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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:33:50 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:33:50 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10074-0.txt b/10074-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..43a862b --- /dev/null +++ b/10074-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1487 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10074 *** + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 10074-h.htm or 10074-h.zip: + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/0/0/7/10074/10074-h/10074-h.htm) + or + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/0/0/7/10074/10074-h/10074-h.zip) + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 10, No. 269.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1827. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S VILLA, CHISWICK. + +[Illustration] + + +The lamented death of the Right Hon. George Canning has naturally +excited the curiosity of our readers to the villa in which that eminent +statesman breathed his last; and we have therefore obtained from our +artist an original drawing, which has been taken since the melancholy +event occurred, and from which we are now enabled to give the above +correct and picturesque engraving. + +Chiswick House is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, built by the last +Earl of Burlington, whose taste and skill as an architect have been +frequently recorded. The ascent to the house is by a noble double flight +of steps, on one side of which is a statue of Palladio, and on the other +that of Inigo Jones. The portico is supported by six fluter Corinthian +pillars, with a pediment; and a dome at the top enlightens a beautiful +octagonal saloon. "This house," says Mr. Walpole, "the idea of which is +borrowed from a well-known villa of Palladio, and is a model of taste, +though not without faults, some of which are occasioned by too strict +adherence to rules and symmetry. Such are too many corresponding doors +in spaces so contracted; chimneys between windows, and, which is worse, +windows between chimneys; and vestibules however beautiful, yet little +secured from the damps of this climate. The trusses that support the +ceiling of the corner drawing-room are beyond measure massive, and the +ground apartment is rather a diminutive catacomb than a library in a +northern latitude. Yet these blemishes, and Lord Hervey's wit, who said +'the house was too small to inhabit, and too large to hang to one's +watch,' cannot depreciate the taste that reigns throughout the whole. +The larger court, dignified by picturesque cedars, and the classic +scenery of the small court, that unites the old and new house, are more +worth seeing than many fragments of ancient grandeur which our +travellers visit under all the dangers attendant on long voyages. The +garden is in the Italian taste, but divested of conceits, and far +preferable to every style that reigned till our late improvements. The +buildings are heavy, and not equal to the purity of the house. The +lavish quantity of urns and sculpture behind the garden front should be +retrenched." Such were the sentiments of Mr. Walpole on this celebrated +villa, before the noble proprietor began the capital improvements which +have since been completed. Two wings have been added to the house, from +the designs of Mr. Wyattville. These remove the objections that have +been made to the house, are more fanciful and beautiful than convenient +and habitable; the gardens have also been considerably improved, and now +display all the beauties of modern planting. + +It is a remarkable coincidence that at this secluded and beautiful villa +Charles James Fox terminated his glorious career, in the same month, and +having arrived at the same age (fifty-seven) as Mr. Canning. + +As many of our readers may be induced to visit this quiet and +picturesque spot, we would recommend them to pass down the private +carriage-way which leads from Turnham-green to the porter's lodge, and +having reached the door that opens to a rural lane which runs in front +of the villa, to turn into the field, the gate of which is situated near +a small bridge, and from thence a delightful view may be obtained of +this celebrated villa. It was on this spot the above view was sketched. +In returning through the lane which we have just alluded to, the first +turning on the right conducts to the church, which interestingly-ancient +edifice demands a remark in this place. + +Chiswick church is situated near the water side. The present structure +originally consisted only of a nave and chancel, and was built about the +beginning of the fifteenth century, at which time the tower was erected +at the charge of William Bordal, vicar of Chiswick, who died in 1435. It +is built of stone and flint, as is the north wall of the church and +chancel; the latter has been repaired with brick: a transverse aisle, at +the east end of the nave, was added on the south side in the middle of +the last, and a corresponding aisle on the south side, towards the +beginning of the last century. The former was enlarged in the year 1772, +by subscription, and carried on to the west end of the nave: both the +aisles are of brick. + +In the churchyard is a monument to the memory of William Hogarth. On +this monument, which is ornamented with a mask, a laurel wreath, a +palette, pencils, and a book, inscribed, "Analysis of Beauty," are the +following lines, by his friend and contemporary, the late David +Garrick:-- + + "Farewell, great painter of mankind, + Who reached the noblest point of art, + Whose pictur'd morals charm the mind, + And through the eye correct the heart! + If genius fire thee, reader, stay; + If nature move thee, drop a tear; + If neither touch thee, turn away, + For Hogarth's honour'd dust lies here." + +Near this is the tomb of Dr. Rose, many years distinguished as a critic +in a respectable periodical publication. + +In the church, in the Earl of Burlington's vault, is interred the +celebrated Kent, a painter, architect, and father of modern gardening. +"In the first character," says Mr. Walpole, "he was below mediocrity; in +the second, he was the restorer of the science; in the last, an +original, and the inventor of an art that realizes painting and improves +nature. Mahomet imagined an Elysium, but Kent created many." He +frequently declared, it is said, that he caught his taste in gardening +from reading the picturesque descriptions of Spencer. Mason, noticing +his mediocrity as a painter, pays this fine tribute to his excellence in +the decoration of rural scenery:-- + + ----"He felt + The pencil's power--but fir'd by higher forms + Of beauty than that pencil knew to paint, + Work'd with the living hues that Nature lent, + And realiz'd his landscapes. Generous be, + Who gave to Painting what the wayward nymph + Refus'd her votary; those Elysian scenes, + Which would she emulate, her nicest hand + Must all its force of light and shade employ." + +On the outside of the wall of the churchyard, on a stone tablet, is the +following curious inscription:--"This wall was made at ye charges of ye +right honourable and trulie pious Lorde Francis Russel, Duke of Bedford, +out of true zeal and care for ye keeping of this churchyard, and ye +wardrobe of God's saints, whose bodies lay therein buried, from +violating by swine and other profanation, so witnessed! William Walker, +V., A.D. 1623." + +We cannot better conclude our description than with a sketch from Sir +Richard Phillips's "Morning's Walk to Kew." He was walking on the +opposite banks of the river, when on a sudden he caught the sound of a +ring of village bells. "Surely," he exclaimed, "they are Chiswick +bells!--the very bells under the sound of which I received part of my +early education, and, as a schoolboy, passed the happiest days of my +life!--Well might their tones vibrate to my inmost soul, and kindle +uncommon sympathies!" I now recollected that the winding of the river +must have brought me nearer to that simple and primitive village than +the profusion of wood had permitted me to perceive, and my memory had +been unconsciously acted upon by the tones which served as keys to all +the associations connected with these bells, their church and the +village of Chiswick! I listened again, and now discriminated those +identical sounds which I had not heard during a period of more than +thirty years. I distinguished the very words in the successive tones, +which the school-boys and puerile imaginations at Chiswick used to +combine with them. In thought, I became again a schoolboy--"Yes," said +I, "the six bells tell me that _my dun cow has just calv'd_, exactly as +they did above thirty years since!"--Did the reader never encounter a +similar key-note, leading to a multitude of early and vivid +recollections? Those well-remembered tones, in like manner, brought +before my imagination numberless incidents and personages no longer +important, or no longer in existence. My scattered and once-loved +schoolmates, their characters and their various fortunes, passed in +rapid review before me; my schoolmaster, his wife, and all the gentry, +and heads of families, whose orderly attendance at divine service on +Sundays, while those well-remembered bells were "chiming for church," +(but now gone and mouldering in the adjoining graves,) were again +presented to my perceptions! With what pomp and form they used to enter +and depart from their house of God! I still saw with the mind's eye the +widow Hogarth, and her maiden relative, Richardson, walking up the aisle +dressed in their silken sacks, their raised head-dresses, their black +hoods, their lace ruffles, and their high-crook'd canes, preceded by +their aged servant, Samuel; who, after he had wheeled his mistress to +church in her Bath-chair, carried the prayer-books up the aisle, and +opened and shut the pew! There too was the portly Dr. Griffiths, of the +_Monthly Review_, with his literary wife in her neat and elevated +wire-winged cap! And oftimes the vivacious and angelic Duchess of +Devonshire, whose bloom had not then suffered from the canker-worm of +pecuniary distress, created by the luxury of charity! Nor could I forget +the humble distinction of the aged sexton, Mortefee, whose skill in +psalmody enabled him to lead that wretched group of singers, whom +Hogarth so happily portrayed; whose performance with the pitch-fork +excited so much wonder in little boys; and whose gesticulations and +contortions of head, hand, and body, in beating time, were not outdone +even by Joah Bates in the commemorations of Handel! Yes, simple and +happy villagers! I remember scores of you;--how fortunately ye had, and +still have, escaped the contagion of the metropolitan vices, though +distant but five miles; and how many of you have I conversed with, who, +at an adult age, had never beheld the degrading assemblage of its +knaveries and miseries! + +I revelled in the melancholy pleasure of these recollections, yielding +my whole soul to that witchery of sensibility which magnifies the +perception of being, till one of the bells was overset, when, the peal +stopping, I had leisure to think on the rapid advance of the day, and on +the consequent necessity of quickening my speed. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SKETCH-BOOK. + +NO. XLIV. + + * * * * * + + +THE BLUE BOTTLE + + "A _fly_ your honour."--_Brighton Cliff_ + + +Talk of musquitoes!--a musquito is a gentleman who honourably runs you +through with a small sword, and from whom (as from a mad dog) we may +easily seek a defence in--_muslin_. + +But your rory-tory, hurly-burly blue-bottle, is no better than a bully. +His head is a _humming-top_, and his tight blue little body like a +tomahawk, cased in glittering steel, which he takes a delight in +whirling against your head. I really believe, that to confine a nervous +man in a room with one of these winged tormentors, on a July day, would +inevitably destroy him in less than an hour. + +He rudely and unceremoniously bumps away all sober reflection,--(I +wonder whether the phrenological Spurzheim ever felt the _bumps_ of a +blue-bottle!) then his whimsical vagaries effectually defy repose; now +settling with his tickling bandy legs upon your nose, and industriously +insinuating his sharp proboscis, and anon abruptly buzzing in your +ear--no secret--off he shoots again to his own music. + +Now, truly, his _hum-drum_ puts me in mind of the whirring tone of the +hurdy-gurdy, while his _ad libitum_ bumping against the booming +window-panes sounds, to my fancy, like the unskilful accompaniment of a +double drum, beaten by some unmusical urchin. + +The house spider who spreads with so much care his beautiful nets for +gnats, and moths, and smaller flies, finds alike his labour and his +toils in vain to secure this rampaging rogue; and, indeed, when the +turbulent blue-bottle chances, in his bouncing random flight, to get +entangled in the glutinous meshes, he shakes and roars, and blusters so +loudly, until he breaks away, that the spider affrighted, invariably +takes advantage of his long legs to scamper off to his sanctum in the +cracked wainscot--like some imbecile watchman, who fearing to encounter +a tall inebriated bruiser, sneaks away with admirable discretion to the +security of his snug box, praying the drunkard may speedily reel into +another _beat_. + +Your noisy people generally grow taciturn in their cups--but Sir +Blue-bottle, though he drinks deep draughts of your wine, particularly +if it abound in sweetness, is never changed. He is naturally giddy, and +according to entomologists, always sees more than double, while his head +was never made to be turned. So may you hope for peace--only in his +flight or death!--_Absurdities: in Prose and Verse_. + + * * * * * + + +LAW AND LAWYERS. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +William the Conqueror entertained the difficult project of totally +abolishing the English language, and for that purpose, he ordered that +in all schools throughout the kingdom, the youth should be instructed in +the French tongue. Until the reign of Edward III. the pleadings in the +supreme courts of judicature were performed in French, when it was +appointed that the pleas should be pleaded in English; but that they +should be entered or recorded in Latin. The deeds were drawn in the same +language; the laws were composed in that idiom, and no other tongue was +used at court. It became, says Hume, the language of all fashionable +company; and the English themselves ashamed of their own country, +affected to excel in that foreign dialect. At Athens, and even in France +and England, formal and prepared pleadings were prohibited, and it was +unlawful to amuse the court with long, artful harangues; only it was the +settled custom here, in important matters, to begin the pleadings with a +text out of the holy scriptures. It is of late years that eloquence was +admitted to the bar. + +The account which the learned judge Hale gives of the lawyers, who +pleaded in the 15th century, does them little honour. He condemns the +reports during the reigns of Henry IV. and V. as inferior to those of +the last twelve years of Edward III. and he speaks but coolly of those +which the reign of Henry VI. produces. Yet this deficiency of +progressive improvement in the common law arose not from a want of +application to the science; since we learn from Fortescue that there +were no fewer than two thousand students attending on the inns of +chancery and of court, in the time of its writer. Gray's-inn, in the +time of Henry VIII. was so incommodious, that "the ancients of this +house were necessitated to lodge double." Indeed until the beginning of +the last century the lawyers lived mostly in their inns of court, or +about Westminster-hall. But a great change has been effected; they are +all now removed to higher ground, squares and genteel neighbourhoods, no +matter how far distant from their chambers. + +The number of judges in the courts of Westminster was by no means +certain. Under Henry VI. there were at one time eight judges in the +court of common pleas. Each judge took a solemn oath that "he would take +no fee, pension, gift, reward, or bribe, from any suitor, saving meat +and drink, which should be of no great value." In 1402, the salary of +the chief justice of the king's bench was forty pounds per annum. In +1408, the chief justice of the common pleas had fifty-five marks per +annum. In 1549, the chief justice of the king's bench had an addition of +thirty pounds to his salary, and each justice of the same bench and +common pleas, twenty pounds. At this time, a felony under the value of +twelve pence, was not a capital offence; and twelve pence then was equal +to sixty shillings at the present day. + +To Richard III. on whom history has cast innumerable stains, England has +considerable obligations as a legislator. Barrington thus speaks of him: +"Not to mention his causing each act of parliament to be written in +English and to be printed, he was the first prince on the English throne +who enabled the justices of the peace to take bail; and he caused to be +enacted a law against raising money by 'benevolence' which when pleaded +by the citizens of London against Cardinal Wolsey, could only be +answered by an averment, that Richard being a usurper and a murderer of +his nephews, the laws of so wicked a man ought not to be forced." And a +noble biographer, (Bacon's Henry VII.) says, "He was a good lawgiver for +the ease and solace of the common people." Cardinal Wolsey to terrify +the citizens of London into the general loan exacted in 1525, told them +plainly, _that it were better that some should suffer indigence than +that the king at this time should lack, and therefore beware and +resist not, nor ruffle not in the case, for it may fortune to cost some +people their heads_. And says Hume, when Henry VIII. heard that the +commons made a great difficulty of granting the required supply, he was +so provoked that he sent for Edward Montague, one of the members who had +a considerable influence on the house; and he being introduced to his +majesty, had the mortification to hear him speak in these words: _Ho! +man! will they not suffer my bill to pass?_ And laying his hand on +Montague's head, who was then on his knees before him, _get my bill +passed by to-morrow, or else to-morrow this head of yours shall be off_. +This cavalier manner of Henry's succeeded; for next day the bill passed. +Another instance of arbitrary power is worth relating. In Strype's life +of Stow we find, a garden house belonging to an honest citizen of +London, (which chanced to obstruct the improvement of a powerful +favourite. Thomas Cromwell,) "loosed from the foundation, borne on +rollers, and replaced two and twenty feet within the garden," without +the owner's leave being required; nay without his knowledge. The persons +employed, being asked their authority for this extraordinary proceeding, +made only this reply, "That Sir Thomas Cromwell had commanded them to do +it," _and none durst argue the matter_. The father of the antiquary, +Stow, (for it was he that was thus trampled upon,) "was fain to continue +to pay his old rent, without any abatement, for his garden; though half +of it was in this manner taken away." + + +TRIAL AND EXECUTION. + + +In days of yore, (says Aubrey) lords and gentlemen lived in the country +like petty kings, had _jura regalia_ belonging to the seignories, had +castles and boroughs, had gallows within their liberties, where they +would try, condemn, and execute; never went to London but in parliament +time, or once a year to do _homage_ to the king. Justice was +administered with great expedition, and too often with vindictive +severity. Pennant informs us that "originally the time of trial and +execution was to be within three suns!" About the latter end of the +seventeenth century the period was extended to _nine_ days after +sentence; but since a rapid and unjust execution in a petty Scottish +town, 1720, the execution has been ordered to be deferred for forty days +on the south, and sixty on the north side of the Tay, that time may be +allowed for an application to the king for mercy. Stealing was first +capital in the reign of Henry I. False coining, which was then a very +common crime, was severely punished. Near fifty criminals of this kind +were at _one time_ hanged or mutilated. Laws were passed in Henry +VIIth's reign ordaining the king's suit for murder to be carried on +within a year and a day. Formerly it did not usually commence till +after, and as the friends of the person murdered often in the interval +compounded matters with the criminal, the crime frequently passed +unpunished. In 1503, an act was passed prohibiting the king from +pardoning those convicted of wilful and premeditated murder; but this +appears to have been done at the monarch's own request, and was liable +to be rescinded at pleasure. In Henry the Eighth's reign, Harrison +asserts that 73,000 criminals were executed for theft and robbery, which +was nearly 2,000 a year. He adds, that in Elizabeth's reign, there were +_only_ between three and four hundred a year hanged for theft and +robbery. It is said that the earliest law enacted in any country for the +promotion of anatomical knowledge, was passed in 1540. It allowed the +united companies of _Barbers_ and _Surgeons_ to have yearly the bodies +of four criminals for dissection. In the year 1749, were executed at +Tyburn, Usher Gahagan, Terence O'Connor, and Joseph Mapham, for filing +gold money. Gahagan and Connor were papists of considerable families in +Ireland; the former was a very good Latin scholar, and editor of +Brindley's edition of the Classics; he translated _Pope's Essay on +Criticism_, in Latin verse, and after his confinement, the _Temple of +Fame_, and the _Messiah_, which he dedicated to the Duke of Newcastle, +in hopes of a pardon; he also wrote verses in English to prince George +(George III.) and to Mr. Adams, the recorder, which are published in the +ordinary's account, together with a poetical address to the Duchess of +Queensbury, by Connor. In 1752, it was enacted that every criminal +convicted of wilful murder should be executed on the day next but one +after sentence was passed, unless that happens to be on a Sunday: and in +that case, they are to be executed on the Monday following. The judge +may direct the body to be hung in chains, or to be delivered to the +surgeons in order to its being dissected and anatomized; but in no case +whatsoever is it to be buried till after it is dissected. The first +punishment of hanging, drawing, and quartering, occurred in the year +1241. The form of our gallows was adopted by the Roman Furca, when +Constantine abolished crucifixion. In France it had either a single, +double, or treble frame, denoting the rank of the territorial seigneur, +whether gentleman, knight, or baron. The ancient gallows near London, +had hooks for eviscerating, quartering, &c. the bodies of criminals. In +the 15th century, the top, like the beam of a pair of scales, was made +to move up and down; at one end hung a halter, at the other a large +weight, the halter was drawn down, and being put round the criminal's +neck, the weight at the other end lifted him from the ground. + +F.R.Y. + + * * * * * + + + +MY COMMON-PLACE BOOK, + +NO. XIX. + + * * * * * + + +NOVEL WRITERS AND NOVEL READERS. + + +Auto-biography of men, who held no distinguished rank in the political +world, is often very pleasant reading; especially where the writer has a +strong tincture of vanity, and is obviously blind to his own character; +for, if he does not know it himself, he is sure to let his readers know +it; if he does not see the dark spots, he will not endeavour to conceal +them; and, if he thinks them bright ones, he will blazon them. But +novel-writing, when well done, is, after all, the best species of +writing; for, if what all the world says, is true; what all the world +reads, must be good. A novel writer, of any talents, will draw his +portraits from the life--will catch at every striking feature, and +generally paint man as he is; and there is this difference between +actual histories and works of imagination, that the former are for the +most part true in letter, but false in spirit; and the latter, false in +letter, and true in spirit; the one is correct in names, dates, and +places, but out of truth in everything else: the other is not correct in +names, dates, and places, but perfectly true in every other point. + +The worst part of a novel is the hero or heroine: these are too +frequently fabrications from the author's fancy, instead of portraits +from nature; or, if taken from life, they are tortured into a perfection +that life never knew. This is too much the case with "Thaddeus of +Warsaw," and ten thousand others. Ladies are not good hands in painting +heroes, nor gentlemen always equal to the portraying of heroines. The +author of _Werter_ knew that, and therefore he did not disfigure his +wicked and interesting work with an artificial Charlotte: he leaves her +to the reader's own fancy, who has nothing to do but to fancy himself +Werter, and his own imagination will paint Charlotte. + +When the hero is made the vehicle of one moral lesson, as Vivian, in +Miss Edgeworth's "Tales of Fashionable Life," then there is no need of +artificial ornament; and when there is no intention of presenting an +unmixed character of evil, nothing remains but to draw from life, and +the work is perfect. One of Miss Edgeworth's failings is of great +service to her, in this kind of painting: she wants what some persons +call feeling, that is to say, she does not believe in the omnipotence of +love, and therefore would never have written such a book as the "Sorrows +of Werter;" and if she had possessed the same materials, she would have +produced a very different work--not so full of genius, perhaps, but an +interesting and instructive tale. + +Novels are productions more easily criticised than any others: every one +may judge for himself of the truth or probability of the events, and the +accuracy of the features of character. It is impossible almost to +deceive a reader--to palm upon him fiction for truth; for the truth is +felt, if it be there, and the falsehood is palpable and revolting. There +is also an extensive light of information in them. They do not merely +give one scene, or character, or class of characters; but their +principles are generally applicable to a very wide extent--they exercise +the mind to a habit of observation, and so far from giving false views +of life, they more frequently direct us to its true estimate. To be +sure, there is sometimes a degree of improbability in some of the +incidents, which is mostly forgiven, if the whole mass be, in the main, +true and accurate. There are certain standard incidents, which are +common property--such as the discovery of relationships--the change of +children--and liberal aunts, who make nothing of presenting a young +married couple with twenty or thirty thousand pounds on their wedding +day; but, if any young lady or gentleman is silly enough to marry, +without the means of support, because they have read such things in +novels, and have also read of rich uncles all of a sudden returning from +the East or West Indies, to shower gold and pearls on all their +relations, all that must be said for them is, that they have not +sufficient sense to read "Aesop's Fables," and they might as easily be +misled into the imagination that brutes could talk. It is a very weak +charge against novels, that they present false views of life; for, when +they do, none but silly people read them; and they are just as wise +after, as they were before. + +If there be any evil in novels at all, it is when they take people from +their business--when they occupy a mother's time to the neglect of her +children--when they lead idle boys to neglect their lessons, and when +they lead idle gentlefolks to fancy themselves employed, when they are +only killing time. W.P.S. + + * * * * * + + +CARRIER PIGEONS. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +It appears by the Dutch papers that pigeons are now used to forward +correspondence between different countries in Europe, and one was lately +found resting on a house in Rotterdam. The carrier pigeon has its name +from its remarkable sagacity in returning to the place where it was +bred; and Lightow assures us, that one of these birds would carry a +letter from Babylon to Aleppo, which is thirty days' journey, in +forty-eight hours. This pigeon was employed in former times by the +English factory to convey intelligence from Scanderoon of the arrival of +company's ships in that port, the name of the ship, the hour of her +arrival, and whatever else could be comprised in a small compass, being +written on a slip of paper, which was secured in such a manner under the +pigeon's wing as not to impede its flight; and her feet were bathed in +vinegar, with a view to keep them cool, and prevent her being tempted by +the sight of water to alight, by which the journey might have been +prolonged, or the billet lost. The pigeons performed this journey in two +hours and a half. The messenger had a young brood at Aleppo, and was +sent down in an uncovered cage to Scanderoon, from whence, as soon as +set at liberty, she returned with all possible expedition to her nest. +It is said that the pigeons when let fly from Scanderoon, instead of +bending their course towards the high mountains surrounding the plain, +mounted at once directly up, soaring still almost perpendicularly till +out of sight, as if to surmount at once the obstacles intercepting their +view of the place of their destination. Maillet, in his "Description de +l'Egypt," tells us of a pigeon despatched from Aleppo to Scanderoon, +which, mistaking its way, was absent for three days, and in that time +had made an excursion to the island of Ceylon; a circumstance then +deduced from finding green cloves in the bird's stomach, and credited at +Aleppo. In the time of the holy wars, certain Saracen ambassadors who +came to Godfrey of Antioch from a neighbouring prince, sent intelligence +to their master of the success of their embassy, by means of pigeons, +fixing the billet to the bird's tail. Hirtius and Brutus, at the siege +of Modena, held a correspondence with one another by means of pigeons. +Ovid informs us that Taurosthenus, by a pigeon stained with purple, gave +notice to his father of his victory at the Olympic games, sending it to +him at Ægina; and Anacreon tells us, that he conveyed a _billet-doux_ to +his beautiful Bathyllid, by a dove. Thus, says Bewick, "the bird is let +loose, and in spite of surrounding armies and every obstacle that would +have effectually prevented any other means of conveyance, guided by +instinct alone, it returns directly home, where the intelligence is so +much wanted. Sometimes they have been the peaceful bearers of glad +tidings to the anxious lover, and to the merchant of the no less welcome +news of the safe arrival of his vessel at the desired port." + +In this _flighty_ and _pigeoning age_, I would recommend a +_pigeon-carrier-company_, whose shares might be _elevated_ to any +_height_. + +P. T. W. + + * * * * * + + + +MISCELLANIES. + + * * * * * + + +NAMES OF SHEEP. + + +A ram or wether lamb, after being weaned, is called a hog, or hoggitt, +tag, or pug, throughout the first year, or until it renew two teeth; the +ewe, a ewe-lamb, ewe-tag, or pug. In the second year the wether takes +the name of shear-hog, and has his first two renewed or broad teeth, or +he is called a two-toothed tag or pug; the ewe is called a thaive, or +two-toothed ewe tag, or pug. In the third year, a shear hog or +four-toothed wether, a four-toothed ewe or thaive. The fourth year, a +six-toothed wether or ewe. The fifth year, having eight broad teeth, +they are said to be full-mouthed sheep. Their age also, particularly of +the rams, is reckoned by the number of times they have been shorn, the +first shearing taking place in the second year; a shearing, or +one-shear, two-shear, &c. The term _pug_ is, I believe, nearly become +obsolete. In the north and in Scotland, ewe hogs are called _dimonts_, +and in the west of England ram lambs are called _pur lambs_. + +The ancient term _tup_, for a ram, is in full use. Crone still signifies +an old ewe. Of _crock_, I know nothing of the etymology, and little more +of the signification, only that the London butchers of the old school, +and some few of the present, call Wiltshire sheep horned _crocks_. I +believe crock mutton is a term of inferiority. + + * * * * * + +Conceit and confidence are both of them cheats; the first always imposes +on itself, the second frequently deceives others too.--_Zimmerman_. + + * * * * * + + + +ANCIENT POWDER FLASK. + +[Illustration] + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror._) + + +SIR,--The enclosed curious drawing of an ancient powder "_flaske_," both +in form and ornament, may not be uninteresting to the readers of your +valuable MIRROR at the approaching sporting season. + +Gunpowder, when first invented, was carried in the horns of animals, for +safety and convenience; though some time afterwards placed in flat +leather cases or bottles, invented by the Germans, and called +"_flaskes_." A remarkably curious one of this description, evidently of +the time of Queen Elizabeth, is here represented, and is formed of +ivory, somewhat in the shape of a stag's horn; the ornaments on it are +carved in a good bold style, and represent an armed figure on horseback +in full chase. The "flaske" is tipped at the end with silver, and +measures about eight inches in length. + +I remain, yours, + +* * + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS + + * * * * * + + +CHARACTER OF THE SEPOYS. + + +Our countrymen at home are frequently perplexed by the apparent +contradictions of a traveller from the East, when describing the +characters and manners of the inhabitants of Hindostan. If, for +instance, he alludes to our gallant sepoys, he pours forth unmeasured +praise, and appears altogether charmed with their docility, courage, +honour, and fidelity. On the other hand, his opinion of the natives in +the aggregate is often as exactly the reverse as it is possible to +imagine. They are described, perhaps, in the strongest terms, as at once +servile, cowardly, treacherous, and ungrateful. The fact is, that our +troops are all from the northern provinces of India, the natives of +which are a brave and generous race, who hold the profession of arms in +the highest estimation. The _Bengallees_ on the contrary, (with the most +universal and shameless indifference to truth,) are mean, effeminate, +and avaricious. They are chiefly composed of merchants, copying clerks, +mechanics, and domestic servants, and are invariably refused admittance +into the company's army. These people are vastly inferior to the natives +of the upper provinces in mental and corporeal energy, though more +polished in their manners, and more easily initiated into the arts and +mysteries of civilized life. I will illustrate the nice sense of honour +which distinguishes the native soldier by the following anecdote. + +A sepoy of the Bengal native infantry was accused by one of his comrades +of having stolen a rupee and a pair of trousers. The sergeant-major +before whom, in the first instance, the charge was brought, was both +unable and unwilling to give it credence. Besides the unusual +circumstance of a native soldier being guilty of so base an act, the +accused sepoy had always been remarkably conspicuous for his brave and +upright conduct. His breast was literally covered with medals, and he +had long been accustomed to the voice of praise. Still, however, justice +demanded that the charge should not be dismissed without an impartial +investigation. The whole affair was brought to the notice of the +commanding officer, who desired that the sepoy's residence should be +immediately and thoroughly examined. On opening his knapsack, to the +utter astonishment and regret of the whole regiment, the stolen property +was discovered. None, however, looked more thunderstruck than the sepoy +himself. He clenched his teeth in bitter agony, but spoke not a single +word. The colonel told him, that though circumstances were fearfully +against him, he would not yet pronounce him guilty, as it was not +impossible he might be the victim of some malignant design. He therefore +dismissed him from his presence until the result of further inquiries +should produce a full conviction of his guilt or innocence. In a few +hours the sepoy was observed to leave his little hut, and walk with +hurried steps to a neighbouring field. He was soon concealed from sight +by a thick cluster of bamboos, beneath which he had often sheltered +himself from the noontide sun. Suspecting the purpose of his present +visit to so retired a spot, a comrade followed him, but was +unfortunately too late to arrest the hand of the determined suicide. The +poor fellow lay stretched on the ground, with his head hanging back, and +the blood gushing from his open throat. He had effected his purpose with +a sharp knife, which he still grasped, as if with the intention of +inflicting another wound. He was carried to the hospital, and carefully +attended, but the surgeon immediately pronounced his recovery +impossible. A pen and ink were brought to him, and he wrote with some +difficulty on a slip of paper, that he firmly hoped he had not failed in +his attempt to destroy himself, for life was of no value without honour. +He stated, too, that though it might now be almost useless to affirm his +innocence, he hoped that a time might come when his memory should be +freed from its present stain. He lingered no less than fifteen days in +this dreadful state, and died, at last, apparently of mere starvation. +It was my painful duty, as "officer of the day," to visit the hospital +very frequently, and he invariably made signs of a desire for food. This +it was, of course, impossible to give him, and any nourishment would +merely have prolonged his misery. Two days before he died, it was +discovered that a Bengallee servant of low caste, who had taken offence +on some trivial occasion, had placed the stolen goods in the sepoy's +bundle, and then urged the owner to accuse him of the theft. The +disclosure of this circumstance appeared to give infinite satisfaction +to the dying soldier. + +_London Weekly Review._ + + * * * * * + + +HOUSE LAUNCHING. + + +The launching of the two brick houses in Garden-street was completely +successful. They were moved nearly ten feet, _occupied at the time by +their tenants_, without having sustained any injury. The preparations +were the work of some time; the two buildings having been put upon ways, +or into a cradle, were easily screwed on a new foundation. The inventor +of _this simple and cheap mode of moving tenanted brick buildings_, is +entitled to the thanks of the public. _In the course of time_, it is +likely that houses will be put up upon ways at brick or stone quarries, +and sold as ships are, _to be delivered in any part of the city. +--American Paper._ + + * * * * * + +_In the course of time_ we really do not know what is not to happen in +America. Jonathan promises to grow so big, and to do such wonders in a +day or two, that no bounds can be placed to his performances _in the +future tense_. Everything will of course be on a scale of grandeur +proportioned to his country, which, as he observes in his Travels in +England, is "bigger and more like a world" than our boasted land; +instead, therefore, of going about in confined, close carriages as +people do here, the Americans will rattle through the streets to their +routs and parties in their houses. One tenanted brick building will be +driven up to the door of another. A further improvement may here be +suggested. Jonathan is fond of chairs with rockers, that is, chairs with +a cradle-bottom, on which he see-saws himself as he smokes his pipe and +fuddles his sublime faculties with liquor. Now by putting a house on +rockers, this trouble and exertion of the individual on a scale so small +and unworthy of a great people would be spared, and every tenant of a +brick building would be rocked at the same time, and by one common piece +of machinery. The effect of a whole city nid-nid-nodding after dinner, +will be extremely magnificent and worthy of America. As for the +feasibility of the thing, nothing can be more obvious. If houses can be +put upon cradles for launching, they can be put upon cradles for +rocking; and if tenants do not object to being conveyed from one part of +the city to another in their mansions, they will not surely take fright +at an agreeable stationary see-saw in them.--_London Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +GOOD NIGHT TO THE SEASON. + + Thus runs the world away.--HAMLET. + + + Good-night to the Season! 'tis over! + Gay dwellings no longer are gay; + The courtier, the gambler, the lover, + Are scatter'd, like swallows, away: + There's nobody left to invite one, + Except my good uncle and spouse; + My mistress is bathing at Brighton, + My patron is sailing at Cowes: + For want of a better employment, + Till Ponto and Don can get out, + I'll cultivate rural enjoyment, + And angle immensely for trout. + + Good-night to the Season!--the buildings + Enough to make Inigo sick; + The paintings, and plasterings, and gildings, + Of stucco, and marble, and brick; + The orders deliciously blended, + From love of effect, into one; + The club-houses only intended, + The palaces only begun; + The hell where the fiend, in his glory, + Sits staring at putty and stones, + And scrambles from story to story, + To rattle at midnight his bones. + + Good-night to the Season!--the dances, + The fillings of hot little rooms, + The glancings of rapturous glances, + The fancyings of fancy costumes; + The pleasures which Fashion makes duties, + The praisings of fiddles and flutes, + The luxury of looking at beauties, + The tedium of talking to mutes; + The female diplomatists, planners + Of matches for Laura and Jane, + The ice of her Ladyship's manners, + The ice of his Lordship's champagne. + + Good-night to the Season!--the rages + Led off by the chiefs of the throng, + The Lady Matilda's new pages, + The Lady Eliza's new song; + Miss Fennel's Macaw, which at Boodle's + Is held to have something to say; + Mrs. Splenetic's musical Poodles, + Which bark "Batti, batti!" all day: + The pony Sir Araby sported, + As hot and as black as a coal, + And the Lion his mother imported, + In bearskins and grease, from the Pole. + + Good-night to the Season!--the Toso, + So very majestic and tall; + Miss Ayton, whose singing was so so, + And Pasta, divinest of all; + The labour in vain of the Ballet, + So sadly deficient in stars; + The foreigners thronging the Alley, + Exhaling the breath of cigars; + The "loge," where some heiress, how killing, + Environ'd with Exquisites sits, + The lovely one out of her drilling, + The silly ones out of their wits. + + Good-night to the Season!--the splendour + That beam'd in the Spanish Bazaar, + Where I purchased--my heart was so tender-- + A card-case,--a pasteboard guitar,-- + A bottle of perfume,--a girdle,-- + A lithograph'd Riego full-grown, + Whom Bigotry drew on a hurdle, + That artists might draw him on stone,-- + A small panorama of Seville,-- + A trap for demolishing flies,-- + A caricature of the Devil, + And a look from Miss Sheridan's eyes. + + Good-night to the Season!--the flowers + Of the grand horticultural fête, + When boudoirs were quitted for bowers, + And the fashion was not to be late; + When all who had money and leisure, + Grow rural o'er ices and wines, + All pleasantly toiling for pleasure, + All hungrily pining for pines, + And making of beautiful speeches, + And marring of beautiful shows, + And feeding on delicate peaches, + And treading on delicate toes. + + Good night to the Season!--another + Will come with its trifles and toys, + And hurry away, like its brother, + In sunshine, and odour, and noise. + Will it come with a rose or a briar? + Will it come with a blessing or curse? + Will its bonnets be lower or higher? + Will its morals be better or worse? + Will it find me grown thinner or fatter, + Or fonder of wrong or of right. + Or married, or buried?--no matter, + Good-night to the season, Good-night! + +_New Monthly Magazine_. + + * * * * * + + +TIGER TAMING. + + +A party of gentlemen from Bombay, one day visiting the stupendous cavern +temple of Elephanta, discovered a tiger's whelp in one of the obscure +recesses of the edifice. Desirous of kidnapping the cub, without +encountering the fury of its dam, they took it up hastily and +cautiously, and retreated. Being left entirely at liberty, and extremely +well fed, the tiger grew rapidly, appeared tame and fondling as a dog, +and in every respect entirely domesticated. At length, when it had +attained a vast size, and notwithstanding its apparent gentleness, began +to inspire terror by its tremendous powers of doing mischief, a piece of +raw meat, dripping with blood, fell in its way. It is to be observed, +that, up to that moment, it had been studiously kept from raw animal +food. The instant, however, it had dipped its tongue in blood, something +like madness seemed to have seized upon the animal; a destructive +principle, hitherto dormant, was awakened--it darted fiercely, and with +glaring eyes, upon its prey--tore it with fury to pieces--and, growling +and roaring in the most fearful manner, rushed off towards the +jungles.--_London Weekly Review._ + + * * * * * + + +RUNNING A MUCK. + + +The inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago, and particularly of the +island of Java, are of a very sullen and revengeful disposition. When +they consider themselves grossly insulted, they are observed to become +suddenly thoughtful; they squat down upon the ground, and appear +absorbed in meditation. While in this position, they revolve in their +breasts the most bloody and ferocious projects of revenge, and, by a +desperate effort, reconcile themselves with death. When their terrible +resolution is taken, their eyes appear to flash fire, their countenance +assumes an expression of preternatural fury; and springing suddenly on +their feet, they unsheath their daggers, plunge them into the heart of +every one within their reach, and rushing out into the streets, deal +wounds and murder as they run, until the arrow or dagger of some bold +individual terminates their career. This is called _running a +muck_.--_Ibid_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SELECTOR, AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS. + + * * * * * + + +THE JEW'S HARP. + + +The memoirs of Madame de Genlis first made known the astonishing powers +of a poor German soldier on the Jew's harp. This musician was in the +service of Frederick the Great, and finding himself one night on duty +under the windows of the King, playing the Jew's harp with so much +skill, that Frederick, who was a great amateur of music, thought he +heard a distinct orchestra. Surprised on learning that such an effect +could be produced by a single man with two Jew's harps, he ordered him +into his presence; the soldier refused, alleging, that he could only be +relieved by his colonel; and that if he obeyed, the king would punish +him the next day, for having failed to do his duty. Being presented the +following morning to Frederick, he was heard with admiration, and +received his discharge and fifty dollars. This artist, whose name Madame +de Genlis does not mention, is called Koch; he has not any knowledge of +music, but owes his success entirely to a natural taste. He has made his +fortune by travelling about, and performing in public and private, and +is now living retired at Vienna, at the advanced age of more than eighty +years. He used two Jew's harps at once, in the same manner as the +peasants of the Tyrol, and produced, without doubt, the harmony of two +notes struck at the same moment, which was considered by the +musically-curious as somewhat extraordinary, when the limited powers of +the instrument were remembered. It was Koch's custom to require that all +the lights should be extinguished, in order that the illusion produced +by his playing might be increased. + +It was reserved, however, for Mr. Eulenstein to acquire a musical +reputation from the Jew's harp. After ten years of close application and +study, this young artist has attained a perfect mastery over this +untractable instrument. In giving some account of the Jew's harp, +considered as a medium for musical sounds, we shall only present the +result of his discoveries. This little instrument, taken singly, gives +whatever grave sound you may wish to produce, as a _third_, a _fifth_, +or an _octave_. If the grave tonic is not heard in the bass Jew's harp, +it must be attributed, not to the defectiveness of the instrument, but +to the player. In examining this result, you cannot help remarking the +order and unity established by nature in harmonical bodies, which places +music in the rank of exact sciences. The Jew's harp has three different +tones; the bass tones of the first octave bear some resemblance to those +of the flute and clarionet; those of the middle and high, to the _vox +humana_ of some organs; lastly, the harmonical sounds are exactly like +those of the _harmonica_. It is conceived, that this diversity of tones +affords already a great variety in the execution, which is always looked +upon as being feeble and trifling, on account of the smallness of the +instrument. It was not thought possible to derive much pleasure from any +attempt which could be made to conquer the difficulties of so limited an +instrument; because, in the extent of these octaves, there were a number +of spaces which could not be filled up by the talent of the player; +besides, the most simple modulation became impossible. Mr. Eulenstein +has remedied that inconvenience, by joining sixteen Jew's harps, which +he tunes by placing smaller or greater quantities of sealing-wax at the +extremity of the tongue. Each harp then sounds one of the notes of the +gamut, diatonic or chromatic, and the performer can fill all the +intervals, and pass all the tones, by changing the harp. That these +mutations may not interrupt the measure, one harp must always be kept in +advance, in the same manner as a good reader advances the eye, not upon +the word which he pronounces, but upon that which follows.