diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/8m26510h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/8m26510h.htm | 1655 |
1 files changed, 1655 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/old/8m26510h.htm b/old/8m26510h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..afdaa28 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/8m26510h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1655 @@ +<!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 265, July 21, 1827, by Various</title> + <style type="text/css"> +<!-- + 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 265, July 21, 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 265, July 21, 1827 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9918] +[This file was first posted on October 31, 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 265, JULY 21, 1827 *** + + + +</pre> + <h3> + Note: The zipped version of this HTML file includes the original illustrations. + See <a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06/8m26510h.zip">http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06/8m26510h.zip</a> + </h3> + <br /> +<br /> + <h3>E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram<br /> + and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</h3> + <br /> + <br /> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page49" name="page49"></a>[pg 49]</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. 265.]</b></td> + <td align="center"><b>SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1827.</b></td> + <td align="right"><b>[PRICE 2d.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <!-- end of header --> + <h2>ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH CASTLE.</h2> + <p class="figure"><a href="images/265-1.png"><img width="100%" src="images/265-1.png" + alt="" /></a><br /> + </p> + <p>Ashby-de-la-Zouch is a small market town in Leicestershire, pleasantly situated in + a fertile vale, on the skirts of the adjoining county of Derbyshire, on the banks of + a small liver called the Gilwiskaw, over which is a handsome stone bridge. The + original name of this town was simply Ashby, but it acquired the addition of + De-la-Zouch, to distinguish it from other Ashbys, from the Zouches, who were formerly + lords of this manor, which after the extinction of the male line of that family, in + the first year of the reign of Henry IV. came to Sir Hugh Burnel, knight of the + garter, by his marriage with Joice, the heiress of the Zouches. From him it devolved + to James Butler, earl of Ormond and Wiltshire; who being attainted on account of his + adherence to the party of Henry VI. it escheated to the crown, and was, in the first + year of Edward IV. granted by that king to Sir William Hastings, in consideration of + his great services; he was also created a baron, chamberlain of the household; + captain of Calais, and knight of the garter, and had license to make a park and + cranellate, or fortify several of his houses, amongst which was one at this place, + which was of great extent, strength, and importance, and where he and his descendants + resided for about two hundred years. It was situated on the south side of the town, + on a rising ground, and was chiefly composed of brick and stone; the rooms were + spacious and magnificent, attached to which was a costly private chapel. The building + had two lofty towers of immense size, one of them containing a large hall, great + chambers, bedchambers, kitchen, cellars, and all other offices. The other was called + the kitchen tower. Parts of the wall of the hall, chapel, and kitchen, are still + remaining, which display a grand and interesting mass of ruins; the mutilated walls + being richly decorated with doorways, chimney-pieces, windows, coats of arms, and + other devices. In this, castle, the unfortunate and persecuted Mary queen of Scots, + who has given celebrity to so many castles and old mansions, by her melancholy + imprisonment beneath their lofty turrets, was for some time confined, while in the + custody of the earl of Huntingdon. In the year 1603, Anne, consort of James I. and + her son, prince Henry, were entertained by the <span class="pagenum"><a id="page50" + name="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> earl of Huntingdon at this castle, which was at that + time the seat of much hospitality. It was afterwards honoured by a visit from that + monarch, who remained here for several days, during which time dinner was always + served up by thirty poor knights, with gold chains and velvet gowns. In the civil + wars between king Charles and his parliament, this castle was deeply involved, being + garrisoned for the king; it was besieged by the parliamentary forces, and although it + was never actually conquered, (from whence the garrison obtained the name of Maiden,) + it was evacuated and dismantled by capitulation in the year 1648.</p> + <p>For the spirited engraving of the ruins of this famous castle, we acknowledge + ourselves indebted to our obliging friend <i>S.I.B.</i> who supplied us with an + original drawing.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE AUTHOR OF "LACON."</h3> + <h4><i>(To the Editor of the Mirror.)</i></h4> + <p>SIR,—The following additional particulars respecting the celebrated author + of "Lacon," may not be unacceptable to your readers, as a sequel to the interesting + account of that eccentric individual inserted at p. 431, in your recently completed + volume.</p> + <p>It will be in the recollection of many, that about the period of the murder of + Weare, by Thurtel, Mr. Colton suddenly disappeared from among his friends, and no + trace of him, notwithstanding the most vigilant inquiry, could be discovered. As + Weare's murder produced an unprecedented sensation in the public mind, it gave rise + to a variety of reports against the perpetrators of that horrible crime, imputing to + them other atrocities of a similar kind. It is needless now to say that most of these + suspicions were wholly without foundation.</p> + <p>It was at length ascertained, that Mr. C., finding himself embarrassed with his + creditors, had taken his departure for America, where he remained about two years, + travelling over the greater part of the United States; and it is much to be desired + that he would favour the public with the result of his observations during his + residence in that country; as probably no person living is qualified to execute such + a task with more shrewdness, judgment, or ability.</p> + <p>He is now residing at Paris, where he has been about two years and a half, and + where I had frequently the pleasure of meeting him during the last winter, and of + enjoying the raciness of his conversation, which abounds in wit, anecdote, and an + universality of knowledge. It is too well known that he is not unaddicted to the + allurements of the gaming table, and it is understood among his immediate friends, + that he has been—what few are—successful adventurer, having repaired in + the saloons of Paris, in a great degree, the loss he sustained by the forfeiture of + his church livings. His singular coolness, calculation, and self-mastery, give him an + advantage in this respect over, perhaps, every other votary of the gaming table.</p> + <p>Mr. Colton has an excellent taste for the fine arts, and has expended considerable + sums in forming a picture gallery. Every nook of his apartment is literally covered + with the treasures of art, including many of the <i>chefs d'oeuvres</i> of the great + masters, and many valuable paintings are placed on the floor for want of room to + suspend them against the wainscot. I may here observe, that his present domicile does + not exactly correspond with that described as his former "castle" in London, inasmuch + as it is part of a royal residence, it being on the second floor, on one side of the + quadrangle of the Palais Royal, overlooking the large area of that building, and + opposite to the <i>jet d'eau</i> in the centre. But his habits and mode of dress + appear to be unchanged. He has only one room; he keeps no servant, (unless a boy to + take care of his horse and cabriolet); he lights his own fire, and, I believe, + performs all his other domestic offices himself. But, notwithstanding these + whimsicalities, he is generous, hospitable and friendly. He still, when a friend + "drops in," produces a bottle or two of the finest wines and a case of the best + cigars, of which he is a determined smoker.</p> + <p>I will only add, that he continues to employ himself in literary composition. + Among other pieces not published in England, he has written an ode on the death of + Lord Byron, a copy of which he presented me, but which I unfortunately lent—and + lost. A small edition was printed at Paris for private circulation. He has also + written an unpublished poem in the form of a letter from Lord Castlereagh in the + shades, to Mr. Canning on earth, the caustic severity of which, in the opinion of + those who have heard it read, is equal to that of any satire in the English language. + I remember only the two first lines—</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Dear George, from these <i>Shades</i>, where no wine's to be had.<br /> + But where rivers of flame run like rivers run mad."<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>And the following, in allusion to the instrument with which Lord C. severed the + carotid artery, and which was the means of producing such a change in the destiny + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page51" name="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> of the present + prime minister, who was then on the eve of going out to India as + governor-general,—</p> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + "Have you pensioned the Jew boy that sold me the knife?"<br /> + </blockquote> + <p>It is to be lamented that such a man should be an exile from his native + country.—But I draw a veil over the rest, and sincerely hope that his absence + from England will not be perpetual.</p> + <p>* * *</p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE DEAD TRUMPETER.</h3> + <h4>TO ILLUSTRATE A CELEBRATED FRENCH PICTURE.</h4> + <h4><i>(For the Mirror.)</i></h4> + <blockquote class="poetry"> + 'Tis evening! the red rayless sun<br /> + Glares fiercely on the battle plain;—<br /> + <i>Morn</i> saw the deadly fray begun,<br /> + Morn heard <i>thy</i> bugle wake a strain,<br /> + Poor soldier! and its warning breath<br /> + Call'd <i>thee</i>, and myriads to death!<br /> + <br /> + <i>Thou</i> wert thy mother's darling, thou,<br /> + Light to thy father's failing eyes;<br /> + Thou wert thy sisters' <i>dearest!</i> now<br /> + What <i>art</i> thou? something to despise<br /> + Yet tremble at; to hide, and be<br /> + <i>Forgot,</i> but by <i>their</i> misery!<br /> + <br /> + Thou <i>wert</i> the beautiful! the brave!<br /> + Thou wert all joy, and love, and light;<br /> + But oh! thy grace was for the <i>grave,</i><br /> + Thy dawning day, for mornless night!<br /> + And thou, so loving, so carest<br /> + Hast sunk—unpitied—unblest!<br /> + <br /> + Yes, warrior! and the life-stream flows<br /> + <i>Yet</i> from thee, in thy foe-man's land,<br /> + Welling before the gate of those<br /> + Who <i>should</i> stretch forth a kindly hand<br /> + To save th' unhonour'd, <i>friendless</i> dead<br /> + From rushing legion's scouring tread.<br /> + <br /> + <i>Friendless</i> poor soldier?—nay thy steed<br /> + Stands gazing on thee, with an eye<br /> + <i>Too</i> piteous: he <i>felt</i> thee bleed,—<br /> + He <i>saw</i> thee, dropping from him,—<i>die!