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+Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 441, 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. 441
+       Volume 17, New Series, June 12, 1852
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: William Chambers
+        Robert Chambers
+
+Release Date: March 21, 2008 [EBook #24892]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS EDINBURGH JRNL, NO. 441 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://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. 441. NEW SERIES.   SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1852.   PRICE 1-1/2_d._
+
+
+
+
+UNFASHIONABLE CLUBS.
+
+
+It is with a feeling doubtless somewhat analogous to that of the
+angler, that the London shopkeeper from time to time regards the
+moneyless crowds who throng in gaping admiration around the tempting
+display he makes in his window. His admirers and the fish, however,
+are in different circumstances: the one won't bite if they have no
+mind; the others can't bite if they should have all the mind in the
+world. Yet the shopkeeper manages better than the angler; for while
+the fish are deaf to the charming of the latter, charm he never so
+wisely, the former is able, at a certain season of the year, to
+convert the moneyless gazers into ready-money customers. This he does
+by the force of logic. 'You are thinking of Christmas,' says he--'yes,
+you are; and you long to have a plum-pudding for that day--don't deny
+it. Well, but you can't have it, think as much as you will; it is
+impossible as you manage at present. But I'll tell you how to get the
+better of the impossibility. In twenty weeks, we shall have Christmas
+here: now if, instead of spending every week all you earn, you will
+hand me over sixpence or a shilling out of your wages, I'll take care
+of it for you, since you can't take care of it for yourself; and you
+shall have the full value out of my shop any time in Christmas-week,
+and be as merry as you like, and none the poorer.'
+
+This logic is irresistible. Tomkins banks his 6d. for a plum-pudding
+and the etceteras with Mr Allspice the grocer; and this identical
+pudding he enjoys the pleasure of eating half-a-dozen times over in
+imagination before the next instalment is due. He at length becomes so
+fond of the flavour, that he actually--we know, for we have seen him
+do it--he actually, to use his own expression, 'goes in for a goose'
+besides with Mr Pluck the poulterer. Having once passed the Rubicon,
+of course he cannot go back; the weekly sixpences must be paid, come
+what will: it would be disgraceful to be a defaulter. So he practises
+a little self-denial, for the sake of a little self-esteem--and the
+goose and pudding in perspective. He finds, to his astonishment, that
+he can do quite as much work with one pot of beer a day as he could
+with two, and he drops the superfluous pot, and not only pays his
+instalments to the Christmas-bank, but gets a spare shilling in his
+pocket besides. Thus, under the tuition of the shopkeeper, he learns
+the practice of prudence in provisioning his family with plum-pudding,
+and imbibes the first and foremost of the household virtues, on the
+same principle as a wayward child imbibes physic--out of regard to the
+dainty morsel that is to come afterwards.
+
+Passing one day last autumn through a long and populous thoroughfare
+on the southern side of the Thames, we happened to light upon Mr
+Allspice's appeal to the consciences and the pockets of the
+pudding-eating public. 'If you are wise,' said the admonitory placard,
+'you will lose no time in joining Allspice's Plum-pudding Club.'
+Remembering the retort of a celebrated quack: 'Give me all the fools
+that come this way for my customers, and you are welcome to the wise
+men,' we must own we felt rather doubtful of the prosperity of the
+puddings; but having an interest in the matter, we resolved,
+notwithstanding, to ascertain, if possible, whether the Wisdom who
+uttereth her voice in the streets had on this special occasion spoken
+to any purpose, and whether any, and how many, had proved themselves
+wise in the acceptation of Mr Allspice. On making the necessary
+inquiries after the affair had gone off, we learned, to our surprise
+and gratification, that the club had been entirely successful. Upwards
+of a hundred persons of a class who are never worth half-a-crown at a
+time, had subscribed 6d. a week each for eighteen weeks, and thus
+entitled themselves to 9s. worth of plum-pudding ingredients, besides
+a certain quantity of tea and sugar. Thus the club had prospered
+exceedingly, and had been the instrument of introducing comfort and
+festive enjoyment to no small number of persons who might, and in all
+probability would, have had little to eat or drink, and, consequently,
+little cause for merriment, at that season. This is really a very
+pleasant fact to contemplate, connected though it be with a somewhat
+ludicrous kind of ingenuity, which must be exercised in order to bring
+it about. To anybody but a London shopkeeper, the attempt would appear
+altogether hopeless, to transform a hundred poor persons, who were
+never worth half-a-crown a piece from one year's end to the other,
+into so many 9s. customers; and yet the thing is done, and done, too,
+by the London grocer in a manner highly satisfactory, and still more
+advantageous to his customers. Is it too much to imagine that the
+lesson of provident forethought thus agreeably learned by multitudes
+of the struggling classes--for these clubs abound everywhere in
+London, and their members must be legion--have a moral effect upon at
+least a considerable portion of them? If one man finds a hundred needy
+customers wise enough to relish a plum-pudding of their own providing,
+surely they will not _all_ be such fools as to repudiate the practice
+of that very prudence which procured them the enjoyment, and brought
+mirth and gladness to their firesides! Never think it! They shall go
+on to improve, take our word for it; and having learned prudence from
+plum-pudding, and generosity from goose--for your poor man is always
+the first to give a slice or two of the breast, when he has it, to a
+sick neighbour--they shall learn temperance from tea, and abstinence,
+if they choose, from coffee, and ever so many other good qualities
+from ever so many other good things; and from having been wise enough
+to join the grocer's Plum-pudding Club, they shall end by becoming
+prosperous enough to join the Whittington Club, or the Gresham Club,
+or the Athenĉum Club, or the Travellers' Club; or the House of
+Commons, or the House of Lords either, for all that you, or we, or
+anybody else, can say or do to the contrary.
+
+We know nothing of the original genius who first hit upon this mode of
+indoctrinating the lower orders in a way so much to their advantage;
+we hope, however, as there is little reason to doubt, that he found
+his own account in it, and reaped his well-deserved reward. Whoever he
+was, his example has been well followed for many years past. In the
+poorer and more populous districts of the metropolis, this practice of
+making provision for inevitable wants, by small subscriptions paid in
+advance, prevails to a large extent. As winter sets in, almost every
+provision-dealer, and other traders as well, proffers a compact to the
+public, which he calls a club, though it is more of the nature of a
+savings-bank, seeing that, at the expiration of the subscribing
+period, every member is a creditor of the shop to the amount of his
+own investments, and nothing more. Thus, besides the Plum-pudding
+Clubs, there are Coal Clubs, by which the poor man who invests 1s. a
+week for five or six of the summer months, gets a ton of good coal
+laid in for the winter's consumption before the frost sets in and the
+coal becomes dear. Then there is the Goose Club, which the wiser
+members manage among themselves by contracting with a country dealer,
+and thus avoid the tipsy consummation of the public-house, where these
+clubs have mostly taken shelter. Again, there is the Twelfth-cake
+Club, which comes to a head soon after Christmas, and is more of a
+lottery than a club, inasmuch as the large cakes are raffled for, and
+the losers, if they get anything, get but a big bun for their pains
+and penalties. All these clubs, it will be observed, are plants of
+winter-growth, or at least of winter-fruiting, having for their object
+the provision of something desirable or indispensable in the winter
+season. There is, however, another and a very different species of
+club, infinitely more popular than any of the above, the operations of
+which are aboundingly visible throughout the warm and pleasant months
+of summer, and which may be, and sometimes is, called the Excursion
+Club.
+
+The Excursion Club is a provision which the working and labouring
+classes of London have got up for themselves, to enable them to enjoy,
+at a charge available to their scanty means, the exciting
+pleasures--which are as necessary as food or raiment to their health
+and comfort--of a change of air and scene. It is managed in a simple
+way. The foreman of a workshop, or the father of a family in some
+confined court, or perhaps some manageress of a troop of
+working-girls, contracts with the owner of a van for the hire of his
+vehicle and the services of a driver for a certain day. More
+frequently still, the owner of the van is the prime mover in the
+business, but then the trip is not so cheap. The members club their
+funds, the men paying 1s. each, the wives, 6d., the children, 3d. or
+4d.; and any poor little ragged orphan urchin, who may be hanging
+about the workshop, gets accommodated with a borrowed jacket and
+trousers, and a gratuitous face-washing from Mrs Grundy, and is taken
+for nothing, and well fed into the bargain. The cost, something over a
+guinea, is easily made up, and if any surplus remains, why, then, they
+hire a fiddler to go along with them. On the appointed morning, at an
+early hour, rain or shine, they flock to the rendezvous to the number
+of forty or fifty--ten or a dozen more or less is a trifle not worth
+mentioning. Each one carries his own provisions, and loaded with
+baskets, cans, bottles, and earthen-jars, mugs and tea-kettles, in
+they bundle, and off they jog--pans rattling, women chattering,
+kettles clinking, children crowing, fiddle scraping, and men
+smoking--at the rate of six or seven miles an hour, to Hampton Court
+or Epping Forest. It is impossible for a person who has never
+witnessed these excursions in the height of summer, to form an
+adequate notion of the merry and exciting nature of the relaxation
+they afford to a truly prodigious number of the hardworking classes.
+Returning from Kingston to London one fine Monday morning in June
+last, we met a train of these laughter-loaded vans, measuring a full
+mile in length, and which must have consisted of threescore or more
+vehicles, most of them provided with music of some sort, and adorned
+with flowers and green boughs. As they shot one at a time past the
+omnibus on which we sat, we were saluted by successive volleys of
+mingled mirth and music, and by such constellations of merry-faced
+mortals in St Monday garb, as would have made a sunshine under the
+blackest sky that ever gloomed. Arrived at Hampton Court, the separate
+parties encamp under the trees in Bushy Park, where they amuse
+themselves the livelong day in innocent sports, for which your
+Londoner has at bottom a most unequivocal and hearty relish. They
+will most likely spend a few hours in wandering through the
+picture-galleries in the palace, then take a stroll in the exquisite
+gardens, where the young fellow who is thoughtless enough to pluck a
+flower for his sweetheart, is instantly and infallibly condemned to
+drag a heavy iron roller up and down the gravel-walk, to the amusement
+of a thousand or two of grinning spectators. Having seen the palace
+and the gardens, they pay a short visit, perhaps, to the monster
+grape-vine, with its myriads of clusters of grapes, all of which Her
+Gracious Majesty is supposed to devour; and then they return to their
+dinner beneath some giant chestnut-tree in the park. The cloth is
+spread at the foot of the huge trunk; the gashed joints of the
+Sunday's baked meats, flanked by a very mountainous gooseberry pie,
+with crusty loaves and sections of cheese and pats of butter, cut a
+capital figure among the heterogeneous contribution of pitchers,
+preserve-jars, tin-cans, mugs and jugs, shankless rummers and
+wineglasses, and knives and forks of every size and pattern, from the
+balance handles and straight blades of to-day, to the wooden haft and
+curly-nosed cimeter of a century back. Their sharpened appetites make
+short work of the cold meats and pies. Treble X of somebody's own
+corking fizzes forth from brown jar and black bottle, and if more is
+wanted, it is fetched from the neighbouring tavern. Dinner done, the
+fiddle strikes up, and a dance on the greensward by the young people,
+while the old ones, stretched under the trees, enjoy a quiet gossip
+and a refreshing pipe, fills up the afternoon. There is always
+somebody at this crisis who is neither too old to dance nor too young
+to smoke a gossipping pipe, and so he does both at intervals--rushing
+now into the dance, drawn by the irresistible attraction of the
+fiddle, and now sidling back again to his smoke-puffing chums,
+impelled by the equally resistless charms of tobacco. Then and
+therefore he is branded as a deserter, and a file of young lasses lay
+hands on him, and drag him forth in custody to the dance; and after a
+good scolding from laughing lips, and a good drubbing from white
+handkerchiefs, they compromise the business at last by allowing him to
+dance with his pipe in his mouth.
+
+By five o'clock, Mrs Grundy has managed, with the connivance of Jack
+the driver, somehow or other to boil the kettle, and a cup of tea is
+ready for all who are inclined to partake. The young folks for the
+most part prefer the dance: they can have tea any day--they will not
+dance on the grass again till next year perhaps; so they make the most
+of their time. By and by, the fiddler's elbow refuses to wag any
+longer: he is perfectly willing himself, as he says, 'to play till
+all's blue; but you see,' he adds, 'bones won't do it.' 'Never mind,'
+says the Beau Nash of the day: 'sack your badger, old boy, and go and
+get some resin. Now, then, for kiss in the ring!' Then while the
+fiddler gets his resin, which means anything he likes to eat or drink,
+the whole party, perhaps amounting to three or four van-loads in all,
+form into a circle for 'kiss in the ring.' The ring is one uproarious
+round of frolic and laughter, which would 'hold both its sides,' but
+that it is forced to hold its neighbours' hands with both its own,
+under which the flying damsel who has to be caught and kissed bobs in
+and out, doubling like a hare, till she is out of breath, and is
+overtaken at last, and led bashfully into the centre of the group, to
+suffer the awful penalty of the law. While this popular pastime is
+prolonged to the last moment, the van is getting ready to return; the
+old folks assist in stowing away the empty baskets and vessels; and an
+hour or so before sun-down, or it may be half an hour after, the whole
+party are remounted, and on their way home again, where they arrive,
+after a jovial ride, weary with enjoyment, and with matter to talk
+about for a month to come.
+
+At Epping Forest, the scene is very different, but not a whit the less
+lively. There are no picture-galleries or pleasure-gardens, but there
+is the Forest to roam in, full of noble trees, in endless sinuous
+avenues, crowned with the 'scarce intruding sky,' among which the
+joyous holiday-makers form a finer picture than was ever painted yet.
+Then there are friendly foot-races and jumping-matches, and
+leap-frogging, and black-berrying, and foot-balling, and
+hockey-and-trapping, and many other games besides, in addition to the
+dancing and the ring-kissing. Epping and Hainault Forests are
+essentially the lungs of Whitechapel and Spitalfields. Their leafy
+shades are invaded all the summer long by the van-borne hosts of
+laborious poverty. Clubs, whose members invest but a penny a week,
+start into existence as soon as the leaves begin to sprout in the
+spring; with the first gush of summer, the living tide begins to flow
+into the cool bosom of the forest; and until late in the autumn,
+unless the weather is prematurely wintry, there is no pause for a day
+or an hour of sunshine in the rush of health-seekers to the green
+shades. The fiat has gone forth from the government for the
+destruction of these forests, for the felling of the trees and the
+enclosure of the land. Will the public permit the execution of the
+barbarous decree? We trust not.
+
+Notwithstanding all that has been said, and so justly said, of the
+notorious improvidence of the poor, it will be seen from the above
+hasty sketches, that they yet can and do help themselves to many
+things which are undeniably profitable and advantageous to them: they
+only want, in fact, a motive for so doing--a foregone conviction that
+the thing desiderated is worth having. Now, here is ground for
+hope--an opening, so to speak, for the point of the wedge. That the
+very poor may be taught to practise self-denial, in the prospect of a
+future benefit, these clubs have proved; and we may confess to a
+prejudice in their favour, not merely from what they have
+accomplished, but from a not unreasonable hope, that they may
+perchance foster a habit which will lead to far better things than
+even warm chimney-corners, greenwood holidays, roast geese, and
+plum-pudding.
+
+
+
+
+ARAGO ON THE SUN.
+
+
+In the Annuaire of the _Bureau des Longitudes_, recently published in
+Paris, appears a paper by the distinguished astronomer Arago--'On the
+Observations which have made known the Physical Constitution of the
+Sun and of different Stars; and an Inquiry into the Conjectures of the
+Ancient Philosophers, and of the Positive Ideas of Modern Astronomers
+on the Place that the Sun ought to occupy among the Prodigious Number
+of Stars which stud the Firmament'--in which all that appertains to
+the subject is so ably condensed, as to afford material for a popular
+summary, which we purpose to convey in the present article. The
+eclipse of the sun of last July, by enabling observers to repeat
+former observations and test their accuracy, furnished some of the
+results which serve to complete the paper in question, and which may
+be considered as settled, owing to the improvements continually taking
+place in the construction of instruments. Although astronomy is the
+exactest of sciences, its problems are not yet all fully solved; and
+for the determination of some of these, observers have to wait for
+years--in certain instances, for a century or more, until all the
+circumstances combine for a favourable observation. From the days of
+the Epicurean philosopher, who, judging from appearances, declared the
+sun to be no more than a foot in diameter, to those of living
+calculators, who give to the orb a diameter of 883,000 miles, there
+has been a marvellous advance. In these dimensions, we have a sphere
+one million four hundred thousand times larger than the earth.
+'Numbers so enormous,' says M. Arago, 'not being often employed in
+ordinary life, and giving us no very precise idea of the magnitudes
+which they imply, I recall here a remark that will convey a better
+understanding of the immensity of the solar volume. If we imagine the
+centre of the sun to coincide with that of the earth, its surface
+would not only reach the region in which the moon revolves, but would
+extend nearly as far again beyond.' By the transit of Venus in 1769,
+it was demonstrated that the sun is 95,000,000 miles from the earth;
+and yet, distant as it is, its physical constitution has been
+determined; and the history of the successive steps by which this
+proof has been arrived at, forms one of the most interesting chapters
+in the progress of science.
+
+It was in 1611 that Fabricius, a Dutch astronomer, first observed
+spots on the eastern edge of the sun, which passed slowly across the
+disk to the western edge, and disappeared after a certain number of
+days. This phenomenon having been often noted subsequently, the
+conclusion drawn therefrom is, that the sun is a spherical body,
+having a movement of rotation about its centre, of which the duration
+is equal to twenty-five days and a half. These dark spots, irregular
+and variable, but well defined on their edge, are sometimes of
+considerable dimensions. Some have been seen whose size was five times
+that of the earth. They are generally surrounded by an aureola known
+as the _penumbra_, and sensibly less luminous than the other portions
+of the orb. From this penumbra, first observed by Galileo, many
+apparently singular deductions have been made: namely, 'The sun is a
+dark body, surrounded at a certain distance by an atmosphere which may
+be compared to that of the earth, when the latter is charged with a
+continuous stratum of opaque and reflecting clouds. To this first
+atmosphere succeeds a second, luminous in itself, called the
+_photosphere_. This photosphere, more or less remote from the inner
+cloudy atmosphere, would determine by its outline the visible limits
+of the orb. According to this hypothesis, there would he spots on the
+sun every time that there occurred in the two concentric atmospheres
+such corresponding clear spaces as would allow of our seeing the dark
+central body uncovered.'
+
+This hypothesis is considered by the most competent judges to render a
+very satisfactory account of the facts. But it has not been
+universally adopted. Some writers of authority have lately represented
+the spots as scoriĉ floating on a liquid surface, and ejected from
+solar volcanoes, of which the burning mountains of the earth convey
+but a feeble idea. Hence observations become necessary as to the
+nature of the incandescent matter of the sun; and when we remember the
+immense distance of that body, such an attempt may well appear to be
+one of temerity.
+
+The progress of optical science, however, has given us the means of
+determining this apparently insoluble question. It is well known, that
+physicists are enabled at present to distinguish two kinds of
+light--natural light and polarised light. A ray of the former exhibits
+the same properties on any part of its form; not so the latter. A
+polarised ray is said to have sides, and the different sides have
+different properties, as demonstrated by many interesting phenomena.
+Strange as it may seem, these rays thus described as having sides,
+could pass through the eye of a needle by hundreds of thousands
+without disturbing each other. Availing themselves, therefore, of the
+assistance of polarised light, and an instrument named the
+polariscope, or polarising telescope, observers obtain a double image
+of the sun, both alike, and both white; but on reflecting this image
+on water, or a glass mirror, the rays become polarised; the two images
+are no longer alike or white, but are intensely coloured, while their
+form remains unchanged. If one is red, the other is green, or yellow
+and violet, always producing what are called the complementary
+colours. With this instrument, it becomes possible to tell the
+difference between natural and polarised light.
+
+Another point for consideration is, that for a long time it was
+supposed, that the light emanating from any incandescent body always
+came to the eye as natural light, if in its passage it had not been
+reflected or refracted. But experiment by the polariscope shewed, that
+the ray departing from the surface at an angle sufficiently small was
+polarised; while at the same time, it was demonstrated that the light
+emitted by any gaseous body in flame--that of street-lamps, for
+instance--is always in the natural state, whatever be its angle of
+emission. From these remarks, some idea will be formed of the process
+necessary to prove whether the substance which renders the sun visible
+is solid, liquid, or gaseous. On looking at the sun in the
+polariscope, the image, as before observed, is seen to be purely
+white--a proof that the medium through which the luminous substance is
+made visible to us is gaseous. If it were liquid, the light would be
+coloured; and as regards solidity, that is out of the question--the
+rapid change of spots proves that the outer envelope of the sun is not
+solid. On whatever day of the year we examine, the light is always
+white. Thus, these experiments remove the theory out of the region of
+simple hypothesis, and give certainty to our conclusions respecting
+the photosphere.
+
+Here an example occurs of the aids and confirmations which science may
+derive from apparently trivial circumstances. Complaint was made at a
+large warehouse in Paris, that the gas-fitters had thrown the light on
+the goods from the narrow, and not from the broad side of the flame.
+Experiments were instituted, which proved that the amount of light was
+the same whether emitted from the broad or narrow surface. It was
+shewn also, that a gaseous substance in flame appears more luminous
+when seen obliquely than perpendicular, which explains what are known
+as _faculĉ_ and _lucules_, being those parts of the solar disk that
+shew themselves brighter than other portions of the surface. These are
+due to the presence of clouds in the solar atmosphere; the inclined
+portions of the clouds appearing brightest to the spectator. The
+notion, that there were thousands on thousands of points
+distinguishing themselves from the rest by a greater accumulation of
+luminous matter, is thus disposed of.
+
+Still, there remained something more to be determined. The existence
+of the photosphere being proved, the question arose--was there nothing
+beyond? or did it end abruptly? and this could only be determined at
+the period of a total eclipse, at the very moment when the obscuration
+of the sun being greatest, our atmosphere ceases to be illuminated.
+Hence the interest felt in an eclipse of the sun of late years.
+
+In July 1842, at a total eclipse of the sun visible in several parts
+of the continent, the astronomers noticed, just as the sun was hidden
+by the moon, certain objects, in the form of rose-coloured
+protuberances, about two or three minutes high, astronomically
+speaking, projected from the surface of the moon. These appearances
+were variously explained: some supposed them to be lunar mountains;
+others saw in them effects of refraction or diffraction; but no
+precise explanation could be given; and mere guesses cannot be
+accepted as science. Others, again, thought them to be mountains in
+the sun, the summits stretching beyond the photosphere; but at the
+most moderate calculation, their height would have been about 60,000
+miles--an elevation which, as is said, the solar attraction would
+render impossible. Another hypothesis was, that they were clouds
+floating in a solar, gaseous atmosphere.
+
+M. Arago considers the last as the true explanation: it remained the
+great point to be proved. If it could be ascertained, that these red
+protuberances were not in actual contact with the moon, the
+demonstration would be complete. Speculation was busy, but nothing
+could be done in the way of verification until another eclipse took
+place. There was one in August 1850 total to the Sandwich Islands, at
+which, under direction of the French commandant at Tahiti,
+observations were made, the result being that the red prominences were
+seen to be separated by a fine line from the moon's circumference.
+Here was an important datum. It was confirmed by the observations of
+July 1851, by observers of different nations at different localities,
+who saw that the coloured peaks were detached from the moon; thus
+proving that they are not lunar mountains.
+
+If it be further ascertained, that these luminous phenomena are not
+produced by the inflexion of rays passing over the asperities of the
+moon's disk, and that they have a real existence, then there will be a
+new atmosphere to add to those which already surround the sun; for
+clouds cannot support themselves in empty space.
+
+We come next to that part of the subject which treats of the true
+place of the sun in the universe. In the year 448 B.C., Archelaüs, the
+last of the Ionian philosophers, without having made any measurements,
+taught that the sun was a star, but only somewhat larger than the
+others. Now, the nearest fixed star is 206,000 times further from us
+than the sun: 206,000 times 95,000,000 of miles--a sum beyond all our
+habits of thought. The light from the star _Alpha_ of the Centaur is
+three years in its passage to the earth, travelling at the rate of
+192,000 miles per second; and there are 86,400 seconds in a day, and
+365 days in a year. Astounding facts! If the sun, therefore, were
+removed to the distance of a Centauri, its broad disk, which takes a
+considerable time in its majestic rising and setting above and below
+the horizon, would have no sensible dimensions, even in the most
+powerful telescopes; and its light would not exceed that of stars of
+the third magnitude--facts which throw the guess of Archelaüs into
+discredit. If our place in the material universe is thus made to
+appear very subordinate, we may remember, as M. Arago observes, that
+man owes the knowledge of it entirely to his own resources, and
+thereby has raised himself to the most eminent rank in the world of
+ideas. Indeed, astronomical investigations might not improperly excuse
+a little vanity on our part.'
+
+Among the stars, Sirius is the brightest; but twenty thousand millions
+of such stars would be required to transmit to the earth a light equal
+to that of the sun. And if it were difficult to ascertain the nature
+and quality of the sun, it would appear to be still more so to
+determine these points with regard to the stars; for the reason, that
+the rays, coming from all parts of their disk, at once are
+intermingled, and of necessity produce white. This difficulty did not
+exist in similar investigations on the sun, because its disk is so
+large, that the rays from any one part of it may be examined while the
+others are excluded. Under these circumstances, further proof might
+seem to be hopeless; but advantage was taken of the fact, that there
+are certain stars which are sometimes light, sometimes dark, either
+from having a movement of rotation on their own axis, or because they
+are occasionally eclipsed by a non-luminous satellite revolving around
+them. It is clear, that while the light is waxing or waning, it comes
+from a part only of the star's disk; consequently, the neutralisation
+of rays, which takes place when they depart from the whole surface at
+once, cannot then occur; and from the observations on the portion of
+light thus transmitted, and which is found to remain white under all
+its phases, we are entitled to conclude, in M. Arago's words, that
+'our sun is a star, and that its physical constitution is identical
+with that of the millions of stars strewn in the firmament.'
+
+
+
+
+BARBARA'S SEA-SIDE EXCURSION.
+
+
+It certainly appeared a most improbable circumstance, that any event
+should occur worthy of being recorded, to vary the even tenor of life
+which Mr and Mrs Norman enjoyed in the holy state of matrimony. They
+were young folks--they had married from affection--and, moreover,
+their union had been a strictly prudent one; for their income was more
+than sufficient for all their unaspiring wants and tastes; and it was
+also a 'certainty,' a great good in these days of speculation and
+going ahead. Charles Norman held a government situation, with a small
+but yearly increasing salary; his residence was at Pentonville; and
+his domestic circle comprised, besides his good, meek helpmeet, two
+little children, and an only sister, some years Charles's junior:
+indeed, Bab Norman had not very long quitted the boarding-school. Bab
+and Charles were orphans, and had no near relatives in the world;
+therefore Bab came home to live with her dear brother and his wife
+until she had a home of her own--a contingency which people whispered
+need not be far off, if Miss Barbara Norman so inclined. This piece of
+gossip perhaps arose from the frequent visits of Mr Norman's chosen
+friend, Edward Leslie--a steady and excellent young man, who filled an
+appointment of great trust and confidence in an old-established
+commercial house. Edward Leslie was not distinguished for personal
+attractions or captivating manners; but he was an honest, manly,
+generous-hearted fellow, and sensitive enough to feel very keenly
+sometimes that the pretty spoiled little Barbara laughed at and
+snubbed him. Notwithstanding Bab's folly, however, it would have given
+her great pain had Edward Leslie courted another. He was patient and
+forbearing; and she fluttered and frisked about, determined to make
+the most of her liberty while it lasted. 'Of course she meant to marry
+some day,' she said with a demure smile, 'but it would take a long
+time to make up her mind.'
+
+Charles quite doted on his pretty sister, and often could not find it
+in his heart to rebuke her, because she was motherless, and had only
+him and Cary to look to; and Cary's office was not to rebuke any one,
+much less her dear little sister-in-law. So Barbara was spoiled and
+humoured; while the children were kept in high order--a proper
+discipline being exercised in the nursery, as became a well-regulated
+and nicely-decorated house. Cary thought Bab a beauty, and so did
+Charles; the young lady herself was not at all backward in estimating
+her own charms; and it was a pity to see them so often obscured by
+affectation, for Bab had a kind heart and an affectionate disposition.
+One day when Charles returned home after business-hours were over, Bab
+flew towards him with an unusually animated countenance, holding an
+open letter in her hand, and exclaiming: 'Oh, dear Charles, read this!
+You'll let me go--wont you? I never was at the sea-side in my life,
+you know; and it will do me such a deal of good.'
+
+Charles smiled, took the letter, and tapping his sister's dimpled rosy
+cheek, he said fondly: 'I don't think, Bab, that you want "doing good
+to" so far as health is concerned. The sea-air cannot improve these
+roses.'
+
+'Well, well, Charles, never mind the roses--there's a dear. They only
+ask me to go for a fortnight, and I should so like it; it will be so
+nice to be with one's schoolmates at the sea. Bell and Lucy Combermere
+are _such_ bathers, they say; and as for me, I do believe, Charles, I
+shall drown myself for love of the sea! Oh, you must let me go--do!'
+
+There was no resisting this coaxing; so Charles said he 'would see
+about it, and talk the matter over with Caroline.'
+
+'Cary thinks it will be delightful for me,' exclaimed Barbara: 'she's
+always a good-natured darling.' And Bab felt sure of going, if Charles
+talked the matter over with Cary; so she flew off in an ecstasy of
+joy, dancing and singing, and forthwith commenced preparations, by
+pulling off the faded pink ribbons which adorned her bonnet, and
+substituting gay bright new streamers.
+
+The invitation in question came from Mrs Combermere, who, with
+her two unmarried daughters, were sojourning at a favourite
+watering-place--always crowded during the season--and where Mr
+Combermere, a rich citizen, could join his family every week, and
+inhale a breath of pure air. Charles did not particularly like the
+Combermeres. Mrs Combermere was a fussy woman, full of absurd
+pretension, and with a weakness for forming aristocratic acquaintance,
+which had more than once led her into extravagance, ending in
+disappointment and mortification. The Misses Combermere inherited
+their mamma's weakness; they were comely damsels, and expectant
+sharers of papa's wealth, who was 'very particular' on whom he
+bestowed his treasures. Bell and Lucy had been at school with Barbara
+Norman, and a strong friendship--a school friendship--had been struck
+up amongst the trio, whom the French dancing-master denominated 'the
+Graces.' And now Barbara had received an invitation to stay with them
+for a fortnight, a private postscript being inserted by Miss Bell, to
+the effect that 'Bab must be sure to come very smart, for there were
+most elegant people there, and _such_ beaux!'
+
+Bab went accordingly on Saturday, escorted by Mr Combermere, who
+always returned on the following Monday. Never before had Bab beheld
+so gay a scene; never till now had she looked on the glorious ocean;
+never had she promenaded to the sounds of such exhilarating music. Her
+pretty little head was quite bewildered, though in the midst of all
+her delight she wished for Charles and Cary, and the children; there
+was such delicious bathing for the tiny ones; such digging with their
+little spades in the golden sands! Innocent, happy gold-diggers they!
+
+She found Mrs Combermere and the girls in the full swing of sea-side
+dissipation--quite open-house kept, free-and-easy manners, which at
+home would not have been tolerated. But it came only once a year, and
+they could afford it. Quite established as an intimate, was a tall
+young gentleman, with delicate moustache, who seemed to be on terms of
+friendly familiarity with half the aristocracy of the nation. Mrs
+Combermere whispered to Bab, that Mr Newton was a most 'patrician
+person,' of the 'highest connections;' they had met with him on the
+sands, where he had been of signal use in assisting Mrs Combermere
+over the shingles on a stormy day. He was so gentlemanly and
+agreeable, that they could not do otherwise than ask him in; he had
+remained to tea, and since then had been a regular visitor.
+
+Mr Newton had been at first treated with great coolness by Mr
+Combermere; the latter gentleman did not like strangers, and always
+looked on a moustache with suspicion. But Mr Newton was so
+deferential, so unexceptionable in deportment, and prudent in his
+general sentiments, warmly advocating Mr Combermere's political
+opinions, that he had at last won the good opinion even of the father
+of the family. Besides, he paid no particular attention to the Misses
+Combermere: there was no danger of his making up to them--that was
+clear; and Mrs Combermere, mother-like, felt a little mortified and
+chagrined at such palpable indifference. But when pretty Bab Norman
+appeared, the case was different: her brunette complexion and
+sparkling dark eyes elicited marked admiration from the patrician Mr
+Newton; and he remarked in an off-hand way--_sotto voce_, as if to
+himself: 'By Jupiter! how like she is to dear Lady Mary Manvers.' Bab
+felt very much flattered by the comparison, and immediately began to
+like Mr Newton immensely; he was so distingué, so fascinating, so
+refined. Bab did not add, that he had singled her out as an especial
+object of attention, even when the fair dashing Misses Combermere
+challenged competition.
+
+The fortnight passed swiftly away--too swiftly, alas! thought little
+Barbara Norman; for at the expiration of the term, Mrs Combermere did
+not ask her to prolong the visit, but suffered her to depart, again
+under the escort of Mr Combermere, without a word of regret at
+parting. Cruel Mrs Combermere! she wished to keep Mr Newton's society
+all to herself and her daughters! However, the young gentleman asked
+Barbara for permission to pay his respects to her when he returned to
+the metropolis; this had been accorded by Barbara, who, on her return
+to Pentonville, for the first time found that comfortable home
+'insufferably dull and stupid.' Edward Leslie, too--how dull and
+stupid even he was, after the chattering perfumed loungers of the
+elysium she had just quitted! Yet Edward was never considered either
+dull or stupid by competent judges; but, quite the contrary--a
+sensible, well-informed, gentlemanly personage. But, then, he had no
+great friends, no patrician weaknesses; he knew nothing about racing,
+or betting, or opera-dancers, or slang in general. In short, he seemed
+flat and insipid to Bab, who had been compared to the beautiful Lady
+Mary Manvers by the soft and persuasive tongue of Lady Mary Manvers's
+dear friend. Yet, in her secret heart of hearts, Bab drew comparisons
+by no means disadvantageous to Edward Leslie. 'Yes,' thought Bab, 'I
+like Mr Newton best by the sea-side in summer-time, when harp-music
+floats on the balmy air; then I should always like him, if summer was
+all the year round. But for everyday life, for winter hours, for home,
+in short, I'm sure I like Edward Leslie best--I'm sure I love Edward
+Leslie;' and Bab blushed and hesitated, though she was quite alone.
+Cary listened good-naturedly to all Bab's descriptions of the
+happiness she had enjoyed; and Cary thought, from all Bab said, that
+Mr Newton must be at least some great lord in disguise. She felt quite
+nervous at the idea of his coming to such a humble house as theirs,
+when he talked of parks, and four-in-hands, and baronial halls, as
+things with which he was familiar, and regarded as matters of course.
+Cary hoped that Charles and Edward Leslie would be present when Mr
+Newton called, because they were fit to associate with royalty itself.
+Cary had a very humble opinion of herself--sweet, gentle soul! Charles
+often wished his dear sister Bab might closely resemble her. At
+length, Bell Combermere wrote to say, they were about returning to
+town; and Mr Newton declared he could not remain behind. Bab's heart
+fluttered and palpitated at each sound the knocker gave; and she was
+thankful that Cary's cousin, Miss Ward, was staying with them, to call
+attention off from herself.
+
+Miss Ward was an accomplished, charming woman of middle age,
+who for years had resided in the Earl of St Elmer's family as
+governess--greatly valued for her many estimable qualities. Not being
+in robust health, she had absented herself for a short season from her
+onerous duties, and in her dear friend and cousin's house, sought and
+obtained quiet and renovation. Miss Ward often found difficulty in
+repressing a smile at Bab's superfluous graces and animated gestures;
+but it was a kindly smile, for the stately conventionalities amongst
+which she usually existed, rendered these traits of less refined
+manners rather refreshing than otherwise. Miss Ward was out when Mrs
+Combermere's equipage drove up to Mr Norman's door; and that large
+lady, with her daughter Bell, accompanied by Mr Newton, made their way
+up stairs to Mrs Norman's drawing-room. Mrs Combermere was always
+astoundingly grand and patronising when she honoured Cary with a call;
+Mrs Combermere liked to call upon folks whom she denominated
+inferiors--to impress them with an overwhelming idea of her
+importance. But on the simple-minded literal Cary, this honour was
+lost, she received it with such composure and unconscious placidity:
+on Bab it produced, indeed, the desired effect; but whether it was Mrs
+Combermere's loud talking and boasting, or Mr Newton's easy negligence
+and patronising airs, that caused her to colour and hesitate, it is
+not possible to define. Bab was not herself; and she began to be
+ashamed of living in Pentonville, when Mr Newton spoke of Belgravia.
+Miss Ward, who had returned from her shopping excursion, glided into
+the room unnoticed, in the middle of a description Mr Newton was
+giving of a magnificent place, belonging to a dear friend, with whom
+he had been staying, ere he had the 'unspeakable felicity of meeting
+Mrs Combermere.'
+
+'Your description is a graphic one, John Blomfield,' said Miss Ward in
+a low voice close to his ear; 'but how came you here--in this
+company?'
+
+John Blomfield, _alias_ John Newton, started as if an adder had bitten
+him, and gazed franticly upon the intruder. 'Miss Ward, madam,' he
+exclaimed involuntarily, 'don't say more, and I'll go this instant!'
+
+'Then go,' continued Miss Ward majestically, pointing to the door;
+'and beware, John Blomfield, how you dare to enter a gentleman's house
+unauthorised again.'
+
+Pale and crest-fallen, the young gentleman and dear friend of Lady
+Mary Manvers vanished; nor did he require a second bidding to rush
+down stairs, and out at the front-door, which was slammed violently
+after him.
+
+'What does this mean, ma'am?' inquired Mrs Combermere, very red in the
+face, and looking terribly frightened--'what does this all mean,
+ma'am?'
+
+'Only,' replied Miss Ward quietly, 'that this individual, who calls
+himself Mr Newton, and whose conversation I overheard after entering
+the apartment, is in reality John Blomfield, _ci devant_ valet to Lord
+Lilburne, the eldest son of the Earl of St Elmer, in whose family I
+have the honour to be governess. His lordship shewed toleration and
+kindness unprecedented towards the ungrateful young man, on account of
+his respectable parentage, and the excellent abilities and aptitude
+for instruction he displayed. But I grieve to say, John Blomfield was
+discharged from Lord Lilburne's service, under circumstances which
+left no doubt on our minds that he was guilty of dishonest
+practices--of pilfering, in short, to a considerable extent. We heard
+that he still continued his evil course; but though knowing him to
+possess both skill and effrontery, I was almost as much startled as
+the delinquent himself, to behold him thus playing the fine gentleman,
+and lounging on Cary's sofa.'
+
+A faint groan escaped from Miss Combermere as she ejaculated: 'Oh, my
+pearl necklace!' and a still deeper and more audible sigh from her
+mamma, as the words burst forth: 'Oh, my diamond _bandeau_!' which led
+to an explanation from the distressed and bewildered ladies, of how
+they had intrusted these precious jewels to Mr Newton, who urged them
+on returning to town to have them reset, volunteering to take them
+himself to Lady Mary Manvers's own jeweller, a 'first-rate fellow, who
+worked only for the aristocracy.' 'They must not be in a hurry,' Mr
+Newton said, 'for the first-rate fellow was so torn to pieces by
+duchesses and countesses, that even weeks might elapse before their
+comparatively trifling order could be attended to.'
