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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/9884-8.txt b/9884-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..56e49af --- /dev/null +++ b/9884-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1818 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827, 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 of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827 + +Author: Various + +Posting Date: December 5, 2011 [EBook #9884] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: October 27, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIRROR OF LITERATURE, JULY 14, 1827 *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 10, No. 264.] SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1827. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + +ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS. + + +NEW CHURCH, REGENT'S PARK. + +[Illustration] + + +The architectural splendour which has lately developed itself in and +about the precincts of the parish of St. Mary-le-Bonne, exhibits a most +surprising and curious contrast with the former state of this part of +London; and more particularly when compared with accounts extracted from +newspapers of an early date. + +Mary-le-Bonne parish is estimated to contain more than ten thousand +houses, and one hundred thousand inhabitants. In the plans of London, in +1707, it was a small village one mile distant from the Metropolis, +separated by fields--the scenes of robbery and murder. The following +from a newspaper of 1716:--"On Wednesday last, four gentlemen were +robbed and stripped in the fields between Mary-le-Bonne and London." The +"Weekly Medley," of 1718, says, "Round about the New Square which is +building near Tyburn road, there are so many other edifices, that a +whole magnificent city seems to be risen out of the ground in a way +which makes one wonder how it should find a new set of inhabitants. It +is said it is to be called by the name of _Hanover Square!_ On the other +side is to be built another square, called Oxford Square." From the same +article I have also extracted the dates of many of the different +erections, which may prove of benefit to your architectural readers, as +tending to show the progressive improvement made in the private +buildings of London, and showing also the style of building adopted at +later periods. Indeed, I would wish that some of your correspondents-- +_F.R.Y._, or _P.T.W._, for instance, would favour us with a _list of +dates_ answering this purpose. Rathbone-place and John-street (from +Captain Rathbone) began 1729. Oxford market opened 1732. Newman-street +and Berners-street, named from the builders, between 1723 and 1775. +Portland-place and street, 1770. Portman-square, 1764. Portman-place, +1770. Stratford-place, five years later, on the site of Conduit Mead, +built by Robert Stratford, Esq. This had been the place whereon stood +the banquetting house for the lord mayor and aldermen, when they visited +the neighbouring nine conduits which then supplied the city with water. +Cumberland-place, 1769. Manchester-square the year after. + +Previous to entering upon an architectural description of the superb +buildings recently erected in the vicinity of Regency Park, I shall +confine myself at present to that object that first arrests the +attention at the entrance, which is the church; it has been erected +under the commissioners for building new churches. The architect is J. +Soane, Esq. There is a pleasing originality in this gentleman's +productions; the result of extensive research among the architectural +beauties of the ancients, together with a peculiar happy mode of +distributing his lights and shadows; producing in the greatest degree +picturesque effect: these are peculiarities essentially his own, and +forming in no part a copy of the works of any other architect in the +present day. The church in question by no means detracts from his merit +in these particulars. The principal front consists of a portico of four +columns of the Ionic order, approached by a small flight of steps; on +each side is a long window, divided into two heights by a stone transum +(panelled). Under the lower window is a raised panel also; and in the +flank of the building the plinth is furnished with openings; each of the +windows is filled with ornamental iron-work, for the purpose of +ventilating the vaults or catacombs. The flank of the church has a +central projection, occupied by antae, and six insulated Ionic columns; +the windows in the inter-columns are in the same style as those in +front; the whole is surmounted by a balustrade. The tower is in two +heights; the lower part has eight columns of the Corinthian order. +Example taken from the temple of Vesta, at Tivoli; these columns, with +their stylobatæ and entablature, project, and give a very extraordinary +relief in the perspective view of the building. The upper part consists +of a circular peristyle of six columns; the example apparently taken +from the portico of the octagon tower of Andronicus Cyrrhestes, or tower +of the winds, from the summit of which rises a conical dome, surmounted +by the Vane. The more minute detail may be seen by the annexed drawing. +The prevailing ornament is the Grecian fret. + +Mr. Soane, during his long practice in the profession, has erected very +few churches, and it appears that he is endeavouring to rectify failings +that seem insurmountable in the present style of architecture,--that of +preventing the tower from having the appearance of rising out of the +roof, by designing his porticos without pediments; if this is the case, +he certainly is indebted to a great share of praise, as a pediment will +always conceal (particularly at a near view) the major part of a tower. +But again, we find ourselves in another difficulty, and it makes the +remedy as bad as the disease,--that of taking away the principal +characteristic of a portico, (namely, the pediment), and destroying at +once the august appearance which it gives to the building; we find in +all the churches of Sir Christopher Wren the campanile to form a +distinct projection from the ground upwards; thus assimilating nearer to +the ancient form of building them entirely apart from the main body of +the church. I should conceive, that if this idea was followed by +introducing the beautiful detail of Grecian architecture, according to +Wren's _models_ it would raise our church architecture to a very +superior pitch of excellence. + +In my next I shall notice the interior, and also the elevation towards +the altar. + +C. DAVY. + +_Furnivals' Inn_, + +_July 1, 1827._ + + * * * * * + + + +THE MONTHS + + * * * * * + + +THE SEASON. + + +The heat is greatest in this month on account of its previous duration. +The reason why it is less so in August is, that the days are then much +shorter, and the influence of the sun has been gradually diminishing. +The farmer is still occupied in getting the productions of the earth +into his garners; but those who can avoid labour enjoy as much rest and +shade as possible. There is a sense of heat and quiet all over nature. +The birds are silent. The little brooks are dried up. The earth is +chapped with parching. The shadows of the trees are particularly +grateful, heavy, and still. The oaks, which are freshest because latest +in leaf, form noble clumpy canopies; looking, as you lie under them, of +a strong and emulous green against the blue sky. The traveller delights +to cut across the country through the fields and the leafy lanes, where, +nevertheless, the flints sparkle with heat. The cattle get into the +shade or stand in the water. The active and air-cutting-swallows, now +beginning to assemble for migration, seek their prey about the shady +places; where the insects, though of differently compounded natures, +"fleshless and bloodless," seem to get for coolness, as they do at other +times for warmth. The sound of insects is also the only audible thing +now, increasing rather than lessening the sense of quiet by its gentle +contrast. The bee now and then sweeps across the ear with his gravest +tone. The gnats + + "Their murmuring small trumpets sounden wide:"--SPENSER. + +and here and there the little musician of the grass touches forth his +tricksy note. + + The poetry of earth is never dead; + When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, + And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run + From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead: + That is the grasshopper's.[1] + + [1] _Poems_, by John Keats, p. 93. + +The strong rains, which sometimes come down in summer-time, are a noble +interruption to the drought and indolence of hot weather. They seem as +if they had been collecting a supply of moisture equal to the want of +it, and come drenching the earth with a mighty draught of freshness. The +rushing and tree-bowing winds that precede them, the dignity with which +they rise in the west, the gathering darkness of their approach, the +silence before their descent, the washing amplitude of their +out-pouring, the suddenness with which they appear to leave off, taking +up, as it were, their watery feet to sail onward, and then the sunny +smile again of nature, accompanied by the "sparkling noise" of the +birds, and those dripping diamonds the rain-drops;--there is a grandeur +and a beauty in all this, which lend a glorious effect to each other; +for though the sunshine appears more beautiful than grand, there is a +power, not even to be looked upon, in the orb from which it flows; and +though the storm is more grand than beautiful, there is always beauty +where there is so much beneficence.--_The Months_. + + +BATHING + + +It is now the weather for bathing, a refreshment too little taken in +this country, either summer or winter. We say in winter, because with +very little care in placing it near a cistern, and having a leathern +pipe for it, a bath may be easily filled once or twice a week with warm +water; and it is a vulgar error that the warm bath relaxes. An excess, +either warm or cold, will relax, and so will any other excess; but the +sole effect of the warm bath moderately taken is, that it throws off the +bad humours of the body by opening and clearing the pores. As to summer +bathing, a father may soon teach his children to swim, and thus perhaps +may be the means of saving their lives some day or other, as well as +health. Ladies also, though they cannot bathe in the open air, as they +do in some of the West Indian islands and other countries, by means of +natural basins among the rocks, might oftener make a substitute for it +at home in tepid baths. The most beautiful aspects under which Venus has +been painted or sculptured have been connected with bathing; and indeed +there is perhaps no one thing that so equally contributes to the three +graces of health, beauty, and good temper; to health, in putting the +body into its best state; to beauty, in clearing and tinting the skin; +and to good temper, in rescuing the spirits from the irritability +occasioned by those formidable personages, "the nerves," which nothing +else allays in so quick and entire a manner. See a lovely passage on the +subject of bathing in Sir Philip Sydney's "Arcadia," where "Philoclea, +blushing, and withal smiling, makeing shamefastnesse pleasant, and +pleasure shamefast, tenderly moved her feet, unwonted to feel the naked +ground, until the touch of the cold water made a pretty kind of +shrugging come over her body; like the twinkling of the fairest among +the fixed stars."--_Ibid_. + + +INSECTS + + +Insects now take the place of the feathered tribe, and, being for the +most part hatched in the spring, they are now in full vigour. It is a +very amusing sight in some of our rural rambles, in a bright evening +after a drizzling summer shower, to see the air filled throughout all +its space with sportive organized creatures, the leaf, the branch, the +bark of the tree, every mossy bank, the bare earth, the pool, the ditch, +all teeming with animal life; and the mind that is ever framed for +contemplation, must awaken now in viewing such a profusion and variety +of existence. One of those poor little beings, the fragile _gnat_, +becomes our object of attention, whether we regard its form or peculiar +designation in the insect world; we must admire the first, and +innocently, perhaps, conjecture the latter. We know that Infinite +Wisdom, which formed, declared it "to be very good;" that it has its +destination and settled course of action, admitting of no deviation or +substitution: beyond this, perhaps, we can rarely proceed, or, if we +sometimes advance a few steps more, we are then lost in the mystery with +which the incomprehensible Architect has thought proper to surround it. +So little is human nature permitted to see, (nor perhaps is it capable +of comprehending much more than permitted,) that it is blind beyond +thought as to secondary causes; and admiration, that pure fountain of +intellectual pleasure, is almost the only power permitted to us. We see +a wonderfully fabricated creature, decorated with a vest of glorious art +and splendour, occupying almost its whole life in seeking for the most +fitting station for its own necessities, exerting wiles and stratagems, +and constructing a peculiar material to preserve its offspring against +natural or occasional injury, with a forethought equivalent to +reason--in a moment, perhaps, with all its splendour and instinct, it +becomes the prey of some wandering bird! and human wisdom and conjecture +are humbled to the dust. We can "see but in part," and the wisest of us +is only, perhaps, something less ignorant than another. This sense of a +perfection so infinitely above us, is the _natural_ intimation of a +Supreme Being; and as science improves, and inquiry is augmented, our +imperfections and ignorance will become more manifest, and all our +aspirations after knowledge only increase in us the conviction of +knowing nothing. Every deep investigator of nature can hardly be +possessed of any other than a humble mind. + + * * * * * + + +THE PEACOCK. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +Of this bird, there are several species, distinguished by their +different colours. The male of the common kind is, perhaps, the most +gaudy of all the bird-kind; the length and beauty of whose tail, and the +various forms in which the creature carries it, are sufficiently known +and admired among us. India is, however, his native country; and there +he enjoys himself with a sprightliness and gaiety unknown to him in +Europe. The translators of Hindoo poetry concur in their description of +his manners; and is frequently alluded to by the Hindoo poets. + + "Dark with her varying clouds, and peacocks gay." + +It is affirmed, among the delightful phenomena which are observable at +the commencement of the rainy season, (immediately following that of the +withering hot winds,) the joy displayed by the peacocks is one of the +most pleasing. These birds assemble in groups upon some retired spot of +verdant grass; jump about in the most animated manner, and make the air +re-echo with their cheerful notes. + + "Or can the peacock's animated hail." + +The wild peacock is also exceedingly abundant in many parts of +Hindoostan, and is especially found in marshy places. The habits of this +bird are in a great measure aquatic; and the setting in of the rains is +the season in which they pair; the peacock is, therefore, always +introduced in the description of cloudy or rainy weather. Thus, in a +little poem, descriptive of the rainy season, &c., the author says, +addressing his mistress,-- + + "Oh, thou, whose teeth enamelled vie + With smiling _Cunda's_ pearly ray, + Hear how the peacock's amorous cry + Salutes the dark and cloudy day." + +And again, where he is describing the same season:-- + + "When smiling forests, whence the tuneful cries + Of clustering pea-fowls shrill and frequent rise, + Teach tender feelings to each human breast, + And please alike the happy or distressed." + +The peacock flies to the highest station he can reach, to enjoy himself; +and rises to the topmost boughs of trees, though the female makes her +nest on the ground. + +F.R.Y. + + * * * * * + + +A WARNING TO FRUIT EATERS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +The mischiefs arising from the bad custom of many people swallowing the +stones of plums and other fruit are very great. In the _Philosophical +Transactions_, No. 282, there is an account of a woman who suffered +violent pains in her bowels for thirty years, returning once in a month, +or less, owing to a plum-stone which had lodged; which, after various +operations, was extracted. There is likewise an account of a man, who +dying of an incurable colic, which had tormented him many years, and +baffled the effects of medicine, was opened after his death, and in his +bowels was found the cause of his distemper, which was a ball, composed +of tough and hard matter, resembling a stone, being six inches in +circumference, when measured, and weighing an ounce and a half; in the +centre of this there was found the stone of a common plum. These +instances sufficiently prove the folly of that common opinion, that the +stones of fruits are wholesome. Cherry-stones, swallowed in great +quantities, have occasioned the death of many people; and there have +been instances even of the seeds of strawberries, and kernels of nuts, +collected into a lump in the bowels, and causing violent disorders, +which could never be cured till they were carried off. + +P.T.W. + + * * * * * + + +THE NIGHTINGALE, + +BY THE AUTHOR OF "AHAB." + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + + In the low dingle sings the nightingale. + And echo answers; all beside is still. + The breeze is gone to fill some distant sail, + And on the sand to sleep has sunk the rill. + The blackbird and the thrush have sought the vale. + And the lark soars no more above the hill, + For the broad sun is up all hotly pale, + And in my reins I feel his parching thrill. + + Hark! how each note, so beautifully clear, + So soft, so sweetly mellow, rings around. + Then faintly dies away upon the ear, + That fondly vibrates to the fading sound. + Poor bird, thou sing'st, the thorn within thy heart, + And I from sorrows, that will not depart. + +S.P.J. + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS + + * * * * * + + +A NIGHT ATTACK. + + +Charlton and I were in the act of smoking our cigars, the men having +laid themselves down about the blaze, when word was passed from sentry +to sentry, and intelligence communicated to us, that all was not right +towards the river. We started instantly to our feet. The fire was +hastily smothered up, and the men snatching their arms, stood in line, +ready to act as circumstances might require. So dense, however, was the +darkness, and so dazzling the effect of the glare from the bivouac, that +it was not possible, standing where we stood, to form any reasonable +guess, as to the cause of this alarm. That an alarm had been excited, +was indeed perceptible enough. Instead of the deep silence which five +minutes ago had prevailed in the bivouac, a strange hubbub of shouts, +and questions, and as many cries, rose up the night air; nor did many +minutes elapse, ere first one musket, then three or four, then a whole +platoon, were discharged. The reader will _easily_ believe that the +latter circumstance startled us prodigiously, ignorant as we were of the +cause which produced it; but it required no very painful exertion of +patience to set us right on this head; flash, flash, flash, came from +the river; the roar of cannon followed, and the light of her own +broadside displayed to us an enemy's vessel at anchor near the opposite +bank, and pouring a perfect shower of grape and round shot into +the camp. + +For one instant, and only for an instant, a scene of alarm and +consternation overcame us; and we almost instinctively addressed to each +other the question, "What can all this mean?" But the meaning was too +palpable not to be understood at once. "The thing cannot end here," said +we--"a night attack is commencing;" and we made no delay in preparing to +meet it. Whilst Charlton remained with the picquet, in readiness to act +as the events might demand, I came forward to the sentries, for the +purpose of cautioning them against paying attention to what might pass +in their rear, and keeping them steadily engaged in watching their +front. The men were fully alive to the peril of their situation. They +strained with their hearing and eyesight to the utmost limits; but +neither sound nor sight of an advancing column could be perceived. At +last, however, an alarm was given. One of the rifles challenged--it was +the sentinel on the high road; the sentinel who communicated with him +challenged also; and the cry was taken up from man to man, till our own +most remote sentry caught it. I flew to his station; and sure enough the +tramp of many feet was most distinctly audible. Having taken the +precaution to carry an orderly forward with me, I caused him to hurry +back to Charlton with intelligence of what was coming, and my earnest +recommendation that he would lose no time in occupying the ditch. I had +hardly done so, when the noise of a column deploying was distinctly +heard. The tramp of horses, too, came mingled with the tread of men; in +a word, it was quite evident that a large force, both of infantry and +cavalry, was before us. + +There was a pause at this period of several moments, as if the enemy's +line, having effected its formation, had halted till some other +arrangement should be completed; but it was quickly broke. On they came, +as far as we could judge from the sound, in steady array, till at length +their line could be indistinctly seen rising through the gloom. The +sentinels with one consent gave their fire. They gave it regularly and +effectively, beginning with the rifles on their left, and going off +towards the 85th on their right, and then, in obedience to their orders, +fell back. But they retired not unmolested. This straggling discharge on +our part seemed to be the signal to the Americans to begin the battle, +and they poured in such a volley, as must have proved, had any +determinate object been opposed to it, absolutely murderous. But our +scattered videttes almost wholly escaped it; whilst over the main body +of the picquet, sheltered as it was by the ditch, and considerably +removed from its line, it passed entirely harmless. + +Having fired this volley, the enemy loaded again, and advanced. We saw +them coming, and having waited till we judged that they were within +excellent range, we opened our fire. It was returned in tenfold force, +and now went on, for a full half hour, as heavy and close a discharge of +musketry as troops have perhaps ever faced. Confident in their numbers, +and led on, as it would appear, by brave officers, the Americans dashed +forward till scarcely ten yards divided us; but our position was an +admirable one, our men were steady and cool, and they penetrated no +farther. On the contrary, we drove them back, more than once, with a +loss which their own inordinate multitude tended only to render the +more severe. + +The action might have continued in this state about two hours, when, to +our horror and dismay, the approaching fire upon our right flank and +rear gave testimony that the picquet of the 85th, which had been in +communication with us, was forced. Unwilling to abandon our ground, +which we had hitherto held with such success, we clung for awhile to the +idea that the reverse in that quarter might be only temporary, and that +the arrival of fresh troops might yet enable us to continue the battle +in a position so eminently favourable to us. But we were speedily taught +that our hopes were without foundation. The American war-cry was behind +us. We rose from our lairs, and endeavoured, as we best could, to retire +upon the right, but the effort was fruitless. There too the enemy had +established themselves, and we were surrounded. "Let us cut our way +through," cried we to the men. The brave fellows answered only with a +shout; and collecting into a small compact line, prepared to use their +bayonets. In a moment we had penetrated the centre of an American +division; but the numbers opposed to us were overwhelming; our close +order was lost; and the contest became that of man to man. I have no +language adequate to describe what followed. For myself, I did what I +could, cutting and thrusting at the multitudes about me, till at last I +found myself fairly hemmed in by a crowd, and my sword-arm mastered. One +American had grasped me round the waist, another, seizing me by the +wrist, attempted to disarm me, whilst a third was prevented from +plunging his bayonet into my body, only from the fear of stabbing one or +other of his countrymen. I struggled hard, but they fairly bore me to +the ground. The reader will well believe, that at this juncture I +expected nothing else than instant death; but at the moment when I fell, +a blow upon the head with the butt-end of a musket dashed out the brains +of the man who kept his hold upon my sword-arm, and it was freed. I saw +a bayonet pointed to my breast, and I intuitively made a thrust at the +man who wielded it. The thrust took effect, and he dropped dead beside +me. Delivered now from two of my enemies, I recovered my feet, and found +that the hand which dealt the blow to which my preservation was owing, +was that of Charlton. There were about ten men about him. The enemy in +our front were broken, and we dashed through. But we were again hemmed +in, and again it was fought hand to hand, with that degree of +determination, which the assurance that life and death were on the +issue, could alone produce. There cannot be a doubt that we should have +fallen to a man, had not the arrival of fresh troops at this critical +juncture turned the tide of affairs. As it was, little more than a third +part of our picquet survived, the remainder being either killed or +taken; and both Charlton and myself, though not dangerously, were +wounded. Charlton had received a heavy blow upon the shoulder, which +almost disabled him; whilst my neck bled freely from a thrust, which the +intervention of a stout leathern stock alone hindered from being fatal. +But the reinforcement gave us all, in spite of wounds and weariness, +fresh courage, and we renewed the battle with alacrity. + +In the course of the struggle in which we had been engaged, we had been +borne considerably out of the line of our first position, and now found +that the main-road and the picquet of the rifles, were close in our +rear. We were still giving way--for the troops opposed to us could not +amount to less than fifteen hundred men, whilst the whole force on our +part came not up to one hundred--when Captain Harris, major of brigade +to Colonel Thornton, came up with an additional company to our support. +Making way for them to fall in between us and the rifles, we took ground +once more to the right, and driving back a body of the enemy, which +occupied it, soon recovered the position from which we had been +expelled. But we did so with the loss of many brave men, and, among +others, of Captain Harris. He was shot in the lower part of the belly at +the same instant that a musket-ball struck the hilt of his sword, and +forced it into his side. Once more established in our ditch, we paused, +and from that moment till the battle ceased to rage we never changed +our attitude. + +It might be about one o'clock in the morning,--the American force in our +front having fallen back, and we having been left, for a full half hour +to breathe, when suddenly the head of a small column showed itself in +full advance towards us. We were at this time amply supported by other +troops, as well in communication as in reserve; and willing to +annihilate the corps now approaching, we forbade the men to fire till it +should be mingled with us. We did even more than this. Opening a passage +for them through our centre, we permitted some hundred and twenty men to +march across our ditch, and then wheeling up, with a loud shout, we +completely enclosed them. Never have I witnessed a panic more perfect or +more sudden than that which seized them. They no sooner beheld the snare +into which they had fallen, than with one voice they cried aloud for +quarter; and they were to a man made prisoners on the spot. The reader +will smile when he is informed that the little corps thus captured +consisted entirely of members of the legal profession. The barristers, +attorneys, and notaries of New Orleans having formed themselves into a +volunteer corps, accompanied General Jackson in his operations this +night; and they were all, without a solitary exception, made prisoners. +It is probably needless to add, that the circumstance was productive of +no trifling degree of mirth amongst us; and to do them justice, the poor +lawyers, as soon as they recovered from their first alarm, joined +heartily in our laughter. + +This was the last operation in which we were engaged to-night. The +enemy, repulsed on all sides, retreated with the utmost disorder, and +the whole of the advance, collecting at the sound of the bugle, drew up, +for the first time since the commencement of the affair, in a continuous +line. We took our ground in front of the bivouac, having our right +supported by the river, and our left covered by the chateau and village +of huts. Among these latter the cannon were planted; whilst the other +divisions, as they came rapidly up, took post beyond them. In this +position we remained, eagerly desiring a renewal of the attack, till +dawn began to appear, when, to avoid the fire of the vessel, the advance +once more took shelter behind the bank. The first brigade, on the +contrary, and such portion of the second as had arrived, encamped upon +the plain, so as to rest their right upon the wood; and a chain of +picquets being planted along the entire pathway, the day was passed in a +state of inaction. + +I hardly recollect to have spent fourteen or fifteen hours with less +comfort to myself than these. In the hurry and bustle of last night's +engagement, my servant, to whose care I had intrusted my cloak and +haversack, disappeared; he returned not during the whole morning; and as +no provisions were issued out to us, nor any opportunity given to light +fires, I was compelled to endure, all that time, the extremes of hunger, +weariness, and cold. As ill luck would have it, too, the day chanced to +be remarkably severe. There was no rain, it is true, but the sky was +covered with gray clouds; the sun never once pierced them, and a frost, +or rather a vile blight, hung upon the atmosphere from morning till +night. Nor were the objects which occupied our senses of sight and +hearing quite such as we should have desired to occupy them. In other +parts of the field, the troops, not shut up as we were by the enemy's +guns, employed themselves in burying the dead, and otherwise effacing +the traces of warfare. The site of our encampment continued to be +strewed with carcases to the last; and so watchful were the crew of the +schooner, that every effort to convey them out of sight brought a heavy +fire upon the party engaged in it. I must say, that the enemy's +behaviour on the present occasion was not such as did them honour. The +house which General Kean had originally occupied as head-quarters, being +converted into an hospital, was filled at this time with wounded, both +from the British and American armies. To mark its uses, a yellow flag, +the usual signal in such cases, was hoisted on the roof--yet did the +Americans continue to fire at it, as often as a group of six or eight +persons happened to show themselves at the door. Nay, so utterly +regardless were they of the dictates of humanity, that even the parties +who were in the act of conveying the wounded from place to place, +escaped not without molestation. More than one such party was dispersed +by grape-shot, and more than one poor maimed soldier was in consequence +hurled out of the blanket in which he was borne. + +The reader will not doubt me when I say, that seldom has the departure +of day-light been more anxiously looked for by me, than we looked for it +now. It is true, that the arrival of a little rum towards evening served +in some slight degree to elevate our spirits; but we could not help +feeling, not vexation only, but positive indignation, at the state of +miserable inaction to which we were condemned. + +There was not a man amongst us who would have hesitated one moment, had +the choice been submitted to him, whether he would advance or lie still. +True, we might have suffered a little, because the guns of the schooner +entirely commanded us; and in rushing out from our place of concealment +some casualties would have occurred; but so irksome was our situation, +that we would have readily run all risks to change it. It suited not the +plans of our general, however, to indulge these wishes. To the bank we +were enjoined to cling; and we did cling to it, from the coming in of +the first gray twilight of the morning, till the last twilight of +evening had departed. + +As soon as it was well dark, the corps to which Charlton and myself were +attached received orders to file off to the right. We obeyed, and +passing along the front of the hospital, we skirted to the rear of the +village, and established ourselves in the field beyond. It was a +positive blessing this restoration to something like personal freedom. +The men set busily to work, lighting fires and cooking provisions;--the +officers strolled about, with no other apparent design than to give +employment to their limbs, which had become stiff with so protracted a +state of inaction. For ourselves we visited the wounded, said a few kind +words to such as we recognised, and pitied, as they deserved to be +pitied, the rest. Then retiring to our fire, we addressed ourselves with +hearty good will to a frugal supper, and gladly composed ourselves to +sleep.--_A Subaltern in America.--Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +SONNET--NOCHE SERENA. + + + How tranquil is the night! The torrent's roar + Dies off far distant; through the lattice streams + The pure, white, silvery moonshine, mantling o'er + The couch and curtains with its fairy gleams. + Sweet is the prospect; sweeter are the dreams + From which my loathful eyelid now unclosed:-- + Methought beside a forest we reposed, + Marking the summer sun's far western beams, + A dear-loved friend and I. The nightingale + To silence and to us her pensive tale + Sang forth; the very tone of vanish'd years + Came o'er me, feelings warm, and visions bright; + Alas! how quick such vision disappears, + To leave the spectral moon and silent night! + +_Delta of Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + + +ARTS AND SCIENCES. + + * * * * * + + +THE BEECH TREE.--A NONCONDUCTOR OF LIGHTNING. + + +Dr. Beeton, in a letter to Dr. Mitchill of New York, dated 19th of July, +1824, states, that the beech tree (that is, the broad leaved or American +variety of _Fagus sylvatiea_,) is never known to be assailed by +atmospheric electricity. So notorious, he says, is this fact, that in +Tenessee, it is considered almost an impossibility to be struck by +lightning, if protection be sought under the branches of a beech tree. +Whenever the sky puts on a threatening aspect, and the thunder begins to +roll, the Indians leave their pursuit, and betake themselves to the +shelter of the nearest beech tree, till the storm pass over; observation +having taught these sagacious children of nature, that, while other +trees are often shivered to splinters, the electric fluid is not +attracted by the beech. Should farther observation establish the fact of +the non-conducting quality of the American beech, great advantage may +evidently be derived from planting hedge rows of such trees around the +extensive barn yards in which cattle are kept, and also in disposing +groups and single trees in ornamental plantations in the neighbourhood +of the dwelling houses of the owners.--_New Monthly Magazine._ + + +ANTIQUITIES. + + +A valuable discovery was made the other day in Westminster Abbey. It had +become necessary to make repairs near the tomb of Edward the Confessor, +when, by removing a portion of the pavement, an exquisitely beautiful +piece of carved work, which had originally formed part of the shrine of +Edward's tomb, was discovered. This fine relic, the work of the eleventh +or twelfth century, appears to have been studded with precious stones; +and the presumption is, that during the late civil wars it was taken +down for the purpose of plunder, and after the gems were taken out, +buried under the ground (very near the surface of the earth) to avoid +detection.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + + +ARCHERY + +[Illustration] + + +Previous to introducing the communication of a much respected +correspondent, who has well described, by drawing and observation, a +Royal Archer of Scotland, we shall offer a few general remarks on the +subject of the above engraving, which relates to an amusement which we +are happy to find is patronized in many counties in England by +respectable classes of society at this day. No instrument of warfare is +more ancient than that of the bow and arrow, and the skill of the +English bowmen is celebrated. It seems, that in ancient times the +English had the advantage over enemies chiefly by their archers and +light-armed troops. + +The _archers_ were armed with a long-bow, a sheaf of arrows, a sword, +and a small shield. + +The _cross-bowmen_, as their name implies, were armed with the +cross-bow, and arrows called _quarrels_. + +Even after the invention of guns, the English archers are spoken of as +excelling those of all other nations; and an ancient writer affirms that +an English arrow, with a little wax upon its point, would pass through +any ordinary corselet or cuirass. It is uncertain how far the archers +with the long-bow could send an arrow; but the cross-bowmen could shoot +their quarrels to the distance of forty rods, or the eighth part of a +mile. For a more general and extended notice of the history of archery, +however, we refer our readers to a recent volume,[2] and here we have +the correspondence alluded to a few lines above. + + [2] MIRROR, Vol. viii., p. 324. + + +A ROYAL ARCHER OF SCOTLAND. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + "Good-morrowe, good fellow,-- + Methinks, by this bowe thou beares in thy hand + A good archere thou shouldst bee." +_Old Ballad_. + +[Illustration] + + +I feel happy that it is in my power to present a drawing, made expressly +for the purpose, of the picturesque costume worn by the Royal Company of +Archers, or King's Body Guard of Scotland. This is described in Stark's +"Picture of Edinburgh" thus:--"Their uniform is 42nd tartan, with green +velvet collar and cuffs, and a Highland bonnet, with feathers; on the +front of the bonnet is the cross of St. Andrew, and a gold arrow on the +collar of the jacket." There is a something in the very idea of an +archer, and in the name of _Robin Hood_, particularly charming to most +bosoms, coming as they do to us fraught with all delicious associations; +the wild, free forest life, the sweet pastime, the adventures of bold +outlaws amid the heaven of sylvan scenery, and the national renown of +British bowmen which mingles with the records of our chivalry in history +and romance; while the revival of _archery_ in England of late years, as +an elegant amusement, sufficiently proves that the high feeling which +seems mysteriously to blend a present age with one long since gone by, +is not totally extinct. Shall I venture to assert, that for this we are +indebted to the charmed light cast around a noble and ancient pastime by +the antiquary, poet, and romance-writer of modern times? But to return, +the Scottish archers were first formed into a company and obtained a +charter, granting them great privileges, under the reign of queen Anne, +for which they were to pay to the crown, annually, a pair of barbed +arrows. One of these allowances was, that they might _meet and go forth +under their officer's conduct, in military form, in manner of +weapon-showing, as often as they should think convenient_. "But they +have made no public parade since 1743,"[3] owing, probably, to the state +of parties in Edinburgh, for their attachment to the Stuart family was +well understood, and falling under the suspicion of the British +government after the rebellion of 1745, they were watched, "and spies +appointed to frequent their company." The company possess a house built +by themselves, termed Archers' Hall. All their business is transacted by +a president and six counsellors, who are nominated by the members at +large, and have authority to admit or reject candidates _ad libitum_. +The number of this association is now very great, having been of late +years much increased; they have standards, with appropriate emblems and +mottoes, and shoot for several prizes annually; amongst these are a +silver bowl and arrows, which, by a singular regulation, "are retained +by the successful candidate only one year, when he appends a medal to +them; and as these prizes are of more than a hundred years standing, the +number of medals now attached to them are very curious." + + [3] Their part in the procession formed to welcome our monarch + to his Scottish metropolis, should be excepted. + +To this notice may I be permitted to subjoin a few stanzas? Old Izaak +Walton hath put songs and sylvan poesy in plenty into the mouths of his +anglers and rural _dramatis personae_, and shall _I_ be blamed for +following, in all humility, his illustrious example? Perchance--but +hold! it is one of the fairest of summer mornings; the sun sheds a pure, +a silvery light on the young, fresh, new-waked foliage and herbage; a +faint mist veils the blue distance of the landscape; but the pearly +shroud conceals not yonder troop of young blithe men, who, arranged in +green, after the olden fashion, each bearing the implements of archery, +and tripping lightly over the heath, are carolling in the joy of their +free spirits, while the fresh breeze brings to my ear most distinctly +the words of + + +THE ARCHER'S SONG. + + + Away!--away!--yon golden sun + Hath chas'd nights' shadows damp and dun; + Forth from his turfy couch, the lark + Hath sprung to meet glad day: and hark! + A mingling and delicious song + Breathes from the blithe-voiced plumy throng; + While, to the green-wood hasten _we_ + Whose craft is, gentle archery! + + Now swift we bound o'er dewy grass! + Rousing the red fox as we pass, + And startling linnet, merle, and thrush, + As recklessly the boughs we brush. + The _hunter's_ horn sings thro' the brakes. + And its soft lay apt echo takes; + But soon her sweet enamoured tone + Shall tell what song is all _our_ own! + + On!--on!--glad brothers of the bow! + The dun deer's couching place ye know, + And gallant bucks this day shall rue + Our feather'd shafts,--so swift,--so true; + Yet, sorer than the sylvan train, + Our foes, upon the battle-plain, + Will mourn at the unerring hands + Of Albion's _matchless_ archer bands! + + Now hie we on, to silent shades, + To glist'ning streams, and sunlit glades, + Where all that woodland life can give, + Renders it bliss indeed, to _live_. + Come, ye who love the shadowy wood, + Whate'er your days, whate'er your mood. + And join _us_, freakish knights that be + Of grey-goose wing, and good yew-tree! + + Say--are ye _mirthful_?--then we'll sing + Of wayward feasts and frolicking;-- + Tell jests and gibes,--nor lack we store + Of knightly tales, and monkish lore; + High freaks of dames and cavaliers, + Of warlocks, spectres, elfs, and seers, + Till with glad heart, and blithesome brow, + Ye bless your brothers of the bow! + + Is _sadness_ courted?--ye shall lie + When summer's sultry noons are high, + By darkling forest's shadow'd stream + To muse;--or, sweeter still, to dream + Day-dreams of love; while round ye rise + Distant, delicious harmonies; + Until ye languishing declare + An archer's life, indeed is fair! + +M. L. B. + + * * * * * + + + +THE NOVELIST + +NO. CV. + + * * * * * + + +THE GHIBELLINES. + +_A Fragment of a Tuscan Tale_. + +BY MISS EMMA ROBERTS. + + "His name's Gonzago.--The story is extant, and written in very + choice Italian." + + +Ten thousand lights burned throughout the Alberoni palace, and all the +nobility of Florence flocked to the bridal of its wealthy lord. It was a +fair sight to see the stately mirrors which spread their shining +surfaces between pillars of polished marble reflecting the gay +assemblage, that, radiant with jewels, promenaded the saloon, or +wreathed the dance to the witching music of the most skilful minstrels +in all Tuscany. Every lattice was open, and the eye, far as it could +reach, wandered through illuminated gardens, tenanted by gay groups, +where the flush of the roses, the silver stars of the jasmine, the +crimson, purple, orange, and blue of the variegated parterre were +revealed as if the brightest blaze of day flashed upon their silken +leaves. Amid all this pomp of beauty and splendour the bride moved +along, surpassing all that was fair and resplendent around her by the +exceeding loveliness of a face and form to which every eye and every +heart paid involuntary homage. At her side appeared the exulting +bridegroom, to whom, however, more it should seem through diffidence +than aversion, her eyes were never raised; for though Count Alberoni had +advanced beyond the middle age of life, yet he still retained the +majestic port and commanding lineaments for which he had been +distinguished in early youth; his riches rendered him all potent in +Florence, and none dared dispute with him the possession of its fairest +flower. Intoxicated with the pleasures offered at the banquet and the +ball, whatever of envy or of jealousy might have been hidden in the +bosoms of the guests while contemplating the treasure which the +triumphant Alberoni had snatched from contending suitors, it was +concealed, and the most cheerful hilarity prevailed. Yet, amid the +general expression of happiness, there were two persons who, attracting +notice by the meanness of their attire, and the melancholy gloom upon +their countenances, seemed to be out of place in so stately and so +joyous an assembly. They were brother and sister, the descendants of +Ghibellines who had died in exile, and distant relations of the Count, +who though not choosing to regard them as his heirs, had, when the +abolition of a severe law enabled the proscribed faction to return to +Florence, accorded them shelter and protection. Meanly clad in vestments +of coarse serge, there were yet no cavaliers who fluttered in silk and +velvet who could compare in personal beauty with Francesco Gonzago; and +the bride alone, of all the beauties who shone in gold and silver, +appeared superior in feminine charms to the lovely Beatrice, +notwithstanding that her cumbrous robe of grey stuff obscured the +delicate proportions of her sylph-like form. Buoyant in spirit, and +animated by the scene before her, occasionally a gleam of sunshine would +irradiate her brow as she gazed upon the sparkling throng who formed the +brilliant pageant which so much delighted her; but as she turned to +express her feelings to her brother, his pale pensive features and the +recollection of the intense anguish which wrung his heart, subdued her +gaiety, the smile passed away from her lip, the rose deserted her cheek, +and she stood by his side sad and sorrowful as some monumental statue. +Many persons grieved at the depressed fortunes of the once powerful +Gonzagos, but there were others who sneered at their present +degradation, enjoying the cruel mockery with which Alberoni had forced +the man who had cherished hopes of succeeding as heir-at-law to his +immense estates, to witness the downfall of those flattering +expectations. Few and slight were the salutations which passed between +the dejected pair and the more illustrious guests; but as the bride made +the circuit of the apartments, she paused when approaching her husband's +neglected relatives, and raising eyes swimming with drops of sympathy, +greeted them with unaffected tenderness. Francesco was unprepared for +the gentle kindness of her address; his stern heart melted, his proud +glance suddenly changed to one of gracious courtesy; he gazed upon her +as upon some angelic being sent down from heaven to soothe and gladden +his perturbed soul; and henceforward he saw nothing in the glare, and +the crowd, and the splendour around him, save the sweet face and the +delicate form of the Countess Alberoni; his charmed eyes followed her +from place to place, and so entirely was he engrossed by one object, +that he did not perceive that the attention of Beatrice was almost +wholly occupied by a young and sprightly cavalier, who pursued her like +a shadow, pouring tender tales in a not unwilling ear. Group by group +the guests retired from the festive scene, and the brother and sister, +scarcely able to define the new feelings which sprung up in the heart of +each, quitted the magnificent palace to seek their forlorn abode. A +pavilion, nearly in ruins, was the sole shelter which the proud lord of +Alberoni afforded to the only surviving branches of his family, when +returning to their native city they found their patrimonial estates +confiscated, and themselves dependent upon the niggard bounty of a cold +and selfish relative. Slowly recovering from a severe wound which he had +received in the wars of Lombardy, and disgusted with the ingratitude of +the prince he served, the ill-starred Francesco was at first rejoiced to +obtain any refuge from the storms of a tempestuous world; and the +unceasing efforts of his young and affectionate sister to reconcile him +to a bitter lot were not wholly unavailing. Summer had spread her +richest treasures upon the lap of Nature; and the fairy hands of +Beatrice transformed the bare walls of the dilapidated edifice which +they inhabited into bowers of luxuriant foliage; the most delicious +fruit also, the spontaneous product of the garden, cooled at some +crystal fount and heaped with flowers, tempted her brother's languid +appetite; and, waking the soft notes of her lute, she soothed his +desponding spirit with music's gentlest sound. Fondly trusting that +Francesco might be won to prize the simple enjoyments of which fortune +could not despoil him, and to find his dearest happiness in an approving +conscience, the light hearted girl indulged in delusive hopes of future +felicity. But these expectations were soon damped; as Francesco's health +returned he became restless and melancholy; he saw no prospect of +arriving at distinction by his talents, or by his sword; peace reigned +throughout the Tuscan states, and the jealousy of the government of all +who bore the mark of Ghibelline extraction, forbade the chance of +successful exertion and honourable reward; his days were spent in moody +abstraction, his nights in feverish dreams; his misfortunes, his +accomplishments and his virtues failed to excite affection in the breast +of his kinsman, who, jealous of the youth and personal attractions of +the man apparently destined to be his heir, grew uneasy at the thought +of benefitting a person he had learned to hate; and suddenly resolving +to cut off at once the presumptuous expectations which the luckless +exile might have cherished, exerted the influence procured by his wealth +to form an alliance with the most peerless beauty which the city +boasted. A new source of anguish added to the misery already sustained +by the wretched Gonzago; his arm was paralyzed by the utter hopelessness +of any attempt to emerge from the obscurity to which fate had condemned +him; he brooded over the dismal futurity which opened before him; and, +as a solace to these gloomy meditations, suffered his imagination to +dwell upon the charms and graces of the lovely Giacinta, his kinsman's +gentle bride. He saw her sometimes flitting through the myrtle groves +which skirted the neighbouring palace; and when night favoured his +concealment, he would approach the marble porticos to catch the sound of +her voice as, accompanied by a lute, she wasted its melody upon the +silent stars. Beatrice, in the mean time, experienced only in the pale +brow and haggard form of her brother an alloy to her happiness. +Alessandro, the young heir of the Orsini family, had abandoned the gay +revels of Florence to share the solitude of the despised Ghibellines; +and although there seemed to be little chance of ultimate triumph over +the obstacles which opposed themselves to an alliance between the +prosperous scion of a noble house and the unportioned orphan of a +banished man, yet hope pre-ponderated over fear, and, blessed by her +enchanting smiles, the lover indulged in delightful anticipations. + +... + +Again was the Alberoni palace illumined by innumerable tapers; again +were the glittering saloons filled with all the noble population of +Florence. A second nuptial feast, more splendid and joyous than the +first, was celebrated; again Giacinta, lovelier than ever, shone as the +bride, and by her side a cavalier appeared, whose summer of life was +better adapted to match with her tender years than the mature age of her +late husband had been. + +The Count Alberoni Gonzago was dead; and Francesco succeeding to his +wealth, had obtained the hand of his widow. Beatrice, also a bride, +followed in the train of the Countess, but followed more like a mourner +at some funeral solemnity than as the newly wedded consort of the +husband of her choice. Francesco all smiles and triumph, as he stood +with the fairest hand in Florence hanging on his arm, proudly greeting +the guests who crowded to pay him homage, turned frequently, and cast +looks of piercing examination and reproach upon his pale and trembling +sister, and, as if fascinated by his glance, she would rally her, +failing spirits and smile languidly upon the bridegroom, who bent over +her enamoured; and then, as if beguiled from some painful contemplation +by the sweet accents of the man she loved, she became calm, and her +quivering features resumed their wonted placidity. But these moments of +tranquillity were of short duration; she started at every shadow; the +flash of one of the jewels which broidered her satin robe would cause a +fit of trembling; and at length, when seated at the banquet opposite her +brother and his bride, a richly clad domestic offered wine in a golden +goblet; for a moment she held it to her lips, and then dashed it away, +exclaiming--"It is poison! Hide me,--save me. I see it every where; in +those green leaves from whence it was distilled.--Oh! Francesco, +Francesco, let us be poor and happy!" The guests shrunk aghast from the +speaker, who, falling from her seat, expired in convulsions. + +The power conferred by Gonzago's immense riches silenced the whispered +murmurs of the assembly. No man rose to higher eminence in the state +than the idolized husband of the beautiful Giacinta; but a dark cloud +hung upon his house, his children were all cut off in their infancy, +and, after a few brief years of outward felicity, struck from his horse +by the fragment of a building which fell upon him as he rode in pomp +through the city, he received a mortal wound, surviving the accident +only long enough to unburthen his soul to his confessor. + +His dying words were addressed to Alessandro, from whom since the hour +of his nuptials he had been estranged; pressing his hand, he +exclaimed--"She was innocent! she heard not of the murder until it had +been accomplished."