</i><br /> + And in thine helpless, lorn estate,<br /> + <i>He</i> cannot leave thee, desolate.<br /> + <br /> + Nor thy poor <i>dog</i>, whose anxious gaze,<br /> + On helm and bugle's lowly place,<br /> + Speaks his deep sorrow and amaze!<br /> + <i>He</i>, watching yet, thine icy face<br /> + Licks thy pale forehead with a moan<br /> + To tell thee—<i>Thou art not alone!</i><br /> + </blockquote> + <p>M. L. B.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>ORIGINS AND INVENTIONS.</h2> + <h4>No. XXVIII.</h4> + <hr /> + <h3>THE SPHYNX.</h3> + <br /> + + <p>The Sphynx is supposed to have been engendered by Typhon, and sent by Juno to be + revenged on the Thebans. It is represented with the head and breasts of a woman, the + wings of a bird, the claws of a lion, and the rest of the body like a dog or lion. + Its office they say, was to propose dark enigmatical questions to all passers by; + and, if they did not give the explication of them,—to devour them. It made + horrible ravages, as the story goes, on a mountain near Thebes. Apollo told Creon + that she could not be vanquished, till some one had expounded her riddle. The riddle + was—<i>"What creature is that, which has four legs in the morning, two at noon, + and three at night?"</i> Oedipus expounded it, telling her it was a man,—who + when a child, creepeth on all fours; in his middle age, walketh on two legs, and in + his old age, two and a staff. This put the Sphynx into a great rage, who, finding her + riddle solved, threw herself down and broke her neck. Among the Egyptians, the Sphynx + was the symbol of religion, by reason of the obscurity of its mysteries. And, on the + same account, the Romans placed a Sphynx in the pronaos, or porch, of their temples. + Sphynxes were used by the Egyptians, to show the beginning of the water's rising in + the Nile; with this view, as it had the head of a woman and body of a lion, it + signified that the Nile began to swell in the months of July and August, when the sun + passes through the signs of Leo and Virgo; accordingly it was a hieroglyphic, which + taught the people the period of the most important event in the year, as the swelling + and overflowing of the Nile gave fertility to Egypt. Accordingly they were multiplied + without end, so that they were to be seen before all their remarkable monuments.</p> + <p>P. T. W.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE SKETCH-BOOK.</h2> + <h4>NO. XLII.</h4> + <hr /> + <h3>WHITSUN-EVE.</h3> + <h4><i>By Miss Mitford.</i></h4> + <p>The pride of my heart and the delight of my eyes is my garden. Our house, which is + in dimensions very much like a bird-cage, and might, with almost equal convenience, + be laid on a shelf, or hung up in a tree, would be utterly unbearable in warm + weather, were it not that we have a retreat out of doors,—and a very pleasant + retreat it is. To make my readers fully comprehend it, I must describe our whole + territories.</p> + <p>Fancy a small plot of ground, with a pretty low irregular cottage at one end; a + large granary, divided from the dwelling by a little court running along one side; + and a long thatched shed open towards the garden, and supported by wooden pillars on + the other. The bottom is bounded, half by an old wall, and half <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page52" name="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> by an old paling, + over which we see a pretty distance of woody hills. The house, granary, wall, and + paling, are covered with vines, cherry-trees, roses, honey-suckles, and jessamines, + with great clusters of tall hollyhocks running up between them; a large elder + overhanging the little gate, and a magnificent bay-tree, such a tree as shall + scarcely be matched in these parts, breaking with its beautiful conical form the + horizontal lines of the buildings. This is my garden; and the long pillared shed, the + sort of rustic arcade which runs along one side, parted from the flower-beds by a row + of rich geraniums, is our out-of-door drawing-room.</p> + <p>I know nothing so pleasant as to sit there on a summer afternoon, with the western + sun flickering through the great elder-tree, and lighting up our gay parterres, where + flowers and flowering shrubs are set as thick as grass in a field, a wilderness of + blossom, interwoven, intertwined, wreathy, garlandy, profuse beyond all profusion, + where we may guess that there is such a thing as mould, but never see it. I know + nothing so pleasant as to sit in the shade of that dark bower, with the eye resting + on that bright piece of colour, lighted so gloriously by the evening sun, now + catching a glimpse of the little birds as they fly rapidly in and out of their + nests—for there are always two or three birds' nests in the thick tapestry of + cherry-trees, honey-suckles, and China roses, which cover our walls—now tracing + the gay gambols of the common butterflies as they sport around the dahlias; now + watching that rarer moth, which the country people, fertile in pretty names, call the + bee-bird;<a id="footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a + href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> that bird-like insect, which flutters in the + hottest days over the sweetest flowers, inserting its long proboscis into the small + tube of the jessamine, and hovering over the scarlet blossoms of the geranium, whose + bright colour seems reflected on its own feathery breast; that insect which seems so + thoroughly a creature of the air, never at rest; always, even when feeding, + self-poised, and self-supported, and whose wings in their ceaseless motion, have a + sound so deep, so full, so lulling, so musical. Nothing so pleasant as to sit amid + that mixture of the flower and the leaf, watching the bee-bird! Nothing so pretty to + look at as my garden! It is quite a picture; only unluckily it resembles a picture in + more qualities than one,—it is fit for nothing but to look at. One might as + well think of walking in a bit of framed canvass. There are walks to be + sure—tiny paths of smooth gravel, by courtesy called such—but—they + are so overhung by roses and lilies, and such gay encroachers—so over-run by + convolvolus, and heart's-ease, and mignonette, and other sweet stragglers, that, + except to edge through them occasionally, for the purpose of planting, or weeding, or + watering, there might as well be no paths at all. Nobody thinks of walking in my + garden. Even May glides along with a delicate and trackless step, like a swan through + the wafer; and we, its two-footed denizens, are fain to treat it as if it were really + a saloon, and go out for a walk towards sun-set, just as if we had not been sitting + in the open air all day.</p> + <p>What a contrast from the quiet garden to the lively street! Saturday night is + always a time of stir and bustle in our village, and this is Whitsun Eve, the + pleasantest Saturday of all the year, when London journeymen and servant lads and + lasses snatch a short holiday to visit their families. A short and precious holiday, + the happiest and liveliest of any; for even the gambols and merrymakings of Christmas + offer but a poor enjoyment, compared with the rural diversions, the Mayings, revels, + and cricket-matches of Whitsuntide.</p> + <p>We ourselves are to have a cricket-match on Monday, not played by the men, who, + since their misadventure with the Beech-hillers, are, I am sorry to say, rather + chap-fallen, but by the boys, who, zealous for the honours of their parish, and + headed by their bold leader, Ben Kirby, marched in a body to our antagonist's ground + the Sunday after our melancholy defeat, challenged the boys of that proud hamlet, and + beat them out and out on the spot. Never was a more signal victory. Our boys enjoyed + this triumph with so little moderation, that it had like to have produced a very + tragical catastrophe. The captain of the Beech-hill youngsters, a capital bowler, by + name Amos Stokes, enraged past all bearing by the crowing of his adversaries, flung + the ball at Ben Kirby with so true an aim, that if that sagacious leader had not + warily ducked his head when he saw it coming, there would probably have been a + coroner's inquest on the case, and Amos Stokes would have been tried for + manslaughter. He let fly with such vengeance, that the cricket-ball was found + embedded in a bank of clay five hundred yards off, as if it had been a cannon shot. + Tom Coper and Farmer Thackum, the umpires, both say that they never saw so tremendous + a ball. If Amos Stokes live to be a man (I mean to say if he be not hanged first), + he'll be a pretty player. He is coming here on Monday with his <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page53" name="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> party to play the + return match, the umpires having respectively engaged Farmer Thackum that Amos shall + keep the peace, Tom Coper that Ben shall give no unnecessary or wanton + provocation—a nicely-worded and lawyer-like clause, and one that proves that + Tom Coper hath his doubts of the young gentleman's discretion; and, of a truth, so + have I. I would not be Ben Kirby's surety, cautiously as the security is + worded,—no! not for a white double dahlia, the present object of my + ambition.</p> + <p>This village of our's is swarming to-night like a hive of bees, and all the church + bells round are pouring out their merriest peals, as if to call them together. I must + try to give some notion of the various figures.</p> + <p>First, there is a groupe suited to Teniers, a cluster of out-of-door customers of + the Rose, old benchers of the inn, who sit round a table smoking and drinking in high + solemnity to the sound of Timothy's fiddle. Next, a mass of eager boys, the + combatants of Monday, who are surrounding the shoemaker's shop, where an invisible + hole in their ball is mending by Master Keep himself, under the joint superintendence + of Ben Kirby and Tom Coper, Ben showing much verbal respect and outward deference for + his umpire's judgment and experience, but managing to get the ball done his own way + after all; whilst outside the shop, the rest of the eleven, the less-trusted commons, + are shouting and bawling round Joel Brent, who is twisting the waxed twine round the + handles of bats—the poor bats, which please nobody, which the taller youths are + despising as too little and too light, and the smaller are abusing as too heavy and + two large. Happy critics! winning their match can hardly be a greater + delight—even if to win it they be doomed! Farther down the street is the pretty + black-eyed girl, Sally Wheeler, come home for a day's holiday from B., escorted by a + tall footman in a dashing livery, whom she is trying to curtesy off before her deaf + grandmother sees him. I wonder whether she will succeed!