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OBSERVATIONS

By Mr. Maxwell, author of the Letters to Mungo Park, &c. Turtle.-There is a species of black turtle in the Congo, weighing about sixty-five pounds without the shell. It has a longer neck than the sea-turtle, with a long slender tail, and an ugly rough skin. It is thought excellent food by the natives and the French. This may be true enough, notwithstanding its disgusting appearance; but every one knows that the latter are not very nice in the choice of their viands, provided they will enter into the composition of a Friceasee or Ragout.

itself. A large Snake was floating close past | largest of the kind that I have seen, keep the vessel. It was a Boa Constrictor. I imme- together in flocks of many thousands. They On the Countries of Congo and Loungo, as diately manned the yawl, and went in pursuit, are quite unpalatable, from their rank fishy in 1790.—(Continued from our last.) foolishly thinking that if I could but fix a taste. I have sometimes shot them, and stuffed harpoon into it, the force of the current would their skins; but owing to a superabundance prevent its boarding the boat. Imagining it of oleaginous matter, and the warm weather, to be asleep, I approached slowly, to have an they could not be preserved. The wings, when opportunity of striking it to the best advantage, stretched, measure ten feet from tip to tip.but soon discovered that it was dead. I hooked Parrots. Every morning, the Parrots leave it with the harpoon, and drew it alongside; their roosting places in large flocks, in search but when on deck, the stench was so intoler- of food, and return in the evening. A conable, that we were obliged to throw it over-fused noise denotes their flight. They nestle board. It was quite flaccid; and, although the in societies on the large cotton-trees, and it entrails were out, the diameter of the body in was no uncommon thing to see upon one tree that state was nine inches. The extremities alone, upwards of an hundred nests. These had been cut off, and only fourteen feet of the are generally scooped out of the bark, which trunk left; but as this part tapered nothing at is very thick and easily_penetrated.-Coosu either end, we may reasonably conclude that Enquela. This is a green Parroquet not larger the whole body was at least three times that than a sparrow, a very pretty bird.-Toucan length. Here, then, is a Snake fifty feet long, There is a species of Toucan in the woods, and almost a foot in diameter! Its probable about the size of a magpie, with a monstrous dimensions need not surprise us, there are so protuberance upon the upper mandible. I many well-authenticated accounts of the enor- believe it is the Ramphastos described by na mous size to which these reptiles attain. The turalists.-Flamingo. The brilliant scarlet natives spoke of this as a very small one. plumage of this bird produces a beautiful The skin was a quarter of an inch thick, and effect in a flock: the length of its legs, howhad beneath it a deep layer of fat. It was ever, gives it rather an awkward appearance covered with large serrated black and dusky on dry ground; but these, and its long neck, coloured spots across the back. The belly are absolutely necessary for procuring its food, was white. which it searches for amongst reeds, in marshy grounds, and in pools of water. The form of the upper bill is well calculated for assisting it in this operation. When flying, the whole bird exhibits the form of a cross, whence the Spaniards and Portuguese call it the Bird of Christ, and therefore will not suffer it to be molested in their territories. The islands and sand-banks of the river are frequented by vast flocks of Flamingos, Muscovy ducks, plovers, coots, curlews, water-hens, &c.-Owl. Among others, there is a small. Horned Owl, about the size of a canary, a very singular little bird.-Swallows. Great numbers of these fre quent Congo in September. They are much larger than those which visit Britain; but whe ther they migrate, or remain in some part of the country throughout the year, I could not ascertain.

Crocodiles. These are very numerous in the river, and the natives say voracious; but they do not seem to dread them; on the contrary, I have observed people bathing where crocodiles were swimming a short time before. They may be seen every hour of the day, sunning themselves upon the sand-banks. They appear, however, to be of a smaller species, and not so numerous, as at Old Callabar, where they continually, float past the shipping like large grey pieces of timber, and are there so bold that they frequently seize people in the small canoes. In Old Callabar River, I once observed a crocodile swimming with a large Catfish in its mouth, to the opposite shore. It held the fish by the head, whilst the body was thrown into a perpendicular position. I watched it with the spy-glass until it had dragged the fish upon the mud-bank, and commenced its meal. A party armed with muskets was then despatched from the ship, to kill it, but on the approach of the boat, it retreated to the water with the fish in its mouth. From this I am induced to think that the crocodile cannot devour its prey in the water.

Seebisee-Upon the low islands in the river, a small animal resembling a rat, but much larger, is found. It has two long cutting teeth before, and is covered with bristles like those of a hedge-hog. It burrows in the sandy soil. The natives, who call it Seebisee, and the French, esteem its flesh a great delicacy. Unfortunately, however, we recollect, that Frenchmen pay the same encomiums on rats and frogs. Nay, they go further, for I have frequently seen Carrion exposed to sale in the country markets of Brittany.

Bats.-There is a large species of bat, measuring thirty-four inches between the wings, when extended, and ten inches from the nose to the tail. It harbours about the Palmetto trees, and lives upon the fruit, which is about the size of a large Orange, but not eaten by the natives. I have seen some hundreds of these bats fly out from a single tree; and, when on the wing, they appear as large as Crows. They are very fierce and vicious when wounded.

