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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/8640-8.txt b/8640-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3dcfe23 --- /dev/null +++ b/8640-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1858 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321, 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: The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321 + The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction + +Author: Various + +Posting Date: January 18, 2013 [EBook #8640] +Release Date: August, 2005 +First Posted: July 29, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + + + + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction Jon Ingram, Charles Franks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + + * * * * * + +[NO. 321.] SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1828. [PRICE 2d.] + + * * * * * + +EATON HALL, CHESHIRE, + +_The Seat of the Rt. Hon. Earl Grosvenor_. + +[Illustration] + +This mansion is a princely specimen of Gothic architecture; and is in +every respect calculated for the residence of its noble possessor, whose +taste and munificence in patronizing the Fine Arts are well known to our +readers. Nevertheless, it is worthy of special remark, that not only is +the name of GROSVENOR conspicuous in this patronage, but his lordship +has further evinced his love of art in the construction of one of the +most splendid buildings in the whole empire,--the present mansion having +been completed within a few years.[1] Here the noble founder seems to +have realized all that the ingenious Sir Henry Wotton considered +requisite for a man's "house and home--the theatre of his hospitality, +the seat of self-fruition, a kind of PRIVATE PRINCEDOM; nay, to the +possessors thereof, an epitome of the whole world." + + [1] At this moment, Earl Grosvenor has in progress a splendid + gallery for the reception of his superb collection of pictures, + adjoining his town mansion, in Grosvenor-street. This is one of + the few "Private Collections" to which, through the good taste + and courtesy of the proprietor, the public are admitted, on + specified days, and under certain restrictions. The nucleus of + Earl Grosvenor's collection, was the purchase of Mr. Agar's + pictures for £30,000; since which it has been enlarged, till it + has at length become one of the finest in England. In the + drawing-room at Eaton are, _Our Saviour on the Mount of Olives_, + by Claude Lorraine, which is the largest painting known to have + been executed by him; and _A Port in the Mediterranean_, by + Vernet. In the dining-room, _Rubens with his Second Wife_; by + himself; and _The Judgment of Paris_, a copy, by Peters, after + Rubens. In the dressing-room of the state bed-room, _David and + Abigail_, also by Rubens. Over the ornamented chimney-pieces of + the hall are, West's _Dissolution of the Long Parliament_, and + _The Landing of Charles the Second_. + +_Eaton_ is situated about three miles to the south of Chester, on the +verge of an extensive park, thickly studded with fine old timber. The +present "Hall" occupies the site of the old mansion, which is described +as a square and spacious brick building erected by Sir Thomas Grosvenor, +in the reign of William III. The architect was Sir John Vanbrugh, who +likewise laid out the gardens with straight walks and leaden statues, in +the formal style of his age. In the reconstruction, the fine vaulted +basement story of the old Hall was preserved, as were also the external +foundations, and some subdivisions; but the superstructure was altered +and entirely refitted, and additional apartments erected on the north +and south sides, so as to make the area of the new house twice the +dimensions of the old one. + +The style of architecture adopted in the new Hall is that of the age of +Edward III, as exhibited in that Parthenon of Gothic architecture, York +Minster; although the architect, Mr. Porden, has occasionally availed +himself of the low Tudor arch, and the forms of any other age that +suited his purpose, so as to adapt the rich variety of our ancient +ecclesiastical architecture to modern domestic convenience. Round the +turrets, and in various parts of the parapets are shields, charged in +relievo with the armorial bearings of the Grosvenor family, and of +other ancient families that, by intermarriages, the Grosvenors are +entitled to quarter with their own. The windows, which are "richly +dight" with tracery, are of cast-iron, moulded on both sides, and +grooved to receive the glass. The walls, battlements, and pinnacles, +are of stone, of a light and beautiful colour, from the Manly quarry +about ten miles distant. + +The annexed engraving represents the west-front of the house, in the +centre of which is the entrance, by a vaulted porch, which admits a +carriage to the steps that lead to the Hall, a spacious and lofty room, +occupying the height of two stories, with a groined ceiling, embellished +with the Grosvenor arms, and other devices, in the bosses that cover the +junction of the ribs. The pavement is of variegated marble in +compartments. At the end of the Hall, a screen of five arches support a +gallery which connects the bed-chambers on the north side of the house +with those on the south, which are separated by the elevation of the +Hall. Under this gallery, two open arches to the right and left conduct +to the grand staircase, the state bed-room, and the second staircase; +and opposite to the door of the hall is the entrance to the saloon. The +grand staircase is elaborately ornamented with niches and canopies, and +with tracery under the landings; and in the principal ceiling, which is +surmounted with a double skylight of various coloured glass. The state +bed-room is lighted by two painted windows, with tracery and armorial +bearings. In the saloon are three lofty and splendidly painted windows, +which contain, in six divisions,--the portraits of the conqueror's +nephew, Gilbert le Grosvenor, the founder of the Grosvenor family, and +his lady; of William the Conqueror, with whom Gilbert came into England; +the Bishop of Bayeux, uncle to the conqueror; the heiress of the house +of Eaton; and Sir Robert le Grosvenor, who signalized himself in the +wars of Edward III. + +The saloon is a square of thirty feet, formed into an octagon by arches +across the angles, which give to the vaultings a beautiful form. +Opposite to the chimney piece is an organ richly decorated. On the left +of the saloon is an ante-room leading to the dining-room; and on the +right, another leading to the drawing-room: the windows of these rooms +are glazed with a light Mosaic tracery, and exhibit the portraits of the +six Earls of Chester, who, after Hugh Lupus, governed Cheshire as a +County Palatine, till Henry III bestowed the title on his son Edward; +since which time the eldest sons of the kings of England have always +been Earls of Chester. + +The dining-room, situated at the northern extremity of the east front, +is about 50 feet long and 30 feet wide, exclusive of a bay-window of +five arches, the opening of which is 30 feet. In the centre window is +the portrait of Hugh Lupus; which, with the portraits of the six Earls +of Chester, in the ante-room windows, were executed from cartoons, at +Longport, Staffordshire. The ceiling is of bold and rich tracery, with a +profuse emblazoning of heraldic honours, and a large ornamented pendant +for a chandelier. + +The drawing room, which is at the southern extremity of the east front, +is of the same form and dimensions as the dining-room, with the addition +of a large window to the south, commanding the luxuriant groves of +meadows of Eaton, and the village and spire of Oldford above them. All +the windows of this room are adorned with heads and figures of the +ancestors of the family; also the portraits of the present Earl and +Countess, in a beautiful brown _chiaro-scuro_. The ceiling is tracery of +the nicest materials and workmanship emblazoned with the arms of the +Grosvenor family, and those of Egerton, Earl of Wilton, the father of +the present Countess Grosvenor. + +Eaton became the property of the Grosvenor family through the marriage +of Ralph Grosvenor, in the reign of Henry VI with Joan, daughter of John +Eaton, then owner of this estate. The Grosvenor family, as we have +already intimated, came into England with William the Conqueror; they +derived their name from the office of chief huntsmen, which they held in +the Norman court; and, when "chivalry was the fashion of the times," +says Pennant, "few families shone in so distinguished a manner: none +shewed equal spirit in vindicating their rights to their looms." He then +mentions the celebrated legal contest with Sir Richard le Scroope, for +the family arms--_Azure, a bend or_. This cause was tried before the +High Constable and the Earl Marshal of England, in the reign of Richard +II. It lasted three years; kings, princes of the blood, and most of the +nobility, and among the gentry, Chaucer, the poet, gave evidence on the +trial. "The sentence," says Pennant, "was conciliating; that both +parties should bear the same arms; but the _Grosvenours avec une bordure +d'argent_. Sir Robert resents it, and appeals to the king. The judgment +is confirmed; but the choice is left to the defendant, either to use the +_bordure_, or bear the arms of their relations, the ancient Earls of +Chester, _azure, a gerb d'or_. He rejected the mortifying distinction, +and chose a _gerb_: which is the family coat to this day." + +Hitherto we have only spoken of the artificial splendour of Eaton. The +natural beauties with which it is environed will, however, present +equal, if not superior, attraction for the tourist. The stiff, formal +walks of Vanbrugh no longer disfigure the grounds, which are now made to +harmonize with the contiguous landscape, and are enlivened by an inlet +of the Dee, which intervenes between the eastern front of the mansion, +and the opposite plantations. These alterations have, however, been made +with great judgment, and a few of the venerable beauties of the park +remain. Thus, a fine aged avenue extends westward to a Gothic lodge in +the hamlet of Belgrave, about two miles distant from the Hall. Another +lodge, in a similar style of design, is approached by a road, which +diverges from this avenue towards Chester, and crosses the park, through +luxuriating plantations, which open occasionally in glade views of the +Broxton and Welsh Hills. The most pleasing approach to this noble +mansion is one which has been cut through the plantations, towards the +north-east angle of the house, so as to throw the whole building into +perspective. + +Viewed from either of the beautiful sites with which the park abounds, +Eaton is a magnificent display of towers, and turrets, pinnacles and +battlements, partly embosomed in foliage, and belted with one of the +richest domains in England. Indeed, its splendour seldom fails to strike +the overweening admirer of art with devotional fondness, which is not +lessened by his approach to the fabric.[1] The most favourable distant +views are from the Aldford road, and from the romantic banks of the Dee, +whence there is a proud display of architectural grandeur. In every +point, however, the grounds and mansion of Eaton will abundantly gratify +the expectations of the visiter. Altogether, they present a rich scene +of nature, diversified and embellished by the attributes of art; and the +admiration of the latter will be not a little enhanced by the reflection +that the building of this sumptuous pile provided employment for a large +portion of the poor of Chester during one of the most calamitous periods +of the late war. + + [1] One view from the interior deserves special mention: viz. from + the saloon, upon a terrace 350 feet in length, commanding one + of the richest landscapes on the banks of Dee. The boasted + terrace at Versailles is but 400 feet in length; yet, how many + Englishmen, who have seen the latter, are even ignorant of + that at Eaton. + +The noble founder of Eaton has indeed learned to "build stately," and +"garden finely;" and has thus made the personal fruition of his wealth +subservient to its real use--the distribution. + + * * * * * + +ORIGIN OF CHESS. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + +SIR,--In vol. 3, page 211, of the MIRROR, is an account of the origin of +the scientific game of chess, the invention of which, your correspondent +_F. H. Y._ has attributed to a brahmin, named Sissa. But I believe it is +entirely a matter of doubt, both as to where, and by whom it was +invented; it is evidently of very high antiquity, and if we recur to the +original names of the pieces with which it is played, we shall readily +be convinced it is of Asiatic original. The honour of inventing it, is +contended for by several nations, but principally by the Hindoos, the +Chinese, and the Persians. In support of the first, we are told, by Sir +William Jones, in the 2nd vol. of his _Asiatic Researches_, that the +game of chess has been immemorably known in Hindostan, by the name of +Chaturanga, or the four members of an army, viz. elephants, horses, +chariots, and foot soldiers. And yet, the same learned author observes, +that no account of the game has hitherto been discovered in the +classical writings of the brahmins. Mr. Daines Barrington supposed the +Chinese to be the inventers, and in this he is supported by a paper +published in the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, for 1794, vol. +5, by Mr. Eyles Irwin. It states, that when Mr. Irwin was at Canton, a +young mandarin, on seeing the English chess-board, recognised its +similarity with that used for a game of their own; and brought his board +and equipage for Mr. Irwin's inspection, and soon after gave him a +manuscript extract from a book, relating the invention of the Chinese +game, called by them chong-he, or the royal game, which it attributed to +a Chinese general (about 1,965 years ago) who by its means reconciled +his soldiers to passing the winter in quarters in the country of Shensi, +the cold and inconvenience of which were likely to have occasioned a +mutiny among them. Other writers contend that chess is a game of Persian +invention, since _scah muth_ is the Persic term for check-mate; and +since the Persians were sedulous in recommending it to their young +princes, as a game calculated to instruct kings in the art of war. It +has been attributed to Palamedes, who lived during the Trojan war; but +it was a game played with pebbles, or cubes, of which he was the +inventer. Palamedes was so renowned for his sagacity, that almost every +early discovery was ascribed to him. Whether the Greeks or Romans were +acquainted with this game is doubtful. Of the three contending nations, +the claim of the Persians appears to me to be least eligible, and that +of the Chinese the most. + +_Near Sheffield._ + +J. M. C-D. + + * * * * * + +THREE SONNETS TO JOHN KEATS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + I can think of thee! now that the light spring + Showers live in the rich breezes, and the dyes + Of the glad flowers are won from her blue eyes + Exulting; whilst loud songs, on the fleet wing + Of the Earth's seraphs, bear her welcoming + From it to heaven, and, up to the far skies, + From turf-born censers floods of incense rise. + I can think of thee in my wandering; + And when the heart leaps up within to bless + The sights of love and beauty, on each hand,-- + The pouring-out of sky-sprung happiness + Over the dancing sea and the green land, + Thought wakes one saddening thrill of bitterness-- + Thou canst not o'er this Eden smiling stand! + + + Yes! even as the quick glow of Spring's first smile + Is unto the renewed spirit,--even + As that abundant gush of wine from Heaven + Loosens the dreary grasp of Cares which coil + Round the lone heart like serpents,--the sweet toil + Of draining the dear dream-cup thou hast given + Is unto me,--and thoughts which long have striven + With joyousness, flit far away the while + My lips are prest to it. By the fire-light, + Or in full gaze of sun-set, when the choirs + Of winged minstrels, waking out of light, + Ring requiem meet to those departing fires-- + Let me be with thee then--forgetting quite + The world, its scornfulness, and its desires. + + + O! I could weep for thee! and yet not tears + Of hopelessness, but triumph, and sit down + And weave for thee wet wild-flowers for a crown-- + Then up, and sound rich music in thine ears; + And teach thee, that sweet lips, in coming years, + Shall lisp the songs which cold dull hearts disown,-- + That all which hope could pant for is thine own,-- + Dimmed, for a moment's space, with human fears. + Then watch the new-born glories in thine eye, + Glancing like lightning from its chariot cloud, + And list these words, which know not how to die,-- + Joy's inspiration gushing forth aloud: + Then back again unto the world and sigh, + And wrap my heart up in a dusky shroud. + +THOMAS M---- S. + + * * * * * + +CHOOSING OF BAILIFFS AT BRIDGNORTH. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + +The bailiffs of Bridgnorth are chosen out of the twenty-four aldermen +upon St. Matthew's Day in the following manner:--The court having met, +the names of twelve aldermen being separately written on small pieces of +paper, are closely rolled up by the town clerk, and thrown into a purse, +which is shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the chequer, (a +large table in the middle of the court,) and held open to the bailiffs, +when each, according to seniority, takes out a roll. By this means the +callers are decided, who, mounting the chequer, alternately call the +jury of fourteen out of the burgesses present. They are then sworn +neither to eat nor drink till they, or twelve of them, have chosen two +fit persons, who have not been bailiffs for three years before, to serve +that office for the ensuing year; they are locked up till they have +agreed, which sometimes occasions long fastings. In 1739, the jury +fasted seventy hours. The persons chosen are sworn into office on +Michaelmas Day.--W. H. + + * * * * * + +ON COALS, AND THE PERIOD WHEN THE COAL MINES IN ENGLAND WILL BE +EXHAUSTED. + +(_From Bakewell's Introduction to Geology, 3rd Edition, 1828_.) + +Coal was known, and partially used, at a very early period of our +history. I was informed by the late Marquis of Hastings, that stone +hammers and stone tools were found in some of the old workings in his +mines at Ashby Wolds; and his lordship informed me also, that similar +stone tools had been discovered in the old workings in the coal-mines in +the north of Ireland. Hence we may infer, that these coal-mines were +worked at a very remote period, when the use of metallic tools was not +general. The burning of coal was prohibited in London in the year 1308, +by the royal proclamation of Edward I. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, +the burning of coal was again prohibited in London during the sitting of +parliament, lest the health of the knights of the shire should suffer +injury during their abode in the metropolis. In the year 1643, the use +of coal had become so general, and the price being then very high, many +of the poor are said to have perished for want of fuel. At the present +day, when the consumption of coal, in our iron-furnaces and +manufactories and for domestic use, is immense, we cannot but regard the +exhaustion of our coal-beds as involving the destruction of a great +portion of our private comfort and national prosperity. Nor is the +period very remote when the coal districts, which at present supply the +metropolis with fuel, will cease to yield any more. The annual quantity +of coal shipped in the rivers Tyne and Wear, according to Mr. Bailey, +exceeded three million tons. A cubic yard of coals weighs nearly one +ton; and the number of tons contained in a bed of coal one square mile +in extent, and one yard in thickness, is about four millions. The number +and extent of all the principal coal-beds in Northumberland and Durham +is known; and from these data it has been calculated that the coal in +these counties will last 360 years. Mr. Bailey, in his Survey of Durham, +states, that one-third of the coal being already got, the coal districts +will be exhausted in 200 years. It is probable that many beds of +inferior coal, which are now neglected, may in future be worked; but the +consumption of coal being greatly increased since Mr. Bailey published +his Survey of Durham, we may admit his calculation to be an +approximation to the truth, and that the coal of Northumberland and +Durham will be exhausted in a period not greatly exceeding 200 years. +Dr. Thomson, in the Annals of Philosophy, has calculated that the coal +of these districts, at the present rate of consumption, will last 1,000 +years! but his calculations are founded on data manifestly erroneous, +and at variance with his own statements; for he assumes the annual +consumption of coal to be only two million eight hundred thousand tons, +and the waste to be one-third more,--making three million seven hundred +thousand tons, equal to as many square yards; whereas he has just before +informed us, that two million chaldrons of coal, of two tons and a +quarter each chaldron, are exported, making four million five hundred +thousand tons, beside inland consumption, and waste in the working[1]. +According to Mr. Winch, three million five hundred thousand tons of coal +are consumed annually from these districts; to which if we add the waste +of small coal at the pit's mouth, and the waste in the mines, it will +make the total yearly destruction of coal nearly double the quantity +assigned by Dr. Thomson. Dr. Thomson has also greatly overrated the +quantity of the coal in these districts, as he has calculated the extent +of the principal beds from that of the lowest, which is erroneous; for +many of the principal beds crop out, before they reach the western +termination of the coal-fields. With due allowance for these errors, and +for the quantity of coal already worked out, (which, according to Mr. +Bailey, is about one-third,) the 1,000 years of Dr. Thomson will not +greatly exceed the period assigned by Mr. Bailey for the complete +exhaustion of coal in these counties, and may be stated at three hundred +and fifty years. + + [1] The waste of coal at the pit's mouth may be stated at one-sixth + of the quantity sold, and that left in the mines at one-third. + Mr. Holmes, in his Treatise on Coal Mines, states the waste of + small coal at the pit's mouth to be one-fourth of the whole. + +It cannot be deemed uninteresting to inquire what are the repositories +of coal that can supply the metropolis and the southern counties, when +no more can be obtained from the Tyne and the Wear. The only coal-fields +of any extent on the eastern side of England, between London and Durham, +are those of Derbyshire and those in the west riding of Yorkshire. The +Derbyshire coal-field is not of sufficient magnitude to supply, for any +long period, more than is required for home consumption, and that of the +adjacent counties. There are many valuable beds of coal in the western +part of the west riding of Yorkshire which are yet unwrought; but the +time is not very distant when they must be put in requisition, to supply +the vast demand of that populous manufacturing county, which at present +consumes nearly all the produce of its own coal mines. In the midland +counties, Staffordshire possesses the nearest coal districts to the +metropolis, of any great extent; but such is the immense daily +consumption of coal in the iron-furnaces and founderies, that it is +generally believed this will be the first of our own coal-fields that +will be exhausted. The thirty-feet bed of coal in the Dudley coal-field +is of limited extent; and in the present mode of working it, more than +two-thirds of the coal is wasted and left in the mine. + +If we look to Whitehaven or Lancashire, or to any of the minor +coal-fields in the west of England, we can derive little hope of their +being able to supply London and the southern counties with coal, after +the import of coal fails from Northumberland and Durham. We may thus +anticipate a period not very remote, when all the English mines of coal +and ironstone will be exhausted; and were we disposed to indulge in +gloomy forebodings, like the ingenious authoress of the "Last Man," we +might draw a melancholy picture of our starving and declining +population, and describe some manufacturing patriarch, like the late +venerable Richard Reynolds, travelling to see the last expiring English +furnace, before he emigrated to distant regions.[1] + + [1] The late Richard Reynolds, Esq., of Bristol, so distinguished + for his unbounded benevolence, was the original proprietor of + the great iron-works in Colebrook Dale, Shropshire. Owing, I + believe, partly to the exhaustion of the best workable beds of + coal and ironstone, and partly to the superior advantages + possessed by the iron-founders in South Wales, the works at + Colebrook Dale were finally relinquished, a short time before + the death of Mr. Reynolds. With a natural attachment to the + scenes where he had passed his early years, and to the pursuits + by which he had honourably acquired his great wealth, he + travelled from Bristol into Shropshire, to be present when the + last of his furnaces was extinguished, in a valley where they + had been continually burning for more than half a century. + +Fortunately, however, we have in South Wales, adjoining the Bristol +Channel, an almost exhaustless supply of coal and ironstone, which are +yet nearly unwrought. It has been stated, that this coal-field extends +over about twelve hundred square miles, and that there are twenty-three +beds of workable coal, the total average thickness of which is +ninety-five feet, and the quantity contained in each acre is 100,000 +tons, or 65,000,000 tons per square mile. If from this we deduct one +half for waste and for the minor extent of the upper beds, we shall have +a clear supply of coal, equal to 32,000,000 tons per square mile. Now if +we admit that the five million tons of coal from the Northumberland and +Durham mines is equal to nearly one-third of the total consumption of +coals in England, each square mile of the Welsh coal-field would yield +coal for two years' consumption; and as there are from one thousand to +twelve hundred square miles in this coal-field, it would supply England +with fuel for two thousand years, after all our English coal-mines are +worked out. + +It is true, that a considerable part of the coal in South Wales is of an +inferior quality, and is not at present burned for domestic use; but in +proportion as coal becomes scarce, improved methods of burning it will +assuredly be discovered, to prevent any sulphureous fumes from entering +apartments, and also to economize the consumption of fuel in all our +manufacturing processes. + + * * * * * + +SONG. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + Thou hast not seen the tear-drops fill + The eyes which worship thee; + The deepest curse, the darkest ill, + Hovers above--around me--still + There are no tears for me! + + Thou canst not know, why I should kneel + For tears to heaven--in vain; + The thousand changeless pangs we feel,-- + The precious drops, perchance, might heal,-- + They will not start again! + + Thou canst not know what hopes will spring + When I can gaze on thee, + Even in the cold heart withering; + Oh! thou to whom that heart must cling, + Art more than tears to me! + +THOMAS M---- S. + + * * * * * + +HINTS FOR HEALTH. + + ["A very old and active correspondent," _Tim Tobykin_, has furnished + us with the following interesting extracts from Dr. Rennie's + _Treatise on Gout and Nervous Diseases_, just published. These, + however, are but a portion of our correspondent's selections; and as + they are written in a popular style and appear to be equally + applicable to the welfare of all classes, they will doubtless be + acceptable to our readers. We are not friendly to the introduction + of purely professional matters into the pages of the MIRROR, but the + following extracts are so far divested of technicality as to render + their utility and importance obvious to every reader.] + +CLIMATE, LOCALITY, AND SEASONS. + +I shall first inquire, says Dr. Rennie, what are the effects of climate +on healthy constitutions, as respects heat, cold, moisture, and +vicissitudes; including also the diurnal and annual revolutions. + +Cold applied to the body acts as a direct sedative. It diminishes the +nervous sensibility, represses the activity of the circulation, detracts +from the sum of the animal heat, and thereby diminishes stimulation. In +the cessation of excitement and sensibility that ensues, the whole vital +actions are moderated, existing irritation is soothed; and in the same +manner as sleep recruits the wasted powers, so does cold restore and +invigorate the nerves when overstimulated, and in fact promotes the tone +and vigour of the whole body; when again a warmer atmosphere succeeds a +colder, the animal heat increases in its sum, the surface of the body is +re-excited, nervous sensibility returns, and a reaction of the +circulation takes place; so that the blood diffuses itself in greater +abundance towards the remote and superficial parts of the body, and the +secretions are also promoted. + +Alternations of cold and heat therefore in healthy constitutions within +certain limits, are salutary; promoting, on the one hand, the vigour and +tone of the body; on the other, the due activity and excitement of the +various functions. + +The temperature occasioned by day and night, and also those more +progressive and slow alternations of heat and cold, on the large scale, +attending the annual revolution of the seasons, are a natural provision +admirably adapted to effect these objects as described; constituted as +our bodies are, such a constant and regular succession of heat and cold +is just such as the necessities of the human frame require. The +alternations of day and night, of winter and summer, are far from being +merely incidental and unimportant circumstances in the general +adaptation of the earth to man's constitutional wants; neither do they +bear reference solely to the productions of the earth for his use. They +exert a continual and direct influence on his constitution, calculated +to aid the vigorous and healthy performance of the various functions of +the body each in its due degree and order, and they conduce mainly to +the perfection and longevity of the species. + +Let us therefore trace the effects of these changes on the human body. + +During the winter, the prevailing cold acts as a universal sedative and +tonic, soothing the nervous excitement and sensibility, allaying the +activity of the circulation, moderating the functions of the skin, and +diminishing the various secretions. + +As the Spring opens, the sun gains daily in influence, generating a +gradually increasing atmospheric warmth. The body therefore becomes +subject from this heat to a reactive effect, during which the nervous +sensibility and circulation are gradually re-excited, the blood is more +equally diffused towards the surface and extremities of the body, and +the secretion by the skin is increased. + +If the cold of winter were to continue unmitigated from year to year, +without the genial influence of summer, the human race, as is apparent +in polar regions and upland mountainous districts, would degenerate into +dwarfishness. + +If the heat of summer were continually maintained the whole year round, +a tendency to degeneracy of the race would be also observed, as we see +in tropical latitudes. It is in the medium betwixt these extremes, where +a moderate and regular winter cold is succeeded by a mild, genial summer +temperature, that the species approaches most to perfection in stature, +health, strength, and longevity. + +In observing also the influence of day and night on the constitution, +there is a sedative effect produced in the morning before the sun is up, +a reactive tendency promoted towards noon under the solar influence, and +again towards evening this reaction is repressed by the sedative effect +of the evening cold; and this sedative effect is at its maximum at +midnight. Hence those who sit up late feel unusually chilly and +depressed towards midnight, partly owing to exhaustion from want of +sleep, but chiefly from the total absence of solar influence in the +atmospherical temperature. In regular habits this sedative effect is +never thoroughly experienced; for before midnight, the constitution, +enveloped in warm blankets, has experienced the reaction arising from +the accumulation of heat in bed. Whence the common remark, that one +hour's sleep before midnight is worth three after that hour, is actually +true to a certain extent. By early retirement to rest, the sedative +effect on the constitution, to an extent such as to disturb the +functions, is escaped. + +If we connect these two influences, the annual and diurnal successions +of cold and heat, in their joint effect, we find, that about, or a +little after the summer solstice, the influence of the sun being at its +maximum, the nervous sensibility, heat, circulating excitement, and +cutaneous secretions of the body, are also at their maximum. The +temperature of the day and night differ so little, that the sedative +effects of evening and morning are not sufficient to restore the frame +by soothing the sensibilities, overexcited and irritable from the +previous warmth. Whence the languor and irritability felt in summer, +when the heat is long continued, and the nights are spent in +restlessness and anxious oppression. Exhaustion and relaxation of the +frame are the consequence. + +As the autumnal equinox verges on, the mornings and evenings get cooler +in relation to the mid-day heat; and about the equinox, the difference +in the temperature of mid-day and midnight is at its maximum. We have +therefore a powerful sedative effect in the morning, which braces and +invigorates the body; a powerful reactive effect at mid-day, which +rouses and stimulates the actions and sensibilities of the frame; and +again towards evening a sedative effect, from the increasing cold +reaching its maximum at midnight. + +As the season passes on from the Equinox towards the winter solstice, +the heat of the sun daily diminishes, and the cold gains a daily +preponderance. The sedative effect on the body goes on progressively +increasing, being less and less counteracted by any genial influence +from the solar heat at mid-day; whence the gloom and depression so +universally experienced by the nervous in November and December, which +is more and more felt till the shortest day. So soon as the minimum of +solar influence and maximum of sedative effect on the body has passed +over, the sun gradually acquires more of meridian influence, and a daily +increasing ascendancy over the prevalent cold. The human constitution at +the same time is subject to a proportionate reactive disposition; which +reaction is felt most at noon, and it daily becomes more and more +apparent till the vernal equinox, when we have the difference betwixt +the meridian and midnight temperature again at a maximum. We have daily +a powerful sedative effect in the morning, a powerful meridian reaction, +which again subsides into a sedative condition on the access of the +evening. This daily effect on the constitution is exactly similar to +that at the autumnal equinox, only it occurs under different +circumstances. In autumn it is connected with departing heat and +progressively increasing cold; in Spring it is connected with +progressively diminishing cold and advancing heat. After the vernal +equinox, the difference in the meridian and midnight temperature +gradually diminishes; the daily sedative effect at morning and evening +becomes less and less apparent as general atmospheric warmth prevails, +till towards the summer solstice, the general effect on the constitution +is stimulation and excitement by atmospheric heat. + + * * * * * + + +NOTES OF A READER. + +BYRON'S "FARE THEE WELL." + +On one occasion of a mediator waiting upon Lord Byron upon the subject +of a reconciliation with his wife, he produced from his desk a paper on +which was written "fare thee well," and said, "Now these are exactly my +feelings on the subject--they were not intended to be published, but you +may take them."--_Lit. G._ + + +EARLY HOURS. + +Dr. Franklin published an ingenious Essay on the advantages of early +rising.--He called it "an economical project," and calculated the saving +that might be made in the city of Paris, by using the sunshine instead +of the candles--at no less than 4,000,000l. sterling. + + +SENSITIVE PLANTS. + +Light exercises a very remarkable influence upon the irritability of the +sensitive plant. Thus, if a sensitive plant be placed in complete +darkness, by carrying it within an opaque vessel, it will entirely lose +its irritability, and that in a variable time, according to a certain +state of depression or elevation of the surrounding temperature. + + +At Brussels, the demand for labour is so great, in consequence of the +number of new buildings, that tradesmen consider they confer a favour on +a customer by the execution of his orders. The lower classes have +become, within the last seven years, extremely dissipated, owing it is +supposed to the increase in the wages of the mechanics and labourers +employed in the numerous buildings erected within that period. During +the Kaermess annual feast of three days, it is calculated 80,000 +_litres_ (pots) are drunk each day! + + +Cooper, the American novelist, has just published two volumes of +"Notions" of his countrymen, in the course of which he bestows on them +the following surperlative epithets: "most active, quick-witted, +enterprising, orderly, moral, simple, vigorous, healthful, manly, +generous, just, wise, innocent, civilized, liberal, polite, enlightened, +ingenious, moderate, glorious, firm, free, virtuous, intelligent, +sagacious, kind, honest, independent, brave, gallant, intellectual, +well-governed, elevated, dignified, pure, immaculate, extraordinary, +wonderful," &c. He then calls them the "most improving," which is +painting, nay coating, the lily, to "wasteful and ridiculous excess." + + +OSTRICHES + +Impart a lively interest to a ride in the Pampas. They are sometimes +seen in coveys of twenty or thirty, gliding elegantly along the +undulations of the plain, at half pistol-shot from each other, like +skirmishers. The young are easily domesticated, and soon become attached +to those who caress them; but they are troublesome inmates; for, +stalking about the house, they will, when full grown, swallow coin, +shirt-pins, and every small article of metal within reach. Their usual +food, in a wild state, is seeds, herbage, and insects; the flesh is a +reddish brown, and if young, not of bad flavour. A great many eggs are +laid in the same nest. Some accounts exonerate the ostrich from being +the most stupid bird in the creation. This has been proved by the +experiment of taking an egg away, or by putting one in addition. In +either case she destroys the whole by smashing them with her feet. +Although she does not attend to secrecy, in selecting a situation for +her nest, she will forsake it if the eggs have been handled. It is also +said that she rolls a few eggs thirty yards distant from the nest, and +cracks the shells, which, by the time her young come forth, being filled +with maggots, and covered with insects, form the first repast of her +infant brood. The male bird is said to take upon himself the rearing of +the young. If two cock-birds meet, each with a family, they fight for +the supremacy over both; for which reason an ostrich has sometimes under +his tutelage broods of different ages.--_Mem. Gen. Miller._ + + +Dr. Kitchiner recommends a gentleman who has a mind to carry the +arrangement of his clothes to a nicety, to have the shelves of his +wardrobe numbered 30, 40, 50, and 60, and according to the degree of +cold pointed to by his thermometer, to wear a corresponding defence +against it. + + +Dr. Harwood fed two pointers; one he suffered to sleep after dinner, +another he forced to take exercise. In the stomach of the one who had +been quiet and asleep, all the food was digested; in the stomach of the +other, that process was hardly begun. + + +SIR WALTER'S LAST. + +At page 354 of our last vol., the reader will find an eloquent +description of Perth, from the Wicks of Beglie, quoted from St. +Valentine's Eve. This turns out to be a topographical blunder, for the +"fair city" cannot be seen at all from the said Wicks, whereas the +author has described it as the best point of view. As our readers have +long since enjoyed the description, we shall doubtless be pardoned for +thus noticing the mistake. + + +TELEGRAPHS. + +The system of telegraphs has arrived at such perfection in the +presidency of Bombay, that a communication may be made through a line of +500 miles in eight minutes.--_Weekly Rev._ + + +One of the drawing-room critics who uphold the literature of lords and +ladies, sums up the merits of fashionable novel-writing as +follows:--"After all, it is something to scrutinize lords and ladies, +recline on satin sofas, eat off silver dishes--whose nomenclature is the +glory of _l'artiste_--though only in a book." + + +MAHOGANY. + +The largest and finest log of mahogany ever imported into this country +has been recently sold by auction at the docks in Liverpool. It was +purchased for 378l., and afterwards sold for 525l., and if it open well, +it is supposed to be worth 1,000l. If sawed into veneers, it is computed +that the cost of labour in the process will be 750l. The weight on the +king's beam is six tons thirteen hundred weight. + + +Dugald Stewart, the celebrated metaphysician, of whom Scotland has just +reason to be proud, died a short time since at Edinburgh, at the age of +seventy-five. He recently published two volumes, of which a +distinguished gentleman in Edinburgh thus speaks:--"June 16. Dugald +Stewart is to be buried to-morrow. A great light is gone out, or rather +gone down,--for its glory will long be in the sky, though its orb be no +more visible above the horizon. He corrected his last two volumes with +his own hand within these three months. What philosopher, especially +palsy-stricken ten years ago,--could ring in better. Glorious fellow! I +hear his splendid sentences and exquisite voice sounding in mine ear at +the distance of nearly thirty winters. His peculiar merit was the purity +and loftiness of his moral taste. For about forty years he raised the +standard of thought and feeling among successive generations of young +men, to a range it would never otherwise have attained." + + +OLD AND NEW VAUXHALL. + +Of old, a half-crown at the door, and the price of such comestibles as +were devoured, were grumbled at as tax enough; but now the account +stands in a fairer form, because you are charged distinctly for every +item, so that you know what you are paying for, and may choose or +reject, as you think fit. Thus Mr. Bull, from Aldgate, with Mrs. Bull, +and only four of the younger Bulls and Cows, numbering six in all, make +good their entry at the cost of 1l. 4s.--Books to tell them what they +are to see and hear, the when and the how are 3s. Seats for the +vaudeville (average of modest places) 9s. Ditto for the ballet 6s. Ditto +for the battle 6s. Ditto for the fire-works 6s.--Total 2l. 14s.--But +then they are not charged for seeing the lamps; there is no charge for +walking round the walks; there is no charge for looking at the +cosmoramic pictures; there is no charge for casting a glance at the +orchestra; there is no charge for staring at the other people; there is +no charge for bowing or talking to an acquaintance, if you meet one--all +these are gratis; and if you neither eat nor drink, there is no charge +for witnessing those who do mangle the long-murdered honours of the +coop, and gulp down the most renovating of liquors, be they hale or +stout, vite vine, red port, or rack punch.--_Lit. Gaz_. + + +Bruges, (celebrated as the birthplace of John Van Eyck, said to have +invented the art of oil-painting), is now in a very dilapidated +condition. It was formerly a place of great commerce, and the merchants +of Bruges were the wealthiest in Europe. The population is reduced from +100,000 to 25,000.--_Brussels Companion_. + + +DISTURBING THE DEAD. + +Mr. Crawfurd, in his recent Mission to _Hué_, wished to visit the +mausoleum of the late king; "but," says he, "we were politely informed +that the king was always reluctant to permit the visits of strangers, +whose presence," he said, "might 'trouble the repose of the spirits of +his ancestors.'" + + +Dine with a march-of-intellect man, and only observe the downcast eyes +of his pale-faced, trembling wife--the knit brows of his sullen +sons--the sulky sorrows of his joy-denied daughters. All that comes of +your hard-hearted, hard-headed, music-painting-and-poetry-despising, +utilitarian, intellectual, all-in-all educationists, who know nothing so +admirable as a steam-engine, and would wish to see the whole world +worked by machinery. + + +"FASHIONABLE" NOVELS. + +Here is a specimen of the _slip-slop_ with which so many thousand reams +of paper have lately been spoiled. "Tea was announced, and the ladies +adjourned to the saloon; Lady Harriet and Lady Charlotte, discussing, as +they went in together, the difficult question, whether it was or was not +an improvement in modern arrangements to have tea _en-buffet_. One of +its advantages the ladies were perfectly aware of, namely, that it +afforded a _point de réunir_, for both beaux and belles, which is always +so much wanted before the music begins; and calculating on this +important circumstance, Lady Charlotte possessed herself of the chair +which was the most accessible of the whole group. Miss Mortimer, with +equal foresight, stationed herself at the fire:--"Good generalship," +whispered Lady Hauteville to the duchess, as the two experienced matrons +communicated together _sur les petites ruses_, which the actors fancied +were unperceived, &c." + + +Dr. Walsh, in his _Journey from Constantinople_, describes a species of +woodpecker, about the size of a thrush, of a light, blue colour, with +black marks beside the bill. "It entered my room," says he, "with all +the familiarity of an old friend, hopped on the table, and picked up +the crumbs and flies. It had belonged to the doctor's child, just +buried, and by a singular instinct, left the house of the dead, and +flew into my room. Its habits were curious, and so familiar, that they +were quite attractive; it climbed up the wall by any stick or cord near +it, devouring flies. It sometimes began at my foot, and at one race, +ran up my leg, arm, round my neck, down my other arm, and so to the +table. It there tapped with its bill with a noise as loud as a hammer. +This was its general habit on the wood in every part of the room; when +it did so, it would look intently at the place, and dart at any fly or +insect it saw running. Writers on Natural History say it makes this +noise to disturb the insects concealed within, so to seize them when +they appear." + + +At Brussels apartments are not to be procured for a shorter term than +six months. + + +In the prison at Ghent, spirits are sold, but pens and paper cannot be +obtained without a special application to the governor. + + +Mr. Brande, in his recent Lecture on Vegetable Chemistry, says, "Salt +has been very much extolled for a manure; I believe that a great deal +more has been said of it than it deserves; it certainly destroys +insects, but I do not believe what has been said of its value. We are +not to infer that because a manure is found to be useful on one soil in +a certain climate, that it shall prove equally useful in others; +experience must direct us in this particular." + + +STROLLING SCHOOLS. + +In Prussia there exist, what are termed _Strolling Schools_, having no +fixed place. The teacher, with his scholars or his classical furniture, +establishes himself in all the houses or a village successively, where +he affords instruction; and his stay is determined by the number of +persons he is called upon to instruct under each roof, a week being the +allotted term, for each child, during which period the parents supply +all the wants of the _Domine.--Athenaeum._ + + * * * * * + + +RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS + +The following extracts from a "roll of the expenses of Edward I., at +Rhuddlan Castle, in Wales, in the tenth and eleventh years of his reign" +(1281 and 1282), may perhaps amuse our readers, as showing the rates of +wages paid to different workmen, tradesmen, archers, &c. at that period. +Under the head of _necessaries_, are some curious items. Rhuddlan Castle +was the head quarters of Edward, during an insurrection of the Welsh, +under Llewellin, Prince of Wales, at which time it had many additions +made to it:-- + +Paid to Master Peter de Brompton for the wages of 100 carpenters, each +receiving 4d. per day, and their constable receiving 8d. per day; of +which five are overseers of twenty, and each receives 6d. per day for +his wages, from Sunday 23rd of August for the seven following days, +12l. 3s. 9d. + +To two smiths, one receiving 4d. per day, and the other 3d. for their +wages, from Sunday 23rd of August to Sunday 12th of September, _each day +being reckoned_, for twenty one days, 12s. 3d. + +Two shoeing smiths by the day, at 3d. + +Paid to forty-seven sailors of the king for their wages, seven days; +each receiving per diem 3d., except seven, each of whom received 6d. per +day, 4l. 14s. 6d. + +Paid to Geoffry le Chamberlin for the wages of twelve cross-bowmen and +thirteen archers for twenty-four days; each cross-bowman receiving by +the day 4d, and each archer 2d.,--7l. 8s. + +Paid to one master mason, receiving 6d. per diem, and five masons at +4d., and one workman at 3d.; for twenty-eight days, 3l. 7s. 8d. + +Sunday next, after the feast of St. John Baptist, paid to twenty-two +mowers, each receiving 1-1/2d. per day for four days, 11s. + +Wednesday following paid to twenty-three mowers, each receiving 6d. per +day for their wages of two days, 1l. 3s. + +Paid to fourscore and sixteen _spreaders of hay_ for one day's wages, +whereof fourscore received each per day 1-1/2d, and each of the others +2d., l2s. 8d. + +Paid to 160 spreaders of hay for their wages, Sunday and Monday, 16s. +6d. + +_Necessaries._ + +For six carts, each with three horses, hired to carry the hay from the +meadows to the castle of Rothelan, for one day, 6s. 10d. + +For the carriage of turf, with which the house was covered in which the +hay was placed, 1s. 5d. + +For an iron fork bought to turn the hay, 3d. + +For making a ditch about the house where the said hay was put, 1s. 8d. + +For putting and piling up one rick of hay in the house, 1s. 8d. + +Wages of two turf-cutters, seven days, at 5d. per day, 5s. 10d. + +For the carriage of turves to cover the king's kitchen, 7s. 6d. + +For twenty-two empty casks, bought to make paling for the queen's court +yard, 18s. 4d. + +To Wildbor, the fisherman, receiving 10d. per day, and his six +companions, the queen's fishermen, at 3d. per day each, fishing in the +sea, forty-two days, 4l. 18s. + +Repairing a cart of the king's, conveying a _pipe of honey_ from +Aberconway to Rothelan, 1s. 4d. + +To six men carrying shingles to cover the hall of the castle, at 2-1/2d +each per day, seven days, 8s. 9d. + +_Gifts._ + +To a certain female spy, as a gift, 1s. + +To a certain female spy, to purchase her a house, as a gift, 1l. + +To Ralph le Vavasour, bringing news to the queen of the taking of +Dolinthalien, as a gift, 5l. + +To John de Moese, coming immediately after with the same news, with +letters of the Earl of Gloucester, by way of gift, 5l. + +To a certain player, as a gift, 1s. + + +_Swan with Two Necks._ + +It appears from the roll of swan's marks, in the time of Henry VIII., +that the king's swans were _doubly_ marked, and had what were called +_two nicks_, or notches. The term, in process of time, not being +understood, a double animal was invented, with the name of "The Swan +with _Two Necks_." But this is not the only ludicrous mistake that has +arisen on the subject, since "swan-upping," or the taking up of swans, +performed annually by the swan companies, with the Lord Mayor at their +head, for the purpose of marking them, has been changed, by an unlucky +asperite, into swan-_hopping_, which is perfectly unintelligible. + + +_Trial of the Pix._ + +The invention of it, in this kingdom, or at least its introduction into +our courts, is probably of high antiquity, being mentioned in the time +of Edward I., as a mode well known and of common usage. At present it is +seldom required, except on the removal of the master of the Mint from +his office. Upon a memorial praying for a trial of the Pix by this +officer, a summons issues to certain members of the privy council to +meet on a day fixed. The Lord Chancellor also directs a precept to the +wardens of the Goldsmith's company, requiring them to nominate a +competent number of able freemen of their company, skilful to judge of, +and to present the defaults of the coin, if such be found, to be of a +jury. When the court is formed, twelve of these persons are sworn, who +are directed by the president to examine whether the moneys were made +according to the indenture, and standard trial pieces, and within the +remedies. But in 1754, Lord Chancellor Talbot directed the jury to +express precisely how much the money was within the remedies; and the +practice which he thus enjoined is still continued. The Pix, or box +containing the coins to be examined, is then delivered to the jury, who +retire to the court room of the Duchy of Lancaster, whither the Pix is +removed, together with the weights of the Exchequer and Mint, and where +the scales used on this occasion are suspended; the beam of which is so +delicate, that it will turn with _six grains_, when loaded with the +whole of those weights, to the amount of 48 lbs. 8 oz. in each scale. +The Pix is then opened, and the money which had been taken out of each +delivery, and enclosed in a parcel under the seals of the warden, +master, and comptroller of the Mint, is given to the foreman, who reads +aloud the endorsement, and compares it with the account which lies +before him; he then delivers the parcel to one of the jury, who opens it +and examines whether its contents agree with the endorsement. When all +the parcels have been opened, and found right, the moneys contained in +them are mixed together in wooden bowls, and afterwards weighed. Out of +the said moneys so mingled, the jury take a certain number of each +species of coin, to the amount of one pound for the assay by fire. And +the indented trial pieces of gold and silver, of the dates specified in +the indenture, being produced by the proper officer, a sufficient +quantity is cut from either of them, for the purpose of comparing with +it the pound weight of gold or silver which is to be tried by the usual +methods of assay. The jury then return their verdict, stating how much +the coins examined have varied from the weight and fineness required, +and whether the variations exceed or fall short of the remedies which +are allowed; and according to the terms of the verdict, the master's +quietus is either granted or withheld. + +_Note_.--The _remedies_ are an allowance of one sixth of a carat, or +forty grains, in the pound weight of gold, and of two pennyweights in +that of silver, considered either as to fineness or weight, or both of +them taken together; the moneyers are, however, at this time so expert, +that these quantities are much greater than are necessary. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY + +_Society of Civil Engineers_. + +A charter of incorporation has just received the royal signature, +constituting an institution of Civil Engineers, and naming Mr. Telford +its president. The objects of such institution, as recited in the +charter, are, "The general advancement of mechanical science, and more +particularly for promoting the acquisition of that species of knowledge +which constitutes the profession of a civil engineer; being the art of +directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and +convenience of man, as the means of production and of traffic in states, +both for external and internal trade, as applied in the construction of +roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, river navigation, and docks, for +internal intercourse and exchange; and in the construction of ports, +harbours, moles, breakwaters, and light-houses, and in the art of +navigation by artificial power, for the purposes of commerce; and in the +construction and adaptation of machinery, and in the drainage of cities +and towns." + + +_Toads as Ant-eaters_. + +In the autumn of last year, a pit, wherein I grew melons, was so much +infested with ants, as to threaten the destruction of the whole crop; +which they did, first by perforating the skin, and afterwards eating +their way into the fruit; and, after making several unsuccessful +experiments to destroy them, it occurred to me that I had seen the toad +feed on them. I accordingly put about half a dozen toads into the pit, +and, in the course of a few days, scarcely an ant was to be +found.