</p> + <p>Ascending the hill are two couples of different description, Daniel Tubb and Sally + North, walking boldly along like licensed lovers; they have been asked twice in + church, and are to be married on Tuesday; and closely following that happy pair, near + each other, but not together, come Jem Tanner and Susan Green, the poor culprits of + the wheat-hoeing. Ah! the little clerk hath not relented! The course of true love + doth not yet run smooth in that quarter. Jem dodges along, whistling "Cherry Ripe," + pretending to walk by himself, and to be thinking of nobody; but every now and then + he pauses in his negligent saunter, and turns round outright to steal a glance at + Susan, who, on her part, is making believe to walk with poor Olive Hathaway, the lame + mantua-maker, and even affecting to talk and to listen to that gentle humble creature + as she points to the wild flowers on the common, and the lambs and children + disporting amongst the gorse, but whose thoughts and eyes are evidently fixed on Jem + Tanner, as she meets his backward glance with a blushing smile, and half springs + forward to meet him; whilst Olive has broken off the conversation as soon as she + perceived the preoccupation of her companion, and began humming, perhaps + unconsciously, two or three lines of Burns, whose "Whistle and I'll come to thee, my + love," and "Gi'e me a glance of thy bonny black ee," were never better exemplified + than in the couple before her. Really it is curious to watch them, and to see how + gradually the attraction of this tantalizing vicinity becomes irresistible, and the + rustic lover rushes to his pretty mistress like the needle to the magnet. On they go, + trusting to the deepening twilight, to the little clerk's absence, to the good humour + of the happy lads and lasses, who are passing and re-passing on all sides—or + rather, perhaps, in a happy oblivion of the cross uncle, the kind villagers, the + squinting lover, and the whole world. On they trip, linked arm-in-arm, he trying to + catch a glimpse of her glowing face under her bonnet, and she hanging down her head + and avoiding his gaze with a mixture of modesty and coquetry, which well becomes the + rural beauty. On they go, with a reality and intensity of affection, which must + overcome all obstacles; and poor Olive follows with art evident sympathy in their + happiness, which makes her almost as enviable as they; and we pursue our walk amidst + the moonshine and the nightingales, with Jacob Frost's cart looming in the distance, + and the merry sounds of Whitsuntide, the shout, the laugh, and the song echoing all + around us, like "noises of the air."—<i>Monthly Magazine.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>THE LETTER-WRITER.</h3> + <p>Fortune surely shifted me from my birth, or first looked on me in a mood as + splenetic as that of nature, when she produced that most sombre and unpleasing <span + class="pagenum"><a id="page54" name="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> of trees, the olive; + to pursue the simile; I may have conduced to the comfort of others, nay, even to + their convenience and luxury, but it never availed aught to my own appearance or + circumstances; I went on, like that unhappy-looking tree, decaying in the trunk and + blighting in the branches, and yielding up the produce of a liberal education and an + active nature to the public, but reaping for my own portion only misfortune and + disappointment; I had sprung up in the wilderness of the world, and I was left to + grow or wither as I might; every one was ready to profit by me when a fruitful season + rendered me available to them, but none cared to toil to give me space for growth, or + to enrich the perishing earth at my unlucky root!</p> + <p>I was educated for the church, but my father died while I was at college, and I + lost the curacy, which was in the gift of my uncle, through the pretty face of a city + merchant's daughter, who wrote a sonnet to my worthy relative on his recovery from a + fit of the gout, and obtained the curacy for her brother in exchange for her + effusion. What was to be done? I offered myself as tutor to a young gentleman who was + to study the classics until he was of age, and then to turn fox-hunter to supply the + place of his deceased father; but I was considered by his relations to be too + good-looking to be domesticated in the house of a rich widow under fifty, and I had + the satisfaction of seeing the vacant seat in the family coach filled by an old, + sandy-haired M.A., with bow legs and a squint—handsome or ugly, it availed not; + a face had twice ruined my prospects; I was at my wit's end! I could not turn fine + gentleman, for I had not brass enough to make my veracity a pander to my voracity; I + could not turn tradesman, for I had not gold enough even to purchase a yard measure, + or to lay in a stock of tapes. My heart bounded at the idea of the army; but I + thought of it like a novice—of wounds and gallant deeds; of fame and laurels; I + was obliged to look closer—my relations were neither noblemen nor bankers, and + I found that even the Colonial corps were becoming aristocratical and profuse; the + navy—I walked from London to Chatham on speculation; saw the second son of an + earl covered with tar, out at elbows and at heels, and I returned to town, fully + satisfied that here I certainly had no chance. I offered myself as clerk to a wealthy + brewer, and, at length, I was accepted—this was an opening! I registered malt, + hops, ale, and small-beer, till I began to feel as though the world was one vast + brewhouse; and calculated, added, and subtracted pounds, shillings, and pence, until + all other lore appeared "stale, flat, and unprofitable." I was in this counting-house + four years, and was, finally, discharged by my prudent principal as an unthrifty + servant, for having, during a day of unusual business, cut up two entire quills, and + overturned the inkstand on a new ledger! Again "the world was all before me where to + choose"—but enough of this; suffice it that my choice availed me nothing, and + after years of struggling and striving, I found myself, as free as air, in a small + market town in England, with five shillings in my pocket, and sundry grey hairs on my + head. From mere dearth of occupation, I took my station at the window of a small + stationer's shop, and commenced a survey of the volumes and pamphlets which were + attractively opened at the title-pages to display their highly coloured + frontispieces. The first which I noticed was, "The Young Gentleman's Multiplication + Table, or Two and Two make Four"—I sighed as I remembered how little this + promising study had availed <i>me</i>! Then came "Little Tom Tucker, he sang for his + Supper"—I would have danced for one. "Young's Night Thoughts," with a well + dressed gentleman in mourning, looking at the moon. "How to Grow Rich, or a Penny + Saved is a Penny Got;" I would have bought the book, and learned the secret, though I + had but five shillings left in the world, had not the second part of the title + intimated to me that I ought to keep my money. "The Castle of St. Altobrand," where a + gentleman in pea-green might be seen communing with a lady in sky-blue. "Raising the + Wind"—I turned away with a shudder; I had played a part in this drama for + years, and I well knew it was no farce. "The Polite Letter-Writer, or"—I did + not stop to read more; an idea flashed through my mind, and in two minutes more I was + beside the counter of the stationer; we soon became acquainted; I left two and + sixpence in his shop, and quitted it with renewed hope; the promise of a + recommendation, two quires of letter paper, twelve good quills, and some ink in a + small phial. I rejoiced at having made a friend, even of the stationer, for my pride + and my property had long been travelling companions, and were seldom at home. On the + following day, a placard was pasted to a window on the ground floor of a neat house, + in the best street, announcing that "within, letters were written on all subjects, + for all persons, with precision and secrecy;" I shall never forget the tremor with + which I awaited the arrival of a <span class="pagenum"><a id="page55" + name="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> customer! I had sunk half of my slender capital, and + encumbered myself with a lodging; I did not dare to think, so I sat down and began, + resolutely, to sharpen my penknife on the sole of my fearfully dilapidated shoe; + then, I spread my paper before me; divided the quires; looked carefully through a + sheet of it at the light; laid it down again; began to grow melancholy; shook off + reflection as I would have done a serpent, and again betook myself most zealously to + the sharpening of my penknife. A single, well articulated stroke on the door of my + apartment, roused me at once to action, and I shouted, "come in," with nervous + eagerness; it opened, and gave egress to a staid matron, of high stature, and sharp + countenance; I would have pledged my existence on her shrewishness from the first + moment I beheld her. When I had placed a chair for her, and reseated myself, this + prelude to my prosperity commenced business at once.</p> + <p>"You're a letter-writer, Mr. What-d'ye-call-'em."</p> + <p>I bowed assent.</p> + <p>"Silent—"</p> + <p>"As the grave, madam."</p> + <p>This sufficed; the lady took a pinch of snuff—told me that she had been + recommended to employ me by Mr. Quireandquill; and I prepared for action. She had a + daughter young, beautiful, and innocent—but gay, affectionate, and thoughtless; + she had given her heart in keeping to one who, though rich in love, lacked all other + possessions; and, finally, she had bestowed her hand where affection prompted. But + the chilled heart feels not like that which is warm with youth—its pulses beat + not to the same measure—its impulses impel not to the same arts; the mother + felt as a guardian and a parent—the daughter as a woman and a fond one; the one + had been imprudent—the other was inexorable; my first task was to be the + unwrenching of the holy bonds which united a child and her parent,—the + announcement of an abandonment utter and irrevocable; I wrote the letter, and if I + softened down a few harsh expressions, and omitted some sentences of heart-breaking + severity, surely it was no breach of faith, or if, indeed, it were, it was one for + which, even at this time, I do not blush.</p> + <p>The old lady saw her letter sealed and addressed, and departed; and I hastily + partook of a scanty breakfast, the produce of my first episolatory speculation. I + need not have been so precipitate in dispatching my repast, for some dreary hours + intervened ere the arrival of another visiter. One, however, came at length; a + tremulous, almost inaudible, stroke upon the door, and a nervous clasp of the latch, + again spoke hope to my sinking spirits; and, with a swift step, I rose and gave + admittance to a young and timid girl, blushing, and trembling, and wondering, as it + seemed, at the extent of her own daring. This business was not so readily despatched + as that of the angry matron. There were a thousand promises of secrecy to be given; a + thousand tremors to be overcome.</p> + <p>"I am a poor girl, Sir," she said at length, "but I am an honest one; therefore, + before I take up your time, I must know whether I can afford to pay for it."</p> + <p>"That," said I, and even amid my poverty I could not suppress a feeling of + amusement, "that depends wholly on the subject of your epistle; business requires few + words, and less ingenuity, and is fairly paid for by a couple of shillings; but a + love letter is cheap at three and sixpence, for it requires an infinity of each."</p> + <p>"Then I may as well wish you good day at once, Sir, for I have but half-a-crown in + the world that I can call my own, and I cannot run into debt, even to write to + Charles." There was a tear in her eye as she rose to go, and it was a beautiful blue + eye, better fitted to smiles than tears; this was enough, and, even poor as I was, I + would not have missed the opportunity of writing this letter, though I had been a + loser by the task. Happy Charles! I wrote from her dictation, and it is wonderful how + well the heart prompts to eloquence, even among the uneducated and obscure. In all + honesty, though I had but jested with my pretty employer, this genuine love-letter + was well worth the three and sixpence—it was written, and crossed, and + rewritten at right angles, and covered on the folds and under the wafer, and, + finally, unsealed to insert a few "more last words." It was a very history of the + heart!