Frogs-During the night, the banks of the Congo, in the neighbourhood of Embomma, are perfectly alive with innumerable numbers of Frogs, and other noisy reptiles, which keep up an incessant croaking until morning. They are, I suppose, what is called the Bull Frog.

Boa Constrictor.-Once when lying in the river, and hearing an unusual noise overhead, I hastened upon deck. The natives, of whom a number were on board, were calling out Bomma! Bomma! Those on shore were running from the landing-place in the greatest terror. The cause of this alarm explained

The Autumnal Conflagrations frequently prove destructive to the Boa Constrictor, especially when gorged with its prey; and it is only then that the natives dare attack it with any hopes of success. At other times it will make a whole vilage fly before it. Its name in the Loango tongue is Bomma, whence Embomma. BIRDS.-Loxia, or Whidah Birds.-There are vast numbers of these in Loango. They are about the size of a bullfinch, and are marked like that bird on the wings. The feathers of the tail, which is about five times the length of the body, are beautifully arched, and have a fine gloss. The Portuguese, by whom they are called Humpasara chamada veuva, prize them highly for their beauty, and keep them in cages in their houses, where I have often seen them.-Boolicoco.-Some travellers have asserted, that Angola abounds with Peacocks, which are inclosed within high walls for the king's amusement, and that none of the natives dare kill them. These, I suspect, are the Boolicoco of Angoya, a very beautiful bird; but to what species it belongs, I know not. It has neither. the scream of the Peacock, nor his train. It is about the size of a pheasant,

very wild,-and numerous. The name Boolicoco, is derived from its note, coc-coc-coc The back and wings are of a light green,-the breast, and the large feathers of the wing, are brown,-the bill, red and yellow; the tail is long, and covered with transverse bars of green, black, and yellow; but without moons: it has, however, the crest of the peacock.Pigeons. Loango can boast of a great variety of Pigeons of all colours; some are green, so that they cannot be distinguished from the leaves among which they conceal themselves. They are frequently so fat, as to burst when brought down by a shot.-Mamguanza. This bird is about the size of a turtle-dove, and of most exquisite beauty. The bloom on its gorget, when distended like that of the pigeon, varies from a flaming purple to an intense blue, according to the light in which it is viewed. They are to be seen in large flocks, hovering near the fishing parties. It is, I believe, the Blue Roller of the Leverian collection.-Pelican. The Pelicans of Congo, which are the

There is a small blue bird about the size of a linnet, which, from its social habits, deserves to be mentioned. It nestles in whole flocks upon a dwarf bushy tree, and I have sometimes counted to the number of five hundred nests upon a single tree. One is apt at first sight to mistake them for fruit.

(To be continued.)

LOVE CHARMS.

FROM MR. WASHINGTON IRVING'S NEW WORK.

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Come, do not weep, my girl,
Forget him, pretty pensiveness; there will
Come others, every day, as good as he.'
SIR J. SUCKLING.

The approach of a wedding in a family is always an event of great importance, but particularly so in a bousehold like this, in a retired part of the country. Master Simon, who is a pervading spirit, and, through means of the butler and housekeeper, knows every thing that goes forward, tells me that the maid-servants are continually trying their fortunes, and that the servants'-hall has of late been quite a

scene of incantation.

head of a family flow down through all the branches. It is amusing to notice how the oddities of the The squire, in the indulgence of his love of every thing that smacks of old times, has held so many grave conversations with the parson at table, about popular superstitions and traditional rites, that they have been carried from the parlour to the kitchen by

the listening domestics, and, being apparently sanctioned by such high authority, the whole house has become infected by them.

heart. Instead of singing about the house as for-
merly, she goes about pale and sighing, and is apt
to break into tears when her companions are full of
merriment.

As we approached the inn, we heard some one talking with great volubility, and distinguishing the ominous words "taxes," "poor's rates," and • The servants are all versed in the common modes "-agricultural distress." It proved to be a thin of trying luck, and the charms to ensure constancy. 'Mrs. Hannah, the vestal gentlewoman of my loquacions fellow, who had penned the landlord up They read their fortunes by drawing strokes in the Lady Lillycraft, has had long talks and walks within one corner of the porch, with his hands in his ashes, or by repeating a form of words, and looking Phoebe, up and down the avenue, of an evening; pockets as usual, listening with an air of the most in a pail of water. St. Mark's eve, I am told, was and has endeavoared to squeeze some of her own vacant acquiescence. a busy time with them; being an appointed night for verjuice into the other's milky nature. She speaks certain mystic ceremonies. Several of them sowed with contempt and abhorrence of the whole sex, and hemp-seed to be reaped by their true lovers; and advises Phoebe to despise all the men as heartily as they even ventured upon the solemn and fearful pre- she does. But Phoebe's loving temper is not to be paration of the dumb-cake. This must be done fast-curdled; she has no such thing as hatred or coning, and in silence. The ingredients are handed tempt for mankind in her whole composition. She down in traditional form: "An eggshell full of salt, has all the simple fondness of heart of poor, weak, an eggshell full of malt, and an eggshell full of loving woman; and her only thoughts at present barley-meal." When the cake is ready, it is put are, how to conciliate and reclaim her wayward upon a pan over the fire, and the future husband will swain. appear; turn the cake, and retire; but if a word is spoken, or a fast is broken, during this awful ceremony, there is no knowing what horrible consequences would ensue !