--_London Weekly Review_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS. + + * * * * * + + +RAFTS AND RHINE SCENERY. + + +Between Andernach and Bonn I saw two or three of those enormous rafts +which are formed of the accumulated produce of the Swiss and German +forests. One was anchored in the middle of the river, and looked like a +floating island. These _Krakens_ of the Rhine are composed of oak and +fir floated in smaller rafts down the tributary streams, and, their size +constantly increasing till they arrive hereabouts, they make platforms +of from four hundred to seven hundred feet long, and one hundred and +forty feet in breadth. When in motion, a dozen boats and more precede +them, carrying anchors and cables to guide and arrest their course. The +navigation of a raft down the Rhine to Dort, in Holland, which is the +place of their destination,[4] is a work of great difficulty. The skill +of the German and Dutch pilots who navigate them, in spite of the abrupt +turnings, the eddies, the currents, rocks and shoals that oppose their +progress, must indeed be of a very peculiar kind, and can be possessed +but by few. It requires besides a vast deal of manual labour. The whole +complement of rowers and workmen, together with their wives and +children, on board one of the _first-rates_, amounts to the astonishing +number of nine hundred or a thousand; a little village, containing from +forty to sixty wooden houses, is erected upon each, which also is +furnished with stalls for cattle, a magazine for provisions, &c. The +dwelling appropriated to the use of the master of the raft and the +principal super-cargoes was conspicuous for its size and commodiousness. +It is curious to observe these rafts, on their passage, with their +companies of rowers stationed at each end, making the shores ring again +to the sound of their immense oars. + + [4] About twelve of these rafts annually arrive at Dort, in + July or August; when the German timber merchants, having + converted their floats into good Dutch ducats, return to their + own country. When the water is low, those machines are + sometimes months upon the journey.--_Campbell's Guide_. + +The succession of grand natural pictures, which I had been gazing upon +since my departure from Mentz and the district of the Rheingau, are +undoubtedly similar, but not the same; there is alternately the long +noble reach, the sudden bend, the lake-like expanse, the shores on both +sides lined with towns whose antique fortifications rise in distant +view, and villages whose tapering spires of blue slate peer above the +embosoming foliage; the mountains clothed with vines and forests, their +sides bristled and their summits crowned with the relics of feudal +residences,[5] or of cloistered fanes: but the varieties in the shape +and character of all these are inexhaustible; it is this circumstance +that enhances the pleasure of contemplating, scenery, in which there is, +as Lord Byron says, + + "A blending of all beauties, streams and dells, + Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, corn-field, mountain, vine, + And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells, + From gray but leafy walls where ruin greenly dwells." + + [5] There are the ruins of fourteen castles on the left bank, + and of fifteen on the right bank of the Rhine, from Mentz to + Bonn, a distance of thirty-six leagues. + +The oppositions of light and shade; the rich culture of the hills +contrasted with the rugged rocks that often rise from out of the midst +of fertility; the bright verdure of the islands which the Rhine is +continually forming; the purple hues and misty azure of the distant +mountains--these and a thousand other indescribable charms constitute +sources of visual delight which can be imparted only by a view of the +objects themselves. And is excitement awakened in contemplating the +borders of this graceful and magnificent river? Yes. When we revert to +the awful convulsions of the physical world, and the important +revolutions of human society, of which the regions it flows through have +been successively the theatre--when we meditate on the vast changes, the +fearful struggles, the tragic incidents and mournful catastrophes, which +they have witnessed from the earliest ages to the very times in which we +have ourselves lived and marked the issue of events--"the battles, +sieges, fortunes" that have passed before its green tumultuous current, +or within ken of its mountain watch-towers--the shouts of nations that +have resounded, and the fates of empires that have been decided, on its +shores--when we think of the slaughtered myriads whose bones have +bleached on the neighbouring plains, filled up the trenches of its +rock-built strong-holds, or found their place of sepulture beneath its +wave--when, at each survey we take of the wide and diversified scene, +the forms of centuries seem to be embodied with the objects around us, +and the record of the past becomes vividly associated with the +impression of present realities--it is then that we are irresistibly led +to compare the greatness of nature with the littleness of man; it is +then that we are forcibly struck with the power and goodness of the +Author of both; and that the deepest humility unites itself in a +grateful mind, with the highest admiration, at the sight of "these His +lowest works." + +But do you pretend, it may be asked, in the course of a three days' +journey, however lengthened by celerity of conveyance, or favoured by +advantages of season or weather--do you pretend to have experienced that +very eminent degree of gratification which the country is capable of +communicating? Certainly not. I speak of these scenes but as of things, +which before my own hasty and unsatisfied glances came like shadows--so +departed. Instead of two or three days, a whole month should be spent +between Mentz, Coblentz, and Bonn, in order fully to know and thoroughly +to enjoy the beauties and grandeurs with which that space +abounds.--_Stevenson's Tour in France, &c._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BARBER. + + + Nick Razorblade a barber was, + A _strapping_ lad was he; + And he could shave with such a grace, + It was a joy to see! + + And tho' employ'd within his house, + He kept like rat in hole; + All those that pass'd the barber's door, + Could always see his _pole_! + + His dress was rather plain than rich, + Nor fitted over well; + Yet, tho' no _macaroni_, Nick, + He often _cut a swell_! + + And Nick was brave, and he could fight, + As many times he proved; + A lamb became a lion fierce, + Whenever he was moved! + + Like many of his betters, who + To field with pistols rush, + When Nicky _lather'd_ any one, + He was obliged to _brush_! + + Some say Nick was a brainless _block_, + While those who've seen him waving + His bright sharp razor, o'er scap'd chins, + Declare he was a _shaving_! + + His next door neighbour, Nelly Jones, + A maid of thirty-eight, + 'Twas said regarded Nick with smiles, + But folks will always prate. + + 'Tis known in summer time that she, + (A maid and only daughter) + To show her love for Razorblade, + Kept Nicky in _hot water_! + + For politics Nick always said, + He never cared a fig; + Quoth he:--"If I a Tory were, + I likewise _wear a wig_!" + + No poacher he, yet _hairs_ he _wired_, + With skill that made maids prouder; + And though he never used a gun, + He knew the use of _powder_! + + He never took offence at words, + However broad or blunt; + But when maids brought a _front_ to dress, + Of course he took a _front_! + + Beneath his razor folks have slept, + So easy were they mown; + Yet (oh! most passing strange it was!) + His _razor_ was his _own_! + + Nick doubtless had a tender heart, + But not for Nelly Jones; + He made Miss Popps "bone of his bone," + But never made old bones! + + He died and left an only son, + A barber too by trade; + But when they ope'd his will, they found + A cruel will he'd made. + + And doubtless he was raving mad, + (To slander I'm unwilling) + For tho' a _barber_, Nicky cut + His _heir_ off with _a shilling!_ + +_Absurdities: in Prose and Verse_._ + + * * * * * + + +BONAPARTE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE. + + +While we endeavour to sum up the mass of misfortunes with which +Bonaparte was overwhelmed at this crisis, it seems as if Fortune had +been determined to show that she did not intend to reverse the lot of +humanity, even in the case of one who had been so long her favourite, +but that she retained the power of depressing the obscure soldier, whom +she had raised to be almost king of Europe, in a degree as humiliating +as his exaltation had been splendid. All that three years before seemed +inalienable from his person, was now reversed. The victor was defeated, +the monarch was dethroned, the ransomer of prisoners was in captivity, +the general was deserted by his soldiers, the master abandoned by his +domestics, the brother parted from his brethren, the husband severed +from the wife, and the father torn from his only child. To console him +for the fairest and largest empire that ambition ever lorded it over, he +had, with the mock name of emperor, a petty isle, to which he was to +retire, accompanied by the pity of such friends as dared express their +feelings, the unrepressed execrations of many of his former subjects, +who refused to regard his present humiliation as an amends for what he +had made them suffer during his power, and the ill-concealed triumph of +the enemies into whose hands he had been delivered. + +A Roman would have seen, in these accumulated disasters, a hint to +direct his sword's point against his breast; a man of better faith would +have turned his eye back on his own conduct, and having read, in his +misuse of prosperity, the original source of those calamities, would +have remained patient and contrite under the consequences of his +ambition. Napoleon belonged to the Roman school of philosophy; and it is +confidently reported, especially by Baron Fain, his secretary, though it +has not been universally believed, that he designed, at this extremity, +to escape from life by an act of suicide. + +The emperor, according to this account, had carried with him, ever since +the retreat from Moscow, a packet containing a preparation of opium, +made up in the same manner with that used by Condorcet for +self-destruction. His valet-de-chambre, in the night betwixt the 12th +and 13th of April, heard him arise and pour something into a glass of +water, drink, and return to bed. In a short time afterwards, the man's +attention was called by sobs and stifled groans--an alarm took place in +the chateau--some of the principal persons were roused, and repaired to +Napoleon's chamber. Yvan, the surgeon, who had procured him the poison, +was also summoned; but hearing the emperor complain that the operation +of the poison was not quick enough, he was seized with a panic-terror, +and fled from the palace at full gallop. Napoleon took the remedies +recommended, and a long fit of stupor ensued, with profuse perspiration. +He awakened much exhausted, and surprised at finding himself still +alive; he said aloud, after a few moments' reflection, "Fate will not +have it so," and afterwards appeared reconciled to undergo his destiny, +without similar attempts at personal violence. There is, as we have +already hinted, a difference of opinion concerning the cause of +Napoleon's illness; some imputing it to indigestion. The fact of his +having been very much indisposed is, however, indisputable. A general of +the highest distinction transacted business with Napoleon on the morning +of the 13th of April. He seemed pale and dejected, as from recent and +exhausting illness. His only dress was a night-gown and slippers, and he +drank from time to time a quantity of tisan, or some such liquid, which +was placed beside him, saying he had suffered severely during the night, +but that his complaint had left him. + +After this crisis, and having ratified the treaty which his mareschals +had made for him. Napoleon appeared more at his ease than he had been +for some time before, and conversed frankly with his attendants upon the +affairs of France. + + +NAPOLEON TAKES LEAVE OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD. + + +Napoleon having now resigned himself entirely to his fate, whether for +good or evil, prepared, on the 20th of April, to depart for his place of +retreat. But first, he had the painful task of bidding farewell to the +body in the universe most attached to him, and to which he was probably +most attached,--his celebrated Imperial Guard. Such of them as could be +collected were drawn out before him in review. Some natural tears +dropped from his eyes, and his features had the marks of strong emotion +while reviewing for the last time, as he must then have thought likely, +the companions of so many victories. He advanced to them on horseback, +dismounted, and took his solemn leave. "All Europe," he said, "had armed +against him; France herself had deserted him, and chosen another +dynasty. He might," he said, "have maintained with his soldiers a civil +war of years, but it would have rendered France unhappy. Be faithful," +he continued, (and the words were remarkable,) "to the new sovereign +whom France has chosen. Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy +while I know you are so. I could have died--nothing was easier--but I +will always follow the road of honour. I will record with my pen the +deeds we have done together. I cannot embrace you all, but I embrace +your general,"--(he pressed the general to his bosom.)--"Bring hither +the eagle,"--(he embraced the standard, and concluded)--"Beloved eagle, +may the kisses I bestow on you long resound in the hearts of the +brave!--Adieu, my children,--Adieu, my brave companions.--Surround me +once more--Adieu." Drowned in grief, the veteran soldiers heard the +farewell of their dethroned leader; sighs and murmurs broke from their +ranks, but the emotion burst out in no threats or remonstrances. They +appeared resigned to the loss of their general, and to yield, like him, +to necessity.--_Scott's Napoleon_. + + * * * * * + + +THE ARK OF NOAH + + +The Rabbins make the giant Gog or Magog contemporary with Noah, and +convinced by his preaching. So that he was disposed to take the benefit +of the Ark. But here lay the distress; it by no means suited his +dimensions. Therefore, as he could not enter in, he contented himself to +ride upon it astride. And though you must suppose that, in that stormy +weather, he was more than half boots over, he kept his seat, and +dismounted safely, when the Ark landed on Mount Ararat. Image now to +yourself this illustrious Cavalier mounted on his _hackney_; and see if +it does not bring before you the Church, bestrid by some lumpish +minister of state, who turns and winds it at his pleasure. The only +difference is, that Gog believed the preacher of righteousness and +religion.--_Warburton's Letters_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE GATHERER. + + "I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's + stuff."--_Wotton_ + + * * * * * + + +A preacher had held forth diffusely and ingeniously upon the doctrine +that the Creator of the universe had made all things beautiful. A little +crooked lawyer met him at the church door, and exclaimed, "Well, doctor, +what do you think of my figure? does it correspond with your tenets of +this morning?"--"My friend," replied the preacher, with much gravity, +"you are handsome for a hunch-backed man." + + * * * * * + +Kosciusko once wished to send some bottles of good wine to a clergyman +of Solothurn; and as he hesitated to send them by his servant, lest he +should smuggle a part, he gave the commission to a young man of the name +of Zeltner, and desired him to take the horse which he himself usually +rode. On his return, young Zeltner said that he would never ride his +horse again unless he gave him his purse at the same time. Kosciusko +asking what he meant, he answered, "As soon as a poor man on the road +takes off his hat and asks for charity, the horse immediately stands +still, and won't stir till something is given to the petitioner; and, as +I had no money about me, I was obliged to make believe to give +something, in order to satisfy the horse." + + * * * * * + +Persons in warm countries certainly possess powers of imagination +superior to persons in colder climates. The following description of a +small room will appear very poetic to an English reader: "I am now," +says a Turkish spy, writing to his employers, "in an apartment so +little, that the least suspicion cannot enter it." + + * * * * * + +An author, as too often happens, was very irritable in his disposition, +and very unfortunate in his productions. His tragedy and comedy had both +been rejected by the managers of both theatres. "I cannot account for +this," said the unfortunate bard to his friend; "for no one can say that +my tragedy was a _sad_ performance, or that my comedy was a thing to +laugh at." + + * * * * * + + + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, +and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIRROR OF LITERATURE, JULY 14, 1827 *** + +***** This file should be named 9884-8.txt or 9884-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/8/8/9884/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg +Distributed Proofreaders + + +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 of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827 + +Author: Various + +Posting Date: December 5, 2011 [EBook #9884] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: October 27, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIRROR OF LITERATURE, JULY 14, 1827 *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + +</pre> + + + <br /> + <br /> +<hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page33" name="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> + <!-- Mirror of Literature header --> + <h1>THE MIRROR<br /> + OF<br /> + LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.</h1> + <hr class="full" /> + <table width="100%"> + <tr> + <td align="left"><b>Vol. 10, No. 264.]</b></td> + <td align="center"><b>SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1827.</b></td> + <td align="right"><b>[PRICE 2d.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <!-- end of header --> + <h2>ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + <h3>NEW CHURCH, REGENT'S PARK.</h3> + <p class="figure"><a href="images/264-1.png"><img width="100%" src="images/264-1.png" + alt="" /></a></p> + <p>The architectural splendour which has lately developed itself in and about the + precincts of the parish of St. Mary-le-Bonne, exhibits a most surprising and curious + contrast with the former state of this part of London; and more particularly when + compared with accounts extracted from newspapers of an early date.</p> + <p>Mary-le-Bonne parish is estimated to contain more than ten thousand houses, and + one hundred thousand inhabitants. In the plans of London, in 1707, it was a small + village one mile distant from the Metropolis, separated by fields—the scenes of + robbery and murder. The following from a newspaper of 1716:—"On Wednesday last, + four gentlemen were robbed and stripped in the fields between Mary-le-Bonne and + London." The "Weekly Medley," of 1718, says, "Round about the New Square which is + building near Tyburn road, there are so many other edifices, that a whole magnificent + city seems to be risen out of the ground in a way which makes one wonder how it + should find a new set of inhabitants. It is said it is to be called by the name of + <i>Hanover Square!</i> On the other side is to be built another square, called Oxford + Square." From the same article I have also extracted the dates of many of the + different erections, which may prove <span class="pagenum"><a id="page34" + name="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> of benefit to your architectural readers, as tending + to show the progressive improvement made in the private buildings of London, and + showing also the style of building adopted at later periods. Indeed, I would wish + that some of your correspondents—<i>F.R.Y.</i>, or <i>P.T.W.</i>, for instance, + would favour us with a <i>list of dates</i> answering this purpose. Rathbone-place + and John-street (from Captain Rathbone) began 1729. Oxford market opened 1732. + Newman-street and Berners-street, named from the builders, between 1723 and 1775. + Portland-place and street, 1770. Portman-square, 1764. Portman-place, 1770. + Stratford-place, five years later, on the site of Conduit Mead, built by Robert + Stratford, Esq. This had been the place whereon stood the banquetting house for the + lord mayor and aldermen, when they visited the neighbouring nine conduits which then + supplied the city with water. Cumberland-place, 1769. Manchester-square the year + after.</p> + <p>Previous to entering upon an architectural description of the superb buildings + recently erected in the vicinity of Regency Park, I shall confine myself at present + to that object that first arrests the attention at the entrance, which is the church; + it has been erected under the commissioners for building new churches. The architect + is J. Soane, Esq. There is a pleasing originality in this gentleman's productions; + the result of extensive research among the architectural beauties of the ancients, + together with a peculiar happy mode of distributing his lights and shadows; producing + in the greatest degree picturesque effect: these are peculiarities essentially his + own, and forming in no part a copy of the works of any other architect in the present + day. The church in question by no means detracts from his merit in these particulars. + The principal front consists of a portico of four columns of the Ionic order, + approached by a small flight of steps; on each side is a long window, divided into + two heights by a stone transum (panelled). Under the lower window is a raised panel + also; and in the flank of the building the plinth is furnished with openings; each of + the windows is filled with ornamental iron-work, for the purpose of ventilating the + vaults or catacombs. The flank of the church has a central projection, occupied by + antae, and six insulated Ionic columns; the windows in the inter-columns are in the + same style as those in front; the whole is surmounted by a balustrade. The tower is + in two heights; the lower part has eight columns of the Corinthian order. Example + taken from the temple of Vesta, at Tivoli; these columns, with their stylobatæ + and entablature, project, and give a very extraordinary relief in the perspective + view of the building. The upper part consists of a circular peristyle of six columns; + the example apparently taken from the portico of the octagon tower of Andronicus + Cyrrhestes, or tower of the winds, from the summit of which rises a conical dome, + surmounted by the Vane. The more minute detail may be seen by the annexed drawing. + The prevailing ornament is the Grecian fret.</p> + <p>Mr. Soane, during his long practice in the profession, has erected very few + churches, and it appears that he is endeavouring to rectify failings that seem + insurmountable in the present style of architecture,—that of preventing the + tower from having the appearance of rising out of the roof, by designing his porticos + without pediments; if this is the case, he certainly is indebted to a great share of + praise, as a pediment will always conceal (particularly at a near view) the major + part of a tower. But again, we find ourselves in another difficulty, and it makes the + remedy as bad as the disease,—that of taking away the principal characteristic + of a portico, (namely, the pediment), and destroying at once the august appearance + which it gives to the building; we find in all the churches of Sir Christopher Wren + the campanile to form a distinct projection from the ground upwards; thus + assimilating nearer to the ancient form of building them entirely apart from the main + body of the church. I should conceive, that if this idea was followed by introducing + the beautiful detail of Grecian architecture, according to Wren's <i>models</i> it + would raise our church architecture to a very superior pitch of excellence.</p> + <p>In my next I shall notice the interior, and also the elevation towards the + altar.</p> + <p>C. DAVY.</p> + <p><i>Furnivals' Inn</i>,</p> + <p><i>July 1, 1827.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE MONTHS</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>THE SEASON.</h3> + <p>The heat is greatest in this month on account of its previous duration. The reason + why it is less so in August is, that the days are then much shorter, and the + influence of the sun has been gradually diminishing. The farmer is still occupied in + getting the productions of the earth into his garners; but those who can avoid labour + enjoy as much rest and shade as possible. There is a sense of heat and quiet all over + nature. The birds are silent. The little brooks are dried up. <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page35" name="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> The earth is chapped + with parching. The shadows of the trees are particularly grateful, heavy, and still. + The oaks, which are freshest because latest in leaf, form noble clumpy canopies; + looking, as you lie under them, of a strong and emulous green against the blue sky. + The traveller delights to cut across the country through the fields and the leafy + lanes, where, nevertheless, the flints sparkle with heat. The cattle get into the + shade or stand in the water. The active and air-cutting-swallows, now beginning to + assemble for migration, seek their prey about the shady places; where the insects, + though of differently compounded natures, "fleshless and bloodless," seem to get for + coolness, as they do at other times for warmth. The sound of insects is also the only + audible thing now, increasing rather than lessening the sense of quiet by its gentle + contrast. The bee now and then sweeps across the ear with his gravest tone. The + gnats</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Their murmuring small trumpets sounden wide:"—SPENSER. + </blockquote> + <p>and here and there the little musician of the grass touches forth his tricksy + note.</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + The poetry of earth is never dead;<br /> + When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,<br /> + And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run<br /> + From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead:<br /> + That is the grasshopper's.<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a + href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> + </blockquote> + <p>The strong rains, which sometimes come down in summer-time, are a noble + interruption to the drought and indolence of hot weather. They seem as if they had + been collecting a supply of moisture equal to the want of it, and come drenching the + earth with a mighty draught of freshness. The rushing and tree-bowing winds that + precede them, the dignity with which they rise in the west, the gathering darkness of + their approach, the silence before their descent, the washing amplitude of their + out-pouring, the suddenness with which they appear to leave off, taking up, as it + were, their watery feet to sail onward, and then the sunny smile again of nature, + accompanied by the "sparkling noise" of the birds, and those dripping diamonds the + rain-drops;—there is a grandeur and a beauty in all this, which lend a glorious + effect to each other; for though the sunshine appears more beautiful than grand, + there is a power, not even to be looked upon, in the orb from which it flows; and + though the storm is more grand than beautiful, there is always beauty where there is + so much beneficence.—<i>The Months</i>.</p> + <h3>BATHING</h3> + <p>It is now the weather for bathing, a refreshment too little taken in this country, + either summer or winter. We say in winter, because with very little care in placing + it near a cistern, and having a leathern pipe for it, a bath may be easily filled + once or twice a week with warm water; and it is a vulgar error that the warm bath + relaxes. An excess, either warm or cold, will relax, and so will any other excess; + but the sole effect of the warm bath moderately taken is, that it throws off the bad + humours of the body by opening and clearing the pores. As to summer bathing, a father + may soon teach his children to swim, and thus perhaps may be the means of saving + their lives some day or other, as well as health. Ladies also, though they cannot + bathe in the open air, as they do in some of the West Indian islands and other + countries, by means of natural basins among the rocks, might oftener make a + substitute for it at home in tepid baths. The most beautiful aspects under which + Venus has been painted or sculptured have been connected with bathing; and indeed + there is perhaps no one thing that so equally contributes to the three graces of + health, beauty, and good temper; to health, in putting the body into its best state; + to beauty, in clearing and tinting the skin; and to good temper, in rescuing the + spirits from the irritability occasioned by those formidable personages, "the + nerves," which nothing else allays in so quick and entire a manner. See a lovely + passage on the subject of bathing in Sir Philip Sydney's "Arcadia," where "Philoclea, + blushing, and withal smiling, makeing shamefastnesse pleasant, and pleasure + shamefast, tenderly moved her feet, unwonted to feel the naked ground, until the + touch of the cold water made a pretty kind of shrugging come over her body; like the + twinkling of the fairest among the fixed stars."—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + <h3>INSECTS</h3> + <p>Insects now take the place of the feathered tribe, and, being for the most part + hatched in the spring, they are now in full vigour. It is a very amusing sight in + some of our rural rambles, in a bright evening after a drizzling summer shower, to + see the air filled throughout all its space with sportive organized creatures, the + leaf, the branch, the bark of the tree, every mossy bank, the bare earth, the pool, + the ditch, all teeming with animal life; and the mind that is ever framed for + contemplation, must awaken now in viewing such a profusion and variety of <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page36" name="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> existence. One of + those poor little beings, the fragile <i>gnat</i>, becomes our object of attention, + whether we regard its form or peculiar designation in the insect world; we must + admire the first, and innocently, perhaps, conjecture the latter. We know that + Infinite Wisdom, which formed, declared it "to be very good;" that it has its + destination and settled course of action, admitting of no deviation or substitution: + beyond this, perhaps, we can rarely proceed, or, if we sometimes advance a few steps + more, we are then lost in the mystery with which the incomprehensible Architect has + thought proper to surround it. So little is human nature permitted to see, (nor + perhaps is it capable of comprehending much more than permitted,) that it is blind + beyond thought as to secondary causes; and admiration, that pure fountain of + intellectual pleasure, is almost the only power permitted to us. We see a wonderfully + fabricated creature, decorated with a vest of glorious art and splendour, occupying + almost its whole life in seeking for the most fitting station for its own + necessities, exerting wiles and stratagems, and constructing a peculiar material to + preserve its offspring against natural or occasional injury, with a forethought + equivalent to reason—in a moment, perhaps, with all its splendour and instinct, + it becomes the prey of some wandering bird! and human wisdom and conjecture are + humbled to the dust. We can "see but in part," and the wisest of us is only, perhaps, + something less ignorant than another. This sense of a perfection so infinitely above + us, is the <i>natural</i> intimation of a Supreme Being; and as science improves, and + inquiry is augmented, our imperfections and ignorance will become more manifest, and + all our aspirations after knowledge only increase in us the conviction of knowing + nothing. Every deep investigator of nature can hardly be possessed of any other than + a humble mind.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE PEACOCK.</h3> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + <p>Of this bird, there are several species, distinguished by their different colours. + The male of the common kind is, perhaps, the most gaudy of all the bird-kind; the + length and beauty of whose tail, and the various forms in which the creature carries + it, are sufficiently known and admired among us. India is, however, his native + country; and there he enjoys himself with a sprightliness and gaiety unknown to him + in Europe. The translators of Hindoo poetry concur in their description of his + manners; and is frequently alluded to by the Hindoo poets.</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Dark with her varying clouds, and peacocks gay." + </blockquote> + <p>It is affirmed, among the delightful phenomena which are observable at the + commencement of the rainy season, (immediately following that of the withering hot + winds,) the joy displayed by the peacocks is one of the most pleasing. These birds + assemble in groups upon some retired spot of verdant grass; jump about in the most + animated manner, and make the air re-echo with their cheerful notes.</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Or can the peacock's animated hail." + </blockquote> + <p>The wild peacock is also exceedingly abundant in many parts of Hindoostan, and is + especially found in marshy places. The habits of this bird are in a great measure + aquatic; and the setting in of the rains is the season in which they pair; the + peacock is, therefore, always introduced in the description of cloudy or rainy + weather. Thus, in a little poem, descriptive of the rainy season, &c., the author + says, addressing his mistress,—</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Oh, thou, whose teeth enamelled vie<br /> + With smiling <i>Cunda's</i> pearly ray,<br /> + Hear how the peacock's amorous cry<br /> + Salutes the dark and cloudy day."<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>And again, where he is describing the same season:—</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "When smiling forests, whence the tuneful cries<br /> + Of clustering pea-fowls shrill and frequent rise,<br /> + Teach tender feelings to each human breast,<br /> + And please alike the happy or distressed."<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>The peacock flies to the highest station he can reach, to enjoy himself; and rises + to the topmost boughs of trees, though the female makes her nest on the ground.</p> + <p>F.R.Y.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>A WARNING TO FRUIT EATERS.</h3> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</h4> + <p>The mischiefs arising from the bad custom of many people swallowing the stones of + plums and other fruit are very great. In the <i>Philosophical Transactions</i>, No. + 282, there is an account of a woman who suffered violent pains in her bowels for + thirty years, returning once in a month, or less, owing to a plum-stone which had + lodged; which, after various operations, was extracted. There is likewise an account + of a man, who dying of an incurable colic, which had tormented him many years, and + baffled the effects of medicine, was opened after his death, and in his bowels was + found the cause of his distemper, which was a ball, composed of tough and hard + matter, resembling a stone, being six inches in circumference, <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page37" name="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> when measured, and + weighing an ounce and a half; in the centre of this there was found the stone of a + common plum. These instances sufficiently prove the folly of that common opinion, + that the stones of fruits are wholesome. Cherry-stones, swallowed in great + quantities, have occasioned the death of many people; and there have been instances + even of the seeds of strawberries, and kernels of nuts, collected into a lump in the + bowels, and causing violent disorders, which could never be cured till they were + carried off.</p> + <p>P.T.W.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE NIGHTINGALE,</h3> + <h4>BY THE AUTHOR OF "AHAB."</h4> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</h4> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + In the low dingle sings the nightingale.<br /> + And echo answers; all beside is still.<br /> + The breeze is gone to fill some distant sail,<br /> + And on the sand to sleep has sunk the rill.<br /> + The blackbird and the thrush have sought the vale.<br /> + And the lark soars no more above the hill,<br /> + For the broad sun is up all hotly pale,<br /> + And in my reins I feel his parching thrill.<br /> + <br /> + Hark! how each note, so beautifully clear,<br /> + So soft, so sweetly mellow, rings around.<br /> + Then faintly dies away upon the ear,<br /> + That fondly vibrates to the fading sound.<br /> + Poor bird, thou sing'st, the thorn within thy heart,<br /> + And I from sorrows, that will not depart.<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>S.P.J.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>A NIGHT ATTACK.</h3> + <p>Charlton and I were in the act of smoking our cigars, the men having laid + themselves down about the blaze, when word was passed from sentry to sentry, and + intelligence communicated to us, that all was not right towards the river. We started + instantly to our feet. The fire was hastily smothered up, and the men snatching their + arms, stood in line, ready to act as circumstances might require. So dense, however, + was the darkness, and so dazzling the effect of the glare from the bivouac, that it + was not possible, standing where we stood, to form any reasonable guess, as to the + cause of this alarm. That an alarm had been excited, was indeed perceptible enough. + Instead of the deep silence which five minutes ago had prevailed in the bivouac, a + strange hubbub of shouts, and questions, and as many cries, rose up the night air; + nor did many minutes elapse, ere first one musket, then three or four, then a whole + platoon, were discharged. The reader will <i>easily</i> believe that the latter + circumstance startled us prodigiously, ignorant as we were of the cause which + produced it; but it required no very painful exertion of patience to set us right on + this head; flash, flash, flash, came from the river; the roar of cannon followed, and + the light of her own broadside displayed to us an enemy's vessel at anchor near the + opposite bank, and pouring a perfect shower of grape and round shot into the + camp.</p> + <p>For one instant, and only for an instant, a scene of alarm and consternation + overcame us; and we almost instinctively addressed to each other the question, "What + can all this mean?" But the meaning was too palpable not to be understood at once. + "The thing cannot end here," said we—"a night attack is commencing;" and we + made no delay in preparing to meet it. Whilst Charlton remained with the picquet, in + readiness to act as the events might demand, I came forward to the sentries, for the + purpose of cautioning them against paying attention to what might pass in their rear, + and keeping them steadily engaged in watching their front. The men were fully alive + to the peril of their situation. They strained with their hearing and eyesight to the + utmost limits; but neither sound nor sight of an advancing column could be perceived. + At last, however, an alarm was given. One of the rifles challenged—it was the + sentinel on the high road; the sentinel who communicated with him challenged also; + and the cry was taken up from man to man, till our own most remote sentry caught it. + I flew to his station; and sure enough the tramp of many feet was most distinctly + audible. Having taken the precaution to carry an orderly forward with me, I caused + him to hurry back to Charlton with intelligence of what was coming, and my earnest + recommendation that he would lose no time in occupying the ditch. I had hardly done + so, when the noise of a column deploying was distinctly heard. The tramp of horses, + too, came mingled with the tread of men; in a word, it was quite evident that a large + force, both of infantry and cavalry, was before us.</p> + <p>There was a pause at this period of several moments, as if the enemy's line, + having effected its formation, had halted till some other arrangement should be + completed; but it was quickly broke. On they came, as far as we could judge from the + sound, in steady array, till at length their line could be indistinctly seen rising + through the gloom. The sentinels with one consent gave their fire. <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page38" name="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> They gave it + regularly and effectively, beginning with the rifles on their left, and going off + towards the 85th on their right, and then, in obedience to their orders, fell back. + But they retired not unmolested. This straggling discharge on our part seemed to be + the signal to the Americans to begin the battle, and they poured in such a volley, as + must have proved, had any determinate object been opposed to it, absolutely + murderous. But our scattered videttes almost wholly escaped it; whilst over the main + body of the picquet, sheltered as it was by the ditch, and considerably removed from + its line, it passed entirely harmless.</p> + <p>Having fired this volley, the enemy loaded again, and advanced. We saw them + coming, and having waited till we judged that they were within excellent range, we + opened our fire. It was returned in tenfold force, and now went on, for a full half + hour, as heavy and close a discharge of musketry as troops have perhaps ever faced. + Confident in their numbers, and led on, as it would appear, by brave officers, the + Americans dashed forward till scarcely ten yards divided us; but our position was an + admirable one, our men were steady and cool, and they penetrated no farther. On the + contrary, we drove them back, more than once, with a loss which their own inordinate + multitude tended only to render the more severe.</p> + <p>The action might have continued in this state about two hours, when, to our horror + and dismay, the approaching fire upon our right flank and rear gave testimony that + the picquet of the 85th, which had been in communication with us, was forced. + Unwilling to abandon our ground, which we had hitherto held with such success, we + clung for awhile to the idea that the reverse in that quarter might be only + temporary, and that the arrival of fresh troops might yet enable us to continue the + battle in a position so eminently favourable to us. But we were speedily taught that + our hopes were without foundation. The American war-cry was behind us. We rose from + our lairs, and endeavoured, as we best could, to retire upon the right, but the + effort was fruitless. There too the enemy had established themselves, and we were + surrounded. "Let us cut our way through," cried we to the men. The brave fellows + answered only with a shout; and collecting into a small compact line, prepared to use + their bayonets. In a moment we had penetrated the centre of an American division; but + the numbers opposed to us were overwhelming; our close order was lost; and the + contest became that of man to man. I have no language adequate to describe what + followed. For myself, I did what I could, cutting and thrusting at the multitudes + about me, till at last I found myself fairly hemmed in by a crowd, and my sword-arm + mastered. One American had grasped me round the waist, another, seizing me by the + wrist, attempted to disarm me, whilst a third was prevented from plunging his bayonet + into my body, only from the fear of stabbing one or other of his countrymen. I + struggled hard, but they fairly bore me to the ground. The reader will well believe, + that at this juncture I expected nothing else than instant death; but at the moment + when I fell, a blow upon the head with the butt-end of a musket dashed out the brains + of the man who kept his hold upon my sword-arm, and it was freed. I saw a bayonet + pointed to my breast, and I intuitively made a thrust at the man who wielded it. The + thrust took effect, and he dropped dead beside me. Delivered now from two of my + enemies, I recovered my feet, and found that the hand which dealt the blow to which + my preservation was owing, was that of Charlton. There were about ten men about him. + The enemy in our front were broken, and we dashed through. But we were again hemmed + in, and again it was fought hand to hand, with that degree of determination, which + the assurance that life and death were on the issue, could alone produce. There + cannot be a doubt that we should have fallen to a man, had not the arrival of fresh + troops at this critical juncture turned the tide of affairs. As it was, little more + than a third part of our picquet survived, the remainder being either killed or + taken; and both Charlton and myself, though not dangerously, were wounded. Charlton + had received a heavy blow upon the shoulder, which almost disabled him; whilst my + neck bled freely from a thrust, which the intervention of a stout leathern stock + alone hindered from being fatal. But the reinforcement gave us all, in spite of + wounds and weariness, fresh courage, and we renewed the battle with alacrity.</p> + <p>In the course of the struggle in which we had been engaged, we had been borne + considerably out of the line of our first position, and now found that the main-road + and the picquet of the rifles, were close in our rear. We were still giving + way—for the troops opposed to us could not amount to less than fifteen hundred + men, whilst the whole force on our part came not up to one hundred—when Captain + Harris, major of brigade to Colonel Thornton, came up with an additional company to + our support. Making way <span class="pagenum"><a id="page39" name="page39"></a>[pg + 39]</span> for them to fall in between us and the rifles, we took ground once more to + the right, and driving back a body of the enemy, which occupied it, soon recovered + the position from which we had been expelled. But we did so with the loss of many + brave men, and, among others, of Captain Harris. He was shot in the lower part of the + belly at the same instant that a musket-ball struck the hilt of his sword, and forced + it into his side. Once more established in our ditch, we paused, and from that moment + till the battle ceased to rage we never changed our attitude.</p> + <p>It might be about one o'clock in the morning,—the American force in our + front having fallen back, and we having been left, for a full half hour to breathe, + when suddenly the head of a small column showed itself in full advance towards us. We + were at this time amply supported by other troops, as well in communication as in + reserve; and willing to annihilate the corps now approaching, we forbade the men to + fire till it should be mingled with us. We did even more than this. Opening a passage + for them through our centre, we permitted some hundred and twenty men to march across + our ditch, and then wheeling up, with a loud shout, we completely enclosed them. + Never have I witnessed a panic more perfect or more sudden than that which seized + them. They no sooner beheld the snare into which they had fallen, than with one voice + they cried aloud for quarter; and they were to a man made prisoners on the spot. The + reader will smile when he is informed that the little corps thus captured consisted + entirely of members of the legal profession. The barristers, attorneys, and notaries + of New Orleans having formed themselves into a volunteer corps, accompanied General + Jackson in his operations this night; and they were all, without a solitary + exception, made prisoners. It is probably needless to add, that the circumstance was + productive of no trifling degree of mirth amongst us; and to do them justice, the + poor lawyers, as soon as they recovered from their first alarm, joined heartily in + our laughter.</p> + <p>This was the last operation in which we were engaged to-night. The enemy, repulsed + on all sides, retreated with the utmost disorder, and the whole of the advance, + collecting at the sound of the bugle, drew up, for the first time since the + commencement of the affair, in a continuous line. We took our ground in front of the + bivouac, having our right supported by the river, and our left covered by the chateau + and village of huts. Among these latter the cannon were planted; whilst the other + divisions, as they came rapidly up, took post beyond them. In this position we + remained, eagerly desiring a renewal of the attack, till dawn began to appear, when, + to avoid the fire of the vessel, the advance once more took shelter behind the bank. + The first brigade, on the contrary, and such portion of the second as had arrived, + encamped upon the plain, so as to rest their right upon the wood; and a chain of + picquets being planted along the entire pathway, the day was passed in a state of + inaction.</p> + <p>I hardly recollect to have spent fourteen or fifteen hours with less comfort to + myself than these. In the hurry and bustle of last night's engagement, my servant, to + whose care I had intrusted my cloak and haversack, disappeared; he returned not + during the whole morning; and as no provisions were issued out to us, nor any + opportunity given to light fires, I was compelled to endure, all that time, the + extremes of hunger, weariness, and cold. As ill luck would have it, too, the day + chanced to be remarkably severe. There was no rain, it is true, but the sky was + covered with gray clouds; the sun never once pierced them, and a frost, or rather a + vile blight, hung upon the atmosphere from morning till night. Nor were the objects + which occupied our senses of sight and hearing quite such as we should have desired + to occupy them. In other parts of the field, the troops, not shut up as we were by + the enemy's guns, employed themselves in burying the dead, and otherwise effacing the + traces of warfare. The site of our encampment continued to be strewed with carcases + to the last; and so watchful were the crew of the schooner, that every effort to + convey them out of sight brought a heavy fire upon the party engaged in it. I must + say, that the enemy's behaviour on the present occasion was not such as did them + honour. The house which General Kean had originally occupied as head-quarters, being + converted into an hospital, was filled at this time with wounded, both from the + British and American armies. To mark its uses, a yellow flag, the usual signal in + such cases, was hoisted on the roof—yet did the Americans continue to fire at + it, as often as a group of six or eight persons happened to show themselves at the + door. Nay, so utterly regardless were they of the dictates of humanity, that even the + parties who were in the act of conveying the wounded from place to place, escaped not + without molestation. More than one such party was dispersed by grape-shot, and more + than one poor maimed soldier was in consequence <span class="pagenum"><a id="page40" + name="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span> hurled out of the blanket in which he was borne.</p> + <p>The reader will not doubt me when I say, that seldom has the departure of + day-light been more anxiously looked for by me, than we looked for it now. It is + true, that the arrival of a little rum towards evening served in some slight degree + to elevate our spirits; but we could not help feeling, not vexation only, but + positive indignation, at the state of miserable inaction to which we were + condemned.</p> + <p>There was not a man amongst us who would have hesitated one moment, had the choice + been submitted to him, whether he would advance or lie still. True, we might have + suffered a little, because the guns of the schooner entirely commanded us; and in + rushing out from our place of concealment some casualties would have occurred; but so + irksome was our situation, that we would have readily run all risks to change it. It + suited not the plans of our general, however, to indulge these wishes. To the bank we + were enjoined to cling; and we did cling to it, from the coming in of the first gray + twilight of the morning, till the last twilight of evening had departed.</p> + <p>As soon as it was well dark, the corps to which Charlton and myself were attached + received orders to file off to the right. We obeyed, and passing along the front of + the hospital, we skirted to the rear of the village, and established ourselves in the + field beyond. It was a positive blessing this restoration to something like personal + freedom. The men set busily to work, lighting fires and cooking provisions;—the + officers strolled about, with no other apparent design than to give employment to + their limbs, which had become stiff with so protracted a state of inaction. For + ourselves we visited the wounded, said a few kind words to such as we recognised, and + pitied, as they deserved to be pitied, the rest. Then retiring to our fire, we + addressed ourselves with hearty good will to a frugal supper, and gladly composed + ourselves to sleep.—<i>A Subaltern in America.—Blackwood's + Magazine.</i></p> + <hr /> + <h3>SONNET—NOCHE SERENA.</h3> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + How tranquil is the night! The torrent's roar<br /> + Dies off far distant; through the lattice streams<br /> + The pure, white, silvery moonshine, mantling o'er<br /> + The couch and curtains with its fairy gleams.<br /> + Sweet is the prospect; sweeter are the dreams<br /> + From which my loathful eyelid now unclosed:—<br /> + Methought beside a forest we reposed,<br /> + Marking the summer sun's far western beams,<br /> + A dear-loved friend and I. The nightingale<br /> + To silence and to us her pensive tale<br /> + Sang forth; the very tone of vanish'd years<br /> + Came o'er me, feelings warm, and visions bright;<br /> + Alas! how quick such vision disappears,<br /> + To leave the spectral moon and silent night!<br /> + </blockquote> + <p><i>Delta of Blackwood's Magazine.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>ARTS AND SCIENCES.</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>THE BEECH TREE.—A NONCONDUCTOR OF LIGHTNING.</h3> + <p>Dr. Beeton, in a letter to Dr. Mitchill of New York, dated 19th of July, 1824, + states, that the beech tree (that is, the broad leaved or American variety of + <i>Fagus sylvatiea</i>,) is never known to be assailed by atmospheric electricity. So + notorious, he says, is this fact, that in Tenessee, it is considered almost an + impossibility to be struck by lightning, if protection be sought under the branches + of a beech tree. Whenever the sky puts on a threatening aspect, and the thunder + begins to roll, the Indians leave their pursuit, and betake themselves to the shelter + of the nearest beech tree, till the storm pass over; observation having taught these + sagacious children of nature, that, while other trees are often shivered to + splinters, the electric fluid is not attracted by the beech. Should farther + observation establish the fact of the non-conducting quality of the American beech, + great advantage may evidently be derived from planting hedge rows of such trees + around the extensive barn yards in which cattle are kept, and also in disposing + groups and single trees in ornamental plantations in the neighbourhood of the + dwelling houses of the owners.—<i>New Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + <h3>ANTIQUITIES.</h3> + <p>A valuable discovery was made the other day in Westminster Abbey. It had become + necessary to make repairs near the tomb of Edward the Confessor, when, by removing a + portion of the pavement, an exquisitely beautiful piece of carved work, which had + originally formed part of the shrine of Edward's tomb, was discovered. This fine + relic, the work of the eleventh or twelfth century, appears to have been studded with + precious stones; and the presumption is, that during the late civil wars it was taken + down for the purpose of plunder, and after the gems were taken out, buried under the + ground (very near the surface of the earth) to avoid + detection.—<i>Ibid.