should think that this little piece beautifully sung would waken a slumbering mind to its fullest energies.

ASPIRATIONS OF YOUTH.

Higher, higher will we climb,

Up the mount of glory,

That our names may live through time,

In our country's story;
Happy, when her welfare calls,
He who conquers, he who falls.
Deeper, deeper, let us toil

In the mines of knowledge;
Nature's wealth and Learning's spoil,
Win from school and college;
Delve we there for richer gems,
Than the stars of diadems.
Onward, onward, may we press,
Through the path of duty.
Virtue is true happiness,

Excellence true beauty;
Minds are of celestial birth,
Make me then a heav'n of earth.
Closer, closer, let us knit

Hearts and bands together,
Where our fireside comforts sit,
In the wildest weather:
O, they wander wide, who roam
For the joys of life from home.
Nearer, dearer bands of love,
Draw our souls in union,
To our father's house above,
To the saints' communion:
Thither ev'ry hope ascend,
There may all our labours end.

The music consists of an animating strain, like the War song. The succeeding verses are in the nature of variations, which are introduced either upon the melody itself, or into the accompaniment, and each is concluded with a chorus-a repetition of the last bars of the air with a different accompaniment.

Having thus given every word of this interesting publication, our readers may suppose that they need not seek the work elsewhere; but if they suppose that, admiring it, they can do without the music, they are mistaken. The words are so married to the music, that in reading they seem to pine for that voice which gives them feeling, force, and spirit. The Airs are beautifully selected, and most skilfully arranged; and we only wish that Mr. Hasse, who by this work so forcibly proves his power, would not stay here, but, seeking other melodies, and inspiring his present companion, would lay other delightful songs at the feet of Polyhymnia. (Lon. Mag.)

THE RURAL CHRONICLE, APRIL, 1822.

Frost, Esq. and

Departures. For the north; suite, amongst whom we noticed Messrs Woodcock, Fieldfare, Redwing. &c. &c. &c.

Arrivals.—Early in the month, Mr. and Mrs. Swallaw; family expected to follow soon.-N. B. Mr. and Mrs. S. go out very little as yet.

The Messrs Blackbird and Thrush have begun to give their annual concerts for the season.

Their respective ladies are "at home." The musical foreigner of distinction-the Signor Cuckoo-whose favourite cantatas are so repeatedly encored-be is said to be on the look-out for lodgings

Dr. and Mrs. Rook have made great progress in their new dwelling, which is built on the old site. The Wren family, so famous in the annals of anehi tecture, have lately designed some edifices, which shew them to be as skilful as ever in that admirable

art.

Court News.-Gazette Extraordinary. Yesterday, her serene highness, Queen Flora, held her first drawing-room this season; which was most numerously attended. The court opened soon aftersun. Mr. Sky-lark was in waiting to announce the company. The Misses Daisy were the earliest visitors, after which arrivals were constant.

Messrs Bugle, Broom, Lilac, Orchis, Periwinkle, Ranunculus, Stellaria, &c. &c. all richly and tastefully

attired.

The numerous family of the Anemones paid their devoirs early-these elegantes were variously habited. Some wore rich scarlet bodices, others purple and green train. The Misses A., in robes of simple white and green, almost surpassed in beauty their more splendid relatives.

The Miss Violets-on their return to the countryintroduced by the Ladies Primrose. The amiable and modest appearance of the former was much noticed --the costume of each party was thought very becoming, and skilfully assorted to set off the colours and

weighty arguments; but they have always omitted one, viz. the attention we pay in this age to Dancing.