--_Philosophy +in Sport._ + + * * * * * + + +FORM OF ANCIENT BOOKS, THEIR ILLUMINATIONS, &c. + + +The mode of compacting the sheets of their books remained the same among +the Greeks during a long course of time. The sheets were folded three or +four together, and separately stitched: these parcels were then +connected nearly in the same mode as is at present practised. Books were +covered with linen, silk, or leather. + +The page was sometimes undivided; sometimes it contained two, and in a +few instances of very ancient MSS., three columns. A peculiarity which +attracts the eye in many Greek manuscripts, consists in the occurrence +of capitals on the margin, some way in advance of the line to which they +belong; and this capital sometimes happens to be the middle letter of a +word. For when a sentence finishes in the middle of a line, the initial +of the next is not distinguished, that honour being conferred upon the +incipient letter of the next line; thus-- + + THEGREEKSENTERING + THEREGIONOFTHEMA + CRONESFORMEDANAL + LIANCEWITHTHEM.AS + T HEPLEDGEOFTHEIR + FAITHTHEBARBARIANS + GAVEASPEAR. + +The Greeks, especially in the earliest times, divided their compositions +into verses, or such short portions of sentences as we mark by a comma, +each verse occupying a line; and the number of these verses is often set +down at the beginning or end of a book. The numbers of the verses were +sometimes placed in the margin. + +Much intricacy and difficulty attends the subject of ancient +punctuation; nor could any satisfactory account of the rules and +exceptions that have been gathered from existing MSS. be given, which +should subserve the intention of this work. Generally speaking, though +with frequent exceptions, the most ancient books have no separation of +words, or punctuation of any kind; others have a separation of words, +but no punctuation; in some, every word is separated from the following +one by a point. In manuscripts of later date are found a regular +punctuation, and marks of accentuation. These circumstances enter into +the estimate when the antiquity of a book is under inquiry; but the +rules to be observed in considering them cannot be otherwise than +recondite and intricate. + +Few ancient books are altogether destitute of decorations; and many are +splendidly adorned with pictorial ornaments. These consist either of +flowery initials, grotesque cyphers, portraits, or even historical +compositions. Sometimes diagrams, explanatory of the subjects mentioned +by the author, are placed on the margin. Books written for the use of +royal persons, or dignified ecclesiastics, usually contain the effigies +of the proprietor, often attended by his family, and by some allegorical +or celestial minister; while the humble scribe, in monkish attire, +kneels and presents the book to his patron. + +These illuminations, as they are called, almost always exhibit some +costume of the times, or some peculiarity, which serves to mark the age +of the manuscript. Indeed a fund of antiquarian information relative to +the middle ages has been collected from this source. Many of these +pictured books exhibit a high degree of executive talent in the artist, +yet labouring under the restraints of a barbarous taste.--_Taylor's +History of the Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times_. + + * * * * * + + +SOUTHERN AFRICAN ELOQUENCE. + + +"It is clear that it is our best policy to march against the enemy +before he advances. Let not our towns be the seat of war; let not our +houses be stained with bloodshed; let the blood of the enemy be spilt at +a distance from our wives and children. Yet some of you talk ignorantly; +your words are the words of children or of men confounded. I am left +almost alone; my two brothers have abandoned me; they have taken wives +from another nation, and allow their wives to direct them; their wives +are their kings!" Then turning towards his younger brothers, he +imprecated a curse upon them if they should follow the example of their +elder brethren. Again addressing the people, he said, "you walk over my +head while I sleep, but you now see that the wise Mocooas respect me. +Had they not been our friends, we must have fled ere now before the +enemy." Turning to Wleeloqua, the eighth speaker, he said, "I hear you, +my father; I understand you, my father; your words are true and good for +the ear. It is good that we be instructed by the Macooas. May evil +overtake the disobedient! May they be broken in pieces! Be silent, ye +women!" (addressing them,) "ye who plague your husbands, who steal their +goods, and give them to others, be silent; and hinder not your husbands +and children by your evil words. Be silent, ye kidney-eaters,[1] +(turning towards the old men,) ye who are fit for nothing but to prowl +about whenever an ox is killed. If our cattle are carried off, where +will you get kidneys?" + + [1] The Bechnanas imagine that none who eat of the kidneys of + the ox will have any offspring; on this account, no one, except + the aged, will taste-them. Hence the contemptuous term of + "kidney-eaters," synonymous with dotard. + +Then addressing the warriors, he said, "there are many of you who do not +deserve to eat out of a broken pot; ye stubborn and stupid men! consider +what you have heard, and obey without murmuring. Hearken! I command you, +ye chiefs of the Matclhapees, Matclhoroos, Myrees, Barolongs, and +Bamacootas, that ye proclaim through all your clans the proceedings of +this day, and let none be ignorant. And again I say, ye warriors, +prepare for the day of battle; let your shields be strong, your quivers +full of arrows, and your battle-axes sharp as hunger." Turning a second +time towards the old men and women, he said, "prevent not the warrior +from going forth to battle, by your timid counsels. No! rouse up the +warrior to glory, and he shall return to you with honourable scars; +fresh marks of valour shall cover his thigh;[2] and then we shall renew +the war-song and dance, and rehearse the story of our achievements." + + [2] The warriors receive a new scar on the thigh for every + enemy they kill in battle. + + * * * * * + + +CHARACTER OF PITT. + +_By the late Right Hon. G. Canning._ + + +The character of this illustrious statesman early passed its ordeal. +Scarcely had he attained the age at which reflection commences, than +Europe with astonishment beheld him filling the first place in the +councils of his country, and manage the vast mass of its concerns with +all the vigour and steadiness of the most matured wisdom. Dignity, +strength, discretion, these were among the masterly qualities of his +mind at its first dawn. He had been nurtured a statesman, and his +knowledge was of that kind which always lies ready for practical +application. Not dealing in the subtleties of abstract politics, but +moving in the slow, steady procession of reason, his conceptions were +reflective, and his views correct. Habitually attentive to the concerns +of government, he spared no pains to acquaint himself with whatever was +connected, however minutely, with its prosperity. He was devoted to the +state: its interests engrossed all his study, and engaged all his care: +it was the element alone in which he seemed to live and move. He allowed +himself but little recreation from his labours; his mind was always on +its station, and his activity was unremitted. + +He did not hastily adopt a measure, nor hastily abandon it. The plan +struck out by him for the preservation of Europe was the result of +prophetic wisdom and profound policy. But though defeated in many +respects by the selfish ambition and short-sighted imbecility of foreign +powers, whose rulers were too venal or too weak to follow the flight of +that mind which would have taught them to outwing the storm, the policy +involved in it was still a secret operation on the conduct of +surrounding states. His plans were full of energy, and the principles +which inspired them looked beyond the consequences of the hour. In a +period of change and convulsion, the most perilous in the history of +Great Britain, when sedition stalked abroad, and when the emissaries of +France and the abettors of her regicide factions formed a league +powerful from their number, and formidable by their talent, in that +awful crisis the promptitude of his measures saved his country. + +He knew nothing of that timid and wavering cast of mind which dares not +abide by its own decision. He never suffered popular prejudice or party +clamour to turn him aside from any measure which his deliberate judgment +had adopted; he had a proud reliance on himself, and it was justified. +Like the sturdy warrior leaning on his own battle, axe, conscious where +his strength lay, he did not readily look beyond it. + +As a debater in the House of Commons, his speeches were logical and +argumentative: if they did not often abound in the graces of metaphor, +or sparkle with the brilliancy of wit, they were always animated, +elegant, and classical. The strength of his oratory was intrinsic; it +presented the rich and abundant resource of a clear discernment and a +correct taste. His speeches are stampt with inimitable marks of +originality. When replying to his opponents, his readiness was not more +conspicuous than his energy: he was always prompt and always dignified. +He could sometimes have recourse to the sportiveness of irony, but he +did not often seek any other aid than was to be derived from an arranged +and extensive knowledge of his subject. This qualified him fully to +discuss the arguments of others, and forcibly to defend his own. Thus +armed, it was rarely in the power of his adversaries, mighty as they +were, to beat him from the field. His eloquence, occasionally rapid, +electric, vehement, was always chaste, winning, and persuasive, not +awing into acquiescence, but arguing into conviction. His understanding +was bold and comprehensive: nothing seemed too remote for its reach, or +too large for its grasp. Unallured by dissipation, and unswayed by +pleasure, he never sacrificed the national treasure to the one, or the +national interest to the other. To his unswerving integrity the most +authentic of all testimony is to be found in that unbounded public +confidence which followed him throughout the whole of his political +career. + +Absorbed as he was in the pursuits of public life, he did not neglect to +prepare himself in silence for that higher destination, which is at once +the incentive and reward of human virtue. His talents, superior and +splendid as they were, never made him forgetful of that eternal wisdom +from which they emanated. The faith and fortitude of his last moments +were affecting and exemplary. In his forty-seventh year, and in the +meridian of his fame, he died on the twenty-third of January, one +thousand eight hundred and six. + + * * * * * + + + +THE LECTURER + + * * * * * + + +VERTIGO, OR GIDDINESS. + + +_Vertigo_, or _giddiness_, though unattended with pain, is, in general, +of a more dangerous nature than the severest headach. Vertigo consists +in a disturbance of the _voluntary power_, and in some degree of +_sensation_, especially of _vision_; and thus it shows itself to be an +affection of the brain itself; while mere pain in the head does not +necessarily imply this, it being for the most part an affection of the +membranes only. In _vertigo_, objects that are fixed appear to be in +motion, or to turn round, as the name implies. The patient loses his +balance, and is inclined to fall down. It often is followed immediately +by severe headach. _Vertigo_ is apt to recur, and thus often becomes +frequent and habitual. After a time the mental powers become impaired, +and complete idiocy often follows; as was the case in the celebrated +Dean Swift. It frequently terminates in apoplexy or palsy, from the +extension of disease in the brain. + +_Causes.--Vertigo_ is induced by whatever is capable of disturbing +suddenly the circulation of the brain, whether in the way of increase or +diminution: thus the approach of _syncope_, whether produced by loss of +blood, or a feeling of nausea; blows on the head, occasioning a +concussion of the brain; stooping; swinging; whirling; or other unusual +motions of the body, as in sailing, are the ordinary exciting causes of +the disease. _Vertigo_ is exceedingly frequent at an advanced period of +life, and generally indicates the approach and formation of disease in +the brain. Accordingly, it is a frequent forerunner of _apoplexy_ and +_palsy_. + +The immediate or _proximate_ cause of _giddiness_, or _vertigo_, that +is, the actual condition of the brain at the moment, is probably some +partial disturbance in the circulation there; which all the _occasional +causes_ mentioned are obviously calculated to produce. It is more or +less dangerous, according to the cause inducing it, and the state of the +brain itself, which may be sound or otherwise. And as this cannot be +certainly known, nor the extent of it when actually present, the event +is of course uncertain. At all times, your _prognosis_ should be +guarded; because _vertigo_ seldom occurs under favourable circumstances +of age and general health; unless when produced by so slight a cause as +_bloodletting_, or a trifling blow upon the head. Whenever _vertigo_ +recurs frequently, and at an advanced period of life; and more +particularly when it is accompanied with drowsiness; weakness of the +voluntary muscles; impaired memory, or judgment; or, in short, any other +disturbance or imperfection in the state of the _sensorial_ functions; +an unfavourable result is to be expected; because all these afford +decisive evidence of a considerable degree and extent of disease in the +brain--_Dr. Clutterbuck's Lectures on the Nervous System_. + + +BATHING + + +In this season of the year, a few hints on the temperature of the body +prior to cold immersion, may not unaptly be furnished. It is commonly +supposed, that if a person have made himself warm with walking, or any +other exercise, he must wait till he becomes cooled before he should +plunge into the cold water. Dr. Currie, however, has shown that this is +an erroneous idea, and that in the earlier stages of exercise, before +profuse perspiration has dissipated the heat, and fatigue debilitated +the living power, nothing is more safe, according to his experience, +than the cold bath. This is so true, that the same author constantly +directed infirm persons to use such a degree of exercise before +emersion, as might produce increased action of the vascular system, with +some increase of heat; and thus secure a force of re-action under the +shock, which otherwise might not always take place. The popular opinion, +that it is safest to go perfectly cool into the water, is founded on +erroneous notions, and is sometimes productive of injurious +consequences. Thus, persons heated and beginning to perspire, often +think it necessary to wait on the edge of the bath until they are +perfectly cooled. + + * * * * * + + + +USEFUL DOMESTIC HINTS + + * * * * * + + +TAINTED MEAT + + +Meat tainted to an extreme degree may be speedily restored by washing it +in cold water, and afterwards in strong camomile tea; after which it may +be sprinkled with salt, and used the following day; or if steeped and +well washed in beer, it will make pure and sweet soup even after being +fly-blown. + + +TO BREW THREE BARRELS OF PORTER. + + +Take one quarter of high-dried malt, with one or two pecks of patent +malt; mash in the same manner as directed for beer. Add the following +ingredients: eight pounds of good hops, one pound of liquorice root, two +pounds of Spanish juice, half a pound of ground ginger, one pound of +salt, eight ounces of hartshorn shavings, and four ounces of porter +extract. + +Separate the hops, and run the wort on them; when placed in the copper, +and in a state of ebullition, infuse the whole of the other ingredients. +Let it boil about one hour, or till you discover the surface of the +liquor to become flaky, and the wort broken; then take it from the +copper and strain it into the coolers. Now proceed in the usual way till +it be fit to rack, which will be in about a fortnight; draw it off into +another vat, in which let it remain three hours to settle, and in the +mean time wash the cask quite clean; draw from the vat the contents, and +return them to the cask, leaving the sediment that has lodged during the +three hours. If the colour be not full enough, add, when racking, some +brandy colouring, which soon gives to it that pleasing appearance +peculiar to good porter. Do not fill the cask quite full; bung it close +the following day, but leave the peg-hole open for a few days, or a +week, according to the state of the atmosphere; peg it when you think it +is fine; and if it appear to be fast approaching to clearness, and has +stood long enough for the attainment of maturity, tap it, and draw it +quickly; for porter, in cask, always requires a quick draught, and when +it gets flat bottle it off as soon as possible. + +It will improve greatly by standing a few months in the bottle.--_The +Vintner's Guide_. + + +WELSH ALE. + + +Pour forty-two gallons of water, hot, but not quite boiling, on eight +bushels of malt; cover, and let it stand three hours. In the mean time +infuse four pounds of hops in a little hot water; and put the water and +hops into the tub, and run the wort upon them, and boil them together +three hours. Strain off the hops, and keep for the small beer. Let the +wort stand in a high tub till cool enough to receive the yeast, of which +put two quarts of ale, or, if you cannot get it, of small-beer yeast. +Mix it thoroughly and often. When the wort has done working, the second +or third day the yeast will sink rather than rise in the middle; remove +it then, and turn the ale as it works out; pour a quart in at a time, +and gently, to prevent the fermentation from continuing too long, which +weakens the liquor. Put a bit of paper over the bung-hole two or three +days before stopping up.--_Ibid_. + + +MILK PUNCH. + + +Pare six oranges and six lemons, as thin as you can; grate them after +with sugar to get the flavour. Steep the peels in a bottle of rum or +brandy, stopped close, twenty-four hours; squeeze the fruit on two +pounds of sugar; add to it four quarts of water, and one of new milk, +boiling hot; stir the rum into the above, and run it through a jelly-bag +till perfectly clear. Bottle, and cork close immediately.--_Ibid_. + + +EXCELLENT LEMONADE. + + +To the rinds of ten lemons, pared very thin, put one pound of fine +loaf-sugar, and two quarts of spring-water, boiling hot; stir it to +dissolve the sugar; let it stand twenty-four hours, covered close; then +squeeze in the juice of the ten lemons; add one pint of white wine; boil +a pint of new milk, pour it hot on the ingredients; when cold, run it +through a close filtering-bag, when it will be fit for immediate +use.--_Ibid_. + + * * * * * + + + +ARTS AND SCIENCES. + + * * * * * + + +ATTRACTION. + + +Logs of wood floating in a pond approach each other, and afterwards +remain in contact. The wreck of a ship, in a smooth sea after a storm, +is often seen gathered into heaps. Two bullets or plummets, suspended by +strings near to each other, are found by the delicate test of the +torison balance to attract each other, and therefore not to hang quite +perpendicularly. A plummet suspended near the side of a mountain, +inclines towards it in a degree proportioned to its magnitude; as was +ascertained by the wellknown trials of Dr. Maskeleyne near the mountain +Skehalion, in Scotland. And the reason why the plummet tends much more +strongly towards the earth than towards the hill, is only that the earth +is larger than the hill. And at New South Wales, which is a point on our +globe nearly opposite to England, plummets hang and fall towards the +centre of the globe, exactly as they do here, so that they are hanging +up and falling towards England, and the people there are standing with +their feet towards us. Weight, therefore, is merely general attraction +acting every where. It is owing to this general attraction that our +earth is a globe. All its parts being drawn towards each other, that is, +towards the common centre, the mass assumes the spherical or rounded +form. And the moon also is round, and all the planets are round; the +glorious sun, so much larger than all these, is round; proving, that all +must at one time have been fluid, and that they are all subject to the +same law. Other instances of roundness from this cause are--the +particles of a mist or fog floating in air; these mutually attracting +and coalescing into larger drops, and forming rain; dew drops; water +trickling on a duck's wing; the tear-dropping from the cheek; drops of +laudanum; globules of mercury, like pure silver beads, coalescing when +near, and forming larger ones; melted lead allowed to rain down from an +elevated sieve, which cools as it descends, so as to retain the form of +its liquid drops, and become the spherical shot lead of the sportsman. +The cause of the extraordinary phenomenon, which we call attraction, +acts at all distances. The moon, though 240,000 miles from the earth, by +her attraction raises the water of the ocean under her, and forms what +we call the tide. The sun, still farther off, has a similar influence; +and when the sun and moon act in the same direction, we have the spring +tides. The planets, those apparently little wandering points in the +heaven, yet affect, by their attraction, the motion of our earth in her +orbit, quickening it when she is approaching them, retarding it when she +is receding.--_Arnott's Natural Philosophy._ + + * * * * * + + + +THE GATHERER + + "I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's + stuff."--_Wotton_. + + * * * * * + + +CITY FEASTING. + +The following is the bill of fare for the Court of Assistants of the +Worshipful the Company of Wax Chandlers, London, 1478:--Two loins of +veal, and two loins of mutton, 1s. 4d.; one loin of beef, 4d.; one dozen +of pigeons and one dozen of rabbits, 9d.; one pig and one capon, 1s.; +one goose and a hundred eggs, 1s. 1/2d.; one leg of mutton, 2-1/2d.; two +gallons of sack, 1s. 4d.; eight gallons of strong ale, 1s. 6d.--7s. 6d. + + * * * * * + +The fathers of the church considered the earth as a great ship, +surrounded by water, with the prow to the east and the stern to the +west. We still find in Cosmas, a monk of the fourteenth century, a sort +of geographical chart, in which, the earth has this figure. Even among +the ancients, though many of their geometricians had acknowledged the +sphericity of the globe, it was for a long time imagined that the earth +was a third longer than it was broad, and thence arose the terms of +_longitude_ and _latitude_. St. Athanasius expresses himself most warmly +against astronomers. "Let us stop the mouths of these barbarians," he +exclaims, "who, speaking without proof, dare assert that the heavens +also extend under the earth." + + * * * * * + +Augustus gave an admirable example how a person who sends a challenge +should be treated. When Marc Antony, after the battle of Actium, defied +him to single combat, his answer to the messenger who brought it was, +"Tell Marc Antony, if he be weary of life, there are other ways to end +it; I shall not take the trouble of becoming his executioner." + + * * * * * + +An Irish gentleman, whose lady had absconded from him, cautioned the +public against trusting her in these words:--"My wife has eloped from me +without rhyme or reason, and I desire no one will trust her on my +account, for I am not married to her." + + * * * * * + +The Duke of Biron heard the decree for his instant death pronounced by +the Revolutionary Tribunal, 1793, with unmoved tranquillity. On +returning to prison, his philosophy maintained that character of +Epicurean indifference which had accompanied his happier years; he +ordered some oysters and white wine. The executioner entered as he was +taking this last repast. "My friend," said the duke, "I will attend you; +but you must let me finish my oysters. You must require strength for the +business you have to perform: you shall drink a glass of wine with me." +He filled a glass for the executioner, another for the turnkey, and one +for himself, and went to the place of execution, where he met death with +the courage that distinguished almost all the victims of that fearful +period. + + * * * * * + +A Gascon boasted in every company that he was descended from so ancient +a family, that he was still paying at that very day the interest of a +sum which his ancestors had borrowed to pay their expenses when they +went to adore our Saviour at Bethlehem. + + * * * * * + +There is now living in Pontenovo, in Corsica, a shepherdess, who +successively refused the hand of Augereau, then a corporal, and of +Bernadotte, then a sergeant in that island. She little dreamt that she +was declining to be a marechale of France or the queen of Sweden! + + * * * * * + + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near +Somerset-House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10074 *** diff --git a/10074-h/10074-h.htm b/10074-h/10074-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..98b03f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/10074-h/10074-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1566 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 269, August 18, 1827, by Various</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + pre .table {font-size: 1.0em;} + + 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%;} + + .note, .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em;} + + .greek {cursor: help;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; + text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + + .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: 7pt; font-style: normal;} + 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> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10074 ***</div> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 269, August 18, 1827, by Various</h1> +<br /> +<br /> + +<hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page113" name="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> + + <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. 269.]</b></td> + + <td align="center"><b>SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1827.</b></td> + + <td align="right"><b>[PRICE 2d.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S VILLA, CHISWICK.</h2> + + <p class="figure"><a href="images/269-1.png"><img width="100%" src= + "images/269-1.png" alt="" /></a></p> + + <p>The lamented death of the Right Hon. George Canning has naturally excited + the curiosity of our readers to the villa in which that eminent statesman + breathed his last; and we have therefore obtained from our artist an + original drawing, which has been taken since the melancholy event occurred, + and from which we are now enabled to give the above correct and picturesque + engraving.</p> + + <p>Chiswick House is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, built by the last + Earl of Burlington, whose taste and skill as an architect have been + frequently recorded. The ascent to the house is by a noble double flight of + steps, on one side of which is a statue of Palladio, and on the other that + of Inigo Jones. The portico is supported by six fluter Corinthian pillars, + with a pediment; and a dome at the top enlightens a beautiful octagonal + saloon. "This house," says Mr. Walpole, "the idea of which is borrowed from + a wellknown villa of Palladio, and is a model of taste, though not without + faults, some of which are occasioned by too strict adherence to rules and + symmetry. Such are too many corresponding doors in spaces so contracted; + chimneys between windows, and, which is worse, windows between chimneys; and + vestibules however beautiful, yet little secured from the damps of this + climate. The trusses that support the ceiling of the corner drawing-room are + beyond measure massive, and the ground apartment is rather a diminutive + catacomb than a library in a northern latitude. Yet these blemishes, and + Lord Hervey's wit, who said 'the house was too small to inhabit, and too + large to hang to one's watch,' cannot depreciate the taste that reigns + throughout the whole. The larger court, dignified by picturesque cedars, and + the classic scenery of the small court, that unites the old and new house, + are more worth seeing than many fragments of ancient grandeur which our + travellers visit under all the dangers attendant on long voyages. The garden + is in the Italian <span class="pagenum"><a id="page114" name= + "page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> taste, but divested of conceits, and far + preferable to every style that reigned till our late improvements. The + buildings are heavy, and not equal to the purity of the house. The lavish + quantity of urns and sculpture behind the garden front should be + retrenched." Such were the sentiments of Mr. Walpole on this celebrated + villa, before the noble proprietor began the capital improvements which have + since been completed. Two wings have been added to the house, from the + designs of Mr. Wyattville. These remove the objections that have been made + to the house, are more fanciful and beautiful than convenient and habitable; + the gardens have also been considerably improved, and now display all the + beauties of modern planting.</p> + + <p>It is a remarkable coincidence that at this secluded and beautiful villa + Charles James Fox terminated his glorious career, in the same month, and + having arrived at the same age (fifty-seven) as Mr. Canning.</p> + + <p>As many of our readers may be induced to visit this quiet and picturesque + spot, we would recommend them to pass down the private carriage-way which + leads from Turnham-green to the porter's lodge, and having reached the door + that opens to a rural lane which runs in front of the villa, to turn into + the field, the gate of which is situated near a small bridge, and from + thence a delightful view may be obtained of this celebrated villa. It was on + this spot the above view was sketched. In returning through the lane which + we have just alluded to, the first turning on the right conducts to the + church, which interestingly-ancient edifice demands a remark in this + place.</p> + + <p>Chiswick church is situated near the water side. The present structure + originally consisted only of a nave and chancel, and was built about the + beginning of the fifteenth century, at which time the tower was erected at + the charge of William Bordal, vicar of Chiswick, who died in 1435. It is + built of stone and flint, as is the north wall of the church and chancel; + the latter has been repaired with brick: a transverse aisle, at the east end + of the nave, was added on the south side in the middle of the last, and a + corresponding aisle on the south side, towards the beginning of the last + century. The former was enlarged in the year 1772, by subscription, and + carried on to the west end of the nave: both the aisles are of brick.</p> + + <p>In the churchyard is a monument to the memory of William Hogarth. On this + monument, which is ornamented with a mask, a laurel wreath, a palette, + pencils, and a book, inscribed, "Analysis of Beauty," are the following + lines, by his friend and contemporary, the late David Garrick:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Farewell, great painter of mankind,</p> + + <p class="i2">Who reached the noblest point of art,</p> + + <p>Whose pictur'd morals charm the mind,</p> + + <p class="i2">And through the eye correct the heart!</p> + + <p>If genius fire thee, reader, stay;</p> + + <p class="i2">If nature move thee, drop a tear;</p> + + <p>If neither touch thee, turn away,</p> + + <p class="i2">For Hogarth's honour'd dust lies here."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Near this is the tomb of Dr. Rose, many years distinguished as a critic + in a respectable periodical publication.</p> + + <p>In the church, in the Earl of Burlington's vault, is interred the + celebrated Kent, a painter, architect, and father of modern gardening. "In + the first character," says Mr. Walpole, "he was below mediocrity; in the + second, he was the restorer of the science; in the last, an original, and + the inventor of an art that realizes painting and improves nature. Mahomet + imagined an Elysium, but Kent created many." He frequently declared, it is + said, that he caught his taste in gardening from reading the picturesque + descriptions of Spencer. Mason, noticing his mediocrity as a painter, pays + this fine tribute to his excellence in the decoration of rural + scenery:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>——"He felt</p> + + <p>The pencil's power—but fir'd by higher forms</p> + + <p>Of beauty than that pencil knew to paint,</p> + + <p>Work'd with the living hues that Nature lent,</p> + + <p>And realiz'd his landscapes. Generous be,</p> + + <p>Who gave to Painting what the wayward nymph</p> + + <p>Refus'd her votary; those Elysian scenes,</p> + + <p>Which would she emulate, her nicest hand</p> + + <p>Must all its force of light and shade employ."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>On the outside of the wall of the churchyard, on a stone tablet, is the + following curious inscription:—"This wall was made at ye charges of ye + right honourable and trulie pious Lorde Francis Russel, Duke of Bedford, out + of true zeal and care for ye keeping of this churchyard, and ye wardrobe of + God's saints, whose bodies lay therein buried, from violating by swine and + other profanation, so witnessed! William Walker, V., A.D. 1623."</p> + + <p>We cannot better conclude our description than with a sketch from Sir + Richard Phillips's "Morning's Walk to Kew." He was walking on the opposite + banks of the river, when on a sudden he caught the sound of a ring of + village bells. "Surely," he exclaimed, "they are Chiswick bells!—the + very bells under the sound of which I received part of my early education, + and, as a schoolboy, passed the happiest days of my life!—Well might + their tones vibrate to my inmost <span class="pagenum"><a id="page115" name= + "page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> soul, and kindle uncommon sympathies!" I now + recollected that the winding of the river must have brought me nearer to + that simple and primitive village than the profusion of wood had permitted + me to perceive, and my memory had been unconsciously acted upon by the tones + which served as keys to all the associations connected with these bells, + their church and the village of Chiswick! I listened again, and now + discriminated those identical sounds which I had not heard during a period + of more than thirty years. I distinguished the very words in the successive + tones, which the school-boys and puerile imaginations at Chiswick used to + combine with them. In thought, I became again a schoolboy—"Yes," said + I, "the six bells tell me that <i>my dun cow has just calv'd</i>, exactly as + they did above thirty years since!"—Did the reader never encounter a + similar key-note, leading to a multitude of early and vivid recollections? + Those well-remembered tones, in like manner, brought before my imagination + numberless incidents and personages no longer important, or no longer in + existence. My scattered and once-loved schoolmates, their characters and + their various fortunes, passed in rapid review before me; my schoolmaster, + his wife, and all the gentry, and heads of families, whose orderly + attendance at divine service on Sundays, while those well-remembered bells + were "chiming for church," (but now gone and mouldering in the adjoining + graves,) were again presented to my perceptions! With what pomp and form + they used to enter and depart from their house of God! I still saw with the + mind's eye the widow Hogarth, and her maiden relative, Richardson, walking + up the aisle dressed in their silken sacks, their raised head-dresses, their + black hoods, their lace ruffles, and their high-crook'd canes, preceded by + their aged servant, Samuel; who, after he had wheeled his mistress to church + in her Bath-chair, carried the prayer-books up the aisle, and opened and + shut the pew! There too was the portly Dr. Griffiths, of the <i>Monthly + Review</i>, with his literary wife in her neat and elevated wire-winged cap! + And oftimes the vivacious and angelic Duchess of Devonshire, whose bloom had + not then suffered from the canker-worm of pecuniary distress, created by the + luxury of charity! Nor could I forget the humble distinction of the aged + sexton, Mortefee, whose skill in psalmody enabled him to lead that wretched + group of singers, whom Hogarth so happily portrayed; whose performance with + the pitch-fork excited so much wonder in little boys; and whose + gesticulations and contortions of head, hand, and body, in beating time, + were not outdone even by Joah Bates in the commemorations of Handel! Yes, + simple and happy villagers! I remember scores of you;—how fortunately + ye had, and still have, escaped the contagion of the metropolitan vices, + though distant but five miles; and how many of you have I conversed with, + who, at an adult age, had never beheld the degrading assemblage of its + knaveries and miseries!</p> + + <p>I revelled in the melancholy pleasure of these recollections, yielding my + whole soul to that witchery of sensibility which magnifies the perception of + being, till one of the bells was overset, when, the peal stopping, I had + leisure to think on the rapid advance of the day, and on the consequent + necessity of quickening my speed.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>THE SKETCH-BOOK.</h2> + + <h3>NO. XLIV.</h3> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE BLUE BOTTLE</h3> + + <blockquote> + <p>"A <i>fly</i> your honour."—<i>Brighton Cliff</i></p> + </blockquote> + + <p>Talk of musquitoes!—a musquito is a gentleman who honourably runs + you through with a small sword, and from whom (as from a mad dog) we may + easily seek a defence in—<i>muslin</i>.</p> + + <p>But your rory-tory, hurly-burly blue-bottle, is no better than a bully. + His head is a <i>humming-top</i>, and his tight blue little body like a + tomahawk, cased in glittering steel, which he takes a delight in whirling + against your head. I really believe, that to confine a nervous man in a room + with one of these winged tormentors, on a July day, would inevitably destroy + him in less than an hour.</p> + + <p>He rudely and unceremoniously bumps away all sober reflection,—(I + wonder whether the phrenological Spurzheim ever felt the <i>bumps</i> of a + blue-bottle!) then his whimsical vagaries effectually defy repose; now + settling with his tickling bandy legs upon your nose, and industriously + insinuating his sharp proboscis, and anon abruptly buzzing in your + ear—no secret—off he shoots again to his own music.</p> + + <p>Now, truly, his <i>hum-drum</i> puts me in mind of the whirring tone of + the hurdy-gurdy, while his <i>ad libitum</i> bumping against the booming + window-panes sounds, to my fancy, like the unskilful accompaniment of a + double drum, beaten by some unmusical urchin.</p> + + <p>The house spider who spreads with so much care his beautiful nets for + gnats, and moths, and smaller flies, finds alike his labour and his toils in + vain to secure <span class="pagenum"><a id="page116" name="page116"></a>[pg + 116]</span> this rampaging rogue; and, indeed, when the turbulent + blue-bottle chances, in his bouncing random flight, to get entangled in the + glutinous meshes, he shakes and roars, and blusters so loudly, until he + breaks away, that the spider affrighted, invariably takes advantage of his + long legs to scamper off to his sanctum in the cracked wainscot—like + some imbecile watchman, who fearing to encounter a tall inebriated bruiser, + sneaks away with admirable discretion to the security of his snug box, + praying the drunkard may speedily reel into another <i>beat</i>.</p> + + <p>Your noisy people generally grow taciturn in their cups—but Sir + Blue-bottle, though he drinks deep draughts of your wine, particularly if it + abound in sweetness, is never changed. He is naturally giddy, and according + to entomologists, always sees more than double, while his head was never + made to be turned. So may you hope for peace—only in his flight or + death!—<i>Absurdities: in Prose and Verse</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>LAW AND LAWYERS.</h3> + + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + + <p>William the Conqueror entertained the difficult project of totally + abolishing the English language, and for that purpose, he ordered that in + all schools throughout the kingdom, the youth should be instructed in the + French tongue. Until the reign of Edward III. the pleadings in the supreme + courts of judicature were performed in French, when it was appointed that + the pleas should be pleaded in English; but that they should be entered or + recorded in Latin. The deeds were drawn in the same language; the laws were + composed in that idiom, and no other tongue was used at court. It became, + says Hume, the language of all fashionable company; and the English + themselves ashamed of their own country, affected to excel in that foreign + dialect. At Athens, and even in France and England, formal and prepared + pleadings were prohibited, and it was unlawful to amuse the court with long, + artful harangues; only it was the settled custom here, in important matters, + to begin the pleadings with a text out of the holy scriptures. It is of late + years that eloquence was admitted to the bar.</p> + + <p>The account which the learned judge Hale gives of the lawyers, who + pleaded in the 15th century, does them little honour. He condemns the + reports during the reigns of Henry IV. and V. as inferior to those of the + last twelve years of Edward III. and he speaks but coolly of those which the + reign of Henry VI. produces. Yet this deficiency of progressive improvement + in the common law arose not from a want of application to the science; since + we learn from Fortescue that there were no fewer than two thousand students + attending on the inns of chancery and of court, in the time of its writer. + Gray's-inn, in the time of Henry VIII. was so incommodious, that "the + ancients of this house were necessitated to lodge double." Indeed until the + beginning of the last century the lawyers lived mostly in their inns of + court, or about Westminster-hall. But a great change has been effected; they + are all now removed to higher ground, squares and genteel neighbourhoods, no + matter how far distant from their chambers.</p> + + <p>The number of judges in the courts of Westminster was by no means + certain. Under Henry VI. there were at one time eight judges in the court of + common pleas. Each judge took a solemn oath that "he would take no fee, + pension, gift, reward, or bribe, from any suitor, saving meat and drink, + which should be of no great value." In 1402, the salary of the chief justice + of the king's bench was forty pounds per annum. In 1408, the chief justice + of the common pleas had fifty-five marks per annum. In 1549, the chief + justice of the king's bench had an addition of thirty pounds to his salary, + and each justice of the same bench and common pleas, twenty pounds. At this + time, a felony under the value of twelve pence, was not a capital offence; + and twelve pence then was equal to sixty shillings at the present day.</p> + + <p>To Richard III. on whom history has cast innumerable stains, England has + considerable obligations as a legislator. Barrington thus speaks of him: + "Not to mention his causing each act of parliament to be written in English + and to be printed, he was the first prince on the English throne who enabled + the justices of the peace to take bail; and he caused to be enacted a law + against raising money by 'benevolence' which when pleaded by the citizens of + London against Cardinal Wolsey, could only be answered by an averment, that + Richard being a usurper and a murderer of his nephews, the laws of so wicked + a man ought not to be forced." And a noble biographer, (Bacon's Henry VII.) + says, "He was a good lawgiver for the ease and solace of the common people." + Cardinal Wolsey to terrify the citizens of London into the general loan + exacted in 1525, told them plainly, <i>that it were better that some should + suffer indigence than that the king <span class="pagenum"><a id="page117" + name="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> at this time should lack, and therefore + beware and resist not, nor ruffle not in the case, for it may fortune to + cost some people their heads</i>. And says Hume, when Henry VIII. heard that + the commons made a great difficulty of granting the required supply, he was + so provoked that he sent for Edward Montague, one of the members who had a + considerable influence on the house; and he being introduced to his majesty, + had the mortification to hear him speak in these words: <i>Ho! man! will + they not suffer my bill to pass?</i> And laying his hand on Montague's head, + who was then on his knees before him, <i>get my bill passed by to-morrow, or + else to-morrow this head of yours shall be off</i>. This cavalier manner of + Henry's succeeded; for next day the bill passed. Another instance of + arbitrary power is worth relating. In Strype's life of Stow we find, a + garden house belonging to an honest citizen of London, (which chanced to + obstruct the improvement of a powerful favourite. Thomas Cromwell,) "loosed + from the foundation, borne on rollers, and replaced two and twenty feet + within the garden," without the owner's leave being required; nay without + his knowledge. The persons employed, being asked their authority for this + extraordinary proceeding, made only this reply, "That Sir Thomas Cromwell + had commanded them to do it," <i>and none durst argue the matter</i>. The + father of the antiquary, Stow, (for it was he that was thus trampled upon,) + "was fain to continue to pay his old rent, without any abatement, for his + garden; though half of it was in this manner taken away."</p> + + <h3>TRIAL AND EXECUTION.