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page41" name="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> + <h2>ARCHERY</h2> + <p class="figure"><a href="images/264-2.png"><img width="100%" src="images/264-2.png" + alt="" /></a><br /> + </p> + <p>Previous to introducing the communication of a much respected correspondent, who + has well described, by drawing and observation, a Royal Archer of Scotland, we shall + offer a few general remarks on the subject of the above engraving, which relates to + an amusement which we are happy to find is patronized in many counties in England by + respectable classes of society at this day. No instrument of warfare is more ancient + than that of the bow and arrow, and the skill of the English bowmen is celebrated. It + seems, that in ancient times the English had the advantage over enemies chiefly by + their archers and light-armed troops.</p> + <p>The <i>archers</i> were armed with a long-bow, a sheaf of arrows, a sword, and a + small shield.</p> + <p>The <i>cross-bowmen</i>, as their name implies, were armed with the cross-bow, and + arrows called <i>quarrels</i>.</p> + <p>Even after the invention of guns, the English archers are spoken of as excelling + those of all other nations; and an ancient writer affirms that an English arrow, with + a little wax upon its point, would pass through any ordinary corselet or cuirass. It + is uncertain how far the archers with the long-bow could send an arrow; but the + cross-bowmen could shoot their quarrels to the distance of forty rods, or the eighth + part of a mile. For a more general and extended notice of the history of archery, + however, we refer our readers to a recent volume,<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> and here we have the + correspondence alluded to a few lines above.</p> + <h3>A ROYAL ARCHER OF SCOTLAND.</h3> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page42" name="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + <p class="figure"><a href="images/264-3.png"><img width="50%" src="images/264-3.png" + alt="" /></a></p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Good-morrowe, good fellow,—<br /> + Methinks, by this bowe thou beares in thy hand<br /> + A good archere thou shouldst bee."<br /> + </blockquote> + <p><i>Old Ballad</i>.</p> + <p>I feel happy that it is in my power to present a drawing, made expressly for the + purpose, of the picturesque costume worn by the Royal Company of Archers, or King's + Body Guard of Scotland. This is described in Stark's "Picture of Edinburgh" + thus:—"Their uniform is 42nd tartan, with green velvet collar and cuffs, and a + Highland bonnet, with feathers; on the front of the bonnet is the cross of St. + Andrew, and a gold arrow on the collar of the jacket." There is a something in the + very idea of an archer, and in the name of <i>Robin Hood</i>, particularly charming + to most bosoms, coming as they do to us fraught with all delicious associations; the + wild, free forest life, the sweet pastime, the adventures of bold outlaws amid the + heaven of sylvan scenery, and the national renown of British bowmen which mingles + with the records of our chivalry in history and romance; while the revival of + <i>archery</i> in England of late years, as an elegant amusement, sufficiently proves + that the high feeling which seems mysteriously to blend a present age with one long + since gone by, is not totally extinct. Shall I venture to assert, that for this we + are indebted to the charmed light cast around a noble and ancient pastime by the + antiquary, poet, and romance-writer of modern times? But to return, the Scottish + archers were first formed into a company and obtained a charter, granting them great + privileges, under the reign of queen Anne, for which they were to pay to the crown, + annually, a pair of barbed arrows. One of these allowances was, that they might + <i>meet and go forth under their officer's conduct, in military form, in manner of + weapon-showing, as often as they should think convenient</i>. "But they have made no + public parade since 1743,"<a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a + href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> owing, probably, to the state of parties in + Edinburgh, for their attachment to the Stuart family was well understood, and falling + under the suspicion of the British government after the rebellion of 1745, they were + watched, "and spies appointed to frequent their company." The company possess a house + built by themselves, termed Archers' Hall. All their business is transacted by a + president and six counsellors, who are nominated by the members at large, and have + authority to admit or reject candidates <i>ad libitum</i>. The number of this + association is now very great, having been of late years much increased; they have + standards, with appropriate emblems and mottoes, and shoot for several prizes + annually; amongst these are a silver bowl and arrows, which, by a singular + regulation, "are retained by the successful candidate only one year, when he appends + a medal to them; and as these prizes are of more than a hundred years standing, the + number of medals now attached to them are very curious."</p> + <p>To this notice may I be permitted to subjoin a few stanzas? Old Izaak Walton hath + put songs and sylvan poesy in plenty into the mouths of his anglers and rural + <i>dramatis personae</i>, and shall <i>I</i> be blamed for following, in all + humility, his illustrious example? Perchance—but hold! it is one of the fairest + of summer mornings; the sun sheds a pure, a silvery light on the young, fresh, + new-waked foliage and herbage; a faint mist veils the blue distance of the landscape; + but the pearly shroud conceals not yonder troop of young blithe men, who, arranged in + green, after the olden fashion, each bearing the implements of archery, and tripping + lightly over the heath, are carolling in the joy of their free spirits, while the + fresh breeze brings to my ear most distinctly the words of</p> + <h3>THE ARCHER'S SONG.</h3> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + Away!—away!—yon golden sun<br /> + Hath chas'd nights' shadows damp and dun;<br /> + Forth from his turfy couch, the lark<br /> + Hath sprung to meet glad day: and hark!<br /> + A mingling and delicious song<br /> + Breathes from the blithe-voiced plumy throng;<br /> + While, to the green-wood hasten <i>we</i><br /> + Whose craft is, gentle archery!<br /> + <br /> + Now swift we bound o'er dewy grass!<br /> + Rousing the red fox as we pass,<br /> + And startling linnet, merle, and thrush,<br /> + As recklessly the boughs we brush.<br /> + The <i>hunter's</i> horn sings thro' the brakes.<br /> + And its soft lay apt echo takes;<br /> + But soon her sweet enamoured tone<br /> + Shall tell what song is all <i>our</i> own!<br /> + <br /> + On!—on!—glad brothers of the bow!<br /> + The dun deer's couching place ye know,<br /> + And gallant bucks this day shall rue<br /> + Our feather'd shafts,—so swift,—so true;<br /> + Yet, sorer than the sylvan train,<br /> + Our foes, upon the battle-plain,<br /> + Will mourn at the unerring hands<br /> + Of Albion's <i>matchless</i> archer bands!<br /> + <br /> + Now hie we on, to silent shades,<br /> + To glist'ning streams, and sunlit glades,<br /> + Where all that woodland life can give,<br /> + Renders it bliss indeed, to <i>live</i>.<br /> + Come, ye who love the shadowy wood,<br /> + Whate'er your days, whate'er your mood.<br /> + And join <i>us</i>, freakish knights that be<br /> + Of grey-goose wing, and good yew-tree!<br /> + <br /> + Say—are ye <i>mirthful</i>?—then we'll sing<br /> + Of wayward feasts and frolicking;—<br /> + Tell jests and gibes,—nor lack we store<br /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page43" name="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> Of knightly + tales, and monkish lore;<br /> + High freaks of dames and cavaliers,<br /> + Of warlocks, spectres, elfs, and seers,<br /> + Till with glad heart, and blithesome brow,<br /> + Ye bless your brothers of the bow!<br /> + <br /> + Is <i>sadness</i> courted?—ye shall lie<br /> + When summer's sultry noons are high,<br /> + By darkling forest's shadow'd stream<br /> + To muse;—or, sweeter still, to dream<br /> + Day-dreams of love; while round ye rise<br /> + Distant, delicious harmonies;<br /> + Until ye languishing declare<br /> + An archer's life, indeed is fair!<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>M. L. B.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE NOVELIST</h2> + <h3>NO. CV.</h3> + <hr /> + <h3>THE GHIBELLINES.</h3> + <h4><i>A Fragment of a Tuscan Tale</i>.</h4> + <h4>BY MISS EMMA ROBERTS.</h4> + <blockquote> + "His name's Gonzago.—The story is extant, and written in very choice + Italian." + </blockquote> + <p>Ten thousand lights burned throughout the Alberoni palace, and all the nobility of + Florence flocked to the bridal of its wealthy lord. It was a fair sight to see the + stately mirrors which spread their shining surfaces between pillars of polished + marble reflecting the gay assemblage, that, radiant with jewels, promenaded the + saloon, or wreathed the dance to the witching music of the most skilful minstrels in + all Tuscany. Every lattice was open, and the eye, far as it could reach, wandered + through illuminated gardens, tenanted by gay groups, where the flush of the roses, + the silver stars of the jasmine, the crimson, purple, orange, and blue of the + variegated parterre were revealed as if the brightest blaze of day flashed upon their + silken leaves. Amid all this pomp of beauty and splendour the bride moved along, + surpassing all that was fair and resplendent around her by the exceeding loveliness + of a face and form to which every eye and every heart paid involuntary homage. At her + side appeared the exulting bridegroom, to whom, however, more it should seem through + diffidence than aversion, her eyes were never raised; for though Count Alberoni had + advanced beyond the middle age of life, yet he still retained the majestic port and + commanding lineaments for which he had been distinguished in early youth; his riches + rendered him all potent in Florence, and none dared dispute with him the possession + of its fairest flower. Intoxicated with the pleasures offered at the banquet and the + ball, whatever of envy or of jealousy might have been hidden in the bosoms of the + guests while contemplating the treasure which the triumphant Alberoni had snatched + from contending suitors, it was concealed, and the most cheerful hilarity prevailed. + Yet, amid the general expression of happiness, there were two persons who, attracting + notice by the meanness of their attire, and the melancholy gloom upon their + countenances, seemed to be out of place in so stately and so joyous an assembly. They + were brother and sister, the descendants of Ghibellines who had died in exile, and + distant relations of the Count, who though not choosing to regard them as his heirs, + had, when the abolition of a severe law enabled the proscribed faction to return to + Florence, accorded them shelter and protection. Meanly clad in vestments of coarse + serge, there were yet no cavaliers who fluttered in silk and velvet who could compare + in personal beauty with Francesco Gonzago; and the bride alone, of all the beauties + who shone in gold and silver, appeared superior in feminine charms to the lovely + Beatrice, notwithstanding that her cumbrous robe of grey stuff obscured the delicate + proportions of her sylph-like form. Buoyant in spirit, and animated by the scene + before her, occasionally a gleam of sunshine would irradiate her brow as she gazed + upon the sparkling throng who formed the brilliant pageant which so much delighted + her; but as she turned to express her feelings to her brother, his pale pensive + features and the recollection of the intense anguish which wrung his heart, subdued + her gaiety, the smile passed away from her lip, the rose deserted her cheek, and she + stood by his side sad and sorrowful as some monumental statue. Many persons grieved + at the depressed fortunes of the once powerful Gonzagos, but there were others who + sneered at their present degradation, enjoying the cruel mockery with which Alberoni + had forced the man who had cherished hopes of succeeding as heir-at-law to his + immense estates, to witness the downfall of those flattering expectations. Few and + slight were the salutations which passed between the dejected pair and the more + illustrious guests; but as the bride made the circuit of the apartments, she paused + when approaching her husband's neglected relatives, and raising eyes swimming with + drops of sympathy, greeted them with unaffected tenderness. Francesco was unprepared + for the gentle kindness of her address; his stern heart melted, his proud glance + suddenly changed to one of gracious courtesy; he gazed upon her as upon some angelic + being sent down from heaven to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page44" + name="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> soothe and gladden his perturbed soul; and + henceforward he saw nothing in the glare, and the crowd, and the splendour around + him, save the sweet face and the delicate form of the Countess Alberoni; his charmed + eyes followed her from place to place, and so entirely was he engrossed by one + object, that he did not perceive that the attention of Beatrice was almost wholly + occupied by a young and sprightly cavalier, who pursued her like a shadow, pouring + tender tales in a not unwilling ear. Group by group the guests retired from the + festive scene, and the brother and sister, scarcely able to define the new feelings + which sprung up in the heart of each, quitted the magnificent palace to seek their + forlorn abode. A pavilion, nearly in ruins, was the sole shelter which the proud lord + of Alberoni afforded to the only surviving branches of his family, when returning to + their native city they found their patrimonial estates confiscated, and themselves + dependent upon the niggard bounty of a cold and selfish relative. Slowly recovering + from a severe wound which he had received in the wars of Lombardy, and disgusted with + the ingratitude of the prince he served, the ill-starred Francesco was at first + rejoiced to obtain any refuge from the storms of a tempestuous world; and the + unceasing efforts of his young and affectionate sister to reconcile him to a bitter + lot were not wholly unavailing. Summer had spread her richest treasures upon the lap + of Nature; and the fairy hands of Beatrice transformed the bare walls of the + dilapidated edifice which they inhabited into bowers of luxuriant foliage; the most + delicious fruit also, the spontaneous product of the garden, cooled at some crystal + fount and heaped with flowers, tempted her brother's languid appetite; and, waking + the soft notes of her lute, she soothed his desponding spirit with music's gentlest + sound. Fondly trusting that Francesco might be won to prize the simple enjoyments of + which fortune could not despoil him, and to find his dearest happiness in an + approving conscience, the light hearted girl indulged in delusive hopes of future + felicity. But these expectations were soon damped; as Francesco's health returned he + became restless and melancholy; he saw no prospect of arriving at distinction by his + talents, or by his sword; peace reigned throughout the Tuscan states, and the + jealousy of the government of all who bore the mark of Ghibelline extraction, forbade + the chance of successful exertion and honourable reward; his days were spent in moody + abstraction, his nights in feverish dreams; his misfortunes, his accomplishments and + his virtues failed to excite affection in the breast of his kinsman, who, jealous of + the youth and personal attractions of the man apparently destined to be his heir, + grew uneasy at the thought of benefitting a person he had learned to hate; and + suddenly resolving to cut off at once the presumptuous expectations which the + luckless exile might have cherished, exerted the influence procured by his wealth to + form an alliance with the most peerless beauty which the city boasted. A new source + of anguish added to the misery already sustained by the wretched Gonzago; his arm was + paralyzed by the utter hopelessness of any attempt to emerge from the obscurity to + which fate had condemned him; he brooded over the dismal futurity which opened before + him; and, as a solace to these gloomy meditations, suffered his imagination to dwell + upon the charms and graces of the lovely Giacinta, his kinsman's gentle bride. He saw + her sometimes flitting through the myrtle groves which skirted the neighbouring + palace; and when night favoured his concealment, he would approach the marble + porticos to catch the sound of her voice as, accompanied by a lute, she wasted its + melody upon the silent stars. Beatrice, in the mean time, experienced only in the + pale brow and haggard form of her brother an alloy to her happiness. Alessandro, the + young heir of the Orsini family, had abandoned the gay revels of Florence to share + the solitude of the despised Ghibellines; and although there seemed to be little + chance of ultimate triumph over the obstacles which opposed themselves to an alliance + between the prosperous scion of a noble house and the unportioned orphan of a + banished man, yet hope pre-ponderated over fear, and, blessed by her enchanting + smiles, the lover indulged in delightful anticipations.</p> + <p>...</p> + <p>Again was the Alberoni palace illumined by innumerable tapers; again were the + glittering saloons filled with all the noble population of Florence. A second nuptial + feast, more splendid and joyous than the first, was celebrated; again Giacinta, + lovelier than ever, shone as the bride, and by her side a cavalier appeared, whose + summer of life was better adapted to match with her tender years than the mature age + of her late husband had been.</p> + <p>The Count Alberoni Gonzago was dead; and Francesco succeeding to his wealth, had + obtained the hand of his widow. Beatrice, also a bride, followed in the train of the + Countess, but followed more like a mourner at some funeral solemnity <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page45" name="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span> than as the newly + wedded consort of the husband of her choice. Francesco all smiles and triumph, as he + stood with the fairest hand in Florence hanging on his arm, proudly greeting the + guests who crowded to pay him homage, turned frequently, and cast looks of piercing + examination and reproach upon his pale and trembling sister, and, as if fascinated by + his glance, she would rally her, failing spirits and smile languidly upon the + bridegroom, who bent over her enamoured; and then, as if beguiled from some painful + contemplation by the sweet accents of the man she loved, she became calm, and her + quivering features resumed their wonted placidity. But these moments of tranquillity + were of short duration; she started at every shadow; the flash of one of the jewels + which broidered her satin robe would cause a fit of trembling; and at length, when + seated at the banquet opposite her brother and his bride, a richly clad domestic + offered wine in a golden goblet; for a moment she held it to her lips, and then + dashed it away, exclaiming—"It is poison! Hide me,—save me. I see it + every where; in those green leaves from whence it was distilled.—Oh! Francesco, + Francesco, let us be poor and happy!" The guests shrunk aghast from the speaker, who, + falling from her seat, expired in convulsions.</p> + <p>The power conferred by Gonzago's immense riches silenced the whispered murmurs of + the assembly. No man rose to higher eminence in the state than the idolized husband + of the beautiful Giacinta; but a dark cloud hung upon his house, his children were + all cut off in their infancy, and, after a few brief years of outward felicity, + struck from his horse by the fragment of a building which fell upon him as he rode in + pomp through the city, he received a mortal wound, surviving the accident only long + enough to unburthen his soul to his confessor.</p> + <p>His dying words were addressed to Alessandro, from whom since the hour of his + nuptials he had been estranged; pressing his hand, he exclaimed—"She was + innocent! she heard not of the murder until it had been + accomplished."—<i>London Weekly Review</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>RAFTS AND RHINE SCENERY.</h3> + <p>Between Andernach and Bonn I saw two or three of those enormous rafts which are + formed of the accumulated produce of the Swiss and German forests. One was anchored + in the middle of the river, and looked like a floating island. These <i>Krakens</i> + of the Rhine are composed of oak and fir floated in smaller rafts down the tributary + streams, and, their size constantly increasing till they arrive hereabouts, they make + platforms of from four hundred to seven hundred feet long, and one hundred and forty + feet in breadth. When in motion, a dozen boats and more precede them, carrying + anchors and cables to guide and arrest their course. The navigation of a raft down + the Rhine to Dort, in Holland, which is the place of their destination,<a + id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> is a + work of great difficulty. The skill of the German and Dutch pilots who navigate them, + in spite of the abrupt turnings, the eddies, the currents, rocks and shoals that + oppose their progress, must indeed be of a very peculiar kind, and can be possessed + but by few. It requires besides a vast deal of manual labour. The whole complement of + rowers and workmen, together with their wives and children, on board one of the + <i>first-rates</i>, amounts to the astonishing number of nine hundred or a thousand; + a little village, containing from forty to sixty wooden houses, is erected upon each, + which also is furnished with stalls for cattle, a magazine for provisions, &c. + The dwelling appropriated to the use of the master of the raft and the principal + super-cargoes was conspicuous for its size and commodiousness. It is curious to + observe these rafts, on their passage, with their companies of rowers stationed at + each end, making the shores ring again to the sound of their immense oars.</p> + <p>The succession of grand natural pictures, which I had been gazing upon since my + departure from Mentz and the district of the Rheingau, are undoubtedly similar, but + not the same; there is alternately the long noble reach, the sudden bend, the + lake-like expanse, the shores on both sides lined with towns whose antique + fortifications rise in distant view, and villages whose tapering spires of blue slate + peer above the embosoming foliage; the mountains clothed with vines and forests, + their sides bristled and their summits crowned with the relics of feudal + residences,<a id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a + href="#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a> or <span class="pagenum"><a id="page46" + name="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> of cloistered fanes: but the varieties in the shape + and character of all these are inexhaustible; it is this circumstance that enhances + the pleasure of contemplating, scenery, in which there is, as Lord Byron says,</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "A blending of all beauties, streams and dells,<br /> + Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, corn-field, mountain, vine,<br /> + And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells,<br /> + From gray but leafy walls where ruin greenly dwells." + </blockquote> + <p>The oppositions of light and shade; the rich culture of the hills contrasted with + the rugged rocks that often rise from out of the midst of fertility; the bright + verdure of the islands which the Rhine is continually forming; the purple hues and + misty azure of the distant mountains—these and a thousand other indescribable + charms constitute sources of visual delight which can be imparted only by a view of + the objects themselves. And is excitement awakened in contemplating the borders of + this graceful and magnificent river? Yes. When we revert to the awful convulsions of + the physical world, and the important revolutions of human society, of which the + regions it flows through have been successively the theatre—when we meditate on + the vast changes, the fearful struggles, the tragic incidents and mournful + catastrophes, which they have witnessed from the earliest ages to the very times in + which we have ourselves lived and marked the issue of events—"the battles, + sieges, fortunes" that have passed before its green tumultuous current, or within ken + of its mountain watch-towers—the shouts of nations that have resounded, and the + fates of empires that have been decided, on its shores—when we think of the + slaughtered myriads whose bones have bleached on the neighbouring plains, filled up + the trenches of its rock-built strong-holds, or found their place of sepulture + beneath its wave—when, at each survey we take of the wide and diversified + scene, the forms of centuries seem to be embodied with the objects around us, and the + record of the past becomes vividly associated with the impression of present + realities—it is then that we are irresistibly led to compare the greatness of + nature with the littleness of man; it is then that we are forcibly struck with the + power and goodness of the Author of both; and that the deepest humility unites itself + in a grateful mind, with the highest admiration, at the sight of "these His lowest + works."</p> + <p>But do you pretend, it may be asked, in the course of a three days' journey, + however lengthened by celerity of conveyance, or favoured by advantages of season or + weather—do you pretend to have experienced that very eminent degree of + gratification which the country is capable of communicating? Certainly not. I speak + of these scenes but as of things, which before my own hasty and unsatisfied glances + came like shadows—so departed. Instead of two or three days, a whole month + should be spent between Mentz, Coblentz, and Bonn, in order fully to know and + thoroughly to enjoy the beauties and grandeurs with which that space + abounds.—<i>Stevenson's Tour in France, &c.</i></p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE BARBER.</h3> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + Nick Razorblade a barber was,<br /> + A <i>strapping</i> lad was he;<br /> + And he could shave with such a grace,<br /> + It was a joy to see!<br /> + <br /> + And tho' employ'd within his house,<br /> + He kept like rat in hole;<br /> + All those that pass'd the barber's door,<br /> + Could always see his <i>pole</i>!<br /> + <br /> + His dress was rather plain than rich,<br /> + Nor fitted over well;<br /> + Yet, tho' no <i>macaroni</i>, Nick,<br /> + He often <i>cut a swell</i>!<br /> + <br /> + And Nick was brave, and he could fight,<br /> + As many times he proved;<br /> + A lamb became a lion fierce,<br /> + Whenever he was moved!<br /> + <br /> + Like many of his betters, who<br /> + To field with pistols rush,<br /> + When Nicky <i>lather'd</i> any one,<br /> + He was obliged to <i>brush</i>!<br /> + <br /> + Some say Nick was a brainless <i>block</i>,<br /> + While those who've seen him waving<br /> + His bright sharp razor, o'er scap'd chins,<br /> + Declare he was a <i>shaving</i>!<br /> + <br /> + His next door neighbour, Nelly Jones,<br /> + A maid of thirty-eight,<br /> + 'Twas said regarded Nick with smiles,<br /> + But folks will always prate.<br /> + <br /> + 'Tis known in summer time that she,<br /> + (A maid and only daughter)<br /> + To show her love for Razorblade,<br /> + Kept Nicky in <i>hot water</i>!<br /> + <br /> + For politics Nick always said,<br /> + He never cared a fig;<br /> + Quoth he:—"If I a Tory were,<br /> + I likewise <i>wear a wig</i>!"<br /> + <br /> + No poacher he, yet <i>hairs</i> he <i>wired</i>,<br /> + With skill that made maids prouder;<br /> + And though he never used a gun,<br /> + He knew the use of <i>powder</i>!<br /> + <br /> + He never took offence at words,<br /> + However broad or blunt;<br /> + But when maids brought a <i>front</i> to dress,<br /> + Of course he took a <i>front</i>!<br /> + <br /> + Beneath his razor folks have slept,<br /> + So easy were they mown;<br /> + Yet (oh! most passing strange it was!)<br /> + His <i>razor</i> was his <i>own</i>!<br /> + <br /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page47" name="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> Nick + doubtless had a tender heart,<br /> + But not for Nelly Jones;<br /> + He made Miss Popps "bone of his bone,"<br /> + But never made old bones!<br /> + <br /> + He died and left an only son,<br /> + <br /> + A barber too by trade;<br /> + <br /> + But when they ope'd his will, they found<br /> + A cruel will he'd made.<br /> + <br /> + And doubtless he was raving mad,<br /> + (To slander I'm unwilling)<br /> + For tho' a <i>barber</i>, Nicky cut<br /> + His <i>heir</i> off with <i>a shilling!</i><br /> + </blockquote> + <p><i>Absurdities: in Prose and Verse</i>.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>BONAPARTE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE.</h3> + <p>While we endeavour to sum up the mass of misfortunes with which Bonaparte was + overwhelmed at this crisis, it seems as if Fortune had been determined to show that + she did not intend to reverse the lot of humanity, even in the case of one who had + been so long her favourite, but that she retained the power of depressing the obscure + soldier, whom she had raised to be almost king of Europe, in a degree as humiliating + as his exaltation had been splendid. All that three years before seemed inalienable + from his person, was now reversed. The victor was defeated, the monarch was + dethroned, the ransomer of prisoners was in captivity, the general was deserted by + his soldiers, the master abandoned by his domestics, the brother parted from his + brethren, the husband severed from the wife, and the father torn from his only child. + To console him for the fairest and largest empire that ambition ever lorded it over, + he had, with the mock name of emperor, a petty isle, to which he was to retire, + accompanied by the pity of such friends as dared express their feelings, the + unrepressed execrations of many of his former subjects, who refused to regard his + present humiliation as an amends for what he had made them suffer during his power, + and the ill-concealed triumph of the enemies into whose hands he had been + delivered.</p> + <p>A Roman would have seen, in these accumulated disasters, a hint to direct his + sword's point against his breast; a man of better faith would have turned his eye + back on his own conduct, and having read, in his misuse of prosperity, the original + source of those calamities, would have remained patient and contrite under the + consequences of his ambition. Napoleon belonged to the Roman school of philosophy; + and it is confidently reported, especially by Baron Fain, his secretary, though it + has not been universally believed, that he designed, at this extremity, to escape + from life by an act of suicide.</p> + <p>The emperor, according to this account, had carried with him, ever since the + retreat from Moscow, a packet containing a preparation of opium, made up in the same + manner with that used by Condorcet for self-destruction. His valet-de-chambre, in the + night betwixt the 12th and 13th of April, heard him arise and pour something into a + glass of water, drink, and return to bed. In a short time afterwards, the man's + attention was called by sobs and stifled groans—an alarm took place in the + chateau—some of the principal persons were roused, and repaired to Napoleon's + chamber. Yvan, the surgeon, who had procured him the poison, was also summoned; but + hearing the emperor complain that the operation of the poison was not quick enough, + he was seized with a panic-terror, and fled from the palace at full gallop. Napoleon + took the remedies recommended, and a long fit of stupor ensued, with profuse + perspiration. He awakened much exhausted, and surprised at finding himself still + alive; he said aloud, after a few moments' reflection, "Fate will not have it so," + and afterwards appeared reconciled to undergo his destiny, without similar attempts + at personal violence. There is, as we have already hinted, a difference of opinion + concerning the cause of Napoleon's illness; some imputing it to indigestion. The fact + of his having been very much indisposed is, however, indisputable. A general of the + highest distinction transacted business with Napoleon on the morning of the 13th of + April. He seemed pale and dejected, as from recent and exhausting illness. His only + dress was a night-gown and slippers, and he drank from time to time a quantity of + tisan, or some such liquid, which was placed beside him, saying he had suffered + severely during the night, but that his complaint had left him.</p> + <p>After this crisis, and having ratified the treaty which his mareschals had made + for him. Napoleon appeared more at his ease than he had been for some time before, + and conversed frankly with his attendants upon the affairs of France.</p> + <h3>NAPOLEON TAKES LEAVE OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD.</h3> + <p>Napoleon having now resigned himself entirely to his fate, whether for good or + evil, prepared, on the 20th of April, to depart for his place of retreat. But first, + he had the painful task of bidding farewell to the body in the universe most attached + to him, and to which he was probably most attached,—his celebrated Imperial + Guard. Such of them as could be collected were drawn out before him <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page48" name="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> in review. Some + natural tears dropped from his eyes, and his features had the marks of strong emotion + while reviewing for the last time, as he must then have thought likely, the + companions of so many victories. He advanced to them on horseback, dismounted, and + took his solemn leave. "All Europe," he said, "had armed against him; France herself + had deserted him, and chosen another dynasty. He might," he said, "have maintained + with his soldiers a civil war of years, but it would have rendered France unhappy. Be + faithful," he continued, (and the words were remarkable,) "to the new sovereign whom + France has chosen. Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy while I know you are + so. I could have died—nothing was easier—but I will always follow the + road of honour. I will record with my pen the deeds we have done together. I cannot + embrace you all, but I embrace your general,"—(he pressed the general to his + bosom.)—"Bring hither the eagle,"—(he embraced the standard, and + concluded)—"Beloved eagle, may the kisses I bestow on you long resound in the + hearts of the brave!—Adieu, my children,—Adieu, my brave + companions.—Surround me once more—Adieu." Drowned in grief, the veteran + soldiers heard the farewell of their dethroned leader; sighs and murmurs broke from + their ranks, but the emotion burst out in no threats or remonstrances. They appeared + resigned to the loss of their general, and to yield, like him, to + necessity.—<i>Scott's Napoleon</i>.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE ARK OF NOAH</h3> + <p>The Rabbins make the giant Gog or Magog contemporary with Noah, and convinced by + his preaching. So that he was disposed to take the benefit of the Ark. But here lay + the distress; it by no means suited his dimensions. Therefore, as he could not enter + in, he contented himself to ride upon it astride. And though you must suppose that, + in that stormy weather, he was more than half boots over, he kept his seat, and + dismounted safely, when the Ark landed on Mount Ararat. Image now to yourself this + illustrious Cavalier mounted on his <i>hackney</i>; and see if it does not bring + before you the Church, bestrid by some lumpish minister of state, who turns and winds + it at his pleasure. The only difference is, that Gog believed the preacher of + righteousness and religion.—<i>Warburton's Letters</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE GATHERER.</h2> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "I am but a <i>Gatherer</i> and disposer of other men's stuff."—<i>Wotton</i> + </blockquote> + <hr /> + <p>A preacher had held forth diffusely and ingeniously upon the doctrine that the + Creator of the universe had made all things beautiful. A little crooked lawyer met + him at the church door, and exclaimed, "Well, doctor, what do you think of my figure? + does it correspond with your tenets of this morning?"—"My friend," replied the + preacher, with much gravity, "you are handsome for a hunch-backed man."</p> + <hr /> + <p>Kosciusko once wished to send some bottles of good wine to a clergyman of + Solothurn; and as he hesitated to send them by his servant, lest he should smuggle a + part, he gave the commission to a young man of the name of Zeltner, and desired him + to take the horse which he himself usually rode. On his return, young Zeltner said + that he would never ride his horse again unless he gave him his purse at the same + time. Kosciusko asking what he meant, he answered, "As soon as a poor man on the road + takes off his hat and asks for charity, the horse immediately stands still, and won't + stir till something is given to the petitioner; and, as I had no money about me, I + was obliged to make believe to give something, in order to satisfy the horse."</p> + <hr /> + <p>Persons in warm countries certainly possess powers of imagination superior to + persons in colder climates. The following description of a small room will appear + very poetic to an English reader: "I am now," says a Turkish spy, writing to his + employers, "in an apartment so little, that the least suspicion cannot enter it."</p> + <hr /> + <p>An author, as too often happens, was very irritable in his disposition, and very + unfortunate in his productions. His tragedy and comedy had both been rejected by the + managers of both theatres. "I cannot account for this," said the unfortunate bard to + his friend; "for no one can say that my tragedy was a <i>sad</i> performance, or that + my comedy was a thing to laugh at."</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <!-- Footnotes --> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + <p><i>Poems</i>, by John Keats, p. 93.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + <p>MIRROR, Vol. viii., p. 324.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a> <b>Footnote 3</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a> + <p>Their part in the procession formed to welcome our monarch to his Scottish + metropolis, should be excepted.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a> <b>Footnote 4</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a> + <p>About twelve of these rafts annually arrive at Dort, in July or August; when the + German timber merchants, having converted their floats into good Dutch ducats, + return to their own country. When the water is low, those machines are sometimes + months upon the journey.—<i>Campbell's Guide</i>.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a> <b>Footnote 5</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag5">(return)</a> + <p>There are the ruins of fourteen castles on the left bank, and of fifteen on the + right bank of the Rhine, from Mentz to Bonn, a distance of thirty-six leagues.</p> + </blockquote> + <!-- Footer --> + <hr class="full" /> + <p><i>Printed and Published by J. 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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 of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827 + +Author: Various + +Posting Date: December 5, 2011 [EBook #9884] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: October 27, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIRROR OF LITERATURE, JULY 14, 1827 *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 10, No. 264.] SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1827. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + +ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS. + + +NEW CHURCH, REGENT'S PARK. + +[Illustration] + + +The architectural splendour which has lately developed itself in and +about the precincts of the parish of St. Mary-le-Bonne, exhibits a most +surprising and curious contrast with the former state of this part of +London; and more particularly when compared with accounts extracted from +newspapers of an early date. + +Mary-le-Bonne parish is estimated to contain more than ten thousand +houses, and one hundred thousand inhabitants. In the plans of London, in +1707, it was a small village one mile distant from the Metropolis, +separated by fields--the scenes of robbery and murder. The following +from a newspaper of 1716:--"On Wednesday last, four gentlemen were +robbed and stripped in the fields between Mary-le-Bonne and London." The +"Weekly Medley," of 1718, says, "Round about the New Square which is +building near Tyburn road, there are so many other edifices, that a +whole magnificent city seems to be risen out of the ground in a way +which makes one wonder how it should find a new set of inhabitants. It +is said it is to be called by the name of _Hanover Square!_ On the other +side is to be built another square, called Oxford Square." From the same +article I have also extracted the dates of many of the different +erections, which may prove of benefit to your architectural readers, as +tending to show the progressive improvement made in the private +buildings of London, and showing also the style of building adopted at +later periods. Indeed, I would wish that some of your correspondents-- +_F.R.Y._, or _P.T.W._, for instance, would favour us with a _list of +dates_ answering this purpose. Rathbone-place and John-street (from +Captain Rathbone) began 1729. Oxford market opened 1732. Newman-street +and Berners-street, named from the builders, between 1723 and 1775. +Portland-place and street, 1770. Portman-square, 1764. Portman-place, +1770. Stratford-place, five years later, on the site of Conduit Mead, +built by Robert Stratford, Esq. This had been the place whereon stood +the banquetting house for the lord mayor and aldermen, when they visited +the neighbouring nine conduits which then supplied the city with water. +Cumberland-place, 1769. Manchester-square the year after. + +Previous to entering upon an architectural description of the superb +buildings recently erected in the vicinity of Regency Park, I shall +confine myself at present to that object that first arrests the +attention at the entrance, which is the church; it has been erected +under the commissioners for building new churches. The architect is J. +Soane, Esq. There is a pleasing originality in this gentleman's +productions; the result of extensive research among the architectural +beauties of the ancients, together with a peculiar happy mode of +distributing his lights and shadows; producing in the greatest degree +picturesque effect: these are peculiarities essentially his own, and +forming in no part a copy of the works of any other architect in the +present day. The church in question by no means detracts from his merit +in these particulars. The principal front consists of a portico of four +columns of the Ionic order, approached by a small flight of steps; on +each side is a long window, divided into two heights by a stone transum +(panelled). Under the lower window is a raised panel also; and in the +flank of the building the plinth is furnished with openings; each of the +windows is filled with ornamental iron-work, for the purpose of +ventilating the vaults or catacombs. The flank of the church has a +central projection, occupied by antae, and six insulated Ionic columns; +the windows in the inter-columns are in the same style as those in +front; the whole is surmounted by a balustrade. The tower is in two +heights; the lower part has eight columns of the Corinthian order. +Example taken from the temple of Vesta, at Tivoli; these columns, with +their stylobatae and entablature, project, and give a very extraordinary +relief in the perspective view of the building. The upper part consists +of a circular peristyle of six columns; the example apparently taken +from the portico of the octagon tower of Andronicus Cyrrhestes, or tower +of the winds, from the summit of which rises a conical dome, surmounted +by the Vane. The more minute detail may be seen by the annexed drawing. +The prevailing ornament is the Grecian fret. + +Mr. Soane, during his long practice in the profession, has erected very +few churches, and it appears that he is endeavouring to rectify failings +that seem insurmountable in the present style of architecture,--that of +preventing the tower from having the appearance of rising out of the +roof, by designing his porticos without pediments; if this is the case, +he certainly is indebted to a great share of praise, as a pediment will +always conceal (particularly at a near view) the major part of a tower. +But again, we find ourselves in another difficulty, and it makes the +remedy as bad as the disease,--that of taking away the principal +characteristic of a portico, (namely, the pediment), and destroying at +once the august appearance which it gives to the building; we find in +all the churches of Sir Christopher Wren the campanile to form a +distinct projection from the ground upwards; thus assimilating nearer to +the ancient form of building them entirely apart from the main body of +the church. I should conceive, that if this idea was followed by +introducing the beautiful detail of Grecian architecture, according to +Wren's _models_ it would raise our church architecture to a very +superior pitch of excellence. + +In my next I shall notice the interior, and also the elevation towards +the altar. + +C. DAVY. + +_Furnivals' Inn_, + +_July 1, 1827._ + + * * * * * + + + +THE MONTHS + + * * * * * + + +THE SEASON. + + +The heat is greatest in this month on account of its previous duration. +The reason why it is less so in August is, that the days are then much +shorter, and the influence of the sun has been gradually diminishing. +The farmer is still occupied in getting the productions of the earth +into his garners; but those who can avoid labour enjoy as much rest and +shade as possible. There is a sense of heat and quiet all over nature. +The birds are silent. The little brooks are dried up. The earth is +chapped with parching. The shadows of the trees are particularly +grateful, heavy, and still. The oaks, which are freshest because latest +in leaf, form noble clumpy canopies; looking, as you lie under them, of +a strong and emulous green against the blue sky. The traveller delights +to cut across the country through the fields and the leafy lanes, where, +nevertheless, the flints sparkle with heat. The cattle get into the +shade or stand in the water. The active and air-cutting-swallows, now +beginning to assemble for migration, seek their prey about the shady +places; where the insects, though of differently compounded natures, +"fleshless and bloodless," seem to get for coolness, as they do at other +times for warmth. The sound of insects is also the only audible thing +now, increasing rather than lessening the sense of quiet by its gentle +contrast. The bee now and then sweeps across the ear with his gravest +tone. The gnats + + "Their murmuring small trumpets sounden wide:"--SPENSER. + +and here and there the little musician of the grass touches forth his +tricksy note. + + The poetry of earth is never dead; + When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, + And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run + From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead: + That is the grasshopper's.[1] + + [1] _Poems_, by John Keats, p. 93. + +The strong rains, which sometimes come down in summer-time, are a noble +interruption to the drought and indolence of hot weather. They seem as +if they had been collecting a supply of moisture equal to the want of +it, and come drenching the earth with a mighty draught of freshness. The +rushing and tree-bowing winds that precede them, the dignity with which +they rise in the west, the gathering darkness of their approach, the +silence before their descent, the washing amplitude of their +out-pouring, the suddenness with which they appear to leave off, taking +up, as it were, their watery feet to sail onward, and then the sunny +smile again of nature, accompanied by the "sparkling noise" of the +birds, and those dripping diamonds the rain-drops;--there is a grandeur +and a beauty in all this, which lend a glorious effect to each other; +for though the sunshine appears more beautiful than grand, there is a +power, not even to be looked upon, in the orb from which it flows; and +though the storm is more grand than beautiful, there is always beauty +where there is so much beneficence.--_The Months_. + + +BATHING + + +It is now the weather for bathing, a refreshment too little taken in +this country, either summer or winter. We say in winter, because with +very little care in placing it near a cistern, and having a leathern +pipe for it, a bath may be easily filled once or twice a week with warm +water; and it is a vulgar error that the warm bath relaxes. An excess, +either warm or cold, will relax, and so will any other excess; but the +sole effect of the warm bath moderately taken is, that it throws off the +bad humours of the body by opening and clearing the pores. As to summer +bathing, a father may soon teach his children to swim, and thus perhaps +may be the means of saving their lives some day or other, as well as +health. Ladies also, though they cannot bathe in the open air, as they +do in some of the West Indian islands and other countries, by means of +natural basins among the rocks, might oftener make a substitute for it +at home in tepid baths. The most beautiful aspects under which Venus has +been painted or sculptured have been connected with bathing; and indeed +there is perhaps no one thing that so equally contributes to the three +graces of health, beauty, and good temper; to health, in putting the +body into its best state; to beauty, in clearing and tinting the skin; +and to good temper, in rescuing the spirits from the irritability +occasioned by those formidable personages, "the nerves," which nothing +else allays in so quick and entire a manner. See a lovely passage on the +subject of bathing in Sir Philip Sydney's "Arcadia," where "Philoclea, +blushing, and withal smiling, makeing shamefastnesse pleasant, and +pleasure shamefast, tenderly moved her feet, unwonted to feel the naked +ground, until the touch of the cold water made a pretty kind of +shrugging come over her body; like the twinkling of the fairest among +the fixed stars."--_Ibid_. + + +INSECTS + + +Insects now take the place of the feathered tribe, and, being for the +most part hatched in the spring, they are now in full vigour. It is a +very amusing sight in some of our rural rambles, in a bright evening +after a drizzling summer shower, to see the air filled throughout all +its space with sportive organized creatures, the leaf, the branch, the +bark of the tree, every mossy bank, the bare earth, the pool, the ditch, +all teeming with animal life; and the mind that is ever framed for +contemplation, must awaken now in viewing such a profusion and variety +of existence. One of those poor little beings, the fragile _gnat_, +becomes our object of attention, whether we regard its form or peculiar +designation in the insect world; we must admire the first, and +innocently, perhaps, conjecture the latter. We know that Infinite +Wisdom, which formed, declared it "to be very good;" that it has its +destination and settled course of action, admitting of no deviation or +substitution: beyond this, perhaps, we can rarely proceed, or, if we +sometimes advance a few steps more, we are then lost in the mystery with +which the incomprehensible Architect has thought proper to surround it. +So little is human nature permitted to see, (nor perhaps is it capable +of comprehending much more than permitted,) that it is blind beyond +thought as to secondary causes; and admiration, that pure fountain of +intellectual pleasure, is almost the only power permitted to us. We see +a wonderfully fabricated creature, decorated with a vest of glorious art +and splendour, occupying almost its whole life in seeking for the most +fitting station for its own necessities, exerting wiles and stratagems, +and constructing a peculiar material to preserve its offspring against +natural or occasional injury, with a forethought equivalent to +reason--in a moment, perhaps, with all its splendour and instinct, it +becomes the prey of some wandering bird! and human wisdom and conjecture +are humbled to the dust. We can "see but in part," and the wisest of us +is only, perhaps, something less ignorant than another. This sense of a +perfection so infinitely above us, is the _natural_ intimation of a +Supreme Being; and as science improves, and inquiry is augmented, our +imperfections and ignorance will become more manifest, and all our +aspirations after knowledge only increase in us the conviction of +knowing nothing. Every deep investigator of nature can hardly be +possessed of any other than a humble mind. + + * * * * * + + +THE PEACOCK. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +Of this bird, there are several species, distinguished by their +different colours. The male of the common kind is, perhaps, the most +gaudy of all the bird-kind; the length and beauty of whose tail, and the +various forms in which the creature carries it, are sufficiently known +and admired among us. India is, however, his native country; and there +he enjoys himself with a sprightliness and gaiety unknown to him in +Europe. The translators of Hindoo poetry concur in their description of +his manners; and is frequently alluded to by the Hindoo poets. + + "Dark with her varying clouds, and peacocks gay." + +It is affirmed, among the delightful phenomena which are observable at +the commencement of the rainy season, (immediately following that of the +withering hot winds,) the joy displayed by the peacocks is one of the +most pleasing. These birds assemble in groups upon some retired spot of +verdant grass; jump about in the most animated manner, and make the air +re-echo with their cheerful notes. + + "Or can the peacock's animated hail." + +The wild peacock is also exceedingly abundant in many parts of +Hindoostan, and is especially found in marshy places. The habits of this +bird are in a great measure aquatic; and the setting in of the rains is +the season in which they pair; the peacock is, therefore, always +introduced in the description of cloudy or rainy weather. Thus, in a +little poem, descriptive of the rainy season, &c., the author says, +addressing his mistress,-- + + "Oh, thou, whose teeth enamelled vie + With smiling _Cunda's_ pearly ray, + Hear how the peacock's amorous cry + Salutes the dark and cloudy day." + +And again, where he is describing the same season:-- + + "When smiling forests, whence the tuneful cries + Of clustering pea-fowls shrill and frequent rise, + Teach tender feelings to each human breast, + And please alike the happy or distressed." + +The peacock flies to the highest station he can reach, to enjoy himself; +and rises to the topmost boughs of trees, though the female makes her +nest on the ground. + +F.R.Y. + + * * * * * + + +A WARNING TO FRUIT EATERS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +The mischiefs arising from the bad custom of many people swallowing the +stones of plums and other fruit are very great. In the _Philosophical +Transactions_, No. 282, there is an account of a woman who suffered +violent pains in her bowels for thirty years, returning once in a month, +or less, owing to a plum-stone which had lodged; which, after various +operations, was extracted. There is likewise an account of a man, who +dying of an incurable colic, which had tormented him many years, and +baffled the effects of medicine, was opened after his death, and in his +bowels was found the cause of his distemper, which was a ball, composed +of tough and hard matter, resembling a stone, being six inches in +circumference, when measured, and weighing an ounce and a half; in the +centre of this there was found the stone of a common plum. These +instances sufficiently prove the folly of that common opinion, that the +stones of fruits are wholesome. Cherry-stones, swallowed in great +quantities, have occasioned the death of many people; and there have +been instances even of the seeds of strawberries, and kernels of nuts, +collected into a lump in the bowels, and causing violent disorders, +which could never be cured till they were carried off. + +P.T.W. + + * * * * * + + +THE NIGHTINGALE, + +BY THE AUTHOR OF "AHAB." + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + + In the low dingle sings the nightingale. + And echo answers; all beside is still. + The breeze is gone to fill some distant sail, + And on the sand to sleep has sunk the rill. + The blackbird and the thrush have sought the vale. + And the lark soars no more above the hill, + For the broad sun is up all hotly pale, + And in my reins I feel his parching thrill. + + Hark! how each note, so beautifully clear, + So soft, so sweetly mellow, rings around. + Then faintly dies away upon the ear, + That fondly vibrates to the fading sound. + Poor bird, thou sing'st, the thorn within thy heart, + And I from sorrows, that will not depart. + +S.P.J. + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS + + * * * * * + + +A NIGHT ATTACK. + + +Charlton and I were in the act of smoking our cigars, the men having +laid themselves down about the blaze, when word was passed from sentry +to sentry, and intelligence communicated to us, that all was not right +towards the river. We started instantly to our feet. The fire was +hastily smothered up, and the men snatching their arms, stood in line, +ready to act as circumstances might require. So dense, however, was the +darkness, and so dazzling the effect of the glare from the bivouac, that +it was not possible, standing where we stood, to form any reasonable +guess, as to the cause of this alarm. That an alarm had been excited, +was indeed perceptible enough. Instead of the deep silence which five +minutes ago had prevailed in the bivouac, a strange hubbub of shouts, +and questions, and as many cries, rose up the night air; nor did many +minutes elapse, ere first one musket, then three or four, then a whole +platoon, were discharged. The reader will _easily_ believe that the +latter circumstance startled us prodigiously, ignorant as we were of the +cause which produced it; but it required no very painful exertion of +patience to set us right on this head; flash, flash, flash, came from +the river; the roar of cannon followed, and the light of her own +broadside displayed to us an enemy's vessel at anchor near the opposite +bank, and pouring a perfect shower of grape and round shot into +the camp. + +For one instant, and only for an instant, a scene of alarm and +consternation overcame us; and we almost instinctively addressed to each +other the question, "What can all this mean?" But the meaning was too +palpable not to be understood at once. "The thing cannot end here," said +we--"a night attack is commencing;" and we made no delay in preparing to +meet it. Whilst Charlton remained with the picquet, in readiness to act +as the events might demand, I came forward to the sentries, for the +purpose of cautioning them against paying attention to what might pass +in their rear, and keeping them steadily engaged in watching their +front. The men were fully alive to the peril of their situation. They +strained with their hearing and eyesight to the utmost limits; but +neither sound nor sight of an advancing column could be perceived. At +last, however, an alarm was given. One of the rifles challenged--it was +the sentinel on the high road; the sentinel who communicated with him +challenged also; and the cry was taken up from man to man, till our own +most remote sentry caught it. I flew to his station; and sure enough the +tramp of many feet was most distinctly audible. Having taken the +precaution to carry an orderly forward with me, I caused him to hurry +back to Charlton with intelligence of what was coming, and my earnest +recommendation that he would lose no time in occupying the ditch. I had +hardly done so, when the noise of a column deploying was distinctly +heard. The tramp of horses, too, came mingled with the tread of men; in +a word, it was quite evident that a large force, both of infantry and +cavalry, was before us. + +There was a pause at this period of several moments, as if the enemy's +line, having effected its formation, had halted till some other +arrangement should be completed; but it was quickly broke. On they came, +as far as we could judge from the sound, in steady array, till at length +their line could be indistinctly seen rising through the gloom. The +sentinels with one consent gave their fire. They gave it regularly and +effectively, beginning with the rifles on their left, and going off +towards the 85th on their right, and then, in obedience to their orders, +fell back. But they retired not unmolested. This straggling discharge on +our part seemed to be the signal to the Americans to begin the battle, +and they poured in such a volley, as must have proved, had any +determinate object been opposed to it, absolutely murderous. But our +scattered videttes almost wholly escaped it; whilst over the main body +of the picquet, sheltered as it was by the ditch, and considerably +removed from its line, it passed entirely harmless. + +Having fired this volley, the enemy loaded again, and advanced. We saw +them coming, and having waited till we judged that they were within +excellent range, we opened our fire. It was returned in tenfold force, +and now went on, for a full half hour, as heavy and close a discharge of +musketry as troops have perhaps ever faced. Confident in their numbers, +and led on, as it would appear, by brave officers, the Americans dashed +forward till scarcely ten yards divided us; but our position was an +admirable one, our men were steady and cool, and they penetrated no +farther. On the contrary, we drove them back, more than once, with a +loss which their own inordinate multitude tended only to render the +more severe. + +The action might have continued in this state about two hours, when, to +our horror and dismay, the approaching fire upon our right flank and +rear gave testimony that the picquet of the 85th, which had been in +communication with us, was forced. Unwilling to abandon our ground, +which we had hitherto held with such success, we clung for awhile to the +idea that the reverse in that quarter might be only temporary, and that +the arrival of fresh troops might yet enable us to continue the battle +in a position so eminently favourable to us. But we were speedily taught +that our hopes were without foundation. The American war-cry was behind +us. We rose from our lairs, and endeavoured, as we best could, to retire +upon the right, but the effort was fruitless. There too the enemy had +established themselves, and we were surrounded. "Let us cut our way +through," cried we to the men. The brave fellows answered only with a +shout; and collecting into a small compact line, prepared to use their +bayonets. In a moment we had penetrated the centre of an American +division; but the numbers opposed to us were overwhelming; our close +order was lost; and the contest became that of man to man. I have no +language adequate to describe what followed. For myself, I did what I +could, cutting and thrusting at the multitudes about me, till at last I +found myself fairly hemmed in by a crowd, and my sword-arm mastered. One +American had grasped me round the waist, another, seizing me by the +wrist, attempted to disarm me, whilst a third was prevented from +plunging his bayonet into my body, only from the fear of stabbing one or +other of his countrymen. I struggled hard, but they fairly bore me to +the ground. The reader will well believe, that at this juncture I +expected nothing else than instant death; but at the moment when I fell, +a blow upon the head with the butt-end of a musket dashed out the brains +of the man who kept his hold upon my sword-arm, and it was freed. I saw +a bayonet pointed to my breast, and I intuitively made a thrust at the +man who wielded it. The thrust took effect, and he dropped dead beside +me. Delivered now from two of my enemies, I recovered my feet, and found +that the hand which dealt the blow to which my preservation was owing, +was that of Charlton. There were about ten men about him. The enemy in +our front were broken, and we dashed through. But we were again hemmed +in, and again it was fought hand to hand, with that degree of +determination, which the assurance that life and death were on the +issue, could alone produce. There cannot be a doubt that we should have +fallen to a man, had not the arrival of fresh troops at this critical +juncture turned the tide of affairs. As it was, little more than a third +part of our picquet survived, the remainder being either killed or +taken; and both Charlton and myself, though not dangerously, were +wounded. Charlton had received a heavy blow upon the shoulder, which +almost disabled him; whilst my neck bled freely from a thrust, which the +intervention of a stout leathern stock alone hindered from being fatal. +But the reinforcement gave us all, in spite of wounds and weariness, +fresh courage, and we renewed the battle with alacrity. + +In the course of the struggle in which we had been engaged, we had been +borne considerably out of the line of our first position, and now found +that the main-road and the picquet of the rifles, were close in our +rear. We were still giving way--for the troops opposed to us could not +amount to less than fifteen hundred men, whilst the whole force on our +part came not up to one hundred--when Captain Harris, major of brigade +to Colonel Thornton, came up with an additional company to our support. +Making way for them to fall in between us and the rifles, we took ground +once more to the right, and driving back a body of the enemy, which +occupied it, soon recovered the position from which we had been +expelled. But we did so with the loss of many brave men, and, among +others, of Captain Harris. He was shot in the lower part of the belly at +the same instant that a musket-ball struck the hilt of his sword, and +forced it into his side. Once more established in our ditch, we paused, +and from that moment till the battle ceased to rage we never changed +our attitude. + +It might be about one o'clock in the morning,--the American force in our +front having fallen back, and we having been left, for a full half hour +to breathe, when suddenly the head of a small column showed itself in +full advance towards us. We were at this time amply supported by other +troops, as well in communication as in reserve; and willing to +annihilate the corps now approaching, we forbade the men to fire till it +should be mingled with us. We did even more than this. Opening a passage +for them through our centre, we permitted some hundred and twenty men to +march across our ditch, and then wheeling up, with a loud shout, we +completely enclosed them. Never have I witnessed a panic more perfect or +more sudden than that which seized them. They no sooner beheld the snare +into which they had fallen, than with one voice they cried aloud for +quarter; and they were to a man made prisoners on the spot. The reader +will smile when he is informed that the little corps thus captured +consisted entirely of members of the legal profession. The barristers, +attorneys, and notaries of New Orleans having formed themselves into a +volunteer corps, accompanied General Jackson in his operations this +night; and they were all, without a solitary exception, made prisoners. +It is probably needless to add, that the circumstance was productive of +no trifling degree of mirth amongst us; and to do them justice, the poor +lawyers, as soon as they recovered from their first alarm, joined +heartily in our laughter. + +This was the last operation in which we were engaged to-night. The +enemy, repulsed on all sides, retreated with the utmost disorder, and +the whole of the advance, collecting at the sound of the bugle, drew up, +for the first time since the commencement of the affair, in a continuous +line. We took our ground in front of the bivouac, having our right +supported by the river, and our left covered by the chateau and village +of huts. Among these latter the cannon were planted; whilst the other +divisions, as they came rapidly up, took post beyond them. In this +position we remained, eagerly desiring a renewal of the attack, till +dawn began to appear, when, to avoid the fire of the vessel, the advance +once more took shelter behind the bank. The first brigade, on the +contrary, and such portion of the second as had arrived, encamped upon +the plain, so as to rest their right upon the wood; and a chain of +picquets being planted along the entire pathway, the day was passed in a +state of inaction. + +I hardly recollect to have spent fourteen or fifteen hours with less +comfort to myself than these. In the hurry and bustle of last night's +engagement, my servant, to whose care I had intrusted my cloak and +haversack, disappeared; he returned not during the whole morning; and as +no provisions were issued out to us, nor any opportunity given to light +fires, I was compelled to endure, all that time, the extremes of hunger, +weariness, and cold. As ill luck would have it, too, the day chanced to +be remarkably severe. There was no rain, it is true, but the sky was +covered with gray clouds; the sun never once pierced them, and a frost, +or rather a vile blight, hung upon the atmosphere from morning till +night. Nor were the objects which occupied our senses of sight and +hearing quite such as we should have desired to occupy them. In other +parts of the field, the troops, not shut up as we were by the enemy's +guns, employed themselves in burying the dead, and otherwise effacing +the traces of warfare. The site of our encampment continued to be +strewed with carcases to the last; and so watchful were the crew of the +schooner, that every effort to convey them out of sight brought a heavy +fire upon the party engaged in it. I must say, that the enemy's +behaviour on the present occasion was not such as did them honour. The +house which General Kean had originally occupied as head-quarters, being +converted into an hospital, was filled at this time with wounded, both +from the British and American armies. To mark its uses, a yellow flag, +the usual signal in such cases, was hoisted on the roof--yet did the +Americans continue to fire at it, as often as a group of six or eight +persons happened to show themselves at the door. Nay, so utterly +regardless were they of the dictates of humanity, that even the parties +who were in the act of conveying the wounded from place to place, +escaped not without molestation. More than one such party was dispersed +by grape-shot, and more than one poor maimed soldier was in consequence +hurled out of the blanket in which he was borne. + +The reader will not doubt me when I say, that seldom has the departure +of day-light been more anxiously looked for by me, than we looked for it +now. It is true, that the arrival of a little rum towards evening served +in some slight degree to elevate our spirits; but we could not help +feeling, not vexation only, but positive indignation, at the state of +miserable inaction to which we were condemned. + +There was not a man amongst us who would have hesitated one moment, had +the choice been submitted to him, whether he would advance or lie still. +True, we might have suffered a little, because the guns of the schooner +entirely commanded us; and in rushing out from our place of concealment +some casualties would have occurred; but so irksome was our situation, +that we would have readily run all risks to change it. It suited not the +plans of our general, however, to indulge these wishes. To the bank we +were enjoined to cling; and we did cling to it, from the coming in of +the first gray twilight of the morning, till the last twilight of +evening had departed. + +As soon as it was well dark, the corps to which Charlton and myself were +attached received orders to file off to the right. We obeyed, and +passing along the front of the hospital, we skirted to the rear of the +village, and established ourselves in the field beyond. It was a +positive blessing this restoration to something like personal freedom. +The men set busily to work, lighting fires and cooking provisions;--the +officers strolled about, with no other apparent design than to give +employment to their limbs, which had become stiff with so protracted a +state of inaction. For ourselves we visited the wounded, said a few kind +words to such as we recognised, and pitied, as they deserved to be +pitied, the rest. Then retiring to our fire, we addressed ourselves with +hearty good will to a frugal supper, and gladly composed ourselves to +sleep.--_A Subaltern in America.--Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +SONNET--NOCHE SERENA. + + + How tranquil is the night! The torrent's roar + Dies off far distant; through the lattice streams + The pure, white, silvery moonshine, mantling o'er + The couch and curtains with its fairy gleams. + Sweet is the prospect; sweeter are the dreams + From which my loathful eyelid now unclosed:-- + Methought beside a forest we reposed, + Marking the summer sun's far western beams, + A dear-loved friend and I. The nightingale + To silence and to us her pensive tale + Sang forth; the very tone of vanish'd years + Came o'er me, feelings warm, and visions bright; + Alas! how quick such vision disappears, + To leave the spectral moon and silent night! + +_Delta of Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + + +ARTS AND SCIENCES. + + * * * * * + + +THE BEECH TREE.--A NONCONDUCTOR OF LIGHTNING. + + +Dr. Beeton, in a letter to Dr. Mitchill of New York, dated 19th of July, +1824, states, that the beech tree (that is, the broad leaved or American +variety of _Fagus sylvatiea_,) is never known to be assailed by +atmospheric electricity. So notorious, he says, is this fact, that in +Tenessee, it is considered almost an impossibility to be struck by +lightning, if protection be sought under the branches of a beech tree. +Whenever the sky puts on a threatening aspect, and the thunder begins to +roll, the Indians leave their pursuit, and betake themselves to the +shelter of the nearest beech tree, till the storm pass over; observation +having taught these sagacious children of nature, that, while other +trees are often shivered to splinters, the electric fluid is not +attracted by the beech. Should farther observation establish the fact of +the non-conducting quality of the American beech, great advantage may +evidently be derived from planting hedge rows of such trees around the +extensive barn yards in which cattle are kept, and also in disposing +groups and single trees in ornamental plantations in the neighbourhood +of the dwelling houses of the owners.--_New Monthly Magazine._ + + +ANTIQUITIES. + + +A valuable discovery was made the other day in Westminster Abbey. It had +become necessary to make repairs near the tomb of Edward the Confessor, +when, by removing a portion of the pavement, an exquisitely beautiful +piece of carved work, which had originally formed part of the shrine of +Edward's tomb, was discovered. This fine relic, the work of the eleventh +or twelfth century, appears to have been studded with precious stones; +and the presumption is, that during the late civil wars it was taken +down for the purpose of plunder, and after the gems were taken out, +buried under the ground (very near the surface of the earth) to avoid +detection.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + + +ARCHERY + +[Illustration] + + +Previous to introducing the communication of a much respected +correspondent, who has well described, by drawing and observation, a +Royal Archer of Scotland, we shall offer a few general remarks on the +subject of the above engraving, which relates to an amusement which we +are happy to find is patronized in many counties in England by +respectable classes of society at this day. No instrument of warfare is +more ancient than that of the bow and arrow, and the skill of the +English bowmen is celebrated. It seems, that in ancient times the +English had the advantage over enemies chiefly by their archers and +light-armed troops. + +The _archers_ were armed with a long-bow, a sheaf of arrows, a sword, +and a small shield. + +The _cross-bowmen_, as their name implies, were armed with the +cross-bow, and arrows called _quarrels_. + +Even after the invention of guns, the English archers are spoken of as +excelling those of all other nations; and an ancient writer affirms that +an English arrow, with a little wax upon its point, would pass through +any ordinary corselet or cuirass. It is uncertain how far the archers +with the long-bow could send an arrow; but the cross-bowmen could shoot +their quarrels to the distance of forty rods, or the eighth part of a +mile. For a more general and extended notice of the history of archery, +however, we refer our readers to a recent volume,[2] and here we have +the correspondence alluded to a few lines above. + + [2] MIRROR, Vol. viii., p. 324. + + +A ROYAL ARCHER OF SCOTLAND. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + "Good-morrowe, good fellow,-- + Methinks, by this bowe thou beares in thy hand + A good archere thou shouldst bee." +_Old Ballad_. + +[Illustration] + + +I feel happy that it is in my power to present a drawing, made expressly +for the purpose, of the picturesque costume worn by the Royal Company of +Archers, or King's Body Guard of Scotland. This is described in Stark's +"Picture of Edinburgh" thus:--"Their uniform is 42nd tartan, with green +velvet collar and cuffs, and a Highland bonnet, with feathers; on the +front of the bonnet is the cross of St. Andrew, and a gold arrow on the +collar of the jacket." There is a something in the very idea of an +archer, and in the name of _Robin Hood_, particularly charming to most +bosoms, coming as they do to us fraught with all delicious associations; +the wild, free forest life, the sweet pastime, the adventures of bold +outlaws amid the heaven of sylvan scenery, and the national renown of +British bowmen which mingles with the records of our chivalry in history +and romance; while the revival of _archery_ in England of late years, as +an elegant amusement, sufficiently proves that the high feeling which +seems mysteriously to blend a present age with one long since gone by, +is not totally extinct. Shall I venture to assert, that for this we are +indebted to the charmed light cast around a noble and ancient pastime by +the antiquary, poet, and romance-writer of modern times? But to return, +the Scottish archers were first formed into a company and obtained a +charter, granting them great privileges, under the reign of queen Anne, +for which they were to pay to the crown, annually, a pair of barbed +arrows. One of these allowances was, that they might _meet and go forth +under their officer's conduct, in military form, in manner of +weapon-showing, as often as they should think convenient_. "But they +have made no public parade since 1743,"[3] owing, probably, to the state +of parties in Edinburgh, for their attachment to the Stuart family was +well understood, and falling under the suspicion of the British +government after the rebellion of 1745, they were watched, "and spies +appointed to frequent their company." The company possess a house built +by themselves, termed Archers' Hall. All their business is transacted by +a president and six counsellors, who are nominated by the members at +large, and have authority to admit or reject candidates _ad libitum_. +The number of this association is now very great, having been of late +years much increased; they have standards, with appropriate emblems and +mottoes, and shoot for several prizes annually; amongst these are a +silver bowl and arrows, which, by a singular regulation, "are retained +by the successful candidate only one year, when he appends a medal to +them; and as these prizes are of more than a hundred years standing, the +number of medals now attached to them are very curious." + + [3] Their part in the procession formed to welcome our monarch + to his Scottish metropolis, should be excepted. + +To this notice may I be permitted to subjoin a few stanzas? Old Izaak +Walton hath put songs and sylvan poesy in plenty into the mouths of his +anglers and rural _dramatis personae_, and shall _I_ be blamed for +following, in all humility, his illustrious example? Perchance--but +hold! it is one of the fairest of summer mornings; the sun sheds a pure, +a silvery light on the young, fresh, new-waked foliage and herbage; a +faint mist veils the blue distance of the landscape; but the pearly +shroud conceals not yonder troop of young blithe men, who, arranged in +green, after the olden fashion, each bearing the implements of archery, +and tripping lightly over the heath, are carolling in the joy of their +free spirits, while the fresh breeze brings to my ear most distinctly +the words of + + +THE ARCHER'S SONG. + + + Away!--away!--yon golden sun + Hath chas'd nights' shadows damp and dun; + Forth from his turfy couch, the lark + Hath sprung to meet glad day: and hark! + A mingling and delicious song + Breathes from the blithe-voiced plumy throng; + While, to the green-wood hasten _we_ + Whose craft is, gentle archery! + + Now swift we bound o'er dewy grass! + Rousing the red fox as we pass, + And startling linnet, merle, and thrush, + As recklessly the boughs we brush. + The _hunter's_ horn sings thro' the brakes. + And its soft lay apt echo takes; + But soon her sweet enamoured tone + Shall tell what song is all _our_ own! + + On!--on!--glad brothers of the bow! + The dun deer's couching place ye know, + And gallant bucks this day shall rue + Our feather'd shafts,--so swift,--so true; + Yet, sorer than the sylvan train, + Our foes, upon the battle-plain, + Will mourn at the unerring hands + Of Albion's _matchless_ archer bands! + + Now hie we on, to silent shades, + To glist'ning streams, and sunlit glades, + Where all that woodland life can give, + Renders it bliss indeed, to _live_. + Come, ye who love the shadowy wood, + Whate'er your days, whate'er your mood. + And join _us_, freakish knights that be + Of grey-goose wing, and good yew-tree! + + Say--are ye _mirthful_?--then we'll sing + Of wayward feasts and frolicking;-- + Tell jests and gibes,--nor lack we store + Of knightly tales, and monkish lore; + High freaks of dames and cavaliers, + Of warlocks, spectres, elfs, and seers, + Till with glad heart, and blithesome brow, + Ye bless your brothers of the bow! + + Is _sadness_ courted?--ye shall lie + When summer's sultry noons are high, + By darkling forest's shadow'd stream + To muse;--or, sweeter still, to dream + Day-dreams of love; while round ye rise + Distant, delicious harmonies; + Until ye languishing declare + An archer's life, indeed is fair! + +M. L. B. + + * * * * * + + + +THE NOVELIST + +NO. CV. + + * * * * * + + +THE GHIBELLINES. + +_A Fragment of a Tuscan Tale_. + +BY MISS EMMA ROBERTS. + + "His name's Gonzago.--The story is extant, and written in very + choice Italian." + + +Ten thousand lights burned throughout the Alberoni palace, and all the +nobility of Florence flocked to the bridal of its wealthy lord. It was a +fair sight to see the stately mirrors which spread their shining +surfaces between pillars of polished marble reflecting the gay +assemblage, that, radiant with jewels, promenaded the saloon, or +wreathed the dance to the witching music of the most skilful minstrels +in all Tuscany. Every lattice was open, and the eye, far as it could +reach, wandered through illuminated gardens, tenanted by gay groups, +where the flush of the roses, the silver stars of the jasmine, the +crimson, purple, orange, and blue of the variegated parterre were +revealed as if the brightest blaze of day flashed upon their silken +leaves. Amid all this pomp of beauty and splendour the bride moved +along, surpassing all that was fair and resplendent around her by the +exceeding loveliness of a face and form to which every eye and every +heart paid involuntary homage. At her side appeared the exulting +bridegroom, to whom, however, more it should seem through diffidence +than aversion, her eyes were never raised; for though Count Alberoni had +advanced beyond the middle age of life, yet he still retained the +majestic port and commanding lineaments for which he had been +distinguished in early youth; his riches rendered him all potent in +Florence, and none dared dispute with him the possession of its fairest +flower. Intoxicated with the pleasures offered at the banquet and the +ball, whatever of envy or of jealousy might have been hidden in the +bosoms of the guests while contemplating the treasure which the +triumphant Alberoni had snatched from contending suitors, it was +concealed, and the most cheerful hilarity prevailed. Yet, amid the +general expression of happiness, there were two persons who, attracting +notice by the meanness of their attire, and the melancholy gloom upon +their countenances, seemed to be out of place in so stately and so +joyous an assembly. They were brother and sister, the descendants of +Ghibellines who had died in exile, and distant relations of the Count, +who though not choosing to regard them as his heirs, had, when the +abolition of a severe law enabled the proscribed faction to return to +Florence, accorded them shelter and protection. Meanly clad in vestments +of coarse serge, there were yet no cavaliers who fluttered in silk and +velvet who could compare in personal beauty with Francesco Gonzago; and +the bride alone, of all the beauties who shone in gold and silver, +appeared superior in feminine charms to the lovely Beatrice, +notwithstanding that her cumbrous robe of grey stuff obscured the +delicate proportions of her sylph-like form. Buoyant in spirit, and +animated by the scene before her, occasionally a gleam of sunshine would +irradiate her brow as she gazed upon the sparkling throng who formed the +brilliant pageant which so much delighted her; but as she turned to +express her feelings to her brother, his pale pensive features and the +recollection of the intense anguish which wrung his heart, subdued her +gaiety, the smile passed away from her lip, the rose deserted her cheek, +and she stood by his side sad and sorrowful as some monumental statue. +Many persons grieved at the depressed fortunes of the once powerful +Gonzagos, but there were others who sneered at their present +degradation, enjoying the cruel mockery with which Alberoni had forced +the man who had cherished hopes of succeeding as heir-at-law to his +immense estates, to witness the downfall of those flattering +expectations. Few and slight were the salutations which passed between +the dejected pair and the more illustrious guests; but as the bride made +the circuit of the apartments, she paused when approaching her husband's +neglected relatives, and raising eyes swimming with drops of sympathy, +greeted them with unaffected tenderness. Francesco was unprepared for +the gentle kindness of her address; his stern heart melted, his proud +glance suddenly changed to one of gracious courtesy; he gazed upon her +as upon some angelic being sent down from heaven to soothe and gladden +his perturbed soul; and henceforward he saw nothing in the glare, and +the crowd, and the splendour around him, save the sweet face and the +delicate form of the Countess Alberoni; his charmed eyes followed her +from place to place, and so entirely was he engrossed by one object, +that he did not perceive that the attention of Beatrice was almost +wholly occupied by a young and sprightly cavalier, who pursued her like +a shadow, pouring tender tales in a not unwilling ear. Group by group +the guests retired from the festive scene, and the brother and sister, +scarcely able to define the new feelings which sprung up in the heart of +each, quitted the magnificent palace to seek their forlorn abode. A +pavilion, nearly in ruins, was the sole shelter which the proud lord of +Alberoni afforded to the only surviving branches of his family, when +returning to their native city they found their patrimonial estates +confiscated, and themselves dependent upon the niggard bounty of a cold +and selfish relative. Slowly recovering from a severe wound which he had +received in the wars of Lombardy, and disgusted with the ingratitude of +the prince he served, the ill-starred Francesco was at first rejoiced to +obtain any refuge from the storms of a tempestuous world; and the +unceasing efforts of his young and affectionate sister to reconcile him +to a bitter lot were not wholly unavailing. Summer had spread her +richest treasures upon the lap of Nature; and the fairy hands of +Beatrice transformed the bare walls of the dilapidated edifice which +they inhabited into bowers of luxuriant foliage; the most delicious +fruit also, the spontaneous product of the garden, cooled at some +crystal fount and heaped with flowers, tempted her brother's languid +appetite; and, waking the soft notes of her lute, she soothed his +desponding spirit with music's gentlest sound. Fondly trusting that +Francesco might be won to prize the simple enjoyments of which fortune +could not despoil him, and to find his dearest happiness in an approving +conscience, the light hearted girl indulged in delusive hopes of future +felicity. But these expectations were soon damped; as Francesco's health +returned he became restless and melancholy; he saw no prospect of +arriving at distinction by his talents, or by his sword; peace reigned +throughout the Tuscan states, and the jealousy of the government of all +who bore the mark of Ghibelline extraction, forbade the chance of +successful exertion and honourable reward; his days were spent in moody +abstraction, his nights in feverish dreams; his misfortunes, his +accomplishments and his virtues failed to excite affection in the breast +of his kinsman, who, jealous of the youth and personal attractions of +the man apparently destined to be his heir, grew uneasy at the thought +of benefitting a person he had learned to hate; and suddenly resolving +to cut off at once the presumptuous expectations which the luckless +exile might have cherished, exerted the influence procured by his wealth +to form an alliance with the most peerless beauty which the city +boasted. A new source of anguish added to the misery already sustained +by the wretched Gonzago; his arm was paralyzed by the utter hopelessness +of any attempt to emerge from the obscurity to which fate had condemned +him; he brooded over the dismal futurity which opened before him; and, +as a solace to these gloomy meditations, suffered his imagination to +dwell upon the charms and graces of the lovely Giacinta, his kinsman's +gentle bride. He saw her sometimes flitting through the myrtle groves +which skirted the neighbouring palace; and when night favoured his +concealment, he would approach the marble porticos to catch the sound of +her voice as, accompanied by a lute, she wasted its melody upon the +silent stars. Beatrice, in the mean time, experienced only in the pale +brow and haggard form of her brother an alloy to her happiness. +Alessandro, the young heir of the Orsini family, had abandoned the gay +revels of Florence to share the solitude of the despised Ghibellines; +and although there seemed to be little chance of ultimate triumph over +the obstacles which opposed themselves to an alliance between the +prosperous scion of a noble house and the unportioned orphan of a +banished man, yet hope pre-ponderated over fear, and, blessed by her +enchanting smiles, the lover indulged in delightful anticipations. + +... + +Again was the Alberoni palace illumined by innumerable tapers; again +were the glittering saloons filled with all the noble population of +Florence. A second nuptial feast, more splendid and joyous than the +first, was celebrated; again Giacinta, lovelier than ever, shone as the +bride, and by her side a cavalier appeared, whose summer of life was +better adapted to match with her tender years than the mature age of her +late husband had been. + +The Count Alberoni Gonzago was dead; and Francesco succeeding to his +wealth, had obtained the hand of his widow. Beatrice, also a bride, +followed in the train of the Countess, but followed more like a mourner +at some funeral solemnity than as the newly wedded consort of the +husband of her choice. Francesco all smiles and triumph, as he stood +with the fairest hand in Florence hanging on his arm, proudly greeting +the guests who crowded to pay him homage, turned frequently, and cast +looks of piercing examination and reproach upon his pale and trembling +sister, and, as if fascinated by his glance, she would rally her, +failing spirits and smile languidly upon the bridegroom, who bent over +her enamoured; and then, as if beguiled from some painful contemplation +by the sweet accents of the man she loved, she became calm, and her +quivering features resumed their wonted placidity. But these moments of +tranquillity were of short duration; she started at every shadow; the +flash of one of the jewels which broidered her satin robe would cause a +fit of trembling; and at length, when seated at the banquet opposite her +brother and his bride, a richly clad domestic offered wine in a golden +goblet; for a moment she held it to her lips, and then dashed it away, +exclaiming--"It is poison! Hide me,--save me. I see it every where; in +those green leaves from whence it was distilled.--Oh! Francesco, +Francesco, let us be poor and happy!" The guests shrunk aghast from the +speaker, who, falling from her seat, expired in convulsions. + +The power conferred by Gonzago's immense riches silenced the whispered +murmurs of the assembly. No man rose to higher eminence in the state +than the idolized husband of the beautiful Giacinta; but a dark cloud +hung upon his house, his children were all cut off in their infancy, +and, after a few brief years of outward felicity, struck from his horse +by the fragment of a building which fell upon him as he rode in pomp +through the city, he received a mortal wound, surviving the accident +only long enough to unburthen his soul to his confessor. + +His dying words were addressed to Alessandro, from whom since the hour +of his nuptials he had been estranged; pressing his hand, he +exclaimed--"She was innocent! she heard not of the murder until it had +been accomplished."--_London Weekly Review_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS. + + * * * * * + + +RAFTS AND RHINE SCENERY. + + +Between Andernach and Bonn I saw two or three of those enormous rafts +which are formed of the accumulated produce of the Swiss and German +forests. One was anchored in the middle of the river, and looked like a +floating island. These _Krakens_ of the Rhine are composed of oak and +fir floated in smaller rafts down the tributary streams, and, their size +constantly increasing till they arrive hereabouts, they make platforms +of from four hundred to seven hundred feet long, and one hundred and +forty feet in breadth. When in motion, a dozen boats and more precede +them, carrying anchors and cables to guide and arrest their course. The +navigation of a raft down the Rhine to Dort, in Holland, which is the +place of their destination,[4] is a work of great difficulty. The skill +of the German and Dutch pilots who navigate them, in spite of the abrupt +turnings, the eddies, the currents, rocks and shoals that oppose their +progress, must indeed be of a very peculiar kind, and can be possessed +but by few. It requires besides a vast deal of manual labour. The whole +complement of rowers and workmen, together with their wives and +children, on board one of the _first-rates_, amounts to the astonishing +number of nine hundred or a thousand; a little village, containing from +forty to sixty wooden houses, is erected upon each, which also is +furnished with stalls for cattle, a magazine for provisions, &c. The +dwelling appropriated to the use of the master of the raft and the +principal super-cargoes was conspicuous for its size and commodiousness. +It is curious to observe these rafts, on their passage, with their +companies of rowers stationed at each end, making the shores ring again +to the sound of their immense oars. + + [4] About twelve of these rafts annually arrive at Dort, in + July or August; when the German timber merchants, having + converted their floats into good Dutch ducats, return to their + own country. When the water is low, those machines are + sometimes months upon the journey.--_Campbell's Guide_. + +The succession of grand natural pictures, which I had been gazing upon +since my departure from Mentz and the district of the Rheingau, are +undoubtedly similar, but not the same; there is alternately the long +noble reach, the sudden bend, the lake-like expanse, the shores on both +sides lined with towns whose antique fortifications rise in distant +view, and villages whose tapering spires of blue slate peer above the +embosoming foliage; the mountains clothed with vines and forests, their +sides bristled and their summits crowned with the relics of feudal +residences,[5] or of cloistered fanes: but the varieties in the shape +and character of all these are inexhaustible; it is this circumstance +that enhances the pleasure of contemplating, scenery, in which there is, +as Lord Byron says, + + "A blending of all beauties, streams and dells, + Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, corn-field, mountain, vine, + And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells, + From gray but leafy walls where ruin greenly dwells." + + [5] There are the ruins of fourteen castles on the left bank, + and of fifteen on the right bank of the Rhine, from Mentz to + Bonn, a distance of thirty-six leagues. + +The oppositions of light and shade; the rich culture of the hills +contrasted with the rugged rocks that often rise from out of the midst +of fertility; the bright verdure of the islands which the Rhine is +continually forming; the purple hues and misty azure of the distant +mountains--these and a thousand other indescribable charms constitute +sources of visual delight which can be imparted only by a view of the +objects themselves. And is excitement awakened in contemplating the +borders of this graceful and magnificent river? Yes. When we revert to +the awful convulsions of the physical world, and the important +revolutions of human society, of which the regions it flows through have +been successively the theatre--when we meditate on the vast changes, the +fearful struggles, the tragic incidents and mournful catastrophes, which +they have witnessed from the earliest ages to the very times in which we +have ourselves lived and marked the issue of events--"the battles, +sieges, fortunes" that have passed before its green tumultuous current, +or within ken of its mountain watch-towers--the shouts of nations that +have resounded, and the fates of empires that have been decided, on its +shores--when we think of the slaughtered myriads whose bones have +bleached on the neighbouring plains, filled up the trenches of its +rock-built strong-holds, or found their place of sepulture beneath its +wave--when, at each survey we take of the wide and diversified scene, +the forms of centuries seem to be embodied with the objects around us, +and the record of the past becomes vividly associated with the +impression of present realities--it is then that we are irresistibly led +to compare the greatness of nature with the littleness of man; it is +then that we are forcibly struck with the power and goodness of the +Author of both; and that the deepest humility unites itself in a +grateful mind, with the highest admiration, at the sight of "these His +lowest works." + +But do you pretend, it may be asked, in the course of a three days' +journey, however lengthened by celerity of conveyance, or favoured by +advantages of season or weather--do you pretend to have experienced that +very eminent degree of gratification which the country is capable of +communicating? Certainly not. I speak of these scenes but as of things, +which before my own hasty and unsatisfied glances came like shadows--so +departed. Instead of two or three days, a whole month should be spent +between Mentz, Coblentz, and Bonn, in order fully to know and thoroughly +to enjoy the beauties and grandeurs with which that space +abounds.--_Stevenson's Tour in France, &c._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BARBER. + + + Nick Razorblade a barber was, + A _strapping_ lad was he; + And he could shave with such a grace, + It was a joy to see! + + And tho' employ'd within his house, + He kept like rat in hole; + All those that pass'd the barber's door, + Could always see his _pole_! + + His dress was rather plain than rich, + Nor fitted over well; + Yet, tho' no _macaroni_, Nick, + He often _cut a swell_! + + And Nick was brave, and he could fight, + As many times he proved; + A lamb became a lion fierce, + Whenever he was moved! + + Like many of his betters, who + To field with pistols rush, + When Nicky _lather'd_ any one, + He was obliged to _brush_! + + Some say Nick was a brainless _block_, + While those who've seen him waving + His bright sharp razor, o'er scap'd chins, + Declare he was a _shaving_! + + His next door neighbour, Nelly Jones, + A maid of thirty-eight, + 'Twas said regarded Nick with smiles, + But folks will always prate. + + 'Tis known in summer time that she, + (A maid and only daughter) + To show her love for Razorblade, + Kept Nicky in _hot water_! + + For politics Nick always said, + He never cared a fig; + Quoth he:--"If I a Tory were, + I likewise _wear a wig_!" + + No poacher he, yet _hairs_ he _wired_, + With skill that made maids prouder; + And though he never used a gun, + He knew the use of _powder_! + + He never took offence at words, + However broad or blunt; + But when maids brought a _front_ to dress, + Of course he took a _front_! + + Beneath his razor folks have slept, + So easy were they mown; + Yet (oh! most passing strange it was!) + His _razor_ was his _own_! + + Nick doubtless had a tender heart, + But not for Nelly Jones; + He made Miss Popps "bone of his bone," + But never made old bones! + + He died and left an only son, + A barber too by trade; + But when they ope'd his will, they found + A cruel will he'd made. + + And doubtless he was raving mad, + (To slander I'm unwilling) + For tho' a _barber_, Nicky cut + His _heir_ off with _a shilling!_ + +_Absurdities: in Prose and Verse_._ + + * * * * * + + +BONAPARTE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE. + + +While we endeavour to sum up the mass of misfortunes with which +Bonaparte was overwhelmed at this crisis, it seems as if Fortune had +been determined to show that she did not intend to reverse the lot of +humanity, even in the case of one who had been so long her favourite, +but that she retained the power of depressing the obscure soldier, whom +she had raised to be almost king of Europe, in a degree as humiliating +as his exaltation had been splendid. All that three years before seemed +inalienable from his person, was now reversed. The victor was defeated, +the monarch was dethroned, the ransomer of prisoners was in captivity, +the general was deserted by his soldiers, the master abandoned by his +domestics, the brother parted from his brethren, the husband severed +from the wife, and the father torn from his only child. To console him +for the fairest and largest empire that ambition ever lorded it over, he +had, with the mock name of emperor, a petty isle, to which he was to +retire, accompanied by the pity of such friends as dared express their +feelings, the unrepressed execrations of many of his former subjects, +who refused to regard his present humiliation as an amends for what he +had made them suffer during his power, and the ill-concealed triumph of +the enemies into whose hands he had been delivered. + +A Roman would have seen, in these accumulated disasters, a hint to +direct his sword's point against his breast; a man of better faith would +have turned his eye back on his own conduct, and having read, in his +misuse of prosperity, the original source of those calamities, would +have remained patient and contrite under the consequences of his +ambition. Napoleon belonged to the Roman school of philosophy; and it is +confidently reported, especially by Baron Fain, his secretary, though it +has not been universally believed, that he designed, at this extremity, +to escape from life by an act of suicide. + +The emperor, according to this account, had carried with him, ever since +the retreat from Moscow, a packet containing a preparation of opium, +made up in the same manner with that used by Condorcet for +self-destruction. His valet-de-chambre, in the night betwixt the 12th +and 13th of April, heard him arise and pour something into a glass of +water, drink, and return to bed. In a short time afterwards, the man's +attention was called by sobs and stifled groans--an alarm took place in +the chateau--some of the principal persons were roused, and repaired to +Napoleon's chamber. Yvan, the surgeon, who had procured him the poison, +was also summoned; but hearing the emperor complain that the operation +of the poison was not quick enough, he was seized with a panic-terror, +and fled from the palace at full gallop. Napoleon took the remedies +recommended, and a long fit of stupor ensued, with profuse perspiration. +He awakened much exhausted, and surprised at finding himself still +alive; he said aloud, after a few moments' reflection, "Fate will not +have it so," and afterwards appeared reconciled to undergo his destiny, +without similar attempts at personal violence. There is, as we have +already hinted, a difference of opinion concerning the cause of +Napoleon's illness; some imputing it to indigestion. The fact of his +having been very much indisposed is, however, indisputable. A general of +the highest distinction transacted business with Napoleon on the morning +of the 13th of April. He seemed pale and dejected, as from recent and +exhausting illness. His only dress was a night-gown and slippers, and he +drank from time to time a quantity of tisan, or some such liquid, which +was placed beside him, saying he had suffered severely during the night, +but that his complaint had left him. + +After this crisis, and having ratified the treaty which his mareschals +had made for him. Napoleon appeared more at his ease than he had been +for some time before, and conversed frankly with his attendants upon the +affairs of France. + + +NAPOLEON TAKES LEAVE OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD. + + +Napoleon having now resigned himself entirely to his fate, whether for +good or evil, prepared, on the 20th of April, to depart for his place of +retreat. But first, he had the painful task of bidding farewell to the +body in the universe most attached to him, and to which he was probably +most attached,--his celebrated Imperial Guard. Such of them as could be +collected were drawn out before him in review. Some natural tears +dropped from his eyes, and his features had the marks of strong emotion +while reviewing for the last time, as he must then have thought likely, +the companions of so many victories. He advanced to them on horseback, +dismounted, and took his solemn leave. "All Europe," he said, "had armed +against him; France herself had deserted him, and chosen another +dynasty. He might," he said, "have maintained with his soldiers a civil +war of years, but it would have rendered France unhappy. Be faithful," +he continued, (and the words were remarkable,) "to the new sovereign +whom France has chosen. Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy +while I know you are so. I could have died--nothing was easier--but I +will always follow the road of honour. I will record with my pen the +deeds we have done together. I cannot embrace you all, but I embrace +your general,"--(he pressed the general to his bosom.)--"Bring hither +the eagle,"--(he embraced the standard, and concluded)--"Beloved eagle, +may the kisses I bestow on you long resound in the hearts of the +brave!--Adieu, my children,--Adieu, my brave companions.--Surround me +once more--Adieu." Drowned in grief, the veteran soldiers heard the +farewell of their dethroned leader; sighs and murmurs broke from their +ranks, but the emotion burst out in no threats or remonstrances. They +appeared resigned to the loss of their general, and to yield, like him, +to necessity.--_Scott's Napoleon_. + + * * * * * + + +THE ARK OF NOAH + + +The Rabbins make the giant Gog or Magog contemporary with Noah, and +convinced by his preaching. So that he was disposed to take the benefit +of the Ark. But here lay the distress; it by no means suited his +dimensions. Therefore, as he could not enter in, he contented himself to +ride upon it astride. And though you must suppose that, in that stormy +weather, he was more than half boots over, he kept his seat, and +dismounted safely, when the Ark landed on Mount Ararat. Image now to +yourself this illustrious Cavalier mounted on his _hackney_; and see if +it does not bring before you the Church, bestrid by some lumpish +minister of state, who turns and winds it at his pleasure. The only +difference is, that Gog believed the preacher of righteousness and +religion.--_Warburton's Letters_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE GATHERER. + + "I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's + stuff."--_Wotton_ + + * * * * * + + +A preacher had held forth diffusely and ingeniously upon the doctrine +that the Creator of the universe had made all things beautiful. A little +crooked lawyer met him at the church door, and exclaimed, "Well, doctor, +what do you think of my figure? does it correspond with your tenets of +this morning?"--"My friend," replied the preacher, with much gravity, +"you are handsome for a hunch-backed man." + + * * * * * + +Kosciusko once wished to send some bottles of good wine to a clergyman +of Solothurn; and as he hesitated to send them by his servant, lest he +should smuggle a part, he gave the commission to a young man of the name +of Zeltner, and desired him to take the horse which he himself usually +rode. On his return, young Zeltner said that he would never ride his +horse again unless he gave him his purse at the same time. Kosciusko +asking what he meant, he answered, "As soon as a poor man on the road +takes off his hat and asks for charity, the horse immediately stands +still, and won't stir till something is given to the petitioner; and, as +I had no money about me, I was obliged to make believe to give +something, in order to satisfy the horse." + + * * * * * + +Persons in warm countries certainly possess powers of imagination +superior to persons in colder climates. The following description of a +small room will appear very poetic to an English reader: "I am now," +says a Turkish spy, writing to his employers, "in an apartment so +little, that the least suspicion cannot enter it." + + * * * * * + +An author, as too often happens, was very irritable in his disposition, +and very unfortunate in his productions. His tragedy and comedy had both +been rejected by the managers of both theatres. "I cannot account for +this," said the unfortunate bard to his friend; "for no one can say that +my tragedy was a _sad_ performance, or that my comedy was a thing to +laugh at." + + * * * * * + + + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, +and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIRROR OF LITERATURE, JULY 14, 1827 *** + +***** This file should be named 9884.txt or 9884.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/8/8/9884/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg +Distributed Proofreaders + + +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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[PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + +ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS. + + +NEW CHURCH, REGENT'S PARK. + +[Illustration] + + +The architectural splendour which has lately developed itself in and +about the precincts of the parish of St. Mary-le-Bonne, exhibits a most +surprising and curious contrast with the former state of this part of +London; and more particularly when compared with accounts extracted from +newspapers of an early date. + +Mary-le-Bonne parish is estimated to contain more than ten thousand +houses, and one hundred thousand inhabitants. In the plans of London, in +1707, it was a small village one mile distant from the Metropolis, +separated by fields--the scenes of robbery and murder. The following +from a newspaper of 1716:--"On Wednesday last, four gentlemen were +robbed and stripped in the fields between Mary-le-Bonne and London." The +"Weekly Medley," of 1718, says, "Round about the New Square which is +building near Tyburn road, there are so many other edifices, that a +whole magnificent city seems to be risen out of the ground in a way +which makes one wonder how it should find a new set of inhabitants. It +is said it is to be called by the name of _Hanover Square!