Aware that the necessary abstruseness and flatness of my subject may betray me into perplexity, I shall endeavour, for the sake of a lucidus ordo, to arrange my remarks under different heads. And 1st, let me say that there is no art so ANCIENT as dancing. I think it will be allowed by every thinking mind, that man was created with legs. What then can be more natural than to suppose that he put these legs to some use? I may be bold in the assertion, but I must be allowed to say that it is my unalterable opinion, that the first pas seul was danced by Adam in Paradise. Almost all the old Hebrew worthies shone in the dance; Moses was a renowned figurante, and David is almost as well known for his dancing as for his playing. We have often heard of a young lady's dancing a man's heart awaya Hebrew damsel danced a man's head off his shoulders. But let not my reader think that the Jews were the only cultivators of this science. The Egytians have been long celebrated for their progress, nor did Cadmus fail to teach it to Greece, when he taught her every thing else. The Pyrrhic dance, with all its varieties, has been long in the mouths of the learned. Theseus and Numa both invented dances, and led off the first couple themselves. When Rome was mistress of the world, when her civilization flourished most, then dancing shone brightest. Pylades and Bathyllus drew the world after them. Rome fell, and lamed the dancers with the falling rubbish. The barbarian Tiberius banished dancing from Rome: no wonder that after ages have looked upon him as a monster. When Domitian grew wicked, dancers fell into disrepute with him. When the lamp of civilization was supplied with new oil by the Italians in the 15th cenMessrs Blackthorn, Pear, Apple, &c. &c. crowd-tury, then and there did the dance: elate the ed round their sovereign, eager to pay their dutiful legs of its votaries. homage: they made a magnificent show in rich suits of white, red, and green.

charms of each.

The Miss Blue Bells, robes of azure tissue, much admired for the sylph-like elegance, of their forms.

The beautiful Germander family, with their neverto-be-forgotten eyes of heavenly blue, attracted uni

versal attention.

The arrival of the Rose family was anxiously expected.

The Miss Cowslips were presented-it has been the fashion to call them the "pretty rustics;" but they were most graciously received, and the delicate propriety of their dress and manners much admired.

The Lady Cardamines-costumes of the finest linen. The simplicity of this novel style of dress was thought very bewitching.

Mrs. Tulip-body and train of crimson and gold. This truly grand dress had a superb effect.

Messrs Chesnut, Oak, Birch, Lime, &c. &c. sported new bright green liveries.

The company were greatly delighted with a concert of vocal music from a large party of the best performers in the neighbourhood, consisting wholly

of amateurs.

In this belle assemblee it has been whispered that radical principles had been very generally disseminated, though studiously kept out of sight.

The good order and obedience to the laws of their

曾

But, 2nd, let me hasten to prove that Danc ing is WISE :

1. Dancing is exercise.

2. Exercise is serviceable to life.
Ergo, Dancing is serviceable to life..
1. Dancing is serviceable to life.

2. Whatever is serviceable to life, is wise.
Ergo, Dancing is WISE.

By these two simple syllogisms, I have no doubt set the matter at rest with every think ing mind; but I will even go farther. Pallas, the goddess of Wisdom, is said to have invented the dance; but as this rests upon rather slender testimony, and as I myself think, with Diodorus Siculus, that a king of Phrygia had this honour, I shall not press it; but it is a

Queen, for which the attendants on this court are remarkable, is the best refutation of every calumny. We are happy to add, that though in so large and mixed an assembly, many individuals must have been unavoidably thrown into the shade, yet no umbrage was taken, and the evening concluded with the utmost harmony, the parties continuing together till the shadows of evening; when, having partaken of a few drops of a light and charming beverage, (the receipt of which is not to be found in Mrs. Rundell), the court broke up; but not before the widow Nightin-hornpipe after the defeat of the Titans. Sogale (who had joined the performers of the morning) had been entreated to favour the company with a song that well-bred lady instantly complied, and poured upon the ears of her delighted auditors one of her most heart-thrilling melodies.

well-known fact that the Goddess danced a

crates learnt to dance of Aspasia. Homer makes all his heroes good dancers; so does Hesiod. Solomon (than whom no one was more capable of judging) has expressly assigned a time to mourn and a time to dance. Plato has not disdained to write about it, and divides it into three heads; and a learned Professor of philosophy at Dantzic has given to the world a dissertation on it as late as 1782. The President Montesquieu, and Helvetius, both knew what the esprit of the dance was. Professor Porson was a great dancer in his earlier days. It is also curious that the most rational animals, the dog and the elephant,

FOR THE IRIS.