+
+'I fear,' said Miss Ward commiseratingly, 'that you will not see your
+valuables again. John Blomfield is a clever rascal, and has good taste
+too,' continued Miss Ward smiling, 'for he invariably selects pretty
+things. I hope, my dear'--turning to Bab, who sat silent and
+petrified--'your beautiful gold repeater set with brilliants is safe,
+and that it did not require repairs or alterations, to induce you to
+part with it into Mr Newton's hands? I doubt not he had an eye to it
+eventually.'
+
+Poor Bab--what a blow to her vanity! She could only murmur something
+about the watch being very dear to her, because it had belonged to her
+deceased mother, and that she always wore it round her neck.
+
+'And I don't think that Bab would part with it out of her hands to any
+one,' said Cary, 'if we except ourselves, save to Edward Leslie; but
+he is such a careful soul, that one would not mind intrusting him with
+the most precious treasure on earth.'
+
+Bab blushed very deeply at this speech, because she saw a covert smile
+on Miss Ward's speaking countenance. That lady, notwithstanding her
+amiability and philanthropic character, rather enjoyed the
+consternation and confusion of Mrs and Miss Combermere, who retreated
+more humbly than they had entered, having received a lesson which, it
+is to be hoped, they profited by for the remainder of their lives. The
+pearl necklace and diamond bandeau were not recovered, though a reward
+was offered by the enraged Mr Combermere for the apprehension of the
+thief; yet Miss Bell with tears declared, that she would far rather
+lose her pearl necklace than give evidence against one whose
+attractive qualities she could not cease to remember.
+
+Very shortly after this affair, Barbara had another short trip to the
+sea-side, and with a companion whose happiness equalled her own: it
+was the honeymoon excursion, and Edward Leslie was Bab's companion for
+life. After this second sea-side sojourn, the bride returned to a
+pretty house of her own, quite near to Charles and Cary; and Barbara
+was never heard to complain of finding it dull or stupid, though
+summer does not last all the year round with any of us.
+
+
+
+
+MR JERDAN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
+
+
+The first of a series of volumes, designed to contain the literary,
+political, and social reminiscences of Mr Jerdan during the last fifty
+years, has just seen the light. It will be found to be one of the most
+amusing books of the day, and also not without a moral of its own
+kind. We presume it is of no use to debate how far it is allowable to
+bring before the public matters pertaining to private life, and about
+which living individuals may feel a delicacy. The time for such
+questions seems past. Assuming so much, we at least feel pretty sure
+that the lives and characters of living men could scarcely be in
+gentler or more genial hands than those of William Jerdan.
+
+Mr Jerdan is chiefly known as having been for a third of a century the
+editor of the _London Literary Gazette_, a work which used to report
+on literature with a sympathy for authors strikingly in contrast with
+the tone of some of its contemporaries, in whom it would almost appear
+as if the saying of a kind word, or even the doing of simple justice
+towards a book, were felt as a piece of inexcusable weakness. He is
+now, at seventy, relieved from his cares, with little tangible result
+from his long and active career; but for this the readers of his
+autobiography will be at no loss to account. Jerdan has evidently been
+a kind-hearted, mirth-making, tomorrow-defying mortal all his days, as
+if he had patriotically set himself from the beginning to prove that
+Scotland could produce something different from those hosts of staid,
+sober, calculating men for which it has become so much distinguished.
+We speak here, indeed, according to the English apprehension of the
+Scotch character, for in Scotland, strange to say--that is, to
+Englishmen it will appear strange--the people believe themselves to be
+remarkable for want of foresight--'aye wise ahint the hand,' is their
+own self-portraiture--and for a certain ardour of genius which leads
+them into all sorts of scrapes. The issue is, after all, a hard one,
+and viewing the long services of Mr Jerdan to the literary republic,
+we would hope that a cheerful life-evening is still in store for him.
+
+Our autobiographer tells, with all due modesty, of his early days at
+Kelso--the respectable friends by whom he was surrounded--his
+acquiring the reputation of a clever youth, and running nigh being a
+good deal spoilt in consequence. At nineteen, he went to London, to
+enter the counting-house of a mercantile uncle, and during two years
+spent there, formed an acquaintance with a group of young men, several
+of whom have since become distinguished. Among these were Messrs Pirie
+and Lawrie, since Lord Mayors of London--David, William, and Frederick
+Pollock, of whom the last is now Chief Baron of Exchequer--and Mr
+Wilde, who has since been Lord Chancellor. Interrupted in his career
+by a severe illness, he returned to Scotland to recruit, and soon
+after was placed with an Edinburgh writer to the Signet, to study the
+mysteries of law. The Scottish capital was then a much more frolicsome
+place than now, and Jerdan entered heartily into all its humours,
+spent merry evenings with Tom Sheridan and Joseph Gillan, attended
+mason-lodges, joined the Volunteers, and, seeing a fountain one day,
+wished to be it, for then he should have nothing to do but play. The
+natural result followed in a second severe illness, out of which his
+kind master, _Corrie_ Elliott, endeavoured to recover him by a
+commission to ride through a range of mountain parishes in the south,
+in order to search for genealogical particulars illustrative of a case
+between Lady Forbes, born Miss Hunter of Polmood, and two gentlemen
+named Hunter, who claimed her estate.
+
+'I travelled,' says our autobiographer, 'from manse to manse, and
+received unbounded hospitalities from the ministers, whilst I examined
+their kirk-registers, and extracted from them every entry where the
+name of Hunter or Welsh was to be found. Never was task more
+gratifying. The _bonhomie_ of the priests, and the simplicity of their
+parishioners, were a new world to me, whilst they, the clergy, men of
+piety and learning, considered themselves as out of the world
+altogether. The population was thin and scattered, the mode of living
+primitive in the extreme, and the visit of a stranger, so
+insignificant as myself, quite enough to make a great sensation in
+these secluded parts. I found the ministers ingenuous, free from all
+puritanism, and generally well informed.... The examination of the
+parish books was also a labour of love and source of endless
+amusement. They mostly went as far back as a century and a half, and
+were, in the elder times, filled with such entries as bespoke a very
+strange condition of society. The inquisitorial practices and punitive
+power of the ministry could not be exceeded in countries enslaved by
+the priesthood of the Church of Rome. Forced confessions, the denial
+of religious rites even on the bed of death, excommunication, shameful
+exposures, and a rigid and minute interference in every domestic or
+private concern, indicated a state of things which must have been
+intolerable. High and low were obliged to submit to this offensive
+discipline and domination.... My duty was thus pleasantly and
+satisfactorily performed. My note-book was full. My skill in
+deciphering obsolete manuscript was cultivated and improved; and my
+health was restored as if by miracle. Of other incidents and results I
+shall only state, that on one occasion, to rival Bruce in Abyssinia, I
+dined off mutton whilst the sheep nibbled the grass upon the lawn, our
+fare being the amputated tails of the animals, which made a very
+dainty dish--that on reaching Edinburgh, my hackney, having from a
+dark gallop over a ground where a murder had been committed not long
+before, and being put into a cold stable, lost every hair on its hide
+like a scalded pig, subjected me to half his price in lieu of
+damage--and that the famous and ancient Polmood remained in the
+possession of Lord Forbes, as inherited from the charter of King
+Robert, who gave the lands for ever, "as high up as heaven, and as low
+down as hell," to the individual named in the grant, which was
+witnessed "by Meg, my wife, and Marjory, my nourice."'
+
+Despairing of doing any good in Edinburgh, Mr Jerdan, while still only
+twenty-three, resorted once more to London, though without any
+definite object in view. While pursuing his usual light-hearted
+career, he got into debt and difficulties, and experienced the
+consequent annoyances with the sense of being an injured man, 'whereas
+it was I who had wronged myself.' 'It was now,' he adds, 'that I got
+my first lesson of that fatal truth--that debt is the greatest curse
+which can beset the course of a human being. It cools his friends and
+heats his enemies; it throws obstacles in the way of his every advance
+towards independence; it degrades him in his own estimation, and
+exposes him to humiliation from others, however beneath him in station
+and character; it marks him for injustice and spoil; it weakens his
+moral perceptions and benumbs his intellectual faculties; it is a
+burden not to be borne consistently with fair hopes of fortune, or
+that peace of mind which passeth all understanding, both in a worldly
+and eternal sense. But I shall have much to say on the subject in the
+future pages of this biography, though I cannot omit the opportunity
+afforded by my earliest taste of the bitter fruit which poisons every
+pulse of existence, earnestly to exhort my youthful readers to deny
+themselves every expense which they cannot harmlessly afford, and
+revel on bread and water and a lowly couch, in humility and patience,
+rather than incur the obligation of a single sixpence beyond their
+actual means.'
+
+At length, about 1806, he gravitated into what was perhaps his natural
+position--the press; taking a concern in a daily paper called the
+_Aurora_, which was got up by the hotel-keepers of London. This
+speculation did not answer. It was destined to verify a late saying:
+'If you want anything spoilt or ruined, you cannot do better than
+confide it to a committee.' 'Our rulers,' says Jerdan, 'though
+intelligent and sensible men, were neither literary nor conversant
+with journalism. Under any circumstances, their interference would
+have been injurious, but it was rendered still more fatal by their
+differences in political opinion, and two or three of the number
+setting up to write "leaders" themselves. The clashing and want of
+_ensemble_ was speedily obvious and detrimental; our readers became
+perfect weathercocks, and could not reconcile themselves to themselves
+from day to day. They wished, of course, to be led, as all
+well-informed citizens are, by their newspaper; and they would not
+blow hot and cold in the manner prescribed for all the coffee-room
+politicians in London. In the interior, the hubbub and confusion of
+the republic of letters was meanwhile exceedingly amusing to the
+looker-on; we were of all parties and shades of opinion: the
+proprietor of the King's Head was an ultra Tory, and swore by George
+III. as the best of sovereigns--the Crown Hotel was very loyal, but
+more moderate--the Bell Inn would give a strong pull for the
+Church--whilst the Cross-Keys was infected with Romish predilections.
+The Cockpit was warlike; the Olive-Tree, pacific; the Royal Oak,
+patriotic; the Rummer, democratic; the Hole-in-the-Wall, seditious.
+Many a dolorous pull at the porter-pot and sapientious declination of
+his head had the perplexed and bemused editor, before he could effect
+any tolerable compromise of contradictions for the morning's issue: at
+the best, the sheet appeared full of signs and wonders!' In short, the
+paper failed.
+
+Mr Jerdan passed through various situations _on_ various papers, as
+the elegant language of Cockneydom hath it, and thus he has been
+enabled to give some curious sketches of the _personnel_ of the press
+in those days. In the _Morning Post_, he took a strong part against
+the Mary-Anne-Clarke investigation, and caused a marvellous sinking of
+the circulation in consequence. He, nevertheless, consented to go and
+see that celebrated lady, and confesses to have been softened by her
+blandishments. One of the most remarkable occurrences of that period
+was his witnessing the assassination of the prime minister, Perceval,
+in May 1812. He had saluted the premier, as he was passing into the
+lobby of the House of Commons, and had held back the spring-door to
+allow him precedence in entering, when instantly there was a noise
+within. 'I saw a small curling wreath of smoke rise above his head, as
+if the breath of a cigar; I saw him reel back against the ledge on the
+inside of the door; I heard him exclaim: "O God!" or "O my God!" and
+nothing more or longer (as reported by several witnesses), for even
+that exclamation was faint; and then, making an impulsive rush, as it
+were, to reach the entrance to the House on the opposite side for
+safety, I saw him totter forward, not half way, and drop dead between
+the four pillars which stood there in the centre of the space, with a
+slight trace of blood issuing from his lips.
+
+'All this took place ere, with moderate speed, you could count five!
+Great confusion, and almost as immediately great alarm, ensued. Loud
+cries were uttered, and rapidly conflicting orders and remarks on
+every hand made a perfect Babel of the scene; for there were above a
+score of people in the lobby, and on the instant no one seemed to know
+what had been done or by whom. The corpse of Mr Perceval was lifted
+up by Mr William Smith, the member for Norwich, assisted by Lord
+Francis Osborne, a Mr Phillips, and several others, and borne into the
+office of the Speaker's secretary, by the small passage on the left
+hand, beyond and near the fireplace. Pallid and deadly, close by the
+murderer, it must have been; for in a moment after, Mr Eastaff, one of
+the clerks of the Vote Office at the last door on that side, pointed
+him out, and called: "That is the murderer!" Bellingham moved slowly
+to a bench on the hither side of the fireplace, near at hand, and sat
+down. I had in the first instance run forward to render assistance to
+Mr Perceval, but only witnessed the lifting of his body, followed the
+direction of Mr Eastaff's hand, and seized the assassin by the collar,
+but without violence on one side, or resistance on the other.
+Comparatively speaking, a crowd now came up, and among the earliest Mr
+Vincent Dowling, Mr John Norris, Sir Charles Long, Sir Charles
+Burrell, Mr Henry Burgess, and, in a minute or two, General Gascoigne
+from a committee-room up stairs, and Mr Hume, Mr Whitbread, Mr Pole,
+and twelve or fifteen members from the House. Meanwhile, Bellingham's
+neckcloth had been stripped off, his vest unbuttoned, and his chest
+laid bare. The discharged pistol was found beside him, and its
+companion was taken, loaded and primed, from his pocket. An
+opera-glass, papers, and other articles, were also pulled forth,
+principally by Mr Dowling, who was on his left, whilst I stood on his
+right hand; and except for his frightful agitation, he was as passive
+as a child. Little was said to him. General Gascoigne on coming up,
+and getting a glance through the surrounding spectators, observed that
+he knew him at Liverpool, and asked if his name was Bellingham, to
+which he returned no answer; but the papers rendered further question
+on this point unnecessary. Mr Lynn, a surgeon in Great George Street,
+adjacent, had been hastily sent for, and found life quite extinct, the
+ball having entered in a slanting direction from the hand of the tall
+assassin, and passed into his victim's heart. Some one came out of the
+room with this intelligence, and said to Bellingham: "Mr Perceval is
+dead! Villain! how could you destroy so good a man, and make a family
+of twelve children orphans?" To which he almost mournfully replied: "I
+am sorry for it." Other observations and questions were addressed to
+him by bystanders; in answer to which he spoke incoherently,
+mentioning the wrongs he had suffered from government, and justifying
+his revenge on grounds similar to those he used, at length, in his
+defence at the Old Bailey.
+
+'I have alluded to Bellingham's "frightful agitation" as he sat on the
+bench, and all this dreadful work was going on; and I return to it, to
+describe it as far as words can convey an idea of the shocking
+spectacle. I could only imagine something like it in the overwrought
+painting of a powerful romance-writer, but never before could conceive
+the physical suffering of a strong muscular man, under the tortures of
+a distracted mind. Whilst his language was cool, the agonies which
+shook his frame were actually terrible. His countenance wore the hue
+of the grave, blue and cadaverous; huge drops of sweat ran down from
+his forehead, like rain on the window-pane in a heavy storm, and,
+coursing his pallid cheeks, fell upon his person, where their moisture
+was distinctly visible; and from the bottom of his chest to his gorge,
+rose and receded, with almost every breath, a spasmodic action, as if
+a body, as large or larger than a billiard-ball, were choking him. The
+miserable wretch repeatedly struck his chest with the palm of his hand
+to abate this sensation, but it refused to be repressed.'
+
+Our author makes a curious remark on the case--namely, that the first
+examinations are calculated to give the future historian a more
+faithful idea of the transaction than the record of the trial. Even in
+the short interval of four days, witnesses had become confused in
+their recollections, mistaking things which they had only heard of for
+things they had beheld. The unhappy culprit perished on the scaffold
+only a week after his crime.
+
+Jerdan, who assumed the editorship of the _Sun_ in 1813, was a flaming
+Tory of the style of that day, and accordingly enjoyed the triumph of
+Europe over Bonaparte. In Paris, immediately after the Allies had
+entered it, he feasted his eyes with the singular spectacles
+presented, and the personal appearance of the heroes he had been
+employed for some years in celebrating. Here is a scene at
+Beauvillier's restaurant in the Rue de Richelieu, where 700 people
+dined every day. 'It was on the first or second day, that a fair
+Saxon-looking gentleman came and seated himself at my table. I think
+he chose the seat advertently, from having observed or gathered that I
+was fresh from London. We speedily entered into conversation, and he
+pointed out to me some of the famous individuals who were doing
+justice to the Parisian cookery at the various tables around--probably
+about twenty in all. As he mentioned their names, I could not repress
+my enthusiasm--a spirit burning over England when I left it only a few
+days before--and my new acquaintance seemed to be much gratified by my
+ebullitions. "Well," said he to a question from me, "that is Davidoff,
+the colonel of the Black Cossacks." I shall not repeat my exclamations
+of surprise and pleasure at the sight of this terrific leader, who had
+hovered over the enemy everywhere, cut off so many resources, and
+performed such incredible marches and actions as to render him and his
+Cossacks the dread of their foes. "Is this," inquired my companion,
+"the opinion of England?" I assured him it was, and let out the secret
+of my editorial consequence, in proof that I was a competent witness.
+On this, a change of scene ensued. My _incognito_ walked across to
+Davidoff, who forthwith filled, and sent me a glass of his wine--the
+glass he was using--and drank my health. I followed the example, and
+sent mine in return, and the compliment was completed. But it did not
+stop with this single instance. My new fair-complexioned friend went
+to another table, and spoke with a bronzed and hardy-looking warrior,
+from whom he came with another similar bumper to me, and the request
+that I would drink wine with General Czernicheff. I was again in
+flames; but it is unnecessary to repeat the manner in which I, on that
+to me memorable day, took wine with half a dozen of the most
+distinguished generals in the allied service.
+
+'Whilst this toasting-bout was going on, a seedy-looking old gentleman
+came in, and I noticed that some younger officers rose and offered him
+a place, which he rejected, till a vacancy occurred, and then he
+quietly sat down, swallowed his two dozen of green oysters as a whet,
+and proceeded to dine with an appetite. By this time, my _vis-à-vis_
+had resumed his seat, and, after what had passed, I felt myself at
+liberty to ask him the favour of informing me who he himself was! I
+was soon answered. He was a Mr Parish, of Hamburg, whose prodigious
+commissariat engagements with the grand army had been fulfilled in a
+manner to prosper the war; and I was now at no loss to account for his
+intimacy with its heroes. It so happened that I knew, and was on
+friendly terms with some of his near relations; and so the two hours I
+have described took the value of two years. But the climax had to
+come. Who was the rather seedy-looking personage whom the aids-de-camp
+appeared so ready to accommodate? Oh, that was Blucher! If I was
+outrageous before, I was mad now. I explained to Mr Parish the feeling
+of England with regard to this hero; and that, amid the whole host of
+great and illustrious names, his had become the most glorious of all,
+and was really the one which filled most unanimously and loudly the
+trump of fame. He told me that an assurance of this would be most
+gratifying to the marshal, who thought much of the approbation of
+England, and asked my leave to communicate to him what I had said. I
+could have no objection; but after a short colloquy, Blucher did not
+send his glass to me--he came himself; and I hobnobbed with the
+immortal soldier. I addressed him in French, to which he would not
+listen; and I then told him in English of the glorious estimation in
+which he was held in my country, which Mr Parish translated into
+German; and if ever high gratification was evinced by man, it was by
+Blucher on this occasion. I had the honour of breakfasting with him at
+his hotel next morning, when the welcome matter was discussed more
+circumstantially; and he evinced the greatest delight.'
+
+Here we must part with Mr Jerdan, but only, we hope, to meet him again
+ere long in a second volume.
+
+
+
+
+CRIMINAL TRIALS.
+
+THE SOMERSET AND OVERBURY TRAGEDY.
+
+
+The history of the unworthy favourites whom James I. of England raised
+to a power so extravagant, has always been surrounded with a tragic
+mystery. One of them, Buckingham, was stabbed by an assassin; the
+other, Somerset, was condemned to death for murder. The extravagant
+dignities and emoluments heaped on these unworthy men, are utterly
+beyond the belief of those who live under the constitutional
+government of the present day. Nor was it enough that they obtained
+the highest titles in the peerage, and large grants out of the public
+money; they were rewarded in a manner still more dangerous to the
+public welfare, by being invested with the great, responsible offices
+of state, which were thus held by young men totally inexperienced,
+instead of responsible and capable ministers. Of course, they
+distributed all the inferior offices among their relations and
+connections; and a witty annalist of the day describes the children of
+the reigning favourite's kindred as swarming about the palaces, and
+skipping up and down the back-stairs like so many fairies. They had
+been raised in early youth from a humble condition to this dazzling
+elevation, and it was only too much in accordance with the frailty of
+human nature that they should lose head--feel as if they were under no
+responsibility to their fellow-men--and, as Shakspeare says, 'play
+such fantastic tricks before high Heaven, as make the angels weep.'
+Such rapid and ill-founded prosperity never lasts; and generally he
+who has ascended like a blazing rocket, tumbles to the earth like its
+charred and blackened socket.
+
+Carr, afterwards made Earl of Somerset, was a raw Scotch youth,
+without education or training, when he was first brought under the
+notice of the king by chancing to have his leg broken in the royal
+presence in an attempt to mount a fiery horse. When once taken into
+favour, the king did not care whom he offended, or what injustice he
+did, to enrich the fortunate youth. When he was besought to spare the
+heritage of the illustrious and unfortunate Raleigh, he said
+peevishly: 'I mun have it for Carr--I mun have it for Carr!' The
+favourite desired to have for his wife the Lady Frances Howard, who
+had been married to the Earl of Essex. The holiest bonds must be
+broken to please him, and the marriage was shamefully dissolved. This
+did no great injury, indeed, to Essex. The union had been one entirely
+of interest, contracted when both were mere children. He was the same
+Essex who afterwards figured in the civil war--a grave, conscientious,
+earnest man, who could have had little sympathy with a woman so giddy
+and unprincipled. She suited better with the profligate Somerset; but
+had it not been that the king's favourite demanded it to be dissolved,
+the original union would have been held sacred.
+
+Great court pageants and festivities hailed the marriage of Carr with
+the divorced Lady Essex, and the proudest of England's nobility vied
+with each other in doing honour to the two vile persons thus
+unpropitiously united. The chief-justice, Coke, and the illustrious
+Bacon, bowed in the general crowd before their ascendancy. It has been
+maintained that Ben Jonson, in his rough independence, refused to
+write a masque for the occasion of these wicked nuptials; but this has
+been denied; and it is said, that the reason why his works contain no
+avowed reference to the occasion, is because they were not published
+until Somerset's fall. The event took place in 1613: three years
+afterwards, the same crowd of courtiers and great officers were
+assembled in Westminster Hall, to behold the earl and countess on
+their trial for murder.
+
+Sir Thomas Overbury, a man of great talent, who lived, like many other
+people of that period, by applying his capacity to state intrigues,
+had been committed to the Tower at the instigation of Somerset. He
+died there suddenly; and a suspicion arose that he had been poisoned
+by Somerset and his countess. A curious account of the transactions
+which immediately followed, has been preserved in a work called _A
+Detection of the State and Court of England during the last Four
+Reigns_. It is the more curious, as the author, Roger Coke, was a
+grandson of Sir Edward, the great chief-justice, who was a principal
+actor in the scene. The king was at Royston, accompanied by Somerset,
+when it appears that Sir Ralph Winwood informed his majesty of the
+suspicions that were abroad against the favourite. The king
+immediately determined to inform Coke; but it is feared that the
+determination arose not from a desire to execute strict justice, but
+because another favourite, George Villiers, who afterwards became Duke
+of Buckingham, had already superseded Somerset in the king's esteem.
+
+A message was immediately despatched to Sir Edward Coke, who lived in
+the Temple. He was in bed when it arrived, and his son, even for one
+who came in the king's name, would not disturb him; 'For I know,' he
+said, 'my father's disposition to be such, that if he be disturbed in
+his sleep, he will not be fit for any business; but if you will do as
+we do, you shall be welcome; and about two hours hence my father will
+rise, and you may then do as you please.' This was at one o'clock of
+the morning. Precisely at three, a little bell rang, announcing that
+the most laborious and profound lawyer whom England has ever produced,
+had begun the toilsome business of the day. It was his practice to go
+to bed at nine in the evening, and wake at three, and, in every other
+detail of his life, he pursued this with clock-work uniformity. When
+he saw the papers laid before him by the messenger, he immediately
+granted a warrant against Somerset, on a charge of murder.
+
+The favourite, little knowing what a pitfall had been dug in his
+seemingly prosperous path, was still at Royston, enjoying the most
+intimate familiarity with the king, when the messenger returned.
+Deception was so much of an avowed principle with King James, and was
+so earnestly supported by him, as one of the functions and arts of
+kingcraft, that in his hands it almost lost its treacherous character,
+and assumed the appearance of sincerity. He held that a king who acted
+openly and transparently, neglected his duty, as the vicegerent of the
+Deity; and that, for the sake of good government and the happiness of
+his people, he was bound always to conceal his intentions under false
+appearances, or, when necessary, under false statements. Somerset was
+sitting beside the king, whose hand rested familiarly on his shoulder,
+when the warrant was served on him. The haughty favourite frowned, and
+turned to his master with an exclamation against the insolence of
+daring to arrest a peer of the realm in the presence of his sovereign.
+But the king gave him poor encouragement, pretending to be very much
+alarmed by the power of the chief-justice, and saying: 'Nay, man, if
+Coke were to send for _me_, I must go.' Somerset was obliged to
+accompany the messenger. The king, still keeping up his hypocrisy,
+wailed over his departure--pathetically praying that their separation
+might not be a long one. It was said by the bystanders, that when
+Somerset was out of hearing, he was heard to say: 'The deil go wi'
+thee--I shall never see thy face more.'
+
+The earl and countess were formally indicted before their peers on a
+charge of murder. It is now that the mystery of the story begins. It
+has never appeared clearly what motive they could have had for
+murdering Sir Thomas Overbury, and the evidence against them is very
+indistinct and incoherent; yet the countess confessed, and her husband
+was found guilty. It was attempted to be shewn, that Overbury had
+opposed the divorce of the Earl and Countess of Essex, and so had done
+his best to prevent the union of the favourite with the lady; but
+whatever opposition he had offered had been overcome; and it is
+difficult to suppose the revengeful passions so gratuitously
+pertinacious as to produce a deep assassination-plot from such a
+cause. So far as one can judge from the extremely disjointed notices
+of the evidence in the _State Trials_ and elsewhere, it was very
+inconclusive. Sir Thomas certainly died of some violent internal
+attack. Other persons had been forming plans to poison him, and
+apparently were successful. The connection of these persons with the
+earl and countess was, however, faint. They were in communication with
+Overbury, and it is true some mysterious expressions were used by
+them--such as the lady saying to some one, that her lord had written
+to her how 'he wondered things were not yet despatched,' and such-like
+expressions. Then there was a story about the conveyance from the
+countess of 'a white powder,' intended as a medicine for Sir Thomas,
+and subsequently of some tarts. As to the latter, there was a letter
+from the countess to the lieutenant of the Tower, saying: 'I was bid
+to bid you say, that these tarts came not from me;' and again, 'I was
+bid to tell you, that you must take heed of the tarts, because there
+be letters in them, and therefore neither give your wife nor children
+of them, but of the wine you may, for there are no letters in it.'
+Through Somerset's influence, Sir W. Wade had been superseded as
+lieutenant of the Tower, and Sir Jervis Elwes appointed. It was said,
+that this was done for the purpose of having better opportunity for
+committing the murder. Elwes in his examination, however, hinted at
+the more commonplace crime of bribery as the cause of his elevation.
+'He saith Sir T. Monson told him that Wade was to be removed, and if
+he succeeded Sir W. Wade, he must bleed--that is, give L.2000.' To
+bleed is supposed, when so employed, to be a cant term of modern
+origin. It is singular how many of these terms, supposed to be quite
+ephemeral, are met with in old documents. 'Bilking a coachman' occurs
+in a trial of the reign of Charles II.--that of Coal for the murder of
+Dr Clench. In an important part of the trial of Somerset there occurs
+another cant word: it is in the speech of Sir Randal Crew, one of the
+king's sergeants, against the accused. He represents the ghost of
+Overbury apostrophising his murderers in this manner: 'And are you
+thus fallen from me, or rather are you thus heavily fallen upon me to
+overthrow--to oppress him thus cruelly, thus treacherously, by whose
+vigilance, counsel, and labour, you have attained your honourable
+place, your estimation in the world for a worthy and well-deserving
+_gent._?' After using this now well-known slang expression, the
+learned sergeant continues to say: 'Have I not waked, that you might
+sleep; cared, that you might enjoy? Have not I been the cabinet of
+your secrets, which I did ever keep faithfully, without the loss of
+any one to your prejudice; but by the officious, trusty, careful, and
+friendly use of them, have gained unto you a sweet and great interest
+of honour, love, reputation, wealth, and whatsoever might yield
+contentment and satisfaction to your desires? Have I done all this, to
+suffer this thus by you, for whom I have so lived as if my sand came
+in your hour-glass?'
+
+This, though it does not divulge the secret of these strange
+proceedings, brings us apparently on their scent. It appears that
+Overbury had acted as the tutor and prompter of Somerset as a
+statesman. There is an expression sometimes used in politics at the
+present day, when an inexperienced person, who has the good-fortune to
+rise to some high office which he has not sufficient knowledge to
+administer, seeks instruction and guidance from some veteran less
+fortunate. He is then said to be put to nurse with him. A young ensign
+under training by a veteran sergeant is a good instance of this.
+Somerset, raw, uneducated, and untrained, had for his nurse as a
+courtier and politician the accomplished but less fortunate Sir Thomas
+Overbury. In the course of this function, Overbury could not fail to
+acquire some state secrets. It is supposed to have been on account of
+his possession of these secrets that Somerset poisoned him. But the
+affair goes further still, for we find that the king was much alarmed
+for himself on the occasion--was very anxious that the whole position
+of matters between Somerset and Overbury should not come out in the
+trial; and gave ground for the obvious inference, that whatever
+secrets there might be, his majesty was as deeply interested in their
+being kept as any one.
+
+It was evident that the countess had been prevailed on to confess, and
+that the utmost pains had been used to get Somerset himself to follow
+her example, though, much to the king's vexation, he held out, and
+rendered a trial necessary. On this trial, however, there was nothing
+like satisfactory evidence--the peers were prepared to convict, and
+they did so on a few trifling attestations, which gave them a
+plausible excuse for their verdict. The illustrious Bacon aided the
+king in his object. He had on other occasions shewn abject servility
+to James--using towards him such expressions of indecorous flattery as
+these: 'Your majesty imitateth Christ, by vouchsafing me to touch the
+hem of your garment.' He was attorney-general, and had in that
+capacity to conduct the prosecution. Seeing distinctly the king's
+inclination, he sent a letter to him, praying, 'First, that your
+majesty will be careful to choose a steward [meaning a lord
+high-steward to preside at the trial in the House of Lords] of
+judgment, that will be able to moderate the evidence, and _cut off
+digressions_; for I may interrupt, but I cannot silence; the other,
+that there may be special care taken for ordering the evidence, not
+only for the knitting but the list, and, to use your majesty's own
+words--the _confining_ of it. This to do, if your majesty vouchsafe to
+direct it yourself, that is the best; but if not, I humbly pray you to
+require my lord chancellor, that he, together with my lord
+chief-justice, will confer with myself and my fellows that shall be
+used for the marshalling and _bounding_ of the evidence, that we may
+have the help of his opinion, as well as that of my lord
+chief-justice; whose great travails as I much commend, yet this same
+_pleropluria_, or overconfidence, doth always subject things to a
+great deal of chance.'
+
+The full significance of these cautious expressions about confining
+and bounding the evidence, was not appreciated until the discovery of
+some further documents, relating to this dark subject, a few years
+ago. The expressions were then found to correspond with others,
+equally cautious, in Bacon's correspondence. Thus he talks of
+supplying the king with pretexts that 'might satisfy his honour for
+sparing the earl's life;' and in another place he says: 'It shall be
+my care so to moderate the matter of charging him, as it might make
+him not odious beyond the extent of mercy.'
+
+The drift of all this is, in the first place, that as little of the
+real truth as possible should be divulged in the trial, and that Bacon
+and others should manage so as to let out enough to get a conviction
+and no more; hence the evidence is so fragmentary and unsatisfactory,
+that none but a tribunal prepared to be very easily satisfied could
+have formed any conclusion from it. In the second place, it was the
+king's object that Somerset should be assured all along that his life
+would be spared. The object of this certainly was to prevent him, in
+his despair, from uttering that secret, whatever it was, about which
+the king was so terribly alarmed. The reader may now expect some
+further elucidation of this part of the mystery.
+
+In Sir Anthony Weldon's _Court and Character of King James_ (p. 36),
+we have the following statement in reference to the trial:--
+
+     'And now for the last act, enters Somerset himself on the stage,
+     who being told (as the manner is) by the lieutenant, that he must
+     go next day to his trial, did absolutely refuse it, and said they
+     should carry him in his bed; that the king had assured him he
+     should not come to any trial--neither _durst_ the king bring him
+     to trial. This was in a high strain, and in a language not well
+     understood by Sir George Moore, then lieutenant in Elwes's
+     room--that made Moore quiver and shake. And however he was
+     accounted a wise man, yet he was near at his wits' end.' This
+     conversation had such an effect on the lieutenant, that though it
+     was twelve o'clock at night, he sped instantly to Greenwich, to
+     see the king. Then he 'bownseth at the back-stair, as if mad;'
+     and Loweston, the Scotch groom, aroused from sleep, comes in
+     great surprise to ask 'the reason of that distemper at so late a
+     season.' Moore tells him, he must speak with the king. Loweston
+     replies: 'He is quiet'--which, in the Scottish dialect, is fast
+     asleep. Moore says: 'You must awake him.' We are then told that
+     Moore was called in, and had a secret audience. 'He tells the
+     king those passages, and requires to be directed by the king, for
+     he was gone beyond his own reason to hear such bold and undutiful
+     expressions from a faulty subject against a just sovereign. The
+     king falls into a passion of tears: "On my soul, Moore, I wot not
+     what to do! Thou art a wise man--help me in this great straight,
+     and thou shalt find thou dost it for a thankful master;" with
+     other sad expressions. Moore leaves the king in that passion, but
+     assures him he will prove the utmost of his wit to serve his
+     majesty--and was really rewarded with a suit worth to him
+     L.1500.'
+
+Moore returned to his prisoner, and told him, 'he had been with the
+king, found him a most affectionate master unto him, and full of grace
+in his intentions towards him; but,' he continued, 'to satisfy
+justice, you must appear, although you return instantly again without
+any further proceedings--only you shall know your enemies and their
+malice, though they shall have no power over you.' Somerset seemed
+satisfied; but Weldon states, that Moore, to render matters quite
+safe, set two men, placed one on each side of Somerset during his
+trial, with cloaks hanging on their arms, 'giving them withal a
+peremptory order, if that Somerset did anyway fly out on the king,
+they should instantly hoodwink him with that cloak, take him violently
+from the bar, and carry him away--for which he would secure them from
+any danger, and they should not want also a bountiful reward. But the
+earl finding himself overreached, recollected a better temper, and
+went calmly on his trial, when he held the company until seven at
+night. But who had seen the king's restless motion all that day,
+sending to every boat he saw landing at the bridge, cursing all that
+came without tidings, would have easily judged all was not right, and
+there had been some grounds for his fears of Somerset's boldness; but
+at last one bringing him word that he was condemned, and the passages,
+all was quiet.'
+
+Weldon solemnly states, that he obtained all these facts from Moore's
+own lips. He was, however, a sarcastic, discontented writer; and being
+what was called an upstart, he was supposed to have a malice against
+kings and courts. For such reasons as these, his narrative was
+distrusted until its fundamental character, at all events, was
+confirmed by the late discovery of a bundle of letters addressed by
+the king to Sir George Moore. The bundle was found carefully wrapped
+up, and appropriately endorsed, in the repositories of Sir George's
+descendant. The letters will be found printed in the eighteenth volume
+of the _Archĉologia_, or transactions of the English Antiquarian
+Society. The following brief extracts from them may suffice for the
+present occasion--the spelling is modernised:--
+
+     'GOOD SIR GEORGE--I am extremely sorry that your unfortunate
+     prisoner turns all the great care I have of him not only against
+     himself, but against me also, as far as he can. I cannot blame
+     you that ye cannot conjecture what this may be, for God knows it
+     is only a trick of his idle brain, hoping thereby to shift his
+     trial; but it is easy to be seen, that he would threaten me with
+     laying an aspersion upon me of being in some sort accessory to
+     his crime.... Give him assurance in my name, that if he will yet,
+     before his trial, confess cheerily unto the commissioners his
+     guiltiness of this fact, I will not only perform what I promised
+     by my last messenger both towards him and his wife, but I will
+     enlarge it, according to the phrase of the civil law, &c. I mean
+     not, that he shall confess if he be innocent, but ye know how
+     evil likely that is; and of yourself ye may dispute with him what
+     should mean his confidence now to endure a trial, when, as he
+     remembers, that this last winter he confessed to the
+     chief-justice that his cause was so evil likely as he knew no
+     jury could acquit him. Assure him, that I protest upon my honour
+     my end in this is for his and his wife's good. Ye will do well,
+     likewise, of yourself, to cast out unto him, that ye fear his
+     wife shall plead weakly for his innocency; and that ye find the
+     commissioners have, ye know not how, some secret assurance that
+     in the end she will confess of him--but this must only be as from
+     yourself.'
+
+That there was some secret of the divulgence of which the king was in
+the utmost terror, is thus beyond a doubt. What, then, was it? There
+are no means of deciding. James, it will be seen, hints to Moore, that
+it was a charge of accession to the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury.
+But, in the same letter, James lets us see that Moore himself did not
+know the exact secret; and we may fairly conjecture, that the hint was
+intended to put him on a wrong scent.
+
+The earl and countess were permitted to live, spending a miserable
+existence with the fear of punishment hanging over them. The accounts
+given of the condition into which the once beautiful and too
+fascinating woman fell, are too disgusting to be repeated. There were
+many other proceedings connected with the charges for poisoning Sir
+Thomas Overbury, which throw a curious light on the habits of the
+court, and especially on the criminal attempts to get rid of rivals
+and enemies by poison and sorcery. They may perhaps form a suitable
+subject for a separate paper.
+
+
+
+
+A NIGHT IN A GERMAN WOOD.
+
+
+So numerous are the forests here which grow in lofty and romantic
+sites, that a very extensive and interesting tour might be made,
+having them alone for its object. Such fascinating excursions should
+not, however, be embarked in without a guide, or a compass at the
+least; for these German woods are often very intricate, and run into
+one another in a most puzzling manner. This I learned to my cost a few
+months ago; and as a warning to other pedestrian tourists who may be
+as unpractised in such matters as I myself then was, I would now
+bespeak the reader's attention to my experiences of A Night in a
+German Wood.