_ On the other +side is to be built another square, called Oxford Square." From the same +article I have also extracted the dates of many of the different +erections, which may prove of benefit to your architectural readers, as +tending to show the progressive improvement made in the private +buildings of London, and showing also the style of building adopted at +later periods. Indeed, I would wish that some of your correspondents-- +_F.R.Y._, or _P.T.W._, for instance, would favour us with a _list of +dates_ answering this purpose. Rathbone-place and John-street (from +Captain Rathbone) began 1729. Oxford market opened 1732. Newman-street +and Berners-street, named from the builders, between 1723 and 1775. +Portland-place and street, 1770. Portman-square, 1764. Portman-place, +1770. Stratford-place, five years later, on the site of Conduit Mead, +built by Robert Stratford, Esq. This had been the place whereon stood +the banquetting house for the lord mayor and aldermen, when they visited +the neighbouring nine conduits which then supplied the city with water. +Cumberland-place, 1769. Manchester-square the year after. + +Previous to entering upon an architectural description of the superb +buildings recently erected in the vicinity of Regency Park, I shall +confine myself at present to that object that first arrests the +attention at the entrance, which is the church; it has been erected +under the commissioners for building new churches. The architect is J. +Soane, Esq. There is a pleasing originality in this gentleman's +productions; the result of extensive research among the architectural +beauties of the ancients, together with a peculiar happy mode of +distributing his lights and shadows; producing in the greatest degree +picturesque effect: these are peculiarities essentially his own, and +forming in no part a copy of the works of any other architect in the +present day. The church in question by no means detracts from his merit +in these particulars. The principal front consists of a portico of four +columns of the Ionic order, approached by a small flight of steps; on +each side is a long window, divided into two heights by a stone transum +(panelled). Under the lower window is a raised panel also; and in the +flank of the building the plinth is furnished with openings; each of the +windows is filled with ornamental iron-work, for the purpose of +ventilating the vaults or catacombs. The flank of the church has a +central projection, occupied by antae, and six insulated Ionic columns; +the windows in the inter-columns are in the same style as those in +front; the whole is surmounted by a balustrade. The tower is in two +heights; the lower part has eight columns of the Corinthian order. +Example taken from the temple of Vesta, at Tivoli; these columns, with +their stylobatae and entablature, project, and give a very extraordinary +relief in the perspective view of the building. The upper part consists +of a circular peristyle of six columns; the example apparently taken +from the portico of the octagon tower of Andronicus Cyrrhestes, or tower +of the winds, from the summit of which rises a conical dome, surmounted +by the Vane. The more minute detail may be seen by the annexed drawing. +The prevailing ornament is the Grecian fret. + +Mr. Soane, during his long practice in the profession, has erected very +few churches, and it appears that he is endeavouring to rectify failings +that seem insurmountable in the present style of architecture,--that of +preventing the tower from having the appearance of rising out of the +roof, by designing his porticos without pediments; if this is the case, +he certainly is indebted to a great share of praise, as a pediment will +always conceal (particularly at a near view) the major part of a tower. +But again, we find ourselves in another difficulty, and it makes the +remedy as bad as the disease,--that of taking away the principal +characteristic of a portico, (namely, the pediment), and destroying at +once the august appearance which it gives to the building; we find in +all the churches of Sir Christopher Wren the campanile to form a +distinct projection from the ground upwards; thus assimilating nearer to +the ancient form of building them entirely apart from the main body of +the church. I should conceive, that if this idea was followed by +introducing the beautiful detail of Grecian architecture, according to +Wren's _models_ it would raise our church architecture to a very +superior pitch of excellence. + +In my next I shall notice the interior, and also the elevation towards +the altar. + +C. DAVY. + +_Furnivals' Inn_, + +_July 1, 1827._ + + * * * * * + + + +THE MONTHS + + * * * * * + + +THE SEASON. + + +The heat is greatest in this month on account of its previous duration. +The reason why it is less so in August is, that the days are then much +shorter, and the influence of the sun has been gradually diminishing. +The farmer is still occupied in getting the productions of the earth +into his garners; but those who can avoid labour enjoy as much rest and +shade as possible. There is a sense of heat and quiet all over nature. +The birds are silent. The little brooks are dried up. The earth is +chapped with parching. The shadows of the trees are particularly +grateful, heavy, and still. The oaks, which are freshest because latest +in leaf, form noble clumpy canopies; looking, as you lie under them, of +a strong and emulous green against the blue sky. The traveller delights +to cut across the country through the fields and the leafy lanes, where, +nevertheless, the flints sparkle with heat. The cattle get into the +shade or stand in the water. The active and air-cutting-swallows, now +beginning to assemble for migration, seek their prey about the shady +places; where the insects, though of differently compounded natures, +"fleshless and bloodless," seem to get for coolness, as they do at other +times for warmth. The sound of insects is also the only audible thing +now, increasing rather than lessening the sense of quiet by its gentle +contrast. The bee now and then sweeps across the ear with his gravest +tone. The gnats + + "Their murmuring small trumpets sounden wide:"--SPENSER. + +and here and there the little musician of the grass touches forth his +tricksy note. + + The poetry of earth is never dead; + When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, + And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run + From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead: + That is the grasshopper's.[1] + + [1] _Poems_, by John Keats, p. 93. + +The strong rains, which sometimes come down in summer-time, are a noble +interruption to the drought and indolence of hot weather. They seem as +if they had been collecting a supply of moisture equal to the want of +it, and come drenching the earth with a mighty draught of freshness. The +rushing and tree-bowing winds that precede them, the dignity with which +they rise in the west, the gathering darkness of their approach, the +silence before their descent, the washing amplitude of their +out-pouring, the suddenness with which they appear to leave off, taking +up, as it were, their watery feet to sail onward, and then the sunny +smile again of nature, accompanied by the "sparkling noise" of the +birds, and those dripping diamonds the rain-drops;--there is a grandeur +and a beauty in all this, which lend a glorious effect to each other; +for though the sunshine appears more beautiful than grand, there is a +power, not even to be looked upon, in the orb from which it flows; and +though the storm is more grand than beautiful, there is always beauty +where there is so much beneficence.--_The Months_. + + +BATHING + + +It is now the weather for bathing, a refreshment too little taken in +this country, either summer or winter. We say in winter, because with +very little care in placing it near a cistern, and having a leathern +pipe for it, a bath may be easily filled once or twice a week with warm +water; and it is a vulgar error that the warm bath relaxes. An excess, +either warm or cold, will relax, and so will any other excess; but the +sole effect of the warm bath moderately taken is, that it throws off the +bad humours of the body by opening and clearing the pores. As to summer +bathing, a father may soon teach his children to swim, and thus perhaps +may be the means of saving their lives some day or other, as well as +health. Ladies also, though they cannot bathe in the open air, as they +do in some of the West Indian islands and other countries, by means of +natural basins among the rocks, might oftener make a substitute for it +at home in tepid baths. The most beautiful aspects under which Venus has +been painted or sculptured have been connected with bathing; and indeed +there is perhaps no one thing that so equally contributes to the three +graces of health, beauty, and good temper; to health, in putting the +body into its best state; to beauty, in clearing and tinting the skin; +and to good temper, in rescuing the spirits from the irritability +occasioned by those formidable personages, "the nerves," which nothing +else allays in so quick and entire a manner. See a lovely passage on the +subject of bathing in Sir Philip Sydney's "Arcadia," where "Philoclea, +blushing, and withal smiling, makeing shamefastnesse pleasant, and +pleasure shamefast, tenderly moved her feet, unwonted to feel the naked +ground, until the touch of the cold water made a pretty kind of +shrugging come over her body; like the twinkling of the fairest among +the fixed stars."--_Ibid_. + + +INSECTS + + +Insects now take the place of the feathered tribe, and, being for the +most part hatched in the spring, they are now in full vigour. It is a +very amusing sight in some of our rural rambles, in a bright evening +after a drizzling summer shower, to see the air filled throughout all +its space with sportive organized creatures, the leaf, the branch, the +bark of the tree, every mossy bank, the bare earth, the pool, the ditch, +all teeming with animal life; and the mind that is ever framed for +contemplation, must awaken now in viewing such a profusion and variety +of existence. One of those poor little beings, the fragile _gnat_, +becomes our object of attention, whether we regard its form or peculiar +designation in the insect world; we must admire the first, and +innocently, perhaps, conjecture the latter. We know that Infinite +Wisdom, which formed, declared it "to be very good;" that it has its +destination and settled course of action, admitting of no deviation or +substitution: beyond this, perhaps, we can rarely proceed, or, if we +sometimes advance a few steps more, we are then lost in the mystery with +which the incomprehensible Architect has thought proper to surround it. +So little is human nature permitted to see, (nor perhaps is it capable +of comprehending much more than permitted,) that it is blind beyond +thought as to secondary causes; and admiration, that pure fountain of +intellectual pleasure, is almost the only power permitted to us. We see +a wonderfully fabricated creature, decorated with a vest of glorious art +and splendour, occupying almost its whole life in seeking for the most +fitting station for its own necessities, exerting wiles and stratagems, +and constructing a peculiar material to preserve its offspring against +natural or occasional injury, with a forethought equivalent to +reason--in a moment, perhaps, with all its splendour and instinct, it +becomes the prey of some wandering bird! and human wisdom and conjecture +are humbled to the dust. We can "see but in part," and the wisest of us +is only, perhaps, something less ignorant than another. This sense of a +perfection so infinitely above us, is the _natural_ intimation of a +Supreme Being; and as science improves, and inquiry is augmented, our +imperfections and ignorance will become more manifest, and all our +aspirations after knowledge only increase in us the conviction of +knowing nothing. Every deep investigator of nature can hardly be +possessed of any other than a humble mind. + + * * * * * + + +THE PEACOCK. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +Of this bird, there are several species, distinguished by their +different colours. The male of the common kind is, perhaps, the most +gaudy of all the bird-kind; the length and beauty of whose tail, and the +various forms in which the creature carries it, are sufficiently known +and admired among us. India is, however, his native country; and there +he enjoys himself with a sprightliness and gaiety unknown to him in +Europe. The translators of Hindoo poetry concur in their description of +his manners; and is frequently alluded to by the Hindoo poets. + + "Dark with her varying clouds, and peacocks gay." + +It is affirmed, among the delightful phenomena which are observable at +the commencement of the rainy season, (immediately following that of the +withering hot winds,) the joy displayed by the peacocks is one of the +most pleasing. These birds assemble in groups upon some retired spot of +verdant grass; jump about in the most animated manner, and make the air +re-echo with their cheerful notes. + + "Or can the peacock's animated hail." + +The wild peacock is also exceedingly abundant in many parts of +Hindoostan, and is especially found in marshy places. The habits of this +bird are in a great measure aquatic; and the setting in of the rains is +the season in which they pair; the peacock is, therefore, always +introduced in the description of cloudy or rainy weather. Thus, in a +little poem, descriptive of the rainy season, &c., the author says, +addressing his mistress,-- + + "Oh, thou, whose teeth enamelled vie + With smiling _Cunda's_ pearly ray, + Hear how the peacock's amorous cry + Salutes the dark and cloudy day." + +And again, where he is describing the same season:-- + + "When smiling forests, whence the tuneful cries + Of clustering pea-fowls shrill and frequent rise, + Teach tender feelings to each human breast, + And please alike the happy or distressed." + +The peacock flies to the highest station he can reach, to enjoy himself; +and rises to the topmost boughs of trees, though the female makes her +nest on the ground. + +F.R.Y. + + * * * * * + + +A WARNING TO FRUIT EATERS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +The mischiefs arising from the bad custom of many people swallowing the +stones of plums and other fruit are very great. In the _Philosophical +Transactions_, No. 282, there is an account of a woman who suffered +violent pains in her bowels for thirty years, returning once in a month, +or less, owing to a plum-stone which had lodged; which, after various +operations, was extracted. There is likewise an account of a man, who +dying of an incurable colic, which had tormented him many years, and +baffled the effects of medicine, was opened after his death, and in his +bowels was found the cause of his distemper, which was a ball, composed +of tough and hard matter, resembling a stone, being six inches in +circumference, when measured, and weighing an ounce and a half; in the +centre of this there was found the stone of a common plum. These +instances sufficiently prove the folly of that common opinion, that the +stones of fruits are wholesome. Cherry-stones, swallowed in great +quantities, have occasioned the death of many people; and there have +been instances even of the seeds of strawberries, and kernels of nuts, +collected into a lump in the bowels, and causing violent disorders, +which could never be cured till they were carried off. + +P.T.W. + + * * * * * + + +THE NIGHTINGALE, + +BY THE AUTHOR OF "AHAB." + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + + In the low dingle sings the nightingale. + And echo answers; all beside is still. + The breeze is gone to fill some distant sail, + And on the sand to sleep has sunk the rill. + The blackbird and the thrush have sought the vale. + And the lark soars no more above the hill, + For the broad sun is up all hotly pale, + And in my reins I feel his parching thrill. + + Hark! how each note, so beautifully clear, + So soft, so sweetly mellow, rings around. + Then faintly dies away upon the ear, + That fondly vibrates to the fading sound. + Poor bird, thou sing'st, the thorn within thy heart, + And I from sorrows, that will not depart. + +S.P.J. + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS + + * * * * * + + +A NIGHT ATTACK. + + +Charlton and I were in the act of smoking our cigars, the men having +laid themselves down about the blaze, when word was passed from sentry +to sentry, and intelligence communicated to us, that all was not right +towards the river. We started instantly to our feet. The fire was +hastily smothered up, and the men snatching their arms, stood in line, +ready to act as circumstances might require. So dense, however, was the +darkness, and so dazzling the effect of the glare from the bivouac, that +it was not possible, standing where we stood, to form any reasonable +guess, as to the cause of this alarm. That an alarm had been excited, +was indeed perceptible enough. Instead of the deep silence which five +minutes ago had prevailed in the bivouac, a strange hubbub of shouts, +and questions, and as many cries, rose up the night air; nor did many +minutes elapse, ere first one musket, then three or four, then a whole +platoon, were discharged. The reader will _easily_ believe that the +latter circumstance startled us prodigiously, ignorant as we were of the +cause which produced it; but it required no very painful exertion of +patience to set us right on this head; flash, flash, flash, came from +the river; the roar of cannon followed, and the light of her own +broadside displayed to us an enemy's vessel at anchor near the opposite +bank, and pouring a perfect shower of grape and round shot into +the camp. + +For one instant, and only for an instant, a scene of alarm and +consternation overcame us; and we almost instinctively addressed to each +other the question, "What can all this mean?" But the meaning was too +palpable not to be understood at once. "The thing cannot end here," said +we--"a night attack is commencing;" and we made no delay in preparing to +meet it. Whilst Charlton remained with the picquet, in readiness to act +as the events might demand, I came forward to the sentries, for the +purpose of cautioning them against paying attention to what might pass +in their rear, and keeping them steadily engaged in watching their +front. The men were fully alive to the peril of their situation. They +strained with their hearing and eyesight to the utmost limits; but +neither sound nor sight of an advancing column could be perceived. At +last, however, an alarm was given. One of the rifles challenged--it was +the sentinel on the high road; the sentinel who communicated with him +challenged also; and the cry was taken up from man to man, till our own +most remote sentry caught it. I flew to his station; and sure enough the +tramp of many feet was most distinctly audible. Having taken the +precaution to carry an orderly forward with me, I caused him to hurry +back to Charlton with intelligence of what was coming, and my earnest +recommendation that he would lose no time in occupying the ditch. I had +hardly done so, when the noise of a column deploying was distinctly +heard. The tramp of horses, too, came mingled with the tread of men; in +a word, it was quite evident that a large force, both of infantry and +cavalry, was before us. + +There was a pause at this period of several moments, as if the enemy's +line, having effected its formation, had halted till some other +arrangement should be completed; but it was quickly broke. On they came, +as far as we could judge from the sound, in steady array, till at length +their line could be indistinctly seen rising through the gloom. The +sentinels with one consent gave their fire. They gave it regularly and +effectively, beginning with the rifles on their left, and going off +towards the 85th on their right, and then, in obedience to their orders, +fell back. But they retired not unmolested. This straggling discharge on +our part seemed to be the signal to the Americans to begin the battle, +and they poured in such a volley, as must have proved, had any +determinate object been opposed to it, absolutely murderous. But our +scattered videttes almost wholly escaped it; whilst over the main body +of the picquet, sheltered as it was by the ditch, and considerably +removed from its line, it passed entirely harmless. + +Having fired this volley, the enemy loaded again, and advanced. We saw +them coming, and having waited till we judged that they were within +excellent range, we opened our fire. It was returned in tenfold force, +and now went on, for a full half hour, as heavy and close a discharge of +musketry as troops have perhaps ever faced. Confident in their numbers, +and led on, as it would appear, by brave officers, the Americans dashed +forward till scarcely ten yards divided us; but our position was an +admirable one, our men were steady and cool, and they penetrated no +farther. On the contrary, we drove them back, more than once, with a +loss which their own inordinate multitude tended only to render the +more severe. + +The action might have continued in this state about two hours, when, to +our horror and dismay, the approaching fire upon our right flank and +rear gave testimony that the picquet of the 85th, which had been in +communication with us, was forced. Unwilling to abandon our ground, +which we had hitherto held with such success, we clung for awhile to the +idea that the reverse in that quarter might be only temporary, and that +the arrival of fresh troops might yet enable us to continue the battle +in a position so eminently favourable to us. But we were speedily taught +that our hopes were without foundation. The American war-cry was behind +us. We rose from our lairs, and endeavoured, as we best could, to retire +upon the right, but the effort was fruitless. There too the enemy had +established themselves, and we were surrounded. "Let us cut our way +through," cried we to the men. The brave fellows answered only with a +shout; and collecting into a small compact line, prepared to use their +bayonets. In a moment we had penetrated the centre of an American +division; but the numbers opposed to us were overwhelming; our close +order was lost; and the contest became that of man to man. I have no +language adequate to describe what followed. For myself, I did what I +could, cutting and thrusting at the multitudes about me, till at last I +found myself fairly hemmed in by a crowd, and my sword-arm mastered. One +American had grasped me round the waist, another, seizing me by the +wrist, attempted to disarm me, whilst a third was prevented from +plunging his bayonet into my body, only from the fear of stabbing one or +other of his countrymen. I struggled hard, but they fairly bore me to +the ground. The reader will well believe, that at this juncture I +expected nothing else than instant death; but at the moment when I fell, +a blow upon the head with the butt-end of a musket dashed out the brains +of the man who kept his hold upon my sword-arm, and it was freed. I saw +a bayonet pointed to my breast, and I intuitively made a thrust at the +man who wielded it. The thrust took effect, and he dropped dead beside +me. Delivered now from two of my enemies, I recovered my feet, and found +that the hand which dealt the blow to which my preservation was owing, +was that of Charlton. There were about ten men about him. The enemy in +our front were broken, and we dashed through. But we were again hemmed +in, and again it was fought hand to hand, with that degree of +determination, which the assurance that life and death were on the +issue, could alone produce. There cannot be a doubt that we should have +fallen to a man, had not the arrival of fresh troops at this critical +juncture turned the tide of affairs. As it was, little more than a third +part of our picquet survived, the remainder being either killed or +taken; and both Charlton and myself, though not dangerously, were +wounded. Charlton had received a heavy blow upon the shoulder, which +almost disabled him; whilst my neck bled freely from a thrust, which the +intervention of a stout leathern stock alone hindered from being fatal. +But the reinforcement gave us all, in spite of wounds and weariness, +fresh courage, and we renewed the battle with alacrity. + +In the course of the struggle in which we had been engaged, we had been +borne considerably out of the line of our first position, and now found +that the main-road and the picquet of the rifles, were close in our +rear. We were still giving way--for the troops opposed to us could not +amount to less than fifteen hundred men, whilst the whole force on our +part came not up to one hundred--when Captain Harris, major of brigade +to Colonel Thornton, came up with an additional company to our support. +Making way for them to fall in between us and the rifles, we took ground +once more to the right, and driving back a body of the enemy, which +occupied it, soon recovered the position from which we had been +expelled. But we did so with the loss of many brave men, and, among +others, of Captain Harris. He was shot in the lower part of the belly at +the same instant that a musket-ball struck the hilt of his sword, and +forced it into his side. Once more established in our ditch, we paused, +and from that moment till the battle ceased to rage we never changed +our attitude. + +It might be about one o'clock in the morning,--the American force in our +front having fallen back, and we having been left, for a full half hour +to breathe, when suddenly the head of a small column showed itself in +full advance towards us. We were at this time amply supported by other +troops, as well in communication as in reserve; and willing to +annihilate the corps now approaching, we forbade the men to fire till it +should be mingled with us. We did even more than this. Opening a passage +for them through our centre, we permitted some hundred and twenty men to +march across our ditch, and then wheeling up, with a loud shout, we +completely enclosed them. Never have I witnessed a panic more perfect or +more sudden than that which seized them. They no sooner beheld the snare +into which they had fallen, than with one voice they cried aloud for +quarter; and they were to a man made prisoners on the spot. The reader +will smile when he is informed that the little corps thus captured +consisted entirely of members of the legal profession. The barristers, +attorneys, and notaries of New Orleans having formed themselves into a +volunteer corps, accompanied General Jackson in his operations this +night; and they were all, without a solitary exception, made prisoners. +It is probably needless to add, that the circumstance was productive of +no trifling degree of mirth amongst us; and to do them justice, the poor +lawyers, as soon as they recovered from their first alarm, joined +heartily in our laughter. + +This was the last operation in which we were engaged to-night. The +enemy, repulsed on all sides, retreated with the utmost disorder, and +the whole of the advance, collecting at the sound of the bugle, drew up, +for the first time since the commencement of the affair, in a continuous +line. We took our ground in front of the bivouac, having our right +supported by the river, and our left covered by the chateau and village +of huts. Among these latter the cannon were planted; whilst the other +divisions, as they came rapidly up, took post beyond them. In this +position we remained, eagerly desiring a renewal of the attack, till +dawn began to appear, when, to avoid the fire of the vessel, the advance +once more took shelter behind the bank. The first brigade, on the +contrary, and such portion of the second as had arrived, encamped upon +the plain, so as to rest their right upon the wood; and a chain of +picquets being planted along the entire pathway, the day was passed in a +state of inaction. + +I hardly recollect to have spent fourteen or fifteen hours with less +comfort to myself than these. In the hurry and bustle of last night's +engagement, my servant, to whose care I had intrusted my cloak and +haversack, disappeared; he returned not during the whole morning; and as +no provisions were issued out to us, nor any opportunity given to light +fires, I was compelled to endure, all that time, the extremes of hunger, +weariness, and cold. As ill luck would have it, too, the day chanced to +be remarkably severe. There was no rain, it is true, but the sky was +covered with gray clouds; the sun never once pierced them, and a frost, +or rather a vile blight, hung upon the atmosphere from morning till +night. Nor were the objects which occupied our senses of sight and +hearing quite such as we should have desired to occupy them. In other +parts of the field, the troops, not shut up as we were by the enemy's +guns, employed themselves in burying the dead, and otherwise effacing +the traces of warfare. The site of our encampment continued to be +strewed with carcases to the last; and so watchful were the crew of the +schooner, that every effort to convey them out of sight brought a heavy +fire upon the party engaged in it. I must say, that the enemy's +behaviour on the present occasion was not such as did them honour. The +house which General Kean had originally occupied as head-quarters, being +converted into an hospital, was filled at this time with wounded, both +from the British and American armies. To mark its uses, a yellow flag, +the usual signal in such cases, was hoisted on the roof--yet did the +Americans continue to fire at it, as often as a group of six or eight +persons happened to show themselves at the door. Nay, so utterly +regardless were they of the dictates of humanity, that even the parties +who were in the act of conveying the wounded from place to place, +escaped not without molestation. More than one such party was dispersed +by grape-shot, and more than one poor maimed soldier was in consequence +hurled out of the blanket in which he was borne. + +The reader will not doubt me when I say, that seldom has the departure +of day-light been more anxiously looked for by me, than we looked for it +now. It is true, that the arrival of a little rum towards evening served +in some slight degree to elevate our spirits; but we could not help +feeling, not vexation only, but positive indignation, at the state of +miserable inaction to which we were condemned. + +There was not a man amongst us who would have hesitated one moment, had +the choice been submitted to him, whether he would advance or lie still. +True, we might have suffered a little, because the guns of the schooner +entirely commanded us; and in rushing out from our place of concealment +some casualties would have occurred; but so irksome was our situation, +that we would have readily run all risks to change it. It suited not the +plans of our general, however, to indulge these wishes. To the bank we +were enjoined to cling; and we did cling to it, from the coming in of +the first gray twilight of the morning, till the last twilight of +evening had departed. + +As soon as it was well dark, the corps to which Charlton and myself were +attached received orders to file off to the right. We obeyed, and +passing along the front of the hospital, we skirted to the rear of the +village, and established ourselves in the field beyond. It was a +positive blessing this restoration to something like personal freedom. +The men set busily to work, lighting fires and cooking provisions;--the +officers strolled about, with no other apparent design than to give +employment to their limbs, which had become stiff with so protracted a +state of inaction. For ourselves we visited the wounded, said a few kind +words to such as we recognised, and pitied, as they deserved to be +pitied, the rest. Then retiring to our fire, we addressed ourselves with +hearty good will to a frugal supper, and gladly composed ourselves to +sleep.--_A Subaltern in America.--Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +SONNET--NOCHE SERENA. + + + How tranquil is the night! The torrent's roar + Dies off far distant; through the lattice streams + The pure, white, silvery moonshine, mantling o'er + The couch and curtains with its fairy gleams. + Sweet is the prospect; sweeter are the dreams + From which my loathful eyelid now unclosed:-- + Methought beside a forest we reposed, + Marking the summer sun's far western beams, + A dear-loved friend and I. The nightingale + To silence and to us her pensive tale + Sang forth; the very tone of vanish'd years + Came o'er me, feelings warm, and visions bright; + Alas! how quick such vision disappears, + To leave the spectral moon and silent night! + +_Delta of Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + + +ARTS AND SCIENCES. + + * * * * * + + +THE BEECH TREE.--A NONCONDUCTOR OF LIGHTNING. + + +Dr. Beeton, in a letter to Dr. Mitchill of New York, dated 19th of July, +1824, states, that the beech tree (that is, the broad leaved or American +variety of _Fagus sylvatiea_,) is never known to be assailed by +atmospheric electricity. So notorious, he says, is this fact, that in +Tenessee, it is considered almost an impossibility to be struck by +lightning, if protection be sought under the branches of a beech tree. +Whenever the sky puts on a threatening aspect, and the thunder begins to +roll, the Indians leave their pursuit, and betake themselves to the +shelter of the nearest beech tree, till the storm pass over; observation +having taught these sagacious children of nature, that, while other +trees are often shivered to splinters, the electric fluid is not +attracted by the beech. Should farther observation establish the fact of +the non-conducting quality of the American beech, great advantage may +evidently be derived from planting hedge rows of such trees around the +extensive barn yards in which cattle are kept, and also in disposing +groups and single trees in ornamental plantations in the neighbourhood +of the dwelling houses of the owners.--_New Monthly Magazine._ + + +ANTIQUITIES. + + +A valuable discovery was made the other day in Westminster Abbey. It had +become necessary to make repairs near the tomb of Edward the Confessor, +when, by removing a portion of the pavement, an exquisitely beautiful +piece of carved work, which had originally formed part of the shrine of +Edward's tomb, was discovered. This fine relic, the work of the eleventh +or twelfth century, appears to have been studded with precious stones; +and the presumption is, that during the late civil wars it was taken +down for the purpose of plunder, and after the gems were taken out, +buried under the ground (very near the surface of the earth) to avoid +detection.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + + +ARCHERY + +[Illustration] + + +Previous to introducing the communication of a much respected +correspondent, who has well described, by drawing and observation, a +Royal Archer of Scotland, we shall offer a few general remarks on the +subject of the above engraving, which relates to an amusement which we +are happy to find is patronized in many counties in England by +respectable classes of society at this day. No instrument of warfare is +more ancient than that of the bow and arrow, and the skill of the +English bowmen is celebrated. It seems, that in ancient times the +English had the advantage over enemies chiefly by their archers and +light-armed troops. + +The _archers_ were armed with a long-bow, a sheaf of arrows, a sword, +and a small shield. + +The _cross-bowmen_, as their name implies, were armed with the +cross-bow, and arrows called _quarrels_. + +Even after the invention of guns, the English archers are spoken of as +excelling those of all other nations; and an ancient writer affirms that +an English arrow, with a little wax upon its point, would pass through +any ordinary corselet or cuirass. It is uncertain how far the archers +with the long-bow could send an arrow; but the cross-bowmen could shoot +their quarrels to the distance of forty rods, or the eighth part of a +mile. For a more general and extended notice of the history of archery, +however, we refer our readers to a recent volume,[2] and here we have +the correspondence alluded to a few lines above. + + [2] MIRROR, Vol. viii., p. 324. + + +A ROYAL ARCHER OF SCOTLAND. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + "Good-morrowe, good fellow,-- + Methinks, by this bowe thou beares in thy hand + A good archere thou shouldst bee." +_Old Ballad_. + +[Illustration] + + +I feel happy that it is in my power to present a drawing, made expressly +for the purpose, of the picturesque costume worn by the Royal Company of +Archers, or King's Body Guard of Scotland. This is described in Stark's +"Picture of Edinburgh" thus:--"Their uniform is 42nd tartan, with green +velvet collar and cuffs, and a Highland bonnet, with feathers; on the +front of the bonnet is the cross of St. Andrew, and a gold arrow on the +collar of the jacket." There is a something in the very idea of an +archer, and in the name of _Robin Hood_, particularly charming to most +bosoms, coming as they do to us fraught with all delicious associations; +the wild, free forest life, the sweet pastime, the adventures of bold +outlaws amid the heaven of sylvan scenery, and the national renown of +British bowmen which mingles with the records of our chivalry in history +and romance; while the revival of _archery_ in England of late years, as +an elegant amusement, sufficiently proves that the high feeling which +seems mysteriously to blend a present age with one long since gone by, +is not totally extinct. Shall I venture to assert, that for this we are +indebted to the charmed light cast around a noble and ancient pastime by +the antiquary, poet, and romance-writer of modern times? But to return, +the Scottish archers were first formed into a company and obtained a +charter, granting them great privileges, under the reign of queen Anne, +for which they were to pay to the crown, annually, a pair of barbed +arrows. One of these allowances was, that they might _meet and go forth +under their officer's conduct, in military form, in manner of +weapon-showing, as often as they should think convenient_. "But they +have made no public parade since 1743,"[3] owing, probably, to the state +of parties in Edinburgh, for their attachment to the Stuart family was +well understood, and falling under the suspicion of the British +government after the rebellion of 1745, they were watched, "and spies +appointed to frequent their company." The company possess a house built +by themselves, termed Archers' Hall. All their business is transacted by +a president and six counsellors, who are nominated by the members at +large, and have authority to admit or reject candidates _ad libitum_. +The number of this association is now very great, having been of late +years much increased; they have standards, with appropriate emblems and +mottoes, and shoot for several prizes annually; amongst these are a +silver bowl and arrows, which, by a singular regulation, "are retained +by the successful candidate only one year, when he appends a medal to +them; and as these prizes are of more than a hundred years standing, the +number of medals now attached to them are very curious." + + [3] Their part in the procession formed to welcome our monarch + to his Scottish metropolis, should be excepted. + +To this notice may I be permitted to subjoin a few stanzas? Old Izaak +Walton hath put songs and sylvan poesy in plenty into the mouths of his +anglers and rural _dramatis personae_, and shall _I_ be blamed for +following, in all humility, his illustrious example? Perchance--but +hold! it is one of the fairest of summer mornings; the sun sheds a pure, +a silvery light on the young, fresh, new-waked foliage and herbage; a +faint mist veils the blue distance of the landscape; but the pearly +shroud conceals not yonder troop of young blithe men, who, arranged in +green, after the olden fashion, each bearing the implements of archery, +and tripping lightly over the heath, are carolling in the joy of their +free spirits, while the fresh breeze brings to my ear most distinctly +the words of + + +THE ARCHER'S SONG. + + + Away!--away!--yon golden sun + Hath chas'd nights' shadows damp and dun; + Forth from his turfy couch, the lark + Hath sprung to meet glad day: and hark! + A mingling and delicious song + Breathes from the blithe-voiced plumy throng; + While, to the green-wood hasten _we_ + Whose craft is, gentle archery! + + Now swift we bound o'er dewy grass! + Rousing the red fox as we pass, + And startling linnet, merle, and thrush, + As recklessly the boughs we brush. + The _hunter's_ horn sings thro' the brakes. + And its soft lay apt echo takes; + But soon her sweet enamoured tone + Shall tell what song is all _our_ own! + + On!--on!--glad brothers of the bow! + The dun deer's couching place ye know, + And gallant bucks this day shall rue + Our feather'd shafts,--so swift,--so true; + Yet, sorer than the sylvan train, + Our foes, upon the battle-plain, + Will mourn at the unerring hands + Of Albion's _matchless_ archer bands! + + Now hie we on, to silent shades, + To glist'ning streams, and sunlit glades, + Where all that woodland life can give, + Renders it bliss indeed, to _live_. + Come, ye who love the shadowy wood, + Whate'er your days, whate'er your mood. + And join _us_, freakish knights that be + Of grey-goose wing, and good yew-tree! + + Say--are ye _mirthful_?--then we'll sing + Of wayward feasts and frolicking;-- + Tell jests and gibes,--nor lack we store + Of knightly tales, and monkish lore; + High freaks of dames and cavaliers, + Of warlocks, spectres, elfs, and seers, + Till with glad heart, and blithesome brow, + Ye bless your brothers of the bow! + + Is _sadness_ courted?--ye shall lie + When summer's sultry noons are high, + By darkling forest's shadow'd stream + To muse;--or, sweeter still, to dream + Day-dreams of love; while round ye rise + Distant, delicious harmonies; + Until ye languishing declare + An archer's life, indeed is fair! + +M. L. B. + + * * * * * + + + +THE NOVELIST + +NO. CV. + + * * * * * + + +THE GHIBELLINES. + +_A Fragment of a Tuscan Tale_. + +BY MISS EMMA ROBERTS. + + "His name's Gonzago.--The story is extant, and written in very + choice Italian." + + +Ten thousand lights burned throughout the Alberoni palace, and all the +nobility of Florence flocked to the bridal of its wealthy lord. It was a +fair sight to see the stately mirrors which spread their shining +surfaces between pillars of polished marble reflecting the gay +assemblage, that, radiant with jewels, promenaded the saloon, or +wreathed the dance to the witching music of the most skilful minstrels +in all Tuscany. Every lattice was open, and the eye, far as it could +reach, wandered through illuminated gardens, tenanted by gay groups, +where the flush of the roses, the silver stars of the jasmine, the +crimson, purple, orange, and blue of the variegated parterre were +revealed as if the brightest blaze of day flashed upon their silken +leaves. Amid all this pomp of beauty and splendour the bride moved +along, surpassing all that was fair and resplendent around her by the +exceeding loveliness of a face and form to which every eye and every +heart paid involuntary homage. At her side appeared the exulting +bridegroom, to whom, however, more it should seem through diffidence +than aversion, her eyes were never raised; for though Count Alberoni had +advanced beyond the middle age of life, yet he still retained the +majestic port and commanding lineaments for which he had been +distinguished in early youth; his riches rendered him all potent in +Florence, and none dared dispute with him the possession of its fairest +flower. Intoxicated with the pleasures offered at the banquet and the +ball, whatever of envy or of jealousy might have been hidden in the +bosoms of the guests while contemplating the treasure which the +triumphant Alberoni had snatched from contending suitors, it was +concealed, and the most cheerful hilarity prevailed. Yet, amid the +general expression of happiness, there were two persons who, attracting +notice by the meanness of their attire, and the melancholy gloom upon +their countenances, seemed to be out of place in so stately and so +joyous an assembly. They were brother and sister, the descendants of +Ghibellines who had died in exile, and distant relations of the Count, +who though not choosing to regard them as his heirs, had, when the +abolition of a severe law enabled the proscribed faction to return to +Florence, accorded them shelter and protection. Meanly clad in vestments +of coarse serge, there were yet no cavaliers who fluttered in silk and +velvet who could compare in personal beauty with Francesco Gonzago; and +the bride alone, of all the beauties who shone in gold and silver, +appeared superior in feminine charms to the lovely Beatrice, +notwithstanding that her cumbrous robe of grey stuff obscured the +delicate proportions of her sylph-like form. Buoyant in spirit, and +animated by the scene before her, occasionally a gleam of sunshine would +irradiate her brow as she gazed upon the sparkling throng who formed the +brilliant pageant which so much delighted her; but as she turned to +express her feelings to her brother, his pale pensive features and the +recollection of the intense anguish which wrung his heart, subdued her +gaiety, the smile passed away from her lip, the rose deserted her cheek, +and she stood by his side sad and sorrowful as some monumental statue. +Many persons grieved at the depressed fortunes of the once powerful +Gonzagos, but there were others who sneered at their present +degradation, enjoying the cruel mockery with which Alberoni had forced +the man who had cherished hopes of succeeding as heir-at-law to his +immense estates, to witness the downfall of those flattering +expectations. Few and slight were the salutations which passed between +the dejected pair and the more illustrious guests; but as the bride made +the circuit of the apartments, she paused when approaching her husband's +neglected relatives, and raising eyes swimming with drops of sympathy, +greeted them with unaffected tenderness. Francesco was unprepared for +the gentle kindness of her address; his stern heart melted, his proud +glance suddenly changed to one of gracious courtesy; he gazed upon her +as upon some angelic being sent down from heaven to soothe and gladden +his perturbed soul; and henceforward he saw nothing in the glare, and +the crowd, and the splendour around him, save the sweet face and the +delicate form of the Countess Alberoni; his charmed eyes followed her +from place to place, and so entirely was he engrossed by one object, +that he did not perceive that the attention of Beatrice was almost +wholly occupied by a young and sprightly cavalier, who pursued her like +a shadow, pouring tender tales in a not unwilling ear. Group by group +the guests retired from the festive scene, and the brother and sister, +scarcely able to define the new feelings which sprung up in the heart of +each, quitted the magnificent palace to seek their forlorn abode. A +pavilion, nearly in ruins, was the sole shelter which the proud lord of +Alberoni afforded to the only surviving branches of his family, when +returning to their native city they found their patrimonial estates +confiscated, and themselves dependent upon the niggard bounty of a cold +and selfish relative. Slowly recovering from a severe wound which he had +received in the wars of Lombardy, and disgusted with the ingratitude of +the prince he served, the ill-starred Francesco was at first rejoiced to +obtain any refuge from the storms of a tempestuous world; and the +unceasing efforts of his young and affectionate sister to reconcile him +to a bitter lot were not wholly unavailing. Summer had spread her +richest treasures upon the lap of Nature; and the fairy hands of +Beatrice transformed the bare walls of the dilapidated edifice which +they inhabited into bowers of luxuriant foliage; the most delicious +fruit also, the spontaneous product of the garden, cooled at some +crystal fount and heaped with flowers, tempted her brother's languid +appetite; and, waking the soft notes of her lute, she soothed his +desponding spirit with music's gentlest sound. Fondly trusting that +Francesco might be won to prize the simple enjoyments of which fortune +could not despoil him, and to find his dearest happiness in an approving +conscience, the light hearted girl indulged in delusive hopes of future +felicity. But these expectations were soon damped; as Francesco's health +returned he became restless and melancholy; he saw no prospect of +arriving at distinction by his talents, or by his sword; peace reigned +throughout the Tuscan states, and the jealousy of the government of all +who bore the mark of Ghibelline extraction, forbade the chance of +successful exertion and honourable reward; his days were spent in moody +abstraction, his nights in feverish dreams; his misfortunes, his +accomplishments and his virtues failed to excite affection in the breast +of his kinsman, who, jealous of the youth and personal attractions of +the man apparently destined to be his heir, grew uneasy at the thought +of benefitting a person he had learned to hate; and suddenly resolving +to cut off at once the presumptuous expectations which the luckless +exile might have cherished, exerted the influence procured by his wealth +to form an alliance with the most peerless beauty which the city +boasted. A new source of anguish added to the misery already sustained +by the wretched Gonzago; his arm was paralyzed by the utter hopelessness +of any attempt to emerge from the obscurity to which fate had condemned +him; he brooded over the dismal futurity which opened before him; and, +as a solace to these gloomy meditations, suffered his imagination to +dwell upon the charms and graces of the lovely Giacinta, his kinsman's +gentle bride. He saw her sometimes flitting through the myrtle groves +which skirted the neighbouring palace; and when night favoured his +concealment, he would approach the marble porticos to catch the sound of +her voice as, accompanied by a lute, she wasted its melody upon the +silent stars. Beatrice, in the mean time, experienced only in the pale +brow and haggard form of her brother an alloy to her happiness. +Alessandro, the young heir of the Orsini family, had abandoned the gay +revels of Florence to share the solitude of the despised Ghibellines; +and although there seemed to be little chance of ultimate triumph over +the obstacles which opposed themselves to an alliance between the +prosperous scion of a noble house and the unportioned orphan of a +banished man, yet hope pre-ponderated over fear, and, blessed by her +enchanting smiles, the lover indulged in delightful anticipations. + +... + +Again was the Alberoni palace illumined by innumerable tapers; again +were the glittering saloons filled with all the noble population of +Florence. A second nuptial feast, more splendid and joyous than the +first, was celebrated; again Giacinta, lovelier than ever, shone as the +bride, and by her side a cavalier appeared, whose summer of life was +better adapted to match with her tender years than the mature age of her +late husband had been. + +The Count Alberoni Gonzago was dead; and Francesco succeeding to his +wealth, had obtained the hand of his widow. Beatrice, also a bride, +followed in the train of the Countess, but followed more like a mourner +at some funeral solemnity than as the newly wedded consort of the +husband of her choice. Francesco all smiles and triumph, as he stood +with the fairest hand in Florence hanging on his arm, proudly greeting +the guests who crowded to pay him homage, turned frequently, and cast +looks of piercing examination and reproach upon his pale and trembling +sister, and, as if fascinated by his glance, she would rally her, +failing spirits and smile languidly upon the bridegroom, who bent over +her enamoured; and then, as if beguiled from some painful contemplation +by the sweet accents of the man she loved, she became calm, and her +quivering features resumed their wonted placidity. But these moments of +tranquillity were of short duration; she started at every shadow; the +flash of one of the jewels which broidered her satin robe would cause a +fit of trembling; and at length, when seated at the banquet opposite her +brother and his bride, a richly clad domestic offered wine in a golden +goblet; for a moment she held it to her lips, and then dashed it away, +exclaiming--"It is poison! Hide me,--save me. I see it every where; in +those green leaves from whence it was distilled.--Oh! Francesco, +Francesco, let us be poor and happy!" The guests shrunk aghast from the +speaker, who, falling from her seat, expired in convulsions. + +The power conferred by Gonzago's immense riches silenced the whispered +murmurs of the assembly. No man rose to higher eminence in the state +than the idolized husband of the beautiful Giacinta; but a dark cloud +hung upon his house, his children were all cut off in their infancy, +and, after a few brief years of outward felicity, struck from his horse +by the fragment of a building which fell upon him as he rode in pomp +through the city, he received a mortal wound, surviving the accident +only long enough to unburthen his soul to his confessor. + +His dying words were addressed to Alessandro, from whom since the hour +of his nuptials he had been estranged; pressing his hand, he +exclaimed--"She was innocent! she heard not of the murder until it had +been accomplished."--_London Weekly Review_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS. + + * * * * * + + +RAFTS AND RHINE SCENERY. + + +Between Andernach and Bonn I saw two or three of those enormous rafts +which are formed of the accumulated produce of the Swiss and German +forests. One was anchored in the middle of the river, and looked like a +floating island. These _Krakens_ of the Rhine are composed of oak and +fir floated in smaller rafts down the tributary streams, and, their size +constantly increasing till they arrive hereabouts, they make platforms +of from four hundred to seven hundred feet long, and one hundred and +forty feet in breadth. When in motion, a dozen boats and more precede +them, carrying anchors and cables to guide and arrest their course. The +navigation of a raft down the Rhine to Dort, in Holland, which is the +place of their destination,[4] is a work of great difficulty. The skill +of the German and Dutch pilots who navigate them, in spite of the abrupt +turnings, the eddies, the currents, rocks and shoals that oppose their +progress, must indeed be of a very peculiar kind, and can be possessed +but by few. It requires besides a vast deal of manual labour. The whole +complement of rowers and workmen, together with their wives and +children, on board one of the _first-rates_, amounts to the astonishing +number of nine hundred or a thousand; a little village, containing from +forty to sixty wooden houses, is erected upon each, which also is +furnished with stalls for cattle, a magazine for provisions, &c. The +dwelling appropriated to the use of the master of the raft and the +principal super-cargoes was conspicuous for its size and commodiousness. +It is curious to observe these rafts, on their passage, with their +companies of rowers stationed at each end, making the shores ring again +to the sound of their immense oars. + + [4] About twelve of these rafts annually arrive at Dort, in + July or August; when the German timber merchants, having + converted their floats into good Dutch ducats, return to their + own country. When the water is low, those machines are + sometimes months upon the journey.