</h3> + + <p>In days of yore, (says Aubrey) lords and gentlemen lived in the country + like petty kings, had <i>jura regalia</i> belonging to the seignories, had + castles and boroughs, had gallows within their liberties, where they would + try, condemn, and execute; never went to London but in parliament time, or + once a year to do <i>homage</i> to the king. Justice was administered with + great expedition, and too often with vindictive severity. Pennant informs us + that "originally the time of trial and execution was to be within three + suns!" About the latter end of the seventeenth century the period was + extended to <i>nine</i> days after sentence; but since a rapid and unjust + execution in a petty Scottish town, 1720, the execution has been ordered to + be deferred for forty days on the south, and sixty on the north side of the + Tay, that time may be allowed for an application to the king for mercy. + Stealing was first capital in the reign of Henry I. False coining, which was + then a very common crime, was severely punished. Near fifty criminals of + this kind were at <i>one time</i> hanged or mutilated. Laws were passed in + Henry VIIth's reign ordaining the king's suit for murder to be carried on + within a year and a day. Formerly it did not usually commence till after, + and as the friends of the person murdered often in the interval compounded + matters with the criminal, the crime frequently passed unpunished. In 1503, + an act was passed prohibiting the king from pardoning those convicted of + wilful and premeditated murder; but this appears to have been done at the + monarch's own request, and was liable to be rescinded at pleasure. In Henry + the Eighth's reign, Harrison asserts that 73,000 criminals were executed for + theft and robbery, which was nearly 2,000 a year. He adds, that in + Elizabeth's reign, there were <i>only</i> between three and four hundred a + year hanged for theft and robbery. It is said that the earliest law enacted + in any country for the promotion of anatomical knowledge, was passed in + 1540. It allowed the united companies of <i>Barbers</i> and <i>Surgeons</i> + to have yearly the bodies of four criminals for dissection. In the year + 1749, were executed at Tyburn, Usher Gahagan, Terence O'Connor, and Joseph + Mapham, for filing gold money. Gahagan and Connor were papists of + considerable families in Ireland; the former was a very good Latin scholar, + and editor of Brindley's edition of the Classics; he translated <i>Pope's + Essay on Criticism</i>, in Latin verse, and after his confinement, the + <i>Temple of Fame</i>, and the <i>Messiah</i>, which he dedicated to the + Duke of Newcastle, in hopes of a pardon; he also wrote verses in English to + prince George (George III.) and to Mr. Adams, the recorder, which are + published in the ordinary's account, together with a poetical address to the + Duchess of Queensbury, by Connor. In 1752, it was enacted that every + criminal convicted of wilful murder should be executed on the day next but + one after sentence was passed, unless that happens to be on a Sunday: and in + that case, they are to be executed on the Monday following. The judge may + direct the body to be hung in chains, or to be delivered to the surgeons in + order to its being dissected and anatomized; but in no case whatsoever is it + to be buried till after it is dissected. The first punishment of hanging, + drawing, and quartering, occurred in the year 1241. The form of our gallows + was adopted by the Roman Furca, when Constantine abolished crucifixion. In + France it had either a single, double, or treble frame, denoting + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page118" name="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> the + rank of the territorial seigneur, whether gentleman, knight, or baron. The + ancient gallows near London, had hooks for eviscerating, quartering, &c. + the bodies of criminals. In the 15th century, the top, like the beam of a + pair of scales, was made to move up and down; at one end hung a halter, at + the other a large weight, the halter was drawn down, and being put round the + criminal's neck, the weight at the other end lifted him from the ground.</p> + + <p>F.R.Y.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>MY COMMON-PLACE BOOK,</h2> + + <h4>NO. XIX.</h4> + <hr /> + + <h3>NOVEL WRITERS AND NOVEL READERS.</h3> + + <p>Auto-biography of men, who held no distinguished rank in the political + world, is often very pleasant reading; especially where the writer has a + strong tincture of vanity, and is obviously blind to his own character; for, + if he does not know it himself, he is sure to let his readers know it; if he + does not see the dark spots, he will not endeavour to conceal them; and, if + he thinks them bright ones, he will blazon them. But novel-writing, when + well done, is, after all, the best species of writing; for, if what all the + world says, is true; what all the world reads, must be good. A novel writer, + of any talents, will draw his portraits from the life—will catch at + every striking feature, and generally paint man as he is; and there is this + difference between actual histories and works of imagination, that the + former are for the most part true in letter, but false in spirit; and the + latter, false in letter, and true in spirit; the one is correct in names, + dates, and places, but out of truth in everything else: the other is not + correct in names, dates, and places, but perfectly true in every other + point.</p> + + <p>The worst part of a novel is the hero or heroine: these are too + frequently fabrications from the author's fancy, instead of portraits from + nature; or, if taken from life, they are tortured into a perfection that + life never knew. This is too much the case with "Thaddeus of Warsaw," and + ten thousand others. Ladies are not good hands in painting heroes, nor + gentlemen always equal to the portraying of heroines. The author of + <i>Werter</i> knew that, and therefore he did not disfigure his wicked and + interesting work with an artificial Charlotte: he leaves her to the reader's + own fancy, who has nothing to do but to fancy himself Werter, and his own + imagination will paint Charlotte.</p> + + <p>When the hero is made the vehicle of one moral lesson, as Vivian, in Miss + Edgeworth's "Tales of Fashionable Life," then there is no need of artificial + ornament; and when there is no intention of presenting an unmixed character + of evil, nothing remains but to draw from life, and the work is perfect. One + of Miss Edgeworth's failings is of great service to her, in this kind of + painting: she wants what some persons call feeling, that is to say, she does + not believe in the omnipotence of love, and therefore would never have + written such a book as the "Sorrows of Werter;" and if she had possessed the + same materials, she would have produced a very different work—not so + full of genius, perhaps, but an interesting and instructive tale.</p> + + <p>Novels are productions more easily criticised than any others: every one + may judge for himself of the truth or probability of the events, and the + accuracy of the features of character. It is impossible almost to deceive a + reader—to palm upon him fiction for truth; for the truth is felt, if + it be there, and the falsehood is palpable and revolting. There is also an + extensive light of information in them. They do not merely give one scene, + or character, or class of characters; but their principles are generally + applicable to a very wide extent—they exercise the mind to a habit of + observation, and so far from giving false views of life, they more + frequently direct us to its true estimate. To be sure, there is sometimes a + degree of improbability in some of the incidents, which is mostly forgiven, + if the whole mass be, in the main, true and accurate. There are certain + standard incidents, which are common property—such as the discovery of + relationships—the change of children—and liberal aunts, who make + nothing of presenting a young married couple with twenty or thirty thousand + pounds on their wedding day; but, if any young lady or gentleman is silly + enough to marry, without the means of support, because they have read such + things in novels, and have also read of rich uncles all of a sudden + returning from the East or West Indies, to shower gold and pearls on all + their relations, all that must be said for them is, that they have not + sufficient sense to read "Aesop's Fables," and they might as easily be + misled into the imagination that brutes could talk. It is a very weak charge + against novels, that they present false views of life; for, when they do, + none but silly people read them; and they are just as wise after, as they + were before.</p> + + <p>If there be any evil in novels at all, it is when they take people from + their business—when they occupy a mother's time to the neglect of her + children—when <span class="pagenum"><a id="page119" name= + "page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> they lead idle boys to neglect their lessons, + and when they lead idle gentlefolks to fancy themselves employed, when they + are only killing time. W.P.S.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>CARRIER PIGEONS.</h3> + + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + + <p>It appears by the Dutch papers that pigeons are now used to forward + correspondence between different countries in Europe, and one was lately + found resting on a house in Rotterdam. The carrier pigeon has its name from + its remarkable sagacity in returning to the place where it was bred; and + Lightow assures us, that one of these birds would carry a letter from + Babylon to Aleppo, which is thirty days' journey, in forty-eight hours. This + pigeon was employed in former times by the English factory to convey + intelligence from Scanderoon of the arrival of company's ships in that port, + the name of the ship, the hour of her arrival, and whatever else could be + comprised in a small compass, being written on a slip of paper, which was + secured in such a manner under the pigeon's wing as not to impede its + flight; and her feet were bathed in vinegar, with a view to keep them cool, + and prevent her being tempted by the sight of water to alight, by which the + journey might have been prolonged, or the billet lost. The pigeons performed + this journey in two hours and a half. The messenger had a young brood at + Aleppo, and was sent down in an uncovered cage to Scanderoon, from whence, + as soon as set at liberty, she returned with all possible expedition to her + nest. It is said that the pigeons when let fly from Scanderoon, instead of + bending their course towards the high mountains surrounding the plain, + mounted at once directly up, soaring still almost perpendicularly till out + of sight, as if to surmount at once the obstacles intercepting their view of + the place of their destination. Maillet, in his "Description de l'Egypt," + tells us of a pigeon despatched from Aleppo to Scanderoon, which, mistaking + its way, was absent for three days, and in that time had made an excursion + to the island of Ceylon; a circumstance then deduced from finding green + cloves in the bird's stomach, and credited at Aleppo. In the time of the + holy wars, certain Saracen ambassadors who came to Godfrey of Antioch from a + neighbouring prince, sent intelligence to their master of the success of + their embassy, by means of pigeons, fixing the billet to the bird's tail. + Hirtius and Brutus, at the siege of Modena, held a correspondence with one + another by means of pigeons. Ovid informs us that Taurosthenus, by a pigeon + stained with purple, gave notice to his father of his victory at the Olympic + games, sending it to him at Ægina; and Anacreon tells us, that he conveyed a + <i>billet-doux</i> to his beautiful Bathyllid, by a dove. Thus, says Bewick, + "the bird is let loose, and in spite of surrounding armies and every + obstacle that would have effectually prevented any other means of + conveyance, guided by instinct alone, it returns directly home, where the + intelligence is so much wanted. Sometimes they have been the peaceful + bearers of glad tidings to the anxious lover, and to the merchant of the no + less welcome news of the safe arrival of his vessel at the desired + port."</p> + + <p>In this <i>flighty</i> and <i>pigeoning age</i>, I would recommend a + <i>pigeon-carrier-company</i>, whose shares might be <i>elevated</i> to any + <i>height</i>.</p> + + <p>P. T. W.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>MISCELLANIES.</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>NAMES OF SHEEP.</h3> + + <p>A ram or wether lamb, after being weaned, is called a hog, or hoggitt, + tag, or pug, throughout the first year, or until it renew two teeth; the + ewe, a ewe-lamb, ewe-tag, or pug. In the second year the wether takes the + name of shear-hog, and has his first two renewed or broad teeth, or he is + called a two-toothed tag or pug; the ewe is called a thaive, or two-toothed + ewe tag, or pug. In the third year, a shear hog or four-toothed wether, a + four-toothed ewe or thaive. The fourth year, a six-toothed wether or ewe. + The fifth year, having eight broad teeth, they are said to be full-mouthed + sheep. Their age also, particularly of the rams, is reckoned by the number + of times they have been shorn, the first shearing taking place in the second + year; a shearing, or one-shear, two-shear, &c. The term <i>pug</i> is, I + believe, nearly become obsolete. In the north and in Scotland, ewe hogs are + called <i>dimonts</i>, and in the west of England ram lambs are called + <i>pur lambs</i>.</p> + + <p>The ancient term <i>tup</i>, for a ram, is in full use. Crone still + signifies an old ewe. Of <i>crock</i>, I know nothing of the etymology, and + little more of the signification, only that the London butchers of the old + school, and some few of the present, call Wiltshire sheep horned + <i>crocks</i>. I believe crock mutton is a term of inferiority.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Conceit and confidence are both of them cheats; the first always imposes + on itself, the second frequently deceives others + too.—<i>Zimmerman</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page120" name="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> + + <h2>ANCIENT POWDER FLASK.</h2> + + <p class="figure"><a href="images/269-2.png"><img width="50%" src= + "images/269-2.png" alt="" /></a></p> + + <h4>(<i>To the Editor of the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + + <p>SIR,—The enclosed curious drawing of an ancient powder + "<i>flaske</i>," both in form and ornament, may not be uninteresting to the + readers of your valuable MIRROR at the approaching sporting season.</p> + + <p>Gunpowder, when first invented, was carried in the horns of animals, for + safety and convenience; though some time afterwards placed in flat leather + cases or bottles, invented by the Germans, and called "<i>flaskes</i>." A + remarkably curious one of this description, evidently of the time of Queen + Elizabeth, is here represented, and is formed of ivory, somewhat in the + shape of a stag's horn; the ornaments on it are carved in a good bold style, + and represent an armed figure on horseback in full chase. The "flaske" is + tipped at the end with silver, and measures about eight inches in + length.</p> + + <p>I remain, yours,</p> + + <p>* *</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>CHARACTER OF THE SEPOYS.</h3> + + <p>Our countrymen at home are frequently perplexed by the apparent + contradictions of a traveller from the East, when describing the characters + and manners of the inhabitants of Hindostan. If, for instance, he alludes to + our gallant sepoys, he pours forth unmeasured praise, and appears altogether + charmed with their docility, courage, honour, and fidelity. On the other + hand, his opinion of the natives in the aggregate is often as exactly the + reverse as it is possible to imagine. They are described, perhaps, in the + strongest terms, as at once servile, cowardly, treacherous, and ungrateful. + The fact is, that our troops are all from the northern provinces of India, + the natives of which are a brave and generous race, who hold the profession + of arms in the highest estimation. The <i>Bengallees</i> on the contrary, + (with the most universal and shameless indifference to truth,) are mean, + effeminate, and avaricious. They are chiefly composed of merchants, copying + clerks, mechanics, and domestic servants, and are invariably refused + admittance into the company's army. These people are vastly inferior to the + natives of the upper provinces in mental and corporeal energy, though more + polished in their manners, and more easily initiated into the arts and + mysteries of civilized life. I will illustrate the nice sense of honour + which distinguishes the native soldier by the following anecdote.</p> + + <p>A sepoy of the Bengal native infantry was accused by one of his comrades + of having stolen a rupee and a pair of trousers. The sergeant-major before + whom, in the first instance, the charge was brought, was both unable and + unwilling to give it credence. Besides the unusual circumstance of a native + soldier being guilty of so base an act, the accused sepoy had always been + remarkably conspicuous for his brave and upright conduct. His breast was + literally covered with medals, and he had long been accustomed to the voice + of praise. Still, however, justice demanded that the charge should not be + dismissed without an impartial investigation. The whole affair was brought + to the notice of the commanding officer, who desired that the sepoy's + residence should be immediately and thoroughly examined. On opening his + knapsack, to the utter astonishment and regret of the whole regiment, the + stolen property was discovered. None, however, looked more thunderstruck + than the sepoy himself. He clenched his teeth in bitter agony, but spoke not + a single word. The colonel told him, that though circumstances were + fearfully against him, he would not yet pronounce him guilty, as it was not + impossible he might be the victim of some malignant design. He therefore + dismissed him from his presence until the result of further inquiries should + produce a full conviction of his guilt or innocence. In a few hours the + sepoy was <span class="pagenum"><a id="page121" name="page121"></a>[pg + 121]</span> observed to leave his little hut, and walk with hurried steps to + a neighbouring field. He was soon concealed from sight by a thick cluster of + bamboos, beneath which he had often sheltered himself from the noontide sun. + Suspecting the purpose of his present visit to so retired a spot, a comrade + followed him, but was unfortunately too late to arrest the hand of the + determined suicide. The poor fellow lay stretched on the ground, with his + head hanging back, and the blood gushing from his open throat. He had + effected his purpose with a sharp knife, which he still grasped, as if with + the intention of inflicting another wound. He was carried to the hospital, + and carefully attended, but the surgeon immediately pronounced his recovery + impossible. A pen and ink were brought to him, and he wrote with some + difficulty on a slip of paper, that he firmly hoped he had not failed in his + attempt to destroy himself, for life was of no value without honour. He + stated, too, that though it might now be almost useless to affirm his + innocence, he hoped that a time might come when his memory should be freed + from its present stain. He lingered no less than fifteen days in this + dreadful state, and died, at last, apparently of mere starvation. It was my + painful duty, as "officer of the day," to visit the hospital very + frequently, and he invariably made signs of a desire for food. This it was, + of course, impossible to give him, and any nourishment would merely have + prolonged his misery. Two days before he died, it was discovered that a + Bengallee servant of low caste, who had taken offence on some trivial + occasion, had placed the stolen goods in the sepoy's bundle, and then urged + the owner to accuse him of the theft. The disclosure of this circumstance + appeared to give infinite satisfaction to the dying soldier.</p> + + <p><i>London Weekly Review.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>HOUSE LAUNCHING.</h3> + + <p>The launching of the two brick houses in Garden-street was completely + successful. They were moved nearly ten feet, <i>occupied at the time by + their tenants</i>, without having sustained any injury. The preparations + were the work of some time; the two buildings having been put upon ways, or + into a cradle, were easily screwed on a new foundation. The inventor of + <i>this simple and cheap mode of moving tenanted brick buildings</i>, is + entitled to the thanks of the public. <i>In the course of time</i>, it is + likely that houses will be put up upon ways at brick or stone quarries, and + sold as ships are, <i>to be delivered in any part of the + city.—American Paper</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <p><i>In the course of time</i> we really do not know what is not to happen + in America. Jonathan promises to grow so big, and to do such wonders in a + day or two, that no bounds can be placed to his performances <i>in the + future tense</i>. Everything will of course be on a scale of grandeur + proportioned to his country, which, as he observes in his Travels in + England, is "bigger and more like a world" than our boasted land; instead, + therefore, of going about in confined, close carriages as people do here, + the Americans will rattle through the streets to their routs and parties in + their houses. One tenanted brick building will be driven up to the door of + another. A further improvement may here be suggested. Jonathan is fond of + chairs with rockers, that is, chairs with a cradle-bottom, on which he + see-saws himself as he smokes his pipe and fuddles his sublime faculties + with liquor. Now by putting a house on rockers, this trouble and exertion of + the individual on a scale so small and unworthy of a great people would be + spared, and every tenant of a brick building would be rocked at the same + time, and by one common piece of machinery. The effect of a whole city + nid-nid-nodding after dinner, will be extremely magnificent and worthy of + America. As for the feasibility of the thing, nothing can be more obvious. + If houses can be put upon cradles for launching, they can be put upon + cradles for rocking; and if tenants do not object to being conveyed from one + part of the city to another in their mansions, they will not surely take + fright at an agreeable stationary see-saw in them.—<i>London + Magazine.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>GOOD NIGHT TO THE SEASON.</h3> + + <blockquote> + <p>Thus runs the world away.—HAMLET.</p> + </blockquote> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season! 'tis over!</p> + + <p class="i2">Gay dwellings no longer are gay;</p> + + <p>The courtier, the gambler, the lover,</p> + + <p class="i2">Are scatter'd, like swallows, away:</p> + + <p>There's nobody left to invite one,</p> + + <p class="i2">Except my good uncle and spouse;</p> + + <p>My mistress is bathing at Brighton,</p> + + <p class="i2">My patron is sailing at Cowes:</p> + + <p>For want of a better employment,</p> + + <p class="i2">Till Ponto and Don can get out,</p> + + <p>I'll cultivate rural enjoyment,</p> + + <p class="i2">And angle immensely for trout.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the buildings</p> + + <p class="i2">Enough to make Inigo sick;</p> + + <p>The paintings, and plasterings, and gildings,</p> + + <p class="i2">Of stucco, and marble, and brick;</p> + + <p>The orders deliciously blended,</p> + + <p class="i2">From love of effect, into one;</p> + + <p>The club-houses only intended,</p> + + <p class="i2">The palaces only begun;</p><span class="pagenum"><a id= + "page122" name="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> + + <p>The hell where the fiend, in his glory,</p> + + <p class="i2">Sits staring at putty and stones,</p> + + <p>And scrambles from story to story,</p> + + <p class="i2">To rattle at midnight his bones.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the dances,</p> + + <p class="i2">The fillings of hot little rooms,</p> + + <p>The glancings of rapturous glances,</p> + + <p class="i2">The fancyings of fancy costumes;</p> + + <p>The pleasures which Fashion makes duties,</p> + + <p class="i2">The praisings of fiddles and flutes,</p> + + <p>The luxury of looking at beauties,</p> + + <p class="i2">The tedium of talking to mutes;</p> + + <p>The female diplomatists, planners</p> + + <p class="i2">Of matches for Laura and Jane,</p> + + <p>The ice of her Ladyship's manners,</p> + + <p class="i2">The ice of his Lordship's champagne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the rages</p> + + <p class="i2">Led off by the chiefs of the throng,</p> + + <p>The Lady Matilda's new pages,</p> + + <p class="i2">The Lady Eliza's new song;</p> + + <p>Miss Fennel's Macaw, which at Boodle's</p> + + <p class="i2">Is held to have something to say;</p> + + <p>Mrs. Splenetic's musical Poodles,</p> + + <p class="i2">Which bark "Batti, batti!" all day:</p> + + <p>The pony Sir Araby sported,</p> + + <p class="i2">As hot and as black as a coal,</p> + + <p>And the Lion his mother imported,</p> + + <p class="i2">In bearskins and grease, from the Pole.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the Toso,</p> + + <p class="i2">So very majestic and tall;</p> + + <p>Miss Ayton, whose singing was so so,</p> + + <p class="i2">And Pasta, divinest of all;</p> + + <p>The labour in vain of the Ballet,</p> + + <p class="i2">So sadly deficient in stars;</p> + + <p>The foreigners thronging the Alley,</p> + + <p class="i2">Exhaling the breath of cigars;</p> + + <p>The "loge," where some heiress, how killing,</p> + + <p class="i2">Environ'd with Exquisites sits,</p> + + <p>The lovely one out of her drilling,</p> + + <p class="i2">The silly ones out of their wits.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the splendour</p> + + <p class="i2">That beam'd in the Spanish Bazaar,</p> + + <p>Where I purchased—my heart was so tender—</p> + + <p class="i2">A card-case,—a pasteboard guitar,—</p> + + <p>A bottle of perfume,—a girdle,—</p> + + <p class="i2">A lithograph'd Riego full-grown,</p> + + <p>Whom Bigotry drew on a hurdle,</p> + + <p class="i2">That artists might draw him on stone,—</p> + + <p>A small panorama of Seville,—</p> + + <p class="i2">A trap for demolishing flies,—</p> + + <p>A caricature of the Devil,</p> + + <p class="i2">And a look from Miss Sheridan's eyes.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the flowers</p> + + <p class="i2">Of the grand horticultural fête,</p> + + <p>When boudoirs were quitted for bowers,</p> + + <p class="i2">And the fashion was not to be late;</p> + + <p>When all who had money and leisure,</p> + + <p class="i2">Grow rural o'er ices and wines,</p> + + <p>All pleasantly toiling for pleasure,</p> + + <p class="i2">All hungrily pining for pines,</p> + + <p>And making of beautiful speeches,</p> + + <p class="i2">And marring of beautiful shows,</p> + + <p>And feeding on delicate peaches,</p> + + <p class="i2">And treading on delicate toes.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good night to the Season!—another</p> + + <p class="i2">Will come with its trifles and toys,</p> + + <p>And hurry away, like its brother,</p> + + <p class="i2">In sunshine, and odour, and noise.</p> + + <p>Will it come with a rose or a briar?</p> + + <p class="i2">Will it come with a blessing or curse?</p> + + <p>Will its bonnets be lower or higher?</p> + + <p class="i2">Will its morals be better or worse?</p> + + <p>Will it find me grown thinner or fatter,</p> + + <p class="i2">Or fonder of wrong or of right.</p> + + <p>Or married, or buried?—no matter,</p> + + <p class="i2">Good-night to the season, Good-night!</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><i>New Monthly Magazine</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>TIGER TAMING.</h3> + + <p>A party of gentlemen from Bombay, one day visiting the stupendous cavern + temple of Elephanta, discovered a tiger's whelp in one of the obscure + recesses of the edifice. Desirous of kidnapping the cub, without + encountering the fury of its dam, they took it up hastily and cautiously, + and retreated. Being left entirely at liberty, and extremely well fed, the + tiger grew rapidly, appeared tame and fondling as a dog, and in every + respect entirely domesticated. At length, when it had attained a vast size, + and notwithstanding its apparent gentleness, began to inspire terror by its + tremendous powers of doing mischief, a piece of raw meat, dripping with + blood, fell in its way. It is to be observed, that, up to that moment, it + had been studiously kept from raw animal food. The instant, however, it had + dipped its tongue in blood, something like madness seemed to have seized + upon the animal; a destructive principle, hitherto dormant, was + awakened—it darted fiercely, and with glaring eyes, upon its + prey—tore it with fury to pieces—and, growling and roaring in + the most fearful manner, rushed off towards the jungles.—<i>London + Weekly Review.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>RUNNING A MUCK.</h3> + + <p>The inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago, and particularly of the island + of Java, are of a very sullen and revengeful disposition. When they consider + themselves grossly insulted, they are observed to become suddenly + thoughtful; they squat down upon the ground, and appear absorbed in + meditation. While in this position, they revolve in their breasts the most + bloody and ferocious projects of revenge, and, by a desperate effort, + reconcile themselves with death. When their terrible resolution is taken, + their eyes appear to flash fire, their countenance assumes an expression of + preternatural fury; and springing suddenly on their feet, they unsheath + their daggers, plunge them into the heart of every one within their reach, + and rushing out into the streets, deal wounds and murder as they run, until + the arrow or dagger of some bold individual terminates their career. This is + called <i>running a muck</i>.—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page123" name="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> + + <h2>THE SELECTOR,<br /> + AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE JEW'S HARP.</h3> + + <p>The memoirs of Madame de Genlis first made known the astonishing powers + of a poor German soldier on the Jew's harp. This musician was in the service + of Frederick the Great, and finding himself one night on duty under the + windows of the King, playing the Jew's harp with so much skill, that + Frederick, who was a great amateur of music, thought he heard a distinct + orchestra. Surprised on learning that such an effect could be produced by a + single man with two Jew's harps, he ordered him into his presence; the + soldier refused, alleging, that he could only be relieved by his colonel; + and that if he obeyed, the king would punish him the next day, for having + failed to do his duty. Being presented the following morning to Frederick, + he was heard with admiration, and received his discharge and fifty dollars. + This artist, whose name Madame de Genlis does not mention, is called Koch; + he has not any knowledge of music, but owes his success entirely to a + natural taste. He has made his fortune by travelling about, and performing + in public and private, and is now living retired at Vienna, at the advanced + age of more than eighty years. He used two Jew's harps at once, in the same + manner as the peasants of the Tyrol, and produced, without doubt, the + harmony of two notes struck at the same moment, which was considered by the + musically-curious as somewhat extraordinary, when the limited powers of the + instrument were remembered. It was Koch's custom to require that all the + lights should be extinguished, in order that the illusion produced by his + playing might be increased.</p> + + <p>It was reserved, however, for Mr. Eulenstein to acquire a musical + reputation from the Jew's harp. After ten years of close application and + study, this young artist has attained a perfect mastery over this + untractable instrument. In giving some account of the Jew's harp, considered + as a medium for musical sounds, we shall only present the result of his + discoveries. This little instrument, taken singly, gives whatever grave + sound you may wish to produce, as a <i>third</i>, a <i>fifth</i>, or an + <i>octave</i>. If the grave tonic is not heard in the bass Jew's harp, it + must be attributed, not to the defectiveness of the instrument, but to the + player. In examining this result, you cannot help remarking the order and + unity established by nature in harmonical bodies, which places music in the + rank of exact sciences. The Jew's harp has three different tones; the bass + tones of the first octave bear some resemblance to those of the flute and + clarionet; those of the middle and high, to the <i>vox humana</i> of some + organs; lastly, the harmonical sounds are exactly like those of the + <i>harmonica</i>. It is conceived, that this diversity of tones affords + already a great variety in the execution, which is always looked upon as + being feeble and trifling, on account of the smallness of the instrument. It + was not thought possible to derive much pleasure from any attempt which + could be made to conquer the difficulties of so limited an instrument; + because, in the extent of these octaves, there were a number of spaces which + could not be filled up by the talent of the player; besides, the most simple + modulation became impossible. Mr. Eulenstein has remedied that + inconvenience, by joining sixteen Jew's harps, which he tunes by placing + smaller or greater quantities of sealing-wax at the extremity of the tongue. + Each harp then sounds one of the notes of the gamut, diatonic or chromatic, + and the performer can fill all the intervals, and pass all the tones, by + changing the harp. That these mutations may not interrupt the measure, one + harp must always be kept in advance, in the same manner as a good reader + advances the eye, not upon the word which he pronounces, but upon that which + follows.—<i>Philosophy in Sport.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>FORM OF ANCIENT BOOKS, THEIR ILLUMINATIONS, &c.</h3> + + <p>The mode of compacting the sheets of their books remained the same among + the Greeks during a long course of time. The sheets were folded three or + four together, and separately stitched: these parcels were then connected + nearly in the same mode as is at present practised. Books were covered with + linen, silk, or leather.</p> + + <p>The page was sometimes undivided; sometimes it contained two, and in a + few instances of very ancient MSS., three columns. A peculiarity which + attracts the eye in many Greek manuscripts, consists in the occurrence of + capitals on the margin, some way in advance of the line to which they + belong; and this capital sometimes happens to be the middle letter of a + word. For when a sentence finishes in the middle of a line, the initial of + the next is not distinguished, that honour being conferred upon the + incipient letter of the next line; thus—</p><span class= + "pagenum"><a id="page124" name="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> + + <blockquote> + <pre class="table"> + THEGREEKSENTERING + THEREGIONOFTHEMA + CRONESFORMEDANAL + LIANCEWITHTHEM.AS +T HEPLEDGEOFTHEIR + FAITHTHEBARBARIANS + GAVEASPEAR. +</pre> + </blockquote> + + <p>The Greeks, especially in the earliest times, divided their compositions + into verses, or such short portions of sentences as we mark by a comma, each + verse occupying a line; and the number of these verses is often set down at + the beginning or end of a book. The numbers of the verses were sometimes + placed in the margin.</p> + + <p>Much intricacy and difficulty attends the subject of ancient punctuation; + nor could any satisfactory account of the rules and exceptions that have + been gathered from existing MSS. be given, which should subserve the + intention of this work. Generally speaking, though with frequent exceptions, + the most ancient books have no separation of words, or punctuation of any + kind; others have a separation of words, but no punctuation; in some, every + word is separated from the following one by a point. In manuscripts of later + date are found a regular punctuation, and marks of accentuation. These + circumstances enter into the estimate when the antiquity of a book is under + inquiry; but the rules to be observed in considering them cannot be + otherwise than recondite and intricate.</p> + + <p>Few ancient books are altogether destitute of decorations; and many are + splendidly adorned with pictorial ornaments. These consist either of flowery + initials, grotesque cyphers, portraits, or even historical compositions. + Sometimes diagrams, explanatory of the subjects mentioned by the author, are + placed on the margin. Books written for the use of royal persons, or + dignified ecclesiastics, usually contain the effigies of the proprietor, + often attended by his family, and by some allegorical or celestial minister; + while the humble scribe, in monkish attire, kneels and presents the book to + his patron.</p> + + <p>These illuminations, as they are called, almost always exhibit some + costume of the times, or some peculiarity, which serves to mark the age of + the manuscript. Indeed a fund of antiquarian information relative to the + middle ages has been collected from this source. Many of these pictured + books exhibit a high degree of executive talent in the artist, yet labouring + under the restraints of a barbarous taste.—<i>Taylor's History of the + Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>SOUTHERN AFRICAN ELOQUENCE.</h3> + + <p>"It is clear that it is our best policy to march against the enemy before + he advances. Let not our towns be the seat of war; let not our houses be + stained with bloodshed; let the blood of the enemy be spilt at a distance + from our wives and children. Yet some of you talk ignorantly; your words are + the words of children or of men confounded. I am left almost alone; my two + brothers have abandoned me; they have taken wives from another nation, and + allow their wives to direct them; their wives are their kings!" Then turning + towards his younger brothers, he imprecated a curse upon them if they should + follow the example of their elder brethren. Again addressing the people, he + said, "you walk over my head while I sleep, but you now see that the wise + Mocooas respect me. Had they not been our friends, we must have fled ere now + before the enemy." Turning to Wleeloqua, the eighth speaker, he said, "I + hear you, my father; I understand you, my father; your words are true and + good for the ear. It is good that we be instructed by the Macooas. May evil + overtake the disobedient! May they be broken in pieces! Be silent, ye + women!" (addressing them,) "ye who plague your husbands, who steal their + goods, and give them to others, be silent; and hinder not your husbands and + children by your evil words. Be silent, ye kidney-eaters,<a id= + "footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> + (turning towards the old men,) ye who are fit for nothing but to prowl about + whenever an ox is killed. If our cattle are carried off, where will you get + kidneys?"</p> + + <p>Then addressing the warriors, he said, "there are many of you who do not + deserve to eat out of a broken pot; ye stubborn and stupid men! consider + what you have heard, and obey without murmuring. Hearken! I command you, ye + chiefs of the Matclhapees, Matclhoroos, Myrees, Barolongs, and Bamacootas, + that ye proclaim through all your clans the proceedings of this day, and let + none be ignorant. And again I say, ye warriors, prepare for the day of + battle; let your shields be strong, your quivers full of arrows, and your + battle-axes sharp as hunger." Turning a second time towards the old men and + women, he said, "prevent not the warrior from going forth to battle, by your + timid counsels. No! rouse up the warrior to glory, and he shall return to + you with honourable scars; fresh marks <span class="pagenum"><a id="page125" + name="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> of valour shall cover his thigh;<a id= + "footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> + and then we shall renew the war-song and dance, and rehearse the story of + our achievements."</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>CHARACTER OF PITT.</h3> + + <h4><i>By the late Right Hon. G. Canning.</i></h4> + + <p>The character of this illustrious statesman early passed its ordeal. + Scarcely had he attained the age at which reflection commences, than Europe + with astonishment beheld him filling the first place in the councils of his + country, and manage the vast mass of its concerns with all the vigour and + steadiness of the most matured wisdom. Dignity, strength, discretion, these + were among the masterly qualities of his mind at its first dawn. He had been + nurtured a statesman, and his knowledge was of that kind which always lies + ready for practical application. Not dealing in the subtleties of abstract + politics, but moving in the slow, steady procession of reason, his + conceptions were reflective, and his views correct. Habitually attentive to + the concerns of government, he spared no pains to acquaint himself with + whatever was connected, however minutely, with its prosperity. He was + devoted to the state: its interests engrossed all his study, and engaged all + his care: it was the element alone in which he seemed to live and move. He + allowed himself but little recreation from his labours; his mind was always + on its station, and his activity was unremitted.</p> + + <p>He did not hastily adopt a measure, nor hastily abandon it. The plan + struck out by him for the preservation of Europe was the result of prophetic + wisdom and profound policy. But though defeated in many respects by the + selfish ambition and short-sighted imbecility of foreign powers, whose + rulers were too venal or too weak to follow the flight of that mind which + would have taught them to outwing the storm, the policy involved in it was + still a secret operation on the conduct of surrounding states. His plans + were full of energy, and the principles which inspired them looked beyond + the consequences of the hour. In a period of change and convulsion, the most + perilous in the history of Great Britain, when sedition stalked abroad, and + when the emissaries of France and the abettors of her regicide factions + formed a league powerful from their number, and formidable by their talent, + in that awful crisis the promptitude of his measures saved his country.</p> + + <p>He knew nothing of that timid and wavering cast of mind which dares not + abide by its own decision. He never suffered popular prejudice or party + clamour to turn him aside from any measure which his deliberate judgment had + adopted; he had a proud reliance on himself, and it was justified. Like the + sturdy warrior leaning on his own battle, axe, conscious where his strength + lay, he did not readily look beyond it.</p> + + <p>As a debater in the House of Commons, his speeches were logical and + argumentative: if they did not often abound in the graces of metaphor, or + sparkle with the brilliancy of wit, they were always animated, elegant, and + classical. The strength of his oratory was intrinsic; it presented the rich + and abundant resource of a clear discernment and a correct taste. His + speeches are stampt with inimitable marks of originality. When replying to + his opponents, his readiness was not more conspicuous than his energy: he + was always prompt and always dignified. He could sometimes have recourse to + the sportiveness of irony, but he did not often seek any other aid than was + to be derived from an arranged and extensive knowledge of his subject. This + qualified him fully to discuss the arguments of others, and forcibly to + defend his own. Thus armed, it was rarely in the power of his adversaries, + mighty as they were, to beat him from the field. His eloquence, occasionally + rapid, electric, vehement, was always chaste, winning, and persuasive, not + awing into acquiescence, but arguing into conviction. His understanding was + bold and comprehensive: nothing seemed too remote for its reach, or too + large for its grasp. Unallured by dissipation, and unswayed by pleasure, he + never sacrificed the national treasure to the one, or the national interest + to the other. To his unswerving integrity the most authentic of all + testimony is to be found in that unbounded public confidence which followed + him throughout the whole of his political career.</p> + + <p>Absorbed as he was in the pursuits of public life, he did not neglect to + prepare himself in silence for that higher destination, which is at once the + incentive and reward of human virtue. His talents, superior and splendid as + they were, never made him forgetful of that eternal wisdom from which they + emanated. The faith and fortitude of his last moments were affecting and + exemplary. In his forty-seventh year, and in the meridian of his fame, he + died on the twenty-third of January, one thousand eight hundred and six.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page126" name="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> + + <h2>THE LECTURER</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>VERTIGO, OR GIDDINESS.</h3> + + <p><i>Vertigo</i>, or <i>giddiness</i>, though unattended with pain, is, in + general, of a more dangerous nature than the severest headach. Vertigo + consists in a disturbance of the <i>voluntary power</i>, and in some degree + of <i>sensation</i>, especially of <i>vision</i>; and thus it shows itself + to be an affection of the brain itself; while mere pain in the head does not + necessarily imply this, it being for the most part an affection of the + membranes only. In <i>vertigo</i>, objects that are fixed appear to be in + motion, or to turn round, as the name implies. The patient loses his + balance, and is inclined to fall down. It often is followed immediately by + severe headach. <i>Vertigo</i> is apt to recur, and thus often becomes + frequent and habitual. After a time the mental powers become impaired, and + complete idiocy often follows; as was the case in the celebrated Dean Swift. + It frequently terminates in apoplexy or palsy, from the extension of disease + in the brain.</p> + + <p><i>Causes.—Vertigo</i> is induced by whatever is capable of + disturbing suddenly the circulation of the brain, whether in the way of + increase or diminution: thus the approach of <i>syncope</i>, whether + produced by loss of blood, or a feeling of nausea; blows on the head, + occasioning a concussion of the brain; stooping; swinging; whirling; or + other unusual motions of the body, as in sailing, are the ordinary exciting + causes of the disease. <i>Vertigo</i> is exceedingly frequent at an advanced + period of life, and generally indicates the approach and formation of + disease in the brain. Accordingly, it is a frequent forerunner of + <i>apoplexy</i> and <i>palsy</i>.</p> + + <p>The immediate or <i>proximate</i> cause of <i>giddiness</i>, or + <i>vertigo</i>, that is, the actual condition of the brain at the moment, is + probably some partial disturbance in the circulation there; which all the + <i>occasional causes</i> mentioned are obviously calculated to produce. It + is more or less dangerous, according to the cause inducing it, and the state + of the brain itself, which may be sound or otherwise. And as this cannot be + certainly known, nor the extent of it when actually present, the event is of + course uncertain. At all times, your <i>prognosis</i> should be guarded; + because <i>vertigo</i> seldom occurs under favourable circumstances of age + and general health; unless when produced by so slight a cause as + <i>bloodletting</i>, or a trifling blow upon the head. Whenever + <i>vertigo</i> recurs frequently, and at an advanced period of life; and + more particularly when it is accompanied with drowsiness; weakness of the + voluntary muscles; impaired memory, or judgment; or, in short, any other + disturbance or imperfection in the state of the <i>sensorial</i> functions; + an unfavourable result is to be expected; because all these afford decisive + evidence of a considerable degree and extent of disease in the + brain—<i>Dr. Clutterbuck's Lectures on the Nervous System</i>.</p> + + <h3>BATHING</h3> + + <p>In this season of the year, a few hints on the temperature of the body + prior to cold immersion, may not unaptly be furnished. It is commonly + supposed, that if a person have made himself warm with walking, or any other + exercise, he must wait till he becomes cooled before he should plunge into + the cold water. Dr. Currie, however, has shown that this is an erroneous + idea, and that in the earlier stages of exercise, before profuse + perspiration has dissipated the heat, and fatigue debilitated the living + power, nothing is more safe, according to his experience, than the cold + bath. This is so true, that the same author constantly directed infirm + persons to use such a degree of exercise before emersion, as might produce + increased action of the vascular system, with some increase of heat; and + thus secure a force of re-action under the shock, which otherwise might not + always take place. The popular opinion, that it is safest to go perfectly + cool into the water, is founded on erroneous notions, and is sometimes + productive of injurious consequences. Thus, persons heated and beginning to + perspire, often think it necessary to wait on the edge of the bath until + they are perfectly cooled.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>USEFUL DOMESTIC HINTS</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>TAINTED MEAT</h3> + + <p>Meat tainted to an extreme degree may be speedily restored by washing it + in cold water, and afterwards in strong camomile tea; after which it may be + sprinkled with salt, and used the following day; or if steeped and well + washed in beer, it will make pure and sweet soup even after being + fly-blown.</p> + + <h3>TO BREW THREE BARRELS OF PORTER.</h3> + + <p>Take one quarter of high-dried malt, with one or two pecks of patent + malt; mash in the same manner as directed for beer. Add the following + ingredients: eight pounds of good hops, one pound of liquorice root, two + pounds of Spanish <span class="pagenum"><a id="page127" name= + "page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> juice, half a pound of ground ginger, one + pound of salt, eight ounces of hartshorn shavings, and four ounces of porter + extract.