"THE CLUB." No. X.-FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1822.

Perituræ parcite chartæ-JUVENAL.

WHITSUN-WEEK is, with respect to amusement, by far the most eventful portion of the Manchester year. The Races at Kersal-moor of as much anticipation and recollection, as are, to an inhabitant of this town, an object the Carnival is to the gay people of Venice. The busy note of preparation is heard long before the period of enjoyment arrives; and the various modes in which it is exhibited are, to an observer, sufficiently amusing. The good house-wife cleans her rooms, and polishes her furniture with unusual nicety: the rich man beautifies his house, and the poor man whitewashes his cellar: the calculating shopkeeper paints his window with the gayest colours, and arranges his prints and ribbons in the most tasteful manner: the knowing ones of all classes visit the Moor to inspect the turf, and study, with deep attention, the racing calendar, and the list of all the running horses. For a time the character of our population undergoes a change. Salesmen and bookkeepers forget their business while they are making bets. Even the shop-boys dispute about the merits of the respective racers; and you may hear a chimney-sweep venturing his three-half-pence on the Doge of Venice, or a factory-lad laying two to one on Anti-Radical. To make a proper appearance at so important a season, is, of course, the general endeavour. New clothes at Whitsuntide are as necessary as mince pies at Christmas. Never do the young folk take so much pains to appear charming in each others' eyes, as during the race-week. It is certain that our fair townswomen never look so generally lovely as at this period. The general hilarity diffuses itself even to those whose principles forbid their participating in the common pastimes of the week; and while the gay world of Manchester becomes still more gay; a chastened and sweet expression of pleasure may be observed beaming on countenances which, however beautiful, are generally grave.

On the subject of going to the races, there exists in our society, that difference of opinion which is always to be found in a company composed, like ours, of persons of different ages, and different religious opinions. Our dissenters condemn, and our churchmen tolerate, the practice. Our young members can

see no harm, our seniors can discover no good, in being present at a race. In the course of the ten years during which most of us have associated, we have found even those who theoretically allow the amusement, become less and less attached to it; and either ceasing to attend altogether, or going, occasionally, on one only, of the three days.

very

Advertisements.-The last column of the Iris is open to such advertisements only as are of a Literary or Scientific nature, comprising Education, Institutions, Sales of Libraries, &c.

PRICE 34d.

We set out in good time that we might not be incommoded by numbers. Gentle rain, just sufficient to lay the dust, and to restore the hedges to their usual verdure, fell as we proceeded. We all felt that cheerfulness which generally attends an agreeable walk in fine weather, and our old gentleman, after a little time, was unusually pleasant. The people who were at the same time proceeding smart appearance and orderly conduct of the good humour; though the Doctor desired him to the Moor, contributed not a little to his from the town. to observe that they were almost all people