--_Corresp. Gard. Mag._ + + +_Laying out Part of the Calton Hill as Pleasure-Ground_. + +We observe with pleasure plans advertised for in the Edinburgh +newspapers, for this purpose. There is no city in Britain which presents +greater facilities for public walks and gardens than Edinburgh, +notwithstanding the immense injury which it has sustained in a +picturesque point of view by the earthen mound, and the mean buildings +which cover great part of the bottom and sides of the valley of the +North Loch. That valley ought to have been laid out in terraces, some +open, or covered with glazed verandas, for winter use, and others shaded +by trees for summer walking. The great art in laying out walks for +recreation and ease on sloping surfaces, is so to direct them as not to +render them more fatiguing than straight walks on level ground. But the +grand subject of improvement at Edinburgh, in the way of planting in the +public walks, is the hill of Arthur's Seat, which, planted and built on, +might be rendered one of the most unique scenes in Europe.--_Gard. Mag._ + + +_Vegetables._ + +Watering gives vegetables long exposed a fresher colour, and a more +attractive appearance; but repeated waterings are highly pernicious, as +they neutralize the natural juices of some, render others bitter, and +make all others vapid or disagreeable.--_Ibid._ + + +_Mortar._ + +The use of lime in mortar, is to fill up the hollow spaces or vacuities +between the grains of sand, and to cement them together, thereby forming +a kind of artificial stone. To add any more lime than is sufficient to +fill up these spaces, seems to be useless, and to add much more must +weaken the mortar; but, if too little lime be used, there will be +cavities left between some of the grains of sand, and the mortar will +consequently be short or brittle: therefore, when we cannot ascertain +the best proportions of lime and sand, it is better to use too much lime +than too little.--_Ibid._ + + +_Treatment of Gold and Silver Fish._ + +These beautiful objects of the animal kingdom, though long ago +introduced into Europe from China, their native country, seldom breed in +such numbers as they might be expected to do. It has been lately +discovered that in ponds heated by waste water discharged from steam +factories, the gold and silver fish breed abundantly. From this +circumstance, it has been suggested, that, as heating hothouses by warm +water is now so generally adopted, a portion of this, led occasionally +into a garden basin, would keep the water in such a temperament as would +not only always be agreeable to the fish, but promote their +breeding.--_Ibid._ + + +_Climate._ + +Professor Schow, of Copenhagen, has lately read a paper "On the supposed +Changes in the Climate of the different parts of the Earth, during the +period of Human History," from which, as far as it has appeared in our +language, it seems to be his opinion, that, on a general view, climates +are the same now as in ancient times. The identity of the climate of +Palestine, now and during antiquity, is thus beautifully made out:--"It +will be convenient to begin with Palestine, the Bible being the oldest, +or one of the oldest of books; and, although great uncertainty exists +about the determination of the plants which are mentioned in it, yet two +of them do not admit of any doubt, (and these are sufficient for the +determination of the climate of Palestine, in former times,) viz. the +date-tree and the vine. The date-tree was frequent, and principally in +the southernmost part of the country. Jericho was called Palm-town. The +people had palm branches in their hands. Deborah's palm-tree is +mentioned between Rama and Bethel. Pliny mentions the palm-tree as being +frequent in Judea, and principally about Jericho. Tacitus and Josephus +speak likewise of woods of palm-trees, as well as Strabo, Diodorus +Siculus, and Theophrastus. Among the Hebrew coins, those with date-trees +are by no means rare, and the tree is easily recognised, as it is +figured with its fruit. The vine, also, was one of the plants most +cultivated in Palestine, and not merely for the grapes, but really for +the preparation of wine. The feast of the tabernacle of the Jews was a +feast on account of the wine harvest. From a passage where the +cultivation of the vine is mentioned, in the Valley of Engeddy, it is +evident that the vine not only grew in the northernmost mountainous part +of the country, but also in its southern lower part. Besides these, +there are other ancient testimonies in favour of the vine. This plant, +indeed, sometimes occurs on the same coin with the date palm. The +date-tree, in order to bring its fruit to perfection, requires a mean +temperature of 78° Fahr. The vine, on the other hand, cannot be +cultivated to any extent if the mean temperature be above 72° Fahr. +Such, then, must have been the temperature of Palestine, in former ages; +and by all that is known of its present climate, the mean temperature +seems to be the same now. Nor has the time of harvest undergone any +change. Snow and ice, which were known, though rarely, in ancient times, +are occasionally met with now and at present, as in former times. The +inhabitants make use of artificial heat to warm themselves."--_Dr. +Brewster's Journal_. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. + +NUISANCES OF SOCIETY. + +It is quite true that the largest part of conversation turns upon +eating and drinking, the weather, the vices and follies of our +neighbours, and a thousand other trifles that lead not to dispute; and +it must be admitted that it is bad companionship to be eternally +canvassing the greater interests of life, and forcing upon society +opinions upon things in general. There are, indeed, themes in plenty +which belong to the neutral ground of debate; but it is very pitiable +that they should so ill bear repetition. All the world, if they dared +avow as much, are heartily tired of them. Like cursing and swearing, +they are merely unmeaning expletives to supply the lack of sense, to +gain time, and to give a man the satisfaction of sometimes hearing his +own voice. With all the assistance of cards, music, dancing, and +champagne, society is at best but a dreary business, and it requires no +little animal spirits to undergo the infliction with decency. Are you +admitted on terms of familiarity to the domestic hearth of your friend, +that privilege confers on you the opportunity of becoming intimately +acquainted with the faults of his servants, and (what is worse) with +the merits of his children. + +A dinner of ceremony is a funeral without a legacy; an assembly is a +mob, and a ball a compound of glare, tinsel, noise, and dust. However +amusing in their freshness, after a few repetitions, they are only +rendered endurable by the prospect of some collateral gain, or the +gratification of personal vanity. To exhibit the beauty of a young wife, +or the diamonds of an old one; to be able to say the best thing that is +uttered; to sport a red ribbon or a Waterloo medal in their first +novelty; to carry a point with a great man, or to borrow money from a +rich one, may pass off an evening very well, with those who happen to be +interested in such speculations; but, these things apart, the arrantest +trifler in the circle must get weary at last, and be heartily rejoiced +when the conclusion of the season spares him all further reiteration of +the mill-horse operation. It is this insipidity of society that forces +so many of its members upon desperate adventures of gallantry, and upon +deep play. Any thing, every thing is good to escape from the languor and +listlessness of a converse from which whatever interests is banished. +Many a woman loses her character, and many a man incurs a verdict of +ruinous damages, in the simple search of that rarest of all rare things +in society--a sensation. Neither is the matter much mended, if, barring +the insipidity of bon-ton company, you plunge into the formal gravity of +the middle classes, or into the noisy, empty mirth of the lower. The man +of sense and feeling, wherever he goes, will find himself in a minority, +in which few will speak his language or comprehend his ideas. He will +seldom return to his home without a weary sense of the "stale, flat, and +unprofitable" nothings he has been compelled to entertain in his +intercourse with the world,--without the recollection of some outrage on +his independence, some dogmatism that he dared not question, some +impertinence that he dared not confute. With his ears ringing with +blue-stocking literature, threadbare sophistries, forms erected into +important principles, mediocrity elevated into consideration, and the +pre-eminence of the vain, the ignorant, and the contemptible, he will +shut himself up in his solitude, and say with the Englishman at Paris +_Je m'ennuis très bien ici_. Against the recurrence of these annoyances, +day after day renewed, what nerves can hold out? As life advances, time +becomes precious, every moment is counted, every enjoyment is computed; +and while the effort necessary for pleasing and being pleased becomes +greater, the motive for making that exertion grows less. When the +sources of physical gratification are dried up, and the illusions of +life are dissipated, there remains nothing for enjoyment but a tranquil +fireside, and the mastery of our own ideas and of our own habits in the +privacy of home. But then, to enjoy these, you must not have a methodist +wife, and you must have a porter who can lie with a good grace, a fellow +who could say "not at home," though death himself knocked at the door. +Neither should you read the newspapers, nor walk the streets. The times +are long gone by since "wisdom cried out there." Folly, impertinence, +sheer impertinence, has exclusive possession of the king's highway; and +a dog with a tin-kettle at tail has as good a chance as the wretch who +dares to tread the pavement without partaking of the ruling insanity. +Oh! Mr. Brougham, Mr. Brougham! your schoolmaster has a great deal yet +to do: pray heaven his rods and his fools' caps may hold out!--_New +Month. Mag._ + + * * * * * + +TO "BEAUTY." + + The morn is up! wake, Beauty, wake! + The flower is on the lea, + The blackbird sings within the brake, + The thrush is on the tree; + Forth to the balmy fields repair, + And let the breezes mild + Lift from thy brow the falling hair, + And fan my little child-- + Yet if thy step be 'mid the dews, + Beauty! be sure to change your shoes! + + 'Tis noon! the butterfly springs up, + High from her couch of rest, + And scorns the little blue-bell cup + Which all night long she press'd. + Away! we'll seek the walnut's shade, + And pass the sunny hour, + The bee within the rose is laid, + And veils him in the flower; + Mark not the lustre of his wing, + Beauty! be careful of his sting! + + 'Tis eve! but the retiring ray + A halo deigns to cast + Round scenes on which it shone all day, + And gilds them to the last: + Thus, ere thine eyelids close in sleep, + Let Memory deign to flee + Far o'er the mountain and the deep, + To cast one beam on me! + Yes, Beauty! 'tis mine inmost prayer-- + But don't forget to curl your hair! + +_Blackwood's Mag._ + + * * * * * + +GOG AND MAGOG.--(_A Fragment._) + +Pensively and profoundly was I meditating, seated one evening upon a +stone bench in Guildhall, when, as the gathering gloom invested the +solemn faces of Gog and Magog, rendering them mysteriously dim and +indistinct, methought I saw them slowly shut their eyes, nod their +heads, fall asleep, and actually begin to snore. Never did I hear any +thing more sonorously grand and awful than that portentous inbreathing +of Gog and Magog, resounding through the Gothic vastness of Guildhall; +but, behold! how omnipotent is the dreaming imagination! I myself had +been dozing; the sound of my own nose, transferred by a metonymy of the +fancy to the nostrils of those wooden idols, had become, as it were, the +living apotheosis of a snore, which had subdued me by its sublimity. +Most fortunate was it that I awoke; for, on attentively inspecting the +faces of the figures, I saw them working and writhing with all the +contortions of the Pythoness or the Sibyl, labouring in the very throes +of inspiration, struggling with the advent of the prophetical afflatus. +At length their lips parted, when, in a low, solemn voice, that thrilled +through the dark, deserted, and silent hall, they poured forth +alternately the following vaticinal strain, each starting and trembling +as he concluded:-- + + "From Bank, Change, Mansion-house, Guildhall, + Throgmorton, and Threadneedle, + From London-stone, and London wall, + When City housewife's wheedle + To Brunswick, Russell, Bedford Squares, + And Portland-place, their spouses, + Anxious to give themselves great airs + Of fashion in great houses, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When merchant, banker, broker, shake + In Crockford's club their elbow, + And for St. James's clock forsake + The chiming of thy bell, Bow: + When Batson's, Garraway's, and John's, + At night show empty boxes, + While cits are playing dice with dons, + Or ogling opera doxies; + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When city dames give routs and reels, + And ape high-titled prancers, + When City misses dance quadrilles, + Or waltz with whisker'd Lancers; + When City gold is quickly spent + In trinkets, feasts, and raiment, + And none suspend their merriment + Until they all stop payment, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + +I was reflecting what dire calamities would fall upon the doomed City, +since the era of luxury, corruption, and desertion, thus denounced, had +now manifestly arrived, and Gog and Magog were actually starting and +trembling upon their pedestals, when the hall-keeper, shaking me by the +shoulder, exclaimed--"Come, Sir, you musn't be sleeping here all night! +Bundle out, if you please, for I am just going to shut the great +gates!"--_New Monthly Mag._ + + * * * * * + + +THE GATHERER. + + A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.--SHAKSPEARE. + +MODERN SALAMANDER. + +An experiment to ascertain the degree of heat it is possible for a man +to bear, was made a few days ago at the New Tivoli, at Paris, in the +presence of a company of about 200 persons. The man on whom this +experiment was made is a Spaniard of Andalusia, named Martenez, aged 43. +A cylindrical oven, constructed in the shape of a dome, had been heated +for four hours, by a very powerful fire. At ten minutes past eight, the +Spaniard, having on large pantaloons of red flannel, a thick cloak also +of flannel, and a large felt, after the fashion of straw hats, went into +the oven, where he remained, seated on a foot-stool, during fourteen +minutes, exposed to a heat of from 45 to 50 degrees, of a metallic +thermometer, the gradation of which did not go higher than 50. He sang a +Spanish song while a fowl was roasted by his side. At his coming out of +the oven, the physicians found that his pulse beat 134 pulsations a +minute, though it was but 72 at his going in, The oven being healed anew +for a second experiment, the Spaniard re-entered and seated himself in +the same attitude; at three quarters past eight, ate the fowl, and drank +a bottle of wine to the health of the spectators. At coming out his +pulse was 176, and the thermometer indicated a heat of 110 degrees of +Reaumur. Finally, for the third and last experiment, which almost +immediately followed the second, he was stretched on a plank, surrounded +with lighted candles, and thus put into the oven, the mouth of which was +closed this time. He was there nearly five minutes, when all the +spectators cried out, "Enough, enough," and anxiously hastened to take +him out. A noxious and suffocating vapour of tallow filled the inside of +the oven, and all the candles were extinguished and melted. The +Spaniard, whose pulse was 200 at coming out of this gulf of heat, +immediately threw himself into a cold bath, and in two or three minutes +after was on his feet safe and sound. + + +WILL OF MR. WILLIAM HICKINGTON, + +_Proved in the Deanery Court of York, 1772._ + + This is my last Will, + I insist on it still, + So sneer on and welcome + And e'en laugh your fill. + I, William Hickington, + Poet of Pocklington, + Do give and bequeathe, + As free as I breathe, + To thee, Mary Jaram, + The queen of my haram, + My cash and cattle, + With every chattel, + To have and to hold, + Come heat or come cold, + Sans hindrance or strife, + (Tho' thou art _not_ my wife,) + As witness my hand, + Just here as I stand, + This 12th of July, + In the year seventy ---- + + Signed, &c. W. HICKINGTON. + +J. W. F. B. + + +REGENT'S PUNCH. + +The receipt for this "nectarious drink" is as follows:--Three bottles of +champagne, a bottle of hock, a bottle of curaçoa, a quart of brandy, a +pint of rum, two bottles of Madeira, two bottles of seltzer water, four +pounds of bloom raisins, Seville oranges, lemons, white sugarcandy, and, +instead of water, green tea. The whole to be highly iced. + + * * * * * + +The Supplement, containing a fine Portrait of CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON, +Memoir, &c. and a Title-Page, Preface, and copious Index to Vol XI., is +now published. It extends beyond the usual quantity, the Memoir is of +original interest, and the price is (in the present instance only) +unavoidably advanced to Fourpence. + + * * * * * + * * * * * + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) London; Published by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; +and Sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + +***** This file should be named 8640-8.txt or 8640-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/6/4/8640/ + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction Jon Ingram, Charles Franks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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NO. 321</title> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321, 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: The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321 + The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction + +Author: Various + +Posting Date: January 18, 2013 [EBook #8640] +Release Date: August, 2005 +First Posted: July 29, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + + + + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction Jon Ingram, Charles Franks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.</h1> + +<hr> +<h2>[NO. 321.] SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1828. [PRICE 2d.]</h2> + +<hr> +<h2>EATON HALL, CHESHIRE,</h2> + +<p><i>The Seat of the Rt. Hon. Earl Grosvenor</i>.</p> + +<p><img width="100%" src="images/eaton_hall.png" alt= +"EATON HALL, CHESHIRE"></p> + +<p>This mansion is a princely specimen of Gothic architecture; +and is in every respect calculated for the residence of its noble +possessor, whose taste and munificence in patronizing the Fine +Arts are well known to our readers. Nevertheless, it is worthy of +special remark, that not only is the name of GROSVENOR +conspicuous in this patronage, but his lordship has further +evinced his love of art in the construction of one of the most +splendid buildings in the whole empire,—the present mansion +having been completed within a few years.<sup><a name= +"footnote_tag_1"></a><a href="#footnote_1">[1]</a></sup> Here the +noble founder seems to have realized all that the ingenious Sir +Henry Wotton considered requisite for a man's "house and +home—the theatre of his hospitality, the seat of +self-fruition, a kind of PRIVATE PRINCEDOM; nay, to the +possessors thereof, an epitome of the whole world."</p> + +<blockquote><sup><a name="footnote_1"></a><a href= +"#footnote_tag_1">[1]</a></sup> At this moment, Earl Grosvenor +has in progress a splendid gallery for the reception of his +superb collection of pictures, adjoining his town mansion, in +Grosvenor-street. This is one of the few "Private Collections" to +which, through the good taste and courtesy of the proprietor, the +public are admitted, on specified days, and under certain +restrictions. The nucleus of Earl Grosvenor's collection, was the +purchase of Mr. Agar's pictures for £30,000; since which it +has been enlarged, till it has at length become one of the finest +in England. In the drawing-room at Eaton are, <i>Our Saviour on +the Mount of Olives</i>, by Claude Lorraine, which is the largest +painting known to have been executed by him; and <i>A Port in the +Mediterranean</i>, by Vernet. In the dining-room, <i>Rubens with +his Second Wife</i>; by himself; and <i>The Judgment of +Paris</i>, a copy, by Peters, after Rubens. In the dressing-room +of the state bed-room, <i>David and Abigail</i>, also by Rubens. +Over the ornamented chimney-pieces of the hall are, West's +<i>Dissolution of the Long Parliament</i>, and <i>The Landing of +Charles the Second</i>.</blockquote> + +<p><i>Eaton</i> is situated about three miles to the south of +Chester, on the verge of an extensive park, thickly studded with +fine old timber. The present "Hall" occupies the site of the old +mansion, which is described as a square and spacious brick +building erected by Sir Thomas Grosvenor, in the reign of William +III. The architect was Sir John Vanbrugh, who likewise laid out +the gardens with straight walks and leaden statues, in the formal +style of his age. In the reconstruction, the fine vaulted +basement story of the old Hall was preserved, as were also the +external foundations, and some subdivisions; but the +superstructure was altered and entirely refitted, and additional +apartments erected on the north and south sides, so as to make +the area of the new house twice the dimensions of the old +one.</p> + +<p>The style of architecture adopted in the new Hall is that of +the age of Edward III, as exhibited in that Parthenon of Gothic +architecture, York Minster; although the architect, Mr. Porden, +has occasionally availed himself of the low Tudor arch, and the +forms of any other age that suited his purpose, so as to adapt +the rich variety of our ancient ecclesiastical architecture to +modern domestic convenience. Round the turrets, and in various +parts of the parapets are shields, charged in relievo with the +armorial bearings of the Grosvenor family, and of other ancient +families that, by intermarriages, the Grosvenors are entitled to +quarter with their own. The windows, which are "richly dight" +with tracery, are of cast-iron, moulded on both sides, and +grooved to receive the glass. The walls, battlements, and +pinnacles, are of stone, of a light and beautiful colour, from +the Manly quarry about ten miles distant.</p> + +<p>The annexed engraving represents the west-front of the house, +in the centre of which is the entrance, by a vaulted porch, which +admits a carriage to the steps that lead to the Hall, a spacious +and lofty room, occupying the height of two stories, with a +groined ceiling, embellished with the Grosvenor arms, and other +devices, in the bosses that cover the junction of the ribs. The +pavement is of variegated marble in compartments. At the end of +the Hall, a screen of five arches support a gallery which +connects the bed-chambers on the north side of the house with +those on the south, which are separated by the elevation of the +Hall. Under this gallery, two open arches to the right and left +conduct to the grand staircase, the state bed-room, and the +second staircase; and opposite to the door of the hall is the +entrance to the saloon. The grand staircase is elaborately +ornamented with niches and canopies, and with tracery under the +landings; and in the principal ceiling, which is surmounted with +a double skylight of various coloured glass. The state bed-room +is lighted by two painted windows, with tracery and armorial +bearings. In the saloon are three lofty and splendidly painted +windows, which contain, in six divisions,—the portraits of +the conqueror's nephew, Gilbert le Grosvenor, the founder of the +Grosvenor family, and his lady; of William the Conqueror, with +whom Gilbert came into England; the Bishop of Bayeux, uncle to +the conqueror; the heiress of the house of Eaton; and Sir Robert +le Grosvenor, who signalized himself in the wars of Edward +III.</p> + +<p>The saloon is a square of thirty feet, formed into an octagon +by arches across the angles, which give to the vaultings a +beautiful form. Opposite to the chimney piece is an organ richly +decorated. On the left of the saloon is an ante-room leading to +the dining-room; and on the right, another leading to the +drawing-room: the windows of these rooms are glazed with a light +Mosaic tracery, and exhibit the portraits of the six Earls of +Chester, who, after Hugh Lupus, governed Cheshire as a County +Palatine, till Henry III bestowed the title on his son Edward; +since which time the eldest sons of the kings of England have +always been Earls of Chester.</p> + +<p>The dining-room, situated at the northern extremity of the +east front, is about 50 feet long and 30 feet wide, exclusive of +a bay-window of five arches, the opening of which is 30 feet. In +the centre window is the portrait of Hugh Lupus; which, with the +portraits of the six Earls of Chester, in the ante-room windows, +were executed from cartoons, at Longport, Staffordshire. The +ceiling is of bold and rich tracery, with a profuse emblazoning +of heraldic honours, and a large ornamented pendant for a +chandelier.</p> + +<p>The drawing room, which is at the southern extremity of the +east front, is of the same form and dimensions as the +dining-room, with the addition of a large window to the south, +commanding the luxuriant groves of meadows of Eaton, and the +village and spire of Oldford above them. All the windows of this +room are adorned with heads and figures of the ancestors of the +family; also the portraits of the present Earl and Countess, in a +beautiful brown <i>chiaro-scuro</i>. The ceiling is tracery of +the nicest materials and workmanship emblazoned with the arms of +the Grosvenor family, and those of Egerton, Earl of Wilton, the +father of the present Countess Grosvenor.</p> + +<p>Eaton became the property of the Grosvenor family through the +marriage of Ralph Grosvenor, in the reign of Henry VI with Joan, +daughter of John Eaton, then owner of this estate. The Grosvenor +family, as we have already intimated, came into England with +William the Conqueror; they derived their name from the office of +chief huntsmen, which they held in the Norman court; and, when +"chivalry was the fashion of the times," says Pennant, "few +families shone in so distinguished a manner: none shewed equal +spirit in vindicating their rights to their looms." He then +mentions the celebrated legal contest with Sir Richard le +Scroope, for the family arms—<i>Azure, a bend or</i>. This +cause was tried before the High Constable and the Earl Marshal of +England, in the reign of Richard II. It lasted three years; +kings, princes of the blood, and most of the nobility, and among +the gentry, Chaucer, the poet, gave evidence on the trial. "The +sentence," says Pennant, "was conciliating; that both parties +should bear the same arms; but the <i>Grosvenours avec une +bordure d'argent</i>. Sir Robert resents it, and appeals to the +king. The judgment is confirmed; but the choice is left to the +defendant, either to use the <i>bordure</i>, or bear the arms of +their relations, the ancient Earls of Chester, <i>azure, a gerb +d'or</i>. He rejected the mortifying distinction, and chose a +<i>gerb</i>: which is the family coat to this day."</p> + +<p>Hitherto we have only spoken of the artificial splendour of +Eaton. The natural beauties with which it is environed will, +however, present equal, if not superior, attraction for the +tourist. The stiff, formal walks of Vanbrugh no longer disfigure +the grounds, which are now made to harmonize with the contiguous +landscape, and are enlivened by an inlet of the Dee, which +intervenes between the eastern front of the mansion, and the +opposite plantations. These alterations have, however, been made +with great judgment, and a few of the venerable beauties of the +park remain. Thus, a fine aged avenue extends westward to a +Gothic lodge in the hamlet of Belgrave, about two miles distant +from the Hall. Another lodge, in a similar style of design, is +approached by a road, which diverges from this avenue towards +Chester, and crosses the park, through luxuriating plantations, +which open occasionally in glade views of the Broxton and Welsh +Hills. The most pleasing approach to this noble mansion is one +which has been cut through the plantations, towards the +north-east angle of the house, so as to throw the whole building +into perspective.</p> + +<p>Viewed from either of the beautiful sites with which the park +abounds, Eaton is a magnificent display of towers, and turrets, +pinnacles and battlements, partly embosomed in foliage, and +belted with one of the richest domains in England. Indeed, its +splendour seldom fails to strike the overweening admirer of art +with devotional fondness, which is not lessened by his approach +to the fabric.<sup><a name="footnote_tag_2"></a><a href= +"#footnote_2">[1]</a></sup> The most favourable distant views are +from the Aldford road, and from the romantic banks of the Dee, +whence there is a proud display of architectural grandeur. In +every point, however, the grounds and mansion of Eaton will +abundantly gratify the expectations of the visiter. Altogether, +they present a rich scene of nature, diversified and embellished +by the attributes of art; and the admiration of the latter will +be not a little enhanced by the reflection that the building of +this sumptuous pile provided employment for a large portion of +the poor of Chester during one of the most calamitous periods of +the late war.</p> + +<blockquote><sup><a name="footnote_2"></a><a href= +"#footnote_tag_2">[1]</a></sup> One view from the interior +deserves special mention: viz. from the saloon, upon a terrace +350 feet in length, commanding one of the richest landscapes on +the banks of Dee. The boasted terrace at Versailles is but 400 +feet in length; yet, how many Englishmen, who have seen the +latter, are even ignorant of that at Eaton.</blockquote> + +<p>The noble founder of Eaton has indeed learned to "build +stately," and "garden finely;" and has thus made the personal +fruition of his wealth subservient to its real use—the +distribution.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>ORIGIN OF CHESS.</h3> + +<p>(<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.)</p> + +<p>SIR,—In vol. 3, page 211, of the MIRROR, is an account +of the origin of the scientific game of chess, the invention of +which, your correspondent <i>F. H. Y.</i> has attributed to a +brahmin, named Sissa. But I believe it is entirely a matter of +doubt, both as to where, and by whom it was invented; it is +evidently of very high antiquity, and if we recur to the original +names of the pieces with which it is played, we shall readily be +convinced it is of Asiatic original. The honour of inventing it, +is contended for by several nations, but principally by the +Hindoos, the Chinese, and the Persians. In support of the first, +we are told, by Sir William Jones, in the 2nd vol. of his +<i>Asiatic Researches</i>, that the game of chess has been +immemorably known in Hindostan, by the name of Chaturanga, or the +four members of an army, viz. elephants, horses, chariots, and +foot soldiers. And yet, the same learned author observes, that no +account of the game has hitherto been discovered in the classical +writings of the brahmins. Mr. Daines Barrington supposed the +Chinese to be the inventers, and in this he is supported by a +paper published in the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, +for 1794, vol. 5, by Mr. Eyles Irwin. It states, that when Mr. +Irwin was at Canton, a young mandarin, on seeing the English +chess-board, recognised its similarity with that used for a game +of their own; and brought his board and equipage for Mr. Irwin's +inspection, and soon after gave him a manuscript extract from a +book, relating the invention of the Chinese game, called by them +chong-he, or the royal game, which it attributed to a Chinese +general (about 1,965 years ago) who by its means reconciled his +soldiers to passing the winter in quarters in the country of +Shensi, the cold and inconvenience of which were likely to have +occasioned a mutiny among them. Other writers contend that chess +is a game of Persian invention, since <i>scah muth</i> is the +Persic term for check-mate; and since the Persians were sedulous +in recommending it to their young princes, as a game calculated +to instruct kings in the art of war. It has been attributed to +Palamedes, who lived during the Trojan war; but it was a game +played with pebbles, or cubes, of which he was the inventer. +Palamedes was so renowned for his sagacity, that almost every +early discovery was ascribed to him. Whether the Greeks or Romans +were acquainted with this game is doubtful. Of the three +contending nations, the claim of the Persians appears to me to be +least eligible, and that of the Chinese the most.</p> + +<p><i>Near Sheffield.</i></p> + +<p>J. M. C-D.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>THREE SONNETS TO JOHN KEATS.</h3> + +<p>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</p> + +<pre> + I can think of thee! now that the light spring + Showers live in the rich breezes, and the dyes + Of the glad flowers are won from her blue eyes + Exulting; whilst loud songs, on the fleet wing + Of the Earth's seraphs, bear her welcoming + From it to heaven, and, up to the far skies, + From turf-born censers floods of incense rise. + I can think of thee in my wandering; + And when the heart leaps up within to bless + The sights of love and beauty, on each hand,— + The pouring-out of sky-sprung happiness + Over the dancing sea and the green land, + Thought wakes one saddening thrill of bitterness— + Thou canst not o'er this Eden smiling stand! +</pre> + +<pre> + Yes! even as the quick glow of Spring's first smile + Is unto the renewed spirit,—even + As that abundant gush of wine from Heaven + Loosens the dreary grasp of Cares which coil + Round the lone heart like serpents,—the sweet toil + Of draining the dear dream-cup thou hast given + Is unto me,—and thoughts which long have striven + With joyousness, flit far away the while + My lips are prest to it. By the fire-light, + Or in full gaze of sun-set, when the choirs + Of winged minstrels, waking out of light, + Ring requiem meet to those departing fires— + Let me be with thee then—forgetting quite + The world, its scornfulness, and its desires. +</pre> + +<pre> + O! I could weep for thee! and yet not tears + Of hopelessness, but triumph, and sit down + And weave for thee wet wild-flowers for a crown— + Then up, and sound rich music in thine ears; + And teach thee, that sweet lips, in coming years, + Shall lisp the songs which cold dull hearts disown,— + That all which hope could pant for is thine own,— + Dimmed, for a moment's space, with human fears. + Then watch the new-born glories in thine eye, + Glancing like lightning from its chariot cloud, + And list these words, which know not how to die,— + Joy's inspiration gushing forth aloud: + Then back again unto the world and sigh, + And wrap my heart up in a dusky shroud. +</pre> + +<p>THOMAS M—— S.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>CHOOSING OF BAILIFFS AT BRIDGNORTH.</h3> + +<p>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</p> + +<p>The bailiffs of Bridgnorth are chosen out of the twenty-four +aldermen upon St. Matthew's Day in the following +manner:—The court having met, the names of twelve aldermen +being separately written on small pieces of paper, are closely +rolled up by the town clerk, and thrown into a purse, which is +shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the chequer, (a +large table in the middle of the court,) and held open to the +bailiffs, when each, according to seniority, takes out a roll. By +this means the callers are decided, who, mounting the chequer, +alternately call the jury of fourteen out of the burgesses +present. They are then sworn neither to eat nor drink till they, +or twelve of them, have chosen two fit persons, who have not been +bailiffs for three years before, to serve that office for the +ensuing year; they are locked up till they have agreed, which +sometimes occasions long fastings. In 1739, the jury fasted +seventy hours. The persons chosen are sworn into office on +Michaelmas Day.—W. H.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>ON COALS, AND THE PERIOD WHEN THE COAL MINES IN ENGLAND WILL +BE EXHAUSTED.</h3> + +<p>(<i>From Bakewell's Introduction to Geology, 3rd Edition, +1828</i>.)</p> + +<p>Coal was known, and partially used, at a very early period of +our history. I was informed by the late Marquis of Hastings, that +stone hammers and stone tools were found in some of the old +workings in his mines at Ashby Wolds; and his lordship informed +me also, that similar stone tools had been discovered in the old +workings in the coal-mines in the north of Ireland. Hence we may +infer, that these coal-mines were worked at a very remote period, +when the use of metallic tools was not general. The burning of +coal was prohibited in London in the year 1308, by the royal +proclamation of Edward I. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the +burning of coal was again prohibited in London during the sitting +of parliament, lest the health of the knights of the shire should +suffer injury during their abode in the metropolis. In the year +1643, the use of coal had become so general, and the price being +then very high, many of the poor are said to have perished for +want of fuel. At the present day, when the consumption of coal, +in our iron-furnaces and manufactories and for domestic use, is +immense, we cannot but regard the exhaustion of our coal-beds as +involving the destruction of a great portion of our private +comfort and national prosperity. Nor is the period very remote +when the coal districts, which at present supply the metropolis +with fuel, will cease to yield any more. The annual quantity of +coal shipped in the rivers Tyne and Wear, according to Mr. +Bailey, exceeded three million tons. A cubic yard of coals weighs +nearly one ton; and the number of tons contained in a bed of coal +one square mile in extent, and one yard in thickness, is about +four millions. The number and extent of all the principal +coal-beds in Northumberland and Durham is known; and from these +data it has been calculated that the coal in these counties will +last 360 years. Mr. Bailey, in his Survey of Durham, states, that +one-third of the coal being already got, the coal districts will +be exhausted in 200 years. It is probable that many beds of +inferior coal, which are now neglected, may in future be worked; +but the consumption of coal being greatly increased since Mr. +Bailey published his Survey of Durham, we may admit his +calculation to be an approximation to the truth, and that the +coal of Northumberland and Durham will be exhausted in a period +not greatly exceeding 200 years. Dr. Thomson, in the Annals of +Philosophy, has calculated that the coal of these districts, at +the present rate of consumption, will last 1,000 years! but his +calculations are founded on data manifestly erroneous, and at +variance with his own statements; for he assumes the annual +consumption of coal to be only two million eight hundred thousand +tons, and the waste to be one-third more,—making three +million seven hundred thousand tons, equal to as many square +yards; whereas he has just before informed us, that two million +chaldrons of coal, of two tons and a quarter each chaldron, are +exported, making four million five hundred thousand tons, beside +inland consumption, and waste in the working<sup><a name= +"footnote_tag_3"></a><a href="#footnote_3">[1]</a></sup>. +According to Mr. Winch, three million five hundred thousand tons +of coal are consumed annually from these districts; to which if +we add the waste of small coal at the pit's mouth, and the waste +in the mines, it will make the total yearly destruction of coal +nearly double the quantity assigned by Dr. Thomson. Dr. Thomson +has also greatly overrated the quantity of the coal in these +districts, as he has calculated the extent of the principal beds +from that of the lowest, which is erroneous; for many of the +principal beds crop out, before they reach the western +termination of the coal-fields. With due allowance for these +errors, and for the quantity of coal already worked out, (which, +according to Mr. Bailey, is about one-third,) the 1,000 years of +Dr. Thomson will not greatly exceed the period assigned by Mr. +Bailey for the complete exhaustion of coal in these counties, and +may be stated at three hundred and fifty years.</p> + +<blockquote><sup><a name="footnote_3"></a><a href= +"#footnote_tag_3">[1]</a></sup> The waste of coal at the pit's +mouth may be stated at one-sixth of the quantity sold, and that +left in the mines at one-third. Mr. Holmes, in his Treatise on +Coal Mines, states the waste of small coal at the pit's mouth to +be one-fourth of the whole.</blockquote> + +<p>It cannot be deemed uninteresting to inquire what are the +repositories of coal that can supply the metropolis and the +southern counties, when no more can be obtained from the Tyne and +the Wear. The only coal-fields of any extent on the eastern side +of England, between London and Durham, are those of Derbyshire +and those in the west riding of Yorkshire. The Derbyshire +coal-field is not of sufficient magnitude to supply, for any long +period, more than is required for home consumption, and that of +the adjacent counties. There are many valuable beds of coal in +the western part of the west riding of Yorkshire which are yet +unwrought; but the time is not very distant when they must be put +in requisition, to supply the vast demand of that populous +manufacturing county, which at present consumes nearly all the +produce of its own coal mines. In the midland counties, +Staffordshire possesses the nearest coal districts to the +metropolis, of any great extent; but such is the immense daily +consumption of coal in the iron-furnaces and founderies, that it +is generally believed this will be the first of our own +coal-fields that will be exhausted. The thirty-feet bed of coal +in the Dudley coal-field is of limited extent; and in the present +mode of working it, more than two-thirds of the coal is wasted +and left in the mine.</p> + +<p>If we look to Whitehaven or Lancashire, or to any of the minor +coal-fields in the west of England, we can derive little hope of +their being able to supply London and the southern counties with +coal, after the import of coal fails from Northumberland and +Durham. We may thus anticipate a period not very remote, when all +the English mines of coal and ironstone will be exhausted; and +were we disposed to indulge in gloomy forebodings, like the +ingenious authoress of the "Last Man," we might draw a melancholy +picture of our starving and declining population, and describe +some manufacturing patriarch, like the late venerable Richard +Reynolds, travelling to see the last expiring English furnace, +before he emigrated to distant regions.<sup><a name= +"footnote_tag_4"></a><a href="#footnote_4">[1]</a></sup></p> + +<blockquote><sup><a name="footnote_4"></a><a href= +"#footnote_tag_4">[1]</a></sup> The late Richard Reynolds, Esq., +of Bristol, so distinguished for his unbounded benevolence, was +the original proprietor of the great iron-works in Colebrook +Dale, Shropshire. Owing, I believe, partly to the exhaustion of +the best workable beds of coal and ironstone, and partly to the +superior advantages possessed by the iron-founders in South +Wales, the works at Colebrook Dale were finally relinquished, a +short time before the death of Mr. Reynolds. With a natural +attachment to the scenes where he had passed his early years, and +to the pursuits by which he had honourably acquired his great +wealth, he travelled from Bristol into Shropshire, to be present +when the last of his furnaces was extinguished, in a valley where +they had been continually burning for more than half a +century.</blockquote> + +<p>Fortunately, however, we have in South Wales, adjoining the +Bristol Channel, an almost exhaustless supply of coal and +ironstone, which are yet nearly unwrought. It has been stated, +that this coal-field extends over about twelve hundred square +miles, and that there are twenty-three beds of workable coal, the +total average thickness of which is ninety-five feet, and the +quantity contained in each acre is 100,000 tons, or 65,000,000 +tons per square mile. If from this we deduct one half for waste +and for the minor extent of the upper beds, we shall have a clear +supply of coal, equal to 32,000,000 tons per square mile. Now if +we admit that the five million tons of coal from the +Northumberland and Durham mines is equal to nearly one-third of +the total consumption of coals in England, each square mile of +the Welsh coal-field would yield coal for two years' consumption; +and as there are from one thousand to twelve hundred square miles +in this coal-field, it would supply England with fuel for two +thousand years, after all our English coal-mines are worked +out.</p> + +<p>It is true, that a considerable part of the coal in South +Wales is of an inferior quality, and is not at present burned for +domestic use; but in proportion as coal becomes scarce, improved +methods of burning it will assuredly be discovered, to prevent +any sulphureous fumes from entering apartments, and also to +economize the consumption of fuel in all our manufacturing +processes.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>SONG.</h3> + +<p>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</p> + +<pre> + Thou hast not seen the tear-drops fill + The eyes which worship thee; + The deepest curse, the darkest ill, + Hovers above—around me—still + There are no tears for me! + + Thou canst not know, why I should kneel + For tears to heaven—in vain; + The thousand changeless pangs we feel,— + The precious drops, perchance, might heal,— + They will not start again! + + Thou canst not know what hopes will spring + When I can gaze on thee, + Even in the cold heart withering; + Oh! thou to whom that heart must cling, + Art more than tears to me! +</pre> + +<p>THOMAS M—— S.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>HINTS FOR HEALTH.</h3> + +<blockquote>["A very old and active correspondent," <i>Tim +Tobykin</i>, has furnished us with the following interesting +extracts from Dr. Rennie's <i>Treatise on Gout and Nervous +Diseases</i>, just published. These, however, are but a portion +of our correspondent's selections; and as they are written in a +popular style and appear to be equally applicable to the welfare +of all classes, they will doubtless be acceptable to our readers. +We are not friendly to the introduction of purely professional +matters into the pages of the MIRROR, but the following extracts +are so far divested of technicality as to render their utility +and importance obvious to every reader.]</blockquote> + +<p>CLIMATE, LOCALITY, AND SEASONS.</p> + +<p>I shall first inquire, says Dr. Rennie, what are the effects +of climate on healthy constitutions, as respects heat, cold, +moisture, and vicissitudes; including also the diurnal and annual +revolutions.</p> + +<p>Cold applied to the body acts as a direct sedative. It +diminishes the nervous sensibility, represses the activity of the +circulation, detracts from the sum of the animal heat, and +thereby diminishes stimulation. In the cessation of excitement +and sensibility that ensues, the whole vital actions are +moderated, existing irritation is soothed; and in the same manner +as sleep recruits the wasted powers, so does cold restore and +invigorate the nerves when overstimulated, and in fact promotes +the tone and vigour of the whole body; when again a warmer +atmosphere succeeds a colder, the animal heat increases in its +sum, the surface of the body is re-excited, nervous sensibility +returns, and a reaction of the circulation takes place; so that +the blood diffuses itself in greater abundance towards the remote +and superficial parts of the body, and the secretions are also +promoted.</p> + +<p>Alternations of cold and heat therefore in healthy +constitutions within certain limits, are salutary; promoting, on +the one hand, the vigour and tone of the body; on the other, the +due activity and excitement of the various functions.</p> + +<p>The temperature occasioned by day and night, and also those +more progressive and slow alternations of heat and cold, on the +large scale, attending the annual revolution of the seasons, are +a natural provision admirably adapted to effect these objects as +described; constituted as our bodies are, such a constant and +regular succession of heat and cold is just such as the +necessities of the human frame require. The alternations of day +and night, of winter and summer, are far from being merely +incidental and unimportant circumstances in the general +adaptation of the earth to man's constitutional wants; neither do +they bear reference solely to the productions of the earth for +his use. They exert a continual and direct influence on his +constitution, calculated to aid the vigorous and healthy +performance of the various functions of the body each in its due +degree and order, and they conduce mainly to the perfection and +longevity of the species.</p> + +<p>Let us therefore trace the effects of these changes on the +human body.</p> + +<p>During the winter, the prevailing cold acts as a universal +sedative and tonic, soothing the nervous excitement and +sensibility, allaying the activity of the circulation, moderating +the functions of the skin, and diminishing the various +secretions.</p> + +<p>As the Spring opens, the sun gains daily in influence, +generating a gradually increasing atmospheric warmth. The body +therefore becomes subject from this heat to a reactive effect, +during which the nervous sensibility and circulation are +gradually re-excited, the blood is more equally diffused towards +the surface and extremities of the body, and the secretion by the +skin is increased.</p> + +<p>If the cold of winter were to continue unmitigated from year +to year, without the genial influence of summer, the human race, +as is apparent in polar regions and upland mountainous districts, +would degenerate into dwarfishness.</p> + +<p>If the heat of summer were continually maintained the whole +year round, a tendency to degeneracy of the race would be also +observed, as we see in tropical latitudes. It is in the medium +betwixt these extremes, where a moderate and regular winter cold +is succeeded by a mild, genial summer temperature, that the +species approaches most to perfection in stature, health, +strength, and longevity.</p> + +<p>In observing also the influence of day and night on the +constitution, there is a sedative effect produced in the morning +before the sun is up, a reactive tendency promoted towards noon +under the solar influence, and again towards evening this +reaction is repressed by the sedative effect of the evening cold; +and this sedative effect is at its maximum at midnight. Hence +those who sit up late feel unusually chilly and depressed towards +midnight, partly owing to exhaustion from want of sleep, but +chiefly from the total absence of solar influence in the +atmospherical temperature. In regular habits this sedative effect +is never thoroughly experienced; for before midnight, the +constitution, enveloped in warm blankets, has experienced the +reaction arising from the accumulation of heat in bed. Whence the +common remark, that one hour's sleep before midnight is worth +three after that hour, is actually true to a certain extent. By +early retirement to rest, the sedative effect on the +constitution, to an extent such as to disturb the functions, is +escaped.</p> + +<p>If we connect these two influences, the annual and diurnal +successions of cold and heat, in their joint effect, we find, +that about, or a little after the summer solstice, the influence +of the sun being at its maximum, the nervous sensibility, heat, +circulating excitement, and cutaneous secretions of the body, are +also at their maximum. The temperature of the day and night +differ so little, that the sedative effects of evening and +morning are not sufficient to restore the frame by soothing the +sensibilities, overexcited and irritable from the previous +warmth. Whence the languor and irritability felt in summer, when +the heat is long continued, and the nights are spent in +restlessness and anxious oppression. Exhaustion and relaxation of +the frame are the consequence.</p> + +<p>As the autumnal equinox verges on, the mornings and evenings +get cooler in relation to the mid-day heat; and about the +equinox, the difference in the temperature of mid-day and +midnight is at its maximum. We have therefore a powerful sedative +effect in the morning, which braces and invigorates the body; a +powerful reactive effect at mid-day, which rouses and stimulates +the actions and sensibilities of the frame; and again towards +evening a sedative effect, from the increasing cold reaching its +maximum at midnight.</p> + +<p>As the season passes on from the Equinox towards the winter +solstice, the heat of the sun daily diminishes, and the cold +gains a daily preponderance. The sedative effect on the body goes +on progressively increasing, being less and less counteracted by +any genial influence from the solar heat at mid-day; whence the +gloom and depression so universally experienced by the nervous in +November and December, which is more and more felt till the +shortest day. So soon as the minimum of solar influence and +maximum of sedative effect on the body has passed over, the sun +gradually acquires more of meridian influence, and a daily +increasing ascendancy over the prevalent cold. The human +constitution at the same time is subject to a proportionate +reactive disposition; which reaction is felt most at noon, and it +daily becomes more and more apparent till the vernal equinox, +when we have the difference betwixt the meridian and midnight +temperature again at a maximum. We have daily a powerful sedative +effect in the morning, a powerful meridian reaction, which again +subsides into a sedative condition on the access of the evening. +This daily effect on the constitution is exactly similar to that +at the autumnal equinox, only it occurs under different +circumstances. In autumn it is connected with departing heat and +progressively increasing cold; in Spring it is connected with +progressively diminishing cold and advancing heat. After the +vernal equinox, the difference in the meridian and midnight +temperature gradually diminishes; the daily sedative effect at +morning and evening becomes less and less apparent as general +atmospheric warmth prevails, till towards the summer solstice, +the general effect on the constitution is stimulation and +excitement by atmospheric heat.</p> + +<hr> +<h2>NOTES OF A READER.</h2> + +<p>BYRON'S "FARE THEE WELL."</p> + +<p>On one occasion of a mediator waiting upon Lord Byron upon the +subject of a reconciliation with his wife, he produced from his +desk a paper on which was written "fare thee well," and said, +"Now these are exactly my feelings on the subject—they were +not intended to be published, but you may take +them."—<i>Lit. G.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>EARLY HOURS.</p> + +<p>Dr. Franklin published an ingenious Essay on the advantages of +early rising.—He called it "an economical project," and +calculated the saving that might be made in the city of Paris, by +using the sunshine instead of the candles—at no less than +4,000,000l. sterling.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>SENSITIVE PLANTS.</p> + +<p>Light exercises a very remarkable influence upon the +irritability of the sensitive plant. Thus, if a sensitive plant +be placed in complete darkness, by carrying it within an opaque +vessel, it will entirely lose its irritability, and that in a +variable time, according to a certain state of depression or +elevation of the surrounding temperature.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>At Brussels, the demand for labour is so great, in consequence +of the number of new buildings, that tradesmen consider they +confer a favour on a customer by the execution of his orders. The +lower classes have become, within the last seven years, extremely +dissipated, owing it is supposed to the increase in the wages of +the mechanics and labourers employed in the numerous buildings +erected within that period. During the Kaermess annual feast of +three days, it is calculated 80,000 <i>litres</i> (pots) are +drunk each day!