</p> + + <p>Separate the hops, and run the wort on them; when placed in the copper, + and in a state of ebullition, infuse the whole of the other ingredients. Let + it boil about one hour, or till you discover the surface of the liquor to + become flaky, and the wort broken; then take it from the copper and strain + it into the coolers. Now proceed in the usual way till it be fit to rack, + which will be in about a fortnight; draw it off into another vat, in which + let it remain three hours to settle, and in the mean time wash the cask + quite clean; draw from the vat the contents, and return them to the cask, + leaving the sediment that has lodged during the three hours. If the colour + be not full enough, add, when racking, some brandy colouring, which soon + gives to it that pleasing appearance peculiar to good porter. Do not fill + the cask quite full; bung it close the following day, but leave the peg-hole + open for a few days, or a week, according to the state of the atmosphere; + peg it when you think it is fine; and if it appear to be fast approaching to + clearness, and has stood long enough for the attainment of maturity, tap it, + and draw it quickly; for porter, in cask, always requires a quick draught, + and when it gets flat bottle it off as soon as possible.</p> + + <p>It will improve greatly by standing a few months in the + bottle.—<i>The Vintner's Guide</i>.</p> + + <h3>WELSH ALE.</h3> + + <p>Pour forty-two gallons of water, hot, but not quite boiling, on eight + bushels of malt; cover, and let it stand three hours. In the mean time + infuse four pounds of hops in a little hot water; and put the water and hops + into the tub, and run the wort upon them, and boil them together three + hours. Strain off the hops, and keep for the small beer. Let the wort stand + in a high tub till cool enough to receive the yeast, of which put two quarts + of ale, or, if you cannot get it, of small-beer yeast. Mix it thoroughly and + often. When the wort has done working, the second or third day the yeast + will sink rather than rise in the middle; remove it then, and turn the ale + as it works out; pour a quart in at a time, and gently, to prevent the + fermentation from continuing too long, which weakens the liquor. Put a bit + of paper over the bung-hole two or three days before stopping + up.—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + + <h3>MILK PUNCH.</h3> + + <p>Pare six oranges and six lemons, as thin as you can; grate them after + with sugar to get the flavour. Steep the peels in a bottle of rum or brandy, + stopped close, twenty-four hours; squeeze the fruit on two pounds of sugar; + add to it four quarts of water, and one of new milk, boiling hot; stir the + rum into the above, and run it through a jelly-bag till perfectly clear. + Bottle, and cork close immediately.—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + + <h3>EXCELLENT LEMONADE.</h3> + + <p>To the rinds of ten lemons, pared very thin, put one pound of fine + loaf-sugar, and two quarts of spring-water, boiling hot; stir it to dissolve + the sugar; let it stand twenty-four hours, covered close; then squeeze in + the juice of the ten lemons; add one pint of white wine; boil a pint of new + milk, pour it hot on the ingredients; when cold, run it through a close + filtering-bag, when it will be fit for immediate use.—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>ARTS AND SCIENCES.</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>ATTRACTION.</h3> + + <p>Logs of wood floating in a pond approach each other, and afterwards + remain in contact. The wreck of a ship, in a smooth sea after a storm, is + often seen gathered into heaps. Two bullets or plummets, suspended by + strings near to each other, are found by the delicate test of the torison + balance to attract each other, and therefore not to hang quite + perpendicularly. A plummet suspended near the side of a mountain, inclines + towards it in a degree proportioned to its magnitude; as was ascertained by + the wellknown trials of Dr. Maskeleyne near the mountain Skehalion, in + Scotland. And the reason why the plummet tends much more strongly towards + the earth than towards the hill, is only that the earth is larger than the + hill. And at New South Wales, which is a point on our globe nearly opposite + to England, plummets hang and fall towards the centre of the globe, exactly + as they do here, so that they are hanging up and falling towards England, + and the people there are standing with their feet towards us. Weight, + therefore, is merely general attraction acting every where. It is owing to + this general attraction that our earth is a globe. All its parts being drawn + towards each other, that is, towards the common centre, the mass assumes the + spherical or rounded form. And the moon also is round, and all the planets + are round; the glorious sun, so much larger than all these, is round; + proving, that all must at one <span class="pagenum"><a id="page128" name= + "page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> time have been fluid, and that they are all + subject to the same law. Other instances of roundness from this cause + are—the particles of a mist or fog floating in air; these mutually + attracting and coalescing into larger drops, and forming rain; dew drops; + water trickling on a duck's wing; the tear-dropping from the cheek; drops of + laudanum; globules of mercury, like pure silver beads, coalescing when near, + and forming larger ones; melted lead allowed to rain down from an elevated + sieve, which cools as it descends, so as to retain the form of its liquid + drops, and become the spherical shot lead of the sportsman. The cause of the + extraordinary phenomenon, which we call attraction, acts at all distances. + The moon, though 240,000 miles from the earth, by her attraction raises the + water of the ocean under her, and forms what we call the tide. The sun, + still farther off, has a similar influence; and when the sun and moon act in + the same direction, we have the spring tides. The planets, those apparently + little wandering points in the heaven, yet affect, by their attraction, the + motion of our earth in her orbit, quickening it when she is approaching + them, retarding it when she is receding.—<i>Arnott's Natural + Philosophy.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>THE GATHERER</h2> + + <blockquote> + <p>"I am but a <i>Gatherer</i> and disposer of other men's + stuff."—<i>Wotton</i>.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr /> + + <h3>CITY FEASTING.</h3> + + <p>The following is the bill of fare for the Court of Assistants of the + Worshipful the Company of Wax Chandlers, London, 1478:—Two loins of + veal, and two loins of mutton, 1s. 4d.; one loin of beef, 4d.; one dozen of + pigeons and one dozen of rabbits, 9d.; one pig and one capon, 1s.; one goose + and a hundred eggs, 1s. 1/2d.; one leg of mutton, 2-1/2d.; two gallons of + sack, 1s. 4d.; eight gallons of strong ale, 1s. 6d.—7s. 6d.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The fathers of the church considered the earth as a great ship, + surrounded by water, with the prow to the east and the stern to the west. We + still find in Cosmas, a monk of the fourteenth century, a sort of + geographical chart, in which, the earth has this figure. Even among the + ancients, though many of their geometricians had acknowledged the sphericity + of the globe, it was for a long time imagined that the earth was a third + longer than it was broad, and thence arose the terms of <i>longitude</i> and + <i>latitude</i>. St. Athanasius expresses himself most warmly against + astronomers. "Let us stop the mouths of these barbarians," he exclaims, + "who, speaking without proof, dare assert that the heavens also extend under + the earth."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Augustus gave an admirable example how a person who sends a challenge + should be treated. When Marc Antony, after the battle of Actium, defied him + to single combat, his answer to the messenger who brought it was, "Tell Marc + Antony, if he be weary of life, there are other ways to end it; I shall not + take the trouble of becoming his executioner."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>An Irish gentleman, whose lady had absconded from him, cautioned the + public against trusting her in these words:—"My wife has eloped from + me without rhyme or reason, and I desire no one will trust her on my + account, for I am not married to her."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The Duke of Biron heard the decree for his instant death pronounced by + the Revolutionary Tribunal, 1793, with unmoved tranquillity. On returning to + prison, his philosophy maintained that character of Epicurean indifference + which had accompanied his happier years; he ordered some oysters and white + wine. The executioner entered as he was taking this last repast. "My + friend," said the duke, "I will attend you; but you must let me finish my + oysters. You must require strength for the business you have to perform: you + shall drink a glass of wine with me." He filled a glass for the executioner, + another for the turnkey, and one for himself, and went to the place of + execution, where he met death with the courage that distinguished almost all + the victims of that fearful period.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>A Gascon boasted in every company that he was descended from so ancient a + family, that he was still paying at that very day the interest of a sum + which his ancestors had borrowed to pay their expenses when they went to + adore our Saviour at Bethlehem.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>There is now living in Pontenovo, in Corsica, a shepherdess, who + successively refused the hand of Augereau, then a corporal, and of + Bernadotte, then a sergeant in that island. She little dreamt that she was + declining to be a marechale of France or the queen of Sweden!</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>: <a href= + "#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + + <p>The Bechnanas imagine that none who eat of the kidneys of the ox will + have any offspring; on this account, no one, except the aged, will + taste-them. Hence the contemptuous term of "kidney-eaters," synonymous + with dotard.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>: <a href= + "#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + + <p>The warriors receive a new scar on the thigh for every enemy they kill + in battle.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="full" /> + + <p><i>Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near + Somerset-House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers.</i></p> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10074 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/10074-h/images/269-1.png b/10074-h/images/269-1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..458380c --- /dev/null +++ b/10074-h/images/269-1.png diff --git a/10074-h/images/269-2.png b/10074-h/images/269-2.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44ecc3d --- /dev/null +++ b/10074-h/images/269-2.png diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3f2d4b2 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10074 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10074) diff --git a/old/10074-8.txt b/old/10074-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b72354a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10074-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1916 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 269, August 18, 1827, by Various + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, +Issue 269, August 18, 1827 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: October 13, 2003 [eBook #10074] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, +AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 269, AUGUST 18, 1827*** + + +E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg Distributed +Proofreaders + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 10074-h.htm or 10074-h.zip: + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/0/0/7/10074/10074-h/10074-h.htm) + or + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/0/0/7/10074/10074-h/10074-h.zip) + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 10, No. 269.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1827. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S VILLA, CHISWICK. + +[Illustration] + + +The lamented death of the Right Hon. George Canning has naturally +excited the curiosity of our readers to the villa in which that eminent +statesman breathed his last; and we have therefore obtained from our +artist an original drawing, which has been taken since the melancholy +event occurred, and from which we are now enabled to give the above +correct and picturesque engraving. + +Chiswick House is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, built by the last +Earl of Burlington, whose taste and skill as an architect have been +frequently recorded. The ascent to the house is by a noble double flight +of steps, on one side of which is a statue of Palladio, and on the other +that of Inigo Jones. The portico is supported by six fluter Corinthian +pillars, with a pediment; and a dome at the top enlightens a beautiful +octagonal saloon. "This house," says Mr. Walpole, "the idea of which is +borrowed from a well-known villa of Palladio, and is a model of taste, +though not without faults, some of which are occasioned by too strict +adherence to rules and symmetry. Such are too many corresponding doors +in spaces so contracted; chimneys between windows, and, which is worse, +windows between chimneys; and vestibules however beautiful, yet little +secured from the damps of this climate. The trusses that support the +ceiling of the corner drawing-room are beyond measure massive, and the +ground apartment is rather a diminutive catacomb than a library in a +northern latitude. Yet these blemishes, and Lord Hervey's wit, who said +'the house was too small to inhabit, and too large to hang to one's +watch,' cannot depreciate the taste that reigns throughout the whole. +The larger court, dignified by picturesque cedars, and the classic +scenery of the small court, that unites the old and new house, are more +worth seeing than many fragments of ancient grandeur which our +travellers visit under all the dangers attendant on long voyages. The +garden is in the Italian taste, but divested of conceits, and far +preferable to every style that reigned till our late improvements. The +buildings are heavy, and not equal to the purity of the house. The +lavish quantity of urns and sculpture behind the garden front should be +retrenched." Such were the sentiments of Mr. Walpole on this celebrated +villa, before the noble proprietor began the capital improvements which +have since been completed. Two wings have been added to the house, from +the designs of Mr. Wyattville. These remove the objections that have +been made to the house, are more fanciful and beautiful than convenient +and habitable; the gardens have also been considerably improved, and now +display all the beauties of modern planting. + +It is a remarkable coincidence that at this secluded and beautiful villa +Charles James Fox terminated his glorious career, in the same month, and +having arrived at the same age (fifty-seven) as Mr. Canning. + +As many of our readers may be induced to visit this quiet and +picturesque spot, we would recommend them to pass down the private +carriage-way which leads from Turnham-green to the porter's lodge, and +having reached the door that opens to a rural lane which runs in front +of the villa, to turn into the field, the gate of which is situated near +a small bridge, and from thence a delightful view may be obtained of +this celebrated villa. It was on this spot the above view was sketched. +In returning through the lane which we have just alluded to, the first +turning on the right conducts to the church, which interestingly-ancient +edifice demands a remark in this place. + +Chiswick church is situated near the water side. The present structure +originally consisted only of a nave and chancel, and was built about the +beginning of the fifteenth century, at which time the tower was erected +at the charge of William Bordal, vicar of Chiswick, who died in 1435. It +is built of stone and flint, as is the north wall of the church and +chancel; the latter has been repaired with brick: a transverse aisle, at +the east end of the nave, was added on the south side in the middle of +the last, and a corresponding aisle on the south side, towards the +beginning of the last century. The former was enlarged in the year 1772, +by subscription, and carried on to the west end of the nave: both the +aisles are of brick. + +In the churchyard is a monument to the memory of William Hogarth. On +this monument, which is ornamented with a mask, a laurel wreath, a +palette, pencils, and a book, inscribed, "Analysis of Beauty," are the +following lines, by his friend and contemporary, the late David +Garrick:-- + + "Farewell, great painter of mankind, + Who reached the noblest point of art, + Whose pictur'd morals charm the mind, + And through the eye correct the heart! + If genius fire thee, reader, stay; + If nature move thee, drop a tear; + If neither touch thee, turn away, + For Hogarth's honour'd dust lies here." + +Near this is the tomb of Dr. Rose, many years distinguished as a critic +in a respectable periodical publication. + +In the church, in the Earl of Burlington's vault, is interred the +celebrated Kent, a painter, architect, and father of modern gardening. +"In the first character," says Mr. Walpole, "he was below mediocrity; in +the second, he was the restorer of the science; in the last, an +original, and the inventor of an art that realizes painting and improves +nature. Mahomet imagined an Elysium, but Kent created many." He +frequently declared, it is said, that he caught his taste in gardening +from reading the picturesque descriptions of Spencer. Mason, noticing +his mediocrity as a painter, pays this fine tribute to his excellence in +the decoration of rural scenery:-- + + ----"He felt + The pencil's power--but fir'd by higher forms + Of beauty than that pencil knew to paint, + Work'd with the living hues that Nature lent, + And realiz'd his landscapes. Generous be, + Who gave to Painting what the wayward nymph + Refus'd her votary; those Elysian scenes, + Which would she emulate, her nicest hand + Must all its force of light and shade employ." + +On the outside of the wall of the churchyard, on a stone tablet, is the +following curious inscription:--"This wall was made at ye charges of ye +right honourable and trulie pious Lorde Francis Russel, Duke of Bedford, +out of true zeal and care for ye keeping of this churchyard, and ye +wardrobe of God's saints, whose bodies lay therein buried, from +violating by swine and other profanation, so witnessed! William Walker, +V., A.D. 1623." + +We cannot better conclude our description than with a sketch from Sir +Richard Phillips's "Morning's Walk to Kew." He was walking on the +opposite banks of the river, when on a sudden he caught the sound of a +ring of village bells. "Surely," he exclaimed, "they are Chiswick +bells!--the very bells under the sound of which I received part of my +early education, and, as a schoolboy, passed the happiest days of my +life!--Well might their tones vibrate to my inmost soul, and kindle +uncommon sympathies!" I now recollected that the winding of the river +must have brought me nearer to that simple and primitive village than +the profusion of wood had permitted me to perceive, and my memory had +been unconsciously acted upon by the tones which served as keys to all +the associations connected with these bells, their church and the +village of Chiswick! I listened again, and now discriminated those +identical sounds which I had not heard during a period of more than +thirty years. I distinguished the very words in the successive tones, +which the school-boys and puerile imaginations at Chiswick used to +combine with them. In thought, I became again a schoolboy--"Yes," said +I, "the six bells tell me that _my dun cow has just calv'd_, exactly as +they did above thirty years since!"--Did the reader never encounter a +similar key-note, leading to a multitude of early and vivid +recollections? Those well-remembered tones, in like manner, brought +before my imagination numberless incidents and personages no longer +important, or no longer in existence. My scattered and once-loved +schoolmates, their characters and their various fortunes, passed in +rapid review before me; my schoolmaster, his wife, and all the gentry, +and heads of families, whose orderly attendance at divine service on +Sundays, while those well-remembered bells were "chiming for church," +(but now gone and mouldering in the adjoining graves,) were again +presented to my perceptions! With what pomp and form they used to enter +and depart from their house of God! I still saw with the mind's eye the +widow Hogarth, and her maiden relative, Richardson, walking up the aisle +dressed in their silken sacks, their raised head-dresses, their black +hoods, their lace ruffles, and their high-crook'd canes, preceded by +their aged servant, Samuel; who, after he had wheeled his mistress to +church in her Bath-chair, carried the prayer-books up the aisle, and +opened and shut the pew! There too was the portly Dr. Griffiths, of the +_Monthly Review_, with his literary wife in her neat and elevated +wire-winged cap! And oftimes the vivacious and angelic Duchess of +Devonshire, whose bloom had not then suffered from the canker-worm of +pecuniary distress, created by the luxury of charity! Nor could I forget +the humble distinction of the aged sexton, Mortefee, whose skill in +psalmody enabled him to lead that wretched group of singers, whom +Hogarth so happily portrayed; whose performance with the pitch-fork +excited so much wonder in little boys; and whose gesticulations and +contortions of head, hand, and body, in beating time, were not outdone +even by Joah Bates in the commemorations of Handel! Yes, simple and +happy villagers! I remember scores of you;--how fortunately ye had, and +still have, escaped the contagion of the metropolitan vices, though +distant but five miles; and how many of you have I conversed with, who, +at an adult age, had never beheld the degrading assemblage of its +knaveries and miseries! + +I revelled in the melancholy pleasure of these recollections, yielding +my whole soul to that witchery of sensibility which magnifies the +perception of being, till one of the bells was overset, when, the peal +stopping, I had leisure to think on the rapid advance of the day, and on +the consequent necessity of quickening my speed. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SKETCH-BOOK. + +NO. XLIV. + + * * * * * + + +THE BLUE BOTTLE + + "A _fly_ your honour."--_Brighton Cliff_ + + +Talk of musquitoes!--a musquito is a gentleman who honourably runs you +through with a small sword, and from whom (as from a mad dog) we may +easily seek a defence in--_muslin_. + +But your rory-tory, hurly-burly blue-bottle, is no better than a bully. +His head is a _humming-top_, and his tight blue little body like a +tomahawk, cased in glittering steel, which he takes a delight in +whirling against your head. I really believe, that to confine a nervous +man in a room with one of these winged tormentors, on a July day, would +inevitably destroy him in less than an hour. + +He rudely and unceremoniously bumps away all sober reflection,--(I +wonder whether the phrenological Spurzheim ever felt the _bumps_ of a +blue-bottle!) then his whimsical vagaries effectually defy repose; now +settling with his tickling bandy legs upon your nose, and industriously +insinuating his sharp proboscis, and anon abruptly buzzing in your +ear--no secret--off he shoots again to his own music. + +Now, truly, his _hum-drum_ puts me in mind of the whirring tone of the +hurdy-gurdy, while his _ad libitum_ bumping against the booming +window-panes sounds, to my fancy, like the unskilful accompaniment of a +double drum, beaten by some unmusical urchin. + +The house spider who spreads with so much care his beautiful nets for +gnats, and moths, and smaller flies, finds alike his labour and his +toils in vain to secure this rampaging rogue; and, indeed, when the +turbulent blue-bottle chances, in his bouncing random flight, to get +entangled in the glutinous meshes, he shakes and roars, and blusters so +loudly, until he breaks away, that the spider affrighted, invariably +takes advantage of his long legs to scamper off to his sanctum in the +cracked wainscot--like some imbecile watchman, who fearing to encounter +a tall inebriated bruiser, sneaks away with admirable discretion to the +security of his snug box, praying the drunkard may speedily reel into +another _beat_. + +Your noisy people generally grow taciturn in their cups--but Sir +Blue-bottle, though he drinks deep draughts of your wine, particularly +if it abound in sweetness, is never changed. He is naturally giddy, and +according to entomologists, always sees more than double, while his head +was never made to be turned. So may you hope for peace--only in his +flight or death!--_Absurdities: in Prose and Verse_. + + * * * * * + + +LAW AND LAWYERS. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +William the Conqueror entertained the difficult project of totally +abolishing the English language, and for that purpose, he ordered that +in all schools throughout the kingdom, the youth should be instructed in +the French tongue. Until the reign of Edward III. the pleadings in the +supreme courts of judicature were performed in French, when it was +appointed that the pleas should be pleaded in English; but that they +should be entered or recorded in Latin. The deeds were drawn in the same +language; the laws were composed in that idiom, and no other tongue was +used at court. It became, says Hume, the language of all fashionable +company; and the English themselves ashamed of their own country, +affected to excel in that foreign dialect. At Athens, and even in France +and England, formal and prepared pleadings were prohibited, and it was +unlawful to amuse the court with long, artful harangues; only it was the +settled custom here, in important matters, to begin the pleadings with a +text out of the holy scriptures. It is of late years that eloquence was +admitted to the bar. + +The account which the learned judge Hale gives of the lawyers, who +pleaded in the 15th century, does them little honour. He condemns the +reports during the reigns of Henry IV. and V. as inferior to those of +the last twelve years of Edward III. and he speaks but coolly of those +which the reign of Henry VI. produces. Yet this deficiency of +progressive improvement in the common law arose not from a want of +application to the science; since we learn from Fortescue that there +were no fewer than two thousand students attending on the inns of +chancery and of court, in the time of its writer. Gray's-inn, in the +time of Henry VIII. was so incommodious, that "the ancients of this +house were necessitated to lodge double." Indeed until the beginning of +the last century the lawyers lived mostly in their inns of court, or +about Westminster-hall. But a great change has been effected; they are +all now removed to higher ground, squares and genteel neighbourhoods, no +matter how far distant from their chambers. + +The number of judges in the courts of Westminster was by no means +certain. Under Henry VI. there were at one time eight judges in the +court of common pleas. Each judge took a solemn oath that "he would take +no fee, pension, gift, reward, or bribe, from any suitor, saving meat +and drink, which should be of no great value." In 1402, the salary of +the chief justice of the king's bench was forty pounds per annum. In +1408, the chief justice of the common pleas had fifty-five marks per +annum. In 1549, the chief justice of the king's bench had an addition of +thirty pounds to his salary, and each justice of the same bench and +common pleas, twenty pounds. At this time, a felony under the value of +twelve pence, was not a capital offence; and twelve pence then was equal +to sixty shillings at the present day. + +To Richard III. on whom history has cast innumerable stains, England has +considerable obligations as a legislator. Barrington thus speaks of him: +"Not to mention his causing each act of parliament to be written in +English and to be printed, he was the first prince on the English throne +who enabled the justices of the peace to take bail; and he caused to be +enacted a law against raising money by 'benevolence' which when pleaded +by the citizens of London against Cardinal Wolsey, could only be +answered by an averment, that Richard being a usurper and a murderer of +his nephews, the laws of so wicked a man ought not to be forced." And a +noble biographer, (Bacon's Henry VII.) says, "He was a good lawgiver for +the ease and solace of the common people." Cardinal Wolsey to terrify +the citizens of London into the general loan exacted in 1525, told them +plainly, _that it were better that some should suffer indigence than +that the king at this time should lack, and therefore beware and +resist not, nor ruffle not in the case, for it may fortune to cost some +people their heads_. And says Hume, when Henry VIII. heard that the +commons made a great difficulty of granting the required supply, he was +so provoked that he sent for Edward Montague, one of the members who had +a considerable influence on the house; and he being introduced to his +majesty, had the mortification to hear him speak in these words: _Ho! +man! will they not suffer my bill to pass?_ And laying his hand on +Montague's head, who was then on his knees before him, _get my bill +passed by to-morrow, or else to-morrow this head of yours shall be off_. +This cavalier manner of Henry's succeeded; for next day the bill passed. +Another instance of arbitrary power is worth relating. In Strype's life +of Stow we find, a garden house belonging to an honest citizen of +London, (which chanced to obstruct the improvement of a powerful +favourite. Thomas Cromwell,) "loosed from the foundation, borne on +rollers, and replaced two and twenty feet within the garden," without +the owner's leave being required; nay without his knowledge. The persons +employed, being asked their authority for this extraordinary proceeding, +made only this reply, "That Sir Thomas Cromwell had commanded them to do +it," _and none durst argue the matter_. The father of the antiquary, +Stow, (for it was he that was thus trampled upon,) "was fain to continue +to pay his old rent, without any abatement, for his garden; though half +of it was in this manner taken away." + + +TRIAL AND EXECUTION. + + +In days of yore, (says Aubrey) lords and gentlemen lived in the country +like petty kings, had _jura regalia_ belonging to the seignories, had +castles and boroughs, had gallows within their liberties, where they +would try, condemn, and execute; never went to London but in parliament +time, or once a year to do _homage_ to the king. Justice was +administered with great expedition, and too often with vindictive +severity. Pennant informs us that "originally the time of trial and +execution was to be within three suns!" About the latter end of the +seventeenth century the period was extended to _nine_ days after +sentence; but since a rapid and unjust execution in a petty Scottish +town, 1720, the execution has been ordered to be deferred for forty days +on the south, and sixty on the north side of the Tay, that time may be +allowed for an application to the king for mercy. Stealing was first +capital in the reign of Henry I. False coining, which was then a very +common crime, was severely punished. Near fifty criminals of this kind +were at _one time_ hanged or mutilated. Laws were passed in Henry +VIIth's reign ordaining the king's suit for murder to be carried on +within a year and a day. Formerly it did not usually commence till +after, and as the friends of the person murdered often in the interval +compounded matters with the criminal, the crime frequently passed +unpunished. In 1503, an act was passed prohibiting the king from +pardoning those convicted of wilful and premeditated murder; but this +appears to have been done at the monarch's own request, and was liable +to be rescinded at pleasure. In Henry the Eighth's reign, Harrison +asserts that 73,000 criminals were executed for theft and robbery, which +was nearly 2,000 a year. He adds, that in Elizabeth's reign, there were +_only_ between three and four hundred a year hanged for theft and +robbery. It is said that the earliest law enacted in any country for the +promotion of anatomical knowledge, was passed in 1540. It allowed the +united companies of _Barbers_ and _Surgeons_ to have yearly the bodies +of four criminals for dissection. In the year 1749, were executed at +Tyburn, Usher Gahagan, Terence O'Connor, and Joseph Mapham, for filing +gold money. Gahagan and Connor were papists of considerable families in +Ireland; the former was a very good Latin scholar, and editor of +Brindley's edition of the Classics; he translated _Pope's Essay on +Criticism_, in Latin verse, and after his confinement, the _Temple of +Fame_, and the _Messiah_, which he dedicated to the Duke of Newcastle, +in hopes of a pardon; he also wrote verses in English to prince George +(George III.) and to Mr. Adams, the recorder, which are published in the +ordinary's account, together with a poetical address to the Duchess of +Queensbury, by Connor. In 1752, it was enacted that every criminal +convicted of wilful murder should be executed on the day next but one +after sentence was passed, unless that happens to be on a Sunday: and in +that case, they are to be executed on the Monday following. The judge +may direct the body to be hung in chains, or to be delivered to the +surgeons in order to its being dissected and anatomized; but in no case +whatsoever is it to be buried till after it is dissected. The first +punishment of hanging, drawing, and quartering, occurred in the year +1241. The form of our gallows was adopted by the Roman Furca, when +Constantine abolished crucifixion. In France it had either a single, +double, or treble frame, denoting the rank of the territorial seigneur, +whether gentleman, knight, or baron. The ancient gallows near London, +had hooks for eviscerating, quartering, &c. the bodies of criminals. In +the 15th century, the top, like the beam of a pair of scales, was made +to move up and down; at one end hung a halter, at the other a large +weight, the halter was drawn down, and being put round the criminal's +neck, the weight at the other end lifted him from the ground. + +F.R.Y. + + * * * * * + + + +MY COMMON-PLACE BOOK, + +NO. XIX. + + * * * * * + + +NOVEL WRITERS AND NOVEL READERS. + + +Auto-biography of men, who held no distinguished rank in the political +world, is often very pleasant reading; especially where the writer has a +strong tincture of vanity, and is obviously blind to his own character; +for, if he does not know it himself, he is sure to let his readers know +it; if he does not see the dark spots, he will not endeavour to conceal +them; and, if he thinks them bright ones, he will blazon them. But +novel-writing, when well done, is, after all, the best species of +writing; for, if what all the world says, is true; what all the world +reads, must be good. A novel writer, of any talents, will draw his +portraits from the life--will catch at every striking feature, and +generally paint man as he is; and there is this difference between +actual histories and works of imagination, that the former are for the +most part true in letter, but false in spirit; and the latter, false in +letter, and true in spirit; the one is correct in names, dates, and +places, but out of truth in everything else: the other is not correct in +names, dates, and places, but perfectly true in every other point. + +The worst part of a novel is the hero or heroine: these are too +frequently fabrications from the author's fancy, instead of portraits +from nature; or, if taken from life, they are tortured into a perfection +that life never knew. This is too much the case with "Thaddeus of +Warsaw," and ten thousand others. Ladies are not good hands in painting +heroes, nor gentlemen always equal to the portraying of heroines. The +author of _Werter_ knew that, and therefore he did not disfigure his +wicked and interesting work with an artificial Charlotte: he leaves her +to the reader's own fancy, who has nothing to do but to fancy himself +Werter, and his own imagination will paint Charlotte. + +When the hero is made the vehicle of one moral lesson, as Vivian, in +Miss Edgeworth's "Tales of Fashionable Life," then there is no need of +artificial ornament; and when there is no intention of presenting an +unmixed character of evil, nothing remains but to draw from life, and +the work is perfect. One of Miss Edgeworth's failings is of great +service to her, in this kind of painting: she wants what some persons +call feeling, that is to say, she does not believe in the omnipotence of +love, and therefore would never have written such a book as the "Sorrows +of Werter;" and if she had possessed the same materials, she would have +produced a very different work--not so full of genius, perhaps, but an +interesting and instructive tale. + +Novels are productions more easily criticised than any others: every one +may judge for himself of the truth or probability of the events, and the +accuracy of the features of character. It is impossible almost to +deceive a reader--to palm upon him fiction for truth; for the truth is +felt, if it be there, and the falsehood is palpable and revolting. There +is also an extensive light of information in them. They do not merely +give one scene, or character, or class of characters; but their +principles are generally applicable to a very wide extent--they exercise +the mind to a habit of observation, and so far from giving false views +of life, they more frequently direct us to its true estimate. To be +sure, there is sometimes a degree of improbability in some of the +incidents, which is mostly forgiven, if the whole mass be, in the main, +true and accurate. There are certain standard incidents, which are +common property--such as the discovery of relationships--the change of +children--and liberal aunts, who make nothing of presenting a young +married couple with twenty or thirty thousand pounds on their wedding +day; but, if any young lady or gentleman is silly enough to marry, +without the means of support, because they have read such things in +novels, and have also read of rich uncles all of a sudden returning from +the East or West Indies, to shower gold and pearls on all their +relations, all that must be said for them is, that they have not +sufficient sense to read "Aesop's Fables," and they might as easily be +misled into the imagination that brutes could talk. It is a very weak +charge against novels, that they present false views of life; for, when +they do, none but silly people read them; and they are just as wise +after, as they were before. + +If there be any evil in novels at all, it is when they take people from +their business--when they occupy a mother's time to the neglect of her +children--when they lead idle boys to neglect their lessons, and when +they lead idle gentlefolks to fancy themselves employed, when they are +only killing time. W.P.S. + + * * * * * + + +CARRIER PIGEONS. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +It appears by the Dutch papers that pigeons are now used to forward +correspondence between different countries in Europe, and one was lately +found resting on a house in Rotterdam. The carrier pigeon has its name +from its remarkable sagacity in returning to the place where it was +bred; and Lightow assures us, that one of these birds would carry a +letter from Babylon to Aleppo, which is thirty days' journey, in +forty-eight hours. This pigeon was employed in former times by the +English factory to convey intelligence from Scanderoon of the arrival of +company's ships in that port, the name of the ship, the hour of her +arrival, and whatever else could be comprised in a small compass, being +written on a slip of paper, which was secured in such a manner under the +pigeon's wing as not to impede its flight; and her feet were bathed in +vinegar, with a view to keep them cool, and prevent her being tempted by +the sight of water to alight, by which the journey might have been +prolonged, or the billet lost. The pigeons performed this journey in two +hours and a half. The messenger had a young brood at Aleppo, and was +sent down in an uncovered cage to Scanderoon, from whence, as soon as +set at liberty, she returned with all possible expedition to her nest. +It is said that the pigeons when let fly from Scanderoon, instead of +bending their course towards the high mountains surrounding the plain, +mounted at once directly up, soaring still almost perpendicularly till +out of sight, as if to surmount at once the obstacles intercepting their +view of the place of their destination. Maillet, in his "Description de +l'Egypt," tells us of a pigeon despatched from Aleppo to Scanderoon, +which, mistaking its way, was absent for three days, and in that time +had made an excursion to the island of Ceylon; a circumstance then +deduced from finding green cloves in the bird's stomach, and credited at +Aleppo. In the time of the holy wars, certain Saracen ambassadors who +came to Godfrey of Antioch from a neighbouring prince, sent intelligence +to their master of the success of their embassy, by means of pigeons, +fixing the billet to the bird's tail. Hirtius and Brutus, at the siege +of Modena, held a correspondence with one another by means of pigeons. +Ovid informs us that Taurosthenus, by a pigeon stained with purple, gave +notice to his father of his victory at the Olympic games, sending it to +him at Ægina; and Anacreon tells us, that he conveyed a _billet-doux_ to +his beautiful Bathyllid, by a dove. Thus, says Bewick, "the bird is let +loose, and in spite of surrounding armies and every obstacle that would +have effectually prevented any other means of conveyance, guided by +instinct alone, it returns directly home, where the intelligence is so +much wanted. Sometimes they have been the peaceful bearers of glad +tidings to the anxious lover, and to the merchant of the no less welcome +news of the safe arrival of his vessel at the desired port." + +In this _flighty_ and _pigeoning age_, I would recommend a +_pigeon-carrier-company_, whose shares might be _elevated_ to any +_height_. + +P. T. W. + + * * * * * + + + +MISCELLANIES. + + * * * * * + + +NAMES OF SHEEP. + + +A ram or wether lamb, after being weaned, is called a hog, or hoggitt, +tag, or pug, throughout the first year, or until it renew two teeth; the +ewe, a ewe-lamb, ewe-tag, or pug. In the second year the wether takes +the name of shear-hog, and has his first two renewed or broad teeth, or +he is called a two-toothed tag or pug; the ewe is called a thaive, or +two-toothed ewe tag, or pug. In the third year, a shear hog or +four-toothed wether, a four-toothed ewe or thaive. The fourth year, a +six-toothed wether or ewe. The fifth year, having eight broad teeth, +they are said to be full-mouthed sheep. Their age also, particularly of +the rams, is reckoned by the number of times they have been shorn, the +first shearing taking place in the second year; a shearing, or +one-shear, two-shear, &c. The term _pug_ is, I believe, nearly become +obsolete. In the north and in Scotland, ewe hogs are called _dimonts_, +and in the west of England ram lambs are called _pur lambs_. + +The ancient term _tup_, for a ram, is in full use. Crone still signifies +an old ewe. Of _crock_, I know nothing of the etymology, and little more +of the signification, only that the London butchers of the old school, +and some few of the present, call Wiltshire sheep horned _crocks_. I +believe crock mutton is a term of inferiority. + + * * * * * + +Conceit and confidence are both of them cheats; the first always imposes +on itself, the second frequently deceives others too.--_Zimmerman_. + + * * * * * + + + +ANCIENT POWDER FLASK. + +[Illustration] + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror._) + + +SIR,--The enclosed curious drawing of an ancient powder "_flaske_," both +in form and ornament, may not be uninteresting to the readers of your +valuable MIRROR at the approaching sporting season. + +Gunpowder, when first invented, was carried in the horns of animals, for +safety and convenience; though some time afterwards placed in flat +leather cases or bottles, invented by the Germans, and called +"_flaskes_." A remarkably curious one of this description, evidently of +the time of Queen Elizabeth, is here represented, and is formed of +ivory, somewhat in the shape of a stag's horn; the ornaments on it are +carved in a good bold style, and represent an armed figure on horseback +in full chase. The "flaske" is tipped at the end with silver, and +measures about eight inches in length. + +I remain, yours, + +* * + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS + + * * * * * + + +CHARACTER OF THE SEPOYS. + + +Our countrymen at home are frequently perplexed by the apparent +contradictions of a traveller from the East, when describing the +characters and manners of the inhabitants of Hindostan. If, for +instance, he alludes to our gallant sepoys, he pours forth unmeasured +praise, and appears altogether charmed with their docility, courage, +honour, and fidelity. On the other hand, his opinion of the natives in +the aggregate is often as exactly the reverse as it is possible to +imagine. They are described, perhaps, in the strongest terms, as at once +servile, cowardly, treacherous, and ungrateful. The fact is, that our +troops are all from the northern provinces of India, the natives of +which are a brave and generous race, who hold the profession of arms in +the highest estimation. The _Bengallees_ on the contrary, (with the most +universal and shameless indifference to truth,) are mean, effeminate, +and avaricious. They are chiefly composed of merchants, copying clerks, +mechanics, and domestic servants, and are invariably refused admittance +into the company's army. These people are vastly inferior to the natives +of the upper provinces in mental and corporeal energy, though more +polished in their manners, and more easily initiated into the arts and +mysteries of civilized life. I will illustrate the nice sense of honour +which distinguishes the native soldier by the following anecdote. + +A sepoy of the Bengal native infantry was accused by one of his comrades +of having stolen a rupee and a pair of trousers. The sergeant-major +before whom, in the first instance, the charge was brought, was both +unable and unwilling to give it credence. Besides the unusual +circumstance of a native soldier being guilty of so base an act, the +accused sepoy had always been remarkably conspicuous for his brave and +upright conduct. His breast was literally covered with medals, and he +had long been accustomed to the voice of praise. Still, however, justice +demanded that the charge should not be dismissed without an impartial +investigation. The whole affair was brought to the notice of the +commanding officer, who desired that the sepoy's residence should be +immediately and thoroughly examined. On opening his knapsack, to the +utter astonishment and regret of the whole regiment, the stolen property +was discovered. None, however, looked more thunderstruck than the sepoy +himself. He clenched his teeth in bitter agony, but spoke not a single +word. The colonel told him, that though circumstances were fearfully +against him, he would not yet pronounce him guilty, as it was not +impossible he might be the victim of some malignant design. He therefore +dismissed him from his presence until the result of further inquiries +should produce a full conviction of his guilt or innocence. In a few +hours the sepoy was observed to leave his little hut, and walk with +hurried steps to a neighbouring field. He was soon concealed from sight +by a thick cluster of bamboos, beneath which he had often sheltered +himself from the noontide sun. Suspecting the purpose of his present +visit to so retired a spot, a comrade followed him, but was +unfortunately too late to arrest the hand of the determined suicide. The +poor fellow lay stretched on the ground, with his head hanging back, and +the blood gushing from his open throat. He had effected his purpose with +a sharp knife, which he still grasped, as if with the intention of +inflicting another wound. He was carried to the hospital, and carefully +attended, but the surgeon immediately pronounced his recovery +impossible. A pen and ink were brought to him, and he wrote with some +difficulty on a slip of paper, that he firmly hoped he had not failed in +his attempt to destroy himself, for life was of no value without honour. +He stated, too, that though it might now be almost useless to affirm his +innocence, he hoped that a time might come when his memory should be +freed from its present stain. He lingered no less than fifteen days in +this dreadful state, and died, at last, apparently of mere starvation. +It was my painful duty, as "officer of the day," to visit the hospital +very frequently, and he invariably made signs of a desire for food. This +it was, of course, impossible to give him, and any nourishment would +merely have prolonged his misery. Two days before he died, it was +discovered that a Bengallee servant of low caste, who had taken offence +on some trivial occasion, had placed the stolen goods in the sepoy's +bundle, and then urged the owner to accuse him of the theft. The +disclosure of this circumstance appeared to give infinite satisfaction +to the dying soldier. + +_London Weekly Review._ + + * * * * * + + +HOUSE LAUNCHING. + + +The launching of the two brick houses in Garden-street was completely +successful. They were moved nearly ten feet, _occupied at the time by +their tenants_, without having sustained any injury. The preparations +were the work of some time; the two buildings having been put upon ways, +or into a cradle, were easily screwed on a new foundation. The inventor +of _this simple and cheap mode of moving tenanted brick buildings_, is +entitled to the thanks of the public. _In the course of time_, it is +likely that houses will be put up upon ways at brick or stone quarries, +and sold as ships are, _to be delivered in any part of the city. +--American Paper._ + + * * * * * + +_In the course of time_ we really do not know what is not to happen in +America. Jonathan promises to grow so big, and to do such wonders in a +day or two, that no bounds can be placed to his performances _in the +future tense_. Everything will of course be on a scale of grandeur +proportioned to his country, which, as he observes in his Travels in +England, is "bigger and more like a world" than our boasted land; +instead, therefore, of going about in confined, close carriages as +people do here, the Americans will rattle through the streets to their +routs and parties in their houses. One tenanted brick building will be +driven up to the door of another. A further improvement may here be +suggested. Jonathan is fond of chairs with rockers, that is, chairs with +a cradle-bottom, on which he see-saws himself as he smokes his pipe and +fuddles his sublime faculties with liquor. Now by putting a house on +rockers, this trouble and exertion of the individual on a scale so small +and unworthy of a great people would be spared, and every tenant of a +brick building would be rocked at the same time, and by one common piece +of machinery. The effect of a whole city nid-nid-nodding after dinner, +will be extremely magnificent and worthy of America. As for the +feasibility of the thing, nothing can be more obvious. If houses can be +put upon cradles for launching, they can be put upon cradles for +rocking; and if tenants do not object to being conveyed from one part of +the city to another in their mansions, they will not surely take fright +at an agreeable stationary see-saw in them.