Since the commencement of our paper, however, we have thought it necessary to extend our observations, and to be occasionally present at all places of public resort. How, if we did not observe their amusements, and indeed, should we faithfully delineate mankind, their follies, as well as their graver pursuits. Remarks of this kind, and some merriment It has been for some time agreed amongst us, occasioned by the coarse, but good-humoured that the races were entitled to a paper; and jokes, which were every now and then exwe have been obliged to have recourse to some changed by the people around us, brought us management, in order to prevail upon the very agreeably to the race-ground. The rain President to be present for that purpose. The had by this time ceased, and when we had old gentleman is a churchman, pious, and entaken our station on the rising ground behind tertaining a very high opinion of the dignity the grand stand, the whole landscape was of his profession as a schoolmaster. He at illuminated by the splendour of an unclouded first received our request that he would go sun. This is not the place to dwell upon the to the races with an absolute refusal: but it beauty of the prospect which is there presented fortunately happens, that a dispute has for to the eye of the spectator, and which was some time existed between him, and one of then extended before us, fresh with the recent the members, who is a physician, as to the com- shower, and bright with the reflected sunparative effects of manufactures and agricul- beams. Our attention was directed to the ture upon the health and morals of those who living scene more immediately around us, to are engaged in them. The Doctor is of opi- the vast crowd of human beings, most of nion, with some of his brethren who were whom appeared eager for enjoyment, and gay examined before the House of Lords on the with anticipated pleasure. As our President, Cotton Factory question; and maintains notwithstanding his grave and magisterial apstoutly, that neither the long time they are pearance, is a person of great good nature, kept at work, nor the heated atmosphere they he appeared much pleased with the cheerfulbreathe, is at all injurious to the health of the ness of those around him, and his goodpersons employed in spinning. As he is a humour discovered itself by a vivacity of exsubtle reasoner, and has considered the sub-pression which he does not generally exhibit. ject with attention, he has frequently got the better of the President in their contests on this head; and the old gentleman has been obliged to appeal to experience, in order to avoid a complete triumph on the part of his antagonist. We took advantage of this circumstance, to represent to the disputants that the race-ground would afford the best opportunity of comparing the effects of manufactures and agriculture; as great numbers of persons, both from town and country would be present, and would, by their appearance and behaviour, enable us to determine the question. With some reluctance on the part of the President, it was at length agreed that he should visit the Moor. Friday, as being the day on which the country people are generally most numerous, was chosen for this expedition; and the Doctor, Mr. Medium the Secretary, and the nephew of our friend the tradesman, accompanied the President.

As we had some time to spare before the commencement of the race, we left the eminence, and walked down to the entrance of the course. This movement gave the President an opportunity of triumph which he did not suffer to escape him. A band of country people, consisting of stout young fellows, and ruddy young women, came up the course at the same moment with a group of both sexes, whose pale visage, slender figures, and, in one or two cases, distorted limbs, left no doubt of the nature of their employment. Behold," said the old gentleman, seizing the arm of the Doctor, "behold a complete refutation of your fine system. Look at the well-knit limbs, and muscular forms, of this brave peasantry; look at the glowing health, and sparkling eyes, of these females; and then look at the contrary appearance of the manufacturing classes. Yes, Sir," continued he, still more earnestly, "this perfection of manly health is the result

of moderate labour in the open air; a country life is the life best suited to man; agriculture is the best support of the greatness and happiness of nations. In the country we still find the strength and the virtue of our ancestors. It is in the rural cottage that peace, and purity of manners, driven by the avarice and the vices of trade, from our towns and cities, may still be found. It is--"

As the old gentleman grew warmer while he proceeded, he would perhaps have dwelt for some time longer on the purity and virtues of the country, but at this part of his harangue, a country fellow, whose hat was covered with wedding ribbons, made a snatch at a red-faced girl, just behind our friend, (addressing her at the same time in terms of gross indecency) and being much more than half-drunk, came reeling against the President so violently, that but for the timely support of Mr. Medium, he must have fallen on the ground.

The Doctor also assisted his friend, but could not refrain from making, at the same time, some satyrical remarks on the pure morals of the peasantry, to which the old gentleman was in no haste to reply. He was, however, somewhat relieved from the mortification which he evidently felt, by the preparations which were now made to clear the course, and which obliged us to move towards a stand. Two or three of the unhappy women who live by prostitution, happening to pass us in our way thither, he pointed them out to the Doctor, and enquired if THEY came from the country? but was too much chagrined by his recent interruption to reply, in any other way, to the remarks of his opponent.

Our disputants had neither of them found his theory so fully confirmed, as to have much cause of triumph; and both now appeared willing to decline further controversy. The number of people who were visible from the stand, gave rise to some remarks on the army of Xerxes; which were followed, after the race began, by a conversation on the Olympic games, and the races of the ancients. As both the President and the Doctor are familiar with the classics, the latter repeated some verses of Pindar, to which his friend replied by a quotation from Homer, very much to the amusement, if not to the edification, of some young persons who sat near us; and whom the President, as he told us afterwards, was much inclined to have reproved for their ill-manners in laughing while he spoke.

