WEEKLY DIARY.

OCTOBER.

REMARKABLE DAYS.

SUNDAY 6.-Saint Faith.

This virgin martyr suffered death under Dacianus, about the year 290, the most cruel torments being inflicted upon her. Vows of celibacy were highly esteemed in the early ages; and, even in our own times, many rites still exist in honour of the virgin state. Upon the decease of a virgin, flowers are yet strewed before the corpse by young girls dressed in white, as emblematic of innocence. Garlands also are, in some places, woven and attached to the beams of churches in which virgins

have been buried.

WEDNESDAY 9.-Saint Denys.

Saint Denys, or Dionysius, the Areopagite, was converted to Christianity by St. Paul. See Acts xvii. He was, at first, one of the judges of the celebrated court of the Areopagus, but was afterwards made Bishop of Athens, where he suffered martyrdom for the sake of the gospel. There are several books which bear his name; but they are, no doubt, forgeries of the sixth century. The French say, that he was the first that preached the gospel among them, and for that reason consider him their tutelar saint; but for this supposition there is no ground, as Christianity was never preached in France until long after his decease.

TRUE USE OF RICHES.

CHARLES JOHNSON and Edward Jones were chums at the same school. Johnson was then considered a youth of dull slow spirit and wit; and, apparently without feeling, felt silently for all who deserved it, and sometimes for those who did not; whilst Jones, with much loud talk of feeling, and a collection of the most approved maxims of charity at his tongue's end, seemed never to possess either charity or feeling.-These boy-friends were parted; and became men at last. Charles now burst out into the man of genius: the early morning of his life looked dull, but the noon of it gave promise of a glorious after-day; whilst Jones, who had excited the greatest hopes in his youth, shrunk into a mere man of the world. Though the one was now mammonminded and sordid almost to avarice, and the other a mere creature of the elements, that plays in the plighted clouds;' though one was poor and the other rich; though as dissimilar as darkness and light-as immixable as water and oil, and as opposite as ice and fire, they were still friends such friends as the world understands by that much-abused word.

ask
sum.

his custom, he thought no more about paying
than Dives did of Lazarus. The poor creditor
had let his rich debtor stand in his books longer
than the usual time, for he was (as a poor trades-
man often is, to the shame of the rich,) afraid to
so great a man as Mr. Jones' for so small a
At length, (for patience herself will some-
times grow impatient,) the poor man called him-
self. Mr. Jones could not look at his bill then:
he had a particular friend with him, (Johnson
was there) he might call again next month.
The humble man turned away from the proud
man's door with a weary foot and a more weary
heart, for he had journeyed some miles, and was
sick with wasted strength, and sad with a worn-
out spirit. The month slowly passed away, and
he called again; but he could not see him:
(Thomson, his particular friend Thomson, was
there) he might call again in a week; he
called in a week; he was not at home: (his still
more particular friend, Wilson, was there then :)
call again he did; he was not up: call
again:' he did; he was not down: call in the
city he was out of town:-in short, let him
call when he would, it was to no purpose.
Charles's more humane heart was shocked at the
long reluctance of Jones to part with his money;
and he resolved, when an opportunity offered, to
punish his unfeeling friend in some way that
would show him the cold enormity of his cove-
tousness. In the mean time, (by one of those
accidents in the life of a poor man of letters,
which ought to admit him into an hospital as
much as a broken leg, and thus, by keeping him
at Bartholomew's, keep him out of Bedlam)
happening to have ten guineas in his pocket, he
privately paid the poor sick mechanic the five he
so much wanted, contenting himself with the
hope that when he had shamed his penurious rich
friend once again into feeling, he should get
repaid.

deed, Sir, poor dear gentleman. he's had five physicians! Five physicians ! exclaimed Charles, that's a very dangerous complaint, indeed! He must be a hale hearty man to survive such an attack! Five physicians! deliver me, and poor Jones too, from five physicians! Good morning, madam my compliments, and all that.'' May I have the honour of your name?' curtseyed Mrs. S. Oh certainly, certainly: Hurricane, Madam-Hurricane from the West Indies-Hurricane the agent. You'll wake poor Mr. Jones, if he should happen to be asleep, and tell him that I called, but did'nt wish to disturb him; so I'll call again. Dear Sir,' exclaimed Mrs. S. 'you are the very gentleman that Mr. Jones is so anxious to see! Very possible; but I really cannot wait: I've my cousin Thomson to call on, and condole with him on the death of his wife's pug-dog-poor things, they have no children, and such a loss is very terrible!' 'But he's so very anxious to see you,' urged Mrs. S. Very likely; but I must see Thomson: you'll say my name is Hurricane-Hurricane: I am in the greatest hurry possible, or I would wait on Mr. Jones. Good morning, Madam! Hurricaneyou'll remember?' poking Mrs S. in the ribs inpatiently with a walking-cane; and then off be hurried, leaving the nurse all womanly wonder at him.

