THE HISTORY OF SIRACH.

ment, however, pervaded the whole--that of affection and respect for their common parent. This was beautifully expressed when he rose to address them--every head was bowed, and every hand covered the eyes, in solemn silence. The following is the tenor of his speech:

The goodness of Providence had been conspicuously displayed in the prosperity of Sirach. Sirach was a rich merchant at Bassoro; to the extensive trade of which place his own exertions had greatly contributed, by im'I am about to leave you my children. A porting commodities from the different parts of India, such as gold, brocade, sandal wood, motive which I cannot resist, calls me from china ware, and spices; sending them in amongst you. To explain it further to you boats up the Tigris, and then transporting would only gratify an idle curiosity, without them by caravans to Tocat, Aleppo, Dam-altering its consequences--at all events, as it ascus, and the western parts of Persia; re-regards you, it is only an anticipation, perceiving in return bullion, copper, steel, furs, haps a very short one, of what must one velvets, and otto of roses. By this inter-day happen. Suppose this event about to change, carried on for a number of years, take place, and look for the last time on an Sirach had acquired such an extensive pro-whose heart has ever been for your unanimity, affectionate parent, the most earnest wish of perty that he was considered as the richest merchant of the East. The amount already virtue, and happiness. gained, gave the facility of obtaining more; and thus proceeding in an increased ratio, the wealth of Sirach seemed to have no

limits.

But whilst Sirach was the envy of his rivals, and the admiration of the rest of the world, a sudden alteration in his disposition and views took place, and led to an alteration in his life and conduct, which astonished all who knew him. He resolved to withdraw himself from his merchandise, his country, his family, and his friends, and to retire to some place where he might pass the remainder of his days uninterrupted and unknown. The cause of this rash determination gave rise to great discussion, and every one judged of it according to his own disposition, or the opinion he had formed of the character of the man. Some supposed that he was satiated by a long course of prosperity, and chose rather to exert himself in voluntary difficulties, than pine away in sickly enjoyment. Others supposed that he meant to devote himself to religious observances ;' whilst a third party imagined that he had formed some love attachment, to the enjoyment of which he had determined to sacrifice every other object.

Which of these, or whether any of these were well founded, cannot be ascertained; as Sirach never could be induced to impart to any one the slightest hint either as to the object of his departure, or the place where he finally meant to take up his abode.

However this may be, he announced to the different branches of his numerous family, his orders that they should assemble together on a certain day, when it was his intention to lay before them some matters which deeply regarded their future destiny. His children accordingly met at the time and place appointed, forming of themselves a considerable assembly, various in age, sex, person, and character, as the children of various mothers may be supposed to be. One general senti

spring of my loins, and all I possess shall be equally divided amongst you. In return, I command you that ye love one another, considering that you are the children of one common parent, who has regarded you with equal affection, and provided impartially for you all. If your brother be in distress, comfort him-if he be in poverty relieve him--if he be sick and in prison, visit him. My family is indeed numerous, but the wealth I have acquired is great, and to each of you I leave an ample competence. Take care not to diminish it; but be not anxious to increase it. Be assured that wealth alone cannot confer happiness; on temperance in the accumulation of selfish principle, depends the happiness of riches, or rather in the due regulation of the the community; where some mously rich, many must be lamentably poor. I wish my family to be as nearly on state of human affairs will admit. This end an equality in this respect, as the uncertain can only be accomplished by cultivating the social virtues; wherever your various destinations may lead you, never wholly lose sight of each other; those who have a superfluity thus the bonds of affection will be strengthmay thus provide for those who are in want--ened, and my family will become a family of

love.'

are

enor

The assembly then dispersed, and Sirach soon afterwards took his departure from Bassora, in a vessel which he had prepared for that purpose. On examining into the state of his affairs, it appeared he had made the most exact arrangements for the equal distribution of his wealth, so that each of his children received his portion without either diminution or delay.

The surprise occasioned by this determination of Sirach was soon over. In a few weeks it appeared as if he were actually dead, and his descendants entered on the enjoyment of his property, as if this had in fact been the

The effects of this awful visitation might have been still greater, had it not been for the skill of an eminent physician, whose advice seemed to be an antidote, and whose touch a remedy for the disease. He was called Ali Mohammed, and had resided for a long time at the court of Persia, whence he had brought the most respectable recommendations. The means which he had adopted to stay the plague, were fully communicated by him to his fellow practitioners, and in a little time the city was relieved from its terrors and its distress.