--_Campbell's Guide_. + +The succession of grand natural pictures, which I had been gazing upon +since my departure from Mentz and the district of the Rheingau, are +undoubtedly similar, but not the same; there is alternately the long +noble reach, the sudden bend, the lake-like expanse, the shores on both +sides lined with towns whose antique fortifications rise in distant +view, and villages whose tapering spires of blue slate peer above the +embosoming foliage; the mountains clothed with vines and forests, their +sides bristled and their summits crowned with the relics of feudal +residences,[5] or of cloistered fanes: but the varieties in the shape +and character of all these are inexhaustible; it is this circumstance +that enhances the pleasure of contemplating, scenery, in which there is, +as Lord Byron says, + + "A blending of all beauties, streams and dells, + Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, corn-field, mountain, vine, + And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells, + From gray but leafy walls where ruin greenly dwells." + + [5] There are the ruins of fourteen castles on the left bank, + and of fifteen on the right bank of the Rhine, from Mentz to + Bonn, a distance of thirty-six leagues. + +The oppositions of light and shade; the rich culture of the hills +contrasted with the rugged rocks that often rise from out of the midst +of fertility; the bright verdure of the islands which the Rhine is +continually forming; the purple hues and misty azure of the distant +mountains--these and a thousand other indescribable charms constitute +sources of visual delight which can be imparted only by a view of the +objects themselves. And is excitement awakened in contemplating the +borders of this graceful and magnificent river? Yes. When we revert to +the awful convulsions of the physical world, and the important +revolutions of human society, of which the regions it flows through have +been successively the theatre--when we meditate on the vast changes, the +fearful struggles, the tragic incidents and mournful catastrophes, which +they have witnessed from the earliest ages to the very times in which we +have ourselves lived and marked the issue of events--"the battles, +sieges, fortunes" that have passed before its green tumultuous current, +or within ken of its mountain watch-towers--the shouts of nations that +have resounded, and the fates of empires that have been decided, on its +shores--when we think of the slaughtered myriads whose bones have +bleached on the neighbouring plains, filled up the trenches of its +rock-built strong-holds, or found their place of sepulture beneath its +wave--when, at each survey we take of the wide and diversified scene, +the forms of centuries seem to be embodied with the objects around us, +and the record of the past becomes vividly associated with the +impression of present realities--it is then that we are irresistibly led +to compare the greatness of nature with the littleness of man; it is +then that we are forcibly struck with the power and goodness of the +Author of both; and that the deepest humility unites itself in a +grateful mind, with the highest admiration, at the sight of "these His +lowest works." + +But do you pretend, it may be asked, in the course of a three days' +journey, however lengthened by celerity of conveyance, or favoured by +advantages of season or weather--do you pretend to have experienced that +very eminent degree of gratification which the country is capable of +communicating? Certainly not. I speak of these scenes but as of things, +which before my own hasty and unsatisfied glances came like shadows--so +departed. Instead of two or three days, a whole month should be spent +between Mentz, Coblentz, and Bonn, in order fully to know and thoroughly +to enjoy the beauties and grandeurs with which that space +abounds.--_Stevenson's Tour in France, &c._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BARBER. + + + Nick Razorblade a barber was, + A _strapping_ lad was he; + And he could shave with such a grace, + It was a joy to see! + + And tho' employ'd within his house, + He kept like rat in hole; + All those that pass'd the barber's door, + Could always see his _pole_! + + His dress was rather plain than rich, + Nor fitted over well; + Yet, tho' no _macaroni_, Nick, + He often _cut a swell_! + + And Nick was brave, and he could fight, + As many times he proved; + A lamb became a lion fierce, + Whenever he was moved! + + Like many of his betters, who + To field with pistols rush, + When Nicky _lather'd_ any one, + He was obliged to _brush_! + + Some say Nick was a brainless _block_, + While those who've seen him waving + His bright sharp razor, o'er scap'd chins, + Declare he was a _shaving_! + + His next door neighbour, Nelly Jones, + A maid of thirty-eight, + 'Twas said regarded Nick with smiles, + But folks will always prate. + + 'Tis known in summer time that she, + (A maid and only daughter) + To show her love for Razorblade, + Kept Nicky in _hot water_! + + For politics Nick always said, + He never cared a fig; + Quoth he:--"If I a Tory were, + I likewise _wear a wig_!" + + No poacher he, yet _hairs_ he _wired_, + With skill that made maids prouder; + And though he never used a gun, + He knew the use of _powder_! + + He never took offence at words, + However broad or blunt; + But when maids brought a _front_ to dress, + Of course he took a _front_! + + Beneath his razor folks have slept, + So easy were they mown; + Yet (oh! most passing strange it was!) + His _razor_ was his _own_! + + Nick doubtless had a tender heart, + But not for Nelly Jones; + He made Miss Popps "bone of his bone," + But never made old bones! + + He died and left an only son, + A barber too by trade; + But when they ope'd his will, they found + A cruel will he'd made. + + And doubtless he was raving mad, + (To slander I'm unwilling) + For tho' a _barber_, Nicky cut + His _heir_ off with _a shilling!_ + +_Absurdities: in Prose and Verse_._ + + * * * * * + + +BONAPARTE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE. + + +While we endeavour to sum up the mass of misfortunes with which +Bonaparte was overwhelmed at this crisis, it seems as if Fortune had +been determined to show that she did not intend to reverse the lot of +humanity, even in the case of one who had been so long her favourite, +but that she retained the power of depressing the obscure soldier, whom +she had raised to be almost king of Europe, in a degree as humiliating +as his exaltation had been splendid. All that three years before seemed +inalienable from his person, was now reversed. The victor was defeated, +the monarch was dethroned, the ransomer of prisoners was in captivity, +the general was deserted by his soldiers, the master abandoned by his +domestics, the brother parted from his brethren, the husband severed +from the wife, and the father torn from his only child. To console him +for the fairest and largest empire that ambition ever lorded it over, he +had, with the mock name of emperor, a petty isle, to which he was to +retire, accompanied by the pity of such friends as dared express their +feelings, the unrepressed execrations of many of his former subjects, +who refused to regard his present humiliation as an amends for what he +had made them suffer during his power, and the ill-concealed triumph of +the enemies into whose hands he had been delivered. + +A Roman would have seen, in these accumulated disasters, a hint to +direct his sword's point against his breast; a man of better faith would +have turned his eye back on his own conduct, and having read, in his +misuse of prosperity, the original source of those calamities, would +have remained patient and contrite under the consequences of his +ambition. Napoleon belonged to the Roman school of philosophy; and it is +confidently reported, especially by Baron Fain, his secretary, though it +has not been universally believed, that he designed, at this extremity, +to escape from life by an act of suicide. + +The emperor, according to this account, had carried with him, ever since +the retreat from Moscow, a packet containing a preparation of opium, +made up in the same manner with that used by Condorcet for +self-destruction. His valet-de-chambre, in the night betwixt the 12th +and 13th of April, heard him arise and pour something into a glass of +water, drink, and return to bed. In a short time afterwards, the man's +attention was called by sobs and stifled groans--an alarm took place in +the chateau--some of the principal persons were roused, and repaired to +Napoleon's chamber. Yvan, the surgeon, who had procured him the poison, +was also summoned; but hearing the emperor complain that the operation +of the poison was not quick enough, he was seized with a panic-terror, +and fled from the palace at full gallop. Napoleon took the remedies +recommended, and a long fit of stupor ensued, with profuse perspiration. +He awakened much exhausted, and surprised at finding himself still +alive; he said aloud, after a few moments' reflection, "Fate will not +have it so," and afterwards appeared reconciled to undergo his destiny, +without similar attempts at personal violence. There is, as we have +already hinted, a difference of opinion concerning the cause of +Napoleon's illness; some imputing it to indigestion. The fact of his +having been very much indisposed is, however, indisputable. A general of +the highest distinction transacted business with Napoleon on the morning +of the 13th of April. He seemed pale and dejected, as from recent and +exhausting illness. His only dress was a night-gown and slippers, and he +drank from time to time a quantity of tisan, or some such liquid, which +was placed beside him, saying he had suffered severely during the night, +but that his complaint had left him. + +After this crisis, and having ratified the treaty which his mareschals +had made for him. Napoleon appeared more at his ease than he had been +for some time before, and conversed frankly with his attendants upon the +affairs of France. + + +NAPOLEON TAKES LEAVE OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD. + + +Napoleon having now resigned himself entirely to his fate, whether for +good or evil, prepared, on the 20th of April, to depart for his place of +retreat. But first, he had the painful task of bidding farewell to the +body in the universe most attached to him, and to which he was probably +most attached,--his celebrated Imperial Guard. Such of them as could be +collected were drawn out before him in review. Some natural tears +dropped from his eyes, and his features had the marks of strong emotion +while reviewing for the last time, as he must then have thought likely, +the companions of so many victories. He advanced to them on horseback, +dismounted, and took his solemn leave. "All Europe," he said, "had armed +against him; France herself had deserted him, and chosen another +dynasty. He might," he said, "have maintained with his soldiers a civil +war of years, but it would have rendered France unhappy. Be faithful," +he continued, (and the words were remarkable,) "to the new sovereign +whom France has chosen. Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy +while I know you are so. I could have died--nothing was easier--but I +will always follow the road of honour. I will record with my pen the +deeds we have done together. I cannot embrace you all, but I embrace +your general,"--(he pressed the general to his bosom.)--"Bring hither +the eagle,"--(he embraced the standard, and concluded)--"Beloved eagle, +may the kisses I bestow on you long resound in the hearts of the +brave!--Adieu, my children,--Adieu, my brave companions.--Surround me +once more--Adieu." Drowned in grief, the veteran soldiers heard the +farewell of their dethroned leader; sighs and murmurs broke from their +ranks, but the emotion burst out in no threats or remonstrances. They +appeared resigned to the loss of their general, and to yield, like him, +to necessity.--_Scott's Napoleon_. + + * * * * * + + +THE ARK OF NOAH + + +The Rabbins make the giant Gog or Magog contemporary with Noah, and +convinced by his preaching. So that he was disposed to take the benefit +of the Ark. But here lay the distress; it by no means suited his +dimensions. Therefore, as he could not enter in, he contented himself to +ride upon it astride. And though you must suppose that, in that stormy +weather, he was more than half boots over, he kept his seat, and +dismounted safely, when the Ark landed on Mount Ararat. Image now to +yourself this illustrious Cavalier mounted on his _hackney_; and see if +it does not bring before you the Church, bestrid by some lumpish +minister of state, who turns and winds it at his pleasure. The only +difference is, that Gog believed the preacher of righteousness and +religion.--_Warburton's Letters_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE GATHERER. + + "I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's + stuff."--_Wotton_ + + * * * * * + + +A preacher had held forth diffusely and ingeniously upon the doctrine +that the Creator of the universe had made all things beautiful. A little +crooked lawyer met him at the church door, and exclaimed, "Well, doctor, +what do you think of my figure? does it correspond with your tenets of +this morning?"--"My friend," replied the preacher, with much gravity, +"you are handsome for a hunch-backed man." + + * * * * * + +Kosciusko once wished to send some bottles of good wine to a clergyman +of Solothurn; and as he hesitated to send them by his servant, lest he +should smuggle a part, he gave the commission to a young man of the name +of Zeltner, and desired him to take the horse which he himself usually +rode. On his return, young Zeltner said that he would never ride his +horse again unless he gave him his purse at the same time. Kosciusko +asking what he meant, he answered, "As soon as a poor man on the road +takes off his hat and asks for charity, the horse immediately stands +still, and won't stir till something is given to the petitioner; and, as +I had no money about me, I was obliged to make believe to give +something, in order to satisfy the horse." + + * * * * * + +Persons in warm countries certainly possess powers of imagination +superior to persons in colder climates. The following description of a +small room will appear very poetic to an English reader: "I am now," +says a Turkish spy, writing to his employers, "in an apartment so +little, that the least suspicion cannot enter it." + + * * * * * + +An author, as too often happens, was very irritable in his disposition, +and very unfortunate in his productions. His tragedy and comedy had both +been rejected by the managers of both theatres. "I cannot account for +this," said the unfortunate bard to his friend; "for no one can say that +my tragedy was a _sad_ performance, or that my comedy was a thing to +laugh at." + + * * * * * + + + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 264, JULY 14, 1827 *** + +This file should be named 7m26410.txt or 7m26410.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 7m26411.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 7m26410a.txt + +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 of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9884] +[This file was first posted on October 27, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 264, JULY 14, 1827 *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 8m26410h.zip in our etext06 directory + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06/8m26410h.zip) + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 10, No. 264.] SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1827. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + +ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS. + + +NEW CHURCH, REGENT'S PARK. + +[Illustration] + + +The architectural splendour which has lately developed itself in and +about the precincts of the parish of St. Mary-le-Bonne, exhibits a most +surprising and curious contrast with the former state of this part of +London; and more particularly when compared with accounts extracted from +newspapers of an early date. + +Mary-le-Bonne parish is estimated to contain more than ten thousand +houses, and one hundred thousand inhabitants. In the plans of London, in +1707, it was a small village one mile distant from the Metropolis, +separated by fields--the scenes of robbery and murder. The following +from a newspaper of 1716:--"On Wednesday last, four gentlemen were +robbed and stripped in the fields between Mary-le-Bonne and London." The +"Weekly Medley," of 1718, says, "Round about the New Square which is +building near Tyburn road, there are so many other edifices, that a +whole magnificent city seems to be risen out of the ground in a way +which makes one wonder how it should find a new set of inhabitants. It +is said it is to be called by the name of _Hanover Square!_ On the other +side is to be built another square, called Oxford Square." From the same +article I have also extracted the dates of many of the different +erections, which may prove of benefit to your architectural readers, as +tending to show the progressive improvement made in the private +buildings of London, and showing also the style of building adopted at +later periods. Indeed, I would wish that some of your correspondents-- +_F.R.Y._, or _P.T.W._, for instance, would favour us with a _list of +dates_ answering this purpose. Rathbone-place and John-street (from +Captain Rathbone) began 1729. Oxford market opened 1732. Newman-street +and Berners-street, named from the builders, between 1723 and 1775. +Portland-place and street, 1770. Portman-square, 1764. Portman-place, +1770. Stratford-place, five years later, on the site of Conduit Mead, +built by Robert Stratford, Esq. This had been the place whereon stood +the banquetting house for the lord mayor and aldermen, when they visited +the neighbouring nine conduits which then supplied the city with water. +Cumberland-place, 1769. Manchester-square the year after. + +Previous to entering upon an architectural description of the superb +buildings recently erected in the vicinity of Regency Park, I shall +confine myself at present to that object that first arrests the +attention at the entrance, which is the church; it has been erected +under the commissioners for building new churches. The architect is J. +Soane, Esq. There is a pleasing originality in this gentleman's +productions; the result of extensive research among the architectural +beauties of the ancients, together with a peculiar happy mode of +distributing his lights and shadows; producing in the greatest degree +picturesque effect: these are peculiarities essentially his own, and +forming in no part a copy of the works of any other architect in the +present day. The church in question by no means detracts from his merit +in these particulars. The principal front consists of a portico of four +columns of the Ionic order, approached by a small flight of steps; on +each side is a long window, divided into two heights by a stone transum +(panelled). Under the lower window is a raised panel also; and in the +flank of the building the plinth is furnished with openings; each of the +windows is filled with ornamental iron-work, for the purpose of +ventilating the vaults or catacombs. The flank of the church has a +central projection, occupied by antae, and six insulated Ionic columns; +the windows in the inter-columns are in the same style as those in +front; the whole is surmounted by a balustrade. The tower is in two +heights; the lower part has eight columns of the Corinthian order. +Example taken from the temple of Vesta, at Tivoli; these columns, with +their stylobatæ and entablature, project, and give a very extraordinary +relief in the perspective view of the building. The upper part consists +of a circular peristyle of six columns; the example apparently taken +from the portico of the octagon tower of Andronicus Cyrrhestes, or tower +of the winds, from the summit of which rises a conical dome, surmounted +by the Vane. The more minute detail may be seen by the annexed drawing. +The prevailing ornament is the Grecian fret. + +Mr. Soane, during his long practice in the profession, has erected very +few churches, and it appears that he is endeavouring to rectify failings +that seem insurmountable in the present style of architecture,--that of +preventing the tower from having the appearance of rising out of the +roof, by designing his porticos without pediments; if this is the case, +he certainly is indebted to a great share of praise, as a pediment will +always conceal (particularly at a near view) the major part of a tower. +But again, we find ourselves in another difficulty, and it makes the +remedy as bad as the disease,--that of taking away the principal +characteristic of a portico, (namely, the pediment), and destroying at +once the august appearance which it gives to the building; we find in +all the churches of Sir Christopher Wren the campanile to form a +distinct projection from the ground upwards; thus assimilating nearer to +the ancient form of building them entirely apart from the main body of +the church. I should conceive, that if this idea was followed by +introducing the beautiful detail of Grecian architecture, according to +Wren's _models_ it would raise our church architecture to a very +superior pitch of excellence. + +In my next I shall notice the interior, and also the elevation towards +the altar. + +C. DAVY. + +_Furnivals' Inn_, + +_July 1, 1827._ + + * * * * * + + + +THE MONTHS + + * * * * * + + +THE SEASON. + + +The heat is greatest in this month on account of its previous duration. +The reason why it is less so in August is, that the days are then much +shorter, and the influence of the sun has been gradually diminishing. +The farmer is still occupied in getting the productions of the earth +into his garners; but those who can avoid labour enjoy as much rest and +shade as possible. There is a sense of heat and quiet all over nature. +The birds are silent. The little brooks are dried up. The earth is +chapped with parching. The shadows of the trees are particularly +grateful, heavy, and still. The oaks, which are freshest because latest +in leaf, form noble clumpy canopies; looking, as you lie under them, of +a strong and emulous green against the blue sky. The traveller delights +to cut across the country through the fields and the leafy lanes, where, +nevertheless, the flints sparkle with heat. The cattle get into the +shade or stand in the water. The active and air-cutting-swallows, now +beginning to assemble for migration, seek their prey about the shady +places; where the insects, though of differently compounded natures, +"fleshless and bloodless," seem to get for coolness, as they do at other +times for warmth. The sound of insects is also the only audible thing +now, increasing rather than lessening the sense of quiet by its gentle +contrast. The bee now and then sweeps across the ear with his gravest +tone. The gnats + + "Their murmuring small trumpets sounden wide:"--SPENSER. + +and here and there the little musician of the grass touches forth his +tricksy note. + + The poetry of earth is never dead; + When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, + And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run + From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead: + That is the grasshopper's.[1] + + [1] _Poems_, by John Keats, p. 93. + +The strong rains, which sometimes come down in summer-time, are a noble +interruption to the drought and indolence of hot weather. They seem as +if they had been collecting a supply of moisture equal to the want of +it, and come drenching the earth with a mighty draught of freshness. The +rushing and tree-bowing winds that precede them, the dignity with which +they rise in the west, the gathering darkness of their approach, the +silence before their descent, the washing amplitude of their +out-pouring, the suddenness with which they appear to leave off, taking +up, as it were, their watery feet to sail onward, and then the sunny +smile again of nature, accompanied by the "sparkling noise" of the +birds, and those dripping diamonds the rain-drops;--there is a grandeur +and a beauty in all this, which lend a glorious effect to each other; +for though the sunshine appears more beautiful than grand, there is a +power, not even to be looked upon, in the orb from which it flows; and +though the storm is more grand than beautiful, there is always beauty +where there is so much beneficence.--_The Months_. + + +BATHING + + +It is now the weather for bathing, a refreshment too little taken in +this country, either summer or winter. We say in winter, because with +very little care in placing it near a cistern, and having a leathern +pipe for it, a bath may be easily filled once or twice a week with warm +water; and it is a vulgar error that the warm bath relaxes. An excess, +either warm or cold, will relax, and so will any other excess; but the +sole effect of the warm bath moderately taken is, that it throws off the +bad humours of the body by opening and clearing the pores. As to summer +bathing, a father may soon teach his children to swim, and thus perhaps +may be the means of saving their lives some day or other, as well as +health. Ladies also, though they cannot bathe in the open air, as they +do in some of the West Indian islands and other countries, by means of +natural basins among the rocks, might oftener make a substitute for it +at home in tepid baths. The most beautiful aspects under which Venus has +been painted or sculptured have been connected with bathing; and indeed +there is perhaps no one thing that so equally contributes to the three +graces of health, beauty, and good temper; to health, in putting the +body into its best state; to beauty, in clearing and tinting the skin; +and to good temper, in rescuing the spirits from the irritability +occasioned by those formidable personages, "the nerves," which nothing +else allays in so quick and entire a manner. See a lovely passage on the +subject of bathing in Sir Philip Sydney's "Arcadia," where "Philoclea, +blushing, and withal smiling, makeing shamefastnesse pleasant, and +pleasure shamefast, tenderly moved her feet, unwonted to feel the naked +ground, until the touch of the cold water made a pretty kind of +shrugging come over her body; like the twinkling of the fairest among +the fixed stars."--_Ibid_. + + +INSECTS + + +Insects now take the place of the feathered tribe, and, being for the +most part hatched in the spring, they are now in full vigour. It is a +very amusing sight in some of our rural rambles, in a bright evening +after a drizzling summer shower, to see the air filled throughout all +its space with sportive organized creatures, the leaf, the branch, the +bark of the tree, every mossy bank, the bare earth, the pool, the ditch, +all teeming with animal life; and the mind that is ever framed for +contemplation, must awaken now in viewing such a profusion and variety +of existence. One of those poor little beings, the fragile _gnat_, +becomes our object of attention, whether we regard its form or peculiar +designation in the insect world; we must admire the first, and +innocently, perhaps, conjecture the latter. We know that Infinite +Wisdom, which formed, declared it "to be very good;" that it has its +destination and settled course of action, admitting of no deviation or +substitution: beyond this, perhaps, we can rarely proceed, or, if we +sometimes advance a few steps more, we are then lost in the mystery with +which the incomprehensible Architect has thought proper to surround it. +So little is human nature permitted to see, (nor perhaps is it capable +of comprehending much more than permitted,) that it is blind beyond +thought as to secondary causes; and admiration, that pure fountain of +intellectual pleasure, is almost the only power permitted to us. We see +a wonderfully fabricated creature, decorated with a vest of glorious art +and splendour, occupying almost its whole life in seeking for the most +fitting station for its own necessities, exerting wiles and stratagems, +and constructing a peculiar material to preserve its offspring against +natural or occasional injury, with a forethought equivalent to +reason--in a moment, perhaps, with all its splendour and instinct, it +becomes the prey of some wandering bird! and human wisdom and conjecture +are humbled to the dust. We can "see but in part," and the wisest of us +is only, perhaps, something less ignorant than another. This sense of a +perfection so infinitely above us, is the _natural_ intimation of a +Supreme Being; and as science improves, and inquiry is augmented, our +imperfections and ignorance will become more manifest, and all our +aspirations after knowledge only increase in us the conviction of +knowing nothing. Every deep investigator of nature can hardly be +possessed of any other than a humble mind. + + * * * * * + + +THE PEACOCK. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +Of this bird, there are several species, distinguished by their +different colours. The male of the common kind is, perhaps, the most +gaudy of all the bird-kind; the length and beauty of whose tail, and the +various forms in which the creature carries it, are sufficiently known +and admired among us. India is, however, his native country; and there +he enjoys himself with a sprightliness and gaiety unknown to him in +Europe. The translators of Hindoo poetry concur in their description of +his manners; and is frequently alluded to by the Hindoo poets. + + "Dark with her varying clouds, and peacocks gay." + +It is affirmed, among the delightful phenomena which are observable at +the commencement of the rainy season, (immediately following that of the +withering hot winds,) the joy displayed by the peacocks is one of the +most pleasing. These birds assemble in groups upon some retired spot of +verdant grass; jump about in the most animated manner, and make the air +re-echo with their cheerful notes. + + "Or can the peacock's animated hail." + +The wild peacock is also exceedingly abundant in many parts of +Hindoostan, and is especially found in marshy places. The habits of this +bird are in a great measure aquatic; and the setting in of the rains is +the season in which they pair; the peacock is, therefore, always +introduced in the description of cloudy or rainy weather. Thus, in a +little poem, descriptive of the rainy season, &c., the author says, +addressing his mistress,-- + + "Oh, thou, whose teeth enamelled vie + With smiling _Cunda's_ pearly ray, + Hear how the peacock's amorous cry + Salutes the dark and cloudy day." + +And again, where he is describing the same season:-- + + "When smiling forests, whence the tuneful cries + Of clustering pea-fowls shrill and frequent rise, + Teach tender feelings to each human breast, + And please alike the happy or distressed." + +The peacock flies to the highest station he can reach, to enjoy himself; +and rises to the topmost boughs of trees, though the female makes her +nest on the ground. + +F.R.Y. + + * * * * * + + +A WARNING TO FRUIT EATERS. + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + +The mischiefs arising from the bad custom of many people swallowing the +stones of plums and other fruit are very great. In the _Philosophical +Transactions_, No. 282, there is an account of a woman who suffered +violent pains in her bowels for thirty years, returning once in a month, +or less, owing to a plum-stone which had lodged; which, after various +operations, was extracted. There is likewise an account of a man, who +dying of an incurable colic, which had tormented him many years, and +baffled the effects of medicine, was opened after his death, and in his +bowels was found the cause of his distemper, which was a ball, composed +of tough and hard matter, resembling a stone, being six inches in +circumference, when measured, and weighing an ounce and a half; in the +centre of this there was found the stone of a common plum. These +instances sufficiently prove the folly of that common opinion, that the +stones of fruits are wholesome. Cherry-stones, swallowed in great +quantities, have occasioned the death of many people; and there have +been instances even of the seeds of strawberries, and kernels of nuts, +collected into a lump in the bowels, and causing violent disorders, +which could never be cured till they were carried off. + +P.T.W. + + * * * * * + + +THE NIGHTINGALE, + +BY THE AUTHOR OF "AHAB." + +(_For the Mirror_.) + + + In the low dingle sings the nightingale. + And echo answers; all beside is still. + The breeze is gone to fill some distant sail, + And on the sand to sleep has sunk the rill. + The blackbird and the thrush have sought the vale. + And the lark soars no more above the hill, + For the broad sun is up all hotly pale, + And in my reins I feel his parching thrill. + + Hark! how each note, so beautifully clear, + So soft, so sweetly mellow, rings around. + Then faintly dies away upon the ear, + That fondly vibrates to the fading sound. + Poor bird, thou sing'st, the thorn within thy heart, + And I from sorrows, that will not depart. + +S.P.J. + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS + + * * * * * + + +A NIGHT ATTACK. + + +Charlton and I were in the act of smoking our cigars, the men having +laid themselves down about the blaze, when word was passed from sentry +to sentry, and intelligence communicated to us, that all was not right +towards the river. We started instantly to our feet. The fire was +hastily smothered up, and the men snatching their arms, stood in line, +ready to act as circumstances might require. So dense, however, was the +darkness, and so dazzling the effect of the glare from the bivouac, that +it was not possible, standing where we stood, to form any reasonable +guess, as to the cause of this alarm. That an alarm had been excited, +was indeed perceptible enough. Instead of the deep silence which five +minutes ago had prevailed in the bivouac, a strange hubbub of shouts, +and questions, and as many cries, rose up the night air; nor did many +minutes elapse, ere first one musket, then three or four, then a whole +platoon, were discharged. The reader will _easily_ believe that the +latter circumstance startled us prodigiously, ignorant as we were of the +cause which produced it; but it required no very painful exertion of +patience to set us right on this head; flash, flash, flash, came from +the river; the roar of cannon followed, and the light of her own +broadside displayed to us an enemy's vessel at anchor near the opposite +bank, and pouring a perfect shower of grape and round shot into +the camp. + +For one instant, and only for an instant, a scene of alarm and +consternation overcame us; and we almost instinctively addressed to each +other the question, "What can all this mean?" But the meaning was too +palpable not to be understood at once. "The thing cannot end here," said +we--"a night attack is commencing;" and we made no delay in preparing to +meet it. Whilst Charlton remained with the picquet, in readiness to act +as the events might demand, I came forward to the sentries, for the +purpose of cautioning them against paying attention to what might pass +in their rear, and keeping them steadily engaged in watching their +front. The men were fully alive to the peril of their situation. They +strained with their hearing and eyesight to the utmost limits; but +neither sound nor sight of an advancing column could be perceived. At +last, however, an alarm was given. One of the rifles challenged--it was +the sentinel on the high road; the sentinel who communicated with him +challenged also; and the cry was taken up from man to man, till our own +most remote sentry caught it. I flew to his station; and sure enough the +tramp of many feet was most distinctly audible. Having taken the +precaution to carry an orderly forward with me, I caused him to hurry +back to Charlton with intelligence of what was coming, and my earnest +recommendation that he would lose no time in occupying the ditch. I had +hardly done so, when the noise of a column deploying was distinctly +heard. The tramp of horses, too, came mingled with the tread of men; in +a word, it was quite evident that a large force, both of infantry and +cavalry, was before us. + +There was a pause at this period of several moments, as if the enemy's +line, having effected its formation, had halted till some other +arrangement should be completed; but it was quickly broke. On they came, +as far as we could judge from the sound, in steady array, till at length +their line could be indistinctly seen rising through the gloom. The +sentinels with one consent gave their fire. They gave it regularly and +effectively, beginning with the rifles on their left, and going off +towards the 85th on their right, and then, in obedience to their orders, +fell back. But they retired not unmolested. This straggling discharge on +our part seemed to be the signal to the Americans to begin the battle, +and they poured in such a volley, as must have proved, had any +determinate object been opposed to it, absolutely murderous. But our +scattered videttes almost wholly escaped it; whilst over the main body +of the picquet, sheltered as it was by the ditch, and considerably +removed from its line, it passed entirely harmless. + +Having fired this volley, the enemy loaded again, and advanced. We saw +them coming, and having waited till we judged that they were within +excellent range, we opened our fire. It was returned in tenfold force, +and now went on, for a full half hour, as heavy and close a discharge of +musketry as troops have perhaps ever faced. Confident in their numbers, +and led on, as it would appear, by brave officers, the Americans dashed +forward till scarcely ten yards divided us; but our position was an +admirable one, our men were steady and cool, and they penetrated no +farther. On the contrary, we drove them back, more than once, with a +loss which their own inordinate multitude tended only to render the +more severe. + +The action might have continued in this state about two hours, when, to +our horror and dismay, the approaching fire upon our right flank and +rear gave testimony that the picquet of the 85th, which had been in +communication with us, was forced. Unwilling to abandon our ground, +which we had hitherto held with such success, we clung for awhile to the +idea that the reverse in that quarter might be only temporary, and that +the arrival of fresh troops might yet enable us to continue the battle +in a position so eminently favourable to us. But we were speedily taught +that our hopes were without foundation. The American war-cry was behind +us. We rose from our lairs, and endeavoured, as we best could, to retire +upon the right, but the effort was fruitless. There too the enemy had +established themselves, and we were surrounded. "Let us cut our way +through," cried we to the men. The brave fellows answered only with a +shout; and collecting into a small compact line, prepared to use their +bayonets. In a moment we had penetrated the centre of an American +division; but the numbers opposed to us were overwhelming; our close +order was lost; and the contest became that of man to man. I have no +language adequate to describe what followed. For myself, I did what I +could, cutting and thrusting at the multitudes about me, till at last I +found myself fairly hemmed in by a crowd, and my sword-arm mastered. One +American had grasped me round the waist, another, seizing me by the +wrist, attempted to disarm me, whilst a third was prevented from +plunging his bayonet into my body, only from the fear of stabbing one or +other of his countrymen. I struggled hard, but they fairly bore me to +the ground. The reader will well believe, that at this juncture I +expected nothing else than instant death; but at the moment when I fell, +a blow upon the head with the butt-end of a musket dashed out the brains +of the man who kept his hold upon my sword-arm, and it was freed. I saw +a bayonet pointed to my breast, and I intuitively made a thrust at the +man who wielded it. The thrust took effect, and he dropped dead beside +me. Delivered now from two of my enemies, I recovered my feet, and found +that the hand which dealt the blow to which my preservation was owing, +was that of Charlton. There were about ten men about him. The enemy in +our front were broken, and we dashed through. But we were again hemmed +in, and again it was fought hand to hand, with that degree of +determination, which the assurance that life and death were on the +issue, could alone produce. There cannot be a doubt that we should have +fallen to a man, had not the arrival of fresh troops at this critical +juncture turned the tide of affairs. As it was, little more than a third +part of our picquet survived, the remainder being either killed or +taken; and both Charlton and myself, though not dangerously, were +wounded. Charlton had received a heavy blow upon the shoulder, which +almost disabled him; whilst my neck bled freely from a thrust, which the +intervention of a stout leathern stock alone hindered from being fatal. +But the reinforcement gave us all, in spite of wounds and weariness, +fresh courage, and we renewed the battle with alacrity. + +In the course of the struggle in which we had been engaged, we had been +borne considerably out of the line of our first position, and now found +that the main-road and the picquet of the rifles, were close in our +rear. We were still giving way--for the troops opposed to us could not +amount to less than fifteen hundred men, whilst the whole force on our +part came not up to one hundred--when Captain Harris, major of brigade +to Colonel Thornton, came up with an additional company to our support. +Making way for them to fall in between us and the rifles, we took ground +once more to the right, and driving back a body of the enemy, which +occupied it, soon recovered the position from which we had been +expelled. But we did so with the loss of many brave men, and, among +others, of Captain Harris. He was shot in the lower part of the belly at +the same instant that a musket-ball struck the hilt of his sword, and +forced it into his side. Once more established in our ditch, we paused, +and from that moment till the battle ceased to rage we never changed +our attitude. + +It might be about one o'clock in the morning,--the American force in our +front having fallen back, and we having been left, for a full half hour +to breathe, when suddenly the head of a small column showed itself in +full advance towards us. We were at this time amply supported by other +troops, as well in communication as in reserve; and willing to +annihilate the corps now approaching, we forbade the men to fire till it +should be mingled with us. We did even more than this. Opening a passage +for them through our centre, we permitted some hundred and twenty men to +march across our ditch, and then wheeling up, with a loud shout, we +completely enclosed them. Never have I witnessed a panic more perfect or +more sudden than that which seized them. They no sooner beheld the snare +into which they had fallen, than with one voice they cried aloud for +quarter; and they were to a man made prisoners on the spot. The reader +will smile when he is informed that the little corps thus captured +consisted entirely of members of the legal profession. The barristers, +attorneys, and notaries of New Orleans having formed themselves into a +volunteer corps, accompanied General Jackson in his operations this +night; and they were all, without a solitary exception, made prisoners. +It is probably needless to add, that the circumstance was productive of +no trifling degree of mirth amongst us; and to do them justice, the poor +lawyers, as soon as they recovered from their first alarm, joined +heartily in our laughter. + +This was the last operation in which we were engaged to-night. The +enemy, repulsed on all sides, retreated with the utmost disorder, and +the whole of the advance, collecting at the sound of the bugle, drew up, +for the first time since the commencement of the affair, in a continuous +line. We took our ground in front of the bivouac, having our right +supported by the river, and our left covered by the chateau and village +of huts. Among these latter the cannon were planted; whilst the other +divisions, as they came rapidly up, took post beyond them. In this +position we remained, eagerly desiring a renewal of the attack, till +dawn began to appear, when, to avoid the fire of the vessel, the advance +once more took shelter behind the bank. The first brigade, on the +contrary, and such portion of the second as had arrived, encamped upon +the plain, so as to rest their right upon the wood; and a chain of +picquets being planted along the entire pathway, the day was passed in a +state of inaction. + +I hardly recollect to have spent fourteen or fifteen hours with less +comfort to myself than these. In the hurry and bustle of last night's +engagement, my servant, to whose care I had intrusted my cloak and +haversack, disappeared; he returned not during the whole morning; and as +no provisions were issued out to us, nor any opportunity given to light +fires, I was compelled to endure, all that time, the extremes of hunger, +weariness, and cold. As ill luck would have it, too, the day chanced to +be remarkably severe. There was no rain, it is true, but the sky was +covered with gray clouds; the sun never once pierced them, and a frost, +or rather a vile blight, hung upon the atmosphere from morning till +night. Nor were the objects which occupied our senses of sight and +hearing quite such as we should have desired to occupy them. In other +parts of the field, the troops, not shut up as we were by the enemy's +guns, employed themselves in burying the dead, and otherwise effacing +the traces of warfare. The site of our encampment continued to be +strewed with carcases to the last; and so watchful were the crew of the +schooner, that every effort to convey them out of sight brought a heavy +fire upon the party engaged in it. I must say, that the enemy's +behaviour on the present occasion was not such as did them honour. The +house which General Kean had originally occupied as head-quarters, being +converted into an hospital, was filled at this time with wounded, both +from the British and American armies. To mark its uses, a yellow flag, +the usual signal in such cases, was hoisted on the roof--yet did the +Americans continue to fire at it, as often as a group of six or eight +persons happened to show themselves at the door. Nay, so utterly +regardless were they of the dictates of humanity, that even the parties +who were in the act of conveying the wounded from place to place, +escaped not without molestation. More than one such party was dispersed +by grape-shot, and more than one poor maimed soldier was in consequence +hurled out of the blanket in which he was borne. + +The reader will not doubt me when I say, that seldom has the departure +of day-light been more anxiously looked for by me, than we looked for it +now. It is true, that the arrival of a little rum towards evening served +in some slight degree to elevate our spirits; but we could not help +feeling, not vexation only, but positive indignation, at the state of +miserable inaction to which we were condemned. + +There was not a man amongst us who would have hesitated one moment, had +the choice been submitted to him, whether he would advance or lie still. +True, we might have suffered a little, because the guns of the schooner +entirely commanded us; and in rushing out from our place of concealment +some casualties would have occurred; but so irksome was our situation, +that we would have readily run all risks to change it. It suited not the +plans of our general, however, to indulge these wishes. To the bank we +were enjoined to cling; and we did cling to it, from the coming in of +the first gray twilight of the morning, till the last twilight of +evening had departed. + +As soon as it was well dark, the corps to which Charlton and myself were +attached received orders to file off to the right. We obeyed, and +passing along the front of the hospital, we skirted to the rear of the +village, and established ourselves in the field beyond. It was a +positive blessing this restoration to something like personal freedom. +The men set busily to work, lighting fires and cooking provisions;--the +officers strolled about, with no other apparent design than to give +employment to their limbs, which had become stiff with so protracted a +state of inaction. For ourselves we visited the wounded, said a few kind +words to such as we recognised, and pitied, as they deserved to be +pitied, the rest. Then retiring to our fire, we addressed ourselves with +hearty good will to a frugal supper, and gladly composed ourselves to +sleep.--_A Subaltern in America.--Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +SONNET--NOCHE SERENA. + + + How tranquil is the night! The torrent's roar + Dies off far distant; through the lattice streams + The pure, white, silvery moonshine, mantling o'er + The couch and curtains with its fairy gleams. + Sweet is the prospect; sweeter are the dreams + From which my loathful eyelid now unclosed:-- + Methought beside a forest we reposed, + Marking the summer sun's far western beams, + A dear-loved friend and I. The nightingale + To silence and to us her pensive tale + Sang forth; the very tone of vanish'd years + Came o'er me, feelings warm, and visions bright; + Alas! how quick such vision disappears, + To leave the spectral moon and silent night! + +_Delta of Blackwood's Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + + +ARTS AND SCIENCES. + + * * * * * + + +THE BEECH TREE.--A NONCONDUCTOR OF LIGHTNING. + + +Dr. Beeton, in a letter to Dr. Mitchill of New York, dated 19th of July, +1824, states, that the beech tree (that is, the broad leaved or American +variety of _Fagus sylvatiea_,) is never known to be assailed by +atmospheric electricity. So notorious, he says, is this fact, that in +Tenessee, it is considered almost an impossibility to be struck by +lightning, if protection be sought under the branches of a beech tree. +Whenever the sky puts on a threatening aspect, and the thunder begins to +roll, the Indians leave their pursuit, and betake themselves to the +shelter of the nearest beech tree, till the storm pass over; observation +having taught these sagacious children of nature, that, while other +trees are often shivered to splinters, the electric fluid is not +attracted by the beech. Should farther observation establish the fact of +the non-conducting quality of the American beech, great advantage may +evidently be derived from planting hedge rows of such trees around the +extensive barn yards in which cattle are kept, and also in disposing +groups and single trees in ornamental plantations in the neighbourhood +of the dwelling houses of the owners.--_New Monthly Magazine._ + + +ANTIQUITIES. + + +A valuable discovery was made the other day in Westminster Abbey. It had +become necessary to make repairs near the tomb of Edward the Confessor, +when, by removing a portion of the pavement, an exquisitely beautiful +piece of carved work, which had originally formed part of the shrine of +Edward's tomb, was discovered. This fine relic, the work of the eleventh +or twelfth century, appears to have been studded with precious stones; +and the presumption is, that during the late civil wars it was taken +down for the purpose of plunder, and after the gems were taken out, +buried under the ground (very near the surface of the earth) to avoid +detection.--_Ibid._ + + * * * * * + + + +ARCHERY + +[Illustration] + + +Previous to introducing the communication of a much respected +correspondent, who has well described, by drawing and observation, a +Royal Archer of Scotland, we shall offer a few general remarks on the +subject of the above engraving, which relates to an amusement which we +are happy to find is patronized in many counties in England by +respectable classes of society at this day. No instrument of warfare is +more ancient than that of the bow and arrow, and the skill of the +English bowmen is celebrated. It seems, that in ancient times the +English had the advantage over enemies chiefly by their archers and +light-armed troops. + +The _archers_ were armed with a long-bow, a sheaf of arrows, a sword, +and a small shield. + +The _cross-bowmen_, as their name implies, were armed with the +cross-bow, and arrows called _quarrels_. + +Even after the invention of guns, the English archers are spoken of as +excelling those of all other nations; and an ancient writer affirms that +an English arrow, with a little wax upon its point, would pass through +any ordinary corselet or cuirass. It is uncertain how far the archers +with the long-bow could send an arrow; but the cross-bowmen could shoot +their quarrels to the distance of forty rods, or the eighth part of a +mile. For a more general and extended notice of the history of archery, +however, we refer our readers to a recent volume,[2] and here we have +the correspondence alluded to a few lines above. + + [2] MIRROR, Vol. viii., p. 324. + + +A ROYAL ARCHER OF SCOTLAND. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + "Good-morrowe, good fellow,-- + Methinks, by this bowe thou beares in thy hand + A good archere thou shouldst bee." +_Old Ballad_. + +[Illustration] + + +I feel happy that it is in my power to present a drawing, made expressly +for the purpose, of the picturesque costume worn by the Royal Company of +Archers, or King's Body Guard of Scotland. This is described in Stark's +"Picture of Edinburgh" thus:--"Their uniform is 42nd tartan, with green +velvet collar and cuffs, and a Highland bonnet, with feathers; on the +front of the bonnet is the cross of St. Andrew, and a gold arrow on the +collar of the jacket." There is a something in the very idea of an +archer, and in the name of _Robin Hood_, particularly charming to most +bosoms, coming as they do to us fraught with all delicious associations; +the wild, free forest life, the sweet pastime, the adventures of bold +outlaws amid the heaven of sylvan scenery, and the national renown of +British bowmen which mingles with the records of our chivalry in history +and romance; while the revival of _archery_ in England of late years, as +an elegant amusement, sufficiently proves that the high feeling which +seems mysteriously to blend a present age with one long since gone by, +is not totally extinct. Shall I venture to assert, that for this we are +indebted to the charmed light cast around a noble and ancient pastime by +the antiquary, poet, and romance-writer of modern times? But to return, +the Scottish archers were first formed into a company and obtained a +charter, granting them great privileges, under the reign of queen Anne, +for which they were to pay to the crown, annually, a pair of barbed +arrows. One of these allowances was, that they might _meet and go forth +under their officer's conduct, in military form, in manner of +weapon-showing, as often as they should think convenient_. "But they +have made no public parade since 1743,"[3] owing, probably, to the state +of parties in Edinburgh, for their attachment to the Stuart family was +well understood, and falling under the suspicion of the British +government after the rebellion of 1745, they were watched, "and spies +appointed to frequent their company." The company possess a house built +by themselves, termed Archers' Hall. All their business is transacted by +a president and six counsellors, who are nominated by the members at +large, and have authority to admit or reject candidates _ad libitum_. +The number of this association is now very great, having been of late +years much increased; they have standards, with appropriate emblems and +mottoes, and shoot for several prizes annually; amongst these are a +silver bowl and arrows, which, by a singular regulation, "are retained +by the successful candidate only one year, when he appends a medal to +them; and as these prizes are of more than a hundred years standing, the +number of medals now attached to them are very curious." + + [3] Their part in the procession formed to welcome our monarch + to his Scottish metropolis, should be excepted. + +To this notice may I be permitted to subjoin a few stanzas? Old Izaak +Walton hath put songs and sylvan poesy in plenty into the mouths of his +anglers and rural _dramatis personae_, and shall _I_ be blamed for +following, in all humility, his illustrious example? Perchance--but +hold! it is one of the fairest of summer mornings; the sun sheds a pure, +a silvery light on the young, fresh, new-waked foliage and herbage; a +faint mist veils the blue distance of the landscape; but the pearly +shroud conceals not yonder troop of young blithe men, who, arranged in +green, after the olden fashion, each bearing the implements of archery, +and tripping lightly over the heath, are carolling in the joy of their +free spirits, while the fresh breeze brings to my ear most distinctly +the words of + + +THE ARCHER'S SONG. + + + Away!