The experiments, in the present instance, came to no result; they that sowed the hemp-seed forgot the magic rhyme that they were to pronounce, so the true lover never appeared; and as to the dumb-cake, what between the awful stillness they bad to keep, and the awfulness of the midnight hour, their hearts failed them when they had put the cake in the pan; so that, on the striking of the great house-clock in the servants'-hall, they were seized with a sudden panic, and ran out of the room, to which they did not return until morning, when they found the mystic

cake burnt to a cinder.

The most persevering at these spells, however, is Phoebe Wilkins, the house-keeper's niece. As she is a kind of privileged personage, and rather idle, she has more time to occupy herself with these matters. She has always had her head full of love and matrimony. She knows the dream-book by heart, and is quite an oracle among the little girls of the family, who always come to her to interpret their dreams in the mornings.

During the present gaiety of the house, however, the poor girl has worn a face full of trouble; and, to use the house-keeper's words, has fallen into a sad hystericky way lately." It seems that she was born and brought up in the village, where her father was parish-clerk, and she was an early playmate and sweet-heart of young Jack Tibbets. Since she has come to live at the Hall, however, her head has been a little turned. Being very pretty and naturally genteel, she has been much noticed and indulged; and being the house-keeper's niece, she has held an equivocal station between a servant and a companion. She has learnt something of fashions and notions among the young ladies, which have effected quite a metamorphosis; insomuch that her finery at church on Sundays has given mortal offence to her former intimates in the village. This has occasioned the misrepresentations which have awakened the implacable family pride of Dame Tibbets. But what is worse, Phoebe, having a spice of coquetry in her disposition, showed it on one or two occasions to her lover, which produced a downright quarrel; and Jack, being very proud and fiery, has absolutely turned his back upon her for several successive Sundays.

The poor girl is full of sorrow and repentance, and would fain make up with her lover; but he feels bis security, and stands aloof. In this he is doubtless encouraged by his mother, who is continually reminding him what he owes to his family; for this same family pride seems doomed to be the eternal

bane of lovers.

As I hate to see a pretty face in trouble, I have felt quite concerned for the luckless Phoebe, ever since I heard her story. It is a sad thing to be thwarted in love at any time, but particularly so at this tender season of the year, when every living thing, even to the very butterfly, is sporting with his mate; and the green fields, and the budding groves, and the singing of the birds, and the sweet smell of the flowers, are enough to turn the head of a love-sick girl. I am told that the coolness of young Ready-money lies very heavy at poor Phoebe's |

The spells and love-charms, which are matters
of sport to the other domestics, are serious concerns
with this love-stricken damsel. She is continually
trying her fortune in a variety of ways. I am told
that she has absolutely fasted for six Wednesdays
and three Fridays successively, having understood
that it was a sovereign charm to ensure being mar-
ried to one's liking within the year. She carries
about, also, a lock of her sweetheart's hair, and a
riband he once gave her, being a mode of producing
constancy in a lover. She even went so far as to try
her fortune by the moon, which has always had much
to do with lovers' dreams and fancies. For this
purpose she went out in the night of the full moon,
knelt on a stone in the meadow, and repeated the
old traditional rhyme :—

""All hail to thee, moon, all hail to thee;
I pray thee, good moon, now show to me
The youth who my future husband shall be.""
When she came back to the house, she was
faint and pale, and went immediately to bed. The
next morning she told the porter's wife that she had
seen some one close by the hedge in the meadow,
which she was sure was young Tibbets; at any rate,
she had dreamt of him all night; both of which,
the old dame assured her, were most happy signs.
It has since turned out that the person in the meadow
was old Christy, the huntsman, who was walking
his nightly rounds with the great stag-hound; so
that Phoebe's faith in the charm is completely

shaken.'

'A VILLAGE POLITICIAN.

'I am a rogue if I do not think I was designed for the helm
of state; I am so full of nimble stratageins, that I should
have ordered affairs, and carried it against the stream of a
faction, with as much ease as a skipper would laver
against the wind.'
THE GOBLINS.

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The sight seemed to have a curious effect on Master Simon, as he squeezed my arm, and altering his course, sheered wide of the porch, as though he had not any idea of entering. This evident evasion induced me to notice the orator more particularly. He was meagre, but active in his make, with a long, pale, bilious face; a black beard, so ill-shaven as to bloody his shirt-collar, a feverish eye, and a bat sharpened up at the sides, into a most pragmatical shape. He had a newspaper in his hand, and seemed to be commenting on its contents, to the thorough conviction of mine host.

At sight of Master Simon the landlord was evidently a little flurried, and began to rub his hands, edge away from his corner, and make several profound publican bows; while the orator took no other notice of my companion than to talk rather louder than before, and with, as I thought, something of an air of defiance. Master Simon, however, as I have before said, sheered off from the porch, and passed on, pressing my arm within his, and whispering as we got by, in a tone of awe and horror, "That's a radical! he reads Cobbett!"