</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Cooper, the American novelist, has just published two volumes +of "Notions" of his countrymen, in the course of which he bestows +on them the following surperlative epithets: "most active, +quick-witted, enterprising, orderly, moral, simple, vigorous, +healthful, manly, generous, just, wise, innocent, civilized, +liberal, polite, enlightened, ingenious, moderate, glorious, +firm, free, virtuous, intelligent, sagacious, kind, honest, +independent, brave, gallant, intellectual, well-governed, +elevated, dignified, pure, immaculate, extraordinary, wonderful," +&c. He then calls them the "most improving," which is +painting, nay coating, the lily, to "wasteful and ridiculous +excess."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>OSTRICHES</p> + +<p>Impart a lively interest to a ride in the Pampas. They are +sometimes seen in coveys of twenty or thirty, gliding elegantly +along the undulations of the plain, at half pistol-shot from each +other, like skirmishers. The young are easily domesticated, and +soon become attached to those who caress them; but they are +troublesome inmates; for, stalking about the house, they will, +when full grown, swallow coin, shirt-pins, and every small +article of metal within reach. Their usual food, in a wild state, +is seeds, herbage, and insects; the flesh is a reddish brown, and +if young, not of bad flavour. A great many eggs are laid in the +same nest. Some accounts exonerate the ostrich from being the +most stupid bird in the creation. This has been proved by the +experiment of taking an egg away, or by putting one in addition. +In either case she destroys the whole by smashing them with her +feet. Although she does not attend to secrecy, in selecting a +situation for her nest, she will forsake it if the eggs have been +handled. It is also said that she rolls a few eggs thirty yards +distant from the nest, and cracks the shells, which, by the time +her young come forth, being filled with maggots, and covered with +insects, form the first repast of her infant brood. The male bird +is said to take upon himself the rearing of the young. If two +cock-birds meet, each with a family, they fight for the supremacy +over both; for which reason an ostrich has sometimes under his +tutelage broods of different ages.—<i>Mem. Gen. +Miller.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dr. Kitchiner recommends a gentleman who has a mind to carry +the arrangement of his clothes to a nicety, to have the shelves +of his wardrobe numbered 30, 40, 50, and 60, and according to the +degree of cold pointed to by his thermometer, to wear a +corresponding defence against it.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dr. Harwood fed two pointers; one he suffered to sleep after +dinner, another he forced to take exercise. In the stomach of the +one who had been quiet and asleep, all the food was digested; in +the stomach of the other, that process was hardly begun.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>SIR WALTER'S LAST.</p> + +<p>At page 354 of our last vol., the reader will find an eloquent +description of Perth, from the Wicks of Beglie, quoted from St. +Valentine's Eve. This turns out to be a topographical blunder, +for the "fair city" cannot be seen at all from the said Wicks, +whereas the author has described it as the best point of view. As +our readers have long since enjoyed the description, we shall +doubtless be pardoned for thus noticing the mistake.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>TELEGRAPHS.</p> + +<p>The system of telegraphs has arrived at such perfection in the +presidency of Bombay, that a communication may be made through a +line of 500 miles in eight minutes.—<i>Weekly Rev.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>One of the drawing-room critics who uphold the literature of +lords and ladies, sums up the merits of fashionable novel-writing +as follows:—"After all, it is something to scrutinize lords +and ladies, recline on satin sofas, eat off silver +dishes—whose nomenclature is the glory of +<i>l'artiste</i>—though only in a book."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>MAHOGANY.</p> + +<p>The largest and finest log of mahogany ever imported into this +country has been recently sold by auction at the docks in +Liverpool. It was purchased for 378l., and afterwards sold for +525l., and if it open well, it is supposed to be worth 1,000l. If +sawed into veneers, it is computed that the cost of labour in the +process will be 750l. The weight on the king's beam is six tons +thirteen hundred weight.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dugald Stewart, the celebrated metaphysician, of whom Scotland +has just reason to be proud, died a short time since at +Edinburgh, at the age of seventy-five. He recently published two +volumes, of which a distinguished gentleman in Edinburgh thus +speaks:—"June 16. Dugald Stewart is to be buried to-morrow. +A great light is gone out, or rather gone down,—for its +glory will long be in the sky, though its orb be no more visible +above the horizon. He corrected his last two volumes with his own +hand within these three months. What philosopher, especially +palsy-stricken ten years ago,—could ring in better. +Glorious fellow! I hear his splendid sentences and exquisite +voice sounding in mine ear at the distance of nearly thirty +winters. His peculiar merit was the purity and loftiness of his +moral taste. For about forty years he raised the standard of +thought and feeling among successive generations of young men, to +a range it would never otherwise have attained."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>OLD AND NEW VAUXHALL.</p> + +<p>Of old, a half-crown at the door, and the price of such +comestibles as were devoured, were grumbled at as tax enough; but +now the account stands in a fairer form, because you are charged +distinctly for every item, so that you know what you are paying +for, and may choose or reject, as you think fit. Thus Mr. Bull, +from Aldgate, with Mrs. Bull, and only four of the younger Bulls +and Cows, numbering six in all, make good their entry at the cost +of 1l. 4s.—Books to tell them what they are to see and +hear, the when and the how are 3s. Seats for the vaudeville +(average of modest places) 9s. Ditto for the ballet 6s. Ditto for +the battle 6s. Ditto for the fire-works 6s.—Total 2l. +14s.—But then they are not charged for seeing the lamps; +there is no charge for walking round the walks; there is no +charge for looking at the cosmoramic pictures; there is no charge +for casting a glance at the orchestra; there is no charge for +staring at the other people; there is no charge for bowing or +talking to an acquaintance, if you meet one—all these are +gratis; and if you neither eat nor drink, there is no charge for +witnessing those who do mangle the long-murdered honours of the +coop, and gulp down the most renovating of liquors, be they hale +or stout, vite vine, red port, or rack punch.—<i>Lit. +Gaz</i>.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Bruges, (celebrated as the birthplace of John Van Eyck, said +to have invented the art of oil-painting), is now in a very +dilapidated condition. It was formerly a place of great commerce, +and the merchants of Bruges were the wealthiest in Europe. The +population is reduced from 100,000 to 25,000.—<i>Brussels +Companion</i>.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>DISTURBING THE DEAD.</p> + +<p>Mr. Crawfurd, in his recent Mission to <i>Hué</i>, +wished to visit the mausoleum of the late king; "but," says he, +"we were politely informed that the king was always reluctant to +permit the visits of strangers, whose presence," he said, "might +'trouble the repose of the spirits of his ancestors.'"</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dine with a march-of-intellect man, and only observe the +downcast eyes of his pale-faced, trembling wife—the knit +brows of his sullen sons—the sulky sorrows of his +joy-denied daughters. All that comes of your hard-hearted, +hard-headed, music-painting-and-poetry-despising, utilitarian, +intellectual, all-in-all educationists, who know nothing so +admirable as a steam-engine, and would wish to see the whole +world worked by machinery.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>"FASHIONABLE" NOVELS.</p> + +<p>Here is a specimen of the <i>slip-slop</i> with which so many +thousand reams of paper have lately been spoiled. "Tea was +announced, and the ladies adjourned to the saloon; Lady Harriet +and Lady Charlotte, discussing, as they went in together, the +difficult question, whether it was or was not an improvement in +modern arrangements to have tea <i>en-buffet</i>. One of its +advantages the ladies were perfectly aware of, namely, that it +afforded a <i>point de réunir</i>, for both beaux and +belles, which is always so much wanted before the music begins; +and calculating on this important circumstance, Lady Charlotte +possessed herself of the chair which was the most accessible of +the whole group. Miss Mortimer, with equal foresight, stationed +herself at the fire:—"Good generalship," whispered Lady +Hauteville to the duchess, as the two experienced matrons +communicated together <i>sur les petites ruses</i>, which the +actors fancied were unperceived, &c."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dr. Walsh, in his <i>Journey from Constantinople</i>, +describes a species of woodpecker, about the size of a thrush, of +a light, blue colour, with black marks beside the bill. "It +entered my room," says he, "with all the familiarity of an old +friend, hopped on the table, and picked up the crumbs and flies. +It had belonged to the doctor's child, just buried, and by a +singular instinct, left the house of the dead, and flew into my +room. Its habits were curious, and so familiar, that they were +quite attractive; it climbed up the wall by any stick or cord +near it, devouring flies. It sometimes began at my foot, and at +one race, ran up my leg, arm, round my neck, down my other arm, +and so to the table. It there tapped with its bill with a noise +as loud as a hammer. This was its general habit on the wood in +every part of the room; when it did so, it would look intently at +the place, and dart at any fly or insect it saw running. Writers +on Natural History say it makes this noise to disturb the insects +concealed within, so to seize them when they appear."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>At Brussels apartments are not to be procured for a shorter +term than six months.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>In the prison at Ghent, spirits are sold, but pens and paper +cannot be obtained without a special application to the +governor.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Mr. Brande, in his recent Lecture on Vegetable Chemistry, +says, "Salt has been very much extolled for a manure; I believe +that a great deal more has been said of it than it deserves; it +certainly destroys insects, but I do not believe what has been +said of its value. We are not to infer that because a manure is +found to be useful on one soil in a certain climate, that it +shall prove equally useful in others; experience must direct us +in this particular."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>STROLLING SCHOOLS.</p> + +<p>In Prussia there exist, what are termed <i>Strolling +Schools</i>, having no fixed place. The teacher, with his +scholars or his classical furniture, establishes himself in all +the houses or a village successively, where he affords +instruction; and his stay is determined by the number of persons +he is called upon to instruct under each roof, a week being the +allotted term, for each child, during which period the parents +supply all the wants of the <i>Domine.—Athenaeum.</i></p> + +<hr> +<h2>RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS</h2> + +<p>The following extracts from a "roll of the expenses of Edward +I., at Rhuddlan Castle, in Wales, in the tenth and eleventh years +of his reign" (1281 and 1282), may perhaps amuse our readers, as +showing the rates of wages paid to different workmen, tradesmen, +archers, &c. at that period. Under the head of +<i>necessaries</i>, are some curious items. Rhuddlan Castle was +the head quarters of Edward, during an insurrection of the Welsh, +under Llewellin, Prince of Wales, at which time it had many +additions made to it:—</p> + +<p>Paid to Master Peter de Brompton for the wages of 100 +carpenters, each receiving 4d. per day, and their constable +receiving 8d. per day; of which five are overseers of twenty, and +each receives 6d. per day for his wages, from Sunday 23rd of +August for the seven following days, 12l. 3s. 9d.</p> + +<p>To two smiths, one receiving 4d. per day, and the other 3d. +for their wages, from Sunday 23rd of August to Sunday l2th of +September, <i>each day being reckoned</i>, for twenty one days, +12s. 3d.</p> + +<p>Two shoeing smiths by the day, at 3d.</p> + +<p>Paid to forty-seven sailors of the king for their wages, seven +days; each receiving per diem 3d., except seven, each of whom +received 6d. per day, 4l. 14s. 6d.</p> + +<p>Paid to Geoffry le Chamberlin for the wages of twelve +cross-bowmen and thirteen archers for twenty-four days; each +cross-bowman receiving by the day 4d, and each archer +2d.,—7l. 8s.</p> + +<p>Paid to one master mason, receiving 6d. per diem, and five +masons at 4d., and one workman at 3d.; for twenty-eight days, 3l. +7s. 8d.</p> + +<p>Sunday next, after the feast of St. John Baptist, paid to +twenty-two mowers, each receiving 1-1/2d. per day for four days, +11s.</p> + +<p>Wednesday following paid to twenty-three mowers, each +receiving 6d. per day for their wages of two days, 1l. 3s.</p> + +<p>Paid to fourscore and sixteen <i>spreaders of hay</i> for one +day's wages, whereof fourscore received each per day 1-1/2d, and +each of the others 2d., l2s. 8d.</p> + +<p>Paid to 160 spreaders of hay for their wages, Sunday and +Monday, 16s. 6d.</p> + +<p><i>Necessaries.</i></p> + +<p>For six carts, each with three horses, hired to carry the hay +from the meadows to the castle of Rothelan, for one day, 6s. +10d.</p> + +<p>For the carriage of turf, with which the house was covered in +which the hay was placed, 1s. 5d.</p> + +<p>For an iron fork bought to turn the hay, 3d.</p> + +<p>For making a ditch about the house where the said hay was put, +1s. 8d.</p> + +<p>For putting and piling up one rick of hay in the house, 1s. +8d.</p> + +<p>Wages of two turf-cutters, seven days, at 5d. per day, 5s. +10d.</p> + +<p>For the carriage of turves to cover the king's kitchen, 7s. +6d.</p> + +<p>For twenty-two empty casks, bought to make paling for the +queen's court yard, 18s. 4d.</p> + +<p>To Wildbor, the fisherman, receiving 10d. per day, and his six +companions, the queen's fishermen, at 3d. per day each, fishing +in the sea, forty-two days, 4l. 18s.</p> + +<p>Repairing a cart of the king's, conveying a <i>pipe of +honey</i> from Aberconway to Rothelan, 1s. 4d.</p> + +<p>To six men carrying shingles to cover the hall of the castle, +at 2-1/2d each per day, seven days, 8s. 9d.</p> + +<p><i>Gifts.</i></p> + +<p>To a certain female spy, as a gift, 1s.</p> + +<p>To a certain female spy, to purchase her a house, as a gift, +1l.</p> + +<p>To Ralph le Vavasour, bringing news to the queen of the taking +of Dolinthalien, as a gift, 5l.</p> + +<p>To John de Moese, coming immediately after with the same news, +with letters of the Earl of Gloucester, by way of gift, 5l.</p> + +<p>To a certain player, as a gift, 1s.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Swan with Two Necks.</i></p> + +<p>It appears from the roll of swan's marks, in the time of Henry +VIII., that the king's swans were <i>doubly</i> marked, and had +what were called <i>two nicks</i>, or notches. The term, in +process of time, not being understood, a double animal was +invented, with the name of "The Swan with <i>Two Necks</i>." But +this is not the only ludicrous mistake that has arisen on the +subject, since "swan-upping," or the taking up of swans, +performed annually by the swan companies, with the Lord Mayor at +their head, for the purpose of marking them, has been changed, by +an unlucky asperite, into swan-<i>hopping</i>, which is perfectly +unintelligible.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Trial of the Pix.</i></p> + +<p>The invention of it, in this kingdom, or at least its +introduction into our courts, is probably of high antiquity, +being mentioned in the time of Edward I., as a mode well known +and of common usage. At present it is seldom required, except on +the removal of the master of the Mint from his office. Upon a +memorial praying for a trial of the Pix by this officer, a +summons issues to certain members of the privy council to meet on +a day fixed. The Lord Chancellor also directs a precept to the +wardens of the Goldsmith's company, requiring them to nominate a +competent number of able freemen of their company, skilful to +judge of, and to present the defaults of the coin, if such be +found, to be of a jury. When the court is formed, twelve of these +persons are sworn, who are directed by the president to examine +whether the moneys were made according to the indenture, and +standard trial pieces, and within the remedies. But in 1754, Lord +Chancellor Talbot directed the jury to express precisely how much +the money was within the remedies; and the practice which he thus +enjoined is still continued. The Pix, or box containing the coins +to be examined, is then delivered to the jury, who retire to the +court room of the Duchy of Lancaster, whither the Pix is removed, +together with the weights of the Exchequer and Mint, and where +the scales used on this occasion are suspended; the beam of which +is so delicate, that it will turn with <i>six grains</i>, when +loaded with the whole of those weights, to the amount of 48 lbs. +8 oz. in each scale. The Pix is then opened, and the money which +had been taken out of each delivery, and enclosed in a parcel +under the seals of the warden, master, and comptroller of the +Mint, is given to the foreman, who reads aloud the endorsement, +and compares it with the account which lies before him; he then +delivers the parcel to one of the jury, who opens it and examines +whether its contents agree with the endorsement. When all the +parcels have been opened, and found right, the moneys contained +in them are mixed together in wooden bowls, and afterwards +weighed. Out of the said moneys so mingled, the jury take a +certain number of each species of coin, to the amount of one +pound for the assay by fire. And the indented trial pieces of +gold and silver, of the dates specified in the indenture, being +produced by the proper officer, a sufficient quantity is cut from +either of them, for the purpose of comparing with it the pound +weight of gold or silver which is to be tried by the usual +methods of assay. The jury then return their verdict, stating how +much the coins examined have varied from the weight and fineness +required, and whether the variations exceed or fall short of the +remedies which are allowed; and according to the terms of the +verdict, the master's quietus is either granted or withheld.</p> + +<p><i>Note</i>.—The <i>remedies</i> are an allowance of one +sixth of a carat, or forty grains, in the pound weight of gold, +and of two pennyweights in that of silver, considered either as +to fineness or weight, or both of them taken together; the +moneyers are, however, at this time so expert, that these +quantities are much greater than are necessary.</p> + +<hr> +<h2>SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY</h2> + +<p><i>Society of Civil Engineers</i>.</p> + +<p>A charter of incorporation has just received the royal +signature, constituting an institution of Civil Engineers, and +naming Mr. Telford its president. The objects of such +institution, as recited in the charter, are, "The general +advancement of mechanical science, and more particularly for +promoting the acquisition of that species of knowledge which +constitutes the profession of a civil engineer; being the art of +directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and +convenience of man, as the means of production and of traffic in +states, both for external and internal trade, as applied in the +construction of roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, river +navigation, and docks, for internal intercourse and exchange; and +in the construction of ports, harbours, moles, breakwaters, and +light-houses, and in the art of navigation by artificial power, +for the purposes of commerce; and in the construction and +adaptation of machinery, and in the drainage of cities and +towns."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Toads as Ant-eaters</i>.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of last year, a pit, wherein I grew melons, was +so much infested with ants, as to threaten the destruction of the +whole crop; which they did, first by perforating the skin, and +afterwards eating their way into the fruit; and, after making +several unsuccessful experiments to destroy them, it occurred to +me that I had seen the toad feed on them. I accordingly put about +half a dozen toads into the pit, and, in the course of a few +days, scarcely an ant was to be found.—<i>Corresp. Gard. +Mag.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Laying out Part of the Calton Hill as +Pleasure-Ground</i>.</p> + +<p>We observe with pleasure plans advertised for in the Edinburgh +newspapers, for this purpose. There is no city in Britain which +presents greater facilities for public walks and gardens than +Edinburgh, notwithstanding the immense injury which it has +sustained in a picturesque point of view by the earthen mound, +and the mean buildings which cover great part of the bottom and +sides of the valley of the North Loch. That valley ought to have +been laid out in terraces, some open, or covered with glazed +verandas, for winter use, and others shaded by trees for summer +walking. The great art in laying out walks for recreation and +ease on sloping surfaces, is so to direct them as not to render +them more fatiguing than straight walks on level ground. But the +grand subject of improvement at Edinburgh, in the way of planting +in the public walks, is the hill of Arthur's Seat, which, planted +and built on, might be rendered one of the most unique scenes in +Europe.—<i>Gard. Mag.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Vegetables.</i></p> + +<p>Watering gives vegetables long exposed a fresher colour, and a +more attractive appearance; but repeated waterings are highly +pernicious, as they neutralize the natural juices of some, render +others bitter, and make all others vapid or +disagreeable.—<i>Ibid.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Mortar.</i></p> + +<p>The use of lime in mortar, is to fill up the hollow spaces or +vacuities between the grains of sand, and to cement them +together, thereby forming a kind of artificial stone. To add any +more lime than is sufficient to fill up these spaces, seems to be +useless, and to add much more must weaken the mortar; but, if too +little lime be used, there will be cavities left between some of +the grains of sand, and the mortar will consequently be short or +brittle: therefore, when we cannot ascertain the best proportions +of lime and sand, it is better to use too much lime than too +little.—<i>Ibid.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Treatment of Gold and Silver Fish.</i></p> + +<p>These beautiful objects of the animal kingdom, though long ago +introduced into Europe from China, their native country, seldom +breed in such numbers as they might be expected to do. It has +been lately discovered that in ponds heated by waste water +discharged from steam factories, the gold and silver fish breed +abundantly. From this circumstance, it has been suggested, that, +as heating hothouses by warm water is now so generally adopted, a +portion of this, led occasionally into a garden basin, would keep +the water in such a temperament as would not only always be +agreeable to the fish, but promote their +breeding.—<i>Ibid.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Climate.</i></p> + +<p>Professor Schow, of Copenhagen, has lately read a paper "On +the supposed Changes in the Climate of the different parts of the +Earth, during the period of Human History," from which, as far as +it has appeared in our language, it seems to be his opinion, +that, on a general view, climates are the same now as in ancient +times. The identity of the climate of Palestine, now and during +antiquity, is thus beautifully made out:—"It will be +convenient to begin with Palestine, the Bible being the oldest, +or one of the oldest of books; and, although great uncertainty +exists about the determination of the plants which are mentioned +in it, yet two of them do not admit of any doubt, (and these are +sufficient for the determination of the climate of Palestine, in +former times,) viz. the date-tree and the vine. The date-tree was +frequent, and principally in the southernmost part of the +country. Jericho was called Palm-town. The people had palm +branches in their hands. Deborah's palm-tree is mentioned between +Rama and Bethel. Pliny mentions the palm-tree as being frequent +in Judea, and principally about Jericho. Tacitus and Josephus +speak likewise of woods of palm-trees, as well as Strabo, +Diodorus Siculus, and Theophrastus. Among the Hebrew coins, those +with date-trees are by no means rare, and the tree is easily +recognised, as it is figured with its fruit. The vine, also, was +one of the plants most cultivated in Palestine, and not merely +for the grapes, but really for the preparation of wine. The feast +of the tabernacle of the Jews was a feast on account of the wine +harvest. From a passage where the cultivation of the vine is +mentioned, in the Valley of Engeddy, it is evident that the vine +not only grew in the northernmost mountainous part of the +country, but also in its southern lower part. Besides these, +there are other ancient testimonies in favour of the vine. This +plant, indeed, sometimes occurs on the same coin with the date +palm. The date-tree, in order to bring its fruit to perfection, +requires a mean temperature of 78° Fahr. The vine, on the +other hand, cannot be cultivated to any extent if the mean +temperature be above 72° Fahr. Such, then, must have been the +temperature of Palestine, in former ages; and by all that is +known of its present climate, the mean temperature seems to be +the same now. Nor has the time of harvest undergone any change. +Snow and ice, which were known, though rarely, in ancient times, +are occasionally met with now and at present, as in former times. +The inhabitants make use of artificial heat to warm +themselves."—<i>Dr. Brewster's Journal</i>.</p> + +<hr> +<h2>SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.</h2> + +<h3>NUISANCES OF SOCIETY.</h3> + +<p>It is quite true that the largest part of conversation turns +upon eating and drinking, the weather, the vices and follies of +our neighbours, and a thousand other trifles that lead not to +dispute; and it must be admitted that it is bad companionship to +be eternally canvassing the greater interests of life, and +forcing upon society opinions upon things in general. There are, +indeed, themes in plenty which belong to the neutral ground of +debate; but it is very pitiable that they should so ill bear +repetition. All the world, if they dared avow as much, are +heartily tired of them. Like cursing and swearing, they are +merely unmeaning expletives to supply the lack of sense, to gain +time, and to give a man the satisfaction of sometimes hearing his +own voice. With all the assistance of cards, music, dancing, and +champagne, society is at best but a dreary business, and it +requires no little animal spirits to undergo the infliction with +decency. Are you admitted on terms of familiarity to the domestic +hearth of your friend, that privilege confers on you the +opportunity of becoming intimately acquainted with the faults of +his servants, and (what is worse) with the merits of his +children.</p> + +<p>A dinner of ceremony is a funeral without a legacy; an +assembly is a mob, and a ball a compound of glare, tinsel, noise, +and dust. However amusing in their freshness, after a few +repetitions, they are only rendered endurable by the prospect of +some collateral gain, or the gratification of personal vanity. To +exhibit the beauty of a young wife, or the diamonds of an old +one; to be able to say the best thing that is uttered; to sport a +red ribbon or a Waterloo medal in their first novelty; to carry a +point with a great man, or to borrow money from a rich one, may +pass off an evening very well, with those who happen to be +interested in such speculations; but, these things apart, the +arrantest trifler in the circle must get weary at last, and be +heartily rejoiced when the conclusion of the season spares him +all further reiteration of the mill-horse operation. It is this +insipidity of society that forces so many of its members upon +desperate adventures of gallantry, and upon deep play. Any thing, +every thing is good to escape from the languor and listlessness +of a converse from which whatever interests is banished. Many a +woman loses her character, and many a man incurs a verdict of +ruinous damages, in the simple search of that rarest of all rare +things in society—a sensation. Neither is the matter much +mended, if, barring the insipidity of bon-ton company, you plunge +into the formal gravity of the middle classes, or into the noisy, +empty mirth of the lower. The man of sense and feeling, wherever +he goes, will find himself in a minority, in which few will speak +his language or comprehend his ideas. He will seldom return to +his home without a weary sense of the "stale, flat, and +unprofitable" nothings he has been compelled to entertain in his +intercourse with the world,—without the recollection of +some outrage on his independence, some dogmatism that he dared +not question, some impertinence that he dared not confute. With +his ears ringing with blue-stocking literature, threadbare +sophistries, forms erected into important principles, mediocrity +elevated into consideration, and the pre-eminence of the vain, +the ignorant, and the contemptible, he will shut himself up in +his solitude, and say with the Englishman at Paris <i>Je m'ennuis +très bien ici</i>. Against the recurrence of these +annoyances, day after day renewed, what nerves can hold out? As +life advances, time becomes precious, every moment is counted, +every enjoyment is computed; and while the effort necessary for +pleasing and being pleased becomes greater, the motive for making +that exertion grows less. When the sources of physical +gratification are dried up, and the illusions of life are +dissipated, there remains nothing for enjoyment but a tranquil +fireside, and the mastery of our own ideas and of our own habits +in the privacy of home. But then, to enjoy these, you must not +have a methodist wife, and you must have a porter who can lie +with a good grace, a fellow who could say "not at home," though +death himself knocked at the door. Neither should you read the +newspapers, nor walk the streets. The times are long gone by +since "wisdom cried out there." Folly, impertinence, sheer +impertinence, has exclusive possession of the king's highway; and +a dog with a tin-kettle at tail has as good a chance as the +wretch who dares to tread the pavement without partaking of the +ruling insanity. Oh! Mr. Brougham, Mr. Brougham! your +schoolmaster has a great deal yet to do: pray heaven his rods and +his fools' caps may hold out!—<i>New Month. Mag.</i></p> + +<hr> +<h3>TO "BEAUTY."</h3> + +<pre> + The morn is up! wake, Beauty, wake! + The flower is on the lea, + The blackbird sings within the brake, + The thrush is on the tree; + Forth to the balmy fields repair, + And let the breezes mild + Lift from thy brow the falling hair, + And fan my little child— + Yet if thy step be 'mid the dews, + Beauty! be sure to change your shoes! + + 'Tis noon! the butterfly springs up, + High from her couch of rest, + And scorns the little blue-bell cup + Which all night long she press'd. + Away! we'll seek the walnut's shade, + And pass the sunny hour, + The bee within the rose is laid, + And veils him in the flower; + Mark not the lustre of his wing, + Beauty! be careful of his sting! + + 'Tis eve! but the retiring ray + A halo deigns to cast + Round scenes on which it shone all day, + And gilds them to the last: + Thus, ere thine eyelids close in sleep, + Let Memory deign to flee + Far o'er the mountain and the deep, + To cast one beam on me! + Yes, Beauty! 'tis mine inmost prayer— + But don't forget to curl your hair! +</pre> + +<p><i>Blackwood's Mag.</i></p> + +<hr> +<h3>GOG AND MAGOG.—(<i>A Fragment.</i>)</h3> + +<p>Pensively and profoundly was I meditating, seated one evening +upon a stone bench in Guildhall, when, as the gathering gloom +invested the solemn faces of Gog and Magog, rendering them +mysteriously dim and indistinct, methought I saw them slowly shut +their eyes, nod their heads, fall asleep, and actually begin to +snore. Never did I hear any thing more sonorously grand and awful +than that portentous inbreathing of Gog and Magog, resounding +through the Gothic vastness of Guildhall; but, behold! how +omnipotent is the dreaming imagination! I myself had been dozing; +the sound of my own nose, transferred by a metonymy of the fancy +to the nostrils of those wooden idols, had become, as it were, +the living apotheosis of a snore, which had subdued me by its +sublimity. Most fortunate was it that I awoke; for, on +attentively inspecting the faces of the figures, I saw them +working and writhing with all the contortions of the Pythoness or +the Sibyl, labouring in the very throes of inspiration, +struggling with the advent of the prophetical afflatus. At length +their lips parted, when, in a low, solemn voice, that thrilled +through the dark, deserted, and silent hall, they poured forth +alternately the following vaticinal strain, each starting and +trembling as he concluded:—</p> + +<pre> + "From Bank, Change, Mansion-house, Guildhall, + Throgmorton, and Threadneedle, + From London-stone, and London wall, + When City housewife's wheedle + To Brunswick, Russell, Bedford Squares, + And Portland-place, their spouses, + Anxious to give themselves great airs + Of fashion in great houses, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When merchant, banker, broker, shake + In Crockford's club their elbow, + And for St. James's clock forsake + The chiming of thy bell, Bow: + When Batson's, Garraway's, and John's, + At night show empty boxes, + While cits are playing dice with dons, + Or ogling opera doxies; + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When city dames give routs and reels, + And ape high-titled prancers, + When City misses dance quadrilles, + Or waltz with whisker'd Lancers; + When City gold is quickly spent + In trinkets, feasts, and raiment, + And none suspend their merriment + Until they all stop payment, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." +</pre> + +<p>I was reflecting what dire calamities would fall upon the +doomed City, since the era of luxury, corruption, and desertion, +thus denounced, had now manifestly arrived, and Gog and Magog +were actually starting and trembling upon their pedestals, when +the hall-keeper, shaking me by the shoulder, +exclaimed—"Come, Sir, you musn't be sleeping here all +night! Bundle out, if you please, for I am just going to shut the +great gates!"—<i>New Monthly Mag.</i></p> + +<hr> +<h2>THE GATHERER.</h2> + +<blockquote>A snapper up of unconsidered +trifles.—SHAKSPEARE.</blockquote> + +<h3>MODERN SALAMANDER.</h3> + +<p>An experiment to ascertain the degree of heat it is possible +for a man to bear, was made a few days ago at the New Tivoli, at +Paris, in the presence of a company of about 200 persons. The man +on whom this experiment was made is a Spaniard of Andalusia, +named Martenez, aged 43. A cylindrical oven, constructed in the +shape of a dome, had been heated for four hours, by a very +powerful fire. At ten minutes past eight, the Spaniard, having on +large pantaloons of red flannel, a thick cloak also of flannel, +and a large felt, after the fashion of straw hats, went into the +oven, where he remained, seated on a foot-stool, during fourteen +minutes, exposed to a heat of from 45 to 50 degrees, of a +metallic thermometer, the gradation of which did not go higher +than 50. He sang a Spanish song while a fowl was roasted by his +side. At his coming out of the oven, the physicians found that +his pulse beat 134 pulsations a minute, though it was but 72 at +his going in, The oven being healed anew for a second experiment, +the Spaniard re-entered and seated himself in the same attitude; +at three quarters past eight, ate the fowl, and drank a bottle of +wine to the health of the spectators. At coming out his pulse was +176, and the thermometer indicated a heat of 110 degrees of +Reaumur. Finally, for the third and last experiment, which almost +immediately followed the second, he was stretched on a plank, +surrounded with lighted candles, and thus put into the oven, the +mouth of which was closed this time. He was there nearly five +minutes, when all the spectators cried out, "Enough, enough," and +anxiously hastened to take him out. A noxious and suffocating +vapour of tallow filled the inside of the oven, and all the +candles were extinguished and melted. The Spaniard, whose pulse +was 200 at coming out of this gulf of heat, immediately threw +himself into a cold bath, and in two or three minutes after was +on his feet safe and sound.</p> + + + +<h3>WILL OF MR. WILLIAM HICKINGTON,</h3> + +<p><i>Proved in the Deanery Court of York, 1772.</i></p> + +<pre> + This is my last Will, + I insist on it still, + So sneer on and welcome + And e'en laugh your fill. + I, William Hickington, + Poet of Pocklington, + Do give and bequeathe, + As free as I breathe, + To thee, Mary Jaram, + The queen of my haram, + My cash and cattle, + With every chattel, + To have and to hold, + Come heat or come cold, + Sans hindrance or strife, + (Tho' thou art <i>not</i> my wife,) + As witness my hand, + Just here as I stand, + This 12th of July, + In the year seventy —— + + Signed, &c. W. HICKINGTON. +</pre> + +<p>J. W. F. B.</p> + + +<h3>REGENT'S PUNCH.</h3> + +<p>The receipt for this "nectarious drink" is as +follows:—Three bottles of champagne, a bottle of hock, a +bottle of curaçoa, a quart of brandy, a pint of rum, two +bottles of Madeira, two bottles of seltzer water, four pounds of +bloom raisins, Seville oranges, lemons, white sugarcandy, and, +instead of water, green tea. The whole to be highly iced.</p> + +<hr> +<p>The Supplement, containing a fine Portrait of CAPTAIN +CLAPPERTON, Memoir, &c. and a Title-Page, Preface, and +copious Index to Vol XI., is now published. It extends beyond the +usual quantity, the Memoir is of original interest, and the price +is (in the present instance only) unavoidably advanced to +Fourpence.</p> + +<hr> +<hr> +<p><i>Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near +Somerset House,) London; Published by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New +Market, Leipsic; and Sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers.</i></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + +***** This file should be named 8640-h.htm or 8640-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/6/4/8640/ + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction Jon Ingram, Charles Franks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321 + The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction + +Author: Various + +Posting Date: January 18, 2013 [EBook #8640] +Release Date: August, 2005 +First Posted: July 29, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + + + + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction Jon Ingram, Charles Franks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + + * * * * * + +[NO. 321.] SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1828. [PRICE 2d.] + + * * * * * + +EATON HALL, CHESHIRE, + +_The Seat of the Rt. Hon. Earl Grosvenor_. + +[Illustration] + +This mansion is a princely specimen of Gothic architecture; and is in +every respect calculated for the residence of its noble possessor, whose +taste and munificence in patronizing the Fine Arts are well known to our +readers. Nevertheless, it is worthy of special remark, that not only is +the name of GROSVENOR conspicuous in this patronage, but his lordship +has further evinced his love of art in the construction of one of the +most splendid buildings in the whole empire,--the present mansion having +been completed within a few years.[1] Here the noble founder seems to +have realized all that the ingenious Sir Henry Wotton considered +requisite for a man's "house and home--the theatre of his hospitality, +the seat of self-fruition, a kind of PRIVATE PRINCEDOM; nay, to the +possessors thereof, an epitome of the whole world." + + [1] At this moment, Earl Grosvenor has in progress a splendid + gallery for the reception of his superb collection of pictures, + adjoining his town mansion, in Grosvenor-street. This is one of + the few "Private Collections" to which, through the good taste + and courtesy of the proprietor, the public are admitted, on + specified days, and under certain restrictions. The nucleus of + Earl Grosvenor's collection, was the purchase of Mr. Agar's + pictures for L30,000; since which it has been enlarged, till it + has at length become one of the finest in England. In the + drawing-room at Eaton are, _Our Saviour on the Mount of Olives_, + by Claude Lorraine, which is the largest painting known to have + been executed by him; and _A Port in the Mediterranean_, by + Vernet. In the dining-room, _Rubens with his Second Wife_; by + himself; and _The Judgment of Paris_, a copy, by Peters, after + Rubens. In the dressing-room of the state bed-room, _David and + Abigail_, also by Rubens. Over the ornamented chimney-pieces of + the hall are, West's _Dissolution of the Long Parliament_, and + _The Landing of Charles the Second_. + +_Eaton_ is situated about three miles to the south of Chester, on the +verge of an extensive park, thickly studded with fine old timber. The +present "Hall" occupies the site of the old mansion, which is described +as a square and spacious brick building erected by Sir Thomas Grosvenor, +in the reign of William III. The architect was Sir John Vanbrugh, who +likewise laid out the gardens with straight walks and leaden statues, in +the formal style of his age. In the reconstruction, the fine vaulted +basement story of the old Hall was preserved, as were also the external +foundations, and some subdivisions; but the superstructure was altered +and entirely refitted, and additional apartments erected on the north +and south sides, so as to make the area of the new house twice the +dimensions of the old one. + +The style of architecture adopted in the new Hall is that of the age of +Edward III, as exhibited in that Parthenon of Gothic architecture, York +Minster; although the architect, Mr. Porden, has occasionally availed +himself of the low Tudor arch, and the forms of any other age that +suited his purpose, so as to adapt the rich variety of our ancient +ecclesiastical architecture to modern domestic convenience. Round the +turrets, and in various parts of the parapets are shields, charged in +relievo with the armorial bearings of the Grosvenor family, and of +other ancient families that, by intermarriages, the Grosvenors are +entitled to quarter with their own. The windows, which are "richly +dight" with tracery, are of cast-iron, moulded on both sides, and +grooved to receive the glass. The walls, battlements, and pinnacles, +are of stone, of a light and beautiful colour, from the Manly quarry +about ten miles distant. + +The annexed engraving represents the west-front of the house, in the +centre of which is the entrance, by a vaulted porch, which admits a +carriage to the steps that lead to the Hall, a spacious and lofty room, +occupying the height of two stories, with a groined ceiling, embellished +with the Grosvenor arms, and other devices, in the bosses that cover the +junction of the ribs. The pavement is of variegated marble in +compartments. At the end of the Hall, a screen of five arches support a +gallery which connects the bed-chambers on the north side of the house +with those on the south, which are separated by the elevation of the +Hall. Under this gallery, two open arches to the right and left conduct +to the grand staircase, the state bed-room, and the second staircase; +and opposite to the door of the hall is the entrance to the saloon. The +grand staircase is elaborately ornamented with niches and canopies, and +with tracery under the landings; and in the principal ceiling, which is +surmounted with a double skylight of various coloured glass. The state +bed-room is lighted by two painted windows, with tracery and armorial +bearings. In the saloon are three lofty and splendidly painted windows, +which contain, in six divisions,--the portraits of the conqueror's +nephew, Gilbert le Grosvenor, the founder of the Grosvenor family, and +his lady; of William the Conqueror, with whom Gilbert came into England; +the Bishop of Bayeux, uncle to the conqueror; the heiress of the house +of Eaton; and Sir Robert le Grosvenor, who signalized himself in the +wars of Edward III. + +The saloon is a square of thirty feet, formed into an octagon by arches +across the angles, which give to the vaultings a beautiful form. +Opposite to the chimney piece is an organ richly decorated. On the left +of the saloon is an ante-room leading to the dining-room; and on the +right, another leading to the drawing-room: the windows of these rooms +are glazed with a light Mosaic tracery, and exhibit the portraits of the +six Earls of Chester, who, after Hugh Lupus, governed Cheshire as a +County Palatine, till Henry III bestowed the title on his son Edward; +since which time the eldest sons of the kings of England have always +been Earls of Chester. + +The dining-room, situated at the northern extremity of the east front, +is about 50 feet long and 30 feet wide, exclusive of a bay-window of +five arches, the opening of which is 30 feet. In the centre window is +the portrait of Hugh Lupus; which, with the portraits of the six Earls +of Chester, in the ante-room windows, were executed from cartoons, at +Longport, Staffordshire. The ceiling is of bold and rich tracery, with a +profuse emblazoning of heraldic honours, and a large ornamented pendant +for a chandelier. + +The drawing room, which is at the southern extremity of the east front, +is of the same form and dimensions as the dining-room, with the addition +of a large window to the south, commanding the luxuriant groves of +meadows of Eaton, and the village and spire of Oldford above them. All +the windows of this room are adorned with heads and figures of the +ancestors of the family; also the portraits of the present Earl and +Countess, in a beautiful brown _chiaro-scuro_. The ceiling is tracery of +the nicest materials and workmanship emblazoned with the arms of the +Grosvenor family, and those of Egerton, Earl of Wilton, the father of +the present Countess Grosvenor. + +Eaton became the property of the Grosvenor family through the marriage +of Ralph Grosvenor, in the reign of Henry VI with Joan, daughter of John +Eaton, then owner of this estate. The Grosvenor family, as we have +already intimated, came into England with William the Conqueror; they +derived their name from the office of chief huntsmen, which they held in +the Norman court; and, when "chivalry was the fashion of the times," +says Pennant, "few families shone in so distinguished a manner: none +shewed equal spirit in vindicating their rights to their looms." He then +mentions the celebrated legal contest with Sir Richard le Scroope, for +the family arms--_Azure, a bend or_. This cause was tried before the +High Constable and the Earl Marshal of England, in the reign of Richard +II. It lasted three years; kings, princes of the blood, and most of the +nobility, and among the gentry, Chaucer, the poet, gave evidence on the +trial. "The sentence," says Pennant, "was conciliating; that both +parties should bear the same arms; but the _Grosvenours avec une bordure +d'argent_. Sir Robert resents it, and appeals to the king. The judgment +is confirmed; but the choice is left to the defendant, either to use the +_bordure_, or bear the arms of their relations, the ancient Earls of +Chester, _azure, a gerb d'or_. He rejected the mortifying distinction, +and chose a _gerb_: which is the family coat to this day." + +Hitherto we have only spoken of the artificial splendour of Eaton. The +natural beauties with which it is environed will, however, present +equal, if not superior, attraction for the tourist. The stiff, formal +walks of Vanbrugh no longer disfigure the grounds, which are now made to +harmonize with the contiguous landscape, and are enlivened by an inlet +of the Dee, which intervenes between the eastern front of the mansion, +and the opposite plantations. These alterations have, however, been made +with great judgment, and a few of the venerable beauties of the park +remain. Thus, a fine aged avenue extends westward to a Gothic lodge in +the hamlet of Belgrave, about two miles distant from the Hall. Another +lodge, in a similar style of design, is approached by a road, which +diverges from this avenue towards Chester, and crosses the park, through +luxuriating plantations, which open occasionally in glade views of the +Broxton and Welsh Hills. The most pleasing approach to this noble +mansion is one which has been cut through the plantations, towards the +north-east angle of the house, so as to throw the whole building into +perspective. + +Viewed from either of the beautiful sites with which the park abounds, +Eaton is a magnificent display of towers, and turrets, pinnacles and +battlements, partly embosomed in foliage, and belted with one of the +richest domains in England. Indeed, its splendour seldom fails to strike +the overweening admirer of art with devotional fondness, which is not +lessened by his approach to the fabric.[1] The most favourable distant +views are from the Aldford road, and from the romantic banks of the Dee, +whence there is a proud display of architectural grandeur. In every +point, however, the grounds and mansion of Eaton will abundantly gratify +the expectations of the visiter. Altogether, they present a rich scene +of nature, diversified and embellished by the attributes of art; and the +admiration of the latter will be not a little enhanced by the reflection +that the building of this sumptuous pile provided employment for a large +portion of the poor of Chester during one of the most calamitous periods +of the late war. + + [1] One view from the interior deserves special mention: viz. from + the saloon, upon a terrace 350 feet in length, commanding one + of the richest landscapes on the banks of Dee. The boasted + terrace at Versailles is but 400 feet in length; yet, how many + Englishmen, who have seen the latter, are even ignorant of + that at Eaton. + +The noble founder of Eaton has indeed learned to "build stately," and +"garden finely;" and has thus made the personal fruition of his wealth +subservient to its real use--the distribution. + + * * * * * + +ORIGIN OF CHESS. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + +SIR,--In vol. 3, page 211, of the MIRROR, is an account of the origin of +the scientific game of chess, the invention of which, your correspondent +_F. H. Y._ has attributed to a brahmin, named Sissa. But I believe it is +entirely a matter of doubt, both as to where, and by whom it was +invented; it is evidently of very high antiquity, and if we recur to the +original names of the pieces with which it is played, we shall readily +be convinced it is of Asiatic original. The honour of inventing it, is +contended for by several nations, but principally by the Hindoos, the +Chinese, and the Persians. In support of the first, we are told, by Sir +William Jones, in the 2nd vol. of his _Asiatic Researches_, that the +game of chess has been immemorably known in Hindostan, by the name of +Chaturanga, or the four members of an army, viz. elephants, horses, +chariots, and foot soldiers. And yet, the same learned author observes, +that no account of the game has hitherto been discovered in the +classical writings of the brahmins. Mr. Daines Barrington supposed the +Chinese to be the inventers, and in this he is supported by a paper +published in the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, for 1794, vol. +5, by Mr. Eyles Irwin. It states, that when Mr. Irwin was at Canton, a +young mandarin, on seeing the English chess-board, recognised its +similarity with that used for a game of their own; and brought his board +and equipage for Mr. Irwin's inspection, and soon after gave him a +manuscript extract from a book, relating the invention of the Chinese +game, called by them chong-he, or the royal game, which it attributed to +a Chinese general (about 1,965 years ago) who by its means reconciled +his soldiers to passing the winter in quarters in the country of Shensi, +the cold and inconvenience of which were likely to have occasioned a +mutiny among them. Other writers contend that chess is a game of Persian +invention, since _scah muth_ is the Persic term for check-mate; and +since the Persians were sedulous in recommending it to their young +princes, as a game calculated to instruct kings in the art of war. It +has been attributed to Palamedes, who lived during the Trojan war; but +it was a game played with pebbles, or cubes, of which he was the +inventer. Palamedes was so renowned for his sagacity, that almost every +early discovery was ascribed to him. Whether the Greeks or Romans were +acquainted with this game is doubtful. Of the three contending nations, +the claim of the Persians appears to me to be least eligible, and that +of the Chinese the most. + +_Near Sheffield._ + +J. M. C-D. + + * * * * * + +THREE SONNETS TO JOHN KEATS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + I can think of thee! now that the light spring + Showers live in the rich breezes, and the dyes + Of the glad flowers are won from her blue eyes + Exulting; whilst loud songs, on the fleet wing + Of the Earth's seraphs, bear her welcoming + From it to heaven, and, up to the far skies, + From turf-born censers floods of incense rise. + I can think of thee in my wandering; + And when the heart leaps up within to bless + The sights of love and beauty, on each hand,-- + The pouring-out of sky-sprung happiness + Over the dancing sea and the green land, + Thought wakes one saddening thrill of bitterness-- + Thou canst not o'er this Eden smiling stand! + + + Yes! even as the quick glow of Spring's first smile + Is unto the renewed spirit,--even + As that abundant gush of wine from Heaven + Loosens the dreary grasp of Cares which coil + Round the lone heart like serpents,--the sweet toil + Of draining the dear dream-cup thou hast given + Is unto me,--and thoughts which long have striven + With joyousness, flit far away the while + My lips are prest to it. By the fire-light, + Or in full gaze of sun-set, when the choirs + Of winged minstrels, waking out of light, + Ring requiem meet to those departing fires-- + Let me be with thee then--forgetting quite + The world, its scornfulness, and its desires. + + + O! I could weep for thee! and yet not tears + Of hopelessness, but triumph, and sit down + And weave for thee wet wild-flowers for a crown-- + Then up, and sound rich music in thine ears; + And teach thee, that sweet lips, in coming years, + Shall lisp the songs which cold dull hearts disown,-- + That all which hope could pant for is thine own,-- + Dimmed, for a moment's space, with human fears. + Then watch the new-born glories in thine eye, + Glancing like lightning from its chariot cloud, + And list these words, which know not how to die,-- + Joy's inspiration gushing forth aloud: + Then back again unto the world and sigh, + And wrap my heart up in a dusky shroud. + +THOMAS M---- S. + + * * * * * + +CHOOSING OF BAILIFFS AT BRIDGNORTH. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + +The bailiffs of Bridgnorth are chosen out of the twenty-four aldermen +upon St. Matthew's Day in the following manner:--The court having met, +the names of twelve aldermen being separately written on small pieces of +paper, are closely rolled up by the town clerk, and thrown into a purse, +which is shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the chequer, (a +large table in the middle of the court,) and held open to the bailiffs, +when each, according to seniority, takes out a roll. By this means the +callers are decided, who, mounting the chequer, alternately call the +jury of fourteen out of the burgesses present. They are then sworn +neither to eat nor drink till they, or twelve of them, have chosen two +fit persons, who have not been bailiffs for three years before, to serve +that office for the ensuing year; they are locked up till they have +agreed, which sometimes occasions long fastings. In 1739, the jury +fasted seventy hours. The persons chosen are sworn into office on +Michaelmas Day.