+
+Early in the autumn of the past year, whilst on a visit to a German
+friend who resides in one of the hilliest and best-wooded districts in
+Westphalia, on the confines of the classic Teutoburger Forest--after
+having been engaged nearly all the day in writing, I was tempted out
+by the freshness of the evening air and the glories of the setting
+sun, to take a turn in the park, which, by the by, is one of the
+handsomest and best laid out I have seen in any part of the continent,
+and a proof in itself that such things can be done--and well done
+too--even out of England. My intention was merely to stretch my
+cramped legs by a stroll to the southern angle of the demesne, and so
+be back in time for the quiet, early supper of the family. After
+moving along for a quarter of an hour under the shade of some fine old
+beech-trees, at the foot of a steep bank which overhangs the level
+meadow-ground, I came upon the outskirts of the plantations; and then
+turning sharp to the left, walked up along them till I had reached, as
+I thought, their extremity. Here, facing round, I began to turn my
+steps homeward; and by way of varying my route a little, struck into a
+shady path cut through the wood, which seemed to lead, as well as I
+could judge from my bearings, almost as directly back to the
+_schloss_--as all great country mansions here are called--as the one
+by which I had gone out. But after pushing rapidly along for some time
+in my dusky alley, I eventually emerged, much to my surprise, on an
+immense ploughed field, that, sloping gradually up to the spot where
+the sun had just set, seemed to terminate only with the visible
+horizon, which, however, from the very inclined angle at which the
+ground rose, was not very distant. Confident in the general
+correctness of my direction, I went on, right ahead, fancying I had
+only to cross this upland to be at home; but after floundering about
+for a good half-hour, and, in consequence of a water-course which cut
+it obliquely, being turned a little out of my straight direction, I
+found myself by moonlight on the verge of a patch of forest which was
+quite unknown to me. Such was my infatuation, however, and so firm my
+conviction of having taken correctly the relative bearings of the
+moon, which was now in her second quarter, and of the house, that I
+plunged unhesitatingly among the trees, expecting every moment to see
+the path through them open out upon some familiar spot in the demesne,
+or some portion of the surrounding country which I might have already
+perambulated by daylight. Though in utter darkness, from the close
+interweaving of the foliage, still, by raising my feet high, like a
+blind horse, to get over the inequalities of the way, and flourishing
+my stick perpetually around my head as I proceeded, to avoid coming in
+contact with any stray tree, or chance branch projecting into the
+pathway, I got prosperously through this portion of wood. But again I
+came out on something which was totally strange to me--a narrow
+valley, stretching, as well as I could judge by the last glimmerings
+of twilight, to a considerable distance, flanked on each side by
+gloomy woods, about a quarter of a mile apart, and laid down in rye,
+which was nearly ready for the sickle, and dripping wet in the
+night-dew. Matters now began to look serious. I was completely at
+fault, and had entirely lost all confidence in my own pilotage. The
+moon had proved a faithless guide, or rather I had misconstrued her
+position; and my little pocket-compass was not forthcoming, thanks to
+the importunities of my youngest boy, who prizes it above all his own
+toys.
+
+There was nothing for it now but to select that direction towards
+which the valley might seem slightly to descend; but this, in the
+imperfect twilight, was not very easily ascertained. With considerable
+hesitation, I decided at length on the right-hand turn, resolving to
+proceed till I should fall in with some rivulet, which might perhaps
+lead me eventually to the rapid trouting-stream running close under my
+friend's windows, or else till I should come upon some path which
+might carry me into a field-road, and so perhaps to a village, where I
+should easily procure a guide home. So, with tottering knees and
+throbbing heart--for I was by this time nearly breathless--I continued
+to advance by the side of the standing corn, at such a pace as I could
+manage, uttering from time to time a lusty halloo, in hopes of making
+myself heard by some belated reaper or returning woodman. But my calls
+had no other effect than to awake the mocking echoes of the wood, or
+the mysterious and almost human shout of the screech-owl, and to leave
+me to a still more intense feeling of solitude, when these had died
+away. I found myself at length in a deep, hollow field-road, like
+those which abound in South Devon, and high overhead, on the lofty
+bank, stood a two-branched, weather-beaten finger-post, and a great
+rustic crucifix near it, looming large in the moonlight. Scrambling up
+the bank, with anxious peering eyes, I made out, by the dubious light
+of the moon, that one of the outstretched wooden arms bore, in
+rudely-cut letters, the name of the village beside which I was
+resident; and as its distance was stated, I found that, after all my
+windings and wanderings, I had still only got half a German mile, or
+about one league, astray! This was a very pleasant discovery; and
+accordingly I quickly wheeled about, and set off with renewed vigour
+at right angles to my previous line of march, having still good hopes
+of being at home before eleven o'clock at night, time enough to
+prevent any alarm on account of my absence.
+
+The road soon, however, degenerated into a mere field-track, which, as
+the moon had disappeared behind clouds, just before her final setting,
+could only with difficulty be recognised by an occasional deep rut,
+felt by my stick in the soft ground; even this track at length forked
+out into two others--one penetrating into a wood on my right; the
+other opener, and with only scattered trees by its side, to the left.
+The latter seemed the most promising, and was accordingly selected,
+and followed for about ten minutes, when it, too, came upon the skirts
+of another wood in the opposite direction. It seemed, besides, as well
+as I could judge from some faint glimpses I now got of the surrounding
+country in a momentary gleam of moonlight, to be leading me wide of my
+goal: and I accordingly retraced my steps once more to where the road
+had divided, and taking the recently slighted right-hand path, dived
+in desperation in between the trees, amidst 'darkness that might be
+felt.' Walking steadily and quickly forward, during what seemed, in
+the deep gloom, a considerable time, I eventually emerged into 'the
+clear obscure,' the moon having at length set, and left the sky, and
+all such wanderers as myself, to the good offices of the stars. I was
+now on the opposite verge of the wood to that I had entered by, and
+found myself by the side of a narrow corn-field, with _another_
+wooded hill on its further side, and heard, within hailing
+distance--more delightful than music to my ear--the grating sound of
+cart-wheels, which appeared to be going in an oblique, but nearly
+opposite direction to that in which I had just been moving. It was
+quite impossible to see anything so far off; but I hailed the presumed
+carter repeatedly, in my loudest and best German, asking my way.
+
+'Follow on by the foot of the wood, and you'll get there in time,' was
+the reply, at length faintly heard in the distance, and the cart
+rumbled heavily away again, leaving me just as wise as before; for
+which was _head_ and which was _foot_ of the wood I knew no more than
+the child unborn. Yet I feared to dash through the intervening corn in
+the direction of the receding and already distant cart, neither
+knowing what the nature of the intermediate ground might prove, nor
+whether, supposing it practicable in the dark, such an infringement of
+rural property might not lead to disagreeable consequences, and in
+nowise further me in the attainment of the piece of knowledge which I
+stood so much in need of. So, I took on chance to my left hand, as the
+most distant from the finger-post I had fallen upon an hour and a half
+before.
+
+The sound of the cart which long tingled in my ears, and the utter
+disappointment of my suddenly raised hopes, only rendered my sense of
+solitude and helplessness more intense. Indeed, I sometimes almost
+doubted whether the whole thing--cart and carter, or, rather, rumbling
+wheels and faint, chilling, distant voice--might not have been the
+delusion of my reeling brain, debilitated by overfatigue and long
+fasting (for every one knows the early hour at which a German dinner
+takes place); and on subsequent inquiry, I could not hear of any cart
+having passed in that quarter at all.
+
+It was singular how long I wandered about, and every now and then in
+cultivated districts, without hearing a single human voice even in the
+earlier portion of the evening--nay, any sound whatever, save once or
+twice the fierce warning bark of a shepherd's dog, when I had
+inadvertently approached too near a sheepfold--the startling rush of
+some affrighted bird in the wood, flapping wildly up through the
+foliage--a distant village clock in some indefinite direction over the
+hill-top--or, finally, as on one occasion, a few remote shots, which I
+at first fancied might have been fired off by my friends to direct me
+homewards, but afterwards ascribed, more correctly, perhaps, to
+poachers in the woods. The manner in which the peasantry live here--in
+separate villages, built occasionally a good deal apart, and not in
+cottages scattered everywhere over the country, as with
+us--sufficiently accounts for this wide-spread silence.
+
+Just as I was losing faith in the correctness of my present course,
+the chimes of a clock were distinctly heard, coming apparently over
+the top of the wooded hill on my left. I immediately turned into the
+wood once more, and strove to make a march directly through the trees
+in the direction of the sound, and right up the steep ascent, which
+was clothed by them to the summit. But this I soon found to be totally
+impracticable, in the absence of anything like a path or opening; for
+though I made my way well enough through the old trees, which stood
+far apart, and were pretty free from branches near the ground, yet
+towards the upper part of the hill, I got entangled in such a
+close-growing rising generation as it was almost impossible to
+penetrate. I was often almost in despair of being able to extricate
+myself even from my present entanglement, and to retrace my steps to
+the open ground below; in my exhausted condition, as it was already
+long past midnight, I was making up my mind to roost with the owls on
+the fork of a tree; and was even anticipating the possibility of
+becoming a permanent scarecrow there, when my very bones would be
+concealed in the thicket from the anxious search of my friends.
+
+It was under the influence of excessive fatigue, perhaps, and the
+relaxation of the will generally consequent thereon, that my
+resolution now at length seemed on the point of giving way; nay, the
+very attachment to life itself, on my own individual account, seemed
+fading, and a disinclination to continue the struggle farther appeared
+to be gradually creeping over me. I was becoming reconciled to what
+appeared inevitable, and could look upon my own probable fate almost
+as calmly as if it had been that of a stranger. I believe something
+very similar not unusually takes place, under the merciful disposition
+of Providence, in the death-bed, where debility is the chief feature
+of the case. After a few moments of repose and dreamy reverie,
+however, I roused myself from this state of apathy, and, influenced by
+a sense of duty, as well as by a sympathy for the feelings of those
+dearer than life itself, sprang to my feet once more, and struggled
+manfully out of the mesh of branches in which I had been entangled,
+till, after a few more violent efforts, I found myself getting into a
+rather opener and more advanced growth of wood, and at length
+succeeded in working my way out--almost to the very spot in the meadow
+I had started from!
+
+Whilst still within the wood, I had been favoured with some novel
+experiences there--novel, at least, to me, as it was my first night in
+such a position. Thus, almost every branch I grasped in the dark to
+help me onward seemed crowded with snails, which smashed slimily under
+my shuddering hand! Glowworms were sparkling in the underwood in such
+myriads as I never witnessed before, save once in an evening-walk near
+Salerno. The sense of utter solitude and unbroken silence within these
+gloomy woods was truly awful. From time to time, as I advanced, a
+casual opening in the branches exhibited a momentary glimpse of the
+sky, with all its thousand twinkling fires; and shooting-stars of
+intense brilliancy were darting across its dark, blue depths in almost
+as great frequency as in those celebrated days of August and November,
+when the path of our earth crosses the thickest showers of these
+celestial fireworks.
+
+On regaining the meadow, I felt quite at a loss whither to turn, or
+what to attempt next. I had already been floundering about for some
+half-dozen hours, and been ignorant all the while whether each
+additional step were not only taking me a step further, not from home
+alone, but from the very habitations of men. Almost done up at length,
+and hopeless of extricating myself from my labyrinth till daylight
+should come to my aid, I was again for a moment inclined quietly to
+resign myself to what seemed my inevitable fate, and drop down to
+sleep on a bank of earth under a hedge by which I was standing, and so
+await the dawn. But the dank grass, the trees dropping with dew, the
+creeping autumnal fog, and increasing cold, made me pause, and feel
+that to sleep in my light summer dress under such circumstances was,
+if not to die, at least to contract, during the night, such disease as
+would render existence not worth the having--racking rheumatism for
+life, or fever, or inflammation, in some of their many forms, and
+endless consequences. So I resolved to keep moving as long as I had
+power to stir a limb, as this would give me a chance of maintaining
+the circulation and animal heat throughout the remaining hours of the
+night, if my strength would but hold out so long. Like a drowning man,
+I struck out once more for life; again I tried the field-road I had
+lately too rashly abandoned; floundered once more through its pools
+and its ruts; clambered again on its high banks, or moved along under
+the shadow of the wood by its side. At length, after scarcely half an
+hour's additional walking, my perseverance had its reward, as I found
+myself at the entrance of a village, and heard, not far off, the busy
+clatter of some industrious flaxdressers, who were turning night into
+day, at their work. This proved to be the termination of my mishap;
+for the instructions I received enabled me to find my way home by
+three o'clock.
+
+It was my amusement during several subsequent days, to endeavour by
+daylight to retrace accurately my midnight wanderings. I found I could
+not have walked less than twenty miles, though never at any time more
+than three distant from home. I had been incessantly in motion during
+nearly eight hours; and was at least thrice on right tracks, which, if
+they had been followed up steadily only a little longer, would have
+brought me to my quarters. The chiming of the old convent-bells, which
+I had mistaken for those of our own pretty little church, came really
+from the very opposite direction to what I fancied--the sound I heard
+being merely their echo, reflected to my ear from the wooded
+hill-side.
+
+Thus, the proposition with which I started--namely, that German woods
+are not to be trifled with, or rashly entered without a guide or
+compass--is fully sustained by my own luckless experience. Much of the
+surrounding country was already well known to me, and in my various
+walks I had skirted along and even intersected some of these very
+woods; but the way in which they are parcelled out, for the supply of
+neighbouring, but unconnected villages with firewood, and the puzzling
+manner in which they are shuffled together when the estates of several
+proprietors run into one another at a given point, render it
+singularly difficult to steer through them even by day, and to the
+uninitiated, quite impracticable by night.
+
+
+
+
+AN A.D.L.L. ADVENTURE IN LIVERPOOL.
+
+
+Liverpool has perhaps fewer relics of an archĉological nature than any
+other town in the United Kingdom; and this at first seems a little
+singular, when we remember that it is not without its place in the
+more romantic eras of our history, and that a castle of considerable
+strength once lent it protection. Its old castle, its towers, and the
+walls by which it was surrounded, have all been swept away by the busy
+crowds that now throng its thoroughfares. Even the former names of
+places have in most instances been altered, as if to obliterate all
+recollections and associations connected with its early history. Thus
+a row of houses, which a few years ago bore the not very euphonious
+name of Castle Ditch, from its having followed a portion of the line
+of the moat by which the fortress which once stood near it was
+surrounded, was changed into St George's Crescent, and many others
+underwent similar transmutations. But if the physical aspect of the
+place holds out few or no attractions to the antiquary, the moral one
+of its inhabitants, in so far as his favourite subject is concerned,
+is equally uninviting; for, taken as a whole, it would be difficult to
+find a population less influenced by, or interested in, such studies.
+
+The only relic of the olden times which Liverpool has for a long time
+past retained, was a long, low, picturesque-looking thatched cottage
+in the small village of Everton (of _toffee_ notoriety), which went by
+the name of Prince Rupert's Cottage, from its having been the
+head-quarters of that fiery leader when he besieged the town from the
+ridge on which the village is situated. But even this was swept away
+about six years ago by the proprietor, to allow a street which he had
+mapped out to abut upon the village at the point it occupied. The
+project did not succeed, and the outline of the contemplated street is
+all that as yet marks out the spot where this interesting object
+stood.
+
+I confess to the soft impeachment of having been, at a very early
+period of my life, inoculated with the true Monkbarns enthusiasm, and
+I have always been a great admirer of that beautiful remark of Lord
+Bacon's, that 'antiquities may be considered as the planks of a wreck
+which wise and prudent men gather and preserve from the deluge of
+time.'
+
+Some months ago, I was walking along what is called the Breck Road,
+leading out of the little village of Everton, of which I have been
+speaking, when my attention was arrested by a market-cross in a field
+on the opposite side of the road. I was somewhat surprised that it had
+escaped my notice when I formerly passed that way, and I immediately
+crossed over to examine it. It was formed, as all the English
+market-crosses are, of a series of flat steps, with an upright shaft
+in the centre, was built of the red sandstone of the district, and
+bore the appearance of great antiquity. The field was not far from
+what might be called the principal street of the village; and as I was
+aware that considerable changes had taken place of late years in the
+neighbourhood, it occurred to me as possible, that at one time the
+cross might have occupied the centre of a space on which the markets
+were held. My time, however, being limited, I was unable to make any
+immediate inquiries regarding it, but resolved to take an early
+opportunity of making myself acquainted with its early history, so as
+to rescue one interesting relic at least of the place from apparently
+a very undeserved obscurity. This opportunity did not present itself
+for some weeks; but at length it did occur, and I started for the
+place, to collect all the information, both traditional and otherwise,
+which I could regarding it.
+
+On arriving at the spot, my surprise may be conceived, for it cannot
+be described, when, on looking at the field where it stood, I found
+that it had been removed, and all that remained to point out the
+place, was the bare mark on the grass of the spot which it had
+occupied. The consternation of Alladin, when he got up one fine
+morning and found that his gorgeous palace had vanished during the
+night, was hardly greater than mine on making this sad discovery; and,
+like him, I daresay, I rubbed my eyes in hopes that my visual organs
+had deceived me, but with as little success. On looking to the other
+side of the road, I observed a mason at work repairing the opposite
+wall with some very suspicious-looking stones, and I immediately
+crossed over, and commenced a categorical examination of the supposed
+delinquent. I inquired whether he could explain to me the cause of the
+removal of the ancient cross, which used to be in the field exactly
+opposite to where we were then standing; but he said that, although he
+was an old residenter in Everton, he had not even been aware of the
+existence of such an object. This I set down as an additional instance
+of the want of interest which the natives of the place take in
+archĉological subjects. He told me, however, that about three weeks
+previously, he had observed several men facing the wall opposite with
+large stones, which they brought apparently from some place close at
+hand; but that, having his own work to attend to, he had not bestowed
+any particular thought on the matter. He said the field was rented by
+a person for the purpose of cleaning carpets, and that he had no doubt
+the removal had been accomplished by his directions.
+
+On stepping across the road, I found these suspicions completely
+realised; for there, resting on the top of the wall, were the
+time-honoured steps of the cross of my anxiety. Luckily for me, at
+least, the tenant was not at hand at the time, as in the state of
+excitement in which I was, I might have done or said something which I
+should afterwards have regretted. I had no alternative but to return
+to town, 'nursing my wrath to keep it warm,' and thinking over the
+best and most efficacious method in which I could accomplish the
+punishment of the aggressor, whoever he might be, and procuring the
+restoration of the cross in all its primitive simplicity. I thought of
+an article in the papers, into which all my caustic and sarcastic
+powers were to be concentrated and discharged on the head of the
+desecrator--then of calling on the lord of the manor, and mentioning
+the matter to him, so as, if possible, to carry his influence along
+with me, although I thought it quite probable that he might have
+sanctioned the spoliation, to save the expense of new stones for the
+repair of his tenant's wall. Under this latter impression, therefore,
+and previous to carrying either of these belligerent intentions into
+effect, I thought it would only be fair to give the obnoxious man an
+opportunity of explaining the circumstances under which he had
+assumed such an unwarranted responsibility. Accordingly, a short time
+afterwards, I again wended my way towards the field, determined to
+bring the matter in some way or other to a bearing, when I saw a very
+pleasant-looking man standing at the door of the house in which the
+carpet-cleansing operations are carried on. Supposing him to be the
+delinquent, I endeavoured to bridle my rising choler as much as
+possible, while I asked him whether he could tell me anything about
+the removal of the cross which had once stood in that field. With a
+gentle smile, which I thought at the time almost demoniac, he mildly
+replied, that _he_ had removed it, _because the object for which he
+had erected it, about twelve months before_, had ceased to exist, and
+he had taken the stones to repair the wall close by where it had
+stood!
+
+The shock which the nervous system of our worthy friend Monkbarns
+received when the exclamation of Edie Ochiltree fell upon his ear, of
+'Pretorium here, pretorium there, _I_ mind the biggin' o't,' was not
+greater than that which mine sustained on receiving this death-blow to
+all my hopes of rescuing this interesting relic of antiquity from its
+unmerited oblivion. Gulping down my mortification as I best could, I,
+in as indifferent a manner as I could assume, craved the liberty of
+inquiring what the circumstances were which had led to such a
+fanciful employment of his time. He told me that he had been a
+carpet-manufacturer in Oxfordshire, but had been unsuccessful in
+business, and had come here and set up his present establishment for
+the cleaning of the articles which he formerly manufactured; and that,
+wishing to add to his income by every legitimate means within his
+power, he had been supplied regularly with a quantity of Banbury
+cakes, for the sale of which he had erected a temporary wooden-hut in
+one corner of his field; that one morning early, about eighteen months
+ago, as he was lying awake in bed, the thought struck him, that as
+there were a great many large flat stones lying in a corner of the
+field, he would erect them, in front of the hut, into the form of the
+well-known cross of equestrian nursery-rhyme notoriety. He immediately
+rose, and, summoning his workmen, succeeded in making a very tolerable
+imitation of the world-wide-known cross; but that, after about twelve
+months' trial of his cake-speculation, finding it did not succeed, he
+gave it up; and removing the cross of which it was the sign, turned
+the stones to a more useful purpose.
+
+Thus ended my day-dream connected with this _interesting relic_; and
+nothing, I am sure, but that indomitable enthusiasm which
+distinguishes all genuine disciples of the Monkbarns school, could
+have sustained me under my grievous disappointment.
+
+
+
+
+'TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF A SAILOR'S LIFE AT SEA.'
+
+
+In the article with the above title, in No. 431, the pay of seamen is
+stated at from L.2, 10s. to L.3 a month; but this does not bring the
+information down to the latest date. At _present_, we are informed,
+the very best A. Bs. (able-bodied seamen) receive only from L.2 to
+L.2, 5s.; and 'ordinary' hands only from L.1, 10s. to L.1, 15s. In the
+navy, the pay is still less than in the merchant service, which is the
+reason why our best men so constantly desert to the American navy,
+where they obtain, on an average, about twelve dollars a month. It
+ought to be added, that when one of our ships is short of hands in a
+foreign port, these rates do not prevail. Captains are sometimes
+obliged to bid as high as L.6 a month, to make up their complement.
+
+
+
+
+EXCESSIVE MODESTY.
+
+
+D'Israeli tells us of a man of letters, of England, who had passed his
+life in constant study; and it was observed that he had written
+several folio volumes, which his modest fears would not permit him to
+expose to the eye even of his critical friends. He promised to leave
+his labours to posterity; and he seemed sometimes, with a glow on his
+countenance, to exult that they would not be unworthy of their
+acceptance. At his death, his sensibility took the alarm; he had the
+folios brought to his bed; no one could open them, for they were
+closely locked. At the sight of his favourite and mysterious labours,
+he paused; he seemed disturbed in his mind, while he felt at every
+moment his strength decaying. Suddenly he raised his feeble hands by
+an effort of firm resolve, burnt his papers, and smiled as the greedy
+Vulcan licked up every page. The task exhausted his remaining
+strength, and he soon afterwards expired.
+
+
+
+
+THE KHUNJUNEE.
+
+
+     [The little, disregarded wagtail of our own land, which we may
+     frequently see wherever insects abound--on the green meadow, or
+     by the margin of the brook--is the khunjunee of the Hindoo, by
+     whose romantic and fanciful mythology he has been made a holy
+     bird, bearing on his breast the impression of Salagrama, the
+     stone of Vishnoo, a sacred petrified shell. Protected by this
+     prestige, the little creature ranges unmolested near the
+     habitations of man, and may in this respect be styled the robin
+     of the East. To Europeans in the East, this bird is also an
+     object of interest, as being a precursor of the delightful cold
+     season, the advent of which is anxiously looked for by every
+     Anglo-Indian. The little khunjunee makes his appearance in the
+     early part of November, and departs as the hot season
+     approaches--I think in March or April. The note of this little
+     bird can hardly aspire to be called a song; I used, however, to
+     think it a pleasing twitter. I paid particular attention to two
+     khunjunees, which used to return every season and haunt our
+     habitation: they would pick up insects from the pavement, and eat
+     the crumbs with which they were plentifully supplied. I have
+     watched them pluming themselves on the balustrade, while their
+     sparkling black eyes glanced fearlessly and confidingly in my
+     face. When I now see a wagtail at home in Scotland, I cannot but
+     look upon it as an old friend, reminding me of my departed youth,
+     and recalling many soothing as well as mournful recollections.]
+
+    Welcome to thee, sweet khunjunee!
+      Which is thy best-loved home?--
+    Over the sea, in a far countrie,
+      Or the land to which thou art come?
+
+    What carest thou?--thou revelest here
+      In the bright and balmy air;
+    And again to regions far remote
+      Thou returnest--and summer is there!
+
+    Thou art sacred here, where the Brahmin tells
+      Of the godhead's seal impressed
+    By Vishnoo's hand--that thou bearest still
+      His gorget on thy breast.
+
+    And welcomed thou art, with grateful heart,
+      For well doth the Hindoo know,
+    That at thy approach the clouds disperse,
+      And temperate breezes blow.
+
+    Yet little he cares where thy sojourn hath been
+      So long, since he saw thee last;
+    Nor in what far land of storm or calm
+      The rainy months have passed.
+
+    But others there be, who think with me,
+      Thou hast been to that favoured land,
+    Which restores the bloom to the faded cheek,
+      And strength to the feeble hand.
+
+    And my children believe, that since thou wert here,
+      Thou hast compassed half the earth,
+    And that now thou hast come, like a thought in a dream,
+      From the land of their father's birth;
+
+    Bringing with thee the healthful breeze
+      That blows from the heath-clad hill,
+    And the breath of the primrose and gowan that bloom
+      On the bank by the babbling rill.
+
+    Then welcome to thee, little khunjunee!
+      May thy presence a blessing confer;
+    Still of breezes cool, and returning health,
+      The faithful harbinger.
+
+    OLD INDIAN.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+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. 441, by Various
+
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+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 441, 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. 441
+       Volume 17, New Series, June 12, 1852
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: William Chambers
+        Robert Chambers
+
+Release Date: March 21, 2008 [EBook #24892]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS EDINBURGH JRNL, NO. 441 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://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="#UNFASHIONABLE_CLUBS"><b>UNFASHIONABLE CLUBS.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#ARAGO_ON_THE_SUN"><b>ARAGO ON THE SUN.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#BARBARAS_SEA-SIDE_EXCURSION"><b>BARBARA'S SEA-SIDE EXCURSION.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#MR_JERDANS_AUTOBIOGRAPHY"><b>MR JERDAN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#CRIMINAL_TRIALS"><b>CRIMINAL TRIALS.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#A_NIGHT_IN_A_GERMAN_WOOD"><b>A NIGHT IN A GERMAN WOOD.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#AN_ADLL_ADVENTURE_IN_LIVERPOOL"><b>AN A.D.L.L. ADVENTURE IN LIVERPOOL.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#TWENTY-FOUR_HOURS_OF_A_SAILORS_LIFE_AT_SEA"><b>'TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF A SAILOR'S LIFE AT SEA.'</b></a><br />
+<a href="#EXCESSIVE_MODESTY"><b>EXCESSIVE MODESTY.</b></a><br />
+<a href="#THE_KHUNJUNEE"><b>THE KHUNJUNEE.</b></a><br />
+</p>
+<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. -->
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[pg 369]</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> 441.&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="sc">New Series.</span></b></td>
+<td align="left"><b>SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 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="UNFASHIONABLE_CLUBS" id="UNFASHIONABLE_CLUBS"></a>UNFASHIONABLE CLUBS.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">It</span> is with a feeling doubtless somewhat analogous to that of the
+angler, that the London shopkeeper from time to time regards the
+moneyless crowds who throng in gaping admiration around the tempting
+display he makes in his window. His admirers and the fish, however,
+are in different circumstances: the one won't bite if they have no
+mind; the others can't bite if they should have all the mind in the
+world. Yet the shopkeeper manages better than the angler; for while
+the fish are deaf to the charming of the latter, charm he never so
+wisely, the former is able, at a certain season of the year, to
+convert the moneyless gazers into ready-money customers. This he does
+by the force of logic. 'You are thinking of Christmas,' says he&mdash;'yes,
+you are; and you long to have a plum-pudding for that day&mdash;don't deny
+it. Well, but you can't have it, think as much as you will; it is
+impossible as you manage at present. But I'll tell you how to get the
+better of the impossibility. In twenty weeks, we shall have Christmas
+here: now if, instead of spending every week all you earn, you will
+hand me over sixpence or a shilling out of your wages, I'll take care
+of it for you, since you can't take care of it for yourself; and you
+shall have the full value out of my shop any time in Christmas-week,
+and be as merry as you like, and none the poorer.'</p>
+
+<p>This logic is irresistible. Tomkins banks his 6d. for a plum-pudding
+and the etceteras with Mr Allspice the grocer; and this identical
+pudding he enjoys the pleasure of eating half-a-dozen times over in
+imagination before the next instalment is due. He at length becomes so
+fond of the flavour, that he actually&mdash;we know, for we have seen him
+do it&mdash;he actually, to use his own expression, 'goes in for a goose'
+besides with Mr Pluck the poulterer. Having once passed the Rubicon,
+of course he cannot go back; the weekly sixpences must be paid, come
+what will: it would be disgraceful to be a defaulter. So he practises
+a little self-denial, for the sake of a little self-esteem&mdash;and the
+goose and pudding in perspective. He finds, to his astonishment, that
+he can do quite as much work with one pot of beer a day as he could
+with two, and he drops the superfluous pot, and not only pays his
+instalments to the Christmas-bank, but gets a spare shilling in his
+pocket besides. Thus, under the tuition of the shopkeeper, he learns
+the practice of prudence in provisioning his family with plum-pudding,
+and imbibes the first and foremost of the household virtues, on the
+same principle as a wayward child imbibes physic&mdash;out of regard to the
+dainty morsel that is to come afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>Passing one day last autumn through a long and populous thoroughfare
+on the southern side of the Thames, we happened to light upon Mr
+Allspice's appeal to the consciences and the pockets of the
+pudding-eating public. 'If you are wise,' said the admonitory placard,
+'you will lose no time in joining Allspice's Plum-pudding Club.'
+Remembering the retort of a celebrated quack: 'Give me all the fools
+that come this way for my customers, and you are welcome to the wise
+men,' we must own we felt rather doubtful of the prosperity of the
+puddings; but having an interest in the matter, we resolved,
+notwithstanding, to ascertain, if possible, whether the Wisdom who
+uttereth her voice in the streets had on this special occasion spoken
+to any purpose, and whether any, and how many, had proved themselves
+wise in the acceptation of Mr Allspice. On making the necessary
+inquiries after the affair had gone off, we learned, to our surprise
+and gratification, that the club had been entirely successful. Upwards
+of a hundred persons of a class who are never worth half-a-crown at a
+time, had subscribed 6d. a week each for eighteen weeks, and thus
+entitled themselves to 9s. worth of plum-pudding ingredients, besides
+a certain quantity of tea and sugar. Thus the club had prospered
+exceedingly, and had been the instrument of introducing comfort and
+festive enjoyment to no small number of persons who might, and in all
+probability would, have had little to eat or drink, and, consequently,
+little cause for merriment, at that season. This is really a very
+pleasant fact to contemplate, connected though it be with a somewhat
+ludicrous kind of ingenuity, which must be exercised in order to bring
+it about. To anybody but a London shopkeeper, the attempt would appear
+altogether hopeless, to transform a hundred poor persons, who were
+never worth half-a-crown a piece from one year's end to the other,
+into so many 9s. customers; and yet the thing is done, and done, too,
+by the London grocer in a manner highly satisfactory, and still more
+advantageous to his customers. Is it too much to imagine that the
+lesson of provident forethought thus agreeably learned by multitudes
+of the struggling classes&mdash;for these clubs abound everywhere in
+London, and their members must be legion&mdash;have a moral effect upon at
+least a considerable portion of them? If one man finds a hundred needy
+customers wise enough to relish a plum-pudding of their own providing,
+surely they will not <i>all</i> be such fools as to repudiate the practice
+of that very prudence which procured them the enjoyment, and brought
+mirth and gladness to their firesides! Never think it! They shall go
+on to improve, take our word for it; and having learned prudence from
+plum-pudding, and generosity from goose&mdash;for your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[pg 370]</a></span> poor man is always
+the first to give a slice or two of the breast, when he has it, to a
+sick neighbour&mdash;they shall learn temperance from tea, and abstinence,
+if they choose, from coffee, and ever so many other good qualities
+from ever so many other good things; and from having been wise enough
+to join the grocer's Plum-pudding Club, they shall end by becoming
+prosperous enough to join the Whittington Club, or the Gresham Club,
+or the Athen&aelig;um Club, or the Travellers' Club; or the House of
+Commons, or the House of Lords either, for all that you, or we, or
+anybody else, can say or do to the contrary.</p>
+
+<p>We know nothing of the original genius who first hit upon this mode of
+indoctrinating the lower orders in a way so much to their advantage;
+we hope, however, as there is little reason to doubt, that he found
+his own account in it, and reaped his well-deserved reward. Whoever he
+was, his example has been well followed for many years past. In the
+poorer and more populous districts of the metropolis, this practice of
+making provision for inevitable wants, by small subscriptions paid in
+advance, prevails to a large extent. As winter sets in, almost every
+provision-dealer, and other traders as well, proffers a compact to the
+public, which he calls a club, though it is more of the nature of a
+savings-bank, seeing that, at the expiration of the subscribing
+period, every member is a creditor of the shop to the amount of his
+own investments, and nothing more. Thus, besides the Plum-pudding
+Clubs, there are Coal Clubs, by which the poor man who invests 1s. a
+week for five or six of the summer months, gets a ton of good coal
+laid in for the winter's consumption before the frost sets in and the
+coal becomes dear. Then there is the Goose Club, which the wiser
+members manage among themselves by contracting with a country dealer,
+and thus avoid the tipsy consummation of the public-house, where these
+clubs have mostly taken shelter. Again, there is the Twelfth-cake
+Club, which comes to a head soon after Christmas, and is more of a
+lottery than a club, inasmuch as the large cakes are raffled for, and
+the losers, if they get anything, get but a big bun for their pains
+and penalties. All these clubs, it will be observed, are plants of
+winter-growth, or at least of winter-fruiting, having for their object
+the provision of something desirable or indispensable in the winter
+season. There is, however, another and a very different species of
+club, infinitely more popular than any of the above, the operations of
+which are aboundingly visible throughout the warm and pleasant months
+of summer, and which may be, and sometimes is, called the Excursion
+Club.</p>
+
+<p>The Excursion Club is a provision which the working and labouring
+classes of London have got up for themselves, to enable them to enjoy,
+at a charge available to their scanty means, the exciting
+pleasures&mdash;which are as necessary as food or raiment to their health
+and comfort&mdash;of a change of air and scene. It is managed in a simple
+way. The foreman of a workshop, or the father of a family in some
+confined court, or perhaps some manageress of a troop of
+working-girls, contracts with the owner of a van for the hire of his
+vehicle and the services of a driver for a certain day. More
+frequently still, the owner of the van is the prime mover in the
+business, but then the trip is not so cheap. The members club their
+funds, the men paying 1s. each, the wives, 6d., the children, 3d. or
+4d.; and any poor little ragged orphan urchin, who may be hanging
+about the workshop, gets accommodated with a borrowed jacket and
+trousers, and a gratuitous face-washing from Mrs Grundy, and is taken
+for nothing, and well fed into the bargain. The cost, something over a
+guinea, is easily made up, and if any surplus remains, why, then, they
+hire a fiddler to go along with them. On the appointed morning, at an
+early hour, rain or shine, they flock to the rendezvous to the number
+of forty or fifty&mdash;ten or a dozen more or less is a trifle not worth
+mentioning. Each one carries his own provisions, and loaded with
+baskets, cans, bottles, and earthen-jars, mugs and tea-kettles, in
+they bundle, and off they jog&mdash;pans rattling, women chattering,
+kettles clinking, children crowing, fiddle scraping, and men
+smoking&mdash;at the rate of six or seven miles an hour, to Hampton Court
+or Epping Forest. It is impossible for a person who has never
+witnessed these excursions in the height of summer, to form an
+adequate notion of the merry and exciting nature of the relaxation
+they afford to a truly prodigious number of the hardworking classes.
+Returning from Kingston to London one fine Monday morning in June
+last, we met a train of these laughter-loaded vans, measuring a full
+mile in length, and which must have consisted of threescore or more
+vehicles, most of them provided with music of some sort, and adorned
+with flowers and green boughs. As they shot one at a time past the
+omnibus on which we sat, we were saluted by successive volleys of
+mingled mirth and music, and by such constellations of merry-faced
+mortals in St Monday garb, as would have made a sunshine under the
+blackest sky that ever gloomed. Arrived at Hampton Court, the separate
+parties encamp under the trees in Bushy Park, where they amuse
+themselves the livelong day in innocent sports, for which your
+Londoner has at bottom a most unequivocal and hearty relish. They will
+most likely spend a few hours in wandering through the
+picture-galleries in the palace, then take a stroll in the exquisite
+gardens, where the young fellow who is thoughtless enough to pluck a
+flower for his sweetheart, is instantly and infallibly condemned to
+drag a heavy iron roller up and down the gravel-walk, to the amusement
+of a thousand or two of grinning spectators. Having seen the palace
+and the gardens, they pay a short visit, perhaps, to the monster
+grape-vine, with its myriads of clusters of grapes, all of which Her
+Gracious Majesty is supposed to devour; and then they return to their
+dinner beneath some giant chestnut-tree in the park. The cloth is
+spread at the foot of the huge trunk; the gashed joints of the
+Sunday's baked meats, flanked by a very mountainous gooseberry pie,
+with crusty loaves and sections of cheese and pats of butter, cut a
+capital figure among the heterogeneous contribution of pitchers,
+preserve-jars, tin-cans, mugs and jugs, shankless rummers and
+wineglasses, and knives and forks of every size and pattern, from the
+balance handles and straight blades of to-day, to the wooden haft and
+curly-nosed cimeter of a century back. Their sharpened appetites make
+short work of the cold meats and pies. Treble X of somebody's own
+corking fizzes forth from brown jar and black bottle, and if more is
+wanted, it is fetched from the neighbouring tavern. Dinner done, the
+fiddle strikes up, and a dance on the greensward by the young people,
+while the old ones, stretched under the trees, enjoy a quiet gossip
+and a refreshing pipe, fills up the afternoon. There is always
+somebody at this crisis who is neither<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[pg 371]</a></span> too old to dance nor too young
+to smoke a gossipping pipe, and so he does both at intervals&mdash;rushing
+now into the dance, drawn by the irresistible attraction of the
+fiddle, and now sidling back again to his smoke-puffing chums,
+impelled by the equally resistless charms of tobacco. Then and
+therefore he is branded as a deserter, and a file of young lasses lay
+hands on him, and drag him forth in custody to the dance; and after a
+good scolding from laughing lips, and a good drubbing from white
+handkerchiefs, they compromise the business at last by allowing him to
+dance with his pipe in his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>By five o'clock, Mrs Grundy has managed, with the connivance of Jack
+the driver, somehow or other to boil the kettle, and a cup of tea is
+ready for all who are inclined to partake. The young folks for the
+most part prefer the dance: they can have tea any day&mdash;they will not
+dance on the grass again till next year perhaps; so they make the most
+of their time. By and by, the fiddler's elbow refuses to wag any
+longer: he is perfectly willing himself, as he says, 'to play till
+all's blue; but you see,' he adds, 'bones won't do it.' 'Never mind,'
+says the Beau Nash of the day: 'sack your badger, old boy, and go and
+get some resin. Now, then, for kiss in the ring!' Then while the
+fiddler gets his resin, which means anything he likes to eat or drink,
+the whole party, perhaps amounting to three or four van-loads in all,
+form into a circle for 'kiss in the ring.' The ring is one uproarious
+round of frolic and laughter, which would 'hold both its sides,' but
+that it is forced to hold its neighbours' hands with both its own,
+under which the flying damsel who has to be caught and kissed bobs in
+and out, doubling like a hare, till she is out of breath, and is
+overtaken at last, and led bashfully into the centre of the group, to
+suffer the awful penalty of the law. While this popular pastime is
+prolonged to the last moment, the van is getting ready to return; the
+old folks assist in stowing away the empty baskets and vessels; and an
+hour or so before sun-down, or it may be half an hour after, the whole
+party are remounted, and on their way home again, where they arrive,
+after a jovial ride, weary with enjoyment, and with matter to talk
+about for a month to come.</p>
+
+<p>At Epping Forest, the scene is very different, but not a whit the less
+lively. There are no picture-galleries or pleasure-gardens, but there
+is the Forest to roam in, full of noble trees, in endless sinuous
+avenues, crowned with the 'scarce intruding sky,' among which the
+joyous holiday-makers form a finer picture than was ever painted yet.
