+'but an ignorant boor or a _fier Anglais_' ever does otherwise--but
+holds it in his hand until requested to replace it. When you ask your
+way, even of a street-porter or an apple-woman, it is necessary
+slightly to half-raise the hat, and address them as Monsieur or
+Madame, 'which is the way to,' &c.; and really these courteous habits,
+which give little trouble, are, we must own, as pleasing as our own
+rough ones are the reverse.
+
+The chapter on visiting is very French. You are reminded that, when
+you make your calls, you should avoid doing so upon days when a cold
+or headache prevents you from looking well or conversing agreeably.
+From twelve to five are the hours mentioned for morning visits,
+instead of from two to six, which we think a better time. You must be
+dressed with evident care, but as plainly as possible if you walk:
+hold your card-case in the hand with an embroidered and lace-trimmed
+pocket-handkerchief, 'pour donner un air de bon goût.' You may
+inscribe your title on your card, but it is better merely to put your
+name, such as 'Monsieur' or 'Madame de la Tarellerie,' with an earl or
+viscount's coronet, or whatever your rank, above; and if you have no
+title, your name without the 'Monsieur,' as 'Alfred Buntal;' however,
+when you visit with your wife, you write 'Monsieur et Madame Buntal.'
+When, instead of sending your cards by your servant, you call
+yourself, you add 'E. P.' (_en personne_); but this is only allowable
+in very great people. 'In visiting people of distinction, you leave
+your parasol, umbrella, clogs, cloak, footman, nurse, child, and dog,
+in the ante-room among the servants, who are there to announce you;'
+but in ordinary life, after ascertaining from the _concierge_, or the
+cook in the kitchen, that your friend is at home, you only tap at the
+door, and on hearing '_Entrez_,' step in. You advance with grace, bow
+with dignified respect, seat yourself (if a man who visits a lady) at
+the lower end of the room, and never quit hat or cane until desired,
+and not then till _la troisième sommation_. The placing this said hat
+properly, seems to be an affair of the utmost moment. You may place it
+on the bottom of a table, on a stand, or even upon the floor, but are
+warned not to put it on the bed, for as that always belongs to the
+lady of the house, it should not be approached by the visiting
+gentleman. The receiver should both appear and express him or herself
+enchanted and charmed to welcome their _monde_, assure them of the
+great regret felt at their departure--however you may wish them
+gone--say, or repeat as said by others, what will please; and never
+allude, even indirectly, to anything that can possibly hurt or mortify
+any one. When other visitors are announced, those who have been above
+ten minutes, had better go: a man should slip away without
+leave-taking. If discovered, and begged to remain by the mistress of
+the house, he must be asked and refuse three times before he consents;
+then sit down for two minutes only, rising then, and saying an affair
+of consequence obliges him to quit _la charmante société_. No
+gentleman will permit, of course, any one to _reconduire_ him when his
+friends are engaged with other company, but shut the door himself,
+_vivement_, after a general _salut_ and a pretty compliment. But it
+will better give an idea of the minute directions considered
+necessary, if I translate a sentence entire:--When, during a 'visit of
+half-ceremony,' you are earnestly requested to remain a little longer,
+it is better to yield; but in a few minutes rise again. Should your
+hostess still further insist, taking you by the hands, and forcing you
+again to seat yourself, it would be scarcely polite not to comply;
+but, at the same time, after a short interval, you must make your
+adieus a third time, and positively depart.
+
+When several meet together, polite persons contrive to make those who
+went last into one room enter first into the next; and as hosts
+distribute attentions to all in turn--handing the lady of highest
+rank, or greatest age, into a dinner or supper room--he or she
+recommends a particular dish first to the second in consideration,
+proposes to a third to examine a picture, or any pretty thing, before
+handing it to others; and so on--making, as it were, every one of
+consequence, and socially promoting _liberté_, _egalité_, and
+_fraternité_. Those who are poor, and have no servant to attend at
+their home during absence, should place a slate and slate-pencil at
+their door, in order that those who visit them may write their names
+and business.
+
+When you receive company, your apartment should unite French elegance
+with English comfort. If not rich, and able to keep many servants,
+appoint one day in the week to see your friends, and keep to that day
+always. Let your dress, and that of your domestic, and the arrangement
+of your small domicile, be all in order: however poor and simple, be
+clean and tidy; have flowers, and whatever small elegances you can
+collect. 'It is better to receive in the _salon_, if you have one,
+than in your bedroom; but that should be preferred before the _salle à
+manger_.'--To understand this, we must remember, that in ordinary
+life--especially in the provinces--the dining-room resembles in
+general a servants-hall--deal-table, brick floor, or at best boarded,
+with no carpet; and so forth; the lady's bedroom, on the contrary,
+except the bed, might pass for a boudoir, everything unseemly being
+removed during the day.--And when you give a party, you can
+take coffee in your own private apartment, and receive your
+morning-visitors there always. When any one enters, rise, go to meet
+him, and say how glad you are to see him. A lady you take by the hand,
+and seat her on the sofa, where the lady of the house may place
+herself likewise; but the monsieur must not presume on such a liberty,
+but draw his chair to a convenient distance from it for conversation.
+You offer a young man an easy-chair, but an old gentleman you _insist_
+upon occupying it. If the best place in the room be filled by a young
+woman, and one to whom respect is due enters, the former cedes it to
+the last arrival, and modestly places herself opposite the fire, which
+in winter is considered the least honourable situation, as the side is
+the most so. People of _bon ton_ present their guests with footstools,
+not _chaufferettes_, as is the comfortable custom in grades less
+distinguished. Those who are occupied working or drawing, must lay
+both aside when but slightly acquainted with their visitor; if, on the
+contrary, it is one whom you see frequently, you comply with the
+request which she ought to make, that you will continue it. But should
+it be a relative, or very intimate friend, you yourself beg permission
+to go on with your employment, if at least it is one you can pursue
+and converse easily at the same time; but it should be quite
+subservient to your visitor's entertainment.
+
+When a new guest arrives, the others rise as well as the master and
+mistress of the house; it is considered very ill-bred not to do so, or
+not to treat with politeness every one you meet at a house where you
+visit--conversing agreeably, and not looking at a stranger with a
+stony stare, like a stiff Englishman, as if you supposed they were not
+as fit for society as yourself, a style of insular manners considered
+insolent in that 'nation whose inhabitants give laws of politeness to
+the world.' If there are many people present at a morning-call, the
+earlier comers should retire. During extremely hot weather, or to an
+author reading his production, you may offer a glass of sirup, or _eau
+sucrée_, or if a lady becomes faint, some _fleur d'orange_ and water;
+but it is provincial to propose anything else; and, indeed, the French
+never eat between meals, or in any rank above the very lowest will one
+be seen to partake of anything in the street, fruit or cake, or even
+give them to their children, it being considered quite mob-manners to
+do so.
+
+It need hardly be said, in conclusion, that the French exercise
+considerable tact in the matter of introducing one person to another.
+They know who should be introduced to each other, and who should not.
+In our own country, people sometimes think they are performing an act
+of politeness in introducing one person to another, whereas they are
+probably giving offence to one of the parties. And with this hint on
+an important subject, we close our observations on the laws of
+politeness.
+
+
+
+
+OUR WILD-FRUITS.
+
+
+The next native fruits which demand our notice are the strawberry,
+raspberry, and the varieties of the bramble tribe, all of which are to
+be classed under the third section of the natural order _Rosaceæ_, and
+form the ninth genus of that order. The general characteristics of
+these are--the calyx flattish at the bottom, and five-cleft; five
+petals; many stamens inserted into the calyx with the petals; many
+fleshy carpels arranged on a somewhat elevated receptacle, with
+lateral style, near the points of the carpels.
+
+We will begin with the strawberry (_Fragaria_.) The last fruits of
+which we spoke--the plum and cherry--though the produce of much larger
+plants, nay, one of them of a tree which ranks among the timber-trees
+of our land, are not of superior, if of equal value to those which are
+about to engage our attention. An old writer quaintly remarks: 'It is
+certain that there _might_ have been a better berry than the
+strawberry, but it is equally certain that there is not one;' and I
+suppose there are few in the present day who will be disposed to
+dispute this opinion, for there are few fruits, if any, which are in
+more general repute, or more highly prized, than the strawberry and
+raspberry; and though the cultivated species have now nearly, if not
+quite superseded the wild, yet we must not forget that there was a
+time when none but the latter were to be obtained in England, and that
+the native sorts of which we are now to speak are the parents of
+almost all the rich varieties which at present exist in the land.
+There are doubtless many among the inhabitants of our towns and cities
+who have never gathered or seen the strawberry in its wild state; and
+many, very many more who are wholly unacquainted with the peculiar and
+interesting structure of this fruit and its allies--the raspberry,
+blackberry, dewberry, and their congeners. The plant which bears the
+strawberry, whether the wild or garden species, is an herb with
+three-partite leaves, notched at the edge with a pair of largo
+membraneous stipules at their base. When growing, this plant throws
+out two kinds of shoots--one called _runners_, which lie prostrate on
+the ground, and end in a tuft of leaves--these root into the soil, and
+then form new plants--and another growing nearly upright, and bearing
+at the end a tuft of flowers which produce the fruit. The calyx, which
+is flat, green, and hairy, is divided into ten parts, called sepals,
+and there are five petals; the stamens, which are very numerous, and
+grow out of the calyx, are placed in a crowded ring round the pistil.
+This pistil consists of a number of carpels, arranged in many rows
+very regularly on a central receptacle; each carpel has a style,
+ending in a slightly-lobed stigma; and an ovary, wherein lies one
+single ovule, or young seed. The course of the transformation of this
+apparatus into fruit is highly curious and interesting. First, the
+petals fall off, and the calyx closes over the young fruit;
+immediately the receptacle on which the carpels grow begins to swell,
+and soon after the carpels themselves increase in size, and become
+shining, whilst their styles begin to shrivel. The receptacle
+increases in size so much more and faster than the carpels, which soon
+cease to enlarge at all, that they speedily begin to be separated by
+it, and the surface of the receptacle to become apparent. In a little
+time, the carpels are completely scattered in an irregular manner over
+the surface of the receptacle, which has become soft and juicy, and
+has all along been pushing aside the calyx, which finally falls back
+almost out of sight. The receptacle finally assumes a crimson colour,
+grows faster and faster, and becomes sweet and fragrant. Those which
+we commonly call the seeds of the strawberry, then lie on the surface,
+and these, if carefully examined, will prove to be the carpels
+containing the seeds in a little thin shell like a small nut. The
+strawberry is, therefore, not, properly speaking, a fruit; it is a
+fleshy receptacle, bearing the fruit on it, which fruit is, in fact,
+the ripe carpels. Now this structure is, as I have said, common to all
+strawberries, each variety having, however, its own peculiarities of
+growth and appearance.
+
+There are but nine distinct species of the tribe Fragaria: one native
+in Germany, where it is called Erdbeere; two in North, and one in
+South America; one in Surinam; and one in India; the remaining three
+being indigenous in Britain, where, besides these three wild species,
+there are at least sixty mongrel varieties, the results of
+cultivation; some of which, recently produced from seed, are of great
+excellence. The finest of these native British species is the
+wood-strawberry (_Fragaria vesca_), which is common everywhere; the
+second, the hautboy (_F. elatior_), is much less frequently found, and
+is by Hooker supposed to be scarcely indigenous; and the third, the
+one-leaved strawberry (_F. monophylla_), is unknown to me, and only
+named by some writers as a species. The common wood-strawberry bears
+leaves smaller, more sharply notched, and more wrinkled in appearance,
+than any of the cultivated species. The earliest formed are closely
+covered, as is the stem, with white silvery hairs, and the leaves turn
+red early in the autumn, or in dry weather. The blossoms appear very
+early in the spring, throwing up their delicate white petals on every
+bank and hedgerow, among the clusters of violets and primroses, and
+even not unfrequently before these sweet harbingers of spring venture
+to unfold and give promise of abundant fruit. But though the blossoms
+are so common, from some reason or other the fruit seldom ripens
+freely, unless along some of the more remote and secluded woodpaths,
+where the bright red berries lurk on every sunny bank, between the
+trunks of the old beech and oak trees, and are overhung by the
+beautiful bunches of polypody and foxglove, and other free-growing
+wild-plants which spring in such solitudes, providing the flocks of
+varied song-birds which frequent such delightful glades with many a
+juicy meal.
+
+Few things can be more agreeable than a day of strawberry-picking in
+the woods and glens where they abound, when troops of happy little
+children are scattered about, singly, or in groups of three or four,
+each with a basket to receive the delicious spoil, and all grubbing
+among the moss and herbage, and shouting with exultation as one
+cluster after another reveals itself to their eager researches. Some
+are too much engaged in the quest to notice the brilliant flowers
+which at another time would have engrossed all their thoughts; whilst
+others, wreathed round with the bright blue wood-vetch, the shining
+broad-leaved bryony, and the rose and honeysuckle, will have to lay
+down the large handfuls of flowers with which they have encumbered
+themselves, before they can share in the enjoyment of collecting the
+fragrant berries. Then comes the hour of assembling, to take their tea
+and eat the sweet, fresh fruit, and talk over their adventures with
+the happy parents who have awaited the gathering together of the young
+ones. Perhaps this assembling takes place in the nearest farmhouse,
+where fresh milk and rich cream are added to the repast; or it may be
+under the boughs of one of those masters of the forest, which we may
+fancy to have seen such gatherings, year by year, for centuries past,
+and could tell us tales of groups of little people, arranged in the
+costumes depicted by Holbein, Vandyk, or Lely, the garb of ancient
+days, seated by their stately seniors, whilst the antlered deer, then
+the free denizens of the forest, stood at bay, half-startled at the
+merry party which had invaded their solitude; and the squirrel, little
+more vivacious in its furry jacket than the stiffly-dressed little
+bipeds, sprang from bough to bough overhead; and the hare and rabbit
+bounded along over the distant upland. But we must return to our
+description of
+
+                    The blushing strawberry,
+    Which lurks close shrouded from high-looking eyes,
+    Shewing that sweetness low and hidden lies.
+
+The whole tribe takes its generic name from its fragrance; the word
+_fragrans_, sweet-smelling, being that from which Fragaria is derived.
+The wood-strawberry is seldom larger than a horse-bean, of a brilliant
+red, and the flesh whiter than that of any cultivated species; the
+flavour is remarkably clear and full--a pleasant subacid, with more of
+the peculiar strawberry perfume in the taste than any other. They are
+very wholesome, indeed considered valuable medicinally. The other wild
+species is the hautboy: this is larger than _F. vesca_, more hairy,
+and its fruit a deeper red; the flavour, like that of the
+garden-hautboy, rather musty; in its uses and qualities, it resembles
+_F. vesca_. The strawberry does not seem to have been noticed by the
+ancients, though it is slightly named by Virgil, Ovid, and Pliny. It
+appears to have been cultivated in England early, as an old writer,
+Tusser, says:
+
+    'Wife, into the garden, and set me a plot,
+    With strawberry-roots the best to be got;
+    Such growing abroad among thorns in the wood,
+    Well chosen and pricked, prove excellent good.'
+
+Gerarde speaks of them as growing 'in hills and valleys, likewise in
+woods, and other such places as be something shadowie; they prosper
+well in gardens, the red everywhere; the other two, white and green,
+more rare, and are not to be founde save only in gardens.' Shakspeare
+speaks of this fruit. We find the Bishop of Ely, when conversing with
+the Archbishop of Canterbury on the change of conduct manifested by
+the young King Henry V., on his coming to the throne, says:
+
+    'The strawberry grows underneath the nettle,
+    And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best
+    Neighboured by fruits of baser quality,
+    And so the prince,' &c.
+
+And the Duke of Gloster, when counselling in the Tower with his
+allies, and plotting to strip his young nephew of his crown and
+honours, says:
+
+    'My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn,
+    I saw good strawberries in your garden there:
+    I do beseech you send for some of them.'
+
+Parkinson speaks, in 1629, of their having been introduced 'but of
+late days.' As an article of diet, this fruit offers but little
+nourishment, but it is considered useful in some diseases, and
+generally wholesome, though there are some constitutions to which it
+is injurious. Linnæus states, that he was twice cured of the gout by
+the free use of strawberries; and Gerarde and other old authors
+enlarge much on their efficacy in consumptive cases. Phillips tells
+us, that 'in the monastery of Batalha is the tomb of Don John, son of
+King John I. of Portugal, which is ornamented by the representation of
+strawberries, this prince having chosen them for his crest, to shew
+his devotion to St John the Baptist, who lived on fruits.' This is
+rather a curious notion, for though the Scripture tells us of St John
+the Baptist, that when in the wilderness 'his meat was locusts and
+wild honey,' we have no reason to suppose that he lived always even on
+these. What these locusts were is problematical, but it is likely they
+were the fruit of the locust-tree, _Hymenæa_, which bears a pod
+containing a sort of bean, enclosed in a whitish substance of fine
+filaments, as sweet as sugar or honey. The wild bees frequent these
+trees, and it is probable that here St John found his twofold aliment;
+but we have no particular reason to suppose that he wholly lived on
+fruit, and certainly could have little to do with strawberries, as
+there is no species indigenous in the Holy Land.
+
+But we must now proceed to examine and record the structure of the
+raspberry, raspis, or hindberry, by all which names it is called. This
+is a species of the Rubus, of which Hooker records only ten species as
+native in Britain, though Loudon extends the number to thirteen; of
+which one, the dwarf crimson (_Rubus araticus_), is to be found only
+in Scotland. We cannot, of course, notice each of these species
+separately, nor will it be necessary to do so, as the varieties which
+mark the different kinds of common bramble are such as would not be
+observed except by an accurate botanist. This tribe, which takes its
+name from the Celtic _rub_, which signifies _red_, and is supposed to
+be so named from the red tint of its young shoots, as well as from the
+colour of the juice of its berry, consists chiefly of shrub-like
+plants, with perennial roots, most of which produce suckers or stolons
+from the roots, which ripen and drop their leaves one year, and resume
+their foliage, produce blossom shoots, flowers, and fruit, and die the
+next year, of which the raspberry and common bramble are examples. In
+some of the species the stem is upright, or only a little arched at
+the top, but in the greater number it is prostrate and arched, the
+ends of the shoots rooting when they reach the ground, and forming new
+plants, sometimes at the distance of several yards from the parent
+root. The branches and stems are all more or less prickly; those of
+the common bramble being armed with strong and sharp spines, and even
+the leaf-stems lined with very sharp reflected prickles, which hitch
+in everything they come near, and inflict sharp wounds. The corolla is
+formed of an inferior calyx of one leaf, divided into five segments,
+of five petals in some species; and in others pink, but always of very
+light and fragile texture, and more or less crumpled, on which the
+caterpillar of the beautiful white admiral butterfly (_Limenitis
+camilla_) sometimes feeds. It has many stamens, arranged like those of
+the strawberry; and the pistil is composed, as that is, of a number of
+carpels rising out of a central receptacle.
+
+But now let us examine the structure of the fruit, which we shall find
+differs materially from that of the strawberry in its formation. We
+will take that of the raspberry as our example; for though the berries
+of the whole tribe are on the same construction, we cannot have one
+better known or which would better illustrate the subject. If you pull
+off the little thimble-shaped fruit from its stem, you will find
+beneath a dry, white cone; this is the receptacle, and the very part
+which you eat in the strawberry. If you look attentively at a ripe
+raspberry, you will find that it is composed of many separate little
+balls of fleshy and juicy substance, each entirely covered by a thin,
+membraneous skin, which separates it wholly from its neighbour, and
+from the cone. Each of these contains a single seed, and from each a
+little dry thread, which is the withered style, projects. You will
+find none of the dry grains which lie on the surface of the
+strawberry, the part which corresponds with the inner part of those,
+lying in the juicy pulp below, whilst that which once corresponded
+with their outer part or shell, has itself been transformed into that
+juicy pulp which covers them: the fact is, that the carpels of the
+raspberry, instead of remaining dry like the strawberry, swell as they
+ripen, and acquire a soft, pulpy coat, which in time becomes red,
+juicy, and sweet. These carpels are so crowded together, that they at
+last grow into one mass, and form the little thimble-shaped fruit
+which we eat, the juices of the receptacle being all absorbed by the
+carpels, which eventually separate from it, and leave the dry cone
+below. Lindley says: 'In the one case, the receptacle robs the carpels
+of all their juice, in order to become gorged and bloated at their
+expense; in the other case, the carpels act in the same selfish manner
+on the receptacle.'
+
+If you observe the berries of the common brambles, the dewberry, and
+the cloudberry, you will find them to be all thus formed, though the
+number of _grains_, as these swollen carpels are called, differ
+materially--the dewberry often maturing only one or two, while the
+raspberry, and some kinds of the brambleberry, present us with twenty
+and more.
+
+The raspberry was but little noticed by the ancients. Pliny speaks of
+a sort of bramble called by the Greeks _Idæus_, from Mount Ida, but he
+seems to value it but little. He says, however: 'The flowers of this
+raspis being tempered with honey, are good to be laid to watery or
+bloodshotten eyes, as also in erysipelas; being taken inwardly, and
+drunk with water, it is a comfortable medicine to a weak stomach.'
+Gerarde speaks of it under the name of hindeberry, as inferior to the
+blackberry. The wild raspberry, which is the stock whence we get the
+garden red raspberry, grows freely in many parts of England. It is
+found in Wilts, Somerset, Devonshire, and other counties, but is most
+abundant in the north. Except in size, it is little inferior to the
+cultivated kinds, and possesses the same colour, scent, and flavour.
+This fruit, and the strawberry, are especially suitable for invalids,
+as they do not engender acetous fermentation in the stomach. In
+dietetic and medicinal qualities, these fruits are also much alike.
+The bramble, which grows everywhere, creeping on every hedge, and
+spreading on the earth in all directions, abounds in useful
+properties, most parts of the plant being good for use. The berries
+make very tolerable pies, and are much in request for such purposes,
+and for making jam in farmhouses and cottages, where they are often
+mixed with apples to correct thereby the rather faint and vapid
+flavour that they possess when used by themselves. This jam, as well
+as the raw fruit, is considered good for sore throats, and for
+inflammation of the gums and tonsils. We are also told, that the young
+green shoots, eaten as salad, will fix teeth which are loose; probably
+(if it be so) it is from the astringent qualities in the juice
+strengthening and hardening the gums. The leaves pounded, are said to
+be a cure for the ringworm; and they are also made into tea by some of
+the cottagers, which is very useful in some ailments; and the roots
+boiled in honey, are said to be serviceable in dropsy. The green twigs
+are used to dye silk and woollen black; and silk-worms will feed on
+them, though the silk produced by those so fed is not equal to that of
+those fed on the mulberry. The long trailing shoots are important to
+thatchers for binding thatch, and are also used for binding
+straw-mats, beehives, &c.; and even the flowers were anciently
+supposed to be remedies against the most dangerous serpents. Loudon
+says: 'The berries, when eaten at the moment they are ripe, are
+cooling and grateful; a little before, they are coarse and
+astringent; and a little after, disagreeably flavoured or putrid.' He
+adds: 'Care is requisite in gathering the fruit, for one berry of the
+last sort will spoil a whole pie.' Great quantities of them are
+collected by the women and children in the country, and sold in the
+neighbouring towns by the quart. There is a double-flowered species of
+bramble, and one which bears _white_ berries. The fruit of the dwarf
+crimson (_R. araticus_), and that of the cloudberry (_R. chamæmorus_),
+are highly prized in Scotland and Sweden, and in the latter country
+are much used in sauces and soups, and for making vinegar; and Dr
+Clarke says, that he was cured of a bilious fever by eating great
+quantities. The cloudberry, which grows on the tops of the highest
+mountains, is the badge of the clan Macfarlane. The bramble seems to
+be of almost universal extent, at least it is found at the utmost
+limits of phænogamous vegetation; and we are led to remark the
+goodness of God in thus providing a plant which combines so many
+valuable qualities, and so many useful parts, capable of extending
+itself so freely in defiance of all impediments, and of standing so
+many vicissitudes of climate, without the aid of culture or care. The
+bramble is emphatically the property of the poor; its fruit may be
+gathered without restriction; its shoots, both in their young
+medicinal state, and in their harder and tougher growth, are theirs to
+use as they will; and their children may enjoy the sport of
+blackberry-picking, and the profits of blackberry-selling, none saying
+them nay; and many a pleasant and wholesome pudding or pie is to be
+found on tables in blackberry season, where such dainties are not
+often seen at any other time, unless, indeed, we except the
+whortleberry season. The poet Cowper sings of--
+
+      Berries that emboss
+    The bramble black as jet;
+
+and truly a plant which diffuses so many benefits, even under the
+least advantageous circumstances, may well deserve encomium.
+
+
+
+
+NICHOLAS POUSSIN.
+
+
+Nicholas Poussin was born at Andelys, in Normandy, in June 1593. His
+father, Jean Poussin, had served in the regiment of Tauannes during
+the reigns of Charles IX., Henry III., and Henry IV., without having
+risen to any higher rank than that of lieutenant. Happening to meet in
+the town of Vernon a rich and handsome young widow, Jean Poussin
+married her, left the service, and retired with his wife to the
+pleasant village of Andelys, where, in a year afterwards, Nicholas was
+born. His childhood resembled that of many other great painters.
+Whitewashed walls scribbled over with landscapes--school-books defaced
+with sketches, which _then_ drew down anger and reproof on the idle
+student, but which _now_ would form precious gems in many a rich
+museum--these were the early evidences of Poussin's genius. He was
+treated severely by his father, who thought that every vigorous,
+well-made boy ought of necessity to become a soldier--secretly
+consoled and encouraged by his mother, who loved him with an almost
+idolatrous affection, and who approved of his pursuits, not from any
+abstract love of art, but because she thought the profession of
+painting might be pursued by her darling without obliging him to leave
+his home.
+
+It happened that the painter, Quintin Varin, was an intimate
+acquaintance of the elder Poussin. Somewhat reluctantly, the
+ex-lieutenant gave his son permission to study the first principles of
+painting under their friend. The boy's first attempts were
+water-colour landscapes, his very straitened finances not allowing him
+to use oils. His subjects were the beautiful scenes around Andelys;
+and, despite of his inexperience, he knew so well how to transfer the
+living poetry of the scenery to his canvas, that his master one day
+said to him: 'Nicholas, why have you deceived me?--you must have
+learned painting before.'
+
+'I assure you I have not.'
+
+'Then,' said Varin, 'I am not fit to be thy master. There is a
+revelation of genius in thy lightest touch to which I have never
+attained. I should but cloud thy destiny in seeking to instruct thee.
+Go to Paris, dear boy; there thou wilt achieve both fame and fortune.'
+
+The advice was followed, and with a light purse, and a still lighter
+heart, Nicholas Poussin arrived in Paris. He bore a letter of
+introduction from Varin to the Flemish painter Ferdinand Elle, who
+consented to receive him as a pupil for the payment of three livres a
+month.
+
+There were already a dozen young people in the studio. When their new
+companion joined them, they amused themselves by laughing at him, and
+playing off practical jokes at his expense, which at first he bore
+with good-humour. It happened, however, one morning, that on examining
+his slender purse, he found that its contents had fallen to zero; and
+this unpleasant circumstance caused him, no doubt, to feel in an
+irritable state of mind. On reaching the studio, and just as he
+entered the door, he was inundated by the contents of a bucket of
+water, which one of his companions had suspended over the door, and
+managed to overturn on the head of Nicholas. Furious at this
+unexpected _douche_, he flew at its unlucky contriver, and gave him a
+hearty beating. There were three other lads in the studio; they all
+attacked Nicholas, who, however, proved more than their match,
+overthrowing two of his assailants, and obliging the third to fly.
+
+After this occurrence, Poussin became free from the petty annoyances
+which he had hitherto endured; but he found no friend in the studio of
+Ferdinand Elle, and he felt, besides, that he was losing his time, and
+learning nothing from that painter. These reasons determined him one
+day to write a respectful letter to his master, declining further
+attendance at the studio; and then, furnished with little of this
+world's goods, besides some pencils and paper, he set out, very
+literally, 'to seek his fortune.'
+
+It was then the beginning of summer; everything in nature looked
+lovely and glad, and Poussin insensibly wandered on, until he found
+himself in a fresh green meadow on the banks of the Marne. He lay down
+under the shade of an osier thicket, and presently became aware of the
+presence of a young man about his own age, who was busily employed in
+fishing. Nicholas watched him for some time, and then said: 'May I
+remark, that the bait you are using does not appear suited to this
+river?'
+
+'Very likely,' replied the stranger; 'I am but an inexperienced
+fisher, and will feel greatly obliged by your advice.'
+
+Poussin then arranged the line, put on a fresh bait, and in a few
+minutes a fine perch was landed on the grass.
+
+'Many thanks for your assistance,' said the young man; 'will you do me
+the favour to join in my repast?'
+
+It was two o'clock in the afternoon, and Nicholas had had no
+breakfast. He therefore gladly consented; and the angler, drawing
+from his fish-basket a large slice of savoury pie, a loaf of bread,
+and a flask of wine, they made a hearty meal together.
+
+After the fashion of the days of chivalry, the two knights-errant told
+each other their names and histories. The stranger, whose name was
+Raoul, was a young man of considerable property. His parents, living
+in Poitou, sent him to finish his education and polish his manners by
+frequenting fashionable society in Paris; but his tastes were simple,
+his habits retiring, and he had not met amongst the rich and noble any
+who pleased him so well as the poor penniless painter. With cordial
+frankness, he pressed Nicholas to take up his abode with him in Paris,
+and promised to advance him in the study of his art.
+
+The offer was accepted as freely as it was made, and Nicholas Poussin
+was thus enabled to pursue with ardour the noble studies to which his
+life was henceforth devoted, free from those petty cares and sordid
+anxieties which so often clog the wings of genius. By the interest of
+Raoul, many valuable collections of paintings, including the unique
+one of Segnier, were opened to him. Becoming acquainted with a brother
+student, Philippe de Champagne, he joined him for a time in receiving
+instruction from Lallemand, until, perceiving that that painter was no
+more capable of teaching him than Ferdinand Elle had been, he left his
+studio, and gave himself up to severe and solitary study.
+
+At twenty years of age, Nicholas Poussin steadily renounced every
+species of youthful pleasure and dissipation, that he might pursue his
+one noble object. He rose at daybreak, and regularly retired to rest
+at nine o'clock. During the winter months, he spent the early hours of
+the day in studying Greek and Latin under an old priest, who loved him
+and taught him gratuitously. The remainder of the day was devoted to
+painting, and the evening to short visits amongst the friends to whom
+he had been introduced by the active kindness of Raoul. In the summer,
+he loved to spend occasionally a long bright day in rambling through
+the beautiful scenery of Auteuil, taking sketches while his friend
+fished. The extent of their innocent dissipation consisted in dining
+at some rural hostelry on the produce of the morning's sport, washed
+down with a temperate modicum of wine. Thus pleasantly and profitably
+passed two years, at the end of which Raoul was recalled to his home.
+
+Despite of the excuses and remonstrances of Poussin, his friend
+insisted on his accompanying him to Poitou, assuring him of a hearty
+welcome from his own parents. From Raoul's father, indeed, the young
+painter received it; but his mother was a proud, ill-tempered woman,
+who affected to despise a dauber of canvas, and treated her son's
+friend as a sort of valet attached to his service. In short, she
+heaped insults on the young man, which even his love for Raoul could
+not force him to endure; and in order to escape the affectionate
+solicitations of his friend, he set out secretly one morning alone and
+on foot.
+
+Weary, penniless, and attacked with inward inflammation, he at length
+reached Paris. Philippe de Champagne received him, and watched over
+him like a brother until he recovered. A great degree of weakness and
+languor still depressed him; the air of Paris weighed on him like
+lead. He sighed for his native breeze at Andelys, and still more for
+his mother's embrace--his good and tender mother, whose letters to him
+were so often rendered almost illegible by her tears, and whose memory
+had been his sweetest comfort during the weary nights of sickness.
+
+He set out on his journey with six livres in his pocket, which he had
+earned by painting a bunch of hats on the sign-post of a hatter, and
+arrived safely at home. Soon afterwards, his father died, and Nicholas
+determined never again to leave his mother. She, tender woman that she
+was, grieved for a husband who had rarely shewn her any kindness, and
+who, in his hard selfishness, had now left her totally destitute. All
+the money she had brought him as her dowry, he, unknown to her, had
+sunk in an annuity on his own life, and nothing now remained for her
+but the devoted love of her only son.
+
+This, however, was a 'goodly heritage.' Those who zealously try to
+fulfil their duty, may be assured that a kind Providence will assist
+their efforts; and Nicholas succeeded for some time in maintaining his
+mother by the sale of water-colour paintings for the decoration of a
+convent chapel. At length, this resource failed; and the ardent young
+painter determined to relinquish all his bright visions, and learn
+some manual trade, when his mother was seized with illness, and,
+despite of his anxious care, died.
+
+No motive now detained him at Andelys. The sale of his slender
+possessions there furnished him with a little money; and, partly in
+order to assuage his grief for his mother, partly to see the works of
+the great masters, he determined to go to Italy.
+
+Rome was naturally the goal of his steps, but on this occasion he was
+not destined to reach it. On arriving at Florence, he met with an
+accidental hurt, which confined him to a lodging for a month, and when
+he was cured, left him almost penniless. Finding it impossible to
+dispose of the sketches which he drew for his daily bread, he
+determined to retrace his steps. Arrived at Paris, he was once more
+received by his faithful friend, Philippe de Champagne, and by him
+introduced to Duchesne, who was then painting the ornaments of the
+Luxembourg, and who engaged both the young men as his assistants.