--W. H. + + * * * * * + +ON COALS, AND THE PERIOD WHEN THE COAL MINES IN ENGLAND WILL BE +EXHAUSTED. + +(_From Bakewell's Introduction to Geology, 3rd Edition, 1828_.) + +Coal was known, and partially used, at a very early period of our +history. I was informed by the late Marquis of Hastings, that stone +hammers and stone tools were found in some of the old workings in his +mines at Ashby Wolds; and his lordship informed me also, that similar +stone tools had been discovered in the old workings in the coal-mines in +the north of Ireland. Hence we may infer, that these coal-mines were +worked at a very remote period, when the use of metallic tools was not +general. The burning of coal was prohibited in London in the year 1308, +by the royal proclamation of Edward I. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, +the burning of coal was again prohibited in London during the sitting of +parliament, lest the health of the knights of the shire should suffer +injury during their abode in the metropolis. In the year 1643, the use +of coal had become so general, and the price being then very high, many +of the poor are said to have perished for want of fuel. At the present +day, when the consumption of coal, in our iron-furnaces and +manufactories and for domestic use, is immense, we cannot but regard the +exhaustion of our coal-beds as involving the destruction of a great +portion of our private comfort and national prosperity. Nor is the +period very remote when the coal districts, which at present supply the +metropolis with fuel, will cease to yield any more. The annual quantity +of coal shipped in the rivers Tyne and Wear, according to Mr. Bailey, +exceeded three million tons. A cubic yard of coals weighs nearly one +ton; and the number of tons contained in a bed of coal one square mile +in extent, and one yard in thickness, is about four millions. The number +and extent of all the principal coal-beds in Northumberland and Durham +is known; and from these data it has been calculated that the coal in +these counties will last 360 years. Mr. Bailey, in his Survey of Durham, +states, that one-third of the coal being already got, the coal districts +will be exhausted in 200 years. It is probable that many beds of +inferior coal, which are now neglected, may in future be worked; but the +consumption of coal being greatly increased since Mr. Bailey published +his Survey of Durham, we may admit his calculation to be an +approximation to the truth, and that the coal of Northumberland and +Durham will be exhausted in a period not greatly exceeding 200 years. +Dr. Thomson, in the Annals of Philosophy, has calculated that the coal +of these districts, at the present rate of consumption, will last 1,000 +years! but his calculations are founded on data manifestly erroneous, +and at variance with his own statements; for he assumes the annual +consumption of coal to be only two million eight hundred thousand tons, +and the waste to be one-third more,--making three million seven hundred +thousand tons, equal to as many square yards; whereas he has just before +informed us, that two million chaldrons of coal, of two tons and a +quarter each chaldron, are exported, making four million five hundred +thousand tons, beside inland consumption, and waste in the working[1]. +According to Mr. Winch, three million five hundred thousand tons of coal +are consumed annually from these districts; to which if we add the waste +of small coal at the pit's mouth, and the waste in the mines, it will +make the total yearly destruction of coal nearly double the quantity +assigned by Dr. Thomson. Dr. Thomson has also greatly overrated the +quantity of the coal in these districts, as he has calculated the extent +of the principal beds from that of the lowest, which is erroneous; for +many of the principal beds crop out, before they reach the western +termination of the coal-fields. With due allowance for these errors, and +for the quantity of coal already worked out, (which, according to Mr. +Bailey, is about one-third,) the 1,000 years of Dr. Thomson will not +greatly exceed the period assigned by Mr. Bailey for the complete +exhaustion of coal in these counties, and may be stated at three hundred +and fifty years. + + [1] The waste of coal at the pit's mouth may be stated at one-sixth + of the quantity sold, and that left in the mines at one-third. + Mr. Holmes, in his Treatise on Coal Mines, states the waste of + small coal at the pit's mouth to be one-fourth of the whole. + +It cannot be deemed uninteresting to inquire what are the repositories +of coal that can supply the metropolis and the southern counties, when +no more can be obtained from the Tyne and the Wear. The only coal-fields +of any extent on the eastern side of England, between London and Durham, +are those of Derbyshire and those in the west riding of Yorkshire. The +Derbyshire coal-field is not of sufficient magnitude to supply, for any +long period, more than is required for home consumption, and that of the +adjacent counties. There are many valuable beds of coal in the western +part of the west riding of Yorkshire which are yet unwrought; but the +time is not very distant when they must be put in requisition, to supply +the vast demand of that populous manufacturing county, which at present +consumes nearly all the produce of its own coal mines. In the midland +counties, Staffordshire possesses the nearest coal districts to the +metropolis, of any great extent; but such is the immense daily +consumption of coal in the iron-furnaces and founderies, that it is +generally believed this will be the first of our own coal-fields that +will be exhausted. The thirty-feet bed of coal in the Dudley coal-field +is of limited extent; and in the present mode of working it, more than +two-thirds of the coal is wasted and left in the mine. + +If we look to Whitehaven or Lancashire, or to any of the minor +coal-fields in the west of England, we can derive little hope of their +being able to supply London and the southern counties with coal, after +the import of coal fails from Northumberland and Durham. We may thus +anticipate a period not very remote, when all the English mines of coal +and ironstone will be exhausted; and were we disposed to indulge in +gloomy forebodings, like the ingenious authoress of the "Last Man," we +might draw a melancholy picture of our starving and declining +population, and describe some manufacturing patriarch, like the late +venerable Richard Reynolds, travelling to see the last expiring English +furnace, before he emigrated to distant regions.[1] + + [1] The late Richard Reynolds, Esq., of Bristol, so distinguished + for his unbounded benevolence, was the original proprietor of + the great iron-works in Colebrook Dale, Shropshire. Owing, I + believe, partly to the exhaustion of the best workable beds of + coal and ironstone, and partly to the superior advantages + possessed by the iron-founders in South Wales, the works at + Colebrook Dale were finally relinquished, a short time before + the death of Mr. Reynolds. With a natural attachment to the + scenes where he had passed his early years, and to the pursuits + by which he had honourably acquired his great wealth, he + travelled from Bristol into Shropshire, to be present when the + last of his furnaces was extinguished, in a valley where they + had been continually burning for more than half a century. + +Fortunately, however, we have in South Wales, adjoining the Bristol +Channel, an almost exhaustless supply of coal and ironstone, which are +yet nearly unwrought. It has been stated, that this coal-field extends +over about twelve hundred square miles, and that there are twenty-three +beds of workable coal, the total average thickness of which is +ninety-five feet, and the quantity contained in each acre is 100,000 +tons, or 65,000,000 tons per square mile. If from this we deduct one +half for waste and for the minor extent of the upper beds, we shall have +a clear supply of coal, equal to 32,000,000 tons per square mile. Now if +we admit that the five million tons of coal from the Northumberland and +Durham mines is equal to nearly one-third of the total consumption of +coals in England, each square mile of the Welsh coal-field would yield +coal for two years' consumption; and as there are from one thousand to +twelve hundred square miles in this coal-field, it would supply England +with fuel for two thousand years, after all our English coal-mines are +worked out. + +It is true, that a considerable part of the coal in South Wales is of an +inferior quality, and is not at present burned for domestic use; but in +proportion as coal becomes scarce, improved methods of burning it will +assuredly be discovered, to prevent any sulphureous fumes from entering +apartments, and also to economize the consumption of fuel in all our +manufacturing processes. + + * * * * * + +SONG. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + Thou hast not seen the tear-drops fill + The eyes which worship thee; + The deepest curse, the darkest ill, + Hovers above--around me--still + There are no tears for me! + + Thou canst not know, why I should kneel + For tears to heaven--in vain; + The thousand changeless pangs we feel,-- + The precious drops, perchance, might heal,-- + They will not start again! + + Thou canst not know what hopes will spring + When I can gaze on thee, + Even in the cold heart withering; + Oh! thou to whom that heart must cling, + Art more than tears to me! + +THOMAS M---- S. + + * * * * * + +HINTS FOR HEALTH. + + ["A very old and active correspondent," _Tim Tobykin_, has furnished + us with the following interesting extracts from Dr. Rennie's + _Treatise on Gout and Nervous Diseases_, just published. These, + however, are but a portion of our correspondent's selections; and as + they are written in a popular style and appear to be equally + applicable to the welfare of all classes, they will doubtless be + acceptable to our readers. We are not friendly to the introduction + of purely professional matters into the pages of the MIRROR, but the + following extracts are so far divested of technicality as to render + their utility and importance obvious to every reader.] + +CLIMATE, LOCALITY, AND SEASONS. + +I shall first inquire, says Dr. Rennie, what are the effects of climate +on healthy constitutions, as respects heat, cold, moisture, and +vicissitudes; including also the diurnal and annual revolutions. + +Cold applied to the body acts as a direct sedative. It diminishes the +nervous sensibility, represses the activity of the circulation, detracts +from the sum of the animal heat, and thereby diminishes stimulation. In +the cessation of excitement and sensibility that ensues, the whole vital +actions are moderated, existing irritation is soothed; and in the same +manner as sleep recruits the wasted powers, so does cold restore and +invigorate the nerves when overstimulated, and in fact promotes the tone +and vigour of the whole body; when again a warmer atmosphere succeeds a +colder, the animal heat increases in its sum, the surface of the body is +re-excited, nervous sensibility returns, and a reaction of the +circulation takes place; so that the blood diffuses itself in greater +abundance towards the remote and superficial parts of the body, and the +secretions are also promoted. + +Alternations of cold and heat therefore in healthy constitutions within +certain limits, are salutary; promoting, on the one hand, the vigour and +tone of the body; on the other, the due activity and excitement of the +various functions. + +The temperature occasioned by day and night, and also those more +progressive and slow alternations of heat and cold, on the large scale, +attending the annual revolution of the seasons, are a natural provision +admirably adapted to effect these objects as described; constituted as +our bodies are, such a constant and regular succession of heat and cold +is just such as the necessities of the human frame require. The +alternations of day and night, of winter and summer, are far from being +merely incidental and unimportant circumstances in the general +adaptation of the earth to man's constitutional wants; neither do they +bear reference solely to the productions of the earth for his use. They +exert a continual and direct influence on his constitution, calculated +to aid the vigorous and healthy performance of the various functions of +the body each in its due degree and order, and they conduce mainly to +the perfection and longevity of the species. + +Let us therefore trace the effects of these changes on the human body. + +During the winter, the prevailing cold acts as a universal sedative and +tonic, soothing the nervous excitement and sensibility, allaying the +activity of the circulation, moderating the functions of the skin, and +diminishing the various secretions. + +As the Spring opens, the sun gains daily in influence, generating a +gradually increasing atmospheric warmth. The body therefore becomes +subject from this heat to a reactive effect, during which the nervous +sensibility and circulation are gradually re-excited, the blood is more +equally diffused towards the surface and extremities of the body, and +the secretion by the skin is increased. + +If the cold of winter were to continue unmitigated from year to year, +without the genial influence of summer, the human race, as is apparent +in polar regions and upland mountainous districts, would degenerate into +dwarfishness. + +If the heat of summer were continually maintained the whole year round, +a tendency to degeneracy of the race would be also observed, as we see +in tropical latitudes. It is in the medium betwixt these extremes, where +a moderate and regular winter cold is succeeded by a mild, genial summer +temperature, that the species approaches most to perfection in stature, +health, strength, and longevity. + +In observing also the influence of day and night on the constitution, +there is a sedative effect produced in the morning before the sun is up, +a reactive tendency promoted towards noon under the solar influence, and +again towards evening this reaction is repressed by the sedative effect +of the evening cold; and this sedative effect is at its maximum at +midnight. Hence those who sit up late feel unusually chilly and +depressed towards midnight, partly owing to exhaustion from want of +sleep, but chiefly from the total absence of solar influence in the +atmospherical temperature. In regular habits this sedative effect is +never thoroughly experienced; for before midnight, the constitution, +enveloped in warm blankets, has experienced the reaction arising from +the accumulation of heat in bed. Whence the common remark, that one +hour's sleep before midnight is worth three after that hour, is actually +true to a certain extent. By early retirement to rest, the sedative +effect on the constitution, to an extent such as to disturb the +functions, is escaped. + +If we connect these two influences, the annual and diurnal successions +of cold and heat, in their joint effect, we find, that about, or a +little after the summer solstice, the influence of the sun being at its +maximum, the nervous sensibility, heat, circulating excitement, and +cutaneous secretions of the body, are also at their maximum. The +temperature of the day and night differ so little, that the sedative +effects of evening and morning are not sufficient to restore the frame +by soothing the sensibilities, overexcited and irritable from the +previous warmth. Whence the languor and irritability felt in summer, +when the heat is long continued, and the nights are spent in +restlessness and anxious oppression. Exhaustion and relaxation of the +frame are the consequence. + +As the autumnal equinox verges on, the mornings and evenings get cooler +in relation to the mid-day heat; and about the equinox, the difference +in the temperature of mid-day and midnight is at its maximum. We have +therefore a powerful sedative effect in the morning, which braces and +invigorates the body; a powerful reactive effect at mid-day, which +rouses and stimulates the actions and sensibilities of the frame; and +again towards evening a sedative effect, from the increasing cold +reaching its maximum at midnight. + +As the season passes on from the Equinox towards the winter solstice, +the heat of the sun daily diminishes, and the cold gains a daily +preponderance. The sedative effect on the body goes on progressively +increasing, being less and less counteracted by any genial influence +from the solar heat at mid-day; whence the gloom and depression so +universally experienced by the nervous in November and December, which +is more and more felt till the shortest day. So soon as the minimum of +solar influence and maximum of sedative effect on the body has passed +over, the sun gradually acquires more of meridian influence, and a daily +increasing ascendancy over the prevalent cold. The human constitution at +the same time is subject to a proportionate reactive disposition; which +reaction is felt most at noon, and it daily becomes more and more +apparent till the vernal equinox, when we have the difference betwixt +the meridian and midnight temperature again at a maximum. We have daily +a powerful sedative effect in the morning, a powerful meridian reaction, +which again subsides into a sedative condition on the access of the +evening. This daily effect on the constitution is exactly similar to +that at the autumnal equinox, only it occurs under different +circumstances. In autumn it is connected with departing heat and +progressively increasing cold; in Spring it is connected with +progressively diminishing cold and advancing heat. After the vernal +equinox, the difference in the meridian and midnight temperature +gradually diminishes; the daily sedative effect at morning and evening +becomes less and less apparent as general atmospheric warmth prevails, +till towards the summer solstice, the general effect on the constitution +is stimulation and excitement by atmospheric heat. + + * * * * * + + +NOTES OF A READER. + +BYRON'S "FARE THEE WELL." + +On one occasion of a mediator waiting upon Lord Byron upon the subject +of a reconciliation with his wife, he produced from his desk a paper on +which was written "fare thee well," and said, "Now these are exactly my +feelings on the subject--they were not intended to be published, but you +may take them."--_Lit. G._ + + +EARLY HOURS. + +Dr. Franklin published an ingenious Essay on the advantages of early +rising.--He called it "an economical project," and calculated the saving +that might be made in the city of Paris, by using the sunshine instead +of the candles--at no less than 4,000,000l. sterling. + + +SENSITIVE PLANTS. + +Light exercises a very remarkable influence upon the irritability of the +sensitive plant. Thus, if a sensitive plant be placed in complete +darkness, by carrying it within an opaque vessel, it will entirely lose +its irritability, and that in a variable time, according to a certain +state of depression or elevation of the surrounding temperature. + + +At Brussels, the demand for labour is so great, in consequence of the +number of new buildings, that tradesmen consider they confer a favour on +a customer by the execution of his orders. The lower classes have +become, within the last seven years, extremely dissipated, owing it is +supposed to the increase in the wages of the mechanics and labourers +employed in the numerous buildings erected within that period. During +the Kaermess annual feast of three days, it is calculated 80,000 +_litres_ (pots) are drunk each day! + + +Cooper, the American novelist, has just published two volumes of +"Notions" of his countrymen, in the course of which he bestows on them +the following surperlative epithets: "most active, quick-witted, +enterprising, orderly, moral, simple, vigorous, healthful, manly, +generous, just, wise, innocent, civilized, liberal, polite, enlightened, +ingenious, moderate, glorious, firm, free, virtuous, intelligent, +sagacious, kind, honest, independent, brave, gallant, intellectual, +well-governed, elevated, dignified, pure, immaculate, extraordinary, +wonderful," &c. He then calls them the "most improving," which is +painting, nay coating, the lily, to "wasteful and ridiculous excess." + + +OSTRICHES + +Impart a lively interest to a ride in the Pampas. They are sometimes +seen in coveys of twenty or thirty, gliding elegantly along the +undulations of the plain, at half pistol-shot from each other, like +skirmishers. The young are easily domesticated, and soon become attached +to those who caress them; but they are troublesome inmates; for, +stalking about the house, they will, when full grown, swallow coin, +shirt-pins, and every small article of metal within reach. Their usual +food, in a wild state, is seeds, herbage, and insects; the flesh is a +reddish brown, and if young, not of bad flavour. A great many eggs are +laid in the same nest. Some accounts exonerate the ostrich from being +the most stupid bird in the creation. This has been proved by the +experiment of taking an egg away, or by putting one in addition. In +either case she destroys the whole by smashing them with her feet. +Although she does not attend to secrecy, in selecting a situation for +her nest, she will forsake it if the eggs have been handled. It is also +said that she rolls a few eggs thirty yards distant from the nest, and +cracks the shells, which, by the time her young come forth, being filled +with maggots, and covered with insects, form the first repast of her +infant brood. The male bird is said to take upon himself the rearing of +the young. If two cock-birds meet, each with a family, they fight for +the supremacy over both; for which reason an ostrich has sometimes under +his tutelage broods of different ages.--_Mem. Gen. Miller._ + + +Dr. Kitchiner recommends a gentleman who has a mind to carry the +arrangement of his clothes to a nicety, to have the shelves of his +wardrobe numbered 30, 40, 50, and 60, and according to the degree of +cold pointed to by his thermometer, to wear a corresponding defence +against it. + + +Dr. Harwood fed two pointers; one he suffered to sleep after dinner, +another he forced to take exercise. In the stomach of the one who had +been quiet and asleep, all the food was digested; in the stomach of the +other, that process was hardly begun. + + +SIR WALTER'S LAST. + +At page 354 of our last vol., the reader will find an eloquent +description of Perth, from the Wicks of Beglie, quoted from St. +Valentine's Eve. This turns out to be a topographical blunder, for the +"fair city" cannot be seen at all from the said Wicks, whereas the +author has described it as the best point of view. As our readers have +long since enjoyed the description, we shall doubtless be pardoned for +thus noticing the mistake. + + +TELEGRAPHS. + +The system of telegraphs has arrived at such perfection in the +presidency of Bombay, that a communication may be made through a line of +500 miles in eight minutes.--_Weekly Rev._ + + +One of the drawing-room critics who uphold the literature of lords and +ladies, sums up the merits of fashionable novel-writing as +follows:--"After all, it is something to scrutinize lords and ladies, +recline on satin sofas, eat off silver dishes--whose nomenclature is the +glory of _l'artiste_--though only in a book." + + +MAHOGANY. + +The largest and finest log of mahogany ever imported into this country +has been recently sold by auction at the docks in Liverpool. It was +purchased for 378l., and afterwards sold for 525l., and if it open well, +it is supposed to be worth 1,000l. If sawed into veneers, it is computed +that the cost of labour in the process will be 750l. The weight on the +king's beam is six tons thirteen hundred weight. + + +Dugald Stewart, the celebrated metaphysician, of whom Scotland has just +reason to be proud, died a short time since at Edinburgh, at the age of +seventy-five. He recently published two volumes, of which a +distinguished gentleman in Edinburgh thus speaks:--"June 16. Dugald +Stewart is to be buried to-morrow. A great light is gone out, or rather +gone down,--for its glory will long be in the sky, though its orb be no +more visible above the horizon. He corrected his last two volumes with +his own hand within these three months. What philosopher, especially +palsy-stricken ten years ago,--could ring in better. Glorious fellow! I +hear his splendid sentences and exquisite voice sounding in mine ear at +the distance of nearly thirty winters. His peculiar merit was the purity +and loftiness of his moral taste. For about forty years he raised the +standard of thought and feeling among successive generations of young +men, to a range it would never otherwise have attained." + + +OLD AND NEW VAUXHALL. + +Of old, a half-crown at the door, and the price of such comestibles as +were devoured, were grumbled at as tax enough; but now the account +stands in a fairer form, because you are charged distinctly for every +item, so that you know what you are paying for, and may choose or +reject, as you think fit. Thus Mr. Bull, from Aldgate, with Mrs. Bull, +and only four of the younger Bulls and Cows, numbering six in all, make +good their entry at the cost of 1l. 4s.--Books to tell them what they +are to see and hear, the when and the how are 3s. Seats for the +vaudeville (average of modest places) 9s. Ditto for the ballet 6s. Ditto +for the battle 6s. Ditto for the fire-works 6s.--Total 2l. 14s.--But +then they are not charged for seeing the lamps; there is no charge for +walking round the walks; there is no charge for looking at the +cosmoramic pictures; there is no charge for casting a glance at the +orchestra; there is no charge for staring at the other people; there is +no charge for bowing or talking to an acquaintance, if you meet one--all +these are gratis; and if you neither eat nor drink, there is no charge +for witnessing those who do mangle the long-murdered honours of the +coop, and gulp down the most renovating of liquors, be they hale or +stout, vite vine, red port, or rack punch.--_Lit. Gaz_. + + +Bruges, (celebrated as the birthplace of John Van Eyck, said to have +invented the art of oil-painting), is now in a very dilapidated +condition. It was formerly a place of great commerce, and the merchants +of Bruges were the wealthiest in Europe. The population is reduced from +100,000 to 25,000.--_Brussels Companion_. + + +DISTURBING THE DEAD. + +Mr. Crawfurd, in his recent Mission to _Hue_, wished to visit the +mausoleum of the late king; "but," says he, "we were politely informed +that the king was always reluctant to permit the visits of strangers, +whose presence," he said, "might 'trouble the repose of the spirits of +his ancestors.'" + + +Dine with a march-of-intellect man, and only observe the downcast eyes +of his pale-faced, trembling wife--the knit brows of his sullen +sons--the sulky sorrows of his joy-denied daughters. All that comes of +your hard-hearted, hard-headed, music-painting-and-poetry-despising, +utilitarian, intellectual, all-in-all educationists, who know nothing so +admirable as a steam-engine, and would wish to see the whole world +worked by machinery. + + +"FASHIONABLE" NOVELS. + +Here is a specimen of the _slip-slop_ with which so many thousand reams +of paper have lately been spoiled. "Tea was announced, and the ladies +adjourned to the saloon; Lady Harriet and Lady Charlotte, discussing, as +they went in together, the difficult question, whether it was or was not +an improvement in modern arrangements to have tea _en-buffet_. One of +its advantages the ladies were perfectly aware of, namely, that it +afforded a _point de reunir_, for both beaux and belles, which is always +so much wanted before the music begins; and calculating on this +important circumstance, Lady Charlotte possessed herself of the chair +which was the most accessible of the whole group. Miss Mortimer, with +equal foresight, stationed herself at the fire:--"Good generalship," +whispered Lady Hauteville to the duchess, as the two experienced matrons +communicated together _sur les petites ruses_, which the actors fancied +were unperceived, &c." + + +Dr. Walsh, in his _Journey from Constantinople_, describes a species of +woodpecker, about the size of a thrush, of a light, blue colour, with +black marks beside the bill. "It entered my room," says he, "with all +the familiarity of an old friend, hopped on the table, and picked up +the crumbs and flies. It had belonged to the doctor's child, just +buried, and by a singular instinct, left the house of the dead, and +flew into my room. Its habits were curious, and so familiar, that they +were quite attractive; it climbed up the wall by any stick or cord near +it, devouring flies. It sometimes began at my foot, and at one race, +ran up my leg, arm, round my neck, down my other arm, and so to the +table. It there tapped with its bill with a noise as loud as a hammer. +This was its general habit on the wood in every part of the room; when +it did so, it would look intently at the place, and dart at any fly or +insect it saw running. Writers on Natural History say it makes this +noise to disturb the insects concealed within, so to seize them when +they appear." + + +At Brussels apartments are not to be procured for a shorter term than +six months. + + +In the prison at Ghent, spirits are sold, but pens and paper cannot be +obtained without a special application to the governor. + + +Mr. Brande, in his recent Lecture on Vegetable Chemistry, says, "Salt +has been very much extolled for a manure; I believe that a great deal +more has been said of it than it deserves; it certainly destroys +insects, but I do not believe what has been said of its value. We are +not to infer that because a manure is found to be useful on one soil in +a certain climate, that it shall prove equally useful in others; +experience must direct us in this particular." + + +STROLLING SCHOOLS. + +In Prussia there exist, what are termed _Strolling Schools_, having no +fixed place. The teacher, with his scholars or his classical furniture, +establishes himself in all the houses or a village successively, where +he affords instruction; and his stay is determined by the number of +persons he is called upon to instruct under each roof, a week being the +allotted term, for each child, during which period the parents supply +all the wants of the _Domine.--Athenaeum._ + + * * * * * + + +RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS + +The following extracts from a "roll of the expenses of Edward I., at +Rhuddlan Castle, in Wales, in the tenth and eleventh years of his reign" +(1281 and 1282), may perhaps amuse our readers, as showing the rates of +wages paid to different workmen, tradesmen, archers, &c. at that period. +Under the head of _necessaries_, are some curious items. Rhuddlan Castle +was the head quarters of Edward, during an insurrection of the Welsh, +under Llewellin, Prince of Wales, at which time it had many additions +made to it:-- + +Paid to Master Peter de Brompton for the wages of 100 carpenters, each +receiving 4d. per day, and their constable receiving 8d. per day; of +which five are overseers of twenty, and each receives 6d. per day for +his wages, from Sunday 23rd of August for the seven following days, +12l. 3s. 9d. + +To two smiths, one receiving 4d. per day, and the other 3d. for their +wages, from Sunday 23rd of August to Sunday 12th of September, _each day +being reckoned_, for twenty one days, 12s. 3d. + +Two shoeing smiths by the day, at 3d. + +Paid to forty-seven sailors of the king for their wages, seven days; +each receiving per diem 3d., except seven, each of whom received 6d. per +day, 4l. 14s. 6d. + +Paid to Geoffry le Chamberlin for the wages of twelve cross-bowmen and +thirteen archers for twenty-four days; each cross-bowman receiving by +the day 4d, and each archer 2d.,--7l. 8s. + +Paid to one master mason, receiving 6d. per diem, and five masons at +4d., and one workman at 3d.; for twenty-eight days, 3l. 7s. 8d. + +Sunday next, after the feast of St. John Baptist, paid to twenty-two +mowers, each receiving 1-1/2d. per day for four days, 11s. + +Wednesday following paid to twenty-three mowers, each receiving 6d. per +day for their wages of two days, 1l. 3s. + +Paid to fourscore and sixteen _spreaders of hay_ for one day's wages, +whereof fourscore received each per day 1-1/2d, and each of the others +2d., l2s. 8d. + +Paid to 160 spreaders of hay for their wages, Sunday and Monday, 16s. +6d. + +_Necessaries._ + +For six carts, each with three horses, hired to carry the hay from the +meadows to the castle of Rothelan, for one day, 6s. 10d. + +For the carriage of turf, with which the house was covered in which the +hay was placed, 1s. 5d. + +For an iron fork bought to turn the hay, 3d. + +For making a ditch about the house where the said hay was put, 1s. 8d. + +For putting and piling up one rick of hay in the house, 1s. 8d. + +Wages of two turf-cutters, seven days, at 5d. per day, 5s. 10d. + +For the carriage of turves to cover the king's kitchen, 7s. 6d. + +For twenty-two empty casks, bought to make paling for the queen's court +yard, 18s. 4d. + +To Wildbor, the fisherman, receiving 10d. per day, and his six +companions, the queen's fishermen, at 3d. per day each, fishing in the +sea, forty-two days, 4l. 18s. + +Repairing a cart of the king's, conveying a _pipe of honey_ from +Aberconway to Rothelan, 1s. 4d. + +To six men carrying shingles to cover the hall of the castle, at 2-1/2d +each per day, seven days, 8s. 9d. + +_Gifts._ + +To a certain female spy, as a gift, 1s. + +To a certain female spy, to purchase her a house, as a gift, 1l. + +To Ralph le Vavasour, bringing news to the queen of the taking of +Dolinthalien, as a gift, 5l. + +To John de Moese, coming immediately after with the same news, with +letters of the Earl of Gloucester, by way of gift, 5l. + +To a certain player, as a gift, 1s. + + +_Swan with Two Necks._ + +It appears from the roll of swan's marks, in the time of Henry VIII., +that the king's swans were _doubly_ marked, and had what were called +_two nicks_, or notches. The term, in process of time, not being +understood, a double animal was invented, with the name of "The Swan +with _Two Necks_." But this is not the only ludicrous mistake that has +arisen on the subject, since "swan-upping," or the taking up of swans, +performed annually by the swan companies, with the Lord Mayor at their +head, for the purpose of marking them, has been changed, by an unlucky +asperite, into swan-_hopping_, which is perfectly unintelligible. + + +_Trial of the Pix._ + +The invention of it, in this kingdom, or at least its introduction into +our courts, is probably of high antiquity, being mentioned in the time +of Edward I., as a mode well known and of common usage. At present it is +seldom required, except on the removal of the master of the Mint from +his office. Upon a memorial praying for a trial of the Pix by this +officer, a summons issues to certain members of the privy council to +meet on a day fixed. The Lord Chancellor also directs a precept to the +wardens of the Goldsmith's company, requiring them to nominate a +competent number of able freemen of their company, skilful to judge of, +and to present the defaults of the coin, if such be found, to be of a +jury. When the court is formed, twelve of these persons are sworn, who +are directed by the president to examine whether the moneys were made +according to the indenture, and standard trial pieces, and within the +remedies. But in 1754, Lord Chancellor Talbot directed the jury to +express precisely how much the money was within the remedies; and the +practice which he thus enjoined is still continued. The Pix, or box +containing the coins to be examined, is then delivered to the jury, who +retire to the court room of the Duchy of Lancaster, whither the Pix is +removed, together with the weights of the Exchequer and Mint, and where +the scales used on this occasion are suspended; the beam of which is so +delicate, that it will turn with _six grains_, when loaded with the +whole of those weights, to the amount of 48 lbs. 8 oz. in each scale. +The Pix is then opened, and the money which had been taken out of each +delivery, and enclosed in a parcel under the seals of the warden, +master, and comptroller of the Mint, is given to the foreman, who reads +aloud the endorsement, and compares it with the account which lies +before him; he then delivers the parcel to one of the jury, who opens it +and examines whether its contents agree with the endorsement. When all +the parcels have been opened, and found right, the moneys contained in +them are mixed together in wooden bowls, and afterwards weighed. Out of +the said moneys so mingled, the jury take a certain number of each +species of coin, to the amount of one pound for the assay by fire. And +the indented trial pieces of gold and silver, of the dates specified in +the indenture, being produced by the proper officer, a sufficient +quantity is cut from either of them, for the purpose of comparing with +it the pound weight of gold or silver which is to be tried by the usual +methods of assay. The jury then return their verdict, stating how much +the coins examined have varied from the weight and fineness required, +and whether the variations exceed or fall short of the remedies which +are allowed; and according to the terms of the verdict, the master's +quietus is either granted or withheld. + +_Note_.--The _remedies_ are an allowance of one sixth of a carat, or +forty grains, in the pound weight of gold, and of two pennyweights in +that of silver, considered either as to fineness or weight, or both of +them taken together; the moneyers are, however, at this time so expert, +that these quantities are much greater than are necessary. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY + +_Society of Civil Engineers_. + +A charter of incorporation has just received the royal signature, +constituting an institution of Civil Engineers, and naming Mr. Telford +its president. The objects of such institution, as recited in the +charter, are, "The general advancement of mechanical science, and more +particularly for promoting the acquisition of that species of knowledge +which constitutes the profession of a civil engineer; being the art of +directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and +convenience of man, as the means of production and of traffic in states, +both for external and internal trade, as applied in the construction of +roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, river navigation, and docks, for +internal intercourse and exchange; and in the construction of ports, +harbours, moles, breakwaters, and light-houses, and in the art of +navigation by artificial power, for the purposes of commerce; and in the +construction and adaptation of machinery, and in the drainage of cities +and towns." + + +_Toads as Ant-eaters_. + +In the autumn of last year, a pit, wherein I grew melons, was so much +infested with ants, as to threaten the destruction of the whole crop; +which they did, first by perforating the skin, and afterwards eating +their way into the fruit; and, after making several unsuccessful +experiments to destroy them, it occurred to me that I had seen the toad +feed on them. I accordingly put about half a dozen toads into the pit, +and, in the course of a few days, scarcely an ant was to be +found.--_Corresp. Gard. Mag._ + + +_Laying out Part of the Calton Hill as Pleasure-Ground_. + +We observe with pleasure plans advertised for in the Edinburgh +newspapers, for this purpose. There is no city in Britain which presents +greater facilities for public walks and gardens than Edinburgh, +notwithstanding the immense injury which it has sustained in a +picturesque point of view by the earthen mound, and the mean buildings +which cover great part of the bottom and sides of the valley of the +North Loch. That valley ought to have been laid out in terraces, some +open, or covered with glazed verandas, for winter use, and others shaded +by trees for summer walking. The great art in laying out walks for +recreation and ease on sloping surfaces, is so to direct them as not to +render them more fatiguing than straight walks on level ground. But the +grand subject of improvement at Edinburgh, in the way of planting in the +public walks, is the hill of Arthur's Seat, which, planted and built on, +might be rendered one of the most unique scenes in Europe.--_Gard. Mag._ + + +_Vegetables._ + +Watering gives vegetables long exposed a fresher colour, and a more +attractive appearance; but repeated waterings are highly pernicious, as +they neutralize the natural juices of some, render others bitter, and +make all others vapid or disagreeable.--_Ibid._ + + +_Mortar._ + +The use of lime in mortar, is to fill up the hollow spaces or vacuities +between the grains of sand, and to cement them together, thereby forming +a kind of artificial stone. To add any more lime than is sufficient to +fill up these spaces, seems to be useless, and to add much more must +weaken the mortar; but, if too little lime be used, there will be +cavities left between some of the grains of sand, and the mortar will +consequently be short or brittle: therefore, when we cannot ascertain +the best proportions of lime and sand, it is better to use too much lime +than too little.--_Ibid._ + + +_Treatment of Gold and Silver Fish._ + +These beautiful objects of the animal kingdom, though long ago +introduced into Europe from China, their native country, seldom breed in +such numbers as they might be expected to do. It has been lately +discovered that in ponds heated by waste water discharged from steam +factories, the gold and silver fish breed abundantly. From this +circumstance, it has been suggested, that, as heating hothouses by warm +water is now so generally adopted, a portion of this, led occasionally +into a garden basin, would keep the water in such a temperament as would +not only always be agreeable to the fish, but promote their +breeding.--_Ibid._ + + +_Climate._ + +Professor Schow, of Copenhagen, has lately read a paper "On the supposed +Changes in the Climate of the different parts of the Earth, during the +period of Human History," from which, as far as it has appeared in our +language, it seems to be his opinion, that, on a general view, climates +are the same now as in ancient times. The identity of the climate of +Palestine, now and during antiquity, is thus beautifully made out:--"It +will be convenient to begin with Palestine, the Bible being the oldest, +or one of the oldest of books; and, although great uncertainty exists +about the determination of the plants which are mentioned in it, yet two +of them do not admit of any doubt, (and these are sufficient for the +determination of the climate of Palestine, in former times,) viz. the +date-tree and the vine. The date-tree was frequent, and principally in +the southernmost part of the country. Jericho was called Palm-town. The +people had palm branches in their hands. Deborah's palm-tree is +mentioned between Rama and Bethel. Pliny mentions the palm-tree as being +frequent in Judea, and principally about Jericho. Tacitus and Josephus +speak likewise of woods of palm-trees, as well as Strabo, Diodorus +Siculus, and Theophrastus. Among the Hebrew coins, those with date-trees +are by no means rare, and the tree is easily recognised, as it is +figured with its fruit. The vine, also, was one of the plants most +cultivated in Palestine, and not merely for the grapes, but really for +the preparation of wine. The feast of the tabernacle of the Jews was a +feast on account of the wine harvest. From a passage where the +cultivation of the vine is mentioned, in the Valley of Engeddy, it is +evident that the vine not only grew in the northernmost mountainous part +of the country, but also in its southern lower part. Besides these, +there are other ancient testimonies in favour of the vine. This plant, +indeed, sometimes occurs on the same coin with the date palm. The +date-tree, in order to bring its fruit to perfection, requires a mean +temperature of 78 deg. Fahr. The vine, on the other hand, cannot be +cultivated to any extent if the mean temperature be above 72 deg. Fahr. +Such, then, must have been the temperature of Palestine, in former ages; +and by all that is known of its present climate, the mean temperature +seems to be the same now. Nor has the time of harvest undergone any +change. Snow and ice, which were known, though rarely, in ancient times, +are occasionally met with now and at present, as in former times. The +inhabitants make use of artificial heat to warm themselves."--_Dr. +Brewster's Journal_. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. + +NUISANCES OF SOCIETY. + +It is quite true that the largest part of conversation turns upon +eating and drinking, the weather, the vices and follies of our +neighbours, and a thousand other trifles that lead not to dispute; and +it must be admitted that it is bad companionship to be eternally +canvassing the greater interests of life, and forcing upon society +opinions upon things in general. There are, indeed, themes in plenty +which belong to the neutral ground of debate; but it is very pitiable +that they should so ill bear repetition. All the world, if they dared +avow as much, are heartily tired of them. Like cursing and swearing, +they are merely unmeaning expletives to supply the lack of sense, to +gain time, and to give a man the satisfaction of sometimes hearing his +own voice. With all the assistance of cards, music, dancing, and +champagne, society is at best but a dreary business, and it requires no +little animal spirits to undergo the infliction with decency. Are you +admitted on terms of familiarity to the domestic hearth of your friend, +that privilege confers on you the opportunity of becoming intimately +acquainted with the faults of his servants, and (what is worse) with +the merits of his children. + +A dinner of ceremony is a funeral without a legacy; an assembly is a +mob, and a ball a compound of glare, tinsel, noise, and dust. However +amusing in their freshness, after a few repetitions, they are only +rendered endurable by the prospect of some collateral gain, or the +gratification of personal vanity. To exhibit the beauty of a young wife, +or the diamonds of an old one; to be able to say the best thing that is +uttered; to sport a red ribbon or a Waterloo medal in their first +novelty; to carry a point with a great man, or to borrow money from a +rich one, may pass off an evening very well, with those who happen to be +interested in such speculations; but, these things apart, the arrantest +trifler in the circle must get weary at last, and be heartily rejoiced +when the conclusion of the season spares him all further reiteration of +the mill-horse operation. It is this insipidity of society that forces +so many of its members upon desperate adventures of gallantry, and upon +deep play. Any thing, every thing is good to escape from the languor and +listlessness of a converse from which whatever interests is banished. +Many a woman loses her character, and many a man incurs a verdict of +ruinous damages, in the simple search of that rarest of all rare things +in society--a sensation. Neither is the matter much mended, if, barring +the insipidity of bon-ton company, you plunge into the formal gravity of +the middle classes, or into the noisy, empty mirth of the lower. The man +of sense and feeling, wherever he goes, will find himself in a minority, +in which few will speak his language or comprehend his ideas. He will +seldom return to his home without a weary sense of the "stale, flat, and +unprofitable" nothings he has been compelled to entertain in his +intercourse with the world,--without the recollection of some outrage on +his independence, some dogmatism that he dared not question, some +impertinence that he dared not confute. With his ears ringing with +blue-stocking literature, threadbare sophistries, forms erected into +important principles, mediocrity elevated into consideration, and the +pre-eminence of the vain, the ignorant, and the contemptible, he will +shut himself up in his solitude, and say with the Englishman at Paris +_Je m'ennuis tres bien ici_. Against the recurrence of these annoyances, +day after day renewed, what nerves can hold out? As life advances, time +becomes precious, every moment is counted, every enjoyment is computed; +and while the effort necessary for pleasing and being pleased becomes +greater, the motive for making that exertion grows less. When the +sources of physical gratification are dried up, and the illusions of +life are dissipated, there remains nothing for enjoyment but a tranquil +fireside, and the mastery of our own ideas and of our own habits in the +privacy of home. But then, to enjoy these, you must not have a methodist +wife, and you must have a porter who can lie with a good grace, a fellow +who could say "not at home," though death himself knocked at the door. +Neither should you read the newspapers, nor walk the streets. The times +are long gone by since "wisdom cried out there." Folly, impertinence, +sheer impertinence, has exclusive possession of the king's highway; and +a dog with a tin-kettle at tail has as good a chance as the wretch who +dares to tread the pavement without partaking of the ruling insanity. +Oh! Mr. Brougham, Mr. Brougham! your schoolmaster has a great deal yet +to do: pray heaven his rods and his fools' caps may hold out!--_New +Month. Mag._ + + * * * * * + +TO "BEAUTY." + + The morn is up! wake, Beauty, wake! + The flower is on the lea, + The blackbird sings within the brake, + The thrush is on the tree; + Forth to the balmy fields repair, + And let the breezes mild + Lift from thy brow the falling hair, + And fan my little child-- + Yet if thy step be 'mid the dews, + Beauty! be sure to change your shoes! + + 'Tis noon! the butterfly springs up, + High from her couch of rest, + And scorns the little blue-bell cup + Which all night long she press'd. + Away! we'll seek the walnut's shade, + And pass the sunny hour, + The bee within the rose is laid, + And veils him in the flower; + Mark not the lustre of his wing, + Beauty! be careful of his sting! + + 'Tis eve! but the retiring ray + A halo deigns to cast + Round scenes on which it shone all day, + And gilds them to the last: + Thus, ere thine eyelids close in sleep, + Let Memory deign to flee + Far o'er the mountain and the deep, + To cast one beam on me! + Yes, Beauty! 'tis mine inmost prayer-- + But don't forget to curl your hair! + +_Blackwood's Mag._ + + * * * * * + +GOG AND MAGOG.--(_A Fragment._) + +Pensively and profoundly was I meditating, seated one evening upon a +stone bench in Guildhall, when, as the gathering gloom invested the +solemn faces of Gog and Magog, rendering them mysteriously dim and +indistinct, methought I saw them slowly shut their eyes, nod their +heads, fall asleep, and actually begin to snore. Never did I hear any +thing more sonorously grand and awful than that portentous inbreathing +of Gog and Magog, resounding through the Gothic vastness of Guildhall; +but, behold! how omnipotent is the dreaming imagination! I myself had +been dozing; the sound of my own nose, transferred by a metonymy of the +fancy to the nostrils of those wooden idols, had become, as it were, the +living apotheosis of a snore, which had subdued me by its sublimity. +Most fortunate was it that I awoke; for, on attentively inspecting the +faces of the figures, I saw them working and writhing with all the +contortions of the Pythoness or the Sibyl, labouring in the very throes +of inspiration, struggling with the advent of the prophetical afflatus. +At length their lips parted, when, in a low, solemn voice, that thrilled +through the dark, deserted, and silent hall, they poured forth +alternately the following vaticinal strain, each starting and trembling +as he concluded:-- + + "From Bank, Change, Mansion-house, Guildhall, + Throgmorton, and Threadneedle, + From London-stone, and London wall, + When City housewife's wheedle + To Brunswick, Russell, Bedford Squares, + And Portland-place, their spouses, + Anxious to give themselves great airs + Of fashion in great houses, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When merchant, banker, broker, shake + In Crockford's club their elbow, + And for St. James's clock forsake + The chiming of thy bell, Bow: + When Batson's, Garraway's, and John's, + At night show empty boxes, + While cits are playing dice with dons, + Or ogling opera doxies; + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When city dames give routs and reels, + And ape high-titled prancers, + When City misses dance quadrilles, + Or waltz with whisker'd Lancers; + When City gold is quickly spent + In trinkets, feasts, and raiment, + And none suspend their merriment + Until they all stop payment, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + +I was reflecting what dire calamities would fall upon the doomed City, +since the era of luxury, corruption, and desertion, thus denounced, had +now manifestly arrived, and Gog and Magog were actually starting and +trembling upon their pedestals, when the hall-keeper, shaking me by the +shoulder, exclaimed--"Come, Sir, you musn't be sleeping here all night! +Bundle out, if you please, for I am just going to shut the great +gates!"--_New Monthly Mag._ + + * * * * * + + +THE GATHERER. + + A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.--SHAKSPEARE. + +MODERN SALAMANDER. + +An experiment to ascertain the degree of heat it is possible for a man +to bear, was made a few days ago at the New Tivoli, at Paris, in the +presence of a company of about 200 persons. The man on whom this +experiment was made is a Spaniard of Andalusia, named Martenez, aged 43. +A cylindrical oven, constructed in the shape of a dome, had been heated +for four hours, by a very powerful fire. At ten minutes past eight, the +Spaniard, having on large pantaloons of red flannel, a thick cloak also +of flannel, and a large felt, after the fashion of straw hats, went into +the oven, where he remained, seated on a foot-stool, during fourteen +minutes, exposed to a heat of from 45 to 50 degrees, of a metallic +thermometer, the gradation of which did not go higher than 50. He sang a +Spanish song while a fowl was roasted by his side. At his coming out of +the oven, the physicians found that his pulse beat 134 pulsations a +minute, though it was but 72 at his going in, The oven being healed anew +for a second experiment, the Spaniard re-entered and seated himself in +the same attitude; at three quarters past eight, ate the fowl, and drank +a bottle of wine to the health of the spectators. At coming out his +pulse was 176, and the thermometer indicated a heat of 110 degrees of +Reaumur. Finally, for the third and last experiment, which almost +immediately followed the second, he was stretched on a plank, surrounded +with lighted candles, and thus put into the oven, the mouth of which was +closed this time. He was there nearly five minutes, when all the +spectators cried out, "Enough, enough," and anxiously hastened to take +him out. A noxious and suffocating vapour of tallow filled the inside of +the oven, and all the candles were extinguished and melted. The +Spaniard, whose pulse was 200 at coming out of this gulf of heat, +immediately threw himself into a cold bath, and in two or three minutes +after was on his feet safe and sound. + + +WILL OF MR. WILLIAM HICKINGTON, + +_Proved in the Deanery Court of York, 1772._ + + This is my last Will, + I insist on it still, + So sneer on and welcome + And e'en laugh your fill. + I, William Hickington, + Poet of Pocklington, + Do give and bequeathe, + As free as I breathe, + To thee, Mary Jaram, + The queen of my haram, + My cash and cattle, + With every chattel, + To have and to hold, + Come heat or come cold, + Sans hindrance or strife, + (Tho' thou art _not_ my wife,) + As witness my hand, + Just here as I stand, + This 12th of July, + In the year seventy ---- + + Signed, &c. W. HICKINGTON. + +J. W. F. B. + + +REGENT'S PUNCH. + +The receipt for this "nectarious drink" is as follows:--Three bottles of +champagne, a bottle of hock, a bottle of curacoa, a quart of brandy, a +pint of rum, two bottles of Madeira, two bottles of seltzer water, four +pounds of bloom raisins, Seville oranges, lemons, white sugarcandy, and, +instead of water, green tea. The whole to be highly iced. + + * * * * * + +The Supplement, containing a fine Portrait of CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON, +Memoir, &c. and a Title-Page, Preface, and copious Index to Vol XI., is +now published. It extends beyond the usual quantity, the Memoir is of +original interest, and the price is (in the present instance only) +unavoidably advanced to Fourpence. + + * * * * * + * * * * * + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) London; Published by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; +and Sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + +***** This file should be named 8640.txt or 8640.