+Then there are friendly foot-races and jumping-matches, and
+leap-frogging, and black-berrying, and foot-balling, and
+hockey-and-trapping, and many other games besides, in addition to the
+dancing and the ring-kissing. Epping and Hainault Forests are
+essentially the lungs of Whitechapel and Spitalfields. Their leafy
+shades are invaded all the summer long by the van-borne hosts of
+laborious poverty. Clubs, whose members invest but a penny a week,
+start into existence as soon as the leaves begin to sprout in the
+spring; with the first gush of summer, the living tide begins to flow
+into the cool bosom of the forest; and until late in the autumn,
+unless the weather is prematurely wintry, there is no pause for a day
+or an hour of sunshine in the rush of health-seekers to the green
+shades. The fiat has gone forth from the government for the
+destruction of these forests, for the felling of the trees and the
+enclosure of the land. Will the public permit the execution of the
+barbarous decree? We trust not.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding all that has been said, and so justly said, of the
+notorious improvidence of the poor, it will be seen from the above
+hasty sketches, that they yet can and do help themselves to many
+things which are undeniably profitable and advantageous to them: they
+only want, in fact, a motive for so doing&mdash;a foregone conviction that
+the thing desiderated is worth having. Now, here is ground for
+hope&mdash;an opening, so to speak, for the point of the wedge. That the
+very poor may be taught to practise self-denial, in the prospect of a
+future benefit, these clubs have proved; and we may confess to a
+prejudice in their favour, not merely from what they have
+accomplished, but from a not unreasonable hope, that they may
+perchance foster a habit which will lead to far better things than
+even warm chimney-corners, greenwood holidays, roast geese, and
+plum-pudding.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="ARAGO_ON_THE_SUN" id="ARAGO_ON_THE_SUN"></a>ARAGO ON THE SUN.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">In</span> the Annuaire of the <i>Bureau des Longitudes</i>, recently published in
+Paris, appears a paper by the distinguished astronomer Arago&mdash;'On the
+Observations which have made known the Physical Constitution of the
+Sun and of different Stars; and an Inquiry into the Conjectures of the
+Ancient Philosophers, and of the Positive Ideas of Modern Astronomers
+on the Place that the Sun ought to occupy among the Prodigious Number
+of Stars which stud the Firmament'&mdash;in which all that appertains to
+the subject is so ably condensed, as to afford material for a popular
+summary, which we purpose to convey in the present article. The
+eclipse of the sun of last July, by enabling observers to repeat
+former observations and test their accuracy, furnished some of the
+results which serve to complete the paper in question, and which may
+be considered as settled, owing to the improvements continually taking
+place in the construction of instruments. Although astronomy is the
+exactest of sciences, its problems are not yet all fully solved; and
+for the determination of some of these, observers have to wait for
+years&mdash;in certain instances, for a century or more, until all the
+circumstances combine for a favourable observation. From the days of
+the Epicurean philosopher, who, judging from appearances, declared the
+sun to be no more than a foot in diameter, to those of living
+calculators, who give to the orb a diameter of 883,000 miles, there
+has been a marvellous advance. In these dimensions, we have a sphere
+one million four hundred thousand times larger than the earth.
+'Numbers so enormous,' says M. Arago, 'not being often employed in
+ordinary life, and giving us no very precise idea of the magnitudes
+which they imply, I recall here a remark that will convey a better
+understanding of the immensity of the solar volume. If we imagine the
+centre of the sun to coincide with that of the earth, its surface
+would not only reach the region in which the moon revolves, but would
+extend nearly as far again beyond.' By the transit of Venus in 1769,
+it was demonstrated that the sun is 95,000,000 miles from the earth;
+and yet, distant as it is, its physical constitution has been
+determined; and the history of the successive steps by which this
+proof has been arrived at, forms one of the most interesting chapters
+in the progress of science.</p>
+
+<p>It was in 1611 that Fabricius, a Dutch astronomer, first observed
+spots on the eastern edge of the sun, which passed slowly across the
+disk to the western edge, and disappeared after a certain number of
+days. This phenomenon having been often noted subsequently, the
+conclusion drawn therefrom is, that the sun is a spherical body,
+having a movement of rotation about its centre, of which the duration
+is equal to twenty-five days and a half. These dark spots, irregular
+and variable, but well defined on their edge, are sometimes of
+considerable dimensions. Some have been seen whose size was five times
+that of the earth. They are generally surrounded by an aureola known
+as the <i>penumbra</i>, and sensibly less luminous than the other portions
+of the orb. From this penumbra, first observed by Galileo, many
+apparently singular deductions have been made: namely, 'The sun is a
+dark body, surrounded at a certain distance by an atmosphere which may
+be compared to that of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[pg 372]</a></span> earth, when the latter is charged with a
+continuous stratum of opaque and reflecting clouds. To this first
+atmosphere succeeds a second, luminous in itself, called the
+<i>photosphere</i>. This photosphere, more or less remote from the inner
+cloudy atmosphere, would determine by its outline the visible limits
+of the orb. According to this hypothesis, there would he spots on the
+sun every time that there occurred in the two concentric atmospheres
+such corresponding clear spaces as would allow of our seeing the dark
+central body uncovered.'</p>
+
+<p>This hypothesis is considered by the most competent judges to render a
+very satisfactory account of the facts. But it has not been
+universally adopted. Some writers of authority have lately represented
+the spots as scori&aelig; floating on a liquid surface, and ejected from
+solar volcanoes, of which the burning mountains of the earth convey
+but a feeble idea. Hence observations become necessary as to the
+nature of the incandescent matter of the sun; and when we remember the
+immense distance of that body, such an attempt may well appear to be
+one of temerity.</p>
+
+<p>The progress of optical science, however, has given us the means of
+determining this apparently insoluble question. It is well known, that
+physicists are enabled at present to distinguish two kinds of
+light&mdash;natural light and polarised light. A ray of the former exhibits
+the same properties on any part of its form; not so the latter. A
+polarised ray is said to have sides, and the different sides have
+different properties, as demonstrated by many interesting phenomena.
+Strange as it may seem, these rays thus described as having sides,
+could pass through the eye of a needle by hundreds of thousands
+without disturbing each other. Availing themselves, therefore, of the
+assistance of polarised light, and an instrument named the
+polariscope, or polarising telescope, observers obtain a double image
+of the sun, both alike, and both white; but on reflecting this image
+on water, or a glass mirror, the rays become polarised; the two images
+are no longer alike or white, but are intensely coloured, while their
+form remains unchanged. If one is red, the other is green, or yellow
+and violet, always producing what are called the complementary
+colours. With this instrument, it becomes possible to tell the
+difference between natural and polarised light.</p>
+
+<p>Another point for consideration is, that for a long time it was
+supposed, that the light emanating from any incandescent body always
+came to the eye as natural light, if in its passage it had not been
+reflected or refracted. But experiment by the polariscope shewed, that
+the ray departing from the surface at an angle sufficiently small was
+polarised; while at the same time, it was demonstrated that the light
+emitted by any gaseous body in flame&mdash;that of street-lamps, for
+instance&mdash;is always in the natural state, whatever be its angle of
+emission. From these remarks, some idea will be formed of the process
+necessary to prove whether the substance which renders the sun visible
+is solid, liquid, or gaseous. On looking at the sun in the
+polariscope, the image, as before observed, is seen to be purely
+white&mdash;a proof that the medium through which the luminous substance is
+made visible to us is gaseous. If it were liquid, the light would be
+coloured; and as regards solidity, that is out of the question&mdash;the
+rapid change of spots proves that the outer envelope of the sun is not
+solid. On whatever day of the year we examine, the light is always
+white. Thus, these experiments remove the theory out of the region of
+simple hypothesis, and give certainty to our conclusions respecting
+the photosphere.</p>
+
+<p>Here an example occurs of the aids and confirmations which science may
+derive from apparently trivial circumstances. Complaint was made at a
+large warehouse in Paris, that the gas-fitters had thrown the light on
+the goods from the narrow, and not from the broad side of the flame.
+Experiments were instituted, which proved that the amount of light was
+the same whether emitted from the broad or narrow surface. It was
+shewn also, that a gaseous substance in flame appears more luminous
+when seen obliquely than perpendicular, which explains what are known
+as <i>facul&aelig;</i> and <i>lucules</i>, being those parts of the solar disk that
+shew themselves brighter than other portions of the surface. These are
+due to the presence of clouds in the solar atmosphere; the inclined
+portions of the clouds appearing brightest to the spectator. The
+notion, that there were thousands on thousands of points
+distinguishing themselves from the rest by a greater accumulation of
+luminous matter, is thus disposed of.</p>
+
+<p>Still, there remained something more to be determined. The existence
+of the photosphere being proved, the question arose&mdash;was there nothing
+beyond? or did it end abruptly? and this could only be determined at
+the period of a total eclipse, at the very moment when the obscuration
+of the sun being greatest, our atmosphere ceases to be illuminated.
+Hence the interest felt in an eclipse of the sun of late years.</p>
+
+<p>In July 1842, at a total eclipse of the sun visible in several parts
+of the continent, the astronomers noticed, just as the sun was hidden
+by the moon, certain objects, in the form of rose-coloured
+protuberances, about two or three minutes high, astronomically
+speaking, projected from the surface of the moon. These appearances
+were variously explained: some supposed them to be lunar mountains;
+others saw in them effects of refraction or diffraction; but no
+precise explanation could be given; and mere guesses cannot be
+accepted as science. Others, again, thought them to be mountains in
+the sun, the summits stretching beyond the photosphere; but at the
+most moderate calculation, their height would have been about 60,000
+miles&mdash;an elevation which, as is said, the solar attraction would
+render impossible. Another hypothesis was, that they were clouds
+floating in a solar, gaseous atmosphere.</p>
+
+<p>M. Arago considers the last as the true explanation: it remained the
+great point to be proved. If it could be ascertained, that these red
+protuberances were not in actual contact with the moon, the
+demonstration would be complete. Speculation was busy, but nothing
+could be done in the way of verification until another eclipse took
+place. There was one in August 1850 total to the Sandwich Islands, at
+which, under direction of the French commandant at Tahiti,
+observations were made, the result being that the red prominences were
+seen to be separated by a fine line from the moon's circumference.
+Here was an important datum. It was confirmed by the observations of
+July 1851, by observers of different nations at different localities,
+who saw that the coloured peaks were detached from the moon; thus
+proving that they are not lunar mountains.</p>
+
+<p>If it be further ascertained, that these luminous phenomena are not
+produced by the inflexion of rays passing over the asperities of the
+moon's disk, and that they have a real existence, then there will be a
+new atmosphere to add to those which already surround the sun; for
+clouds cannot support themselves in empty space.</p>
+
+<p>We come next to that part of the subject which treats of the true
+place of the sun in the universe. In the year 448 <span class="smcap">b.c.</span>, Archela&uuml;s, the
+last of the Ionian philosophers, without having made any measurements,
+taught that the sun was a star, but only somewhat larger than the
+others. Now, the nearest fixed star is 206,000 times further from us
+than the sun: 206,000 times 95,000,000 of miles&mdash;a sum beyond all our
+habits of thought. The light from the star <i>Alpha</i> of the Centaur is
+three years in its passage to the earth, travelling at the rate of
+192,000 miles per second; and there are 86,400 seconds in a day, and
+365 days in a year. Astounding facts! If the sun, therefore, were
+removed to the distance of a Centauri, its broad disk, which takes a
+considerable time in its majestic rising and setting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[pg 373]</a></span> above and below
+the horizon, would have no sensible dimensions, even in the most
+powerful telescopes; and its light would not exceed that of stars of
+the third magnitude&mdash;facts which throw the guess of Archela&uuml;s into
+discredit. If our place in the material universe is thus made to
+appear very subordinate, we may remember, as M. Arago observes, that
+man owes the knowledge of it entirely to his own resources, and
+thereby has raised himself to the most eminent rank in the world of
+ideas. Indeed, astronomical investigations might not improperly excuse
+a little vanity on our part.'</p>
+
+<p>Among the stars, Sirius is the brightest; but twenty thousand millions
+of such stars would be required to transmit to the earth a light equal
+to that of the sun. And if it were difficult to ascertain the nature
+and quality of the sun, it would appear to be still more so to
+determine these points with regard to the stars; for the reason, that
+the rays, coming from all parts of their disk, at once are
+intermingled, and of necessity produce white. This difficulty did not
+exist in similar investigations on the sun, because its disk is so
+large, that the rays from any one part of it may be examined while the
+others are excluded. Under these circumstances, further proof might
+seem to be hopeless; but advantage was taken of the fact, that there
+are certain stars which are sometimes light, sometimes dark, either
+from having a movement of rotation on their own axis, or because they
+are occasionally eclipsed by a non-luminous satellite revolving around
+them. It is clear, that while the light is waxing or waning, it comes
+from a part only of the star's disk; consequently, the neutralisation
+of rays, which takes place when they depart from the whole surface at
+once, cannot then occur; and from the observations on the portion of
+light thus transmitted, and which is found to remain white under all
+its phases, we are entitled to conclude, in M. Arago's words, that
+'our sun is a star, and that its physical constitution is identical
+with that of the millions of stars strewn in the firmament.'</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="BARBARAS_SEA-SIDE_EXCURSION" id="BARBARAS_SEA-SIDE_EXCURSION"></a>BARBARA'S SEA-SIDE EXCURSION.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">It</span> certainly appeared a most improbable circumstance, that any event
+should occur worthy of being recorded, to vary the even tenor of life
+which Mr and Mrs Norman enjoyed in the holy state of matrimony. They
+were young folks&mdash;they had married from affection&mdash;and, moreover,
+their union had been a strictly prudent one; for their income was more
+than sufficient for all their unaspiring wants and tastes; and it was
+also a 'certainty,' a great good in these days of speculation and
+going ahead. Charles Norman held a government situation, with a small
+but yearly increasing salary; his residence was at Pentonville; and
+his domestic circle comprised, besides his good, meek helpmeet, two
+little children, and an only sister, some years Charles's junior:
+indeed, Bab Norman had not very long quitted the boarding-school. Bab
+and Charles were orphans, and had no near relatives in the world;
+therefore Bab came home to live with her dear brother and his wife
+until she had a home of her own&mdash;a contingency which people whispered
+need not be far off, if Miss Barbara Norman so inclined. This piece of
+gossip perhaps arose from the frequent visits of Mr Norman's chosen
+friend, Edward Leslie&mdash;a steady and excellent young man, who filled an
+appointment of great trust and confidence in an old-established
+commercial house. Edward Leslie was not distinguished for personal
+attractions or captivating manners; but he was an honest, manly,
+generous-hearted fellow, and sensitive enough to feel very keenly
+sometimes that the pretty spoiled little Barbara laughed at and
+snubbed him. Notwithstanding Bab's folly, however, it would have given
+her great pain had Edward Leslie courted another. He was patient and
+forbearing; and she fluttered and frisked about, determined to make
+the most of her liberty while it lasted. 'Of course she meant to marry
+some day,' she said with a demure smile, 'but it would take a long
+time to make up her mind.'</p>
+
+<p>Charles quite doted on his pretty sister, and often could not find it
+in his heart to rebuke her, because she was motherless, and had only
+him and Cary to look to; and Cary's office was not to rebuke any one,
+much less her dear little sister-in-law. So Barbara was spoiled and
+humoured; while the children were kept in high order&mdash;a proper
+discipline being exercised in the nursery, as became a well-regulated
+and nicely-decorated house. Cary thought Bab a beauty, and so did
+Charles; the young lady herself was not at all backward in estimating
+her own charms; and it was a pity to see them so often obscured by
+affectation, for Bab had a kind heart and an affectionate disposition.
+One day when Charles returned home after business-hours were over, Bab
+flew towards him with an unusually animated countenance, holding an
+open letter in her hand, and exclaiming: 'Oh, dear Charles, read this!
+You'll let me go&mdash;wont you? I never was at the sea-side in my life,
+you know; and it will do me such a deal of good.'</p>
+
+<p>Charles smiled, took the letter, and tapping his sister's dimpled rosy
+cheek, he said fondly: 'I don't think, Bab, that you want "doing good
+to" so far as health is concerned. The sea-air cannot improve these
+roses.'</p>
+
+<p>'Well, well, Charles, never mind the roses&mdash;there's a dear. They only
+ask me to go for a fortnight, and I should so like it; it will be so
+nice to be with one's schoolmates at the sea. Bell and Lucy Combermere
+are <i>such</i> bathers, they say; and as for me, I do believe, Charles, I
+shall drown myself for love of the sea! Oh, you must let me go&mdash;do!'</p>
+
+<p>There was no resisting this coaxing; so Charles said he 'would see
+about it, and talk the matter over with Caroline.'</p>
+
+<p>'Cary thinks it will be delightful for me,' exclaimed Barbara: 'she's
+always a good-natured darling.' And Bab felt sure of going, if Charles
+talked the matter over with Cary; so she flew off in an ecstasy of
+joy, dancing and singing, and forthwith commenced preparations, by
+pulling off the faded pink ribbons which adorned her bonnet, and
+substituting gay bright new streamers.</p>
+
+<p>The invitation in question came from Mrs Combermere, who, with her two
+unmarried daughters, were sojourning at a favourite
+watering-place&mdash;always crowded during the season&mdash;and where Mr
+Combermere, a rich citizen, could join his family every week, and
+inhale a breath of pure air. Charles did not particularly like the
+Combermeres. Mrs Combermere was a fussy woman, full of absurd
+pretension, and with a weakness for forming aristocratic acquaintance,
+which had more than once led her into extravagance, ending in
+disappointment and mortification. The Misses Combermere inherited
+their mamma's weakness; they were comely damsels, and expectant
+sharers of papa's wealth, who was 'very particular' on whom he
+bestowed his treasures. Bell and Lucy had been at school with Barbara
+Norman, and a strong friendship&mdash;a school friendship&mdash;had been struck
+up amongst the trio, whom the French dancing-master denominated 'the
+Graces.' And now Barbara had received an invitation to stay with them
+for a fortnight, a private postscript being inserted by Miss Bell, to
+the effect that 'Bab must be sure to come very smart, for there were
+most elegant people there, and <i>such</i> beaux!'</p>
+
+<p>Bab went accordingly on Saturday, escorted by Mr<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[pg 374]</a></span> Combermere, who
+always returned on the following Monday. Never before had Bab beheld
+so gay a scene; never till now had she looked on the glorious ocean;
+never had she promenaded to the sounds of such exhilarating music. Her
+pretty little head was quite bewildered, though in the midst of all
+her delight she wished for Charles and Cary, and the children; there
+was such delicious bathing for the tiny ones; such digging with their
+little spades in the golden sands! Innocent, happy gold-diggers they!</p>
+
+<p>She found Mrs Combermere and the girls in the full swing of sea-side
+dissipation&mdash;quite open-house kept, free-and-easy manners, which at
+home would not have been tolerated. But it came only once a year, and
+they could afford it. Quite established as an intimate, was a tall
+young gentleman, with delicate moustache, who seemed to be on terms of
+friendly familiarity with half the aristocracy of the nation. Mrs
+Combermere whispered to Bab, that Mr Newton was a most 'patrician
+person,' of the 'highest connections;' they had met with him on the
+sands, where he had been of signal use in assisting Mrs Combermere
+over the shingles on a stormy day. He was so gentlemanly and
+agreeable, that they could not do otherwise than ask him in; he had
+remained to tea, and since then had been a regular visitor.</p>
+
+<p>Mr Newton had been at first treated with great coolness by Mr
+Combermere; the latter gentleman did not like strangers, and always
+looked on a moustache with suspicion. But Mr Newton was so
+deferential, so unexceptionable in deportment, and prudent in his
+general sentiments, warmly advocating Mr Combermere's political
+opinions, that he had at last won the good opinion even of the father
+of the family. Besides, he paid no particular attention to the Misses
+Combermere: there was no danger of his making up to them&mdash;that was
+clear; and Mrs Combermere, mother-like, felt a little mortified and
+chagrined at such palpable indifference. But when pretty Bab Norman
+appeared, the case was different: her brunette complexion and
+sparkling dark eyes elicited marked admiration from the patrician Mr
+Newton; and he remarked in an off-hand way&mdash;<i>sotto voce</i>, as if to
+himself: 'By Jupiter! how like she is to dear Lady Mary Manvers.' Bab
+felt very much flattered by the comparison, and immediately began to
+like Mr Newton immensely; he was so distingu&eacute;, so fascinating, so
+refined. Bab did not add, that he had singled her out as an especial
+object of attention, even when the fair dashing Misses Combermere
+challenged competition.</p>
+
+<p>The fortnight passed swiftly away&mdash;too swiftly, alas! thought little
+Barbara Norman; for at the expiration of the term, Mrs Combermere did
+not ask her to prolong the visit, but suffered her to depart, again
+under the escort of Mr Combermere, without a word of regret at
+parting. Cruel Mrs Combermere! she wished to keep Mr Newton's society
+all to herself and her daughters! However, the young gentleman asked
+Barbara for permission to pay his respects to her when he returned to
+the metropolis; this had been accorded by Barbara, who, on her return
+to Pentonville, for the first time found that comfortable home
+'insufferably dull and stupid.' Edward Leslie, too&mdash;how dull and
+stupid even he was, after the chattering perfumed loungers of the
+elysium she had just quitted! Yet Edward was never considered either
+dull or stupid by competent judges; but, quite the contrary&mdash;a
+sensible, well-informed, gentlemanly personage. But, then, he had no
+great friends, no patrician weaknesses; he knew nothing about racing,
+or betting, or opera-dancers, or slang in general. In short, he seemed
+flat and insipid to Bab, who had been compared to the beautiful Lady
+Mary Manvers by the soft and persuasive tongue of Lady Mary Manvers's
+dear friend. Yet, in her secret heart of hearts, Bab drew comparisons
+by no means disadvantageous to Edward Leslie. 'Yes,' thought Bab, 'I
+like Mr Newton best by the sea-side in summer-time, when harp-music
+floats on the balmy air; then I should always like him, if summer was
+all the year round. But for everyday life, for winter hours, for home,
+in short, I'm sure I like Edward Leslie best&mdash;I'm sure I love Edward
+Leslie;' and Bab blushed and hesitated, though she was quite alone.
+Cary listened good-naturedly to all Bab's descriptions of the
+happiness she had enjoyed; and Cary thought, from all Bab said, that
+Mr Newton must be at least some great lord in disguise. She felt quite
+nervous at the idea of his coming to such a humble house as theirs,
+when he talked of parks, and four-in-hands, and baronial halls, as
+things with which he was familiar, and regarded as matters of course.
+Cary hoped that Charles and Edward Leslie would be present when Mr
+Newton called, because they were fit to associate with royalty itself.
+Cary had a very humble opinion of herself&mdash;sweet, gentle soul! Charles
+often wished his dear sister Bab might closely resemble her. At
+length, Bell Combermere wrote to say, they were about returning to
+town; and Mr Newton declared he could not remain behind. Bab's heart
+fluttered and palpitated at each sound the knocker gave; and she was
+thankful that Cary's cousin, Miss Ward, was staying with them, to call
+attention off from herself.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Ward was an accomplished, charming woman of middle age, who for
+years had resided in the Earl of St Elmer's family as
+governess&mdash;greatly valued for her many estimable qualities. Not being
+in robust health, she had absented herself for a short season from her
+onerous duties, and in her dear friend and cousin's house, sought and
+obtained quiet and renovation. Miss Ward often found difficulty in
+repressing a smile at Bab's superfluous graces and animated gestures;
+but it was a kindly smile, for the stately conventionalities amongst
+which she usually existed, rendered these traits of less refined
+manners rather refreshing than otherwise. Miss Ward was out when Mrs
+Combermere's equipage drove up to Mr Norman's door; and that large
+lady, with her daughter Bell, accompanied by Mr Newton, made their way
+up stairs to Mrs Norman's drawing-room. Mrs Combermere was always
+astoundingly grand and patronising when she honoured Cary with a call;
+Mrs Combermere liked to call upon folks whom she denominated
+inferiors&mdash;to impress them with an overwhelming idea of her
+importance. But on the simple-minded literal Cary, this honour was
+lost, she received it with such composure and unconscious placidity:
+on Bab it produced, indeed, the desired effect; but whether it was Mrs
+Combermere's loud talking and boasting, or Mr Newton's easy negligence
+and patronising airs, that caused her to colour and hesitate, it is
+not possible to define. Bab was not herself; and she began to be
+ashamed of living in Pentonville, when Mr Newton spoke of Belgravia.
+Miss Ward, who had returned from her shopping excursion, glided into
+the room unnoticed, in the middle of a description Mr Newton was
+giving of a magnificent place, belonging to a dear friend, with whom
+he had been staying, ere he had the 'unspeakable felicity of meeting
+Mrs Combermere.'</p>
+
+<p>'Your description is a graphic one, John Blomfield,' said Miss Ward in
+a low voice close to his ear; 'but how came you here&mdash;in this
+company?'</p>
+
+<p>John Blomfield, <i>alias</i> John Newton, started as if an adder had bitten
+him, and gazed franticly upon the intruder. 'Miss Ward, madam,' he
+exclaimed involuntarily, 'don't say more, and I'll go this instant!'</p>
+
+<p>'Then go,' continued Miss Ward majestically, pointing to the door;
+'and beware, John Blomfield, how you dare to enter a gentleman's house
+unauthorised again.'</p>
+
+<p>Pale and crest-fallen, the young gentleman and dear friend of Lady
+Mary Manvers vanished; nor did he require a second bidding to rush
+down stairs, and out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[pg 375]</a></span> at the front-door, which was slammed violently
+after him.</p>
+
+<p>'What does this mean, ma'am?' inquired Mrs Combermere, very red in the
+face, and looking terribly frightened&mdash;'what does this all mean,
+ma'am?'</p>
+
+<p>'Only,' replied Miss Ward quietly, 'that this individual, who calls
+himself Mr Newton, and whose conversation I overheard after entering
+the apartment, is in reality John Blomfield, <i>ci devant</i> valet to Lord
+Lilburne, the eldest son of the Earl of St Elmer, in whose family I
+have the honour to be governess. His lordship shewed toleration and
+kindness unprecedented towards the ungrateful young man, on account of
+his respectable parentage, and the excellent abilities and aptitude
+for instruction he displayed. But I grieve to say, John Blomfield was
+discharged from Lord Lilburne's service, under circumstances which
+left no doubt on our minds that he was guilty of dishonest
+practices&mdash;of pilfering, in short, to a considerable extent. We heard
+that he still continued his evil course; but though knowing him to
+possess both skill and effrontery, I was almost as much startled as
+the delinquent himself, to behold him thus playing the fine gentleman,
+and lounging on Cary's sofa.'</p>
+
+<p>A faint groan escaped from Miss Combermere as she ejaculated: 'Oh, my
+pearl necklace!' and a still deeper and more audible sigh from her
+mamma, as the words burst forth: 'Oh, my diamond <i>bandeau</i>!' which led
+to an explanation from the distressed and bewildered ladies, of how
+they had intrusted these precious jewels to Mr Newton, who urged them
+on returning to town to have them reset, volunteering to take them
+himself to Lady Mary Manvers's own jeweller, a 'first-rate fellow, who
+worked only for the aristocracy.' 'They must not be in a hurry,' Mr
+Newton said, 'for the first-rate fellow was so torn to pieces by
+duchesses and countesses, that even weeks might elapse before their
+comparatively trifling order could be attended to.'</p>
+
+<p>'I fear,' said Miss Ward commiseratingly, 'that you will not see your
+valuables again. John Blomfield is a clever rascal, and has good taste
+too,' continued Miss Ward smiling, 'for he invariably selects pretty
+things. I hope, my dear'&mdash;turning to Bab, who sat silent and
+petrified&mdash;'your beautiful gold repeater set with brilliants is safe,
+and that it did not require repairs or alterations, to induce you to
+part with it into Mr Newton's hands? I doubt not he had an eye to it
+eventually.'</p>
+
+<p>Poor Bab&mdash;what a blow to her vanity! She could only murmur something
+about the watch being very dear to her, because it had belonged to her
+deceased mother, and that she always wore it round her neck.</p>
+
+<p>'And I don't think that Bab would part with it out of her hands to any
+one,' said Cary, 'if we except ourselves, save to Edward Leslie; but
+he is such a careful soul, that one would not mind intrusting him with
+the most precious treasure on earth.'</p>
+
+<p>Bab blushed very deeply at this speech, because she saw a covert smile
+on Miss Ward's speaking countenance. That lady, notwithstanding her
+amiability and philanthropic character, rather enjoyed the
+consternation and confusion of Mrs and Miss Combermere, who retreated
+more humbly than they had entered, having received a lesson which, it
+is to be hoped, they profited by for the remainder of their lives. The
+pearl necklace and diamond bandeau were not recovered, though a reward
+was offered by the enraged Mr Combermere for the apprehension of the
+thief; yet Miss Bell with tears declared, that she would far rather
+lose her pearl necklace than give evidence against one whose
+attractive qualities she could not cease to remember.</p>
+
+<p>Very shortly after this affair, Barbara had another short trip to the
+sea-side, and with a companion whose happiness equalled her own: it
+was the honeymoon excursion, and Edward Leslie was Bab's companion for
+life. After this second sea-side sojourn, the bride returned to a
+pretty house of her own, quite near to Charles and Cary; and Barbara
+was never heard to complain of finding it dull or stupid, though
+summer does not last all the year round with any of us.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="MR_JERDANS_AUTOBIOGRAPHY" id="MR_JERDANS_AUTOBIOGRAPHY"></a>MR JERDAN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">The</span> first of a series of volumes, designed to contain the literary,
+political, and social reminiscences of Mr Jerdan during the last fifty
+years, has just seen the light. It will be found to be one of the most
+amusing books of the day, and also not without a moral of its own
+kind. We presume it is of no use to debate how far it is allowable to
+bring before the public matters pertaining to private life, and about
+which living individuals may feel a delicacy. The time for such
+questions seems past. Assuming so much, we at least feel pretty sure
+that the lives and characters of living men could scarcely be in
+gentler or more genial hands than those of William Jerdan.</p>
+
+<p>Mr Jerdan is chiefly known as having been for a third of a century the
+editor of the <i>London Literary Gazette</i>, a work which used to report
+on literature with a sympathy for authors strikingly in contrast with
+the tone of some of its contemporaries, in whom it would almost appear
+as if the saying of a kind word, or even the doing of simple justice
+towards a book, were felt as a piece of inexcusable weakness. He is
+now, at seventy, relieved from his cares, with little tangible result
+from his long and active career; but for this the readers of his
+autobiography will be at no loss to account. Jerdan has evidently been
+a kind-hearted, mirth-making, tomorrow-defying mortal all his days, as
+if he had patriotically set himself from the beginning to prove that
+Scotland could produce something different from those hosts of staid,
+sober, calculating men for which it has become so much distinguished.
+We speak here, indeed, according to the English apprehension of the
+Scotch character, for in Scotland, strange to say&mdash;that is, to
+Englishmen it will appear strange&mdash;the people believe themselves to be
+remarkable for want of foresight&mdash;'aye wise ahint the hand,' is their
+own self-portraiture&mdash;and for a certain ardour of genius which leads
+them into all sorts of scrapes. The issue is, after all, a hard one,
+and viewing the long services of Mr Jerdan to the literary republic,
+we would hope that a cheerful life-evening is still in store for him.</p>
+
+<p>Our autobiographer tells, with all due modesty, of his early days at
+Kelso&mdash;the respectable friends by whom he was surrounded&mdash;his
+acquiring the reputation of a clever youth, and running nigh being a
+good deal spoilt in consequence. At nineteen, he went to London, to
+enter the counting-house of a mercantile uncle, and during two years
+spent there, formed an acquaintance with a group of young men, several
+of whom have since become distinguished. Among these were Messrs Pirie
+and Lawrie, since Lord Mayors of London&mdash;David, William, and Frederick
+Pollock, of whom the last is now Chief Baron of Exchequer&mdash;and Mr
+Wilde, who has since been Lord Chancellor. Interrupted in his career
+by a severe illness, he returned to Scotland to recruit, and soon
+after was placed with an Edinburgh writer to the Signet, to study the
+mysteries of law. The Scottish capital was then a much more frolicsome
+place than now, and Jerdan entered heartily into all its humours,
+spent merry evenings with Tom Sheridan and Joseph Gillan, attended
+mason-lodges, joined the Volunteers, and, seeing a fountain one day,
+wished to be it, for then he should have nothing to do but play. The
+natural result followed in a second severe illness, out of which his
+kind master, <i>Corrie</i> Elliott, endeavoured to recover him by a
+commission to ride through a range of mountain parishes in the south,
+in order to search for genealogical particulars illustrative of a case
+between Lady Forbes, born Miss Hunter of Polmood,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[pg 376]</a></span> and two gentlemen
+named Hunter, who claimed her estate.</p>
+
+<p>'I travelled,' says our autobiographer, 'from manse to manse, and
+received unbounded hospitalities from the ministers, whilst I examined
+their kirk-registers, and extracted from them every entry where the
+name of Hunter or Welsh was to be found. Never was task more
+gratifying. The <i>bonhomie</i> of the priests, and the simplicity of their
+parishioners, were a new world to me, whilst they, the clergy, men of
+piety and learning, considered themselves as out of the world
+altogether. The population was thin and scattered, the mode of living
+primitive in the extreme, and the visit of a stranger, so
+insignificant as myself, quite enough to make a great sensation in
+these secluded parts. I found the ministers ingenuous, free from all
+puritanism, and generally well informed.... The examination of the
+parish books was also a labour of love and source of endless
+amusement. They mostly went as far back as a century and a half, and
+were, in the elder times, filled with such entries as bespoke a very
+strange condition of society. The inquisitorial practices and punitive
+power of the ministry could not be exceeded in countries enslaved by
+the priesthood of the Church of Rome. Forced confessions, the denial
+of religious rites even on the bed of death, excommunication, shameful
+exposures, and a rigid and minute interference in every domestic or
+private concern, indicated a state of things which must have been
+intolerable. High and low were obliged to submit to this offensive
+discipline and domination.... My duty was thus pleasantly and
+satisfactorily performed. My note-book was full. My skill in
+deciphering obsolete manuscript was cultivated and improved; and my
+health was restored as if by miracle. Of other incidents and results I
+shall only state, that on one occasion, to rival Bruce in Abyssinia, I
+dined off mutton whilst the sheep nibbled the grass upon the lawn, our
+fare being the amputated tails of the animals, which made a very
+dainty dish&mdash;that on reaching Edinburgh, my hackney, having from a
+dark gallop over a ground where a murder had been committed not long
+before, and being put into a cold stable, lost every hair on its hide
+like a scalded pig, subjected me to half his price in lieu of
+damage&mdash;and that the famous and ancient Polmood remained in the
+possession of Lord Forbes, as inherited from the charter of King
+Robert, who gave the lands for ever, "as high up as heaven, and as low
+down as hell," to the individual named in the grant, which was
+witnessed "by Meg, my wife, and Marjory, my nourice."'</p>
+
+<p>Despairing of doing any good in Edinburgh, Mr Jerdan, while still only
+twenty-three, resorted once more to London, though without any
+definite object in view. While pursuing his usual light-hearted
+career, he got into debt and difficulties, and experienced the
+consequent annoyances with the sense of being an injured man, 'whereas
+it was I who had wronged myself.' 'It was now,' he adds, 'that I got
+my first lesson of that fatal truth&mdash;that debt is the greatest curse
+which can beset the course of a human being. It cools his friends and
+heats his enemies; it throws obstacles in the way of his every advance
+towards independence; it degrades him in his own estimation, and
+exposes him to humiliation from others, however beneath him in station
+and character; it marks him for injustice and spoil; it weakens his
+moral perceptions and benumbs his intellectual faculties; it is a
+burden not to be borne consistently with fair hopes of fortune, or
+that peace of mind which passeth all understanding, both in a worldly
+and eternal sense. But I shall have much to say on the subject in the
+future pages of this biography, though I cannot omit the opportunity
+afforded by my earliest taste of the bitter fruit which poisons every
+pulse of existence, earnestly to exhort my youthful readers to deny
+themselves every expense which they cannot harmlessly afford, and
+revel on bread and water and a lowly couch, in humility and patience,
+rather than incur the obligation of a single sixpence beyond their
+actual means.'</p>
+
+<p>At length, about 1806, he gravitated into what was perhaps his natural
+position&mdash;the press; taking a concern in a daily paper called the
+<i>Aurora</i>, which was got up by the hotel-keepers of London. This
+speculation did not answer. It was destined to verify a late saying:
+'If you want anything spoilt or ruined, you cannot do better than
+confide it to a committee.' 'Our rulers,' says Jerdan, 'though
+intelligent and sensible men, were neither literary nor conversant
+with journalism. Under any circumstances, their interference would
+have been injurious, but it was rendered still more fatal by their
+differences in political opinion, and two or three of the number
+setting up to write "leaders" themselves. The clashing and want of
+<i>ensemble</i> was speedily obvious and detrimental; our readers became
+perfect weathercocks, and could not reconcile themselves to themselves
+from day to day. They wished, of course, to be led, as all
+well-informed citizens are, by their newspaper; and they would not
+blow hot and cold in the manner prescribed for all the coffee-room
+politicians in London. In the interior, the hubbub and confusion of
+the republic of letters was meanwhile exceedingly amusing to the
+looker-on; we were of all parties and shades of opinion: the
+proprietor of the King's Head was an ultra Tory, and swore by George
+III. as the best of sovereigns&mdash;the Crown Hotel was very loyal, but
+more moderate&mdash;the Bell Inn would give a strong pull for the
+Church&mdash;whilst the Cross-Keys was infected with Romish predilections.
+The Cockpit was warlike; the Olive-Tree, pacific; the Royal Oak,
+patriotic; the Rummer, democratic; the Hole-in-the-Wall, seditious.
+Many a dolorous pull at the porter-pot and sapientious declination of
+his head had the perplexed and bemused editor, before he could effect
+any tolerable compromise of contradictions for the morning's issue: at
+the best, the sheet appeared full of signs and wonders!' In short, the
+paper failed.</p>
+
+<p>Mr Jerdan passed through various situations <i>on</i> various papers, as
+the elegant language of Cockneydom hath it, and thus he has been
+enabled to give some curious sketches of the <i>personnel</i> of the press
+in those days. In the <i>Morning Post</i>, he took a strong part against
+the Mary-Anne-Clarke investigation, and caused a marvellous sinking of
+the circulation in consequence. He, nevertheless, consented to go and
+see that celebrated lady, and confesses to have been softened by her
+blandishments. One of the most remarkable occurrences of that period
+was his witnessing the assassination of the prime minister, Perceval,
+in May 1812. He had saluted the premier, as he was passing into the
+lobby of the House of Commons, and had held back the spring-door to
+allow him precedence in entering, when instantly there was a noise
+within. 'I saw a small curling wreath of smoke rise above his head, as
+if the breath of a cigar; I saw him reel back against the ledge on the
+inside of the door; I heard him exclaim: "O God!" or "O my God!" and
+nothing more or longer (as reported by several witnesses), for even
+that exclamation was faint; and then, making an impulsive rush, as it
+were, to reach the entrance to the House on the opposite side for
+safety, I saw him totter forward, not half way, and drop dead between
+the four pillars which stood there in the centre of the space, with a
+slight trace of blood issuing from his lips.</p>
+
+<p>'All this took place ere, with moderate speed, you could count five!
+Great confusion, and almost as immediately great alarm, ensued. Loud
+cries were uttered, and rapidly conflicting orders and remarks on
+every hand made a perfect Babel of the scene; for there were above a
+score of people in the lobby, and on the instant no one seemed to know
+what had been done<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[pg 377]</a></span> or by whom. The corpse of Mr Perceval was lifted
+up by Mr William Smith, the member for Norwich, assisted by Lord
+Francis Osborne, a Mr Phillips, and several others, and borne into the
+office of the Speaker's secretary, by the small passage on the left
+hand, beyond and near the fireplace. Pallid and deadly, close by the
+murderer, it must have been; for in a moment after, Mr Eastaff, one of
+the clerks of the Vote Office at the last door on that side, pointed
+him out, and called: "That is the murderer!" Bellingham moved slowly
+to a bench on the hither side of the fireplace, near at hand, and sat
+down. I had in the first instance run forward to render assistance to
+Mr Perceval, but only witnessed the lifting of his body, followed the
+direction of Mr Eastaff's hand, and seized the assassin by the collar,
+but without violence on one side, or resistance on the other.