It may readily be supposed, that a person who had conferred such a benefit on society was dear to his fellow citizens. If we hold

in veneration the man who is skilled in the who is qualified to save? His society was art of destruction, what shall we say of him

courted-his affluence was secured--his statue server of the city; in which he professed his was erected; and he was hailed as the preintention of taking up his permanent abode.

The leisure which he now enjoyed gave him an opportunity of enquiring into the circumstances which, so many years before, had atSirach, and the various fortunes of his nutended the singular story of the departure of merous descendants---some of them he found in great prosperity, filling the highest offices of others he found had been executed for their the city, administering justice to the peoplecrimes, or had languished out their days in hospitals, and penitentiaries---some had distinguished themselves as orators, pocts, or literary characters; others were living in peaceful insignificance;whilst no inconsiderable number were indeavouring to obtain a precarious livelihood, and support a wretched family by the most unremitting labour, and the most irksome servitude.

These enquiries he continued for a considerable length of time. As he proceeded, additional information poured in on him from all quarters; till at length he became fully acquainted with the causes which had led to these results, and with the conduct and character of most of the individuals whom Sirach had left at the time of his departure from his native place.

At this period a notice suddenly appeared

and light and shade, in songs of passion, consequently augmented. In every other respect the quality of tone is fine and rich, and the quantity abundant. Force therefore is the less necessary, and force moreover is always fatal, sooner or later, to intonation, the first of all acquired qualifications. At present Mr. Sapio's performance is creditably correct in this particular, but not so invariably accurate as to secure him against the dangers incident to the use of extraordinary exertion. We cannot too often present to the mind of singers, that perfect intonation is more the consequence of wellconducted practice establishing a habit than of natural perception. Delicacy of organic structure does indeed minister to the formation of a habit of precision, but dependence is safely given to habit alone. Nor is quantity of tone so much concerned with effect as quality and pure intonation.

Mr. Sapio appears to inherit from nature a quick and lively apprehension. He is a declamatory singer, and his manner is more rhetorical and effective than that of most concert singers, without the strong and generally offensive manner of those accustomed to tread the boards of a theatre, where every thing must of course be as prominent and characteristic as possible. Hence such singers have frequently a coarseness both of style and execution, which carries the colouring too high. What we are most disposed to quarrel with in Mr. Sapio we shall however find here. His method of taking and leaving notes sometimes very abruptly, and his too strong and too frequent use of portamento, is in the faulty and unfinished manner of Mr. Braham's theatrical school, and whether adopted for declamatory effect or used through carelessness, is alike indefensible, and detracts from that polish which is the most admirable and indeed the only proof of taste and high science.

TO "P,"

CORRESPONDENCE.

SIR,-The authenticity of the first five chapters of Genesis, I feel no inclination to defend; but allowing them to be the work of Moses, you seem to invalidate my rendering of the word void, because (according to your last letter) I acknowledge it is impossible to conceive how, in opposition to the laws of gravity, the earth could assume the figure of a hollow sphere; now, I never remember acknowledging the impossibility of our conceiving, though I have done of our being certain, on the subject; indeed, if you will consult the works of Burnet, Whiston, and other eminent writers, you will find several ways assigned, in which the earth might become hollow at the creation, and though these are but " speculative opinions," you must consider that what you advance respecting the solidity of the earth is the same.

However, if the existence of subterranean waters be proved, that of a place to contain them must necessarily follow.

By your speaking of credulity, you seem to disbelieve that such a phenomenon as the deluge ever took place; if it be so, or if you believe in a supernatural destruction of the waters causing it, no proofs can be gathered in support of my opinion from that

event.

I think you will allow that more water runs into the ocean, (by rivers, &c.) than can be held in solution, or supported by the air; and as the sea by these additions, does not sensibly increase, the waters must have some subterranean place where they accumulate, and from whence they again visit the surface of the earth by means of springs; else, what be

comes of the surplus of river water? and whence do springs originate?

| and well, and has some advantages of person; as to his acting, I always looked upon it as coming tardy off' or an outdoing termagant,' but · Dus aliter visum,' and I wont dispute about tastes with them.

But when I reflect on the unanimous approbation which we once bestowed on Mr. Vandenhoff, I am surprised at the present dereliction from a standard avowedly so excellent and correct. We all remember how highly he was thought of, both here and in Liverpool, before he went to London, and I don't see why the prejudiced and capricious judgment of a London audience should cause us to change our opinions ;especially as the very wise gentleman in the stage box the other night told us we were quite as enlightened as they are, which we shall go well nigh to disprove, on our own admission, if we give up our ancient sentiments in compliment to what they have decreed. However Mr. Salter is re-engaged, and I suppose we must suffer him to strut and fret his hour upon the stage,' but you may depend upon it he will soon be heard no more.'