—of a heart untainted by error—unsophisticated by + fashion—unfettered by the world's ways: a little catalogue of woman's best, and + tenderest, and holiest feelings, warm from the spirit's core, and welling out like + the pure waters of a ground spring. How the eye fell, and the voice sunk, as she + recorded some little doubt, some fond self-created fear; how the tones gladdened, and + the blue eyes laughed out in joy, as she spoke of hopes and prospects, to which she + clung trustingly, as woman ever does to her first affection. What would I not have + given to have been the receiver of such a letter?—What to have been the idol of + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page56" name="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> such a heart? + And, as she eagerly bent over me to watch the progress of her epistle, her hand + resting on my arm, and her warm breath playing over my brow, while at intervals a + fond sigh escaped her, she from time to time reminded me of the promises I had made + never to betray her secret—beautiful innocent! I would have died first. She was + with me nearly two hours, and left me with a flushed cheek, her letter in one hand + and her half-crown in the other—had I robbed her of it, I should have merited + the pillory.</p> + <p>My third customer was a stiff, tall, bony man, of about fifty-five, and for this + worthy I wrote an advertisement for a wife. He was thin, and shy, and + emaciated—a breathing skeleton, in the receipt of some hundred and twenty + pounds a-year; a martyr to the rheumatism, and a radical. He required but little; a + moderate fortune; tolerable person; good education; perfect housewifery; implicit + obedience; and, finally, wound up the list of requisites from mere lack of breath, + and modestly intimated that youth would not be considered an objection, provided that + great prudence and rigid economy accompanied it. He was the veriest antidote to + matrimony I ever beheld!</p> + <p>My calling prospered. I wrote letters of condolence and of congratulation; made + out bills, and composed valentines; became the friend of every pretty girl and fine + youth in the parish; and never breathed one of their mighty secrets in the wrong + quarter. In the midst of this success, a new ambition fired me—I had been an + author for months; but though I had found my finances more flourishing, the bays + bloomed not upon my brow; and I was just about to turn author in good earnest, when a + distant relation died, and bequeathed to me an annuity of four hundred pounds a-year; + and I have been so much engaged ever since in receiving the visits of some hitherto + unknown relatives and connexions, that I have only been able to compose the + title-page, and to send this hint to destitute young gentlemen who may have an + epistolatory turn; and to such I offer the assurance, that there is pleasure in being + the depositary of a pretty girl's secrets. "There are worse occupations in the world, + <i>Yorick</i>, than feeling a woman's pulse."—<i>The Inspector</i>.</p> + <hr /> + <h3>SUNRISE AT MOUNT ETNA.</h3> + <p>Of a sunrise at Mount Etna, an acute traveller remarks, no imagination can form an + idea of this glorious and magnificent scene. Neither is there on the surface of this + globe any one point that unites so many awful and sublime objects:—the immense + elevation from the surface of the earth, drawn as it were to a single apex, without + any neighbouring mountain for the senses and imagination to rest upon, and recover + from their astonishment in their way down to the world—and this point, or + pinnacle raised on the brink of a bottomless gulf, often discharging rivers of fire, + and throwing out burning rocks, with a noise that shakes the whole island. Add to + this, the unbounded extent of the prospect, comprehending the greatest diversity, and + the most beautiful scenery in nature; with the rising sun advancing in the east to + illuminate the wondrous scene. The whole atmosphere by degrees kindled up, and showed + dimly and faintly the boundless prospect around. Both sea and land looked dark and + confused, as if only emerging from their original chaos; and light and darkness + seemed still undivided, till the morning by degrees advancing, completed the + separation. The stars are extinguished, and the shades disappear. The forests, which + but now seemed black and bottomless gulfs, from whence no ray was reflected to show + their form or colours, appear a new creation rising to the sight, catching life and + beauty from every increasing beam. The scene still enlarges, and the horizon seems to + widen and expand itself on all sides; till the sun appears in the east, and with his + plastic ray completes the mighty scene. All appears enchantment; and it is with + difficulty we can believe we are still on earth. The senses, unaccustomed to such + objects, are bewildered and confounded; and it is not till after some time that they + are capable of separating and judging of them. The body of the sun is seen rising + from the ocean, immense tracks both of sea and land intervening; various islands + appear under your feet; and you look down on the whole of Sicily as on a map, and can + trace every river through all its windings, from its source to its mouth. The view is + absolutely boundless on every side; nor is there any one object within the circle of + vision to interrupt it; so that the sight is every where lost in the immensity; and + there is little doubt, that were it not for the imperfection of our organs, the + coasts of Africa, and even of Greece, would be discovered, as they are certainly + above the horizon.—<i>Time's Telescope</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page57" name="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span> + <h2>GARRICK'S MULBERRY CUP.</h2> + <p class="figure"><a href="images/265-2.png"><img width="50%" src="images/265-2.png" + alt="" /></a><br /> + </p> + <p>In the garden attached to New Place, flourished a mulberry-tree, which Shakspeare + had planted with his own hands; and in 1742, when Garrick and Macklin visited + Stratford, they were regaled beneath its venerable branches by Sir Hugh Clopton, who, + instead of pulling down New Place according to Malone's assertion, repaired it, and + did every thing in his power for its preservation. The Rev. Francis Gastrell + purchased the building from Sir Hugh Clopton's heir, and being disgusted with the + trouble of showing the mulberry-tree to so many visitors, he caused this interesting + and beautiful memorial of Shakspeare to be cut down, to the great mortification of + his neighbours, who were so enraged at his conduct, that they soon rendered the + place, out of revenge, too disagreeable for him to remain in it. He therefore was + obliged to quit it; and the tree, being purchased by a carpenter, was retailed and + cut out in various relics.</p> + <p>The catalogue of the property of the late David Garrick, Esq. sold on the 5th of + May, 1825, describes the cup as follows:—"Lot 170. The original cup carved from + Shakspeare's mulberry-tree, which was presented to David Garrick by the Mayor and + Corporation at the time of the Jubilee at Stratford-on-Avon, lined with silver gilt, + with a cover, surmounted by a bunch of mulberry leaves and fruit, also of silver + gilt."</p> + <p>This relic acquires additional value from the circumstance of its never having + changed possessors from the time it was presented to Garrick in September, 1769, to + 1825, a period of nearly three score years, and during the greater part of which time + it has been virtually locked up from public view. The tree was cut down about the + year 1756, and could not have been less than 140 years old. It is said the mulberry + was first planted in England about 1609. It is not a little singular, that at the + time Garrick received this relic of the immortal bard, he resided in + Southampton-street, as appears by his letter to the Mayor and Corporation of + Stratford, returning thanks for having elected him a burgess of Stratford-on-Avon; + and the residence of its second possessor, Mr. J. Johnson, (who bought it for 127l. + 1s.,) after a lapse of nearly sixty years, is in the same street.</p> + <p>The cup itself is of a very chaste and handsome form; plain, but in good taste, + and the wood prettily marked. The mulberry cup has also been recorded in the + celebrated ballad, beginning, "Behold this fair goblet," &c. sung by Garrick at + the Jubilee, holding the cup in his hand.</p> + <p>G.W.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.</h2> + <h4>NO. X.</h4> + <hr /> + <h3>THE GREEKS.</h3> + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror</i>.)</h4> + <p>The delightful country of Greece, once the finest in the world, is inhabited by a + bold and intelligent race of men, whose noble struggles to rescue themselves from an + odious servitude has rendered them objects of our esteem and admiration. For more + than five years has this unfortunate land been the scene of continual warfare and + desolation; and though the attempts of the Turks have been many and great, they have + notwithstanding entirely failed in their design,—that of exterminating the + Greeks.</p> + <p>The Greeks are of the same religion as the Russians, and, like that nation, have + monks and nuns. Great decorum is visible in their churches, the females being + excluded from the sight of the males by means of lattices. Their bishops lead a life + of great simplicity, as will be seen from the following account of a dinner given by + the bishop of Salona to Mr. Dodwell:—"There was nothing to eat except rice and + bad cheese; the wine was execrable, and so impregnated with resin, that it almost + took the skin from our lips. <span class="pagenum"><a id="page58" + name="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span> Before sitting down to dinner, as well as + afterwards, we had to perform the ceremony of the <i>cheironiptron</i>, or washing of + the hands. We dined at a round table of copper tinned, supported upon one leg, and + sat on cushions placed on the floor. The bishop insisted upon my Greek servant + sitting at table with us; and on my observing that it was contrary to our custom, he + answered, that he could not bear such ridiculous distinctions in his house. It was + with difficulty I obtained the privilege of drinking out of my own glass, instead of + out of the large goblet, which served for the whole party. The Greeks seldom drink + till they have dined. After dinner, strong thick coffee, without sugar, was handed + round."—The strictest frugality is observable in all the meals of these people. + The higher orders live principally on fish and rice, and the common people on olives, + honey, and onions. The food of the Levantine sailors, according to the Hon. Mr. + Douglas, consists entirely of salted olives, called by the Greeks <i>columbades</i>. + They dress mutton in a singular manner, it being stewed with honey. In a very rare + work, published in 1686, entitled, "The Present State of the Morea," is the following + account of their manner of thrashing corn:—"They have no barns, but + thrashing-floors, which are situated on high grounds, and open to the winds. Here + they tread it out with horses, which are made fast to a post, round which the corn is + put; the horses trampling upon it make great despatch: they then cleanse it with the + wind, and send it home."