'I endeavoured to get a more particular account of him from my companion, but he seemed unwilling even to talk about him, answering only in general terms, that he was "a cursed busy fellow, that had a confounded trick of talking, and was apt to bother one about the national debt, and such nonsense;" from which I suspected that Master Simon had been rendered wary of him by some accidental encounter continually roving about in quest of wordy warfare, on the field of argument; for these radicals are logician out of his saddle. and never so happy as when they can tilt a gentleman

confirmed. I find the radical has but recently found "On subsequent inquiry my suspicions have been mit fearful devastations with his doctrines. He has his way into the village, where he threatens to comalready made two or three complete converts, or

new lights; has shaken the faith of several others; and has grievously puzzled the brains of many of the oldest villagers, who had never thought about politics, or scarce any thing else, during their whole lives.

He is lean and meagre from the constant restlessness of mind and body; worrying about with newspapers and pamphlets in his pockets, which he is ready to pull out on all occasions. He has shocked several of the staunchest villagers by talking lightly of the 'squire and his family, and hinting that it would be better the park should be cut up into small farms and kitchen-gardens, or feed good mutton instead of worthless deer.

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In one of my visits to the village with Master Simon, he proposed that we should stop at the inn, which he wished to shew me, as a specimen of a real country inn, the head quarters of village gossip. I He is a great thorn in the side of the 'squire, had remarked it before, in my perambulations about who is sadly afraid that he will introduce politics into the place. It has a deep old-fashioned porch, lead- the village, and turn it into an unhappy thinking ing into a large hall, which serves for tap-room and community. He is a still greater grievance to Master travellers'-room; having a wide fire-place, with high Simon, who has hitherto been able to sway the polibacked settles on each side, where the wise men of tical opinions of the place, without much cost of the village gossip over their ale, and hold their learning or logic; but he has been very much-pazzled sessions during the long winter evenings. The land- of late to weed out the doubts and heresies already lord is an easy indolent fellow, shaped a little like sown by this champion of reform. Indeed, the latter one of his own beer barrels, and is apt to stand gos- has taken complete command at the tap-room of the siping at his door, with his wig on one side, and his tavern, not so much because he has convinced, as hands in his pockets, whilst his wife and daughters because he has out-talked all the old-established oraattend to customers. His wife, however, is fully cles. The apothecary, with all his philosophy, was competent to manage the establishment; and, indeed, as nought before him. He has convinced and confrom long habitude, rules over all the frequenters of verted the landlord at least a dozen times; who, the tap-room as completely as if they were her de- however, is liable to be convinced and converted the pendants instead of her patrons. Not a veteran ale- other way by the next person with whom he talks. bibber but pays homage to her, having, no doubt,It is true the radical has a violent antagonist in the been often in her arrears. I have already hinted that landlady, who is vehemently loyal, and thoroughly she is on very good terms with Ready-money Jack.devoted to the king, Master Simon, and the squire. He was a sweetheart of her's in early life, and has She now and then comes out upon the reformer with always countenanced the tavern on her account. In- all the fierceness of a cat-o'-mountain, and does not deed, he is quite the "cock of the walk" at the spare her own soft-headed husband, for listening to tap-room. what she terms such "low-lived politics." What

makes the good woman the more violent, is the perfect coolness with which the radical listens to her attacks, drawing his face up into a provoking supercilious smile; and, when she has talked herself out of breath, quietly asking her for a taste of her homebrewed.

The only person that is in any way a match for this redoubtable politician is Ready-money Jack Tibbets, who maintains his stand in the tap-room, in defiance of the radical and all his works. Jack is one of the most loyal men in the country, without being able to reason about the matter. He has that admirable quality for a tough arguer, also, that he never knows when he is beat. He has half a dozen old maxims, which he advances on all occasions, and though his antagonist may overturn them never so often, yet he always brings them anew to the field. He is like the robber in Ariosto, who, though his head might be cut off half a hundred times, yet whipped it on his shoulders again in a twinkling,

and returned as sound a man as ever to the charge. Whatever does not square with Jack's simple and obvious creed, he sets down for "French politics;" for, notwithstanding the peace, he cannot be persuaded that the French are not still laying plots to ruin the nation, and to get hold of the Bank of England. The radical attempted to overwhelm him one day by a long passage from a newspaper; but Jack neither reads nor believes in newspapers. In reply, he gave him one of the stanzas which he has by heart from his favourite, and, indeed, only author, old Tusser, and which he calls his Golden Rules :-

"Leave princes' affairs undescanted on, And 'tend to such doings as stand thee upon; Fear God, and offend not the king nor his laws, And keep thyself out of the magistrate's claws." 'When Tibbets had pronounced this with great emphasis, he pulled out a well-filled leathern purse, took out a handful of gold and silver, paid his score at the bar with great punctuality, returned his money, piece by piece, into his purse, his purse into his pocket, which he buttoned up; and then, giving his cudgel a stout thump upon the floor, and bidding the radical "good morning, Sir!" with the tone of a man who conceives he has completely done for his antagonist, he walked with lion-like gravity out of the house. Two or three of Jack's admirers who were present, and had been afraid to take the field themselves, looked upon this as a perfect triumph, and winked at each other when the radical's back was turned. "Ay, ay!" said mine host, as soon as the radical was out of hearing, 66 let old Jack alone; I'll warrant he'll give him his own!"'