+
+This promised to be a durable and profitable engagement; but Duchesne,
+who had but little pretension to genius, soon grew jealous of his
+young companions, and seized the first pretext for dismissing them.
+
+Shortly afterwards, the Jesuits of Paris celebrated the canonisation
+of St Ignatius and St Francis Xavier. For this occasion, Poussin
+executed six water-colour pictures, representing the principal events
+in the lives of these two personages. The merit of these works
+attracted the attention of Signor Marini, a distinguished courtier of
+the day. He was attached to the suit of Marie de Medicis, and held a
+high place amongst the literary and artistic, as well as gay circles
+of the court; his notice was therefore of importance to the artist,
+who by it was introduced amongst the great, the learned, and the gay.
+
+Wisely did he take advantage of mixing in this society to improve his
+knowledge of men and things, and to satisfy that craving for
+enlightenment which he felt equally when rambling in the fields,
+standing at his easel, or sitting as a timid listener in the splendid
+saloons of Signor Marini.
+
+This pleasant life lasted for a year; Marini was his Mecænas; orders
+for paintings flowed in on him; and when, in 1625, his patron went to
+Rome to visit Pope Urban VIII., Poussin would have accompanied him,
+but for an honourable dread of breaking some engagements which he had
+made. Amongst others, he had to finish a large piece representing the
+_Death of the Virgin_, undertaken for the guild of goldsmiths, who
+presented every year a picture to Notre-Dame.
+
+Marini tried in vain to shake his resolution. Nicholas Poussin had
+pledged his word, and nothing could make him break it--not even the
+advantage of accomplishing, in the company and at the expense of the
+generous Italian, that journey to Rome which had always formed his
+most cherished day-dream. The following year, Poussin went to Rome,
+and, to his great sorrow, found his kind patron suffering from a
+malady which speedily terminated his life. Thus was the painter once
+more thrown on his own resources in a city where he was a stranger;
+but his was not a nature to be discouraged by adversity. There was
+something grand in the serenity with which he spent days in examining
+the wondrous statues of the olden time, while a cheerless attic was
+his lodging, and his dinner depended on the generosity of a
+printseller for whom he worked occasionally, and who was not always in
+the humour to advance money.
+
+Many years afterwards, Poussin, in speaking of this period, said to
+Chantilon: 'I have sometimes gone to bed without having tasted food
+since the morning, not because I had no means of paying at a
+hostel--although _that_ also has befallen me at times--but because,
+after having my soul filled with the glorious beauty of ancient art, I
+could not endure to mingle in the low, sordid scenes of a cheap
+eating-house. Indeed, it was scarcely a sacrifice to do so, for my
+heart was too full to allow me to feel hunger.'
+
+Poussin studied nature with a minuteness that often exposed him to
+raillery. Whenever he made a country excursion, he brought back a bag
+filled with pebbles and mosses, whose various tints and forms he
+afterwards studied with the most scrupulous care. Vigneul de Marville
+asked him one day how he had reached so high a rank among the great
+painters. 'I tried to neglect nothing,' replied Poussin.
+
+True, indeed, he had neglected nothing. He gave his days and nights to
+the acquirement of various sciences. He understood anatomy better than
+any surgeon of his time; he knew history like a Benedictine, and the
+antiquities of Rome as a botanist does his favourite flora. But
+architecture was the art which he esteemed most essential to a
+painter; and accordingly his landscapes abound in exquisite
+delineations of buildings.
+
+His veneration for the works of his predecessors was very great. We
+find him, in a letter addressed to M. de Chantilon, requesting that a
+painting which he sent might not be placed in the same room with one
+of Raphael's--'lest the contrast might ruin mine, and cause whatever
+little beauty it has to vanish.'
+
+He was an ardent admirer of Domenichino, and copied many of his works.
+It happened one day, that as he was in a chapel busily employed in
+copying a painting by that master, he saw a feeble old man tottering
+slowly towards him, leaning on a crutch. The visitor, without
+ceremony, seated himself on the painter's stool, and began
+deliberately to examine his work. Poussin greatly disliked inquisitive
+critics, and now feeling annoyed, he began to put up his pallet, and
+to prepare for leaving.
+
+'You don't like visitors, young man?' said the old man smiling.
+'Neither did I. But when I was your age, and, like you, copying the
+works of the old masters, if one of them had come to look over my
+shoulder, and see how I succeeded in reproducing the form which he had
+created, I would not for that have put away my pallet, but I would
+gladly have sought his counsel.' And while he spoke, the handle of his
+crutch was rubbing against the centre of the picture.
+
+'Signor, are you mad?' exclaimed Poussin, seizing the offending
+crutch.
+
+'So they say, my child; but 'tis not true. No, no; Domenichino is not
+mad, and can still give good advice.'
+
+'Domenichino! what! the great Domenichino?' cried the young man.
+
+'The _poor_ Domenichino. Yes, you see him such as years and grief have
+made him. He has come, young man, to counsel you not to follow in his
+track, if you wish to gain fortune and renown. That,' he continued,
+pointing to his own painting,'is true and conscientious art. Well, it
+leads to the alms-house. I see that you have the power to become a
+great artist. Change your place; be extravagant, capricious,
+unnatural, and then you will succeed.'
+
+One may fancy the feelings of Poussin at hearing these words. He told
+Domenichino that he was ready to sacrifice everything to the love of
+true art, and respectfully accompanied him home.
+
+From that time until Zampieri's death, Poussin was his friend and
+pupil. He afterwards paid a debt of gratitude to the painter's memory,
+by causing his picture of the _Communion of St Jerome_, which had been
+thrown aside in a granary, to be placed opposite to the
+_Transfiguration_ of Raphael.
+
+By degrees, the marvellous talent of Poussin became known, and orders
+for paintings flowed in on him. He might have become rich, but he
+cared not for wealth, and was perhaps the only artist that ever
+thought his works too highly paid for. On one occasion, being sent one
+hundred crowns for a picture, he returned fifty.
+
+Cardinal Mancini paid him a visit one evening, and when he was going
+away, Poussin attended him with a lantern to the outer gate, and
+opened it himself. 'I pity you,' said the cardinal, 'for not having
+even one man-servant.' 'And I pity your eminence for having so many.'
+
+In his days of adversity, Poussin had been kindly received and nursed
+in the house of a M. Dughet, whose daughter he afterwards married. She
+was a simple, kind-hearted woman, and fondly attached to her husband,
+who appreciated her good qualities, and always treated her with
+affection, although she probably never inspired him with ardent love.
+Some years after their marriage, not having any children, Poussin
+adopted his wife's younger brother, Gaspard Dughet, who, under his
+instructions, became a painter of considerable merit. The remainder of
+Poussin's life was singularly prosperous. He continued to reside at
+Rome until summoned to return to France by Louis XIII., who, finding
+that several invitations to that effect, conveyed through ambassadors,
+failed to bring back Poussin, did him the honour to write him an
+autograph letter, entreating his presence. The painter obeyed the
+flattering summons, but unwillingly. He felt that he was sacrificing
+his independence to the splendid bondage of a court, and he often
+remembered with fond regret, 'the peace and the sweetness of his
+little home.'
+
+Two years he resided at court, tasting the sweets and bitters of
+ambition--the caresses of a powerful king, and a still more powerful
+cardinal--mingled with the envious intrigues and malicious detraction
+of jealous rivals. Poussin loved not such a life; his free spirit
+languished, his noble heart was pained; and in 1642, he requested and
+obtained leave to visit Italy, promising, however, to return.
+
+The deaths of Louis and Richelieu, which took place within a short
+period of each other, released Poussin from his pledge. From that
+time, he constantly resided at Rome, and executed his greatest works.
+Amongst these may be named: _Rebecca_, _The Seven Sacraments_, _The
+Judgment of Solomon_, _Moses striking the Rock_, _Jesus healing the
+Blind_, and _The Four Seasons_, each being represented by a subject
+from sacred history. All these, with the exception of _The Seven
+Sacraments_, are to be seen in the Louvre.
+
+Poussin died at Rome in 1665. His wife had expired a short time
+before, and grief for the loss of this fond and faithful partner broke
+down his energies and hastened his decease.
+
+'Her death,' he wrote, 'has left me alone in the world, laden with
+years, filled with infirmities, a stranger and without friends.' All
+those whom he loved had preceded him to their tombs, and the only
+relative at his death-bed was an avaricious nephew, eager to seize his
+possessions.
+
+The name of Nicholas Poussin will never die. He was the first great
+French painter; and in him were united what, unhappily, are often
+dissevered, the highest qualities of the head and of the heart--the
+lofty genius of the artist with the humble piety of the Christian.
+
+
+
+
+ORIGIN OF MUSIC.
+
+
+As to the hackneyed doctrine that derives the origin of music from the
+outward sounds of nature, none but poets could have conceived it, or
+lovers be justified in repeating it. Granting even that the singing of
+birds, the rippling of brooks, the murmuring of winds, might have
+suggested some idea, in the gradual development of the art, all
+history, as well as the evidence of common sense, proves that they
+gave no help whatever at the commencement. The savage has never been
+inspired by them; his music, when he has any, is a mere noise, not
+deducible by any stretch of the imagination from such sounds of
+nature. The national melodies of various countries give no evidence of
+any influence from without. A collection of native airs from different
+parts of the world will help us to no theory as to whether they have
+been composed in valleys or on plains, by resounding sea-shores or by
+roaring waterfalls. There is nothing in the music itself which tells
+of the natural sounds most common in the desolate steppes of Russia,
+the woody sierras of Spain, or the rocky glens of Scotland. What
+analogy there exists is solely with the inward character of the people
+themselves, and that too profound to be theorised upon. If we search
+the works of the earliest composers, we find not the slightest
+evidence of their having been inspired by any outward agencies. Not
+till the art stood upon its own independent foundations does it appear
+that any musicians ever thought of turning such natural sounds to
+account; and--though with Beethoven's exquisite Pastoral Symphony
+ringing in our ears, with its plaintive clarionet cuckoo to contradict
+our words--we should say that no compositions could be of a high class
+in which such sounds were conspicuous.--_Murray's Reading for the
+Rail._
+
+
+
+
+THE ARCHARD LEVER POWER.
+
+
+Our attention has been invited to an invention of a very remarkable
+character, which, if realising the claims asserted in its behalf, will
+fully equal, if it does not far exceed in importance, any discovery of
+the age. It consists in an entirely new application of the power of
+the lever, an application capable of being multiplied to an almost
+unlimited extent. To render our account of this new marvel quite
+incredible in the outset, we will state on the inventor's authority,
+that the steam of an ordinary tea-kettle may be made to produce
+sufficient momentum to propel a steamship of any size across the
+Atlantic! Or, again, one man may exert a power equal to that of a
+thousand horses, and that, too, without the aid of steam or any
+auxiliary other than his own stout arm. It overcomes or disproves the
+heretofore-received principle in mechanics, of not gaining power
+without a loss of speed. Archimedes, in declaring his ability to move
+the world, if he had a suitable position for his fulcrum, conveyed an
+apt illustration of the measureless power of the lever when exerted to
+its fullest extent. This fullest extent Mr Archard claims to have
+attained in the action of a succession of parallel levers--one lever
+upon a second, the second upon a third, the third upon a fourth, and
+so on progressively; each succeeding lever of the same length as the
+first, and all operating simultaneously, the one lever upon, and with
+all the others. This marvellous property of multiplying leverage, is
+attained without any diminution in speed, since, to whatever extent
+the additional levers may be carried, the entire succession is moved
+as one compact mass, operated upon at the same instant, the last lever
+moving at the same moment with the first. This simultaneous movement
+of a succession of parallel levers, acting the one upon the other,
+with a force successively increasing and in geometrical proportion, is
+the grand desideratum, the _ne plus ultra_, in the science of
+mechanics, which the inventor professes to have achieved. To place
+this multiplied _ad infinitum_ power in its plainest light, we may
+observe that a given power--say that of one horse--will impart to a
+lever of a given dimension a sixteenfold power; that sixteenfold power
+gives the succeeding lever sixty-fourfold increase; that to the third
+lever, 256; that gives to the fourth lever an increase of 1024; while
+this fourth lever, with its largely increased ability, gives to the
+fifth lever the enormous increase of 4096. If, therefore, this
+succession of leverage is rightly stated, a single horse is enabled to
+exert the power of four thousand and ninety-six horses!--_American
+Courier_.
+
+
+
+
+MY SPIRIT'S HOME.
+
+
+    Where is the home my spirit seeks,
+    Amid this world of sin and care,
+    Where even joy of sorrow speaks,
+    And Death is lurking everywhere?
+    Oh! not amid its fading bowers
+    My wearied soul can find repose,
+    For serpents lurk beneath its flowers,
+    And thorns surround its fairest rose.
+
+    The home of earth is not for me;
+    Far off my spirit's dwelling lies;
+    The eye of faith alone can see
+    Its pearly gates beyond the skies;
+    The ear of faith alone can hear
+    The music of its ceaseless song,
+    As nearer with each passing year
+    Its angel-chorus rolls along:
+
+    _There_ is the home my spirit seeks,
+    Above the fadeless stars on high!
+    Where not a note of discord breaks
+    The silver chain of harmony;
+    Where light without a shadow lies,
+    And joy can speak without a tear,
+    And Death alone--the tyrant--dies:
+    The home my spirit seeks is _there_!
+
+                                    M. Y. G.
+
+
+
+
+THE GUJARATI-HINDOO GIRLS' SCHOOL.
+
+
+Imagine in a spacious room, furnished after the European fashion, some
+thirty or forty little girls, all dressed in their best, many of them
+laden with rich ornaments--anklets and earrings--seated in order
+around the room, gazing anxiously from their large, lustrous, and
+soulful eyes upon the strangers who sit at the table directing the
+examination, aided by the teacher, the superintendents, the worthy
+Shet and his kinsmen; see behind them a crowd of Hindoos in their
+flowing robes and picturesque turbans, their faces beaming with
+eagerness and delight, as they watch the answers of the pupils--many
+of them relations, some even their wives; listen also to the low and
+sweet voices of childhood, chanting in the melodious Gujarâti (the
+Ionic of Western India) the praises of education; and you may be able
+to form some idea of the scene, and of one of the most pleasurable
+moments in the life of a new-comer.--_Bombay Gazette_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        _Just Published, Price 2s. 6d. Cloth lettered_,
+
+THE MORAL PHILOSOPHY OF PALEY: with Additional DISSERTATIONS and
+NOTES. By ALEXANDER BAIN, A. M. Forming one of the Volumes of
+CHAMBERS'S INSTRUCTIVE and ENTERTAINING LIBRARY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+                  _Price 6d. Paper Cover_,
+
+CHAMBERS'S POCKET MISCELLANY: forming a LITERARY COMPANION for the
+RAILWAY, the FIRESIDE, or the BUSH.
+
+                       VOLUME XI.
+
+           _To be continued in Monthly Volumes_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Printed and Published by W. and R. CHAMBERS, High Street, Edinburgh.
+Also sold by W. S. ORR, Amen Corner, London; D. N. CHAMBERS, 55 West
+Nile Street, Glasgow; and J. M'GLASHAN, 50 Upper Sackville Street,
+Dublin.--Advertisements for Monthly Parts are requested to be sent to
+MAXWELL & Co., 31 Nicholas Lane, Lombard Street, London, to whom all
+applications respecting their insertion must be made.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH ***
+
+***** This file should be named 24343-8.txt or 24343-8.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/3/4/24343/
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/24343-8.zip b/24343-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..130d4b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/24343-8.zip
diff --git a/24343-h.zip b/24343-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f5302c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/24343-h.zip
diff --git a/24343-h/24343-h.htm b/24343-h/24343-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df8a6a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/24343-h/24343-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,2620 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN"
+    "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+<head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type"
+          content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
+
+    <title>
+    The Project Gutenberg eBook of Chambers' Edinburgh Journal No. 462. November 6, 1852
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css">
+    /*<![CDATA[*/
+
+    <!--
+    body                 {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;
+		          max-width: 40em;}
+    p                    {text-align: justify;}
+    p.center             {text-align: center;}
+    p.left               {text-align: left;}
+    blockquote           {text-align: justify; font-size: 0.9em;}
+    h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6    {text-align: center;}
+    pre                  {font-size: 0.8em;}
+    .returnTOC           {text-align: right; font-size: 70%;}
+    hr                   {text-align: center; width: 50%;}
+    html>body hr         {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;}
+    hr.full              {width: 100%;}
+    html>body hr.full    {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;}
+    hr.short             {text-align: center; width: 20%;}
+    html>body hr.short   {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;}
+    hr.tiny              {text-align: center; width: 10%;}
+    html>body hr.tiny    {margin-right: 45%; margin-left: 45%; width: 10%;}
+    .sc			 {font-variant: small-caps;}
+    .smcap		 {font-variant: small-caps;}
+    .lowercase           {text-transform: lowercase;}
+    sup                  {vertical-align: 0.25em;}
+    .note                {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;}
+    span.pagenum         {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;}
+    .footnotes           {border: none;}
+    .footnote .label     {float:left; text-align:left; width:2em;}
+    .fnanchor            {font-size: smaller; text-decoration: none;
+                          font-style: normal; font-variant:normal;
+                          font-weight: normal; vertical-align: 0.25em;}
+    .footnote            {font-size: 0.9em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .contents
+    {margin-left:25%; margin-right:5%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;}
+    .poem
+    {margin-left:30%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;}
+    .poem .stanza        {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
+    .poem span.i0     {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i1     {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i2     {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i4     {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i6     {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i10    {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    // -->
+    /*]]>*/
+    </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462
+       Volume 18, New Series, November 6, 1852
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: William Chambers
+        Robert Chambers
+
+Release Date: January 17, 2008 [EBook #24343]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<h1>CHAMBERS' EDINBURGH JOURNAL</h1>
+
+<h2><a name="Contents" id="Contents">CONTENTS</a></h2>
+
+<div class="contents">
+
+<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. -->
+<p class="left">
+<a href="#THE_MANAGING_PARTNER"><b>THE MANAGING PARTNER.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#THE_MOUNTAIN_OF_THE_CHAIN_AND_ITS_LEGEND"><b>THE MOUNTAIN OF THE CHAIN AND ITS LEGEND.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#IRON_SHIPS"><b>IRON SHIPS.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#SCIENCE_OF_POLITENESS_IN_FRANCE"><b>SCIENCE OF POLITENESS IN FRANCE.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#OUR_WILD-FRUITS"><b>OUR WILD-FRUITS.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#NICHOLAS_POUSSIN"><b>NICHOLAS POUSSIN.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#ORIGIN_OF_MUSIC"><b>ORIGIN OF MUSIC.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#THE_ARCHARD_LEVER_POWER"><b>THE ARCHARD LEVER POWER.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#MY_SPIRITS_HOME"><b>MY SPIRIT'S HOME.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#THE_GUJARATI-HINDOO_GIRLS_SCHOOL"><b>THE GUJARATI-HINDOO GIRLS' SCHOOL.</b></a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[pg 289]</a></span></p>
+
+<img src="images/banner.png"
+          width="100%"
+          alt="Banner: Chambers' Edinburgh Journal" />
+
+<h4>CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, EDITORS OF 'CHAMBERS'S
+INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE,' 'CHAMBERS'S EDUCATIONAL COURSE,' &amp;c.</h4>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<table width="100%"
+        summary="Volume, Date and Price">
+<tr>
+<td align="left"><b><span class="sc">No.</span> 462.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="sc">New Series.</span></b></td>
+<td align="left"><b>SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1852.</b></td>
+<td align="right"><b><span class="sc">Price</span> 1&frac12;<i>d</i>.</b></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<h2><a name="THE_MANAGING_PARTNER" id="THE_MANAGING_PARTNER"></a>THE MANAGING PARTNER.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">She</span> is neither your partner, nor ours, nor anybody else's in
+particular. She is in general business, of which matrimony is only a
+department. How she came to be concerned in so many concerns, is a
+mystery of nature, like the origin of the Poet&mdash;or rather of black
+Topsy. The latter, you know, was not born at all, she never had no
+father nor mother, she was not made by nobody&mdash;she <i>growed</i>; and so it
+is with the managing partner, who was a managing partner from her
+infancy. It is handed down by tradition that she screamed lustily in
+the nurse's arms when anything went wrong, or as she would not have
+it; and this gave rise, among superficial observers, to the notion,
+that Missy was naturally cross. But the fact is, her screams were
+merely substitutes for words, like the inarticulate cries by which
+dumb persons express their emotions. When language came, she gave up
+screaming&mdash;but not managing. She did not so much play, as direct the
+play&mdash;distributing the parts to her companions, and remaining herself
+an abstraction. If she was ever seen cuffing a doll on the side of the
+head, or shaking it viciously by the arm, this was merely a burst of
+natural impatience with the stupid thing; but in general, she
+contented herself with desiring the mother of the offender to bestow
+the necessary chastisement. Her orders were usually obeyed; for they
+were seen to proceed from no selfish motive, but from an innate sense
+of right. This fact was obvious from the very words in which they were
+conveyed: You <i>should</i> be so and so; you <i>should</i> do so and so; you
+<i>should</i> say so and so. Her orders were, in fact, a series of moral
+maxims, which the other partners in the juvenile concern took upon
+trust.</p>
+
+<p>As she grew up into girlhood, and then into young-womanhood, business
+multiplied upon her hands. She was never particular as to what
+business it was. Like Wordsworth, when invited in to lunch, she was
+perfectly willing to take a hand in 'anything that was going forward;'
+and that hand was sure to be an important one: she never entered a
+concern of which she did not at once become the managing partner. In
+another of these chalk (and water) portraits, we described the
+Everyday Young Lady as the go-between in numberless love affairs, but
+never the principal in any. This is precisely the case with the young
+lady we are now taking off&mdash;yet how different are the functions of the
+two! The former listens, and sighs, and blushes, and sympathises,
+pressing the secret into the depths of her bosom, turning down her
+conscious eyes from the world's face, and looking night and day as if
+she was haunted by a Mystery. She is, in fact, of no use, but as a
+reservoir into which her friend may pour her feelings, and come for
+them again when she chooses, to enjoy and gloat over them at leisure.
+Her nerves are hardly equal to a message; but a note feels red-hot in
+her bosom, and when she has one, she looks down every now and then
+spasmodically, as if to see whether it has singed the muslin. When the
+affair has been brought to a happy issue, she attends, in an official
+capacity, the busking of the victim; and when she sees her at length
+assume the (lace) veil, and prepare to go forth to be actually
+married&mdash;a contingency she had till that moment denied in her secret
+heart to be within the bounds of possibility&mdash;she falls upon her neck
+as hysterically as a regard for the frocks of both will allow, and
+indulges in a silent fit of tears, and terror, and triumph.</p>
+
+<p>But the managing partner is altogether of a more practical character.
+She no sooner gets an inkling of what is going forward, than she steps
+into the concern as confidently as if any number of parchments had
+been signed and scaled. She is not <i>assumed</i> as a partner (in the
+Scottish phrase), but assumes to be one, and her assumption is
+unconsciously submitted to. To the other young lady the
+bride-expectant goes for sympathy, to this one for advice. And what
+she receives is advice, and nothing but advice. The Manager does not
+put her own hand to the business: she dictates what is to be done; she
+carries neither note nor message, but suggests the purport of both,
+and the messenger to be employed; she repeats the moral maxims of her
+childhood&mdash;You should be so and so; you should do so and so; you
+should say so and so. Sometimes she makes a mistake&mdash;but what then?
+she has plenty of other businesses to attend to, and the average is
+sure to come up well. In philosophy, she is a decided utilitarian;
+bearing with perfect never-mindingness the misfortunes of individuals,
+and holding by the greatest happiness of the greatest number.</p>
+
+<p>When the managing partner is herself married, the sphere of her
+exertions widens, and her perfect unselfishness becomes more and more
+apparent. She directs the affairs of her husband, of her friends, of
+her neighbours&mdash;everybody's affairs, in short, but her own. She has
+the most uncomfortable house, the most uncared-for children, the most
+untidy person in the parish: but how could it be otherwise, since all
+her thoughts and cares are given to her neighbours? Some people
+suppose that ambition is at the bottom of all this; but we do not
+share the opinion. The woman of the world is ambitious, for the
+aggrandisement of herself or family is the main-spring of all her
+management; but <i>our</i> manager finds in the trouble <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[pg 290]</a></span>she takes its own
+reward. The other would not stir hand or tongue without some selfish
+end in view; while she will work morning, noon, and night, without the
+faintest dream of remuneration. Again, Bottom the weaver is an
+ambitious character. Not satisfied with playing Pyramus&mdash;'An' I may
+hide my face,' says he, 'let me play Thisbe too!' And so likewise,
+when the lion is mentioned, he would fain play the lion in addition to
+both, promising to aggravate his voice in such a way as to roar you as
+gently as any sucking-dove. The managing partner would shrink from
+this kind of active employment. She would compose the play, distribute
+the parts, shift the scenes, and snuff the candles; but she would take
+no part in the performance. This makes her character a difficult
+study; but though difficult, it is not impossible for those who are
+gifted in that way to get to the bottom of it. <i>Our</i> theory is, that
+the fundamental motive of the managing partner is <span class="smcap lowercase">PHILANTHROPY</span>.</p>
+
+<p>In order to understand this, we must remember that she is original and
+unique only in the length to which she carries a common principle in
+human nature. Society is full of advisers on a small scale. If you ask
+your way to such a place in the street, the Mentor you invoke is
+instantaneously seized with a strong desire to befriend you. He calls
+after you a supplement to his directions; and if you chance to turn
+your head, you will observe him watching to see whether you do take
+the right hand. When the opinions of two advisers, no matter on what
+subject, clash, mark the heat and obstinacy with which they are
+defended. Each considers himself in the right; and believing your
+wellbeing to depend upon the choice you make, is humanely solicitous
+that you should give the preference to him. The managing partner
+merely carries out this feeling to a noble, not to say sublime extent,
+and becomes the philanthropist <i>par excellence</i>. Philanthropy is
+virtue, and virtue, we all know, is its own reward&mdash;that is, we all
+say; for in reality the idea is somewhat obscure. Perhaps we mean that
+it is the feeling of being virtuous which rewards the act of virtue,
+and if so, how happy must the managing partner be! Troubled by no
+vulgar ambition, by no hankering after notoriety, by no yearning to
+join ostensibly in the game of life, she shrouds herself in obscurity,
+as the widow Bessie Maclure in <i>Old Mortality</i> did in an old red
+cloak, and directs with a whisper the way of the passer-by. There is a
+certain awful pride which must swell at times in that woman's bosom,
+as she thinks of the events which her counsel is now governing, and of
+the wheels that are now turning and twirling in obedience to the
+impulse they received from her!</p>
+
+<p>The managing partner manages a great many benevolent societies, but it
+is unnecessary here to mention more than one. This is the
+Advice-to-the-poor-and-needy-giving Ladies' Samaritan Association. The
+business of this admirable institution is carried on by the
+lady-collectors, who solicit subscriptions, chiefly from the bachelors
+on their beat; and the lady-missionaries, who visit the lowest dens in
+the place, to distribute, with a beautiful philanthropy, moral Tracts,
+and Exhortations to be good, tidy, church-going, and happy, to the
+ragged and starving inmates. Although these, however, are the
+functionaries ostensible to the public, it is the managing partner who
+sets them in motion. She is neither president nor vice-president, nor
+treasurer nor secretary, nor collector nor missionary; but she is a
+power over all these, supreme, though nameless. She is likewise the
+editor (with a sub-editor for work) of the tracts and exhortations;
+and in the course of this duty she mingles charity with business in a
+way well worthy of imitation. The productions in question are usually
+received gratuitously, for advice of all kinds, as we have remarked,
+is common and plenty; but sometimes the demand is so great as to
+require the aid of a purchased pen. On such occasions the individual
+employed by the managing partner is a broken-down clergyman, who was
+deprived at once of his sight and his living by the visitation of God,
+and who writes for the support of a wife and fourteen children. This
+respectable character is induced, by fear of competition, and the
+strong necessity of feeding sixteen mouths with something or other, to
+use his pen for the Association at half-price; while he is compelled
+by his circumstances to reside in the very midst of the destitution he
+addresses, where he learns in suffering what he teaches in prose-ing.
+But, notwithstanding all this beautiful management, her schemes, being
+of human device, sometimes fail. An example of this is offered by the
+one she originated on hearing the first terrible cry of Destitution in
+the Highlands. Under her auspices, the Female Benevolent Trousers
+Society became extremely popular. Its object, of course, was to supply
+these garments gratuitously to the perishing mountaineers, in lieu of
+the cold unseemly kilt. It was discovered, however, after a time, that
+the Highlanders do not wear kilts at all; and the society was broken
+up, and its funds handed over, at the suggestion of the institutor,
+for the Encouragement of the interesting Mieau tribe of Old Christians
+in Abyssinia. The tenets of this tribe, you are aware, are in several
+instances wonderfully similar to our own; only, they abjure in their
+totality the filthy rags of the moral law, which has drawn upon them
+the bitter persecution of the heathenish Mohammedans in their
+neighbourhood.</p>
+
+<p>We have observed that the managing partner is impatient of another
+counsellor. This is a remarkable trait in her character. Even the
+woman of the world looks with approbation upon the doings of a
+congener, when they do not come into collision with her own; even the
+everyday married lady bends her head confidentially towards her
+double, as they sit side by side, and rises from the t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;te
+charmed and edified: the managing partner alone is solitary and
+unsocial. This is demanded by the lofty nature of her duties. Every
+business, great and small, should have a single head to direct; and
+she feels satisfied, after dispassionate reflection, that the best
+head of all is her own. This makes her wish conscientiously that there
+was only one business on the earth, that all mankind were her clients,
+and that there was not another individual of her class extant.</p>
+
+<p>In her last moments, and only then, this great-minded woman thinks of
+herself&mdash;if that can be said to be herself which remains in the world
+after she is defunct. She thinks of what is to become of her body, and
+feels a melancholy pleasure in arranging the ceremonies of its
+funeral. Everything must be ordered by herself; and when the last is
+said, her breath departs in a sigh of satisfaction. But sometimes
+death is in a hurry, or her voice low and indistinct. It happened in a
+case of this kind, that a doubt arose in the minds of the bystanders
+as to the shoulder she intended to be taken by one of the friends.