</p> + <p>The houses of the Greeks are generally built of brick, made of clay and chopped + straw; those at Napoli di Romania are considered among the best, and are spacious and + convenient. The stranger, on entering, is struck with the singular appearance they + present, the lower story being set apart for the <i>horses</i>, while not a bell is + visible in any part of the building. When the attendance of a servant is required, it + is signified by the master clapping his hands. Most of the houses in the villages + have very pretty gardens, with walks round them covered with vines. The Greeks are + remarkable for their love of dancing, particularly the <i>Romaika</i>, which is thus + described by the Hon. Mr. Douglas:—"I never shall forget the first time I saw + this dance: I had landed on a fine Sunday evening in the island of Scio, after three + months spent amidst Turkish despotism, and I found most of the poorer inhabitants of + the town strolling upon the shore, and the rich absent at their farms; but in riding + three miles along the coast, I saw above thirty parties engaged in dancing the + Romaika upon the sand; in some of these groups, the girl who led them chased the + retreating wave, and it was in vain that her followers hurried their steps; some of + them were generally caught by the returning sea, and all would court the laugh rather + than break the indissoluble chain. Near each party was seated a group of parents and + elder friends, who rekindled the last spark of their expiring gaiety and vigour in + the happiness they saw around them."</p> + <p>Though the Greeks are an oppressed nation, yet, as Sir William Gell testifies, + they cannot be called uncleanly in their habits. The bath is in constant use among + them, and a Greek peasant would on no account retire to rest without having + previously washed his feet. The females, generally speaking, are kept very secluded + from society, and it is seldom that their marriages are founded on mutual love or + attachment. The conduct of the married women in Greece is deserving of our highest + praise, both for their great virtue and goodness of heart, while instances of divorce + are extremely rare.</p> + <p>The burial-places of the Greeks are situated without the walls of their towns, and + round the tombs are a variety of plants, (principally parsley,) which they take great + care to keep alive. Numerous ceremonies are observed at their funerals; but the most + interesting scene is the last. "Before the body is covered with earth, the relations + approach in turn, and lifting the corpse in their arms, indulge in the full pleasure + of their grief, while they call in vain on the friend they have lost, or curse the + fate by which that loss has been occasioned." The Greeks, when occasion requires it, + make use of flowers to express their thoughts. Thus for instance, if a lover wishes + to convey any private intelligence to his mistress, he has only to make a selection + of certain flowers, the signification of which is perfectly understood if once seen + by the object of his love. The manners of the Greeks in many cases bear a striking + resemblance to those of the Turks. Like that nation, they smoke with long pipes, and + write with the left hand. The inhabitants of Napoli di Romania have still further + imitated their oppressors by wearing the turban trimmed with white, together with the + red <i>papouches</i>, or slippers. The costume of the Greek soldiers is thus + described by the author of "Letters from the East:"—"The costume of these + soldiers was light and graceful; a thin vest, sash, and a loose pantaloon, which fell + just below the knee. The head was covered with a small and ugly cap. They had most of + them pistols and muskets, to <span class="pagenum"><a id="page59" + name="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span> which many added sabres or ataghans." The dress of + the females is very elegant; over the head is worn a veil, called <i>macrama</i>, and + between the eyelid and the pupil is inserted a black powder, named <i>surme</i>, + which, according to the Hon. Mr. Douglas, gives a pleasing expression to the + countenance. On their hair (generally of a beautiful auburn) they bestow great pains, + adorning it with a variety of ornaments, and suffering it to hang down in long + tresses or ringlets, which present a most graceful appearance. In stature the men are + tall and well made; but their countenances, though expressive, have generally an air + of dejection, which no change of time or circumstances have power to remove. The + Greek women are very beautiful, and remarkable for vivacity and intelligence of + mind.</p> + <p>The character of the Greeks consists of a singular mixture of good and bad + qualities. They are vain, fickle, treacherous, and turbulent; but, on the other hand, + are industrious, bold, polite, moderate in their living, with a lively and ingenious + disposition. If it be asserted that they are in some cases too much given to wine, it + may be replied to in the words of Cicero, <i>Necessitatis crimen est, non + voluntatis</i>. When we consider that from the earliest age they are accustomed to + witness among the Turks the most disgusting scenes of profligacy and villany, that, + like wandering pilgrims, they have no fixed abode, and are continually subject to all + the miseries attendant on war and poverty, can it be wondered if in their character + we find something worthy of reprehension?</p> + <p>W. C—Y</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE SELECTOR;<br /> + AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>PERSONAL CHARACTER OF BONAPARTE.</h3> + <p>Sir Walter Scott observes, on closing the history of Napoleon Bonaparte, that the + reader may be disposed to pause a moment to reflect on the character of that + wonderful person, on whom fortune showered so many favours in the beginning and + through the middle of his career, to overwhelm its close with such deep and unwonted + afflictions.</p> + <p>The external appearance of Napoleon was not imposing at the first glance, his + stature being only five feet six inches English. His person, thin in youth, and + somewhat corpulent in age, was rather delicate than robust in outward appearance, but + cast in the mould most capable of enduring privation and fatigue. He rode + ungracefully, and without the command of his horse which distinguishes a perfect + cavalier; so that he showed to disadvantage when riding beside such a horseman as + Murat. But he was fearless, sat firm in his seat, rode with rapidity, and was capable + of enduring the exercise for a longer time than most men. We have already mentioned + his indifference to the quality of his food, and his power of enduring abstinence. A + morsel of food, and a flask of wine hung at his saddle-bow, used, in his earlier + campaigns, to support him for days. In his latter wars, he more frequently used a + carriage; not, as has been surmised, from any particular illness, but from feeling in + a frame so constantly in exercise the premature effects of age.</p> + <p>The countenance of Napoleon is familiar to almost every one from description, and + the portraits which are found everywhere. The dark-brown hair bore little marks of + the attentions of the toilet. The shape of the countenance approached more than is + usual in the human race to a square. His eyes were grey, and full of expression, the + pupils rather large, and the eye-brows not very strongly marked. The brow and upper + part of the countenance was rather of a stern character. His nose and mouth were + beautifully formed. The upper lip was very short. The teeth were indifferent, but + were little shown in speaking.<a id="footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a + href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> His smile possessed uncommon sweetness, and is + stated to have been irresistible. The complexion was a clear olive, otherwise in + general colourless. The prevailing character of his countenance was grave, even to + melancholy, but without any signs of severity or violence. After death, the placidity + and dignity of expression which continued to occupy the features, rendered them + eminently beautiful, and the admiration of all who looked on them.</p> + <p>Such was Napoleon's exterior. His personal and private character was decidedly + amiable, excepting in one particular. His temper, when he received, or thought he + received, provocation, especially if of a personal character, was warm and + vindictive. He was, however, placable in the case even of his enemies, providing that + they submitted to his mercy; but he had not that species of generosity which respects + the sincerity of a manly and fair opponent. On the other hand, no one was a more + liberal rewarder of the attachment of his friends. He was an excellent husband, a + kind relation, and, unless when state policy intervened, a most affectionate brother. + General Gourgaud, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page60" name="page60"></a>[pg + 60]</span> whose communications were not in every case to Napoleon's advantage, + states him to have been the best of masters, labouring to assist all his domestics + wherever it lay in his power, giving them the highest credit for such talents as they + actually possessed, and imputing, in some instances, good qualities to such as had + them not.</p> + <p>There was gentleness, and even softness, in his character. He was affected when he + rode over the fields of battle, which his ambition had strewed with the dead and the + dying, and seemed not only desirous to relieve the victims,—issuing for that + purpose directions, which too often were not, and could not be, obeyed,—but + showed himself subject to the influence of that more acute and imaginative species of + sympathy which is termed sensibility. He mentions a circumstance which indicates a + deep sense of feeling. As he passed over a field of battle in Italy, with some of his + generals, he saw a houseless dog lying on the body of his slain master. The creature + came towards them, then returned to the dead body, moaned over it pitifully, and + seemed to ask their assistance. "Whether it were the feeling of the moment," + continued Napoleon, "the scene, the hour, or the circumstance itself, I was never so + deeply affected by any thing which I have seen upon a field of battle. That man, I + thought, has perhaps had a house, friends, comrades, and here he lies deserted by + every one but his dog. How mysterious are the impressions to which we are subject! I + was in the habit, without emotion, of ordering battles which must decide the fate of + a campaign, and could look with a dry eye on the execution of manoeuvres which must + be attended with much loss, and here I was moved—nay, painfully + affected—by the cries and the grief of a dog. It is certain that at that moment + I should have been more accessible to a suppliant enemy, and could better understand + the conduct of Achilles in restoring the body of Hector to the tears of Priam."<a + id="footnotetag3" name="footnotetag3"></a><a href="#footnote3"><sup>3</sup></a> The + anecdote at once shows that Napoleon possessed a heart amenable to humane feelings, + and that they were usually in total subjection to the stern precepts of military + stoicism. It was his common and expressive phrase, that the heart of a politician + should be in his head; but his feelings sometimes surprised him in a gentler + mood.