CORRESPONDENCE.

A BOTANICAL GARDEN. Ridicule has been ridiculously called the test of truth. J. H. TOOKE. TO THE EDITOR,

SIR,-Whatever may be the opinion of my opponent, I certainly have not time to enter into a regular controversy upon the subject of the proposed Botanical Garden. Nor, indeed, were my leisure more abundant, should I feel any inclination to enter the lists with a writer, who seems willing to ridicule a suggestion, against which his objections, if placed in a fair and candid point of view, would appear very trifling.

I trust that the subject will soon be taken under the protection of some one in every respect more competent than myself, to do it justice. A botanical garden has, certainly, been much spoken of, and long desired, among the higher classes of persons in Manchester.

The study of botany is not only interesting but useful and it is, in my opinion, very desirable that, in a place like Manchester, the study should be promoted, by the doing of something, which might increase a taste for the science.

Notwithstanding the raillery of my opponent, there is, I think, no science more suitable for the fair sex than botany. It has been erroneously repre

sented as a dirty pursuit ; and I am sure it is healthy, as it is connected with exercise in the open air. To watch the growth of a floweret, or to point out its characteristic peculiarities, is surely an harmless and interesting amusement for the leisure hours of either sex ; but when the attention is directed to the culinary and medicinal properties of herbs, the occupation must then be allowed to be of substantial utility.

But it is not my wish to be particularly urgent on this occasion. I have only given publicity to an idea which has often been favourably talked of in private circles. I should be glad to do any thing in my power to assist in the establishment and support of such an institution as the one proposed; but neither my habits, nor my circumstances, render me a fit person to come forward to open the subscription, and to draw forth, by my example, the subscriptions of others. I hope, however, that the proposal will soon meet with a suitable patron; and, it would give me pleasure to see my opponent, who

I suspect can think rationally in his graver moments, exerting his talents in favour of the establishment which he, in an idle moment, has thought proper to oppose. A BOTANIST.

Manchester, June 17, 1822.

TO THE EDITOR,

SO

brated names in the entire range of medical biography, will be found those of men who relinquished other avocations for that of physic; in the present instance, the well-known medical characters, basely calumniated, have an envious-a noble distinction. To class these respectable individuals with persons who subsist by chicanery and delusion, can only be the malignant act of

"Some licens'd quacks, who may have pass'd the college, Yet still possess NOR SENSE, NOR BRAINS, NOR KNOWLEDGE."

The title-page admits of one just, necessary, and peculiarly appropriate addition, viz:--

By "ASSASSIN" WRITERS!!

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Circulating Library, 5, St. Ann's-Square.

B. WHEELER, begs most respectfully to inferm

the Inhabitants of Manchester, and its Vicinity, that he has opened the above OFFICE, where the latest Editions of all the London Newspapers are procured on the SHORTEST NOTICE, and sent ( post free) to all parts of the kingdom.

N. B. The London Observer is on sale every Sunday Evening, containing the Saturday Night's Gazette. Orders for Books, Magazines, Reviews, &c. punctually attended to. A quantity of Music on sale at half price.

SIR,-A few pages entitled "The Assassin Actor" lately attracted my attention, and every line is, in my opinion, clearly identified with the characters of the individuals who are said to be the authors.-An obscure theory issuing from a brain evidently labouring under the efforts of inebriation and despairing rivalry, cannot leave a doubt as to one; whilst "shreds and patches" profusely interwoven, as unequivocally point to another. The composition is altogether scurrilous and contemptible-a disgrace to the writers, and affording no compliment to the taste, principle, or any other quality, save the patience of readers. VALUABLE In fact, no disinterested man, on dipping into the "Assassin Actor," and observing the writers' digression merely to stigmatize persons of the first respectability, can for a moment forbear expressing his unqualified indignation. Talent is ridiculed, discriminative patronage is insulted, and integrity and honourable conduct are degraded and maligned. A practioner of talent, ability, and established reputation is thus spoken of :

"There's one I know, whose wisdom must be subtle,
Because in early life he threw the shuttle,
Handled his legs and arms, and work'd so hard,
He got advanc'd to H- Ps stable yard!
But Dr. H-
was kind enough ere long,
To place the lad his prentices among;
To do odd jobs, make physic up, or so-
Go errands, and do what there was to do;
Next starts as doctor, and as you may see,
He gets appointed to the Infirmary;
And now his carriage rolls," &c.

The third gentleman calumniated, is one whose practice the writer envies, and in which he longs to participate; whilst common people select according to ability and character, this writer urges a different cause for preference

"Another too, who lords it up and down,
Could spin fine hanks as any in the town;
But when his spinning spun his parse too nice,
Turns surgeon, and man-midwife, in a trice;
And in less time than I now bend this twig,
Sets up his horse, and flanuts it in his gig,
Turns up his nose, with sanctity profound
At those whose learning cost them many a pound!”