+They looked at her; but her voice was irretrievably gone, and they
+considered that, in so far as this point was concerned, the management
+had devolved upon them. Not so: the dying woman could not speak; but
+with a convulsive effort, she moved one of her hands, touched the left
+shoulder, and expired.</p>
+
+<p><i>De mortuis nil nisi bonum</i> is an excellent maxim; but in concluding
+this sketch, there can be no harm in at least regretting the
+imperfection of human nature. If its eminent subject, instead of
+spending abroad upon the world her great capacity, had been able to
+concentrate it in some measure upon herself and family, there can be
+little doubt that she would have been regarded in society with less of
+the contempt which genius, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[pg 291]</a></span>less of the dislike which virtue
+inspires in the foolish and wicked, and that fewer unreflecting
+readers would at this moment be whispering to themselves the
+concluding line of Pope's malignant libel&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Alive ridiculous, and dead forgot!<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="THE_MOUNTAIN_OF_THE_CHAIN_AND_ITS_LEGEND" id="THE_MOUNTAIN_OF_THE_CHAIN_AND_ITS_LEGEND"></a>THE MOUNTAIN OF THE CHAIN AND ITS LEGEND.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">The</span> neighbourhood of Gebel Silsilis, or the Mountain of the Chain, is
+very interesting in many respects. After flowing for some distance
+through the usual strip of alluvial plain, bordered by not very lofty
+undulating ground, the Nile suddenly sweeps into a gap between two
+imposing masses of rock that overhang the stream for above a mile on
+either hand. The appearance of the precipices thus hemming in and
+narrowing so puissant a volume of water, covered with eddies and
+whirlpools, would be picturesque enough in itself; but we have here,
+in addition, an immense number of caves, grottos, quarries, and
+rock-temples, dotting the surface of the rock, and suggesting at first
+sight the idea of a city just half ground down and solidified into a
+mountain. On the western bank, numerous handsome fa&ccedil;ades and porticos
+have indeed been hewn out; and mightily interesting they were to
+wander through, with their elaborate tablets and cursory inscriptions,
+their hieroglyphical scrolls, their sculptured gods and symbols, and
+all the luxury of their architectural ornaments. But the grandest
+impressions are to be sought for on the other side, whence the
+materials of whole capital cities must have been removed. There is, in
+fact, a wilderness of quarries there, approached by deep perpendicular
+cuts, like streets leading from the river's bank, which must have
+furnished a wonderful amount of sandstone to those strange old
+architects who, whilst they sometimes chose to convert a mountain into
+a temple, generally preferred to build up a temple into a mountain. It
+takes hours merely to have a glimpse at these mighty excavations, some
+of which are cavernous, with roofs supported by huge square pillars,
+but most of which form great squares worked down to an enormous depth.</p>
+
+<p>The rock's on the western bank are not isolated, but seem to be the
+termination of a range projecting from the interior of the desert; and
+a minor range, branching off, hugs the river to the northward pretty
+closely for a great distance; but those on the other side are
+separated by what may almost be called a plain from the Arabian chain
+of hills, and might be supposed by the fanciful to have been formerly
+surrounded by the rapid waters of the Nile. They are admirably placed
+for the purpose to which they were applied; and although I have not
+the presumption to fix dates, and say under what dynasty the quarries
+first began to be worked, there is no rashness in presuming that it
+must have been at a very early period indeed. The sandstone is
+excellent for building purposes&mdash;far superior to the friable limestone
+found lower down&mdash;and has been removed not only from this one block,
+but from both sides, here and there, for a considerable distance to
+the north. Many quarries likewise no doubt remain still undiscovered
+and unexplored in this neighbourhood. We found the mountains worked
+more or less down as far as Ramadeh; and inscriptions and sculptures,
+evidently dating from very ancient times, are met with in many.</p>
+
+<p>The people who inhabit the villages and hamlets of this district are
+not all fellahs; indeed, I question whether, properly speaking, any
+members of that humble race are to be found here. Their place is
+supplied by Bedaw&iacute;n Arabs of the Ababde tribe, who have, to a certain
+extent, abjured their wandering habits, and settled down on the
+borders of a narrow piece of land given to them by the Nile. The
+villages of Rasras and Fares, above the pass on the western bank, and
+of El-Hamam below, as well as the more extensive and better-favoured
+establishment of Silwa, with its little plain, are all peopled by men
+of the same race. With the exception of El-Hamam, which has a
+territory only a few feet wide, the cultivable land belonging to each
+village seems adequate to its support. They have a few small groves of
+palms; had just harvested some fair-sized dhourra-fields when we were
+last there; and had some fields of the castor-oil plant. Perhaps
+cultivation might be extended; a good deal of ground that seemed
+fitted for spade or plough was overrun with a useless but beautiful
+shrub called the silk-tree. Its pod, which, when just ripe, has a
+blush that might rival that on the cheek of a maiden, was beginning to
+wither and shrivel in the sun, and opening to scatter flakes of a
+silky substance finer than the thistle's beard, leaving bare the
+myriad seeds arranged something like a pine-cone.</p>
+
+<p>I have called the plant useless, because vain have been the attempts
+made to apply its produce to manufacturing purposes; but Arab mothers
+procure from the stem a poisonous milky substance, with which they
+sometimes blind their infants, to save them in after-life from the
+conscription. How strangely love is corrupted in its manifestations by
+the influence of tyranny! I have seen youths who have exhibited a foot
+or a hand totally disabled and shrivelled up, and who boasted that
+their mothers, in passionate tenderness and solicitude for them, had
+thrust their young limbs into the fire, that they might retain their
+presence through war, though maimed and rendered almost incapable of
+work.</p>
+
+<p>Few plants or trees of any value grow here spontaneously. The pretty
+shrub called el-egl droops beneath the rocks of Silsilis over the
+water, accompanied sometimes by a dwarf willow; and the sandy earth,
+washed down the gullies on the western bank in winter, produces a
+plentiful crop of the sakar&acirc;n&mdash;a plant bearing a seed which has
+intoxicating qualities, as the name imports, and which is said to be
+used by robbers to poison or stupify persons whom they wish to rifle
+at their leisure. Some colocynth is gathered here and there, and dried
+in the hollows of the rocks.</p>
+
+<p>It is not legal, or rather not allowed in Egypt, to be in possession
+of arms without a permit; but throughout the whole of the upper
+country, it is found difficult to enforce such a regulation. Men with
+spears are often to be met. I saw some parties coming from Silwa armed
+with long straight swords, with a cross hilt. Most men are provided
+with a dagger fastened round their arm above the elbow with a thong;
+others have clubs heavily loaded, or covered at one end with crocodile
+scales; and guns are not unfrequent, though powder and shot are
+exceedingly scarce. Our two guides, Ismaeen and Abd-el-Mahjid, had
+each a single-barrelled fowling-piece&mdash;value from twenty-five to
+thirty shillings. They were both expert shots, as we had occasion to
+witness when we went hare-shooting with them. In fact, with their
+assistance, we had hare every day for dinner during our stay. They
+were very chary of their powder, and only fired when pretty sure of
+success. For catching doves, and other small game, they had ingenious
+little traps.</p>
+
+<p>During my wanderings one day among the rocks with Ismaeen, who had
+constituted himself my especial guide, I felt somewhat fatigued at a
+distance from the boats, and sat down to rest under the shade of a
+projecting rock. On all sides yawned the openings of quarries, cut
+sheer down into the heart of the mountain to a depth which I could not
+fathom from my vantage-ground. I seemed surrounded by abysses. In
+front, I could see the Nile whirling its rapid current between the
+overhanging rocks which closed up to the north; in the other
+direction, spread a desert plain intersected by a ribbon of bright
+water between two strips of brighter vegetation. Far away to the
+north-west, a solitary heap of mountains marked the spot where the
+unvisited ruins of Bergeh are said to lie.</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>[Transcriber's Note: A dieresis (umlaut) diacritical mark appears
+above the letter 'g' in the word Bergeh in the above sentence in the original.]
+</p></blockquote>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[pg 292]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Ismaeen sat before me, answering the various questions which the scene
+suggested. He was a fine open-faced young man, without any of the
+clownishness of the fellah, and spoke in a free and easy but gentle
+manner. He told me that he and Abd-el-Mahjid had been sworn friends
+from infancy; that they scarcely ever separated; that where one went,
+the other went; and that what one willed, the other willed. They were
+connected by blood and marriage&mdash;the sister of Ismaeen having become
+the wife of Abd-el-Mahjid. Both had seen what to them was a good deal
+of the world. They had driven horses, camels, sheep, goats, donkeys,
+as far as Keneh, even as far as Siout, for sale; and the desert was
+familiar to them. The salt sea had rolled its blue waves beneath their
+eyes; and they had been as far as the Gebel-el-Elbi, that mysterious
+stronghold of the Bisharee, far to the south, in the wildest region of
+the desert. Ismaeen, it is true, did not seem to think much of these
+wild and romantic journeyings. He laid more stress on having seen the
+beautiful city of Siout, where I have no doubt he felt the mingled
+contempt and admiration ascribed to the Yorkshireman when he first
+visits London.</p>
+
+<p>Having exhausted present topics, our conversation naturally turned to
+the past; and I began to be inquisitive about the legends of the
+place. I knew there was a local tradition as to the origin of the name
+Gebel Silsilis&mdash;the Mountain of the Chain&mdash;passed over usually with
+supercilious contempt in guide-books; and I desired much to hear the
+details. Ismaeen at first did not seem to attach any importance to the
+subject, gave me but a cursory answer, and proceeded to relate how he
+had sold donkeys for sixty piastres at Siout which were only worth
+thirty at most at Fares; but I returned to the charge, and after
+looking at me somewhat slyly perhaps, to ascertain if I was not making
+game of him by affecting an interest in these things, the young
+Ababde, with the sublime inattention to positive geography and record
+history characteristic of Eastern narrative, spoke nearly as
+follows:&mdash;</p>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>In ancient times, there was a king named Mansoor, who reigned over
+Upper Egypt and over the Arabs in both deserts. His capital city was
+at this place (Silsilis), which he fortified; and his name was known
+and respected as far as the North Sea (the Mediterranean), and in all
+the countries of the blacks to the south. Kings, and princes, and
+emperors sent messages and presents to him, so that his pride was
+exalted, and his satisfaction complete. He reigned a period of fifty
+years, at the end of which the vigour of his frame was impaired, and
+his beard flowed white as snow upon his breast; and during all that
+time, he was different from every other man, in that he had not cared
+to have children, and had not repined when Heaven forbore to bestow
+that blessing upon him. One day, however, when he was well-stricken in
+years, he happened to feel weary in his mind; he yawned, and
+complained that he knew not what to do for occupation or employment.
+So his wezeer said to him: 'Let us clothe ourselves in the garments of
+the common people, and go forth into the city and the country, and
+hear what is said, and see what is done, and perhaps we may find
+matter of diversion.' The idea was pleasing to the king; and so they
+dressed in a humble fashion, and going out by the gate of the garden,
+entered at once into the streets and the bazaars. On other occasions,
+the bustle, and the noise, and the jokes they heard, and the accidents
+that used to happen, were agreeable to King Mansoor; but now he found
+all things unpleasant, and even became angry when hustled by the
+porters. He thought all the people he met insolent and ill-bred, and
+took note of a barber, who splashed him with the contents of his basin
+as he emptied it into the street, vowing that he would certainly cause
+him to be hanged next day. So the wezeer, afraid that he might be
+irritated into discovering himself, advised him to go forth into the
+country; and they went forth into a woody district, the king moving
+moodily on, neither looking to the right hand nor to the left.
+Suddenly, he heard a woman's voice speaking amidst the trees, and
+thought he distinguished the sound of his own name; so he stepped
+aside, and, cautiously advancing, beheld a young mother sitting by a
+fountain of water, dancing an infant on her knees, and singing: 'I
+have my Ali, I have my child; I am happier than King Mansoor, who has
+no Ali, no child.' The king frowned as black as thunder, and he
+understood wherefore he was unhappy: he had no child to play on his
+knee when care oppressed his heart. As he thought of this, rage
+increased within him, and drawing a concealed sword, before the wezeer
+could interpose with his wisdom, he smote the infant, crying: 'Woman,
+be as miserable as King Mansoor.' Then he dropped the sword, and
+alarmed by the shrieks of the poor mother, thought that if he was
+found in that costume, the people might do vengeance on him; so he
+fled by bypaths, and returned to his palace.</p>
+
+<p>Having been accustomed to deal death around, the murder of the infant
+did not prey upon his mind; but the words of the mother he never
+forgot. 'I am miserable, because I am childless,' he repeated every
+day; and he ordered all the women of his harem to be well beaten. But
+he was compelled to admit, that there was now little chance of his
+wishes being fulfilled. However, as a last resort, he consulted a
+magician, a man of Persian origin, who had recently arrived with
+merchandise in that country. This magician, after many very intricate
+calculations, told him that he was destined to have a son by the
+daughter of an Abyssinian prince, now betrothed to the son of the
+sultan of Damascus; but that her friends would endeavour to take her
+secretly down the river in a boat before the year was out, lest he
+might behold and covet her. The magician also asked him wherefore he
+had thrown away the 'sword of good-luck;' and explained by saying,
+that the ancestors of King Mansoor had always been in possession of a
+sword which brought them prosperity, and that the dynasty was to come
+to an end if it were lost.</p>
+
+<p>Upon this, the king gave, in the first place, orders to his servants
+and his guards to search for the sword he had lost; but the woman, who
+had concealed it, thinking it might afford some clue to the assassin
+of her child, instantly understood, on hearing these inquiries, that
+Mansoor was the man. So she vowed vengeance; and being a daughter of
+the Arabs of the desert, retired to a distant branch of her tribe with
+the sword, and effectually escaped all pursuit. Her name was Lulu;
+from that time forth she abjured all feminine pursuits, and became a
+man in action, riding a fierce horse, and wielding sword and spear;
+'For I,' said she, 'when the period is fulfilled, will smite down this
+king who has slain my child.'</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Mansoor had also given orders to stretch an enormous chain
+across the river between the two parts of his city, so as to prevent
+all boats from passing until searched for the daughter of the
+Abyssinian prince; and this is the origin of the name of these
+mountains. For a long time, no such person could be discovered; but at
+length, when the year was nearly out, a maiden of surpassing
+loveliness was found concealed in a mean kanjia, and being brought
+before the king, and interrogated, confessed that she was the daughter
+of Sala-Solo, Prince of Gondar. Mansoor upon this explained the
+decrees of Heaven; and although she wept, and said that she was
+betrothed to the son of the sultan of Damascus, he paid no heed to
+her, but took her to wife, and in due course of time had a son by her,
+whom he named Ali; and he would thereafter smile grimly to, himself,
+and say: 'I now have an Ali, I now have a child.'</p>
+
+<p>The magician, who returned about this time, being <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[pg 293]</a></span>consulted, said
+that if the boy passed the critical period of fifteen years, he would
+live, like his father, to a good old age. So Mansoor caused a
+subterranean palace to be hewn out of the mountain, in the deeper
+chambers of which, fitted up with all magnificence, he caused Ali to
+be kept by a faithful nurse; whilst he himself dwelt in the front
+chambers that overlooked the river, and gave audience to all who came
+and floated in boats beneath his balconies; but no one was allowed to
+ascend, except the wezeer and a few proved friends: [There, said
+Ismaeen, pointing to one of the largest excavations on the opposite
+side, there is the palace of King Mansoor.]</p>
+
+<p>Other things happened meanwhile. The mother of Ali refusing to be
+comforted, was divorced, and sent to the son of the king of Damascus,
+who loved her, and who took her to wife. She hated King Mansoor, but
+she yearned after her first-born, and she endeavoured to persuade her
+husband to raise an army, and march to Upper Egypt, to slay the one
+and seize the other. For many years he was not able to comply with her
+wishes; but at length he collected a vast power, and crossing the
+desert of Suwez, advanced rapidly towards the dominions of King
+Mansoor.</p>
+
+<p>It came to pass, that about the same time the fame of a mighty warrior
+grew among the Arabs, one who scoffed at the king's name, attacked his
+troops, and plundered his cultivated provinces. All the forces that
+could be collected, were despatched to reduce this rebel, but in vain.
+They were easily defeated, almost by the prowess of their chief's
+unassisted arm; and it became known that the capital itself was to be
+attacked before long. At this juncture, the intelligence arrived that
+a hostile army was approaching from the north, and had already reached
+the Two Mountains (Gebelein); and then, that another army had shewn
+itself to the south, about the neighbourhood of the Cataracts&mdash;the
+former, under the command of the sultan of Damascus; and the latter,
+under that of Sala-Solo, his father-in-law, Prince of Gondar. All
+misfortunes seemed to shower at once upon the unfortunate Mansoor. He
+made what military preparations he could, although his powers had
+already been taxed nearly to the utmost to repress the Arabs, and sent
+ambassadors to soften the wrath of his enemies. They would accept,
+however, no composition; and continued to close in upon him, one from
+the north, the other from the south, threatening destruction to the
+whole country.</p>
+
+<p>The miserable king now began to repent of having wished for a child.
+But he could not help loving Ali, in spite of all things; indeed, he
+perhaps loved him the more for the misfortunes he seemed to have
+brought. At anyrate, he spent night and day by his side, saying to
+himself, that yet a few days, and the fifteen years would be passed,
+and the boy at least would be safe. He was encouraged to hope by the
+slow progress of the two armies, which seemed bent more on enjoying
+themselves, than on performing any feats of arms.</p>
+
+<p>But there was an enemy more terrible than these two&mdash;namely, Lulu, the
+mother of the murdered child Ali, who had thrown aside her woman's
+garments, and become a mighty warrior, for the sake of her revenge.
+She wielded the 'sword of good-luck;' and hearing of the approach of
+the two armies, feared that her projects might be interfered with by
+them. So she collected her forces, marched down to the city-walls,
+attacked them at night, was victorious, and before morning entirely
+possessed the place, with the exception of the subterranean retreat of
+King Mansoor, which it seemed almost impossible to take by force. She
+manned a large number of boats, came beneath the water-wall, and
+summoned the garrison to surrender; but they remained silent, and
+looked at the king, who stood upon the terrace, with his long white
+beard reaching to his knees, offering to parley, in order to gain
+time. Lulu, however, drawing the 'sword of good-luck,' ordered ladders
+to be placed, and mounting to the storm, gained a complete
+victory&mdash;all the garrison being slain, and Mansoor flying to his child
+in the interior chambers. Here the bereaved mother, hot for vengeance,
+followed, her flaming weapon in hand, and thrusting the trembling old
+man aside, smote the youth to the heart, crying: 'King Mansoor, be as
+miserable as Lulu, the mother of Ali.' He understood who it was, and
+cried and beat his breast, incapable of other action. Then Lulu slew
+him likewise, and returning to her followers, who were pillaging the
+city, related what she had done. The report soon spread abroad, and
+readied the two hostile armies, both of which were indignant at the
+death of Ali; so they advanced rapidly, and surrounding the place,
+attacked and utterly destroyed the followers of Lulu. She herself was
+taken prisoner, and being led before the queen of Damascus, was
+condemned by her to a cruel death, which she suffered accordingly. The
+city afterwards fell gradually to ruin, and the neighbouring country
+became desert.</p>
+
+<hr class="short" />
+
+<p>This sanguinary story, though containing some of the staple machinery
+of Eastern fiction, was evidently rather of Bedaw&iacute;n than civilised
+origin; and, as such, interested me, in spite of the inartificial
+manner in which it was told, the meagre details, and the repulsive
+incidents. Ismaeen's only qualities as a historian were animation and
+faith. He had heard the narrative from his father, to whom, likewise,
+it had been handed down hereditarily. Everybody in the country knew it
+to be true. I might ask Abd-el-Mahjid. A shot close at hand announced
+the presence of that worthy, who soon appeared with a fine large hare.
+On being appealed to, the cunning rogue&mdash;perhaps anxious to be thought
+a philosopher&mdash;said that, for his part, though most people certainly
+believed the story, he really had no decided opinion about the matter.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="IRON_SHIPS" id="IRON_SHIPS"></a>IRON SHIPS.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p>As a quarter of a century has not elapsed since the commencement of
+iron ship-building, its history is soon told. Previous to 1838, it may
+be said to have had no proper existence, the builders being mere tyros
+in their profession, and their efforts only experimental. The first
+specimen made its appearance some twenty years ago on the Clyde&mdash;the
+cradle of steam-navigation. The inconsiderable Cart, however, claims
+the honour of for ever deciding the contest between iron and timber&mdash;a
+contest which can never be renewed with even a remote chance of
+success. In the year referred to, and subsequent years, an engineering
+firm in Paisley, with the aid of scientific oversight and skilful
+workmen, constructed a fleet of iron vessels upon entirely novel
+principles, which maintained the sovereignty of the waters for a
+lengthened period, and whose main features are retained in the most
+approved models of the present day. Their characteristics were speed,
+buoyancy, comfort, and elegance&mdash;a combination of every requisite for
+the safe and advantageous prosecution of passenger-traffic on streams
+and estuaries. About the same period, the Glasgow engineers succeeded
+in applying somewhat similar principles to the construction of
+sea-going vessels of large tonnage, and, in spite of deeply-rooted
+prejudices, have ultimately demonstrated the immense superiority of
+such constructions over the old wooden vessels. If proof of this were
+wanting, the removal of the costly, cumbersome steamers formerly
+engaged in the carrying-traffic between Glasgow and Liverpool, and the
+substitution in their room of light, capacious iron vessels, equally
+strong, and manageable with greater ease and at a considerable saving
+of expense&mdash;as, likewise the successful establishment of steam
+communication between the former city and New York, deemed
+impracticable <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[pg 294]</a></span>under the old system&mdash;might serve to remove the doubts
+of the most incredulous.</p>
+
+<p>Although an infant in years, this new branch of engineering skill has
+already attained gigantic proportions and mature development. Its
+triumphs are on every sea, and on many waters never before traversed
+by the agency of steam. The vessels already afloat are numerically a
+trifle compared with those in contemplation; and perhaps the most
+astonishing feature of all, is the almost infinite number of new
+channels of trade they have opened, and are opening up. Ten years ago,
+one-half the vessels plying on the Clyde were built of timber, and all
+the larger ones, with a few solitary exceptions: at the present hour,
+one could not count ten in a fleet of sixty&mdash;the immense majority are
+of iron. The advertising columns of <i>one</i> newspaper gave notice
+recently, in a single day, of the establishment of <i>three</i> several
+routes of communication with foreign ports hitherto denied the means
+of direct intercourse with this country, all to be carried on by means
+of iron vessels. A sailing-vessel, constructed of this material, was
+announced at Lloyd's a few months ago, as having performed one of the
+speediest homeward passages from Eastern India yet recorded.</p>
+
+<p>A rough estimate of the extent to which this branch of industrial
+skill is carried, may be formed from the number of separate
+establishments in active operation on the Clyde. There are five of
+these in the neighbourhood of Govan, about two miles below Glasgow
+Bridge; two at Renfrew; three at Dumbarton, which is, more correctly
+speaking, on the Leven, but generally falls to be reckoned in common
+with the other places mentioned as a Clyde port; two below Port
+Glasgow; and three at Greenock&mdash;in all, fifteen establishments,
+employing between 4000 and 5000 hands in the construction of iron
+hulls alone. This, of course, does not include the army of labourers
+dependent for their very existence upon the demand thus created for
+materials&mdash;such as iron-smelters, forgemen, rivet-makers, &amp;c.; nor
+those artisans employed alike on vessels of iron and timber&mdash;such as
+painters, blacksmiths, blockmakers, riggers, and others. As from the
+laying of a keel to the launching of a ship a longer period than six
+months rarely elapses, some idea may be formed of the continued press
+of work necessary to keep these thousands in full employment, as well
+as the dispatch exercised in the completion of orders. From ten to a
+dozen ships have been launched from the same building-yard within
+twelve months; and a vessel exceeding 1000 tons burden has been
+commenced, completed, and fully equipped for sea in little more than
+five. On one occasion lately, a passenger-steamer, 160 feet long, 16
+feet broad, and capable of accommodating 600 passengers with ease, was
+made ready for receiving her machinery in twelve working-days. At this
+rate, one would be inclined to fear that business must necessarily
+soon come to a dead stop: but there is not the slightest appearance of
+such result, nor is it even apprehended. In an age of steam and
+electricity, when time and space are threatened with annihilation, it
+became necessary to look abroad for some new agent by means of which
+the sea, the great highway of nations, might be made still more
+subservient to its legitimate purpose. The agent being found, its use
+will be commensurate with the growth of commerce, until its fitness is
+questioned in turn, and some improved method of conveyance drives its
+services from the field. After all, it may be but a step in the proper
+direction, an improvement upon the wisdom of our ancestors&mdash;another
+adaptation of the limitless resources placed at our disposal for
+satisfying the growing wants of a race toiling towards a development
+as yet unascertained.</p>
+
+<p>The benefits already experienced, and likely still to flow from this
+large and growing accession to our marine strength, need scarcely be
+commented on. They are self-evident, and recommend themselves alike to
+the merchant, the trader, and the mere man of pastime, all of whom are
+in some degree participators. Besides the regularity and security
+attendant on the transmission of all sorts of merchandise, there is an
+immense saving of time and cost. Travelling by sea has changed
+entirely the aspect of this kind of transit. With spacious saloons,
+well-aired sleeping-apartments, roomy promenades protected from the
+weather, and a steady-going ship, a voyage even to distant lands is
+now little more than an excursion of pleasure. Eight miles an hour was
+considered fair work for the steamers of a dozen years ago; the
+present average rate of steaming on the Clyde is fourteen miles an
+hour. A very fine vessel, named the <i>Tourist</i>, which was exhibited on
+the Thames during the holding of the 'world's show' last summer,
+performed seventeen miles with perfect ease. What may be expected
+next?</p>
+
+<p>How far, as a material in the construction of sailing-bottoms, the use
+of iron is likely to supersede that of timber, is a question for the
+speculative. At present, our commercial activity affords ample
+employment for both. There can be no doubt, however, that in
+connection with the steam-engine, and that admirable invention of
+modern date, the screw-propeller, iron ship-building is destined to
+attain and enjoy an enlarged existence; to the full maturity of which
+its present condition, healthful and prosperous as it appears, is but
+a promising adolescence.</p>
+
+<p>We recently set out from Glasgow, to pay a visit to an iron
+ship-building yard on rather an interesting occasion. On rounding the
+base of Dumbarton Rock, where the waters of the Clyde and the Leven
+mingle in loving sisterhood, a scene of the gayest description
+presented itself. Gaudy banners floated in all directions; the vessels
+in the harbour and on the stocks were festooned with flaunting
+drapery, and everything wore a holiday appearance. So impressed were
+we with the pervading air of joyousness, that on reaching the town,
+and finding the inhabitants at their ordinary avocations, we could not
+help feeling disappointed, and we confess to having vented a sigh for
+grovelling humanity, which dared not venture upon one day of pure
+abandonment, separate from the counter and its cares. The joyous
+demonstrations, we learned, were in honour of an intended launch; but
+this created no stir beyond the circle more immediately interested in
+its successful accomplishment.</p>
+
+<p>On entering the building-yard, we found the ceremony was not to take
+place for an hour, and we had therefore time to make acquaintance with
+the interior of the works. An intelligent foreman acted as cicerone,
+and performed the duties with very gratifying cheerfulness.</p>
+
+<p>The Model-room of the establishment is first thrown open to the
+visitor. It is an oblong, well-lighted apartment, in a range of
+buildings termed the offices. A large flat table, with smooth surface,
+occupies the entire centre, around which are scattered a few chairs
+for the accommodation of the draughtsmen when at work. Beyond this,
+there is no furniture. The objects of interest are the models pegged
+to the unadorned walls. These are numerous, and kept with almost
+religious care; attached to each there 'hangs a tale,' which your
+conductor 'speaks trippingly,' and with no effort at concealment of
+satisfaction in the recital. A draughtsman's models are the trophies
+of his personal prowess&mdash;his letters of introduction&mdash;his true
+business-card. In the shapely blocks of wood placed for inspection,
+you are invited to contemplate the man in connection with his
+creations. He points to his model, dilates upon its beauties,
+criticises its defects, and leaves you to judge of him from his works.</p>
+
+<p>Crossing from the Model-room, you enter the Moulding-loft&mdash;a long,
+spacious apartment, not lofty but drearily spacious, and amazingly
+airy. Here the draughtsman's lines are extended into working
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[pg 295]</a></span>dimensions, and transferred to wooden moulds, after which they are
+put into the hands of the carpenter. Proceeding down stairs, you are
+shewn the joiner's shop, filled with benches, work in an unfinished
+state, and busy workmen. Underneath this, again, are the saw-pits,
+where logs are cut into deals of all dimensions&mdash;a laborious and
+painful process when performed by manual labour, as must have been
+apparent to all who have witnessed it&mdash;and who has not? The sawn
+timber is stowed in 'racks' in the rear of the building.</p>
+
+<p>Proceeding to the centre of the yard, your attention is directed to an
+enormous furnace, near the mouth of which a score of partly undressed
+workmen are grouped in attitudes of repose. Around are strewn the
+implements of labour&mdash;large cast-iron blocks, wooden mallets hooped
+with iron, crowbars, and pincers. But, see! the cavern yawns, and from
+its glowing recesses the white plates are dragged with huge tongs.
+Laid on the block, each plate is beaten with the mallets into the
+requisite shape, and thrown aside to cool. In the meantime, the
+furnace has been recharged, to vomit forth again when the proper heat
+has been obtained.</p>
+
+<p>Behind are the cutting and boring machines, to each of which is
+attached a gang of five or six men. Here the plates, when cool, obtain
+the desired form, and are bored from corner to corner with two
+parallel rows of holes for admitting the rivets. They are now in
+readiness for the rivetter at work upon the ship's side, to whom they
+are borne on the shoulders of labourers employed for the purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Descending to the water's edge, we were shewn an immense mass of
+uprights&mdash;inverted arches of angle-iron&mdash;the framework of a hull
+intended to float 1500 tons of merchandise. Being in a chrysalis
+state, it afforded us little enlightenment, so we passed on to an
+adjoining one of similar dimensions, proceeding rapidly towards
+completion. Here the secrets of the trade&mdash;if there be any&mdash;lay
+patent, as the several branches of skilled labour were seen in
+thorough working order. On 'stages,' as the workmen call them, or
+temporary wooden galleries passing from stem to stern, and rising tier
+above tier, were the rivetters 'with busy hammers closing rivets up,'
+and keeping the echoes awake with their ceaseless, and, to
+unaccustomed ears, painful din. The rivet-boys, alike alarmed and
+amused us, as they leaped from gallery to gallery with fearless
+agility, brandishing their red-hot bolts, and replying in imp-like
+screechings to the hoarse commands of their seniors. The decks were
+filled with carpenters, the cabins with joiners, the rigging with
+painters, and all with seeming bluster and confusion: only seeming,
+however, for on attentive examination everything was found to be
+working sweetly, and under a superintending vigilance not to be
+trifled with or deceived with impunity.</p>
+
+<p>The ground-area of these works is of great extent, running parallel
+with the banks of the river, and flanked by the buildings lately
+visited. Between 400 and 500 workmen are employed upon the premises;
+labourers' wages rating 10s. and 12s. weekly; and those of skilled
+artisans ranging from 16s. to 23s. A small steam-engine, kept in
+constant motion, contributes to the lightening of toil, and the
+division of labour is practised wherever it can be done with
+advantage. With these facilities at command, no time is lost in the
+execution of orders, nor would present circumstances permit such
+extravagance, as a contract for 6000 tons of shipping must be
+fulfilled before midsummer. The vessel about to be launched, 1500 tons
+burden, had been on the stocks for a period of five mouths. But this
+reminds us that the fixed hour has come, the notes of preparation are
+already dinning in our ears.</p>
+
+<p>The yard was now filled with spectators, who discussed the merits of
+the vessel, while they watched with evident anxiety, and some measure
+of curiosity, the train of preparations for loosening her stays, and
+committing the monster fabric to her destined element. The shores
+around were lined with peering faces and a well-attired throng; the
+bosom of the stream was agreeably dotted with numerous row-boats,
+freighted with living loads, passing and repassing in a diversity of
+tracks. The sight, as a whole, was magnificent in its variety; and it
+was associated with a feeling of satisfaction, which so many happy
+faces wearing the bright flush of anticipation could alone produce.
+But, boom! boom! the signal has been given for her release, and with a
+stately smile and queenly bearing the proud beauty takes her
+departure, bearing with her the best wishes of a joyous and excited
+multitude. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' shout the frenzied workmen, as, in token
+of success, they pelt the unconscious object of their solicitude with
+missiles of every conceivable size and shape. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' repeat
+the delighted multitude, as they toss their arms, and wave their hats
+and handkerchiefs in the air. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' exclaims a voice at my
+elbow. 'There flies the <i>Australian</i> like a shaft from a bow, the
+first steamship, destined to convey Her Britannic Majesty's mail to
+the Australasian continent. May good fortune attend her!'</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="SCIENCE_OF_POLITENESS_IN_FRANCE" id="SCIENCE_OF_POLITENESS_IN_FRANCE"></a>SCIENCE OF POLITENESS IN FRANCE.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">For</span> ages past, the amenity of foreign manners in general, and French
+manners in particular, has been the theme of every tongue; and the
+bold Briton, who would fain look down upon all other nations, cannot
+deny the superiority of his continental neighbours in this respect at
+least. Why this should be, it is difficult to say, but there is no
+doubt that it is so; and even the coarse German is less repulsive in
+his manner to strangers than the true-born and true-bred English man
+or woman. The French of all ranks teach their children, from their
+earliest years, politeness by <i>rule</i>, as they do grammar or geography,
+or any other branch of a sound education. From <i>La Civilit&eacute; Pu&eacute;rile et
+Honn&ecirc;te</i>, up to works which treat of the etiquettes of polite society,
+there are books published for persons of every class in life; and
+although of late years one sees the same sort of writings advertised
+in England, they have certainly not as yet produced any apparent
+effect upon us&mdash;perhaps from being written by incompetent people, or
+perhaps from the author dwelling too exclusively upon usages which
+change with the fashion of the day, instead of being based upon right
+and kind feelings, or, at anyrate, the appearance of them. I have
+lately met with a little French book, entitled <i>Manuel Complet de la
+Bonne Compagnie, ou Guide de la Politesse, et de la Biens&eacute;ance</i>,
+which, amid much that is, according to our ideas, unnecessary and
+almost ridiculous, contains a great deal we should do well to
+practise.</p>
+
+<p>It begins with treating of the proper behaviour to be observed in
+churches of all denominations and forms of faith. Keep silence, or at
+least speak rarely, and in a very low tone of voice, if you positively
+<i>must</i> make a remark: look grave, walk slowly, and with the head
+uncovered. Whether it be a Catholic church, a Protestant temple, or a
+Jewish synagogue, remember that it is a place where men assemble to
+honour the Creator of the universe, to seek consolation in affliction,
+and pardon for sin. When you visit a sacred edifice from curiosity
+only, try to do so at a time when no religious service is going
+forward; and beware of imitating those Vandals who sully with their
+obscure and paltry names the monuments of ages. Do not wait to be
+asked for money by the guides, but give them what you judge a
+sufficient recompense for their civility, and this without demanding
+change, with which you should on such occasions always be provided
+beforehand. Whether you give or refuse your mite to a collection, do
+so with a polite bow, and never upon any account push or press forward
+in the house of God, or <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[pg 296]</a></span>shew by your manner that you hold in contempt
+any unaccustomed ceremony you may happen to witness. Never in
+conversation ridicule or abuse any form of belief; it grieves the
+sincerely pious, gives rise to the expression of angry feeling in
+those more fanatical or prejudiced, and offends even the sceptic as a
+breach of good manners in any one&mdash;but in a woman peculiarly
+disgusting&mdash;even when the listeners are themselves deficient in
+Christian faith.</p>
+
+<p>In speaking of family duties, persons who have had educational
+advantages beyond those of their parents, are particularly recommended
+never to appear sensible of their superior cultivation, and to be even
+more submissive and respectful. All near relatives, whether by blood
+or marriage, are directed, whatever their feelings may be, 'to keep up
+a kindly intercourse by letter, word of mouth, trifling presents, and
+so forth, treating your husband or wife's connections in company as
+you do your own, merely introducing a little more ceremony.' Those
+newly-married couples who go into company to look at, dance with, and
+talk to each other, are held up to ridicule, and advised to follow the
+example of the English, who wisely remain secluded for a month, in
+order to be surfeited with each other's society, and repeat
+extravagantly fond epithets until they themselves feel the folly of
+them; and their mothers or maiden aunts&mdash;who are now sometimes found
+at large in France, since the practice of sending poor or plain girls
+into convents has ceased to be so general&mdash;come under reproof.