Dr. Withering, you say, found the thermometer stand at 49° in a well 84 feet deep, this is very probable, as a cold stratum or region of earth has to be passed before the hot one is attained. As you seem to doubt an internal fire, I refer you to a tract on the subject, written by Mr. Boyle, where you will find several instances stated, in which it was necessary, before descending into the earth, to put off part of the clothes, the heat being so great, as almost to hinder respiration under the incumbrance of a common suit; but these places were much deeper than 84 feet. Without you can account for this heat in a satisfactory manner, I must certainly consider it as proceeding from a central fire, therefore establishing the existence of one; and, if this be done, I believe you will not ask how a fluid comes to congregate, whose natural disposition is to separate; even Sir Isaac Newton never tells us how the earth gravitates towards the sun; he adduces facts, to explain which gravitation must be supposed, and this by all philosophers has been considered as sufficient proof that such power exists. I hope you will allow me, in a like manner, to prove a central fire, without asking how it exists. "You most ignorantly attribute," non-combustion, at certain depths, solely to the presence of carbonic acid, whereas Mr. Boyle, (to whose opinion I hope you will pay a little deference, this THE full and detailed Report of the Proceedings not being a "speculative" matter,) asserts that at certain depths the air was so rarified by heat that it would not support combustion, therefore some other cause than carbonic acid, will produce in wells, &c. the effect of non-combustion. LAPIS.

P. S. The sentence, on which you learnedly introduced the two Latin words, was certainly a nonsensical one.

To" A FRIEND,”

DEAR SIR. You will be disappointed to find me again addressing you upon the subject, which we have been discussing; but, as my present remarks will be merely explanatory of my last letter, certain parts of which have been misunderstood, I trust this intrusion will be forgiven.

With respect to the term spectrum, I did not mean, in my last, to call it an unphilosophical term; but merely to object to your application of it. I objected to the passage, in which you used the term spontaneous, because I have always considered that term to imply the immediate operation of the will. That my ideas respecting these terms are correct, I shall not now endeavour to establish, as you appear desirous of closing the discussion of the subject. Regretting that our correspondence terminates thus unsatisfactorily, I subscribe myself,

Your's most respectfully,

0.

Ham.-Do the boys carry it away?
Ros.-Ay, that they do, my lord; Hercules and his load too.
Ham.-Is it not very strange; for my uncle is King of Den-

mark; and those, that would make months at him
while my father lived, give twenty, forty, fifty, an
hundred ducats a-piece, for his picture in little.

TO THE EDITOR,

SIR,--The proposal in your last paper, for engraving and publishing by subscription the portrait of Salter, by Minasi, appears to me exceedingly absurd.

way

DING DONG.

This Day is Published,
Price 10s. 6d.

And sold by ROBINSON and ELLIS,
No. 7, St. Ann's Place, Manchester,

on the Trial at Lancaster, in the cause REDFORD V. BIRLEY and OTHERS, taken from the Short-hand Notes of MR. FARQUHARSON, with a Plan of St. Peter's Field. May 18, 1822.

FINE ARTS.

THE Admirers of the Fine Arts will be happy to learn, that the first number of a very interesting publication, entitled the VIENNA. GALLERY, comprising a Series of finely executed ENGRAVINGS, from the rich collection of Paintings in the BELVEDERE at VIENNA, are at length arrived in this country. A Prospectus and Specimens may be seen at Messrs. ROBINSON and ELLIS's, No. 7, ST. ANN'S PLACE, who are appointed AGENTS for the sale of the Work in Manchester and its Vicinity. 7, St. Ann's Place, May 18, 1822.

THEATRE ROYAL, MANCHESTER.

MISS M. HAMMERSLEY, with feelings of the most lively gratitude for the indulgence and encouragethe honour of appearing before a Manchester andience, and ment she has received, during the Four Seasons she has had relying solely upon the patronage of a generous and liberal Public, begs to announce that her Benefit is fixed-for countenance and support which it will ever be her pride to acknowledge, and her study to deserve. On MONDAY, MAY 20th, 1822, will be performed, (by particular desire) Morton's admired Musical Play of the SLAVE. In the course of the Play, the favourite songs of "Pity the Slave," "The Mocking Bird," and "The Soldier tired of War's Alarms," by Miss M. HAMMERSLEY. "Oh, Mary turn those Eyes Away" "My Native Highland Home," and "The Birth of Liberty," by MR. LARKIN. To which will be added the Comic Interlude of SYLVESTER DAGGERWOOD. To conclude with the favorite Barletta (not acted these four years) called MIDAS; in the course of which will be introduced the Songs of “Lo. ely Nymph," "Love among the Roses," and "Pray Goody," by MR. LARKIN; and "Charlie is my Darling," by Miss M. HAMMERSLEY.