Learning," when exemplified in a sober, diligent, honourable life, is sure to lead to extensive, respectable practice; but dissipation at once disqualifies a man, (however "learned") for medical business. Who would swallow a medicine prepared, or submit to an operation to be performed, by a drunkard?

Thousands and thousands of pounds have been expended in endeavouring to drive learning and common sense into heads which never have been, nor ever will be, any other than block-heads- but, forsooth, because of those ill-spent pounds we are to give a preference to dissipated boobies, and that too in the most important services!

Talent, diligence, and honourable character will ever advance their possessors, even though they never passed a college; and, amongst the most cele

LIBRARY, PORTFOLIOS OF ENGRAVINGS, PHILOSOPHICAL APPARATUS, OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS, an AIR GUN, &c., the Genuine Property of a Gentleman retiring from the vicinity of Manchester.- -To be SOLD by AUCTION, by Mr. THOMAS DODD, at his Auction Repertory, No. 2, King-street, Manchester, on Monday, July 1st., 1822, and four following days, commencing each day at eleven precisely. This Library is very select, in regard to the editions and choice copies of the works of such anthors as are held in universal repote; more especially in the departments of Bibliography, Divinity, Lives, Memoirs, Corres pondence, Essays, British Classics, Popular Novels, Civil and Natural History, Rural Sports, Arts, Science, Philo sophy and Chemical Research, British Topographief] His. tory, more immediately connected with the counties of Lancaster and York; among which are Whitaker's Grand Works, on large paper, and Aikin's Manchester, copiously illustrated by additional Engravings; capital works in Architecture and decorative embellishment; magnificent Galleries of Art, including the Orleans, Florence, and Stafford cabinets; a rich assemblage of POETRY, embracing nearly every tasteful and elegant composition that the present age has produced; together with all the choice pieces of ancient British and Scottish Origin, as recently collected by Ritson, Evans, Ellis, Weber, Pinkerton, &c.; enrious old Historical Tracts, of peculiar interest and rarity; also all the reprints of rare and curious pieces of the Comic Muse, as re-issued from the Lee Priory Press, of which the namber of copies is limited to 100 or under; Printed Music, consisting of original Scottish Airs, Moore's Irish Melodies, Sacred and Popular Pieces, in Songs, Overtores, &c.; a variety of Engravings and original Etchings, by Artists of distinguished celebrity, chiefly of the Flemish and British Schools; among the latter are the sublime and richly wrought compositions in colours, by Richard Westall; valuable Philosophical and Optical Instruments, including Solar and Compound Microscopes; an Air Gen, on the most perfect principle, &c. &c.-May be viewed three days prior to the Sale, when Catalogues may be obtained at Sixpence cach.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. We are obliged by the remarks of our correspondent, Mr. W. M. Le.-His observations, however, on the solution of No. 20, are not, we think, quite correct.-If, as is often the case, 16.08 be used for 16 the result will evidently be as Mr. Wilson has given it.--Mr. W. M. Le's Solations of No. 20, 21, and 23, did not come to hand.

Communications have been received from Castigator.Laura.-Viator.-F.-Azet.- Iriphilus.-Bobby.-Z. A.Cæsar Withns.-Quin, and several others.

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.

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FOR THE IRIS.

"THE CLUB."

No. XI.-FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1822.

To give society its higbest taste;
Well-order'd home man's best delight to make;
And by submissive wisdom, modest skill,
And every gentle care-eluding art,
To raise the virtne, animate the bliss,
And sweeten all the toils of human life:
This be the female dignity, and praise.

moon.

THOMSON.

THE Schoolmaster, who sometimes tires as well as edifies, the rest of the members, when he is expatiating upon his favourite sciences, was just finishing some very detailed observations on the phenomenon of the horizontal "You now see, gentlemen," said he, "that the moon appears larger in the horizon than on the meridian; not because it is less bright in one case than in the other, as was the opinion of Gassendus;-not because we can compare it with the distance, by means of the intermediate objects, as was supposed by Descartes ;-not because of its greater faintness in its decline, as was contended by the subtle Berkley; nor yet because the portion of the sky seen in one case does not seem to be an entire hemisphere, as was conjectured by Rowning, and maintained by Smith: but because, gentlemen, as I think I have proved to you, the rays of the luminary, when it is placed in the horizon, have to pass obliquely, through a large portion of our dense atmosphere. I believe I should never have been able to bring my theory to its present state, had I not been assisted in the calculations which I have instituted, by the admirable work of Agnesia."

"Hark ye," cried the widower, laughing, "our friend cannot even talk of science, without introducing these women! They always assist him, or rather confuse him, on every subject. If this Agnesia had not been a woman, I suppose her work would not have lived long enough to be cited by our President, and I am sure he would not, himself, have studied it with so much attention."

SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1822.

The old gentleman, did not seem altogether | pleased with his friend's jocularity, which he appeared to think ill-timed. "The genius of Agnesia," said he, "has hardly ever been surpassed in any age or country; and this lady has justly acquired, by her publications on the abstract sciences, a fame which will reach the latest posterity."