+'Consider, O ye affectionate-hearted women, that others feel no
+interest in the children who to your eyes seem so perfect, and have no
+inclination to act as inquisitors over their little talents and
+accomplishments. Spare your friends the thousand-and-one anecdotes of
+the extraordinary cleverness, vivacity, or piety of the little people
+you love so blindly: do not excoriate their ears by making them listen
+to recitations or the strumming of sonatos; or weary their eyes by
+requesting them to watch the leaping and kicking of small stick-like
+legs.' You only render your boys and girls conceited, and make them
+appear positive pests to your visitors, whose politeness in giving the
+praise you angle for is seldom sincere; and thus, by committing a
+fault yourself, you force your friends to do the like in a different
+way. 'But even this is better than finding fault with either children
+or servants in the presence of strangers; this is such gross
+ill-breeding, one feels astonished it should be necessary to take
+notice of it at all, and to the little ones themselves it is
+absolutely ruinous:' it makes them miserable in the meanwhile, and in
+the end, careless of appearances, indifferent to shame.</p>
+
+<p>I must leave out, or at least pass slightly over, a great deal which
+sounds most strange to us, such as, the necessity of preventing
+servants from 'sitting down in your presence, more especially when
+serving at table;' permitting ladies to wear curl papers on rising,
+but hinting that they should be hid under a cambric cap; and although
+taking it for granted a lady would 'not put on stays' at the same
+early hour, reminding her that she may still wear a bodice, and
+begging her not to make hot weather an excuse for going about with
+naked arms 'and <i>legs</i> and feet thrust into slippers,' but to adopt
+fine thin stockings; 'and,' says our author, 'although the <i>tenue du
+lever</i> for a gentleman is a cotton or silk night-cap, a waistcoat with
+sleeves, or a dressing-gown, he is recommended to abandon <i>cette mise
+matinale</i> as early as may be, that so attired he may receive none but
+intimate friends.' Unmarried women, until they pass thirty, are
+debarred from wearing diamonds or expensive furs and shawls, or from
+venturing across so much as a narrow street without being accompanied
+by their mother or a female attendant; desired never to inquire after
+the health of <i>gentlemen</i>; nor, indeed, should married women permit
+themselves to do 'so, unless the person inquired after is very ill or
+very old.' When you dine out, you are requested 'not to pin your
+napkin to your shoulders;' not to say <i>bouilli</i> for <i>b&oelig;uf</i>,
+<i>volaille</i> for <i>poularde dindon</i>, or whatever name the winged animal
+goes by; or <i>champagne</i> simply, instead of <i>vin-de-champagne</i>, which
+is <i>de rigueur</i>; not 'to turn up the cuffs of your coat when you
+carve,' eat your egg from the 'small end, or <i>neglect</i> to break it on
+your plate <i>when emptied, with a coup de couteau</i>; to cut, instead of
+break your bread;' and so on.</p>
+
+<p>There is a great deal of sensible advice upon dress. Ladies <i>sur le
+retour</i>&mdash;that is, those who are <i>cinquante ans sonn&eacute;s</i>&mdash;are
+recommended never to wear gay colours, dresses of slight materials,
+flowers, feathers, or much jewellery; always to cover their hair, wear
+high-made gowns, and long sleeves; not to adopt a new fashion the very
+moment it appears; and all women, old or young, rich or poor, are
+reminded that what is new and fashionably made, and, above all, fresh
+and clean, looks infinitely better and more ladylike than the richest,
+most expensive dresses, caps, or bonnets that are the least tarnished,
+faded, or of a peculiar cut no longer worn. Those candid ladies who
+persist in wearing gray hair&mdash;a mode the author rather approves of,
+except where nature, which she sometimes does, silvers the locks while
+the countenance still continues youthful&mdash;are requested not to render
+themselves absurd by intermingling artificial flowers; and a great
+deal of ridicule is also directed against the English, who not only
+caricature the French fashions they copy, but go about grinning in
+incongruous colours, instead of tasteful contrasts, jumbling old
+bonnets with new gowns and half-dirty shawls, and who walk the streets
+in carriage costume. Brides bearing about orange-flowers longer than
+the day of their marriage are unmercifully quizzed; as likewise the
+habit of wearing satins in summer, or straw in winter&mdash;sins
+exclusively British. Young married women are told not to go into
+public without their husbands or some steady middle-aged matron; they
+may take a walk with an unmarried friend, although this last must
+never attempt to fly in the face of propriety by promenading with a
+companion like herself; and no lady of any age can possibly enter a
+library, museum, or picture-gallery alone, unless she wishes to study
+as an artist.</p>
+
+<p>I grieve to say, in that portion which is devoted to modesty and
+propriety of behaviour, the extreme freedom of manner and conversation
+in which young English females indulge, are both severely reprobated;
+their imprudence in walking about and sitting apart with young men
+held up as an example to be sedulously avoided by well-bred French
+girls; their so frequently taking <i>complimens d'usage</i> for real
+admiration, and either fancying the poor man, innocently repeating
+mere words of course, to be a lover, or else blushing and looking
+offended, as if he meant to insult, is sneered at rather
+ill-naturedly. You are next told how you should enter a shop, which,
+however small, you must term a <i>magasin</i>, not a <i>boutique</i>; and the
+<i>marchand</i> himself also receives his lesson: he is to salute his
+customer with a low bow and a respectful air, offer a seat, and
+display with alacrity all that is asked for; and however imperious or
+whimsical he or she may be, to continue the utmost urbanity of manner;
+though, if any positive impertinence is shewn, the shopman is
+permitted to be silent and grave; he must apologise if forced to give
+copper money in change, and treat his humblest customer with as much
+respect and attention as those who give large orders. But as
+politeness ought in all cases to be reciprocal, the purchaser is
+instructed to raise his hat on entering, and ask quietly and civilly
+for what he wishes to see. No one should say: 'I want so and so;'
+'Have you such and such a thing?' but, 'Will you be so good as shew
+me?' or, 'I beg of you to let me look at,' &amp;c. Should you not succeed
+in suiting yourself, always express regret for the trouble you <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[pg 297]</a></span>have
+given. If the price be above what you calculated upon, ask simply if
+it is the lowest; say you think you may find the article cheaper
+elsewhere; but should this be a mistake, you will certainly give the
+person you are speaking to the preference, &amp;c. We ought to strive to
+be agreeable to every one.</p>
+
+<p><i>Les gens de bureau</i> come next under discussion. They are, it seems,
+not renowned for politeness; and one should not, therefore, be
+displeased if, instead of rising from his seat and placing a chair,
+the banker merely bows and points to one. Lawyers, on the contrary,
+are expected to behave like any other gentlemen; so also physicians.
+The patient is directed in both cases to relate his grievances in
+short, pithy sentences; answer all questions clearly; apologise for
+taking up their time by asking them in turn&mdash;in consequence, he must
+say, of his own ignorance; and then finish by warmly thanking them for
+the attention they give to his affairs. Authors and artists must
+affect great modesty if their performances are brought upon the
+<i>tapis</i> and complimented, and say nothing that can lead to the
+supposition, that they are envious of any <i>confr&egrave;re</i> by criticising
+him. Their entertainers ought to talk to them in praise of their
+books, pictures, or performances; and if not connoisseurs, at least
+declare themselves amateurs of the particular sort their guest excels
+or would be thought to excel in; but not confining the conversation to
+this, as if you supposed it was the only subject the person you wished
+to please was capable of taking any interest in.</p>
+
+<p>Politeness in the streets is a chapter in itself, and a long one. To
+give the wall to females, old age, or high public dignitaries, is very
+right in France, where there seems to be no rule for going right or
+left. In England, however, it is surely more easy for all parties to
+keep to their proper side of the way; but in both countries
+burden-bearers, those of babies excepted, should give way, go into the
+kennel, and never presume to incommode passengers of any rank. You are
+entreated neither to elbow, push, nor jostle, but stand sideways to
+let elderly people or ladies pass, who in their turn should express
+their thanks by a slight inclination of the head. We are further
+directed to tread on the middle of the stone, and not slip carelessly
+into the mud, and run the risk of splashing our neighbour. An
+Englishwoman, it is observed, either allows her petticoats to sweep
+the streets, or lifts them in an awkward manner, sometimes even using
+both hands; whereas a Parisian with her right hand gathers all the
+folds to that side, and raises the whole dress a little above the
+ankle, without fuss or parade. We would recommend our fair
+countrywomen to practise this elegant mode of avoiding soiled
+garments, and likewise doing what is termed <i>s'effarer</i>&mdash;that is, to
+avoid as much as possible touching or being touched by those who pass;
+mutually giving way, instead of charging forward <i>&agrave; l'Anglaise</i>,
+careless of whom you run against, so as only you make your own way.
+Here follows what sounds strange to us&mdash;namely, that if you are
+overtaken by a heavy shower, and see a stranger walking in the same
+direction with an umbrella, you may, without a breach of good manners,
+request to share it. The umbrella-bearer should on his side, it is
+remarked, cheerfully accord you shelter; and if the end of your
+respective promenades are too distant from each other for him to
+conduct you to your residence, he should make an apology at being
+forced to deprive you of the accommodation, which, 'but for being
+obliged to be at home at such an hour, or some excuse,' it would
+otherwise have given him so much pleasure to afford you. 'Those little
+graceful turns of language,' which we might think downright
+falsehoods, are not to be more so considered than&mdash;'I am happy to see
+you,' or 'I am your obedient servant' at the end of a letter. They
+are, it is argued, understood forms of speech, which every well-bred
+person practises&mdash;some of the 'sweet small courtesies of life, which
+help to smooth its road.' When walking with a friend, should he raise
+his hat to an acquaintance whom you never even saw before, you are
+bound to pay the same compliment; and this idea is so much <i>de
+rigueur</i>, that formerly very polite persons would rather affect not to
+see their friends than force their companions to salute them also.
+Now, however, the proper style is to say: 'I take the liberty to
+salute Monsieur So-and-so,' to which the answer is: 'Je vous en prie
+monsieur.' 'Never,' says our author, 'appear to see any one who is
+looking out of his window or door, both improper practices, especially
+the latter.' When a gentleman speaks to one much older than himself,
+or to a lady, he not only raises his hat quite off his head&mdash;for none
+'but an ignorant boor or a <i>fier Anglais</i>' ever does otherwise&mdash;but
+holds it in his hand until requested to replace it. When you ask your
+way, even of a street-porter or an apple-woman, it is necessary
+slightly to half-raise the hat, and address them as Monsieur or
+Madame, 'which is the way to,' &amp;c.; and really these courteous habits,
+which give little trouble, are, we must own, as pleasing as our own
+rough ones are the reverse.</p>
+
+<p>The chapter on visiting is very French. You are reminded that, when
+you make your calls, you should avoid doing so upon days when a cold
+or headache prevents you from looking well or conversing agreeably.
+From twelve to five are the hours mentioned for morning visits,
+instead of from two to six, which we think a better time. You must be
+dressed with evident care, but as plainly as possible if you walk:
+hold your card-case in the hand with an embroidered and lace-trimmed
+pocket-handkerchief, 'pour donner un air de bon go&ucirc;t.' You may
+inscribe your title on your card, but it is better merely to put your
+name, such as 'Monsieur' or 'Madame de la Tarellerie,' with an earl or
+viscount's coronet, or whatever your rank, above; and if you have no
+title, your name without the 'Monsieur,' as 'Alfred Buntal;' however,
+when you visit with your wife, you write 'Monsieur et Madame Buntal.'
+When, instead of sending your cards by your servant, you call
+yourself, you add 'E. P.' (<i>en personne</i>); but this is only allowable
+in very great people. 'In visiting people of distinction, you leave
+your parasol, umbrella, clogs, cloak, footman, nurse, child, and dog,
+in the ante-room among the servants, who are there to announce you;'
+but in ordinary life, after ascertaining from the <i>concierge</i>, or the
+cook in the kitchen, that your friend is at home, you only tap at the
+door, and on hearing '<i>Entrez</i>,' step in. You advance with grace, bow
+with dignified respect, seat yourself (if a man who visits a lady) at
+the lower end of the room, and never quit hat or cane until desired,
+and not then till <i>la troisi&egrave;me sommation</i>. The placing this said hat
+properly, seems to be an affair of the utmost moment. You may place it
+on the bottom of a table, on a stand, or even upon the floor, but are
+warned not to put it on the bed, for as that always belongs to the
+lady of the house, it should not be approached by the visiting
+gentleman. The receiver should both appear and express him or herself
+enchanted and charmed to welcome their <i>monde</i>, assure them of the
+great regret felt at their departure&mdash;however you may wish them
+gone&mdash;say, or repeat as said by others, what will please; and never
+allude, even indirectly, to anything that can possibly hurt or mortify
+any one. When other visitors are announced, those who have been above
+ten minutes, had better go: a man should slip away without
+leave-taking. If discovered, and begged to remain by the mistress of
+the house, he must be asked and refuse three times before he consents;
+then sit down for two minutes only, rising then, and saying an affair
+of consequence obliges him to quit <i>la charmante soci&eacute;t&eacute;</i>. No
+gentleman will permit, of course, any one to <i>reconduire</i> him when his
+friends are engaged with other company, but shut the door himself,
+<i>vivement</i>, after a general <i>salut</i> and a pretty compliment.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[pg 298]</a></span> But it
+will better give an idea of the minute directions considered
+necessary, if I translate a sentence entire:&mdash;When, during a 'visit of
+half-ceremony,' you are earnestly requested to remain a little longer,
+it is better to yield; but in a few minutes rise again. Should your
+hostess still further insist, taking you by the hands, and forcing you
+again to seat yourself, it would be scarcely polite not to comply;
+but, at the same time, after a short interval, you must make your
+adieus a third time, and positively depart.</p>
+
+<p>When several meet together, polite persons contrive to make those who
+went last into one room enter first into the next; and as hosts
+distribute attentions to all in turn&mdash;handing the lady of highest
+rank, or greatest age, into a dinner or supper room&mdash;he or she
+recommends a particular dish first to the second in consideration,
+proposes to a third to examine a picture, or any pretty thing, before
+handing it to others; and so on&mdash;making, as it were, every one of
+consequence, and socially promoting <i>libert&eacute;</i>, <i>egalit&eacute;</i>, and
+<i>fraternit&eacute;</i>. Those who are poor, and have no servant to attend at
+their home during absence, should place a slate and slate-pencil at
+their door, in order that those who visit them may write their names
+and business.</p>
+
+<p>When you receive company, your apartment should unite French elegance
+with English comfort. If not rich, and able to keep many servants,
+appoint one day in the week to see your friends, and keep to that day
+always. Let your dress, and that of your domestic, and the arrangement
+of your small domicile, be all in order: however poor and simple, be
+clean and tidy; have flowers, and whatever small elegances you can
+collect. 'It is better to receive in the <i>salon</i>, if you have one,
+than in your bedroom; but that should be preferred before the <i>salle &agrave;
+manger</i>.'&mdash;To understand this, we must remember, that in ordinary
+life&mdash;especially in the provinces&mdash;the dining-room resembles in
+general a servants-hall&mdash;deal-table, brick floor, or at best boarded,
+with no carpet; and so forth; the lady's bedroom, on the contrary,
+except the bed, might pass for a boudoir, everything unseemly being
+removed during the day.&mdash;And when you give a party, you can take
+coffee in your own private apartment, and receive your
+morning-visitors there always. When any one enters, rise, go to meet
+him, and say how glad you are to see him. A lady you take by the hand,
+and seat her on the sofa, where the lady of the house may place
+herself likewise; but the monsieur must not presume on such a liberty,
+but draw his chair to a convenient distance from it for conversation.
+You offer a young man an easy-chair, but an old gentleman you <i>insist</i>
+upon occupying it. If the best place in the room be filled by a young
+woman, and one to whom respect is due enters, the former cedes it to
+the last arrival, and modestly places herself opposite the fire, which
+in winter is considered the least honourable situation, as the side is
+the most so. People of <i>bon ton</i> present their guests with footstools,
+not <i>chaufferettes</i>, as is the comfortable custom in grades less
+distinguished. Those who are occupied working or drawing, must lay
+both aside when but slightly acquainted with their visitor; if, on the
+contrary, it is one whom you see frequently, you comply with the
+request which she ought to make, that you will continue it. But should
+it be a relative, or very intimate friend, you yourself beg permission
+to go on with your employment, if at least it is one you can pursue
+and converse easily at the same time; but it should be quite
+subservient to your visitor's entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>When a new guest arrives, the others rise as well as the master and
+mistress of the house; it is considered very ill-bred not to do so, or
+not to treat with politeness every one you meet at a house where you
+visit&mdash;conversing agreeably, and not looking at a stranger with a
+stony stare, like a stiff Englishman, as if you supposed they were not
+as fit for society as yourself, a style of insular manners considered
+insolent in that 'nation whose inhabitants give laws of politeness to
+the world.' If there are many people present at a morning-call, the
+earlier comers should retire. During extremely hot weather, or to an
+author reading his production, you may offer a glass of sirup, or <i>eau
+sucr&eacute;e</i>, or if a lady becomes faint, some <i>fleur d'orange</i> and water;
+but it is provincial to propose anything else; and, indeed, the French
+never eat between meals, or in any rank above the very lowest will one
+be seen to partake of anything in the street, fruit or cake, or even
+give them to their children, it being considered quite mob-manners to
+do so.</p>
+
+<p>It need hardly be said, in conclusion, that the French exercise
+considerable tact in the matter of introducing one person to another.
+They know who should be introduced to each other, and who should not.
+In our own country, people sometimes think they are performing an act
+of politeness in introducing one person to another, whereas they are
+probably giving offence to one of the parties. And with this hint on
+an important subject, we close our observations on the laws of
+politeness.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="OUR_WILD-FRUITS" id="OUR_WILD-FRUITS"></a>OUR WILD-FRUITS.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">The</span> next native fruits which demand our notice are the strawberry,
+raspberry, and the varieties of the bramble tribe, all of which are to
+be classed under the third section of the natural order <i>Rosace&aelig;</i>, and
+form the ninth genus of that order. The general characteristics of
+these are&mdash;the calyx flattish at the bottom, and five-cleft; five
+petals; many stamens inserted into the calyx with the petals; many
+fleshy carpels arranged on a somewhat elevated receptacle, with
+lateral style, near the points of the carpels.</p>
+
+<p>We will begin with the strawberry (<i>Fragaria</i>.) The last fruits of
+which we spoke&mdash;the plum and cherry&mdash;though the produce of much larger
+plants, nay, one of them of a tree which ranks among the timber-trees
+of our land, are not of superior, if of equal value to those which are
+about to engage our attention. An old writer quaintly remarks: 'It is
+certain that there <i>might</i> have been a better berry than the
+strawberry, but it is equally certain that there is not one;' and I
+suppose there are few in the present day who will be disposed to
+dispute this opinion, for there are few fruits, if any, which are in
+more general repute, or more highly prized, than the strawberry and
+raspberry; and though the cultivated species have now nearly, if not
+quite superseded the wild, yet we must not forget that there was a
+time when none but the latter were to be obtained in England, and that
+the native sorts of which we are now to speak are the parents of
+almost all the rich varieties which at present exist in the land.
+There are doubtless many among the inhabitants of our towns and cities
+who have never gathered or seen the strawberry in its wild state; and
+many, very many more who are wholly unacquainted with the peculiar and
+interesting structure of this fruit and its allies&mdash;the raspberry,
+blackberry, dewberry, and their congeners. The plant which bears the
+strawberry, whether the wild or garden species, is an herb with
+three-partite leaves, notched at the edge with a pair of largo
+membraneous stipules at their base. When growing, this plant throws
+out two kinds of shoots&mdash;one called <i>runners</i>, which lie prostrate on
+the ground, and end in a tuft of leaves&mdash;these root into the soil, and
+then form new plants&mdash;and another growing nearly upright, and bearing
+at the end a tuft of flowers which produce the fruit. The calyx, which
+is flat, green, and hairy, is divided into ten parts, called sepals,
+and there are five petals; the stamens, which are very numerous, and
+grow out of the calyx, are placed in a crowded ring round the pistil.
+This pistil consists of a number of carpels, arranged in many rows
+very regularly on a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[pg 299]</a></span>central receptacle; each carpel has a style,
+ending in a slightly-lobed stigma; and an ovary, wherein lies one
+single ovule, or young seed. The course of the transformation of this
+apparatus into fruit is highly curious and interesting. First, the
+petals fall off, and the calyx closes over the young fruit;
+immediately the receptacle on which the carpels grow begins to swell,
+and soon after the carpels themselves increase in size, and become
+shining, whilst their styles begin to shrivel. The receptacle
+increases in size so much more and faster than the carpels, which soon
+cease to enlarge at all, that they speedily begin to be separated by
+it, and the surface of the receptacle to become apparent. In a little
+time, the carpels are completely scattered in an irregular manner over
+the surface of the receptacle, which has become soft and juicy, and
+has all along been pushing aside the calyx, which finally falls back
+almost out of sight. The receptacle finally assumes a crimson colour,
+grows faster and faster, and becomes sweet and fragrant. Those which
+we commonly call the seeds of the strawberry, then lie on the surface,
+and these, if carefully examined, will prove to be the carpels
+containing the seeds in a little thin shell like a small nut. The
+strawberry is, therefore, not, properly speaking, a fruit; it is a
+fleshy receptacle, bearing the fruit on it, which fruit is, in fact,
+the ripe carpels. Now this structure is, as I have said, common to all
+strawberries, each variety having, however, its own peculiarities of
+growth and appearance.</p>
+
+<p>There are but nine distinct species of the tribe Fragaria: one native
+in Germany, where it is called Erdbeere; two in North, and one in
+South America; one in Surinam; and one in India; the remaining three
+being indigenous in Britain, where, besides these three wild species,
+there are at least sixty mongrel varieties, the results of
+cultivation; some of which, recently produced from seed, are of great
+excellence. The finest of these native British species is the
+wood-strawberry (<i>Fragaria vesca</i>), which is common everywhere; the
+second, the hautboy (<i>F. elatior</i>), is much less frequently found, and
+is by Hooker supposed to be scarcely indigenous; and the third, the
+one-leaved strawberry (<i>F. monophylla</i>), is unknown to me, and only
+named by some writers as a species. The common wood-strawberry bears
+leaves smaller, more sharply notched, and more wrinkled in appearance,
+than any of the cultivated species. The earliest formed are closely
+covered, as is the stem, with white silvery hairs, and the leaves turn
+red early in the autumn, or in dry weather. The blossoms appear very
+early in the spring, throwing up their delicate white petals on every
+bank and hedgerow, among the clusters of violets and primroses, and
+even not unfrequently before these sweet harbingers of spring venture
+to unfold and give promise of abundant fruit. But though the blossoms
+are so common, from some reason or other the fruit seldom ripens
+freely, unless along some of the more remote and secluded woodpaths,
+where the bright red berries lurk on every sunny bank, between the
+trunks of the old beech and oak trees, and are overhung by the
+beautiful bunches of polypody and foxglove, and other free-growing
+wild-plants which spring in such solitudes, providing the flocks of
+varied song-birds which frequent such delightful glades with many a
+juicy meal.</p>
+
+<p>Few things can be more agreeable than a day of strawberry-picking in
+the woods and glens where they abound, when troops of happy little
+children are scattered about, singly, or in groups of three or four,
+each with a basket to receive the delicious spoil, and all grubbing
+among the moss and herbage, and shouting with exultation as one
+cluster after another reveals itself to their eager researches. Some
+are too much engaged in the quest to notice the brilliant flowers
+which at another time would have engrossed all their thoughts; whilst
+others, wreathed round with the bright blue wood-vetch, the shining
+broad-leaved bryony, and the rose and honeysuckle, will have to lay
+down the large handfuls of flowers with which they have encumbered
+themselves, before they can share in the enjoyment of collecting the
+fragrant berries. Then comes the hour of assembling, to take their tea
+and eat the sweet, fresh fruit, and talk over their adventures with
+the happy parents who have awaited the gathering together of the young
+ones. Perhaps this assembling takes place in the nearest farmhouse,
+where fresh milk and rich cream are added to the repast; or it may be
+under the boughs of one of those masters of the forest, which we may
+fancy to have seen such gatherings, year by year, for centuries past,
+and could tell us tales of groups of little people, arranged in the
+costumes depicted by Holbein, Vandyk, or Lely, the garb of ancient
+days, seated by their stately seniors, whilst the antlered deer, then
+the free denizens of the forest, stood at bay, half-startled at the
+merry party which had invaded their solitude; and the squirrel, little
+more vivacious in its furry jacket than the stiffly-dressed little
+bipeds, sprang from bough to bough overhead; and the hare and rabbit
+bounded along over the distant upland. But we must return to our
+description of</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i6">The blushing strawberry,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Which lurks close shrouded from high-looking eyes,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Shewing that sweetness low and hidden lies.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The whole tribe takes its generic name from its fragrance; the word
+<i>fragrans</i>, sweet-smelling, being that from which Fragaria is derived.
+The wood-strawberry is seldom larger than a horse-bean, of a brilliant
+red, and the flesh whiter than that of any cultivated species; the
+flavour is remarkably clear and full&mdash;a pleasant subacid, with more of
+the peculiar strawberry perfume in the taste than any other. They are
+very wholesome, indeed considered valuable medicinally. The other wild
+species is the hautboy: this is larger than <i>F. vesca</i>, more hairy,
+and its fruit a deeper red; the flavour, like that of the
+garden-hautboy, rather musty; in its uses and qualities, it resembles
+<i>F. vesca</i>. The strawberry does not seem to have been noticed by the
+ancients, though it is slightly named by Virgil, Ovid, and Pliny. It
+appears to have been cultivated in England early, as an old writer,
+Tusser, says:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'Wife, into the garden, and set me a plot,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">With strawberry-roots the best to be got;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Such growing abroad among thorns in the wood,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Well chosen and pricked, prove excellent good.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Gerarde speaks of them as growing 'in hills and valleys, likewise in
+woods, and other such places as be something shadowie; they prosper
+well in gardens, the red everywhere; the other two, white and green,
+more rare, and are not to be founde save only in gardens.' Shakspeare
+speaks of this fruit. We find the Bishop of Ely, when conversing with
+the Archbishop of Canterbury on the change of conduct manifested by
+the young King Henry V., on his coming to the throne, says:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'The strawberry grows underneath the nettle,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Neighboured by fruits of baser quality,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And so the prince,' &amp;c.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>And the Duke of Gloster, when counselling in the Tower with his
+allies, and plotting to strip his young nephew of his crown and
+honours, says:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">'My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I saw good strawberries in your garden there:<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I do beseech you send for some of them.'<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Parkinson speaks, in 1629, of their having been introduced 'but of
+late days.' As an article of diet, this fruit offers but little
+nourishment, but it is considered useful in some diseases, and
+generally wholesome, though there are some constitutions to which it
+is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[pg 300]</a></span>injurious. Linn&aelig;us states, that he was twice cured of the gout by
+the free use of strawberries; and Gerarde and other old authors
+enlarge much on their efficacy in consumptive cases. Phillips tells
+us, that 'in the monastery of Batalha is the tomb of Don John, son of
+King John I. of Portugal, which is ornamented by the representation of
+strawberries, this prince having chosen them for his crest, to shew
+his devotion to St John the Baptist, who lived on fruits.' This is
+rather a curious notion, for though the Scripture tells us of St John
+the Baptist, that when in the wilderness 'his meat was locusts and
+wild honey,' we have no reason to suppose that he lived always even on
+these. What these locusts were is problematical, but it is likely they
+were the fruit of the locust-tree, <i>Hymen&aelig;a</i>, which bears a pod
+containing a sort of bean, enclosed in a whitish substance of fine
+filaments, as sweet as sugar or honey. The wild bees frequent these
+trees, and it is probable that here St John found his twofold aliment;
+but we have no particular reason to suppose that he wholly lived on
+fruit, and certainly could have little to do with strawberries, as
+there is no species indigenous in the Holy Land.</p>
+
+<p>But we must now proceed to examine and record the structure of the
+raspberry, raspis, or hindberry, by all which names it is called. This
+is a species of the Rubus, of which Hooker records only ten species as
+native in Britain, though Loudon extends the number to thirteen; of
+which one, the dwarf crimson (<i>Rubus araticus</i>), is to be found only
+in Scotland. We cannot, of course, notice each of these species
+separately, nor will it be necessary to do so, as the varieties which
+mark the different kinds of common bramble are such as would not be
+observed except by an accurate botanist. This tribe, which takes its
+name from the Celtic <i>rub</i>, which signifies <i>red</i>, and is supposed to
+be so named from the red tint of its young shoots, as well as from the
+colour of the juice of its berry, consists chiefly of shrub-like
+plants, with perennial roots, most of which produce suckers or stolons
+from the roots, which ripen and drop their leaves one year, and resume
+their foliage, produce blossom shoots, flowers, and fruit, and die the
+next year, of which the raspberry and common bramble are examples. In
+some of the species the stem is upright, or only a little arched at
+the top, but in the greater number it is prostrate and arched, the
+ends of the shoots rooting when they reach the ground, and forming new
+plants, sometimes at the distance of several yards from the parent
+root. The branches and stems are all more or less prickly; those of
+the common bramble being armed with strong and sharp spines, and even
+the leaf-stems lined with very sharp reflected prickles, which hitch
+in everything they come near, and inflict sharp wounds. The corolla is
+formed of an inferior calyx of one leaf, divided into five segments,
+of five petals in some species; and in others pink, but always of very
+light and fragile texture, and more or less crumpled, on which the
+caterpillar of the beautiful white admiral butterfly (<i>Limenitis
+camilla</i>) sometimes feeds. It has many stamens, arranged like those of
+the strawberry; and the pistil is composed, as that is, of a number of
+carpels rising out of a central receptacle.</p>
+
+<p>But now let us examine the structure of the fruit, which we shall find
+differs materially from that of the strawberry in its formation. We
+will take that of the raspberry as our example; for though the berries
+of the whole tribe are on the same construction, we cannot have one
+better known or which would better illustrate the subject. If you pull
+off the little thimble-shaped fruit from its stem, you will find
+beneath a dry, white cone; this is the receptacle, and the very part
+which you eat in the strawberry. If you look attentively at a ripe
+raspberry, you will find that it is composed of many separate little
+balls of fleshy and juicy substance, each entirely covered by a thin,
+membraneous skin, which separates it wholly from its neighbour, and
+from the cone. Each of these contains a single seed, and from each a
+little dry thread, which is the withered style, projects. You will
+find none of the dry grains which lie on the surface of the
+strawberry, the part which corresponds with the inner part of those,
+lying in the juicy pulp below, whilst that which once corresponded
+with their outer part or shell, has itself been transformed into that
+juicy pulp which covers them: the fact is, that the carpels of the
+raspberry, instead of remaining dry like the strawberry, swell as they
+ripen, and acquire a soft, pulpy coat, which in time becomes red,
+juicy, and sweet. These carpels are so crowded together, that they at
+last grow into one mass, and form the little thimble-shaped fruit
+which we eat, the juices of the receptacle being all absorbed by the
+carpels, which eventually separate from it, and leave the dry cone
+below. Lindley says: 'In the one case, the receptacle robs the carpels
+of all their juice, in order to become gorged and bloated at their
+expense; in the other case, the carpels act in the same selfish manner
+on the receptacle.'</p>
+
+<p>If you observe the berries of the common brambles, the dewberry, and
+the cloudberry, you will find them to be all thus formed, though the
+number of <i>grains</i>, as these swollen carpels are called, differ
+materially&mdash;the dewberry often maturing only one or two, while the
+raspberry, and some kinds of the brambleberry, present us with twenty
+and more.</p>
+
+<p>The raspberry was but little noticed by the ancients. Pliny speaks of
+a sort of bramble called by the Greeks <i>Id&aelig;us</i>, from Mount Ida, but he
+seems to value it but little. He says, however: 'The flowers of this
+raspis being tempered with honey, are good to be laid to watery or
+bloodshotten eyes, as also in erysipelas; being taken inwardly, and
+drunk with water, it is a comfortable medicine to a weak stomach.'
+Gerarde speaks of it under the name of hindeberry, as inferior to the
+blackberry. The wild raspberry, which is the stock whence we get the
+garden red raspberry, grows freely in many parts of England. It is
+found in Wilts, Somerset, Devonshire, and other counties, but is most
+abundant in the north. Except in size, it is little inferior to the
+cultivated kinds, and possesses the same colour, scent, and flavour.
+This fruit, and the strawberry, are especially suitable for invalids,
+as they do not engender acetous fermentation in the stomach. In
+dietetic and medicinal qualities, these fruits are also much alike.