at Jones's door, as if he would knock down him Two hours are past, and he has again knocked who opened it; and again Mrs. Shufflebottom descends in all the freshness of a laced tucker, flounced apron, morning gown, and shining morning face.' 'Well, how's Jones now?' The powers of goodness? exclaimed she, lifting up her hands and her eyes; I'm as glad as a May girl that you've come back so soon, Sir! poor Mr. Jones, as soon as he heard that a white gen tleman from the West Hinges had called, leaped

out of bed like a lunatic.' Then Jones is bet

An opportunity soon served for his scheme. ter? I'm very glad to hear it indeed! Good mor Jones had lately had left him a large estate in the ing, Madam, and my compliments, and whatever West Indies, by a rich bachelor uncle, and having is usual to be said on these occasions.' (Going) sold it by his agent there, was in daily expecta-But my dear Sir.' remonstrated Mrs. S. seizing tion of receiving the proceeds. Johnson, by Charles by the button, he wishes of all things some means had heard of the arrival of this to see you: pray now do, dear Mr. Hurricane, agent at Liverpool, but concealed the informa- walk in!' suggested and implored the kindly tion. In the mean time Jones had grown into nurse. It's impossible, my dearest Madain" such a feverish and mammonish impatience to 'But he's dying, Sir!' insisted she. I'm sorry, finger the expected cash, that, what with ple- but it's impossible; he must not die till I see thora and passion, and the megrims which every him, but I've the most positive engagement with day's disappointment in not touching it threw my particular friend Wilson, who is leaving town him into, he took to his bed-room with a fever- for his country house at Islington, and he would ish affection; and it was now that Charles deter- think me particularly inattentive to him if I did mined to try at a cure of him, and to revenge not see him set off.' 'Well, but my dear Sir'the neglect and wrong he had done to the poor Mrs. Shufflebottom!' said Charles, with a mock sick son of poverty; accordingly, on the follow- earnestness and solemnity of manner, it is im ing morning, before the city shop-boys had possible. Good morning, and my compliments watered the usual rings in the dust of the dog-as before.' (Gone.) days, he was at Jones's door, dressed in all the importance and loose mankeen trowsers of a warm Jones throve much faster than his poor friend West Indian. The lion-headed knocker was as could grow unfortunate. To keep up the appear-yet unmuffled; he knocked; and after a reasonance of friendship and humility, however, when he fell in with him he would not loose his sleeve till he had him safely seated at his silver-spread table; and Charles, who was too noble to be the grudger of another's happiness or wealth, was there the merriest man of the merry, and kept the table in a roar with equal pleasure to himself and to others. Time, however, who was rather slow in reconciling the riches of the one to the poverty of the other, did at last so far succeed, that Jones began to care about half as much for Johnson's neediness as he did himself:-and here we come to our story.—

Jones had employed a poor mechanic to repair his chaise; and the business being done, as was

Mrs. S. looked all astonishment, and quietly shutting the door, and then opening it again, as if to look once more after the cause of her wonderment, she shut it, and went up to poor Jones, who was more sick with impatience than with any other complaint, and told him what a strange gentleman that Mr. Hurricane was.' The man must be a brute, to trifle with a dying man,' vo ciferated Jones, as he pushed his patient nurse out of the room half-way down the stairs. If had ever treated any man so, I should have de

able dressing-time, descends an appearance in a
mob-cap, and dull death-watching face, with a
mouth yawning to the circumference of a Dutch
oven: it was Mrs. Shufflebottom, the nightly
nurse. 'Mrs. Jones, I presume, Madam?" said
Charles, bowing most respectfully to her inaudi-
ble list shoes. No, Sir,' simpered the flattered
feminine, very proud of the mistake, Mrs.
Shufflebottom, night-nurse, &c. at your service,'
curtseying herself down to about half her alti At eight o'clock Charles returns: the knock,
tude. Well then, good morning to Mrs. the Mrs. S. and the Well, how's Jones?' occur
Shufflebottom, at my service. Pray how's Jones again: to which the nurse, who had not yet re-
this morning? I've just arrived here from the covered from the rudeness with which she had
West Indies, and the first thing which I hear is, been thrust out of the bed-room, answered with
that Jones, my dear Jones, is ill! Yes, ill in-lack-lustre eyes,' evidently pale with vexation-

served this.'