Having staid during a single race, we left the Moor, and went to the house of a friend, who lives near the entrance of the town, on the road from the race-ground. As there is no meeting of the Club in Whitsun-week, we spent the evening with this gentleman, and amused ourselves after tea, by observing, from his window, the people who were returning.

I wish I could draw a veil over this part of our observations. We were astonished to see so many persons who were intoxicated; to witness the frequent quarrels which took place; to hear the profane and abusive language which was made use of; and to observe the mingled air of fatigue, disgust, and illhumour, which appeared on so many countenances that, in the morning, had been lighted up with eager expectation.

Alas! said the President, drawing in his head, and sighing, as a drunken woman reeled past the window, can scenes like these give pleasure?

R. H.

OBSERVATIONS

On the Countries of Congo and Loango, as

in 1790.-(Continued from our last.)

By Mr. Maxwell, author of the Letters to Mungo Park, &c. Antelope.-The Antelope is about the size of the common deer. As an article of food,

it contributes much to the support of the inhabitants. The flesh is prepared and seasoned with Palm-oil, salt, and Cayenne pepper, and is then called Sylla mamba. The skin is used for various purposes.

The Antelopes are seen at times in such immense herds, as almost to exceed belief. Once, about the middle of November, when dropping down the river, I was gratified with a most interesting sight; the whole country between Taddi-lem Weenga and Ganga Empeenda, a distance of five leagues, was covered several rounds of canister shot at them, but with Antelopes down to the river. We fired apparently without effect. The mountains on this bending reach of the river, recede consider ably inland, forming a beautiful amphitheatre, over the sloping surface of which the Antelopes had spread themselves. Were I, at a venture, to estimate their numbers at 30,000, I should conceive myself far within bounds; for that would not give 600 to a square mile,- -a small number considering the appearance they made. It must be remembered, however, that, as seen from the ship, their numbers appeared to the greatest possible advantage; but, on the other hand, we may suppose that the undulations of the ground concealed many of them

from view.

With the exception of a clump of aged trees here and there, which gave a high finishing to the landscape, the whole of this slope was free of brush, or any other sort of wood. The withered grass had been burned down in October, and was now succeeded by luxuriant herbage of the most lively green, which, although very little rain had fallen as yet, had sprung astonishingly in length, and presented an appearance like the wheat crops of Britain when covering the elod,-a -an adequate invitation no doubt, for the vast herd that browsed upon it.

On the steep banks of the river, the natives have formed inclined landing places for their own convenience. Here, when the wild animals are under the necessity of coming to quench their thirst in the dry season, they conceal themselves, and when an Antelope enters the narrow pass, they appear behind and drive it into the water, where it is soon dispatched by people stationed in canoes for that purpose.

During the dry season, large hunting parties are formed, who surround the place where the greatest quantity of game is known to be, and set fire to the withered grass. The flaming circumference of the circle diminishes with noisy rapidity, emitting so intense a heat, that no animal dares to attempt a passage. An opening, therefore, is purposely left, at which the most expert marksmen are stationed, who generally kill a sufficient quantity.

Another mode of hunting the Antelope, only had recourse to when the grass cannot with safety or convenience be set on fire, is to encircle an entire district with a cordon of people, at proper distances from one another, Each individual is provided with a piece of red cloth, which he fastens to the end of his spear, and waves it over his head. In this manner, the whole circumference advances as towards a

centre, and with shouts and cries at last coops up the terrified animals within a very small space, where great numbers are killed whilst attempting to escape.

Buffalo.-The Buffalo is sometimes hunted, but he becomes so furious when wounded, that it is considered a very dangerous enterprise, and is therefore seldom engaged in.

Chacal. The natives have contrived to do

mesticate a species of Chacal, which, however, is of very little use to them, and very ugly, nevertheless, they take it with them to the chase.