--_London Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +GOOD NIGHT TO THE SEASON. + + Thus runs the world away.--HAMLET. + + + Good-night to the Season! 'tis over! + Gay dwellings no longer are gay; + The courtier, the gambler, the lover, + Are scatter'd, like swallows, away: + There's nobody left to invite one, + Except my good uncle and spouse; + My mistress is bathing at Brighton, + My patron is sailing at Cowes: + For want of a better employment, + Till Ponto and Don can get out, + I'll cultivate rural enjoyment, + And angle immensely for trout. + + Good-night to the Season!--the buildings + Enough to make Inigo sick; + The paintings, and plasterings, and gildings, + Of stucco, and marble, and brick; + The orders deliciously blended, + From love of effect, into one; + The club-houses only intended, + The palaces only begun; + The hell where the fiend, in his glory, + Sits staring at putty and stones, + And scrambles from story to story, + To rattle at midnight his bones. + + Good-night to the Season!--the dances, + The fillings of hot little rooms, + The glancings of rapturous glances, + The fancyings of fancy costumes; + The pleasures which Fashion makes duties, + The praisings of fiddles and flutes, + The luxury of looking at beauties, + The tedium of talking to mutes; + The female diplomatists, planners + Of matches for Laura and Jane, + The ice of her Ladyship's manners, + The ice of his Lordship's champagne. + + Good-night to the Season!--the rages + Led off by the chiefs of the throng, + The Lady Matilda's new pages, + The Lady Eliza's new song; + Miss Fennel's Macaw, which at Boodle's + Is held to have something to say; + Mrs. Splenetic's musical Poodles, + Which bark "Batti, batti!" all day: + The pony Sir Araby sported, + As hot and as black as a coal, + And the Lion his mother imported, + In bearskins and grease, from the Pole. + + Good-night to the Season!--the Toso, + So very majestic and tall; + Miss Ayton, whose singing was so so, + And Pasta, divinest of all; + The labour in vain of the Ballet, + So sadly deficient in stars; + The foreigners thronging the Alley, + Exhaling the breath of cigars; + The "loge," where some heiress, how killing, + Environ'd with Exquisites sits, + The lovely one out of her drilling, + The silly ones out of their wits. + + Good-night to the Season!--the splendour + That beam'd in the Spanish Bazaar, + Where I purchased--my heart was so tender-- + A card-case,--a pasteboard guitar,-- + A bottle of perfume,--a girdle,-- + A lithograph'd Riego full-grown, + Whom Bigotry drew on a hurdle, + That artists might draw him on stone,-- + A small panorama of Seville,-- + A trap for demolishing flies,-- + A caricature of the Devil, + And a look from Miss Sheridan's eyes. + + Good-night to the Season!--the flowers + Of the grand horticultural fête, + When boudoirs were quitted for bowers, + And the fashion was not to be late; + When all who had money and leisure, + Grow rural o'er ices and wines, + All pleasantly toiling for pleasure, + All hungrily pining for pines, + And making of beautiful speeches, + And marring of beautiful shows, + And feeding on delicate peaches, + And treading on delicate toes. + + Good night to the Season!--another + Will come with its trifles and toys, + And hurry away, like its brother, + In sunshine, and odour, and noise. + Will it come with a rose or a briar? + Will it come with a blessing or curse? + Will its bonnets be lower or higher? + Will its morals be better or worse? + Will it find me grown thinner or fatter, + Or fonder of wrong or of right. + Or married, or buried?--no matter, + Good-night to the season, Good-night! + +_New Monthly Magazine_. + + * * * * * + + +TIGER TAMING. + + +A party of gentlemen from Bombay, one day visiting the stupendous cavern +temple of Elephanta, discovered a tiger's whelp in one of the obscure +recesses of the edifice. Desirous of kidnapping the cub, without +encountering the fury of its dam, they took it up hastily and +cautiously, and retreated. Being left entirely at liberty, and extremely +well fed, the tiger grew rapidly, appeared tame and fondling as a dog, +and in every respect entirely domesticated. At length, when it had +attained a vast size, and notwithstanding its apparent gentleness, began +to inspire terror by its tremendous powers of doing mischief, a piece of +raw meat, dripping with blood, fell in its way. It is to be observed, +that, up to that moment, it had been studiously kept from raw animal +food. The instant, however, it had dipped its tongue in blood, something +like madness seemed to have seized upon the animal; a destructive +principle, hitherto dormant, was awakened--it darted fiercely, and with +glaring eyes, upon its prey--tore it with fury to pieces--and, growling +and roaring in the most fearful manner, rushed off towards the +jungles.--_London Weekly Review._ + + * * * * * + + +RUNNING A MUCK. + + +The inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago, and particularly of the +island of Java, are of a very sullen and revengeful disposition. When +they consider themselves grossly insulted, they are observed to become +suddenly thoughtful; they squat down upon the ground, and appear +absorbed in meditation. While in this position, they revolve in their +breasts the most bloody and ferocious projects of revenge, and, by a +desperate effort, reconcile themselves with death. When their terrible +resolution is taken, their eyes appear to flash fire, their countenance +assumes an expression of preternatural fury; and springing suddenly on +their feet, they unsheath their daggers, plunge them into the heart of +every one within their reach, and rushing out into the streets, deal +wounds and murder as they run, until the arrow or dagger of some bold +individual terminates their career. This is called _running a +muck_.--_Ibid_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SELECTOR, AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS. + + * * * * * + + +THE JEW'S HARP. + + +The memoirs of Madame de Genlis first made known the astonishing powers +of a poor German soldier on the Jew's harp. This musician was in the +service of Frederick the Great, and finding himself one night on duty +under the windows of the King, playing the Jew's harp with so much +skill, that Frederick, who was a great amateur of music, thought he +heard a distinct orchestra. Surprised on learning that such an effect +could be produced by a single man with two Jew's harps, he ordered him +into his presence; the soldier refused, alleging, that he could only be +relieved by his colonel; and that if he obeyed, the king would punish +him the next day, for having failed to do his duty. Being presented the +following morning to Frederick, he was heard with admiration, and +received his discharge and fifty dollars. This artist, whose name Madame +de Genlis does not mention, is called Koch; he has not any knowledge of +music, but owes his success entirely to a natural taste. He has made his +fortune by travelling about, and performing in public and private, and +is now living retired at Vienna, at the advanced age of more than eighty +years. He used two Jew's harps at once, in the same manner as the +peasants of the Tyrol, and produced, without doubt, the harmony of two +notes struck at the same moment, which was considered by the +musically-curious as somewhat extraordinary, when the limited powers of +the instrument were remembered. It was Koch's custom to require that all +the lights should be extinguished, in order that the illusion produced +by his playing might be increased. + +It was reserved, however, for Mr. Eulenstein to acquire a musical +reputation from the Jew's harp. After ten years of close application and +study, this young artist has attained a perfect mastery over this +untractable instrument. In giving some account of the Jew's harp, +considered as a medium for musical sounds, we shall only present the +result of his discoveries. This little instrument, taken singly, gives +whatever grave sound you may wish to produce, as a _third_, a _fifth_, +or an _octave_. If the grave tonic is not heard in the bass Jew's harp, +it must be attributed, not to the defectiveness of the instrument, but +to the player. In examining this result, you cannot help remarking the +order and unity established by nature in harmonical bodies, which places +music in the rank of exact sciences. The Jew's harp has three different +tones; the bass tones of the first octave bear some resemblance to those +of the flute and clarionet; those of the middle and high, to the _vox +humana_ of some organs; lastly, the harmonical sounds are exactly like +those of the _harmonica_. It is conceived, that this diversity of tones +affords already a great variety in the execution, which is always looked +upon as being feeble and trifling, on account of the smallness of the +instrument. It was not thought possible to derive much pleasure from any +attempt which could be made to conquer the difficulties of so limited an +instrument; because, in the extent of these octaves, there were a number +of spaces which could not be filled up by the talent of the player; +besides, the most simple modulation became impossible. Mr. Eulenstein +has remedied that inconvenience, by joining sixteen Jew's harps, which +he tunes by placing smaller or greater quantities of sealing-wax at the +extremity of the tongue. Each harp then sounds one of the notes of the +gamut, diatonic or chromatic, and the performer can fill all the +intervals, and pass all the tones, by changing the harp. That these +mutations may not interrupt the measure, one harp must always be kept in +advance, in the same manner as a good reader advances the eye, not upon +the word which he pronounces, but upon that which follows.--_Philosophy +in Sport._ + + * * * * * + + +FORM OF ANCIENT BOOKS, THEIR ILLUMINATIONS, &c. + + +The mode of compacting the sheets of their books remained the same among +the Greeks during a long course of time. The sheets were folded three or +four together, and separately stitched: these parcels were then +connected nearly in the same mode as is at present practised. Books were +covered with linen, silk, or leather. + +The page was sometimes undivided; sometimes it contained two, and in a +few instances of very ancient MSS., three columns. A peculiarity which +attracts the eye in many Greek manuscripts, consists in the occurrence +of capitals on the margin, some way in advance of the line to which they +belong; and this capital sometimes happens to be the middle letter of a +word. For when a sentence finishes in the middle of a line, the initial +of the next is not distinguished, that honour being conferred upon the +incipient letter of the next line; thus-- + + THEGREEKSENTERING + THEREGIONOFTHEMA + CRONESFORMEDANAL + LIANCEWITHTHEM.AS + T HEPLEDGEOFTHEIR + FAITHTHEBARBARIANS + GAVEASPEAR. + +The Greeks, especially in the earliest times, divided their compositions +into verses, or such short portions of sentences as we mark by a comma, +each verse occupying a line; and the number of these verses is often set +down at the beginning or end of a book. The numbers of the verses were +sometimes placed in the margin. + +Much intricacy and difficulty attends the subject of ancient +punctuation; nor could any satisfactory account of the rules and +exceptions that have been gathered from existing MSS. be given, which +should subserve the intention of this work. Generally speaking, though +with frequent exceptions, the most ancient books have no separation of +words, or punctuation of any kind; others have a separation of words, +but no punctuation; in some, every word is separated from the following +one by a point. In manuscripts of later date are found a regular +punctuation, and marks of accentuation. These circumstances enter into +the estimate when the antiquity of a book is under inquiry; but the +rules to be observed in considering them cannot be otherwise than +recondite and intricate. + +Few ancient books are altogether destitute of decorations; and many are +splendidly adorned with pictorial ornaments. These consist either of +flowery initials, grotesque cyphers, portraits, or even historical +compositions. Sometimes diagrams, explanatory of the subjects mentioned +by the author, are placed on the margin. Books written for the use of +royal persons, or dignified ecclesiastics, usually contain the effigies +of the proprietor, often attended by his family, and by some allegorical +or celestial minister; while the humble scribe, in monkish attire, +kneels and presents the book to his patron. + +These illuminations, as they are called, almost always exhibit some +costume of the times, or some peculiarity, which serves to mark the age +of the manuscript. Indeed a fund of antiquarian information relative to +the middle ages has been collected from this source. Many of these +pictured books exhibit a high degree of executive talent in the artist, +yet labouring under the restraints of a barbarous taste.--_Taylor's +History of the Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times_. + + * * * * * + + +SOUTHERN AFRICAN ELOQUENCE. + + +"It is clear that it is our best policy to march against the enemy +before he advances. Let not our towns be the seat of war; let not our +houses be stained with bloodshed; let the blood of the enemy be spilt at +a distance from our wives and children. Yet some of you talk ignorantly; +your words are the words of children or of men confounded. I am left +almost alone; my two brothers have abandoned me; they have taken wives +from another nation, and allow their wives to direct them; their wives +are their kings!" Then turning towards his younger brothers, he +imprecated a curse upon them if they should follow the example of their +elder brethren. Again addressing the people, he said, "you walk over my +head while I sleep, but you now see that the wise Mocooas respect me. +Had they not been our friends, we must have fled ere now before the +enemy." Turning to Wleeloqua, the eighth speaker, he said, "I hear you, +my father; I understand you, my father; your words are true and good for +the ear. It is good that we be instructed by the Macooas. May evil +overtake the disobedient! May they be broken in pieces! Be silent, ye +women!" (addressing them,) "ye who plague your husbands, who steal their +goods, and give them to others, be silent; and hinder not your husbands +and children by your evil words. Be silent, ye kidney-eaters,[1] +(turning towards the old men,) ye who are fit for nothing but to prowl +about whenever an ox is killed. If our cattle are carried off, where +will you get kidneys?" + + [1] The Bechnanas imagine that none who eat of the kidneys of + the ox will have any offspring; on this account, no one, except + the aged, will taste-them. Hence the contemptuous term of + "kidney-eaters," synonymous with dotard. + +Then addressing the warriors, he said, "there are many of you who do not +deserve to eat out of a broken pot; ye stubborn and stupid men! consider +what you have heard, and obey without murmuring. Hearken! I command you, +ye chiefs of the Matclhapees, Matclhoroos, Myrees, Barolongs, and +Bamacootas, that ye proclaim through all your clans the proceedings of +this day, and let none be ignorant. And again I say, ye warriors, +prepare for the day of battle; let your shields be strong, your quivers +full of arrows, and your battle-axes sharp as hunger." Turning a second +time towards the old men and women, he said, "prevent not the warrior +from going forth to battle, by your timid counsels. No! rouse up the +warrior to glory, and he shall return to you with honourable scars; +fresh marks of valour shall cover his thigh;[2] and then we shall renew +the war-song and dance, and rehearse the story of our achievements." + + [2] The warriors receive a new scar on the thigh for every + enemy they kill in battle. + + * * * * * + + +CHARACTER OF PITT. + +_By the late Right Hon. G. Canning._ + + +The character of this illustrious statesman early passed its ordeal. +Scarcely had he attained the age at which reflection commences, than +Europe with astonishment beheld him filling the first place in the +councils of his country, and manage the vast mass of its concerns with +all the vigour and steadiness of the most matured wisdom. Dignity, +strength, discretion, these were among the masterly qualities of his +mind at its first dawn. He had been nurtured a statesman, and his +knowledge was of that kind which always lies ready for practical +application. Not dealing in the subtleties of abstract politics, but +moving in the slow, steady procession of reason, his conceptions were +reflective, and his views correct. Habitually attentive to the concerns +of government, he spared no pains to acquaint himself with whatever was +connected, however minutely, with its prosperity. He was devoted to the +state: its interests engrossed all his study, and engaged all his care: +it was the element alone in which he seemed to live and move. He allowed +himself but little recreation from his labours; his mind was always on +its station, and his activity was unremitted. + +He did not hastily adopt a measure, nor hastily abandon it. The plan +struck out by him for the preservation of Europe was the result of +prophetic wisdom and profound policy. But though defeated in many +respects by the selfish ambition and short-sighted imbecility of foreign +powers, whose rulers were too venal or too weak to follow the flight of +that mind which would have taught them to outwing the storm, the policy +involved in it was still a secret operation on the conduct of +surrounding states. His plans were full of energy, and the principles +which inspired them looked beyond the consequences of the hour. In a +period of change and convulsion, the most perilous in the history of +Great Britain, when sedition stalked abroad, and when the emissaries of +France and the abettors of her regicide factions formed a league +powerful from their number, and formidable by their talent, in that +awful crisis the promptitude of his measures saved his country. + +He knew nothing of that timid and wavering cast of mind which dares not +abide by its own decision. He never suffered popular prejudice or party +clamour to turn him aside from any measure which his deliberate judgment +had adopted; he had a proud reliance on himself, and it was justified. +Like the sturdy warrior leaning on his own battle, axe, conscious where +his strength lay, he did not readily look beyond it. + +As a debater in the House of Commons, his speeches were logical and +argumentative: if they did not often abound in the graces of metaphor, +or sparkle with the brilliancy of wit, they were always animated, +elegant, and classical. The strength of his oratory was intrinsic; it +presented the rich and abundant resource of a clear discernment and a +correct taste. His speeches are stampt with inimitable marks of +originality. When replying to his opponents, his readiness was not more +conspicuous than his energy: he was always prompt and always dignified. +He could sometimes have recourse to the sportiveness of irony, but he +did not often seek any other aid than was to be derived from an arranged +and extensive knowledge of his subject. This qualified him fully to +discuss the arguments of others, and forcibly to defend his own. Thus +armed, it was rarely in the power of his adversaries, mighty as they +were, to beat him from the field. His eloquence, occasionally rapid, +electric, vehement, was always chaste, winning, and persuasive, not +awing into acquiescence, but arguing into conviction. His understanding +was bold and comprehensive: nothing seemed too remote for its reach, or +too large for its grasp. Unallured by dissipation, and unswayed by +pleasure, he never sacrificed the national treasure to the one, or the +national interest to the other. To his unswerving integrity the most +authentic of all testimony is to be found in that unbounded public +confidence which followed him throughout the whole of his political +career. + +Absorbed as he was in the pursuits of public life, he did not neglect to +prepare himself in silence for that higher destination, which is at once +the incentive and reward of human virtue. His talents, superior and +splendid as they were, never made him forgetful of that eternal wisdom +from which they emanated. The faith and fortitude of his last moments +were affecting and exemplary. In his forty-seventh year, and in the +meridian of his fame, he died on the twenty-third of January, one +thousand eight hundred and six. + + * * * * * + + + +THE LECTURER + + * * * * * + + +VERTIGO, OR GIDDINESS. + + +_Vertigo_, or _giddiness_, though unattended with pain, is, in general, +of a more dangerous nature than the severest headach. Vertigo consists +in a disturbance of the _voluntary power_, and in some degree of +_sensation_, especially of _vision_; and thus it shows itself to be an +affection of the brain itself; while mere pain in the head does not +necessarily imply this, it being for the most part an affection of the +membranes only. In _vertigo_, objects that are fixed appear to be in +motion, or to turn round, as the name implies. The patient loses his +balance, and is inclined to fall down. It often is followed immediately +by severe headach. _Vertigo_ is apt to recur, and thus often becomes +frequent and habitual. After a time the mental powers become impaired, +and complete idiocy often follows; as was the case in the celebrated +Dean Swift. It frequently terminates in apoplexy or palsy, from the +extension of disease in the brain. + +_Causes.--Vertigo_ is induced by whatever is capable of disturbing +suddenly the circulation of the brain, whether in the way of increase or +diminution: thus the approach of _syncope_, whether produced by loss of +blood, or a feeling of nausea; blows on the head, occasioning a +concussion of the brain; stooping; swinging; whirling; or other unusual +motions of the body, as in sailing, are the ordinary exciting causes of +the disease. _Vertigo_ is exceedingly frequent at an advanced period of +life, and generally indicates the approach and formation of disease in +the brain. Accordingly, it is a frequent forerunner of _apoplexy_ and +_palsy_. + +The immediate or _proximate_ cause of _giddiness_, or _vertigo_, that +is, the actual condition of the brain at the moment, is probably some +partial disturbance in the circulation there; which all the _occasional +causes_ mentioned are obviously calculated to produce. It is more or +less dangerous, according to the cause inducing it, and the state of the +brain itself, which may be sound or otherwise. And as this cannot be +certainly known, nor the extent of it when actually present, the event +is of course uncertain. At all times, your _prognosis_ should be +guarded; because _vertigo_ seldom occurs under favourable circumstances +of age and general health; unless when produced by so slight a cause as +_bloodletting_, or a trifling blow upon the head. Whenever _vertigo_ +recurs frequently, and at an advanced period of life; and more +particularly when it is accompanied with drowsiness; weakness of the +voluntary muscles; impaired memory, or judgment; or, in short, any other +disturbance or imperfection in the state of the _sensorial_ functions; +an unfavourable result is to be expected; because all these afford +decisive evidence of a considerable degree and extent of disease in the +brain--_Dr. Clutterbuck's Lectures on the Nervous System_. + + +BATHING + + +In this season of the year, a few hints on the temperature of the body +prior to cold immersion, may not unaptly be furnished. It is commonly +supposed, that if a person have made himself warm with walking, or any +other exercise, he must wait till he becomes cooled before he should +plunge into the cold water. Dr. Currie, however, has shown that this is +an erroneous idea, and that in the earlier stages of exercise, before +profuse perspiration has dissipated the heat, and fatigue debilitated +the living power, nothing is more safe, according to his experience, +than the cold bath. This is so true, that the same author constantly +directed infirm persons to use such a degree of exercise before +emersion, as might produce increased action of the vascular system, with +some increase of heat; and thus secure a force of re-action under the +shock, which otherwise might not always take place. The popular opinion, +that it is safest to go perfectly cool into the water, is founded on +erroneous notions, and is sometimes productive of injurious +consequences. Thus, persons heated and beginning to perspire, often +think it necessary to wait on the edge of the bath until they are +perfectly cooled. + + * * * * * + + + +USEFUL DOMESTIC HINTS + + * * * * * + + +TAINTED MEAT + + +Meat tainted to an extreme degree may be speedily restored by washing it +in cold water, and afterwards in strong camomile tea; after which it may +be sprinkled with salt, and used the following day; or if steeped and +well washed in beer, it will make pure and sweet soup even after being +fly-blown. + + +TO BREW THREE BARRELS OF PORTER. + + +Take one quarter of high-dried malt, with one or two pecks of patent +malt; mash in the same manner as directed for beer. Add the following +ingredients: eight pounds of good hops, one pound of liquorice root, two +pounds of Spanish juice, half a pound of ground ginger, one pound of +salt, eight ounces of hartshorn shavings, and four ounces of porter +extract. + +Separate the hops, and run the wort on them; when placed in the copper, +and in a state of ebullition, infuse the whole of the other ingredients. +Let it boil about one hour, or till you discover the surface of the +liquor to become flaky, and the wort broken; then take it from the +copper and strain it into the coolers. Now proceed in the usual way till +it be fit to rack, which will be in about a fortnight; draw it off into +another vat, in which let it remain three hours to settle, and in the +mean time wash the cask quite clean; draw from the vat the contents, and +return them to the cask, leaving the sediment that has lodged during the +three hours. If the colour be not full enough, add, when racking, some +brandy colouring, which soon gives to it that pleasing appearance +peculiar to good porter. Do not fill the cask quite full; bung it close +the following day, but leave the peg-hole open for a few days, or a +week, according to the state of the atmosphere; peg it when you think it +is fine; and if it appear to be fast approaching to clearness, and has +stood long enough for the attainment of maturity, tap it, and draw it +quickly; for porter, in cask, always requires a quick draught, and when +it gets flat bottle it off as soon as possible. + +It will improve greatly by standing a few months in the bottle.--_The +Vintner's Guide_. + + +WELSH ALE. + + +Pour forty-two gallons of water, hot, but not quite boiling, on eight +bushels of malt; cover, and let it stand three hours. In the mean time +infuse four pounds of hops in a little hot water; and put the water and +hops into the tub, and run the wort upon them, and boil them together +three hours. Strain off the hops, and keep for the small beer. Let the +wort stand in a high tub till cool enough to receive the yeast, of which +put two quarts of ale, or, if you cannot get it, of small-beer yeast. +Mix it thoroughly and often. When the wort has done working, the second +or third day the yeast will sink rather than rise in the middle; remove +it then, and turn the ale as it works out; pour a quart in at a time, +and gently, to prevent the fermentation from continuing too long, which +weakens the liquor. Put a bit of paper over the bung-hole two or three +days before stopping up.--_Ibid_. + + +MILK PUNCH. + + +Pare six oranges and six lemons, as thin as you can; grate them after +with sugar to get the flavour. Steep the peels in a bottle of rum or +brandy, stopped close, twenty-four hours; squeeze the fruit on two +pounds of sugar; add to it four quarts of water, and one of new milk, +boiling hot; stir the rum into the above, and run it through a jelly-bag +till perfectly clear. Bottle, and cork close immediately.--_Ibid_. + + +EXCELLENT LEMONADE. + + +To the rinds of ten lemons, pared very thin, put one pound of fine +loaf-sugar, and two quarts of spring-water, boiling hot; stir it to +dissolve the sugar; let it stand twenty-four hours, covered close; then +squeeze in the juice of the ten lemons; add one pint of white wine; boil +a pint of new milk, pour it hot on the ingredients; when cold, run it +through a close filtering-bag, when it will be fit for immediate +use.--_Ibid_. + + * * * * * + + + +ARTS AND SCIENCES. + + * * * * * + + +ATTRACTION. + + +Logs of wood floating in a pond approach each other, and afterwards +remain in contact. The wreck of a ship, in a smooth sea after a storm, +is often seen gathered into heaps. Two bullets or plummets, suspended by +strings near to each other, are found by the delicate test of the +torison balance to attract each other, and therefore not to hang quite +perpendicularly. A plummet suspended near the side of a mountain, +inclines towards it in a degree proportioned to its magnitude; as was +ascertained by the wellknown trials of Dr. Maskeleyne near the mountain +Skehalion, in Scotland. And the reason why the plummet tends much more +strongly towards the earth than towards the hill, is only that the earth +is larger than the hill. And at New South Wales, which is a point on our +globe nearly opposite to England, plummets hang and fall towards the +centre of the globe, exactly as they do here, so that they are hanging +up and falling towards England, and the people there are standing with +their feet towards us. Weight, therefore, is merely general attraction +acting every where. It is owing to this general attraction that our +earth is a globe. All its parts being drawn towards each other, that is, +towards the common centre, the mass assumes the spherical or rounded +form. And the moon also is round, and all the planets are round; the +glorious sun, so much larger than all these, is round; proving, that all +must at one time have been fluid, and that they are all subject to the +same law. Other instances of roundness from this cause are--the +particles of a mist or fog floating in air; these mutually attracting +and coalescing into larger drops, and forming rain; dew drops; water +trickling on a duck's wing; the tear-dropping from the cheek; drops of +laudanum; globules of mercury, like pure silver beads, coalescing when +near, and forming larger ones; melted lead allowed to rain down from an +elevated sieve, which cools as it descends, so as to retain the form of +its liquid drops, and become the spherical shot lead of the sportsman. +The cause of the extraordinary phenomenon, which we call attraction, +acts at all distances. The moon, though 240,000 miles from the earth, by +her attraction raises the water of the ocean under her, and forms what +we call the tide. The sun, still farther off, has a similar influence; +and when the sun and moon act in the same direction, we have the spring +tides. The planets, those apparently little wandering points in the +heaven, yet affect, by their attraction, the motion of our earth in her +orbit, quickening it when she is approaching them, retarding it when she +is receding.--_Arnott's Natural Philosophy._ + + * * * * * + + + +THE GATHERER + + "I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's + stuff."--_Wotton_. + + * * * * * + + +CITY FEASTING. + +The following is the bill of fare for the Court of Assistants of the +Worshipful the Company of Wax Chandlers, London, 1478:--Two loins of +veal, and two loins of mutton, 1s. 4d.; one loin of beef, 4d.; one dozen +of pigeons and one dozen of rabbits, 9d.; one pig and one capon, 1s.; +one goose and a hundred eggs, 1s. 1/2d.; one leg of mutton, 2-1/2d.; two +gallons of sack, 1s. 4d.; eight gallons of strong ale, 1s. 6d.--7s. 6d. + + * * * * * + +The fathers of the church considered the earth as a great ship, +surrounded by water, with the prow to the east and the stern to the +west. We still find in Cosmas, a monk of the fourteenth century, a sort +of geographical chart, in which, the earth has this figure. Even among +the ancients, though many of their geometricians had acknowledged the +sphericity of the globe, it was for a long time imagined that the earth +was a third longer than it was broad, and thence arose the terms of +_longitude_ and _latitude_. St. Athanasius expresses himself most warmly +against astronomers. "Let us stop the mouths of these barbarians," he +exclaims, "who, speaking without proof, dare assert that the heavens +also extend under the earth." + + * * * * * + +Augustus gave an admirable example how a person who sends a challenge +should be treated. When Marc Antony, after the battle of Actium, defied +him to single combat, his answer to the messenger who brought it was, +"Tell Marc Antony, if he be weary of life, there are other ways to end +it; I shall not take the trouble of becoming his executioner." + + * * * * * + +An Irish gentleman, whose lady had absconded from him, cautioned the +public against trusting her in these words:--"My wife has eloped from me +without rhyme or reason, and I desire no one will trust her on my +account, for I am not married to her." + + * * * * * + +The Duke of Biron heard the decree for his instant death pronounced by +the Revolutionary Tribunal, 1793, with unmoved tranquillity. On +returning to prison, his philosophy maintained that character of +Epicurean indifference which had accompanied his happier years; he +ordered some oysters and white wine. The executioner entered as he was +taking this last repast. "My friend," said the duke, "I will attend you; +but you must let me finish my oysters. You must require strength for the +business you have to perform: you shall drink a glass of wine with me." +He filled a glass for the executioner, another for the turnkey, and one +for himself, and went to the place of execution, where he met death with +the courage that distinguished almost all the victims of that fearful +period. + + * * * * * + +A Gascon boasted in every company that he was descended from so ancient +a family, that he was still paying at that very day the interest of a +sum which his ancestors had borrowed to pay their expenses when they +went to adore our Saviour at Bethlehem. + + * * * * * + +There is now living in Pontenovo, in Corsica, a shepherdess, who +successively refused the hand of Augereau, then a corporal, and of +Bernadotte, then a sergeant in that island. She little dreamt that she +was declining to be a marechale of France or the queen of Sweden! + + * * * * * + + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near +Somerset-House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, +AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 269, AUGUST 18, 1827*** + + +******* This file should be named 10074-8.txt or 10074-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/7/10074 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 269, August 18, 1827</p> +<p>Author: Various</p> +<p>Release Date: October 13, 2003 [eBook #10074]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: iso-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 269, AUGUST 18, 1827***</p> +<br /> +<center><h3>E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</h3></center> +<br /> + +<hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page113" name="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> + + <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. 269.]</b></td> + + <td align="center"><b>SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1827.</b></td> + + <td align="right"><b>[PRICE 2d.</b></td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S VILLA, CHISWICK.</h2> + + <p class="figure"><a href="images/269-1.png"><img width="100%" src= + "images/269-1.png" alt="" /></a></p> + + <p>The lamented death of the Right Hon. George Canning has naturally excited + the curiosity of our readers to the villa in which that eminent statesman + breathed his last; and we have therefore obtained from our artist an + original drawing, which has been taken since the melancholy event occurred, + and from which we are now enabled to give the above correct and picturesque + engraving.</p> + + <p>Chiswick House is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, built by the last + Earl of Burlington, whose taste and skill as an architect have been + frequently recorded. The ascent to the house is by a noble double flight of + steps, on one side of which is a statue of Palladio, and on the other that + of Inigo Jones. The portico is supported by six fluter Corinthian pillars, + with a pediment; and a dome at the top enlightens a beautiful octagonal + saloon. "This house," says Mr. Walpole, "the idea of which is borrowed from + a wellknown villa of Palladio, and is a model of taste, though not without + faults, some of which are occasioned by too strict adherence to rules and + symmetry. Such are too many corresponding doors in spaces so contracted; + chimneys between windows, and, which is worse, windows between chimneys; and + vestibules however beautiful, yet little secured from the damps of this + climate. The trusses that support the ceiling of the corner drawing-room are + beyond measure massive, and the ground apartment is rather a diminutive + catacomb than a library in a northern latitude. Yet these blemishes, and + Lord Hervey's wit, who said 'the house was too small to inhabit, and too + large to hang to one's watch,' cannot depreciate the taste that reigns + throughout the whole. The larger court, dignified by picturesque cedars, and + the classic scenery of the small court, that unites the old and new house, + are more worth seeing than many fragments of ancient grandeur which our + travellers visit under all the dangers attendant on long voyages. The garden + is in the Italian <span class="pagenum"><a id="page114" name= + "page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> taste, but divested of conceits, and far + preferable to every style that reigned till our late improvements. The + buildings are heavy, and not equal to the purity of the house. The lavish + quantity of urns and sculpture behind the garden front should be + retrenched." Such were the sentiments of Mr. Walpole on this celebrated + villa, before the noble proprietor began the capital improvements which have + since been completed. Two wings have been added to the house, from the + designs of Mr. Wyattville. These remove the objections that have been made + to the house, are more fanciful and beautiful than convenient and habitable; + the gardens have also been considerably improved, and now display all the + beauties of modern planting.</p> + + <p>It is a remarkable coincidence that at this secluded and beautiful villa + Charles James Fox terminated his glorious career, in the same month, and + having arrived at the same age (fifty-seven) as Mr. Canning.</p> + + <p>As many of our readers may be induced to visit this quiet and picturesque + spot, we would recommend them to pass down the private carriage-way which + leads from Turnham-green to the porter's lodge, and having reached the door + that opens to a rural lane which runs in front of the villa, to turn into + the field, the gate of which is situated near a small bridge, and from + thence a delightful view may be obtained of this celebrated villa. It was on + this spot the above view was sketched. In returning through the lane which + we have just alluded to, the first turning on the right conducts to the + church, which interestingly-ancient edifice demands a remark in this + place.</p> + + <p>Chiswick church is situated near the water side. The present structure + originally consisted only of a nave and chancel, and was built about the + beginning of the fifteenth century, at which time the tower was erected at + the charge of William Bordal, vicar of Chiswick, who died in 1435. It is + built of stone and flint, as is the north wall of the church and chancel; + the latter has been repaired with brick: a transverse aisle, at the east end + of the nave, was added on the south side in the middle of the last, and a + corresponding aisle on the south side, towards the beginning of the last + century. The former was enlarged in the year 1772, by subscription, and + carried on to the west end of the nave: both the aisles are of brick.</p> + + <p>In the churchyard is a monument to the memory of William Hogarth. On this + monument, which is ornamented with a mask, a laurel wreath, a palette, + pencils, and a book, inscribed, "Analysis of Beauty," are the following + lines, by his friend and contemporary, the late David Garrick:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>"Farewell, great painter of mankind,</p> + + <p class="i2">Who reached the noblest point of art,</p> + + <p>Whose pictur'd morals charm the mind,</p> + + <p class="i2">And through the eye correct the heart!</p> + + <p>If genius fire thee, reader, stay;</p> + + <p class="i2">If nature move thee, drop a tear;</p> + + <p>If neither touch thee, turn away,</p> + + <p class="i2">For Hogarth's honour'd dust lies here."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>Near this is the tomb of Dr. Rose, many years distinguished as a critic + in a respectable periodical publication.</p> + + <p>In the church, in the Earl of Burlington's vault, is interred the + celebrated Kent, a painter, architect, and father of modern gardening. "In + the first character," says Mr. Walpole, "he was below mediocrity; in the + second, he was the restorer of the science; in the last, an original, and + the inventor of an art that realizes painting and improves nature. Mahomet + imagined an Elysium, but Kent created many." He frequently declared, it is + said, that he caught his taste in gardening from reading the picturesque + descriptions of Spencer. Mason, noticing his mediocrity as a painter, pays + this fine tribute to his excellence in the decoration of rural + scenery:—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>——"He felt</p> + + <p>The pencil's power—but fir'd by higher forms</p> + + <p>Of beauty than that pencil knew to paint,</p> + + <p>Work'd with the living hues that Nature lent,</p> + + <p>And realiz'd his landscapes. Generous be,</p> + + <p>Who gave to Painting what the wayward nymph</p> + + <p>Refus'd her votary; those Elysian scenes,</p> + + <p>Which would she emulate, her nicest hand</p> + + <p>Must all its force of light and shade employ."</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p>On the outside of the wall of the churchyard, on a stone tablet, is the + following curious inscription:—"This wall was made at ye charges of ye + right honourable and trulie pious Lorde Francis Russel, Duke of Bedford, out + of true zeal and care for ye keeping of this churchyard, and ye wardrobe of + God's saints, whose bodies lay therein buried, from violating by swine and + other profanation, so witnessed! William Walker, V., A.D. 1623."</p> + + <p>We cannot better conclude our description than with a sketch from Sir + Richard Phillips's "Morning's Walk to Kew." He was walking on the opposite + banks of the river, when on a sudden he caught the sound of a ring of + village bells. "Surely," he exclaimed, "they are Chiswick bells!—the + very bells under the sound of which I received part of my early education, + and, as a schoolboy, passed the happiest days of my life!—Well might + their tones vibrate to my inmost <span class="pagenum"><a id="page115" name= + "page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> soul, and kindle uncommon sympathies!" I now + recollected that the winding of the river must have brought me nearer to + that simple and primitive village than the profusion of wood had permitted + me to perceive, and my memory had been unconsciously acted upon by the tones + which served as keys to all the associations connected with these bells, + their church and the village of Chiswick! I listened again, and now + discriminated those identical sounds which I had not heard during a period + of more than thirty years. I distinguished the very words in the successive + tones, which the school-boys and puerile imaginations at Chiswick used to + combine with them. In thought, I became again a schoolboy—"Yes," said + I, "the six bells tell me that <i>my dun cow has just calv'd</i>, exactly as + they did above thirty years since!"—Did the reader never encounter a + similar key-note, leading to a multitude of early and vivid recollections? + Those well-remembered tones, in like manner, brought before my imagination + numberless incidents and personages no longer important, or no longer in + existence. My scattered and once-loved schoolmates, their characters and + their various fortunes, passed in rapid review before me; my schoolmaster, + his wife, and all the gentry, and heads of families, whose orderly + attendance at divine service on Sundays, while those well-remembered bells + were "chiming for church," (but now gone and mouldering in the adjoining + graves,) were again presented to my perceptions! With what pomp and form + they used to enter and depart from their house of God! I still saw with the + mind's eye the widow Hogarth, and her maiden relative, Richardson, walking + up the aisle dressed in their silken sacks, their raised head-dresses, their + black hoods, their lace ruffles, and their high-crook'd canes, preceded by + their aged servant, Samuel; who, after he had wheeled his mistress to church + in her Bath-chair, carried the prayer-books up the aisle, and opened and + shut the pew! There too was the portly Dr. Griffiths, of the <i>Monthly + Review</i>, with his literary wife in her neat and elevated wire-winged cap! + And oftimes the vivacious and angelic Duchess of Devonshire, whose bloom had + not then suffered from the canker-worm of pecuniary distress, created by the + luxury of charity! Nor could I forget the humble distinction of the aged + sexton, Mortefee, whose skill in psalmody enabled him to lead that wretched + group of singers, whom Hogarth so happily portrayed; whose performance with + the pitch-fork excited so much wonder in little boys; and whose + gesticulations and contortions of head, hand, and body, in beating time, + were not outdone even by Joah Bates in the commemorations of Handel! Yes, + simple and happy villagers! I remember scores of you;—how fortunately + ye had, and still have, escaped the contagion of the metropolitan vices, + though distant but five miles; and how many of you have I conversed with, + who, at an adult age, had never beheld the degrading assemblage of its + knaveries and miseries!