Monday the 20th instant, when she ventures to solicit that

Tickets to be had of Miss M. HAMMERSLEY, No. 41, George street; and of Mr. ELAND, at the Theatre, where Places for the Boxes may be taken.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. J.'s communication has been received, and shall have our earliest attention.-Will the author favour us with an interview?

The friends of Mr. Salter have undoubtedly a right to act any foolish part they may think proper, and I of their have no wish to throw any obstacle in the follies, or of the emolument which that gentleman is expected to derive from them. I must, however, We have to acknowledge communications from Juprotest against this act of private admiration and partiality being imputed to the discrimination and feelings of the whole community.

For my own part I cannot understand how it has been deserved by Mr. Salter, who certainly was never so marvellously accounted of, until a garbled | statement of his ill usage imposed on the pity and credulity of our simple hearted town. I have seen him very often, and have certainly been pleased in seeing him, for he generally dresses appropriately

venus.-L.-T. V.-R. S.-Poor Richard J. G. -Antoninus.-An Old Man.-Juliet.-Q - Mercury, and Antiquarius.

Manchester: Printed, Published, and Sold, by the Proprietors, HENRY SMITH AND BROTHERS, St. Ann's Square, to whom all Communications (post paid) must be addressed. Sold also by all the Booksellers in Manchester and the neighbouring towns.

FOR THE IRIS.

ANECDOTES AND FATE OF GENIUS.

IN a former number some observations were inserted on the "Fate of Genius," from which it seems to bave been the writer's aim, to shew the causes of misfortune incident to learned men, and the effect different eras have had, in forwarding or discouraging their attempts to improve and enlighten their illiterate contemporaries; and, in a preceding number, "ZENO" has introduced some remarks upon their poverty, and given some names illustrative of his subject. It is not my intention to enter into any further discussion of what either of them has said, but to notice some additional anecdotes of genius, which, though they may be known to some readers, to others may be novel and interesting. It should be observed, that I have not entirely adhered to a relation of adversity, being unwilling to indulge too much in descriptions of human wretchedness; and as pleasure and amusement are governed by opposites, and not by one continued sameness, which would tend only to weary and fatigue us, I have intermixed anecdotes of the literati to whom fortune has been propitious, with those of others whose lives have been composed of bitterness and misery.

Homer, the first poet and beggar of note, as Goldsmith designates him, amongst the ancients, was blind, and went about the states of Greece, and those adjoining, chaunting his rhapsodies to a throng of villagers collected around him, like a ballad-singer of the present day, but it is observed that his mouth was more frequently filled with verses than with bread. Plato banished his writings out of his commonwealth, as did also Socrates, because they did not esteem ordinary men competent readers of them. The witty and elegant Plautus, the comic poet, was, it is observed, better off; for he had two trades, he was a poet for his diversion, and turned a hand-mill, as slave to a baker, in order to earn a subsistence. Hesiod could arrive at no higher fortune than tending flocks on mount Helicon. Sappho, the tender and love-sick Sappho, threw herself from a precipice into the sea, under an idea that if she escaped, it would cure her of an amorons propensity she entertained for Phaon, and perished. Simonides, the most pathetic writer of antiquity, prostituted his talents to serve great men's turns, for a small reward. Yet it is observed, that Hiero, King of Syracuse, got more by Simonides' acquaintance, than Simonides did by his. The answer he is mentioned as having given to this Prince, on his asking him who God was, is much celebrated. The poet desired a day to consider the question proposed to him, on the morrow he asked two days; and whenever he was called upon for his answer he doubled the time. The King, surprised at this behaviour, demanded his reason for it. "It is," replied simonides, because the more I consider the question the more obscure it seems.". Quia quanto d'utius considero tanto wili res videtur obscurior. He is celebrated for his memory, and

SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1822.

repeated long passages of Homer, sitting in the public theatre on a seat erected for him on the stage for that purpose.