Hippopotamus, or River-Horse.-The natives hunt this animal with much eagerness for its flesh, which they esteem excellent food. I was one day presented with a piece which had just been killed. It was coarse and bitter; probably however, some of the gall had been diffused over it: the young ones may be delicate enough. It is an amphibious animal, and associates in herds. I have sometimes seen a half covered by the shallow water of a sandgroupe of fifty basking in the sunshine, and bank. At such times being frequently asleep, the natives steal cautiously upon them in canoes, but seldom succeed in surprising them. They remain so long under water when disturbed, that it would be difficult to discover a wounded one, were it not for a float attached by a line to the harpoon. This points out his retreat, and where he will re-appear again to breathe. There are two tusks to each jaw, which yield very valuable ivory.

upon the low islands, and on the margin of When they have cropped all the herbage the river, they go on shore during the night to graze, and are caught in pits, dug in their most frequented paths, and covered over with branches.

I never had the good fortune to kill a Hippopotamus, although I have often attempted it by muffling the oars and warily approaching them, but they always took the alarm, and retreated to deep water. This inclines me to think, that one of their number stands centinel whilst the others sleep. They presented, however, many opportunities of being fired at, rearing their huge heads abruptly out of the water, sometimes only a few yards from the boat, putting us under no small apprehension by their tremendous bellowing and threatening aspect. Many a volley was fired at them, but whether the hide was proof against ball, or the current carried the wounded out of our reach, we could not ascertain.

One morning I dispatched my chief mate, Simmons, who augured better success with the harpoon, upon this employment. When he reached the shoal, where the Hippopotami had been observed basking, he discovered one of them by the motion of the water, and accordingly darted the harpoon at it with his utmost force. The animal was probably wounded by the stroke, for it gave the boat such a kick, that the mate was thrown overboard, but was instantly rescued from his perilous situation by the crew.

The coincidence between the description of Behemoth in the Book of Job, and the habits of the Hippopotamus, is so remarkable, that whoever studies the subject must be satisfied they are one and the same animal.

Fishing. This forms a principal part of the amusement and resources of the great men who live in the vicinity of Congo. At certain seasons, they repair with a considerable retinue to the Mangrove forests skirting the river, where they establish their quarters. The bland air enables them to dispense with any other

covering than that afforded by the trees, which shade them completely from the sun; and, if necessary, an ample cloth-belt secures them from cold. A few earthen pots to dress their victuals in, with skins and mats for the better sort to lie upon, are all their furniture. The mode of fishing is very ingenious. Having fixed upon a shallow channel between the shore and some sandbank or island, a row of stakes is driven across to support a frame of wicker work about three feet high. A small opening is left where the water is deepest, in which a trap, resembling a bird-cage, is placed. Into this the fish enter in great numbers, and are taken. The women and children are employed in smoking them for the rainy season. The fishing on the coast of Angoya (or Cabenda,) is conducted in a different manner, and upon a very extensive scale. They use a net or seine nearly four hundred fathoms in length, and three or four in depth, made of strong materials. It is floated by buoys of the Lob-lolly tree, a soft spongy wood, used also for harpoon floats. A sweep is made along the shore with this net, which seldom fails to bring out a large draught of mullet and other fish, with which these coasts are well stored. There is abundance of very fine rock-oysters, which adhere to one another in hundreds, and can only be come at by being knocked in pieces. Rock-cod, snappers, and soles, are very plentiful. The two former are of a reddish colour, and are accounted delicate eating.

Electrical Fish.-Happening one day to see a fish struggling upon the surface of the water, as it floated past the vessel, I sent the small boat for it, and when alongside, a rope was handed down to haul it upon deck. The sailor who was fastening the rope started back in the greatest consternation, exclaiming with an oath, that he believed the Devil was in the fish. This induced me to examine it attentively, and I perceived that the cause of the man's astonishment was an electric shock proceeding from the fish. Before each shock, the skin upon its back and sides became very tense. It was like a Cod, and weighed about thirty pounds. I gave it to the natives, who were commending it much.