+Comparatively speaking, a crowd now came up, and among the earliest Mr
+Vincent Dowling, Mr John Norris, Sir Charles Long, Sir Charles
+Burrell, Mr Henry Burgess, and, in a minute or two, General Gascoigne
+from a committee-room up stairs, and Mr Hume, Mr Whitbread, Mr Pole,
+and twelve or fifteen members from the House. Meanwhile, Bellingham's
+neckcloth had been stripped off, his vest unbuttoned, and his chest
+laid bare. The discharged pistol was found beside him, and its
+companion was taken, loaded and primed, from his pocket. An
+opera-glass, papers, and other articles, were also pulled forth,
+principally by Mr Dowling, who was on his left, whilst I stood on his
+right hand; and except for his frightful agitation, he was as passive
+as a child. Little was said to him. General Gascoigne on coming up,
+and getting a glance through the surrounding spectators, observed that
+he knew him at Liverpool, and asked if his name was Bellingham, to
+which he returned no answer; but the papers rendered further question
+on this point unnecessary. Mr Lynn, a surgeon in Great George Street,
+adjacent, had been hastily sent for, and found life quite extinct, the
+ball having entered in a slanting direction from the hand of the tall
+assassin, and passed into his victim's heart. Some one came out of the
+room with this intelligence, and said to Bellingham: "Mr Perceval is
+dead! Villain! how could you destroy so good a man, and make a family
+of twelve children orphans?" To which he almost mournfully replied: "I
+am sorry for it." Other observations and questions were addressed to
+him by bystanders; in answer to which he spoke incoherently,
+mentioning the wrongs he had suffered from government, and justifying
+his revenge on grounds similar to those he used, at length, in his
+defence at the Old Bailey.</p>
+
+<p>'I have alluded to Bellingham's "frightful agitation" as he sat on the
+bench, and all this dreadful work was going on; and I return to it, to
+describe it as far as words can convey an idea of the shocking
+spectacle. I could only imagine something like it in the overwrought
+painting of a powerful romance-writer, but never before could conceive
+the physical suffering of a strong muscular man, under the tortures of
+a distracted mind. Whilst his language was cool, the agonies which
+shook his frame were actually terrible. His countenance wore the hue
+of the grave, blue and cadaverous; huge drops of sweat ran down from
+his forehead, like rain on the window-pane in a heavy storm, and,
+coursing his pallid cheeks, fell upon his person, where their moisture
+was distinctly visible; and from the bottom of his chest to his gorge,
+rose and receded, with almost every breath, a spasmodic action, as if
+a body, as large or larger than a billiard-ball, were choking him. The
+miserable wretch repeatedly struck his chest with the palm of his hand
+to abate this sensation, but it refused to be repressed.'</p>
+
+<p>Our author makes a curious remark on the case&mdash;namely, that the first
+examinations are calculated to give the future historian a more
+faithful idea of the transaction than the record of the trial. Even in
+the short interval of four days, witnesses had become confused in
+their recollections, mistaking things which they had only heard of for
+things they had beheld. The unhappy culprit perished on the scaffold
+only a week after his crime.</p>
+
+<p>Jerdan, who assumed the editorship of the <i>Sun</i> in 1813, was a flaming
+Tory of the style of that day, and accordingly enjoyed the triumph of
+Europe over Bonaparte. In Paris, immediately after the Allies had
+entered it, he feasted his eyes with the singular spectacles
+presented, and the personal appearance of the heroes he had been
+employed for some years in celebrating. Here is a scene at
+Beauvillier's restaurant in the Rue de Richelieu, where 700 people
+dined every day. 'It was on the first or second day, that a fair
+Saxon-looking gentleman came and seated himself at my table. I think
+he chose the seat advertently, from having observed or gathered that I
+was fresh from London. We speedily entered into conversation, and he
+pointed out to me some of the famous individuals who were doing
+justice to the Parisian cookery at the various tables around&mdash;probably
+about twenty in all. As he mentioned their names, I could not repress
+my enthusiasm&mdash;a spirit burning over England when I left it only a few
+days before&mdash;and my new acquaintance seemed to be much gratified by my
+ebullitions. "Well," said he to a question from me, "that is Davidoff,
+the colonel of the Black Cossacks." I shall not repeat my exclamations
+of surprise and pleasure at the sight of this terrific leader, who had
+hovered over the enemy everywhere, cut off so many resources, and
+performed such incredible marches and actions as to render him and his
+Cossacks the dread of their foes. "Is this," inquired my companion,
+"the opinion of England?" I assured him it was, and let out the secret
+of my editorial consequence, in proof that I was a competent witness.
+On this, a change of scene ensued. My <i>incognito</i> walked across to
+Davidoff, who forthwith filled, and sent me a glass of his wine&mdash;the
+glass he was using&mdash;and drank my health. I followed the example, and
+sent mine in return, and the compliment was completed. But it did not
+stop with this single instance. My new fair-complexioned friend went
+to another table, and spoke with a bronzed and hardy-looking warrior,
+from whom he came with another similar bumper to me, and the request
+that I would drink wine with General Czernicheff. I was again in
+flames; but it is unnecessary to repeat the manner in which I, on that
+to me memorable day, took wine with half a dozen of the most
+distinguished generals in the allied service.</p>
+
+<p>'Whilst this toasting-bout was going on, a seedy-looking old gentleman
+came in, and I noticed that some younger officers rose and offered him
+a place, which he rejected, till a vacancy occurred, and then he
+quietly sat down, swallowed his two dozen of green oysters as a whet,
+and proceeded to dine with an appetite. By this time, my <i>vis-&agrave;-vis</i>
+had resumed his seat, and, after what had passed, I felt myself at
+liberty to ask him the favour of informing me who he himself was! I
+was soon answered. He was a Mr Parish, of Hamburg, whose prodigious
+commissariat engagements with the grand army had been fulfilled in a
+manner to prosper the war; and I was now at no loss to account for his
+intimacy with its heroes. It so happened that I knew, and was on
+friendly terms with some of his near relations; and so the two hours I
+have described took the value of two years. But the climax had to
+come. Who was the rather seedy-looking personage whom the aids-de-camp
+appeared so ready to accommodate? Oh, that was Blucher! If I was
+outrageous before, I was mad now. I explained to Mr Parish the feeling
+of England with regard to this hero; and that, amid the whole host of
+great and illustrious names, his had become the most glorious of all,
+and was really the one which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[pg 378]</a></span> filled most unanimously and loudly the
+trump of fame. He told me that an assurance of this would be most
+gratifying to the marshal, who thought much of the approbation of
+England, and asked my leave to communicate to him what I had said. I
+could have no objection; but after a short colloquy, Blucher did not
+send his glass to me&mdash;he came himself; and I hobnobbed with the
+immortal soldier. I addressed him in French, to which he would not
+listen; and I then told him in English of the glorious estimation in
+which he was held in my country, which Mr Parish translated into
+German; and if ever high gratification was evinced by man, it was by
+Blucher on this occasion. I had the honour of breakfasting with him at
+his hotel next morning, when the welcome matter was discussed more
+circumstantially; and he evinced the greatest delight.'</p>
+
+<p>Here we must part with Mr Jerdan, but only, we hope, to meet him again
+ere long in a second volume.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="CRIMINAL_TRIALS" id="CRIMINAL_TRIALS"></a>CRIMINAL TRIALS.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<h3>THE SOMERSET AND OVERBURY TRAGEDY.</h3>
+
+
+<p><span class="sc">The</span> history of the unworthy favourites whom James I. of England raised
+to a power so extravagant, has always been surrounded with a tragic
+mystery. One of them, Buckingham, was stabbed by an assassin; the
+other, Somerset, was condemned to death for murder. The extravagant
+dignities and emoluments heaped on these unworthy men, are utterly
+beyond the belief of those who live under the constitutional
+government of the present day. Nor was it enough that they obtained
+the highest titles in the peerage, and large grants out of the public
+money; they were rewarded in a manner still more dangerous to the
+public welfare, by being invested with the great, responsible offices
+of state, which were thus held by young men totally inexperienced,
+instead of responsible and capable ministers. Of course, they
+distributed all the inferior offices among their relations and
+connections; and a witty annalist of the day describes the children of
+the reigning favourite's kindred as swarming about the palaces, and
+skipping up and down the back-stairs like so many fairies. They had
+been raised in early youth from a humble condition to this dazzling
+elevation, and it was only too much in accordance with the frailty of
+human nature that they should lose head&mdash;feel as if they were under no
+responsibility to their fellow-men&mdash;and, as Shakspeare says, 'play
+such fantastic tricks before high Heaven, as make the angels weep.'
+Such rapid and ill-founded prosperity never lasts; and generally he
+who has ascended like a blazing rocket, tumbles to the earth like its
+charred and blackened socket.</p>
+
+<p>Carr, afterwards made Earl of Somerset, was a raw Scotch youth,
+without education or training, when he was first brought under the
+notice of the king by chancing to have his leg broken in the royal
+presence in an attempt to mount a fiery horse. When once taken into
+favour, the king did not care whom he offended, or what injustice he
+did, to enrich the fortunate youth. When he was besought to spare the
+heritage of the illustrious and unfortunate Raleigh, he said
+peevishly: 'I mun have it for Carr&mdash;I mun have it for Carr!' The
+favourite desired to have for his wife the Lady Frances Howard, who
+had been married to the Earl of Essex. The holiest bonds must be
+broken to please him, and the marriage was shamefully dissolved. This
+did no great injury, indeed, to Essex. The union had been one entirely
+of interest, contracted when both were mere children. He was the same
+Essex who afterwards figured in the civil war&mdash;a grave, conscientious,
+earnest man, who could have had little sympathy with a woman so giddy
+and unprincipled. She suited better with the profligate Somerset; but
+had it not been that the king's favourite demanded it to be dissolved,
+the original union would have been held sacred.</p>
+
+<p>Great court pageants and festivities hailed the marriage of Carr with
+the divorced Lady Essex, and the proudest of England's nobility vied
+with each other in doing honour to the two vile persons thus
+unpropitiously united. The chief-justice, Coke, and the illustrious
+Bacon, bowed in the general crowd before their ascendancy. It has been
+maintained that Ben Jonson, in his rough independence, refused to
+write a masque for the occasion of these wicked nuptials; but this has
+been denied; and it is said, that the reason why his works contain no
+avowed reference to the occasion, is because they were not published
+until Somerset's fall. The event took place in 1613: three years
+afterwards, the same crowd of courtiers and great officers were
+assembled in Westminster Hall, to behold the earl and countess on
+their trial for murder.</p>
+
+<p>Sir Thomas Overbury, a man of great talent, who lived, like many other
+people of that period, by applying his capacity to state intrigues,
+had been committed to the Tower at the instigation of Somerset. He
+died there suddenly; and a suspicion arose that he had been poisoned
+by Somerset and his countess. A curious account of the transactions
+which immediately followed, has been preserved in a work called <i>A
+Detection of the State and Court of England during the last Four
+Reigns</i>. It is the more curious, as the author, Roger Coke, was a
+grandson of Sir Edward, the great chief-justice, who was a principal
+actor in the scene. The king was at Royston, accompanied by Somerset,
+when it appears that Sir Ralph Winwood informed his majesty of the
+suspicions that were abroad against the favourite. The king
+immediately determined to inform Coke; but it is feared that the
+determination arose not from a desire to execute strict justice, but
+because another favourite, George Villiers, who afterwards became Duke
+of Buckingham, had already superseded Somerset in the king's esteem.</p>
+
+<p>A message was immediately despatched to Sir Edward Coke, who lived in
+the Temple. He was in bed when it arrived, and his son, even for one
+who came in the king's name, would not disturb him; 'For I know,' he
+said, 'my father's disposition to be such, that if he be disturbed in
+his sleep, he will not be fit for any business; but if you will do as
+we do, you shall be welcome; and about two hours hence my father will
+rise, and you may then do as you please.' This was at one o'clock of
+the morning. Precisely at three, a little bell rang, announcing that
+the most laborious and profound lawyer whom England has ever produced,
+had begun the toilsome business of the day. It was his practice to go
+to bed at nine in the evening, and wake at three, and, in every other
+detail of his life, he pursued this with clock-work uniformity. When
+he saw the papers laid before him by the messenger, he immediately
+granted a warrant against Somerset, on a charge of murder.</p>
+
+<p>The favourite, little knowing what a pitfall had been dug in his
+seemingly prosperous path, was still at Royston, enjoying the most
+intimate familiarity with the king, when the messenger returned.
+Deception was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[pg 379]</a></span> so much of an avowed principle with King James, and was
+so earnestly supported by him, as one of the functions and arts of
+kingcraft, that in his hands it almost lost its treacherous character,
+and assumed the appearance of sincerity. He held that a king who acted
+openly and transparently, neglected his duty, as the vicegerent of the
+Deity; and that, for the sake of good government and the happiness of
+his people, he was bound always to conceal his intentions under false
+appearances, or, when necessary, under false statements. Somerset was
+sitting beside the king, whose hand rested familiarly on his shoulder,
+when the warrant was served on him. The haughty favourite frowned, and
+turned to his master with an exclamation against the insolence of
+daring to arrest a peer of the realm in the presence of his sovereign.
+But the king gave him poor encouragement, pretending to be very much
+alarmed by the power of the chief-justice, and saying: 'Nay, man, if
+Coke were to send for <i>me</i>, I must go.' Somerset was obliged to
+accompany the messenger. The king, still keeping up his hypocrisy,
+wailed over his departure&mdash;pathetically praying that their separation
+might not be a long one. It was said by the bystanders, that when
+Somerset was out of hearing, he was heard to say: 'The deil go wi'
+thee&mdash;I shall never see thy face more.'</p>
+
+<p>The earl and countess were formally indicted before their peers on a
+charge of murder. It is now that the mystery of the story begins. It
+has never appeared clearly what motive they could have had for
+murdering Sir Thomas Overbury, and the evidence against them is very
+indistinct and incoherent; yet the countess confessed, and her husband
+was found guilty. It was attempted to be shewn, that Overbury had
+opposed the divorce of the Earl and Countess of Essex, and so had done
+his best to prevent the union of the favourite with the lady; but
+whatever opposition he had offered had been overcome; and it is
+difficult to suppose the revengeful passions so gratuitously
+pertinacious as to produce a deep assassination-plot from such a
+cause. So far as one can judge from the extremely disjointed notices
+of the evidence in the <i>State Trials</i> and elsewhere, it was very
+inconclusive. Sir Thomas certainly died of some violent internal
+attack. Other persons had been forming plans to poison him, and
+apparently were successful. The connection of these persons with the
+earl and countess was, however, faint. They were in communication with
+Overbury, and it is true some mysterious expressions were used by
+them&mdash;such as the lady saying to some one, that her lord had written
+to her how 'he wondered things were not yet despatched,' and such-like
+expressions. Then there was a story about the conveyance from the
+countess of 'a white powder,' intended as a medicine for Sir Thomas,
+and subsequently of some tarts. As to the latter, there was a letter
+from the countess to the lieutenant of the Tower, saying: 'I was bid
+to bid you say, that these tarts came not from me;' and again, 'I was
+bid to tell you, that you must take heed of the tarts, because there
+be letters in them, and therefore neither give your wife nor children
+of them, but of the wine you may, for there are no letters in it.'
+Through Somerset's influence, Sir W. Wade had been superseded as
+lieutenant of the Tower, and Sir Jervis Elwes appointed. It was said,
+that this was done for the purpose of having better opportunity for
+committing the murder. Elwes in his examination, however, hinted at
+the more commonplace crime of bribery as the cause of his elevation.
+'He saith Sir T. Monson told him that Wade was to be removed, and if
+he succeeded Sir W. Wade, he must bleed&mdash;that is, give L.2000.' To
+bleed is supposed, when so employed, to be a cant term of modern
+origin. It is singular how many of these terms, supposed to be quite
+ephemeral, are met with in old documents. 'Bilking a coachman' occurs
+in a trial of the reign of Charles II.&mdash;that of Coal for the murder of
+Dr Clench. In an important part of the trial of Somerset there occurs
+another cant word: it is in the speech of Sir Randal Crew, one of the
+king's sergeants, against the accused. He represents the ghost of
+Overbury apostrophising his murderers in this manner: 'And are you
+thus fallen from me, or rather are you thus heavily fallen upon me to
+overthrow&mdash;to oppress him thus cruelly, thus treacherously, by whose
+vigilance, counsel, and labour, you have attained your honourable
+place, your estimation in the world for a worthy and well-deserving
+<i>gent.</i>?' After using this now well-known slang expression, the
+learned sergeant continues to say: 'Have I not waked, that you might
+sleep; cared, that you might enjoy? Have not I been the cabinet of
+your secrets, which I did ever keep faithfully, without the loss of
+any one to your prejudice; but by the officious, trusty, careful, and
+friendly use of them, have gained unto you a sweet and great interest
+of honour, love, reputation, wealth, and whatsoever might yield
+contentment and satisfaction to your desires? Have I done all this, to
+suffer this thus by you, for whom I have so lived as if my sand came
+in your hour-glass?'</p>
+
+<p>This, though it does not divulge the secret of these strange
+proceedings, brings us apparently on their scent. It appears that
+Overbury had acted as the tutor and prompter of Somerset as a
+statesman. There is an expression sometimes used in politics at the
+present day, when an inexperienced person, who has the good-fortune to
+rise to some high office which he has not sufficient knowledge to
+administer, seeks instruction and guidance from some veteran less
+fortunate. He is then said to be put to nurse with him. A young ensign
+under training by a veteran sergeant is a good instance of this.
+Somerset, raw, uneducated, and untrained, had for his nurse as a
+courtier and politician the accomplished but less fortunate Sir Thomas
+Overbury. In the course of this function, Overbury could not fail to
+acquire some state secrets. It is supposed to have been on account of
+his possession of these secrets that Somerset poisoned him. But the
+affair goes further still, for we find that the king was much alarmed
+for himself on the occasion&mdash;was very anxious that the whole position
+of matters between Somerset and Overbury should not come out in the
+trial; and gave ground for the obvious inference, that whatever
+secrets there might be, his majesty was as deeply interested in their
+being kept as any one.</p>
+
+<p>It was evident that the countess had been prevailed on to confess, and
+that the utmost pains had been used to get Somerset himself to follow
+her example, though, much to the king's vexation, he held out, and
+rendered a trial necessary. On this trial, however, there was nothing
+like satisfactory evidence&mdash;the peers were prepared to convict, and
+they did so on a few trifling attestations, which gave them a
+plausible excuse for their verdict. The illustrious Bacon aided the
+king in his object. He had on other occasions shewn abject servility
+to James&mdash;using towards him such expressions of indecorous flattery as
+these: 'Your majesty imitateth Christ, by vouchsafing me to touch the
+hem of your garment.' He was attorney-general, and had in that
+capacity to conduct the prosecution. Seeing distinctly the king's
+inclination, he sent a letter to him, praying, 'First, that your
+majesty will be careful to choose a steward [meaning a lord
+high-steward to preside at the trial in the House of Lords] of
+judgment, that will be able to moderate the evidence, and <i>cut off
+digressions</i>; for I may interrupt, but I cannot silence; the other,
+that there may be special care taken for ordering the evidence, not
+only for the knitting but the list, and, to use your majesty's own
+words&mdash;the <i>confining</i> of it. This to do, if your majesty vouchsafe to
+direct it yourself, that is the best; but if not, I humbly pray you to
+require my lord chancellor, that he, together with my lord
+chief-justice, will confer with myself and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[pg 380]</a></span> my fellows that shall be
+used for the marshalling and <i>bounding</i> of the evidence, that we may
+have the help of his opinion, as well as that of my lord
+chief-justice; whose great travails as I much commend, yet this same
+<i>pleropluria</i>, or overconfidence, doth always subject things to a
+great deal of chance.'</p>
+
+<p>The full significance of these cautious expressions about confining
+and bounding the evidence, was not appreciated until the discovery of
+some further documents, relating to this dark subject, a few years
+ago. The expressions were then found to correspond with others,
+equally cautious, in Bacon's correspondence. Thus he talks of
+supplying the king with pretexts that 'might satisfy his honour for
+sparing the earl's life;' and in another place he says: 'It shall be
+my care so to moderate the matter of charging him, as it might make
+him not odious beyond the extent of mercy.'</p>
+
+<p>The drift of all this is, in the first place, that as little of the
+real truth as possible should be divulged in the trial, and that Bacon
+and others should manage so as to let out enough to get a conviction
+and no more; hence the evidence is so fragmentary and unsatisfactory,
+that none but a tribunal prepared to be very easily satisfied could
+have formed any conclusion from it. In the second place, it was the
+king's object that Somerset should be assured all along that his life
+would be spared. The object of this certainly was to prevent him, in
+his despair, from uttering that secret, whatever it was, about which
+the king was so terribly alarmed. The reader may now expect some
+further elucidation of this part of the mystery.</p>
+
+<p>In Sir Anthony Weldon's <i>Court and Character of King James</i> (p. 36),
+we have the following statement in reference to the trial:&mdash;</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>'And now for the last act, enters Somerset himself on the stage,
+who being told (as the manner is) by the lieutenant, that he must
+go next day to his trial, did absolutely refuse it, and said they
+should carry him in his bed; that the king had assured him he
+should not come to any trial&mdash;neither <i>durst</i> the king bring him
+to trial. This was in a high strain, and in a language not well
+understood by Sir George Moore, then lieutenant in Elwes's
+room&mdash;that made Moore quiver and shake. And however he was
+accounted a wise man, yet he was near at his wits' end.' This
+conversation had such an effect on the lieutenant, that though it
+was twelve o'clock at night, he sped instantly to Greenwich, to
+see the king. Then he 'bownseth at the back-stair, as if mad;'
+and Loweston, the Scotch groom, aroused from sleep, comes in
+great surprise to ask 'the reason of that distemper at so late a
+season.' Moore tells him, he must speak with the king. Loweston
+replies: 'He is quiet'&mdash;which, in the Scottish dialect, is fast
+asleep. Moore says: 'You must awake him.' We are then told that
+Moore was called in, and had a secret audience. 'He tells the
+king those passages, and requires to be directed by the king, for
+he was gone beyond his own reason to hear such bold and undutiful
+expressions from a faulty subject against a just sovereign. The
+king falls into a passion of tears: "On my soul, Moore, I wot not
+what to do! Thou art a wise man&mdash;help me in this great straight,
+and thou shalt find thou dost it for a thankful master;" with
+other sad expressions. Moore leaves the king in that passion, but
+assures him he will prove the utmost of his wit to serve his
+majesty&mdash;and was really rewarded with a suit worth to him
+L.1500.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>Moore returned to his prisoner, and told him, 'he had been with the
+king, found him a most affectionate master unto him, and full of grace
+in his intentions towards him; but,' he continued, 'to satisfy
+justice, you must appear, although you return instantly again without
+any further proceedings&mdash;only you shall know your enemies and their
+malice, though they shall have no power over you.' Somerset seemed
+satisfied; but Weldon states, that Moore, to render matters quite
+safe, set two men, placed one on each side of Somerset during his
+trial, with cloaks hanging on their arms, 'giving them withal a
+peremptory order, if that Somerset did anyway fly out on the king,
+they should instantly hoodwink him with that cloak, take him violently
+from the bar, and carry him away&mdash;for which he would secure them from
+any danger, and they should not want also a bountiful reward. But the
+earl finding himself overreached, recollected a better temper, and
+went calmly on his trial, when he held the company until seven at
+night. But who had seen the king's restless motion all that day,
+sending to every boat he saw landing at the bridge, cursing all that
+came without tidings, would have easily judged all was not right, and
+there had been some grounds for his fears of Somerset's boldness; but
+at last one bringing him word that he was condemned, and the passages,
+all was quiet.'</p>
+
+<p>Weldon solemnly states, that he obtained all these facts from Moore's
+own lips. He was, however, a sarcastic, discontented writer; and being
+what was called an upstart, he was supposed to have a malice against
+kings and courts. For such reasons as these, his narrative was
+distrusted until its fundamental character, at all events, was
+confirmed by the late discovery of a bundle of letters addressed by
+the king to Sir George Moore. The bundle was found carefully wrapped
+up, and appropriately endorsed, in the repositories of Sir George's
+descendant. The letters will be found printed in the eighteenth volume
+of the <i>Arch&aelig;ologia</i>, or transactions of the English Antiquarian
+Society. The following brief extracts from them may suffice for the
+present occasion&mdash;the spelling is modernised:&mdash;</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>'<span class="smcap">Good Sir George</span>&mdash;I am extremely sorry that your unfortunate
+prisoner turns all the great care I have of him not only against
+himself, but against me also, as far as he can. I cannot blame
+you that ye cannot conjecture what this may be, for God knows it
+is only a trick of his idle brain, hoping thereby to shift his
+trial; but it is easy to be seen, that he would threaten me with
+laying an aspersion upon me of being in some sort accessory to
+his crime.... Give him assurance in my name, that if he will yet,
+before his trial, confess cheerily unto the commissioners his
+guiltiness of this fact, I will not only perform what I promised
+by my last messenger both towards him and his wife, but I will
+enlarge it, according to the phrase of the civil law, &amp;c. I mean
+not, that he shall confess if he be innocent, but ye know how
+evil likely that is; and of yourself ye may dispute with him what
+should mean his confidence now to endure a trial, when, as he
+remembers, that this last winter he confessed to the
+chief-justice that his cause was so evil likely as he knew no
+jury could acquit him. Assure him, that I protest upon my honour
+my end in this is for his and his wife's good. Ye will do well,
+likewise, of yourself, to cast out unto him, that ye fear his
+wife shall plead weakly for his innocency; and that ye find the
+commissioners have, ye know not how, some secret assurance that
+in the end she will confess of him&mdash;but this must only be as from
+yourself.'</p></blockquote>
+
+<p>That there was some secret of the divulgence of which the king was in
+the utmost terror, is thus beyond a doubt. What, then, was it? There
+are no means of deciding. James, it will be seen, hints to Moore, that
+it was a charge of accession to the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury.
+But, in the same letter, James lets us see that Moore himself did not
+know the exact secret; and we may fairly conjecture, that the hint was
+intended to put him on a wrong scent.</p>
+
+<p>The earl and countess were permitted to live, spending a miserable
+existence with the fear of punishment hanging over them. The accounts
+given of the condition into which the once beautiful and too
+fascinating woman fell, are too disgusting to be repeated. There were
+many other proceedings connected with the charges for poisoning Sir
+Thomas Overbury, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[pg 381]</a></span> throw a curious light on the habits of the
+court, and especially on the criminal attempts to get rid of rivals
+and enemies by poison and sorcery. They may perhaps form a suitable
+subject for a separate paper.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="A_NIGHT_IN_A_GERMAN_WOOD" id="A_NIGHT_IN_A_GERMAN_WOOD"></a>A NIGHT IN A GERMAN WOOD.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">So</span> numerous are the forests here which grow in lofty and romantic
+sites, that a very extensive and interesting tour might be made,
+having them alone for its object. Such fascinating excursions should
+not, however, be embarked in without a guide, or a compass at the
+least; for these German woods are often very intricate, and run into
+one another in a most puzzling manner. This I learned to my cost a few
+months ago; and as a warning to other pedestrian tourists who may be
+as unpractised in such matters as I myself then was, I would now
+bespeak the reader's attention to my experiences of A Night in a
+German Wood.</p>
+
+<p>Early in the autumn of the past year, whilst on a visit to a German
+friend who resides in one of the hilliest and best-wooded districts in
+Westphalia, on the confines of the classic Teutoburger Forest&mdash;after
+having been engaged nearly all the day in writing, I was tempted out
+by the freshness of the evening air and the glories of the setting
+sun, to take a turn in the park, which, by the by, is one of the
+handsomest and best laid out I have seen in any part of the continent,
+and a proof in itself that such things can be done&mdash;and well done
+too&mdash;even out of England. My intention was merely to stretch my
+cramped legs by a stroll to the southern angle of the demesne, and so
+be back in time for the quiet, early supper of the family. After
+moving along for a quarter of an hour under the shade of some fine old
+beech-trees, at the foot of a steep bank which overhangs the level
+meadow-ground, I came upon the outskirts of the plantations; and then
+turning sharp to the left, walked up along them till I had reached, as
+I thought, their extremity. Here, facing round, I began to turn my
+steps homeward; and by way of varying my route a little, struck into a
+shady path cut through the wood, which seemed to lead, as well as I
+could judge from my bearings, almost as directly back to the
+<i>schloss</i>&mdash;as all great country mansions here are called&mdash;as the one
+by which I had gone out. But after pushing rapidly along for some time
+in my dusky alley, I eventually emerged, much to my surprise, on an
+immense ploughed field, that, sloping gradually up to the spot where
+the sun had just set, seemed to terminate only with the visible
+horizon, which, however, from the very inclined angle at which the
+ground rose, was not very distant. Confident in the general
+correctness of my direction, I went on, right ahead, fancying I had
+only to cross this upland to be at home; but after floundering about
+for a good half-hour, and, in consequence of a water-course which cut
+it obliquely, being turned a little out of my straight direction, I
+found myself by moonlight on the verge of a patch of forest which was
+quite unknown to me. Such was my infatuation, however, and so firm my
+conviction of having taken correctly the relative bearings of the
+moon, which was now in her second quarter, and of the house, that I
+plunged unhesitatingly among the trees, expecting every moment to see
+the path through them open out upon some familiar spot in the demesne,
+or some portion of the surrounding country which I might have already
+perambulated by daylight. Though in utter darkness, from the close
+interweaving of the foliage, still, by raising my feet high, like a
+blind horse, to get over the inequalities of the way, and flourishing
+my stick perpetually around my head as I proceeded, to avoid coming in
+contact with any stray tree, or chance branch projecting into the
+pathway, I got prosperously through this portion of wood. But again I
+came out on something which was totally strange to me&mdash;a narrow
+valley, stretching, as well as I could judge by the last glimmerings
+of twilight, to a considerable distance, flanked on each side by
+gloomy woods, about a quarter of a mile apart, and laid down in rye,
+which was nearly ready for the sickle, and dripping wet in the
+night-dew. Matters now began to look serious. I was completely at
+fault, and had entirely lost all confidence in my own pilotage. The
+moon had proved a faithless guide, or rather I had misconstrued her
+position; and my little pocket-compass was not forthcoming, thanks to
+the importunities of my youngest boy, who prizes it above all his own
+toys.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing for it now but to select that direction towards
+which the valley might seem slightly to descend; but this, in the
+imperfect twilight, was not very easily ascertained. With considerable
+hesitation, I decided at length on the right-hand turn, resolving to
+proceed till I should fall in with some rivulet, which might perhaps
+lead me eventually to the rapid trouting-stream running close under my
+friend's windows, or else till I should come upon some path which
+might carry me into a field-road, and so perhaps to a village, where I
+should easily procure a guide home. So, with tottering knees and
+throbbing heart&mdash;for I was by this time nearly breathless&mdash;I continued
+to advance by the side of the standing corn, at such a pace as I could
+manage, uttering from time to time a lusty halloo, in hopes of making
+myself heard by some belated reaper or returning woodman. But my calls
+had no other effect than to awake the mocking echoes of the wood, or
+the mysterious and almost human shout of the screech-owl, and to leave
+me to a still more intense feeling of solitude, when these had died
+away. I found myself at length in a deep, hollow field-road, like
+those which abound in South Devon, and high overhead, on the lofty
+bank, stood a two-branched, weather-beaten finger-post, and a great
+rustic crucifix near it, looming large in the moonlight. Scrambling up
+the bank, with anxious peering eyes, I made out, by the dubious light
+of the moon, that one of the outstretched wooden arms bore, in
+rudely-cut letters, the name of the village beside which I was
+resident; and as its distance was stated, I found that, after all my
+windings and wanderings, I had still only got half a German mile, or
+about one league, astray! This was a very pleasant discovery; and
+accordingly I quickly wheeled about, and set off with renewed vigour
+at right angles to my previous line of march, having still good hopes
+of being at home before eleven o'clock at night, time enough to
+prevent any alarm on account of my absence.</p>
+
+<p>The road soon, however, degenerated into a mere field-track, which, as
+the moon had disappeared behind clouds, just before her final setting,
+could only with difficulty be recognised by an occasional deep rut,
+felt by my stick in the soft ground; even this track at length forked
+out into two others&mdash;one penetrating into a wood on my right; the
+other opener, and with only scattered trees by its side, to the left.