VARIETIES.

THE DEVIL-STICKER OF SOUTH AMERICA.

tears, Ah, Sir, poor Mr. Jones is certainly mad,
and will not live out to-day!' God bless ine,'
replied Charles, coolly playing with his cane,
then I'll call to-morrow; for I have promised to
In many of the huts or habitations in the Indian vil-
meet the very best fellow in the world, my friend lages passing up the great rivers, is to be found the
Jackson. Good morning, Mrs. Shuffle (bot-devil-sticker. It is of a soft, spungy nature and smooth
skin, not unlike the large slug of England. It is brought
tom' he would have said, but the good nurse at
that moment remembering the push she had had into the hut with the fire-wood, or it may creep in from
the outside unperceived. It, however, crawls up the
down stairs, or else impatient at the supposed side wall, and getting on the edge of the rafters of the
Mr. Hurricane's prevaricating puttings-off, shut ceiling, to which it adheres, it looks like a small ball,
the door in his face, and went off in a huff with- or, more properly, like the slug coiled up. It is fre-
out her bottom.')
quently known to drop from its hold without being mo-
lested, and wherever it falls it throws out from its body
five or six fangs, which are barbed like a fish-hook, and
into whatever softer material than brick or stone it
chances to fall, these fangs enter; nor can it be removed
unless by cutting the animal off, and picking the prongs
out of the substance into which they are so firmly fas-
tened. When they fall on the persons of those who hap-
dreadful. I saw one man, who an hour or two before
pen to sit or stand underneath, the consequence is
had one of these devils alight on his hand and he was
obliged to have it cut off, and the claws and fangs re-
moved by picking them out with the point of a large
needle. His hand was immoderately swelled, and very
painful; but an immersion in warm oil or fat removed
the pain, and restored the hand to its usual appear-

At nine he returns, and rings, for he was afraid the lion's head would not answer his inquiries, as it was by this time muffled in white leather, and looked totally sick and silent; but the wary and weary Mrs. S. saw through the blinds that it was er old troubler, and perhaps out of a momentry spirit of revenge for the violence which had een done to her sacred office, and more sacred person, refused to open. At ten, therefore, he sends a saucy ticket-porter, with instructions to ring long and loud; this succeeds, and down again descends the surly nurse, looking as if she could wring his nose as long as he had rang her bell. Oh-a gentleman wants to know whether Mr. Jones could see Mr. Hurricane some time next week?' Jones heard the message, and losing all he little patience he ever possessed, he bawled but, Tell the scoundrel to come here immedibately, or I'll have him arrested for embezzlenent, and teach him what it is to trifle with a lying man.'

an

ance.

An extraordinary specimen of Lapis Lazuli has been received in London from Siberia: it is a very beautiful stone, and weighs no less than ninety pounds!

MISTAKES OF A SMATTERER.

One of the Tartar couriers employed by the British Ambassador at Constantinople nine or ten years ago (and probably now,) had acquired a smattering of the English language during an expedition to London, and in the their journeys into Greece, Persia, and Asia Minor. To society of some gentlemen whom he had attended on

curiosities, a large agate, two spans long and one and a half broad. On one part of the stone is painted the Day of Judgment, and, on the other, the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea. The figures are in good style of colouring, similar to that used by the German painters, immediate successors of Albert Durer. The Artist has ingeniously expressed the clouds and water by the natural tints of the stone, which represent, with great effect, the wall of water suspended for a passage to the Israelites and the waves rolling back on Pharaoh and his host. The artist, whose name was John King, has drawn his own portrait, lying at the feet of the pope, among the blest in

heaven.

ANECDOTE OF BROWN, THE CELEBRATED AMERICAN
NOVELIST.

The author of Arthur Mervyn living at New York, I sought acquaintance with a man who had acquired so much intellectual renown. I found Mr. Brown quite in the costume of an author (by the costume of an author virtue in a new novel, and making his pen fly before him. I imply a great coat and shoes down at heel.) embodying Mr. Brown occupied a dismal room in a dismal street. I asked him whether a view of nature would not be more

propitious to composition; or whether he should not

write with more facility were his window to command the prospect of the Lake of Geneva. Sir, said he, good pens, thick paper, and ink well diluted, would facilitate my composition more than the prospect of the the clouds. When I mentioned this reply of Mr. Bros a broadest expanse of water, or mountains rising above to one of the most distinguished literary characters living-Sir, said he, this American author canno think, be a man of much fancy.