(To be continued.)

A STATE-SCENE BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

The Duke of Newcastle had been thirty years in the ministry, and was then at the head of the Treasary the department, which, in England, bestows all employments; from which, under the King, flow all favours; and which, from these causes, constitutes the person holding it the Prime Minister. But Mr. Pitt, (afterwards Earl of Chatham) had silenced the Opposition; had formed all plans for war; and had left to the Duke of Newcastle the care of finding money to carry these into execution, as well as the pleasure of giving such places as did not depend upon his measures. They frequently differed in opinion; but Mr. Pitt always carried his point, in spite of the Duke. A curious scene occurred on one of these occasions:-It had been proposed to send Admiral Hawke to sea, in pursuit of M. de Conflans. The season was unfavourable, and even dangerous for a fleet to sail, being the month of November. Mr. Pitt was at that time confined to his bed by the gout, and was obliged to receive all visitors in his chamber, in which he could not hear

to have a fire. The Duke of Newcastle waited upon

bim in this situation, to discuss the affair of this fleet, which he was of opinion ought not to sail in such a stormy season scarcely had he entered the chamber, when, shivering with cold, he said, "What, have you no fire?" "No," replied Mr. Pitt, "I can never bear a fire when I have the gout." -The Duke sat down by the side of the invalid,

wrapt up in his cloak, and began to enter upon the subject of his visit. There was a second bed in the room, and the Duke, unable to endure the cold, at length said, "With your leave, I'll warm myself in this other bed;"and without taking off his cloak, he actually got into Lady Esther Pitt's bed, and resumed the debate. The Dake was entirely against exposing the fleet to hazard in the month of November, and Mr. Pitt was as positively determined it should put to sea. "The fleet must absolutely sail," said Mr. Pitt, accompanying his words with the most animated gestures. "It is impossible," said the Duke, making a thousand contortions, it will certainly be lost."-Sir Charles Frederic, of the Ordnance department, arriving just at that time, found them both in this laughable posture; and had the greatest difficulty in the world to preserve his graupon an object so important in such a ludicrous situvity, at seeing two Ministers of State deliberating ation. Memoirs of a Traveller now in retirement.

ROUGE.

the door; but my astonishment may well be conceived, when I found the entrance to it barred in such a way. Although the animal had not seen me, unarmed as I was, escape seemed impossible; yet I glided gently, scarcely knowing what I meant to do, to the side of the house, up to the window of my chamber, where I knew my loaded gun was standing. By a most happy chance, I had set it in the corner

close by the window, so that I could reach it with my hand; for, as you may perceive, the opening is too small to admit of my having got in; and, still more fortunately, the door of the room was open, so that I could see the whole danger of the scene. The lion was beginning to move, perhaps with the intention of making a spring. There was no longer any time to think I called softly to the mother not to be alarmed, and, invoking the name of the the hair of my boy's head, and lodged in the foreLord, fired my piece. The ball passed directly over head of the lion immediately above his eyes, which shot forth, as it were, sparks of fire, and stretched him on the ground, so that he never stirred more.— Lichtenstein's Travels in South Africa.

MATHEMATICS.

Solution of No. 22, by Mr. W. M'Laurie, Schoolmaster, Failsworth.

Triumphant Generals in Rome wore Rouge. The Ladies of France, we presume, and their fair sisters and imitators in Britain, conceive themselves always in the chair of triumph, and of course entitled to the same distinction. The custom originated, perhaps, in the humility of the conquerors, that they might Gilpin frequently speaks of a picturesque eye :' seem to blush continually at their own praises. Mr. The lengths of penduluins are directly as the force with something less than solecism we may affirm, of gravity drawn into the squares of the times of that our fair ever-blushing triumphant, have secured vibration; if, therefore, f, and t, represent the force to themselves the charm of picturesque cheeks, every of gravity, and time of vibration at the surface of face being its own portrait. the earth; and F, and T, the same at the top of the mountain; we shall have, per question, 2 FT2. But, the force of gravity is inversely as the square of the distance from the centre of the earth; that is, ; putting r = radios (r + x)2 of the earth, and x= height of the hill, then the T equation becomes, r2 (r + x) 2' r+x Again, the time of a vibration being inversely as number of vibrations being as 1440 to 1402 or 1438; the number of vibrations in a given time, and the the same equation will become,

STEAM ENGINES.