+The bramble, which grows everywhere, creeping on every hedge, and
+spreading on the earth in all directions, abounds in useful
+properties, most parts of the plant being good for use. The berries
+make very tolerable pies, and are much in request for such purposes,
+and for making jam in farmhouses and cottages, where they are often
+mixed with apples to correct thereby the rather faint and vapid
+flavour that they possess when used by themselves. This jam, as well
+as the raw fruit, is considered good for sore throats, and for
+inflammation of the gums and tonsils. We are also told, that the young
+green shoots, eaten as salad, will fix teeth which are loose; probably
+(if it be so) it is from the astringent qualities in the juice
+strengthening and hardening the gums. The leaves pounded, are said to
+be a cure for the ringworm; and they are also made into tea by some of
+the cottagers, which is very useful in some ailments; and the roots
+boiled in honey, are said to be serviceable in dropsy. The green twigs
+are used to dye silk and woollen black; and silk-worms will feed on
+them, though the silk produced by those so fed is not equal to that of
+those fed on the mulberry. The long trailing shoots are important to
+thatchers for binding thatch, and are also used for binding
+straw-mats, beehives, &amp;c.; and even the flowers were anciently
+supposed to be remedies against the most dangerous serpents. Loudon
+says: 'The berries, when eaten at the moment they are ripe, are
+cooling and grateful; a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[pg 301]</a></span>little before, they are coarse and
+astringent; and a little after, disagreeably flavoured or putrid.' He
+adds: 'Care is requisite in gathering the fruit, for one berry of the
+last sort will spoil a whole pie.' Great quantities of them are
+collected by the women and children in the country, and sold in the
+neighbouring towns by the quart. There is a double-flowered species of
+bramble, and one which bears <i>white</i> berries. The fruit of the dwarf
+crimson (<i>R. araticus</i>), and that of the cloudberry (<i>R. cham&aelig;morus</i>),
+are highly prized in Scotland and Sweden, and in the latter country
+are much used in sauces and soups, and for making vinegar; and Dr
+Clarke says, that he was cured of a bilious fever by eating great
+quantities. The cloudberry, which grows on the tops of the highest
+mountains, is the badge of the clan Macfarlane. The bramble seems to
+be of almost universal extent, at least it is found at the utmost
+limits of ph&aelig;nogamous vegetation; and we are led to remark the
+goodness of God in thus providing a plant which combines so many
+valuable qualities, and so many useful parts, capable of extending
+itself so freely in defiance of all impediments, and of standing so
+many vicissitudes of climate, without the aid of culture or care. The
+bramble is emphatically the property of the poor; its fruit may be
+gathered without restriction; its shoots, both in their young
+medicinal state, and in their harder and tougher growth, are theirs to
+use as they will; and their children may enjoy the sport of
+blackberry-picking, and the profits of blackberry-selling, none saying
+them nay; and many a pleasant and wholesome pudding or pie is to be
+found on tables in blackberry season, where such dainties are not
+often seen at any other time, unless, indeed, we except the
+whortleberry season. The poet Cowper sings of&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i1">Berries that emboss<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The bramble black as jet;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and truly a plant which diffuses so many benefits, even under the
+least advantageous circumstances, may well deserve encomium.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="NICHOLAS_POUSSIN" id="NICHOLAS_POUSSIN"></a>NICHOLAS POUSSIN.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">Nicholas Poussin</span> was born at Andelys, in Normandy, in June 1593. His
+father, Jean Poussin, had served in the regiment of Tauannes during
+the reigns of Charles IX., Henry III., and Henry IV., without having
+risen to any higher rank than that of lieutenant. Happening to meet in
+the town of Vernon a rich and handsome young widow, Jean Poussin
+married her, left the service, and retired with his wife to the
+pleasant village of Andelys, where, in a year afterwards, Nicholas was
+born. His childhood resembled that of many other great painters.
+Whitewashed walls scribbled over with landscapes&mdash;school-books defaced
+with sketches, which <i>then</i> drew down anger and reproof on the idle
+student, but which <i>now</i> would form precious gems in many a rich
+museum&mdash;these were the early evidences of Poussin's genius. He was
+treated severely by his father, who thought that every vigorous,
+well-made boy ought of necessity to become a soldier&mdash;secretly
+consoled and encouraged by his mother, who loved him with an almost
+idolatrous affection, and who approved of his pursuits, not from any
+abstract love of art, but because she thought the profession of
+painting might be pursued by her darling without obliging him to leave
+his home.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that the painter, Quintin Varin, was an intimate
+acquaintance of the elder Poussin. Somewhat reluctantly, the
+ex-lieutenant gave his son permission to study the first principles of
+painting under their friend. The boy's first attempts were
+water-colour landscapes, his very straitened finances not allowing him
+to use oils. His subjects were the beautiful scenes around Andelys;
+and, despite of his inexperience, he knew so well how to transfer the
+living poetry of the scenery to his canvas, that his master one day
+said to him: 'Nicholas, why have you deceived me?&mdash;you must have
+learned painting before.'</p>
+
+<p>'I assure you I have not.'</p>
+
+<p>'Then,' said Varin, 'I am not fit to be thy master. There is a
+revelation of genius in thy lightest touch to which I have never
+attained. I should but cloud thy destiny in seeking to instruct thee.
+Go to Paris, dear boy; there thou wilt achieve both fame and fortune.'</p>
+
+<p>The advice was followed, and with a light purse, and a still lighter
+heart, Nicholas Poussin arrived in Paris. He bore a letter of
+introduction from Varin to the Flemish painter Ferdinand Elle, who
+consented to receive him as a pupil for the payment of three livres a
+month.</p>
+
+<p>There were already a dozen young people in the studio. When their new
+companion joined them, they amused themselves by laughing at him, and
+playing off practical jokes at his expense, which at first he bore
+with good-humour. It happened, however, one morning, that on examining
+his slender purse, he found that its contents had fallen to zero; and
+this unpleasant circumstance caused him, no doubt, to feel in an
+irritable state of mind. On reaching the studio, and just as he
+entered the door, he was inundated by the contents of a bucket of
+water, which one of his companions had suspended over the door, and
+managed to overturn on the head of Nicholas. Furious at this
+unexpected <i>douche</i>, he flew at its unlucky contriver, and gave him a
+hearty beating. There were three other lads in the studio; they all
+attacked Nicholas, who, however, proved more than their match,
+overthrowing two of his assailants, and obliging the third to fly.</p>
+
+<p>After this occurrence, Poussin became free from the petty annoyances
+which he had hitherto endured; but he found no friend in the studio of
+Ferdinand Elle, and he felt, besides, that he was losing his time, and
+learning nothing from that painter. These reasons determined him one
+day to write a respectful letter to his master, declining further
+attendance at the studio; and then, furnished with little of this
+world's goods, besides some pencils and paper, he set out, very
+literally, 'to seek his fortune.'</p>
+
+<p>It was then the beginning of summer; everything in nature looked
+lovely and glad, and Poussin insensibly wandered on, until he found
+himself in a fresh green meadow on the banks of the Marne. He lay down
+under the shade of an osier thicket, and presently became aware of the
+presence of a young man about his own age, who was busily employed in
+fishing. Nicholas watched him for some time, and then said: 'May I
+remark, that the bait you are using does not appear suited to this
+river?'</p>
+
+<p>'Very likely,' replied the stranger; 'I am but an inexperienced
+fisher, and will feel greatly obliged by your advice.'</p>
+
+<p>Poussin then arranged the line, put on a fresh bait, and in a few
+minutes a fine perch was landed on the grass.</p>
+
+<p>'Many thanks for your assistance,' said the young man; 'will you do me
+the favour to join in my repast?'</p>
+
+<p>It was two o'clock in the afternoon, and Nicholas had had no
+breakfast. He therefore gladly consented; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[pg 302]</a></span>and the angler, drawing
+from his fish-basket a large slice of savoury pie, a loaf of bread,
+and a flask of wine, they made a hearty meal together.</p>
+
+<p>After the fashion of the days of chivalry, the two knights-errant told
+each other their names and histories. The stranger, whose name was
+Raoul, was a young man of considerable property. His parents, living
+in Poitou, sent him to finish his education and polish his manners by
+frequenting fashionable society in Paris; but his tastes were simple,
+his habits retiring, and he had not met amongst the rich and noble any
+who pleased him so well as the poor penniless painter. With cordial
+frankness, he pressed Nicholas to take up his abode with him in Paris,
+and promised to advance him in the study of his art.</p>
+
+<p>The offer was accepted as freely as it was made, and Nicholas Poussin
+was thus enabled to pursue with ardour the noble studies to which his
+life was henceforth devoted, free from those petty cares and sordid
+anxieties which so often clog the wings of genius. By the interest of
+Raoul, many valuable collections of paintings, including the unique
+one of Segnier, were opened to him. Becoming acquainted with a brother
+student, Philippe de Champagne, he joined him for a time in receiving
+instruction from Lallemand, until, perceiving that that painter was no
+more capable of teaching him than Ferdinand Elle had been, he left his
+studio, and gave himself up to severe and solitary study.</p>
+
+<p>At twenty years of age, Nicholas Poussin steadily renounced every
+species of youthful pleasure and dissipation, that he might pursue his
+one noble object. He rose at daybreak, and regularly retired to rest
+at nine o'clock. During the winter months, he spent the early hours of
+the day in studying Greek and Latin under an old priest, who loved him
+and taught him gratuitously. The remainder of the day was devoted to
+painting, and the evening to short visits amongst the friends to whom
+he had been introduced by the active kindness of Raoul. In the summer,
+he loved to spend occasionally a long bright day in rambling through
+the beautiful scenery of Auteuil, taking sketches while his friend
+fished. The extent of their innocent dissipation consisted in dining
+at some rural hostelry on the produce of the morning's sport, washed
+down with a temperate modicum of wine. Thus pleasantly and profitably
+passed two years, at the end of which Raoul was recalled to his home.</p>
+
+<p>Despite of the excuses and remonstrances of Poussin, his friend
+insisted on his accompanying him to Poitou, assuring him of a hearty
+welcome from his own parents. From Raoul's father, indeed, the young
+painter received it; but his mother was a proud, ill-tempered woman,
+who affected to despise a dauber of canvas, and treated her son's
+friend as a sort of valet attached to his service. In short, she
+heaped insults on the young man, which even his love for Raoul could
+not force him to endure; and in order to escape the affectionate
+solicitations of his friend, he set out secretly one morning alone and
+on foot.</p>
+
+<p>Weary, penniless, and attacked with inward inflammation, he at length
+reached Paris. Philippe de Champagne received him, and watched over
+him like a brother until he recovered. A great degree of weakness and
+languor still depressed him; the air of Paris weighed on him like
+lead. He sighed for his native breeze at Andelys, and still more for
+his mother's embrace&mdash;his good and tender mother, whose letters to him
+were so often rendered almost illegible by her tears, and whose memory
+had been his sweetest comfort during the weary nights of sickness.</p>
+
+<p>He set out on his journey with six livres in his pocket, which he had
+earned by painting a bunch of hats on the sign-post of a hatter, and
+arrived safely at home. Soon afterwards, his father died, and Nicholas
+determined never again to leave his mother. She, tender woman that she
+was, grieved for a husband who had rarely shewn her any kindness, and
+who, in his hard selfishness, had now left her totally destitute. All
+the money she had brought him as her dowry, he, unknown to her, had
+sunk in an annuity on his own life, and nothing now remained for her
+but the devoted love of her only son.</p>
+
+<p>This, however, was a 'goodly heritage.' Those who zealously try to
+fulfil their duty, may be assured that a kind Providence will assist
+their efforts; and Nicholas succeeded for some time in maintaining his
+mother by the sale of water-colour paintings for the decoration of a
+convent chapel. At length, this resource failed; and the ardent young
+painter determined to relinquish all his bright visions, and learn
+some manual trade, when his mother was seized with illness, and,
+despite of his anxious care, died.</p>
+
+<p>No motive now detained him at Andelys. The sale of his slender
+possessions there furnished him with a little money; and, partly in
+order to assuage his grief for his mother, partly to see the works of
+the great masters, he determined to go to Italy.</p>
+
+<p>Rome was naturally the goal of his steps, but on this occasion he was
+not destined to reach it. On arriving at Florence, he met with an
+accidental hurt, which confined him to a lodging for a month, and when
+he was cured, left him almost penniless. Finding it impossible to
+dispose of the sketches which he drew for his daily bread, he
+determined to retrace his steps. Arrived at Paris, he was once more
+received by his faithful friend, Philippe de Champagne, and by him
+introduced to Duchesne, who was then painting the ornaments of the
+Luxembourg, and who engaged both the young men as his assistants.</p>
+
+<p>This promised to be a durable and profitable engagement; but Duchesne,
+who had but little pretension to genius, soon grew jealous of his
+young companions, and seized the first pretext for dismissing them.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly afterwards, the Jesuits of Paris celebrated the canonisation
+of St Ignatius and St Francis Xavier. For this occasion, Poussin
+executed six water-colour pictures, representing the principal events
+in the lives of these two personages. The merit of these works
+attracted the attention of Signor Marini, a distinguished courtier of
+the day. He was attached to the suit of Marie de Medicis, and held a
+high place amongst the literary and artistic, as well as gay circles
+of the court; his notice was therefore of importance to the artist,
+who by it was introduced amongst the great, the learned, and the gay.</p>
+
+<p>Wisely did he take advantage of mixing in this society to improve his
+knowledge of men and things, and to satisfy that craving for
+enlightenment which he felt equally when rambling in the fields,
+standing at his easel, or sitting as a timid listener in the splendid
+saloons of Signor Marini.</p>
+
+<p>This pleasant life lasted for a year; Marini was his Mec&aelig;nas; orders
+for paintings flowed in on him; and when, in 1625, his patron went to
+Rome to visit Pope Urban VIII., Poussin would have accompanied him,
+but for an honourable dread of breaking some engagements which he had
+made. Amongst others, he had to finish a large piece representing the
+<i>Death of the Virgin</i>, undertaken for the guild of goldsmiths, who
+presented every year a picture to Notre-Dame.</p>
+
+<p>Marini tried in vain to shake his resolution. Nicholas Poussin had
+pledged his word, and nothing could make him break it&mdash;not even the
+advantage of accomplishing, in the company and at the expense of the
+generous Italian, that journey to Rome which had always formed his
+most cherished day-dream. The following year, Poussin went to Rome,
+and, to his great sorrow, found his kind patron suffering from a
+malady which speedily terminated his life. Thus was the painter once
+more thrown on his own resources in a city where he was a stranger;
+but his was not a nature to be discouraged <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[pg 303]</a></span>by adversity. There was
+something grand in the serenity with which he spent days in examining
+the wondrous statues of the olden time, while a cheerless attic was
+his lodging, and his dinner depended on the generosity of a
+printseller for whom he worked occasionally, and who was not always in
+the humour to advance money.</p>
+
+<p>Many years afterwards, Poussin, in speaking of this period, said to
+Chantilon: 'I have sometimes gone to bed without having tasted food
+since the morning, not because I had no means of paying at a
+hostel&mdash;although <i>that</i> also has befallen me at times&mdash;but because,
+after having my soul filled with the glorious beauty of ancient art, I
+could not endure to mingle in the low, sordid scenes of a cheap
+eating-house. Indeed, it was scarcely a sacrifice to do so, for my
+heart was too full to allow me to feel hunger.'</p>
+
+<p>Poussin studied nature with a minuteness that often exposed him to
+raillery. Whenever he made a country excursion, he brought back a bag
+filled with pebbles and mosses, whose various tints and forms he
+afterwards studied with the most scrupulous care. Vigneul de Marville
+asked him one day how he had reached so high a rank among the great
+painters. 'I tried to neglect nothing,' replied Poussin.</p>
+
+<p>True, indeed, he had neglected nothing. He gave his days and nights to
+the acquirement of various sciences. He understood anatomy better than
+any surgeon of his time; he knew history like a Benedictine, and the
+antiquities of Rome as a botanist does his favourite flora. But
+architecture was the art which he esteemed most essential to a
+painter; and accordingly his landscapes abound in exquisite
+delineations of buildings.</p>
+
+<p>His veneration for the works of his predecessors was very great. We
+find him, in a letter addressed to M. de Chantilon, requesting that a
+painting which he sent might not be placed in the same room with one
+of Raphael's&mdash;'lest the contrast might ruin mine, and cause whatever
+little beauty it has to vanish.'</p>
+
+<p>He was an ardent admirer of Domenichino, and copied many of his works.
+It happened one day, that as he was in a chapel busily employed in
+copying a painting by that master, he saw a feeble old man tottering
+slowly towards him, leaning on a crutch. The visitor, without
+ceremony, seated himself on the painter's stool, and began
+deliberately to examine his work. Poussin greatly disliked inquisitive
+critics, and now feeling annoyed, he began to put up his pallet, and
+to prepare for leaving.</p>
+
+<p>'You don't like visitors, young man?' said the old man smiling.
+'Neither did I. But when I was your age, and, like you, copying the
+works of the old masters, if one of them had come to look over my
+shoulder, and see how I succeeded in reproducing the form which he had
+created, I would not for that have put away my pallet, but I would
+gladly have sought his counsel.' And while he spoke, the handle of his
+crutch was rubbing against the centre of the picture.</p>
+
+<p>'Signor, are you mad?' exclaimed Poussin, seizing the offending
+crutch.</p>
+
+<p>'So they say, my child; but 'tis not true. No, no; Domenichino is not
+mad, and can still give good advice.'</p>
+
+<p>'Domenichino! what! the great Domenichino?' cried the young man.</p>
+
+<p>'The <i>poor</i> Domenichino. Yes, you see him such as years and grief have
+made him. He has come, young man, to counsel you not to follow in his
+track, if you wish to gain fortune and renown. That,' he continued,
+pointing to his own painting,'is true and conscientious art. Well, it
+leads to the alms-house. I see that you have the power to become a
+great artist. Change your place; be extravagant, capricious,
+unnatural, and then you will succeed.'</p>
+
+<p>One may fancy the feelings of Poussin at hearing these words. He told
+Domenichino that he was ready to sacrifice everything to the love of
+true art, and respectfully accompanied him home.</p>
+
+<p>From that time until Zampieri's death, Poussin was his friend and
+pupil. He afterwards paid a debt of gratitude to the painter's memory,
+by causing his picture of the <i>Communion of St Jerome</i>, which had been
+thrown aside in a granary, to be placed opposite to the
+<i>Transfiguration</i> of Raphael.</p>
+
+<p>By degrees, the marvellous talent of Poussin became known, and orders
+for paintings flowed in on him. He might have become rich, but he
+cared not for wealth, and was perhaps the only artist that ever
+thought his works too highly paid for. On one occasion, being sent one
+hundred crowns for a picture, he returned fifty.</p>
+
+<p>Cardinal Mancini paid him a visit one evening, and when he was going
+away, Poussin attended him with a lantern to the outer gate, and
+opened it himself. 'I pity you,' said the cardinal, 'for not having
+even one man-servant.' 'And I pity your eminence for having so many.'</p>
+
+<p>In his days of adversity, Poussin had been kindly received and nursed
+in the house of a M. Dughet, whose daughter he afterwards married. She
+was a simple, kind-hearted woman, and fondly attached to her husband,
+who appreciated her good qualities, and always treated her with
+affection, although she probably never inspired him with ardent love.
+Some years after their marriage, not having any children, Poussin
+adopted his wife's younger brother, Gaspard Dughet, who, under his
+instructions, became a painter of considerable merit. The remainder of
+Poussin's life was singularly prosperous. He continued to reside at
+Rome until summoned to return to France by Louis XIII., who, finding
+that several invitations to that effect, conveyed through ambassadors,
+failed to bring back Poussin, did him the honour to write him an
+autograph letter, entreating his presence. The painter obeyed the
+flattering summons, but unwillingly. He felt that he was sacrificing
+his independence to the splendid bondage of a court, and he often
+remembered with fond regret, 'the peace and the sweetness of his
+little home.'</p>
+
+<p>Two years he resided at court, tasting the sweets and bitters of
+ambition&mdash;the caresses of a powerful king, and a still more powerful
+cardinal&mdash;mingled with the envious intrigues and malicious detraction
+of jealous rivals. Poussin loved not such a life; his free spirit
+languished, his noble heart was pained; and in 1642, he requested and
+obtained leave to visit Italy, promising, however, to return.</p>
+
+<p>The deaths of Louis and Richelieu, which took place within a short
+period of each other, released Poussin from his pledge. From that
+time, he constantly resided at Rome, and executed his greatest works.
+Amongst these may be named: <i>Rebecca</i>, <i>The Seven Sacraments</i>, <i>The
+Judgment of Solomon</i>, <i>Moses striking the Rock</i>, <i>Jesus healing the
+Blind</i>, and <i>The Four Seasons</i>, each being represented by a subject
+from sacred history. All these, with the exception of <i>The Seven
+Sacraments</i>, are to be seen in the Louvre.</p>
+
+<p>Poussin died at Rome in 1665. His wife had expired a short time
+before, and grief for the loss of this fond and faithful partner broke
+down his energies and hastened his decease.</p>
+
+<p>'Her death,' he wrote, 'has left me alone in the world, laden with
+years, filled with infirmities, a stranger and without friends.' All
+those whom he loved had preceded him to their tombs, and the only
+relative at his death-bed was an avaricious nephew, eager to seize his
+possessions.</p>
+
+<p>The name of Nicholas Poussin will never die. He was the first great
+French painter; and in him were united what, unhappily, are often
+dissevered, the highest qualities of the head and of the heart&mdash;the
+lofty genius of the artist with the humble piety of the Christian.</p><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[pg 304]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="ORIGIN_OF_MUSIC" id="ORIGIN_OF_MUSIC"></a>ORIGIN OF MUSIC.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p>As to the hackneyed doctrine that derives the origin of music from the
+outward sounds of nature, none but poets could have conceived it, or
+lovers be justified in repeating it. Granting even that the singing of
+birds, the rippling of brooks, the murmuring of winds, might have
+suggested some idea, in the gradual development of the art, all
+history, as well as the evidence of common sense, proves that they
+gave no help whatever at the commencement. The savage has never been
+inspired by them; his music, when he has any, is a mere noise, not
+deducible by any stretch of the imagination from such sounds of
+nature. The national melodies of various countries give no evidence of
+any influence from without. A collection of native airs from different
+parts of the world will help us to no theory as to whether they have
+been composed in valleys or on plains, by resounding sea-shores or by
+roaring waterfalls. There is nothing in the music itself which tells
+of the natural sounds most common in the desolate steppes of Russia,
+the woody sierras of Spain, or the rocky glens of Scotland. What
+analogy there exists is solely with the inward character of the people
+themselves, and that too profound to be theorised upon. If we search
+the works of the earliest composers, we find not the slightest
+evidence of their having been inspired by any outward agencies. Not
+till the art stood upon its own independent foundations does it appear
+that any musicians ever thought of turning such natural sounds to
+account; and&mdash;though with Beethoven's exquisite Pastoral Symphony
+ringing in our ears, with its plaintive clarionet cuckoo to contradict
+our words&mdash;we should say that no compositions could be of a high class
+in which such sounds were conspicuous.&mdash;<i>Murray's Reading for the
+Rail.</i></p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="THE_ARCHARD_LEVER_POWER" id="THE_ARCHARD_LEVER_POWER"></a>THE ARCHARD LEVER POWER.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p>Our attention has been invited to an invention of a very remarkable
+character, which, if realising the claims asserted in its behalf, will
+fully equal, if it does not far exceed in importance, any discovery of
+the age. It consists in an entirely new application of the power of
+the lever, an application capable of being multiplied to an almost
+unlimited extent. To render our account of this new marvel quite
+incredible in the outset, we will state on the inventor's authority,
+that the steam of an ordinary tea-kettle may be made to produce
+sufficient momentum to propel a steamship of any size across the
+Atlantic! Or, again, one man may exert a power equal to that of a
+thousand horses, and that, too, without the aid of steam or any
+auxiliary other than his own stout arm. It overcomes or disproves the
+heretofore-received principle in mechanics, of not gaining power
+without a loss of speed. Archimedes, in declaring his ability to move
+the world, if he had a suitable position for his fulcrum, conveyed an
+apt illustration of the measureless power of the lever when exerted to
+its fullest extent. This fullest extent Mr Archard claims to have
+attained in the action of a succession of parallel levers&mdash;one lever
+upon a second, the second upon a third, the third upon a fourth, and
+so on progressively; each succeeding lever of the same length as the
+first, and all operating simultaneously, the one lever upon, and with
+all the others. This marvellous property of multiplying leverage, is
+attained without any diminution in speed, since, to whatever extent
+the additional levers may be carried, the entire succession is moved
+as one compact mass, operated upon at the same instant, the last lever
+moving at the same moment with the first. This simultaneous movement
+of a succession of parallel levers, acting the one upon the other,
+with a force successively increasing and in geometrical proportion, is
+the grand desideratum, the <i>ne plus ultra</i>, in the science of
+mechanics, which the inventor professes to have achieved. To place
+this multiplied <i>ad infinitum</i> power in its plainest light, we may
+observe that a given power&mdash;say that of one horse&mdash;will impart to a
+lever of a given dimension a sixteenfold power; that sixteenfold power
+gives the succeeding lever sixty-fourfold increase; that to the third
+lever, 256; that gives to the fourth lever an increase of 1024; while
+this fourth lever, with its largely increased ability, gives to the
+fifth lever the enormous increase of 4096. If, therefore, this
+succession of leverage is rightly stated, a single horse is enabled to
+exert the power of four thousand and ninety-six horses!&mdash;<i>American
+Courier</i>.</p>
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="MY_SPIRITS_HOME" id="MY_SPIRITS_HOME"></a>MY SPIRIT'S HOME.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><span class="sc">Where</span> is the home my spirit seeks,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Amid this world of sin and care,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Where even joy of sorrow speaks,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And Death is lurking everywhere?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Oh! not amid its fading bowers<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">My wearied soul can find repose,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">For serpents lurk beneath its flowers,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And thorns surround its fairest rose.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">The home of earth is not for me;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Far off my spirit's dwelling lies;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The eye of faith alone can see<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Its pearly gates beyond the skies;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The ear of faith alone can hear<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The music of its ceaseless song,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">As nearer with each passing year<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Its angel-chorus rolls along:<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><i>There</i> is the home my spirit seeks,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Above the fadeless stars on high!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Where not a note of discord breaks<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The silver chain of harmony;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Where light without a shadow lies,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And joy can speak without a tear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And Death alone&mdash;the tyrant&mdash;dies:<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The home my spirit seeks is <i>there</i>!<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i10">M. Y. G.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="THE_GUJARATI-HINDOO_GIRLS_SCHOOL" id="THE_GUJARATI-HINDOO_GIRLS_SCHOOL"></a>THE GUJARATI-HINDOO GIRLS' SCHOOL.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p>Imagine in a spacious room, furnished after the European fashion, some
+thirty or forty little girls, all dressed in their best, many of them
+laden with rich ornaments&mdash;anklets and earrings&mdash;seated in order
+around the room, gazing anxiously from their large, lustrous, and
+soulful eyes upon the strangers who sit at the table directing the
+examination, aided by the teacher, the superintendents, the worthy
+Shet and his kinsmen; see behind them a crowd of Hindoos in their
+flowing robes and picturesque turbans, their faces beaming with
+eagerness and delight, as they watch the answers of the pupils&mdash;many
+of them relations, some even their wives; listen also to the low and
+sweet voices of childhood, chanting in the melodious Gujar&acirc;ti (the
+Ionic of Western India) the praises of education; and you may be able
+to form some idea of the scene, and of one of the most pleasurable
+moments in the life of a new-comer.&mdash;<i>Bombay Gazette</i>.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<p class="center"><i>Just Published, Price 2s. 6d. Cloth lettered</i>,</p>
+
+<p>THE MORAL PHILOSOPHY OF PALEY: with Additional <span class="smcap">Dissertations</span> and
+<span class="smcap">Notes</span>. By <span class="smcap">Alexander Bain</span>, A.M. Forming one of the Volumes of
+<span class="smcap">Chambers's Instructive</span> and <span class="smcap">Entertaining Library</span>.</p>
+
+<hr class="tiny" />
+
+<p class="center"><i>Price 6d. Paper Cover</i>,</p>
+
+<p>CHAMBERS'S POCKET MISCELLANY: forming a <span class="smcap">Literary Companion</span> for the
+<span class="smcap">Railway</span>, the <span class="smcap">Fireside</span>, or the <span class="smcap">Bush</span>.</p>
+
+<p class="center">VOLUME XI.</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>To be continued in Monthly Volumes</i>.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+<p>Printed and Published by W. and <span class="smcap">R. Chambers</span>, High Street, Edinburgh.
+Also sold by <span class="smcap">W. S. Orr</span>, Amen Corner, London; <span class="smcap">D. N. Chambers</span>, 55 West
+Nile Street, Glasgow; and <span class="smcap">J. M'Glashan</span>, 50 Upper Sackville Street,
+Dublin.&mdash;Advertisements for Monthly Parts are requested to be sent to
+<span class="smcap">Maxwell</span> &amp; Co., 31 Nicholas Lane, Lombard Street, London, to whom all
+applications respecting their insertion must be made.</p>
+
+<hr class="full" />
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH ***
+
+***** This file should be named 24343-h.htm or 24343-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/3/4/24343/
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+
+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/24343-h/images/banner.png b/24343-h/images/banner.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..24f0292
--- /dev/null
+++ b/24343-h/images/banner.png
diff --git a/24343.txt b/24343.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7eb1ae5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/24343.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2473 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462
+       Volume 18, New Series, November 6, 1852
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: William Chambers
+        Robert Chambers
+
+Release Date: January 17, 2008 [EBook #24343]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                     CHAMBERS' EDINBURGH JOURNAL
+
+  CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, EDITORS OF 'CHAMBERS'S
+  INFORMATION FOR THE PEOPLE,' 'CHAMBERS'S EDUCATIONAL COURSE,' &c.
+
+
+  No. 462. NEW SERIES.   SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1852.   PRICE 1-1/2_d._
+
+
+
+
+THE MANAGING PARTNER.
+
+
+She is neither your partner, nor ours, nor anybody else's in
+particular. She is in general business, of which matrimony is only a
+department. How she came to be concerned in so many concerns, is a
+mystery of nature, like the origin of the Poet--or rather of black
+Topsy. The latter, you know, was not born at all, she never had no
+father nor mother, she was not made by nobody--she _growed_; and so it
+is with the managing partner, who was a managing partner from her
+infancy. It is handed down by tradition that she screamed lustily in
+the nurse's arms when anything went wrong, or as she would not have
+it; and this gave rise, among superficial observers, to the notion,
+that Missy was naturally cross. But the fact is, her screams were
+merely substitutes for words, like the inarticulate cries by which
+dumb persons express their emotions. When language came, she gave up
+screaming--but not managing. She did not so much play, as direct the
+play--distributing the parts to her companions, and remaining herself
+an abstraction. If she was ever seen cuffing a doll on the side of the
+head, or shaking it viciously by the arm, this was merely a burst of
+natural impatience with the stupid thing; but in general, she
+contented herself with desiring the mother of the offender to bestow
+the necessary chastisement. Her orders were usually obeyed; for they
+were seen to proceed from no selfish motive, but from an innate sense
+of right. This fact was obvious from the very words in which they were
+conveyed: You _should_ be so and so; you _should_ do so and so; you
+_should_ say so and so. Her orders were, in fact, a series of moral
+maxims, which the other partners in the juvenile concern took upon
+trust.
+
+As she grew up into girlhood, and then into young-womanhood, business
+multiplied upon her hands. She was never particular as to what
+business it was. Like Wordsworth, when invited in to lunch, she was
+perfectly willing to take a hand in 'anything that was going forward;'
+and that hand was sure to be an important one: she never entered a
+concern of which she did not at once become the managing partner. In
+another of these chalk (and water) portraits, we described the
+Everyday Young Lady as the go-between in numberless love affairs, but
+never the principal in any. This is precisely the case with the young
+lady we are now taking off--yet how different are the functions of the
+two! The former listens, and sighs, and blushes, and sympathises,
+pressing the secret into the depths of her bosom, turning down her
+conscious eyes from the world's face, and looking night and day as if
+she was haunted by a Mystery. She is, in fact, of no use, but as a
+reservoir into which her friend may pour her feelings, and come for
+them again when she chooses, to enjoy and gloat over them at leisure.
+Her nerves are hardly equal to a message; but a note feels red-hot in
+her bosom, and when she has one, she looks down every now and then
+spasmodically, as if to see whether it has singed the muslin. When the
+affair has been brought to a happy issue, she attends, in an official
+capacity, the busking of the victim; and when she sees her at length
+assume the (lace) veil, and prepare to go forth to be actually
+married--a contingency she had till that moment denied in her secret
+heart to be within the bounds of possibility--she falls upon her neck
+as hysterically as a regard for the frocks of both will allow, and
+indulges in a silent fit of tears, and terror, and triumph.
+
+But the managing partner is altogether of a more practical character.
+She no sooner gets an inkling of what is going forward, than she steps
+into the concern as confidently as if any number of parchments had
+been signed and scaled. She is not _assumed_ as a partner (in the
+Scottish phrase), but assumes to be one, and her assumption is
+unconsciously submitted to. To the other young lady the
+bride-expectant goes for sympathy, to this one for advice. And what
+she receives is advice, and nothing but advice. The Manager does not
+put her own hand to the business: she dictates what is to be done; she
+carries neither note nor message, but suggests the purport of both,
+and the messenger to be employed; she repeats the moral maxims of her
+childhood--You should be so and so; you should do so and so; you
+should say so and so. Sometimes she makes a mistake--but what then?