Esop was a slave, and a little ugly deformed fellow, of very uncomely countenance, having scarcely the figure of a man, and was for a very considerable time almost without the use of speech. One of his masters could not bear to see him, but beat him into the fields to be out of his sight. He was sold to Xanthus, a philosopher; who one day wishing to treat some of his friends, ordered Esop to provide the best things he could find in the market. Esop made a large provision of tongues, and desired the cook to serve them up with different sauces. When dinner came, the first and second course, the last service, and all the made dishes, were tongues. "Did I not order you," said Xanthus, in a violent passion," to buy the best victuals the market afforded?" "And have I not obeyed your orders?" said Esop, "Is there any thing better than tongues? Is not the tongue the bond of civil society, the key of sciences, and the organ of truth and reason? By means of tongues cities are built, and governments established and administered; with that men instruct, persuade, and preside in assemblies: it is the instrument by which we acquit ourselves of the chief of all our duties, the praising and aduring the gods." "Well then," replied Xanthus, thinking to catch him, "go to market again to-morrow, and buy me the worst things you can find; this same company will dine with me, and I have a mind to diversify my entertainment." Esop the next day provided nothing but the very same dishes; telling his master that the tongue was the very worst thing in the world. "It is," says he, "the instrument of all strife and contention, the fomenter of law-suits, and the source of divisions and wars; it is the organ of error, of lies, of calumny and blasphemy."

His prototype, and distributor of his wit among the Romans, Phædrus, who, for elegance and simplicity, is unrivalled, was also doomed to slavery.

WEEKLY.

PRICE 3ld.

to need repetition, and whose name, Xantippe, is a bye word for an ill-tempered partner of a hen-pecked husband. Abroad he had to contend with the passions and jealousy of his countrymen ; who, in return for the greatest gifts man can bestow upon his fellows, that is, treating their children as a father would his own family, pointing out to them the way to true enjoyment in this life, by punctually observing what is right and just, and teaching them to venerate their country, cruelly poisoned him. So fickle were they, that they afterwards put to death or banished most of his judges, for doing what they had arged them to. So blind is an infuriated multitude!* Scaliger said he never read the account of Socrates' death in Plato's Phædon, but he wept.

Democritus was blind, withered, and ugly. Archilochus, the inventor of Iambic verse, was a satirist, severe and even cruel in the extreme. The tragical story of Lycambes is a striking proof of the power of his satire, and of the unrelenting nature of his disposition. Lycambes had promised him his daughter Neobule, in marriage; but an offer from a person of superior rank and fortune occurring in the interim, the father forgot the Poet, and presented the fair one to the wealthy suitor. Inflamed with indignation and revenge, the irritated bard dipped his pen in gall, and poured forth such a torrent of invective on the miserable Lycambes and his family, that in despair he committed suicide, and terminated his life by a halter; an example which, it is said, all his daughters unhappily imitated, unable to support the defamation with which the disappointed Poet had overwhelmed them. Archilochus fell in battle, by the hand of Calondas, who immolated his own son to the manes of the Poet, to attone the vengeance of Apollo.

Pindar, whose powers of harmony were matchless, our fair readers will be gratified to hear, was greatly indebted to the ladies, for he studied with Myrtis, who distinguished herself by her lyric poetry, and was afterwards under the tuition of the beautiful and accomplished Corinna, who five times snatched the victory from her pupil, in the public contests of Greece.

Of Thespis it is related that, at the commencement of his career, Solon hindered him from acting his tragedies, thinking those feigned representations of no use, and having seen one, but disliking the manner of it, he forbade him to act any more.

Socrates, whose morality and virtue were extolled and had much occasion for the patience, resignation, to the highest, was purblind, long-legged, and hairy, humility and meekness, he is described to have possessed in the extreme. At home he was subjected to the frowns and churlishness of a shrewish wife, one of whose greetings of him is so well known as not

How forcibly do the sentiments of the late Dr. Franklin on reading accounts similar to the above, of the passions to which popular states are subject. "We assemble Parliaments aud Conncils," says he, " to have the benefit of their time, the inconvenience of their collected passions, preju collected wisdom, but we necessarily have, at the same dices, and private interests. By the help of these, artful men overpower their wisdom, and dupe its possessors: and upon earth;" and Montesquieu, shewing their over-heated if we may judge by the acts, arrets, and edicts, all the world over, an assembly of wise men is the greatest fool zeal, too great remissness, and too great violence, in their enterprizes, observes, in his laconic style, that "sometimes with a hundred thousand arms they overturn all before them, and sometimes with a hundred thousand feet they creep like insects."