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.

rally found the mind of females to be superior to those of our own sex. In respect to females of the middle and higher ranks of life, I would not have these talents entirely spent upon the operations of the kitchen. Every woman ought to be early initiated in the whole routine of domestic duties; but when she has made herself acquainted with them, when she knows "I am no great admirer of learned ladies," how to direct her servants, I see no necessity retorted the widower. "A female has learned for her continuing to be a drudge. The female quite enough, in my opinion, when she is able whose mind has been enlightened and invigorto read Mrs. Ravald's cookery, or, at farthest, ated by science and literature, will, it appears when she can copy any useful receipt which to me, act a superior part in any station of life. may be pointed out to her in a newspaper. In the marriage state, for example, she will Nature did not form the female intellect for possess many advantages. She must be an study, and a woman is always a truant from interesting companion, and better able, than more suitable occupations, when she appears otherwise, to soothe and cheer the feelings of in the walks of literature. While she is solv- her husband, and, in respect to her offspring, ing a problem in Euclid, she may be spoiling she will be better able to form the infant mind a dumpling, or while she is scanning a line in at the period when so much depends upon its an antient classic, she may burn out the bot-impressions. In reading the biography of men tom of a sauce-pan." who have distinguished themselves by their "It is unfair," replied the President, "to genius and learning, we often find some rerest your opposition against any thing, upon spectful allusion made to the acquirements, as casual instances of the abuse of it. By this well as care, of their mothers.-If it be the mode of reasoning," continued he, fate of a female to pass a single life, she will plan however excellent, every practice how- find, in an acquaintance with the sciences, ever good, may be opposed. This is a mode something that will impart a charm even to of objection which ought always to be applied her loneliness; and, though an old maid, she with great care and candour." The worthy will escape the characteristics of that class of Chairman looked rather grave, and spoke in a females, a propensity to scandal, which is inmeasured tone, while making the preceding deed, the usual attendant upon a disposition remarks; but resuming the subject with a that has been harrassed by vain hopes, and countenance in which a little waggishness, soured by ultimate disappointment. The humingled with more gaiety, he added, "I am man mind must be active in either sex; and it persuaded that our friend rather desired to is, certainly, desirable that it should have some make an acute remark, than to offer a solid valuable materials upon which it may pursue argument on the subject. I am happy to say its operations. I admit that it is not necessary that I have in my school several young ladies that all females should be deeply read in literawho have shewn much taste for the sciences, ture and science, but if they evince a taste for and to whose future attainments I look forward study, and if they are placed in circumstances with mingled feelings of pride, and solicitude. in which constant labour is not required, they My experience has shewn me that the female ought, in my opinion, to be encouraged in the mind, far from being in any way feeble or ill-propensity. It appears to me, that women fitted for study, is happily constituted for the easy acquisition of knowledge. In quickness of perception, in that happy talent of calling up what they know, when it is wanted for a stroke of wit, or an illustration, I have gene

66

every

are only inferior to men when their minds, which experience shews us to be capable of great attainments and powerful exertions, are paralyzed by ignorance, and linger in inactivity."

The Doctor, who had listened with, much attention to the observations of the chairman, remarked, that, "whatever might be his own opinion upon the education of females, he could not subscribe to the last speaker's closing proposition. He could not recollect, in his professional reading, or in his favourite authors on metaphysics, any thing in support of the notion. He also thought it was quite repugnant to the authority of scripture, in which, from the time of Adam to the period at which the New Testament was completed, the superiority of man was clearly inculcated." As the worthy chairman regards with much reverence, every thing connected with the holy scripture, he was much galled by the Doctor's concluding observation. Like certain prudent logicians, however, he refrained from noticing an objection which he did not find himself prepared to obviate. "Suppose, Doctor," said he, " that, upon any occasion, a great number of trials were made to attain a certain object, and, under the same circumstances, a very few ;-from which set of trials might we expect the greatest success?" "From the many, of course," answered the Doctor. "Then," said the chairman, as there is an immense multitude of authors of the male sex, and comparatively few of the female, it follows, from the principle just admitted, that it would be unreasonable to expect as great a display of talent among the latter class of authors, as among the former. But are there not," he added, " many works on literature and science, written by females, which deserve the highest praise? Have there not been female professors who have lectured, on various subjects, in different countries, especially in Italy, whose powers and knowledge eclipsed those of all their contemporaries ? Had the female authors and lecturers, been as numerous as those of the opposite sex, the ladies would, if I mistake not, have proved to us that we have no claim to the superiority which we arrogate. By withholding from females a suitable education, we deprive them of the means of refuting the libel which, for the purpose of elevating ourselves, we have made upon their mental cha

racter."

"For my part," said the Secretary, who had hitherto listened to the conversation, without engaging in it, "I am of opinion that the intellectual powers of the sexes are wisely fitted for different pursuits. The mind of man appears, like his corporeal frame, best adapted for the more rugged and laborious paths of close reasoning and abstruse research; while the more delicate mind of woman, naturally elegant and graceful as her person, exerts itself, perhaps, to the greatest advantage in those departments of literature in which imagination and taste predominate."

J. T.

PINĘ ARTS.

WILKIE'S BLIND MAN'S BUFF,

ENGRAVED BY RAIMBACH.