+she has plenty of other businesses to attend to, and the average is
+sure to come up well. In philosophy, she is a decided utilitarian;
+bearing with perfect never-mindingness the misfortunes of individuals,
+and holding by the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
+
+When the managing partner is herself married, the sphere of her
+exertions widens, and her perfect unselfishness becomes more and more
+apparent. She directs the affairs of her husband, of her friends, of
+her neighbours--everybody's affairs, in short, but her own. She has
+the most uncomfortable house, the most uncared-for children, the most
+untidy person in the parish: but how could it be otherwise, since all
+her thoughts and cares are given to her neighbours? Some people
+suppose that ambition is at the bottom of all this; but we do not
+share the opinion. The woman of the world is ambitious, for the
+aggrandisement of herself or family is the main-spring of all her
+management; but _our_ manager finds in the trouble she takes its own
+reward. The other would not stir hand or tongue without some selfish
+end in view; while she will work morning, noon, and night, without the
+faintest dream of remuneration. Again, Bottom the weaver is an
+ambitious character. Not satisfied with playing Pyramus--'An' I may
+hide my face,' says he, 'let me play Thisbe too!' And so likewise,
+when the lion is mentioned, he would fain play the lion in addition to
+both, promising to aggravate his voice in such a way as to roar you as
+gently as any sucking-dove. The managing partner would shrink from
+this kind of active employment. She would compose the play, distribute
+the parts, shift the scenes, and snuff the candles; but she would take
+no part in the performance. This makes her character a difficult
+study; but though difficult, it is not impossible for those who are
+gifted in that way to get to the bottom of it. _Our_ theory is, that
+the fundamental motive of the managing partner is PHILANTHROPY.
+
+In order to understand this, we must remember that she is original and
+unique only in the length to which she carries a common principle in
+human nature. Society is full of advisers on a small scale. If you ask
+your way to such a place in the street, the Mentor you invoke is
+instantaneously seized with a strong desire to befriend you. He calls
+after you a supplement to his directions; and if you chance to turn
+your head, you will observe him watching to see whether you do take
+the right hand. When the opinions of two advisers, no matter on what
+subject, clash, mark the heat and obstinacy with which they are
+defended. Each considers himself in the right; and believing your
+wellbeing to depend upon the choice you make, is humanely solicitous
+that you should give the preference to him. The managing partner
+merely carries out this feeling to a noble, not to say sublime extent,
+and becomes the philanthropist _par excellence_. Philanthropy is
+virtue, and virtue, we all know, is its own reward--that is, we all
+say; for in reality the idea is somewhat obscure. Perhaps we mean that
+it is the feeling of being virtuous which rewards the act of virtue,
+and if so, how happy must the managing partner be! Troubled by no
+vulgar ambition, by no hankering after notoriety, by no yearning to
+join ostensibly in the game of life, she shrouds herself in obscurity,
+as the widow Bessie Maclure in _Old Mortality_ did in an old red
+cloak, and directs with a whisper the way of the passer-by. There is a
+certain awful pride which must swell at times in that woman's bosom,
+as she thinks of the events which her counsel is now governing, and of
+the wheels that are now turning and twirling in obedience to the
+impulse they received from her!
+
+The managing partner manages a great many benevolent societies, but it
+is unnecessary here to mention more than one. This is the
+Advice-to-the-poor-and-needy-giving Ladies' Samaritan Association. The
+business of this admirable institution is carried on by the
+lady-collectors, who solicit subscriptions, chiefly from the bachelors
+on their beat; and the lady-missionaries, who visit the lowest dens in
+the place, to distribute, with a beautiful philanthropy, moral Tracts,
+and Exhortations to be good, tidy, church-going, and happy, to the
+ragged and starving inmates. Although these, however, are the
+functionaries ostensible to the public, it is the managing partner who
+sets them in motion. She is neither president nor vice-president, nor
+treasurer nor secretary, nor collector nor missionary; but she is a
+power over all these, supreme, though nameless. She is likewise the
+editor (with a sub-editor for work) of the tracts and exhortations;
+and in the course of this duty she mingles charity with business in a
+way well worthy of imitation. The productions in question are usually
+received gratuitously, for advice of all kinds, as we have remarked,
+is common and plenty; but sometimes the demand is so great as to
+require the aid of a purchased pen. On such occasions the individual
+employed by the managing partner is a broken-down clergyman, who was
+deprived at once of his sight and his living by the visitation of God,
+and who writes for the support of a wife and fourteen children. This
+respectable character is induced, by fear of competition, and the
+strong necessity of feeding sixteen mouths with something or other, to
+use his pen for the Association at half-price; while he is compelled
+by his circumstances to reside in the very midst of the destitution he
+addresses, where he learns in suffering what he teaches in prose-ing.
+But, notwithstanding all this beautiful management, her schemes, being
+of human device, sometimes fail. An example of this is offered by the
+one she originated on hearing the first terrible cry of Destitution in
+the Highlands. Under her auspices, the Female Benevolent Trousers
+Society became extremely popular. Its object, of course, was to supply
+these garments gratuitously to the perishing mountaineers, in lieu of
+the cold unseemly kilt. It was discovered, however, after a time, that
+the Highlanders do not wear kilts at all; and the society was broken
+up, and its funds handed over, at the suggestion of the institutor,
+for the Encouragement of the interesting Mieau tribe of Old Christians
+in Abyssinia. The tenets of this tribe, you are aware, are in several
+instances wonderfully similar to our own; only, they abjure in their
+totality the filthy rags of the moral law, which has drawn upon them
+the bitter persecution of the heathenish Mohammedans in their
+neighbourhood.
+
+We have observed that the managing partner is impatient of another
+counsellor. This is a remarkable trait in her character. Even the
+woman of the world looks with approbation upon the doings of a
+congener, when they do not come into collision with her own; even the
+everyday married lady bends her head confidentially towards her
+double, as they sit side by side, and rises from the tete-a-tete
+charmed and edified: the managing partner alone is solitary and
+unsocial. This is demanded by the lofty nature of her duties. Every
+business, great and small, should have a single head to direct; and
+she feels satisfied, after dispassionate reflection, that the best
+head of all is her own. This makes her wish conscientiously that there
+was only one business on the earth, that all mankind were her clients,
+and that there was not another individual of her class extant.
+
+In her last moments, and only then, this great-minded woman thinks of
+herself--if that can be said to be herself which remains in the world
+after she is defunct. She thinks of what is to become of her body, and
+feels a melancholy pleasure in arranging the ceremonies of its
+funeral. Everything must be ordered by herself; and when the last is
+said, her breath departs in a sigh of satisfaction. But sometimes
+death is in a hurry, or her voice low and indistinct. It happened in a
+case of this kind, that a doubt arose in the minds of the bystanders
+as to the shoulder she intended to be taken by one of the friends.
+They looked at her; but her voice was irretrievably gone, and they
+considered that, in so far as this point was concerned, the management
+had devolved upon them. Not so: the dying woman could not speak; but
+with a convulsive effort, she moved one of her hands, touched the left
+shoulder, and expired.
+
+_De mortuis nil nisi bonum_ is an excellent maxim; but in concluding
+this sketch, there can be no harm in at least regretting the
+imperfection of human nature. If its eminent subject, instead of
+spending abroad upon the world her great capacity, had been able to
+concentrate it in some measure upon herself and family, there can be
+little doubt that she would have been regarded in society with less of
+the contempt which genius, and less of the dislike which virtue
+inspires in the foolish and wicked, and that fewer unreflecting
+readers would at this moment be whispering to themselves the
+concluding line of Pope's malignant libel--
+
+    Alive ridiculous, and dead forgot!
+
+
+
+
+THE MOUNTAIN OF THE CHAIN AND ITS LEGEND.
+
+
+The neighbourhood of Gebel Silsilis, or the Mountain of the Chain, is
+very interesting in many respects. After flowing for some distance
+through the usual strip of alluvial plain, bordered by not very lofty
+undulating ground, the Nile suddenly sweeps into a gap between two
+imposing masses of rock that overhang the stream for above a mile on
+either hand. The appearance of the precipices thus hemming in and
+narrowing so puissant a volume of water, covered with eddies and
+whirlpools, would be picturesque enough in itself; but we have here,
+in addition, an immense number of caves, grottos, quarries, and
+rock-temples, dotting the surface of the rock, and suggesting at first
+sight the idea of a city just half ground down and solidified into a
+mountain. On the western bank, numerous handsome facades and porticos
+have indeed been hewn out; and mightily interesting they were to
+wander through, with their elaborate tablets and cursory inscriptions,
+their hieroglyphical scrolls, their sculptured gods and symbols, and
+all the luxury of their architectural ornaments. But the grandest
+impressions are to be sought for on the other side, whence the
+materials of whole capital cities must have been removed. There is, in
+fact, a wilderness of quarries there, approached by deep perpendicular
+cuts, like streets leading from the river's bank, which must have
+furnished a wonderful amount of sandstone to those strange old
+architects who, whilst they sometimes chose to convert a mountain into
+a temple, generally preferred to build up a temple into a mountain. It
+takes hours merely to have a glimpse at these mighty excavations, some
+of which are cavernous, with roofs supported by huge square pillars,
+but most of which form great squares worked down to an enormous depth.
+
+The rock's on the western bank are not isolated, but seem to be the
+termination of a range projecting from the interior of the desert; and
+a minor range, branching off, hugs the river to the northward pretty
+closely for a great distance; but those on the other side are
+separated by what may almost be called a plain from the Arabian chain
+of hills, and might be supposed by the fanciful to have been formerly
+surrounded by the rapid waters of the Nile. They are admirably placed
+for the purpose to which they were applied; and although I have not
+the presumption to fix dates, and say under what dynasty the quarries
+first began to be worked, there is no rashness in presuming that it
+must have been at a very early period indeed. The sandstone is
+excellent for building purposes--far superior to the friable limestone
+found lower down--and has been removed not only from this one block,
+but from both sides, here and there, for a considerable distance to
+the north. Many quarries likewise no doubt remain still undiscovered
+and unexplored in this neighbourhood. We found the mountains worked
+more or less down as far as Ramadeh; and inscriptions and sculptures,
+evidently dating from very ancient times, are met with in many.
+
+The people who inhabit the villages and hamlets of this district are
+not all fellahs; indeed, I question whether, properly speaking, any
+members of that humble race are to be found here. Their place is
+supplied by Bedawin Arabs of the Ababde tribe, who have, to a certain
+extent, abjured their wandering habits, and settled down on the
+borders of a narrow piece of land given to them by the Nile. The
+villages of Rasras and Fares, above the pass on the western bank, and
+of El-Hamam below, as well as the more extensive and better-favoured
+establishment of Silwa, with its little plain, are all peopled by men
+of the same race. With the exception of El-Hamam, which has a
+territory only a few feet wide, the cultivable land belonging to each
+village seems adequate to its support. They have a few small groves of
+palms; had just harvested some fair-sized dhourra-fields when we were
+last there; and had some fields of the castor-oil plant. Perhaps
+cultivation might be extended; a good deal of ground that seemed
+fitted for spade or plough was overrun with a useless but beautiful
+shrub called the silk-tree. Its pod, which, when just ripe, has a
+blush that might rival that on the cheek of a maiden, was beginning to
+wither and shrivel in the sun, and opening to scatter flakes of a
+silky substance finer than the thistle's beard, leaving bare the
+myriad seeds arranged something like a pine-cone.
+
+I have called the plant useless, because vain have been the attempts
+made to apply its produce to manufacturing purposes; but Arab mothers
+procure from the stem a poisonous milky substance, with which they
+sometimes blind their infants, to save them in after-life from the
+conscription. How strangely love is corrupted in its manifestations by
+the influence of tyranny! I have seen youths who have exhibited a foot
+or a hand totally disabled and shrivelled up, and who boasted that
+their mothers, in passionate tenderness and solicitude for them, had
+thrust their young limbs into the fire, that they might retain their
+presence through war, though maimed and rendered almost incapable of
+work.
+
+Few plants or trees of any value grow here spontaneously. The pretty
+shrub called el-egl droops beneath the rocks of Silsilis over the
+water, accompanied sometimes by a dwarf willow; and the sandy earth,
+washed down the gullies on the western bank in winter, produces a
+plentiful crop of the sakaran--a plant bearing a seed which has
+intoxicating qualities, as the name imports, and which is said to be
+used by robbers to poison or stupify persons whom they wish to rifle
+at their leisure. Some colocynth is gathered here and there, and dried
+in the hollows of the rocks.
+
+It is not legal, or rather not allowed in Egypt, to be in possession
+of arms without a permit; but throughout the whole of the upper
+country, it is found difficult to enforce such a regulation. Men with
+spears are often to be met. I saw some parties coming from Silwa armed
+with long straight swords, with a cross hilt. Most men are provided
+with a dagger fastened round their arm above the elbow with a thong;
+others have clubs heavily loaded, or covered at one end with crocodile
+scales; and guns are not unfrequent, though powder and shot are
+exceedingly scarce. Our two guides, Ismaeen and Abd-el-Mahjid, had
+each a single-barrelled fowling-piece--value from twenty-five to
+thirty shillings. They were both expert shots, as we had occasion to
+witness when we went hare-shooting with them. In fact, with their
+assistance, we had hare every day for dinner during our stay. They
+were very chary of their powder, and only fired when pretty sure of
+success. For catching doves, and other small game, they had ingenious
+little traps.
+
+During my wanderings one day among the rocks with Ismaeen, who had
+constituted himself my especial guide, I felt somewhat fatigued at a
+distance from the boats, and sat down to rest under the shade of a
+projecting rock. On all sides yawned the openings of quarries, cut
+sheer down into the heart of the mountain to a depth which I could not
+fathom from my vantage-ground. I seemed surrounded by abysses. In
+front, I could see the Nile whirling its rapid current between the
+overhanging rocks which closed up to the north; in the other
+direction, spread a desert plain intersected by a ribbon of bright
+water between two strips of brighter vegetation. Far away to the
+north-west, a solitary heap of mountains marked the spot where the
+unvisited ruins of Bergeh are said to lie.
+
+    [Transcriber's Note: A dieresis (umlaut) diacritical mark appears
+    above the letter 'g' in the word Bergeh in the above sentence in
+    the original.]
+
+Ismaeen sat before me, answering the various questions which the scene
+suggested. He was a fine open-faced young man, without any of the
+clownishness of the fellah, and spoke in a free and easy but gentle
+manner. He told me that he and Abd-el-Mahjid had been sworn friends
+from infancy; that they scarcely ever separated; that where one went,
+the other went; and that what one willed, the other willed. They were
+connected by blood and marriage--the sister of Ismaeen having become
+the wife of Abd-el-Mahjid. Both had seen what to them was a good deal
+of the world. They had driven horses, camels, sheep, goats, donkeys,
+as far as Keneh, even as far as Siout, for sale; and the desert was
+familiar to them. The salt sea had rolled its blue waves beneath their
+eyes; and they had been as far as the Gebel-el-Elbi, that mysterious
+stronghold of the Bisharee, far to the south, in the wildest region of
+the desert. Ismaeen, it is true, did not seem to think much of these
+wild and romantic journeyings. He laid more stress on having seen the
+beautiful city of Siout, where I have no doubt he felt the mingled
+contempt and admiration ascribed to the Yorkshireman when he first
+visits London.
+
+Having exhausted present topics, our conversation naturally turned to
+the past; and I began to be inquisitive about the legends of the
+place. I knew there was a local tradition as to the origin of the name
+Gebel Silsilis--the Mountain of the Chain--passed over usually with
+supercilious contempt in guide-books; and I desired much to hear the
+details. Ismaeen at first did not seem to attach any importance to the
+subject, gave me but a cursory answer, and proceeded to relate how he
+had sold donkeys for sixty piastres at Siout which were only worth
+thirty at most at Fares; but I returned to the charge, and after
+looking at me somewhat slyly perhaps, to ascertain if I was not making
+game of him by affecting an interest in these things, the young
+Ababde, with the sublime inattention to positive geography and record
+history characteristic of Eastern narrative, spoke nearly as
+follows:--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In ancient times, there was a king named Mansoor, who reigned over
+Upper Egypt and over the Arabs in both deserts. His capital city was
+at this place (Silsilis), which he fortified; and his name was known
+and respected as far as the North Sea (the Mediterranean), and in all
+the countries of the blacks to the south. Kings, and princes, and
+emperors sent messages and presents to him, so that his pride was
+exalted, and his satisfaction complete. He reigned a period of fifty
+years, at the end of which the vigour of his frame was impaired, and
+his beard flowed white as snow upon his breast; and during all that
+time, he was different from every other man, in that he had not cared
+to have children, and had not repined when Heaven forbore to bestow
+that blessing upon him. One day, however, when he was well-stricken in
+years, he happened to feel weary in his mind; he yawned, and
+complained that he knew not what to do for occupation or employment.
+So his wezeer said to him: 'Let us clothe ourselves in the garments of
+the common people, and go forth into the city and the country, and
+hear what is said, and see what is done, and perhaps we may find
+matter of diversion.' The idea was pleasing to the king; and so they
+dressed in a humble fashion, and going out by the gate of the garden,
+entered at once into the streets and the bazaars. On other occasions,
+the bustle, and the noise, and the jokes they heard, and the accidents
+that used to happen, were agreeable to King Mansoor; but now he found
+all things unpleasant, and even became angry when hustled by the
+porters. He thought all the people he met insolent and ill-bred, and
+took note of a barber, who splashed him with the contents of his basin
+as he emptied it into the street, vowing that he would certainly cause
+him to be hanged next day. So the wezeer, afraid that he might be
+irritated into discovering himself, advised him to go forth into the
+country; and they went forth into a woody district, the king moving
+moodily on, neither looking to the right hand nor to the left.
+Suddenly, he heard a woman's voice speaking amidst the trees, and
+thought he distinguished the sound of his own name; so he stepped
+aside, and, cautiously advancing, beheld a young mother sitting by a
+fountain of water, dancing an infant on her knees, and singing: 'I
+have my Ali, I have my child; I am happier than King Mansoor, who has
+no Ali, no child.' The king frowned as black as thunder, and he
+understood wherefore he was unhappy: he had no child to play on his
+knee when care oppressed his heart. As he thought of this, rage
+increased within him, and drawing a concealed sword, before the wezeer
+could interpose with his wisdom, he smote the infant, crying: 'Woman,
+be as miserable as King Mansoor.' Then he dropped the sword, and
+alarmed by the shrieks of the poor mother, thought that if he was
+found in that costume, the people might do vengeance on him; so he
+fled by bypaths, and returned to his palace.
+
+Having been accustomed to deal death around, the murder of the infant
+did not prey upon his mind; but the words of the mother he never
+forgot. 'I am miserable, because I am childless,' he repeated every
+day; and he ordered all the women of his harem to be well beaten. But
+he was compelled to admit, that there was now little chance of his
+wishes being fulfilled. However, as a last resort, he consulted a
+magician, a man of Persian origin, who had recently arrived with
+merchandise in that country. This magician, after many very intricate
+calculations, told him that he was destined to have a son by the
+daughter of an Abyssinian prince, now betrothed to the son of the
+sultan of Damascus; but that her friends would endeavour to take her
+secretly down the river in a boat before the year was out, lest he
+might behold and covet her. The magician also asked him wherefore he
+had thrown away the 'sword of good-luck;' and explained by saying,
+that the ancestors of King Mansoor had always been in possession of a
+sword which brought them prosperity, and that the dynasty was to come
+to an end if it were lost.
+
+Upon this, the king gave, in the first place, orders to his servants
+and his guards to search for the sword he had lost; but the woman, who
+had concealed it, thinking it might afford some clue to the assassin
+of her child, instantly understood, on hearing these inquiries, that
+Mansoor was the man. So she vowed vengeance; and being a daughter of
+the Arabs of the desert, retired to a distant branch of her tribe with
+the sword, and effectually escaped all pursuit. Her name was Lulu;
+from that time forth she abjured all feminine pursuits, and became a
+man in action, riding a fierce horse, and wielding sword and spear;
+'For I,' said she, 'when the period is fulfilled, will smite down this
+king who has slain my child.'
+
+Meanwhile, Mansoor had also given orders to stretch an enormous chain
+across the river between the two parts of his city, so as to prevent
+all boats from passing until searched for the daughter of the
+Abyssinian prince; and this is the origin of the name of these
+mountains. For a long time, no such person could be discovered; but at
+length, when the year was nearly out, a maiden of surpassing
+loveliness was found concealed in a mean kanjia, and being brought
+before the king, and interrogated, confessed that she was the daughter
+of Sala-Solo, Prince of Gondar. Mansoor upon this explained the
+decrees of Heaven; and although she wept, and said that she was
+betrothed to the son of the sultan of Damascus, he paid no heed to
+her, but took her to wife, and in due course of time had a son by her,
+whom he named Ali; and he would thereafter smile grimly to, himself,
+and say: 'I now have an Ali, I now have a child.'
+
+The magician, who returned about this time, being consulted, said
+that if the boy passed the critical period of fifteen years, he would
+live, like his father, to a good old age. So Mansoor caused a
+subterranean palace to be hewn out of the mountain, in the deeper
+chambers of which, fitted up with all magnificence, he caused Ali to
+be kept by a faithful nurse; whilst he himself dwelt in the front
+chambers that overlooked the river, and gave audience to all who came
+and floated in boats beneath his balconies; but no one was allowed to
+ascend, except the wezeer and a few proved friends: [There, said
+Ismaeen, pointing to one of the largest excavations on the opposite
+side, there is the palace of King Mansoor.]
+
+Other things happened meanwhile. The mother of Ali refusing to be
+comforted, was divorced, and sent to the son of the king of Damascus,
+who loved her, and who took her to wife. She hated King Mansoor, but
+she yearned after her first-born, and she endeavoured to persuade her
+husband to raise an army, and march to Upper Egypt, to slay the one
+and seize the other. For many years he was not able to comply with her
+wishes; but at length he collected a vast power, and crossing the
+desert of Suwez, advanced rapidly towards the dominions of King
+Mansoor.
+
+It came to pass, that about the same time the fame of a mighty warrior
+grew among the Arabs, one who scoffed at the king's name, attacked his
+troops, and plundered his cultivated provinces. All the forces that
+could be collected, were despatched to reduce this rebel, but in vain.
+They were easily defeated, almost by the prowess of their chief's
+unassisted arm; and it became known that the capital itself was to be
+attacked before long. At this juncture, the intelligence arrived that
+a hostile army was approaching from the north, and had already reached
+the Two Mountains (Gebelein); and then, that another army had shewn
+itself to the south, about the neighbourhood of the Cataracts--the
+former, under the command of the sultan of Damascus; and the latter,
+under that of Sala-Solo, his father-in-law, Prince of Gondar. All
+misfortunes seemed to shower at once upon the unfortunate Mansoor. He
+made what military preparations he could, although his powers had
+already been taxed nearly to the utmost to repress the Arabs, and sent
+ambassadors to soften the wrath of his enemies. They would accept,
+however, no composition; and continued to close in upon him, one from
+the north, the other from the south, threatening destruction to the
+whole country.
+
+The miserable king now began to repent of having wished for a child.
+But he could not help loving Ali, in spite of all things; indeed, he
+perhaps loved him the more for the misfortunes he seemed to have
+brought. At anyrate, he spent night and day by his side, saying to
+himself, that yet a few days, and the fifteen years would be passed,
+and the boy at least would be safe. He was encouraged to hope by the
+slow progress of the two armies, which seemed bent more on enjoying
+themselves, than on performing any feats of arms.
+
+But there was an enemy more terrible than these two--namely, Lulu, the
+mother of the murdered child Ali, who had thrown aside her woman's
+garments, and become a mighty warrior, for the sake of her revenge.
+She wielded the 'sword of good-luck;' and hearing of the approach of
+the two armies, feared that her projects might be interfered with by
+them. So she collected her forces, marched down to the city-walls,
+attacked them at night, was victorious, and before morning entirely
+possessed the place, with the exception of the subterranean retreat of
+King Mansoor, which it seemed almost impossible to take by force. She
+manned a large number of boats, came beneath the water-wall, and
+summoned the garrison to surrender; but they remained silent, and
+looked at the king, who stood upon the terrace, with his long white
+beard reaching to his knees, offering to parley, in order to gain
+time. Lulu, however, drawing the 'sword of good-luck,' ordered ladders
+to be placed, and mounting to the storm, gained a complete
+victory--all the garrison being slain, and Mansoor flying to his child
+in the interior chambers. Here the bereaved mother, hot for vengeance,
+followed, her flaming weapon in hand, and thrusting the trembling old
+man aside, smote the youth to the heart, crying: 'King Mansoor, be as
+miserable as Lulu, the mother of Ali.' He understood who it was, and
+cried and beat his breast, incapable of other action. Then Lulu slew
+him likewise, and returning to her followers, who were pillaging the
+city, related what she had done. The report soon spread abroad, and
+readied the two hostile armies, both of which were indignant at the
+death of Ali; so they advanced rapidly, and surrounding the place,
+attacked and utterly destroyed the followers of Lulu. She herself was
+taken prisoner, and being led before the queen of Damascus, was
+condemned by her to a cruel death, which she suffered accordingly. The
+city afterwards fell gradually to ruin, and the neighbouring country
+became desert.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+This sanguinary story, though containing some of the staple machinery
+of Eastern fiction, was evidently rather of Bedawin than civilised
+origin; and, as such, interested me, in spite of the inartificial
+manner in which it was told, the meagre details, and the repulsive
+incidents. Ismaeen's only qualities as a historian were animation and
+faith. He had heard the narrative from his father, to whom, likewise,
+it had been handed down hereditarily. Everybody in the country knew it
+to be true. I might ask Abd-el-Mahjid. A shot close at hand announced
+the presence of that worthy, who soon appeared with a fine large hare.
+On being appealed to, the cunning rogue--perhaps anxious to be thought
+a philosopher--said that, for his part, though most people certainly
+believed the story, he really had no decided opinion about the matter.
+
+
+
+
+IRON SHIPS.
+
+
+As a quarter of a century has not elapsed since the commencement of
+iron ship-building, its history is soon told. Previous to 1838, it may
+be said to have had no proper existence, the builders being mere tyros
+in their profession, and their efforts only experimental. The first
+specimen made its appearance some twenty years ago on the Clyde--the
+cradle of steam-navigation. The inconsiderable Cart, however, claims
+the honour of for ever deciding the contest between iron and timber--a
+contest which can never be renewed with even a remote chance of
+success. In the year referred to, and subsequent years, an engineering
+firm in Paisley, with the aid of scientific oversight and skilful
+workmen, constructed a fleet of iron vessels upon entirely novel
+principles, which maintained the sovereignty of the waters for a
+lengthened period, and whose main features are retained in the most
+approved models of the present day. Their characteristics were speed,
+buoyancy, comfort, and elegance--a combination of every requisite for
+the safe and advantageous prosecution of passenger-traffic on streams
+and estuaries. About the same period, the Glasgow engineers succeeded
+in applying somewhat similar principles to the construction of
+sea-going vessels of large tonnage, and, in spite of deeply-rooted
+prejudices, have ultimately demonstrated the immense superiority of
+such constructions over the old wooden vessels. If proof of this were
+wanting, the removal of the costly, cumbersome steamers formerly
+engaged in the carrying-traffic between Glasgow and Liverpool, and the
+substitution in their room of light, capacious iron vessels, equally
+strong, and manageable with greater ease and at a considerable saving
+of expense--as, likewise the successful establishment of steam
+communication between the former city and New York, deemed
+impracticable under the old system--might serve to remove the doubts
+of the most incredulous.
+
+Although an infant in years, this new branch of engineering skill has
+already attained gigantic proportions and mature development. Its
+triumphs are on every sea, and on many waters never before traversed
+by the agency of steam. The vessels already afloat are numerically a
+trifle compared with those in contemplation; and perhaps the most
+astonishing feature of all, is the almost infinite number of new
+channels of trade they have opened, and are opening up. Ten years ago,
+one-half the vessels plying on the Clyde were built of timber, and all
+the larger ones, with a few solitary exceptions: at the present hour,
+one could not count ten in a fleet of sixty--the immense majority are
+of iron. The advertising columns of _one_ newspaper gave notice
+recently, in a single day, of the establishment of _three_ several
+routes of communication with foreign ports hitherto denied the means
+of direct intercourse with this country, all to be carried on by means
+of iron vessels. A sailing-vessel, constructed of this material, was
+announced at Lloyd's a few months ago, as having performed one of the
+speediest homeward passages from Eastern India yet recorded.
+
+A rough estimate of the extent to which this branch of industrial
+skill is carried, may be formed from the number of separate
+establishments in active operation on the Clyde. There are five of
+these in the neighbourhood of Govan, about two miles below Glasgow
+Bridge; two at Renfrew; three at Dumbarton, which is, more correctly
+speaking, on the Leven, but generally falls to be reckoned in common
+with the other places mentioned as a Clyde port; two below Port
+Glasgow; and three at Greenock--in all, fifteen establishments,
+employing between 4000 and 5000 hands in the construction of iron
+hulls alone. This, of course, does not include the army of labourers
+dependent for their very existence upon the demand thus created for
+materials--such as iron-smelters, forgemen, rivet-makers, &c.; nor
+those artisans employed alike on vessels of iron and timber--such as
+painters, blacksmiths, blockmakers, riggers, and others. As from the
+laying of a keel to the launching of a ship a longer period than six
+months rarely elapses, some idea may be formed of the continued press
+of work necessary to keep these thousands in full employment, as well
+as the dispatch exercised in the completion of orders. From ten to a
+dozen ships have been launched from the same building-yard within
+twelve months; and a vessel exceeding 1000 tons burden has been
+commenced, completed, and fully equipped for sea in little more than
+five. On one occasion lately, a passenger-steamer, 160 feet long, 16
+feet broad, and capable of accommodating 600 passengers with ease, was
+made ready for receiving her machinery in twelve working-days. At this
+rate, one would be inclined to fear that business must necessarily
+soon come to a dead stop: but there is not the slightest appearance of
+such result, nor is it even apprehended. In an age of steam and
+electricity, when time and space are threatened with annihilation, it
+became necessary to look abroad for some new agent by means of which
+the sea, the great highway of nations, might be made still more
+subservient to its legitimate purpose. The agent being found, its use
+will be commensurate with the growth of commerce, until its fitness is
+questioned in turn, and some improved method of conveyance drives its
+services from the field. After all, it may be but a step in the proper
+direction, an improvement upon the wisdom of our ancestors--another
+adaptation of the limitless resources placed at our disposal for
+satisfying the growing wants of a race toiling towards a development
+as yet unascertained.
+
+The benefits already experienced, and likely still to flow from this
+large and growing accession to our marine strength, need scarcely be
+commented on. They are self-evident, and recommend themselves alike to
+the merchant, the trader, and the mere man of pastime, all of whom are
+in some degree participators. Besides the regularity and security
+attendant on the transmission of all sorts of merchandise, there is an
+immense saving of time and cost. Travelling by sea has changed
+entirely the aspect of this kind of transit. With spacious saloons,
+well-aired sleeping-apartments, roomy promenades protected from the
+weather, and a steady-going ship, a voyage even to distant lands is
+now little more than an excursion of pleasure. Eight miles an hour was
+considered fair work for the steamers of a dozen years ago; the
+present average rate of steaming on the Clyde is fourteen miles an
+hour. A very fine vessel, named the _Tourist_, which was exhibited on
+the Thames during the holding of the 'world's show' last summer,
+performed seventeen miles with perfect ease. What may be expected
+next?
+
+How far, as a material in the construction of sailing-bottoms, the use
+of iron is likely to supersede that of timber, is a question for the
+speculative. At present, our commercial activity affords ample
+employment for both. There can be no doubt, however, that in
+connection with the steam-engine, and that admirable invention of
+modern date, the screw-propeller, iron ship-building is destined to
+attain and enjoy an enlarged existence; to the full maturity of which
+its present condition, healthful and prosperous as it appears, is but
+a promising adolescence.
+
+We recently set out from Glasgow, to pay a visit to an iron
+ship-building yard on rather an interesting occasion. On rounding the
+base of Dumbarton Rock, where the waters of the Clyde and the Leven
+mingle in loving sisterhood, a scene of the gayest description
+presented itself. Gaudy banners floated in all directions; the vessels
+in the harbour and on the stocks were festooned with flaunting
+drapery, and everything wore a holiday appearance. So impressed were
+we with the pervading air of joyousness, that on reaching the town,
+and finding the inhabitants at their ordinary avocations, we could not
+help feeling disappointed, and we confess to having vented a sigh for
+grovelling humanity, which dared not venture upon one day of pure
+abandonment, separate from the counter and its cares. The joyous
+demonstrations, we learned, were in honour of an intended launch; but
+this created no stir beyond the circle more immediately interested in
+its successful accomplishment.
+
+On entering the building-yard, we found the ceremony was not to take
+place for an hour, and we had therefore time to make acquaintance with
+the interior of the works. An intelligent foreman acted as cicerone,
+and performed the duties with very gratifying cheerfulness.
+
+The Model-room of the establishment is first thrown open to the
+visitor. It is an oblong, well-lighted apartment, in a range of
+buildings termed the offices. A large flat table, with smooth surface,
+occupies the entire centre, around which are scattered a few chairs
+for the accommodation of the draughtsmen when at work. Beyond this,
+there is no furniture. The objects of interest are the models pegged
+to the unadorned walls. These are numerous, and kept with almost
+religious care; attached to each there 'hangs a tale,' which your
+conductor 'speaks trippingly,' and with no effort at concealment of
+satisfaction in the recital. A draughtsman's models are the trophies
+of his personal prowess--his letters of introduction--his true
+business-card. In the shapely blocks of wood placed for inspection,
+you are invited to contemplate the man in connection with his
+creations. He points to his model, dilates upon its beauties,
+criticises its defects, and leaves you to judge of him from his works.