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/6/4/8640/ + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction Jon Ingram, Charles Franks and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321 + The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8640] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on July 29, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + + + + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction +Jon Ingram, Charles Franks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + + * * * * * + +[NO. 321.] SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1828. [PRICE 2d.] + + * * * * * + +EATON HALL, CHESHIRE, + +_The Seat of the Rt. Hon. Earl Grosvenor_. + +[Illustration] + +This mansion is a princely specimen of Gothic architecture; and is in +every respect calculated for the residence of its noble possessor, whose +taste and munificence in patronizing the Fine Arts are well known to our +readers. Nevertheless, it is worthy of special remark, that not only is +the name of GROSVENOR conspicuous in this patronage, but his lordship +has further evinced his love of art in the construction of one of the +most splendid buildings in the whole empire,--the present mansion having +been completed within a few years.[1] Here the noble founder seems to +have realized all that the ingenious Sir Henry Wotton considered +requisite for a man's "house and home--the theatre of his hospitality, +the seat of self-fruition, a kind of PRIVATE PRINCEDOM; nay, to the +possessors thereof, an epitome of the whole world." + + [1] At this moment, Earl Grosvenor has in progress a splendid + gallery for the reception of his superb collection of pictures, + adjoining his town mansion, in Grosvenor-street. This is one of + the few "Private Collections" to which, through the good taste + and courtesy of the proprietor, the public are admitted, on + specified days, and under certain restrictions. The nucleus of + Earl Grosvenor's collection, was the purchase of Mr. Agar's + pictures for L30,000; since which it has been enlarged, till it + has at length become one of the finest in England. In the + drawing-room at Eaton are, _Our Saviour on the Mount of Olives_, + by Claude Lorraine, which is the largest painting known to have + been executed by him; and _A Port in the Mediterranean_, by + Vernet. In the dining-room, _Rubens with his Second Wife_; by + himself; and _The Judgment of Paris_, a copy, by Peters, after + Rubens. In the dressing-room of the state bed-room, _David and + Abigail_, also by Rubens. Over the ornamented chimney-pieces of + the hall are, West's _Dissolution of the Long Parliament_, and + _The Landing of Charles the Second_. + +_Eaton_ is situated about three miles to the south of Chester, on the +verge of an extensive park, thickly studded with fine old timber. The +present "Hall" occupies the site of the old mansion, which is described +as a square and spacious brick building erected by Sir Thomas Grosvenor, +in the reign of William III. The architect was Sir John Vanbrugh, who +likewise laid out the gardens with straight walks and leaden statues, in +the formal style of his age. In the reconstruction, the fine vaulted +basement story of the old Hall was preserved, as were also the external +foundations, and some subdivisions; but the superstructure was altered +and entirely refitted, and additional apartments erected on the north +and south sides, so as to make the area of the new house twice the +dimensions of the old one. + +The style of architecture adopted in the new Hall is that of the age of +Edward III, as exhibited in that Parthenon of Gothic architecture, York +Minster; although the architect, Mr. Porden, has occasionally availed +himself of the low Tudor arch, and the forms of any other age that +suited his purpose, so as to adapt the rich variety of our ancient +ecclesiastical architecture to modern domestic convenience. Round the +turrets, and in various parts of the parapets are shields, charged in +relievo with the armorial bearings of the Grosvenor family, and of +other ancient families that, by intermarriages, the Grosvenors are +entitled to quarter with their own. The windows, which are "richly +dight" with tracery, are of cast-iron, moulded on both sides, and +grooved to receive the glass. The walls, battlements, and pinnacles, +are of stone, of a light and beautiful colour, from the Manly quarry +about ten miles distant. + +The annexed engraving represents the west-front of the house, in the +centre of which is the entrance, by a vaulted porch, which admits a +carriage to the steps that lead to the Hall, a spacious and lofty room, +occupying the height of two stories, with a groined ceiling, embellished +with the Grosvenor arms, and other devices, in the bosses that cover the +junction of the ribs. The pavement is of variegated marble in +compartments. At the end of the Hall, a screen of five arches support a +gallery which connects the bed-chambers on the north side of the house +with those on the south, which are separated by the elevation of the +Hall. Under this gallery, two open arches to the right and left conduct +to the grand staircase, the state bed-room, and the second staircase; +and opposite to the door of the hall is the entrance to the saloon. The +grand staircase is elaborately ornamented with niches and canopies, and +with tracery under the landings; and in the principal ceiling, which is +surmounted with a double skylight of various coloured glass. The state +bed-room is lighted by two painted windows, with tracery and armorial +bearings. In the saloon are three lofty and splendidly painted windows, +which contain, in six divisions,--the portraits of the conqueror's +nephew, Gilbert le Grosvenor, the founder of the Grosvenor family, and +his lady; of William the Conqueror, with whom Gilbert came into England; +the Bishop of Bayeux, uncle to the conqueror; the heiress of the house +of Eaton; and Sir Robert le Grosvenor, who signalized himself in the +wars of Edward III. + +The saloon is a square of thirty feet, formed into an octagon by arches +across the angles, which give to the vaultings a beautiful form. +Opposite to the chimney piece is an organ richly decorated. On the left +of the saloon is an ante-room leading to the dining-room; and on the +right, another leading to the drawing-room: the windows of these rooms +are glazed with a light Mosaic tracery, and exhibit the portraits of the +six Earls of Chester, who, after Hugh Lupus, governed Cheshire as a +County Palatine, till Henry III bestowed the title on his son Edward; +since which time the eldest sons of the kings of England have always +been Earls of Chester. + +The dining-room, situated at the northern extremity of the east front, +is about 50 feet long and 30 feet wide, exclusive of a bay-window of +five arches, the opening of which is 30 feet. In the centre window is +the portrait of Hugh Lupus; which, with the portraits of the six Earls +of Chester, in the ante-room windows, were executed from cartoons, at +Longport, Staffordshire. The ceiling is of bold and rich tracery, with a +profuse emblazoning of heraldic honours, and a large ornamented pendant +for a chandelier. + +The drawing room, which is at the southern extremity of the east front, +is of the same form and dimensions as the dining-room, with the addition +of a large window to the south, commanding the luxuriant groves of +meadows of Eaton, and the village and spire of Oldford above them. All +the windows of this room are adorned with heads and figures of the +ancestors of the family; also the portraits of the present Earl and +Countess, in a beautiful brown _chiaro-scuro_. The ceiling is tracery of +the nicest materials and workmanship emblazoned with the arms of the +Grosvenor family, and those of Egerton, Earl of Wilton, the father of +the present Countess Grosvenor. + +Eaton became the property of the Grosvenor family through the marriage +of Ralph Grosvenor, in the reign of Henry VI with Joan, daughter of John +Eaton, then owner of this estate. The Grosvenor family, as we have +already intimated, came into England with William the Conqueror; they +derived their name from the office of chief huntsmen, which they held in +the Norman court; and, when "chivalry was the fashion of the times," +says Pennant, "few families shone in so distinguished a manner: none +shewed equal spirit in vindicating their rights to their looms." He then +mentions the celebrated legal contest with Sir Richard le Scroope, for +the family arms--_Azure, a bend or_. This cause was tried before the +High Constable and the Earl Marshal of England, in the reign of Richard +II. It lasted three years; kings, princes of the blood, and most of the +nobility, and among the gentry, Chaucer, the poet, gave evidence on the +trial. "The sentence," says Pennant, "was conciliating; that both +parties should bear the same arms; but the _Grosvenours avec une bordure +d'argent_. Sir Robert resents it, and appeals to the king. The judgment +is confirmed; but the choice is left to the defendant, either to use the +_bordure_, or bear the arms of their relations, the ancient Earls of +Chester, _azure, a gerb d'or_. He rejected the mortifying distinction, +and chose a _gerb_: which is the family coat to this day." + +Hitherto we have only spoken of the artificial splendour of Eaton. The +natural beauties with which it is environed will, however, present +equal, if not superior, attraction for the tourist. The stiff, formal +walks of Vanbrugh no longer disfigure the grounds, which are now made to +harmonize with the contiguous landscape, and are enlivened by an inlet +of the Dee, which intervenes between the eastern front of the mansion, +and the opposite plantations. These alterations have, however, been made +with great judgment, and a few of the venerable beauties of the park +remain. Thus, a fine aged avenue extends westward to a Gothic lodge in +the hamlet of Belgrave, about two miles distant from the Hall. Another +lodge, in a similar style of design, is approached by a road, which +diverges from this avenue towards Chester, and crosses the park, through +luxuriating plantations, which open occasionally in glade views of the +Broxton and Welsh Hills. The most pleasing approach to this noble +mansion is one which has been cut through the plantations, towards the +north-east angle of the house, so as to throw the whole building into +perspective. + +Viewed from either of the beautiful sites with which the park abounds, +Eaton is a magnificent display of towers, and turrets, pinnacles and +battlements, partly embosomed in foliage, and belted with one of the +richest domains in England. Indeed, its splendour seldom fails to strike +the overweening admirer of art with devotional fondness, which is not +lessened by his approach to the fabric.[1] The most favourable distant +views are from the Aldford road, and from the romantic banks of the Dee, +whence there is a proud display of architectural grandeur. In every +point, however, the grounds and mansion of Eaton will abundantly gratify +the expectations of the visiter. Altogether, they present a rich scene +of nature, diversified and embellished by the attributes of art; and the +admiration of the latter will be not a little enhanced by the reflection +that the building of this sumptuous pile provided employment for a large +portion of the poor of Chester during one of the most calamitous periods +of the late war. + + [1] One view from the interior deserves special mention: viz. from + the saloon, upon a terrace 350 feet in length, commanding one + of the richest landscapes on the banks of Dee. The boasted + terrace at Versailles is but 400 feet in length; yet, how many + Englishmen, who have seen the latter, are even ignorant of + that at Eaton. + +The noble founder of Eaton has indeed learned to "build stately," and +"garden finely;" and has thus made the personal fruition of his wealth +subservient to its real use--the distribution. + + * * * * * + +ORIGIN OF CHESS. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + +SIR,--In vol. 3, page 211, of the MIRROR, is an account of the origin of +the scientific game of chess, the invention of which, your correspondent +_F. H. Y._ has attributed to a brahmin, named Sissa. But I believe it is +entirely a matter of doubt, both as to where, and by whom it was +invented; it is evidently of very high antiquity, and if we recur to the +original names of the pieces with which it is played, we shall readily +be convinced it is of Asiatic original. The honour of inventing it, is +contended for by several nations, but principally by the Hindoos, the +Chinese, and the Persians. In support of the first, we are told, by Sir +William Jones, in the 2nd vol. of his _Asiatic Researches_, that the +game of chess has been immemorably known in Hindostan, by the name of +Chaturanga, or the four members of an army, viz. elephants, horses, +chariots, and foot soldiers. And yet, the same learned author observes, +that no account of the game has hitherto been discovered in the +classical writings of the brahmins. Mr. Daines Barrington supposed the +Chinese to be the inventers, and in this he is supported by a paper +published in the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, for 1794, vol. +5, by Mr. Eyles Irwin. It states, that when Mr. Irwin was at Canton, a +young mandarin, on seeing the English chess-board, recognised its +similarity with that used for a game of their own; and brought his board +and equipage for Mr. Irwin's inspection, and soon after gave him a +manuscript extract from a book, relating the invention of the Chinese +game, called by them chong-he, or the royal game, which it attributed to +a Chinese general (about 1,965 years ago) who by its means reconciled +his soldiers to passing the winter in quarters in the country of Shensi, +the cold and inconvenience of which were likely to have occasioned a +mutiny among them. Other writers contend that chess is a game of Persian +invention, since _scah muth_ is the Persic term for check-mate; and +since the Persians were sedulous in recommending it to their young +princes, as a game calculated to instruct kings in the art of war. It +has been attributed to Palamedes, who lived during the Trojan war; but +it was a game played with pebbles, or cubes, of which he was the +inventer. Palamedes was so renowned for his sagacity, that almost every +early discovery was ascribed to him. Whether the Greeks or Romans were +acquainted with this game is doubtful. Of the three contending nations, +the claim of the Persians appears to me to be least eligible, and that +of the Chinese the most. + +_Near Sheffield._ + +J. M. C-D. + + * * * * * + +THREE SONNETS TO JOHN KEATS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + I can think of thee! now that the light spring + Showers live in the rich breezes, and the dyes + Of the glad flowers are won from her blue eyes + Exulting; whilst loud songs, on the fleet wing + Of the Earth's seraphs, bear her welcoming + From it to heaven, and, up to the far skies, + From turf-born censers floods of incense rise. + I can think of thee in my wandering; + And when the heart leaps up within to bless + The sights of love and beauty, on each hand,-- + The pouring-out of sky-sprung happiness + Over the dancing sea and the green land, + Thought wakes one saddening thrill of bitterness-- + Thou canst not o'er this Eden smiling stand! + + + Yes! even as the quick glow of Spring's first smile + Is unto the renewed spirit,--even + As that abundant gush of wine from Heaven + Loosens the dreary grasp of Cares which coil + Round the lone heart like serpents,--the sweet toil + Of draining the dear dream-cup thou hast given + Is unto me,--and thoughts which long have striven + With joyousness, flit far away the while + My lips are prest to it. By the fire-light, + Or in full gaze of sun-set, when the choirs + Of winged minstrels, waking out of light, + Ring requiem meet to those departing fires-- + Let me be with thee then--forgetting quite + The world, its scornfulness, and its desires. + + + O! I could weep for thee! and yet not tears + Of hopelessness, but triumph, and sit down + And weave for thee wet wild-flowers for a crown-- + Then up, and sound rich music in thine ears; + And teach thee, that sweet lips, in coming years, + Shall lisp the songs which cold dull hearts disown,-- + That all which hope could pant for is thine own,-- + Dimmed, for a moment's space, with human fears. + Then watch the new-born glories in thine eye, + Glancing like lightning from its chariot cloud, + And list these words, which know not how to die,-- + Joy's inspiration gushing forth aloud: + Then back again unto the world and sigh, + And wrap my heart up in a dusky shroud. + +THOMAS M---- S. + + * * * * * + +CHOOSING OF BAILIFFS AT BRIDGNORTH. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + +The bailiffs of Bridgnorth are chosen out of the twenty-four aldermen +upon St. Matthew's Day in the following manner:--The court having met, +the names of twelve aldermen being separately written on small pieces of +paper, are closely rolled up by the town clerk, and thrown into a purse, +which is shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the chequer, (a +large table in the middle of the court,) and held open to the bailiffs, +when each, according to seniority, takes out a roll. By this means the +callers are decided, who, mounting the chequer, alternately call the +jury of fourteen out of the burgesses present. They are then sworn +neither to eat nor drink till they, or twelve of them, have chosen two +fit persons, who have not been bailiffs for three years before, to serve +that office for the ensuing year; they are locked up till they have +agreed, which sometimes occasions long fastings. In 1739, the jury +fasted seventy hours. The persons chosen are sworn into office on +Michaelmas Day.--W. H. + + * * * * * + +ON COALS, AND THE PERIOD WHEN THE COAL MINES IN ENGLAND WILL BE +EXHAUSTED. + +(_From Bakewell's Introduction to Geology, 3rd Edition, 1828_.) + +Coal was known, and partially used, at a very early period of our +history. I was informed by the late Marquis of Hastings, that stone +hammers and stone tools were found in some of the old workings in his +mines at Ashby Wolds; and his lordship informed me also, that similar +stone tools had been discovered in the old workings in the coal-mines in +the north of Ireland. Hence we may infer, that these coal-mines were +worked at a very remote period, when the use of metallic tools was not +general. The burning of coal was prohibited in London in the year 1308, +by the royal proclamation of Edward I. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, +the burning of coal was again prohibited in London during the sitting of +parliament, lest the health of the knights of the shire should suffer +injury during their abode in the metropolis. In the year 1643, the use +of coal had become so general, and the price being then very high, many +of the poor are said to have perished for want of fuel. At the present +day, when the consumption of coal, in our iron-furnaces and +manufactories and for domestic use, is immense, we cannot but regard the +exhaustion of our coal-beds as involving the destruction of a great +portion of our private comfort and national prosperity. Nor is the +period very remote when the coal districts, which at present supply the +metropolis with fuel, will cease to yield any more. The annual quantity +of coal shipped in the rivers Tyne and Wear, according to Mr. Bailey, +exceeded three million tons. A cubic yard of coals weighs nearly one +ton; and the number of tons contained in a bed of coal one square mile +in extent, and one yard in thickness, is about four millions. The number +and extent of all the principal coal-beds in Northumberland and Durham +is known; and from these data it has been calculated that the coal in +these counties will last 360 years. Mr. Bailey, in his Survey of Durham, +states, that one-third of the coal being already got, the coal districts +will be exhausted in 200 years. It is probable that many beds of +inferior coal, which are now neglected, may in future be worked; but the +consumption of coal being greatly increased since Mr. Bailey published +his Survey of Durham, we may admit his calculation to be an +approximation to the truth, and that the coal of Northumberland and +Durham will be exhausted in a period not greatly exceeding 200 years. +Dr. Thomson, in the Annals of Philosophy, has calculated that the coal +of these districts, at the present rate of consumption, will last 1,000 +years! but his calculations are founded on data manifestly erroneous, +and at variance with his own statements; for he assumes the annual +consumption of coal to be only two million eight hundred thousand tons, +and the waste to be one-third more,--making three million seven hundred +thousand tons, equal to as many square yards; whereas he has just before +informed us, that two million chaldrons of coal, of two tons and a +quarter each chaldron, are exported, making four million five hundred +thousand tons, beside inland consumption, and waste in the working[1]. +According to Mr. Winch, three million five hundred thousand tons of coal +are consumed annually from these districts; to which if we add the waste +of small coal at the pit's mouth, and the waste in the mines, it will +make the total yearly destruction of coal nearly double the quantity +assigned by Dr. Thomson. Dr. Thomson has also greatly overrated the +quantity of the coal in these districts, as he has calculated the extent +of the principal beds from that of the lowest, which is erroneous; for +many of the principal beds crop out, before they reach the western +termination of the coal-fields. With due allowance for these errors, and +for the quantity of coal already worked out, (which, according to Mr. +Bailey, is about one-third,) the 1,000 years of Dr. Thomson will not +greatly exceed the period assigned by Mr. Bailey for the complete +exhaustion of coal in these counties, and may be stated at three hundred +and fifty years. + + [1] The waste of coal at the pit's mouth may be stated at one-sixth + of the quantity sold, and that left in the mines at one-third. + Mr. Holmes, in his Treatise on Coal Mines, states the waste of + small coal at the pit's mouth to be one-fourth of the whole. + +It cannot be deemed uninteresting to inquire what are the repositories +of coal that can supply the metropolis and the southern counties, when +no more can be obtained from the Tyne and the Wear. The only coal-fields +of any extent on the eastern side of England, between London and Durham, +are those of Derbyshire and those in the west riding of Yorkshire. The +Derbyshire coal-field is not of sufficient magnitude to supply, for any +long period, more than is required for home consumption, and that of the +adjacent counties. There are many valuable beds of coal in the western +part of the west riding of Yorkshire which are yet unwrought; but the +time is not very distant when they must be put in requisition, to supply +the vast demand of that populous manufacturing county, which at present +consumes nearly all the produce of its own coal mines. In the midland +counties, Staffordshire possesses the nearest coal districts to the +metropolis, of any great extent; but such is the immense daily +consumption of coal in the iron-furnaces and founderies, that it is +generally believed this will be the first of our own coal-fields that +will be exhausted. The thirty-feet bed of coal in the Dudley coal-field +is of limited extent; and in the present mode of working it, more than +two-thirds of the coal is wasted and left in the mine. + +If we look to Whitehaven or Lancashire, or to any of the minor +coal-fields in the west of England, we can derive little hope of their +being able to supply London and the southern counties with coal, after +the import of coal fails from Northumberland and Durham. We may thus +anticipate a period not very remote, when all the English mines of coal +and ironstone will be exhausted; and were we disposed to indulge in +gloomy forebodings, like the ingenious authoress of the "Last Man," we +might draw a melancholy picture of our starving and declining +population, and describe some manufacturing patriarch, like the late +venerable Richard Reynolds, travelling to see the last expiring English +furnace, before he emigrated to distant regions.[1] + + [1] The late Richard Reynolds, Esq., of Bristol, so distinguished + for his unbounded benevolence, was the original proprietor of + the great iron-works in Colebrook Dale, Shropshire. Owing, I + believe, partly to the exhaustion of the best workable beds of + coal and ironstone, and partly to the superior advantages + possessed by the iron-founders in South Wales, the works at + Colebrook Dale were finally relinquished, a short time before + the death of Mr. Reynolds. With a natural attachment to the + scenes where he had passed his early years, and to the pursuits + by which he had honourably acquired his great wealth, he + travelled from Bristol into Shropshire, to be present when the + last of his furnaces was extinguished, in a valley where they + had been continually burning for more than half a century. + +Fortunately, however, we have in South Wales, adjoining the Bristol +Channel, an almost exhaustless supply of coal and ironstone, which are +yet nearly unwrought. It has been stated, that this coal-field extends +over about twelve hundred square miles, and that there are twenty-three +beds of workable coal, the total average thickness of which is +ninety-five feet, and the quantity contained in each acre is 100,000 +tons, or 65,000,000 tons per square mile. If from this we deduct one +half for waste and for the minor extent of the upper beds, we shall have +a clear supply of coal, equal to 32,000,000 tons per square mile. Now if +we admit that the five million tons of coal from the Northumberland and +Durham mines is equal to nearly one-third of the total consumption of +coals in England, each square mile of the Welsh coal-field would yield +coal for two years' consumption; and as there are from one thousand to +twelve hundred square miles in this coal-field, it would supply England +with fuel for two thousand years, after all our English coal-mines are +worked out. + +It is true, that a considerable part of the coal in South Wales is of an +inferior quality, and is not at present burned for domestic use; but in +proportion as coal becomes scarce, improved methods of burning it will +assuredly be discovered, to prevent any sulphureous fumes from entering +apartments, and also to economize the consumption of fuel in all our +manufacturing processes. + + * * * * * + +SONG. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + Thou hast not seen the tear-drops fill + The eyes which worship thee; + The deepest curse, the darkest ill, + Hovers above--around me--still + There are no tears for me! + + Thou canst not know, why I should kneel + For tears to heaven--in vain; + The thousand changeless pangs we feel,-- + The precious drops, perchance, might heal,-- + They will not start again! + + Thou canst not know what hopes will spring + When I can gaze on thee, + Even in the cold heart withering; + Oh! thou to whom that heart must cling, + Art more than tears to me! + +THOMAS M---- S. + + * * * * * + +HINTS FOR HEALTH. + + ["A very old and active correspondent," _Tim Tobykin_, has furnished + us with the following interesting extracts from Dr. Rennie's + _Treatise on Gout and Nervous Diseases_, just published. These, + however, are but a portion of our correspondent's selections; and as + they are written in a popular style and appear to be equally + applicable to the welfare of all classes, they will doubtless be + acceptable to our readers. We are not friendly to the introduction + of purely professional matters into the pages of the MIRROR, but the + following extracts are so far divested of technicality as to render + their utility and importance obvious to every reader.] + +CLIMATE, LOCALITY, AND SEASONS. + +I shall first inquire, says Dr. Rennie, what are the effects of climate +on healthy constitutions, as respects heat, cold, moisture, and +vicissitudes; including also the diurnal and annual revolutions. + +Cold applied to the body acts as a direct sedative. It diminishes the +nervous sensibility, represses the activity of the circulation, detracts +from the sum of the animal heat, and thereby diminishes stimulation. In +the cessation of excitement and sensibility that ensues, the whole vital +actions are moderated, existing irritation is soothed; and in the same +manner as sleep recruits the wasted powers, so does cold restore and +invigorate the nerves when overstimulated, and in fact promotes the tone +and vigour of the whole body; when again a warmer atmosphere succeeds a +colder, the animal heat increases in its sum, the surface of the body is +re-excited, nervous sensibility returns, and a reaction of the +circulation takes place; so that the blood diffuses itself in greater +abundance towards the remote and superficial parts of the body, and the +secretions are also promoted. + +Alternations of cold and heat therefore in healthy constitutions within +certain limits, are salutary; promoting, on the one hand, the vigour and +tone of the body; on the other, the due activity and excitement of the +various functions. + +The temperature occasioned by day and night, and also those more +progressive and slow alternations of heat and cold, on the large scale, +attending the annual revolution of the seasons, are a natural provision +admirably adapted to effect these objects as described; constituted as +our bodies are, such a constant and regular succession of heat and cold +is just such as the necessities of the human frame require. The +alternations of day and night, of winter and summer, are far from being +merely incidental and unimportant circumstances in the general +adaptation of the earth to man's constitutional wants; neither do they +bear reference solely to the productions of the earth for his use. They +exert a continual and direct influence on his constitution, calculated +to aid the vigorous and healthy performance of the various functions of +the body each in its due degree and order, and they conduce mainly to +the perfection and longevity of the species. + +Let us therefore trace the effects of these changes on the human body. + +During the winter, the prevailing cold acts as a universal sedative and +tonic, soothing the nervous excitement and sensibility, allaying the +activity of the circulation, moderating the functions of the skin, and +diminishing the various secretions. + +As the Spring opens, the sun gains daily in influence, generating a +gradually increasing atmospheric warmth. The body therefore becomes +subject from this heat to a reactive effect, during which the nervous +sensibility and circulation are gradually re-excited, the blood is more +equally diffused towards the surface and extremities of the body, and +the secretion by the skin is increased. + +If the cold of winter were to continue unmitigated from year to year, +without the genial influence of summer, the human race, as is apparent +in polar regions and upland mountainous districts, would degenerate into +dwarfishness. + +If the heat of summer were continually maintained the whole year round, +a tendency to degeneracy of the race would be also observed, as we see +in tropical latitudes. It is in the medium betwixt these extremes, where +a moderate and regular winter cold is succeeded by a mild, genial summer +temperature, that the species approaches most to perfection in stature, +health, strength, and longevity. + +In observing also the influence of day and night on the constitution, +there is a sedative effect produced in the morning before the sun is up, +a reactive tendency promoted towards noon under the solar influence, and +again towards evening this reaction is repressed by the sedative effect +of the evening cold; and this sedative effect is at its maximum at +midnight. Hence those who sit up late feel unusually chilly and +depressed towards midnight, partly owing to exhaustion from want of +sleep, but chiefly from the total absence of solar influence in the +atmospherical temperature. In regular habits this sedative effect is +never thoroughly experienced; for before midnight, the constitution, +enveloped in warm blankets, has experienced the reaction arising from +the accumulation of heat in bed. Whence the common remark, that one +hour's sleep before midnight is worth three after that hour, is actually +true to a certain extent. By early retirement to rest, the sedative +effect on the constitution, to an extent such as to disturb the +functions, is escaped. + +If we connect these two influences, the annual and diurnal successions +of cold and heat, in their joint effect, we find, that about, or a +little after the summer solstice, the influence of the sun being at its +maximum, the nervous sensibility, heat, circulating excitement, and +cutaneous secretions of the body, are also at their maximum. The +temperature of the day and night differ so little, that the sedative +effects of evening and morning are not sufficient to restore the frame +by soothing the sensibilities, overexcited and irritable from the +previous warmth. Whence the languor and irritability felt in summer, +when the heat is long continued, and the nights are spent in +restlessness and anxious oppression. Exhaustion and relaxation of the +frame are the consequence. + +As the autumnal equinox verges on, the mornings and evenings get cooler +in relation to the mid-day heat; and about the equinox, the difference +in the temperature of mid-day and midnight is at its maximum. We have +therefore a powerful sedative effect in the morning, which braces and +invigorates the body; a powerful reactive effect at mid-day, which +rouses and stimulates the actions and sensibilities of the frame; and +again towards evening a sedative effect, from the increasing cold +reaching its maximum at midnight. + +As the season passes on from the Equinox towards the winter solstice, +the heat of the sun daily diminishes, and the cold gains a daily +preponderance. The sedative effect on the body goes on progressively +increasing, being less and less counteracted by any genial influence +from the solar heat at mid-day; whence the gloom and depression so +universally experienced by the nervous in November and December, which +is more and more felt till the shortest day. So soon as the minimum of +solar influence and maximum of sedative effect on the body has passed +over, the sun gradually acquires more of meridian influence, and a daily +increasing ascendancy over the prevalent cold. The human constitution at +the same time is subject to a proportionate reactive disposition; which +reaction is felt most at noon, and it daily becomes more and more +apparent till the vernal equinox, when we have the difference betwixt +the meridian and midnight temperature again at a maximum. We have daily +a powerful sedative effect in the morning, a powerful meridian reaction, +which again subsides into a sedative condition on the access of the +evening. This daily effect on the constitution is exactly similar to +that at the autumnal equinox, only it occurs under different +circumstances. In autumn it is connected with departing heat and +progressively increasing cold; in Spring it is connected with +progressively diminishing cold and advancing heat. After the vernal +equinox, the difference in the meridian and midnight temperature +gradually diminishes; the daily sedative effect at morning and evening +becomes less and less apparent as general atmospheric warmth prevails, +till towards the summer solstice, the general effect on the constitution +is stimulation and excitement by atmospheric heat. + + * * * * * + + +NOTES OF A READER. + +BYRON'S "FARE THEE WELL." + +On one occasion of a mediator waiting upon Lord Byron upon the subject +of a reconciliation with his wife, he produced from his desk a paper on +which was written "fare thee well," and said, "Now these are exactly my +feelings on the subject--they were not intended to be published, but you +may take them."--_Lit. G._ + + +EARLY HOURS. + +Dr. Franklin published an ingenious Essay on the advantages of early +rising.--He called it "an economical project," and calculated the saving +that might be made in the city of Paris, by using the sunshine instead +of the candles--at no less than 4,000,000l. sterling. + + +SENSITIVE PLANTS. + +Light exercises a very remarkable influence upon the irritability of the +sensitive plant. Thus, if a sensitive plant be placed in complete +darkness, by carrying it within an opaque vessel, it will entirely lose +its irritability, and that in a variable time, according to a certain +state of depression or elevation of the surrounding temperature. + + +At Brussels, the demand for labour is so great, in consequence of the +number of new buildings, that tradesmen consider they confer a favour on +a customer by the execution of his orders. The lower classes have +become, within the last seven years, extremely dissipated, owing it is +supposed to the increase in the wages of the mechanics and labourers +employed in the numerous buildings erected within that period. During +the Kaermess annual feast of three days, it is calculated 80,000 +_litres_ (pots) are drunk each day! + + +Cooper, the American novelist, has just published two volumes of +"Notions" of his countrymen, in the course of which he bestows on them +the following surperlative epithets: "most active, quick-witted, +enterprising, orderly, moral, simple, vigorous, healthful, manly, +generous, just, wise, innocent, civilized, liberal, polite, enlightened, +ingenious, moderate, glorious, firm, free, virtuous, intelligent, +sagacious, kind, honest, independent, brave, gallant, intellectual, +well-governed, elevated, dignified, pure, immaculate, extraordinary, +wonderful," &c. He then calls them the "most improving," which is +painting, nay coating, the lily, to "wasteful and ridiculous excess." + + +OSTRICHES + +Impart a lively interest to a ride in the Pampas. They are sometimes +seen in coveys of twenty or thirty, gliding elegantly along the +undulations of the plain, at half pistol-shot from each other, like +skirmishers. The young are easily domesticated, and soon become attached +to those who caress them; but they are troublesome inmates; for, +stalking about the house, they will, when full grown, swallow coin, +shirt-pins, and every small article of metal within reach. Their usual +food, in a wild state, is seeds, herbage, and insects; the flesh is a +reddish brown, and if young, not of bad flavour. A great many eggs are +laid in the same nest. Some accounts exonerate the ostrich from being +the most stupid bird in the creation. This has been proved by the +experiment of taking an egg away, or by putting one in addition. In +either case she destroys the whole by smashing them with her feet. +Although she does not attend to secrecy, in selecting a situation for +her nest, she will forsake it if the eggs have been handled. It is also +said that she rolls a few eggs thirty yards distant from the nest, and +cracks the shells, which, by the time her young come forth, being filled +with maggots, and covered with insects, form the first repast of her +infant brood. The male bird is said to take upon himself the rearing of +the young. If two cock-birds meet, each with a family, they fight for +the supremacy over both; for which reason an ostrich has sometimes under +his tutelage broods of different ages.--_Mem. Gen. Miller._ + + +Dr. Kitchiner recommends a gentleman who has a mind to carry the +arrangement of his clothes to a nicety, to have the shelves of his +wardrobe numbered 30, 40, 50, and 60, and according to the degree of +cold pointed to by his thermometer, to wear a corresponding defence +against it. + + +Dr. Harwood fed two pointers; one he suffered to sleep after dinner, +another he forced to take exercise. In the stomach of the one who had +been quiet and asleep, all the food was digested; in the stomach of the +other, that process was hardly begun. + + +SIR WALTER'S LAST. + +At page 354 of our last vol., the reader will find an eloquent +description of Perth, from the Wicks of Beglie, quoted from St. +Valentine's Eve. This turns out to be a topographical blunder, for the +"fair city" cannot be seen at all from the said Wicks, whereas the +author has described it as the best point of view. As our readers have +long since enjoyed the description, we shall doubtless be pardoned for +thus noticing the mistake. + + +TELEGRAPHS. + +The system of telegraphs has arrived at such perfection in the +presidency of Bombay, that a communication may be made through a line of +500 miles in eight minutes.--_Weekly Rev._ + + +One of the drawing-room critics who uphold the literature of lords and +ladies, sums up the merits of fashionable novel-writing as +follows:--"After all, it is something to scrutinize lords and ladies, +recline on satin sofas, eat off silver dishes--whose nomenclature is the +glory of _l'artiste_--though only in a book." + + +MAHOGANY. + +The largest and finest log of mahogany ever imported into this country +has been recently sold by auction at the docks in Liverpool. It was +purchased for 378l., and afterwards sold for 525l., and if it open well, +it is supposed to be worth 1,000l. If sawed into veneers, it is computed +that the cost of labour in the process will be 750l. The weight on the +king's beam is six tons thirteen hundred weight. + + +Dugald Stewart, the celebrated metaphysician, of whom Scotland has just +reason to be proud, died a short time since at Edinburgh, at the age of +seventy-five. He recently published two volumes, of which a +distinguished gentleman in Edinburgh thus speaks:--"June 16. Dugald +Stewart is to be buried to-morrow. A great light is gone out, or rather +gone down,--for its glory will long be in the sky, though its orb be no +more visible above the horizon. He corrected his last two volumes with +his own hand within these three months. What philosopher, especially +palsy-stricken ten years ago,--could ring in better. Glorious fellow! I +hear his splendid sentences and exquisite voice sounding in mine ear at +the distance of nearly thirty winters. His peculiar merit was the purity +and loftiness of his moral taste. For about forty years he raised the +standard of thought and feeling among successive generations of young +men, to a range it would never otherwise have attained." + + +OLD AND NEW VAUXHALL. + +Of old, a half-crown at the door, and the price of such comestibles as +were devoured, were grumbled at as tax enough; but now the account +stands in a fairer form, because you are charged distinctly for every +item, so that you know what you are paying for, and may choose or +reject, as you think fit. Thus Mr. Bull, from Aldgate, with Mrs. Bull, +and only four of the younger Bulls and Cows, numbering six in all, make +good their entry at the cost of 1l. 4s.--Books to tell them what they +are to see and hear, the when and the how are 3s. Seats for the +vaudeville (average of modest places) 9s. Ditto for the ballet 6s. Ditto +for the battle 6s. Ditto for the fire-works 6s.--Total 2l. 14s.--But +then they are not charged for seeing the lamps; there is no charge for +walking round the walks; there is no charge for looking at the +cosmoramic pictures; there is no charge for casting a glance at the +orchestra; there is no charge for staring at the other people; there is +no charge for bowing or talking to an acquaintance, if you meet one--all +these are gratis; and if you neither eat nor drink, there is no charge +for witnessing those who do mangle the long-murdered honours of the +coop, and gulp down the most renovating of liquors, be they hale or +stout, vite vine, red port, or rack punch.--_Lit. Gaz_. + + +Bruges, (celebrated as the birthplace of John Van Eyck, said to have +invented the art of oil-painting), is now in a very dilapidated +condition. It was formerly a place of great commerce, and the merchants +of Bruges were the wealthiest in Europe. The population is reduced from +100,000 to 25,000.--_Brussels Companion_. + + +DISTURBING THE DEAD. + +Mr. Crawfurd, in his recent Mission to _Hue_, wished to visit the +mausoleum of the late king; "but," says he, "we were politely informed +that the king was always reluctant to permit the visits of strangers, +whose presence," he said, "might 'trouble the repose of the spirits of +his ancestors.'" + + +Dine with a march-of-intellect man, and only observe the downcast eyes +of his pale-faced, trembling wife--the knit brows of his sullen +sons--the sulky sorrows of his joy-denied daughters. All that comes of +your hard-hearted, hard-headed, music-painting-and-poetry-despising, +utilitarian, intellectual, all-in-all educationists, who know nothing so +admirable as a steam-engine, and would wish to see the whole world +worked by machinery. + + +"FASHIONABLE" NOVELS. + +Here is a specimen of the _slip-slop_ with which so many thousand reams +of paper have lately been spoiled. "Tea was announced, and the ladies +adjourned to the saloon; Lady Harriet and Lady Charlotte, discussing, as +they went in together, the difficult question, whether it was or was not +an improvement in modern arrangements to have tea _en-buffet_. One of +its advantages the ladies were perfectly aware of, namely, that it +afforded a _point de reunir_, for both beaux and belles, which is always +so much wanted before the music begins; and calculating on this +important circumstance, Lady Charlotte possessed herself of the chair +which was the most accessible of the whole group. Miss Mortimer, with +equal foresight, stationed herself at the fire:--"Good generalship," +whispered Lady Hauteville to the duchess, as the two experienced matrons +communicated together _sur les petites ruses_, which the actors fancied +were unperceived, &c." + + +Dr. Walsh, in his _Journey from Constantinople_, describes a species of +woodpecker, about the size of a thrush, of a light, blue colour, with +black marks beside the bill. "It entered my room," says he, "with all +the familiarity of an old friend, hopped on the table, and picked up +the crumbs and flies. It had belonged to the doctor's child, just +buried, and by a singular instinct, left the house of the dead, and +flew into my room. Its habits were curious, and so familiar, that they +were quite attractive; it climbed up the wall by any stick or cord near +it, devouring flies. It sometimes began at my foot, and at one race, +ran up my leg, arm, round my neck, down my other arm, and so to the +table. It there tapped with its bill with a noise as loud as a hammer. +This was its general habit on the wood in every part of the room; when +it did so, it would look intently at the place, and dart at any fly or +insect it saw running. Writers on Natural History say it makes this +noise to disturb the insects concealed within, so to seize them when +they appear." + + +At Brussels apartments are not to be procured for a shorter term than +six months. + + +In the prison at Ghent, spirits are sold, but pens and paper cannot be +obtained without a special application to the governor. + + +Mr. Brande, in his recent Lecture on Vegetable Chemistry, says, "Salt +has been very much extolled for a manure; I believe that a great deal +more has been said of it than it deserves; it certainly destroys +insects, but I do not believe what has been said of its value. We are +not to infer that because a manure is found to be useful on one soil in +a certain climate, that it shall prove equally useful in others; +experience must direct us in this particular." + + +STROLLING SCHOOLS. + +In Prussia there exist, what are termed _Strolling Schools_, having no +fixed place. The teacher, with his scholars or his classical furniture, +establishes himself in all the houses or a village successively, where +he affords instruction; and his stay is determined by the number of +persons he is called upon to instruct under each roof, a week being the +allotted term, for each child, during which period the parents supply +all the wants of the _Domine.--Athenaeum._ + + * * * * * + + +RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS + +The following extracts from a "roll of the expenses of Edward I., at +Rhuddlan Castle, in Wales, in the tenth and eleventh years of his reign" +(1281 and 1282), may perhaps amuse our readers, as showing the rates of +wages paid to different workmen, tradesmen, archers, &c. at that period. +Under the head of _necessaries_, are some curious items. Rhuddlan Castle +was the head quarters of Edward, during an insurrection of the Welsh, +under Llewellin, Prince of Wales, at which time it had many additions +made to it:-- + +Paid to Master Peter de Brompton for the wages of 100 carpenters, each +receiving 4d. per day, and their constable receiving 8d. per day; of +which five are overseers of twenty, and each receives 6d. per day for +his wages, from Sunday 23rd of August for the seven following days, +12l. 3s. 9d. + +To two smiths, one receiving 4d. per day, and the other 3d. for their +wages, from Sunday 23rd of August to Sunday 12th of September, _each day +being reckoned_, for twenty one days, 12s. 3d. + +Two shoeing smiths by the day, at 3d. + +Paid to forty-seven sailors of the king for their wages, seven days; +each receiving per diem 3d., except seven, each of whom received 6d. per +day, 4l. 14s. 6d. + +Paid to Geoffry le Chamberlin for the wages of twelve cross-bowmen and +thirteen archers for twenty-four days; each cross-bowman receiving by +the day 4d, and each archer 2d.,--7l. 8s. + +Paid to one master mason, receiving 6d. per diem, and five masons at +4d., and one workman at 3d.; for twenty-eight days, 3l. 7s. 8d. + +Sunday next, after the feast of St. John Baptist, paid to twenty-two +mowers, each receiving 1-1/2d. per day for four days, 11s. + +Wednesday following paid to twenty-three mowers, each receiving 6d. per +day for their wages of two days, 1l. 3s. + +Paid to fourscore and sixteen _spreaders of hay_ for one day's wages, +whereof fourscore received each per day 1-1/2d, and each of the others +2d., l2s. 8d. + +Paid to 160 spreaders of hay for their wages, Sunday and Monday, 16s. +6d. + +_Necessaries._ + +For six carts, each with three horses, hired to carry the hay from the +meadows to the castle of Rothelan, for one day, 6s. 10d. + +For the carriage of turf, with which the house was covered in which the +hay was placed, 1s. 5d. + +For an iron fork bought to turn the hay, 3d. + +For making a ditch about the house where the said hay was put, 1s. 8d. + +For putting and piling up one rick of hay in the house, 1s. 8d. + +Wages of two turf-cutters, seven days, at 5d. per day, 5s. 10d. + +For the carriage of turves to cover the king's kitchen, 7s. 6d. + +For twenty-two empty casks, bought to make paling for the queen's court +yard, 18s. 4d. + +To Wildbor, the fisherman, receiving 10d. per day, and his six +companions, the queen's fishermen, at 3d. per day each, fishing in the +sea, forty-two days, 4l. 18s. + +Repairing a cart of the king's, conveying a _pipe of honey_ from +Aberconway to Rothelan, 1s. 4d. + +To six men carrying shingles to cover the hall of the castle, at 2-1/2d +each per day, seven days, 8s. 9d. + +_Gifts._ + +To a certain female spy, as a gift, 1s. + +To a certain female spy, to purchase her a house, as a gift, 1l. + +To Ralph le Vavasour, bringing news to the queen of the taking of +Dolinthalien, as a gift, 5l. + +To John de Moese, coming immediately after with the same news, with +letters of the Earl of Gloucester, by way of gift, 5l. + +To a certain player, as a gift, 1s. + + +_Swan with Two Necks._ + +It appears from the roll of swan's marks, in the time of Henry VIII., +that the king's swans were _doubly_ marked, and had what were called +_two nicks_, or notches. The term, in process of time, not being +understood, a double animal was invented, with the name of "The Swan +with _Two Necks_." But this is not the only ludicrous mistake that has +arisen on the subject, since "swan-upping," or the taking up of swans, +performed annually by the swan companies, with the Lord Mayor at their +head, for the purpose of marking them, has been changed, by an unlucky +asperite, into swan-_hopping_, which is perfectly unintelligible. + + +_Trial of the Pix._ + +The invention of it, in this kingdom, or at least its introduction into +our courts, is probably of high antiquity, being mentioned in the time +of Edward I., as a mode well known and of common usage. At present it is +seldom required, except on the removal of the master of the Mint from +his office. Upon a memorial praying for a trial of the Pix by this +officer, a summons issues to certain members of the privy council to +meet on a day fixed. The Lord Chancellor also directs a precept to the +wardens of the Goldsmith's company, requiring them to nominate a +competent number of able freemen of their company, skilful to judge of, +and to present the defaults of the coin, if such be found, to be of a +jury. When the court is formed, twelve of these persons are sworn, who +are directed by the president to examine whether the moneys were made +according to the indenture, and standard trial pieces, and within the +remedies. But in 1754, Lord Chancellor Talbot directed the jury to +express precisely how much the money was within the remedies; and the +practice which he thus enjoined is still continued. The Pix, or box +containing the coins to be examined, is then delivered to the jury, who +retire to the court room of the Duchy of Lancaster, whither the Pix is +removed, together with the weights of the Exchequer and Mint, and where +the scales used on this occasion are suspended; the beam of which is so +delicate, that it will turn with _six grains_, when loaded with the +whole of those weights, to the amount of 48 lbs. 8 oz. in each scale. +The Pix is then opened, and the money which had been taken out of each +delivery, and enclosed in a parcel under the seals of the warden, +master, and comptroller of the Mint, is given to the foreman, who reads +aloud the endorsement, and compares it with the account which lies +before him; he then delivers the parcel to one of the jury, who opens it +and examines whether its contents agree with the endorsement. When all +the parcels have been opened, and found right, the moneys contained in +them are mixed together in wooden bowls, and afterwards weighed. Out of +the said moneys so mingled, the jury take a certain number of each +species of coin, to the amount of one pound for the assay by fire. And +the indented trial pieces of gold and silver, of the dates specified in +the indenture, being produced by the proper officer, a sufficient +quantity is cut from either of them, for the purpose of comparing with +it the pound weight of gold or silver which is to be tried by the usual +methods of assay. The jury then return their verdict, stating how much +the coins examined have varied from the weight and fineness required, +and whether the variations exceed or fall short of the remedies which +are allowed; and according to the terms of the verdict, the master's +quietus is either granted or withheld. + +_Note_.--The _remedies_ are an allowance of one sixth of a carat, or +forty grains, in the pound weight of gold, and of two pennyweights in +that of silver, considered either as to fineness or weight, or both of +them taken together; the moneyers are, however, at this time so expert, +that these quantities are much greater than are necessary. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY + +_Society of Civil Engineers_. + +A charter of incorporation has just received the royal signature, +constituting an institution of Civil Engineers, and naming Mr. Telford +its president. The objects of such institution, as recited in the +charter, are, "The general advancement of mechanical science, and more +particularly for promoting the acquisition of that species of knowledge +which constitutes the profession of a civil engineer; being the art of +directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and +convenience of man, as the means of production and of traffic in states, +both for external and internal trade, as applied in the construction of +roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, river navigation, and docks, for +internal intercourse and exchange; and in the construction of ports, +harbours, moles, breakwaters, and light-houses, and in the art of +navigation by artificial power, for the purposes of commerce; and in the +construction and adaptation of machinery, and in the drainage of cities +and towns." + + +_Toads as Ant-eaters_. + +In the autumn of last year, a pit, wherein I grew melons, was so much +infested with ants, as to threaten the destruction of the whole crop; +which they did, first by perforating the skin, and afterwards eating +their way into the fruit; and, after making several unsuccessful +experiments to destroy them, it occurred to me that I had seen the toad +feed on them. I accordingly put about half a dozen toads into the pit, +and, in the course of a few days, scarcely an ant was to be +found.