</p> + <p>A calculator by nature and by habit, Napoleon was fond of order, and a friend to + that moral conduct in which order is best exemplified. The libels of the day have + made some scandalous averments to the contrary, but without adequate foundation. + Napoleon respected himself too much, and understood the value of public opinion too + well, to have plunged into general or vague debauchery.—<i>Scott's Life of + Napoleon.</i></p> + <hr /> + <h3>THE FESTIVAL OF THE MOON AT MEMPHIS.</h3> + <p>The rising of the moon, slow and majestic, as if conscious of the honours that + awaited her upon earth, was welcomed with a loud acclaim from every eminence, where + multitudes stood watching for her first light. And seldom had she risen upon a scene + more beautiful. Memphis,—still grand, though no longer the unrivalled Memphis, + that had borne away from Thebes the crown of supremacy, and worn it undisputed + through so many centuries,—now, softened by the moonlight that harmonised with + her decline, shone forth among her lakes, her pyramids, and her shrines, like a dream + of glory that was soon to pass away. Ruin, even now, was but too visible around her. + The sands of the Libyan desert gained upon her like a sea; and, among solitary + columns and sphynxes, already half sunk from sight, Time seemed to stand waiting, + till all that now flourished around, should fall beneath his desolating hand, like + the rest.</p> + <p>On the waters all was life and gaiety. As far as eye could reach, the lights of + innumerable boats were seen, studding, like rubies, the surface of the stream. + Vessels of all kinds,—from the light coracle, built for shooting down the + cataracts, to the large yacht that glides to the sound of flutes,—all were + afloat for this sacred festival, filled with crowds of the young and the gay, not + only from Memphis and Babylon, but from cities still farther removed from the + scene.</p> + <p>As I approached the island, could see, glittering through the trees on the bank, + the lamps of the pilgrims hastening to the ceremony. Landing in the direction which + those lights pointed out, I soon joined the crowd; and passing through a long alley + of sphynxes, whose spangling marble shone out from the dark sycamores around them, in + a short time reached the grand vestibule of the temple, where I found the ceremonies + of the evening already commenced.</p> + <p>In this vast hall, which was surrounded by a double range of columns, and lay open + over-head to the stars of heaven, I saw a group of young maidens, moving, in a sort + of measured step, between walk and dance, round a small shrine, upon which stood one + of those sacred birds, <span class="pagenum"><a id="page61" name="page61"></a>[pg + 61]</span> that, on account of the variegated colour of their wings, are dedicated to + the moon. The vestibule was dimly lighted,—there being but one lamp of naphta + on each of the great pillars that encircled it. But, having taken my station beside + one of those pillars, I had a distinct view of the young dancers, as in succession + they passed me.</p> + <p>Their long, graceful drapery was as white as snow; and each wore loosely, beneath + the rounded bosom, a dark-blue zone, or bandelet, studded, like the skies at + midnight, with little silver stars. Through their dark locks was wreathed the white + lily of the Nile,—that flower being accounted as welcome to the moon, as the + golden blossoms of the bean-flower are to the sun. As they passed under the lamp, a + gleam of light flashed from their bosoms, which, I could perceive, was the reflection + of a small mirror, that, in the manner of the women of the East, each wore beneath + her left shoulder.</p> + <p>There was no music to regulate their steps; but as they gracefully went round the + bird on the shrine, some, by the beat of the Castanet, some, by the shrill ring of + the sistrum,—which they held uplifted in the attitude of their own divine + Isis,—harmoniously timed the cadence of their feet; while others, at every + step, shook a small chain of silver, whose sound, mingling with those of the + castanets and sistrums, produced a wild, but not an unpleasing harmony.</p> + <p>They seemed all lovely; but there was one—whose face the light had not yet + reached, so downcast she held it,—who attracted, and at length rivetted all my + attention—<i>The Epicurean, by Thomas Moore, Esq.</i></p> + <hr /> + <h3>MATERIALS OF ANCIENT BOOKS.</h3> + <p>No material for books has, perhaps, a higher claim to antiquity than the skin of + the calf or goat tanned soft, and usually dyed red or yellow: the skins were + generally connected in lengths, sometimes of a hundred feet, sufficient to contain an + entire book, which then formed one roll or <i>volume</i>. These soft skins seem to + have been more in use among the Jews and other Asiatics than among the people of + Europe. The copies of the law found in the synagogues are often of this kind: the + most ancient manuscripts extant are some copies of the Pentateuch on rolls of + leather.</p> + <p>Parchment—Pergamena, so called long after the time of its first use, from + Pergamus, a city of Mysia, where the manufacture was improved and carried on to a + great extent, is mentioned by Herodotus and Ctesias as a material which had been from + time immemorial used for books: it has proved to be of all others, except that + abovementioned, the most durable. The greater part of all manuscripts that are of + higher antiquity than the sixth century are on parchment; as well as, generally, all + carefully written and curiously decorated manuscripts of later ages. The palimpsests + are usually parchments: "It often happened," says Montfauçon, "that from the + scarcity of parchment, the copyists, having erased the writing of ancient books, + wrote upon them anew: these rewritten parchments were called + palimpsests—scraped a second time, and often the ancient work was one of far + greater value than that to which it gave place: this we have on many occasions had + opportunity to observe in the MSS. of the king's library, and in those of Italy. In + some of these rescripts, the first writing is so much obliterated as to be scarcely + perceptible; while in others, though not without much labour, it may still be + read."</p> + <p>The practice, still followed in the east, of writing upon the leaves of trees, was + common in the remotest ages. The leaves of the mallow or of the palm were most used + for this purpose: they were sometimes wrought together into larger surfaces; but it + is probable that this fragile and inconvenient material was only employed for + ordinary purposes of business, letter-writing, or the instruction of children.</p> + <p>The inner bark of the linden or teil tree, and perhaps of some others, railed by + the Romans <i>liber</i>, by the Greeks <i>biblos,</i><a id="footnotetag4" + name="footnotetag4"></a><a href="#footnote4"><sup>4</sup></a> was so generally used + as a material for writing as to have given its name to a book in both languages. + Tables of solid wood called <i>codices</i>, whence the term <i>codex</i> for a + manuscript on any material, has passed into common use, were also employed, but + chiefly for legal documents, on which account a system of laws came to be called a + code. Leaves or tablets of lead or ivory are frequently mentioned by ancient authors + as in common use for writing. But no material or preparation seems to have been so + frequently employed on ordinary occasions as tablets covered with a thin coat of + coloured wax, which was readily removed by an iron needle, called a <i>style</i>; and + from which the writing was as readily effaced by the blunt end of the same + instrument.</p> + <p>But during many ages the article most in use, and of which the consumption was so + great as to form a principal branch <span class="pagenum"><a id="page62" + name="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> of the commerce of the Mediterranean, was that + manufactured from the papyrus of Egypt. Many manuscripts written upon this kind of + paper in the sixth, and some even so early as the fourth century, are still extant. + It formed the material of by far the larger proportion of all books from very early + times till about the seventh or eighth century, when it gradually gave place to a + still more convenient manufacture.</p> + <p>The papyrus, or Egyptian reed, grew in vast quantities in the stagnant pools + formed by the inundations of the Nile. The plant consists of a single stem, rising + sometimes to the height of ten cubits; this stem, gradually tapering from the root, + supports a spreading tuft at its summit. The substance of the stem is fibrous, and + the pith contains a sweet juice. Every part of this plant was put to some use by the + Egyptians. The harder and lower part they formed into cups and other utensils; the + upper part into staves, or the ribs of boats; the sweet pith was a common article of + food; while the fibrous part of the stem was manufactured into cloth, sails for + ships, ropes, strings, shoes, baskets, wicks for lamps, and, especially, into paper. + For this purpose the fibrous coats of the plant were peeled off, the whole length of + the stem. One layer of fibres was then laid across another upon a block, and being + moistened, the glutinous juice of the plant formed a cement, sufficiently strong to + give coherence to the fibres; when greater solidity was required, a size made from + bread or glue was employed. The two films being thus connected, were pressed, dried + in the sun, beaten with a broad mallet, and then polished with a shell. This texture + was cut into various sizes, according to the use for which it was intended, varying + from thirteen to four fingers' breadth, and of proportionate length.</p> + <p>By progressive improvements, especially in the hands of the Roman artists, this + Egyptian paper was brought to a high degree of perfection. In later ages it was + manufactured of considerable thickness, perfect whiteness, and an entire continuity + and smoothness of surface. It was, however, at the best, so friable that when + durability was required the copyists inserted a page of parchment between every five + or six pages of the papyrus. Thus the firmness of the one substance defended the + brittleness of the other; and great numbers of books so constituted have resisted the + accidents and decays of twelve centuries.</p> + <p>Three hundred years before the Christian era the commerce in this article had + extended over most parts of the civilized world; and long afterwards it continued to + be a principal source of wealth to the Egyptians. But at length the invention of + another manufacture, and the interruption of commerce occasioned by the possession of + Egypt by the Saracens, banished the paper of Egypt from common use. Comparatively few + manuscripts on this material are found of later date than the eighth or ninth + century; though it continued to be occasionally used long afterwards.</p> + <p>The charta bombycina or cotton paper, often improperly called <i>silk</i> paper, + was unquestionably manufactured in the east as early as the ninth century, possibly + much earlier; and in the tenth it came into general use throughout Europe. This + invention, not long afterwards, became still more available for general purposes by + the substitution of old linen or cotton rags for the raw material; by which means + both the price of the article was reduced, and the quality improved. The cotton paper + manufactured in the ancient mode is still used in the east, and is a beautiful + fabric.