+
+Crossing from the Model-room, you enter the Moulding-loft--a long,
+spacious apartment, not lofty but drearily spacious, and amazingly
+airy. Here the draughtsman's lines are extended into working
+dimensions, and transferred to wooden moulds, after which they are
+put into the hands of the carpenter. Proceeding down stairs, you are
+shewn the joiner's shop, filled with benches, work in an unfinished
+state, and busy workmen. Underneath this, again, are the saw-pits,
+where logs are cut into deals of all dimensions--a laborious and
+painful process when performed by manual labour, as must have been
+apparent to all who have witnessed it--and who has not? The sawn
+timber is stowed in 'racks' in the rear of the building.
+
+Proceeding to the centre of the yard, your attention is directed to an
+enormous furnace, near the mouth of which a score of partly undressed
+workmen are grouped in attitudes of repose. Around are strewn the
+implements of labour--large cast-iron blocks, wooden mallets hooped
+with iron, crowbars, and pincers. But, see! the cavern yawns, and from
+its glowing recesses the white plates are dragged with huge tongs.
+Laid on the block, each plate is beaten with the mallets into the
+requisite shape, and thrown aside to cool. In the meantime, the
+furnace has been recharged, to vomit forth again when the proper heat
+has been obtained.
+
+Behind are the cutting and boring machines, to each of which is
+attached a gang of five or six men. Here the plates, when cool, obtain
+the desired form, and are bored from corner to corner with two
+parallel rows of holes for admitting the rivets. They are now in
+readiness for the rivetter at work upon the ship's side, to whom they
+are borne on the shoulders of labourers employed for the purpose.
+
+Descending to the water's edge, we were shewn an immense mass of
+uprights--inverted arches of angle-iron--the framework of a hull
+intended to float 1500 tons of merchandise. Being in a chrysalis
+state, it afforded us little enlightenment, so we passed on to an
+adjoining one of similar dimensions, proceeding rapidly towards
+completion. Here the secrets of the trade--if there be any--lay
+patent, as the several branches of skilled labour were seen in
+thorough working order. On 'stages,' as the workmen call them, or
+temporary wooden galleries passing from stem to stern, and rising tier
+above tier, were the rivetters 'with busy hammers closing rivets up,'
+and keeping the echoes awake with their ceaseless, and, to
+unaccustomed ears, painful din. The rivet-boys, alike alarmed and
+amused us, as they leaped from gallery to gallery with fearless
+agility, brandishing their red-hot bolts, and replying in imp-like
+screechings to the hoarse commands of their seniors. The decks were
+filled with carpenters, the cabins with joiners, the rigging with
+painters, and all with seeming bluster and confusion: only seeming,
+however, for on attentive examination everything was found to be
+working sweetly, and under a superintending vigilance not to be
+trifled with or deceived with impunity.
+
+The ground-area of these works is of great extent, running parallel
+with the banks of the river, and flanked by the buildings lately
+visited. Between 400 and 500 workmen are employed upon the premises;
+labourers' wages rating 10s. and 12s. weekly; and those of skilled
+artisans ranging from 16s. to 23s. A small steam-engine, kept in
+constant motion, contributes to the lightening of toil, and the
+division of labour is practised wherever it can be done with
+advantage. With these facilities at command, no time is lost in the
+execution of orders, nor would present circumstances permit such
+extravagance, as a contract for 6000 tons of shipping must be
+fulfilled before midsummer. The vessel about to be launched, 1500 tons
+burden, had been on the stocks for a period of five mouths. But this
+reminds us that the fixed hour has come, the notes of preparation are
+already dinning in our ears.
+
+The yard was now filled with spectators, who discussed the merits of
+the vessel, while they watched with evident anxiety, and some measure
+of curiosity, the train of preparations for loosening her stays, and
+committing the monster fabric to her destined element. The shores
+around were lined with peering faces and a well-attired throng; the
+bosom of the stream was agreeably dotted with numerous row-boats,
+freighted with living loads, passing and repassing in a diversity of
+tracks. The sight, as a whole, was magnificent in its variety; and it
+was associated with a feeling of satisfaction, which so many happy
+faces wearing the bright flush of anticipation could alone produce.
+But, boom! boom! the signal has been given for her release, and with a
+stately smile and queenly bearing the proud beauty takes her
+departure, bearing with her the best wishes of a joyous and excited
+multitude. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' shout the frenzied workmen, as, in token
+of success, they pelt the unconscious object of their solicitude with
+missiles of every conceivable size and shape. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' repeat
+the delighted multitude, as they toss their arms, and wave their hats
+and handkerchiefs in the air. 'Hurrah! hurrah!' exclaims a voice at my
+elbow. 'There flies the _Australian_ like a shaft from a bow, the
+first steamship, destined to convey Her Britannic Majesty's mail to
+the Australasian continent. May good fortune attend her!'
+
+
+
+
+SCIENCE OF POLITENESS IN FRANCE.
+
+
+For ages past, the amenity of foreign manners in general, and French
+manners in particular, has been the theme of every tongue; and the
+bold Briton, who would fain look down upon all other nations, cannot
+deny the superiority of his continental neighbours in this respect at
+least. Why this should be, it is difficult to say, but there is no
+doubt that it is so; and even the coarse German is less repulsive in
+his manner to strangers than the true-born and true-bred English man
+or woman. The French of all ranks teach their children, from their
+earliest years, politeness by _rule_, as they do grammar or geography,
+or any other branch of a sound education. From _La Civilite Puerile et
+Honnete_, up to works which treat of the etiquettes of polite society,
+there are books published for persons of every class in life; and
+although of late years one sees the same sort of writings advertised
+in England, they have certainly not as yet produced any apparent
+effect upon us--perhaps from being written by incompetent people, or
+perhaps from the author dwelling too exclusively upon usages which
+change with the fashion of the day, instead of being based upon right
+and kind feelings, or, at anyrate, the appearance of them. I have
+lately met with a little French book, entitled _Manuel Complet de la
+Bonne Compagnie, ou Guide de la Politesse, et de la Bienseance_,
+which, amid much that is, according to our ideas, unnecessary and
+almost ridiculous, contains a great deal we should do well to
+practise.
+
+It begins with treating of the proper behaviour to be observed in
+churches of all denominations and forms of faith. Keep silence, or at
+least speak rarely, and in a very low tone of voice, if you positively
+_must_ make a remark: look grave, walk slowly, and with the head
+uncovered. Whether it be a Catholic church, a Protestant temple, or a
+Jewish synagogue, remember that it is a place where men assemble to
+honour the Creator of the universe, to seek consolation in affliction,
+and pardon for sin. When you visit a sacred edifice from curiosity
+only, try to do so at a time when no religious service is going
+forward; and beware of imitating those Vandals who sully with their
+obscure and paltry names the monuments of ages. Do not wait to be
+asked for money by the guides, but give them what you judge a
+sufficient recompense for their civility, and this without demanding
+change, with which you should on such occasions always be provided
+beforehand. Whether you give or refuse your mite to a collection, do
+so with a polite bow, and never upon any account push or press forward
+in the house of God, or shew by your manner that you hold in contempt
+any unaccustomed ceremony you may happen to witness. Never in
+conversation ridicule or abuse any form of belief; it grieves the
+sincerely pious, gives rise to the expression of angry feeling in
+those more fanatical or prejudiced, and offends even the sceptic as a
+breach of good manners in any one--but in a woman peculiarly
+disgusting--even when the listeners are themselves deficient in
+Christian faith.
+
+In speaking of family duties, persons who have had educational
+advantages beyond those of their parents, are particularly recommended
+never to appear sensible of their superior cultivation, and to be even
+more submissive and respectful. All near relatives, whether by blood
+or marriage, are directed, whatever their feelings may be, 'to keep up
+a kindly intercourse by letter, word of mouth, trifling presents, and
+so forth, treating your husband or wife's connections in company as
+you do your own, merely introducing a little more ceremony.' Those
+newly-married couples who go into company to look at, dance with, and
+talk to each other, are held up to ridicule, and advised to follow the
+example of the English, who wisely remain secluded for a month, in
+order to be surfeited with each other's society, and repeat
+extravagantly fond epithets until they themselves feel the folly of
+them; and their mothers or maiden aunts--who are now sometimes found
+at large in France, since the practice of sending poor or plain girls
+into convents has ceased to be so general--come under reproof.
+'Consider, O ye affectionate-hearted women, that others feel no
+interest in the children who to your eyes seem so perfect, and have no
+inclination to act as inquisitors over their little talents and
+accomplishments. Spare your friends the thousand-and-one anecdotes of
+the extraordinary cleverness, vivacity, or piety of the little people
+you love so blindly: do not excoriate their ears by making them listen
+to recitations or the strumming of sonatos; or weary their eyes by
+requesting them to watch the leaping and kicking of small stick-like
+legs.' You only render your boys and girls conceited, and make them
+appear positive pests to your visitors, whose politeness in giving the
+praise you angle for is seldom sincere; and thus, by committing a
+fault yourself, you force your friends to do the like in a different
+way. 'But even this is better than finding fault with either children
+or servants in the presence of strangers; this is such gross
+ill-breeding, one feels astonished it should be necessary to take
+notice of it at all, and to the little ones themselves it is
+absolutely ruinous:' it makes them miserable in the meanwhile, and in
+the end, careless of appearances, indifferent to shame.
+
+I must leave out, or at least pass slightly over, a great deal which
+sounds most strange to us, such as, the necessity of preventing
+servants from 'sitting down in your presence, more especially when
+serving at table;' permitting ladies to wear curl papers on rising,
+but hinting that they should be hid under a cambric cap; and although
+taking it for granted a lady would 'not put on stays' at the same
+early hour, reminding her that she may still wear a bodice, and
+begging her not to make hot weather an excuse for going about with
+naked arms 'and _legs_ and feet thrust into slippers,' but to adopt
+fine thin stockings; 'and,' says our author, 'although the _tenue du
+lever_ for a gentleman is a cotton or silk night-cap, a waistcoat with
+sleeves, or a dressing-gown, he is recommended to abandon _cette mise
+matinale_ as early as may be, that so attired he may receive none but
+intimate friends.' Unmarried women, until they pass thirty, are
+debarred from wearing diamonds or expensive furs and shawls, or from
+venturing across so much as a narrow street without being accompanied
+by their mother or a female attendant; desired never to inquire after
+the health of _gentlemen_; nor, indeed, should married women permit
+themselves to do 'so, unless the person inquired after is very ill or
+very old.' When you dine out, you are requested 'not to pin your
+napkin to your shoulders;' not to say _bouilli_ for _boeuf_,
+_volaille_ for _poularde dindon_, or whatever name the winged animal
+goes by; or _champagne_ simply, instead of _vin-de-champagne_, which
+is _de rigueur_; not 'to turn up the cuffs of your coat when you
+carve,' eat your egg from the 'small end, or _neglect_ to break it on
+your plate _when emptied, with a coup de couteau_; to cut, instead of
+break your bread;' and so on.
+
+There is a great deal of sensible advice upon dress. Ladies _sur le
+retour_--that is, those who are _cinquante ans sonnes_--are
+recommended never to wear gay colours, dresses of slight materials,
+flowers, feathers, or much jewellery; always to cover their hair, wear
+high-made gowns, and long sleeves; not to adopt a new fashion the very
+moment it appears; and all women, old or young, rich or poor, are
+reminded that what is new and fashionably made, and, above all, fresh
+and clean, looks infinitely better and more ladylike than the richest,
+most expensive dresses, caps, or bonnets that are the least tarnished,
+faded, or of a peculiar cut no longer worn. Those candid ladies who
+persist in wearing gray hair--a mode the author rather approves of,
+except where nature, which she sometimes does, silvers the locks while
+the countenance still continues youthful--are requested not to render
+themselves absurd by intermingling artificial flowers; and a great
+deal of ridicule is also directed against the English, who not only
+caricature the French fashions they copy, but go about grinning in
+incongruous colours, instead of tasteful contrasts, jumbling old
+bonnets with new gowns and half-dirty shawls, and who walk the streets
+in carriage costume. Brides bearing about orange-flowers longer than
+the day of their marriage are unmercifully quizzed; as likewise the
+habit of wearing satins in summer, or straw in winter--sins
+exclusively British. Young married women are told not to go into
+public without their husbands or some steady middle-aged matron; they
+may take a walk with an unmarried friend, although this last must
+never attempt to fly in the face of propriety by promenading with a
+companion like herself; and no lady of any age can possibly enter a
+library, museum, or picture-gallery alone, unless she wishes to study
+as an artist.
+
+I grieve to say, in that portion which is devoted to modesty and
+propriety of behaviour, the extreme freedom of manner and conversation
+in which young English females indulge, are both severely reprobated;
+their imprudence in walking about and sitting apart with young men
+held up as an example to be sedulously avoided by well-bred French
+girls; their so frequently taking _complimens d'usage_ for real
+admiration, and either fancying the poor man, innocently repeating
+mere words of course, to be a lover, or else blushing and looking
+offended, as if he meant to insult, is sneered at rather
+ill-naturedly. You are next told how you should enter a shop, which,
+however small, you must term a _magasin_, not a _boutique_; and the
+_marchand_ himself also receives his lesson: he is to salute his
+customer with a low bow and a respectful air, offer a seat, and
+display with alacrity all that is asked for; and however imperious or
+whimsical he or she may be, to continue the utmost urbanity of manner;
+though, if any positive impertinence is shewn, the shopman is
+permitted to be silent and grave; he must apologise if forced to give
+copper money in change, and treat his humblest customer with as much
+respect and attention as those who give large orders. But as
+politeness ought in all cases to be reciprocal, the purchaser is
+instructed to raise his hat on entering, and ask quietly and civilly
+for what he wishes to see. No one should say: 'I want so and so;'
+'Have you such and such a thing?' but, 'Will you be so good as shew
+me?' or, 'I beg of you to let me look at,' &c. Should you not succeed
+in suiting yourself, always express regret for the trouble you have
+given. If the price be above what you calculated upon, ask simply if
+it is the lowest; say you think you may find the article cheaper
+elsewhere; but should this be a mistake, you will certainly give the
+person you are speaking to the preference, &c. We ought to strive to
+be agreeable to every one.
+
+_Les gens de bureau_ come next under discussion. They are, it seems,
+not renowned for politeness; and one should not, therefore, be
+displeased if, instead of rising from his seat and placing a chair,
+the banker merely bows and points to one. Lawyers, on the contrary,
+are expected to behave like any other gentlemen; so also physicians.
+The patient is directed in both cases to relate his grievances in
+short, pithy sentences; answer all questions clearly; apologise for
+taking up their time by asking them in turn--in consequence, he must
+say, of his own ignorance; and then finish by warmly thanking them for
+the attention they give to his affairs. Authors and artists must
+affect great modesty if their performances are brought upon the
+_tapis_ and complimented, and say nothing that can lead to the
+supposition, that they are envious of any _confrere_ by criticising
+him. Their entertainers ought to talk to them in praise of their
+books, pictures, or performances; and if not connoisseurs, at least
+declare themselves amateurs of the particular sort their guest excels
+or would be thought to excel in; but not confining the conversation to
+this, as if you supposed it was the only subject the person you wished
+to please was capable of taking any interest in.
+
+Politeness in the streets is a chapter in itself, and a long one. To
+give the wall to females, old age, or high public dignitaries, is very
+right in France, where there seems to be no rule for going right or
+left. In England, however, it is surely more easy for all parties to
+keep to their proper side of the way; but in both countries
+burden-bearers, those of babies excepted, should give way, go into the
+kennel, and never presume to incommode passengers of any rank. You are
+entreated neither to elbow, push, nor jostle, but stand sideways to
+let elderly people or ladies pass, who in their turn should express
+their thanks by a slight inclination of the head. We are further
+directed to tread on the middle of the stone, and not slip carelessly
+into the mud, and run the risk of splashing our neighbour. An
+Englishwoman, it is observed, either allows her petticoats to sweep
+the streets, or lifts them in an awkward manner, sometimes even using
+both hands; whereas a Parisian with her right hand gathers all the
+folds to that side, and raises the whole dress a little above the
+ankle, without fuss or parade. We would recommend our fair
+countrywomen to practise this elegant mode of avoiding soiled
+garments, and likewise doing what is termed _s'effarer_--that is, to
+avoid as much as possible touching or being touched by those who pass;
+mutually giving way, instead of charging forward _a l'Anglaise_,
+careless of whom you run against, so as only you make your own way.
+Here follows what sounds strange to us--namely, that if you are
+overtaken by a heavy shower, and see a stranger walking in the same
+direction with an umbrella, you may, without a breach of good manners,
+request to share it. The umbrella-bearer should on his side, it is
+remarked, cheerfully accord you shelter; and if the end of your
+respective promenades are too distant from each other for him to
+conduct you to your residence, he should make an apology at being
+forced to deprive you of the accommodation, which, 'but for being
+obliged to be at home at such an hour, or some excuse,' it would
+otherwise have given him so much pleasure to afford you. 'Those little
+graceful turns of language,' which we might think downright
+falsehoods, are not to be more so considered than--'I am happy to see
+you,' or 'I am your obedient servant' at the end of a letter. They
+are, it is argued, understood forms of speech, which every well-bred
+person practises--some of the 'sweet small courtesies of life, which
+help to smooth its road.' When walking with a friend, should he raise
+his hat to an acquaintance whom you never even saw before, you are
+bound to pay the same compliment; and this idea is so much _de
+rigueur_, that formerly very polite persons would rather affect not to
+see their friends than force their companions to salute them also.
+Now, however, the proper style is to say: 'I take the liberty to
+salute Monsieur So-and-so,' to which the answer is: 'Je vous en prie
+monsieur.' 'Never,' says our author, 'appear to see any one who is
+looking out of his window or door, both improper practices, especially
+the latter.' When a gentleman speaks to one much older than himself,
+or to a lady, he not only raises his hat quite off his head--for none
+'but an ignorant boor or a _fier Anglais_' ever does otherwise--but
+holds it in his hand until requested to replace it. When you ask your
+way, even of a street-porter or an apple-woman, it is necessary
+slightly to half-raise the hat, and address them as Monsieur or
+Madame, 'which is the way to,' &c.; and really these courteous habits,
+which give little trouble, are, we must own, as pleasing as our own
+rough ones are the reverse.
+
+The chapter on visiting is very French. You are reminded that, when
+you make your calls, you should avoid doing so upon days when a cold
+or headache prevents you from looking well or conversing agreeably.
+From twelve to five are the hours mentioned for morning visits,
+instead of from two to six, which we think a better time. You must be
+dressed with evident care, but as plainly as possible if you walk:
+hold your card-case in the hand with an embroidered and lace-trimmed
+pocket-handkerchief, 'pour donner un air de bon gout.' You may
+inscribe your title on your card, but it is better merely to put your
+name, such as 'Monsieur' or 'Madame de la Tarellerie,' with an earl or
+viscount's coronet, or whatever your rank, above; and if you have no
+title, your name without the 'Monsieur,' as 'Alfred Buntal;' however,
+when you visit with your wife, you write 'Monsieur et Madame Buntal.'
+When, instead of sending your cards by your servant, you call
+yourself, you add 'E. P.' (_en personne_); but this is only allowable
+in very great people. 'In visiting people of distinction, you leave
+your parasol, umbrella, clogs, cloak, footman, nurse, child, and dog,
+in the ante-room among the servants, who are there to announce you;'
+but in ordinary life, after ascertaining from the _concierge_, or the
+cook in the kitchen, that your friend is at home, you only tap at the
+door, and on hearing '_Entrez_,' step in. You advance with grace, bow
+with dignified respect, seat yourself (if a man who visits a lady) at
+the lower end of the room, and never quit hat or cane until desired,
+and not then till _la troisieme sommation_. The placing this said hat
+properly, seems to be an affair of the utmost moment. You may place it
+on the bottom of a table, on a stand, or even upon the floor, but are
+warned not to put it on the bed, for as that always belongs to the
+lady of the house, it should not be approached by the visiting
+gentleman. The receiver should both appear and express him or herself
+enchanted and charmed to welcome their _monde_, assure them of the
+great regret felt at their departure--however you may wish them
+gone--say, or repeat as said by others, what will please; and never
+allude, even indirectly, to anything that can possibly hurt or mortify
+any one. When other visitors are announced, those who have been above
+ten minutes, had better go: a man should slip away without
+leave-taking. If discovered, and begged to remain by the mistress of
+the house, he must be asked and refuse three times before he consents;
+then sit down for two minutes only, rising then, and saying an affair
+of consequence obliges him to quit _la charmante societe_. No
+gentleman will permit, of course, any one to _reconduire_ him when his
+friends are engaged with other company, but shut the door himself,
+_vivement_, after a general _salut_ and a pretty compliment. But it
+will better give an idea of the minute directions considered
+necessary, if I translate a sentence entire:--When, during a 'visit of
+half-ceremony,' you are earnestly requested to remain a little longer,
+it is better to yield; but in a few minutes rise again. Should your
+hostess still further insist, taking you by the hands, and forcing you
+again to seat yourself, it would be scarcely polite not to comply;
+but, at the same time, after a short interval, you must make your
+adieus a third time, and positively depart.
+
+When several meet together, polite persons contrive to make those who
+went last into one room enter first into the next; and as hosts
+distribute attentions to all in turn--handing the lady of highest
+rank, or greatest age, into a dinner or supper room--he or she
+recommends a particular dish first to the second in consideration,
+proposes to a third to examine a picture, or any pretty thing, before
+handing it to others; and so on--making, as it were, every one of
+consequence, and socially promoting _liberte_, _egalite_, and
+_fraternite_. Those who are poor, and have no servant to attend at
+their home during absence, should place a slate and slate-pencil at
+their door, in order that those who visit them may write their names
+and business.
+
+When you receive company, your apartment should unite French elegance
+with English comfort. If not rich, and able to keep many servants,
+appoint one day in the week to see your friends, and keep to that day
+always. Let your dress, and that of your domestic, and the arrangement
+of your small domicile, be all in order: however poor and simple, be
+clean and tidy; have flowers, and whatever small elegances you can
+collect. 'It is better to receive in the _salon_, if you have one,
+than in your bedroom; but that should be preferred before the _salle a
+manger_.'--To understand this, we must remember, that in ordinary
+life--especially in the provinces--the dining-room resembles in
+general a servants-hall--deal-table, brick floor, or at best boarded,
+with no carpet; and so forth; the lady's bedroom, on the contrary,
+except the bed, might pass for a boudoir, everything unseemly being
+removed during the day.--And when you give a party, you can
+take coffee in your own private apartment, and receive your
+morning-visitors there always. When any one enters, rise, go to meet
+him, and say how glad you are to see him. A lady you take by the hand,
+and seat her on the sofa, where the lady of the house may place
+herself likewise; but the monsieur must not presume on such a liberty,
+but draw his chair to a convenient distance from it for conversation.
+You offer a young man an easy-chair, but an old gentleman you _insist_
+upon occupying it. If the best place in the room be filled by a young
+woman, and one to whom respect is due enters, the former cedes it to
+the last arrival, and modestly places herself opposite the fire, which
+in winter is considered the least honourable situation, as the side is
+the most so. People of _bon ton_ present their guests with footstools,
+not _chaufferettes_, as is the comfortable custom in grades less
+distinguished. Those who are occupied working or drawing, must lay
+both aside when but slightly acquainted with their visitor; if, on the
+contrary, it is one whom you see frequently, you comply with the
+request which she ought to make, that you will continue it. But should
+it be a relative, or very intimate friend, you yourself beg permission
+to go on with your employment, if at least it is one you can pursue
+and converse easily at the same time; but it should be quite
+subservient to your visitor's entertainment.
+
+When a new guest arrives, the others rise as well as the master and
+mistress of the house; it is considered very ill-bred not to do so, or
+not to treat with politeness every one you meet at a house where you
+visit--conversing agreeably, and not looking at a stranger with a
+stony stare, like a stiff Englishman, as if you supposed they were not
+as fit for society as yourself, a style of insular manners considered
+insolent in that 'nation whose inhabitants give laws of politeness to
+the world.' If there are many people present at a morning-call, the
+earlier comers should retire. During extremely hot weather, or to an
+author reading his production, you may offer a glass of sirup, or _eau
+sucree_, or if a lady becomes faint, some _fleur d'orange_ and water;
+but it is provincial to propose anything else; and, indeed, the French
+never eat between meals, or in any rank above the very lowest will one
+be seen to partake of anything in the street, fruit or cake, or even
+give them to their children, it being considered quite mob-manners to
+do so.
+
+It need hardly be said, in conclusion, that the French exercise
+considerable tact in the matter of introducing one person to another.
+They know who should be introduced to each other, and who should not.
+In our own country, people sometimes think they are performing an act
+of politeness in introducing one person to another, whereas they are
+probably giving offence to one of the parties. And with this hint on
+an important subject, we close our observations on the laws of
+politeness.
+
+
+
+
+OUR WILD-FRUITS.
+
+
+The next native fruits which demand our notice are the strawberry,
+raspberry, and the varieties of the bramble tribe, all of which are to
+be classed under the third section of the natural order _Rosaceae_, and
+form the ninth genus of that order. The general characteristics of
+these are--the calyx flattish at the bottom, and five-cleft; five
+petals; many stamens inserted into the calyx with the petals; many
+fleshy carpels arranged on a somewhat elevated receptacle, with
+lateral style, near the points of the carpels.
+
+We will begin with the strawberry (_Fragaria_.) The last fruits of
+which we spoke--the plum and cherry--though the produce of much larger
+plants, nay, one of them of a tree which ranks among the timber-trees
+of our land, are not of superior, if of equal value to those which are
+about to engage our attention. An old writer quaintly remarks: 'It is
+certain that there _might_ have been a better berry than the
+strawberry, but it is equally certain that there is not one;' and I
+suppose there are few in the present day who will be disposed to
+dispute this opinion, for there are few fruits, if any, which are in
+more general repute, or more highly prized, than the strawberry and
+raspberry; and though the cultivated species have now nearly, if not
+quite superseded the wild, yet we must not forget that there was a
+time when none but the latter were to be obtained in England, and that
+the native sorts of which we are now to speak are the parents of
+almost all the rich varieties which at present exist in the land.
+There are doubtless many among the inhabitants of our towns and cities
+who have never gathered or seen the strawberry in its wild state; and
+many, very many more who are wholly unacquainted with the peculiar and
+interesting structure of this fruit and its allies--the raspberry,
+blackberry, dewberry, and their congeners. The plant which bears the
+strawberry, whether the wild or garden species, is an herb with
+three-partite leaves, notched at the edge with a pair of largo
+membraneous stipules at their base. When growing, this plant throws
+out two kinds of shoots--one called _runners_, which lie prostrate on
+the ground, and end in a tuft of leaves--these root into the soil, and
+then form new plants--and another growing nearly upright, and bearing
+at the end a tuft of flowers which produce the fruit. The calyx, which
+is flat, green, and hairy, is divided into ten parts, called sepals,
+and there are five petals; the stamens, which are very numerous, and
+grow out of the calyx, are placed in a crowded ring round the pistil.
+This pistil consists of a number of carpels, arranged in many rows
+very regularly on a central receptacle; each carpel has a style,
+ending in a slightly-lobed stigma; and an ovary, wherein lies one
+single ovule, or young seed. The course of the transformation of this
+apparatus into fruit is highly curious and interesting. First, the
+petals fall off, and the calyx closes over the young fruit;
+immediately the receptacle on which the carpels grow begins to swell,
+and soon after the carpels themselves increase in size, and become
+shining, whilst their styles begin to shrivel. The receptacle
+increases in size so much more and faster than the carpels, which soon
+cease to enlarge at all, that they speedily begin to be separated by
+it, and the surface of the receptacle to become apparent. In a little
+time, the carpels are completely scattered in an irregular manner over
+the surface of the receptacle, which has become soft and juicy, and
+has all along been pushing aside the calyx, which finally falls back
+almost out of sight. The receptacle finally assumes a crimson colour,
+grows faster and faster, and becomes sweet and fragrant. Those which
+we commonly call the seeds of the strawberry, then lie on the surface,
+and these, if carefully examined, will prove to be the carpels
+containing the seeds in a little thin shell like a small nut. The
+strawberry is, therefore, not, properly speaking, a fruit; it is a
+fleshy receptacle, bearing the fruit on it, which fruit is, in fact,
+the ripe carpels. Now this structure is, as I have said, common to all
+strawberries, each variety having, however, its own peculiarities of
+growth and appearance.
+
+There are but nine distinct species of the tribe Fragaria: one native
+in Germany, where it is called Erdbeere; two in North, and one in
+South America; one in Surinam; and one in India; the remaining three
+being indigenous in Britain, where, besides these three wild species,
+there are at least sixty mongrel varieties, the results of
+cultivation; some of which, recently produced from seed, are of great
+excellence. The finest of these native British species is the
+wood-strawberry (_Fragaria vesca_), which is common everywhere; the
+second, the hautboy (_F. elatior_), is much less frequently found, and
+is by Hooker supposed to be scarcely indigenous; and the third, the
+one-leaved strawberry (_F. monophylla_), is unknown to me, and only
+named by some writers as a species. The common wood-strawberry bears
+leaves smaller, more sharply notched, and more wrinkled in appearance,
+than any of the cultivated species. The earliest formed are closely
+covered, as is the stem, with white silvery hairs, and the leaves turn
+red early in the autumn, or in dry weather. The blossoms appear very
+early in the spring, throwing up their delicate white petals on every
+bank and hedgerow, among the clusters of violets and primroses, and
+even not unfrequently before these sweet harbingers of spring venture
+to unfold and give promise of abundant fruit. But though the blossoms
+are so common, from some reason or other the fruit seldom ripens
+freely, unless along some of the more remote and secluded woodpaths,
+where the bright red berries lurk on every sunny bank, between the
+trunks of the old beech and oak trees, and are overhung by the
+beautiful bunches of polypody and foxglove, and other free-growing
+wild-plants which spring in such solitudes, providing the flocks of
+varied song-birds which frequent such delightful glades with many a
+juicy meal.
+
+Few things can be more agreeable than a day of strawberry-picking in
+the woods and glens where they abound, when troops of happy little
+children are scattered about, singly, or in groups of three or four,
+each with a basket to receive the delicious spoil, and all grubbing
+among the moss and herbage, and shouting with exultation as one
+cluster after another reveals itself to their eager researches. Some
+are too much engaged in the quest to notice the brilliant flowers
+which at another time would have engrossed all their thoughts; whilst
+others, wreathed round with the bright blue wood-vetch, the shining
+broad-leaved bryony, and the rose and honeysuckle, will have to lay
+down the large handfuls of flowers with which they have encumbered
+themselves, before they can share in the enjoyment of collecting the
+fragrant berries. Then comes the hour of assembling, to take their tea
+and eat the sweet, fresh fruit, and talk over their adventures with
+the happy parents who have awaited the gathering together of the young
+ones. Perhaps this assembling takes place in the nearest farmhouse,
+where fresh milk and rich cream are added to the repast; or it may be
+under the boughs of one of those masters of the forest, which we may
+fancy to have seen such gatherings, year by year, for centuries past,
+and could tell us tales of groups of little people, arranged in the
+costumes depicted by Holbein, Vandyk, or Lely, the garb of ancient
+days, seated by their stately seniors, whilst the antlered deer, then
+the free denizens of the forest, stood at bay, half-startled at the
+merry party which had invaded their solitude; and the squirrel, little
+more vivacious in its furry jacket than the stiffly-dressed little
+bipeds, sprang from bough to bough overhead; and the hare and rabbit
+bounded along over the distant upland. But we must return to our
+description of
+
+                    The blushing strawberry,
+    Which lurks close shrouded from high-looking eyes,
+    Shewing that sweetness low and hidden lies.
+
+The whole tribe takes its generic name from its fragrance; the word
+_fragrans_, sweet-smelling, being that from which Fragaria is derived.
+The wood-strawberry is seldom larger than a horse-bean, of a brilliant
+red, and the flesh whiter than that of any cultivated species; the
+flavour is remarkably clear and full--a pleasant subacid, with more of
+the peculiar strawberry perfume in the taste than any other. They are
+very wholesome, indeed considered valuable medicinally. The other wild
+species is the hautboy: this is larger than _F. vesca_, more hairy,
+and its fruit a deeper red; the flavour, like that of the
+garden-hautboy, rather musty; in its uses and qualities, it resembles
+_F. vesca_. The strawberry does not seem to have been noticed by the
+ancients, though it is slightly named by Virgil, Ovid, and Pliny. It
+appears to have been cultivated in England early, as an old writer,
+Tusser, says:
+
+    'Wife, into the garden, and set me a plot,
+    With strawberry-roots the best to be got;
+    Such growing abroad among thorns in the wood,
+    Well chosen and pricked, prove excellent good.'
+
+Gerarde speaks of them as growing 'in hills and valleys, likewise in
+woods, and other such places as be something shadowie; they prosper
+well in gardens, the red everywhere; the other two, white and green,
+more rare, and are not to be founde save only in gardens.' Shakspeare
+speaks of this fruit. We find the Bishop of Ely, when conversing with
+the Archbishop of Canterbury on the change of conduct manifested by
+the young King Henry V., on his coming to the throne, says:
+
+    'The strawberry grows underneath the nettle,
+    And wholesome berries thrive and ripen best
+    Neighboured by fruits of baser quality,
+    And so the prince,' &c.
+
+And the Duke of Gloster, when counselling in the Tower with his
+allies, and plotting to strip his young nephew of his crown and
+honours, says:
+
+    'My Lord of Ely, when I was last in Holborn,
+    I saw good strawberries in your garden there:
+    I do beseech you send for some of them.'