+The latter seemed the most promising, and was accordingly selected,
+and followed for about ten minutes, when it, too, came upon the skirts
+of another wood in the opposite direction. It seemed, besides, as well
+as I could judge from some faint glimpses I now got of the surrounding
+country in a momentary gleam of moonlight, to be leading me wide of my
+goal: and I accordingly retraced my steps once more to where the road
+had divided, and taking the recently slighted right-hand path, dived
+in desperation in between the trees, amidst 'darkness that might be
+felt.' Walking steadily and quickly forward, during what seemed, in
+the deep gloom, a considerable time, I eventually emerged into 'the
+clear obscure,' the moon having at length set, and left the sky, and
+all such wanderers as myself, to the good offices of the stars. I was
+now on the opposite verge of the wood to that I had entered by, and
+found<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[pg 382]</a></span> myself by the side of a narrow corn-field, with <i>another</i>
+wooded hill on its further side, and heard, within hailing
+distance&mdash;more delightful than music to my ear&mdash;the grating sound of
+cart-wheels, which appeared to be going in an oblique, but nearly
+opposite direction to that in which I had just been moving. It was
+quite impossible to see anything so far off; but I hailed the presumed
+carter repeatedly, in my loudest and best German, asking my way.</p>
+
+<p>'Follow on by the foot of the wood, and you'll get there in time,' was
+the reply, at length faintly heard in the distance, and the cart
+rumbled heavily away again, leaving me just as wise as before; for
+which was <i>head</i> and which was <i>foot</i> of the wood I knew no more than
+the child unborn. Yet I feared to dash through the intervening corn in
+the direction of the receding and already distant cart, neither
+knowing what the nature of the intermediate ground might prove, nor
+whether, supposing it practicable in the dark, such an infringement of
+rural property might not lead to disagreeable consequences, and in
+nowise further me in the attainment of the piece of knowledge which I
+stood so much in need of. So, I took on chance to my left hand, as the
+most distant from the finger-post I had fallen upon an hour and a half
+before.</p>
+
+<p>The sound of the cart which long tingled in my ears, and the utter
+disappointment of my suddenly raised hopes, only rendered my sense of
+solitude and helplessness more intense. Indeed, I sometimes almost
+doubted whether the whole thing&mdash;cart and carter, or, rather, rumbling
+wheels and faint, chilling, distant voice&mdash;might not have been the
+delusion of my reeling brain, debilitated by overfatigue and long
+fasting (for every one knows the early hour at which a German dinner
+takes place); and on subsequent inquiry, I could not hear of any cart
+having passed in that quarter at all.</p>
+
+<p>It was singular how long I wandered about, and every now and then in
+cultivated districts, without hearing a single human voice even in the
+earlier portion of the evening&mdash;nay, any sound whatever, save once or
+twice the fierce warning bark of a shepherd's dog, when I had
+inadvertently approached too near a sheepfold&mdash;the startling rush of
+some affrighted bird in the wood, flapping wildly up through the
+foliage&mdash;a distant village clock in some indefinite direction over the
+hill-top&mdash;or, finally, as on one occasion, a few remote shots, which I
+at first fancied might have been fired off by my friends to direct me
+homewards, but afterwards ascribed, more correctly, perhaps, to
+poachers in the woods. The manner in which the peasantry live here&mdash;in
+separate villages, built occasionally a good deal apart, and not in
+cottages scattered everywhere over the country, as with
+us&mdash;sufficiently accounts for this wide-spread silence.</p>
+
+<p>Just as I was losing faith in the correctness of my present course,
+the chimes of a clock were distinctly heard, coming apparently over
+the top of the wooded hill on my left. I immediately turned into the
+wood once more, and strove to make a march directly through the trees
+in the direction of the sound, and right up the steep ascent, which
+was clothed by them to the summit. But this I soon found to be totally
+impracticable, in the absence of anything like a path or opening; for
+though I made my way well enough through the old trees, which stood
+far apart, and were pretty free from branches near the ground, yet
+towards the upper part of the hill, I got entangled in such a
+close-growing rising generation as it was almost impossible to
+penetrate. I was often almost in despair of being able to extricate
+myself even from my present entanglement, and to retrace my steps to
+the open ground below; in my exhausted condition, as it was already
+long past midnight, I was making up my mind to roost with the owls on
+the fork of a tree; and was even anticipating the possibility of
+becoming a permanent scarecrow there, when my very bones would be
+concealed in the thicket from the anxious search of my friends.</p>
+
+<p>It was under the influence of excessive fatigue, perhaps, and the
+relaxation of the will generally consequent thereon, that my
+resolution now at length seemed on the point of giving way; nay, the
+very attachment to life itself, on my own individual account, seemed
+fading, and a disinclination to continue the struggle farther appeared
+to be gradually creeping over me. I was becoming reconciled to what
+appeared inevitable, and could look upon my own probable fate almost
+as calmly as if it had been that of a stranger. I believe something
+very similar not unusually takes place, under the merciful disposition
+of Providence, in the death-bed, where debility is the chief feature
+of the case. After a few moments of repose and dreamy reverie,
+however, I roused myself from this state of apathy, and, influenced by
+a sense of duty, as well as by a sympathy for the feelings of those
+dearer than life itself, sprang to my feet once more, and struggled
+manfully out of the mesh of branches in which I had been entangled,
+till, after a few more violent efforts, I found myself getting into a
+rather opener and more advanced growth of wood, and at length
+succeeded in working my way out&mdash;almost to the very spot in the meadow
+I had started from!</p>
+
+<p>Whilst still within the wood, I had been favoured with some novel
+experiences there&mdash;novel, at least, to me, as it was my first night in
+such a position. Thus, almost every branch I grasped in the dark to
+help me onward seemed crowded with snails, which smashed slimily under
+my shuddering hand! Glowworms were sparkling in the underwood in such
+myriads as I never witnessed before, save once in an evening-walk near
+Salerno. The sense of utter solitude and unbroken silence within these
+gloomy woods was truly awful. From time to time, as I advanced, a
+casual opening in the branches exhibited a momentary glimpse of the
+sky, with all its thousand twinkling fires; and shooting-stars of
+intense brilliancy were darting across its dark, blue depths in almost
+as great frequency as in those celebrated days of August and November,
+when the path of our earth crosses the thickest showers of these
+celestial fireworks.</p>
+
+<p>On regaining the meadow, I felt quite at a loss whither to turn, or
+what to attempt next. I had already been floundering about for some
+half-dozen hours, and been ignorant all the while whether each
+additional step were not only taking me a step further, not from home
+alone, but from the very habitations of men. Almost done up at length,
+and hopeless of extricating myself from my labyrinth till daylight
+should come to my aid, I was again for a moment inclined quietly to
+resign myself to what seemed my inevitable fate, and drop down to
+sleep on a bank of earth under a hedge by which I was standing, and so
+await the dawn. But the dank grass, the trees dropping with dew, the
+creeping autumnal fog, and increasing cold, made me pause, and feel
+that to sleep in my light summer dress under such circumstances was,
+if not to die, at least to contract, during the night, such disease as
+would render existence not worth the having&mdash;racking rheumatism for
+life, or fever, or inflammation, in some of their many forms, and
+endless consequences. So I resolved to keep moving as long as I had
+power to stir a limb, as this would give me a chance of maintaining
+the circulation and animal heat throughout the remaining hours of the
+night, if my strength would but hold out so long. Like a drowning man,
+I struck out once more for life; again I tried the field-road I had
+lately too rashly abandoned; floundered once more through its pools
+and its ruts; clambered again on its high banks, or moved along under
+the shadow of the wood by its side. At length, after scarcely half an
+hour's additional walking, my perseverance had its reward, as I found
+myself at the entrance of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[pg 383]</a></span> village, and heard, not far off, the busy
+clatter of some industrious flaxdressers, who were turning night into
+day, at their work. This proved to be the termination of my mishap;
+for the instructions I received enabled me to find my way home by
+three o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>It was my amusement during several subsequent days, to endeavour by
+daylight to retrace accurately my midnight wanderings. I found I could
+not have walked less than twenty miles, though never at any time more
+than three distant from home. I had been incessantly in motion during
+nearly eight hours; and was at least thrice on right tracks, which, if
+they had been followed up steadily only a little longer, would have
+brought me to my quarters. The chiming of the old convent-bells, which
+I had mistaken for those of our own pretty little church, came really
+from the very opposite direction to what I fancied&mdash;the sound I heard
+being merely their echo, reflected to my ear from the wooded
+hill-side.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, the proposition with which I started&mdash;namely, that German woods
+are not to be trifled with, or rashly entered without a guide or
+compass&mdash;is fully sustained by my own luckless experience. Much of the
+surrounding country was already well known to me, and in my various
+walks I had skirted along and even intersected some of these very
+woods; but the way in which they are parcelled out, for the supply of
+neighbouring, but unconnected villages with firewood, and the puzzling
+manner in which they are shuffled together when the estates of several
+proprietors run into one another at a given point, render it
+singularly difficult to steer through them even by day, and to the
+uninitiated, quite impracticable by night.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="AN_ADLL_ADVENTURE_IN_LIVERPOOL" id="AN_ADLL_ADVENTURE_IN_LIVERPOOL"></a>AN A.D.L.L. ADVENTURE IN LIVERPOOL.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p><span class="sc">Liverpool</span> has perhaps fewer relics of an arch&aelig;ological nature than any
+other town in the United Kingdom; and this at first seems a little
+singular, when we remember that it is not without its place in the
+more romantic eras of our history, and that a castle of considerable
+strength once lent it protection. Its old castle, its towers, and the
+walls by which it was surrounded, have all been swept away by the busy
+crowds that now throng its thoroughfares. Even the former names of
+places have in most instances been altered, as if to obliterate all
+recollections and associations connected with its early history. Thus
+a row of houses, which a few years ago bore the not very euphonious
+name of Castle Ditch, from its having followed a portion of the line
+of the moat by which the fortress which once stood near it was
+surrounded, was changed into St George's Crescent, and many others
+underwent similar transmutations. But if the physical aspect of the
+place holds out few or no attractions to the antiquary, the moral one
+of its inhabitants, in so far as his favourite subject is concerned,
+is equally uninviting; for, taken as a whole, it would be difficult to
+find a population less influenced by, or interested in, such studies.</p>
+
+<p>The only relic of the olden times which Liverpool has for a long time
+past retained, was a long, low, picturesque-looking thatched cottage
+in the small village of Everton (of <i>toffee</i> notoriety), which went by
+the name of Prince Rupert's Cottage, from its having been the
+head-quarters of that fiery leader when he besieged the town from the
+ridge on which the village is situated. But even this was swept away
+about six years ago by the proprietor, to allow a street which he had
+mapped out to abut upon the village at the point it occupied. The
+project did not succeed, and the outline of the contemplated street is
+all that as yet marks out the spot where this interesting object
+stood.</p>
+
+<p>I confess to the soft impeachment of having been, at a very early
+period of my life, inoculated with the true Monkbarns enthusiasm, and
+I have always been a great admirer of that beautiful remark of Lord
+Bacon's, that 'antiquities may be considered as the planks of a wreck
+which wise and prudent men gather and preserve from the deluge of
+time.'</p>
+
+<p>Some months ago, I was walking along what is called the Breck Road,
+leading out of the little village of Everton, of which I have been
+speaking, when my attention was arrested by a market-cross in a field
+on the opposite side of the road. I was somewhat surprised that it had
+escaped my notice when I formerly passed that way, and I immediately
+crossed over to examine it. It was formed, as all the English
+market-crosses are, of a series of flat steps, with an upright shaft
+in the centre, was built of the red sandstone of the district, and
+bore the appearance of great antiquity. The field was not far from
+what might be called the principal street of the village; and as I was
+aware that considerable changes had taken place of late years in the
+neighbourhood, it occurred to me as possible, that at one time the
+cross might have occupied the centre of a space on which the markets
+were held. My time, however, being limited, I was unable to make any
+immediate inquiries regarding it, but resolved to take an early
+opportunity of making myself acquainted with its early history, so as
+to rescue one interesting relic at least of the place from apparently
+a very undeserved obscurity. This opportunity did not present itself
+for some weeks; but at length it did occur, and I started for the
+place, to collect all the information, both traditional and otherwise,
+which I could regarding it.</p>
+
+<p>On arriving at the spot, my surprise may be conceived, for it cannot
+be described, when, on looking at the field where it stood, I found
+that it had been removed, and all that remained to point out the
+place, was the bare mark on the grass of the spot which it had
+occupied. The consternation of Alladin, when he got up one fine
+morning and found that his gorgeous palace had vanished during the
+night, was hardly greater than mine on making this sad discovery; and,
+like him, I daresay, I rubbed my eyes in hopes that my visual organs
+had deceived me, but with as little success. On looking to the other
+side of the road, I observed a mason at work repairing the opposite
+wall with some very suspicious-looking stones, and I immediately
+crossed over, and commenced a categorical examination of the supposed
+delinquent. I inquired whether he could explain to me the cause of the
+removal of the ancient cross, which used to be in the field exactly
+opposite to where we were then standing; but he said that, although he
+was an old residenter in Everton, he had not even been aware of the
+existence of such an object. This I set down as an additional instance
+of the want of interest which the natives of the place take in
+arch&aelig;ological subjects. He told me, however, that about three weeks
+previously, he had observed several men facing the wall opposite with
+large stones, which they brought apparently from some place close at
+hand; but that, having his own work to attend to, he had not bestowed
+any particular thought on the matter. He said the field was rented by
+a person for the purpose of cleaning carpets, and that he had no doubt
+the removal had been accomplished by his directions.</p>
+
+<p>On stepping across the road, I found these suspicions completely
+realised; for there, resting on the top of the wall, were the
+time-honoured steps of the cross of my anxiety. Luckily for me, at
+least, the tenant was not at hand at the time, as in the state of
+excitement in which I was, I might have done or said something which I
+should afterwards have regretted. I had no alternative but to return
+to town, 'nursing my wrath to keep it warm,' and thinking over the
+best and most efficacious method in which I could accomplish the
+punishment of the aggressor, whoever he might be, and procuring the
+restoration of the cross in all its primitive simplicity. I thought of
+an article in the papers, into which all my caustic and sarcastic
+powers were to be concentrated and discharged on the head of the
+desecrator&mdash;then of calling on the lord of the manor, and mentioning
+the matter to him, so as, if possible, to carry his influence along
+with me, although I thought it quite probable that he might have
+sanctioned the spoliation, to save the expense of new stones for the
+repair of his tenant's wall. Under this latter impression, therefore,
+and previous to carrying either of these belligerent intentions into
+effect, I thought it would only be fair to give the obnoxious man an
+opportunity of explaining the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[pg 384]</a></span> circumstances under which he had
+assumed such an unwarranted responsibility. Accordingly, a short time
+afterwards, I again wended my way towards the field, determined to
+bring the matter in some way or other to a bearing, when I saw a very
+pleasant-looking man standing at the door of the house in which the
+carpet-cleansing operations are carried on. Supposing him to be the
+delinquent, I endeavoured to bridle my rising choler as much as
+possible, while I asked him whether he could tell me anything about
+the removal of the cross which had once stood in that field. With a
+gentle smile, which I thought at the time almost demoniac, he mildly
+replied, that <i>he</i> had removed it, <i>because the object for which he
+had erected it, about twelve months before</i>, had ceased to exist, and
+he had taken the stones to repair the wall close by where it had
+stood!</p>
+
+<p>The shock which the nervous system of our worthy friend Monkbarns
+received when the exclamation of Edie Ochiltree fell upon his ear, of
+'Pretorium here, pretorium there, <i>I</i> mind the biggin' o't,' was not
+greater than that which mine sustained on receiving this death-blow to
+all my hopes of rescuing this interesting relic of antiquity from its
+unmerited oblivion. Gulping down my mortification as I best could, I,
+in as indifferent a manner as I could assume, craved the liberty of
+inquiring what the circumstances were which had led to such a fanciful
+employment of his time. He told me that he had been a
+carpet-manufacturer in Oxfordshire, but had been unsuccessful in
+business, and had come here and set up his present establishment for
+the cleaning of the articles which he formerly manufactured; and that,
+wishing to add to his income by every legitimate means within his
+power, he had been supplied regularly with a quantity of Banbury
+cakes, for the sale of which he had erected a temporary wooden-hut in
+one corner of his field; that one morning early, about eighteen months
+ago, as he was lying awake in bed, the thought struck him, that as
+there were a great many large flat stones lying in a corner of the
+field, he would erect them, in front of the hut, into the form of the
+well-known cross of equestrian nursery-rhyme notoriety. He immediately
+rose, and, summoning his workmen, succeeded in making a very tolerable
+imitation of the world-wide-known cross; but that, after about twelve
+months' trial of his cake-speculation, finding it did not succeed, he
+gave it up; and removing the cross of which it was the sign, turned
+the stones to a more useful purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Thus ended my day-dream connected with this <i>interesting relic</i>; and
+nothing, I am sure, but that indomitable enthusiasm which
+distinguishes all genuine disciples of the Monkbarns school, could
+have sustained me under my grievous disappointment.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="TWENTY-FOUR_HOURS_OF_A_SAILORS_LIFE_AT_SEA" id="TWENTY-FOUR_HOURS_OF_A_SAILORS_LIFE_AT_SEA"></a>'TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF A SAILOR'S LIFE AT SEA.'</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p>In the article with the above title, in No. 431, the pay of seamen is
+stated at from L.2, 10s. to L.3 a month; but this does not bring the
+information down to the latest date. At <i>present</i>, we are informed,
+the very best A. Bs. (able-bodied seamen) receive only from L.2 to
+L.2, 5s.; and 'ordinary' hands only from L.1, 10s. to L.1, 15s. In the
+navy, the pay is still less than in the merchant service, which is the
+reason why our best men so constantly desert to the American navy,
+where they obtain, on an average, about twelve dollars a month. It
+ought to be added, that when one of our ships is short of hands in a
+foreign port, these rates do not prevail. Captains are sometimes
+obliged to bid as high as L.6 a month, to make up their complement.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="EXCESSIVE_MODESTY" id="EXCESSIVE_MODESTY"></a>EXCESSIVE MODESTY.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<p>D'Israeli tells us of a man of letters, of England, who had passed his
+life in constant study; and it was observed that he had written
+several folio volumes, which his modest fears would not permit him to
+expose to the eye even of his critical friends. He promised to leave
+his labours to posterity; and he seemed sometimes, with a glow on his
+countenance, to exult that they would not be unworthy of their
+acceptance. At his death, his sensibility took the alarm; he had the
+folios brought to his bed; no one could open them, for they were
+closely locked. At the sight of his favourite and mysterious labours,
+he paused; he seemed disturbed in his mind, while he felt at every
+moment his strength decaying. Suddenly he raised his feeble hands by
+an effort of firm resolve, burnt his papers, and smiled as the greedy
+Vulcan licked up every page. The task exhausted his remaining
+strength, and he soon afterwards expired.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr />
+<h2><a name="THE_KHUNJUNEE" id="THE_KHUNJUNEE"></a>THE KHUNJUNEE.</h2>
+
+<p class="returnTOC"><a href="#Contents">Return to Table of
+    Contents</a></p>
+
+<blockquote><p>[The little, disregarded wagtail of our own land, which we may
+frequently see wherever insects abound&mdash;on the green meadow, or
+by the margin of the brook&mdash;is the khunjunee of the Hindoo, by
+whose romantic and fanciful mythology he has been made a holy
+bird, bearing on his breast the impression of Salagrama, the
+stone of Vishnoo, a sacred petrified shell. Protected by this
+prestige, the little creature ranges unmolested near the
+habitations of man, and may in this respect be styled the robin
+of the East. To Europeans in the East, this bird is also an
+object of interest, as being a precursor of the delightful cold
+season, the advent of which is anxiously looked for by every
+Anglo-Indian. The little khunjunee makes his appearance in the
+early part of November, and departs as the hot season
+approaches&mdash;I think in March or April. The note of this little
+bird can hardly aspire to be called a song; I used, however, to
+think it a pleasing twitter. I paid particular attention to two
+khunjunees, which used to return every season and haunt our
+habitation: they would pick up insects from the pavement, and eat
+the crumbs with which they were plentifully supplied. I have
+watched them pluming themselves on the balustrade, while their
+sparkling black eyes glanced fearlessly and confidingly in my
+face. When I now see a wagtail at home in Scotland, I cannot but
+look upon it as an old friend, reminding me of my departed youth,
+and recalling many soothing as well as mournful recollections.]</p></blockquote>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0"><span class="sc">Welcome</span> to thee, sweet khunjunee!<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Which is thy best-loved home?&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Over the sea, in a far countrie,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Or the land to which thou art come?<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">What carest thou?&mdash;thou revelest here<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">In the bright and balmy air;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And again to regions far remote<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Thou returnest&mdash;and summer is there!<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Thou art sacred here, where the Brahmin tells<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Of the godhead's seal impressed<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">By Vishnoo's hand&mdash;that thou bearest still<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">His gorget on thy breast.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">And welcomed thou art, with grateful heart,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">For well doth the Hindoo know,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">That at thy approach the clouds disperse,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">And temperate breezes blow.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Yet little he cares where thy sojourn hath been<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">So long, since he saw thee last;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Nor in what far land of storm or calm<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">The rainy months have passed.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">But others there be, who think with me,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Thou hast been to that favoured land,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Which restores the bloom to the faded cheek,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">And strength to the feeble hand.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">And my children believe, that since thou wert here,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">Thou hast compassed half the earth,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And that now thou hast come, like a thought in a dream,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">From the land of their father's birth;<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Bringing with thee the healthful breeze<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">That blows from the heath-clad hill,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And the breath of the primrose and gowan that bloom<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">On the bank by the babbling rill.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Then welcome to thee, little khunjunee!<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">May thy presence a blessing confer;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Still of breezes cool, and returning health,<br /></span>
+<span class="i1">The faithful harbinger.<br /></span>
+</div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i16"><span class="smcap">Old Indian</span>.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<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 &amp; Co.</span>, 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. 441, by Various
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS EDINBURGH JRNL, NO. 441 ***
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+Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 441, 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. 441
+       Volume 17, New Series, June 12, 1852
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: William Chambers
+        Robert Chambers
+
+Release Date: March 21, 2008 [EBook #24892]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHAMBERS EDINBURGH JRNL, NO. 441 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Malcolm Farmer, Richard J. Shiffer and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://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. 441. NEW SERIES.   SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1852.   PRICE 1-1/2_d._
+
+
+
+
+UNFASHIONABLE CLUBS.
+
+
+It is with a feeling doubtless somewhat analogous to that of the
+angler, that the London shopkeeper from time to time regards the
+moneyless crowds who throng in gaping admiration around the tempting
+display he makes in his window. His admirers and the fish, however,
+are in different circumstances: the one won't bite if they have no
+mind; the others can't bite if they should have all the mind in the
+world. Yet the shopkeeper manages better than the angler; for while
+the fish are deaf to the charming of the latter, charm he never so
+wisely, the former is able, at a certain season of the year, to
+convert the moneyless gazers into ready-money customers. This he does
+by the force of logic. 'You are thinking of Christmas,' says he--'yes,
+you are; and you long to have a plum-pudding for that day--don't deny
+it. Well, but you can't have it, think as much as you will; it is
+impossible as you manage at present. But I'll tell you how to get the
+better of the impossibility. In twenty weeks, we shall have Christmas
+here: now if, instead of spending every week all you earn, you will
+hand me over sixpence or a shilling out of your wages, I'll take care
+of it for you, since you can't take care of it for yourself; and you
+shall have the full value out of my shop any time in Christmas-week,
+and be as merry as you like, and none the poorer.'
+
+This logic is irresistible. Tomkins banks his 6d. for a plum-pudding
+and the etceteras with Mr Allspice the grocer; and this identical
+pudding he enjoys the pleasure of eating half-a-dozen times over in
+imagination before the next instalment is due. He at length becomes so
+fond of the flavour, that he actually--we know, for we have seen him
+do it--he actually, to use his own expression, 'goes in for a goose'
+besides with Mr Pluck the poulterer. Having once passed the Rubicon,
+of course he cannot go back; the weekly sixpences must be paid, come
+what will: it would be disgraceful to be a defaulter. So he practises
+a little self-denial, for the sake of a little self-esteem--and the
+goose and pudding in perspective. He finds, to his astonishment, that
+he can do quite as much work with one pot of beer a day as he could
+with two, and he drops the superfluous pot, and not only pays his
+instalments to the Christmas-bank, but gets a spare shilling in his
+pocket besides. Thus, under the tuition of the shopkeeper, he learns
+the practice of prudence in provisioning his family with plum-pudding,
+and imbibes the first and foremost of the household virtues, on the
+same principle as a wayward child imbibes physic--out of regard to the
+dainty morsel that is to come afterwards.
+
+Passing one day last autumn through a long and populous thoroughfare
+on the southern side of the Thames, we happened to light upon Mr
+Allspice's appeal to the consciences and the pockets of the
+pudding-eating public. 'If you are wise,' said the admonitory placard,
+'you will lose no time in joining Allspice's Plum-pudding Club.'
+Remembering the retort of a celebrated quack: 'Give me all the fools
+that come this way for my customers, and you are welcome to the wise
+men,' we must own we felt rather doubtful of the prosperity of the
+puddings; but having an interest in the matter, we resolved,
+notwithstanding, to ascertain, if possible, whether the Wisdom who
+uttereth her voice in the streets had on this special occasion spoken
+to any purpose, and whether any, and how many, had proved themselves
+wise in the acceptation of Mr Allspice. On making the necessary
+inquiries after the affair had gone off, we learned, to our surprise
+and gratification, that the club had been entirely successful. Upwards
+of a hundred persons of a class who are never worth half-a-crown at a
+time, had subscribed 6d. a week each for eighteen weeks, and thus
+entitled themselves to 9s. worth of plum-pudding ingredients, besides
+a certain quantity of tea and sugar. Thus the club had prospered
+exceedingly, and had been the instrument of introducing comfort and
+festive enjoyment to no small number of persons who might, and in all
+probability would, have had little to eat or drink, and, consequently,
+little cause for merriment, at that season. This is really a very
+pleasant fact to contemplate, connected though it be with a somewhat
+ludicrous kind of ingenuity, which must be exercised in order to bring
+it about. To anybody but a London shopkeeper, the attempt would appear
+altogether hopeless, to transform a hundred poor persons, who were
+never worth half-a-crown a piece from one year's end to the other,
+into so many 9s. customers; and yet the thing is done, and done, too,
+by the London grocer in a manner highly satisfactory, and still more
+advantageous to his customers. Is it too much to imagine that the
+lesson of provident forethought thus agreeably learned by multitudes
+of the struggling classes--for these clubs abound everywhere in
+London, and their members must be legion--have a moral effect upon at
+least a considerable portion of them? If one man finds a hundred needy
+customers wise enough to relish a plum-pudding of their own providing,
+surely they will not _all_ be such fools as to repudiate the practice
+of that very prudence which procured them the enjoyment, and brought
+mirth and gladness to their firesides! Never think it! They shall go
+on to improve, take our word for it; and having learned prudence from
+plum-pudding, and generosity from goose--for your poor man is always
+the first to give a slice or two of the breast, when he has it, to a
+sick neighbour--they shall learn temperance from tea, and abstinence,
+if they choose, from coffee, and ever so many other good qualities
+from ever so many other good things; and from having been wise enough
+to join the grocer's Plum-pudding Club, they shall end by becoming
+prosperous enough to join the Whittington Club, or the Gresham Club,
+or the Athenaeum Club, or the Travellers' Club; or the House of
+Commons, or the House of Lords either, for all that you, or we, or
+anybody else, can say or do to the contrary.
+
+We know nothing of the original genius who first hit upon this mode of
+indoctrinating the lower orders in a way so much to their advantage;
+we hope, however, as there is little reason to doubt, that he found
+his own account in it, and reaped his well-deserved reward. Whoever he
+was, his example has been well followed for many years past. In the
+poorer and more populous districts of the metropolis, this practice of
+making provision for inevitable wants, by small subscriptions paid in
+advance, prevails to a large extent. As winter sets in, almost every
+provision-dealer, and other traders as well, proffers a compact to the
+public, which he calls a club, though it is more of the nature of a
+savings-bank, seeing that, at the expiration of the subscribing
+period, every member is a creditor of the shop to the amount of his
+own investments, and nothing more. Thus, besides the Plum-pudding
+Clubs, there are Coal Clubs, by which the poor man who invests 1s. a
+week for five or six of the summer months, gets a ton of good coal
+laid in for the winter's consumption before the frost sets in and the
+coal becomes dear. Then there is the Goose Club, which the wiser
+members manage among themselves by contracting with a country dealer,
+and thus avoid the tipsy consummation of the public-house, where these
+clubs have mostly taken shelter. Again, there is the Twelfth-cake
+Club, which comes to a head soon after Christmas, and is more of a
+lottery than a club, inasmuch as the large cakes are raffled for, and
+the losers, if they get anything, get but a big bun for their pains
+and penalties. All these clubs, it will be observed, are plants of
+winter-growth, or at least of winter-fruiting, having for their object
+the provision of something desirable or indispensable in the winter
+season. There is, however, another and a very different species of
+club, infinitely more popular than any of the above, the operations of
+which are aboundingly visible throughout the warm and pleasant months
+of summer, and which may be, and sometimes is, called the Excursion
+Club.
+
+The Excursion Club is a provision which the working and labouring
+classes of London have got up for themselves, to enable them to enjoy,
+at a charge available to their scanty means, the exciting
+pleasures--which are as necessary as food or raiment to their health
+and comfort--of a change of air and scene. It is managed in a simple
+way. The foreman of a workshop, or the father of a family in some
+confined court, or perhaps some manageress of a troop of
+working-girls, contracts with the owner of a van for the hire of his
+vehicle and the services of a driver for a certain day. More
+frequently still, the owner of the van is the prime mover in the
+business, but then the trip is not so cheap. The members club their
+funds, the men paying 1s. each, the wives, 6d., the children, 3d. or
+4d.; and any poor little ragged orphan urchin, who may be hanging
+about the workshop, gets accommodated with a borrowed jacket and
+trousers, and a gratuitous face-washing from Mrs Grundy, and is taken
+for nothing, and well fed into the bargain. The cost, something over a
+guinea, is easily made up, and if any surplus remains, why, then, they
+hire a fiddler to go along with them. On the appointed morning, at an
+early hour, rain or shine, they flock to the rendezvous to the number
+of forty or fifty--ten or a dozen more or less is a trifle not worth
+mentioning. Each one carries his own provisions, and loaded with
+baskets, cans, bottles, and earthen-jars, mugs and tea-kettles, in
+they bundle, and off they jog--pans rattling, women chattering,
+kettles clinking, children crowing, fiddle scraping, and men
+smoking--at the rate of six or seven miles an hour, to Hampton Court
+or Epping Forest. It is impossible for a person who has never
+witnessed these excursions in the height of summer, to form an
+adequate notion of the merry and exciting nature of the relaxation
+they afford to a truly prodigious number of the hardworking classes.
+Returning from Kingston to London one fine Monday morning in June
+last, we met a train of these laughter-loaded vans, measuring a full
+mile in length, and which must have consisted of threescore or more
+vehicles, most of them provided with music of some sort, and adorned
+with flowers and green boughs. As they shot one at a time past the
+omnibus on which we sat, we were saluted by successive volleys of
+mingled mirth and music, and by such constellations of merry-faced
+mortals in St Monday garb, as would have made a sunshine under the
+blackest sky that ever gloomed. Arrived at Hampton Court, the separate
+parties encamp under the trees in Bushy Park, where they amuse
+themselves the livelong day in innocent sports, for which your
+Londoner has at bottom a most unequivocal and hearty relish. They
+will most likely spend a few hours in wandering through the
+picture-galleries in the palace, then take a stroll in the exquisite
+gardens, where the young fellow who is thoughtless enough to pluck a
+flower for his sweetheart, is instantly and infallibly condemned to
+drag a heavy iron roller up and down the gravel-walk, to the amusement
+of a thousand or two of grinning spectators. Having seen the palace
+and the gardens, they pay a short visit, perhaps, to the monster
+grape-vine, with its myriads of clusters of grapes, all of which Her
+Gracious Majesty is supposed to devour; and then they return to their
+dinner beneath some giant chestnut-tree in the park. The cloth is
+spread at the foot of the huge trunk; the gashed joints of the
+Sunday's baked meats, flanked by a very mountainous gooseberry pie,
+with crusty loaves and sections of cheese and pats of butter, cut a
+capital figure among the heterogeneous contribution of pitchers,
+preserve-jars, tin-cans, mugs and jugs, shankless rummers and
+wineglasses, and knives and forks of every size and pattern, from the
+balance handles and straight blades of to-day, to the wooden haft and
+curly-nosed cimeter of a century back. Their sharpened appetites make
+short work of the cold meats and pies. Treble X of somebody's own
+corking fizzes forth from brown jar and black bottle, and if more is
+wanted, it is fetched from the neighbouring tavern. Dinner done, the
+fiddle strikes up, and a dance on the greensward by the young people,
+while the old ones, stretched under the trees, enjoy a quiet gossip
+and a refreshing pipe, fills up the afternoon. There is always
+somebody at this crisis who is neither too old to dance nor too young
+to smoke a gossipping pipe, and so he does both at intervals--rushing
+now into the dance, drawn by the irresistible attraction of the
+fiddle, and now sidling back again to his smoke-puffing chums,
+impelled by the equally resistless charms of tobacco. Then and
+therefore he is branded as a deserter, and a file of young lasses lay
+hands on him, and drag him forth in custody to the dance; and after a
+good scolding from laughing lips, and a good drubbing from white
+handkerchiefs, they compromise the business at last by allowing him to
+dance with his pipe in his mouth.
+
+By five o'clock, Mrs Grundy has managed, with the connivance of Jack
+the driver, somehow or other to boil the kettle, and a cup of tea is
+ready for all who are inclined to partake. The young folks for the
+most part prefer the dance: they can have tea any day--they will not
+dance on the grass again till next year perhaps; so they make the most
+of their time. By and by, the fiddler's elbow refuses to wag any
+longer: he is perfectly willing himself, as he says, 'to play till
+all's blue; but you see,' he adds, 'bones won't do it.' 'Never mind,'
+says the Beau Nash of the day: 'sack your badger, old boy, and go and
+get some resin. Now, then, for kiss in the ring!' Then while the
+fiddler gets his resin, which means anything he likes to eat or drink,
+the whole party, perhaps amounting to three or four van-loads in all,
+form into a circle for 'kiss in the ring.' The ring is one uproarious
+round of frolic and laughter, which would 'hold both its sides,' but
+that it is forced to hold its neighbours' hands with both its own,
+under which the flying damsel who has to be caught and kissed bobs in
+and out, doubling like a hare, till she is out of breath, and is
+overtaken at last, and led bashfully into the centre of the group, to
+suffer the awful penalty of the law. While this popular pastime is
+prolonged to the last moment, the van is getting ready to return; the
+old folks assist in stowing away the empty baskets and vessels; and an
+hour or so before sun-down, or it may be half an hour after, the whole
+party are remounted, and on their way home again, where they arrive,
+after a jovial ride, weary with enjoyment, and with matter to talk
+about for a month to come.
+
+At Epping Forest, the scene is very different, but not a whit the less
+lively. There are no picture-galleries or pleasure-gardens, but there
+is the Forest to roam in, full of noble trees, in endless sinuous
+avenues, crowned with the 'scarce intruding sky,' among which the
+joyous holiday-makers form a finer picture than was ever painted yet.
+Then there are friendly foot-races and jumping-matches, and
+leap-frogging, and black-berrying, and foot-balling, and
+hockey-and-trapping, and many other games besides, in addition to the
+dancing and the ring-kissing. Epping and Hainault Forests are
+essentially the lungs of Whitechapel and Spitalfields. Their leafy
+shades are invaded all the summer long by the van-borne hosts of
+laborious poverty. Clubs, whose members invest but a penny a week,
+start into existence as soon as the leaves begin to sprout in the
+spring; with the first gush of summer, the living tide begins to flow
+into the cool bosom of the forest; and until late in the autumn,
+unless the weather is prematurely wintry, there is no pause for a day
+or an hour of sunshine in the rush of health-seekers to the green
+shades. The fiat has gone forth from the government for the
+destruction of these forests, for the felling of the trees and the
+enclosure of the land. Will the public permit the execution of the
+barbarous decree? We trust not.
+
+Notwithstanding all that has been said, and so justly said, of the
+notorious improvidence of the poor, it will be seen from the above
+hasty sketches, that they yet can and do help themselves to many
+things which are undeniably profitable and advantageous to them: they
+only want, in fact, a motive for so doing--a foregone conviction that
+the thing desiderated is worth having. Now, here is ground for
+hope--an opening, so to speak, for the point of the wedge. That the
+very poor may be taught to practise self-denial, in the prospect of a
+future benefit, these clubs have proved; and we may confess to a
+prejudice in their favour, not merely from what they have
+accomplished, but from a not unreasonable hope, that they may
+perchance foster a habit which will lead to far better things than
+even warm chimney-corners, greenwood holidays, roast geese, and
+plum-pudding.
+
+
+
+
+ARAGO ON THE SUN.
+
+
+In the Annuaire of the _Bureau des Longitudes_, recently published in
+Paris, appears a paper by the distinguished astronomer Arago--'On the
+Observations which have made known the Physical Constitution of the
+Sun and of different Stars; and an Inquiry into the Conjectures of the
+Ancient Philosophers, and of the Positive Ideas of Modern Astronomers
+on the Place that the Sun ought to occupy among the Prodigious Number
+of Stars which stud the Firmament'--in which all that appertains to
+the subject is so ably condensed, as to afford material for a popular
+summary, which we purpose to convey in the present article. The
+eclipse of the sun of last July, by enabling observers to repeat
+former observations and test their accuracy, furnished some of the
+results which serve to complete the paper in question, and which may
+be considered as settled, owing to the improvements continually taking
+place in the construction of instruments. Although astronomy is the
+exactest of sciences, its problems are not yet all fully solved; and
+for the determination of some of these, observers have to wait for
+years--in certain instances, for a century or more, until all the
+circumstances combine for a favourable observation. From the days of
+the Epicurean philosopher, who, judging from appearances, declared the
+sun to be no more than a foot in diameter, to those of living
+calculators, who give to the orb a diameter of 883,000 miles, there
+has been a marvellous advance. In these dimensions, we have a sphere
+one million four hundred thousand times larger than the earth.
+'Numbers so enormous,' says M. Arago, 'not being often employed in
+ordinary life, and giving us no very precise idea of the magnitudes
+which they imply, I recall here a remark that will convey a better
+understanding of the immensity of the solar volume. If we imagine the
+centre of the sun to coincide with that of the earth, its surface
+would not only reach the region in which the moon revolves, but would
+extend nearly as far again beyond.' By the transit of Venus in 1769,
+it was demonstrated that the sun is 95,000,000 miles from the earth;
+and yet, distant as it is, its physical constitution has been
+determined; and the history of the successive steps by which this
+proof has been arrived at, forms one of the most interesting chapters
+in the progress of science.
+
+It was in 1611 that Fabricius, a Dutch astronomer, first observed
+spots on the eastern edge of the sun, which passed slowly across the
+disk to the western edge, and disappeared after a certain number of
+days. This phenomenon having been often noted subsequently, the
+conclusion drawn therefrom is, that the sun is a spherical body,
+having a movement of rotation about its centre, of which the duration
+is equal to twenty-five days and a half. These dark spots, irregular
+and variable, but well defined on their edge, are sometimes of
+considerable dimensions. Some have been seen whose size was five times
+that of the earth. They are generally surrounded by an aureola known
+as the _penumbra_, and sensibly less luminous than the other portions
+of the orb. From this penumbra, first observed by Galileo, many
+apparently singular deductions have been made: namely, 'The sun is a
+dark body, surrounded at a certain distance by an atmosphere which may
+be compared to that of the earth, when the latter is charged with a
+continuous stratum of opaque and reflecting clouds. To this first
+atmosphere succeeds a second, luminous in itself, called the
+_photosphere_. This photosphere, more or less remote from the inner
+cloudy atmosphere, would determine by its outline the visible limits
+of the orb. According to this hypothesis, there would he spots on the
+sun every time that there occurred in the two concentric atmospheres
+such corresponding clear spaces as would allow of our seeing the dark
+central body uncovered.'
+
+This hypothesis is considered by the most competent judges to render a
+very satisfactory account of the facts. But it has not been
+universally adopted. Some writers of authority have lately represented
+the spots as scoriae floating on a liquid surface, and ejected from
+solar volcanoes, of which the burning mountains of the earth convey
+but a feeble idea. Hence observations become necessary as to the
+nature of the incandescent matter of the sun; and when we remember the
+immense distance of that body, such an attempt may well appear to be
+one of temerity.
+
+The progress of optical science, however, has given us the means of
+determining this apparently insoluble question. It is well known, that
+physicists are enabled at present to distinguish two kinds of
+light--natural light and polarised light. A ray of the former exhibits
+the same properties on any part of its form; not so the latter. A
+polarised ray is said to have sides, and the different sides have
+different properties, as demonstrated by many interesting phenomena.
+Strange as it may seem, these rays thus described as having sides,
+could pass through the eye of a needle by hundreds of thousands
+without disturbing each other. Availing themselves, therefore, of the
+assistance of polarised light, and an instrument named the
+polariscope, or polarising telescope, observers obtain a double image
+of the sun, both alike, and both white; but on reflecting this image
+on water, or a glass mirror, the rays become polarised; the two images
+are no longer alike or white, but are intensely coloured, while their
+form remains unchanged. If one is red, the other is green, or yellow
+and violet, always producing what are called the complementary
+colours. With this instrument, it becomes possible to tell the
+difference between natural and polarised light.
+
+Another point for consideration is, that for a long time it was
+supposed, that the light emanating from any incandescent body always
+came to the eye as natural light, if in its passage it had not been
+reflected or refracted. But experiment by the polariscope shewed, that
+the ray departing from the surface at an angle sufficiently small was
+polarised; while at the same time, it was demonstrated that the light
+emitted by any gaseous body in flame--that of street-lamps, for
+instance--is always in the natural state, whatever be its angle of
+emission. From these remarks, some idea will be formed of the process
+necessary to prove whether the substance which renders the sun visible
+is solid, liquid, or gaseous. On looking at the sun in the
+polariscope, the image, as before observed, is seen to be purely
+white--a proof that the medium through which the luminous substance is
+made visible to us is gaseous. If it were liquid, the light would be
+coloured; and as regards solidity, that is out of the question--the
+rapid change of spots proves that the outer envelope of the sun is not
+solid. On whatever day of the year we examine, the light is always
+white. Thus, these experiments remove the theory out of the region of
+simple hypothesis, and give certainty to our conclusions respecting
+the photosphere.
+
+Here an example occurs of the aids and confirmations which science may
+derive from apparently trivial circumstances. Complaint was made at a
+large warehouse in Paris, that the gas-fitters had thrown the light on
+the goods from the narrow, and not from the broad side of the flame.
+Experiments were instituted, which proved that the amount of light was
+the same whether emitted from the broad or narrow surface. It was
+shewn also, that a gaseous substance in flame appears more luminous
+when seen obliquely than perpendicular, which explains what are known
+as _faculae_ and _lucules_, being those parts of the solar disk that
+shew themselves brighter than other portions of the surface. These are
+due to the presence of clouds in the solar atmosphere; the inclined
+portions of the clouds appearing brightest to the spectator. The
+notion, that there were thousands on thousands of points
+distinguishing themselves from the rest by a greater accumulation of
+luminous matter, is thus disposed of.
+
+Still, there remained something more to be determined. The existence
+of the photosphere being proved, the question arose--was there nothing
+beyond? or did it end abruptly? and this could only be determined at
+the period of a total eclipse, at the very moment when the obscuration
+of the sun being greatest, our atmosphere ceases to be illuminated.
+Hence the interest felt in an eclipse of the sun of late years.
+
+In July 1842, at a total eclipse of the sun visible in several parts
+of the continent, the astronomers noticed, just as the sun was hidden
+by the moon, certain objects, in the form of rose-coloured
+protuberances, about two or three minutes high, astronomically
+speaking, projected from the surface of the moon. These appearances
+were variously explained: some supposed them to be lunar mountains;
+others saw in them effects of refraction or diffraction; but no
+precise explanation could be given; and mere guesses cannot be
+accepted as science. Others, again, thought them to be mountains in
+the sun, the summits stretching beyond the photosphere; but at the
+most moderate calculation, their height would have been about 60,000
+miles--an elevation which, as is said, the solar attraction would
+render impossible. Another hypothesis was, that they were clouds
+floating in a solar, gaseous atmosphere.
+
+M. Arago considers the last as the true explanation: it remained the
+great point to be proved. If it could be ascertained, that these red
+protuberances were not in actual contact with the moon, the
+demonstration would be complete. Speculation was busy, but nothing
+could be done in the way of verification until another eclipse took
+place. There was one in August 1850 total to the Sandwich Islands, at
+which, under direction of the French commandant at Tahiti,
+observations were made, the result being that the red prominences were
+seen to be separated by a fine line from the moon's circumference.
+Here was an important datum. It was confirmed by the observations of
+July 1851, by observers of different nations at different localities,
+who saw that the coloured peaks were detached from the moon; thus
+proving that they are not lunar mountains.
+
+If it be further ascertained, that these luminous phenomena are not
+produced by the inflexion of rays passing over the asperities of the
+moon's disk, and that they have a real existence, then there will be a
+new atmosphere to add to those which already surround the sun; for
+clouds cannot support themselves in empty space.
+
+We come next to that part of the subject which treats of the true
+place of the sun in the universe. In the year 448 B.C., Archelaus, the
+last of the Ionian philosophers, without having made any measurements,
+taught that the sun was a star, but only somewhat larger than the
+others. Now, the nearest fixed star is 206,000 times further from us
+than the sun: 206,000 times 95,000,000 of miles--a sum beyond all our
+habits of thought. The light from the star _Alpha_ of the Centaur is
+three years in its passage to the earth, travelling at the rate of
+192,000 miles per second; and there are 86,400 seconds in a day, and
+365 days in a year. Astounding facts! If the sun, therefore, were
+removed to the distance of a Centauri, its broad disk, which takes a
+considerable time in its majestic rising and setting above and below
+the horizon, would have no sensible dimensions, even in the most
+powerful telescopes; and its light would not exceed that of stars of
+the third magnitude--facts which throw the guess of Archelaus into
+discredit. If our place in the material universe is thus made to
+appear very subordinate, we may remember, as M. Arago observes, that
+man owes the knowledge of it entirely to his own resources, and
+thereby has raised himself to the most eminent rank in the world of
+ideas. Indeed, astronomical investigations might not improperly excuse
+a little vanity on our part.'