--away!--yon golden sun + Hath chas'd nights' shadows damp and dun; + Forth from his turfy couch, the lark + Hath sprung to meet glad day: and hark! + A mingling and delicious song + Breathes from the blithe-voiced plumy throng; + While, to the green-wood hasten _we_ + Whose craft is, gentle archery! + + Now swift we bound o'er dewy grass! + Rousing the red fox as we pass, + And startling linnet, merle, and thrush, + As recklessly the boughs we brush. + The _hunter's_ horn sings thro' the brakes. + And its soft lay apt echo takes; + But soon her sweet enamoured tone + Shall tell what song is all _our_ own! + + On!--on!--glad brothers of the bow! + The dun deer's couching place ye know, + And gallant bucks this day shall rue + Our feather'd shafts,--so swift,--so true; + Yet, sorer than the sylvan train, + Our foes, upon the battle-plain, + Will mourn at the unerring hands + Of Albion's _matchless_ archer bands! + + Now hie we on, to silent shades, + To glist'ning streams, and sunlit glades, + Where all that woodland life can give, + Renders it bliss indeed, to _live_. + Come, ye who love the shadowy wood, + Whate'er your days, whate'er your mood. + And join _us_, freakish knights that be + Of grey-goose wing, and good yew-tree! + + Say--are ye _mirthful_?--then we'll sing + Of wayward feasts and frolicking;-- + Tell jests and gibes,--nor lack we store + Of knightly tales, and monkish lore; + High freaks of dames and cavaliers, + Of warlocks, spectres, elfs, and seers, + Till with glad heart, and blithesome brow, + Ye bless your brothers of the bow! + + Is _sadness_ courted?--ye shall lie + When summer's sultry noons are high, + By darkling forest's shadow'd stream + To muse;--or, sweeter still, to dream + Day-dreams of love; while round ye rise + Distant, delicious harmonies; + Until ye languishing declare + An archer's life, indeed is fair! + +M. L. B. + + * * * * * + + + +THE NOVELIST + +NO. CV. + + * * * * * + + +THE GHIBELLINES. + +_A Fragment of a Tuscan Tale_. + +BY MISS EMMA ROBERTS. + + "His name's Gonzago.--The story is extant, and written in very + choice Italian." + + +Ten thousand lights burned throughout the Alberoni palace, and all the +nobility of Florence flocked to the bridal of its wealthy lord. It was a +fair sight to see the stately mirrors which spread their shining +surfaces between pillars of polished marble reflecting the gay +assemblage, that, radiant with jewels, promenaded the saloon, or +wreathed the dance to the witching music of the most skilful minstrels +in all Tuscany. Every lattice was open, and the eye, far as it could +reach, wandered through illuminated gardens, tenanted by gay groups, +where the flush of the roses, the silver stars of the jasmine, the +crimson, purple, orange, and blue of the variegated parterre were +revealed as if the brightest blaze of day flashed upon their silken +leaves. Amid all this pomp of beauty and splendour the bride moved +along, surpassing all that was fair and resplendent around her by the +exceeding loveliness of a face and form to which every eye and every +heart paid involuntary homage. At her side appeared the exulting +bridegroom, to whom, however, more it should seem through diffidence +than aversion, her eyes were never raised; for though Count Alberoni had +advanced beyond the middle age of life, yet he still retained the +majestic port and commanding lineaments for which he had been +distinguished in early youth; his riches rendered him all potent in +Florence, and none dared dispute with him the possession of its fairest +flower. Intoxicated with the pleasures offered at the banquet and the +ball, whatever of envy or of jealousy might have been hidden in the +bosoms of the guests while contemplating the treasure which the +triumphant Alberoni had snatched from contending suitors, it was +concealed, and the most cheerful hilarity prevailed. Yet, amid the +general expression of happiness, there were two persons who, attracting +notice by the meanness of their attire, and the melancholy gloom upon +their countenances, seemed to be out of place in so stately and so +joyous an assembly. They were brother and sister, the descendants of +Ghibellines who had died in exile, and distant relations of the Count, +who though not choosing to regard them as his heirs, had, when the +abolition of a severe law enabled the proscribed faction to return to +Florence, accorded them shelter and protection. Meanly clad in vestments +of coarse serge, there were yet no cavaliers who fluttered in silk and +velvet who could compare in personal beauty with Francesco Gonzago; and +the bride alone, of all the beauties who shone in gold and silver, +appeared superior in feminine charms to the lovely Beatrice, +notwithstanding that her cumbrous robe of grey stuff obscured the +delicate proportions of her sylph-like form. Buoyant in spirit, and +animated by the scene before her, occasionally a gleam of sunshine would +irradiate her brow as she gazed upon the sparkling throng who formed the +brilliant pageant which so much delighted her; but as she turned to +express her feelings to her brother, his pale pensive features and the +recollection of the intense anguish which wrung his heart, subdued her +gaiety, the smile passed away from her lip, the rose deserted her cheek, +and she stood by his side sad and sorrowful as some monumental statue. +Many persons grieved at the depressed fortunes of the once powerful +Gonzagos, but there were others who sneered at their present +degradation, enjoying the cruel mockery with which Alberoni had forced +the man who had cherished hopes of succeeding as heir-at-law to his +immense estates, to witness the downfall of those flattering +expectations. Few and slight were the salutations which passed between +the dejected pair and the more illustrious guests; but as the bride made +the circuit of the apartments, she paused when approaching her husband's +neglected relatives, and raising eyes swimming with drops of sympathy, +greeted them with unaffected tenderness. Francesco was unprepared for +the gentle kindness of her address; his stern heart melted, his proud +glance suddenly changed to one of gracious courtesy; he gazed upon her +as upon some angelic being sent down from heaven to soothe and gladden +his perturbed soul; and henceforward he saw nothing in the glare, and +the crowd, and the splendour around him, save the sweet face and the +delicate form of the Countess Alberoni; his charmed eyes followed her +from place to place, and so entirely was he engrossed by one object, +that he did not perceive that the attention of Beatrice was almost +wholly occupied by a young and sprightly cavalier, who pursued her like +a shadow, pouring tender tales in a not unwilling ear. Group by group +the guests retired from the festive scene, and the brother and sister, +scarcely able to define the new feelings which sprung up in the heart of +each, quitted the magnificent palace to seek their forlorn abode. A +pavilion, nearly in ruins, was the sole shelter which the proud lord of +Alberoni afforded to the only surviving branches of his family, when +returning to their native city they found their patrimonial estates +confiscated, and themselves dependent upon the niggard bounty of a cold +and selfish relative. Slowly recovering from a severe wound which he had +received in the wars of Lombardy, and disgusted with the ingratitude of +the prince he served, the ill-starred Francesco was at first rejoiced to +obtain any refuge from the storms of a tempestuous world; and the +unceasing efforts of his young and affectionate sister to reconcile him +to a bitter lot were not wholly unavailing. Summer had spread her +richest treasures upon the lap of Nature; and the fairy hands of +Beatrice transformed the bare walls of the dilapidated edifice which +they inhabited into bowers of luxuriant foliage; the most delicious +fruit also, the spontaneous product of the garden, cooled at some +crystal fount and heaped with flowers, tempted her brother's languid +appetite; and, waking the soft notes of her lute, she soothed his +desponding spirit with music's gentlest sound. Fondly trusting that +Francesco might be won to prize the simple enjoyments of which fortune +could not despoil him, and to find his dearest happiness in an approving +conscience, the light hearted girl indulged in delusive hopes of future +felicity. But these expectations were soon damped; as Francesco's health +returned he became restless and melancholy; he saw no prospect of +arriving at distinction by his talents, or by his sword; peace reigned +throughout the Tuscan states, and the jealousy of the government of all +who bore the mark of Ghibelline extraction, forbade the chance of +successful exertion and honourable reward; his days were spent in moody +abstraction, his nights in feverish dreams; his misfortunes, his +accomplishments and his virtues failed to excite affection in the breast +of his kinsman, who, jealous of the youth and personal attractions of +the man apparently destined to be his heir, grew uneasy at the thought +of benefitting a person he had learned to hate; and suddenly resolving +to cut off at once the presumptuous expectations which the luckless +exile might have cherished, exerted the influence procured by his wealth +to form an alliance with the most peerless beauty which the city +boasted. A new source of anguish added to the misery already sustained +by the wretched Gonzago; his arm was paralyzed by the utter hopelessness +of any attempt to emerge from the obscurity to which fate had condemned +him; he brooded over the dismal futurity which opened before him; and, +as a solace to these gloomy meditations, suffered his imagination to +dwell upon the charms and graces of the lovely Giacinta, his kinsman's +gentle bride. He saw her sometimes flitting through the myrtle groves +which skirted the neighbouring palace; and when night favoured his +concealment, he would approach the marble porticos to catch the sound of +her voice as, accompanied by a lute, she wasted its melody upon the +silent stars. Beatrice, in the mean time, experienced only in the pale +brow and haggard form of her brother an alloy to her happiness. +Alessandro, the young heir of the Orsini family, had abandoned the gay +revels of Florence to share the solitude of the despised Ghibellines; +and although there seemed to be little chance of ultimate triumph over +the obstacles which opposed themselves to an alliance between the +prosperous scion of a noble house and the unportioned orphan of a +banished man, yet hope pre-ponderated over fear, and, blessed by her +enchanting smiles, the lover indulged in delightful anticipations. + +... + +Again was the Alberoni palace illumined by innumerable tapers; again +were the glittering saloons filled with all the noble population of +Florence. A second nuptial feast, more splendid and joyous than the +first, was celebrated; again Giacinta, lovelier than ever, shone as the +bride, and by her side a cavalier appeared, whose summer of life was +better adapted to match with her tender years than the mature age of her +late husband had been. + +The Count Alberoni Gonzago was dead; and Francesco succeeding to his +wealth, had obtained the hand of his widow. Beatrice, also a bride, +followed in the train of the Countess, but followed more like a mourner +at some funeral solemnity than as the newly wedded consort of the +husband of her choice. Francesco all smiles and triumph, as he stood +with the fairest hand in Florence hanging on his arm, proudly greeting +the guests who crowded to pay him homage, turned frequently, and cast +looks of piercing examination and reproach upon his pale and trembling +sister, and, as if fascinated by his glance, she would rally her, +failing spirits and smile languidly upon the bridegroom, who bent over +her enamoured; and then, as if beguiled from some painful contemplation +by the sweet accents of the man she loved, she became calm, and her +quivering features resumed their wonted placidity. But these moments of +tranquillity were of short duration; she started at every shadow; the +flash of one of the jewels which broidered her satin robe would cause a +fit of trembling; and at length, when seated at the banquet opposite her +brother and his bride, a richly clad domestic offered wine in a golden +goblet; for a moment she held it to her lips, and then dashed it away, +exclaiming--"It is poison! Hide me,--save me. I see it every where; in +those green leaves from whence it was distilled.--Oh! Francesco, +Francesco, let us be poor and happy!" The guests shrunk aghast from the +speaker, who, falling from her seat, expired in convulsions. + +The power conferred by Gonzago's immense riches silenced the whispered +murmurs of the assembly. No man rose to higher eminence in the state +than the idolized husband of the beautiful Giacinta; but a dark cloud +hung upon his house, his children were all cut off in their infancy, +and, after a few brief years of outward felicity, struck from his horse +by the fragment of a building which fell upon him as he rode in pomp +through the city, he received a mortal wound, surviving the accident +only long enough to unburthen his soul to his confessor. + +His dying words were addressed to Alessandro, from whom since the hour +of his nuptials he had been estranged; pressing his hand, he +exclaimed--"She was innocent! she heard not of the murder until it had +been accomplished."--_London Weekly Review_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS. + + * * * * * + + +RAFTS AND RHINE SCENERY. + + +Between Andernach and Bonn I saw two or three of those enormous rafts +which are formed of the accumulated produce of the Swiss and German +forests. One was anchored in the middle of the river, and looked like a +floating island. These _Krakens_ of the Rhine are composed of oak and +fir floated in smaller rafts down the tributary streams, and, their size +constantly increasing till they arrive hereabouts, they make platforms +of from four hundred to seven hundred feet long, and one hundred and +forty feet in breadth. When in motion, a dozen boats and more precede +them, carrying anchors and cables to guide and arrest their course. The +navigation of a raft down the Rhine to Dort, in Holland, which is the +place of their destination,[4] is a work of great difficulty. The skill +of the German and Dutch pilots who navigate them, in spite of the abrupt +turnings, the eddies, the currents, rocks and shoals that oppose their +progress, must indeed be of a very peculiar kind, and can be possessed +but by few. It requires besides a vast deal of manual labour. The whole +complement of rowers and workmen, together with their wives and +children, on board one of the _first-rates_, amounts to the astonishing +number of nine hundred or a thousand; a little village, containing from +forty to sixty wooden houses, is erected upon each, which also is +furnished with stalls for cattle, a magazine for provisions, &c. The +dwelling appropriated to the use of the master of the raft and the +principal super-cargoes was conspicuous for its size and commodiousness. +It is curious to observe these rafts, on their passage, with their +companies of rowers stationed at each end, making the shores ring again +to the sound of their immense oars. + + [4] About twelve of these rafts annually arrive at Dort, in + July or August; when the German timber merchants, having + converted their floats into good Dutch ducats, return to their + own country. When the water is low, those machines are + sometimes months upon the journey.--_Campbell's Guide_. + +The succession of grand natural pictures, which I had been gazing upon +since my departure from Mentz and the district of the Rheingau, are +undoubtedly similar, but not the same; there is alternately the long +noble reach, the sudden bend, the lake-like expanse, the shores on both +sides lined with towns whose antique fortifications rise in distant +view, and villages whose tapering spires of blue slate peer above the +embosoming foliage; the mountains clothed with vines and forests, their +sides bristled and their summits crowned with the relics of feudal +residences,[5] or of cloistered fanes: but the varieties in the shape +and character of all these are inexhaustible; it is this circumstance +that enhances the pleasure of contemplating, scenery, in which there is, +as Lord Byron says, + + "A blending of all beauties, streams and dells, + Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, corn-field, mountain, vine, + And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells, + From gray but leafy walls where ruin greenly dwells." + + [5] There are the ruins of fourteen castles on the left bank, + and of fifteen on the right bank of the Rhine, from Mentz to + Bonn, a distance of thirty-six leagues. + +The oppositions of light and shade; the rich culture of the hills +contrasted with the rugged rocks that often rise from out of the midst +of fertility; the bright verdure of the islands which the Rhine is +continually forming; the purple hues and misty azure of the distant +mountains--these and a thousand other indescribable charms constitute +sources of visual delight which can be imparted only by a view of the +objects themselves. And is excitement awakened in contemplating the +borders of this graceful and magnificent river? Yes. When we revert to +the awful convulsions of the physical world, and the important +revolutions of human society, of which the regions it flows through have +been successively the theatre--when we meditate on the vast changes, the +fearful struggles, the tragic incidents and mournful catastrophes, which +they have witnessed from the earliest ages to the very times in which we +have ourselves lived and marked the issue of events--"the battles, +sieges, fortunes" that have passed before its green tumultuous current, +or within ken of its mountain watch-towers--the shouts of nations that +have resounded, and the fates of empires that have been decided, on its +shores--when we think of the slaughtered myriads whose bones have +bleached on the neighbouring plains, filled up the trenches of its +rock-built strong-holds, or found their place of sepulture beneath its +wave--when, at each survey we take of the wide and diversified scene, +the forms of centuries seem to be embodied with the objects around us, +and the record of the past becomes vividly associated with the +impression of present realities--it is then that we are irresistibly led +to compare the greatness of nature with the littleness of man; it is +then that we are forcibly struck with the power and goodness of the +Author of both; and that the deepest humility unites itself in a +grateful mind, with the highest admiration, at the sight of "these His +lowest works." + +But do you pretend, it may be asked, in the course of a three days' +journey, however lengthened by celerity of conveyance, or favoured by +advantages of season or weather--do you pretend to have experienced that +very eminent degree of gratification which the country is capable of +communicating? Certainly not. I speak of these scenes but as of things, +which before my own hasty and unsatisfied glances came like shadows--so +departed. Instead of two or three days, a whole month should be spent +between Mentz, Coblentz, and Bonn, in order fully to know and thoroughly +to enjoy the beauties and grandeurs with which that space +abounds.--_Stevenson's Tour in France, &c._ + + * * * * * + + +THE BARBER. + + + Nick Razorblade a barber was, + A _strapping_ lad was he; + And he could shave with such a grace, + It was a joy to see! + + And tho' employ'd within his house, + He kept like rat in hole; + All those that pass'd the barber's door, + Could always see his _pole_! + + His dress was rather plain than rich, + Nor fitted over well; + Yet, tho' no _macaroni_, Nick, + He often _cut a swell_! + + And Nick was brave, and he could fight, + As many times he proved; + A lamb became a lion fierce, + Whenever he was moved! + + Like many of his betters, who + To field with pistols rush, + When Nicky _lather'd_ any one, + He was obliged to _brush_! + + Some say Nick was a brainless _block_, + While those who've seen him waving + His bright sharp razor, o'er scap'd chins, + Declare he was a _shaving_! + + His next door neighbour, Nelly Jones, + A maid of thirty-eight, + 'Twas said regarded Nick with smiles, + But folks will always prate. + + 'Tis known in summer time that she, + (A maid and only daughter) + To show her love for Razorblade, + Kept Nicky in _hot water_! + + For politics Nick always said, + He never cared a fig; + Quoth he:--"If I a Tory were, + I likewise _wear a wig_!" + + No poacher he, yet _hairs_ he _wired_, + With skill that made maids prouder; + And though he never used a gun, + He knew the use of _powder_! + + He never took offence at words, + However broad or blunt; + But when maids brought a _front_ to dress, + Of course he took a _front_! + + Beneath his razor folks have slept, + So easy were they mown; + Yet (oh! most passing strange it was!) + His _razor_ was his _own_! + + Nick doubtless had a tender heart, + But not for Nelly Jones; + He made Miss Popps "bone of his bone," + But never made old bones! + + He died and left an only son, + A barber too by trade; + But when they ope'd his will, they found + A cruel will he'd made. + + And doubtless he was raving mad, + (To slander I'm unwilling) + For tho' a _barber_, Nicky cut + His _heir_ off with _a shilling!_ + +_Absurdities: in Prose and Verse_._ + + * * * * * + + +BONAPARTE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE. + + +While we endeavour to sum up the mass of misfortunes with which +Bonaparte was overwhelmed at this crisis, it seems as if Fortune had +been determined to show that she did not intend to reverse the lot of +humanity, even in the case of one who had been so long her favourite, +but that she retained the power of depressing the obscure soldier, whom +she had raised to be almost king of Europe, in a degree as humiliating +as his exaltation had been splendid. All that three years before seemed +inalienable from his person, was now reversed. The victor was defeated, +the monarch was dethroned, the ransomer of prisoners was in captivity, +the general was deserted by his soldiers, the master abandoned by his +domestics, the brother parted from his brethren, the husband severed +from the wife, and the father torn from his only child. To console him +for the fairest and largest empire that ambition ever lorded it over, he +had, with the mock name of emperor, a petty isle, to which he was to +retire, accompanied by the pity of such friends as dared express their +feelings, the unrepressed execrations of many of his former subjects, +who refused to regard his present humiliation as an amends for what he +had made them suffer during his power, and the ill-concealed triumph of +the enemies into whose hands he had been delivered. + +A Roman would have seen, in these accumulated disasters, a hint to +direct his sword's point against his breast; a man of better faith would +have turned his eye back on his own conduct, and having read, in his +misuse of prosperity, the original source of those calamities, would +have remained patient and contrite under the consequences of his +ambition. Napoleon belonged to the Roman school of philosophy; and it is +confidently reported, especially by Baron Fain, his secretary, though it +has not been universally believed, that he designed, at this extremity, +to escape from life by an act of suicide. + +The emperor, according to this account, had carried with him, ever since +the retreat from Moscow, a packet containing a preparation of opium, +made up in the same manner with that used by Condorcet for +self-destruction. His valet-de-chambre, in the night betwixt the 12th +and 13th of April, heard him arise and pour something into a glass of +water, drink, and return to bed. In a short time afterwards, the man's +attention was called by sobs and stifled groans--an alarm took place in +the chateau--some of the principal persons were roused, and repaired to +Napoleon's chamber. Yvan, the surgeon, who had procured him the poison, +was also summoned; but hearing the emperor complain that the operation +of the poison was not quick enough, he was seized with a panic-terror, +and fled from the palace at full gallop. Napoleon took the remedies +recommended, and a long fit of stupor ensued, with profuse perspiration. +He awakened much exhausted, and surprised at finding himself still +alive; he said aloud, after a few moments' reflection, "Fate will not +have it so," and afterwards appeared reconciled to undergo his destiny, +without similar attempts at personal violence. There is, as we have +already hinted, a difference of opinion concerning the cause of +Napoleon's illness; some imputing it to indigestion. The fact of his +having been very much indisposed is, however, indisputable. A general of +the highest distinction transacted business with Napoleon on the morning +of the 13th of April. He seemed pale and dejected, as from recent and +exhausting illness. His only dress was a night-gown and slippers, and he +drank from time to time a quantity of tisan, or some such liquid, which +was placed beside him, saying he had suffered severely during the night, +but that his complaint had left him. + +After this crisis, and having ratified the treaty which his mareschals +had made for him. Napoleon appeared more at his ease than he had been +for some time before, and conversed frankly with his attendants upon the +affairs of France. + + +NAPOLEON TAKES LEAVE OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD. + + +Napoleon having now resigned himself entirely to his fate, whether for +good or evil, prepared, on the 20th of April, to depart for his place of +retreat. But first, he had the painful task of bidding farewell to the +body in the universe most attached to him, and to which he was probably +most attached,--his celebrated Imperial Guard. Such of them as could be +collected were drawn out before him in review. Some natural tears +dropped from his eyes, and his features had the marks of strong emotion +while reviewing for the last time, as he must then have thought likely, +the companions of so many victories. He advanced to them on horseback, +dismounted, and took his solemn leave. "All Europe," he said, "had armed +against him; France herself had deserted him, and chosen another +dynasty. He might," he said, "have maintained with his soldiers a civil +war of years, but it would have rendered France unhappy. Be faithful," +he continued, (and the words were remarkable,) "to the new sovereign +whom France has chosen. Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy +while I know you are so. I could have died--nothing was easier--but I +will always follow the road of honour. I will record with my pen the +deeds we have done together. I cannot embrace you all, but I embrace +your general,"--(he pressed the general to his bosom.)--"Bring hither +the eagle,"--(he embraced the standard, and concluded)--"Beloved eagle, +may the kisses I bestow on you long resound in the hearts of the +brave!--Adieu, my children,--Adieu, my brave companions.--Surround me +once more--Adieu." Drowned in grief, the veteran soldiers heard the +farewell of their dethroned leader; sighs and murmurs broke from their +ranks, but the emotion burst out in no threats or remonstrances. They +appeared resigned to the loss of their general, and to yield, like him, +to necessity.--_Scott's Napoleon_. + + * * * * * + + +THE ARK OF NOAH + + +The Rabbins make the giant Gog or Magog contemporary with Noah, and +convinced by his preaching. So that he was disposed to take the benefit +of the Ark. But here lay the distress; it by no means suited his +dimensions. Therefore, as he could not enter in, he contented himself to +ride upon it astride. And though you must suppose that, in that stormy +weather, he was more than half boots over, he kept his seat, and +dismounted safely, when the Ark landed on Mount Ararat. Image now to +yourself this illustrious Cavalier mounted on his _hackney_; and see if +it does not bring before you the Church, bestrid by some lumpish +minister of state, who turns and winds it at his pleasure. The only +difference is, that Gog believed the preacher of righteousness and +religion.--_Warburton's Letters_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE GATHERER. + + "I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's + stuff."--_Wotton_ + + * * * * * + + +A preacher had held forth diffusely and ingeniously upon the doctrine +that the Creator of the universe had made all things beautiful. A little +crooked lawyer met him at the church door, and exclaimed, "Well, doctor, +what do you think of my figure? does it correspond with your tenets of +this morning?"--"My friend," replied the preacher, with much gravity, +"you are handsome for a hunch-backed man." + + * * * * * + +Kosciusko once wished to send some bottles of good wine to a clergyman +of Solothurn; and as he hesitated to send them by his servant, lest he +should smuggle a part, he gave the commission to a young man of the name +of Zeltner, and desired him to take the horse which he himself usually +rode. On his return, young Zeltner said that he would never ride his +horse again unless he gave him his purse at the same time. Kosciusko +asking what he meant, he answered, "As soon as a poor man on the road +takes off his hat and asks for charity, the horse immediately stands +still, and won't stir till something is given to the petitioner; and, as +I had no money about me, I was obliged to make believe to give +something, in order to satisfy the horse." + + * * * * * + +Persons in warm countries certainly possess powers of imagination +superior to persons in colder climates. The following description of a +small room will appear very poetic to an English reader: "I am now," +says a Turkish spy, writing to his employers, "in an apartment so +little, that the least suspicion cannot enter it." + + * * * * * + +An author, as too often happens, was very irritable in his disposition, +and very unfortunate in his productions. His tragedy and comedy had both +been rejected by the managers of both theatres. "I cannot account for +this," said the unfortunate bard to his friend; "for no one can say that +my tragedy was a _sad_ performance, or that my comedy was a thing to +laugh at." + + * * * * * + + + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset +House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 264, JULY 14, 1827 *** + +This file should be named 8m26410.txt or 8m26410.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8m26411.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8m26410a.txt + +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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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* + diff --git a/old/8m26410.zip b/old/8m26410.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..14af8e2 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/8m26410.zip diff --git a/old/8m26410h.htm b/old/8m26410h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a4b3872 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/8m26410h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1585 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827, by Various</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ +<!-- + body + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p + {text-align: justify;} + blockquote + {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 + {text-align: center;} + hr + {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr + {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full + {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full + {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + pre + {font-size: 0.7em; background-color: #F0F0F0;} + .poetry + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 0%; + text-align: left;} + .footnote + {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em;} + .figure + {margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; + text-align: center; font-size: 0.8em;} + .figure img + {border: none;} + span.pagenum + {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; + font-size: 0.7em;} + a:link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + link {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:visited {color:blue; + text-decoration:none} + a:hover {color:red} + +--> + /*]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827, by Various</h1> + +<pre> +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. 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 of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 264, July 14, 1827 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9884] +[This file was first posted on October 27, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 264, JULY 14, 1827 *** + + + +</pre> + <h3> + Note: The zipped version of this HTML file includes the original illustrations. + See <a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06/8m26410h.zip">http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06/8m26410h.zip</a> + </h3> + <br /> +<br /> + <center> + <h3>E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram<br /> + and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</h3> + </center> + <br /> + <br /> +<hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page33" name="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span> + <!-- Mirror of Literature header --> + <h1>THE MIRROR<br /> + OF<br /> + LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.</h1> + <hr class="full" /> + <table width="100%"> + <tr> + <td align="left"><b>Vol. 10, No. 264.]</b></td> + <td align="center"><b>SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1827.</b></td> + <td align="right"><b>[PRICE 2d.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <!-- end of header --> + <h2>ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + <h3>NEW CHURCH, REGENT'S PARK.</h3> + <p class="figure"><a href="images/264-1.png"><img width="100%" src="images/264-1.png" + alt="" /></a></p> + <p>The architectural splendour which has lately developed itself in and about the + precincts of the parish of St. Mary-le-Bonne, exhibits a most surprising and curious + contrast with the former state of this part of London; and more particularly when + compared with accounts extracted from newspapers of an early date.</p> + <p>Mary-le-Bonne parish is estimated to contain more than ten thousand houses, and + one hundred thousand inhabitants. In the plans of London, in 1707, it was a small + village one mile distant from the Metropolis, separated by fields—the scenes of + robbery and murder. The following from a newspaper of 1716:—"On Wednesday last, + four gentlemen were robbed and stripped in the fields between Mary-le-Bonne and + London." The "Weekly Medley," of 1718, says, "Round about the New Square which is + building near Tyburn road, there are so many other edifices, that a whole magnificent + city seems to be risen out of the ground in a way which makes one wonder how it + should find a new set of inhabitants. It is said it is to be called by the name of + <i>Hanover Square!</i> On the other side is to be built another square, called Oxford + Square." From the same article I have also extracted the dates of many of the + different erections, which may prove <span class="pagenum"><a id="page34" + name="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> of benefit to your architectural readers, as tending + to show the progressive improvement made in the private buildings of London, and + showing also the style of building adopted at later periods. Indeed, I would wish + that some of your correspondents—<i>F.R.Y.</i>, or <i>P.T.W.</i>, for instance, + would favour us with a <i>list of dates</i> answering this purpose. Rathbone-place + and John-street (from Captain Rathbone) began 1729. Oxford market opened 1732. + Newman-street and Berners-street, named from the builders, between 1723 and 1775. + Portland-place and street, 1770. Portman-square, 1764. Portman-place, 1770. + Stratford-place, five years later, on the site of Conduit Mead, built by Robert + Stratford, Esq. This had been the place whereon stood the banquetting house for the + lord mayor and aldermen, when they visited the neighbouring nine conduits which then + supplied the city with water. Cumberland-place, 1769. Manchester-square the year + after.</p> + <p>Previous to entering upon an architectural description of the superb buildings + recently erected in the vicinity of Regency Park, I shall confine myself at present + to that object that first arrests the attention at the entrance, which is the church; + it has been erected under the commissioners for building new churches. The architect + is J. Soane, Esq. There is a pleasing originality in this gentleman's productions; + the result of extensive research among the architectural beauties of the ancients, + together with a peculiar happy mode of distributing his lights and shadows; producing + in the greatest degree picturesque effect: these are peculiarities essentially his + own, and forming in no part a copy of the works of any other architect in the present + day. The church in question by no means detracts from his merit in these particulars. + The principal front consists of a portico of four columns of the Ionic order, + approached by a small flight of steps; on each side is a long window, divided into + two heights by a stone transum (panelled). Under the lower window is a raised panel + also; and in the flank of the building the plinth is furnished with openings; each of + the windows is filled with ornamental iron-work, for the purpose of ventilating the + vaults or catacombs. The flank of the church has a central projection, occupied by + antae, and six insulated Ionic columns; the windows in the inter-columns are in the + same style as those in front; the whole is surmounted by a balustrade. The tower is + in two heights; the lower part has eight columns of the Corinthian order. Example + taken from the temple of Vesta, at Tivoli; these columns, with their stylobatæ + and entablature, project, and give a very extraordinary relief in the perspective + view of the building. The upper part consists of a circular peristyle of six columns; + the example apparently taken from the portico of the octagon tower of Andronicus + Cyrrhestes, or tower of the winds, from the summit of which rises a conical dome, + surmounted by the Vane. The more minute detail may be seen by the annexed drawing. + The prevailing ornament is the Grecian fret.</p> + <p>Mr. Soane, during his long practice in the profession, has erected very few + churches, and it appears that he is endeavouring to rectify failings that seem + insurmountable in the present style of architecture,—that of preventing the + tower from having the appearance of rising out of the roof, by designing his porticos + without pediments; if this is the case, he certainly is indebted to a great share of + praise, as a pediment will always conceal (particularly at a near view) the major + part of a tower. But again, we find ourselves in another difficulty, and it makes the + remedy as bad as the disease,—that of taking away the principal characteristic + of a portico, (namely, the pediment), and destroying at once the august appearance + which it gives to the building; we find in all the churches of Sir Christopher Wren + the campanile to form a distinct projection from the ground upwards; thus + assimilating nearer to the ancient form of building them entirely apart from the main + body of the church. I should conceive, that if this idea was followed by introducing + the beautiful detail of Grecian architecture, according to Wren's <i>models</i> it + would raise our church architecture to a very superior pitch of excellence.</p> + <p>In my next I shall notice the interior, and also the elevation towards the + altar.</p> + <p>C. DAVY.</p> + <p><i>Furnivals' Inn</i>,</p> + <p><i>July 1, 1827.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE MONTHS</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>THE SEASON.</h3> + <p>The heat is greatest in this month on account of its previous duration. The reason + why it is less so in August is, that the days are then much shorter, and the + influence of the sun has been gradually diminishing. The farmer is still occupied in + getting the productions of the earth into his garners; but those who can avoid labour + enjoy as much rest and shade as possible. There is a sense of heat and quiet all over + nature. The birds are silent. The little brooks are dried up. <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page35" name="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span> The earth is chapped + with parching. The shadows of the trees are particularly grateful, heavy, and still. + The oaks, which are freshest because latest in leaf, form noble clumpy canopies; + looking, as you lie under them, of a strong and emulous green against the blue sky. + The traveller delights to cut across the country through the fields and the leafy + lanes, where, nevertheless, the flints sparkle with heat. The cattle get into the + shade or stand in the water. The active and air-cutting-swallows, now beginning to + assemble for migration, seek their prey about the shady places; where the insects, + though of differently compounded natures, "fleshless and bloodless," seem to get for + coolness, as they do at other times for warmth. The sound of insects is also the only + audible thing now, increasing rather than lessening the sense of quiet by its gentle + contrast. The bee now and then sweeps across the ear with his gravest tone. The + gnats</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Their murmuring small trumpets sounden wide:"—SPENSER. + </blockquote> + <p>and here and there the little musician of the grass touches forth his tricksy + note.</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + The poetry of earth is never dead;<br /> + When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,<br /> + And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run<br /> + From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead:<br /> + That is the grasshopper's.<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a + href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> + </blockquote> + <p>The strong rains, which sometimes come down in summer-time, are a noble + interruption to the drought and indolence of hot weather. They seem as if they had + been collecting a supply of moisture equal to the want of it, and come drenching the + earth with a mighty draught of freshness. The rushing and tree-bowing winds that + precede them, the dignity with which they rise in the west, the gathering darkness of + their approach, the silence before their descent, the washing amplitude of their + out-pouring, the suddenness with which they appear to leave off, taking up, as it + were, their watery feet to sail onward, and then the sunny smile again of nature, + accompanied by the "sparkling noise" of the birds, and those dripping diamonds the + rain-drops;—there is a grandeur and a beauty in all this, which lend a glorious + effect to each other; for though the sunshine appears more beautiful than grand, + there is a power, not even to be looked upon, in the orb from which it flows; and + though the storm is more grand than beautiful, there is always beauty where there is + so much beneficence.—<i>The Months</i>.</p> + <h3>BATHING</h3> + <p>It is now the weather for bathing, a refreshment too little taken in this country, + either summer or winter. We say in winter, because with very little care in placing + it near a cistern, and having a leathern pipe for it, a bath may be easily filled + once or twice a week with warm water; and it is a vulgar error that the warm bath + relaxes. An excess, either warm or cold, will relax, and so will any other excess; + but the sole effect of the warm bath moderately taken is, that it throws off the bad + humours of the body by opening and clearing the pores. As to summer bathing, a father + may soon teach his children to swim, and thus perhaps may be the means of saving + their lives some day or other, as well as health. Ladies also, though they cannot + bathe in the open air, as they do in some of the West Indian islands and other + countries, by means of natural basins among the rocks, might oftener make a + substitute for it at home in tepid baths. The most beautiful aspects under which + Venus has been painted or sculptured have been connected with bathing; and indeed + there is perhaps no one thing that so equally contributes to the three graces of + health, beauty, and good temper; to health, in putting the body into its best state; + to beauty, in clearing and tinting the skin; and to good temper, in rescuing the + spirits from the irritability occasioned by those formidable personages, "the + nerves," which nothing else allays in so quick and entire a manner. See a lovely + passage on the subject of bathing in Sir Philip Sydney's "Arcadia," where "Philoclea, + blushing, and withal smiling, makeing shamefastnesse pleasant, and pleasure + shamefast, tenderly moved her feet, unwonted to feel the naked ground, until the + touch of the cold water made a pretty kind of shrugging come over her body; like the + twinkling of the fairest among the fixed stars."—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + <h3>INSECTS</h3> + <p>Insects now take the place of the feathered tribe, and, being for the most part + hatched in the spring, they are now in full vigour. It is a very amusing sight in + some of our rural rambles, in a bright evening after a drizzling summer shower, to + see the air filled throughout all its space with sportive organized creatures, the + leaf, the branch, the bark of the tree, every mossy bank, the bare earth, the pool, + the ditch, all teeming with animal life; and the mind that is ever framed for + contemplation, must awaken now in viewing such a profusion and variety of <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page36" name="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span> existence. One of + those poor little beings, the fragile <i>gnat</i>, becomes our object of attention, + whether we regard its form or peculiar designation in the insect world; we must + admire the first, and innocently, perhaps, conjecture the latter. We know that + Infinite Wisdom, which formed, declared it "to be very good;" that it has its + destination and settled course of action, admitting of no deviation or substitution: + beyond this, perhaps, we can rarely proceed, or, if we sometimes advance a few steps + more, we are then lost in the mystery with which the incomprehensible Architect has + thought proper to surround it. So little is human nature permitted to see, (nor + perhaps is it capable of comprehending much more than permitted,) that it is blind + beyond thought as to secondary causes; and admiration, that pure fountain of + intellectual pleasure, is almost the only power permitted to us. We see a wonderfully + fabricated creature, decorated with a vest of glorious art and splendour, occupying + almost its whole life in seeking for the most fitting station for its own + necessities, exerting wiles and stratagems, and constructing a peculiar material to + preserve its offspring against natural or occasional injury, with a forethought + equivalent to reason—in a moment, perhaps, with all its splendour and instinct, + it becomes the prey of some wandering bird! and human wisdom and conjecture are + humbled to the dust. We can "see but in part," and the wisest of us is only, perhaps, + something less ignorant than another. This sense of a perfection so infinitely above + us, is the <i>natural</i> intimation of a Supreme Being; and as science improves, and + inquiry is augmented, our imperfections and ignorance will become more manifest, and + all our aspirations after knowledge only increase in us the conviction of knowing + nothing. Every deep investigator of nature can hardly be possessed of any other than + a humble mind.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE PEACOCK.</h3> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + <p>Of this bird, there are several species, distinguished by their different colours. + The male of the common kind is, perhaps, the most gaudy of all the bird-kind; the + length and beauty of whose tail, and the various forms in which the creature carries + it, are sufficiently known and admired among us. India is, however, his native + country; and there he enjoys himself with a sprightliness and gaiety unknown to him + in Europe. The translators of Hindoo poetry concur in their description of his + manners; and is frequently alluded to by the Hindoo poets.</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Dark with her varying clouds, and peacocks gay." + </blockquote> + <p>It is affirmed, among the delightful phenomena which are observable at the + commencement of the rainy season, (immediately following that of the withering hot + winds,) the joy displayed by the peacocks is one of the most pleasing. These birds + assemble in groups upon some retired spot of verdant grass; jump about in the most + animated manner, and make the air re-echo with their cheerful notes.</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Or can the peacock's animated hail." + </blockquote> + <p>The wild peacock is also exceedingly abundant in many parts of Hindoostan, and is + especially found in marshy places. The habits of this bird are in a great measure + aquatic; and the setting in of the rains is the season in which they pair; the + peacock is, therefore, always introduced in the description of cloudy or rainy + weather. Thus, in a little poem, descriptive of the rainy season, &c., the author + says, addressing his mistress,—</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Oh, thou, whose teeth enamelled vie<br /> + With smiling <i>Cunda's</i> pearly ray,<br /> + Hear how the peacock's amorous cry<br /> + Salutes the dark and cloudy day."<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>And again, where he is describing the same season:—</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "When smiling forests, whence the tuneful cries<br /> + Of clustering pea-fowls shrill and frequent rise,<br /> + Teach tender feelings to each human breast,<br /> + And please alike the happy or distressed."<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>The peacock flies to the highest station he can reach, to enjoy himself; and rises + to the topmost boughs of trees, though the female makes her nest on the ground.</p> + <p>F.R.Y.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>A WARNING TO FRUIT EATERS.</h3> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</h4> + <p>The mischiefs arising from the bad custom of many people swallowing the stones of + plums and other fruit are very great. In the <i>Philosophical Transactions</i>, No. + 282, there is an account of a woman who suffered violent pains in her bowels for + thirty years, returning once in a month, or less, owing to a plum-stone which had + lodged; which, after various operations, was extracted. There is likewise an account + of a man, who dying of an incurable colic, which had tormented him many years, and + baffled the effects of medicine, was opened after his death, and in his bowels was + found the cause of his distemper, which was a ball, composed of tough and hard + matter, resembling a stone, being six inches in circumference, <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page37" name="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> when measured, and + weighing an ounce and a half; in the centre of this there was found the stone of a + common plum. These instances sufficiently prove the folly of that common opinion, + that the stones of fruits are wholesome. Cherry-stones, swallowed in great + quantities, have occasioned the death of many people; and there have been instances + even of the seeds of strawberries, and kernels of nuts, collected into a lump in the + bowels, and causing violent disorders, which could never be cured till they were + carried off.</p> + <p>P.T.W.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE NIGHTINGALE,</h3> + <h4>BY THE AUTHOR OF "AHAB."</h4> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</h4> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + In the low dingle sings the nightingale.<br /> + And echo answers; all beside is still.<br /> + The breeze is gone to fill some distant sail,<br /> + And on the sand to sleep has sunk the rill.<br /> + The blackbird and the thrush have sought the vale.<br /> + And the lark soars no more above the hill,<br /> + For the broad sun is up all hotly pale,<br /> + And in my reins I feel his parching thrill.<br /> + <br /> + Hark! how each note, so beautifully clear,<br /> + So soft, so sweetly mellow, rings around.<br /> + Then faintly dies away upon the ear,<br /> + That fondly vibrates to the fading sound.<br /> + Poor bird, thou sing'st, the thorn within thy heart,<br /> + And I from sorrows, that will not depart.<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>S.P.J.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>A NIGHT ATTACK.</h3> + <p>Charlton and I were in the act of smoking our cigars, the men having laid + themselves down about the blaze, when word was passed from sentry to sentry, and + intelligence communicated to us, that all was not right towards the river. We started + instantly to our feet. The fire was hastily smothered up, and the men snatching their + arms, stood in line, ready to act as circumstances might require. So dense, however, + was the darkness, and so dazzling the effect of the glare from the bivouac, that it + was not possible, standing where we stood, to form any reasonable guess, as to the + cause of this alarm. That an alarm had been excited, was indeed perceptible enough. + Instead of the deep silence which five minutes ago had prevailed in the bivouac, a + strange hubbub of shouts, and questions, and as many cries, rose up the night air; + nor did many minutes elapse, ere first one musket, then three or four, then a whole + platoon, were discharged. The reader will <i>easily</i> believe that the latter + circumstance startled us prodigiously, ignorant as we were of the cause which + produced it; but it required no very painful exertion of patience to set us right on + this head; flash, flash, flash, came from the river; the roar of cannon followed, and + the light of her own broadside displayed to us an enemy's vessel at anchor near the + opposite bank, and pouring a perfect shower of grape and round shot into the + camp.</p> + <p>For one instant, and only for an instant, a scene of alarm and consternation + overcame us; and we almost instinctively addressed to each other the question, "What + can all this mean?" But the meaning was too palpable not to be understood at once. + "The thing cannot end here," said we—"a night attack is commencing;" and we + made no delay in preparing to meet it. Whilst Charlton remained with the picquet, in + readiness to act as the events might demand, I came forward to the sentries, for the + purpose of cautioning them against paying attention to what might pass in their rear, + and keeping them steadily engaged in watching their front. The men were fully alive + to the peril of their situation. They strained with their hearing and eyesight to the + utmost limits; but neither sound nor sight of an advancing column could be perceived. + At last, however, an alarm was given. One of the rifles challenged—it was the + sentinel on the high road; the sentinel who communicated with him challenged also; + and the cry was taken up from man to man, till our own most remote sentry caught it. + I flew to his station; and sure enough the tramp of many feet was most distinctly + audible. Having taken the precaution to carry an orderly forward with me, I caused + him to hurry back to Charlton with intelligence of what was coming, and my earnest + recommendation that he would lose no time in occupying the ditch. I had hardly done + so, when the noise of a column deploying was distinctly heard. The tramp of horses, + too, came mingled with the tread of men; in a word, it was quite evident that a large + force, both of infantry and cavalry, was before us.