+
+Parkinson speaks, in 1629, of their having been introduced 'but of
+late days.' As an article of diet, this fruit offers but little
+nourishment, but it is considered useful in some diseases, and
+generally wholesome, though there are some constitutions to which it
+is injurious. Linnaeus states, that he was twice cured of the gout by
+the free use of strawberries; and Gerarde and other old authors
+enlarge much on their efficacy in consumptive cases. Phillips tells
+us, that 'in the monastery of Batalha is the tomb of Don John, son of
+King John I. of Portugal, which is ornamented by the representation of
+strawberries, this prince having chosen them for his crest, to shew
+his devotion to St John the Baptist, who lived on fruits.' This is
+rather a curious notion, for though the Scripture tells us of St John
+the Baptist, that when in the wilderness 'his meat was locusts and
+wild honey,' we have no reason to suppose that he lived always even on
+these. What these locusts were is problematical, but it is likely they
+were the fruit of the locust-tree, _Hymenaea_, which bears a pod
+containing a sort of bean, enclosed in a whitish substance of fine
+filaments, as sweet as sugar or honey. The wild bees frequent these
+trees, and it is probable that here St John found his twofold aliment;
+but we have no particular reason to suppose that he wholly lived on
+fruit, and certainly could have little to do with strawberries, as
+there is no species indigenous in the Holy Land.
+
+But we must now proceed to examine and record the structure of the
+raspberry, raspis, or hindberry, by all which names it is called. This
+is a species of the Rubus, of which Hooker records only ten species as
+native in Britain, though Loudon extends the number to thirteen; of
+which one, the dwarf crimson (_Rubus araticus_), is to be found only
+in Scotland. We cannot, of course, notice each of these species
+separately, nor will it be necessary to do so, as the varieties which
+mark the different kinds of common bramble are such as would not be
+observed except by an accurate botanist. This tribe, which takes its
+name from the Celtic _rub_, which signifies _red_, and is supposed to
+be so named from the red tint of its young shoots, as well as from the
+colour of the juice of its berry, consists chiefly of shrub-like
+plants, with perennial roots, most of which produce suckers or stolons
+from the roots, which ripen and drop their leaves one year, and resume
+their foliage, produce blossom shoots, flowers, and fruit, and die the
+next year, of which the raspberry and common bramble are examples. In
+some of the species the stem is upright, or only a little arched at
+the top, but in the greater number it is prostrate and arched, the
+ends of the shoots rooting when they reach the ground, and forming new
+plants, sometimes at the distance of several yards from the parent
+root. The branches and stems are all more or less prickly; those of
+the common bramble being armed with strong and sharp spines, and even
+the leaf-stems lined with very sharp reflected prickles, which hitch
+in everything they come near, and inflict sharp wounds. The corolla is
+formed of an inferior calyx of one leaf, divided into five segments,
+of five petals in some species; and in others pink, but always of very
+light and fragile texture, and more or less crumpled, on which the
+caterpillar of the beautiful white admiral butterfly (_Limenitis
+camilla_) sometimes feeds. It has many stamens, arranged like those of
+the strawberry; and the pistil is composed, as that is, of a number of
+carpels rising out of a central receptacle.
+
+But now let us examine the structure of the fruit, which we shall find
+differs materially from that of the strawberry in its formation. We
+will take that of the raspberry as our example; for though the berries
+of the whole tribe are on the same construction, we cannot have one
+better known or which would better illustrate the subject. If you pull
+off the little thimble-shaped fruit from its stem, you will find
+beneath a dry, white cone; this is the receptacle, and the very part
+which you eat in the strawberry. If you look attentively at a ripe
+raspberry, you will find that it is composed of many separate little
+balls of fleshy and juicy substance, each entirely covered by a thin,
+membraneous skin, which separates it wholly from its neighbour, and
+from the cone. Each of these contains a single seed, and from each a
+little dry thread, which is the withered style, projects. You will
+find none of the dry grains which lie on the surface of the
+strawberry, the part which corresponds with the inner part of those,
+lying in the juicy pulp below, whilst that which once corresponded
+with their outer part or shell, has itself been transformed into that
+juicy pulp which covers them: the fact is, that the carpels of the
+raspberry, instead of remaining dry like the strawberry, swell as they
+ripen, and acquire a soft, pulpy coat, which in time becomes red,
+juicy, and sweet. These carpels are so crowded together, that they at
+last grow into one mass, and form the little thimble-shaped fruit
+which we eat, the juices of the receptacle being all absorbed by the
+carpels, which eventually separate from it, and leave the dry cone
+below. Lindley says: 'In the one case, the receptacle robs the carpels
+of all their juice, in order to become gorged and bloated at their
+expense; in the other case, the carpels act in the same selfish manner
+on the receptacle.'
+
+If you observe the berries of the common brambles, the dewberry, and
+the cloudberry, you will find them to be all thus formed, though the
+number of _grains_, as these swollen carpels are called, differ
+materially--the dewberry often maturing only one or two, while the
+raspberry, and some kinds of the brambleberry, present us with twenty
+and more.
+
+The raspberry was but little noticed by the ancients. Pliny speaks of
+a sort of bramble called by the Greeks _Idaeus_, from Mount Ida, but he
+seems to value it but little. He says, however: 'The flowers of this
+raspis being tempered with honey, are good to be laid to watery or
+bloodshotten eyes, as also in erysipelas; being taken inwardly, and
+drunk with water, it is a comfortable medicine to a weak stomach.'
+Gerarde speaks of it under the name of hindeberry, as inferior to the
+blackberry. The wild raspberry, which is the stock whence we get the
+garden red raspberry, grows freely in many parts of England. It is
+found in Wilts, Somerset, Devonshire, and other counties, but is most
+abundant in the north. Except in size, it is little inferior to the
+cultivated kinds, and possesses the same colour, scent, and flavour.
+This fruit, and the strawberry, are especially suitable for invalids,
+as they do not engender acetous fermentation in the stomach. In
+dietetic and medicinal qualities, these fruits are also much alike.
+The bramble, which grows everywhere, creeping on every hedge, and
+spreading on the earth in all directions, abounds in useful
+properties, most parts of the plant being good for use. The berries
+make very tolerable pies, and are much in request for such purposes,
+and for making jam in farmhouses and cottages, where they are often
+mixed with apples to correct thereby the rather faint and vapid
+flavour that they possess when used by themselves. This jam, as well
+as the raw fruit, is considered good for sore throats, and for
+inflammation of the gums and tonsils. We are also told, that the young
+green shoots, eaten as salad, will fix teeth which are loose; probably
+(if it be so) it is from the astringent qualities in the juice
+strengthening and hardening the gums. The leaves pounded, are said to
+be a cure for the ringworm; and they are also made into tea by some of
+the cottagers, which is very useful in some ailments; and the roots
+boiled in honey, are said to be serviceable in dropsy. The green twigs
+are used to dye silk and woollen black; and silk-worms will feed on
+them, though the silk produced by those so fed is not equal to that of
+those fed on the mulberry. The long trailing shoots are important to
+thatchers for binding thatch, and are also used for binding
+straw-mats, beehives, &c.; and even the flowers were anciently
+supposed to be remedies against the most dangerous serpents. Loudon
+says: 'The berries, when eaten at the moment they are ripe, are
+cooling and grateful; a little before, they are coarse and
+astringent; and a little after, disagreeably flavoured or putrid.' He
+adds: 'Care is requisite in gathering the fruit, for one berry of the
+last sort will spoil a whole pie.' Great quantities of them are
+collected by the women and children in the country, and sold in the
+neighbouring towns by the quart. There is a double-flowered species of
+bramble, and one which bears _white_ berries. The fruit of the dwarf
+crimson (_R. araticus_), and that of the cloudberry (_R. chamaemorus_),
+are highly prized in Scotland and Sweden, and in the latter country
+are much used in sauces and soups, and for making vinegar; and Dr
+Clarke says, that he was cured of a bilious fever by eating great
+quantities. The cloudberry, which grows on the tops of the highest
+mountains, is the badge of the clan Macfarlane. The bramble seems to
+be of almost universal extent, at least it is found at the utmost
+limits of phaenogamous vegetation; and we are led to remark the
+goodness of God in thus providing a plant which combines so many
+valuable qualities, and so many useful parts, capable of extending
+itself so freely in defiance of all impediments, and of standing so
+many vicissitudes of climate, without the aid of culture or care. The
+bramble is emphatically the property of the poor; its fruit may be
+gathered without restriction; its shoots, both in their young
+medicinal state, and in their harder and tougher growth, are theirs to
+use as they will; and their children may enjoy the sport of
+blackberry-picking, and the profits of blackberry-selling, none saying
+them nay; and many a pleasant and wholesome pudding or pie is to be
+found on tables in blackberry season, where such dainties are not
+often seen at any other time, unless, indeed, we except the
+whortleberry season. The poet Cowper sings of--
+
+      Berries that emboss
+    The bramble black as jet;
+
+and truly a plant which diffuses so many benefits, even under the
+least advantageous circumstances, may well deserve encomium.
+
+
+
+
+NICHOLAS POUSSIN.
+
+
+Nicholas Poussin was born at Andelys, in Normandy, in June 1593. His
+father, Jean Poussin, had served in the regiment of Tauannes during
+the reigns of Charles IX., Henry III., and Henry IV., without having
+risen to any higher rank than that of lieutenant. Happening to meet in
+the town of Vernon a rich and handsome young widow, Jean Poussin
+married her, left the service, and retired with his wife to the
+pleasant village of Andelys, where, in a year afterwards, Nicholas was
+born. His childhood resembled that of many other great painters.
+Whitewashed walls scribbled over with landscapes--school-books defaced
+with sketches, which _then_ drew down anger and reproof on the idle
+student, but which _now_ would form precious gems in many a rich
+museum--these were the early evidences of Poussin's genius. He was
+treated severely by his father, who thought that every vigorous,
+well-made boy ought of necessity to become a soldier--secretly
+consoled and encouraged by his mother, who loved him with an almost
+idolatrous affection, and who approved of his pursuits, not from any
+abstract love of art, but because she thought the profession of
+painting might be pursued by her darling without obliging him to leave
+his home.
+
+It happened that the painter, Quintin Varin, was an intimate
+acquaintance of the elder Poussin. Somewhat reluctantly, the
+ex-lieutenant gave his son permission to study the first principles of
+painting under their friend. The boy's first attempts were
+water-colour landscapes, his very straitened finances not allowing him
+to use oils. His subjects were the beautiful scenes around Andelys;
+and, despite of his inexperience, he knew so well how to transfer the
+living poetry of the scenery to his canvas, that his master one day
+said to him: 'Nicholas, why have you deceived me?--you must have
+learned painting before.'
+
+'I assure you I have not.'
+
+'Then,' said Varin, 'I am not fit to be thy master. There is a
+revelation of genius in thy lightest touch to which I have never
+attained. I should but cloud thy destiny in seeking to instruct thee.
+Go to Paris, dear boy; there thou wilt achieve both fame and fortune.'
+
+The advice was followed, and with a light purse, and a still lighter
+heart, Nicholas Poussin arrived in Paris. He bore a letter of
+introduction from Varin to the Flemish painter Ferdinand Elle, who
+consented to receive him as a pupil for the payment of three livres a
+month.
+
+There were already a dozen young people in the studio. When their new
+companion joined them, they amused themselves by laughing at him, and
+playing off practical jokes at his expense, which at first he bore
+with good-humour. It happened, however, one morning, that on examining
+his slender purse, he found that its contents had fallen to zero; and
+this unpleasant circumstance caused him, no doubt, to feel in an
+irritable state of mind. On reaching the studio, and just as he
+entered the door, he was inundated by the contents of a bucket of
+water, which one of his companions had suspended over the door, and
+managed to overturn on the head of Nicholas. Furious at this
+unexpected _douche_, he flew at its unlucky contriver, and gave him a
+hearty beating. There were three other lads in the studio; they all
+attacked Nicholas, who, however, proved more than their match,
+overthrowing two of his assailants, and obliging the third to fly.
+
+After this occurrence, Poussin became free from the petty annoyances
+which he had hitherto endured; but he found no friend in the studio of
+Ferdinand Elle, and he felt, besides, that he was losing his time, and
+learning nothing from that painter. These reasons determined him one
+day to write a respectful letter to his master, declining further
+attendance at the studio; and then, furnished with little of this
+world's goods, besides some pencils and paper, he set out, very
+literally, 'to seek his fortune.'
+
+It was then the beginning of summer; everything in nature looked
+lovely and glad, and Poussin insensibly wandered on, until he found
+himself in a fresh green meadow on the banks of the Marne. He lay down
+under the shade of an osier thicket, and presently became aware of the
+presence of a young man about his own age, who was busily employed in
+fishing. Nicholas watched him for some time, and then said: 'May I
+remark, that the bait you are using does not appear suited to this
+river?'
+
+'Very likely,' replied the stranger; 'I am but an inexperienced
+fisher, and will feel greatly obliged by your advice.'
+
+Poussin then arranged the line, put on a fresh bait, and in a few
+minutes a fine perch was landed on the grass.
+
+'Many thanks for your assistance,' said the young man; 'will you do me
+the favour to join in my repast?'
+
+It was two o'clock in the afternoon, and Nicholas had had no
+breakfast. He therefore gladly consented; and the angler, drawing
+from his fish-basket a large slice of savoury pie, a loaf of bread,
+and a flask of wine, they made a hearty meal together.
+
+After the fashion of the days of chivalry, the two knights-errant told
+each other their names and histories. The stranger, whose name was
+Raoul, was a young man of considerable property. His parents, living
+in Poitou, sent him to finish his education and polish his manners by
+frequenting fashionable society in Paris; but his tastes were simple,
+his habits retiring, and he had not met amongst the rich and noble any
+who pleased him so well as the poor penniless painter. With cordial
+frankness, he pressed Nicholas to take up his abode with him in Paris,
+and promised to advance him in the study of his art.
+
+The offer was accepted as freely as it was made, and Nicholas Poussin
+was thus enabled to pursue with ardour the noble studies to which his
+life was henceforth devoted, free from those petty cares and sordid
+anxieties which so often clog the wings of genius. By the interest of
+Raoul, many valuable collections of paintings, including the unique
+one of Segnier, were opened to him. Becoming acquainted with a brother
+student, Philippe de Champagne, he joined him for a time in receiving
+instruction from Lallemand, until, perceiving that that painter was no
+more capable of teaching him than Ferdinand Elle had been, he left his
+studio, and gave himself up to severe and solitary study.
+
+At twenty years of age, Nicholas Poussin steadily renounced every
+species of youthful pleasure and dissipation, that he might pursue his
+one noble object. He rose at daybreak, and regularly retired to rest
+at nine o'clock. During the winter months, he spent the early hours of
+the day in studying Greek and Latin under an old priest, who loved him
+and taught him gratuitously. The remainder of the day was devoted to
+painting, and the evening to short visits amongst the friends to whom
+he had been introduced by the active kindness of Raoul. In the summer,
+he loved to spend occasionally a long bright day in rambling through
+the beautiful scenery of Auteuil, taking sketches while his friend
+fished. The extent of their innocent dissipation consisted in dining
+at some rural hostelry on the produce of the morning's sport, washed
+down with a temperate modicum of wine. Thus pleasantly and profitably
+passed two years, at the end of which Raoul was recalled to his home.
+
+Despite of the excuses and remonstrances of Poussin, his friend
+insisted on his accompanying him to Poitou, assuring him of a hearty
+welcome from his own parents. From Raoul's father, indeed, the young
+painter received it; but his mother was a proud, ill-tempered woman,
+who affected to despise a dauber of canvas, and treated her son's
+friend as a sort of valet attached to his service. In short, she
+heaped insults on the young man, which even his love for Raoul could
+not force him to endure; and in order to escape the affectionate
+solicitations of his friend, he set out secretly one morning alone and
+on foot.
+
+Weary, penniless, and attacked with inward inflammation, he at length
+reached Paris. Philippe de Champagne received him, and watched over
+him like a brother until he recovered. A great degree of weakness and
+languor still depressed him; the air of Paris weighed on him like
+lead. He sighed for his native breeze at Andelys, and still more for
+his mother's embrace--his good and tender mother, whose letters to him
+were so often rendered almost illegible by her tears, and whose memory
+had been his sweetest comfort during the weary nights of sickness.
+
+He set out on his journey with six livres in his pocket, which he had
+earned by painting a bunch of hats on the sign-post of a hatter, and
+arrived safely at home. Soon afterwards, his father died, and Nicholas
+determined never again to leave his mother. She, tender woman that she
+was, grieved for a husband who had rarely shewn her any kindness, and
+who, in his hard selfishness, had now left her totally destitute. All
+the money she had brought him as her dowry, he, unknown to her, had
+sunk in an annuity on his own life, and nothing now remained for her
+but the devoted love of her only son.
+
+This, however, was a 'goodly heritage.' Those who zealously try to
+fulfil their duty, may be assured that a kind Providence will assist
+their efforts; and Nicholas succeeded for some time in maintaining his
+mother by the sale of water-colour paintings for the decoration of a
+convent chapel. At length, this resource failed; and the ardent young
+painter determined to relinquish all his bright visions, and learn
+some manual trade, when his mother was seized with illness, and,
+despite of his anxious care, died.
+
+No motive now detained him at Andelys. The sale of his slender
+possessions there furnished him with a little money; and, partly in
+order to assuage his grief for his mother, partly to see the works of
+the great masters, he determined to go to Italy.
+
+Rome was naturally the goal of his steps, but on this occasion he was
+not destined to reach it. On arriving at Florence, he met with an
+accidental hurt, which confined him to a lodging for a month, and when
+he was cured, left him almost penniless. Finding it impossible to
+dispose of the sketches which he drew for his daily bread, he
+determined to retrace his steps. Arrived at Paris, he was once more
+received by his faithful friend, Philippe de Champagne, and by him
+introduced to Duchesne, who was then painting the ornaments of the
+Luxembourg, and who engaged both the young men as his assistants.
+
+This promised to be a durable and profitable engagement; but Duchesne,
+who had but little pretension to genius, soon grew jealous of his
+young companions, and seized the first pretext for dismissing them.
+
+Shortly afterwards, the Jesuits of Paris celebrated the canonisation
+of St Ignatius and St Francis Xavier. For this occasion, Poussin
+executed six water-colour pictures, representing the principal events
+in the lives of these two personages. The merit of these works
+attracted the attention of Signor Marini, a distinguished courtier of
+the day. He was attached to the suit of Marie de Medicis, and held a
+high place amongst the literary and artistic, as well as gay circles
+of the court; his notice was therefore of importance to the artist,
+who by it was introduced amongst the great, the learned, and the gay.
+
+Wisely did he take advantage of mixing in this society to improve his
+knowledge of men and things, and to satisfy that craving for
+enlightenment which he felt equally when rambling in the fields,
+standing at his easel, or sitting as a timid listener in the splendid
+saloons of Signor Marini.
+
+This pleasant life lasted for a year; Marini was his Mecaenas; orders
+for paintings flowed in on him; and when, in 1625, his patron went to
+Rome to visit Pope Urban VIII., Poussin would have accompanied him,
+but for an honourable dread of breaking some engagements which he had
+made. Amongst others, he had to finish a large piece representing the
+_Death of the Virgin_, undertaken for the guild of goldsmiths, who
+presented every year a picture to Notre-Dame.
+
+Marini tried in vain to shake his resolution. Nicholas Poussin had
+pledged his word, and nothing could make him break it--not even the
+advantage of accomplishing, in the company and at the expense of the
+generous Italian, that journey to Rome which had always formed his
+most cherished day-dream. The following year, Poussin went to Rome,
+and, to his great sorrow, found his kind patron suffering from a
+malady which speedily terminated his life. Thus was the painter once
+more thrown on his own resources in a city where he was a stranger;
+but his was not a nature to be discouraged by adversity. There was
+something grand in the serenity with which he spent days in examining
+the wondrous statues of the olden time, while a cheerless attic was
+his lodging, and his dinner depended on the generosity of a
+printseller for whom he worked occasionally, and who was not always in
+the humour to advance money.
+
+Many years afterwards, Poussin, in speaking of this period, said to
+Chantilon: 'I have sometimes gone to bed without having tasted food
+since the morning, not because I had no means of paying at a
+hostel--although _that_ also has befallen me at times--but because,
+after having my soul filled with the glorious beauty of ancient art, I
+could not endure to mingle in the low, sordid scenes of a cheap
+eating-house. Indeed, it was scarcely a sacrifice to do so, for my
+heart was too full to allow me to feel hunger.'
+
+Poussin studied nature with a minuteness that often exposed him to
+raillery. Whenever he made a country excursion, he brought back a bag
+filled with pebbles and mosses, whose various tints and forms he
+afterwards studied with the most scrupulous care. Vigneul de Marville
+asked him one day how he had reached so high a rank among the great
+painters. 'I tried to neglect nothing,' replied Poussin.
+
+True, indeed, he had neglected nothing. He gave his days and nights to
+the acquirement of various sciences. He understood anatomy better than
+any surgeon of his time; he knew history like a Benedictine, and the
+antiquities of Rome as a botanist does his favourite flora. But
+architecture was the art which he esteemed most essential to a
+painter; and accordingly his landscapes abound in exquisite
+delineations of buildings.
+
+His veneration for the works of his predecessors was very great. We
+find him, in a letter addressed to M. de Chantilon, requesting that a
+painting which he sent might not be placed in the same room with one
+of Raphael's--'lest the contrast might ruin mine, and cause whatever
+little beauty it has to vanish.'
+
+He was an ardent admirer of Domenichino, and copied many of his works.
+It happened one day, that as he was in a chapel busily employed in
+copying a painting by that master, he saw a feeble old man tottering
+slowly towards him, leaning on a crutch. The visitor, without
+ceremony, seated himself on the painter's stool, and began
+deliberately to examine his work. Poussin greatly disliked inquisitive
+critics, and now feeling annoyed, he began to put up his pallet, and
+to prepare for leaving.
+
+'You don't like visitors, young man?' said the old man smiling.
+'Neither did I. But when I was your age, and, like you, copying the
+works of the old masters, if one of them had come to look over my
+shoulder, and see how I succeeded in reproducing the form which he had
+created, I would not for that have put away my pallet, but I would
+gladly have sought his counsel.' And while he spoke, the handle of his
+crutch was rubbing against the centre of the picture.
+
+'Signor, are you mad?' exclaimed Poussin, seizing the offending
+crutch.
+
+'So they say, my child; but 'tis not true. No, no; Domenichino is not
+mad, and can still give good advice.'
+
+'Domenichino! what! the great Domenichino?' cried the young man.
+
+'The _poor_ Domenichino. Yes, you see him such as years and grief have
+made him. He has come, young man, to counsel you not to follow in his
+track, if you wish to gain fortune and renown. That,' he continued,
+pointing to his own painting,'is true and conscientious art. Well, it
+leads to the alms-house. I see that you have the power to become a
+great artist. Change your place; be extravagant, capricious,
+unnatural, and then you will succeed.'
+
+One may fancy the feelings of Poussin at hearing these words. He told
+Domenichino that he was ready to sacrifice everything to the love of
+true art, and respectfully accompanied him home.
+
+From that time until Zampieri's death, Poussin was his friend and
+pupil. He afterwards paid a debt of gratitude to the painter's memory,
+by causing his picture of the _Communion of St Jerome_, which had been
+thrown aside in a granary, to be placed opposite to the
+_Transfiguration_ of Raphael.
+
+By degrees, the marvellous talent of Poussin became known, and orders
+for paintings flowed in on him. He might have become rich, but he
+cared not for wealth, and was perhaps the only artist that ever
+thought his works too highly paid for. On one occasion, being sent one
+hundred crowns for a picture, he returned fifty.
+
+Cardinal Mancini paid him a visit one evening, and when he was going
+away, Poussin attended him with a lantern to the outer gate, and
+opened it himself. 'I pity you,' said the cardinal, 'for not having
+even one man-servant.' 'And I pity your eminence for having so many.'
+
+In his days of adversity, Poussin had been kindly received and nursed
+in the house of a M. Dughet, whose daughter he afterwards married. She
+was a simple, kind-hearted woman, and fondly attached to her husband,
+who appreciated her good qualities, and always treated her with
+affection, although she probably never inspired him with ardent love.
+Some years after their marriage, not having any children, Poussin
+adopted his wife's younger brother, Gaspard Dughet, who, under his
+instructions, became a painter of considerable merit. The remainder of
+Poussin's life was singularly prosperous. He continued to reside at
+Rome until summoned to return to France by Louis XIII., who, finding
+that several invitations to that effect, conveyed through ambassadors,
+failed to bring back Poussin, did him the honour to write him an
+autograph letter, entreating his presence. The painter obeyed the
+flattering summons, but unwillingly. He felt that he was sacrificing
+his independence to the splendid bondage of a court, and he often
+remembered with fond regret, 'the peace and the sweetness of his
+little home.'
+
+Two years he resided at court, tasting the sweets and bitters of
+ambition--the caresses of a powerful king, and a still more powerful
+cardinal--mingled with the envious intrigues and malicious detraction
+of jealous rivals. Poussin loved not such a life; his free spirit
+languished, his noble heart was pained; and in 1642, he requested and
+obtained leave to visit Italy, promising, however, to return.
+
+The deaths of Louis and Richelieu, which took place within a short
+period of each other, released Poussin from his pledge. From that
+time, he constantly resided at Rome, and executed his greatest works.
+Amongst these may be named: _Rebecca_, _The Seven Sacraments_, _The
+Judgment of Solomon_, _Moses striking the Rock_, _Jesus healing the
+Blind_, and _The Four Seasons_, each being represented by a subject
+from sacred history. All these, with the exception of _The Seven
+Sacraments_, are to be seen in the Louvre.
+
+Poussin died at Rome in 1665. His wife had expired a short time
+before, and grief for the loss of this fond and faithful partner broke
+down his energies and hastened his decease.
+
+'Her death,' he wrote, 'has left me alone in the world, laden with
+years, filled with infirmities, a stranger and without friends.' All
+those whom he loved had preceded him to their tombs, and the only
+relative at his death-bed was an avaricious nephew, eager to seize his
+possessions.
+
+The name of Nicholas Poussin will never die. He was the first great
+French painter; and in him were united what, unhappily, are often
+dissevered, the highest qualities of the head and of the heart--the
+lofty genius of the artist with the humble piety of the Christian.
+
+
+
+
+ORIGIN OF MUSIC.
+
+
+As to the hackneyed doctrine that derives the origin of music from the
+outward sounds of nature, none but poets could have conceived it, or
+lovers be justified in repeating it. Granting even that the singing of
+birds, the rippling of brooks, the murmuring of winds, might have
+suggested some idea, in the gradual development of the art, all
+history, as well as the evidence of common sense, proves that they
+gave no help whatever at the commencement. The savage has never been
+inspired by them; his music, when he has any, is a mere noise, not
+deducible by any stretch of the imagination from such sounds of
+nature. The national melodies of various countries give no evidence of
+any influence from without. A collection of native airs from different
+parts of the world will help us to no theory as to whether they have
+been composed in valleys or on plains, by resounding sea-shores or by
+roaring waterfalls. There is nothing in the music itself which tells
+of the natural sounds most common in the desolate steppes of Russia,
+the woody sierras of Spain, or the rocky glens of Scotland. What
+analogy there exists is solely with the inward character of the people
+themselves, and that too profound to be theorised upon. If we search
+the works of the earliest composers, we find not the slightest
+evidence of their having been inspired by any outward agencies. Not
+till the art stood upon its own independent foundations does it appear
+that any musicians ever thought of turning such natural sounds to
+account; and--though with Beethoven's exquisite Pastoral Symphony
+ringing in our ears, with its plaintive clarionet cuckoo to contradict
+our words--we should say that no compositions could be of a high class
+in which such sounds were conspicuous.--_Murray's Reading for the
+Rail._
+
+
+
+
+THE ARCHARD LEVER POWER.
+
+
+Our attention has been invited to an invention of a very remarkable
+character, which, if realising the claims asserted in its behalf, will
+fully equal, if it does not far exceed in importance, any discovery of
+the age. It consists in an entirely new application of the power of
+the lever, an application capable of being multiplied to an almost
+unlimited extent. To render our account of this new marvel quite
+incredible in the outset, we will state on the inventor's authority,
+that the steam of an ordinary tea-kettle may be made to produce
+sufficient momentum to propel a steamship of any size across the
+Atlantic! Or, again, one man may exert a power equal to that of a
+thousand horses, and that, too, without the aid of steam or any
+auxiliary other than his own stout arm. It overcomes or disproves the
+heretofore-received principle in mechanics, of not gaining power
+without a loss of speed. Archimedes, in declaring his ability to move
+the world, if he had a suitable position for his fulcrum, conveyed an
+apt illustration of the measureless power of the lever when exerted to
+its fullest extent. This fullest extent Mr Archard claims to have
+attained in the action of a succession of parallel levers--one lever
+upon a second, the second upon a third, the third upon a fourth, and
+so on progressively; each succeeding lever of the same length as the
+first, and all operating simultaneously, the one lever upon, and with
+all the others. This marvellous property of multiplying leverage, is
+attained without any diminution in speed, since, to whatever extent
+the additional levers may be carried, the entire succession is moved
+as one compact mass, operated upon at the same instant, the last lever
+moving at the same moment with the first. This simultaneous movement
+of a succession of parallel levers, acting the one upon the other,
+with a force successively increasing and in geometrical proportion, is
+the grand desideratum, the _ne plus ultra_, in the science of
+mechanics, which the inventor professes to have achieved. To place
+this multiplied _ad infinitum_ power in its plainest light, we may
+observe that a given power--say that of one horse--will impart to a
+lever of a given dimension a sixteenfold power; that sixteenfold power
+gives the succeeding lever sixty-fourfold increase; that to the third
+lever, 256; that gives to the fourth lever an increase of 1024; while
+this fourth lever, with its largely increased ability, gives to the
+fifth lever the enormous increase of 4096. If, therefore, this
+succession of leverage is rightly stated, a single horse is enabled to
+exert the power of four thousand and ninety-six horses!--_American
+Courier_.
+
+
+
+
+MY SPIRIT'S HOME.
+
+
+    Where is the home my spirit seeks,
+    Amid this world of sin and care,
+    Where even joy of sorrow speaks,
+    And Death is lurking everywhere?
+    Oh! not amid its fading bowers
+    My wearied soul can find repose,
+    For serpents lurk beneath its flowers,
+    And thorns surround its fairest rose.
+
+    The home of earth is not for me;
+    Far off my spirit's dwelling lies;
+    The eye of faith alone can see
+    Its pearly gates beyond the skies;
+    The ear of faith alone can hear
+    The music of its ceaseless song,
+    As nearer with each passing year
+    Its angel-chorus rolls along:
+
+    _There_ is the home my spirit seeks,
+    Above the fadeless stars on high!
+    Where not a note of discord breaks
+    The silver chain of harmony;
+    Where light without a shadow lies,
+    And joy can speak without a tear,
+    And Death alone--the tyrant--dies:
+    The home my spirit seeks is _there_!
+
+                                    M. Y. G.
+
+
+
+
+THE GUJARATI-HINDOO GIRLS' SCHOOL.
+
+
+Imagine in a spacious room, furnished after the European fashion, some
+thirty or forty little girls, all dressed in their best, many of them
+laden with rich ornaments--anklets and earrings--seated in order
+around the room, gazing anxiously from their large, lustrous, and
+soulful eyes upon the strangers who sit at the table directing the
+examination, aided by the teacher, the superintendents, the worthy
+Shet and his kinsmen; see behind them a crowd of Hindoos in their
+flowing robes and picturesque turbans, their faces beaming with
+eagerness and delight, as they watch the answers of the pupils--many
+of them relations, some even their wives; listen also to the low and
+sweet voices of childhood, chanting in the melodious Gujarati (the
+Ionic of Western India) the praises of education; and you may be able
+to form some idea of the scene, and of one of the most pleasurable
+moments in the life of a new-comer.--_Bombay Gazette_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+        _Just Published, Price 2s. 6d. Cloth lettered_,
+
+THE MORAL PHILOSOPHY OF PALEY: with Additional DISSERTATIONS and
+NOTES. By ALEXANDER BAIN, A. M. Forming one of the Volumes of
+CHAMBERS'S INSTRUCTIVE and ENTERTAINING LIBRARY.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+                  _Price 6d. Paper Cover_,
+
+CHAMBERS'S POCKET MISCELLANY: forming a LITERARY COMPANION for the
+RAILWAY, the FIRESIDE, or the BUSH.
+
+                       VOLUME XI.
+
+           _To be continued in Monthly Volumes_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Printed and Published by W. and R. CHAMBERS, High Street, Edinburgh.
+Also sold by W. S. ORR, Amen Corner, London; D. N. CHAMBERS, 55 West
+Nile Street, Glasgow; and J. M'GLASHAN, 50 Upper Sackville Street,
+Dublin.--Advertisements for Monthly Parts are requested to be sent to
+MAXWELL & Co., 31 Nicholas Lane, Lombard Street, London, to whom all
+applications respecting their insertion must be made.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH ***
+
+***** This file should be named 24343.txt or 24343.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+        http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/3/4/24343/
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+http://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at http://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit http://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     http://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
diff --git a/24343.zip b/24343.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..70bd043
--- /dev/null
+++ b/24343.zip
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b8718c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #24343 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/24343)