There are sets of Painters and Engravers who seem to have been born for each other. Thus, to notice only those who are more familiar to our own school; Guido and Strange, Wilson and Woollet, Cipriani and Bartolozzi, and as in the case before us-Wilkie and Raimbach. But there are two Engravers, of mighty renown, who must not be passed over. Sharp and Schiavonetti. These flew at game of every species. Either Guido, Reynolds, or West; it was of no consequence to Sharp. His Doctors of the Church, Portrait of John Hunter, and King Lear in the Thunder Storm, are perfect master-pieces of graphic art. Nothing can go beyond them. Schiavonetti should have died hereafter!' He was the sun of our school. His cartoon of Pisa, from M. Angelo; his portraits of Vandyke and Blake, and sundry other subjects, of which the names, rather than the merits, escape our memories, entitle him to a high rank in the department of the burin.

We now turn our eyes on the magical print before us; and frankly declare, that it is the most bewitching interior which we ever beheld. As an in-door composition, we place it quite at the head of Wilkie's performances. The subject-or game itself-calling to mind the many happy hours of our younger days, snatched in the same pastime, from the drudgery of severer occupations-the mode in which the subject is told, the accessories, the pression, the bold manly style of the Engraver tone of colour, the variety and vigor of exall throw a charm about this performance, which we are quite sure will give it a ready admission into the house of the Prince and the Peasant. The original painting is the property of his Majesty. It is one of Wilkie's warmest pictures; and calculated, in an especial manner, for the effect of the burin.

Above rogue, is smothering her with kisses. them, is perhaps the most characteristic figure of the whole. We see a man crawling along the wall, with arms and feet, like a great black spider, measuring his distance as he crawls, and enjoying the agility and dexterity of his movements. A little girl in a corner, hiding her face with her apron, is a most happy thought-exhibiting one of those touches of human nature, in the knowledge of which Wilkie has no equal.

A young woman on the ground, with her right arm extended, links this group to that on the opposite side of the picture very artfully and successfully. The opposite, or left group exhibits a man with a feather in his hat, and two females, very beautifully intertwined with each other. Two luckless boys have tumbled over a chair one seems to have broken his

shin, and is making a hideous face; the other bas escaped, and laughs aloud. The legs of these lads are done to the life. But the man immediately in the foreground, kneeling down, and extending his left arm, about to touch the blindfolded hero, is perfect of his kind. He tells the story as much as any of his comrades. His gaiters, coat, head, and hand, The backare delightfully characteristic. ground contains a few straggling figures, all interested in what is going on. The ceiling, wainscot, and furniture, exhibit a beautiful study of appropriate accessories; and in looking at this joyous group, one longs to doff the strait-laced garment of sober years, and to mingle where so much mirth and innocence' seem to prevail.

Come, see rural felicity,

Which mirth and innocence ever enjoy.

To touch a graver strain-Mr. Raimbach cess. His shadows are nevertheless occasionhas done his part with admirable skill and sucally a little too black, and we like not such a collection of black heads of hair, which gives the piece a somewhat spotty appearance. His countenances are clear, sharp, and expressive; but necessarily less vigorous and characteristic than the originals. The accessories, and especially the floor and right-hand wainscot, form perfect studies. On the whole, we hail this exhibition of art-as beautiful in all resCharlotte of Sir Thomas Lawrence and Goldpects as that which appeared in the Princess ing-and as maintaining that masculine, legitimate taste, which will be the gratification of succeeding ages, as well as of our own. Let Wilkie and Raimbach but conclude as they have gone on, and they may snap their fingers (if they ever join in a Scotch reel) at the cold, hard, and metallic effects of the burin, which so much charm our neighbours immediately across the channel.-Mus.

The composition is delightful. The blindfolded rustic, the hero of the piece, is nearly slowly and cautiously forward, putting out his in the middle of the picture. He is moving feelers (alias hands) as he makes his way: and of which the left is just about to touch the head of a wretch, shrinking like a snail into his shell; while above him, an elderly man presses backward, drawing in his breath, and hollowing his body, and squeezing, in the act of retreat, a couple of children, one of whom screams lustily from the pressure, and the other looks with increased earnestness at the critical progress of the blinded man. A young girl of sixteen, with a piece of black velvet run through the hair, is leaning against the chimney piece, and looking archly over her left shoulder, as if she should have no objection to be blindfolded next. Still lower he takes in his early life."-POPE. down to the left, in the foreground of the piece, is a group pretty actively engagedone female in particular, has fallen into a trap, between two men, of whom the upper, saucy

* On second thoughts, we doubt about the Peasant being able, in these rentless days, to purchase this engraving; but we have no doubt, that the veriest looby, who carts his dung regularly on the Saturday market day, would chuckle with delight on viewing the PERFECT NATURE which pervades this piece.

THE PONS ASINORUM. "The reputation of a man depends upon the steps

life (that is, if he lives to seventy,) a sticking There is a sort of middle stage in every one's place,

"like the swan's down feather, That stands upon the swell at full of tide, And neither way inclines."

at which one feels by certain signs that he cannot exactly be called, that is, that all people do not agree in calling him, young, and that he cannot permit himself to be denominated

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