</p> + + <p>I revelled in the melancholy pleasure of these recollections, yielding my + whole soul to that witchery of sensibility which magnifies the perception of + being, till one of the bells was overset, when, the peal stopping, I had + leisure to think on the rapid advance of the day, and on the consequent + necessity of quickening my speed.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>THE SKETCH-BOOK.</h2> + + <h3>NO. XLIV.</h3> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE BLUE BOTTLE</h3> + + <blockquote> + <p>"A <i>fly</i> your honour."—<i>Brighton Cliff</i></p> + </blockquote> + + <p>Talk of musquitoes!—a musquito is a gentleman who honourably runs + you through with a small sword, and from whom (as from a mad dog) we may + easily seek a defence in—<i>muslin</i>.</p> + + <p>But your rory-tory, hurly-burly blue-bottle, is no better than a bully. + His head is a <i>humming-top</i>, and his tight blue little body like a + tomahawk, cased in glittering steel, which he takes a delight in whirling + against your head. I really believe, that to confine a nervous man in a room + with one of these winged tormentors, on a July day, would inevitably destroy + him in less than an hour.</p> + + <p>He rudely and unceremoniously bumps away all sober reflection,—(I + wonder whether the phrenological Spurzheim ever felt the <i>bumps</i> of a + blue-bottle!) then his whimsical vagaries effectually defy repose; now + settling with his tickling bandy legs upon your nose, and industriously + insinuating his sharp proboscis, and anon abruptly buzzing in your + ear—no secret—off he shoots again to his own music.</p> + + <p>Now, truly, his <i>hum-drum</i> puts me in mind of the whirring tone of + the hurdy-gurdy, while his <i>ad libitum</i> bumping against the booming + window-panes sounds, to my fancy, like the unskilful accompaniment of a + double drum, beaten by some unmusical urchin.</p> + + <p>The house spider who spreads with so much care his beautiful nets for + gnats, and moths, and smaller flies, finds alike his labour and his toils in + vain to secure <span class="pagenum"><a id="page116" name="page116"></a>[pg + 116]</span> this rampaging rogue; and, indeed, when the turbulent + blue-bottle chances, in his bouncing random flight, to get entangled in the + glutinous meshes, he shakes and roars, and blusters so loudly, until he + breaks away, that the spider affrighted, invariably takes advantage of his + long legs to scamper off to his sanctum in the cracked wainscot—like + some imbecile watchman, who fearing to encounter a tall inebriated bruiser, + sneaks away with admirable discretion to the security of his snug box, + praying the drunkard may speedily reel into another <i>beat</i>.</p> + + <p>Your noisy people generally grow taciturn in their cups—but Sir + Blue-bottle, though he drinks deep draughts of your wine, particularly if it + abound in sweetness, is never changed. He is naturally giddy, and according + to entomologists, always sees more than double, while his head was never + made to be turned. So may you hope for peace—only in his flight or + death!—<i>Absurdities: in Prose and Verse</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>LAW AND LAWYERS.</h3> + + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + + <p>William the Conqueror entertained the difficult project of totally + abolishing the English language, and for that purpose, he ordered that in + all schools throughout the kingdom, the youth should be instructed in the + French tongue. Until the reign of Edward III. the pleadings in the supreme + courts of judicature were performed in French, when it was appointed that + the pleas should be pleaded in English; but that they should be entered or + recorded in Latin. The deeds were drawn in the same language; the laws were + composed in that idiom, and no other tongue was used at court. It became, + says Hume, the language of all fashionable company; and the English + themselves ashamed of their own country, affected to excel in that foreign + dialect. At Athens, and even in France and England, formal and prepared + pleadings were prohibited, and it was unlawful to amuse the court with long, + artful harangues; only it was the settled custom here, in important matters, + to begin the pleadings with a text out of the holy scriptures. It is of late + years that eloquence was admitted to the bar.</p> + + <p>The account which the learned judge Hale gives of the lawyers, who + pleaded in the 15th century, does them little honour. He condemns the + reports during the reigns of Henry IV. and V. as inferior to those of the + last twelve years of Edward III. and he speaks but coolly of those which the + reign of Henry VI. produces. Yet this deficiency of progressive improvement + in the common law arose not from a want of application to the science; since + we learn from Fortescue that there were no fewer than two thousand students + attending on the inns of chancery and of court, in the time of its writer. + Gray's-inn, in the time of Henry VIII. was so incommodious, that "the + ancients of this house were necessitated to lodge double." Indeed until the + beginning of the last century the lawyers lived mostly in their inns of + court, or about Westminster-hall. But a great change has been effected; they + are all now removed to higher ground, squares and genteel neighbourhoods, no + matter how far distant from their chambers.</p> + + <p>The number of judges in the courts of Westminster was by no means + certain. Under Henry VI. there were at one time eight judges in the court of + common pleas. Each judge took a solemn oath that "he would take no fee, + pension, gift, reward, or bribe, from any suitor, saving meat and drink, + which should be of no great value." In 1402, the salary of the chief justice + of the king's bench was forty pounds per annum. In 1408, the chief justice + of the common pleas had fifty-five marks per annum. In 1549, the chief + justice of the king's bench had an addition of thirty pounds to his salary, + and each justice of the same bench and common pleas, twenty pounds. At this + time, a felony under the value of twelve pence, was not a capital offence; + and twelve pence then was equal to sixty shillings at the present day.</p> + + <p>To Richard III. on whom history has cast innumerable stains, England has + considerable obligations as a legislator. Barrington thus speaks of him: + "Not to mention his causing each act of parliament to be written in English + and to be printed, he was the first prince on the English throne who enabled + the justices of the peace to take bail; and he caused to be enacted a law + against raising money by 'benevolence' which when pleaded by the citizens of + London against Cardinal Wolsey, could only be answered by an averment, that + Richard being a usurper and a murderer of his nephews, the laws of so wicked + a man ought not to be forced." And a noble biographer, (Bacon's Henry VII.) + says, "He was a good lawgiver for the ease and solace of the common people." + Cardinal Wolsey to terrify the citizens of London into the general loan + exacted in 1525, told them plainly, <i>that it were better that some should + suffer indigence than that the king <span class="pagenum"><a id="page117" + name="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> at this time should lack, and therefore + beware and resist not, nor ruffle not in the case, for it may fortune to + cost some people their heads</i>. And says Hume, when Henry VIII. heard that + the commons made a great difficulty of granting the required supply, he was + so provoked that he sent for Edward Montague, one of the members who had a + considerable influence on the house; and he being introduced to his majesty, + had the mortification to hear him speak in these words: <i>Ho! man! will + they not suffer my bill to pass?</i> And laying his hand on Montague's head, + who was then on his knees before him, <i>get my bill passed by to-morrow, or + else to-morrow this head of yours shall be off</i>. This cavalier manner of + Henry's succeeded; for next day the bill passed. Another instance of + arbitrary power is worth relating. In Strype's life of Stow we find, a + garden house belonging to an honest citizen of London, (which chanced to + obstruct the improvement of a powerful favourite. Thomas Cromwell,) "loosed + from the foundation, borne on rollers, and replaced two and twenty feet + within the garden," without the owner's leave being required; nay without + his knowledge. The persons employed, being asked their authority for this + extraordinary proceeding, made only this reply, "That Sir Thomas Cromwell + had commanded them to do it," <i>and none durst argue the matter</i>. The + father of the antiquary, Stow, (for it was he that was thus trampled upon,) + "was fain to continue to pay his old rent, without any abatement, for his + garden; though half of it was in this manner taken away."</p> + + <h3>TRIAL AND EXECUTION.</h3> + + <p>In days of yore, (says Aubrey) lords and gentlemen lived in the country + like petty kings, had <i>jura regalia</i> belonging to the seignories, had + castles and boroughs, had gallows within their liberties, where they would + try, condemn, and execute; never went to London but in parliament time, or + once a year to do <i>homage</i> to the king. Justice was administered with + great expedition, and too often with vindictive severity. Pennant informs us + that "originally the time of trial and execution was to be within three + suns!" About the latter end of the seventeenth century the period was + extended to <i>nine</i> days after sentence; but since a rapid and unjust + execution in a petty Scottish town, 1720, the execution has been ordered to + be deferred for forty days on the south, and sixty on the north side of the + Tay, that time may be allowed for an application to the king for mercy. + Stealing was first capital in the reign of Henry I. False coining, which was + then a very common crime, was severely punished. Near fifty criminals of + this kind were at <i>one time</i> hanged or mutilated. Laws were passed in + Henry VIIth's reign ordaining the king's suit for murder to be carried on + within a year and a day. Formerly it did not usually commence till after, + and as the friends of the person murdered often in the interval compounded + matters with the criminal, the crime frequently passed unpunished. In 1503, + an act was passed prohibiting the king from pardoning those convicted of + wilful and premeditated murder; but this appears to have been done at the + monarch's own request, and was liable to be rescinded at pleasure. In Henry + the Eighth's reign, Harrison asserts that 73,000 criminals were executed for + theft and robbery, which was nearly 2,000 a year. He adds, that in + Elizabeth's reign, there were <i>only</i> between three and four hundred a + year hanged for theft and robbery. It is said that the earliest law enacted + in any country for the promotion of anatomical knowledge, was passed in + 1540. It allowed the united companies of <i>Barbers</i> and <i>Surgeons</i> + to have yearly the bodies of four criminals for dissection. In the year + 1749, were executed at Tyburn, Usher Gahagan, Terence O'Connor, and Joseph + Mapham, for filing gold money. Gahagan and Connor were papists of + considerable families in Ireland; the former was a very good Latin scholar, + and editor of Brindley's edition of the Classics; he translated <i>Pope's + Essay on Criticism</i>, in Latin verse, and after his confinement, the + <i>Temple of Fame</i>, and the <i>Messiah</i>, which he dedicated to the + Duke of Newcastle, in hopes of a pardon; he also wrote verses in English to + prince George (George III.) and to Mr. Adams, the recorder, which are + published in the ordinary's account, together with a poetical address to the + Duchess of Queensbury, by Connor. In 1752, it was enacted that every + criminal convicted of wilful murder should be executed on the day next but + one after sentence was passed, unless that happens to be on a Sunday: and in + that case, they are to be executed on the Monday following. The judge may + direct the body to be hung in chains, or to be delivered to the surgeons in + order to its being dissected and anatomized; but in no case whatsoever is it + to be buried till after it is dissected. The first punishment of hanging, + drawing, and quartering, occurred in the year 1241. The form of our gallows + was adopted by the Roman Furca, when Constantine abolished crucifixion. In + France it had either a single, double, or treble frame, denoting + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page118" name="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> the + rank of the territorial seigneur, whether gentleman, knight, or baron. The + ancient gallows near London, had hooks for eviscerating, quartering, &c. + the bodies of criminals. In the 15th century, the top, like the beam of a + pair of scales, was made to move up and down; at one end hung a halter, at + the other a large weight, the halter was drawn down, and being put round the + criminal's neck, the weight at the other end lifted him from the ground.</p> + + <p>F.R.Y.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>MY COMMON-PLACE BOOK,</h2> + + <h4>NO. XIX.</h4> + <hr /> + + <h3>NOVEL WRITERS AND NOVEL READERS.</h3> + + <p>Auto-biography of men, who held no distinguished rank in the political + world, is often very pleasant reading; especially where the writer has a + strong tincture of vanity, and is obviously blind to his own character; for, + if he does not know it himself, he is sure to let his readers know it; if he + does not see the dark spots, he will not endeavour to conceal them; and, if + he thinks them bright ones, he will blazon them. But novel-writing, when + well done, is, after all, the best species of writing; for, if what all the + world says, is true; what all the world reads, must be good. A novel writer, + of any talents, will draw his portraits from the life—will catch at + every striking feature, and generally paint man as he is; and there is this + difference between actual histories and works of imagination, that the + former are for the most part true in letter, but false in spirit; and the + latter, false in letter, and true in spirit; the one is correct in names, + dates, and places, but out of truth in everything else: the other is not + correct in names, dates, and places, but perfectly true in every other + point.</p> + + <p>The worst part of a novel is the hero or heroine: these are too + frequently fabrications from the author's fancy, instead of portraits from + nature; or, if taken from life, they are tortured into a perfection that + life never knew. This is too much the case with "Thaddeus of Warsaw," and + ten thousand others. Ladies are not good hands in painting heroes, nor + gentlemen always equal to the portraying of heroines. The author of + <i>Werter</i> knew that, and therefore he did not disfigure his wicked and + interesting work with an artificial Charlotte: he leaves her to the reader's + own fancy, who has nothing to do but to fancy himself Werter, and his own + imagination will paint Charlotte.</p> + + <p>When the hero is made the vehicle of one moral lesson, as Vivian, in Miss + Edgeworth's "Tales of Fashionable Life," then there is no need of artificial + ornament; and when there is no intention of presenting an unmixed character + of evil, nothing remains but to draw from life, and the work is perfect. One + of Miss Edgeworth's failings is of great service to her, in this kind of + painting: she wants what some persons call feeling, that is to say, she does + not believe in the omnipotence of love, and therefore would never have + written such a book as the "Sorrows of Werter;" and if she had possessed the + same materials, she would have produced a very different work—not so + full of genius, perhaps, but an interesting and instructive tale.</p> + + <p>Novels are productions more easily criticised than any others: every one + may judge for himself of the truth or probability of the events, and the + accuracy of the features of character. It is impossible almost to deceive a + reader—to palm upon him fiction for truth; for the truth is felt, if + it be there, and the falsehood is palpable and revolting. There is also an + extensive light of information in them. They do not merely give one scene, + or character, or class of characters; but their principles are generally + applicable to a very wide extent—they exercise the mind to a habit of + observation, and so far from giving false views of life, they more + frequently direct us to its true estimate. To be sure, there is sometimes a + degree of improbability in some of the incidents, which is mostly forgiven, + if the whole mass be, in the main, true and accurate. There are certain + standard incidents, which are common property—such as the discovery of + relationships—the change of children—and liberal aunts, who make + nothing of presenting a young married couple with twenty or thirty thousand + pounds on their wedding day; but, if any young lady or gentleman is silly + enough to marry, without the means of support, because they have read such + things in novels, and have also read of rich uncles all of a sudden + returning from the East or West Indies, to shower gold and pearls on all + their relations, all that must be said for them is, that they have not + sufficient sense to read "Aesop's Fables," and they might as easily be + misled into the imagination that brutes could talk. It is a very weak charge + against novels, that they present false views of life; for, when they do, + none but silly people read them; and they are just as wise after, as they + were before.</p> + + <p>If there be any evil in novels at all, it is when they take people from + their business—when they occupy a mother's time to the neglect of her + children—when <span class="pagenum"><a id="page119" name= + "page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> they lead idle boys to neglect their lessons, + and when they lead idle gentlefolks to fancy themselves employed, when they + are only killing time. W.P.S.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>CARRIER PIGEONS.</h3> + + <h4>(<i>For the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + + <p>It appears by the Dutch papers that pigeons are now used to forward + correspondence between different countries in Europe, and one was lately + found resting on a house in Rotterdam. The carrier pigeon has its name from + its remarkable sagacity in returning to the place where it was bred; and + Lightow assures us, that one of these birds would carry a letter from + Babylon to Aleppo, which is thirty days' journey, in forty-eight hours. This + pigeon was employed in former times by the English factory to convey + intelligence from Scanderoon of the arrival of company's ships in that port, + the name of the ship, the hour of her arrival, and whatever else could be + comprised in a small compass, being written on a slip of paper, which was + secured in such a manner under the pigeon's wing as not to impede its + flight; and her feet were bathed in vinegar, with a view to keep them cool, + and prevent her being tempted by the sight of water to alight, by which the + journey might have been prolonged, or the billet lost. The pigeons performed + this journey in two hours and a half. The messenger had a young brood at + Aleppo, and was sent down in an uncovered cage to Scanderoon, from whence, + as soon as set at liberty, she returned with all possible expedition to her + nest. It is said that the pigeons when let fly from Scanderoon, instead of + bending their course towards the high mountains surrounding the plain, + mounted at once directly up, soaring still almost perpendicularly till out + of sight, as if to surmount at once the obstacles intercepting their view of + the place of their destination. Maillet, in his "Description de l'Egypt," + tells us of a pigeon despatched from Aleppo to Scanderoon, which, mistaking + its way, was absent for three days, and in that time had made an excursion + to the island of Ceylon; a circumstance then deduced from finding green + cloves in the bird's stomach, and credited at Aleppo. In the time of the + holy wars, certain Saracen ambassadors who came to Godfrey of Antioch from a + neighbouring prince, sent intelligence to their master of the success of + their embassy, by means of pigeons, fixing the billet to the bird's tail. + Hirtius and Brutus, at the siege of Modena, held a correspondence with one + another by means of pigeons. Ovid informs us that Taurosthenus, by a pigeon + stained with purple, gave notice to his father of his victory at the Olympic + games, sending it to him at Ægina; and Anacreon tells us, that he conveyed a + <i>billet-doux</i> to his beautiful Bathyllid, by a dove. Thus, says Bewick, + "the bird is let loose, and in spite of surrounding armies and every + obstacle that would have effectually prevented any other means of + conveyance, guided by instinct alone, it returns directly home, where the + intelligence is so much wanted. Sometimes they have been the peaceful + bearers of glad tidings to the anxious lover, and to the merchant of the no + less welcome news of the safe arrival of his vessel at the desired + port."</p> + + <p>In this <i>flighty</i> and <i>pigeoning age</i>, I would recommend a + <i>pigeon-carrier-company</i>, whose shares might be <i>elevated</i> to any + <i>height</i>.</p> + + <p>P. T. W.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>MISCELLANIES.</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>NAMES OF SHEEP.</h3> + + <p>A ram or wether lamb, after being weaned, is called a hog, or hoggitt, + tag, or pug, throughout the first year, or until it renew two teeth; the + ewe, a ewe-lamb, ewe-tag, or pug. In the second year the wether takes the + name of shear-hog, and has his first two renewed or broad teeth, or he is + called a two-toothed tag or pug; the ewe is called a thaive, or two-toothed + ewe tag, or pug. In the third year, a shear hog or four-toothed wether, a + four-toothed ewe or thaive. The fourth year, a six-toothed wether or ewe. + The fifth year, having eight broad teeth, they are said to be full-mouthed + sheep. Their age also, particularly of the rams, is reckoned by the number + of times they have been shorn, the first shearing taking place in the second + year; a shearing, or one-shear, two-shear, &c. The term <i>pug</i> is, I + believe, nearly become obsolete. In the north and in Scotland, ewe hogs are + called <i>dimonts</i>, and in the west of England ram lambs are called + <i>pur lambs</i>.</p> + + <p>The ancient term <i>tup</i>, for a ram, is in full use. Crone still + signifies an old ewe. Of <i>crock</i>, I know nothing of the etymology, and + little more of the signification, only that the London butchers of the old + school, and some few of the present, call Wiltshire sheep horned + <i>crocks</i>. I believe crock mutton is a term of inferiority.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Conceit and confidence are both of them cheats; the first always imposes + on itself, the second frequently deceives others + too.—<i>Zimmerman</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page120" name="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> + + <h2>ANCIENT POWDER FLASK.</h2> + + <p class="figure"><a href="images/269-2.png"><img width="50%" src= + "images/269-2.png" alt="" /></a></p> + + <h4>(<i>To the Editor of the Mirror.</i>)</h4> + + <p>SIR,—The enclosed curious drawing of an ancient powder + "<i>flaske</i>," both in form and ornament, may not be uninteresting to the + readers of your valuable MIRROR at the approaching sporting season.</p> + + <p>Gunpowder, when first invented, was carried in the horns of animals, for + safety and convenience; though some time afterwards placed in flat leather + cases or bottles, invented by the Germans, and called "<i>flaskes</i>." A + remarkably curious one of this description, evidently of the time of Queen + Elizabeth, is here represented, and is formed of ivory, somewhat in the + shape of a stag's horn; the ornaments on it are carved in a good bold style, + and represent an armed figure on horseback in full chase. The "flaske" is + tipped at the end with silver, and measures about eight inches in + length.</p> + + <p>I remain, yours,</p> + + <p>* *</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>CHARACTER OF THE SEPOYS.</h3> + + <p>Our countrymen at home are frequently perplexed by the apparent + contradictions of a traveller from the East, when describing the characters + and manners of the inhabitants of Hindostan. If, for instance, he alludes to + our gallant sepoys, he pours forth unmeasured praise, and appears altogether + charmed with their docility, courage, honour, and fidelity. On the other + hand, his opinion of the natives in the aggregate is often as exactly the + reverse as it is possible to imagine. They are described, perhaps, in the + strongest terms, as at once servile, cowardly, treacherous, and ungrateful. + The fact is, that our troops are all from the northern provinces of India, + the natives of which are a brave and generous race, who hold the profession + of arms in the highest estimation. The <i>Bengallees</i> on the contrary, + (with the most universal and shameless indifference to truth,) are mean, + effeminate, and avaricious. They are chiefly composed of merchants, copying + clerks, mechanics, and domestic servants, and are invariably refused + admittance into the company's army. These people are vastly inferior to the + natives of the upper provinces in mental and corporeal energy, though more + polished in their manners, and more easily initiated into the arts and + mysteries of civilized life. I will illustrate the nice sense of honour + which distinguishes the native soldier by the following anecdote.</p> + + <p>A sepoy of the Bengal native infantry was accused by one of his comrades + of having stolen a rupee and a pair of trousers. The sergeant-major before + whom, in the first instance, the charge was brought, was both unable and + unwilling to give it credence. Besides the unusual circumstance of a native + soldier being guilty of so base an act, the accused sepoy had always been + remarkably conspicuous for his brave and upright conduct. His breast was + literally covered with medals, and he had long been accustomed to the voice + of praise. Still, however, justice demanded that the charge should not be + dismissed without an impartial investigation. The whole affair was brought + to the notice of the commanding officer, who desired that the sepoy's + residence should be immediately and thoroughly examined. On opening his + knapsack, to the utter astonishment and regret of the whole regiment, the + stolen property was discovered. None, however, looked more thunderstruck + than the sepoy himself. He clenched his teeth in bitter agony, but spoke not + a single word. The colonel told him, that though circumstances were + fearfully against him, he would not yet pronounce him guilty, as it was not + impossible he might be the victim of some malignant design. He therefore + dismissed him from his presence until the result of further inquiries should + produce a full conviction of his guilt or innocence. In a few hours the + sepoy was <span class="pagenum"><a id="page121" name="page121"></a>[pg + 121]</span> observed to leave his little hut, and walk with hurried steps to + a neighbouring field. He was soon concealed from sight by a thick cluster of + bamboos, beneath which he had often sheltered himself from the noontide sun. + Suspecting the purpose of his present visit to so retired a spot, a comrade + followed him, but was unfortunately too late to arrest the hand of the + determined suicide. The poor fellow lay stretched on the ground, with his + head hanging back, and the blood gushing from his open throat. He had + effected his purpose with a sharp knife, which he still grasped, as if with + the intention of inflicting another wound. He was carried to the hospital, + and carefully attended, but the surgeon immediately pronounced his recovery + impossible. A pen and ink were brought to him, and he wrote with some + difficulty on a slip of paper, that he firmly hoped he had not failed in his + attempt to destroy himself, for life was of no value without honour. He + stated, too, that though it might now be almost useless to affirm his + innocence, he hoped that a time might come when his memory should be freed + from its present stain. He lingered no less than fifteen days in this + dreadful state, and died, at last, apparently of mere starvation. It was my + painful duty, as "officer of the day," to visit the hospital very + frequently, and he invariably made signs of a desire for food. This it was, + of course, impossible to give him, and any nourishment would merely have + prolonged his misery. Two days before he died, it was discovered that a + Bengallee servant of low caste, who had taken offence on some trivial + occasion, had placed the stolen goods in the sepoy's bundle, and then urged + the owner to accuse him of the theft. The disclosure of this circumstance + appeared to give infinite satisfaction to the dying soldier.</p> + + <p><i>London Weekly Review.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>HOUSE LAUNCHING.</h3> + + <p>The launching of the two brick houses in Garden-street was completely + successful. They were moved nearly ten feet, <i>occupied at the time by + their tenants</i>, without having sustained any injury. The preparations + were the work of some time; the two buildings having been put upon ways, or + into a cradle, were easily screwed on a new foundation. The inventor of + <i>this simple and cheap mode of moving tenanted brick buildings</i>, is + entitled to the thanks of the public. <i>In the course of time</i>, it is + likely that houses will be put up upon ways at brick or stone quarries, and + sold as ships are, <i>to be delivered in any part of the + city.—American Paper</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <p><i>In the course of time</i> we really do not know what is not to happen + in America. Jonathan promises to grow so big, and to do such wonders in a + day or two, that no bounds can be placed to his performances <i>in the + future tense</i>. Everything will of course be on a scale of grandeur + proportioned to his country, which, as he observes in his Travels in + England, is "bigger and more like a world" than our boasted land; instead, + therefore, of going about in confined, close carriages as people do here, + the Americans will rattle through the streets to their routs and parties in + their houses. One tenanted brick building will be driven up to the door of + another. A further improvement may here be suggested. Jonathan is fond of + chairs with rockers, that is, chairs with a cradle-bottom, on which he + see-saws himself as he smokes his pipe and fuddles his sublime faculties + with liquor. Now by putting a house on rockers, this trouble and exertion of + the individual on a scale so small and unworthy of a great people would be + spared, and every tenant of a brick building would be rocked at the same + time, and by one common piece of machinery. The effect of a whole city + nid-nid-nodding after dinner, will be extremely magnificent and worthy of + America. As for the feasibility of the thing, nothing can be more obvious. + If houses can be put upon cradles for launching, they can be put upon + cradles for rocking; and if tenants do not object to being conveyed from one + part of the city to another in their mansions, they will not surely take + fright at an agreeable stationary see-saw in them.—<i>London + Magazine.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>GOOD NIGHT TO THE SEASON.</h3> + + <blockquote> + <p>Thus runs the world away.—HAMLET.</p> + </blockquote> + + <div class="poem"> + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season! 'tis over!</p> + + <p class="i2">Gay dwellings no longer are gay;</p> + + <p>The courtier, the gambler, the lover,</p> + + <p class="i2">Are scatter'd, like swallows, away:</p> + + <p>There's nobody left to invite one,</p> + + <p class="i2">Except my good uncle and spouse;</p> + + <p>My mistress is bathing at Brighton,</p> + + <p class="i2">My patron is sailing at Cowes:</p> + + <p>For want of a better employment,</p> + + <p class="i2">Till Ponto and Don can get out,</p> + + <p>I'll cultivate rural enjoyment,</p> + + <p class="i2">And angle immensely for trout.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the buildings</p> + + <p class="i2">Enough to make Inigo sick;</p> + + <p>The paintings, and plasterings, and gildings,</p> + + <p class="i2">Of stucco, and marble, and brick;</p> + + <p>The orders deliciously blended,</p> + + <p class="i2">From love of effect, into one;</p> + + <p>The club-houses only intended,</p> + + <p class="i2">The palaces only begun;</p><span class="pagenum"><a id= + "page122" name="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> + + <p>The hell where the fiend, in his glory,</p> + + <p class="i2">Sits staring at putty and stones,</p> + + <p>And scrambles from story to story,</p> + + <p class="i2">To rattle at midnight his bones.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the dances,</p> + + <p class="i2">The fillings of hot little rooms,</p> + + <p>The glancings of rapturous glances,</p> + + <p class="i2">The fancyings of fancy costumes;</p> + + <p>The pleasures which Fashion makes duties,</p> + + <p class="i2">The praisings of fiddles and flutes,</p> + + <p>The luxury of looking at beauties,</p> + + <p class="i2">The tedium of talking to mutes;</p> + + <p>The female diplomatists, planners</p> + + <p class="i2">Of matches for Laura and Jane,</p> + + <p>The ice of her Ladyship's manners,</p> + + <p class="i2">The ice of his Lordship's champagne.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the rages</p> + + <p class="i2">Led off by the chiefs of the throng,</p> + + <p>The Lady Matilda's new pages,</p> + + <p class="i2">The Lady Eliza's new song;</p> + + <p>Miss Fennel's Macaw, which at Boodle's</p> + + <p class="i2">Is held to have something to say;</p> + + <p>Mrs. Splenetic's musical Poodles,</p> + + <p class="i2">Which bark "Batti, batti!" all day:</p> + + <p>The pony Sir Araby sported,</p> + + <p class="i2">As hot and as black as a coal,</p> + + <p>And the Lion his mother imported,</p> + + <p class="i2">In bearskins and grease, from the Pole.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the Toso,</p> + + <p class="i2">So very majestic and tall;</p> + + <p>Miss Ayton, whose singing was so so,</p> + + <p class="i2">And Pasta, divinest of all;</p> + + <p>The labour in vain of the Ballet,</p> + + <p class="i2">So sadly deficient in stars;</p> + + <p>The foreigners thronging the Alley,</p> + + <p class="i2">Exhaling the breath of cigars;</p> + + <p>The "loge," where some heiress, how killing,</p> + + <p class="i2">Environ'd with Exquisites sits,</p> + + <p>The lovely one out of her drilling,</p> + + <p class="i2">The silly ones out of their wits.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the splendour</p> + + <p class="i2">That beam'd in the Spanish Bazaar,</p> + + <p>Where I purchased—my heart was so tender—</p> + + <p class="i2">A card-case,—a pasteboard guitar,—</p> + + <p>A bottle of perfume,—a girdle,—</p> + + <p class="i2">A lithograph'd Riego full-grown,</p> + + <p>Whom Bigotry drew on a hurdle,</p> + + <p class="i2">That artists might draw him on stone,—</p> + + <p>A small panorama of Seville,—</p> + + <p class="i2">A trap for demolishing flies,—</p> + + <p>A caricature of the Devil,</p> + + <p class="i2">And a look from Miss Sheridan's eyes.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good-night to the Season!—the flowers</p> + + <p class="i2">Of the grand horticultural fête,</p> + + <p>When boudoirs were quitted for bowers,</p> + + <p class="i2">And the fashion was not to be late;</p> + + <p>When all who had money and leisure,</p> + + <p class="i2">Grow rural o'er ices and wines,</p> + + <p>All pleasantly toiling for pleasure,</p> + + <p class="i2">All hungrily pining for pines,</p> + + <p>And making of beautiful speeches,</p> + + <p class="i2">And marring of beautiful shows,</p> + + <p>And feeding on delicate peaches,</p> + + <p class="i2">And treading on delicate toes.</p> + </div> + + <div class="stanza"> + <p>Good night to the Season!—another</p> + + <p class="i2">Will come with its trifles and toys,</p> + + <p>And hurry away, like its brother,</p> + + <p class="i2">In sunshine, and odour, and noise.</p> + + <p>Will it come with a rose or a briar?</p> + + <p class="i2">Will it come with a blessing or curse?</p> + + <p>Will its bonnets be lower or higher?</p> + + <p class="i2">Will its morals be better or worse?</p> + + <p>Will it find me grown thinner or fatter,</p> + + <p class="i2">Or fonder of wrong or of right.</p> + + <p>Or married, or buried?—no matter,</p> + + <p class="i2">Good-night to the season, Good-night!</p> + </div> + </div> + + <p><i>New Monthly Magazine</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>TIGER TAMING.</h3> + + <p>A party of gentlemen from Bombay, one day visiting the stupendous cavern + temple of Elephanta, discovered a tiger's whelp in one of the obscure + recesses of the edifice. Desirous of kidnapping the cub, without + encountering the fury of its dam, they took it up hastily and cautiously, + and retreated. Being left entirely at liberty, and extremely well fed, the + tiger grew rapidly, appeared tame and fondling as a dog, and in every + respect entirely domesticated. At length, when it had attained a vast size, + and notwithstanding its apparent gentleness, began to inspire terror by its + tremendous powers of doing mischief, a piece of raw meat, dripping with + blood, fell in its way. It is to be observed, that, up to that moment, it + had been studiously kept from raw animal food. The instant, however, it had + dipped its tongue in blood, something like madness seemed to have seized + upon the animal; a destructive principle, hitherto dormant, was + awakened—it darted fiercely, and with glaring eyes, upon its + prey—tore it with fury to pieces—and, growling and roaring in + the most fearful manner, rushed off towards the jungles.—<i>London + Weekly Review.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>RUNNING A MUCK.</h3> + + <p>The inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago, and particularly of the island + of Java, are of a very sullen and revengeful disposition. When they consider + themselves grossly insulted, they are observed to become suddenly + thoughtful; they squat down upon the ground, and appear absorbed in + meditation. While in this position, they revolve in their breasts the most + bloody and ferocious projects of revenge, and, by a desperate effort, + reconcile themselves with death. When their terrible resolution is taken, + their eyes appear to flash fire, their countenance assumes an expression of + preternatural fury; and springing suddenly on their feet, they unsheath + their daggers, plunge them into the heart of every one within their reach, + and rushing out into the streets, deal wounds and murder as they run, until + the arrow or dagger of some bold individual terminates their career. This is + called <i>running a muck</i>.—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page123" name="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> + + <h2>THE SELECTOR,<br /> + AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS.</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>THE JEW'S HARP.</h3> + + <p>The memoirs of Madame de Genlis first made known the astonishing powers + of a poor German soldier on the Jew's harp. This musician was in the service + of Frederick the Great, and finding himself one night on duty under the + windows of the King, playing the Jew's harp with so much skill, that + Frederick, who was a great amateur of music, thought he heard a distinct + orchestra. Surprised on learning that such an effect could be produced by a + single man with two Jew's harps, he ordered him into his presence; the + soldier refused, alleging, that he could only be relieved by his colonel; + and that if he obeyed, the king would punish him the next day, for having + failed to do his duty. Being presented the following morning to Frederick, + he was heard with admiration, and received his discharge and fifty dollars. + This artist, whose name Madame de Genlis does not mention, is called Koch; + he has not any knowledge of music, but owes his success entirely to a + natural taste. He has made his fortune by travelling about, and performing + in public and private, and is now living retired at Vienna, at the advanced + age of more than eighty years. He used two Jew's harps at once, in the same + manner as the peasants of the Tyrol, and produced, without doubt, the + harmony of two notes struck at the same moment, which was considered by the + musically-curious as somewhat extraordinary, when the limited powers of the + instrument were remembered. It was Koch's custom to require that all the + lights should be extinguished, in order that the illusion produced by his + playing might be increased.</p> + + <p>It was reserved, however, for Mr. Eulenstein to acquire a musical + reputation from the Jew's harp. After ten years of close application and + study, this young artist has attained a perfect mastery over this + untractable instrument. In giving some account of the Jew's harp, considered + as a medium for musical sounds, we shall only present the result of his + discoveries. This little instrument, taken singly, gives whatever grave + sound you may wish to produce, as a <i>third</i>, a <i>fifth</i>, or an + <i>octave</i>. If the grave tonic is not heard in the bass Jew's harp, it + must be attributed, not to the defectiveness of the instrument, but to the + player. In examining this result, you cannot help remarking the order and + unity established by nature in harmonical bodies, which places music in the + rank of exact sciences. The Jew's harp has three different tones; the bass + tones of the first octave bear some resemblance to those of the flute and + clarionet; those of the middle and high, to the <i>vox humana</i> of some + organs; lastly, the harmonical sounds are exactly like those of the + <i>harmonica</i>. It is conceived, that this diversity of tones affords + already a great variety in the execution, which is always looked upon as + being feeble and trifling, on account of the smallness of the instrument. It + was not thought possible to derive much pleasure from any attempt which + could be made to conquer the difficulties of so limited an instrument; + because, in the extent of these octaves, there were a number of spaces which + could not be filled up by the talent of the player; besides, the most simple + modulation became impossible. Mr. Eulenstein has remedied that + inconvenience, by joining sixteen Jew's harps, which he tunes by placing + smaller or greater quantities of sealing-wax at the extremity of the tongue. + Each harp then sounds one of the notes of the gamut, diatonic or chromatic, + and the performer can fill all the intervals, and pass all the tones, by + changing the harp. That these mutations may not interrupt the measure, one + harp must always be kept in advance, in the same manner as a good reader + advances the eye, not upon the word which he pronounces, but upon that which + follows.—<i>Philosophy in Sport.</i></p> + <hr /> + + <h3>FORM OF ANCIENT BOOKS, THEIR ILLUMINATIONS, &c.</h3> + + <p>The mode of compacting the sheets of their books remained the same among + the Greeks during a long course of time. The sheets were folded three or + four together, and separately stitched: these parcels were then connected + nearly in the same mode as is at present practised. Books were covered with + linen, silk, or leather.</p> + + <p>The page was sometimes undivided; sometimes it contained two, and in a + few instances of very ancient MSS., three columns. A peculiarity which + attracts the eye in many Greek manuscripts, consists in the occurrence of + capitals on the margin, some way in advance of the line to which they + belong; and this capital sometimes happens to be the middle letter of a + word. For when a sentence finishes in the middle of a line, the initial of + the next is not distinguished, that honour being conferred upon the + incipient letter of the next line; thus—</p><span class= + "pagenum"><a id="page124" name="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span> + + <blockquote> + <pre class="table"> + THEGREEKSENTERING + THEREGIONOFTHEMA + CRONESFORMEDANAL + LIANCEWITHTHEM.AS +T HEPLEDGEOFTHEIR + FAITHTHEBARBARIANS + GAVEASPEAR. +</pre> + </blockquote> + + <p>The Greeks, especially in the earliest times, divided their compositions + into verses, or such short portions of sentences as we mark by a comma, each + verse occupying a line; and the number of these verses is often set down at + the beginning or end of a book. The numbers of the verses were sometimes + placed in the margin.</p> + + <p>Much intricacy and difficulty attends the subject of ancient punctuation; + nor could any satisfactory account of the rules and exceptions that have + been gathered from existing MSS. be given, which should subserve the + intention of this work. Generally speaking, though with frequent exceptions, + the most ancient books have no separation of words, or punctuation of any + kind; others have a separation of words, but no punctuation; in some, every + word is separated from the following one by a point. In manuscripts of later + date are found a regular punctuation, and marks of accentuation. These + circumstances enter into the estimate when the antiquity of a book is under + inquiry; but the rules to be observed in considering them cannot be + otherwise than recondite and intricate.</p> + + <p>Few ancient books are altogether destitute of decorations; and many are + splendidly adorned with pictorial ornaments. These consist either of flowery + initials, grotesque cyphers, portraits, or even historical compositions. + Sometimes diagrams, explanatory of the subjects mentioned by the author, are + placed on the margin. Books written for the use of royal persons, or + dignified ecclesiastics, usually contain the effigies of the proprietor, + often attended by his family, and by some allegorical or celestial minister; + while the humble scribe, in monkish attire, kneels and presents the book to + his patron.</p> + + <p>These illuminations, as they are called, almost always exhibit some + costume of the times, or some peculiarity, which serves to mark the age of + the manuscript. Indeed a fund of antiquarian information relative to the + middle ages has been collected from this source. Many of these pictured + books exhibit a high degree of executive talent in the artist, yet labouring + under the restraints of a barbarous taste.—<i>Taylor's History of the + Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times</i>.</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>SOUTHERN AFRICAN ELOQUENCE.</h3> + + <p>"It is clear that it is our best policy to march against the enemy before + he advances. Let not our towns be the seat of war; let not our houses be + stained with bloodshed; let the blood of the enemy be spilt at a distance + from our wives and children. Yet some of you talk ignorantly; your words are + the words of children or of men confounded. I am left almost alone; my two + brothers have abandoned me; they have taken wives from another nation, and + allow their wives to direct them; their wives are their kings!" Then turning + towards his younger brothers, he imprecated a curse upon them if they should + follow the example of their elder brethren. Again addressing the people, he + said, "you walk over my head while I sleep, but you now see that the wise + Mocooas respect me. Had they not been our friends, we must have fled ere now + before the enemy." Turning to Wleeloqua, the eighth speaker, he said, "I + hear you, my father; I understand you, my father; your words are true and + good for the ear. It is good that we be instructed by the Macooas. May evil + overtake the disobedient! May they be broken in pieces! Be silent, ye + women!" (addressing them,) "ye who plague your husbands, who steal their + goods, and give them to others, be silent; and hinder not your husbands and + children by your evil words. Be silent, ye kidney-eaters,<a id= + "footnotetag1" name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a> + (turning towards the old men,) ye who are fit for nothing but to prowl about + whenever an ox is killed. If our cattle are carried off, where will you get + kidneys?"