+
+Among the stars, Sirius is the brightest; but twenty thousand millions
+of such stars would be required to transmit to the earth a light equal
+to that of the sun. And if it were difficult to ascertain the nature
+and quality of the sun, it would appear to be still more so to
+determine these points with regard to the stars; for the reason, that
+the rays, coming from all parts of their disk, at once are
+intermingled, and of necessity produce white. This difficulty did not
+exist in similar investigations on the sun, because its disk is so
+large, that the rays from any one part of it may be examined while the
+others are excluded. Under these circumstances, further proof might
+seem to be hopeless; but advantage was taken of the fact, that there
+are certain stars which are sometimes light, sometimes dark, either
+from having a movement of rotation on their own axis, or because they
+are occasionally eclipsed by a non-luminous satellite revolving around
+them. It is clear, that while the light is waxing or waning, it comes
+from a part only of the star's disk; consequently, the neutralisation
+of rays, which takes place when they depart from the whole surface at
+once, cannot then occur; and from the observations on the portion of
+light thus transmitted, and which is found to remain white under all
+its phases, we are entitled to conclude, in M. Arago's words, that
+'our sun is a star, and that its physical constitution is identical
+with that of the millions of stars strewn in the firmament.'
+
+
+
+
+BARBARA'S SEA-SIDE EXCURSION.
+
+
+It certainly appeared a most improbable circumstance, that any event
+should occur worthy of being recorded, to vary the even tenor of life
+which Mr and Mrs Norman enjoyed in the holy state of matrimony. They
+were young folks--they had married from affection--and, moreover,
+their union had been a strictly prudent one; for their income was more
+than sufficient for all their unaspiring wants and tastes; and it was
+also a 'certainty,' a great good in these days of speculation and
+going ahead. Charles Norman held a government situation, with a small
+but yearly increasing salary; his residence was at Pentonville; and
+his domestic circle comprised, besides his good, meek helpmeet, two
+little children, and an only sister, some years Charles's junior:
+indeed, Bab Norman had not very long quitted the boarding-school. Bab
+and Charles were orphans, and had no near relatives in the world;
+therefore Bab came home to live with her dear brother and his wife
+until she had a home of her own--a contingency which people whispered
+need not be far off, if Miss Barbara Norman so inclined. This piece of
+gossip perhaps arose from the frequent visits of Mr Norman's chosen
+friend, Edward Leslie--a steady and excellent young man, who filled an
+appointment of great trust and confidence in an old-established
+commercial house. Edward Leslie was not distinguished for personal
+attractions or captivating manners; but he was an honest, manly,
+generous-hearted fellow, and sensitive enough to feel very keenly
+sometimes that the pretty spoiled little Barbara laughed at and
+snubbed him. Notwithstanding Bab's folly, however, it would have given
+her great pain had Edward Leslie courted another. He was patient and
+forbearing; and she fluttered and frisked about, determined to make
+the most of her liberty while it lasted. 'Of course she meant to marry
+some day,' she said with a demure smile, 'but it would take a long
+time to make up her mind.'
+
+Charles quite doted on his pretty sister, and often could not find it
+in his heart to rebuke her, because she was motherless, and had only
+him and Cary to look to; and Cary's office was not to rebuke any one,
+much less her dear little sister-in-law. So Barbara was spoiled and
+humoured; while the children were kept in high order--a proper
+discipline being exercised in the nursery, as became a well-regulated
+and nicely-decorated house. Cary thought Bab a beauty, and so did
+Charles; the young lady herself was not at all backward in estimating
+her own charms; and it was a pity to see them so often obscured by
+affectation, for Bab had a kind heart and an affectionate disposition.
+One day when Charles returned home after business-hours were over, Bab
+flew towards him with an unusually animated countenance, holding an
+open letter in her hand, and exclaiming: 'Oh, dear Charles, read this!
+You'll let me go--wont you? I never was at the sea-side in my life,
+you know; and it will do me such a deal of good.'
+
+Charles smiled, took the letter, and tapping his sister's dimpled rosy
+cheek, he said fondly: 'I don't think, Bab, that you want "doing good
+to" so far as health is concerned. The sea-air cannot improve these
+roses.'
+
+'Well, well, Charles, never mind the roses--there's a dear. They only
+ask me to go for a fortnight, and I should so like it; it will be so
+nice to be with one's schoolmates at the sea. Bell and Lucy Combermere
+are _such_ bathers, they say; and as for me, I do believe, Charles, I
+shall drown myself for love of the sea! Oh, you must let me go--do!'
+
+There was no resisting this coaxing; so Charles said he 'would see
+about it, and talk the matter over with Caroline.'
+
+'Cary thinks it will be delightful for me,' exclaimed Barbara: 'she's
+always a good-natured darling.' And Bab felt sure of going, if Charles
+talked the matter over with Cary; so she flew off in an ecstasy of
+joy, dancing and singing, and forthwith commenced preparations, by
+pulling off the faded pink ribbons which adorned her bonnet, and
+substituting gay bright new streamers.
+
+The invitation in question came from Mrs Combermere, who, with
+her two unmarried daughters, were sojourning at a favourite
+watering-place--always crowded during the season--and where Mr
+Combermere, a rich citizen, could join his family every week, and
+inhale a breath of pure air. Charles did not particularly like the
+Combermeres. Mrs Combermere was a fussy woman, full of absurd
+pretension, and with a weakness for forming aristocratic acquaintance,
+which had more than once led her into extravagance, ending in
+disappointment and mortification. The Misses Combermere inherited
+their mamma's weakness; they were comely damsels, and expectant
+sharers of papa's wealth, who was 'very particular' on whom he
+bestowed his treasures. Bell and Lucy had been at school with Barbara
+Norman, and a strong friendship--a school friendship--had been struck
+up amongst the trio, whom the French dancing-master denominated 'the
+Graces.' And now Barbara had received an invitation to stay with them
+for a fortnight, a private postscript being inserted by Miss Bell, to
+the effect that 'Bab must be sure to come very smart, for there were
+most elegant people there, and _such_ beaux!'
+
+Bab went accordingly on Saturday, escorted by Mr Combermere, who
+always returned on the following Monday. Never before had Bab beheld
+so gay a scene; never till now had she looked on the glorious ocean;
+never had she promenaded to the sounds of such exhilarating music. Her
+pretty little head was quite bewildered, though in the midst of all
+her delight she wished for Charles and Cary, and the children; there
+was such delicious bathing for the tiny ones; such digging with their
+little spades in the golden sands! Innocent, happy gold-diggers they!
+
+She found Mrs Combermere and the girls in the full swing of sea-side
+dissipation--quite open-house kept, free-and-easy manners, which at
+home would not have been tolerated. But it came only once a year, and
+they could afford it. Quite established as an intimate, was a tall
+young gentleman, with delicate moustache, who seemed to be on terms of
+friendly familiarity with half the aristocracy of the nation. Mrs
+Combermere whispered to Bab, that Mr Newton was a most 'patrician
+person,' of the 'highest connections;' they had met with him on the
+sands, where he had been of signal use in assisting Mrs Combermere
+over the shingles on a stormy day. He was so gentlemanly and
+agreeable, that they could not do otherwise than ask him in; he had
+remained to tea, and since then had been a regular visitor.
+
+Mr Newton had been at first treated with great coolness by Mr
+Combermere; the latter gentleman did not like strangers, and always
+looked on a moustache with suspicion. But Mr Newton was so
+deferential, so unexceptionable in deportment, and prudent in his
+general sentiments, warmly advocating Mr Combermere's political
+opinions, that he had at last won the good opinion even of the father
+of the family. Besides, he paid no particular attention to the Misses
+Combermere: there was no danger of his making up to them--that was
+clear; and Mrs Combermere, mother-like, felt a little mortified and
+chagrined at such palpable indifference. But when pretty Bab Norman
+appeared, the case was different: her brunette complexion and
+sparkling dark eyes elicited marked admiration from the patrician Mr
+Newton; and he remarked in an off-hand way--_sotto voce_, as if to
+himself: 'By Jupiter! how like she is to dear Lady Mary Manvers.' Bab
+felt very much flattered by the comparison, and immediately began to
+like Mr Newton immensely; he was so distingue, so fascinating, so
+refined. Bab did not add, that he had singled her out as an especial
+object of attention, even when the fair dashing Misses Combermere
+challenged competition.
+
+The fortnight passed swiftly away--too swiftly, alas! thought little
+Barbara Norman; for at the expiration of the term, Mrs Combermere did
+not ask her to prolong the visit, but suffered her to depart, again
+under the escort of Mr Combermere, without a word of regret at
+parting. Cruel Mrs Combermere! she wished to keep Mr Newton's society
+all to herself and her daughters! However, the young gentleman asked
+Barbara for permission to pay his respects to her when he returned to
+the metropolis; this had been accorded by Barbara, who, on her return
+to Pentonville, for the first time found that comfortable home
+'insufferably dull and stupid.' Edward Leslie, too--how dull and
+stupid even he was, after the chattering perfumed loungers of the
+elysium she had just quitted! Yet Edward was never considered either
+dull or stupid by competent judges; but, quite the contrary--a
+sensible, well-informed, gentlemanly personage. But, then, he had no
+great friends, no patrician weaknesses; he knew nothing about racing,
+or betting, or opera-dancers, or slang in general. In short, he seemed
+flat and insipid to Bab, who had been compared to the beautiful Lady
+Mary Manvers by the soft and persuasive tongue of Lady Mary Manvers's
+dear friend. Yet, in her secret heart of hearts, Bab drew comparisons
+by no means disadvantageous to Edward Leslie. 'Yes,' thought Bab, 'I
+like Mr Newton best by the sea-side in summer-time, when harp-music
+floats on the balmy air; then I should always like him, if summer was
+all the year round. But for everyday life, for winter hours, for home,
+in short, I'm sure I like Edward Leslie best--I'm sure I love Edward
+Leslie;' and Bab blushed and hesitated, though she was quite alone.
+Cary listened good-naturedly to all Bab's descriptions of the
+happiness she had enjoyed; and Cary thought, from all Bab said, that
+Mr Newton must be at least some great lord in disguise. She felt quite
+nervous at the idea of his coming to such a humble house as theirs,
+when he talked of parks, and four-in-hands, and baronial halls, as
+things with which he was familiar, and regarded as matters of course.
+Cary hoped that Charles and Edward Leslie would be present when Mr
+Newton called, because they were fit to associate with royalty itself.
+Cary had a very humble opinion of herself--sweet, gentle soul! Charles
+often wished his dear sister Bab might closely resemble her. At
+length, Bell Combermere wrote to say, they were about returning to
+town; and Mr Newton declared he could not remain behind. Bab's heart
+fluttered and palpitated at each sound the knocker gave; and she was
+thankful that Cary's cousin, Miss Ward, was staying with them, to call
+attention off from herself.
+
+Miss Ward was an accomplished, charming woman of middle age,
+who for years had resided in the Earl of St Elmer's family as
+governess--greatly valued for her many estimable qualities. Not being
+in robust health, she had absented herself for a short season from her
+onerous duties, and in her dear friend and cousin's house, sought and
+obtained quiet and renovation. Miss Ward often found difficulty in
+repressing a smile at Bab's superfluous graces and animated gestures;
+but it was a kindly smile, for the stately conventionalities amongst
+which she usually existed, rendered these traits of less refined
+manners rather refreshing than otherwise. Miss Ward was out when Mrs
+Combermere's equipage drove up to Mr Norman's door; and that large
+lady, with her daughter Bell, accompanied by Mr Newton, made their way
+up stairs to Mrs Norman's drawing-room. Mrs Combermere was always
+astoundingly grand and patronising when she honoured Cary with a call;
+Mrs Combermere liked to call upon folks whom she denominated
+inferiors--to impress them with an overwhelming idea of her
+importance. But on the simple-minded literal Cary, this honour was
+lost, she received it with such composure and unconscious placidity:
+on Bab it produced, indeed, the desired effect; but whether it was Mrs
+Combermere's loud talking and boasting, or Mr Newton's easy negligence
+and patronising airs, that caused her to colour and hesitate, it is
+not possible to define. Bab was not herself; and she began to be
+ashamed of living in Pentonville, when Mr Newton spoke of Belgravia.
+Miss Ward, who had returned from her shopping excursion, glided into
+the room unnoticed, in the middle of a description Mr Newton was
+giving of a magnificent place, belonging to a dear friend, with whom
+he had been staying, ere he had the 'unspeakable felicity of meeting
+Mrs Combermere.'
+
+'Your description is a graphic one, John Blomfield,' said Miss Ward in
+a low voice close to his ear; 'but how came you here--in this
+company?'
+
+John Blomfield, _alias_ John Newton, started as if an adder had bitten
+him, and gazed franticly upon the intruder. 'Miss Ward, madam,' he
+exclaimed involuntarily, 'don't say more, and I'll go this instant!'
+
+'Then go,' continued Miss Ward majestically, pointing to the door;
+'and beware, John Blomfield, how you dare to enter a gentleman's house
+unauthorised again.'
+
+Pale and crest-fallen, the young gentleman and dear friend of Lady
+Mary Manvers vanished; nor did he require a second bidding to rush
+down stairs, and out at the front-door, which was slammed violently
+after him.
+
+'What does this mean, ma'am?' inquired Mrs Combermere, very red in the
+face, and looking terribly frightened--'what does this all mean,
+ma'am?'
+
+'Only,' replied Miss Ward quietly, 'that this individual, who calls
+himself Mr Newton, and whose conversation I overheard after entering
+the apartment, is in reality John Blomfield, _ci devant_ valet to Lord
+Lilburne, the eldest son of the Earl of St Elmer, in whose family I
+have the honour to be governess. His lordship shewed toleration and
+kindness unprecedented towards the ungrateful young man, on account of
+his respectable parentage, and the excellent abilities and aptitude
+for instruction he displayed. But I grieve to say, John Blomfield was
+discharged from Lord Lilburne's service, under circumstances which
+left no doubt on our minds that he was guilty of dishonest
+practices--of pilfering, in short, to a considerable extent. We heard
+that he still continued his evil course; but though knowing him to
+possess both skill and effrontery, I was almost as much startled as
+the delinquent himself, to behold him thus playing the fine gentleman,
+and lounging on Cary's sofa.'
+
+A faint groan escaped from Miss Combermere as she ejaculated: 'Oh, my
+pearl necklace!' and a still deeper and more audible sigh from her
+mamma, as the words burst forth: 'Oh, my diamond _bandeau_!' which led
+to an explanation from the distressed and bewildered ladies, of how
+they had intrusted these precious jewels to Mr Newton, who urged them
+on returning to town to have them reset, volunteering to take them
+himself to Lady Mary Manvers's own jeweller, a 'first-rate fellow, who
+worked only for the aristocracy.' 'They must not be in a hurry,' Mr
+Newton said, 'for the first-rate fellow was so torn to pieces by
+duchesses and countesses, that even weeks might elapse before their
+comparatively trifling order could be attended to.'
+
+'I fear,' said Miss Ward commiseratingly, 'that you will not see your
+valuables again. John Blomfield is a clever rascal, and has good taste
+too,' continued Miss Ward smiling, 'for he invariably selects pretty
+things. I hope, my dear'--turning to Bab, who sat silent and
+petrified--'your beautiful gold repeater set with brilliants is safe,
+and that it did not require repairs or alterations, to induce you to
+part with it into Mr Newton's hands? I doubt not he had an eye to it
+eventually.'
+
+Poor Bab--what a blow to her vanity! She could only murmur something
+about the watch being very dear to her, because it had belonged to her
+deceased mother, and that she always wore it round her neck.
+
+'And I don't think that Bab would part with it out of her hands to any
+one,' said Cary, 'if we except ourselves, save to Edward Leslie; but
+he is such a careful soul, that one would not mind intrusting him with
+the most precious treasure on earth.'
+
+Bab blushed very deeply at this speech, because she saw a covert smile
+on Miss Ward's speaking countenance. That lady, notwithstanding her
+amiability and philanthropic character, rather enjoyed the
+consternation and confusion of Mrs and Miss Combermere, who retreated
+more humbly than they had entered, having received a lesson which, it
+is to be hoped, they profited by for the remainder of their lives. The
+pearl necklace and diamond bandeau were not recovered, though a reward
+was offered by the enraged Mr Combermere for the apprehension of the
+thief; yet Miss Bell with tears declared, that she would far rather
+lose her pearl necklace than give evidence against one whose
+attractive qualities she could not cease to remember.
+
+Very shortly after this affair, Barbara had another short trip to the
+sea-side, and with a companion whose happiness equalled her own: it
+was the honeymoon excursion, and Edward Leslie was Bab's companion for
+life. After this second sea-side sojourn, the bride returned to a
+pretty house of her own, quite near to Charles and Cary; and Barbara
+was never heard to complain of finding it dull or stupid, though
+summer does not last all the year round with any of us.
+
+
+
+
+MR JERDAN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
+
+
+The first of a series of volumes, designed to contain the literary,
+political, and social reminiscences of Mr Jerdan during the last fifty
+years, has just seen the light. It will be found to be one of the most
+amusing books of the day, and also not without a moral of its own
+kind. We presume it is of no use to debate how far it is allowable to
+bring before the public matters pertaining to private life, and about
+which living individuals may feel a delicacy. The time for such
+questions seems past. Assuming so much, we at least feel pretty sure
+that the lives and characters of living men could scarcely be in
+gentler or more genial hands than those of William Jerdan.
+
+Mr Jerdan is chiefly known as having been for a third of a century the
+editor of the _London Literary Gazette_, a work which used to report
+on literature with a sympathy for authors strikingly in contrast with
+the tone of some of its contemporaries, in whom it would almost appear
+as if the saying of a kind word, or even the doing of simple justice
+towards a book, were felt as a piece of inexcusable weakness. He is
+now, at seventy, relieved from his cares, with little tangible result
+from his long and active career; but for this the readers of his
+autobiography will be at no loss to account. Jerdan has evidently been
+a kind-hearted, mirth-making, tomorrow-defying mortal all his days, as
+if he had patriotically set himself from the beginning to prove that
+Scotland could produce something different from those hosts of staid,
+sober, calculating men for which it has become so much distinguished.
+We speak here, indeed, according to the English apprehension of the
+Scotch character, for in Scotland, strange to say--that is, to
+Englishmen it will appear strange--the people believe themselves to be
+remarkable for want of foresight--'aye wise ahint the hand,' is their
+own self-portraiture--and for a certain ardour of genius which leads
+them into all sorts of scrapes. The issue is, after all, a hard one,
+and viewing the long services of Mr Jerdan to the literary republic,
+we would hope that a cheerful life-evening is still in store for him.
+
+Our autobiographer tells, with all due modesty, of his early days at
+Kelso--the respectable friends by whom he was surrounded--his
+acquiring the reputation of a clever youth, and running nigh being a
+good deal spoilt in consequence. At nineteen, he went to London, to
+enter the counting-house of a mercantile uncle, and during two years
+spent there, formed an acquaintance with a group of young men, several
+of whom have since become distinguished. Among these were Messrs Pirie
+and Lawrie, since Lord Mayors of London--David, William, and Frederick
+Pollock, of whom the last is now Chief Baron of Exchequer--and Mr
+Wilde, who has since been Lord Chancellor. Interrupted in his career
+by a severe illness, he returned to Scotland to recruit, and soon
+after was placed with an Edinburgh writer to the Signet, to study the
+mysteries of law. The Scottish capital was then a much more frolicsome
+place than now, and Jerdan entered heartily into all its humours,
+spent merry evenings with Tom Sheridan and Joseph Gillan, attended
+mason-lodges, joined the Volunteers, and, seeing a fountain one day,
+wished to be it, for then he should have nothing to do but play. The
+natural result followed in a second severe illness, out of which his
+kind master, _Corrie_ Elliott, endeavoured to recover him by a
+commission to ride through a range of mountain parishes in the south,
+in order to search for genealogical particulars illustrative of a case
+between Lady Forbes, born Miss Hunter of Polmood, and two gentlemen
+named Hunter, who claimed her estate.
+
+'I travelled,' says our autobiographer, 'from manse to manse, and
+received unbounded hospitalities from the ministers, whilst I examined
+their kirk-registers, and extracted from them every entry where the
+name of Hunter or Welsh was to be found. Never was task more
+gratifying. The _bonhomie_ of the priests, and the simplicity of their
+parishioners, were a new world to me, whilst they, the clergy, men of
+piety and learning, considered themselves as out of the world
+altogether. The population was thin and scattered, the mode of living
+primitive in the extreme, and the visit of a stranger, so
+insignificant as myself, quite enough to make a great sensation in
+these secluded parts. I found the ministers ingenuous, free from all
+puritanism, and generally well informed.... The examination of the
+parish books was also a labour of love and source of endless
+amusement. They mostly went as far back as a century and a half, and
+were, in the elder times, filled with such entries as bespoke a very
+strange condition of society. The inquisitorial practices and punitive
+power of the ministry could not be exceeded in countries enslaved by
+the priesthood of the Church of Rome. Forced confessions, the denial
+of religious rites even on the bed of death, excommunication, shameful
+exposures, and a rigid and minute interference in every domestic or
+private concern, indicated a state of things which must have been
+intolerable. High and low were obliged to submit to this offensive
+discipline and domination.... My duty was thus pleasantly and
+satisfactorily performed. My note-book was full. My skill in
+deciphering obsolete manuscript was cultivated and improved; and my
+health was restored as if by miracle. Of other incidents and results I
+shall only state, that on one occasion, to rival Bruce in Abyssinia, I
+dined off mutton whilst the sheep nibbled the grass upon the lawn, our
+fare being the amputated tails of the animals, which made a very
+dainty dish--that on reaching Edinburgh, my hackney, having from a
+dark gallop over a ground where a murder had been committed not long
+before, and being put into a cold stable, lost every hair on its hide
+like a scalded pig, subjected me to half his price in lieu of
+damage--and that the famous and ancient Polmood remained in the
+possession of Lord Forbes, as inherited from the charter of King
+Robert, who gave the lands for ever, "as high up as heaven, and as low
+down as hell," to the individual named in the grant, which was
+witnessed "by Meg, my wife, and Marjory, my nourice."'
+
+Despairing of doing any good in Edinburgh, Mr Jerdan, while still only
+twenty-three, resorted once more to London, though without any
+definite object in view. While pursuing his usual light-hearted
+career, he got into debt and difficulties, and experienced the
+consequent annoyances with the sense of being an injured man, 'whereas
+it was I who had wronged myself.' 'It was now,' he adds, 'that I got
+my first lesson of that fatal truth--that debt is the greatest curse
+which can beset the course of a human being. It cools his friends and
+heats his enemies; it throws obstacles in the way of his every advance
+towards independence; it degrades him in his own estimation, and
+exposes him to humiliation from others, however beneath him in station
+and character; it marks him for injustice and spoil; it weakens his
+moral perceptions and benumbs his intellectual faculties; it is a
+burden not to be borne consistently with fair hopes of fortune, or
+that peace of mind which passeth all understanding, both in a worldly
+and eternal sense. But I shall have much to say on the subject in the
+future pages of this biography, though I cannot omit the opportunity
+afforded by my earliest taste of the bitter fruit which poisons every
+pulse of existence, earnestly to exhort my youthful readers to deny
+themselves every expense which they cannot harmlessly afford, and
+revel on bread and water and a lowly couch, in humility and patience,
+rather than incur the obligation of a single sixpence beyond their
+actual means.'
+
+At length, about 1806, he gravitated into what was perhaps his natural
+position--the press; taking a concern in a daily paper called the
+_Aurora_, which was got up by the hotel-keepers of London. This
+speculation did not answer. It was destined to verify a late saying:
+'If you want anything spoilt or ruined, you cannot do better than
+confide it to a committee.' 'Our rulers,' says Jerdan, 'though
+intelligent and sensible men, were neither literary nor conversant
+with journalism. Under any circumstances, their interference would
+have been injurious, but it was rendered still more fatal by their
+differences in political opinion, and two or three of the number
+setting up to write "leaders" themselves. The clashing and want of
+_ensemble_ was speedily obvious and detrimental; our readers became
+perfect weathercocks, and could not reconcile themselves to themselves
+from day to day. They wished, of course, to be led, as all
+well-informed citizens are, by their newspaper; and they would not
+blow hot and cold in the manner prescribed for all the coffee-room
+politicians in London. In the interior, the hubbub and confusion of
+the republic of letters was meanwhile exceedingly amusing to the
+looker-on; we were of all parties and shades of opinion: the
+proprietor of the King's Head was an ultra Tory, and swore by George
+III. as the best of sovereigns--the Crown Hotel was very loyal, but
+more moderate--the Bell Inn would give a strong pull for the
+Church--whilst the Cross-Keys was infected with Romish predilections.
+The Cockpit was warlike; the Olive-Tree, pacific; the Royal Oak,
+patriotic; the Rummer, democratic; the Hole-in-the-Wall, seditious.
+Many a dolorous pull at the porter-pot and sapientious declination of
+his head had the perplexed and bemused editor, before he could effect
+any tolerable compromise of contradictions for the morning's issue: at
+the best, the sheet appeared full of signs and wonders!' In short, the
+paper failed.
+
+Mr Jerdan passed through various situations _on_ various papers, as
+the elegant language of Cockneydom hath it, and thus he has been
+enabled to give some curious sketches of the _personnel_ of the press
+in those days. In the _Morning Post_, he took a strong part against
+the Mary-Anne-Clarke investigation, and caused a marvellous sinking of
+the circulation in consequence. He, nevertheless, consented to go and
+see that celebrated lady, and confesses to have been softened by her
+blandishments. One of the most remarkable occurrences of that period
+was his witnessing the assassination of the prime minister, Perceval,
+in May 1812. He had saluted the premier, as he was passing into the
+lobby of the House of Commons, and had held back the spring-door to
+allow him precedence in entering, when instantly there was a noise
+within. 'I saw a small curling wreath of smoke rise above his head, as
+if the breath of a cigar; I saw him reel back against the ledge on the
+inside of the door; I heard him exclaim: "O God!" or "O my God!" and
+nothing more or longer (as reported by several witnesses), for even
+that exclamation was faint; and then, making an impulsive rush, as it
+were, to reach the entrance to the House on the opposite side for
+safety, I saw him totter forward, not half way, and drop dead between
+the four pillars which stood there in the centre of the space, with a
+slight trace of blood issuing from his lips.
+
+'All this took place ere, with moderate speed, you could count five!
+Great confusion, and almost as immediately great alarm, ensued. Loud
+cries were uttered, and rapidly conflicting orders and remarks on
+every hand made a perfect Babel of the scene; for there were above a
+score of people in the lobby, and on the instant no one seemed to know
+what had been done or by whom. The corpse of Mr Perceval was lifted
+up by Mr William Smith, the member for Norwich, assisted by Lord
+Francis Osborne, a Mr Phillips, and several others, and borne into the
+office of the Speaker's secretary, by the small passage on the left
+hand, beyond and near the fireplace. Pallid and deadly, close by the
+murderer, it must have been; for in a moment after, Mr Eastaff, one of
+the clerks of the Vote Office at the last door on that side, pointed
+him out, and called: "That is the murderer!" Bellingham moved slowly
+to a bench on the hither side of the fireplace, near at hand, and sat
+down. I had in the first instance run forward to render assistance to
+Mr Perceval, but only witnessed the lifting of his body, followed the
+direction of Mr Eastaff's hand, and seized the assassin by the collar,
+but without violence on one side, or resistance on the other.
+Comparatively speaking, a crowd now came up, and among the earliest Mr
+Vincent Dowling, Mr John Norris, Sir Charles Long, Sir Charles
+Burrell, Mr Henry Burgess, and, in a minute or two, General Gascoigne
+from a committee-room up stairs, and Mr Hume, Mr Whitbread, Mr Pole,
+and twelve or fifteen members from the House. Meanwhile, Bellingham's
+neckcloth had been stripped off, his vest unbuttoned, and his chest
+laid bare. The discharged pistol was found beside him, and its
+companion was taken, loaded and primed, from his pocket. An
+opera-glass, papers, and other articles, were also pulled forth,
+principally by Mr Dowling, who was on his left, whilst I stood on his
+right hand; and except for his frightful agitation, he was as passive
+as a child. Little was said to him. General Gascoigne on coming up,
+and getting a glance through the surrounding spectators, observed that
+he knew him at Liverpool, and asked if his name was Bellingham, to
+which he returned no answer; but the papers rendered further question
+on this point unnecessary. Mr Lynn, a surgeon in Great George Street,
+adjacent, had been hastily sent for, and found life quite extinct, the
+ball having entered in a slanting direction from the hand of the tall
+assassin, and passed into his victim's heart. Some one came out of the
+room with this intelligence, and said to Bellingham: "Mr Perceval is
+dead! Villain! how could you destroy so good a man, and make a family
+of twelve children orphans?" To which he almost mournfully replied: "I
+am sorry for it." Other observations and questions were addressed to
+him by bystanders; in answer to which he spoke incoherently,
+mentioning the wrongs he had suffered from government, and justifying
+his revenge on grounds similar to those he used, at length, in his
+defence at the Old Bailey.
+
+'I have alluded to Bellingham's "frightful agitation" as he sat on the
+bench, and all this dreadful work was going on; and I return to it, to
+describe it as far as words can convey an idea of the shocking
+spectacle. I could only imagine something like it in the overwrought
+painting of a powerful romance-writer, but never before could conceive
+the physical suffering of a strong muscular man, under the tortures of
+a distracted mind. Whilst his language was cool, the agonies which
+shook his frame were actually terrible. His countenance wore the hue
+of the grave, blue and cadaverous; huge drops of sweat ran down from
+his forehead, like rain on the window-pane in a heavy storm, and,
+coursing his pallid cheeks, fell upon his person, where their moisture
+was distinctly visible; and from the bottom of his chest to his gorge,
+rose and receded, with almost every breath, a spasmodic action, as if
+a body, as large or larger than a billiard-ball, were choking him. The
+miserable wretch repeatedly struck his chest with the palm of his hand
+to abate this sensation, but it refused to be repressed.'
+
+Our author makes a curious remark on the case--namely, that the first
+examinations are calculated to give the future historian a more
+faithful idea of the transaction than the record of the trial. Even in
+the short interval of four days, witnesses had become confused in
+their recollections, mistaking things which they had only heard of for
+things they had beheld. The unhappy culprit perished on the scaffold
+only a week after his crime.
+
+Jerdan, who assumed the editorship of the _Sun_ in 1813, was a flaming
+Tory of the style of that day, and accordingly enjoyed the triumph of
+Europe over Bonaparte. In Paris, immediately after the Allies had
+entered it, he feasted his eyes with the singular spectacles
+presented, and the personal appearance of the heroes he had been
+employed for some years in celebrating. Here is a scene at
+Beauvillier's restaurant in the Rue de Richelieu, where 700 people
+dined every day. 'It was on the first or second day, that a fair
+Saxon-looking gentleman came and seated himself at my table. I think
+he chose the seat advertently, from having observed or gathered that I
+was fresh from London. We speedily entered into conversation, and he
+pointed out to me some of the famous individuals who were doing
+justice to the Parisian cookery at the various tables around--probably
+about twenty in all. As he mentioned their names, I could not repress
+my enthusiasm--a spirit burning over England when I left it only a few
+days before--and my new acquaintance seemed to be much gratified by my
+ebullitions. "Well," said he to a question from me, "that is Davidoff,
+the colonel of the Black Cossacks." I shall not repeat my exclamations
+of surprise and pleasure at the sight of this terrific leader, who had
+hovered over the enemy everywhere, cut off so many resources, and
+performed such incredible marches and actions as to render him and his
+Cossacks the dread of their foes. "Is this," inquired my companion,
+"the opinion of England?" I assured him it was, and let out the secret
+of my editorial consequence, in proof that I was a competent witness.
+On this, a change of scene ensued. My _incognito_ walked across to
+Davidoff, who forthwith filled, and sent me a glass of his wine--the
+glass he was using--and drank my health. I followed the example, and
+sent mine in return, and the compliment was completed. But it did not
+stop with this single instance. My new fair-complexioned friend went
+to another table, and spoke with a bronzed and hardy-looking warrior,
+from whom he came with another similar bumper to me, and the request
+that I would drink wine with General Czernicheff. I was again in
+flames; but it is unnecessary to repeat the manner in which I, on that
+to me memorable day, took wine with half a dozen of the most
+distinguished generals in the allied service.
+
+'Whilst this toasting-bout was going on, a seedy-looking old gentleman
+came in, and I noticed that some younger officers rose and offered him
+a place, which he rejected, till a vacancy occurred, and then he
+quietly sat down, swallowed his two dozen of green oysters as a whet,
+and proceeded to dine with an appetite. By this time, my _vis-a-vis_
+had resumed his seat, and, after what had passed, I felt myself at
+liberty to ask him the favour of informing me who he himself was! I
+was soon answered. He was a Mr Parish, of Hamburg, whose prodigious
+commissariat engagements with the grand army had been fulfilled in a
+manner to prosper the war; and I was now at no loss to account for his
+intimacy with its heroes. It so happened that I knew, and was on
+friendly terms with some of his near relations; and so the two hours I
+have described took the value of two years. But the climax had to
+come. Who was the rather seedy-looking personage whom the aids-de-camp
+appeared so ready to accommodate? Oh, that was Blucher! If I was
+outrageous before, I was mad now. I explained to Mr Parish the feeling
+of England with regard to this hero; and that, amid the whole host of
+great and illustrious names, his had become the most glorious of all,
+and was really the one which filled most unanimously and loudly the
+trump of fame. He told me that an assurance of this would be most
+gratifying to the marshal, who thought much of the approbation of
+England, and asked my leave to communicate to him what I had said. I
+could have no objection; but after a short colloquy, Blucher did not
+send his glass to me--he came himself; and I hobnobbed with the
+immortal soldier. I addressed him in French, to which he would not
+listen; and I then told him in English of the glorious estimation in
+which he was held in my country, which Mr Parish translated into
+German; and if ever high gratification was evinced by man, it was by
+Blucher on this occasion. I had the honour of breakfasting with him at
+his hotel next morning, when the welcome matter was discussed more
+circumstantially; and he evinced the greatest delight.'
+
+Here we must part with Mr Jerdan, but only, we hope, to meet him again
+ere long in a second volume.
+
+
+
+
+CRIMINAL TRIALS.
+
+THE SOMERSET AND OVERBURY TRAGEDY.
+
+
+The history of the unworthy favourites whom James I. of England raised
+to a power so extravagant, has always been surrounded with a tragic
+mystery. One of them, Buckingham, was stabbed by an assassin; the
+other, Somerset, was condemned to death for murder. The extravagant
+dignities and emoluments heaped on these unworthy men, are utterly
+beyond the belief of those who live under the constitutional
+government of the present day. Nor was it enough that they obtained
+the highest titles in the peerage, and large grants out of the public
+money; they were rewarded in a manner still more dangerous to the
+public welfare, by being invested with the great, responsible offices
+of state, which were thus held by young men totally inexperienced,
+instead of responsible and capable ministers. Of course, they
+distributed all the inferior offices among their relations and
+connections; and a witty annalist of the day describes the children of
+the reigning favourite's kindred as swarming about the palaces, and
+skipping up and down the back-stairs like so many fairies. They had
+been raised in early youth from a humble condition to this dazzling
+elevation, and it was only too much in accordance with the frailty of
+human nature that they should lose head--feel as if they were under no
+responsibility to their fellow-men--and, as Shakspeare says, 'play
+such fantastic tricks before high Heaven, as make the angels weep.'
+Such rapid and ill-founded prosperity never lasts; and generally he
+who has ascended like a blazing rocket, tumbles to the earth like its
+charred and blackened socket.
+
+Carr, afterwards made Earl of Somerset, was a raw Scotch youth,
+without education or training, when he was first brought under the
+notice of the king by chancing to have his leg broken in the royal
+presence in an attempt to mount a fiery horse. When once taken into
+favour, the king did not care whom he offended, or what injustice he
+did, to enrich the fortunate youth. When he was besought to spare the
+heritage of the illustrious and unfortunate Raleigh, he said
+peevishly: 'I mun have it for Carr--I mun have it for Carr!' The
+favourite desired to have for his wife the Lady Frances Howard, who
+had been married to the Earl of Essex. The holiest bonds must be
+broken to please him, and the marriage was shamefully dissolved. This
+did no great injury, indeed, to Essex. The union had been one entirely
+of interest, contracted when both were mere children. He was the same
+Essex who afterwards figured in the civil war--a grave, conscientious,
+earnest man, who could have had little sympathy with a woman so giddy
+and unprincipled. She suited better with the profligate Somerset; but
+had it not been that the king's favourite demanded it to be dissolved,
+the original union would have been held sacred.
+
+Great court pageants and festivities hailed the marriage of Carr with
+the divorced Lady Essex, and the proudest of England's nobility vied
+with each other in doing honour to the two vile persons thus
+unpropitiously united. The chief-justice, Coke, and the illustrious
+Bacon, bowed in the general crowd before their ascendancy. It has been
+maintained that Ben Jonson, in his rough independence, refused to
+write a masque for the occasion of these wicked nuptials; but this has
+been denied; and it is said, that the reason why his works contain no
+avowed reference to the occasion, is because they were not published
+until Somerset's fall. The event took place in 1613: three years
+afterwards, the same crowd of courtiers and great officers were
+assembled in Westminster Hall, to behold the earl and countess on
+their trial for murder.
+
+Sir Thomas Overbury, a man of great talent, who lived, like many other
+people of that period, by applying his capacity to state intrigues,
+had been committed to the Tower at the instigation of Somerset. He
+died there suddenly; and a suspicion arose that he had been poisoned
+by Somerset and his countess. A curious account of the transactions
+which immediately followed, has been preserved in a work called _A
+Detection of the State and Court of England during the last Four
+Reigns_. It is the more curious, as the author, Roger Coke, was a
+grandson of Sir Edward, the great chief-justice, who was a principal
+actor in the scene. The king was at Royston, accompanied by Somerset,
+when it appears that Sir Ralph Winwood informed his majesty of the
+suspicions that were abroad against the favourite. The king
+immediately determined to inform Coke; but it is feared that the
+determination arose not from a desire to execute strict justice, but
+because another favourite, George Villiers, who afterwards became Duke
+of Buckingham, had already superseded Somerset in the king's esteem.
+
+A message was immediately despatched to Sir Edward Coke, who lived in
+the Temple. He was in bed when it arrived, and his son, even for one
+who came in the king's name, would not disturb him; 'For I know,' he
+said, 'my father's disposition to be such, that if he be disturbed in
+his sleep, he will not be fit for any business; but if you will do as
+we do, you shall be welcome; and about two hours hence my father will
+rise, and you may then do as you please.' This was at one o'clock of
+the morning. Precisely at three, a little bell rang, announcing that
+the most laborious and profound lawyer whom England has ever produced,
+had begun the toilsome business of the day. It was his practice to go
+to bed at nine in the evening, and wake at three, and, in every other
+detail of his life, he pursued this with clock-work uniformity. When
+he saw the papers laid before him by the messenger, he immediately
+granted a warrant against Somerset, on a charge of murder.
+
+The favourite, little knowing what a pitfall had been dug in his
+seemingly prosperous path, was still at Royston, enjoying the most
+intimate familiarity with the king, when the messenger returned.
+Deception was so much of an avowed principle with King James, and was
+so earnestly supported by him, as one of the functions and arts of
+kingcraft, that in his hands it almost lost its treacherous character,
+and assumed the appearance of sincerity. He held that a king who acted
+openly and transparently, neglected his duty, as the vicegerent of the
+Deity; and that, for the sake of good government and the happiness of
+his people, he was bound always to conceal his intentions under false
+appearances, or, when necessary, under false statements. Somerset was
+sitting beside the king, whose hand rested familiarly on his shoulder,
+when the warrant was served on him. The haughty favourite frowned, and
+turned to his master with an exclamation against the insolence of
+daring to arrest a peer of the realm in the presence of his sovereign.