BARBAROUS PUN.

་་

A gentleman, much struck by the beauty of a Barmaid, asked his friend if he knew any thing about her. Why, yes, said he, I believe she is an odd Fish. "I is a Bar-belle, and difficult to be caught!" suppose then, (rejoined the lover,) you mean that she

POPULAR PREJUDICES AND SUPERSTITIONS.

A sailor who wears a child's caul about his neck, for

which he has given perhaps ten pounds, and which, after
skin! will laugh till he is hoarse at the idea of a cock-
all, is, probably enough, manufactured of goldbeaters'
ney carrying a bag of camphor as an antidote to infec-
tion. The cockney (philosopher perhaps) hangs on his
infallible camphor charm with as much gravity and per-
suasion of its utility as he assumes his umbrella when the
weather threatens, scarcely restrains his temper when he
reads in his newspaper an advertisement seriously invit-
marine preserver, the caul.
ing the seaman to purchase the ever buoyant, the grand

THE TALIPOT-LEAF OF THE EAST.

The porter departs growling, and at twelve nother comes to say that the gemman would vait on him to-morrow, as soon as he had seen Mr. Johnson, his tailor;' at one, another porter nquires how Mr. Jones was at twelve; at two, one of those travellers he acknowledged his admiration he same porter comes to know how he was at one and at three Johnson himself returns, and learned how to make that excellent composition himself. of an English plum-pudding, and boasted that he had ringing louder than before, Jones is heard in the His process was this: I first take,' said he, several distance, cursing all his household from the cat flowers (meaning a considerable quantity of flour,) I pat to the cook, and swearing all his most select him some little waters (a small quantity of water,) the oaths; and tell the barbarous Barbadoes rascal some razors (raisins,) and she make him very dam fine to come up stairs, or I'll send the contents of a puddle (pudding).' His words were faithfully written blunderbuss after his heels,' were the last words down in the English gentleman's pocket-book at the moof Jones, as his man opened the door, with an ment. Another time he said, I hope the moon will Ah, how do ye, Mr. Johnson?' 'How's Jones destroy some clowns this night;a wish that required now?' asked Charles, with a negro-bullying West-explanation: he meant, that if the moonlight should Indian sort of voice, that seemed to be half choked predominate, as he hoped, over the clouds, the rain with raw rum, raw sugar, and suffocating cigars. Armenia, it was thought necessary to procure from the would probably cease. Between Kars and Arzeroom in At this critical juncture, Mrs. Shufflebottom ap- Turkish Pasha, an escort of twenty soldiers. When pea red from a side parlor, and Jones at the stairthe English traveller had liberally rewarded these men head, in his bed-gown and velvet cap: this was for their protection, his Tartar friend advised him to The leaf is completely circular, terminating in the unexpected dénouement. Charles was com- give, as a distinct remuneration, some little present to most beautiful rays, it folds up into plaits like a fan, pelled now to enter in; and being asked his mo- the officer: This man,' said he, has seen your pocket which in shape it nearly resembles. In size and thicktive for such an unseasonable frolic, and having pistols-he has one son--and he wishes to get the pis-ness it completely surpasses all other leaves. The breadth explained that it was to teach him who had been tols that he may stick them in his son's belly' (meaning his insensible to the sickness and patience of another, sash or girdle). This reasonable request was immedithe cruelty of being trifled with, and the pain, ately granted. which is worse than sickness, of seeing inan indifferent to the sufferings of his fellow-man,' (here he placed in Jones's hand the poor chaisemender's receipt for his five guineas,)-Jones saw, with a blush of shame, the cold cruelty of his conduct to the needy creditor, and taking Charles by the hand, pressed it with more than his usual warmth, forgave him the manner of his lesson, forgot his megrims, and patiently waiting the arrival of his agent, who came the next day with the immense produce of his estate, is now a man of great wealth, who gives liberally to all who want that do not deserve to want; is kind and considerate to all men, whether poor or rich; and loves his friend Charles above all men, as the man who taught him the true value of wealth, and that it can only give happiness where it gives the means of making those happy who are less the favorites of Fortune.-MUSEUM.

EAR-RINGS.