</p> + + <p>Then addressing the warriors, he said, "there are many of you who do not + deserve to eat out of a broken pot; ye stubborn and stupid men! consider + what you have heard, and obey without murmuring. Hearken! I command you, ye + chiefs of the Matclhapees, Matclhoroos, Myrees, Barolongs, and Bamacootas, + that ye proclaim through all your clans the proceedings of this day, and let + none be ignorant. And again I say, ye warriors, prepare for the day of + battle; let your shields be strong, your quivers full of arrows, and your + battle-axes sharp as hunger." Turning a second time towards the old men and + women, he said, "prevent not the warrior from going forth to battle, by your + timid counsels. No! rouse up the warrior to glory, and he shall return to + you with honourable scars; fresh marks <span class="pagenum"><a id="page125" + name="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> of valour shall cover his thigh;<a id= + "footnotetag2" name="footnotetag2"></a><a href="#footnote2"><sup>2</sup></a> + and then we shall renew the war-song and dance, and rehearse the story of + our achievements."</p> + <hr /> + + <h3>CHARACTER OF PITT.</h3> + + <h4><i>By the late Right Hon. G. Canning.</i></h4> + + <p>The character of this illustrious statesman early passed its ordeal. + Scarcely had he attained the age at which reflection commences, than Europe + with astonishment beheld him filling the first place in the councils of his + country, and manage the vast mass of its concerns with all the vigour and + steadiness of the most matured wisdom. Dignity, strength, discretion, these + were among the masterly qualities of his mind at its first dawn. He had been + nurtured a statesman, and his knowledge was of that kind which always lies + ready for practical application. Not dealing in the subtleties of abstract + politics, but moving in the slow, steady procession of reason, his + conceptions were reflective, and his views correct. Habitually attentive to + the concerns of government, he spared no pains to acquaint himself with + whatever was connected, however minutely, with its prosperity. He was + devoted to the state: its interests engrossed all his study, and engaged all + his care: it was the element alone in which he seemed to live and move. He + allowed himself but little recreation from his labours; his mind was always + on its station, and his activity was unremitted.</p> + + <p>He did not hastily adopt a measure, nor hastily abandon it. The plan + struck out by him for the preservation of Europe was the result of prophetic + wisdom and profound policy. But though defeated in many respects by the + selfish ambition and short-sighted imbecility of foreign powers, whose + rulers were too venal or too weak to follow the flight of that mind which + would have taught them to outwing the storm, the policy involved in it was + still a secret operation on the conduct of surrounding states. His plans + were full of energy, and the principles which inspired them looked beyond + the consequences of the hour. In a period of change and convulsion, the most + perilous in the history of Great Britain, when sedition stalked abroad, and + when the emissaries of France and the abettors of her regicide factions + formed a league powerful from their number, and formidable by their talent, + in that awful crisis the promptitude of his measures saved his country.</p> + + <p>He knew nothing of that timid and wavering cast of mind which dares not + abide by its own decision. He never suffered popular prejudice or party + clamour to turn him aside from any measure which his deliberate judgment had + adopted; he had a proud reliance on himself, and it was justified. Like the + sturdy warrior leaning on his own battle, axe, conscious where his strength + lay, he did not readily look beyond it.</p> + + <p>As a debater in the House of Commons, his speeches were logical and + argumentative: if they did not often abound in the graces of metaphor, or + sparkle with the brilliancy of wit, they were always animated, elegant, and + classical. The strength of his oratory was intrinsic; it presented the rich + and abundant resource of a clear discernment and a correct taste. His + speeches are stampt with inimitable marks of originality. When replying to + his opponents, his readiness was not more conspicuous than his energy: he + was always prompt and always dignified. He could sometimes have recourse to + the sportiveness of irony, but he did not often seek any other aid than was + to be derived from an arranged and extensive knowledge of his subject. This + qualified him fully to discuss the arguments of others, and forcibly to + defend his own. Thus armed, it was rarely in the power of his adversaries, + mighty as they were, to beat him from the field. His eloquence, occasionally + rapid, electric, vehement, was always chaste, winning, and persuasive, not + awing into acquiescence, but arguing into conviction. His understanding was + bold and comprehensive: nothing seemed too remote for its reach, or too + large for its grasp. Unallured by dissipation, and unswayed by pleasure, he + never sacrificed the national treasure to the one, or the national interest + to the other. To his unswerving integrity the most authentic of all + testimony is to be found in that unbounded public confidence which followed + him throughout the whole of his political career.</p> + + <p>Absorbed as he was in the pursuits of public life, he did not neglect to + prepare himself in silence for that higher destination, which is at once the + incentive and reward of human virtue. His talents, superior and splendid as + they were, never made him forgetful of that eternal wisdom from which they + emanated. The faith and fortitude of his last moments were affecting and + exemplary. In his forty-seventh year, and in the meridian of his fame, he + died on the twenty-third of January, one thousand eight hundred and six.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + <span class="pagenum"><a id="page126" name="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span> + + <h2>THE LECTURER</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>VERTIGO, OR GIDDINESS.</h3> + + <p><i>Vertigo</i>, or <i>giddiness</i>, though unattended with pain, is, in + general, of a more dangerous nature than the severest headach. Vertigo + consists in a disturbance of the <i>voluntary power</i>, and in some degree + of <i>sensation</i>, especially of <i>vision</i>; and thus it shows itself + to be an affection of the brain itself; while mere pain in the head does not + necessarily imply this, it being for the most part an affection of the + membranes only. In <i>vertigo</i>, objects that are fixed appear to be in + motion, or to turn round, as the name implies. The patient loses his + balance, and is inclined to fall down. It often is followed immediately by + severe headach. <i>Vertigo</i> is apt to recur, and thus often becomes + frequent and habitual. After a time the mental powers become impaired, and + complete idiocy often follows; as was the case in the celebrated Dean Swift. + It frequently terminates in apoplexy or palsy, from the extension of disease + in the brain.</p> + + <p><i>Causes.—Vertigo</i> is induced by whatever is capable of + disturbing suddenly the circulation of the brain, whether in the way of + increase or diminution: thus the approach of <i>syncope</i>, whether + produced by loss of blood, or a feeling of nausea; blows on the head, + occasioning a concussion of the brain; stooping; swinging; whirling; or + other unusual motions of the body, as in sailing, are the ordinary exciting + causes of the disease. <i>Vertigo</i> is exceedingly frequent at an advanced + period of life, and generally indicates the approach and formation of + disease in the brain. Accordingly, it is a frequent forerunner of + <i>apoplexy</i> and <i>palsy</i>.</p> + + <p>The immediate or <i>proximate</i> cause of <i>giddiness</i>, or + <i>vertigo</i>, that is, the actual condition of the brain at the moment, is + probably some partial disturbance in the circulation there; which all the + <i>occasional causes</i> mentioned are obviously calculated to produce. It + is more or less dangerous, according to the cause inducing it, and the state + of the brain itself, which may be sound or otherwise. And as this cannot be + certainly known, nor the extent of it when actually present, the event is of + course uncertain. At all times, your <i>prognosis</i> should be guarded; + because <i>vertigo</i> seldom occurs under favourable circumstances of age + and general health; unless when produced by so slight a cause as + <i>bloodletting</i>, or a trifling blow upon the head. Whenever + <i>vertigo</i> recurs frequently, and at an advanced period of life; and + more particularly when it is accompanied with drowsiness; weakness of the + voluntary muscles; impaired memory, or judgment; or, in short, any other + disturbance or imperfection in the state of the <i>sensorial</i> functions; + an unfavourable result is to be expected; because all these afford decisive + evidence of a considerable degree and extent of disease in the + brain—<i>Dr. Clutterbuck's Lectures on the Nervous System</i>.</p> + + <h3>BATHING</h3> + + <p>In this season of the year, a few hints on the temperature of the body + prior to cold immersion, may not unaptly be furnished. It is commonly + supposed, that if a person have made himself warm with walking, or any other + exercise, he must wait till he becomes cooled before he should plunge into + the cold water. Dr. Currie, however, has shown that this is an erroneous + idea, and that in the earlier stages of exercise, before profuse + perspiration has dissipated the heat, and fatigue debilitated the living + power, nothing is more safe, according to his experience, than the cold + bath. This is so true, that the same author constantly directed infirm + persons to use such a degree of exercise before emersion, as might produce + increased action of the vascular system, with some increase of heat; and + thus secure a force of re-action under the shock, which otherwise might not + always take place. The popular opinion, that it is safest to go perfectly + cool into the water, is founded on erroneous notions, and is sometimes + productive of injurious consequences. Thus, persons heated and beginning to + perspire, often think it necessary to wait on the edge of the bath until + they are perfectly cooled.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>USEFUL DOMESTIC HINTS</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>TAINTED MEAT</h3> + + <p>Meat tainted to an extreme degree may be speedily restored by washing it + in cold water, and afterwards in strong camomile tea; after which it may be + sprinkled with salt, and used the following day; or if steeped and well + washed in beer, it will make pure and sweet soup even after being + fly-blown.</p> + + <h3>TO BREW THREE BARRELS OF PORTER.</h3> + + <p>Take one quarter of high-dried malt, with one or two pecks of patent + malt; mash in the same manner as directed for beer. Add the following + ingredients: eight pounds of good hops, one pound of liquorice root, two + pounds of Spanish <span class="pagenum"><a id="page127" name= + "page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> juice, half a pound of ground ginger, one + pound of salt, eight ounces of hartshorn shavings, and four ounces of porter + extract.</p> + + <p>Separate the hops, and run the wort on them; when placed in the copper, + and in a state of ebullition, infuse the whole of the other ingredients. Let + it boil about one hour, or till you discover the surface of the liquor to + become flaky, and the wort broken; then take it from the copper and strain + it into the coolers. Now proceed in the usual way till it be fit to rack, + which will be in about a fortnight; draw it off into another vat, in which + let it remain three hours to settle, and in the mean time wash the cask + quite clean; draw from the vat the contents, and return them to the cask, + leaving the sediment that has lodged during the three hours. If the colour + be not full enough, add, when racking, some brandy colouring, which soon + gives to it that pleasing appearance peculiar to good porter. Do not fill + the cask quite full; bung it close the following day, but leave the peg-hole + open for a few days, or a week, according to the state of the atmosphere; + peg it when you think it is fine; and if it appear to be fast approaching to + clearness, and has stood long enough for the attainment of maturity, tap it, + and draw it quickly; for porter, in cask, always requires a quick draught, + and when it gets flat bottle it off as soon as possible.</p> + + <p>It will improve greatly by standing a few months in the + bottle.—<i>The Vintner's Guide</i>.</p> + + <h3>WELSH ALE.</h3> + + <p>Pour forty-two gallons of water, hot, but not quite boiling, on eight + bushels of malt; cover, and let it stand three hours. In the mean time + infuse four pounds of hops in a little hot water; and put the water and hops + into the tub, and run the wort upon them, and boil them together three + hours. Strain off the hops, and keep for the small beer. Let the wort stand + in a high tub till cool enough to receive the yeast, of which put two quarts + of ale, or, if you cannot get it, of small-beer yeast. Mix it thoroughly and + often. When the wort has done working, the second or third day the yeast + will sink rather than rise in the middle; remove it then, and turn the ale + as it works out; pour a quart in at a time, and gently, to prevent the + fermentation from continuing too long, which weakens the liquor. Put a bit + of paper over the bung-hole two or three days before stopping + up.—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + + <h3>MILK PUNCH.</h3> + + <p>Pare six oranges and six lemons, as thin as you can; grate them after + with sugar to get the flavour. Steep the peels in a bottle of rum or brandy, + stopped close, twenty-four hours; squeeze the fruit on two pounds of sugar; + add to it four quarts of water, and one of new milk, boiling hot; stir the + rum into the above, and run it through a jelly-bag till perfectly clear. + Bottle, and cork close immediately.—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + + <h3>EXCELLENT LEMONADE.</h3> + + <p>To the rinds of ten lemons, pared very thin, put one pound of fine + loaf-sugar, and two quarts of spring-water, boiling hot; stir it to dissolve + the sugar; let it stand twenty-four hours, covered close; then squeeze in + the juice of the ten lemons; add one pint of white wine; boil a pint of new + milk, pour it hot on the ingredients; when cold, run it through a close + filtering-bag, when it will be fit for immediate use.—<i>Ibid</i>.</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>ARTS AND SCIENCES.</h2> + <hr /> + + <h3>ATTRACTION.</h3> + + <p>Logs of wood floating in a pond approach each other, and afterwards + remain in contact. The wreck of a ship, in a smooth sea after a storm, is + often seen gathered into heaps. Two bullets or plummets, suspended by + strings near to each other, are found by the delicate test of the torison + balance to attract each other, and therefore not to hang quite + perpendicularly. A plummet suspended near the side of a mountain, inclines + towards it in a degree proportioned to its magnitude; as was ascertained by + the wellknown trials of Dr. Maskeleyne near the mountain Skehalion, in + Scotland. And the reason why the plummet tends much more strongly towards + the earth than towards the hill, is only that the earth is larger than the + hill. And at New South Wales, which is a point on our globe nearly opposite + to England, plummets hang and fall towards the centre of the globe, exactly + as they do here, so that they are hanging up and falling towards England, + and the people there are standing with their feet towards us. Weight, + therefore, is merely general attraction acting every where. It is owing to + this general attraction that our earth is a globe. All its parts being drawn + towards each other, that is, towards the common centre, the mass assumes the + spherical or rounded form. And the moon also is round, and all the planets + are round; the glorious sun, so much larger than all these, is round; + proving, that all must at one <span class="pagenum"><a id="page128" name= + "page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> time have been fluid, and that they are all + subject to the same law. Other instances of roundness from this cause + are—the particles of a mist or fog floating in air; these mutually + attracting and coalescing into larger drops, and forming rain; dew drops; + water trickling on a duck's wing; the tear-dropping from the cheek; drops of + laudanum; globules of mercury, like pure silver beads, coalescing when near, + and forming larger ones; melted lead allowed to rain down from an elevated + sieve, which cools as it descends, so as to retain the form of its liquid + drops, and become the spherical shot lead of the sportsman. The cause of the + extraordinary phenomenon, which we call attraction, acts at all distances. + The moon, though 240,000 miles from the earth, by her attraction raises the + water of the ocean under her, and forms what we call the tide. The sun, + still farther off, has a similar influence; and when the sun and moon act in + the same direction, we have the spring tides. The planets, those apparently + little wandering points in the heaven, yet affect, by their attraction, the + motion of our earth in her orbit, quickening it when she is approaching + them, retarding it when she is receding.—<i>Arnott's Natural + Philosophy.</i></p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>THE GATHERER</h2> + + <blockquote> + <p>"I am but a <i>Gatherer</i> and disposer of other men's + stuff."—<i>Wotton</i>.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr /> + + <h3>CITY FEASTING.</h3> + + <p>The following is the bill of fare for the Court of Assistants of the + Worshipful the Company of Wax Chandlers, London, 1478:—Two loins of + veal, and two loins of mutton, 1s. 4d.; one loin of beef, 4d.; one dozen of + pigeons and one dozen of rabbits, 9d.; one pig and one capon, 1s.; one goose + and a hundred eggs, 1s. 1/2d.; one leg of mutton, 2-1/2d.; two gallons of + sack, 1s. 4d.; eight gallons of strong ale, 1s. 6d.—7s. 6d.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The fathers of the church considered the earth as a great ship, + surrounded by water, with the prow to the east and the stern to the west. We + still find in Cosmas, a monk of the fourteenth century, a sort of + geographical chart, in which, the earth has this figure. Even among the + ancients, though many of their geometricians had acknowledged the sphericity + of the globe, it was for a long time imagined that the earth was a third + longer than it was broad, and thence arose the terms of <i>longitude</i> and + <i>latitude</i>. St. Athanasius expresses himself most warmly against + astronomers. "Let us stop the mouths of these barbarians," he exclaims, + "who, speaking without proof, dare assert that the heavens also extend under + the earth."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>Augustus gave an admirable example how a person who sends a challenge + should be treated. When Marc Antony, after the battle of Actium, defied him + to single combat, his answer to the messenger who brought it was, "Tell Marc + Antony, if he be weary of life, there are other ways to end it; I shall not + take the trouble of becoming his executioner."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>An Irish gentleman, whose lady had absconded from him, cautioned the + public against trusting her in these words:—"My wife has eloped from + me without rhyme or reason, and I desire no one will trust her on my + account, for I am not married to her."</p> + <hr /> + + <p>The Duke of Biron heard the decree for his instant death pronounced by + the Revolutionary Tribunal, 1793, with unmoved tranquillity. On returning to + prison, his philosophy maintained that character of Epicurean indifference + which had accompanied his happier years; he ordered some oysters and white + wine. The executioner entered as he was taking this last repast. "My + friend," said the duke, "I will attend you; but you must let me finish my + oysters. You must require strength for the business you have to perform: you + shall drink a glass of wine with me." He filled a glass for the executioner, + another for the turnkey, and one for himself, and went to the place of + execution, where he met death with the courage that distinguished almost all + the victims of that fearful period.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>A Gascon boasted in every company that he was descended from so ancient a + family, that he was still paying at that very day the interest of a sum + which his ancestors had borrowed to pay their expenses when they went to + adore our Saviour at Bethlehem.</p> + <hr /> + + <p>There is now living in Pontenovo, in Corsica, a shepherdess, who + successively refused the hand of Augereau, then a corporal, and of + Bernadotte, then a sergeant in that island. She little dreamt that she was + declining to be a marechale of France or the queen of Sweden!</p> + <hr class="full" /> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote1" name="footnote1"></a> <b>Footnote 1</b>: <a href= + "#footnotetag1">(return)</a> + + <p>The Bechnanas imagine that none who eat of the kidneys of the ox will + have any offspring; on this account, no one, except the aged, will + taste-them. Hence the contemptuous term of "kidney-eaters," synonymous + with dotard.</p> + </blockquote> + + <blockquote class="footnote"> + <a id="footnote2" name="footnote2"></a> <b>Footnote 2</b>: <a href= + "#footnotetag2">(return)</a> + + <p>The warriors receive a new scar on the thigh for every enemy they kill + in battle.</p> + </blockquote> + <hr class="full" /> + + <p><i>Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near + Somerset-House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers.</i></p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 269, AUGUST 18, 1827***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 10074-h.txt or 10074-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/7/10074">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/7/10074</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/10074-h/images/269-1.png b/old/10074-h/images/269-1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..458380c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10074-h/images/269-1.png diff --git a/old/10074-h/images/269-2.png b/old/10074-h/images/269-2.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44ecc3d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10074-h/images/269-2.png diff --git a/old/10074.txt b/old/10074.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0669d67 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10074.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1916 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and +Instruction, Vol. 10, Issue 269, August 18, 1827, by Various + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, +Issue 269, August 18, 1827 + +Author: Various + +Release Date: October 13, 2003 [eBook #10074] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, +AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 269, AUGUST 18, 1827*** + + +E-text prepared by Jonathan Ingram and Project Gutenberg Distributed +Proofreaders + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 10074-h.htm or 10074-h.zip: + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/0/0/7/10074/10074-h/10074-h.htm) + or + (http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/1/0/0/7/10074/10074-h/10074-h.zip) + + + + +THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION. + +VOL. 10, No. 269.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1827. [PRICE 2d. + + + + * * * * * + + + + + +DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S VILLA, CHISWICK. + +[Illustration] + + +The lamented death of the Right Hon. George Canning has naturally +excited the curiosity of our readers to the villa in which that eminent +statesman breathed his last; and we have therefore obtained from our +artist an original drawing, which has been taken since the melancholy +event occurred, and from which we are now enabled to give the above +correct and picturesque engraving. + +Chiswick House is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, built by the last +Earl of Burlington, whose taste and skill as an architect have been +frequently recorded. The ascent to the house is by a noble double flight +of steps, on one side of which is a statue of Palladio, and on the other +that of Inigo Jones. The portico is supported by six fluter Corinthian +pillars, with a pediment; and a dome at the top enlightens a beautiful +octagonal saloon. "This house," says Mr. Walpole, "the idea of which is +borrowed from a well-known villa of Palladio, and is a model of taste, +though not without faults, some of which are occasioned by too strict +adherence to rules and symmetry. Such are too many corresponding doors +in spaces so contracted; chimneys between windows, and, which is worse, +windows between chimneys; and vestibules however beautiful, yet little +secured from the damps of this climate. The trusses that support the +ceiling of the corner drawing-room are beyond measure massive, and the +ground apartment is rather a diminutive catacomb than a library in a +northern latitude. Yet these blemishes, and Lord Hervey's wit, who said +'the house was too small to inhabit, and too large to hang to one's +watch,' cannot depreciate the taste that reigns throughout the whole. +The larger court, dignified by picturesque cedars, and the classic +scenery of the small court, that unites the old and new house, are more +worth seeing than many fragments of ancient grandeur which our +travellers visit under all the dangers attendant on long voyages. The +garden is in the Italian taste, but divested of conceits, and far +preferable to every style that reigned till our late improvements. The +buildings are heavy, and not equal to the purity of the house. The +lavish quantity of urns and sculpture behind the garden front should be +retrenched." Such were the sentiments of Mr. Walpole on this celebrated +villa, before the noble proprietor began the capital improvements which +have since been completed. Two wings have been added to the house, from +the designs of Mr. Wyattville. These remove the objections that have +been made to the house, are more fanciful and beautiful than convenient +and habitable; the gardens have also been considerably improved, and now +display all the beauties of modern planting. + +It is a remarkable coincidence that at this secluded and beautiful villa +Charles James Fox terminated his glorious career, in the same month, and +having arrived at the same age (fifty-seven) as Mr. Canning. + +As many of our readers may be induced to visit this quiet and +picturesque spot, we would recommend them to pass down the private +carriage-way which leads from Turnham-green to the porter's lodge, and +having reached the door that opens to a rural lane which runs in front +of the villa, to turn into the field, the gate of which is situated near +a small bridge, and from thence a delightful view may be obtained of +this celebrated villa. It was on this spot the above view was sketched. +In returning through the lane which we have just alluded to, the first +turning on the right conducts to the church, which interestingly-ancient +edifice demands a remark in this place. + +Chiswick church is situated near the water side. The present structure +originally consisted only of a nave and chancel, and was built about the +beginning of the fifteenth century, at which time the tower was erected +at the charge of William Bordal, vicar of Chiswick, who died in 1435. It +is built of stone and flint, as is the north wall of the church and +chancel; the latter has been repaired with brick: a transverse aisle, at +the east end of the nave, was added on the south side in the middle of +the last, and a corresponding aisle on the south side, towards the +beginning of the last century. The former was enlarged in the year 1772, +by subscription, and carried on to the west end of the nave: both the +aisles are of brick. + +In the churchyard is a monument to the memory of William Hogarth. On +this monument, which is ornamented with a mask, a laurel wreath, a +palette, pencils, and a book, inscribed, "Analysis of Beauty," are the +following lines, by his friend and contemporary, the late David +Garrick:-- + + "Farewell, great painter of mankind, + Who reached the noblest point of art, + Whose pictur'd morals charm the mind, + And through the eye correct the heart! + If genius fire thee, reader, stay; + If nature move thee, drop a tear; + If neither touch thee, turn away, + For Hogarth's honour'd dust lies here." + +Near this is the tomb of Dr. Rose, many years distinguished as a critic +in a respectable periodical publication. + +In the church, in the Earl of Burlington's vault, is interred the +celebrated Kent, a painter, architect, and father of modern gardening. +"In the first character," says Mr. Walpole, "he was below mediocrity; in +the second, he was the restorer of the science; in the last, an +original, and the inventor of an art that realizes painting and improves +nature. Mahomet imagined an Elysium, but Kent created many." He +frequently declared, it is said, that he caught his taste in gardening +from reading the picturesque descriptions of Spencer. Mason, noticing +his mediocrity as a painter, pays this fine tribute to his excellence in +the decoration of rural scenery:-- + + ----"He felt + The pencil's power--but fir'd by higher forms + Of beauty than that pencil knew to paint, + Work'd with the living hues that Nature lent, + And realiz'd his landscapes. Generous be, + Who gave to Painting what the wayward nymph + Refus'd her votary; those Elysian scenes, + Which would she emulate, her nicest hand + Must all its force of light and shade employ." + +On the outside of the wall of the churchyard, on a stone tablet, is the +following curious inscription:--"This wall was made at ye charges of ye +right honourable and trulie pious Lorde Francis Russel, Duke of Bedford, +out of true zeal and care for ye keeping of this churchyard, and ye +wardrobe of God's saints, whose bodies lay therein buried, from +violating by swine and other profanation, so witnessed! William Walker, +V., A.D. 1623." + +We cannot better conclude our description than with a sketch from Sir +Richard Phillips's "Morning's Walk to Kew." He was walking on the +opposite banks of the river, when on a sudden he caught the sound of a +ring of village bells. "Surely," he exclaimed, "they are Chiswick +bells!--the very bells under the sound of which I received part of my +early education, and, as a schoolboy, passed the happiest days of my +life!--Well might their tones vibrate to my inmost soul, and kindle +uncommon sympathies!" I now recollected that the winding of the river +must have brought me nearer to that simple and primitive village than +the profusion of wood had permitted me to perceive, and my memory had +been unconsciously acted upon by the tones which served as keys to all +the associations connected with these bells, their church and the +village of Chiswick! I listened again, and now discriminated those +identical sounds which I had not heard during a period of more than +thirty years. I distinguished the very words in the successive tones, +which the school-boys and puerile imaginations at Chiswick used to +combine with them. In thought, I became again a schoolboy--"Yes," said +I, "the six bells tell me that _my dun cow has just calv'd_, exactly as +they did above thirty years since!"--Did the reader never encounter a +similar key-note, leading to a multitude of early and vivid +recollections? Those well-remembered tones, in like manner, brought +before my imagination numberless incidents and personages no longer +important, or no longer in existence. My scattered and once-loved +schoolmates, their characters and their various fortunes, passed in +rapid review before me; my schoolmaster, his wife, and all the gentry, +and heads of families, whose orderly attendance at divine service on +Sundays, while those well-remembered bells were "chiming for church," +(but now gone and mouldering in the adjoining graves,) were again +presented to my perceptions! With what pomp and form they used to enter +and depart from their house of God! I still saw with the mind's eye the +widow Hogarth, and her maiden relative, Richardson, walking up the aisle +dressed in their silken sacks, their raised head-dresses, their black +hoods, their lace ruffles, and their high-crook'd canes, preceded by +their aged servant, Samuel; who, after he had wheeled his mistress to +church in her Bath-chair, carried the prayer-books up the aisle, and +opened and shut the pew! There too was the portly Dr. Griffiths, of the +_Monthly Review_, with his literary wife in her neat and elevated +wire-winged cap! And oftimes the vivacious and angelic Duchess of +Devonshire, whose bloom had not then suffered from the canker-worm of +pecuniary distress, created by the luxury of charity! Nor could I forget +the humble distinction of the aged sexton, Mortefee, whose skill in +psalmody enabled him to lead that wretched group of singers, whom +Hogarth so happily portrayed; whose performance with the pitch-fork +excited so much wonder in little boys; and whose gesticulations and +contortions of head, hand, and body, in beating time, were not outdone +even by Joah Bates in the commemorations of Handel! Yes, simple and +happy villagers! I remember scores of you;--how fortunately ye had, and +still have, escaped the contagion of the metropolitan vices, though +distant but five miles; and how many of you have I conversed with, who, +at an adult age, had never beheld the degrading assemblage of its +knaveries and miseries! + +I revelled in the melancholy pleasure of these recollections, yielding +my whole soul to that witchery of sensibility which magnifies the +perception of being, till one of the bells was overset, when, the peal +stopping, I had leisure to think on the rapid advance of the day, and on +the consequent necessity of quickening my speed. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SKETCH-BOOK. + +NO. XLIV. + + * * * * * + + +THE BLUE BOTTLE + + "A _fly_ your honour."--_Brighton Cliff_ + + +Talk of musquitoes!--a musquito is a gentleman who honourably runs you +through with a small sword, and from whom (as from a mad dog) we may +easily seek a defence in--_muslin_. + +But your rory-tory, hurly-burly blue-bottle, is no better than a bully. +His head is a _humming-top_, and his tight blue little body like a +tomahawk, cased in glittering steel, which he takes a delight in +whirling against your head. I really believe, that to confine a nervous +man in a room with one of these winged tormentors, on a July day, would +inevitably destroy him in less than an hour. + +He rudely and unceremoniously bumps away all sober reflection,--(I +wonder whether the phrenological Spurzheim ever felt the _bumps_ of a +blue-bottle!) then his whimsical vagaries effectually defy repose; now +settling with his tickling bandy legs upon your nose, and industriously +insinuating his sharp proboscis, and anon abruptly buzzing in your +ear--no secret--off he shoots again to his own music. + +Now, truly, his _hum-drum_ puts me in mind of the whirring tone of the +hurdy-gurdy, while his _ad libitum_ bumping against the booming +window-panes sounds, to my fancy, like the unskilful accompaniment of a +double drum, beaten by some unmusical urchin. + +The house spider who spreads with so much care his beautiful nets for +gnats, and moths, and smaller flies, finds alike his labour and his +toils in vain to secure this rampaging rogue; and, indeed, when the +turbulent blue-bottle chances, in his bouncing random flight, to get +entangled in the glutinous meshes, he shakes and roars, and blusters so +loudly, until he breaks away, that the spider affrighted, invariably +takes advantage of his long legs to scamper off to his sanctum in the +cracked wainscot--like some imbecile watchman, who fearing to encounter +a tall inebriated bruiser, sneaks away with admirable discretion to the +security of his snug box, praying the drunkard may speedily reel into +another _beat_. + +Your noisy people generally grow taciturn in their cups--but Sir +Blue-bottle, though he drinks deep draughts of your wine, particularly +if it abound in sweetness, is never changed. He is naturally giddy, and +according to entomologists, always sees more than double, while his head +was never made to be turned. So may you hope for peace--only in his +flight or death!--_Absurdities: in Prose and Verse_. + + * * * * * + + +LAW AND LAWYERS. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +William the Conqueror entertained the difficult project of totally +abolishing the English language, and for that purpose, he ordered that +in all schools throughout the kingdom, the youth should be instructed in +the French tongue. Until the reign of Edward III. the pleadings in the +supreme courts of judicature were performed in French, when it was +appointed that the pleas should be pleaded in English; but that they +should be entered or recorded in Latin. The deeds were drawn in the same +language; the laws were composed in that idiom, and no other tongue was +used at court. It became, says Hume, the language of all fashionable +company; and the English themselves ashamed of their own country, +affected to excel in that foreign dialect. At Athens, and even in France +and England, formal and prepared pleadings were prohibited, and it was +unlawful to amuse the court with long, artful harangues; only it was the +settled custom here, in important matters, to begin the pleadings with a +text out of the holy scriptures. It is of late years that eloquence was +admitted to the bar. + +The account which the learned judge Hale gives of the lawyers, who +pleaded in the 15th century, does them little honour. He condemns the +reports during the reigns of Henry IV. and V. as inferior to those of +the last twelve years of Edward III. and he speaks but coolly of those +which the reign of Henry VI. produces. Yet this deficiency of +progressive improvement in the common law arose not from a want of +application to the science; since we learn from Fortescue that there +were no fewer than two thousand students attending on the inns of +chancery and of court, in the time of its writer. Gray's-inn, in the +time of Henry VIII. was so incommodious, that "the ancients of this +house were necessitated to lodge double." Indeed until the beginning of +the last century the lawyers lived mostly in their inns of court, or +about Westminster-hall. But a great change has been effected; they are +all now removed to higher ground, squares and genteel neighbourhoods, no +matter how far distant from their chambers. + +The number of judges in the courts of Westminster was by no means +certain. Under Henry VI. there were at one time eight judges in the +court of common pleas. Each judge took a solemn oath that "he would take +no fee, pension, gift, reward, or bribe, from any suitor, saving meat +and drink, which should be of no great value." In 1402, the salary of +the chief justice of the king's bench was forty pounds per annum. In +1408, the chief justice of the common pleas had fifty-five marks per +annum. In 1549, the chief justice of the king's bench had an addition of +thirty pounds to his salary, and each justice of the same bench and +common pleas, twenty pounds. At this time, a felony under the value of +twelve pence, was not a capital offence; and twelve pence then was equal +to sixty shillings at the present day. + +To Richard III. on whom history has cast innumerable stains, England has +considerable obligations as a legislator. Barrington thus speaks of him: +"Not to mention his causing each act of parliament to be written in +English and to be printed, he was the first prince on the English throne +who enabled the justices of the peace to take bail; and he caused to be +enacted a law against raising money by 'benevolence' which when pleaded +by the citizens of London against Cardinal Wolsey, could only be +answered by an averment, that Richard being a usurper and a murderer of +his nephews, the laws of so wicked a man ought not to be forced." And a +noble biographer, (Bacon's Henry VII.) says, "He was a good lawgiver for +the ease and solace of the common people." Cardinal Wolsey to terrify +the citizens of London into the general loan exacted in 1525, told them +plainly, _that it were better that some should suffer indigence than +that the king at this time should lack, and therefore beware and +resist not, nor ruffle not in the case, for it may fortune to cost some +people their heads_. And says Hume, when Henry VIII. heard that the +commons made a great difficulty of granting the required supply, he was +so provoked that he sent for Edward Montague, one of the members who had +a considerable influence on the house; and he being introduced to his +majesty, had the mortification to hear him speak in these words: _Ho! +man! will they not suffer my bill to pass?_ And laying his hand on +Montague's head, who was then on his knees before him, _get my bill +passed by to-morrow, or else to-morrow this head of yours shall be off_. +This cavalier manner of Henry's succeeded; for next day the bill passed. +Another instance of arbitrary power is worth relating. In Strype's life +of Stow we find, a garden house belonging to an honest citizen of +London, (which chanced to obstruct the improvement of a powerful +favourite. Thomas Cromwell,) "loosed from the foundation, borne on +rollers, and replaced two and twenty feet within the garden," without +the owner's leave being required; nay without his knowledge. The persons +employed, being asked their authority for this extraordinary proceeding, +made only this reply, "That Sir Thomas Cromwell had commanded them to do +it," _and none durst argue the matter_. The father of the antiquary, +Stow, (for it was he that was thus trampled upon,) "was fain to continue +to pay his old rent, without any abatement, for his garden; though half +of it was in this manner taken away." + + +TRIAL AND EXECUTION. + + +In days of yore, (says Aubrey) lords and gentlemen lived in the country +like petty kings, had _jura regalia_ belonging to the seignories, had +castles and boroughs, had gallows within their liberties, where they +would try, condemn, and execute; never went to London but in parliament +time, or once a year to do _homage_ to the king. Justice was +administered with great expedition, and too often with vindictive +severity. Pennant informs us that "originally the time of trial and +execution was to be within three suns!" About the latter end of the +seventeenth century the period was extended to _nine_ days after +sentence; but since a rapid and unjust execution in a petty Scottish +town, 1720, the execution has been ordered to be deferred for forty days +on the south, and sixty on the north side of the Tay, that time may be +allowed for an application to the king for mercy. Stealing was first +capital in the reign of Henry I. False coining, which was then a very +common crime, was severely punished. Near fifty criminals of this kind +were at _one time_ hanged or mutilated. Laws were passed in Henry +VIIth's reign ordaining the king's suit for murder to be carried on +within a year and a day. Formerly it did not usually commence till +after, and as the friends of the person murdered often in the interval +compounded matters with the criminal, the crime frequently passed +unpunished. In 1503, an act was passed prohibiting the king from +pardoning those convicted of wilful and premeditated murder; but this +appears to have been done at the monarch's own request, and was liable +to be rescinded at pleasure. In Henry the Eighth's reign, Harrison +asserts that 73,000 criminals were executed for theft and robbery, which +was nearly 2,000 a year. He adds, that in Elizabeth's reign, there were +_only_ between three and four hundred a year hanged for theft and +robbery. It is said that the earliest law enacted in any country for the +promotion of anatomical knowledge, was passed in 1540. It allowed the +united companies of _Barbers_ and _Surgeons_ to have yearly the bodies +of four criminals for dissection. In the year 1749, were executed at +Tyburn, Usher Gahagan, Terence O'Connor, and Joseph Mapham, for filing +gold money. Gahagan and Connor were papists of considerable families in +Ireland; the former was a very good Latin scholar, and editor of +Brindley's edition of the Classics; he translated _Pope's Essay on +Criticism_, in Latin verse, and after his confinement, the _Temple of +Fame_, and the _Messiah_, which he dedicated to the Duke of Newcastle, +in hopes of a pardon; he also wrote verses in English to prince George +(George III.) and to Mr. Adams, the recorder, which are published in the +ordinary's account, together with a poetical address to the Duchess of +Queensbury, by Connor. In 1752, it was enacted that every criminal +convicted of wilful murder should be executed on the day next but one +after sentence was passed, unless that happens to be on a Sunday: and in +that case, they are to be executed on the Monday following. The judge +may direct the body to be hung in chains, or to be delivered to the +surgeons in order to its being dissected and anatomized; but in no case +whatsoever is it to be buried till after it is dissected. The first +punishment of hanging, drawing, and quartering, occurred in the year +1241. The form of our gallows was adopted by the Roman Furca, when +Constantine abolished crucifixion. In France it had either a single, +double, or treble frame, denoting the rank of the territorial seigneur, +whether gentleman, knight, or baron. The ancient gallows near London, +had hooks for eviscerating, quartering, &c. the bodies of criminals. In +the 15th century, the top, like the beam of a pair of scales, was made +to move up and down; at one end hung a halter, at the other a large +weight, the halter was drawn down, and being put round the criminal's +neck, the weight at the other end lifted him from the ground. + +F.R.Y. + + * * * * * + + + +MY COMMON-PLACE BOOK, + +NO. XIX. + + * * * * * + + +NOVEL WRITERS AND NOVEL READERS. + + +Auto-biography of men, who held no distinguished rank in the political +world, is often very pleasant reading; especially where the writer has a +strong tincture of vanity, and is obviously blind to his own character; +for, if he does not know it himself, he is sure to let his readers know +it; if he does not see the dark spots, he will not endeavour to conceal +them; and, if he thinks them bright ones, he will blazon them. But +novel-writing, when well done, is, after all, the best species of +writing; for, if what all the world says, is true; what all the world +reads, must be good. A novel writer, of any talents, will draw his +portraits from the life--will catch at every striking feature, and +generally paint man as he is; and there is this difference between +actual histories and works of imagination, that the former are for the +most part true in letter, but false in spirit; and the latter, false in +letter, and true in spirit; the one is correct in names, dates, and +places, but out of truth in everything else: the other is not correct in +names, dates, and places, but perfectly true in every other point. + +The worst part of a novel is the hero or heroine: these are too +frequently fabrications from the author's fancy, instead of portraits +from nature; or, if taken from life, they are tortured into a perfection +that life never knew. This is too much the case with "Thaddeus of +Warsaw," and ten thousand others. Ladies are not good hands in painting +heroes, nor gentlemen always equal to the portraying of heroines. The +author of _Werter_ knew that, and therefore he did not disfigure his +wicked and interesting work with an artificial Charlotte: he leaves her +to the reader's own fancy, who has nothing to do but to fancy himself +Werter, and his own imagination will paint Charlotte. + +When the hero is made the vehicle of one moral lesson, as Vivian, in +Miss Edgeworth's "Tales of Fashionable Life," then there is no need of +artificial ornament; and when there is no intention of presenting an +unmixed character of evil, nothing remains but to draw from life, and +the work is perfect. One of Miss Edgeworth's failings is of great +service to her, in this kind of painting: she wants what some persons +call feeling, that is to say, she does not believe in the omnipotence of +love, and therefore would never have written such a book as the "Sorrows +of Werter;" and if she had possessed the same materials, she would have +produced a very different work--not so full of genius, perhaps, but an +interesting and instructive tale. + +Novels are productions more easily criticised than any others: every one +may judge for himself of the truth or probability of the events, and the +accuracy of the features of character. It is impossible almost to +deceive a reader--to palm upon him fiction for truth; for the truth is +felt, if it be there, and the falsehood is palpable and revolting. There +is also an extensive light of information in them. They do not merely +give one scene, or character, or class of characters; but their +principles are generally applicable to a very wide extent--they exercise +the mind to a habit of observation, and so far from giving false views +of life, they more frequently direct us to its true estimate. To be +sure, there is sometimes a degree of improbability in some of the +incidents, which is mostly forgiven, if the whole mass be, in the main, +true and accurate. There are certain standard incidents, which are +common property--such as the discovery of relationships--the change of +children--and liberal aunts, who make nothing of presenting a young +married couple with twenty or thirty thousand pounds on their wedding +day; but, if any young lady or gentleman is silly enough to marry, +without the means of support, because they have read such things in +novels, and have also read of rich uncles all of a sudden returning from +the East or West Indies, to shower gold and pearls on all their +relations, all that must be said for them is, that they have not +sufficient sense to read "Aesop's Fables," and they might as easily be +misled into the imagination that brutes could talk. It is a very weak +charge against novels, that they present false views of life; for, when +they do, none but silly people read them; and they are just as wise +after, as they were before. + +If there be any evil in novels at all, it is when they take people from +their business--when they occupy a mother's time to the neglect of her +children--when they lead idle boys to neglect their lessons, and when +they lead idle gentlefolks to fancy themselves employed, when they are +only killing time. W.P.S. + + * * * * * + + +CARRIER PIGEONS. + +(_For the Mirror._) + + +It appears by the Dutch papers that pigeons are now used to forward +correspondence between different countries in Europe, and one was lately +found resting on a house in Rotterdam. The carrier pigeon has its name +from its remarkable sagacity in returning to the place where it was +bred; and Lightow assures us, that one of these birds would carry a +letter from Babylon to Aleppo, which is thirty days' journey, in +forty-eight hours. This pigeon was employed in former times by the +English factory to convey intelligence from Scanderoon of the arrival of +company's ships in that port, the name of the ship, the hour of her +arrival, and whatever else could be comprised in a small compass, being +written on a slip of paper, which was secured in such a manner under the +pigeon's wing as not to impede its flight; and her feet were bathed in +vinegar, with a view to keep them cool, and prevent her being tempted by +the sight of water to alight, by which the journey might have been +prolonged, or the billet lost. The pigeons performed this journey in two +hours and a half. The messenger had a young brood at Aleppo, and was +sent down in an uncovered cage to Scanderoon, from whence, as soon as +set at liberty, she returned with all possible expedition to her nest. +It is said that the pigeons when let fly from Scanderoon, instead of +bending their course towards the high mountains surrounding the plain, +mounted at once directly up, soaring still almost perpendicularly till +out of sight, as if to surmount at once the obstacles intercepting their +view of the place of their destination. Maillet, in his "Description de +l'Egypt," tells us of a pigeon despatched from Aleppo to Scanderoon, +which, mistaking its way, was absent for three days, and in that time +had made an excursion to the island of Ceylon; a circumstance then +deduced from finding green cloves in the bird's stomach, and credited at +Aleppo. In the time of the holy wars, certain Saracen ambassadors who +came to Godfrey of Antioch from a neighbouring prince, sent intelligence +to their master of the success of their embassy, by means of pigeons, +fixing the billet to the bird's tail. Hirtius and Brutus, at the siege +of Modena, held a correspondence with one another by means of pigeons. +Ovid informs us that Taurosthenus, by a pigeon stained with purple, gave +notice to his father of his victory at the Olympic games, sending it to +him at AEgina; and Anacreon tells us, that he conveyed a _billet-doux_ to +his beautiful Bathyllid, by a dove. Thus, says Bewick, "the bird is let +loose, and in spite of surrounding armies and every obstacle that would +have effectually prevented any other means of conveyance, guided by +instinct alone, it returns directly home, where the intelligence is so +much wanted. Sometimes they have been the peaceful bearers of glad +tidings to the anxious lover, and to the merchant of the no less welcome +news of the safe arrival of his vessel at the desired port." + +In this _flighty_ and _pigeoning age_, I would recommend a +_pigeon-carrier-company_, whose shares might be _elevated_ to any +_height_. + +P. T. W. + + * * * * * + + + +MISCELLANIES. + + * * * * * + + +NAMES OF SHEEP. + + +A ram or wether lamb, after being weaned, is called a hog, or hoggitt, +tag, or pug, throughout the first year, or until it renew two teeth; the +ewe, a ewe-lamb, ewe-tag, or pug. In the second year the wether takes +the name of shear-hog, and has his first two renewed or broad teeth, or +he is called a two-toothed tag or pug; the ewe is called a thaive, or +two-toothed ewe tag, or pug. In the third year, a shear hog or +four-toothed wether, a four-toothed ewe or thaive. The fourth year, a +six-toothed wether or ewe. The fifth year, having eight broad teeth, +they are said to be full-mouthed sheep. Their age also, particularly of +the rams, is reckoned by the number of times they have been shorn, the +first shearing taking place in the second year; a shearing, or +one-shear, two-shear, &c. The term _pug_ is, I believe, nearly become +obsolete. In the north and in Scotland, ewe hogs are called _dimonts_, +and in the west of England ram lambs are called _pur lambs_. + +The ancient term _tup_, for a ram, is in full use. Crone still signifies +an old ewe. Of _crock_, I know nothing of the etymology, and little more +of the signification, only that the London butchers of the old school, +and some few of the present, call Wiltshire sheep horned _crocks_. I +believe crock mutton is a term of inferiority. + + * * * * * + +Conceit and confidence are both of them cheats; the first always imposes +on itself, the second frequently deceives others too.