--_Corresp. Gard. Mag._ + + +_Laying out Part of the Calton Hill as Pleasure-Ground_. + +We observe with pleasure plans advertised for in the Edinburgh +newspapers, for this purpose. There is no city in Britain which presents +greater facilities for public walks and gardens than Edinburgh, +notwithstanding the immense injury which it has sustained in a +picturesque point of view by the earthen mound, and the mean buildings +which cover great part of the bottom and sides of the valley of the +North Loch. That valley ought to have been laid out in terraces, some +open, or covered with glazed verandas, for winter use, and others shaded +by trees for summer walking. The great art in laying out walks for +recreation and ease on sloping surfaces, is so to direct them as not to +render them more fatiguing than straight walks on level ground. But the +grand subject of improvement at Edinburgh, in the way of planting in the +public walks, is the hill of Arthur's Seat, which, planted and built on, +might be rendered one of the most unique scenes in Europe.--_Gard. Mag._ + + +_Vegetables._ + +Watering gives vegetables long exposed a fresher colour, and a more +attractive appearance; but repeated waterings are highly pernicious, as +they neutralize the natural juices of some, render others bitter, and +make all others vapid or disagreeable.--_Ibid._ + + +_Mortar._ + +The use of lime in mortar, is to fill up the hollow spaces or vacuities +between the grains of sand, and to cement them together, thereby forming +a kind of artificial stone. To add any more lime than is sufficient to +fill up these spaces, seems to be useless, and to add much more must +weaken the mortar; but, if too little lime be used, there will be +cavities left between some of the grains of sand, and the mortar will +consequently be short or brittle: therefore, when we cannot ascertain +the best proportions of lime and sand, it is better to use too much lime +than too little.--_Ibid._ + + +_Treatment of Gold and Silver Fish._ + +These beautiful objects of the animal kingdom, though long ago +introduced into Europe from China, their native country, seldom breed in +such numbers as they might be expected to do. It has been lately +discovered that in ponds heated by waste water discharged from steam +factories, the gold and silver fish breed abundantly. From this +circumstance, it has been suggested, that, as heating hothouses by warm +water is now so generally adopted, a portion of this, led occasionally +into a garden basin, would keep the water in such a temperament as would +not only always be agreeable to the fish, but promote their +breeding.--_Ibid._ + + +_Climate._ + +Professor Schow, of Copenhagen, has lately read a paper "On the supposed +Changes in the Climate of the different parts of the Earth, during the +period of Human History," from which, as far as it has appeared in our +language, it seems to be his opinion, that, on a general view, climates +are the same now as in ancient times. The identity of the climate of +Palestine, now and during antiquity, is thus beautifully made out:--"It +will be convenient to begin with Palestine, the Bible being the oldest, +or one of the oldest of books; and, although great uncertainty exists +about the determination of the plants which are mentioned in it, yet two +of them do not admit of any doubt, (and these are sufficient for the +determination of the climate of Palestine, in former times,) viz. the +date-tree and the vine. The date-tree was frequent, and principally in +the southernmost part of the country. Jericho was called Palm-town. The +people had palm branches in their hands. Deborah's palm-tree is +mentioned between Rama and Bethel. Pliny mentions the palm-tree as being +frequent in Judea, and principally about Jericho. Tacitus and Josephus +speak likewise of woods of palm-trees, as well as Strabo, Diodorus +Siculus, and Theophrastus. Among the Hebrew coins, those with date-trees +are by no means rare, and the tree is easily recognised, as it is +figured with its fruit. The vine, also, was one of the plants most +cultivated in Palestine, and not merely for the grapes, but really for +the preparation of wine. The feast of the tabernacle of the Jews was a +feast on account of the wine harvest. From a passage where the +cultivation of the vine is mentioned, in the Valley of Engeddy, it is +evident that the vine not only grew in the northernmost mountainous part +of the country, but also in its southern lower part. Besides these, +there are other ancient testimonies in favour of the vine. This plant, +indeed, sometimes occurs on the same coin with the date palm. The +date-tree, in order to bring its fruit to perfection, requires a mean +temperature of 78 deg. Fahr. The vine, on the other hand, cannot be +cultivated to any extent if the mean temperature be above 72 deg. Fahr. +Such, then, must have been the temperature of Palestine, in former ages; +and by all that is known of its present climate, the mean temperature +seems to be the same now. Nor has the time of harvest undergone any +change. Snow and ice, which were known, though rarely, in ancient times, +are occasionally met with now and at present, as in former times. The +inhabitants make use of artificial heat to warm themselves."--_Dr. +Brewster's Journal_. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. + +NUISANCES OF SOCIETY. + +It is quite true that the largest part of conversation turns upon +eating and drinking, the weather, the vices and follies of our +neighbours, and a thousand other trifles that lead not to dispute; and +it must be admitted that it is bad companionship to be eternally +canvassing the greater interests of life, and forcing upon society +opinions upon things in general. There are, indeed, themes in plenty +which belong to the neutral ground of debate; but it is very pitiable +that they should so ill bear repetition. All the world, if they dared +avow as much, are heartily tired of them. Like cursing and swearing, +they are merely unmeaning expletives to supply the lack of sense, to +gain time, and to give a man the satisfaction of sometimes hearing his +own voice. With all the assistance of cards, music, dancing, and +champagne, society is at best but a dreary business, and it requires no +little animal spirits to undergo the infliction with decency. Are you +admitted on terms of familiarity to the domestic hearth of your friend, +that privilege confers on you the opportunity of becoming intimately +acquainted with the faults of his servants, and (what is worse) with +the merits of his children. + +A dinner of ceremony is a funeral without a legacy; an assembly is a +mob, and a ball a compound of glare, tinsel, noise, and dust. However +amusing in their freshness, after a few repetitions, they are only +rendered endurable by the prospect of some collateral gain, or the +gratification of personal vanity. To exhibit the beauty of a young wife, +or the diamonds of an old one; to be able to say the best thing that is +uttered; to sport a red ribbon or a Waterloo medal in their first +novelty; to carry a point with a great man, or to borrow money from a +rich one, may pass off an evening very well, with those who happen to be +interested in such speculations; but, these things apart, the arrantest +trifler in the circle must get weary at last, and be heartily rejoiced +when the conclusion of the season spares him all further reiteration of +the mill-horse operation. It is this insipidity of society that forces +so many of its members upon desperate adventures of gallantry, and upon +deep play. Any thing, every thing is good to escape from the languor and +listlessness of a converse from which whatever interests is banished. +Many a woman loses her character, and many a man incurs a verdict of +ruinous damages, in the simple search of that rarest of all rare things +in society--a sensation. Neither is the matter much mended, if, barring +the insipidity of bon-ton company, you plunge into the formal gravity of +the middle classes, or into the noisy, empty mirth of the lower. The man +of sense and feeling, wherever he goes, will find himself in a minority, +in which few will speak his language or comprehend his ideas. He will +seldom return to his home without a weary sense of the "stale, flat, and +unprofitable" nothings he has been compelled to entertain in his +intercourse with the world,--without the recollection of some outrage on +his independence, some dogmatism that he dared not question, some +impertinence that he dared not confute. With his ears ringing with +blue-stocking literature, threadbare sophistries, forms erected into +important principles, mediocrity elevated into consideration, and the +pre-eminence of the vain, the ignorant, and the contemptible, he will +shut himself up in his solitude, and say with the Englishman at Paris +_Je m'ennuis tres bien ici_. Against the recurrence of these annoyances, +day after day renewed, what nerves can hold out? As life advances, time +becomes precious, every moment is counted, every enjoyment is computed; +and while the effort necessary for pleasing and being pleased becomes +greater, the motive for making that exertion grows less. When the +sources of physical gratification are dried up, and the illusions of +life are dissipated, there remains nothing for enjoyment but a tranquil +fireside, and the mastery of our own ideas and of our own habits in the +privacy of home. But then, to enjoy these, you must not have a methodist +wife, and you must have a porter who can lie with a good grace, a fellow +who could say "not at home," though death himself knocked at the door. +Neither should you read the newspapers, nor walk the streets. The times +are long gone by since "wisdom cried out there." Folly, impertinence, +sheer impertinence, has exclusive possession of the king's highway; and +a dog with a tin-kettle at tail has as good a chance as the wretch who +dares to tread the pavement without partaking of the ruling insanity. +Oh! Mr. Brougham, Mr. Brougham! your schoolmaster has a great deal yet +to do: pray heaven his rods and his fools' caps may hold out!--_New +Month. Mag._ + + * * * * * + +TO "BEAUTY." + + The morn is up! wake, Beauty, wake! + The flower is on the lea, + The blackbird sings within the brake, + The thrush is on the tree; + Forth to the balmy fields repair, + And let the breezes mild + Lift from thy brow the falling hair, + And fan my little child-- + Yet if thy step be 'mid the dews, + Beauty! be sure to change your shoes! + + 'Tis noon! the butterfly springs up, + High from her couch of rest, + And scorns the little blue-bell cup + Which all night long she press'd. + Away! we'll seek the walnut's shade, + And pass the sunny hour, + The bee within the rose is laid, + And veils him in the flower; + Mark not the lustre of his wing, + Beauty! be careful of his sting! + + 'Tis eve! but the retiring ray + A halo deigns to cast + Round scenes on which it shone all day, + And gilds them to the last: + Thus, ere thine eyelids close in sleep, + Let Memory deign to flee + Far o'er the mountain and the deep, + To cast one beam on me! + Yes, Beauty! 'tis mine inmost prayer-- + But don't forget to curl your hair! + +_Blackwood's Mag._ + + * * * * * + +GOG AND MAGOG.--(_A Fragment._) + +Pensively and profoundly was I meditating, seated one evening upon a +stone bench in Guildhall, when, as the gathering gloom invested the +solemn faces of Gog and Magog, rendering them mysteriously dim and +indistinct, methought I saw them slowly shut their eyes, nod their +heads, fall asleep, and actually begin to snore. Never did I hear any +thing more sonorously grand and awful than that portentous inbreathing +of Gog and Magog, resounding through the Gothic vastness of Guildhall; +but, behold! how omnipotent is the dreaming imagination! I myself had +been dozing; the sound of my own nose, transferred by a metonymy of the +fancy to the nostrils of those wooden idols, had become, as it were, the +living apotheosis of a snore, which had subdued me by its sublimity. +Most fortunate was it that I awoke; for, on attentively inspecting the +faces of the figures, I saw them working and writhing with all the +contortions of the Pythoness or the Sibyl, labouring in the very throes +of inspiration, struggling with the advent of the prophetical afflatus. +At length their lips parted, when, in a low, solemn voice, that thrilled +through the dark, deserted, and silent hall, they poured forth +alternately the following vaticinal strain, each starting and trembling +as he concluded:-- + + "From Bank, Change, Mansion-house, Guildhall, + Throgmorton, and Threadneedle, + From London-stone, and London wall, + When City housewife's wheedle + To Brunswick, Russell, Bedford Squares, + And Portland-place, their spouses, + Anxious to give themselves great airs + Of fashion in great houses, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When merchant, banker, broker, shake + In Crockford's club their elbow, + And for St. James's clock forsake + The chiming of thy bell, Bow: + When Batson's, Garraway's, and John's, + At night show empty boxes, + While cits are playing dice with dons, + Or ogling opera doxies; + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When city dames give routs and reels, + And ape high-titled prancers, + When City misses dance quadrilles, + Or waltz with whisker'd Lancers; + When City gold is quickly spent + In trinkets, feasts, and raiment, + And none suspend their merriment + Until they all stop payment, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + +I was reflecting what dire calamities would fall upon the doomed City, +since the era of luxury, corruption, and desertion, thus denounced, had +now manifestly arrived, and Gog and Magog were actually starting and +trembling upon their pedestals, when the hall-keeper, shaking me by the +shoulder, exclaimed--"Come, Sir, you musn't be sleeping here all night! +Bundle out, if you please, for I am just going to shut the great +gates!"--_New Monthly Mag._ + + * * * * * + + +THE GATHERER. + + A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.--SHAKSPEARE. + +MODERN SALAMANDER. + +An experiment to ascertain the degree of heat it is possible for a man +to bear, was made a few days ago at the New Tivoli, at Paris, in the +presence of a company of about 200 persons. The man on whom this +experiment was made is a Spaniard of Andalusia, named Martenez, aged 43. +A cylindrical oven, constructed in the shape of a dome, had been heated +for four hours, by a very powerful fire. At ten minutes past eight, the +Spaniard, having on large pantaloons of red flannel, a thick cloak also +of flannel, and a large felt, after the fashion of straw hats, went into +the oven, where he remained, seated on a foot-stool, during fourteen +minutes, exposed to a heat of from 45 to 50 degrees, of a metallic +thermometer, the gradation of which did not go higher than 50. He sang a +Spanish song while a fowl was roasted by his side. At his coming out of +the oven, the physicians found that his pulse beat 134 pulsations a +minute, though it was but 72 at his going in, The oven being healed anew +for a second experiment, the Spaniard re-entered and seated himself in +the same attitude; at three quarters past eight, ate the fowl, and drank +a bottle of wine to the health of the spectators. At coming out his +pulse was 176, and the thermometer indicated a heat of 110 degrees of +Reaumur. Finally, for the third and last experiment, which almost +immediately followed the second, he was stretched on a plank, surrounded +with lighted candles, and thus put into the oven, the mouth of which was +closed this time. He was there nearly five minutes, when all the +spectators cried out, "Enough, enough," and anxiously hastened to take +him out. A noxious and suffocating vapour of tallow filled the inside of +the oven, and all the candles were extinguished and melted. The +Spaniard, whose pulse was 200 at coming out of this gulf of heat, +immediately threw himself into a cold bath, and in two or three minutes +after was on his feet safe and sound. + + +WILL OF MR. WILLIAM HICKINGTON, + +_Proved in the Deanery Court of York, 1772._ + + This is my last Will, + I insist on it still, + So sneer on and welcome + And e'en laugh your fill. + I, William Hickington, + Poet of Pocklington, + Do give and bequeathe, + As free as I breathe, + To thee, Mary Jaram, + The queen of my haram, + My cash and cattle, + With every chattel, + To have and to hold, + Come heat or come cold, + Sans hindrance or strife, + (Tho' thou art _not_ my wife,) + As witness my hand, + Just here as I stand, + This 12th of July, + In the year seventy ---- + + Signed, &c. W. HICKINGTON. + +J. W. F. B. + + +REGENT'S PUNCH. + +The receipt for this "nectarious drink" is as follows:--Three bottles of +champagne, a bottle of hock, a bottle of curacoa, a quart of brandy, a +pint of rum, two bottles of Madeira, two bottles of seltzer water, four +pounds of bloom raisins, Seville oranges, lemons, white sugarcandy, and, +instead of water, green tea. The whole to be highly iced. + + * * * * * + +The Supplement, containing a fine Portrait of CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON, +Memoir, &c. and a Title-Page, Preface, and copious Index to Vol XI., is +now published. It extends beyond the usual quantity, the Memoir is of +original interest, and the price is (in the present instance only) +unavoidably advanced to Fourpence. + + * * * * * + * * * * * + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) London; Published by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; +and Sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror, 1828.07.05, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + +This file should be named 7m32110.txt or 7m32110.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 7m32111.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 7m32110a.txt + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, +Jon Ingram, Charles Franks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321 + The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8640] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on July 29, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + + + + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction +Jon Ingram, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + + * * * * * + +[NO. 321.] SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1828. [PRICE 2d.] + + * * * * * + +EATON HALL, CHESHIRE, + +_The Seat of the Rt. Hon. Earl Grosvenor_. + +[Illustration] + +This mansion is a princely specimen of Gothic architecture; and is in +every respect calculated for the residence of its noble possessor, whose +taste and munificence in patronizing the Fine Arts are well known to our +readers. Nevertheless, it is worthy of special remark, that not only is +the name of GROSVENOR conspicuous in this patronage, but his lordship +has further evinced his love of art in the construction of one of the +most splendid buildings in the whole empire,--the present mansion having +been completed within a few years.[1] Here the noble founder seems to +have realized all that the ingenious Sir Henry Wotton considered +requisite for a man's "house and home--the theatre of his hospitality, +the seat of self-fruition, a kind of PRIVATE PRINCEDOM; nay, to the +possessors thereof, an epitome of the whole world." + + [1] At this moment, Earl Grosvenor has in progress a splendid + gallery for the reception of his superb collection of pictures, + adjoining his town mansion, in Grosvenor-street. This is one of + the few "Private Collections" to which, through the good taste + and courtesy of the proprietor, the public are admitted, on + specified days, and under certain restrictions. The nucleus of + Earl Grosvenor's collection, was the purchase of Mr. Agar's + pictures for £30,000; since which it has been enlarged, till it + has at length become one of the finest in England. In the + drawing-room at Eaton are, _Our Saviour on the Mount of Olives_, + by Claude Lorraine, which is the largest painting known to have + been executed by him; and _A Port in the Mediterranean_, by + Vernet. In the dining-room, _Rubens with his Second Wife_; by + himself; and _The Judgment of Paris_, a copy, by Peters, after + Rubens. In the dressing-room of the state bed-room, _David and + Abigail_, also by Rubens. Over the ornamented chimney-pieces of + the hall are, West's _Dissolution of the Long Parliament_, and + _The Landing of Charles the Second_. + +_Eaton_ is situated about three miles to the south of Chester, on the +verge of an extensive park, thickly studded with fine old timber. The +present "Hall" occupies the site of the old mansion, which is described +as a square and spacious brick building erected by Sir Thomas Grosvenor, +in the reign of William III. The architect was Sir John Vanbrugh, who +likewise laid out the gardens with straight walks and leaden statues, in +the formal style of his age. In the reconstruction, the fine vaulted +basement story of the old Hall was preserved, as were also the external +foundations, and some subdivisions; but the superstructure was altered +and entirely refitted, and additional apartments erected on the north +and south sides, so as to make the area of the new house twice the +dimensions of the old one. + +The style of architecture adopted in the new Hall is that of the age of +Edward III, as exhibited in that Parthenon of Gothic architecture, York +Minster; although the architect, Mr. Porden, has occasionally availed +himself of the low Tudor arch, and the forms of any other age that +suited his purpose, so as to adapt the rich variety of our ancient +ecclesiastical architecture to modern domestic convenience. Round the +turrets, and in various parts of the parapets are shields, charged in +relievo with the armorial bearings of the Grosvenor family, and of +other ancient families that, by intermarriages, the Grosvenors are +entitled to quarter with their own. The windows, which are "richly +dight" with tracery, are of cast-iron, moulded on both sides, and +grooved to receive the glass. The walls, battlements, and pinnacles, +are of stone, of a light and beautiful colour, from the Manly quarry +about ten miles distant. + +The annexed engraving represents the west-front of the house, in the +centre of which is the entrance, by a vaulted porch, which admits a +carriage to the steps that lead to the Hall, a spacious and lofty room, +occupying the height of two stories, with a groined ceiling, embellished +with the Grosvenor arms, and other devices, in the bosses that cover the +junction of the ribs. The pavement is of variegated marble in +compartments. At the end of the Hall, a screen of five arches support a +gallery which connects the bed-chambers on the north side of the house +with those on the south, which are separated by the elevation of the +Hall. Under this gallery, two open arches to the right and left conduct +to the grand staircase, the state bed-room, and the second staircase; +and opposite to the door of the hall is the entrance to the saloon. The +grand staircase is elaborately ornamented with niches and canopies, and +with tracery under the landings; and in the principal ceiling, which is +surmounted with a double skylight of various coloured glass. The state +bed-room is lighted by two painted windows, with tracery and armorial +bearings. In the saloon are three lofty and splendidly painted windows, +which contain, in six divisions,--the portraits of the conqueror's +nephew, Gilbert le Grosvenor, the founder of the Grosvenor family, and +his lady; of William the Conqueror, with whom Gilbert came into England; +the Bishop of Bayeux, uncle to the conqueror; the heiress of the house +of Eaton; and Sir Robert le Grosvenor, who signalized himself in the +wars of Edward III. + +The saloon is a square of thirty feet, formed into an octagon by arches +across the angles, which give to the vaultings a beautiful form. +Opposite to the chimney piece is an organ richly decorated. On the left +of the saloon is an ante-room leading to the dining-room; and on the +right, another leading to the drawing-room: the windows of these rooms +are glazed with a light Mosaic tracery, and exhibit the portraits of the +six Earls of Chester, who, after Hugh Lupus, governed Cheshire as a +County Palatine, till Henry III bestowed the title on his son Edward; +since which time the eldest sons of the kings of England have always +been Earls of Chester. + +The dining-room, situated at the northern extremity of the east front, +is about 50 feet long and 30 feet wide, exclusive of a bay-window of +five arches, the opening of which is 30 feet. In the centre window is +the portrait of Hugh Lupus; which, with the portraits of the six Earls +of Chester, in the ante-room windows, were executed from cartoons, at +Longport, Staffordshire. The ceiling is of bold and rich tracery, with a +profuse emblazoning of heraldic honours, and a large ornamented pendant +for a chandelier. + +The drawing room, which is at the southern extremity of the east front, +is of the same form and dimensions as the dining-room, with the addition +of a large window to the south, commanding the luxuriant groves of +meadows of Eaton, and the village and spire of Oldford above them. All +the windows of this room are adorned with heads and figures of the +ancestors of the family; also the portraits of the present Earl and +Countess, in a beautiful brown _chiaro-scuro_. The ceiling is tracery of +the nicest materials and workmanship emblazoned with the arms of the +Grosvenor family, and those of Egerton, Earl of Wilton, the father of +the present Countess Grosvenor. + +Eaton became the property of the Grosvenor family through the marriage +of Ralph Grosvenor, in the reign of Henry VI with Joan, daughter of John +Eaton, then owner of this estate. The Grosvenor family, as we have +already intimated, came into England with William the Conqueror; they +derived their name from the office of chief huntsmen, which they held in +the Norman court; and, when "chivalry was the fashion of the times," +says Pennant, "few families shone in so distinguished a manner: none +shewed equal spirit in vindicating their rights to their looms." He then +mentions the celebrated legal contest with Sir Richard le Scroope, for +the family arms--_Azure, a bend or_. This cause was tried before the +High Constable and the Earl Marshal of England, in the reign of Richard +II. It lasted three years; kings, princes of the blood, and most of the +nobility, and among the gentry, Chaucer, the poet, gave evidence on the +trial. "The sentence," says Pennant, "was conciliating; that both +parties should bear the same arms; but the _Grosvenours avec une bordure +d'argent_. Sir Robert resents it, and appeals to the king. The judgment +is confirmed; but the choice is left to the defendant, either to use the +_bordure_, or bear the arms of their relations, the ancient Earls of +Chester, _azure, a gerb d'or_. He rejected the mortifying distinction, +and chose a _gerb_: which is the family coat to this day." + +Hitherto we have only spoken of the artificial splendour of Eaton. The +natural beauties with which it is environed will, however, present +equal, if not superior, attraction for the tourist. The stiff, formal +walks of Vanbrugh no longer disfigure the grounds, which are now made to +harmonize with the contiguous landscape, and are enlivened by an inlet +of the Dee, which intervenes between the eastern front of the mansion, +and the opposite plantations. These alterations have, however, been made +with great judgment, and a few of the venerable beauties of the park +remain. Thus, a fine aged avenue extends westward to a Gothic lodge in +the hamlet of Belgrave, about two miles distant from the Hall. Another +lodge, in a similar style of design, is approached by a road, which +diverges from this avenue towards Chester, and crosses the park, through +luxuriating plantations, which open occasionally in glade views of the +Broxton and Welsh Hills. The most pleasing approach to this noble +mansion is one which has been cut through the plantations, towards the +north-east angle of the house, so as to throw the whole building into +perspective. + +Viewed from either of the beautiful sites with which the park abounds, +Eaton is a magnificent display of towers, and turrets, pinnacles and +battlements, partly embosomed in foliage, and belted with one of the +richest domains in England. Indeed, its splendour seldom fails to strike +the overweening admirer of art with devotional fondness, which is not +lessened by his approach to the fabric.[1] The most favourable distant +views are from the Aldford road, and from the romantic banks of the Dee, +whence there is a proud display of architectural grandeur. In every +point, however, the grounds and mansion of Eaton will abundantly gratify +the expectations of the visiter. Altogether, they present a rich scene +of nature, diversified and embellished by the attributes of art; and the +admiration of the latter will be not a little enhanced by the reflection +that the building of this sumptuous pile provided employment for a large +portion of the poor of Chester during one of the most calamitous periods +of the late war. + + [1] One view from the interior deserves special mention: viz. from + the saloon, upon a terrace 350 feet in length, commanding one + of the richest landscapes on the banks of Dee. The boasted + terrace at Versailles is but 400 feet in length; yet, how many + Englishmen, who have seen the latter, are even ignorant of + that at Eaton. + +The noble founder of Eaton has indeed learned to "build stately," and +"garden finely;" and has thus made the personal fruition of his wealth +subservient to its real use--the distribution. + + * * * * * + +ORIGIN OF CHESS. + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror_.) + +SIR,--In vol. 3, page 211, of the MIRROR, is an account of the origin of +the scientific game of chess, the invention of which, your correspondent +_F. H. Y._ has attributed to a brahmin, named Sissa. But I believe it is +entirely a matter of doubt, both as to where, and by whom it was +invented; it is evidently of very high antiquity, and if we recur to the +original names of the pieces with which it is played, we shall readily +be convinced it is of Asiatic original. The honour of inventing it, is +contended for by several nations, but principally by the Hindoos, the +Chinese, and the Persians. In support of the first, we are told, by Sir +William Jones, in the 2nd vol. of his _Asiatic Researches_, that the +game of chess has been immemorably known in Hindostan, by the name of +Chaturanga, or the four members of an army, viz. elephants, horses, +chariots, and foot soldiers. And yet, the same learned author observes, +that no account of the game has hitherto been discovered in the +classical writings of the brahmins. Mr. Daines Barrington supposed the +Chinese to be the inventers, and in this he is supported by a paper +published in the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, for 1794, vol. +5, by Mr. Eyles Irwin. It states, that when Mr. Irwin was at Canton, a +young mandarin, on seeing the English chess-board, recognised its +similarity with that used for a game of their own; and brought his board +and equipage for Mr. Irwin's inspection, and soon after gave him a +manuscript extract from a book, relating the invention of the Chinese +game, called by them chong-he, or the royal game, which it attributed to +a Chinese general (about 1,965 years ago) who by its means reconciled +his soldiers to passing the winter in quarters in the country of Shensi, +the cold and inconvenience of which were likely to have occasioned a +mutiny among them. Other writers contend that chess is a game of Persian +invention, since _scah muth_ is the Persic term for check-mate; and +since the Persians were sedulous in recommending it to their young +princes, as a game calculated to instruct kings in the art of war. It +has been attributed to Palamedes, who lived during the Trojan war; but +it was a game played with pebbles, or cubes, of which he was the +inventer. Palamedes was so renowned for his sagacity, that almost every +early discovery was ascribed to him. Whether the Greeks or Romans were +acquainted with this game is doubtful. Of the three contending nations, +the claim of the Persians appears to me to be least eligible, and that +of the Chinese the most. + +_Near Sheffield._ + +J. M. C-D. + + * * * * * + +THREE SONNETS TO JOHN KEATS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + I can think of thee! now that the light spring + Showers live in the rich breezes, and the dyes + Of the glad flowers are won from her blue eyes + Exulting; whilst loud songs, on the fleet wing + Of the Earth's seraphs, bear her welcoming + From it to heaven, and, up to the far skies, + From turf-born censers floods of incense rise. + I can think of thee in my wandering; + And when the heart leaps up within to bless + The sights of love and beauty, on each hand,-- + The pouring-out of sky-sprung happiness + Over the dancing sea and the green land, + Thought wakes one saddening thrill of bitterness-- + Thou canst not o'er this Eden smiling stand! + + + Yes! even as the quick glow of Spring's first smile + Is unto the renewed spirit,--even + As that abundant gush of wine from Heaven + Loosens the dreary grasp of Cares which coil + Round the lone heart like serpents,--the sweet toil + Of draining the dear dream-cup thou hast given + Is unto me,--and thoughts which long have striven + With joyousness, flit far away the while + My lips are prest to it. By the fire-light, + Or in full gaze of sun-set, when the choirs + Of winged minstrels, waking out of light, + Ring requiem meet to those departing fires-- + Let me be with thee then--forgetting quite + The world, its scornfulness, and its desires. + + + O! I could weep for thee! and yet not tears + Of hopelessness, but triumph, and sit down + And weave for thee wet wild-flowers for a crown-- + Then up, and sound rich music in thine ears; + And teach thee, that sweet lips, in coming years, + Shall lisp the songs which cold dull hearts disown,-- + That all which hope could pant for is thine own,-- + Dimmed, for a moment's space, with human fears. + Then watch the new-born glories in thine eye, + Glancing like lightning from its chariot cloud, + And list these words, which know not how to die,-- + Joy's inspiration gushing forth aloud: + Then back again unto the world and sigh, + And wrap my heart up in a dusky shroud. + +THOMAS M---- S. + + * * * * * + +CHOOSING OF BAILIFFS AT BRIDGNORTH. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + +The bailiffs of Bridgnorth are chosen out of the twenty-four aldermen +upon St. Matthew's Day in the following manner:--The court having met, +the names of twelve aldermen being separately written on small pieces of +paper, are closely rolled up by the town clerk, and thrown into a purse, +which is shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the chequer, (a +large table in the middle of the court,) and held open to the bailiffs, +when each, according to seniority, takes out a roll. By this means the +callers are decided, who, mounting the chequer, alternately call the +jury of fourteen out of the burgesses present. They are then sworn +neither to eat nor drink till they, or twelve of them, have chosen two +fit persons, who have not been bailiffs for three years before, to serve +that office for the ensuing year; they are locked up till they have +agreed, which sometimes occasions long fastings. In 1739, the jury +fasted seventy hours. The persons chosen are sworn into office on +Michaelmas Day.--W. H. + + * * * * * + +ON COALS, AND THE PERIOD WHEN THE COAL MINES IN ENGLAND WILL BE +EXHAUSTED. + +(_From Bakewell's Introduction to Geology, 3rd Edition, 1828_.) + +Coal was known, and partially used, at a very early period of our +history. I was informed by the late Marquis of Hastings, that stone +hammers and stone tools were found in some of the old workings in his +mines at Ashby Wolds; and his lordship informed me also, that similar +stone tools had been discovered in the old workings in the coal-mines in +the north of Ireland. Hence we may infer, that these coal-mines were +worked at a very remote period, when the use of metallic tools was not +general. The burning of coal was prohibited in London in the year 1308, +by the royal proclamation of Edward I. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, +the burning of coal was again prohibited in London during the sitting of +parliament, lest the health of the knights of the shire should suffer +injury during their abode in the metropolis. In the year 1643, the use +of coal had become so general, and the price being then very high, many +of the poor are said to have perished for want of fuel. At the present +day, when the consumption of coal, in our iron-furnaces and +manufactories and for domestic use, is immense, we cannot but regard the +exhaustion of our coal-beds as involving the destruction of a great +portion of our private comfort and national prosperity. Nor is the +period very remote when the coal districts, which at present supply the +metropolis with fuel, will cease to yield any more. The annual quantity +of coal shipped in the rivers Tyne and Wear, according to Mr. Bailey, +exceeded three million tons. A cubic yard of coals weighs nearly one +ton; and the number of tons contained in a bed of coal one square mile +in extent, and one yard in thickness, is about four millions. The number +and extent of all the principal coal-beds in Northumberland and Durham +is known; and from these data it has been calculated that the coal in +these counties will last 360 years. Mr. Bailey, in his Survey of Durham, +states, that one-third of the coal being already got, the coal districts +will be exhausted in 200 years. It is probable that many beds of +inferior coal, which are now neglected, may in future be worked; but the +consumption of coal being greatly increased since Mr. Bailey published +his Survey of Durham, we may admit his calculation to be an +approximation to the truth, and that the coal of Northumberland and +Durham will be exhausted in a period not greatly exceeding 200 years. +Dr. Thomson, in the Annals of Philosophy, has calculated that the coal +of these districts, at the present rate of consumption, will last 1,000 +years! but his calculations are founded on data manifestly erroneous, +and at variance with his own statements; for he assumes the annual +consumption of coal to be only two million eight hundred thousand tons, +and the waste to be one-third more,--making three million seven hundred +thousand tons, equal to as many square yards; whereas he has just before +informed us, that two million chaldrons of coal, of two tons and a +quarter each chaldron, are exported, making four million five hundred +thousand tons, beside inland consumption, and waste in the working[1]. +According to Mr. Winch, three million five hundred thousand tons of coal +are consumed annually from these districts; to which if we add the waste +of small coal at the pit's mouth, and the waste in the mines, it will +make the total yearly destruction of coal nearly double the quantity +assigned by Dr. Thomson. Dr. Thomson has also greatly overrated the +quantity of the coal in these districts, as he has calculated the extent +of the principal beds from that of the lowest, which is erroneous; for +many of the principal beds crop out, before they reach the western +termination of the coal-fields. With due allowance for these errors, and +for the quantity of coal already worked out, (which, according to Mr. +Bailey, is about one-third,) the 1,000 years of Dr. Thomson will not +greatly exceed the period assigned by Mr. Bailey for the complete +exhaustion of coal in these counties, and may be stated at three hundred +and fifty years. + + [1] The waste of coal at the pit's mouth may be stated at one-sixth + of the quantity sold, and that left in the mines at one-third. + Mr. Holmes, in his Treatise on Coal Mines, states the waste of + small coal at the pit's mouth to be one-fourth of the whole. + +It cannot be deemed uninteresting to inquire what are the repositories +of coal that can supply the metropolis and the southern counties, when +no more can be obtained from the Tyne and the Wear. The only coal-fields +of any extent on the eastern side of England, between London and Durham, +are those of Derbyshire and those in the west riding of Yorkshire. The +Derbyshire coal-field is not of sufficient magnitude to supply, for any +long period, more than is required for home consumption, and that of the +adjacent counties. There are many valuable beds of coal in the western +part of the west riding of Yorkshire which are yet unwrought; but the +time is not very distant when they must be put in requisition, to supply +the vast demand of that populous manufacturing county, which at present +consumes nearly all the produce of its own coal mines. In the midland +counties, Staffordshire possesses the nearest coal districts to the +metropolis, of any great extent; but such is the immense daily +consumption of coal in the iron-furnaces and founderies, that it is +generally believed this will be the first of our own coal-fields that +will be exhausted. The thirty-feet bed of coal in the Dudley coal-field +is of limited extent; and in the present mode of working it, more than +two-thirds of the coal is wasted and left in the mine. + +If we look to Whitehaven or Lancashire, or to any of the minor +coal-fields in the west of England, we can derive little hope of their +being able to supply London and the southern counties with coal, after +the import of coal fails from Northumberland and Durham. We may thus +anticipate a period not very remote, when all the English mines of coal +and ironstone will be exhausted; and were we disposed to indulge in +gloomy forebodings, like the ingenious authoress of the "Last Man," we +might draw a melancholy picture of our starving and declining +population, and describe some manufacturing patriarch, like the late +venerable Richard Reynolds, travelling to see the last expiring English +furnace, before he emigrated to distant regions.[1] + + [1] The late Richard Reynolds, Esq., of Bristol, so distinguished + for his unbounded benevolence, was the original proprietor of + the great iron-works in Colebrook Dale, Shropshire. Owing, I + believe, partly to the exhaustion of the best workable beds of + coal and ironstone, and partly to the superior advantages + possessed by the iron-founders in South Wales, the works at + Colebrook Dale were finally relinquished, a short time before + the death of Mr. Reynolds. With a natural attachment to the + scenes where he had passed his early years, and to the pursuits + by which he had honourably acquired his great wealth, he + travelled from Bristol into Shropshire, to be present when the + last of his furnaces was extinguished, in a valley where they + had been continually burning for more than half a century. + +Fortunately, however, we have in South Wales, adjoining the Bristol +Channel, an almost exhaustless supply of coal and ironstone, which are +yet nearly unwrought. It has been stated, that this coal-field extends +over about twelve hundred square miles, and that there are twenty-three +beds of workable coal, the total average thickness of which is +ninety-five feet, and the quantity contained in each acre is 100,000 +tons, or 65,000,000 tons per square mile. If from this we deduct one +half for waste and for the minor extent of the upper beds, we shall have +a clear supply of coal, equal to 32,000,000 tons per square mile. Now if +we admit that the five million tons of coal from the Northumberland and +Durham mines is equal to nearly one-third of the total consumption of +coals in England, each square mile of the Welsh coal-field would yield +coal for two years' consumption; and as there are from one thousand to +twelve hundred square miles in this coal-field, it would supply England +with fuel for two thousand years, after all our English coal-mines are +worked out. + +It is true, that a considerable part of the coal in South Wales is of an +inferior quality, and is not at present burned for domestic use; but in +proportion as coal becomes scarce, improved methods of burning it will +assuredly be discovered, to prevent any sulphureous fumes from entering +apartments, and also to economize the consumption of fuel in all our +manufacturing processes. + + * * * * * + +SONG. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + Thou hast not seen the tear-drops fill + The eyes which worship thee; + The deepest curse, the darkest ill, + Hovers above--around me--still + There are no tears for me! + + Thou canst not know, why I should kneel + For tears to heaven--in vain; + The thousand changeless pangs we feel,-- + The precious drops, perchance, might heal,-- + They will not start again! + + Thou canst not know what hopes will spring + When I can gaze on thee, + Even in the cold heart withering; + Oh! thou to whom that heart must cling, + Art more than tears to me! + +THOMAS M---- S. + + * * * * * + +HINTS FOR HEALTH. + + ["A very old and active correspondent," _Tim Tobykin_, has furnished + us with the following interesting extracts from Dr. Rennie's + _Treatise on Gout and Nervous Diseases_, just published. These, + however, are but a portion of our correspondent's selections; and as + they are written in a popular style and appear to be equally + applicable to the welfare of all classes, they will doubtless be + acceptable to our readers. We are not friendly to the introduction + of purely professional matters into the pages of the MIRROR, but the + following extracts are so far divested of technicality as to render + their utility and importance obvious to every reader.] + +CLIMATE, LOCALITY, AND SEASONS. + +I shall first inquire, says Dr. Rennie, what are the effects of climate +on healthy constitutions, as respects heat, cold, moisture, and +vicissitudes; including also the diurnal and annual revolutions. + +Cold applied to the body acts as a direct sedative. It diminishes the +nervous sensibility, represses the activity of the circulation, detracts +from the sum of the animal heat, and thereby diminishes stimulation. In +the cessation of excitement and sensibility that ensues, the whole vital +actions are moderated, existing irritation is soothed; and in the same +manner as sleep recruits the wasted powers, so does cold restore and +invigorate the nerves when overstimulated, and in fact promotes the tone +and vigour of the whole body; when again a warmer atmosphere succeeds a +colder, the animal heat increases in its sum, the surface of the body is +re-excited, nervous sensibility returns, and a reaction of the +circulation takes place; so that the blood diffuses itself in greater +abundance towards the remote and superficial parts of the body, and the +secretions are also promoted. + +Alternations of cold and heat therefore in healthy constitutions within +certain limits, are salutary; promoting, on the one hand, the vigour and +tone of the body; on the other, the due activity and excitement of the +various functions. + +The temperature occasioned by day and night, and also those more +progressive and slow alternations of heat and cold, on the large scale, +attending the annual revolution of the seasons, are a natural provision +admirably adapted to effect these objects as described; constituted as +our bodies are, such a constant and regular succession of heat and cold +is just such as the necessities of the human frame require. The +alternations of day and night, of winter and summer, are far from being +merely incidental and unimportant circumstances in the general +adaptation of the earth to man's constitutional wants; neither do they +bear reference solely to the productions of the earth for his use. They +exert a continual and direct influence on his constitution, calculated +to aid the vigorous and healthy performance of the various functions of +the body each in its due degree and order, and they conduce mainly to +the perfection and longevity of the species. + +Let us therefore trace the effects of these changes on the human body. + +During the winter, the prevailing cold acts as a universal sedative and +tonic, soothing the nervous excitement and sensibility, allaying the +activity of the circulation, moderating the functions of the skin, and +diminishing the various secretions. + +As the Spring opens, the sun gains daily in influence, generating a +gradually increasing atmospheric warmth. The body therefore becomes +subject from this heat to a reactive effect, during which the nervous +sensibility and circulation are gradually re-excited, the blood is more +equally diffused towards the surface and extremities of the body, and +the secretion by the skin is increased. + +If the cold of winter were to continue unmitigated from year to year, +without the genial influence of summer, the human race, as is apparent +in polar regions and upland mountainous districts, would degenerate into +dwarfishness. + +If the heat of summer were continually maintained the whole year round, +a tendency to degeneracy of the race would be also observed, as we see +in tropical latitudes. It is in the medium betwixt these extremes, where +a moderate and regular winter cold is succeeded by a mild, genial summer +temperature, that the species approaches most to perfection in stature, +health, strength, and longevity. + +In observing also the influence of day and night on the constitution, +there is a sedative effect produced in the morning before the sun is up, +a reactive tendency promoted towards noon under the solar influence, and +again towards evening this reaction is repressed by the sedative effect +of the evening cold; and this sedative effect is at its maximum at +midnight. Hence those who sit up late feel unusually chilly and +depressed towards midnight, partly owing to exhaustion from want of +sleep, but chiefly from the total absence of solar influence in the +atmospherical temperature. In regular habits this sedative effect is +never thoroughly experienced; for before midnight, the constitution, +enveloped in warm blankets, has experienced the reaction arising from +the accumulation of heat in bed. Whence the common remark, that one +hour's sleep before midnight is worth three after that hour, is actually +true to a certain extent. By early retirement to rest, the sedative +effect on the constitution, to an extent such as to disturb the +functions, is escaped. + +If we connect these two influences, the annual and diurnal successions +of cold and heat, in their joint effect, we find, that about, or a +little after the summer solstice, the influence of the sun being at its +maximum, the nervous sensibility, heat, circulating excitement, and +cutaneous secretions of the body, are also at their maximum. The +temperature of the day and night differ so little, that the sedative +effects of evening and morning are not sufficient to restore the frame +by soothing the sensibilities, overexcited and irritable from the +previous warmth. Whence the languor and irritability felt in summer, +when the heat is long continued, and the nights are spent in +restlessness and anxious oppression. Exhaustion and relaxation of the +frame are the consequence. + +As the autumnal equinox verges on, the mornings and evenings get cooler +in relation to the mid-day heat; and about the equinox, the difference +in the temperature of mid-day and midnight is at its maximum. We have +therefore a powerful sedative effect in the morning, which braces and +invigorates the body; a powerful reactive effect at mid-day, which +rouses and stimulates the actions and sensibilities of the frame; and +again towards evening a sedative effect, from the increasing cold +reaching its maximum at midnight. + +As the season passes on from the Equinox towards the winter solstice, +the heat of the sun daily diminishes, and the cold gains a daily +preponderance. The sedative effect on the body goes on progressively +increasing, being less and less counteracted by any genial influence +from the solar heat at mid-day; whence the gloom and depression so +universally experienced by the nervous in November and December, which +is more and more felt till the shortest day. So soon as the minimum of +solar influence and maximum of sedative effect on the body has passed +over, the sun gradually acquires more of meridian influence, and a daily +increasing ascendancy over the prevalent cold. The human constitution at +the same time is subject to a proportionate reactive disposition; which +reaction is felt most at noon, and it daily becomes more and more +apparent till the vernal equinox, when we have the difference betwixt +the meridian and midnight temperature again at a maximum. We have daily +a powerful sedative effect in the morning, a powerful meridian reaction, +which again subsides into a sedative condition on the access of the +evening. This daily effect on the constitution is exactly similar to +that at the autumnal equinox, only it occurs under different +circumstances. In autumn it is connected with departing heat and +progressively increasing cold; in Spring it is connected with +progressively diminishing cold and advancing heat. After the vernal +equinox, the difference in the meridian and midnight temperature +gradually diminishes; the daily sedative effect at morning and evening +becomes less and less apparent as general atmospheric warmth prevails, +till towards the summer solstice, the general effect on the constitution +is stimulation and excitement by atmospheric heat. + + * * * * * + + +NOTES OF A READER. + +BYRON'S "FARE THEE WELL." + +On one occasion of a mediator waiting upon Lord Byron upon the subject +of a reconciliation with his wife, he produced from his desk a paper on +which was written "fare thee well," and said, "Now these are exactly my +feelings on the subject--they were not intended to be published, but you +may take them."--_Lit. G._ + + +EARLY HOURS. + +Dr. Franklin published an ingenious Essay on the advantages of early +rising.--He called it "an economical project," and calculated the saving +that might be made in the city of Paris, by using the sunshine instead +of the candles--at no less than 4,000,000l. sterling. + + +SENSITIVE PLANTS. + +Light exercises a very remarkable influence upon the irritability of the +sensitive plant. Thus, if a sensitive plant be placed in complete +darkness, by carrying it within an opaque vessel, it will entirely lose +its irritability, and that in a variable time, according to a certain +state of depression or elevation of the surrounding temperature. + + +At Brussels, the demand for labour is so great, in consequence of the +number of new buildings, that tradesmen consider they confer a favour on +a customer by the execution of his orders. The lower classes have +become, within the last seven years, extremely dissipated, owing it is +supposed to the increase in the wages of the mechanics and labourers +employed in the numerous buildings erected within that period. During +the Kaermess annual feast of three days, it is calculated 80,000 +_litres_ (pots) are drunk each day! + + +Cooper, the American novelist, has just published two volumes of +"Notions" of his countrymen, in the course of which he bestows on them +the following surperlative epithets: "most active, quick-witted, +enterprising, orderly, moral, simple, vigorous, healthful, manly, +generous, just, wise, innocent, civilized, liberal, polite, enlightened, +ingenious, moderate, glorious, firm, free, virtuous, intelligent, +sagacious, kind, honest, independent, brave, gallant, intellectual, +well-governed, elevated, dignified, pure, immaculate, extraordinary, +wonderful," &c. He then calls them the "most improving," which is +painting, nay coating, the lily, to "wasteful and ridiculous excess." + + +OSTRICHES + +Impart a lively interest to a ride in the Pampas. They are sometimes +seen in coveys of twenty or thirty, gliding elegantly along the +undulations of the plain, at half pistol-shot from each other, like +skirmishers. The young are easily domesticated, and soon become attached +to those who caress them; but they are troublesome inmates; for, +stalking about the house, they will, when full grown, swallow coin, +shirt-pins, and every small article of metal within reach. Their usual +food, in a wild state, is seeds, herbage, and insects; the flesh is a +reddish brown, and if young, not of bad flavour. A great many eggs are +laid in the same nest. Some accounts exonerate the ostrich from being +the most stupid bird in the creation. This has been proved by the +experiment of taking an egg away, or by putting one in addition. In +either case she destroys the whole by smashing them with her feet. +Although she does not attend to secrecy, in selecting a situation for +her nest, she will forsake it if the eggs have been handled. It is also +said that she rolls a few eggs thirty yards distant from the nest, and +cracks the shells, which, by the time her young come forth, being filled +with maggots, and covered with insects, form the first repast of her +infant brood. The male bird is said to take upon himself the rearing of +the young. If two cock-birds meet, each with a family, they fight for +the supremacy over both; for which reason an ostrich has sometimes under +his tutelage broods of different ages.