+But the king gave him poor encouragement, pretending to be very much
+alarmed by the power of the chief-justice, and saying: 'Nay, man, if
+Coke were to send for _me_, I must go.' Somerset was obliged to
+accompany the messenger. The king, still keeping up his hypocrisy,
+wailed over his departure--pathetically praying that their separation
+might not be a long one. It was said by the bystanders, that when
+Somerset was out of hearing, he was heard to say: 'The deil go wi'
+thee--I shall never see thy face more.'
+
+The earl and countess were formally indicted before their peers on a
+charge of murder. It is now that the mystery of the story begins. It
+has never appeared clearly what motive they could have had for
+murdering Sir Thomas Overbury, and the evidence against them is very
+indistinct and incoherent; yet the countess confessed, and her husband
+was found guilty. It was attempted to be shewn, that Overbury had
+opposed the divorce of the Earl and Countess of Essex, and so had done
+his best to prevent the union of the favourite with the lady; but
+whatever opposition he had offered had been overcome; and it is
+difficult to suppose the revengeful passions so gratuitously
+pertinacious as to produce a deep assassination-plot from such a
+cause. So far as one can judge from the extremely disjointed notices
+of the evidence in the _State Trials_ and elsewhere, it was very
+inconclusive. Sir Thomas certainly died of some violent internal
+attack. Other persons had been forming plans to poison him, and
+apparently were successful. The connection of these persons with the
+earl and countess was, however, faint. They were in communication with
+Overbury, and it is true some mysterious expressions were used by
+them--such as the lady saying to some one, that her lord had written
+to her how 'he wondered things were not yet despatched,' and such-like
+expressions. Then there was a story about the conveyance from the
+countess of 'a white powder,' intended as a medicine for Sir Thomas,
+and subsequently of some tarts. As to the latter, there was a letter
+from the countess to the lieutenant of the Tower, saying: 'I was bid
+to bid you say, that these tarts came not from me;' and again, 'I was
+bid to tell you, that you must take heed of the tarts, because there
+be letters in them, and therefore neither give your wife nor children
+of them, but of the wine you may, for there are no letters in it.'
+Through Somerset's influence, Sir W. Wade had been superseded as
+lieutenant of the Tower, and Sir Jervis Elwes appointed. It was said,
+that this was done for the purpose of having better opportunity for
+committing the murder. Elwes in his examination, however, hinted at
+the more commonplace crime of bribery as the cause of his elevation.
+'He saith Sir T. Monson told him that Wade was to be removed, and if
+he succeeded Sir W. Wade, he must bleed--that is, give L.2000.' To
+bleed is supposed, when so employed, to be a cant term of modern
+origin. It is singular how many of these terms, supposed to be quite
+ephemeral, are met with in old documents. 'Bilking a coachman' occurs
+in a trial of the reign of Charles II.--that of Coal for the murder of
+Dr Clench. In an important part of the trial of Somerset there occurs
+another cant word: it is in the speech of Sir Randal Crew, one of the
+king's sergeants, against the accused. He represents the ghost of
+Overbury apostrophising his murderers in this manner: 'And are you
+thus fallen from me, or rather are you thus heavily fallen upon me to
+overthrow--to oppress him thus cruelly, thus treacherously, by whose
+vigilance, counsel, and labour, you have attained your honourable
+place, your estimation in the world for a worthy and well-deserving
+_gent._?' After using this now well-known slang expression, the
+learned sergeant continues to say: 'Have I not waked, that you might
+sleep; cared, that you might enjoy? Have not I been the cabinet of
+your secrets, which I did ever keep faithfully, without the loss of
+any one to your prejudice; but by the officious, trusty, careful, and
+friendly use of them, have gained unto you a sweet and great interest
+of honour, love, reputation, wealth, and whatsoever might yield
+contentment and satisfaction to your desires? Have I done all this, to
+suffer this thus by you, for whom I have so lived as if my sand came
+in your hour-glass?'
+
+This, though it does not divulge the secret of these strange
+proceedings, brings us apparently on their scent. It appears that
+Overbury had acted as the tutor and prompter of Somerset as a
+statesman. There is an expression sometimes used in politics at the
+present day, when an inexperienced person, who has the good-fortune to
+rise to some high office which he has not sufficient knowledge to
+administer, seeks instruction and guidance from some veteran less
+fortunate. He is then said to be put to nurse with him. A young ensign
+under training by a veteran sergeant is a good instance of this.
+Somerset, raw, uneducated, and untrained, had for his nurse as a
+courtier and politician the accomplished but less fortunate Sir Thomas
+Overbury. In the course of this function, Overbury could not fail to
+acquire some state secrets. It is supposed to have been on account of
+his possession of these secrets that Somerset poisoned him. But the
+affair goes further still, for we find that the king was much alarmed
+for himself on the occasion--was very anxious that the whole position
+of matters between Somerset and Overbury should not come out in the
+trial; and gave ground for the obvious inference, that whatever
+secrets there might be, his majesty was as deeply interested in their
+being kept as any one.
+
+It was evident that the countess had been prevailed on to confess, and
+that the utmost pains had been used to get Somerset himself to follow
+her example, though, much to the king's vexation, he held out, and
+rendered a trial necessary. On this trial, however, there was nothing
+like satisfactory evidence--the peers were prepared to convict, and
+they did so on a few trifling attestations, which gave them a
+plausible excuse for their verdict. The illustrious Bacon aided the
+king in his object. He had on other occasions shewn abject servility
+to James--using towards him such expressions of indecorous flattery as
+these: 'Your majesty imitateth Christ, by vouchsafing me to touch the
+hem of your garment.' He was attorney-general, and had in that
+capacity to conduct the prosecution. Seeing distinctly the king's
+inclination, he sent a letter to him, praying, 'First, that your
+majesty will be careful to choose a steward [meaning a lord
+high-steward to preside at the trial in the House of Lords] of
+judgment, that will be able to moderate the evidence, and _cut off
+digressions_; for I may interrupt, but I cannot silence; the other,
+that there may be special care taken for ordering the evidence, not
+only for the knitting but the list, and, to use your majesty's own
+words--the _confining_ of it. This to do, if your majesty vouchsafe to
+direct it yourself, that is the best; but if not, I humbly pray you to
+require my lord chancellor, that he, together with my lord
+chief-justice, will confer with myself and my fellows that shall be
+used for the marshalling and _bounding_ of the evidence, that we may
+have the help of his opinion, as well as that of my lord
+chief-justice; whose great travails as I much commend, yet this same
+_pleropluria_, or overconfidence, doth always subject things to a
+great deal of chance.'
+
+The full significance of these cautious expressions about confining
+and bounding the evidence, was not appreciated until the discovery of
+some further documents, relating to this dark subject, a few years
+ago. The expressions were then found to correspond with others,
+equally cautious, in Bacon's correspondence. Thus he talks of
+supplying the king with pretexts that 'might satisfy his honour for
+sparing the earl's life;' and in another place he says: 'It shall be
+my care so to moderate the matter of charging him, as it might make
+him not odious beyond the extent of mercy.'
+
+The drift of all this is, in the first place, that as little of the
+real truth as possible should be divulged in the trial, and that Bacon
+and others should manage so as to let out enough to get a conviction
+and no more; hence the evidence is so fragmentary and unsatisfactory,
+that none but a tribunal prepared to be very easily satisfied could
+have formed any conclusion from it. In the second place, it was the
+king's object that Somerset should be assured all along that his life
+would be spared. The object of this certainly was to prevent him, in
+his despair, from uttering that secret, whatever it was, about which
+the king was so terribly alarmed. The reader may now expect some
+further elucidation of this part of the mystery.
+
+In Sir Anthony Weldon's _Court and Character of King James_ (p. 36),
+we have the following statement in reference to the trial:--
+
+     'And now for the last act, enters Somerset himself on the stage,
+     who being told (as the manner is) by the lieutenant, that he must
+     go next day to his trial, did absolutely refuse it, and said they
+     should carry him in his bed; that the king had assured him he
+     should not come to any trial--neither _durst_ the king bring him
+     to trial. This was in a high strain, and in a language not well
+     understood by Sir George Moore, then lieutenant in Elwes's
+     room--that made Moore quiver and shake. And however he was
+     accounted a wise man, yet he was near at his wits' end.' This
+     conversation had such an effect on the lieutenant, that though it
+     was twelve o'clock at night, he sped instantly to Greenwich, to
+     see the king. Then he 'bownseth at the back-stair, as if mad;'
+     and Loweston, the Scotch groom, aroused from sleep, comes in
+     great surprise to ask 'the reason of that distemper at so late a
+     season.' Moore tells him, he must speak with the king. Loweston
+     replies: 'He is quiet'--which, in the Scottish dialect, is fast
+     asleep. Moore says: 'You must awake him.' We are then told that
+     Moore was called in, and had a secret audience. 'He tells the
+     king those passages, and requires to be directed by the king, for
+     he was gone beyond his own reason to hear such bold and undutiful
+     expressions from a faulty subject against a just sovereign. The
+     king falls into a passion of tears: "On my soul, Moore, I wot not
+     what to do! Thou art a wise man--help me in this great straight,
+     and thou shalt find thou dost it for a thankful master;" with
+     other sad expressions. Moore leaves the king in that passion, but
+     assures him he will prove the utmost of his wit to serve his
+     majesty--and was really rewarded with a suit worth to him
+     L.1500.'
+
+Moore returned to his prisoner, and told him, 'he had been with the
+king, found him a most affectionate master unto him, and full of grace
+in his intentions towards him; but,' he continued, 'to satisfy
+justice, you must appear, although you return instantly again without
+any further proceedings--only you shall know your enemies and their
+malice, though they shall have no power over you.' Somerset seemed
+satisfied; but Weldon states, that Moore, to render matters quite
+safe, set two men, placed one on each side of Somerset during his
+trial, with cloaks hanging on their arms, 'giving them withal a
+peremptory order, if that Somerset did anyway fly out on the king,
+they should instantly hoodwink him with that cloak, take him violently
+from the bar, and carry him away--for which he would secure them from
+any danger, and they should not want also a bountiful reward. But the
+earl finding himself overreached, recollected a better temper, and
+went calmly on his trial, when he held the company until seven at
+night. But who had seen the king's restless motion all that day,
+sending to every boat he saw landing at the bridge, cursing all that
+came without tidings, would have easily judged all was not right, and
+there had been some grounds for his fears of Somerset's boldness; but
+at last one bringing him word that he was condemned, and the passages,
+all was quiet.'
+
+Weldon solemnly states, that he obtained all these facts from Moore's
+own lips. He was, however, a sarcastic, discontented writer; and being
+what was called an upstart, he was supposed to have a malice against
+kings and courts. For such reasons as these, his narrative was
+distrusted until its fundamental character, at all events, was
+confirmed by the late discovery of a bundle of letters addressed by
+the king to Sir George Moore. The bundle was found carefully wrapped
+up, and appropriately endorsed, in the repositories of Sir George's
+descendant. The letters will be found printed in the eighteenth volume
+of the _Archaeologia_, or transactions of the English Antiquarian
+Society. The following brief extracts from them may suffice for the
+present occasion--the spelling is modernised:--
+
+     'GOOD SIR GEORGE--I am extremely sorry that your unfortunate
+     prisoner turns all the great care I have of him not only against
+     himself, but against me also, as far as he can. I cannot blame
+     you that ye cannot conjecture what this may be, for God knows it
+     is only a trick of his idle brain, hoping thereby to shift his
+     trial; but it is easy to be seen, that he would threaten me with
+     laying an aspersion upon me of being in some sort accessory to
+     his crime.... Give him assurance in my name, that if he will yet,
+     before his trial, confess cheerily unto the commissioners his
+     guiltiness of this fact, I will not only perform what I promised
+     by my last messenger both towards him and his wife, but I will
+     enlarge it, according to the phrase of the civil law, &c. I mean
+     not, that he shall confess if he be innocent, but ye know how
+     evil likely that is; and of yourself ye may dispute with him what
+     should mean his confidence now to endure a trial, when, as he
+     remembers, that this last winter he confessed to the
+     chief-justice that his cause was so evil likely as he knew no
+     jury could acquit him. Assure him, that I protest upon my honour
+     my end in this is for his and his wife's good. Ye will do well,
+     likewise, of yourself, to cast out unto him, that ye fear his
+     wife shall plead weakly for his innocency; and that ye find the
+     commissioners have, ye know not how, some secret assurance that
+     in the end she will confess of him--but this must only be as from
+     yourself.'
+
+That there was some secret of the divulgence of which the king was in
+the utmost terror, is thus beyond a doubt. What, then, was it? There
+are no means of deciding. James, it will be seen, hints to Moore, that
+it was a charge of accession to the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury.
+But, in the same letter, James lets us see that Moore himself did not
+know the exact secret; and we may fairly conjecture, that the hint was
+intended to put him on a wrong scent.
+
+The earl and countess were permitted to live, spending a miserable
+existence with the fear of punishment hanging over them. The accounts
+given of the condition into which the once beautiful and too
+fascinating woman fell, are too disgusting to be repeated. There were
+many other proceedings connected with the charges for poisoning Sir
+Thomas Overbury, which throw a curious light on the habits of the
+court, and especially on the criminal attempts to get rid of rivals
+and enemies by poison and sorcery. They may perhaps form a suitable
+subject for a separate paper.
+
+
+
+
+A NIGHT IN A GERMAN WOOD.
+
+
+So numerous are the forests here which grow in lofty and romantic
+sites, that a very extensive and interesting tour might be made,
+having them alone for its object. Such fascinating excursions should
+not, however, be embarked in without a guide, or a compass at the
+least; for these German woods are often very intricate, and run into
+one another in a most puzzling manner. This I learned to my cost a few
+months ago; and as a warning to other pedestrian tourists who may be
+as unpractised in such matters as I myself then was, I would now
+bespeak the reader's attention to my experiences of A Night in a
+German Wood.
+
+Early in the autumn of the past year, whilst on a visit to a German
+friend who resides in one of the hilliest and best-wooded districts in
+Westphalia, on the confines of the classic Teutoburger Forest--after
+having been engaged nearly all the day in writing, I was tempted out
+by the freshness of the evening air and the glories of the setting
+sun, to take a turn in the park, which, by the by, is one of the
+handsomest and best laid out I have seen in any part of the continent,
+and a proof in itself that such things can be done--and well done
+too--even out of England. My intention was merely to stretch my
+cramped legs by a stroll to the southern angle of the demesne, and so
+be back in time for the quiet, early supper of the family. After
+moving along for a quarter of an hour under the shade of some fine old
+beech-trees, at the foot of a steep bank which overhangs the level
+meadow-ground, I came upon the outskirts of the plantations; and then
+turning sharp to the left, walked up along them till I had reached, as
+I thought, their extremity. Here, facing round, I began to turn my
+steps homeward; and by way of varying my route a little, struck into a
+shady path cut through the wood, which seemed to lead, as well as I
+could judge from my bearings, almost as directly back to the
+_schloss_--as all great country mansions here are called--as the one
+by which I had gone out. But after pushing rapidly along for some time
+in my dusky alley, I eventually emerged, much to my surprise, on an
+immense ploughed field, that, sloping gradually up to the spot where
+the sun had just set, seemed to terminate only with the visible
+horizon, which, however, from the very inclined angle at which the
+ground rose, was not very distant. Confident in the general
+correctness of my direction, I went on, right ahead, fancying I had
+only to cross this upland to be at home; but after floundering about
+for a good half-hour, and, in consequence of a water-course which cut
+it obliquely, being turned a little out of my straight direction, I
+found myself by moonlight on the verge of a patch of forest which was
+quite unknown to me. Such was my infatuation, however, and so firm my
+conviction of having taken correctly the relative bearings of the
+moon, which was now in her second quarter, and of the house, that I
+plunged unhesitatingly among the trees, expecting every moment to see
+the path through them open out upon some familiar spot in the demesne,
+or some portion of the surrounding country which I might have already
+perambulated by daylight. Though in utter darkness, from the close
+interweaving of the foliage, still, by raising my feet high, like a
+blind horse, to get over the inequalities of the way, and flourishing
+my stick perpetually around my head as I proceeded, to avoid coming in
+contact with any stray tree, or chance branch projecting into the
+pathway, I got prosperously through this portion of wood. But again I
+came out on something which was totally strange to me--a narrow
+valley, stretching, as well as I could judge by the last glimmerings
+of twilight, to a considerable distance, flanked on each side by
+gloomy woods, about a quarter of a mile apart, and laid down in rye,
+which was nearly ready for the sickle, and dripping wet in the
+night-dew. Matters now began to look serious. I was completely at
+fault, and had entirely lost all confidence in my own pilotage. The
+moon had proved a faithless guide, or rather I had misconstrued her
+position; and my little pocket-compass was not forthcoming, thanks to
+the importunities of my youngest boy, who prizes it above all his own
+toys.
+
+There was nothing for it now but to select that direction towards
+which the valley might seem slightly to descend; but this, in the
+imperfect twilight, was not very easily ascertained. With considerable
+hesitation, I decided at length on the right-hand turn, resolving to
+proceed till I should fall in with some rivulet, which might perhaps
+lead me eventually to the rapid trouting-stream running close under my
+friend's windows, or else till I should come upon some path which
+might carry me into a field-road, and so perhaps to a village, where I
+should easily procure a guide home. So, with tottering knees and
+throbbing heart--for I was by this time nearly breathless--I continued
+to advance by the side of the standing corn, at such a pace as I could
+manage, uttering from time to time a lusty halloo, in hopes of making
+myself heard by some belated reaper or returning woodman. But my calls
+had no other effect than to awake the mocking echoes of the wood, or
+the mysterious and almost human shout of the screech-owl, and to leave
+me to a still more intense feeling of solitude, when these had died
+away. I found myself at length in a deep, hollow field-road, like
+those which abound in South Devon, and high overhead, on the lofty
+bank, stood a two-branched, weather-beaten finger-post, and a great
+rustic crucifix near it, looming large in the moonlight. Scrambling up
+the bank, with anxious peering eyes, I made out, by the dubious light
+of the moon, that one of the outstretched wooden arms bore, in
+rudely-cut letters, the name of the village beside which I was
+resident; and as its distance was stated, I found that, after all my
+windings and wanderings, I had still only got half a German mile, or
+about one league, astray! This was a very pleasant discovery; and
+accordingly I quickly wheeled about, and set off with renewed vigour
+at right angles to my previous line of march, having still good hopes
+of being at home before eleven o'clock at night, time enough to
+prevent any alarm on account of my absence.
+
+The road soon, however, degenerated into a mere field-track, which, as
+the moon had disappeared behind clouds, just before her final setting,
+could only with difficulty be recognised by an occasional deep rut,
+felt by my stick in the soft ground; even this track at length forked
+out into two others--one penetrating into a wood on my right; the
+other opener, and with only scattered trees by its side, to the left.
+The latter seemed the most promising, and was accordingly selected,
+and followed for about ten minutes, when it, too, came upon the skirts
+of another wood in the opposite direction. It seemed, besides, as well
+as I could judge from some faint glimpses I now got of the surrounding
+country in a momentary gleam of moonlight, to be leading me wide of my
+goal: and I accordingly retraced my steps once more to where the road
+had divided, and taking the recently slighted right-hand path, dived
+in desperation in between the trees, amidst 'darkness that might be
+felt.' Walking steadily and quickly forward, during what seemed, in
+the deep gloom, a considerable time, I eventually emerged into 'the
+clear obscure,' the moon having at length set, and left the sky, and
+all such wanderers as myself, to the good offices of the stars. I was
+now on the opposite verge of the wood to that I had entered by, and
+found myself by the side of a narrow corn-field, with _another_
+wooded hill on its further side, and heard, within hailing
+distance--more delightful than music to my ear--the grating sound of
+cart-wheels, which appeared to be going in an oblique, but nearly
+opposite direction to that in which I had just been moving. It was
+quite impossible to see anything so far off; but I hailed the presumed
+carter repeatedly, in my loudest and best German, asking my way.
+
+'Follow on by the foot of the wood, and you'll get there in time,' was
+the reply, at length faintly heard in the distance, and the cart
+rumbled heavily away again, leaving me just as wise as before; for
+which was _head_ and which was _foot_ of the wood I knew no more than
+the child unborn. Yet I feared to dash through the intervening corn in
+the direction of the receding and already distant cart, neither
+knowing what the nature of the intermediate ground might prove, nor
+whether, supposing it practicable in the dark, such an infringement of
+rural property might not lead to disagreeable consequences, and in
+nowise further me in the attainment of the piece of knowledge which I
+stood so much in need of. So, I took on chance to my left hand, as the
+most distant from the finger-post I had fallen upon an hour and a half
+before.
+
+The sound of the cart which long tingled in my ears, and the utter
+disappointment of my suddenly raised hopes, only rendered my sense of
+solitude and helplessness more intense. Indeed, I sometimes almost
+doubted whether the whole thing--cart and carter, or, rather, rumbling
+wheels and faint, chilling, distant voice--might not have been the
+delusion of my reeling brain, debilitated by overfatigue and long
+fasting (for every one knows the early hour at which a German dinner
+takes place); and on subsequent inquiry, I could not hear of any cart
+having passed in that quarter at all.
+
+It was singular how long I wandered about, and every now and then in
+cultivated districts, without hearing a single human voice even in the
+earlier portion of the evening--nay, any sound whatever, save once or
+twice the fierce warning bark of a shepherd's dog, when I had
+inadvertently approached too near a sheepfold--the startling rush of
+some affrighted bird in the wood, flapping wildly up through the
+foliage--a distant village clock in some indefinite direction over the
+hill-top--or, finally, as on one occasion, a few remote shots, which I
+at first fancied might have been fired off by my friends to direct me
+homewards, but afterwards ascribed, more correctly, perhaps, to
+poachers in the woods. The manner in which the peasantry live here--in
+separate villages, built occasionally a good deal apart, and not in
+cottages scattered everywhere over the country, as with
+us--sufficiently accounts for this wide-spread silence.
+
+Just as I was losing faith in the correctness of my present course,
+the chimes of a clock were distinctly heard, coming apparently over
+the top of the wooded hill on my left. I immediately turned into the
+wood once more, and strove to make a march directly through the trees
+in the direction of the sound, and right up the steep ascent, which
+was clothed by them to the summit. But this I soon found to be totally
+impracticable, in the absence of anything like a path or opening; for
+though I made my way well enough through the old trees, which stood
+far apart, and were pretty free from branches near the ground, yet
+towards the upper part of the hill, I got entangled in such a
+close-growing rising generation as it was almost impossible to
+penetrate. I was often almost in despair of being able to extricate
+myself even from my present entanglement, and to retrace my steps to
+the open ground below; in my exhausted condition, as it was already
+long past midnight, I was making up my mind to roost with the owls on
+the fork of a tree; and was even anticipating the possibility of
+becoming a permanent scarecrow there, when my very bones would be
+concealed in the thicket from the anxious search of my friends.
+
+It was under the influence of excessive fatigue, perhaps, and the
+relaxation of the will generally consequent thereon, that my
+resolution now at length seemed on the point of giving way; nay, the
+very attachment to life itself, on my own individual account, seemed
+fading, and a disinclination to continue the struggle farther appeared
+to be gradually creeping over me. I was becoming reconciled to what
+appeared inevitable, and could look upon my own probable fate almost
+as calmly as if it had been that of a stranger. I believe something
+very similar not unusually takes place, under the merciful disposition
+of Providence, in the death-bed, where debility is the chief feature
+of the case. After a few moments of repose and dreamy reverie,
+however, I roused myself from this state of apathy, and, influenced by
+a sense of duty, as well as by a sympathy for the feelings of those
+dearer than life itself, sprang to my feet once more, and struggled
+manfully out of the mesh of branches in which I had been entangled,
+till, after a few more violent efforts, I found myself getting into a
+rather opener and more advanced growth of wood, and at length
+succeeded in working my way out--almost to the very spot in the meadow
+I had started from!
+
+Whilst still within the wood, I had been favoured with some novel
+experiences there--novel, at least, to me, as it was my first night in
+such a position. Thus, almost every branch I grasped in the dark to
+help me onward seemed crowded with snails, which smashed slimily under
+my shuddering hand! Glowworms were sparkling in the underwood in such
+myriads as I never witnessed before, save once in an evening-walk near
+Salerno. The sense of utter solitude and unbroken silence within these
+gloomy woods was truly awful. From time to time, as I advanced, a
+casual opening in the branches exhibited a momentary glimpse of the
+sky, with all its thousand twinkling fires; and shooting-stars of
+intense brilliancy were darting across its dark, blue depths in almost
+as great frequency as in those celebrated days of August and November,
+when the path of our earth crosses the thickest showers of these
+celestial fireworks.
+
+On regaining the meadow, I felt quite at a loss whither to turn, or
+what to attempt next. I had already been floundering about for some
+half-dozen hours, and been ignorant all the while whether each
+additional step were not only taking me a step further, not from home
+alone, but from the very habitations of men. Almost done up at length,
+and hopeless of extricating myself from my labyrinth till daylight
+should come to my aid, I was again for a moment inclined quietly to
+resign myself to what seemed my inevitable fate, and drop down to
+sleep on a bank of earth under a hedge by which I was standing, and so
+await the dawn. But the dank grass, the trees dropping with dew, the
+creeping autumnal fog, and increasing cold, made me pause, and feel
+that to sleep in my light summer dress under such circumstances was,
+if not to die, at least to contract, during the night, such disease as
+would render existence not worth the having--racking rheumatism for
+life, or fever, or inflammation, in some of their many forms, and
+endless consequences. So I resolved to keep moving as long as I had
+power to stir a limb, as this would give me a chance of maintaining
+the circulation and animal heat throughout the remaining hours of the
+night, if my strength would but hold out so long. Like a drowning man,
+I struck out once more for life; again I tried the field-road I had
+lately too rashly abandoned; floundered once more through its pools
+and its ruts; clambered again on its high banks, or moved along under
+the shadow of the wood by its side. At length, after scarcely half an
+hour's additional walking, my perseverance had its reward, as I found
+myself at the entrance of a village, and heard, not far off, the busy
+clatter of some industrious flaxdressers, who were turning night into
+day, at their work. This proved to be the termination of my mishap;
+for the instructions I received enabled me to find my way home by
+three o'clock.
+
+It was my amusement during several subsequent days, to endeavour by
+daylight to retrace accurately my midnight wanderings. I found I could
+not have walked less than twenty miles, though never at any time more
+than three distant from home. I had been incessantly in motion during
+nearly eight hours; and was at least thrice on right tracks, which, if
+they had been followed up steadily only a little longer, would have
+brought me to my quarters. The chiming of the old convent-bells, which
+I had mistaken for those of our own pretty little church, came really
+from the very opposite direction to what I fancied--the sound I heard
+being merely their echo, reflected to my ear from the wooded
+hill-side.
+
+Thus, the proposition with which I started--namely, that German woods
+are not to be trifled with, or rashly entered without a guide or
+compass--is fully sustained by my own luckless experience. Much of the
+surrounding country was already well known to me, and in my various
+walks I had skirted along and even intersected some of these very
+woods; but the way in which they are parcelled out, for the supply of
+neighbouring, but unconnected villages with firewood, and the puzzling
+manner in which they are shuffled together when the estates of several
+proprietors run into one another at a given point, render it
+singularly difficult to steer through them even by day, and to the
+uninitiated, quite impracticable by night.
+
+
+
+
+AN A.D.L.L. ADVENTURE IN LIVERPOOL.
+
+
+Liverpool has perhaps fewer relics of an archaeological nature than any
+other town in the United Kingdom; and this at first seems a little
+singular, when we remember that it is not without its place in the
+more romantic eras of our history, and that a castle of considerable
+strength once lent it protection. Its old castle, its towers, and the
+walls by which it was surrounded, have all been swept away by the busy
+crowds that now throng its thoroughfares. Even the former names of
+places have in most instances been altered, as if to obliterate all
+recollections and associations connected with its early history. Thus
+a row of houses, which a few years ago bore the not very euphonious
+name of Castle Ditch, from its having followed a portion of the line
+of the moat by which the fortress which once stood near it was
+surrounded, was changed into St George's Crescent, and many others
+underwent similar transmutations. But if the physical aspect of the
+place holds out few or no attractions to the antiquary, the moral one
+of its inhabitants, in so far as his favourite subject is concerned,
+is equally uninviting; for, taken as a whole, it would be difficult to
+find a population less influenced by, or interested in, such studies.
+
+The only relic of the olden times which Liverpool has for a long time
+past retained, was a long, low, picturesque-looking thatched cottage
+in the small village of Everton (of _toffee_ notoriety), which went by
+the name of Prince Rupert's Cottage, from its having been the
+head-quarters of that fiery leader when he besieged the town from the
+ridge on which the village is situated. But even this was swept away
+about six years ago by the proprietor, to allow a street which he had
+mapped out to abut upon the village at the point it occupied. The
+project did not succeed, and the outline of the contemplated street is
+all that as yet marks out the spot where this interesting object
+stood.
+
+I confess to the soft impeachment of having been, at a very early
+period of my life, inoculated with the true Monkbarns enthusiasm, and
+I have always been a great admirer of that beautiful remark of Lord
+Bacon's, that 'antiquities may be considered as the planks of a wreck
+which wise and prudent men gather and preserve from the deluge of
+time.'
+
+Some months ago, I was walking along what is called the Breck Road,
+leading out of the little village of Everton, of which I have been
+speaking, when my attention was arrested by a market-cross in a field
+on the opposite side of the road. I was somewhat surprised that it had
+escaped my notice when I formerly passed that way, and I immediately
+crossed over to examine it. It was formed, as all the English
+market-crosses are, of a series of flat steps, with an upright shaft
+in the centre, was built of the red sandstone of the district, and
+bore the appearance of great antiquity. The field was not far from
+what might be called the principal street of the village; and as I was
+aware that considerable changes had taken place of late years in the
+neighbourhood, it occurred to me as possible, that at one time the
+cross might have occupied the centre of a space on which the markets
+were held. My time, however, being limited, I was unable to make any
+immediate inquiries regarding it, but resolved to take an early
+opportunity of making myself acquainted with its early history, so as
+to rescue one interesting relic at least of the place from apparently
+a very undeserved obscurity. This opportunity did not present itself
+for some weeks; but at length it did occur, and I started for the
+place, to collect all the information, both traditional and otherwise,
+which I could regarding it.
+
+On arriving at the spot, my surprise may be conceived, for it cannot
+be described, when, on looking at the field where it stood, I found
+that it had been removed, and all that remained to point out the
+place, was the bare mark on the grass of the spot which it had
+occupied. The consternation of Alladin, when he got up one fine
+morning and found that his gorgeous palace had vanished during the
+night, was hardly greater than mine on making this sad discovery; and,
+like him, I daresay, I rubbed my eyes in hopes that my visual organs
+had deceived me, but with as little success. On looking to the other
+side of the road, I observed a mason at work repairing the opposite
+wall with some very suspicious-looking stones, and I immediately
+crossed over, and commenced a categorical examination of the supposed
+delinquent. I inquired whether he could explain to me the cause of the
+removal of the ancient cross, which used to be in the field exactly
+opposite to where we were then standing; but he said that, although he
+was an old residenter in Everton, he had not even been aware of the
+existence of such an object. This I set down as an additional instance
+of the want of interest which the natives of the place take in
+archaeological subjects. He told me, however, that about three weeks
+previously, he had observed several men facing the wall opposite with
+large stones, which they brought apparently from some place close at
+hand; but that, having his own work to attend to, he had not bestowed
+any particular thought on the matter. He said the field was rented by
+a person for the purpose of cleaning carpets, and that he had no doubt
+the removal had been accomplished by his directions.
+
+On stepping across the road, I found these suspicions completely
+realised; for there, resting on the top of the wall, were the
+time-honoured steps of the cross of my anxiety. Luckily for me, at
+least, the tenant was not at hand at the time, as in the state of
+excitement in which I was, I might have done or said something which I
+should afterwards have regretted. I had no alternative but to return
+to town, 'nursing my wrath to keep it warm,' and thinking over the
+best and most efficacious method in which I could accomplish the
+punishment of the aggressor, whoever he might be, and procuring the
+restoration of the cross in all its primitive simplicity. I thought of
+an article in the papers, into which all my caustic and sarcastic
+powers were to be concentrated and discharged on the head of the
+desecrator--then of calling on the lord of the manor, and mentioning
+the matter to him, so as, if possible, to carry his influence along
+with me, although I thought it quite probable that he might have
+sanctioned the spoliation, to save the expense of new stones for the
+repair of his tenant's wall. Under this latter impression, therefore,
+and previous to carrying either of these belligerent intentions into
+effect, I thought it would only be fair to give the obnoxious man an
+opportunity of explaining the circumstances under which he had
+assumed such an unwarranted responsibility. Accordingly, a short time
+afterwards, I again wended my way towards the field, determined to
+bring the matter in some way or other to a bearing, when I saw a very
+pleasant-looking man standing at the door of the house in which the
+carpet-cleansing operations are carried on. Supposing him to be the
+delinquent, I endeavoured to bridle my rising choler as much as
+possible, while I asked him whether he could tell me anything about
+the removal of the cross which had once stood in that field. With a
+gentle smile, which I thought at the time almost demoniac, he mildly
+replied, that _he_ had removed it, _because the object for which he
+had erected it, about twelve months before_, had ceased to exist, and
+he had taken the stones to repair the wall close by where it had
+stood!
+
+The shock which the nervous system of our worthy friend Monkbarns
+received when the exclamation of Edie Ochiltree fell upon his ear, of
+'Pretorium here, pretorium there, _I_ mind the biggin' o't,' was not
+greater than that which mine sustained on receiving this death-blow to
+all my hopes of rescuing this interesting relic of antiquity from its
+unmerited oblivion. Gulping down my mortification as I best could, I,
+in as indifferent a manner as I could assume, craved the liberty of
+inquiring what the circumstances were which had led to such a
+fanciful employment of his time. He told me that he had been a
+carpet-manufacturer in Oxfordshire, but had been unsuccessful in
+business, and had come here and set up his present establishment for
+the cleaning of the articles which he formerly manufactured; and that,
+wishing to add to his income by every legitimate means within his
+power, he had been supplied regularly with a quantity of Banbury
+cakes, for the sale of which he had erected a temporary wooden-hut in
+one corner of his field; that one morning early, about eighteen months
+ago, as he was lying awake in bed, the thought struck him, that as
+there were a great many large flat stones lying in a corner of the
+field, he would erect them, in front of the hut, into the form of the
+well-known cross of equestrian nursery-rhyme notoriety. He immediately
+rose, and, summoning his workmen, succeeded in making a very tolerable
+imitation of the world-wide-known cross; but that, after about twelve
+months' trial of his cake-speculation, finding it did not succeed, he
+gave it up; and removing the cross of which it was the sign, turned
+the stones to a more useful purpose.
+
+Thus ended my day-dream connected with this _interesting relic_; and
+nothing, I am sure, but that indomitable enthusiasm which
+distinguishes all genuine disciples of the Monkbarns school, could
+have sustained me under my grievous disappointment.
+
+
+
+
+'TWENTY-FOUR HOURS OF A SAILOR'S LIFE AT SEA.'
+
+
+In the article with the above title, in No. 431, the pay of seamen is
+stated at from L.2, 10s. to L.3 a month; but this does not bring the
+information down to the latest date. At _present_, we are informed,
+the very best A. Bs. (able-bodied seamen) receive only from L.2 to
+L.2, 5s.; and 'ordinary' hands only from L.1, 10s. to L.1, 15s. In the
+navy, the pay is still less than in the merchant service, which is the
+reason why our best men so constantly desert to the American navy,
+where they obtain, on an average, about twelve dollars a month. It
+ought to be added, that when one of our ships is short of hands in a
+foreign port, these rates do not prevail. Captains are sometimes
+obliged to bid as high as L.6 a month, to make up their complement.
+
+
+
+
+EXCESSIVE MODESTY.
+
+
+D'Israeli tells us of a man of letters, of England, who had passed his
+life in constant study; and it was observed that he had written
+several folio volumes, which his modest fears would not permit him to
+expose to the eye even of his critical friends. He promised to leave
+his labours to posterity; and he seemed sometimes, with a glow on his
+countenance, to exult that they would not be unworthy of their
+acceptance. At his death, his sensibility took the alarm; he had the
+folios brought to his bed; no one could open them, for they were
+closely locked. At the sight of his favourite and mysterious labours,
+he paused; he seemed disturbed in his mind, while he felt at every
+moment his strength decaying. Suddenly he raised his feeble hands by
+an effort of firm resolve, burnt his papers, and smiled as the greedy
+Vulcan licked up every page. The task exhausted his remaining
+strength, and he soon afterwards expired.
+
+
+
+
+THE KHUNJUNEE.
+
+
+     [The little, disregarded wagtail of our own land, which we may
+     frequently see wherever insects abound--on the green meadow, or
+     by the margin of the brook--is the khunjunee of the Hindoo, by
+     whose romantic and fanciful mythology he has been made a holy
+     bird, bearing on his breast the impression of Salagrama, the
+     stone of Vishnoo, a sacred petrified shell. Protected by this
+     prestige, the little creature ranges unmolested near the
+     habitations of man, and may in this respect be styled the robin
+     of the East. To Europeans in the East, this bird is also an
+     object of interest, as being a precursor of the delightful cold
+     season, the advent of which is anxiously looked for by every
+     Anglo-Indian. The little khunjunee makes his appearance in the
+     early part of November, and departs as the hot season
+     approaches--I think in March or April. The note of this little
+     bird can hardly aspire to be called a song; I used, however, to
+     think it a pleasing twitter. I paid particular attention to two
+     khunjunees, which used to return every season and haunt our
+     habitation: they would pick up insects from the pavement, and eat
+     the crumbs with which they were plentifully supplied. I have
+     watched them pluming themselves on the balustrade, while their
+     sparkling black eyes glanced fearlessly and confidingly in my
+     face. When I now see a wagtail at home in Scotland, I cannot but
+     look upon it as an old friend, reminding me of my departed youth,
+     and recalling many soothing as well as mournful recollections.]
+
+    Welcome to thee, sweet khunjunee!
+      Which is thy best-loved home?--
+    Over the sea, in a far countrie,
+      Or the land to which thou art come?
+
+    What carest thou?--thou revelest here
+      In the bright and balmy air;
+    And again to regions far remote
+      Thou returnest--and summer is there!
+
+    Thou art sacred here, where the Brahmin tells
+      Of the godhead's seal impressed
+    By Vishnoo's hand--that thou bearest still
+      His gorget on thy breast.
+
+    And welcomed thou art, with grateful heart,
+      For well doth the Hindoo know,
+    That at thy approach the clouds disperse,
+      And temperate breezes blow.
+
+    Yet little he cares where thy sojourn hath been
+      So long, since he saw thee last;
+    Nor in what far land of storm or calm
+      The rainy months have passed.
+
+    But others there be, who think with me,
+      Thou hast been to that favoured land,
+    Which restores the bloom to the faded cheek,
+      And strength to the feeble hand.
+
+    And my children believe, that since thou wert here,
+      Thou hast compassed half the earth,
+    And that now thou hast come, like a thought in a dream,
+      From the land of their father's birth;
+
+    Bringing with thee the healthful breeze
+      That blows from the heath-clad hill,
+    And the breath of the primrose and gowan that bloom
+      On the bank by the babbling rill.
+
+    Then welcome to thee, little khunjunee!
+      May thy presence a blessing confer;
+    Still of breezes cool, and returning health,
+      The faithful harbinger.
+
+    OLD INDIAN.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+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. 441, by Various
+
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