</p> + <p>There was a pause at this period of several moments, as if the enemy's line, + having effected its formation, had halted till some other arrangement should be + completed; but it was quickly broke. On they came, as far as we could judge from the + sound, in steady array, till at length their line could be indistinctly seen rising + through the gloom. The sentinels with one consent gave their fire. <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page38" name="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> They gave it + regularly and effectively, beginning with the rifles on their left, and going off + towards the 85th on their right, and then, in obedience to their orders, fell back. + But they retired not unmolested. This straggling discharge on our part seemed to be + the signal to the Americans to begin the battle, and they poured in such a volley, as + must have proved, had any determinate object been opposed to it, absolutely + murderous. But our scattered videttes almost wholly escaped it; whilst over the main + body of the picquet, sheltered as it was by the ditch, and considerably removed from + its line, it passed entirely harmless.</p> + <p>Having fired this volley, the enemy loaded again, and advanced. We saw them + coming, and having waited till we judged that they were within excellent range, we + opened our fire. It was returned in tenfold force, and now went on, for a full half + hour, as heavy and close a discharge of musketry as troops have perhaps ever faced. + Confident in their numbers, and led on, as it would appear, by brave officers, the + Americans dashed forward till scarcely ten yards divided us; but our position was an + admirable one, our men were steady and cool, and they penetrated no farther. On the + contrary, we drove them back, more than once, with a loss which their own inordinate + multitude tended only to render the more severe.</p> + <p>The action might have continued in this state about two hours, when, to our horror + and dismay, the approaching fire upon our right flank and rear gave testimony that + the picquet of the 85th, which had been in communication with us, was forced. + Unwilling to abandon our ground, which we had hitherto held with such success, we + clung for awhile to the idea that the reverse in that quarter might be only + temporary, and that the arrival of fresh troops might yet enable us to continue the + battle in a position so eminently favourable to us. But we were speedily taught that + our hopes were without foundation. The American war-cry was behind us. We rose from + our lairs, and endeavoured, as we best could, to retire upon the right, but the + effort was fruitless. There too the enemy had established themselves, and we were + surrounded. "Let us cut our way through," cried we to the men. The brave fellows + answered only with a shout; and collecting into a small compact line, prepared to use + their bayonets. In a moment we had penetrated the centre of an American division; but + the numbers opposed to us were overwhelming; our close order was lost; and the + contest became that of man to man. I have no language adequate to describe what + followed. For myself, I did what I could, cutting and thrusting at the multitudes + about me, till at last I found myself fairly hemmed in by a crowd, and my sword-arm + mastered. One American had grasped me round the waist, another, seizing me by the + wrist, attempted to disarm me, whilst a third was prevented from plunging his bayonet + into my body, only from the fear of stabbing one or other of his countrymen. I + struggled hard, but they fairly bore me to the ground. The reader will well believe, + that at this juncture I expected nothing else than instant death; but at the moment + when I fell, a blow upon the head with the butt-end of a musket dashed out the brains + of the man who kept his hold upon my sword-arm, and it was freed. I saw a bayonet + pointed to my breast, and I intuitively made a thrust at the man who wielded it. The + thrust took effect, and he dropped dead beside me. Delivered now from two of my + enemies, I recovered my feet, and found that the hand which dealt the blow to which + my preservation was owing, was that of Charlton. There were about ten men about him. + The enemy in our front were broken, and we dashed through. But we were again hemmed + in, and again it was fought hand to hand, with that degree of determination, which + the assurance that life and death were on the issue, could alone produce. There + cannot be a doubt that we should have fallen to a man, had not the arrival of fresh + troops at this critical juncture turned the tide of affairs. As it was, little more + than a third part of our picquet survived, the remainder being either killed or + taken; and both Charlton and myself, though not dangerously, were wounded. Charlton + had received a heavy blow upon the shoulder, which almost disabled him; whilst my + neck bled freely from a thrust, which the intervention of a stout leathern stock + alone hindered from being fatal. But the reinforcement gave us all, in spite of + wounds and weariness, fresh courage, and we renewed the battle with alacrity.</p> + <p>In the course of the struggle in which we had been engaged, we had been borne + considerably out of the line of our first position, and now found that the main-road + and the picquet of the rifles, were close in our rear. We were still giving + way—for the troops opposed to us could not amount to less than fifteen hundred + men, whilst the whole force on our part came not up to one hundred—when Captain + Harris, major of brigade to Colonel Thornton, came up with an additional company to + our support. Making way <span class="pagenum"><a id="page39" name="page39"></a>[pg + 39]</span> for them to fall in between us and the rifles, we took ground once more to + the right, and driving back a body of the enemy, which occupied it, soon recovered + the position from which we had been expelled. But we did so with the loss of many + brave men, and, among others, of Captain Harris. He was shot in the lower part of the + belly at the same instant that a musket-ball struck the hilt of his sword, and forced + it into his side. Once more established in our ditch, we paused, and from that moment + till the battle ceased to rage we never changed our attitude.</p> + <p>It might be about one o'clock in the morning,—the American force in our + front having fallen back, and we having been left, for a full half hour to breathe, + when suddenly the head of a small column showed itself in full advance towards us. We + were at this time amply supported by other troops, as well in communication as in + reserve; and willing to annihilate the corps now approaching, we forbade the men to + fire till it should be mingled with us. We did even more than this. Opening a passage + for them through our centre, we permitted some hundred and twenty men to march across + our ditch, and then wheeling up, with a loud shout, we completely enclosed them. + Never have I witnessed a panic more perfect or more sudden than that which seized + them. They no sooner beheld the snare into which they had fallen, than with one voice + they cried aloud for quarter; and they were to a man made prisoners on the spot. The + reader will smile when he is informed that the little corps thus captured consisted + entirely of members of the legal profession. The barristers, attorneys, and notaries + of New Orleans having formed themselves into a volunteer corps, accompanied General + Jackson in his operations this night; and they were all, without a solitary + exception, made prisoners. It is probably needless to add, that the circumstance was + productive of no trifling degree of mirth amongst us; and to do them justice, the + poor lawyers, as soon as they recovered from their first alarm, joined heartily in + our laughter.</p> + <p>This was the last operation in which we were engaged to-night. The enemy, repulsed + on all sides, retreated with the utmost disorder, and the whole of the advance, + collecting at the sound of the bugle, drew up, for the first time since the + commencement of the affair, in a continuous line. We took our ground in front of the + bivouac, having our right supported by the river, and our left covered by the chateau + and village of huts. Among these latter the cannon were planted; whilst the other + divisions, as they came rapidly up, took post beyond them. In this position we + remained, eagerly desiring a renewal of the attack, till dawn began to appear, when, + to avoid the fire of the vessel, the advance once more took shelter behind the bank. + The first brigade, on the contrary, and such portion of the second as had arrived, + encamped upon the plain, so as to rest their right upon the wood; and a chain of + picquets being planted along the entire pathway, the day was passed in a state of + inaction.</p> + <p>I hardly recollect to have spent fourteen or fifteen hours with less comfort to + myself than these. In the hurry and bustle of last night's engagement, my servant, to + whose care I had intrusted my cloak and haversack, disappeared; he returned not + during the whole morning; and as no provisions were issued out to us, nor any + opportunity given to light fires, I was compelled to endure, all that time, the + extremes of hunger, weariness, and cold. As ill luck would have it, too, the day + chanced to be remarkably severe. There was no rain, it is true, but the sky was + covered with gray clouds; the sun never once pierced them, and a frost, or rather a + vile blight, hung upon the atmosphere from morning till night. Nor were the objects + which occupied our senses of sight and hearing quite such as we should have desired + to occupy them. In other parts of the field, the troops, not shut up as we were by + the enemy's guns, employed themselves in burying the dead, and otherwise effacing the + traces of warfare. The site of our encampment continued to be strewed with carcases + to the last; and so watchful were the crew of the schooner, that every effort to + convey them out of sight brought a heavy fire upon the party engaged in it. I must + say, that the enemy's behaviour on the present occasion was not such as did them + honour. The house which General Kean had originally occupied as head-quarters, being + converted into an hospital, was filled at this time with wounded, both from the + British and American armies. To mark its uses, a yellow flag, the usual signal in + such cases, was hoisted on the roof—yet did the Americans continue to fire at + it, as often as a group of six or eight persons happened to show themselves at the + door. Nay, so utterly regardless were they of the dictates of humanity, that even the + parties who were in the act of conveying the wounded from place to place, escaped not + without molestation. More than one such party was dispersed by grape-shot, and more + than one poor maimed soldier was in consequence <span class="pagenum"><a id="page40" + name="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span> hurled out of the blanket in which he was borne.</p> + <p>The reader will not doubt me when I say, that seldom has the departure of + day-light been more anxiously looked for by me, than we looked for it now. It is + true, that the arrival of a little rum towards evening served in some slight degree + to elevate our spirits; but we could not help feeling, not vexation only, but + positive indignation, at the state of miserable inaction to which we were + condemned.</p> + <p>There was not a man amongst us who would have hesitated one moment, had the choice + been submitted to him, whether he would advance or lie still. True, we might have + suffered a little, because the guns of the schooner entirely commanded us; and in + rushing out from our place of concealment some casualties would have occurred; but so + irksome was our situation, that we would have readily run all risks to change it. It + suited not the plans of our general, however, to indulge these wishes. To the bank we + were enjoined to cling; and we did cling to it, from the coming in of the first gray + twilight of the morning, till the last twilight of evening had departed.</p> + <p>As soon as it was well dark, the corps to which Charlton and myself were attached + received orders to file off to the right. We obeyed, and passing along the front of + the hospital, we skirted to the rear of the village, and established ourselves in the + field beyond. It was a positive blessing this restoration to something like personal + freedom. The men set busily to work, lighting fires and cooking provisions;—the + officers strolled about, with no other apparent design than to give employment to + their limbs, which had become stiff with so protracted a state of inaction. For + ourselves we visited the wounded, said a few kind words to such as we recognised, and + pitied, as they deserved to be pitied, the rest. Then retiring to our fire, we + addressed ourselves with hearty good will to a frugal supper, and gladly composed + ourselves to sleep.—<i>A Subaltern in America.—Blackwood's + Magazine.</i></p> + <hr /> + <h3>SONNET—NOCHE SERENA.</h3> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + How tranquil is the night! The torrent's roar<br /> + Dies off far distant; through the lattice streams<br /> + The pure, white, silvery moonshine, mantling o'er<br /> + The couch and curtains with its fairy gleams.<br /> + Sweet is the prospect; sweeter are the dreams<br /> + From which my loathful eyelid now unclosed:—<br /> + Methought beside a forest we reposed,<br /> + Marking the summer sun's far western beams,<br /> + A dear-loved friend and I. The nightingale<br /> + To silence and to us her pensive tale<br /> + Sang forth; the very tone of vanish'd years<br /> + Came o'er me, feelings warm, and visions bright;<br /> + Alas! how quick such vision disappears,<br /> + To leave the spectral moon and silent night!<br /> + </blockquote> + <p><i>Delta of Blackwood's Magazine.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>ARTS AND SCIENCES.</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>THE BEECH TREE.—A NONCONDUCTOR OF LIGHTNING.</h3> + <p>Dr. Beeton, in a letter to Dr. Mitchill of New York, dated 19th of July, 1824, + states, that the beech tree (that is, the broad leaved or American variety of + <i>Fagus sylvatiea</i>,) is never known to be assailed by atmospheric electricity. So + notorious, he says, is this fact, that in Tenessee, it is considered almost an + impossibility to be struck by lightning, if protection be sought under the branches + of a beech tree. Whenever the sky puts on a threatening aspect, and the thunder + begins to roll, the Indians leave their pursuit, and betake themselves to the shelter + of the nearest beech tree, till the storm pass over; observation having taught these + sagacious children of nature, that, while other trees are often shivered to + splinters, the electric fluid is not attracted by the beech. Should farther + observation establish the fact of the non-conducting quality of the American beech, + great advantage may evidently be derived from planting hedge rows of such trees + around the extensive barn yards in which cattle are kept, and also in disposing + groups and single trees in ornamental plantations in the neighbourhood of the + dwelling houses of the owners.—<i>New Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + <h3>ANTIQUITIES.</h3> + <p>A valuable discovery was made the other day in Westminster Abbey. It had become + necessary to make repairs near the tomb of Edward the Confessor, when, by removing a + portion of the pavement, an exquisitely beautiful piece of carved work, which had + originally formed part of the shrine of Edward's tomb, was discovered. This fine + relic, the work of the eleventh or twelfth century, appears to have been studded with + precious stones; and the presumption is, that during the late civil wars it was taken + down for the purpose of plunder, and after the gems were taken out, buried under the + ground (very near the surface of the earth) to avoid + detection.—<i>Ibid.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page41" name="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span> + <h2>ARCHERY</h2> + <p class="figure"><a href="images/264-2.png"><img width="100%" src="images/264-2.png" + alt="" /></a><br /> + </p> + <p>Previous to introducing the communication of a much respected correspondent, who + has well described, by drawing and observation, a Royal Archer of Scotland, we shall + offer a few general remarks on the subject of the above engraving, which relates to + an amusement which we are happy to find is patronized in many counties in England by + respectable classes of society at this day. No instrument of warfare is more ancient + than that of the bow and arrow, and the skill of the English bowmen is celebrated. It + seems, that in ancient times the English had the advantage over enemies chiefly by + their archers and light-armed troops.</p> + <p>The <i>archers</i> were armed with a long-bow, a sheaf of arrows, a sword, and a + small shield.</p> + <p>The <i>cross-bowmen</i>, as their name implies, were armed with the cross-bow, and + arrows called <i>quarrels</i>.</p> + <p>Even after the invention of guns, the English archers are spoken of as excelling + those of all other nations; and an ancient writer affirms that an English arrow, with + a little wax upon its point, would pass through any ordinary corselet or cuirass. It + is uncertain how far the archers with the long-bow could send an arrow; but the + cross-bowmen could shoot their quarrels to the distance of forty rods, or the eighth + part of a mile. For a more general and extended notice of the history of archery, + however, we refer our readers to a recent volume,<a id="footnotetag2" + name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> and here we have the + correspondence alluded to a few lines above.</p> + <h3>A ROYAL ARCHER OF SCOTLAND.</h3> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page42" name="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + <p class="figure"><a href="images/264-3.png"><img width="50%" src="images/264-3.png" + alt="" /></a></p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Good-morrowe, good fellow,—<br /> + Methinks, by this bowe thou beares in thy hand<br /> + A good archere thou shouldst bee."<br /> + </blockquote> + <p><i>Old Ballad</i>.</p> + <p>I feel happy that it is in my power to present a drawing, made expressly for the + purpose, of the picturesque costume worn by the Royal Company of Archers, or King's + Body Guard of Scotland. This is described in Stark's "Picture of Edinburgh" + thus:—"Their uniform is 42nd tartan, with green velvet collar and cuffs, and a + Highland bonnet, with feathers; on the front of the bonnet is the cross of St. + Andrew, and a gold arrow on the collar of the jacket." There is a something in the + very idea of an archer, and in the name of <i>Robin Hood</i>, particularly charming + to most bosoms, coming as they do to us fraught with all delicious associations; the + wild, free forest life, the sweet pastime, the adventures of bold outlaws amid the + heaven of sylvan scenery, and the national renown of British bowmen which mingles + with the records of our chivalry in history and romance; while the revival of + <i>archery</i> in England of late years, as an elegant amusement, sufficiently proves + that the high feeling which seems mysteriously to blend a present age with one long + since gone by, is not totally extinct. Shall I venture to assert, that for this we + are indebted to the charmed light cast around a noble and ancient pastime by the + antiquary, poet, and romance-writer of modern times? But to return, the Scottish + archers were first formed into a company and obtained a charter, granting them great + privileges, under the reign of queen Anne, for which they were to pay to the crown, + annually, a pair of barbed arrows. One of these allowances was, that they might + <i>meet and go forth under their officer's conduct, in military form, in manner of + weapon-showing, as often as they should think convenient</i>. "But they have made no + public parade since 1743,"<a id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a + href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> owing, probably, to the state of parties in + Edinburgh, for their attachment to the Stuart family was well understood, and falling + under the suspicion of the British government after the rebellion of 1745, they were + watched, "and spies appointed to frequent their company." The company possess a house + built by themselves, termed Archers' Hall. All their business is transacted by a + president and six counsellors, who are nominated by the members at large, and have + authority to admit or reject candidates <i>ad libitum</i>. The number of this + association is now very great, having been of late years much increased; they have + standards, with appropriate emblems and mottoes, and shoot for several prizes + annually; amongst these are a silver bowl and arrows, which, by a singular + regulation, "are retained by the successful candidate only one year, when he appends + a medal to them; and as these prizes are of more than a hundred years standing, the + number of medals now attached to them are very curious."</p> + <p>To this notice may I be permitted to subjoin a few stanzas? Old Izaak Walton hath + put songs and sylvan poesy in plenty into the mouths of his anglers and rural + <i>dramatis personae</i>, and shall <i>I</i> be blamed for following, in all + humility, his illustrious example? Perchance—but hold! it is one of the fairest + of summer mornings; the sun sheds a pure, a silvery light on the young, fresh, + new-waked foliage and herbage; a faint mist veils the blue distance of the landscape; + but the pearly shroud conceals not yonder troop of young blithe men, who, arranged in + green, after the olden fashion, each bearing the implements of archery, and tripping + lightly over the heath, are carolling in the joy of their free spirits, while the + fresh breeze brings to my ear most distinctly the words of</p> + <h3>THE ARCHER'S SONG.</h3> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + Away!—away!—yon golden sun<br /> + Hath chas'd nights' shadows damp and dun;<br /> + Forth from his turfy couch, the lark<br /> + Hath sprung to meet glad day: and hark!<br /> + A mingling and delicious song<br /> + Breathes from the blithe-voiced plumy throng;<br /> + While, to the green-wood hasten <i>we</i><br /> + Whose craft is, gentle archery!<br /> + <br /> + Now swift we bound o'er dewy grass!<br /> + Rousing the red fox as we pass,<br /> + And startling linnet, merle, and thrush,<br /> + As recklessly the boughs we brush.<br /> + The <i>hunter's</i> horn sings thro' the brakes.<br /> + And its soft lay apt echo takes;<br /> + But soon her sweet enamoured tone<br /> + Shall tell what song is all <i>our</i> own!<br /> + <br /> + On!—on!—glad brothers of the bow!<br /> + The dun deer's couching place ye know,<br /> + And gallant bucks this day shall rue<br /> + Our feather'd shafts,—so swift,—so true;<br /> + Yet, sorer than the sylvan train,<br /> + Our foes, upon the battle-plain,<br /> + Will mourn at the unerring hands<br /> + Of Albion's <i>matchless</i> archer bands!<br /> + <br /> + Now hie we on, to silent shades,<br /> + To glist'ning streams, and sunlit glades,<br /> + Where all that woodland life can give,<br /> + Renders it bliss indeed, to <i>live</i>.<br /> + Come, ye who love the shadowy wood,<br /> + Whate'er your days, whate'er your mood.<br /> + And join <i>us</i>, freakish knights that be<br /> + Of grey-goose wing, and good yew-tree!<br /> + <br /> + Say—are ye <i>mirthful</i>?—then we'll sing<br /> + Of wayward feasts and frolicking;—<br /> + Tell jests and gibes,—nor lack we store<br /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page43" name="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> Of knightly + tales, and monkish lore;<br /> + High freaks of dames and cavaliers,<br /> + Of warlocks, spectres, elfs, and seers,<br /> + Till with glad heart, and blithesome brow,<br /> + Ye bless your brothers of the bow!<br /> + <br /> + Is <i>sadness</i> courted?—ye shall lie<br /> + When summer's sultry noons are high,<br /> + By darkling forest's shadow'd stream<br /> + To muse;—or, sweeter still, to dream<br /> + Day-dreams of love; while round ye rise<br /> + Distant, delicious harmonies;<br /> + Until ye languishing declare<br /> + An archer's life, indeed is fair!<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>M. L. B.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE NOVELIST</h2> + <h3>NO. CV.</h3> + <hr /> + <h3>THE GHIBELLINES.</h3> + <h4><i>A Fragment of a Tuscan Tale</i>.</h4> + <h4>BY MISS EMMA ROBERTS.</h4> + <blockquote> + "His name's Gonzago.—The story is extant, and written in very choice + Italian." + </blockquote> + <p>Ten thousand lights burned throughout the Alberoni palace, and all the nobility of + Florence flocked to the bridal of its wealthy lord. It was a fair sight to see the + stately mirrors which spread their shining surfaces between pillars of polished + marble reflecting the gay assemblage, that, radiant with jewels, promenaded the + saloon, or wreathed the dance to the witching music of the most skilful minstrels in + all Tuscany. Every lattice was open, and the eye, far as it could reach, wandered + through illuminated gardens, tenanted by gay groups, where the flush of the roses, + the silver stars of the jasmine, the crimson, purple, orange, and blue of the + variegated parterre were revealed as if the brightest blaze of day flashed upon their + silken leaves. Amid all this pomp of beauty and splendour the bride moved along, + surpassing all that was fair and resplendent around her by the exceeding loveliness + of a face and form to which every eye and every heart paid involuntary homage. At her + side appeared the exulting bridegroom, to whom, however, more it should seem through + diffidence than aversion, her eyes were never raised; for though Count Alberoni had + advanced beyond the middle age of life, yet he still retained the majestic port and + commanding lineaments for which he had been distinguished in early youth; his riches + rendered him all potent in Florence, and none dared dispute with him the possession + of its fairest flower. Intoxicated with the pleasures offered at the banquet and the + ball, whatever of envy or of jealousy might have been hidden in the bosoms of the + guests while contemplating the treasure which the triumphant Alberoni had snatched + from contending suitors, it was concealed, and the most cheerful hilarity prevailed. + Yet, amid the general expression of happiness, there were two persons who, attracting + notice by the meanness of their attire, and the melancholy gloom upon their + countenances, seemed to be out of place in so stately and so joyous an assembly. They + were brother and sister, the descendants of Ghibellines who had died in exile, and + distant relations of the Count, who though not choosing to regard them as his heirs, + had, when the abolition of a severe law enabled the proscribed faction to return to + Florence, accorded them shelter and protection. Meanly clad in vestments of coarse + serge, there were yet no cavaliers who fluttered in silk and velvet who could compare + in personal beauty with Francesco Gonzago; and the bride alone, of all the beauties + who shone in gold and silver, appeared superior in feminine charms to the lovely + Beatrice, notwithstanding that her cumbrous robe of grey stuff obscured the delicate + proportions of her sylph-like form. Buoyant in spirit, and animated by the scene + before her, occasionally a gleam of sunshine would irradiate her brow as she gazed + upon the sparkling throng who formed the brilliant pageant which so much delighted + her; but as she turned to express her feelings to her brother, his pale pensive + features and the recollection of the intense anguish which wrung his heart, subdued + her gaiety, the smile passed away from her lip, the rose deserted her cheek, and she + stood by his side sad and sorrowful as some monumental statue. Many persons grieved + at the depressed fortunes of the once powerful Gonzagos, but there were others who + sneered at their present degradation, enjoying the cruel mockery with which Alberoni + had forced the man who had cherished hopes of succeeding as heir-at-law to his + immense estates, to witness the downfall of those flattering expectations. Few and + slight were the salutations which passed between the dejected pair and the more + illustrious guests; but as the bride made the circuit of the apartments, she paused + when approaching her husband's neglected relatives, and raising eyes swimming with + drops of sympathy, greeted them with unaffected tenderness. Francesco was unprepared + for the gentle kindness of her address; his stern heart melted, his proud glance + suddenly changed to one of gracious courtesy; he gazed upon her as upon some angelic + being sent down from heaven to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page44" + name="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span> soothe and gladden his perturbed soul; and + henceforward he saw nothing in the glare, and the crowd, and the splendour around + him, save the sweet face and the delicate form of the Countess Alberoni; his charmed + eyes followed her from place to place, and so entirely was he engrossed by one + object, that he did not perceive that the attention of Beatrice was almost wholly + occupied by a young and sprightly cavalier, who pursued her like a shadow, pouring + tender tales in a not unwilling ear. Group by group the guests retired from the + festive scene, and the brother and sister, scarcely able to define the new feelings + which sprung up in the heart of each, quitted the magnificent palace to seek their + forlorn abode. A pavilion, nearly in ruins, was the sole shelter which the proud lord + of Alberoni afforded to the only surviving branches of his family, when returning to + their native city they found their patrimonial estates confiscated, and themselves + dependent upon the niggard bounty of a cold and selfish relative. Slowly recovering + from a severe wound which he had received in the wars of Lombardy, and disgusted with + the ingratitude of the prince he served, the ill-starred Francesco was at first + rejoiced to obtain any refuge from the storms of a tempestuous world; and the + unceasing efforts of his young and affectionate sister to reconcile him to a bitter + lot were not wholly unavailing. Summer had spread her richest treasures upon the lap + of Nature; and the fairy hands of Beatrice transformed the bare walls of the + dilapidated edifice which they inhabited into bowers of luxuriant foliage; the most + delicious fruit also, the spontaneous product of the garden, cooled at some crystal + fount and heaped with flowers, tempted her brother's languid appetite; and, waking + the soft notes of her lute, she soothed his desponding spirit with music's gentlest + sound. Fondly trusting that Francesco might be won to prize the simple enjoyments of + which fortune could not despoil him, and to find his dearest happiness in an + approving conscience, the light hearted girl indulged in delusive hopes of future + felicity. But these expectations were soon damped; as Francesco's health returned he + became restless and melancholy; he saw no prospect of arriving at distinction by his + talents, or by his sword; peace reigned throughout the Tuscan states, and the + jealousy of the government of all who bore the mark of Ghibelline extraction, forbade + the chance of successful exertion and honourable reward; his days were spent in moody + abstraction, his nights in feverish dreams; his misfortunes, his accomplishments and + his virtues failed to excite affection in the breast of his kinsman, who, jealous of + the youth and personal attractions of the man apparently destined to be his heir, + grew uneasy at the thought of benefitting a person he had learned to hate; and + suddenly resolving to cut off at once the presumptuous expectations which the + luckless exile might have cherished, exerted the influence procured by his wealth to + form an alliance with the most peerless beauty which the city boasted. A new source + of anguish added to the misery already sustained by the wretched Gonzago; his arm was + paralyzed by the utter hopelessness of any attempt to emerge from the obscurity to + which fate had condemned him; he brooded over the dismal futurity which opened before + him; and, as a solace to these gloomy meditations, suffered his imagination to dwell + upon the charms and graces of the lovely Giacinta, his kinsman's gentle bride. He saw + her sometimes flitting through the myrtle groves which skirted the neighbouring + palace; and when night favoured his concealment, he would approach the marble + porticos to catch the sound of her voice as, accompanied by a lute, she wasted its + melody upon the silent stars. Beatrice, in the mean time, experienced only in the + pale brow and haggard form of her brother an alloy to her happiness. Alessandro, the + young heir of the Orsini family, had abandoned the gay revels of Florence to share + the solitude of the despised Ghibellines; and although there seemed to be little + chance of ultimate triumph over the obstacles which opposed themselves to an alliance + between the prosperous scion of a noble house and the unportioned orphan of a + banished man, yet hope pre-ponderated over fear, and, blessed by her enchanting + smiles, the lover indulged in delightful anticipations.</p> + <p>...</p> + <p>Again was the Alberoni palace illumined by innumerable tapers; again were the + glittering saloons filled with all the noble population of Florence. A second nuptial + feast, more splendid and joyous than the first, was celebrated; again Giacinta, + lovelier than ever, shone as the bride, and by her side a cavalier appeared, whose + summer of life was better adapted to match with her tender years than the mature age + of her late husband had been.</p> + <p>The Count Alberoni Gonzago was dead; and Francesco succeeding to his wealth, had + obtained the hand of his widow. Beatrice, also a bride, followed in the train of the + Countess, but followed more like a mourner at some funeral solemnity <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page45" name="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span> than as the newly + wedded consort of the husband of her choice. Francesco all smiles and triumph, as he + stood with the fairest hand in Florence hanging on his arm, proudly greeting the + guests who crowded to pay him homage, turned frequently, and cast looks of piercing + examination and reproach upon his pale and trembling sister, and, as if fascinated by + his glance, she would rally her, failing spirits and smile languidly upon the + bridegroom, who bent over her enamoured; and then, as if beguiled from some painful + contemplation by the sweet accents of the man she loved, she became calm, and her + quivering features resumed their wonted placidity. But these moments of tranquillity + were of short duration; she started at every shadow; the flash of one of the jewels + which broidered her satin robe would cause a fit of trembling; and at length, when + seated at the banquet opposite her brother and his bride, a richly clad domestic + offered wine in a golden goblet; for a moment she held it to her lips, and then + dashed it away, exclaiming—"It is poison! Hide me,—save me. I see it + every where; in those green leaves from whence it was distilled.—Oh! Francesco, + Francesco, let us be poor and happy!" The guests shrunk aghast from the speaker, who, + falling from her seat, expired in convulsions.</p> + <p>The power conferred by Gonzago's immense riches silenced the whispered murmurs of + the assembly. No man rose to higher eminence in the state than the idolized husband + of the beautiful Giacinta; but a dark cloud hung upon his house, his children were + all cut off in their infancy, and, after a few brief years of outward felicity, + struck from his horse by the fragment of a building which fell upon him as he rode in + pomp through the city, he received a mortal wound, surviving the accident only long + enough to unburthen his soul to his confessor.</p> + <p>His dying words were addressed to Alessandro, from whom since the hour of his + nuptials he had been estranged; pressing his hand, he exclaimed—"She was + innocent! she heard not of the murder until it had been + accomplished."—<i>London Weekly Review</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE SELECTOR; AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>RAFTS AND RHINE SCENERY.</h3> + <p>Between Andernach and Bonn I saw two or three of those enormous rafts which are + formed of the accumulated produce of the Swiss and German forests. One was anchored + in the middle of the river, and looked like a floating island. These <i>Krakens</i> + of the Rhine are composed of oak and fir floated in smaller rafts down the tributary + streams, and, their size constantly increasing till they arrive hereabouts, they make + platforms of from four hundred to seven hundred feet long, and one hundred and forty + feet in breadth. When in motion, a dozen boats and more precede them, carrying + anchors and cables to guide and arrest their course. The navigation of a raft down + the Rhine to Dort, in Holland, which is the place of their destination,<a + id="footnotetag4" name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> is a + work of great difficulty. The skill of the German and Dutch pilots who navigate them, + in spite of the abrupt turnings, the eddies, the currents, rocks and shoals that + oppose their progress, must indeed be of a very peculiar kind, and can be possessed + but by few. It requires besides a vast deal of manual labour. The whole complement of + rowers and workmen, together with their wives and children, on board one of the + <i>first-rates</i>, amounts to the astonishing number of nine hundred or a thousand; + a little village, containing from forty to sixty wooden houses, is erected upon each, + which also is furnished with stalls for cattle, a magazine for provisions, &c. + The dwelling appropriated to the use of the master of the raft and the principal + super-cargoes was conspicuous for its size and commodiousness. It is curious to + observe these rafts, on their passage, with their companies of rowers stationed at + each end, making the shores ring again to the sound of their immense oars.</p> + <p>The succession of grand natural pictures, which I had been gazing upon since my + departure from Mentz and the district of the Rheingau, are undoubtedly similar, but + not the same; there is alternately the long noble reach, the sudden bend, the + lake-like expanse, the shores on both sides lined with towns whose antique + fortifications rise in distant view, and villages whose tapering spires of blue slate + peer above the embosoming foliage; the mountains clothed with vines and forests, + their sides bristled and their summits crowned with the relics of feudal + residences,<a id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a + href="#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a> or <span class="pagenum"><a id="page46" + name="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> of cloistered fanes: but the varieties in the shape + and character of all these are inexhaustible; it is this circumstance that enhances + the pleasure of contemplating, scenery, in which there is, as Lord Byron says,</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "A blending of all beauties, streams and dells,<br /> + Fruit, foliage, crag, wood, corn-field, mountain, vine,<br /> + And chiefless castles breathing stern farewells,<br /> + From gray but leafy walls where ruin greenly dwells." + </blockquote> + <p>The oppositions of light and shade; the rich culture of the hills contrasted with + the rugged rocks that often rise from out of the midst of fertility; the bright + verdure of the islands which the Rhine is continually forming; the purple hues and + misty azure of the distant mountains—these and a thousand other indescribable + charms constitute sources of visual delight which can be imparted only by a view of + the objects themselves. And is excitement awakened in contemplating the borders of + this graceful and magnificent river? Yes. When we revert to the awful convulsions of + the physical world, and the important revolutions of human society, of which the + regions it flows through have been successively the theatre—when we meditate on + the vast changes, the fearful struggles, the tragic incidents and mournful + catastrophes, which they have witnessed from the earliest ages to the very times in + which we have ourselves lived and marked the issue of events—"the battles, + sieges, fortunes" that have passed before its green tumultuous current, or within ken + of its mountain watch-towers—the shouts of nations that have resounded, and the + fates of empires that have been decided, on its shores—when we think of the + slaughtered myriads whose bones have bleached on the neighbouring plains, filled up + the trenches of its rock-built strong-holds, or found their place of sepulture + beneath its wave—when, at each survey we take of the wide and diversified + scene, the forms of centuries seem to be embodied with the objects around us, and the + record of the past becomes vividly associated with the impression of present + realities—it is then that we are irresistibly led to compare the greatness of + nature with the littleness of man; it is then that we are forcibly struck with the + power and goodness of the Author of both; and that the deepest humility unites itself + in a grateful mind, with the highest admiration, at the sight of "these His lowest + works."</p> + <p>But do you pretend, it may be asked, in the course of a three days' journey, + however lengthened by celerity of conveyance, or favoured by advantages of season or + weather—do you pretend to have experienced that very eminent degree of + gratification which the country is capable of communicating? Certainly not. I speak + of these scenes but as of things, which before my own hasty and unsatisfied glances + came like shadows—so departed. Instead of two or three days, a whole month + should be spent between Mentz, Coblentz, and Bonn, in order fully to know and + thoroughly to enjoy the beauties and grandeurs with which that space + abounds.—<i>Stevenson's Tour in France, &c.</i></p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE BARBER.</h3> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + Nick Razorblade a barber was,<br /> + A <i>strapping</i> lad was he;<br /> + And he could shave with such a grace,<br /> + It was a joy to see!<br /> + <br /> + And tho' employ'd within his house,<br /> + He kept like rat in hole;<br /> + All those that pass'd the barber's door,<br /> + Could always see his <i>pole</i>!<br /> + <br /> + His dress was rather plain than rich,<br /> + Nor fitted over well;<br /> + Yet, tho' no <i>macaroni</i>, Nick,<br /> + He often <i>cut a swell</i>!<br /> + <br /> + And Nick was brave, and he could fight,<br /> + As many times he proved;<br /> + A lamb became a lion fierce,<br /> + Whenever he was moved!<br /> + <br /> + Like many of his betters, who<br /> + To field with pistols rush,<br /> + When Nicky <i>lather'd</i> any one,<br /> + He was obliged to <i>brush</i>!<br /> + <br /> + Some say Nick was a brainless <i>block</i>,<br /> + While those who've seen him waving<br /> + His bright sharp razor, o'er scap'd chins,<br /> + Declare he was a <i>shaving</i>!<br /> + <br /> + His next door neighbour, Nelly Jones,<br /> + A maid of thirty-eight,<br /> + 'Twas said regarded Nick with smiles,<br /> + But folks will always prate.<br /> + <br /> + 'Tis known in summer time that she,<br /> + (A maid and only daughter)<br /> + To show her love for Razorblade,<br /> + Kept Nicky in <i>hot water</i>!<br /> + <br /> + For politics Nick always said,<br /> + He never cared a fig;<br /> + Quoth he:—"If I a Tory were,<br /> + I likewise <i>wear a wig</i>!"<br /> + <br /> + No poacher he, yet <i>hairs</i> he <i>wired</i>,<br /> + With skill that made maids prouder;<br /> + And though he never used a gun,<br /> + He knew the use of <i>powder</i>!<br /> + <br /> + He never took offence at words,<br /> + However broad or blunt;<br /> + But when maids brought a <i>front</i> to dress,<br /> + Of course he took a <i>front</i>!<br /> + <br /> + Beneath his razor folks have slept,<br /> + So easy were they mown;<br /> + Yet (oh! most passing strange it was!)<br /> + His <i>razor</i> was his <i>own</i>!<br /> + <br /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page47" name="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> Nick + doubtless had a tender heart,<br /> + But not for Nelly Jones;<br /> + He made Miss Popps "bone of his bone,"<br /> + But never made old bones!<br /> + <br /> + He died and left an only son,<br /> + <br /> + A barber too by trade;<br /> + <br /> + But when they ope'd his will, they found<br /> + A cruel will he'd made.<br /> + <br /> + And doubtless he was raving mad,<br /> + (To slander I'm unwilling)<br /> + For tho' a <i>barber</i>, Nicky cut<br /> + His <i>heir</i> off with <i>a shilling!</i><br /> + </blockquote> + <p><i>Absurdities: in Prose and Verse</i>.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>BONAPARTE ATTEMPTS SUICIDE.</h3> + <p>While we endeavour to sum up the mass of misfortunes with which Bonaparte was + overwhelmed at this crisis, it seems as if Fortune had been determined to show that + she did not intend to reverse the lot of humanity, even in the case of one who had + been so long her favourite, but that she retained the power of depressing the obscure + soldier, whom she had raised to be almost king of Europe, in a degree as humiliating + as his exaltation had been splendid. All that three years before seemed inalienable + from his person, was now reversed. The victor was defeated, the monarch was + dethroned, the ransomer of prisoners was in captivity, the general was deserted by + his soldiers, the master abandoned by his domestics, the brother parted from his + brethren, the husband severed from the wife, and the father torn from his only child. + To console him for the fairest and largest empire that ambition ever lorded it over, + he had, with the mock name of emperor, a petty isle, to which he was to retire, + accompanied by the pity of such friends as dared express their feelings, the + unrepressed execrations of many of his former subjects, who refused to regard his + present humiliation as an amends for what he had made them suffer during his power, + and the ill-concealed triumph of the enemies into whose hands he had been + delivered.</p> + <p>A Roman would have seen, in these accumulated disasters, a hint to direct his + sword's point against his breast; a man of better faith would have turned his eye + back on his own conduct, and having read, in his misuse of prosperity, the original + source of those calamities, would have remained patient and contrite under the + consequences of his ambition. Napoleon belonged to the Roman school of philosophy; + and it is confidently reported, especially by Baron Fain, his secretary, though it + has not been universally believed, that he designed, at this extremity, to escape + from life by an act of suicide.</p> + <p>The emperor, according to this account, had carried with him, ever since the + retreat from Moscow, a packet containing a preparation of opium, made up in the same + manner with that used by Condorcet for self-destruction. His valet-de-chambre, in the + night betwixt the 12th and 13th of April, heard him arise and pour something into a + glass of water, drink, and return to bed. In a short time afterwards, the man's + attention was called by sobs and stifled groans—an alarm took place in the + chateau—some of the principal persons were roused, and repaired to Napoleon's + chamber. Yvan, the surgeon, who had procured him the poison, was also summoned; but + hearing the emperor complain that the operation of the poison was not quick enough, + he was seized with a panic-terror, and fled from the palace at full gallop. Napoleon + took the remedies recommended, and a long fit of stupor ensued, with profuse + perspiration. He awakened much exhausted, and surprised at finding himself still + alive; he said aloud, after a few moments' reflection, "Fate will not have it so," + and afterwards appeared reconciled to undergo his destiny, without similar attempts + at personal violence. There is, as we have already hinted, a difference of opinion + concerning the cause of Napoleon's illness; some imputing it to indigestion. The fact + of his having been very much indisposed is, however, indisputable. A general of the + highest distinction transacted business with Napoleon on the morning of the 13th of + April. He seemed pale and dejected, as from recent and exhausting illness. His only + dress was a night-gown and slippers, and he drank from time to time a quantity of + tisan, or some such liquid, which was placed beside him, saying he had suffered + severely during the night, but that his complaint had left him.</p> + <p>After this crisis, and having ratified the treaty which his mareschals had made + for him. Napoleon appeared more at his ease than he had been for some time before, + and conversed frankly with his attendants upon the affairs of France.</p> + <h3>NAPOLEON TAKES LEAVE OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD.</h3> + <p>Napoleon having now resigned himself entirely to his fate, whether for good or + evil, prepared, on the 20th of April, to depart for his place of retreat. But first, + he had the painful task of bidding farewell to the body in the universe most attached + to him, and to which he was probably most attached,—his celebrated Imperial + Guard. Such of them as could be collected were drawn out before him <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page48" name="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> in review. Some + natural tears dropped from his eyes, and his features had the marks of strong emotion + while reviewing for the last time, as he must then have thought likely, the + companions of so many victories. He advanced to them on horseback, dismounted, and + took his solemn leave. "All Europe," he said, "had armed against him; France herself + had deserted him, and chosen another dynasty. He might," he said, "have maintained + with his soldiers a civil war of years, but it would have rendered France unhappy. Be + faithful," he continued, (and the words were remarkable,) "to the new sovereign whom + France has chosen. Do not lament my fate; I will always be happy while I know you are + so. I could have died—nothing was easier—but I will always follow the + road of honour. I will record with my pen the deeds we have done together. I cannot + embrace you all, but I embrace your general,"—(he pressed the general to his + bosom.)—"Bring hither the eagle,"—(he embraced the standard, and + concluded)—"Beloved eagle, may the kisses I bestow on you long resound in the + hearts of the brave!—Adieu, my children,—Adieu, my brave + companions.—Surround me once more—Adieu." Drowned in grief, the veteran + soldiers heard the farewell of their dethroned leader; sighs and murmurs broke from + their ranks, but the emotion burst out in no threats or remonstrances. They appeared + resigned to the loss of their general, and to yield, like him, to + necessity.—<i>Scott's Napoleon</i>.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE ARK OF NOAH</h3> + <p>The Rabbins make the giant Gog or Magog contemporary with Noah, and convinced by + his preaching. So that he was disposed to take the benefit of the Ark. But here lay + the distress; it by no means suited his dimensions. Therefore, as he could not enter + in, he contented himself to ride upon it astride. And though you must suppose that, + in that stormy weather, he was more than half boots over, he kept his seat, and + dismounted safely, when the Ark landed on Mount Ararat. Image now to yourself this + illustrious Cavalier mounted on his <i>hackney</i>; and see if it does not bring + before you the Church, bestrid by some lumpish minister of state, who turns and winds + it at his pleasure. The only difference is, that Gog believed the preacher of + righteousness and religion.—<i>Warburton's Letters</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE GATHERER.</h2> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "I am but a <i>Gatherer</i> and disposer of other men's stuff."—<i>Wotton</i> + </blockquote> + <hr /> + <p>A preacher had held forth diffusely and ingeniously upon the doctrine that the + Creator of the universe had made all things beautiful. A little crooked lawyer met + him at the church door, and exclaimed, "Well, doctor, what do you think of my figure? + does it correspond with your tenets of this morning?"—"My friend," replied the + preacher, with much gravity, "you are handsome for a hunch-backed man."</p> + <hr /> + <p>Kosciusko once wished to send some bottles of good wine to a clergyman of + Solothurn; and as he hesitated to send them by his servant, lest he should smuggle a + part, he gave the commission to a young man of the name of Zeltner, and desired him + to take the horse which he himself usually rode. On his return, young Zeltner said + that he would never ride his horse again unless he gave him his purse at the same + time. Kosciusko asking what he meant, he answered, "As soon as a poor man on the road + takes off his hat and asks for charity, the horse immediately stands still, and won't + stir till something is given to the petitioner; and, as I had no money about me, I + was obliged to make believe to give something, in order to satisfy the horse."</p> + <hr /> + <p>Persons in warm countries certainly possess powers of imagination superior to + persons in colder climates. The following description of a small room will appear + very poetic to an English reader: "I am now," says a Turkish spy, writing to his + employers, "in an apartment so little, that the least suspicion cannot enter it."</p> + <hr /> + <p>An author, as too often happens, was very irritable in his disposition, and very + unfortunate in his productions. His tragedy and comedy had both been rejected by the + managers of both theatres. "I cannot account for this," said the unfortunate bard to + his friend; "for no one can say that my tragedy was a <i>sad</i> performance, or that + my comedy was a thing to laugh at."</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <!-- Footnotes --> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + <p><i>Poems</i>, by John Keats, p. 93.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + <p>MIRROR, Vol. viii., p. 324.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a> <b>Footnote 3</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a> + <p>Their part in the procession formed to welcome our monarch to his Scottish + metropolis, should be excepted.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a> <b>Footnote 4</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a> + <p>About twelve of these rafts annually arrive at Dort, in July or August; when the + German timber merchants, having converted their floats into good Dutch ducats, + return to their own country. When the water is low, those machines are sometimes + months upon the journey.—<i>Campbell's Guide</i>.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a> <b>Footnote 5</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag5">(return)</a> + <p>There are the ruins of fourteen castles on the left bank, and of fifteen on the + right bank of the Rhine, from Mentz to Bonn, a distance of thirty-six leagues.</p> + </blockquote> + <!-- Footer --> + <hr class="full" /> + <p><i>Printed and Published by J. 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