--_Zimmerman_. + + * * * * * + + + +ANCIENT POWDER FLASK. + +[Illustration] + +(_To the Editor of the Mirror._) + + +SIR,--The enclosed curious drawing of an ancient powder "_flaske_," both +in form and ornament, may not be uninteresting to the readers of your +valuable MIRROR at the approaching sporting season. + +Gunpowder, when first invented, was carried in the horns of animals, for +safety and convenience; though some time afterwards placed in flat +leather cases or bottles, invented by the Germans, and called +"_flaskes_." A remarkably curious one of this description, evidently of +the time of Queen Elizabeth, is here represented, and is formed of +ivory, somewhat in the shape of a stag's horn; the ornaments on it are +carved in a good bold style, and represent an armed figure on horseback +in full chase. The "flaske" is tipped at the end with silver, and +measures about eight inches in length. + +I remain, yours, + +* * + + * * * * * + + + +SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS + + * * * * * + + +CHARACTER OF THE SEPOYS. + + +Our countrymen at home are frequently perplexed by the apparent +contradictions of a traveller from the East, when describing the +characters and manners of the inhabitants of Hindostan. If, for +instance, he alludes to our gallant sepoys, he pours forth unmeasured +praise, and appears altogether charmed with their docility, courage, +honour, and fidelity. On the other hand, his opinion of the natives in +the aggregate is often as exactly the reverse as it is possible to +imagine. They are described, perhaps, in the strongest terms, as at once +servile, cowardly, treacherous, and ungrateful. The fact is, that our +troops are all from the northern provinces of India, the natives of +which are a brave and generous race, who hold the profession of arms in +the highest estimation. The _Bengallees_ on the contrary, (with the most +universal and shameless indifference to truth,) are mean, effeminate, +and avaricious. They are chiefly composed of merchants, copying clerks, +mechanics, and domestic servants, and are invariably refused admittance +into the company's army. These people are vastly inferior to the natives +of the upper provinces in mental and corporeal energy, though more +polished in their manners, and more easily initiated into the arts and +mysteries of civilized life. I will illustrate the nice sense of honour +which distinguishes the native soldier by the following anecdote. + +A sepoy of the Bengal native infantry was accused by one of his comrades +of having stolen a rupee and a pair of trousers. The sergeant-major +before whom, in the first instance, the charge was brought, was both +unable and unwilling to give it credence. Besides the unusual +circumstance of a native soldier being guilty of so base an act, the +accused sepoy had always been remarkably conspicuous for his brave and +upright conduct. His breast was literally covered with medals, and he +had long been accustomed to the voice of praise. Still, however, justice +demanded that the charge should not be dismissed without an impartial +investigation. The whole affair was brought to the notice of the +commanding officer, who desired that the sepoy's residence should be +immediately and thoroughly examined. On opening his knapsack, to the +utter astonishment and regret of the whole regiment, the stolen property +was discovered. None, however, looked more thunderstruck than the sepoy +himself. He clenched his teeth in bitter agony, but spoke not a single +word. The colonel told him, that though circumstances were fearfully +against him, he would not yet pronounce him guilty, as it was not +impossible he might be the victim of some malignant design. He therefore +dismissed him from his presence until the result of further inquiries +should produce a full conviction of his guilt or innocence. In a few +hours the sepoy was observed to leave his little hut, and walk with +hurried steps to a neighbouring field. He was soon concealed from sight +by a thick cluster of bamboos, beneath which he had often sheltered +himself from the noontide sun. Suspecting the purpose of his present +visit to so retired a spot, a comrade followed him, but was +unfortunately too late to arrest the hand of the determined suicide. The +poor fellow lay stretched on the ground, with his head hanging back, and +the blood gushing from his open throat. He had effected his purpose with +a sharp knife, which he still grasped, as if with the intention of +inflicting another wound. He was carried to the hospital, and carefully +attended, but the surgeon immediately pronounced his recovery +impossible. A pen and ink were brought to him, and he wrote with some +difficulty on a slip of paper, that he firmly hoped he had not failed in +his attempt to destroy himself, for life was of no value without honour. +He stated, too, that though it might now be almost useless to affirm his +innocence, he hoped that a time might come when his memory should be +freed from its present stain. He lingered no less than fifteen days in +this dreadful state, and died, at last, apparently of mere starvation. +It was my painful duty, as "officer of the day," to visit the hospital +very frequently, and he invariably made signs of a desire for food. This +it was, of course, impossible to give him, and any nourishment would +merely have prolonged his misery. Two days before he died, it was +discovered that a Bengallee servant of low caste, who had taken offence +on some trivial occasion, had placed the stolen goods in the sepoy's +bundle, and then urged the owner to accuse him of the theft. The +disclosure of this circumstance appeared to give infinite satisfaction +to the dying soldier. + +_London Weekly Review._ + + * * * * * + + +HOUSE LAUNCHING. + + +The launching of the two brick houses in Garden-street was completely +successful. They were moved nearly ten feet, _occupied at the time by +their tenants_, without having sustained any injury. The preparations +were the work of some time; the two buildings having been put upon ways, +or into a cradle, were easily screwed on a new foundation. The inventor +of _this simple and cheap mode of moving tenanted brick buildings_, is +entitled to the thanks of the public. _In the course of time_, it is +likely that houses will be put up upon ways at brick or stone quarries, +and sold as ships are, _to be delivered in any part of the city. +--American Paper._ + + * * * * * + +_In the course of time_ we really do not know what is not to happen in +America. Jonathan promises to grow so big, and to do such wonders in a +day or two, that no bounds can be placed to his performances _in the +future tense_. Everything will of course be on a scale of grandeur +proportioned to his country, which, as he observes in his Travels in +England, is "bigger and more like a world" than our boasted land; +instead, therefore, of going about in confined, close carriages as +people do here, the Americans will rattle through the streets to their +routs and parties in their houses. One tenanted brick building will be +driven up to the door of another. A further improvement may here be +suggested. Jonathan is fond of chairs with rockers, that is, chairs with +a cradle-bottom, on which he see-saws himself as he smokes his pipe and +fuddles his sublime faculties with liquor. Now by putting a house on +rockers, this trouble and exertion of the individual on a scale so small +and unworthy of a great people would be spared, and every tenant of a +brick building would be rocked at the same time, and by one common piece +of machinery. The effect of a whole city nid-nid-nodding after dinner, +will be extremely magnificent and worthy of America. As for the +feasibility of the thing, nothing can be more obvious. If houses can be +put upon cradles for launching, they can be put upon cradles for +rocking; and if tenants do not object to being conveyed from one part of +the city to another in their mansions, they will not surely take fright +at an agreeable stationary see-saw in them.--_London Magazine._ + + * * * * * + + +GOOD NIGHT TO THE SEASON. + + Thus runs the world away.--HAMLET. + + + Good-night to the Season! 'tis over! + Gay dwellings no longer are gay; + The courtier, the gambler, the lover, + Are scatter'd, like swallows, away: + There's nobody left to invite one, + Except my good uncle and spouse; + My mistress is bathing at Brighton, + My patron is sailing at Cowes: + For want of a better employment, + Till Ponto and Don can get out, + I'll cultivate rural enjoyment, + And angle immensely for trout. + + Good-night to the Season!--the buildings + Enough to make Inigo sick; + The paintings, and plasterings, and gildings, + Of stucco, and marble, and brick; + The orders deliciously blended, + From love of effect, into one; + The club-houses only intended, + The palaces only begun; + The hell where the fiend, in his glory, + Sits staring at putty and stones, + And scrambles from story to story, + To rattle at midnight his bones. + + Good-night to the Season!--the dances, + The fillings of hot little rooms, + The glancings of rapturous glances, + The fancyings of fancy costumes; + The pleasures which Fashion makes duties, + The praisings of fiddles and flutes, + The luxury of looking at beauties, + The tedium of talking to mutes; + The female diplomatists, planners + Of matches for Laura and Jane, + The ice of her Ladyship's manners, + The ice of his Lordship's champagne. + + Good-night to the Season!--the rages + Led off by the chiefs of the throng, + The Lady Matilda's new pages, + The Lady Eliza's new song; + Miss Fennel's Macaw, which at Boodle's + Is held to have something to say; + Mrs. Splenetic's musical Poodles, + Which bark "Batti, batti!" all day: + The pony Sir Araby sported, + As hot and as black as a coal, + And the Lion his mother imported, + In bearskins and grease, from the Pole. + + Good-night to the Season!--the Toso, + So very majestic and tall; + Miss Ayton, whose singing was so so, + And Pasta, divinest of all; + The labour in vain of the Ballet, + So sadly deficient in stars; + The foreigners thronging the Alley, + Exhaling the breath of cigars; + The "loge," where some heiress, how killing, + Environ'd with Exquisites sits, + The lovely one out of her drilling, + The silly ones out of their wits. + + Good-night to the Season!--the splendour + That beam'd in the Spanish Bazaar, + Where I purchased--my heart was so tender-- + A card-case,--a pasteboard guitar,-- + A bottle of perfume,--a girdle,-- + A lithograph'd Riego full-grown, + Whom Bigotry drew on a hurdle, + That artists might draw him on stone,-- + A small panorama of Seville,-- + A trap for demolishing flies,-- + A caricature of the Devil, + And a look from Miss Sheridan's eyes. + + Good-night to the Season!--the flowers + Of the grand horticultural fete, + When boudoirs were quitted for bowers, + And the fashion was not to be late; + When all who had money and leisure, + Grow rural o'er ices and wines, + All pleasantly toiling for pleasure, + All hungrily pining for pines, + And making of beautiful speeches, + And marring of beautiful shows, + And feeding on delicate peaches, + And treading on delicate toes. + + Good night to the Season!--another + Will come with its trifles and toys, + And hurry away, like its brother, + In sunshine, and odour, and noise. + Will it come with a rose or a briar? + Will it come with a blessing or curse? + Will its bonnets be lower or higher? + Will its morals be better or worse? + Will it find me grown thinner or fatter, + Or fonder of wrong or of right. + Or married, or buried?--no matter, + Good-night to the season, Good-night! + +_New Monthly Magazine_. + + * * * * * + + +TIGER TAMING. + + +A party of gentlemen from Bombay, one day visiting the stupendous cavern +temple of Elephanta, discovered a tiger's whelp in one of the obscure +recesses of the edifice. Desirous of kidnapping the cub, without +encountering the fury of its dam, they took it up hastily and +cautiously, and retreated. Being left entirely at liberty, and extremely +well fed, the tiger grew rapidly, appeared tame and fondling as a dog, +and in every respect entirely domesticated. At length, when it had +attained a vast size, and notwithstanding its apparent gentleness, began +to inspire terror by its tremendous powers of doing mischief, a piece of +raw meat, dripping with blood, fell in its way. It is to be observed, +that, up to that moment, it had been studiously kept from raw animal +food. The instant, however, it had dipped its tongue in blood, something +like madness seemed to have seized upon the animal; a destructive +principle, hitherto dormant, was awakened--it darted fiercely, and with +glaring eyes, upon its prey--tore it with fury to pieces--and, growling +and roaring in the most fearful manner, rushed off towards the +jungles.--_London Weekly Review._ + + * * * * * + + +RUNNING A MUCK. + + +The inhabitants of the Indian Archipelago, and particularly of the +island of Java, are of a very sullen and revengeful disposition. When +they consider themselves grossly insulted, they are observed to become +suddenly thoughtful; they squat down upon the ground, and appear +absorbed in meditation. While in this position, they revolve in their +breasts the most bloody and ferocious projects of revenge, and, by a +desperate effort, reconcile themselves with death. When their terrible +resolution is taken, their eyes appear to flash fire, their countenance +assumes an expression of preternatural fury; and springing suddenly on +their feet, they unsheath their daggers, plunge them into the heart of +every one within their reach, and rushing out into the streets, deal +wounds and murder as they run, until the arrow or dagger of some bold +individual terminates their career. This is called _running a +muck_.--_Ibid_. + + * * * * * + + + +THE SELECTOR, AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS. + + * * * * * + + +THE JEW'S HARP. + + +The memoirs of Madame de Genlis first made known the astonishing powers +of a poor German soldier on the Jew's harp. This musician was in the +service of Frederick the Great, and finding himself one night on duty +under the windows of the King, playing the Jew's harp with so much +skill, that Frederick, who was a great amateur of music, thought he +heard a distinct orchestra. Surprised on learning that such an effect +could be produced by a single man with two Jew's harps, he ordered him +into his presence; the soldier refused, alleging, that he could only be +relieved by his colonel; and that if he obeyed, the king would punish +him the next day, for having failed to do his duty. Being presented the +following morning to Frederick, he was heard with admiration, and +received his discharge and fifty dollars. This artist, whose name Madame +de Genlis does not mention, is called Koch; he has not any knowledge of +music, but owes his success entirely to a natural taste. He has made his +fortune by travelling about, and performing in public and private, and +is now living retired at Vienna, at the advanced age of more than eighty +years. He used two Jew's harps at once, in the same manner as the +peasants of the Tyrol, and produced, without doubt, the harmony of two +notes struck at the same moment, which was considered by the +musically-curious as somewhat extraordinary, when the limited powers of +the instrument were remembered. It was Koch's custom to require that all +the lights should be extinguished, in order that the illusion produced +by his playing might be increased. + +It was reserved, however, for Mr. Eulenstein to acquire a musical +reputation from the Jew's harp. After ten years of close application and +study, this young artist has attained a perfect mastery over this +untractable instrument. In giving some account of the Jew's harp, +considered as a medium for musical sounds, we shall only present the +result of his discoveries. This little instrument, taken singly, gives +whatever grave sound you may wish to produce, as a _third_, a _fifth_, +or an _octave_. If the grave tonic is not heard in the bass Jew's harp, +it must be attributed, not to the defectiveness of the instrument, but +to the player. In examining this result, you cannot help remarking the +order and unity established by nature in harmonical bodies, which places +music in the rank of exact sciences. The Jew's harp has three different +tones; the bass tones of the first octave bear some resemblance to those +of the flute and clarionet; those of the middle and high, to the _vox +humana_ of some organs; lastly, the harmonical sounds are exactly like +those of the _harmonica_. It is conceived, that this diversity of tones +affords already a great variety in the execution, which is always looked +upon as being feeble and trifling, on account of the smallness of the +instrument. It was not thought possible to derive much pleasure from any +attempt which could be made to conquer the difficulties of so limited an +instrument; because, in the extent of these octaves, there were a number +of spaces which could not be filled up by the talent of the player; +besides, the most simple modulation became impossible. Mr. Eulenstein +has remedied that inconvenience, by joining sixteen Jew's harps, which +he tunes by placing smaller or greater quantities of sealing-wax at the +extremity of the tongue. Each harp then sounds one of the notes of the +gamut, diatonic or chromatic, and the performer can fill all the +intervals, and pass all the tones, by changing the harp. That these +mutations may not interrupt the measure, one harp must always be kept in +advance, in the same manner as a good reader advances the eye, not upon +the word which he pronounces, but upon that which follows.--_Philosophy +in Sport._ + + * * * * * + + +FORM OF ANCIENT BOOKS, THEIR ILLUMINATIONS, &c. + + +The mode of compacting the sheets of their books remained the same among +the Greeks during a long course of time. The sheets were folded three or +four together, and separately stitched: these parcels were then +connected nearly in the same mode as is at present practised. Books were +covered with linen, silk, or leather. + +The page was sometimes undivided; sometimes it contained two, and in a +few instances of very ancient MSS., three columns. A peculiarity which +attracts the eye in many Greek manuscripts, consists in the occurrence +of capitals on the margin, some way in advance of the line to which they +belong; and this capital sometimes happens to be the middle letter of a +word. For when a sentence finishes in the middle of a line, the initial +of the next is not distinguished, that honour being conferred upon the +incipient letter of the next line; thus-- + + THEGREEKSENTERING + THEREGIONOFTHEMA + CRONESFORMEDANAL + LIANCEWITHTHEM.AS + T HEPLEDGEOFTHEIR + FAITHTHEBARBARIANS + GAVEASPEAR. + +The Greeks, especially in the earliest times, divided their compositions +into verses, or such short portions of sentences as we mark by a comma, +each verse occupying a line; and the number of these verses is often set +down at the beginning or end of a book. The numbers of the verses were +sometimes placed in the margin. + +Much intricacy and difficulty attends the subject of ancient +punctuation; nor could any satisfactory account of the rules and +exceptions that have been gathered from existing MSS. be given, which +should subserve the intention of this work. Generally speaking, though +with frequent exceptions, the most ancient books have no separation of +words, or punctuation of any kind; others have a separation of words, +but no punctuation; in some, every word is separated from the following +one by a point. In manuscripts of later date are found a regular +punctuation, and marks of accentuation. These circumstances enter into +the estimate when the antiquity of a book is under inquiry; but the +rules to be observed in considering them cannot be otherwise than +recondite and intricate. + +Few ancient books are altogether destitute of decorations; and many are +splendidly adorned with pictorial ornaments. These consist either of +flowery initials, grotesque cyphers, portraits, or even historical +compositions. Sometimes diagrams, explanatory of the subjects mentioned +by the author, are placed on the margin. Books written for the use of +royal persons, or dignified ecclesiastics, usually contain the effigies +of the proprietor, often attended by his family, and by some allegorical +or celestial minister; while the humble scribe, in monkish attire, +kneels and presents the book to his patron. + +These illuminations, as they are called, almost always exhibit some +costume of the times, or some peculiarity, which serves to mark the age +of the manuscript. Indeed a fund of antiquarian information relative to +the middle ages has been collected from this source. Many of these +pictured books exhibit a high degree of executive talent in the artist, +yet labouring under the restraints of a barbarous taste.--_Taylor's +History of the Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times_. + + * * * * * + + +SOUTHERN AFRICAN ELOQUENCE. + + +"It is clear that it is our best policy to march against the enemy +before he advances. Let not our towns be the seat of war; let not our +houses be stained with bloodshed; let the blood of the enemy be spilt at +a distance from our wives and children. Yet some of you talk ignorantly; +your words are the words of children or of men confounded. I am left +almost alone; my two brothers have abandoned me; they have taken wives +from another nation, and allow their wives to direct them; their wives +are their kings!" Then turning towards his younger brothers, he +imprecated a curse upon them if they should follow the example of their +elder brethren. Again addressing the people, he said, "you walk over my +head while I sleep, but you now see that the wise Mocooas respect me. +Had they not been our friends, we must have fled ere now before the +enemy." Turning to Wleeloqua, the eighth speaker, he said, "I hear you, +my father; I understand you, my father; your words are true and good for +the ear. It is good that we be instructed by the Macooas. May evil +overtake the disobedient! May they be broken in pieces! Be silent, ye +women!" (addressing them,) "ye who plague your husbands, who steal their +goods, and give them to others, be silent; and hinder not your husbands +and children by your evil words. Be silent, ye kidney-eaters,[1] +(turning towards the old men,) ye who are fit for nothing but to prowl +about whenever an ox is killed. If our cattle are carried off, where +will you get kidneys?" + + [1] The Bechnanas imagine that none who eat of the kidneys of + the ox will have any offspring; on this account, no one, except + the aged, will taste-them. Hence the contemptuous term of + "kidney-eaters," synonymous with dotard. + +Then addressing the warriors, he said, "there are many of you who do not +deserve to eat out of a broken pot; ye stubborn and stupid men! consider +what you have heard, and obey without murmuring. Hearken! I command you, +ye chiefs of the Matclhapees, Matclhoroos, Myrees, Barolongs, and +Bamacootas, that ye proclaim through all your clans the proceedings of +this day, and let none be ignorant. And again I say, ye warriors, +prepare for the day of battle; let your shields be strong, your quivers +full of arrows, and your battle-axes sharp as hunger." Turning a second +time towards the old men and women, he said, "prevent not the warrior +from going forth to battle, by your timid counsels. No! rouse up the +warrior to glory, and he shall return to you with honourable scars; +fresh marks of valour shall cover his thigh;[2] and then we shall renew +the war-song and dance, and rehearse the story of our achievements." + + [2] The warriors receive a new scar on the thigh for every + enemy they kill in battle. + + * * * * * + + +CHARACTER OF PITT. + +_By the late Right Hon. G. Canning._ + + +The character of this illustrious statesman early passed its ordeal. +Scarcely had he attained the age at which reflection commences, than +Europe with astonishment beheld him filling the first place in the +councils of his country, and manage the vast mass of its concerns with +all the vigour and steadiness of the most matured wisdom. Dignity, +strength, discretion, these were among the masterly qualities of his +mind at its first dawn. He had been nurtured a statesman, and his +knowledge was of that kind which always lies ready for practical +application. Not dealing in the subtleties of abstract politics, but +moving in the slow, steady procession of reason, his conceptions were +reflective, and his views correct. Habitually attentive to the concerns +of government, he spared no pains to acquaint himself with whatever was +connected, however minutely, with its prosperity. He was devoted to the +state: its interests engrossed all his study, and engaged all his care: +it was the element alone in which he seemed to live and move. He allowed +himself but little recreation from his labours; his mind was always on +its station, and his activity was unremitted. + +He did not hastily adopt a measure, nor hastily abandon it. The plan +struck out by him for the preservation of Europe was the result of +prophetic wisdom and profound policy. But though defeated in many +respects by the selfish ambition and short-sighted imbecility of foreign +powers, whose rulers were too venal or too weak to follow the flight of +that mind which would have taught them to outwing the storm, the policy +involved in it was still a secret operation on the conduct of +surrounding states. His plans were full of energy, and the principles +which inspired them looked beyond the consequences of the hour. In a +period of change and convulsion, the most perilous in the history of +Great Britain, when sedition stalked abroad, and when the emissaries of +France and the abettors of her regicide factions formed a league +powerful from their number, and formidable by their talent, in that +awful crisis the promptitude of his measures saved his country. + +He knew nothing of that timid and wavering cast of mind which dares not +abide by its own decision. He never suffered popular prejudice or party +clamour to turn him aside from any measure which his deliberate judgment +had adopted; he had a proud reliance on himself, and it was justified. +Like the sturdy warrior leaning on his own battle, axe, conscious where +his strength lay, he did not readily look beyond it. + +As a debater in the House of Commons, his speeches were logical and +argumentative: if they did not often abound in the graces of metaphor, +or sparkle with the brilliancy of wit, they were always animated, +elegant, and classical. The strength of his oratory was intrinsic; it +presented the rich and abundant resource of a clear discernment and a +correct taste. His speeches are stampt with inimitable marks of +originality. When replying to his opponents, his readiness was not more +conspicuous than his energy: he was always prompt and always dignified. +He could sometimes have recourse to the sportiveness of irony, but he +did not often seek any other aid than was to be derived from an arranged +and extensive knowledge of his subject. This qualified him fully to +discuss the arguments of others, and forcibly to defend his own. Thus +armed, it was rarely in the power of his adversaries, mighty as they +were, to beat him from the field. His eloquence, occasionally rapid, +electric, vehement, was always chaste, winning, and persuasive, not +awing into acquiescence, but arguing into conviction. His understanding +was bold and comprehensive: nothing seemed too remote for its reach, or +too large for its grasp. Unallured by dissipation, and unswayed by +pleasure, he never sacrificed the national treasure to the one, or the +national interest to the other. To his unswerving integrity the most +authentic of all testimony is to be found in that unbounded public +confidence which followed him throughout the whole of his political +career. + +Absorbed as he was in the pursuits of public life, he did not neglect to +prepare himself in silence for that higher destination, which is at once +the incentive and reward of human virtue. His talents, superior and +splendid as they were, never made him forgetful of that eternal wisdom +from which they emanated. The faith and fortitude of his last moments +were affecting and exemplary. In his forty-seventh year, and in the +meridian of his fame, he died on the twenty-third of January, one +thousand eight hundred and six. + + * * * * * + + + +THE LECTURER + + * * * * * + + +VERTIGO, OR GIDDINESS. + + +_Vertigo_, or _giddiness_, though unattended with pain, is, in general, +of a more dangerous nature than the severest headach. Vertigo consists +in a disturbance of the _voluntary power_, and in some degree of +_sensation_, especially of _vision_; and thus it shows itself to be an +affection of the brain itself; while mere pain in the head does not +necessarily imply this, it being for the most part an affection of the +membranes only. In _vertigo_, objects that are fixed appear to be in +motion, or to turn round, as the name implies. The patient loses his +balance, and is inclined to fall down. It often is followed immediately +by severe headach. _Vertigo_ is apt to recur, and thus often becomes +frequent and habitual. After a time the mental powers become impaired, +and complete idiocy often follows; as was the case in the celebrated +Dean Swift. It frequently terminates in apoplexy or palsy, from the +extension of disease in the brain. + +_Causes.--Vertigo_ is induced by whatever is capable of disturbing +suddenly the circulation of the brain, whether in the way of increase or +diminution: thus the approach of _syncope_, whether produced by loss of +blood, or a feeling of nausea; blows on the head, occasioning a +concussion of the brain; stooping; swinging; whirling; or other unusual +motions of the body, as in sailing, are the ordinary exciting causes of +the disease. _Vertigo_ is exceedingly frequent at an advanced period of +life, and generally indicates the approach and formation of disease in +the brain. Accordingly, it is a frequent forerunner of _apoplexy_ and +_palsy_. + +The immediate or _proximate_ cause of _giddiness_, or _vertigo_, that +is, the actual condition of the brain at the moment, is probably some +partial disturbance in the circulation there; which all the _occasional +causes_ mentioned are obviously calculated to produce. It is more or +less dangerous, according to the cause inducing it, and the state of the +brain itself, which may be sound or otherwise. And as this cannot be +certainly known, nor the extent of it when actually present, the event +is of course uncertain. At all times, your _prognosis_ should be +guarded; because _vertigo_ seldom occurs under favourable circumstances +of age and general health; unless when produced by so slight a cause as +_bloodletting_, or a trifling blow upon the head. Whenever _vertigo_ +recurs frequently, and at an advanced period of life; and more +particularly when it is accompanied with drowsiness; weakness of the +voluntary muscles; impaired memory, or judgment; or, in short, any other +disturbance or imperfection in the state of the _sensorial_ functions; +an unfavourable result is to be expected; because all these afford +decisive evidence of a considerable degree and extent of disease in the +brain--_Dr. Clutterbuck's Lectures on the Nervous System_. + + +BATHING + + +In this season of the year, a few hints on the temperature of the body +prior to cold immersion, may not unaptly be furnished. It is commonly +supposed, that if a person have made himself warm with walking, or any +other exercise, he must wait till he becomes cooled before he should +plunge into the cold water. Dr. Currie, however, has shown that this is +an erroneous idea, and that in the earlier stages of exercise, before +profuse perspiration has dissipated the heat, and fatigue debilitated +the living power, nothing is more safe, according to his experience, +than the cold bath. This is so true, that the same author constantly +directed infirm persons to use such a degree of exercise before +emersion, as might produce increased action of the vascular system, with +some increase of heat; and thus secure a force of re-action under the +shock, which otherwise might not always take place. The popular opinion, +that it is safest to go perfectly cool into the water, is founded on +erroneous notions, and is sometimes productive of injurious +consequences. Thus, persons heated and beginning to perspire, often +think it necessary to wait on the edge of the bath until they are +perfectly cooled. + + * * * * * + + + +USEFUL DOMESTIC HINTS + + * * * * * + + +TAINTED MEAT + + +Meat tainted to an extreme degree may be speedily restored by washing it +in cold water, and afterwards in strong camomile tea; after which it may +be sprinkled with salt, and used the following day; or if steeped and +well washed in beer, it will make pure and sweet soup even after being +fly-blown. + + +TO BREW THREE BARRELS OF PORTER. + + +Take one quarter of high-dried malt, with one or two pecks of patent +malt; mash in the same manner as directed for beer. Add the following +ingredients: eight pounds of good hops, one pound of liquorice root, two +pounds of Spanish juice, half a pound of ground ginger, one pound of +salt, eight ounces of hartshorn shavings, and four ounces of porter +extract. + +Separate the hops, and run the wort on them; when placed in the copper, +and in a state of ebullition, infuse the whole of the other ingredients. +Let it boil about one hour, or till you discover the surface of the +liquor to become flaky, and the wort broken; then take it from the +copper and strain it into the coolers. Now proceed in the usual way till +it be fit to rack, which will be in about a fortnight; draw it off into +another vat, in which let it remain three hours to settle, and in the +mean time wash the cask quite clean; draw from the vat the contents, and +return them to the cask, leaving the sediment that has lodged during the +three hours. If the colour be not full enough, add, when racking, some +brandy colouring, which soon gives to it that pleasing appearance +peculiar to good porter. Do not fill the cask quite full; bung it close +the following day, but leave the peg-hole open for a few days, or a +week, according to the state of the atmosphere; peg it when you think it +is fine; and if it appear to be fast approaching to clearness, and has +stood long enough for the attainment of maturity, tap it, and draw it +quickly; for porter, in cask, always requires a quick draught, and when +it gets flat bottle it off as soon as possible. + +It will improve greatly by standing a few months in the bottle.--_The +Vintner's Guide_. + + +WELSH ALE. + + +Pour forty-two gallons of water, hot, but not quite boiling, on eight +bushels of malt; cover, and let it stand three hours. In the mean time +infuse four pounds of hops in a little hot water; and put the water and +hops into the tub, and run the wort upon them, and boil them together +three hours. Strain off the hops, and keep for the small beer. Let the +wort stand in a high tub till cool enough to receive the yeast, of which +put two quarts of ale, or, if you cannot get it, of small-beer yeast. +Mix it thoroughly and often. When the wort has done working, the second +or third day the yeast will sink rather than rise in the middle; remove +it then, and turn the ale as it works out; pour a quart in at a time, +and gently, to prevent the fermentation from continuing too long, which +weakens the liquor. Put a bit of paper over the bung-hole two or three +days before stopping up.--_Ibid_. + + +MILK PUNCH. + + +Pare six oranges and six lemons, as thin as you can; grate them after +with sugar to get the flavour. Steep the peels in a bottle of rum or +brandy, stopped close, twenty-four hours; squeeze the fruit on two +pounds of sugar; add to it four quarts of water, and one of new milk, +boiling hot; stir the rum into the above, and run it through a jelly-bag +till perfectly clear. Bottle, and cork close immediately.--_Ibid_. + + +EXCELLENT LEMONADE. + + +To the rinds of ten lemons, pared very thin, put one pound of fine +loaf-sugar, and two quarts of spring-water, boiling hot; stir it to +dissolve the sugar; let it stand twenty-four hours, covered close; then +squeeze in the juice of the ten lemons; add one pint of white wine; boil +a pint of new milk, pour it hot on the ingredients; when cold, run it +through a close filtering-bag, when it will be fit for immediate +use.--_Ibid_. + + * * * * * + + + +ARTS AND SCIENCES. + + * * * * * + + +ATTRACTION. + + +Logs of wood floating in a pond approach each other, and afterwards +remain in contact. The wreck of a ship, in a smooth sea after a storm, +is often seen gathered into heaps. Two bullets or plummets, suspended by +strings near to each other, are found by the delicate test of the +torison balance to attract each other, and therefore not to hang quite +perpendicularly. A plummet suspended near the side of a mountain, +inclines towards it in a degree proportioned to its magnitude; as was +ascertained by the wellknown trials of Dr. Maskeleyne near the mountain +Skehalion, in Scotland. And the reason why the plummet tends much more +strongly towards the earth than towards the hill, is only that the earth +is larger than the hill. And at New South Wales, which is a point on our +globe nearly opposite to England, plummets hang and fall towards the +centre of the globe, exactly as they do here, so that they are hanging +up and falling towards England, and the people there are standing with +their feet towards us. Weight, therefore, is merely general attraction +acting every where. It is owing to this general attraction that our +earth is a globe. All its parts being drawn towards each other, that is, +towards the common centre, the mass assumes the spherical or rounded +form. And the moon also is round, and all the planets are round; the +glorious sun, so much larger than all these, is round; proving, that all +must at one time have been fluid, and that they are all subject to the +same law. Other instances of roundness from this cause are--the +particles of a mist or fog floating in air; these mutually attracting +and coalescing into larger drops, and forming rain; dew drops; water +trickling on a duck's wing; the tear-dropping from the cheek; drops of +laudanum; globules of mercury, like pure silver beads, coalescing when +near, and forming larger ones; melted lead allowed to rain down from an +elevated sieve, which cools as it descends, so as to retain the form of +its liquid drops, and become the spherical shot lead of the sportsman. +The cause of the extraordinary phenomenon, which we call attraction, +acts at all distances. The moon, though 240,000 miles from the earth, by +her attraction raises the water of the ocean under her, and forms what +we call the tide. The sun, still farther off, has a similar influence; +and when the sun and moon act in the same direction, we have the spring +tides. The planets, those apparently little wandering points in the +heaven, yet affect, by their attraction, the motion of our earth in her +orbit, quickening it when she is approaching them, retarding it when she +is receding.--_Arnott's Natural Philosophy._ + + * * * * * + + + +THE GATHERER + + "I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's + stuff."--_Wotton_. + + * * * * * + + +CITY FEASTING. + +The following is the bill of fare for the Court of Assistants of the +Worshipful the Company of Wax Chandlers, London, 1478:--Two loins of +veal, and two loins of mutton, 1s. 4d.; one loin of beef, 4d.; one dozen +of pigeons and one dozen of rabbits, 9d.; one pig and one capon, 1s.; +one goose and a hundred eggs, 1s. 1/2d.; one leg of mutton, 2-1/2d.; two +gallons of sack, 1s. 4d.; eight gallons of strong ale, 1s. 6d.--7s. 6d. + + * * * * * + +The fathers of the church considered the earth as a great ship, +surrounded by water, with the prow to the east and the stern to the +west. We still find in Cosmas, a monk of the fourteenth century, a sort +of geographical chart, in which, the earth has this figure. Even among +the ancients, though many of their geometricians had acknowledged the +sphericity of the globe, it was for a long time imagined that the earth +was a third longer than it was broad, and thence arose the terms of +_longitude_ and _latitude_. St. Athanasius expresses himself most warmly +against astronomers. "Let us stop the mouths of these barbarians," he +exclaims, "who, speaking without proof, dare assert that the heavens +also extend under the earth." + + * * * * * + +Augustus gave an admirable example how a person who sends a challenge +should be treated. When Marc Antony, after the battle of Actium, defied +him to single combat, his answer to the messenger who brought it was, +"Tell Marc Antony, if he be weary of life, there are other ways to end +it; I shall not take the trouble of becoming his executioner." + + * * * * * + +An Irish gentleman, whose lady had absconded from him, cautioned the +public against trusting her in these words:--"My wife has eloped from me +without rhyme or reason, and I desire no one will trust her on my +account, for I am not married to her." + + * * * * * + +The Duke of Biron heard the decree for his instant death pronounced by +the Revolutionary Tribunal, 1793, with unmoved tranquillity. On +returning to prison, his philosophy maintained that character of +Epicurean indifference which had accompanied his happier years; he +ordered some oysters and white wine. The executioner entered as he was +taking this last repast. "My friend," said the duke, "I will attend you; +but you must let me finish my oysters. You must require strength for the +business you have to perform: you shall drink a glass of wine with me." +He filled a glass for the executioner, another for the turnkey, and one +for himself, and went to the place of execution, where he met death with +the courage that distinguished almost all the victims of that fearful +period. + + * * * * * + +A Gascon boasted in every company that he was descended from so ancient +a family, that he was still paying at that very day the interest of a +sum which his ancestors had borrowed to pay their expenses when they +went to adore our Saviour at Bethlehem. + + * * * * * + +There is now living in Pontenovo, in Corsica, a shepherdess, who +successively refused the hand of Augereau, then a corporal, and of +Bernadotte, then a sergeant in that island. She little dreamt that she +was declining to be a marechale of France or the queen of Sweden! + + * * * * * + + +_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near +Somerset-House,) and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers._ + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, +AND INSTRUCTION, VOL. 10, ISSUE 269, AUGUST 18, 1827*** + + +******* This file should be named 10074.txt or 10074.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/7/10074 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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