Among the Grecian females, ear rings in various
shapes, necklaces in numerous rows, bracelets in the
forms of hoops or snakes, for the upper and lower arms,
and various other trinkets, were in great request, and
were kept in boxes, called pyxis, from the name of the
wood of which they were originally inade; and these
caskets, as well as the small oval hand mirrors of metal,
the indispensible insignia of courtezans; the umbrella;
the fan formed of leaves or of feathers; the calathus, or
basket of reeds to hold the work; and all the other uten-

sits and appendages, intended to receive, to protect, or
to set off whatever appertained to female dress and em-
bellishment, are often represented on vases.

In the University of Upsal is a beautiful cabinet of ebony and cyprus, ornamented with precious stones, which was presented, in 1632, by the city of Augsburg, to Gustavus Adolphus. It contains, among many other

of the diameter is from three to four feet, and the length and thickness is in proportion: it is large enough to cover ten men from the inclemency of the weather. It is made into umbrellas of all sizes, and serves equally to protect the natives against the intolerable rays of the sun, and the rains which at particular seasons deluge their country. As it is of such an impenetrable texture as to defy either the sun or the monsoon, it affords a shelter even more secure than their huts. During the violent rains it is not unusual to see the natives prop up one end of a talipot leaf with a stick two or three feet long, and then creep under it for protection.

THE SEVEN SLEEPERS. "The old man must be departed, or fallen into some fit; for the noise I have made would have waked the Seven Sleepers." Tales of my Landlord, Third Series. When the Emperor Decius persecuted the Christians, Seven noble youths of Ephesus concealed themselves in a spacious cavern, on the side of an adjacent mountain; where they were doomed to perish by the tyrant, who gave orders that the entrance should be firmly secured by a pile of stones. They immediately fell into a deep slumber, which was miraculously prolonged, without in

juring the powers of life, during a period of 187 years. At the end of that time, the slaves of Adolus, to whom the inheritance of the mountain bad descended, removed the stones, to supply materials for some rustic edifice. The light of the sun darted into the cavern, and the Seven Sleepers were permitted to awake.

After a slumber, as they thought, of a few hours, they were pressed by the calls of hunger, and resolved that Jamblichus, one of their number, should secretly return to the city, to purchase bread for the use of himself and his companions. The youth, if we may still employ that appellation, could no longer recognise the once familiar aspect of his native country; and his surprise was increased by the appearance of a large cross, triumphantly erected over the principal gate of Ephesus. His singular dress and obsolete language confounded the baker, to whom he offered an ancient medal of Decius, as the current coin of the empire; and Jamblichus, on the suspicion of a secret treasure, was dragged before the judge. Their mutual enquiries produced the amazing discovery, that two centuries were almost elapsed since Jamblichus and his friends had escaped from the rage of a Pagan tyrant. The Bishop of Ephesus, the clergy, the magistrate, the people, and it is said, the Emperor Theodosius himself, hastened to visit the cavern of the Seven Sleepers, who related their story, bestowed their benediction, and, at the same in stant, peaceably expired!

SINGULAR SNUFF-BOX.

dead hog, and laid his whole length at his mistress' feet,
and, amidst the shouts and congratulations of the specta-
tors, bore off the prize in triumph.

At the house of Madame la Duchesse de Maine, the
company were one day amusing themselves by comparing
and finding ingenious distinctions between one object and
another. "What difference," said the Duchess to the
Cardinal de Polignac, "is there between me and a
watch?" "Madame," replied the Cardinal, "a watch
marks the hours, and you make us forget them."

CORRESPONDENCE.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir, Short-Hand Writer' is wrong, when he accuses me of affecting to anticipate his suggestions.

A stranger, about eighteen months ago, called upon me
on the very same subject, and expressed a desire, that
something of the kind should be undertaken, and did then
consult me upon the business; for reasons at that time, I
was not inclined to embark in the pursuit; since that

period, I have often regretted, that I did not make myself
acquainted with the name and address of that gentleman.
I thank Short-hand Writer for his good wishes, but,
if I have not, (as he is pleased smilingly to say) shewn
much judgment in my choice of subject, by selecting the
Book of Common Prayer for the purpose, I shall feel gra-
tified to know, what will be more suitable.

I beg leave to observe, that I shall always feel obliged,
for any suggestions towards the improvement of whatever
work may come under my hands, that might in any way
tend in the least to public utility or improvement.
I am, Sir,

Sept. 30th, 1822.

TO THE EDITOR,

Your obedient Servant,
H. F. JAMES.