--_Mem. Gen. Miller._ + + +Dr. Kitchiner recommends a gentleman who has a mind to carry the +arrangement of his clothes to a nicety, to have the shelves of his +wardrobe numbered 30, 40, 50, and 60, and according to the degree of +cold pointed to by his thermometer, to wear a corresponding defence +against it. + + +Dr. Harwood fed two pointers; one he suffered to sleep after dinner, +another he forced to take exercise. In the stomach of the one who had +been quiet and asleep, all the food was digested; in the stomach of the +other, that process was hardly begun. + + +SIR WALTER'S LAST. + +At page 354 of our last vol., the reader will find an eloquent +description of Perth, from the Wicks of Beglie, quoted from St. +Valentine's Eve. This turns out to be a topographical blunder, for the +"fair city" cannot be seen at all from the said Wicks, whereas the +author has described it as the best point of view. As our readers have +long since enjoyed the description, we shall doubtless be pardoned for +thus noticing the mistake. + + +TELEGRAPHS. + +The system of telegraphs has arrived at such perfection in the +presidency of Bombay, that a communication may be made through a line of +500 miles in eight minutes.--_Weekly Rev._ + + +One of the drawing-room critics who uphold the literature of lords and +ladies, sums up the merits of fashionable novel-writing as +follows:--"After all, it is something to scrutinize lords and ladies, +recline on satin sofas, eat off silver dishes--whose nomenclature is the +glory of _l'artiste_--though only in a book." + + +MAHOGANY. + +The largest and finest log of mahogany ever imported into this country +has been recently sold by auction at the docks in Liverpool. It was +purchased for 378l., and afterwards sold for 525l., and if it open well, +it is supposed to be worth 1,000l. If sawed into veneers, it is computed +that the cost of labour in the process will be 750l. The weight on the +king's beam is six tons thirteen hundred weight. + + +Dugald Stewart, the celebrated metaphysician, of whom Scotland has just +reason to be proud, died a short time since at Edinburgh, at the age of +seventy-five. He recently published two volumes, of which a +distinguished gentleman in Edinburgh thus speaks:--"June 16. Dugald +Stewart is to be buried to-morrow. A great light is gone out, or rather +gone down,--for its glory will long be in the sky, though its orb be no +more visible above the horizon. He corrected his last two volumes with +his own hand within these three months. What philosopher, especially +palsy-stricken ten years ago,--could ring in better. Glorious fellow! I +hear his splendid sentences and exquisite voice sounding in mine ear at +the distance of nearly thirty winters. His peculiar merit was the purity +and loftiness of his moral taste. For about forty years he raised the +standard of thought and feeling among successive generations of young +men, to a range it would never otherwise have attained." + + +OLD AND NEW VAUXHALL. + +Of old, a half-crown at the door, and the price of such comestibles as +were devoured, were grumbled at as tax enough; but now the account +stands in a fairer form, because you are charged distinctly for every +item, so that you know what you are paying for, and may choose or +reject, as you think fit. Thus Mr. Bull, from Aldgate, with Mrs. Bull, +and only four of the younger Bulls and Cows, numbering six in all, make +good their entry at the cost of 1l. 4s.--Books to tell them what they +are to see and hear, the when and the how are 3s. Seats for the +vaudeville (average of modest places) 9s. Ditto for the ballet 6s. Ditto +for the battle 6s. Ditto for the fire-works 6s.--Total 2l. 14s.--But +then they are not charged for seeing the lamps; there is no charge for +walking round the walks; there is no charge for looking at the +cosmoramic pictures; there is no charge for casting a glance at the +orchestra; there is no charge for staring at the other people; there is +no charge for bowing or talking to an acquaintance, if you meet one--all +these are gratis; and if you neither eat nor drink, there is no charge +for witnessing those who do mangle the long-murdered honours of the +coop, and gulp down the most renovating of liquors, be they hale or +stout, vite vine, red port, or rack punch.--_Lit. Gaz_. + + +Bruges, (celebrated as the birthplace of John Van Eyck, said to have +invented the art of oil-painting), is now in a very dilapidated +condition. It was formerly a place of great commerce, and the merchants +of Bruges were the wealthiest in Europe. The population is reduced from +100,000 to 25,000.--_Brussels Companion_. + + +DISTURBING THE DEAD. + +Mr. Crawfurd, in his recent Mission to _Hué_, wished to visit the +mausoleum of the late king; "but," says he, "we were politely informed +that the king was always reluctant to permit the visits of strangers, +whose presence," he said, "might 'trouble the repose of the spirits of +his ancestors.'" + + +Dine with a march-of-intellect man, and only observe the downcast eyes +of his pale-faced, trembling wife--the knit brows of his sullen +sons--the sulky sorrows of his joy-denied daughters. All that comes of +your hard-hearted, hard-headed, music-painting-and-poetry-despising, +utilitarian, intellectual, all-in-all educationists, who know nothing so +admirable as a steam-engine, and would wish to see the whole world +worked by machinery. + + +"FASHIONABLE" NOVELS. + +Here is a specimen of the _slip-slop_ with which so many thousand reams +of paper have lately been spoiled. "Tea was announced, and the ladies +adjourned to the saloon; Lady Harriet and Lady Charlotte, discussing, as +they went in together, the difficult question, whether it was or was not +an improvement in modern arrangements to have tea _en-buffet_. One of +its advantages the ladies were perfectly aware of, namely, that it +afforded a _point de réunir_, for both beaux and belles, which is always +so much wanted before the music begins; and calculating on this +important circumstance, Lady Charlotte possessed herself of the chair +which was the most accessible of the whole group. Miss Mortimer, with +equal foresight, stationed herself at the fire:--"Good generalship," +whispered Lady Hauteville to the duchess, as the two experienced matrons +communicated together _sur les petites ruses_, which the actors fancied +were unperceived, &c." + + +Dr. Walsh, in his _Journey from Constantinople_, describes a species of +woodpecker, about the size of a thrush, of a light, blue colour, with +black marks beside the bill. "It entered my room," says he, "with all +the familiarity of an old friend, hopped on the table, and picked up +the crumbs and flies. It had belonged to the doctor's child, just +buried, and by a singular instinct, left the house of the dead, and +flew into my room. Its habits were curious, and so familiar, that they +were quite attractive; it climbed up the wall by any stick or cord near +it, devouring flies. It sometimes began at my foot, and at one race, +ran up my leg, arm, round my neck, down my other arm, and so to the +table. It there tapped with its bill with a noise as loud as a hammer. +This was its general habit on the wood in every part of the room; when +it did so, it would look intently at the place, and dart at any fly or +insect it saw running. Writers on Natural History say it makes this +noise to disturb the insects concealed within, so to seize them when +they appear." + + +At Brussels apartments are not to be procured for a shorter term than +six months. + + +In the prison at Ghent, spirits are sold, but pens and paper cannot be +obtained without a special application to the governor. + + +Mr. Brande, in his recent Lecture on Vegetable Chemistry, says, "Salt +has been very much extolled for a manure; I believe that a great deal +more has been said of it than it deserves; it certainly destroys +insects, but I do not believe what has been said of its value. We are +not to infer that because a manure is found to be useful on one soil in +a certain climate, that it shall prove equally useful in others; +experience must direct us in this particular." + + +STROLLING SCHOOLS. + +In Prussia there exist, what are termed _Strolling Schools_, having no +fixed place. The teacher, with his scholars or his classical furniture, +establishes himself in all the houses or a village successively, where +he affords instruction; and his stay is determined by the number of +persons he is called upon to instruct under each roof, a week being the +allotted term, for each child, during which period the parents supply +all the wants of the _Domine.--Athenaeum._ + + * * * * * + + +RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS + +The following extracts from a "roll of the expenses of Edward I., at +Rhuddlan Castle, in Wales, in the tenth and eleventh years of his reign" +(1281 and 1282), may perhaps amuse our readers, as showing the rates of +wages paid to different workmen, tradesmen, archers, &c. at that period. +Under the head of _necessaries_, are some curious items. Rhuddlan Castle +was the head quarters of Edward, during an insurrection of the Welsh, +under Llewellin, Prince of Wales, at which time it had many additions +made to it:-- + +Paid to Master Peter de Brompton for the wages of 100 carpenters, each +receiving 4d. per day, and their constable receiving 8d. per day; of +which five are overseers of twenty, and each receives 6d. per day for +his wages, from Sunday 23rd of August for the seven following days, +12l. 3s. 9d. + +To two smiths, one receiving 4d. per day, and the other 3d. for their +wages, from Sunday 23rd of August to Sunday 12th of September, _each day +being reckoned_, for twenty one days, 12s. 3d. + +Two shoeing smiths by the day, at 3d. + +Paid to forty-seven sailors of the king for their wages, seven days; +each receiving per diem 3d., except seven, each of whom received 6d. per +day, 4l. 14s. 6d. + +Paid to Geoffry le Chamberlin for the wages of twelve cross-bowmen and +thirteen archers for twenty-four days; each cross-bowman receiving by +the day 4d, and each archer 2d.,--7l. 8s. + +Paid to one master mason, receiving 6d. per diem, and five masons at +4d., and one workman at 3d.; for twenty-eight days, 3l. 7s. 8d. + +Sunday next, after the feast of St. John Baptist, paid to twenty-two +mowers, each receiving 1-1/2d. per day for four days, 11s. + +Wednesday following paid to twenty-three mowers, each receiving 6d. per +day for their wages of two days, 1l. 3s. + +Paid to fourscore and sixteen _spreaders of hay_ for one day's wages, +whereof fourscore received each per day 1-1/2d, and each of the others +2d., l2s. 8d. + +Paid to 160 spreaders of hay for their wages, Sunday and Monday, 16s. +6d. + +_Necessaries._ + +For six carts, each with three horses, hired to carry the hay from the +meadows to the castle of Rothelan, for one day, 6s. 10d. + +For the carriage of turf, with which the house was covered in which the +hay was placed, 1s. 5d. + +For an iron fork bought to turn the hay, 3d. + +For making a ditch about the house where the said hay was put, 1s. 8d. + +For putting and piling up one rick of hay in the house, 1s. 8d. + +Wages of two turf-cutters, seven days, at 5d. per day, 5s. 10d. + +For the carriage of turves to cover the king's kitchen, 7s. 6d. + +For twenty-two empty casks, bought to make paling for the queen's court +yard, 18s. 4d. + +To Wildbor, the fisherman, receiving 10d. per day, and his six +companions, the queen's fishermen, at 3d. per day each, fishing in the +sea, forty-two days, 4l. 18s. + +Repairing a cart of the king's, conveying a _pipe of honey_ from +Aberconway to Rothelan, 1s. 4d. + +To six men carrying shingles to cover the hall of the castle, at 2-1/2d +each per day, seven days, 8s. 9d. + +_Gifts._ + +To a certain female spy, as a gift, 1s. + +To a certain female spy, to purchase her a house, as a gift, 1l. + +To Ralph le Vavasour, bringing news to the queen of the taking of +Dolinthalien, as a gift, 5l. + +To John de Moese, coming immediately after with the same news, with +letters of the Earl of Gloucester, by way of gift, 5l. + +To a certain player, as a gift, 1s. + + +_Swan with Two Necks._ + +It appears from the roll of swan's marks, in the time of Henry VIII., +that the king's swans were _doubly_ marked, and had what were called +_two nicks_, or notches. The term, in process of time, not being +understood, a double animal was invented, with the name of "The Swan +with _Two Necks_." But this is not the only ludicrous mistake that has +arisen on the subject, since "swan-upping," or the taking up of swans, +performed annually by the swan companies, with the Lord Mayor at their +head, for the purpose of marking them, has been changed, by an unlucky +asperite, into swan-_hopping_, which is perfectly unintelligible. + + +_Trial of the Pix._ + +The invention of it, in this kingdom, or at least its introduction into +our courts, is probably of high antiquity, being mentioned in the time +of Edward I., as a mode well known and of common usage. At present it is +seldom required, except on the removal of the master of the Mint from +his office. Upon a memorial praying for a trial of the Pix by this +officer, a summons issues to certain members of the privy council to +meet on a day fixed. The Lord Chancellor also directs a precept to the +wardens of the Goldsmith's company, requiring them to nominate a +competent number of able freemen of their company, skilful to judge of, +and to present the defaults of the coin, if such be found, to be of a +jury. When the court is formed, twelve of these persons are sworn, who +are directed by the president to examine whether the moneys were made +according to the indenture, and standard trial pieces, and within the +remedies. But in 1754, Lord Chancellor Talbot directed the jury to +express precisely how much the money was within the remedies; and the +practice which he thus enjoined is still continued. The Pix, or box +containing the coins to be examined, is then delivered to the jury, who +retire to the court room of the Duchy of Lancaster, whither the Pix is +removed, together with the weights of the Exchequer and Mint, and where +the scales used on this occasion are suspended; the beam of which is so +delicate, that it will turn with _six grains_, when loaded with the +whole of those weights, to the amount of 48 lbs. 8 oz. in each scale. +The Pix is then opened, and the money which had been taken out of each +delivery, and enclosed in a parcel under the seals of the warden, +master, and comptroller of the Mint, is given to the foreman, who reads +aloud the endorsement, and compares it with the account which lies +before him; he then delivers the parcel to one of the jury, who opens it +and examines whether its contents agree with the endorsement. When all +the parcels have been opened, and found right, the moneys contained in +them are mixed together in wooden bowls, and afterwards weighed. Out of +the said moneys so mingled, the jury take a certain number of each +species of coin, to the amount of one pound for the assay by fire. And +the indented trial pieces of gold and silver, of the dates specified in +the indenture, being produced by the proper officer, a sufficient +quantity is cut from either of them, for the purpose of comparing with +it the pound weight of gold or silver which is to be tried by the usual +methods of assay. The jury then return their verdict, stating how much +the coins examined have varied from the weight and fineness required, +and whether the variations exceed or fall short of the remedies which +are allowed; and according to the terms of the verdict, the master's +quietus is either granted or withheld. + +_Note_.--The _remedies_ are an allowance of one sixth of a carat, or +forty grains, in the pound weight of gold, and of two pennyweights in +that of silver, considered either as to fineness or weight, or both of +them taken together; the moneyers are, however, at this time so expert, +that these quantities are much greater than are necessary. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY + +_Society of Civil Engineers_. + +A charter of incorporation has just received the royal signature, +constituting an institution of Civil Engineers, and naming Mr. Telford +its president. The objects of such institution, as recited in the +charter, are, "The general advancement of mechanical science, and more +particularly for promoting the acquisition of that species of knowledge +which constitutes the profession of a civil engineer; being the art of +directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and +convenience of man, as the means of production and of traffic in states, +both for external and internal trade, as applied in the construction of +roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, river navigation, and docks, for +internal intercourse and exchange; and in the construction of ports, +harbours, moles, breakwaters, and light-houses, and in the art of +navigation by artificial power, for the purposes of commerce; and in the +construction and adaptation of machinery, and in the drainage of cities +and towns." + + +_Toads as Ant-eaters_. + +In the autumn of last year, a pit, wherein I grew melons, was so much +infested with ants, as to threaten the destruction of the whole crop; +which they did, first by perforating the skin, and afterwards eating +their way into the fruit; and, after making several unsuccessful +experiments to destroy them, it occurred to me that I had seen the toad +feed on them. I accordingly put about half a dozen toads into the pit, +and, in the course of a few days, scarcely an ant was to be +found.--_Corresp. Gard. Mag._ + + +_Laying out Part of the Calton Hill as Pleasure-Ground_. + +We observe with pleasure plans advertised for in the Edinburgh +newspapers, for this purpose. There is no city in Britain which presents +greater facilities for public walks and gardens than Edinburgh, +notwithstanding the immense injury which it has sustained in a +picturesque point of view by the earthen mound, and the mean buildings +which cover great part of the bottom and sides of the valley of the +North Loch. That valley ought to have been laid out in terraces, some +open, or covered with glazed verandas, for winter use, and others shaded +by trees for summer walking. The great art in laying out walks for +recreation and ease on sloping surfaces, is so to direct them as not to +render them more fatiguing than straight walks on level ground. But the +grand subject of improvement at Edinburgh, in the way of planting in the +public walks, is the hill of Arthur's Seat, which, planted and built on, +might be rendered one of the most unique scenes in Europe.--_Gard. Mag._ + + +_Vegetables._ + +Watering gives vegetables long exposed a fresher colour, and a more +attractive appearance; but repeated waterings are highly pernicious, as +they neutralize the natural juices of some, render others bitter, and +make all others vapid or disagreeable.--_Ibid._ + + +_Mortar._ + +The use of lime in mortar, is to fill up the hollow spaces or vacuities +between the grains of sand, and to cement them together, thereby forming +a kind of artificial stone. To add any more lime than is sufficient to +fill up these spaces, seems to be useless, and to add much more must +weaken the mortar; but, if too little lime be used, there will be +cavities left between some of the grains of sand, and the mortar will +consequently be short or brittle: therefore, when we cannot ascertain +the best proportions of lime and sand, it is better to use too much lime +than too little.--_Ibid._ + + +_Treatment of Gold and Silver Fish._ + +These beautiful objects of the animal kingdom, though long ago +introduced into Europe from China, their native country, seldom breed in +such numbers as they might be expected to do. It has been lately +discovered that in ponds heated by waste water discharged from steam +factories, the gold and silver fish breed abundantly. From this +circumstance, it has been suggested, that, as heating hothouses by warm +water is now so generally adopted, a portion of this, led occasionally +into a garden basin, would keep the water in such a temperament as would +not only always be agreeable to the fish, but promote their +breeding.--_Ibid._ + + +_Climate._ + +Professor Schow, of Copenhagen, has lately read a paper "On the supposed +Changes in the Climate of the different parts of the Earth, during the +period of Human History," from which, as far as it has appeared in our +language, it seems to be his opinion, that, on a general view, climates +are the same now as in ancient times. The identity of the climate of +Palestine, now and during antiquity, is thus beautifully made out:--"It +will be convenient to begin with Palestine, the Bible being the oldest, +or one of the oldest of books; and, although great uncertainty exists +about the determination of the plants which are mentioned in it, yet two +of them do not admit of any doubt, (and these are sufficient for the +determination of the climate of Palestine, in former times,) viz. the +date-tree and the vine. The date-tree was frequent, and principally in +the southernmost part of the country. Jericho was called Palm-town. The +people had palm branches in their hands. Deborah's palm-tree is +mentioned between Rama and Bethel. Pliny mentions the palm-tree as being +frequent in Judea, and principally about Jericho. Tacitus and Josephus +speak likewise of woods of palm-trees, as well as Strabo, Diodorus +Siculus, and Theophrastus. Among the Hebrew coins, those with date-trees +are by no means rare, and the tree is easily recognised, as it is +figured with its fruit. The vine, also, was one of the plants most +cultivated in Palestine, and not merely for the grapes, but really for +the preparation of wine. The feast of the tabernacle of the Jews was a +feast on account of the wine harvest. From a passage where the +cultivation of the vine is mentioned, in the Valley of Engeddy, it is +evident that the vine not only grew in the northernmost mountainous part +of the country, but also in its southern lower part. Besides these, +there are other ancient testimonies in favour of the vine. This plant, +indeed, sometimes occurs on the same coin with the date palm. The +date-tree, in order to bring its fruit to perfection, requires a mean +temperature of 78° Fahr. The vine, on the other hand, cannot be +cultivated to any extent if the mean temperature be above 72° Fahr. +Such, then, must have been the temperature of Palestine, in former ages; +and by all that is known of its present climate, the mean temperature +seems to be the same now. Nor has the time of harvest undergone any +change. Snow and ice, which were known, though rarely, in ancient times, +are occasionally met with now and at present, as in former times. The +inhabitants make use of artificial heat to warm themselves."--_Dr. +Brewster's Journal_. + + * * * * * + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. + +NUISANCES OF SOCIETY. + +It is quite true that the largest part of conversation turns upon +eating and drinking, the weather, the vices and follies of our +neighbours, and a thousand other trifles that lead not to dispute; and +it must be admitted that it is bad companionship to be eternally +canvassing the greater interests of life, and forcing upon society +opinions upon things in general. There are, indeed, themes in plenty +which belong to the neutral ground of debate; but it is very pitiable +that they should so ill bear repetition. All the world, if they dared +avow as much, are heartily tired of them. Like cursing and swearing, +they are merely unmeaning expletives to supply the lack of sense, to +gain time, and to give a man the satisfaction of sometimes hearing his +own voice. With all the assistance of cards, music, dancing, and +champagne, society is at best but a dreary business, and it requires no +little animal spirits to undergo the infliction with decency. Are you +admitted on terms of familiarity to the domestic hearth of your friend, +that privilege confers on you the opportunity of becoming intimately +acquainted with the faults of his servants, and (what is worse) with +the merits of his children. + +A dinner of ceremony is a funeral without a legacy; an assembly is a +mob, and a ball a compound of glare, tinsel, noise, and dust. However +amusing in their freshness, after a few repetitions, they are only +rendered endurable by the prospect of some collateral gain, or the +gratification of personal vanity. To exhibit the beauty of a young wife, +or the diamonds of an old one; to be able to say the best thing that is +uttered; to sport a red ribbon or a Waterloo medal in their first +novelty; to carry a point with a great man, or to borrow money from a +rich one, may pass off an evening very well, with those who happen to be +interested in such speculations; but, these things apart, the arrantest +trifler in the circle must get weary at last, and be heartily rejoiced +when the conclusion of the season spares him all further reiteration of +the mill-horse operation. It is this insipidity of society that forces +so many of its members upon desperate adventures of gallantry, and upon +deep play. Any thing, every thing is good to escape from the languor and +listlessness of a converse from which whatever interests is banished. +Many a woman loses her character, and many a man incurs a verdict of +ruinous damages, in the simple search of that rarest of all rare things +in society--a sensation. Neither is the matter much mended, if, barring +the insipidity of bon-ton company, you plunge into the formal gravity of +the middle classes, or into the noisy, empty mirth of the lower. The man +of sense and feeling, wherever he goes, will find himself in a minority, +in which few will speak his language or comprehend his ideas. He will +seldom return to his home without a weary sense of the "stale, flat, and +unprofitable" nothings he has been compelled to entertain in his +intercourse with the world,--without the recollection of some outrage on +his independence, some dogmatism that he dared not question, some +impertinence that he dared not confute. With his ears ringing with +blue-stocking literature, threadbare sophistries, forms erected into +important principles, mediocrity elevated into consideration, and the +pre-eminence of the vain, the ignorant, and the contemptible, he will +shut himself up in his solitude, and say with the Englishman at Paris +_Je m'ennuis très bien ici_. Against the recurrence of these annoyances, +day after day renewed, what nerves can hold out? As life advances, time +becomes precious, every moment is counted, every enjoyment is computed; +and while the effort necessary for pleasing and being pleased becomes +greater, the motive for making that exertion grows less. When the +sources of physical gratification are dried up, and the illusions of +life are dissipated, there remains nothing for enjoyment but a tranquil +fireside, and the mastery of our own ideas and of our own habits in the +privacy of home. But then, to enjoy these, you must not have a methodist +wife, and you must have a porter who can lie with a good grace, a fellow +who could say "not at home," though death himself knocked at the door. +Neither should you read the newspapers, nor walk the streets. The times +are long gone by since "wisdom cried out there." Folly, impertinence, +sheer impertinence, has exclusive possession of the king's highway; and +a dog with a tin-kettle at tail has as good a chance as the wretch who +dares to tread the pavement without partaking of the ruling insanity. +Oh! Mr. Brougham, Mr. Brougham! your schoolmaster has a great deal yet +to do: pray heaven his rods and his fools' caps may hold out!--_New +Month. Mag._ + + * * * * * + +TO "BEAUTY." + + The morn is up! wake, Beauty, wake! + The flower is on the lea, + The blackbird sings within the brake, + The thrush is on the tree; + Forth to the balmy fields repair, + And let the breezes mild + Lift from thy brow the falling hair, + And fan my little child-- + Yet if thy step be 'mid the dews, + Beauty! be sure to change your shoes! + + 'Tis noon! the butterfly springs up, + High from her couch of rest, + And scorns the little blue-bell cup + Which all night long she press'd. + Away! we'll seek the walnut's shade, + And pass the sunny hour, + The bee within the rose is laid, + And veils him in the flower; + Mark not the lustre of his wing, + Beauty! be careful of his sting! + + 'Tis eve! but the retiring ray + A halo deigns to cast + Round scenes on which it shone all day, + And gilds them to the last: + Thus, ere thine eyelids close in sleep, + Let Memory deign to flee + Far o'er the mountain and the deep, + To cast one beam on me! + Yes, Beauty! 'tis mine inmost prayer-- + But don't forget to curl your hair! + +_Blackwood's Mag._ + + * * * * * + +GOG AND MAGOG.--(_A Fragment._) + +Pensively and profoundly was I meditating, seated one evening upon a +stone bench in Guildhall, when, as the gathering gloom invested the +solemn faces of Gog and Magog, rendering them mysteriously dim and +indistinct, methought I saw them slowly shut their eyes, nod their +heads, fall asleep, and actually begin to snore. Never did I hear any +thing more sonorously grand and awful than that portentous inbreathing +of Gog and Magog, resounding through the Gothic vastness of Guildhall; +but, behold! how omnipotent is the dreaming imagination! I myself had +been dozing; the sound of my own nose, transferred by a metonymy of the +fancy to the nostrils of those wooden idols, had become, as it were, the +living apotheosis of a snore, which had subdued me by its sublimity. +Most fortunate was it that I awoke; for, on attentively inspecting the +faces of the figures, I saw them working and writhing with all the +contortions of the Pythoness or the Sibyl, labouring in the very throes +of inspiration, struggling with the advent of the prophetical afflatus. +At length their lips parted, when, in a low, solemn voice, that thrilled +through the dark, deserted, and silent hall, they poured forth +alternately the following vaticinal strain, each starting and trembling +as he concluded:-- + + "From Bank, Change, Mansion-house, Guildhall, + Throgmorton, and Threadneedle, + From London-stone, and London wall, + When City housewife's wheedle + To Brunswick, Russell, Bedford Squares, + And Portland-place, their spouses, + Anxious to give themselves great airs + Of fashion in great houses, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When merchant, banker, broker, shake + In Crockford's club their elbow, + And for St. James's clock forsake + The chiming of thy bell, Bow: + When Batson's, Garraway's, and John's, + At night show empty boxes, + While cits are playing dice with dons, + Or ogling opera doxies; + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When city dames give routs and reels, + And ape high-titled prancers, + When City misses dance quadrilles, + Or waltz with whisker'd Lancers; + When City gold is quickly spent + In trinkets, feasts, and raiment, + And none suspend their merriment + Until they all stop payment, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + +I was reflecting what dire calamities would fall upon the doomed City, +since the era of luxury, corruption, and desertion, thus denounced, had +now manifestly arrived, and Gog and Magog were actually starting and +trembling upon their pedestals, when the hall-keeper, shaking me by the +shoulder, exclaimed--"Come, Sir, you musn't be sleeping here all night! +Bundle out, if you please, for I am just going to shut the great +gates!"--_New Monthly Mag._ + + * * * * * + + +THE GATHERER. + + A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.--SHAKSPEARE. + +MODERN SALAMANDER. + +An experiment to ascertain the degree of heat it is possible for a man +to bear, was made a few days ago at the New Tivoli, at Paris, in the +presence of a company of about 200 persons. The man on whom this +experiment was made is a Spaniard of Andalusia, named Martenez, aged 43. +A cylindrical oven, constructed in the shape of a dome, had been heated +for four hours, by a very powerful fire. At ten minutes past eight, the +Spaniard, having on large pantaloons of red flannel, a thick cloak also +of flannel, and a large felt, after the fashion of straw hats, went into +the oven, where he remained, seated on a foot-stool, during fourteen +minutes, exposed to a heat of from 45 to 50 degrees, of a metallic +thermometer, the gradation of which did not go higher than 50. He sang a +Spanish song while a fowl was roasted by his side. At his coming out of +the oven, the physicians found that his pulse beat 134 pulsations a +minute, though it was but 72 at his going in, The oven being healed anew +for a second experiment, the Spaniard re-entered and seated himself in +the same attitude; at three quarters past eight, ate the fowl, and drank +a bottle of wine to the health of the spectators. At coming out his +pulse was 176, and the thermometer indicated a heat of 110 degrees of +Reaumur. Finally, for the third and last experiment, which almost +immediately followed the second, he was stretched on a plank, surrounded +with lighted candles, and thus put into the oven, the mouth of which was +closed this time. He was there nearly five minutes, when all the +spectators cried out, "Enough, enough," and anxiously hastened to take +him out. A noxious and suffocating vapour of tallow filled the inside of +the oven, and all the candles were extinguished and melted. The +Spaniard, whose pulse was 200 at coming out of this gulf of heat, +immediately threw himself into a cold bath, and in two or three minutes +after was on his feet safe and sound. + + +WILL OF MR. WILLIAM HICKINGTON, + +_Proved in the Deanery Court of York, 1772._ + + This is my last Will, + I insist on it still, + So sneer on and welcome + And e'en laugh your fill. + I, William Hickington, + Poet of Pocklington, + Do give and bequeathe, + As free as I breathe, + To thee, Mary Jaram, + The queen of my haram, + My cash and cattle, + With every chattel, + To have and to hold, + Come heat or come cold, + Sans hindrance or strife, + (Tho' thou art _not_ my wife,) + As witness my hand, + Just here as I stand, + This 12th of July, + In the year seventy ---- + + Signed, &c. W. HICKINGTON. + +J. W. F. B. + + +REGENT'S PUNCH. + +The receipt for this "nectarious drink" is as follows:--Three bottles of +champagne, a bottle of hock, a bottle of curaçoa, a quart of brandy, a +pint of rum, two bottles of Madeira, two bottles of seltzer water, four +pounds of bloom raisins, Seville oranges, lemons, white sugarcandy, and, +instead of water, green tea. The whole to be highly iced. + + * * * * * + +The Supplement, containing a fine Portrait of CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON, +Memoir, &c. and a Title-Page, Preface, and copious Index to Vol XI., is +now published. It extends beyond the usual quantity, the Memoir is of +original interest, and the price is (in the present instance only) +unavoidably advanced to Fourpence. + + * * * * * + * * * * * + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) London; Published by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; +and Sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror, 1828.07.05, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + +This file should be named 8m32110.txt or 8m32110.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8m32111.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8m32110a.txt + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, +Jon Ingram, Charles Franks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Mirror, 1828.07.05, Issue No. 321 + The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction + +Author: Various + +Release Date: August, 2005 [EBook #8640] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on July 29, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + + + + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + +</pre> + +<h1>THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.</h1> + +<hr> +<h2>[NO. 321.] SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1828. [PRICE 2d.]</h2> + +<hr> +<h2>EATON HALL, CHESHIRE,</h2> + +<p><i>The Seat of the Rt. Hon. Earl Grosvenor</i>.</p> + +<p><img width="100%" src="images/eaton_hall.png" alt= +"EATON HALL, CHESHIRE"></p> + +<p>This mansion is a princely specimen of Gothic architecture; +and is in every respect calculated for the residence of its noble +possessor, whose taste and munificence in patronizing the Fine +Arts are well known to our readers. Nevertheless, it is worthy of +special remark, that not only is the name of GROSVENOR +conspicuous in this patronage, but his lordship has further +evinced his love of art in the construction of one of the most +splendid buildings in the whole empire,—the present mansion +having been completed within a few years.<sup><a name= +"footnote_tag_1"></a><a href="#footnote_1">[1]</a></sup> Here the +noble founder seems to have realized all that the ingenious Sir +Henry Wotton considered requisite for a man's "house and +home—the theatre of his hospitality, the seat of +self-fruition, a kind of PRIVATE PRINCEDOM; nay, to the +possessors thereof, an epitome of the whole world."</p> + +<blockquote><sup><a name="footnote_1"></a><a href= +"#footnote_tag_1">[1]</a></sup> At this moment, Earl Grosvenor +has in progress a splendid gallery for the reception of his +superb collection of pictures, adjoining his town mansion, in +Grosvenor-street. This is one of the few "Private Collections" to +which, through the good taste and courtesy of the proprietor, the +public are admitted, on specified days, and under certain +restrictions. The nucleus of Earl Grosvenor's collection, was the +purchase of Mr. Agar's pictures for £30,000; since which it +has been enlarged, till it has at length become one of the finest +in England. In the drawing-room at Eaton are, <i>Our Saviour on +the Mount of Olives</i>, by Claude Lorraine, which is the largest +painting known to have been executed by him; and <i>A Port in the +Mediterranean</i>, by Vernet. In the dining-room, <i>Rubens with +his Second Wife</i>; by himself; and <i>The Judgment of +Paris</i>, a copy, by Peters, after Rubens. In the dressing-room +of the state bed-room, <i>David and Abigail</i>, also by Rubens. +Over the ornamented chimney-pieces of the hall are, West's +<i>Dissolution of the Long Parliament</i>, and <i>The Landing of +Charles the Second</i>.</blockquote> + +<p><i>Eaton</i> is situated about three miles to the south of +Chester, on the verge of an extensive park, thickly studded with +fine old timber. The present "Hall" occupies the site of the old +mansion, which is described as a square and spacious brick +building erected by Sir Thomas Grosvenor, in the reign of William +III. The architect was Sir John Vanbrugh, who likewise laid out +the gardens with straight walks and leaden statues, in the formal +style of his age. In the reconstruction, the fine vaulted +basement story of the old Hall was preserved, as were also the +external foundations, and some subdivisions; but the +superstructure was altered and entirely refitted, and additional +apartments erected on the north and south sides, so as to make +the area of the new house twice the dimensions of the old +one.</p> + +<p>The style of architecture adopted in the new Hall is that of +the age of Edward III, as exhibited in that Parthenon of Gothic +architecture, York Minster; although the architect, Mr. Porden, +has occasionally availed himself of the low Tudor arch, and the +forms of any other age that suited his purpose, so as to adapt +the rich variety of our ancient ecclesiastical architecture to +modern domestic convenience. Round the turrets, and in various +parts of the parapets are shields, charged in relievo with the +armorial bearings of the Grosvenor family, and of other ancient +families that, by intermarriages, the Grosvenors are entitled to +quarter with their own. The windows, which are "richly dight" +with tracery, are of cast-iron, moulded on both sides, and +grooved to receive the glass. The walls, battlements, and +pinnacles, are of stone, of a light and beautiful colour, from +the Manly quarry about ten miles distant.</p> + +<p>The annexed engraving represents the west-front of the house, +in the centre of which is the entrance, by a vaulted porch, which +admits a carriage to the steps that lead to the Hall, a spacious +and lofty room, occupying the height of two stories, with a +groined ceiling, embellished with the Grosvenor arms, and other +devices, in the bosses that cover the junction of the ribs. The +pavement is of variegated marble in compartments. At the end of +the Hall, a screen of five arches support a gallery which +connects the bed-chambers on the north side of the house with +those on the south, which are separated by the elevation of the +Hall. Under this gallery, two open arches to the right and left +conduct to the grand staircase, the state bed-room, and the +second staircase; and opposite to the door of the hall is the +entrance to the saloon. The grand staircase is elaborately +ornamented with niches and canopies, and with tracery under the +landings; and in the principal ceiling, which is surmounted with +a double skylight of various coloured glass. The state bed-room +is lighted by two painted windows, with tracery and armorial +bearings. In the saloon are three lofty and splendidly painted +windows, which contain, in six divisions,—the portraits of +the conqueror's nephew, Gilbert le Grosvenor, the founder of the +Grosvenor family, and his lady; of William the Conqueror, with +whom Gilbert came into England; the Bishop of Bayeux, uncle to +the conqueror; the heiress of the house of Eaton; and Sir Robert +le Grosvenor, who signalized himself in the wars of Edward +III.</p> + +<p>The saloon is a square of thirty feet, formed into an octagon +by arches across the angles, which give to the vaultings a +beautiful form. Opposite to the chimney piece is an organ richly +decorated. On the left of the saloon is an ante-room leading to +the dining-room; and on the right, another leading to the +drawing-room: the windows of these rooms are glazed with a light +Mosaic tracery, and exhibit the portraits of the six Earls of +Chester, who, after Hugh Lupus, governed Cheshire as a County +Palatine, till Henry III bestowed the title on his son Edward; +since which time the eldest sons of the kings of England have +always been Earls of Chester.</p> + +<p>The dining-room, situated at the northern extremity of the +east front, is about 50 feet long and 30 feet wide, exclusive of +a bay-window of five arches, the opening of which is 30 feet. In +the centre window is the portrait of Hugh Lupus; which, with the +portraits of the six Earls of Chester, in the ante-room windows, +were executed from cartoons, at Longport, Staffordshire. The +ceiling is of bold and rich tracery, with a profuse emblazoning +of heraldic honours, and a large ornamented pendant for a +chandelier.</p> + +<p>The drawing room, which is at the southern extremity of the +east front, is of the same form and dimensions as the +dining-room, with the addition of a large window to the south, +commanding the luxuriant groves of meadows of Eaton, and the +village and spire of Oldford above them. All the windows of this +room are adorned with heads and figures of the ancestors of the +family; also the portraits of the present Earl and Countess, in a +beautiful brown <i>chiaro-scuro</i>. The ceiling is tracery of +the nicest materials and workmanship emblazoned with the arms of +the Grosvenor family, and those of Egerton, Earl of Wilton, the +father of the present Countess Grosvenor.</p> + +<p>Eaton became the property of the Grosvenor family through the +marriage of Ralph Grosvenor, in the reign of Henry VI with Joan, +daughter of John Eaton, then owner of this estate. The Grosvenor +family, as we have already intimated, came into England with +William the Conqueror; they derived their name from the office of +chief huntsmen, which they held in the Norman court; and, when +"chivalry was the fashion of the times," says Pennant, "few +families shone in so distinguished a manner: none shewed equal +spirit in vindicating their rights to their looms." He then +mentions the celebrated legal contest with Sir Richard le +Scroope, for the family arms—<i>Azure, a bend or</i>. This +cause was tried before the High Constable and the Earl Marshal of +England, in the reign of Richard II. It lasted three years; +kings, princes of the blood, and most of the nobility, and among +the gentry, Chaucer, the poet, gave evidence on the trial. "The +sentence," says Pennant, "was conciliating; that both parties +should bear the same arms; but the <i>Grosvenours avec une +bordure d'argent</i>. Sir Robert resents it, and appeals to the +king. The judgment is confirmed; but the choice is left to the +defendant, either to use the <i>bordure</i>, or bear the arms of +their relations, the ancient Earls of Chester, <i>azure, a gerb +d'or</i>. He rejected the mortifying distinction, and chose a +<i>gerb</i>: which is the family coat to this day."</p> + +<p>Hitherto we have only spoken of the artificial splendour of +Eaton. The natural beauties with which it is environed will, +however, present equal, if not superior, attraction for the +tourist. The stiff, formal walks of Vanbrugh no longer disfigure +the grounds, which are now made to harmonize with the contiguous +landscape, and are enlivened by an inlet of the Dee, which +intervenes between the eastern front of the mansion, and the +opposite plantations. These alterations have, however, been made +with great judgment, and a few of the venerable beauties of the +park remain. Thus, a fine aged avenue extends westward to a +Gothic lodge in the hamlet of Belgrave, about two miles distant +from the Hall. Another lodge, in a similar style of design, is +approached by a road, which diverges from this avenue towards +Chester, and crosses the park, through luxuriating plantations, +which open occasionally in glade views of the Broxton and Welsh +Hills. The most pleasing approach to this noble mansion is one +which has been cut through the plantations, towards the +north-east angle of the house, so as to throw the whole building +into perspective.</p> + +<p>Viewed from either of the beautiful sites with which the park +abounds, Eaton is a magnificent display of towers, and turrets, +pinnacles and battlements, partly embosomed in foliage, and +belted with one of the richest domains in England. Indeed, its +splendour seldom fails to strike the overweening admirer of art +with devotional fondness, which is not lessened by his approach +to the fabric.<sup><a name="footnote_tag_2"></a><a href= +"#footnote_2">[1]</a></sup> The most favourable distant views are +from the Aldford road, and from the romantic banks of the Dee, +whence there is a proud display of architectural grandeur. In +every point, however, the grounds and mansion of Eaton will +abundantly gratify the expectations of the visiter. Altogether, +they present a rich scene of nature, diversified and embellished +by the attributes of art; and the admiration of the latter will +be not a little enhanced by the reflection that the building of +this sumptuous pile provided employment for a large portion of +the poor of Chester during one of the most calamitous periods of +the late war.</p> + +<blockquote><sup><a name="footnote_2"></a><a href= +"#footnote_tag_2">[1]</a></sup> One view from the interior +deserves special mention: viz. from the saloon, upon a terrace +350 feet in length, commanding one of the richest landscapes on +the banks of Dee. The boasted terrace at Versailles is but 400 +feet in length; yet, how many Englishmen, who have seen the +latter, are even ignorant of that at Eaton.</blockquote> + +<p>The noble founder of Eaton has indeed learned to "build +stately," and "garden finely;" and has thus made the personal +fruition of his wealth subservient to its real use—the +distribution.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>ORIGIN OF CHESS.</h3> + +<p>(<i>To the Editor of the Mirror</i>.)</p> + +<p>SIR,—In vol. 3, page 211, of the MIRROR, is an account +of the origin of the scientific game of chess, the invention of +which, your correspondent <i>F. H. Y.</i> has attributed to a +brahmin, named Sissa. But I believe it is entirely a matter of +doubt, both as to where, and by whom it was invented; it is +evidently of very high antiquity, and if we recur to the original +names of the pieces with which it is played, we shall readily be +convinced it is of Asiatic original. The honour of inventing it, +is contended for by several nations, but principally by the +Hindoos, the Chinese, and the Persians. In support of the first, +we are told, by Sir William Jones, in the 2nd vol. of his +<i>Asiatic Researches</i>, that the game of chess has been +immemorably known in Hindostan, by the name of Chaturanga, or the +four members of an army, viz. elephants, horses, chariots, and +foot soldiers. And yet, the same learned author observes, that no +account of the game has hitherto been discovered in the classical +writings of the brahmins. Mr. Daines Barrington supposed the +Chinese to be the inventers, and in this he is supported by a +paper published in the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, +for 1794, vol. 5, by Mr. Eyles Irwin. It states, that when Mr. +Irwin was at Canton, a young mandarin, on seeing the English +chess-board, recognised its similarity with that used for a game +of their own; and brought his board and equipage for Mr. Irwin's +inspection, and soon after gave him a manuscript extract from a +book, relating the invention of the Chinese game, called by them +chong-he, or the royal game, which it attributed to a Chinese +general (about 1,965 years ago) who by its means reconciled his +soldiers to passing the winter in quarters in the country of +Shensi, the cold and inconvenience of which were likely to have +occasioned a mutiny among them. Other writers contend that chess +is a game of Persian invention, since <i>scah muth</i> is the +Persic term for check-mate; and since the Persians were sedulous +in recommending it to their young princes, as a game calculated +to instruct kings in the art of war. It has been attributed to +Palamedes, who lived during the Trojan war; but it was a game +played with pebbles, or cubes, of which he was the inventer. +Palamedes was so renowned for his sagacity, that almost every +early discovery was ascribed to him. Whether the Greeks or Romans +were acquainted with this game is doubtful. Of the three +contending nations, the claim of the Persians appears to me to be +least eligible, and that of the Chinese the most.</p> + +<p><i>Near Sheffield.</i></p> + +<p>J. M. C-D.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>THREE SONNETS TO JOHN KEATS.</h3> + +<p>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</p> + +<pre> + I can think of thee! now that the light spring + Showers live in the rich breezes, and the dyes + Of the glad flowers are won from her blue eyes + Exulting; whilst loud songs, on the fleet wing + Of the Earth's seraphs, bear her welcoming + From it to heaven, and, up to the far skies, + From turf-born censers floods of incense rise. + I can think of thee in my wandering; + And when the heart leaps up within to bless + The sights of love and beauty, on each hand,— + The pouring-out of sky-sprung happiness + Over the dancing sea and the green land, + Thought wakes one saddening thrill of bitterness— + Thou canst not o'er this Eden smiling stand! +</pre> + +<pre> + Yes! even as the quick glow of Spring's first smile + Is unto the renewed spirit,—even + As that abundant gush of wine from Heaven + Loosens the dreary grasp of Cares which coil + Round the lone heart like serpents,—the sweet toil + Of draining the dear dream-cup thou hast given + Is unto me,—and thoughts which long have striven + With joyousness, flit far away the while + My lips are prest to it. By the fire-light, + Or in full gaze of sun-set, when the choirs + Of winged minstrels, waking out of light, + Ring requiem meet to those departing fires— + Let me be with thee then—forgetting quite + The world, its scornfulness, and its desires. +</pre> + +<pre> + O! I could weep for thee! and yet not tears + Of hopelessness, but triumph, and sit down + And weave for thee wet wild-flowers for a crown— + Then up, and sound rich music in thine ears; + And teach thee, that sweet lips, in coming years, + Shall lisp the songs which cold dull hearts disown,— + That all which hope could pant for is thine own,— + Dimmed, for a moment's space, with human fears. + Then watch the new-born glories in thine eye, + Glancing like lightning from its chariot cloud, + And list these words, which know not how to die,— + Joy's inspiration gushing forth aloud: + Then back again unto the world and sigh, + And wrap my heart up in a dusky shroud. +</pre> + +<p>THOMAS M—— S.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>CHOOSING OF BAILIFFS AT BRIDGNORTH.</h3> + +<p>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</p> + +<p>The bailiffs of Bridgnorth are chosen out of the twenty-four +aldermen upon St. Matthew's Day in the following +manner:—The court having met, the names of twelve aldermen +being separately written on small pieces of paper, are closely +rolled up by the town clerk, and thrown into a purse, which is +shaken by the two chamberlains standing upon the chequer, (a +large table in the middle of the court,) and held open to the +bailiffs, when each, according to seniority, takes out a roll. By +this means the callers are decided, who, mounting the chequer, +alternately call the jury of fourteen out of the burgesses +present. They are then sworn neither to eat nor drink till they, +or twelve of them, have chosen two fit persons, who have not been +bailiffs for three years before, to serve that office for the +ensuing year; they are locked up till they have agreed, which +sometimes occasions long fastings. In 1739, the jury fasted +seventy hours. The persons chosen are sworn into office on +Michaelmas Day.—W. H.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>ON COALS, AND THE PERIOD WHEN THE COAL MINES IN ENGLAND WILL +BE EXHAUSTED.</h3> + +<p>(<i>From Bakewell's Introduction to Geology, 3rd Edition, +1828</i>.)</p> + +<p>Coal was known, and partially used, at a very early period of +our history. I was informed by the late Marquis of Hastings, that +stone hammers and stone tools were found in some of the old +workings in his mines at Ashby Wolds; and his lordship informed +me also, that similar stone tools had been discovered in the old +workings in the coal-mines in the north of Ireland. Hence we may +infer, that these coal-mines were worked at a very remote period, +when the use of metallic tools was not general. The burning of +coal was prohibited in London in the year 1308, by the royal +proclamation of Edward I. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the +burning of coal was again prohibited in London during the sitting +of parliament, lest the health of the knights of the shire should +suffer injury during their abode in the metropolis. In the year +1643, the use of coal had become so general, and the price being +then very high, many of the poor are said to have perished for +want of fuel. At the present day, when the consumption of coal, +in our iron-furnaces and manufactories and for domestic use, is +immense, we cannot but regard the exhaustion of our coal-beds as +involving the destruction of a great portion of our private +comfort and national prosperity. Nor is the period very remote +when the coal districts, which at present supply the metropolis +with fuel, will cease to yield any more. The annual quantity of +coal shipped in the rivers Tyne and Wear, according to Mr. +Bailey, exceeded three million tons. A cubic yard of coals weighs +nearly one ton; and the number of tons contained in a bed of coal +one square mile in extent, and one yard in thickness, is about +four millions. The number and extent of all the principal +coal-beds in Northumberland and Durham is known; and from these +data it has been calculated that the coal in these counties will +last 360 years. Mr. Bailey, in his Survey of Durham, states, that +one-third of the coal being already got, the coal districts will +be exhausted in 200 years. It is probable that many beds of +inferior coal, which are now neglected, may in future be worked; +but the consumption of coal being greatly increased since Mr. +Bailey published his Survey of Durham, we may admit his +calculation to be an approximation to the truth, and that the +coal of Northumberland and Durham will be exhausted in a period +not greatly exceeding 200 years. Dr. Thomson, in the Annals of +Philosophy, has calculated that the coal of these districts, at +the present rate of consumption, will last 1,000 years! but his +calculations are founded on data manifestly erroneous, and at +variance with his own statements; for he assumes the annual +consumption of coal to be only two million eight hundred thousand +tons, and the waste to be one-third more,—making three +million seven hundred thousand tons, equal to as many square +yards; whereas he has just before informed us, that two million +chaldrons of coal, of two tons and a quarter each chaldron, are +exported, making four million five hundred thousand tons, beside +inland consumption, and waste in the working<sup><a name= +"footnote_tag_3"></a><a href="#footnote_3">[1]</a></sup>. +According to Mr. Winch, three million five hundred thousand tons +of coal are consumed annually from these districts; to which if +we add the waste of small coal at the pit's mouth, and the waste +in the mines, it will make the total yearly destruction of coal +nearly double the quantity assigned by Dr. Thomson. Dr. Thomson +has also greatly overrated the quantity of the coal in these +districts, as he has calculated the extent of the principal beds +from that of the lowest, which is erroneous; for many of the +principal beds crop out, before they reach the western +termination of the coal-fields. With due allowance for these +errors, and for the quantity of coal already worked out, (which, +according to Mr. Bailey, is about one-third,) the 1,000 years of +Dr. Thomson will not greatly exceed the period assigned by Mr. +Bailey for the complete exhaustion of coal in these counties, and +may be stated at three hundred and fifty years.