</p> + <p>From this brief account of the materials successively employed for books, it will + be obvious, that a knowledge of the changes which these several manufactures + underwent will often serve, especially when employed in subservience to other + evidence, to ascertain the age of manuscripts; or at least to furnish the means of + detecting fabricated documents.</p> + <p>The preservation of books, framed as they are of materials so destructible, + through a period of twelve, or even fifteen hundred years, is a fact which might seem + almost incredible; especially as the decay of apparently more durable substances + within a much shorter period, is continually presented to our notice. The massive + walls of the monasteries of the middle ages are often seen prostrate, and fast + mingling with the soil; while manuscripts penned within them, or perhaps when their + stones were yet in the quarry, are still fair and perfect, glittering with their gold + and silver, their cerulean and cinnabar.</p> + <p>But the materials of books, though destructible, are so far from being in + themselves perishable that, while defended from positive injuries, they appear to + suffer scarcely at all from any intrinsic principle of decay, or to be liable to any + perceptible process of decomposition. "No one," says Father Mabillon,<a + id="footnotetag5" name="footnotetag5"></a><a href="#footnote5"><sup>5</sup></a> + "unless totally unacquainted with what relates to antiquity, can call in question the + great durability of parchments; since there are <span class="pagenum"><a id="page63" + name="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> extant innumerable books, written on that material, + in the seventh and sixth centuries; and some of a still more remote antiquity, by + which all doubt on that subject might be removed. It may suffice here to mention the + Virgil of the Vatican Library, which appears to be of more ancient date than the + fourth century; and another in the King's Library little less ancient; also the + Prudentius, in the same library, of equal age; to which you may add several, already + mentioned, as the Psalter of S. Germanus, the book of the councils, and others, which + are all of parchment. Many other instances I might name if it were proper to dwell + upon a matter so well known to every one who is acquainted with antiquity.</p> + <p>"The paper of Egypt, being more frail and brittle, may seem to be open to greater + doubt; yet there are not wanting books of great antiquity, by which its durability + may be established. To go no further, there is in the Royal Library a very old codex + written upon the philyra (or bark of the linden tree) containing the homilies of + Avitus, I mean the copy from which the celebrated Jac. Sirmundus prepared his + edition; we have also seen two other codices of the same material in the Petavian + Library, containing some sermons of S. Augustine, which, in the opinion of the + learned, are about 1100 years old. Of the same kind is that rare and very ancient + codex in the Ambrosian Library, mutilated indeed, but consisting of many leaves of + Egyptian paper, which contain some portions of the Jewish history of Josephus. These + examples are sufficient to demonstrate the durability of the Egyptian paper in + ancient books." The author then goes on to mention several instances of deeds and + chartas written upon the paper of Egypt, still extant, though executed in the fourth + and fifth centuries.</p> + <p>Books have owed their conservation, not merely to the durability of the material + of which they were formed, but to the peculiarity of their being at once precious, + and yet not (in periods of general ignorance) marketable articles; of inestimable + value to a few, and absolutely worthless in the opinion of the multitude. They were + also often indebted for their preservation in periods of disorder and violence to the + sacredness of the roofs under which they were lodged.—<i>Taylor's History of + the Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times.</i></p> + <hr /> + <h3>A PERSIAN'S DESCRIPTION OF AN ENGLISH THEATRE.</h3> + <p>In Europe the manner in which plays are acted, and balls and musical parties + conducted, is (entirely) different from that of Hindoostan. The people of this + country (India) send for the singers to their own houses, where they view the + entertainments, and squander away a large sum of money for one night's (amusement.) + In Europe it is usual for a few individuals to enter into partnership, (or) as it is + called in English, a company. They fit up a house in which dancing girls, skilful + musicians, singers, and actors, are engaged to perform. The audience consists of from + three to four thousand people. The lower orders, who sit above all, give one + shilling, equal in value to half a rupee; the middle classes, who sit lowest off all, + a rupee and a half; and the great folks and noblemen, who sit (round) the middle of + the house, give two rupees and a half. Separate rooms (boxes) are allotted for them. + The place where the king sits is in front of the dancers. His majesty sits there + along with one or two of the princes, and these give each an ashrufee. Now it is to + be understood, that a poor man for eight anas, and a rich individual for two rupees + and a half, see a spectacle which is fit for royalty itself, and which the people of + this country have not even seen in their dreams. In one night the dancers and + musicians collect five or six thousand rupees, which cover the expenses, and the + audience is sufficiently amused.</p> + <p>It is the aim of this <i>caste</i> to accomplish great undertakings at little + expense. In Hindoostan, luxurious young men, for seeing a nautch [dance,] squander + away, in one night, one or two hundred rupees; and lakhs of rupees of patrimony, + which they may succeed to, in a short time take wing.</p> + <p>How can I describe the dances, the melodious sound of violins and guitars, and the + interesting stories which I heard, and (all the things) which I saw? My pen lacks + ability to write even a short panegyric.</p> + <p>From amongst all the spectacles, that of the curtains of seven colours (the + scenes) is exceedingly wonderful, for every instant a new painting is exhibited. Then + people, disguised like angels and fairies, the one moment come upon the stage and + dance, and the next vanish from the sight. There is also a man with a black face, who + is a kind of devil, and called harlequin; at one time he appears, and at another time + hides himself, and sometimes attaches himself to the others, and taking the hands of + the dancing girls, he dances with them; he then scampers off, and taking a leap, he + jumps through a window. At seeing this sport <span class="pagenum"><a id="page64" + name="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span> I laughed very heartily. In a word, the (whole) + entertainment is excellent and wonderful.</p> + <p>Talking is not permitted in the theatre, although the crowd is great, yet there is + neither noise nor clamour. When a pleasing storey or adventure is heard or witnessed, + and they wish to express their approbation, instead of saying <i>shabash!</i> + [excellent] or <i>wah! wah!</i> [bravo! bravo!] they beat the floor with their feet, + or they clap their hands, by which they signify their approval.—<i>Travels of + Mirza Itesa Modeen in Great Britain and France.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>MISCELLANIES.</h2> + <hr /> + <h3>LANDING IN INDIA.</h3> + <p>Nothing can be more ludicrous than a young Englishman's first landing in Calcutta. + The shore is thronged with the swarthy natives, eagerly awaiting his arrival. + Innumerable palanquins are brought down to the boat, and the bearers, like the + Paddington stagecoach men, are all violently struggling to procure a passenger. The + bewildered stranger is puzzled which to choose; and when he has made up his mind, he + finds it no easy matter to jostle through the countless rival conveyances which + completely surround him. He is also sure to make some laughable mistake in entering + the palanquin. It requires a certain tact to steady the vehicle as you throw yourself + into it, or it is apt to turn over, like a tailor's swinging cot. Another ridiculous + error which a stranger is liable to, is his endeavouring to seat himself on the + little drawer inside, supposing it to be intended for that purpose. But he soon + finds, after having doubled himself up, like people passing on a coach top under a + low gateway, that it would be utterly impossible to remain long in that position, + unless the human back were as pliable as a piece of whalebone. After all, perhaps, + the bearers are compelled to rest the palanquin on the ground, and the abashed + stranger, creeping hastily in, is glad to escape from the ill suppressed smiles of + the surrounding multitude.</p> + <p><i>London Weekly Review.</i></p> + <h3>INCUBATION AND AGE OF BIRDS.</h3> + <p>The full period of incubation by the hen in this country, is well known to be + twenty-one days. In warmer climates it is said to be a day or two less. The periods + of incubation vary much in different species of birds. We introduce the following + table, which has been compiled from different authors by Count Morozzo, in a letter + from him to Lacépépe, to show the periods of incubation compared with + those of the life of certain birds.</p> + <table width="100%" rules="groups"> + <colgroup> + <col /> + </colgroup> + <colgroup> + <col align="center" /> + </colgroup> + <colgroup> + <col align="center" /> + </colgroup> + <colgroup> + <col /> + </colgroup> + <thead> + <tr> + <th>Names of Birds</th> + <th>Periods of Incubation<br /> + (Days)</th> + <th>Duration of Life<br /> + (Years)</th> + <th>Authority</th> + </tr> + </thead> + <tbody> + <tr> + <td>Swan</td> + <td>42</td> + <td>About 200</td> + <td>Aldrovande</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Parrot</td> + <td>40</td> + <td>About 100</td> + <td>Wulmaer</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Goose</td> + <td>30</td> + <td>80 or more</td> + <td>Willoughby</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Eagle</td> + <td>30</td> + <td rowspan="4">Period of<br /> + life<br /> + not known.</td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Bustard</td> + <td>30</td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Duck</td> + <td>30</td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Turkey</td> + <td>30</td> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Peacock</td> + <td>26 to 27</td> + <td>25 to 28</td> + <td>Aristot. & Pliny</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Pheasant</td> + <td>20 to 25</td> + <td>18 to 20</td> + <td>A Treatise on Pheasants</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Crow</td> + <td>20</td> + <td>100 or more</td> + <td>Hesiod</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Nightingale</td> + <td>19 to 20</td> + <td>17 to 18</td> + <td>Buffon</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Hen</td> + <td>18 to 19</td> + <td>16 to 18</td> + <td>Buffon</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Pigeon</td> + <td>17 or 18</td> + <td>16 to 17</td> + <td>Several observations</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Linnet</td> + <td>14</td> + <td>13 to 14</td> + <td>Willoughby</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Canary</td> + <td>13 to 14</td> + <td>13 to 14</td> + <td>A Treatise on these birds</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>Goldfinch</td> + <td>13 to 14</td> + <td>18 to 20</td> + <td>Buffon</td> + </tr> + </tbody> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + <h2>THE GATHERER</h2> + <blockquote> + "I am but a <i>Gatherer</i> and disposer of other men's + stuff."