1

Silvester II. (who is commonly called Pope Silvester, being the most notorious of that name), made clocks and organs which were worked by steam. Thef is as and F, as old historian explains intelligibly to us what he did not understand himself: ferit arte mechanica orelogium, et organa hydraulica, ubi, mirum in modum, per aqua calefacte violentiam, implet ventus emergens concavitem barbiti, et permulti foratiles tractus areæ fistulæ modulatos clamores emittunt.

Prideaux (an older author than the biographer of Mahomet, but resembling him in blind and brutal cians, by no means the worst of the orders into bigotry) classes Silvester among the Egyptian magi

which he has distributed the popes.

ALLITERATION.

The admirers of alliteration will be pleased with the following character of a young lady, from an old Newcastle Journal:-Died, in the flower of her age, Miss Harrison, daughter of the late Mr. Harrison, of Wheldon-bridge-house. If boundless benevolence be the basis of beatitude, and harmless humility the harbinger of a hallowed heart, these Christian concomitants composed her characteristic, and conciliated the esteem of her contemporaries who mean to modetheir manners by the mould of their meritorious monitor." There are but three instances in our recollection, which approach near to the above, one is "Henry Hallam, hatter, hosier, and haberdasher, at Holbornbridge, Hatton-garden." The second is "Benjamin Bell, brown bread and biscuit baker, near Batterseabridge." The third on Cardinal Wolsey is better than either:

Begot by Butchers, but by Bishops bred,
How high his Honour holds his haughty head.

A GOOD SHOT.

It is now, said Von Wyk, more than two years since, in the very place where we stand, I ventured to take one of the most daring shots that ever was hazarded. My wife was sitting within the house near the door, the children were playing about her, and I was without, busied in doing something to a waggon, when suddenly, though it was mid-day, an enormous lion appeared, came up, and laid himself quietly down in the shade, upon the very threshold of the door! My wife, either frozen with fear or aware of the danger attending any attempt to fly, remained motionless in her place, while the children took refuge in her fap. The cry they uttered attracted my attention, and I hastened towards

1

12

=

1

T2

t

or

1440 r 1442 or 1438 × (r + x)' hence, x = 9697 or 9710.7 yards, the height of the mountain required.

=

Cor. Hence it appears, in general, that if I be the time lost in the time t; then 24-1 : 7 :: r : x ; or, as 24-I will be nearly 24;-the proportion will be, nearly, as 24: :: rx; that is, the whole time, is to the time lost, as the radius of the earth, is to the height of the mountain.

Solution of No. 23, by J. H.

Set x= = time of the stone's descent through the whole space; then will the time of the stone's descent throngh half the space; and, hence, per question, x2 = 2(x-1)2; this, reduced, gives x=187.43 feet, the height of the tower. Neat solutions were received from Mathematicus, Mr. J. Wilson, and Amicus.

Question No. 25, by Mr. W. M'Lawrie. Suppose a heptagon be enclosed with shillings, each an inch in diameter, the shillings that reach round just to pay the purchase of the land enclosed, times the number of acres enclosed; what then will and the shillings that purchase one acre be eleven be the number of acres enclosed, and the price of each acre?

Question No. 26, by Mr. J. Wilson. the area of a circle whose radius is a mean proporThe convex superficies of a right cone is equal to

tional between the side of the cone and the radius of the base-Required a demonstration.

We beg to call the attention of our Mathematical friends to question No. 19,-na solution to it has yet been received.-Several incorrect solutions of No. 24 are come to hand.-Ed.