</p> + +<blockquote><sup><a name="footnote_3"></a><a href= +"#footnote_tag_3">[1]</a></sup> The waste of coal at the pit's +mouth may be stated at one-sixth of the quantity sold, and that +left in the mines at one-third. Mr. Holmes, in his Treatise on +Coal Mines, states the waste of small coal at the pit's mouth to +be one-fourth of the whole.</blockquote> + +<p>It cannot be deemed uninteresting to inquire what are the +repositories of coal that can supply the metropolis and the +southern counties, when no more can be obtained from the Tyne and +the Wear. The only coal-fields of any extent on the eastern side +of England, between London and Durham, are those of Derbyshire +and those in the west riding of Yorkshire. The Derbyshire +coal-field is not of sufficient magnitude to supply, for any long +period, more than is required for home consumption, and that of +the adjacent counties. There are many valuable beds of coal in +the western part of the west riding of Yorkshire which are yet +unwrought; but the time is not very distant when they must be put +in requisition, to supply the vast demand of that populous +manufacturing county, which at present consumes nearly all the +produce of its own coal mines. In the midland counties, +Staffordshire possesses the nearest coal districts to the +metropolis, of any great extent; but such is the immense daily +consumption of coal in the iron-furnaces and founderies, that it +is generally believed this will be the first of our own +coal-fields that will be exhausted. The thirty-feet bed of coal +in the Dudley coal-field is of limited extent; and in the present +mode of working it, more than two-thirds of the coal is wasted +and left in the mine.</p> + +<p>If we look to Whitehaven or Lancashire, or to any of the minor +coal-fields in the west of England, we can derive little hope of +their being able to supply London and the southern counties with +coal, after the import of coal fails from Northumberland and +Durham. We may thus anticipate a period not very remote, when all +the English mines of coal and ironstone will be exhausted; and +were we disposed to indulge in gloomy forebodings, like the +ingenious authoress of the "Last Man," we might draw a melancholy +picture of our starving and declining population, and describe +some manufacturing patriarch, like the late venerable Richard +Reynolds, travelling to see the last expiring English furnace, +before he emigrated to distant regions.<sup><a name= +"footnote_tag_4"></a><a href="#footnote_4">[1]</a></sup></p> + +<blockquote><sup><a name="footnote_4"></a><a href= +"#footnote_tag_4">[1]</a></sup> The late Richard Reynolds, Esq., +of Bristol, so distinguished for his unbounded benevolence, was +the original proprietor of the great iron-works in Colebrook +Dale, Shropshire. Owing, I believe, partly to the exhaustion of +the best workable beds of coal and ironstone, and partly to the +superior advantages possessed by the iron-founders in South +Wales, the works at Colebrook Dale were finally relinquished, a +short time before the death of Mr. Reynolds. With a natural +attachment to the scenes where he had passed his early years, and +to the pursuits by which he had honourably acquired his great +wealth, he travelled from Bristol into Shropshire, to be present +when the last of his furnaces was extinguished, in a valley where +they had been continually burning for more than half a +century.</blockquote> + +<p>Fortunately, however, we have in South Wales, adjoining the +Bristol Channel, an almost exhaustless supply of coal and +ironstone, which are yet nearly unwrought. It has been stated, +that this coal-field extends over about twelve hundred square +miles, and that there are twenty-three beds of workable coal, the +total average thickness of which is ninety-five feet, and the +quantity contained in each acre is 100,000 tons, or 65,000,000 +tons per square mile. If from this we deduct one half for waste +and for the minor extent of the upper beds, we shall have a clear +supply of coal, equal to 32,000,000 tons per square mile. Now if +we admit that the five million tons of coal from the +Northumberland and Durham mines is equal to nearly one-third of +the total consumption of coals in England, each square mile of +the Welsh coal-field would yield coal for two years' consumption; +and as there are from one thousand to twelve hundred square miles +in this coal-field, it would supply England with fuel for two +thousand years, after all our English coal-mines are worked +out.</p> + +<p>It is true, that a considerable part of the coal in South +Wales is of an inferior quality, and is not at present burned for +domestic use; but in proportion as coal becomes scarce, improved +methods of burning it will assuredly be discovered, to prevent +any sulphureous fumes from entering apartments, and also to +economize the consumption of fuel in all our manufacturing +processes.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>SONG.</h3> + +<p>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</p> + +<pre> + Thou hast not seen the tear-drops fill + The eyes which worship thee; + The deepest curse, the darkest ill, + Hovers above—around me—still + There are no tears for me! + + Thou canst not know, why I should kneel + For tears to heaven—in vain; + The thousand changeless pangs we feel,— + The precious drops, perchance, might heal,— + They will not start again! + + Thou canst not know what hopes will spring + When I can gaze on thee, + Even in the cold heart withering; + Oh! thou to whom that heart must cling, + Art more than tears to me! +</pre> + +<p>THOMAS M—— S.</p> + +<hr> +<h3>HINTS FOR HEALTH.</h3> + +<blockquote>["A very old and active correspondent," <i>Tim +Tobykin</i>, has furnished us with the following interesting +extracts from Dr. Rennie's <i>Treatise on Gout and Nervous +Diseases</i>, just published. These, however, are but a portion +of our correspondent's selections; and as they are written in a +popular style and appear to be equally applicable to the welfare +of all classes, they will doubtless be acceptable to our readers. +We are not friendly to the introduction of purely professional +matters into the pages of the MIRROR, but the following extracts +are so far divested of technicality as to render their utility +and importance obvious to every reader.]</blockquote> + +<p>CLIMATE, LOCALITY, AND SEASONS.</p> + +<p>I shall first inquire, says Dr. Rennie, what are the effects +of climate on healthy constitutions, as respects heat, cold, +moisture, and vicissitudes; including also the diurnal and annual +revolutions.</p> + +<p>Cold applied to the body acts as a direct sedative. It +diminishes the nervous sensibility, represses the activity of the +circulation, detracts from the sum of the animal heat, and +thereby diminishes stimulation. In the cessation of excitement +and sensibility that ensues, the whole vital actions are +moderated, existing irritation is soothed; and in the same manner +as sleep recruits the wasted powers, so does cold restore and +invigorate the nerves when overstimulated, and in fact promotes +the tone and vigour of the whole body; when again a warmer +atmosphere succeeds a colder, the animal heat increases in its +sum, the surface of the body is re-excited, nervous sensibility +returns, and a reaction of the circulation takes place; so that +the blood diffuses itself in greater abundance towards the remote +and superficial parts of the body, and the secretions are also +promoted.</p> + +<p>Alternations of cold and heat therefore in healthy +constitutions within certain limits, are salutary; promoting, on +the one hand, the vigour and tone of the body; on the other, the +due activity and excitement of the various functions.</p> + +<p>The temperature occasioned by day and night, and also those +more progressive and slow alternations of heat and cold, on the +large scale, attending the annual revolution of the seasons, are +a natural provision admirably adapted to effect these objects as +described; constituted as our bodies are, such a constant and +regular succession of heat and cold is just such as the +necessities of the human frame require. The alternations of day +and night, of winter and summer, are far from being merely +incidental and unimportant circumstances in the general +adaptation of the earth to man's constitutional wants; neither do +they bear reference solely to the productions of the earth for +his use. They exert a continual and direct influence on his +constitution, calculated to aid the vigorous and healthy +performance of the various functions of the body each in its due +degree and order, and they conduce mainly to the perfection and +longevity of the species.</p> + +<p>Let us therefore trace the effects of these changes on the +human body.</p> + +<p>During the winter, the prevailing cold acts as a universal +sedative and tonic, soothing the nervous excitement and +sensibility, allaying the activity of the circulation, moderating +the functions of the skin, and diminishing the various +secretions.</p> + +<p>As the Spring opens, the sun gains daily in influence, +generating a gradually increasing atmospheric warmth. The body +therefore becomes subject from this heat to a reactive effect, +during which the nervous sensibility and circulation are +gradually re-excited, the blood is more equally diffused towards +the surface and extremities of the body, and the secretion by the +skin is increased.</p> + +<p>If the cold of winter were to continue unmitigated from year +to year, without the genial influence of summer, the human race, +as is apparent in polar regions and upland mountainous districts, +would degenerate into dwarfishness.</p> + +<p>If the heat of summer were continually maintained the whole +year round, a tendency to degeneracy of the race would be also +observed, as we see in tropical latitudes. It is in the medium +betwixt these extremes, where a moderate and regular winter cold +is succeeded by a mild, genial summer temperature, that the +species approaches most to perfection in stature, health, +strength, and longevity.</p> + +<p>In observing also the influence of day and night on the +constitution, there is a sedative effect produced in the morning +before the sun is up, a reactive tendency promoted towards noon +under the solar influence, and again towards evening this +reaction is repressed by the sedative effect of the evening cold; +and this sedative effect is at its maximum at midnight. Hence +those who sit up late feel unusually chilly and depressed towards +midnight, partly owing to exhaustion from want of sleep, but +chiefly from the total absence of solar influence in the +atmospherical temperature. In regular habits this sedative effect +is never thoroughly experienced; for before midnight, the +constitution, enveloped in warm blankets, has experienced the +reaction arising from the accumulation of heat in bed. Whence the +common remark, that one hour's sleep before midnight is worth +three after that hour, is actually true to a certain extent. By +early retirement to rest, the sedative effect on the +constitution, to an extent such as to disturb the functions, is +escaped.</p> + +<p>If we connect these two influences, the annual and diurnal +successions of cold and heat, in their joint effect, we find, +that about, or a little after the summer solstice, the influence +of the sun being at its maximum, the nervous sensibility, heat, +circulating excitement, and cutaneous secretions of the body, are +also at their maximum. The temperature of the day and night +differ so little, that the sedative effects of evening and +morning are not sufficient to restore the frame by soothing the +sensibilities, overexcited and irritable from the previous +warmth. Whence the languor and irritability felt in summer, when +the heat is long continued, and the nights are spent in +restlessness and anxious oppression. Exhaustion and relaxation of +the frame are the consequence.</p> + +<p>As the autumnal equinox verges on, the mornings and evenings +get cooler in relation to the mid-day heat; and about the +equinox, the difference in the temperature of mid-day and +midnight is at its maximum. We have therefore a powerful sedative +effect in the morning, which braces and invigorates the body; a +powerful reactive effect at mid-day, which rouses and stimulates +the actions and sensibilities of the frame; and again towards +evening a sedative effect, from the increasing cold reaching its +maximum at midnight.</p> + +<p>As the season passes on from the Equinox towards the winter +solstice, the heat of the sun daily diminishes, and the cold +gains a daily preponderance. The sedative effect on the body goes +on progressively increasing, being less and less counteracted by +any genial influence from the solar heat at mid-day; whence the +gloom and depression so universally experienced by the nervous in +November and December, which is more and more felt till the +shortest day. So soon as the minimum of solar influence and +maximum of sedative effect on the body has passed over, the sun +gradually acquires more of meridian influence, and a daily +increasing ascendancy over the prevalent cold. The human +constitution at the same time is subject to a proportionate +reactive disposition; which reaction is felt most at noon, and it +daily becomes more and more apparent till the vernal equinox, +when we have the difference betwixt the meridian and midnight +temperature again at a maximum. We have daily a powerful sedative +effect in the morning, a powerful meridian reaction, which again +subsides into a sedative condition on the access of the evening. +This daily effect on the constitution is exactly similar to that +at the autumnal equinox, only it occurs under different +circumstances. In autumn it is connected with departing heat and +progressively increasing cold; in Spring it is connected with +progressively diminishing cold and advancing heat. After the +vernal equinox, the difference in the meridian and midnight +temperature gradually diminishes; the daily sedative effect at +morning and evening becomes less and less apparent as general +atmospheric warmth prevails, till towards the summer solstice, +the general effect on the constitution is stimulation and +excitement by atmospheric heat.</p> + +<hr> +<h2>NOTES OF A READER.</h2> + +<p>BYRON'S "FARE THEE WELL."</p> + +<p>On one occasion of a mediator waiting upon Lord Byron upon the +subject of a reconciliation with his wife, he produced from his +desk a paper on which was written "fare thee well," and said, +"Now these are exactly my feelings on the subject—they were +not intended to be published, but you may take +them."—<i>Lit. G.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>EARLY HOURS.</p> + +<p>Dr. Franklin published an ingenious Essay on the advantages of +early rising.—He called it "an economical project," and +calculated the saving that might be made in the city of Paris, by +using the sunshine instead of the candles—at no less than +4,000,000l. sterling.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>SENSITIVE PLANTS.</p> + +<p>Light exercises a very remarkable influence upon the +irritability of the sensitive plant. Thus, if a sensitive plant +be placed in complete darkness, by carrying it within an opaque +vessel, it will entirely lose its irritability, and that in a +variable time, according to a certain state of depression or +elevation of the surrounding temperature.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>At Brussels, the demand for labour is so great, in consequence +of the number of new buildings, that tradesmen consider they +confer a favour on a customer by the execution of his orders. The +lower classes have become, within the last seven years, extremely +dissipated, owing it is supposed to the increase in the wages of +the mechanics and labourers employed in the numerous buildings +erected within that period. During the Kaermess annual feast of +three days, it is calculated 80,000 <i>litres</i> (pots) are +drunk each day!</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Cooper, the American novelist, has just published two volumes +of "Notions" of his countrymen, in the course of which he bestows +on them the following surperlative epithets: "most active, +quick-witted, enterprising, orderly, moral, simple, vigorous, +healthful, manly, generous, just, wise, innocent, civilized, +liberal, polite, enlightened, ingenious, moderate, glorious, +firm, free, virtuous, intelligent, sagacious, kind, honest, +independent, brave, gallant, intellectual, well-governed, +elevated, dignified, pure, immaculate, extraordinary, wonderful," +&c. He then calls them the "most improving," which is +painting, nay coating, the lily, to "wasteful and ridiculous +excess."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>OSTRICHES</p> + +<p>Impart a lively interest to a ride in the Pampas. They are +sometimes seen in coveys of twenty or thirty, gliding elegantly +along the undulations of the plain, at half pistol-shot from each +other, like skirmishers. The young are easily domesticated, and +soon become attached to those who caress them; but they are +troublesome inmates; for, stalking about the house, they will, +when full grown, swallow coin, shirt-pins, and every small +article of metal within reach. Their usual food, in a wild state, +is seeds, herbage, and insects; the flesh is a reddish brown, and +if young, not of bad flavour. A great many eggs are laid in the +same nest. Some accounts exonerate the ostrich from being the +most stupid bird in the creation. This has been proved by the +experiment of taking an egg away, or by putting one in addition. +In either case she destroys the whole by smashing them with her +feet. Although she does not attend to secrecy, in selecting a +situation for her nest, she will forsake it if the eggs have been +handled. It is also said that she rolls a few eggs thirty yards +distant from the nest, and cracks the shells, which, by the time +her young come forth, being filled with maggots, and covered with +insects, form the first repast of her infant brood. The male bird +is said to take upon himself the rearing of the young. If two +cock-birds meet, each with a family, they fight for the supremacy +over both; for which reason an ostrich has sometimes under his +tutelage broods of different ages.—<i>Mem. Gen. +Miller.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dr. Kitchiner recommends a gentleman who has a mind to carry +the arrangement of his clothes to a nicety, to have the shelves +of his wardrobe numbered 30, 40, 50, and 60, and according to the +degree of cold pointed to by his thermometer, to wear a +corresponding defence against it.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dr. Harwood fed two pointers; one he suffered to sleep after +dinner, another he forced to take exercise. In the stomach of the +one who had been quiet and asleep, all the food was digested; in +the stomach of the other, that process was hardly begun.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>SIR WALTER'S LAST.</p> + +<p>At page 354 of our last vol., the reader will find an eloquent +description of Perth, from the Wicks of Beglie, quoted from St. +Valentine's Eve. This turns out to be a topographical blunder, +for the "fair city" cannot be seen at all from the said Wicks, +whereas the author has described it as the best point of view. As +our readers have long since enjoyed the description, we shall +doubtless be pardoned for thus noticing the mistake.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>TELEGRAPHS.</p> + +<p>The system of telegraphs has arrived at such perfection in the +presidency of Bombay, that a communication may be made through a +line of 500 miles in eight minutes.—<i>Weekly Rev.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>One of the drawing-room critics who uphold the literature of +lords and ladies, sums up the merits of fashionable novel-writing +as follows:—"After all, it is something to scrutinize lords +and ladies, recline on satin sofas, eat off silver +dishes—whose nomenclature is the glory of +<i>l'artiste</i>—though only in a book."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>MAHOGANY.</p> + +<p>The largest and finest log of mahogany ever imported into this +country has been recently sold by auction at the docks in +Liverpool. It was purchased for 378l., and afterwards sold for +525l., and if it open well, it is supposed to be worth 1,000l. If +sawed into veneers, it is computed that the cost of labour in the +process will be 750l. The weight on the king's beam is six tons +thirteen hundred weight.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dugald Stewart, the celebrated metaphysician, of whom Scotland +has just reason to be proud, died a short time since at +Edinburgh, at the age of seventy-five. He recently published two +volumes, of which a distinguished gentleman in Edinburgh thus +speaks:—"June 16. Dugald Stewart is to be buried to-morrow. +A great light is gone out, or rather gone down,—for its +glory will long be in the sky, though its orb be no more visible +above the horizon. He corrected his last two volumes with his own +hand within these three months. What philosopher, especially +palsy-stricken ten years ago,—could ring in better. +Glorious fellow! I hear his splendid sentences and exquisite +voice sounding in mine ear at the distance of nearly thirty +winters. His peculiar merit was the purity and loftiness of his +moral taste. For about forty years he raised the standard of +thought and feeling among successive generations of young men, to +a range it would never otherwise have attained."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>OLD AND NEW VAUXHALL.</p> + +<p>Of old, a half-crown at the door, and the price of such +comestibles as were devoured, were grumbled at as tax enough; but +now the account stands in a fairer form, because you are charged +distinctly for every item, so that you know what you are paying +for, and may choose or reject, as you think fit. Thus Mr. Bull, +from Aldgate, with Mrs. Bull, and only four of the younger Bulls +and Cows, numbering six in all, make good their entry at the cost +of 1l. 4s.—Books to tell them what they are to see and +hear, the when and the how are 3s. Seats for the vaudeville +(average of modest places) 9s. Ditto for the ballet 6s. Ditto for +the battle 6s. Ditto for the fire-works 6s.—Total 2l. +14s.—But then they are not charged for seeing the lamps; +there is no charge for walking round the walks; there is no +charge for looking at the cosmoramic pictures; there is no charge +for casting a glance at the orchestra; there is no charge for +staring at the other people; there is no charge for bowing or +talking to an acquaintance, if you meet one—all these are +gratis; and if you neither eat nor drink, there is no charge for +witnessing those who do mangle the long-murdered honours of the +coop, and gulp down the most renovating of liquors, be they hale +or stout, vite vine, red port, or rack punch.—<i>Lit. +Gaz</i>.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Bruges, (celebrated as the birthplace of John Van Eyck, said +to have invented the art of oil-painting), is now in a very +dilapidated condition. It was formerly a place of great commerce, +and the merchants of Bruges were the wealthiest in Europe. The +population is reduced from 100,000 to 25,000.—<i>Brussels +Companion</i>.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>DISTURBING THE DEAD.</p> + +<p>Mr. Crawfurd, in his recent Mission to <i>Hué</i>, +wished to visit the mausoleum of the late king; "but," says he, +"we were politely informed that the king was always reluctant to +permit the visits of strangers, whose presence," he said, "might +'trouble the repose of the spirits of his ancestors.'"</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dine with a march-of-intellect man, and only observe the +downcast eyes of his pale-faced, trembling wife—the knit +brows of his sullen sons—the sulky sorrows of his +joy-denied daughters. All that comes of your hard-hearted, +hard-headed, music-painting-and-poetry-despising, utilitarian, +intellectual, all-in-all educationists, who know nothing so +admirable as a steam-engine, and would wish to see the whole +world worked by machinery.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>"FASHIONABLE" NOVELS.</p> + +<p>Here is a specimen of the <i>slip-slop</i> with which so many +thousand reams of paper have lately been spoiled. "Tea was +announced, and the ladies adjourned to the saloon; Lady Harriet +and Lady Charlotte, discussing, as they went in together, the +difficult question, whether it was or was not an improvement in +modern arrangements to have tea <i>en-buffet</i>. One of its +advantages the ladies were perfectly aware of, namely, that it +afforded a <i>point de réunir</i>, for both beaux and +belles, which is always so much wanted before the music begins; +and calculating on this important circumstance, Lady Charlotte +possessed herself of the chair which was the most accessible of +the whole group. Miss Mortimer, with equal foresight, stationed +herself at the fire:—"Good generalship," whispered Lady +Hauteville to the duchess, as the two experienced matrons +communicated together <i>sur les petites ruses</i>, which the +actors fancied were unperceived, &c."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Dr. Walsh, in his <i>Journey from Constantinople</i>, +describes a species of woodpecker, about the size of a thrush, of +a light, blue colour, with black marks beside the bill. "It +entered my room," says he, "with all the familiarity of an old +friend, hopped on the table, and picked up the crumbs and flies. +It had belonged to the doctor's child, just buried, and by a +singular instinct, left the house of the dead, and flew into my +room. Its habits were curious, and so familiar, that they were +quite attractive; it climbed up the wall by any stick or cord +near it, devouring flies. It sometimes began at my foot, and at +one race, ran up my leg, arm, round my neck, down my other arm, +and so to the table. It there tapped with its bill with a noise +as loud as a hammer. This was its general habit on the wood in +every part of the room; when it did so, it would look intently at +the place, and dart at any fly or insect it saw running. Writers +on Natural History say it makes this noise to disturb the insects +concealed within, so to seize them when they appear."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>At Brussels apartments are not to be procured for a shorter +term than six months.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>In the prison at Ghent, spirits are sold, but pens and paper +cannot be obtained without a special application to the +governor.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>Mr. Brande, in his recent Lecture on Vegetable Chemistry, +says, "Salt has been very much extolled for a manure; I believe +that a great deal more has been said of it than it deserves; it +certainly destroys insects, but I do not believe what has been +said of its value. We are not to infer that because a manure is +found to be useful on one soil in a certain climate, that it +shall prove equally useful in others; experience must direct us +in this particular."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p>STROLLING SCHOOLS.</p> + +<p>In Prussia there exist, what are termed <i>Strolling +Schools</i>, having no fixed place. The teacher, with his +scholars or his classical furniture, establishes himself in all +the houses or a village successively, where he affords +instruction; and his stay is determined by the number of persons +he is called upon to instruct under each roof, a week being the +allotted term, for each child, during which period the parents +supply all the wants of the <i>Domine.—Athenaeum.</i></p> + +<hr> +<h2>RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS</h2> + +<p>The following extracts from a "roll of the expenses of Edward +I., at Rhuddlan Castle, in Wales, in the tenth and eleventh years +of his reign" (1281 and 1282), may perhaps amuse our readers, as +showing the rates of wages paid to different workmen, tradesmen, +archers, &c. at that period. Under the head of +<i>necessaries</i>, are some curious items. Rhuddlan Castle was +the head quarters of Edward, during an insurrection of the Welsh, +under Llewellin, Prince of Wales, at which time it had many +additions made to it:—</p> + +<p>Paid to Master Peter de Brompton for the wages of 100 +carpenters, each receiving 4d. per day, and their constable +receiving 8d. per day; of which five are overseers of twenty, and +each receives 6d. per day for his wages, from Sunday 23rd of +August for the seven following days, 12l. 3s. 9d.</p> + +<p>To two smiths, one receiving 4d. per day, and the other 3d. +for their wages, from Sunday 23rd of August to Sunday l2th of +September, <i>each day being reckoned</i>, for twenty one days, +12s. 3d.</p> + +<p>Two shoeing smiths by the day, at 3d.</p> + +<p>Paid to forty-seven sailors of the king for their wages, seven +days; each receiving per diem 3d., except seven, each of whom +received 6d. per day, 4l. 14s. 6d.</p> + +<p>Paid to Geoffry le Chamberlin for the wages of twelve +cross-bowmen and thirteen archers for twenty-four days; each +cross-bowman receiving by the day 4d, and each archer +2d.,—7l. 8s.</p> + +<p>Paid to one master mason, receiving 6d. per diem, and five +masons at 4d., and one workman at 3d.; for twenty-eight days, 3l. +7s. 8d.</p> + +<p>Sunday next, after the feast of St. John Baptist, paid to +twenty-two mowers, each receiving 1-1/2d. per day for four days, +11s.</p> + +<p>Wednesday following paid to twenty-three mowers, each +receiving 6d. per day for their wages of two days, 1l. 3s.</p> + +<p>Paid to fourscore and sixteen <i>spreaders of hay</i> for one +day's wages, whereof fourscore received each per day 1-1/2d, and +each of the others 2d., l2s. 8d.</p> + +<p>Paid to 160 spreaders of hay for their wages, Sunday and +Monday, 16s. 6d.</p> + +<p><i>Necessaries.</i></p> + +<p>For six carts, each with three horses, hired to carry the hay +from the meadows to the castle of Rothelan, for one day, 6s. +10d.</p> + +<p>For the carriage of turf, with which the house was covered in +which the hay was placed, 1s. 5d.</p> + +<p>For an iron fork bought to turn the hay, 3d.</p> + +<p>For making a ditch about the house where the said hay was put, +1s. 8d.</p> + +<p>For putting and piling up one rick of hay in the house, 1s. +8d.</p> + +<p>Wages of two turf-cutters, seven days, at 5d. per day, 5s. +10d.</p> + +<p>For the carriage of turves to cover the king's kitchen, 7s. +6d.</p> + +<p>For twenty-two empty casks, bought to make paling for the +queen's court yard, 18s. 4d.</p> + +<p>To Wildbor, the fisherman, receiving 10d. per day, and his six +companions, the queen's fishermen, at 3d. per day each, fishing +in the sea, forty-two days, 4l. 18s.</p> + +<p>Repairing a cart of the king's, conveying a <i>pipe of +honey</i> from Aberconway to Rothelan, 1s. 4d.</p> + +<p>To six men carrying shingles to cover the hall of the castle, +at 2-1/2d each per day, seven days, 8s. 9d.</p> + +<p><i>Gifts.</i></p> + +<p>To a certain female spy, as a gift, 1s.</p> + +<p>To a certain female spy, to purchase her a house, as a gift, +1l.</p> + +<p>To Ralph le Vavasour, bringing news to the queen of the taking +of Dolinthalien, as a gift, 5l.</p> + +<p>To John de Moese, coming immediately after with the same news, +with letters of the Earl of Gloucester, by way of gift, 5l.</p> + +<p>To a certain player, as a gift, 1s.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Swan with Two Necks.</i></p> + +<p>It appears from the roll of swan's marks, in the time of Henry +VIII., that the king's swans were <i>doubly</i> marked, and had +what were called <i>two nicks</i>, or notches. The term, in +process of time, not being understood, a double animal was +invented, with the name of "The Swan with <i>Two Necks</i>." But +this is not the only ludicrous mistake that has arisen on the +subject, since "swan-upping," or the taking up of swans, +performed annually by the swan companies, with the Lord Mayor at +their head, for the purpose of marking them, has been changed, by +an unlucky asperite, into swan-<i>hopping</i>, which is perfectly +unintelligible.</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Trial of the Pix.</i></p> + +<p>The invention of it, in this kingdom, or at least its +introduction into our courts, is probably of high antiquity, +being mentioned in the time of Edward I., as a mode well known +and of common usage. At present it is seldom required, except on +the removal of the master of the Mint from his office. Upon a +memorial praying for a trial of the Pix by this officer, a +summons issues to certain members of the privy council to meet on +a day fixed. The Lord Chancellor also directs a precept to the +wardens of the Goldsmith's company, requiring them to nominate a +competent number of able freemen of their company, skilful to +judge of, and to present the defaults of the coin, if such be +found, to be of a jury. When the court is formed, twelve of these +persons are sworn, who are directed by the president to examine +whether the moneys were made according to the indenture, and +standard trial pieces, and within the remedies. But in 1754, Lord +Chancellor Talbot directed the jury to express precisely how much +the money was within the remedies; and the practice which he thus +enjoined is still continued. The Pix, or box containing the coins +to be examined, is then delivered to the jury, who retire to the +court room of the Duchy of Lancaster, whither the Pix is removed, +together with the weights of the Exchequer and Mint, and where +the scales used on this occasion are suspended; the beam of which +is so delicate, that it will turn with <i>six grains</i>, when +loaded with the whole of those weights, to the amount of 48 lbs. +8 oz. in each scale. The Pix is then opened, and the money which +had been taken out of each delivery, and enclosed in a parcel +under the seals of the warden, master, and comptroller of the +Mint, is given to the foreman, who reads aloud the endorsement, +and compares it with the account which lies before him; he then +delivers the parcel to one of the jury, who opens it and examines +whether its contents agree with the endorsement. When all the +parcels have been opened, and found right, the moneys contained +in them are mixed together in wooden bowls, and afterwards +weighed. Out of the said moneys so mingled, the jury take a +certain number of each species of coin, to the amount of one +pound for the assay by fire. And the indented trial pieces of +gold and silver, of the dates specified in the indenture, being +produced by the proper officer, a sufficient quantity is cut from +either of them, for the purpose of comparing with it the pound +weight of gold or silver which is to be tried by the usual +methods of assay. The jury then return their verdict, stating how +much the coins examined have varied from the weight and fineness +required, and whether the variations exceed or fall short of the +remedies which are allowed; and according to the terms of the +verdict, the master's quietus is either granted or withheld.</p> + +<p><i>Note</i>.—The <i>remedies</i> are an allowance of one +sixth of a carat, or forty grains, in the pound weight of gold, +and of two pennyweights in that of silver, considered either as +to fineness or weight, or both of them taken together; the +moneyers are, however, at this time so expert, that these +quantities are much greater than are necessary.</p> + +<hr> +<h2>SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY</h2> + +<p><i>Society of Civil Engineers</i>.</p> + +<p>A charter of incorporation has just received the royal +signature, constituting an institution of Civil Engineers, and +naming Mr. Telford its president. The objects of such +institution, as recited in the charter, are, "The general +advancement of mechanical science, and more particularly for +promoting the acquisition of that species of knowledge which +constitutes the profession of a civil engineer; being the art of +directing the great sources of power in nature for the use and +convenience of man, as the means of production and of traffic in +states, both for external and internal trade, as applied in the +construction of roads, bridges, aqueducts, canals, river +navigation, and docks, for internal intercourse and exchange; and +in the construction of ports, harbours, moles, breakwaters, and +light-houses, and in the art of navigation by artificial power, +for the purposes of commerce; and in the construction and +adaptation of machinery, and in the drainage of cities and +towns."</p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Toads as Ant-eaters</i>.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of last year, a pit, wherein I grew melons, was +so much infested with ants, as to threaten the destruction of the +whole crop; which they did, first by perforating the skin, and +afterwards eating their way into the fruit; and, after making +several unsuccessful experiments to destroy them, it occurred to +me that I had seen the toad feed on them. I accordingly put about +half a dozen toads into the pit, and, in the course of a few +days, scarcely an ant was to be found.—<i>Corresp. Gard. +Mag.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Laying out Part of the Calton Hill as +Pleasure-Ground</i>.</p> + +<p>We observe with pleasure plans advertised for in the Edinburgh +newspapers, for this purpose. There is no city in Britain which +presents greater facilities for public walks and gardens than +Edinburgh, notwithstanding the immense injury which it has +sustained in a picturesque point of view by the earthen mound, +and the mean buildings which cover great part of the bottom and +sides of the valley of the North Loch. That valley ought to have +been laid out in terraces, some open, or covered with glazed +verandas, for winter use, and others shaded by trees for summer +walking. The great art in laying out walks for recreation and +ease on sloping surfaces, is so to direct them as not to render +them more fatiguing than straight walks on level ground. But the +grand subject of improvement at Edinburgh, in the way of planting +in the public walks, is the hill of Arthur's Seat, which, planted +and built on, might be rendered one of the most unique scenes in +Europe.—<i>Gard. Mag.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Vegetables.</i></p> + +<p>Watering gives vegetables long exposed a fresher colour, and a +more attractive appearance; but repeated waterings are highly +pernicious, as they neutralize the natural juices of some, render +others bitter, and make all others vapid or +disagreeable.—<i>Ibid.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Mortar.</i></p> + +<p>The use of lime in mortar, is to fill up the hollow spaces or +vacuities between the grains of sand, and to cement them +together, thereby forming a kind of artificial stone. To add any +more lime than is sufficient to fill up these spaces, seems to be +useless, and to add much more must weaken the mortar; but, if too +little lime be used, there will be cavities left between some of +the grains of sand, and the mortar will consequently be short or +brittle: therefore, when we cannot ascertain the best proportions +of lime and sand, it is better to use too much lime than too +little.—<i>Ibid.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Treatment of Gold and Silver Fish.</i></p> + +<p>These beautiful objects of the animal kingdom, though long ago +introduced into Europe from China, their native country, seldom +breed in such numbers as they might be expected to do. It has +been lately discovered that in ponds heated by waste water +discharged from steam factories, the gold and silver fish breed +abundantly. From this circumstance, it has been suggested, that, +as heating hothouses by warm water is now so generally adopted, a +portion of this, led occasionally into a garden basin, would keep +the water in such a temperament as would not only always be +agreeable to the fish, but promote their +breeding.—<i>Ibid.</i></p> + +<p>—</p> + +<p><i>Climate.</i></p> + +<p>Professor Schow, of Copenhagen, has lately read a paper "On +the supposed Changes in the Climate of the different parts of the +Earth, during the period of Human History," from which, as far as +it has appeared in our language, it seems to be his opinion, +that, on a general view, climates are the same now as in ancient +times. The identity of the climate of Palestine, now and during +antiquity, is thus beautifully made out:—"It will be +convenient to begin with Palestine, the Bible being the oldest, +or one of the oldest of books; and, although great uncertainty +exists about the determination of the plants which are mentioned +in it, yet two of them do not admit of any doubt, (and these are +sufficient for the determination of the climate of Palestine, in +former times,) viz. the date-tree and the vine. The date-tree was +frequent, and principally in the southernmost part of the +country. Jericho was called Palm-town. The people had palm +branches in their hands. Deborah's palm-tree is mentioned between +Rama and Bethel. Pliny mentions the palm-tree as being frequent +in Judea, and principally about Jericho. Tacitus and Josephus +speak likewise of woods of palm-trees, as well as Strabo, +Diodorus Siculus, and Theophrastus. Among the Hebrew coins, those +with date-trees are by no means rare, and the tree is easily +recognised, as it is figured with its fruit. The vine, also, was +one of the plants most cultivated in Palestine, and not merely +for the grapes, but really for the preparation of wine. The feast +of the tabernacle of the Jews was a feast on account of the wine +harvest. From a passage where the cultivation of the vine is +mentioned, in the Valley of Engeddy, it is evident that the vine +not only grew in the northernmost mountainous part of the +country, but also in its southern lower part. Besides these, +there are other ancient testimonies in favour of the vine. This +plant, indeed, sometimes occurs on the same coin with the date +palm. The date-tree, in order to bring its fruit to perfection, +requires a mean temperature of 78° Fahr. The vine, on the +other hand, cannot be cultivated to any extent if the mean +temperature be above 72° Fahr. Such, then, must have been the +temperature of Palestine, in former ages; and by all that is +known of its present climate, the mean temperature seems to be +the same now. Nor has the time of harvest undergone any change. +Snow and ice, which were known, though rarely, in ancient times, +are occasionally met with now and at present, as in former times. +The inhabitants make use of artificial heat to warm +themselves."—<i>Dr. Brewster's Journal</i>.</p> + +<hr> +<h2>SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.</h2> + +<h3>NUISANCES OF SOCIETY.</h3> + +<p>It is quite true that the largest part of conversation turns +upon eating and drinking, the weather, the vices and follies of +our neighbours, and a thousand other trifles that lead not to +dispute; and it must be admitted that it is bad companionship to +be eternally canvassing the greater interests of life, and +forcing upon society opinions upon things in general. There are, +indeed, themes in plenty which belong to the neutral ground of +debate; but it is very pitiable that they should so ill bear +repetition. All the world, if they dared avow as much, are +heartily tired of them. Like cursing and swearing, they are +merely unmeaning expletives to supply the lack of sense, to gain +time, and to give a man the satisfaction of sometimes hearing his +own voice. With all the assistance of cards, music, dancing, and +champagne, society is at best but a dreary business, and it +requires no little animal spirits to undergo the infliction with +decency. Are you admitted on terms of familiarity to the domestic +hearth of your friend, that privilege confers on you the +opportunity of becoming intimately acquainted with the faults of +his servants, and (what is worse) with the merits of his +children.</p> + +<p>A dinner of ceremony is a funeral without a legacy; an +assembly is a mob, and a ball a compound of glare, tinsel, noise, +and dust. However amusing in their freshness, after a few +repetitions, they are only rendered endurable by the prospect of +some collateral gain, or the gratification of personal vanity. To +exhibit the beauty of a young wife, or the diamonds of an old +one; to be able to say the best thing that is uttered; to sport a +red ribbon or a Waterloo medal in their first novelty; to carry a +point with a great man, or to borrow money from a rich one, may +pass off an evening very well, with those who happen to be +interested in such speculations; but, these things apart, the +arrantest trifler in the circle must get weary at last, and be +heartily rejoiced when the conclusion of the season spares him +all further reiteration of the mill-horse operation. It is this +insipidity of society that forces so many of its members upon +desperate adventures of gallantry, and upon deep play. Any thing, +every thing is good to escape from the languor and listlessness +of a converse from which whatever interests is banished. Many a +woman loses her character, and many a man incurs a verdict of +ruinous damages, in the simple search of that rarest of all rare +things in society—a sensation. Neither is the matter much +mended, if, barring the insipidity of bon-ton company, you plunge +into the formal gravity of the middle classes, or into the noisy, +empty mirth of the lower. The man of sense and feeling, wherever +he goes, will find himself in a minority, in which few will speak +his language or comprehend his ideas. He will seldom return to +his home without a weary sense of the "stale, flat, and +unprofitable" nothings he has been compelled to entertain in his +intercourse with the world,—without the recollection of +some outrage on his independence, some dogmatism that he dared +not question, some impertinence that he dared not confute. With +his ears ringing with blue-stocking literature, threadbare +sophistries, forms erected into important principles, mediocrity +elevated into consideration, and the pre-eminence of the vain, +the ignorant, and the contemptible, he will shut himself up in +his solitude, and say with the Englishman at Paris <i>Je m'ennuis +très bien ici</i>. Against the recurrence of these +annoyances, day after day renewed, what nerves can hold out? As +life advances, time becomes precious, every moment is counted, +every enjoyment is computed; and while the effort necessary for +pleasing and being pleased becomes greater, the motive for making +that exertion grows less. When the sources of physical +gratification are dried up, and the illusions of life are +dissipated, there remains nothing for enjoyment but a tranquil +fireside, and the mastery of our own ideas and of our own habits +in the privacy of home. But then, to enjoy these, you must not +have a methodist wife, and you must have a porter who can lie +with a good grace, a fellow who could say "not at home," though +death himself knocked at the door. Neither should you read the +newspapers, nor walk the streets. The times are long gone by +since "wisdom cried out there." Folly, impertinence, sheer +impertinence, has exclusive possession of the king's highway; and +a dog with a tin-kettle at tail has as good a chance as the +wretch who dares to tread the pavement without partaking of the +ruling insanity. Oh! Mr. Brougham, Mr. Brougham! your +schoolmaster has a great deal yet to do: pray heaven his rods and +his fools' caps may hold out!—<i>New Month. Mag.</i></p> + +<hr> +<h3>TO "BEAUTY."</h3> + +<pre> + The morn is up! wake, Beauty, wake! + The flower is on the lea, + The blackbird sings within the brake, + The thrush is on the tree; + Forth to the balmy fields repair, + And let the breezes mild + Lift from thy brow the falling hair, + And fan my little child— + Yet if thy step be 'mid the dews, + Beauty! be sure to change your shoes! + + 'Tis noon! the butterfly springs up, + High from her couch of rest, + And scorns the little blue-bell cup + Which all night long she press'd. + Away! we'll seek the walnut's shade, + And pass the sunny hour, + The bee within the rose is laid, + And veils him in the flower; + Mark not the lustre of his wing, + Beauty! be careful of his sting! + + 'Tis eve! but the retiring ray + A halo deigns to cast + Round scenes on which it shone all day, + And gilds them to the last: + Thus, ere thine eyelids close in sleep, + Let Memory deign to flee + Far o'er the mountain and the deep, + To cast one beam on me! + Yes, Beauty! 'tis mine inmost prayer— + But don't forget to curl your hair! +</pre> + +<p><i>Blackwood's Mag.</i></p> + +<hr> +<h3>GOG AND MAGOG.—(<i>A Fragment.</i>)</h3> + +<p>Pensively and profoundly was I meditating, seated one evening +upon a stone bench in Guildhall, when, as the gathering gloom +invested the solemn faces of Gog and Magog, rendering them +mysteriously dim and indistinct, methought I saw them slowly shut +their eyes, nod their heads, fall asleep, and actually begin to +snore. Never did I hear any thing more sonorously grand and awful +than that portentous inbreathing of Gog and Magog, resounding +through the Gothic vastness of Guildhall; but, behold! how +omnipotent is the dreaming imagination! I myself had been dozing; +the sound of my own nose, transferred by a metonymy of the fancy +to the nostrils of those wooden idols, had become, as it were, +the living apotheosis of a snore, which had subdued me by its +sublimity. Most fortunate was it that I awoke; for, on +attentively inspecting the faces of the figures, I saw them +working and writhing with all the contortions of the Pythoness or +the Sibyl, labouring in the very throes of inspiration, +struggling with the advent of the prophetical afflatus. At length +their lips parted, when, in a low, solemn voice, that thrilled +through the dark, deserted, and silent hall, they poured forth +alternately the following vaticinal strain, each starting and +trembling as he concluded:—</p> + +<pre> + "From Bank, Change, Mansion-house, Guildhall, + Throgmorton, and Threadneedle, + From London-stone, and London wall, + When City housewife's wheedle + To Brunswick, Russell, Bedford Squares, + And Portland-place, their spouses, + Anxious to give themselves great airs + Of fashion in great houses, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When merchant, banker, broker, shake + In Crockford's club their elbow, + And for St. James's clock forsake + The chiming of thy bell, Bow: + When Batson's, Garraway's, and John's, + At night show empty boxes, + While cits are playing dice with dons, + Or ogling opera doxies; + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." + + "When city dames give routs and reels, + And ape high-titled prancers, + When City misses dance quadrilles, + Or waltz with whisker'd Lancers; + When City gold is quickly spent + In trinkets, feasts, and raiment, + And none suspend their merriment + Until they all stop payment, + Then Gog shall start, and Magog shall + Tremble upon his pedestal." +</pre> + +<p>I was reflecting what dire calamities would fall upon the +doomed City, since the era of luxury, corruption, and desertion, +thus denounced, had now manifestly arrived, and Gog and Magog +were actually starting and trembling upon their pedestals, when +the hall-keeper, shaking me by the shoulder, +exclaimed—"Come, Sir, you musn't be sleeping here all +night! Bundle out, if you please, for I am just going to shut the +great gates!"—<i>New Monthly Mag.</i></p> + +<hr> +<h2>THE GATHERER.</h2> + +<blockquote>A snapper up of unconsidered +trifles.—SHAKSPEARE.</blockquote> + +<h3>MODERN SALAMANDER.</h3> + +<p>An experiment to ascertain the degree of heat it is possible +for a man to bear, was made a few days ago at the New Tivoli, at +Paris, in the presence of a company of about 200 persons. The man +on whom this experiment was made is a Spaniard of Andalusia, +named Martenez, aged 43. A cylindrical oven, constructed in the +shape of a dome, had been heated for four hours, by a very +powerful fire. At ten minutes past eight, the Spaniard, having on +large pantaloons of red flannel, a thick cloak also of flannel, +and a large felt, after the fashion of straw hats, went into the +oven, where he remained, seated on a foot-stool, during fourteen +minutes, exposed to a heat of from 45 to 50 degrees, of a +metallic thermometer, the gradation of which did not go higher +than 50. He sang a Spanish song while a fowl was roasted by his +side. At his coming out of the oven, the physicians found that +his pulse beat 134 pulsations a minute, though it was but 72 at +his going in, The oven being healed anew for a second experiment, +the Spaniard re-entered and seated himself in the same attitude; +at three quarters past eight, ate the fowl, and drank a bottle of +wine to the health of the spectators. At coming out his pulse was +176, and the thermometer indicated a heat of 110 degrees of +Reaumur. Finally, for the third and last experiment, which almost +immediately followed the second, he was stretched on a plank, +surrounded with lighted candles, and thus put into the oven, the +mouth of which was closed this time. He was there nearly five +minutes, when all the spectators cried out, "Enough, enough," and +anxiously hastened to take him out. A noxious and suffocating +vapour of tallow filled the inside of the oven, and all the +candles were extinguished and melted. The Spaniard, whose pulse +was 200 at coming out of this gulf of heat, immediately threw +himself into a cold bath, and in two or three minutes after was +on his feet safe and sound.</p> + + + +<h3>WILL OF MR. WILLIAM HICKINGTON,</h3> + +<p><i>Proved in the Deanery Court of York, 1772.</i></p> + +<pre> + This is my last Will, + I insist on it still, + So sneer on and welcome + And e'en laugh your fill. + I, William Hickington, + Poet of Pocklington, + Do give and bequeathe, + As free as I breathe, + To thee, Mary Jaram, + The queen of my haram, + My cash and cattle, + With every chattel, + To have and to hold, + Come heat or come cold, + Sans hindrance or strife, + (Tho' thou art <i>not</i> my wife,) + As witness my hand, + Just here as I stand, + This 12th of July, + In the year seventy —— + + Signed, &c. W. HICKINGTON. +</pre> + +<p>J. W. F. B.</p> + + +<h3>REGENT'S PUNCH.</h3> + +<p>The receipt for this "nectarious drink" is as +follows:—Three bottles of champagne, a bottle of hock, a +bottle of curaçoa, a quart of brandy, a pint of rum, two +bottles of Madeira, two bottles of seltzer water, four pounds of +bloom raisins, Seville oranges, lemons, white sugarcandy, and, +instead of water, green tea. The whole to be highly iced.</p> + +<hr> +<p>The Supplement, containing a fine Portrait of CAPTAIN +CLAPPERTON, Memoir, &c. and a Title-Page, Preface, and +copious Index to Vol XI., is now published. It extends beyond the +usual quantity, the Memoir is of original interest, and the price +is (in the present instance only) unavoidably advanced to +Fourpence.</p> + +<hr> +<hr> +<p><i>Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near +Somerset House,) London; Published by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New +Market, Leipsic; and Sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers.</i></p> + +<pre> + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror, 1828.07.05, by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR, 1828.07.05 *** + +This file should be named 8m32110h.htm or 8m32110h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8m32111h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8m32110ah.htm + +Produced by The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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