—<i>Wotton.</i> + </blockquote> + <hr /> + <p>One of the band of Covent-Garden, who played the French horn, was telling some + anecdote of Garrick's generosity. Macklin, who heard him at the lower end of the + table, and who always fired at the praises of Garrick, called out, "Sir, I believe + you are a <i>trumpeter.</i>"—"Well, sir," said the poor man, quite confounded, + "and if I am, what then?"—"Nothing more, sir, than being a trumpeter, you are a + dealer in <i>puffs</i> by profession."</p> + <hr /> + <p>An Irish dignitary of the church (not remarkable for veracity) complaining that a + tradesman of his parish had called him a <i>liar</i>, Macklin asked him what reply he + made him. "I told him," says he, "that a lie was amongst the things I <i>dared</i> + not commit."—"And why, doctor," replied Macklin, "did you give the rascal <i>so + mean an opinion of your courage?</i>"</p> + <hr /> + <p>In the neighbourhood of Yeovil are now living, in the same house, and at the same + board, a man and his wife, two sons, three daughters, two grandsons, one + grand-daughter, one grandfather, two fathers, two mothers, one father-in-law, one + son-in-law, three brothers, three sisters, two brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, + two uncles, two aunts, two nephews, three nieces, three first cousins, one great + uncle, two great nephews, and one great niece; the whole consisting of seven + individuals only.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + <p>Sphinx ligustri, privet hank-moth.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + <p>When at St. Helena, he was much troubled with toothache and scurvy in the + gums.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote3" name="footnote3"></a> <b>Footnote 3</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag3">(return)</a> + <p>Las Cases, Vol. I partie 2de, p. 5.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote4" name="footnote4"></a> <b>Footnote 4</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag4">(return)</a> + <p>The word biblos or byblos, was afterwards almost appropriated to books written + upon the paper of Egypt.</p> + </blockquote> + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote5" name="footnote5"></a> <b>Footnote 5</b>: <a + href="#footnotetag5">(return)</a> + <p>De Re Diplomatica.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="full" /> + <i>Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset-House,) and sold + by all Newsmen and Booksellers.</i> + <hr class="full" /> +<pre> + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 265, JULY 21, 1827 *** + +This file should be named 8m26510h.htm or 8m26510h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8m26511h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8m26510ah.htm + + +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. Thus, we usually do not +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +We are now trying to release all our eBooks one year in advance +of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing. +Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections, +even years after the official publication date. + +Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg eBooks is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. + +Most people start at our Web sites at: +<a href="http://gutenberg.net">http://gutenberg.net</a> or +<a href="http://promo.net.pg">http://promo.net/pg</a> + +These Web sites include award-winning information about Project +Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new +eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!). + + +Those of you who want to download any eBook before announcement +can get to them as follows, and just download by date. This is +also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the +indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an +announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter. + +<a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext04">http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext05</a> or +<a href="ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext04">ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext05</a> + +Or /etext05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90 + +Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want, +as it appears in our Newsletters. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours +to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. Our +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If the value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text +files per month: 1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+ +We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002 +If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total +will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks! +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users. + +Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated): + +eBooks Year Month + + 1 1971 July + 10 1991 January + 100 1994 January + 1000 1997 August + 1500 1998 October + 2000 1999 December + 2500 2000 December + 3000 2001 November + 4000 2001 October/November + 6000 2002 December* + 9000 2003 November* +10000 2004 January* + + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created +to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people +and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, +Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, +Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, +Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New +Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, +Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South +Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West +Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. + +We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones +that have responded. + +As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list +will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states. +Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state. + +In answer to various questions we have received on this: + +We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally +request donations in all 50 states. If your state is not listed and +you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have, +just ask. + +While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are +not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting +donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to +donate. + +International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about +how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made +deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are +ways. + +Donations by check or money order may be sent to: + +Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +PMB 113 +1739 University Ave. +Oxford, MS 38655-4109 + +Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment +method other than by check or money order. + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by +the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN +[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154. Donations are +tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law. As fund-raising +requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be +made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +You can get up to date donation information online at: + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html">http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html</a> + + +*** + +If you can't reach Project Gutenberg, +you can always email directly to: + +<a href="mailto:hart@pobox.com">Michael S. Hart [hart@pobox.com]</a> + +Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message. + +We would prefer to send you information by email. + + +**The Legal Small Print** + + +(Three Pages) + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this eBook, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you may distribute copies of this eBook if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS EBOOK +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +eBook, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this eBook by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this eBook on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM EBOOKS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBooks, +is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart +through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project"). +Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this eBook +under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market +any commercial products without permission. + +To create these eBooks, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's eBooks and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other eBook medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may +receive this eBook from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook) disclaims +all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this eBook within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS EBOOK IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE EBOOK OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation, +and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated +with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm +texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including +legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the +following that you do or cause: [1] distribution of this eBook, +[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the eBook, +or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this eBook electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + eBook or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this eBook in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word + processing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The eBook, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The eBook may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the eBook (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + eBook in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the eBook refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the + gross profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation" + the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were + legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent + periodic) tax return. Please contact us beforehand to + let us know your plans and to work out the details. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of +public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed +in machine readable form. + +The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time, +public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses. +Money should be paid to the: +"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or +software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at: +hart@pobox.com + +[Portions of this eBook's header and trailer may be reprinted only +when distributed free of all fees. Copyright (C) 2001, 2002 by +Michael S. Hart. Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be +used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be +they hardware or software or any other related product without +express permission.] + +*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* +</pre> + +</body> +</html> |