SIR, It has been a current opinion that Dr. Johnson wrote so correctly, that his pieces required no revision after they were first written.

During the King's residence at Dalkeith, a very curious wooden snuff-box was presented to his Majesty by Sir Walter Scott, from the ingenious maker, Mr. Daniel Craig, of Helensburgh. The body of the box is made of Sycamore-tree, with an invisible hinge of the kind at present so much admired; and the lid of it inlaid with authenticated specimens of several varieties of wood, most of which are well known in Scotland, and celebrated in Scottish song. These are so arranged as to shade and relieve each other, by their beautiful diversity of colour. In the centre is a piece of the Cruikston Yew, mentioned in history as the favourite of the unfortunate Queen Mary. Around this are the following:-The Torwood Oak, of Stirlingshire, whose decayed trunk afforded shelter from his pursuers to the brave Wallace-the Trysting Tree, near Roxburgh Castle, celebrated in the Border feuds I find, however, in Mr. Cobbett's Grammar, the stateand mentioned in the Novel of Rob Roy-the Ellersley ment that six thousand corrections were made in the Yew, which tradition reports to have been planted by papers of the Rambler before they were published in a Sir William Wallace on his uncle's estate of that name collected form. This fact is stated upon the authority in Renfrewshire-the Bush aboon Traquair— Birk of In- of the Doctor's biographer. Will any of your readers vermay―Thorn aboon the Well-Broom of Cowdenknows-oblige me by referring me to the publication in which I Halloway-Kirk Oak, with all of which the admirers of may find it? Scottish poetry are familiar-Elm of Waterloo, under which the Duke of Wellington stood during the battlethe Victory, part of the anchor-stock of Lord Nelson's flag-ship of that name. The whole of these surrounded by a border of Black Oak from the ship Florida, which belonged to the Spanish Armada, and was wrecked off Tobermury, in the island of Mull, 1588. On the bottom of the box, outside, the words and music of "Auld Langsyne" are painted in a style of uncommon neatness. His Majesty was pleased to accept most graciously of this interesting cluster of relics; expressing, at the same time, his admiration, both of the selections of the wood, and of the elegance of the workmanship, and charging Sir Walter Scott with thanks to the ingenious artificer for so acceptable a present.

SINGULAR CONTEST.

A Spaniard and a German both fell in love with the same lady, by whom they were both equally beloved; the parent of the young lady was equally satisfied with both. They possessed equal talents, fortune, character, standing, and all the rest of the world's goods; in short, they stood on the ground of such equality, that no other mode was left to decide the controversy than a duel. The father, however, to save the lives of two such valuable men, proposed this substitute, that whoever was capable of putting his antagonist, with force of arms, into a leathern bag, should be the fortunate candidate. These terms were accepted; the parties met in the presence of a numerons crowd of spectators, and the contest began. The German proving the stronger hero of the two, took his Spanish antagonist, and ith main strength put him into the bag, tied him up with a handsome bow knot around the mouth of the bag, to prevent his escape, shouldered him as a man would shoulder a

October 2nd, 1822.

TO THE EDITOR,

QUERIST.

SIR, I am a very warm admirer of the provincial letters of the celebrated Pascal. The productions of this excellent writer, present us with the finest humorous application of the socratic method of reasoning, that the world has ever witnessed.

There are two English translations of the provincial letters; but, unfortunately, neither of them presents an accurate idea of the original. The first is very antiquated; the last very unfaithful.

I trouble you with this letter in the hope that some of your correspondents would attempt a translation of the first two letters for the Iris. The author of the Musaeid would I think do justice to the undertaking; and I beg to suggest it to his notice.

SIR, The exhibition at the Grammar School was, this year, looked forward to with very great interest. It seems, however, not to have completely answered the expectations which it excited.

The printed card presented, I am informed, fewer names than can be recollected on previous occasions.

The scholars, though most of them apparently very young, conducted themselves, in my opinion, very creditably. Their "Extracts," however, were not, I think, very happily selected; a circunstance which made some of the scholars, possessed evidently of no little talent, appear to disadvantage. I could mention one in

stance in particular, were I not restrained by the fear of exciting a pang where it is not deserved.

The school exercises were, upon the whole, very com mendable; and shewed clearly, that whatever may be said, by the captions, to the disparagement of the School, it is certainly not deficient in respect to native talent.

In one or two instances the scholars forgot to mention the title of their pieces, when reading their own compositions; an omission which certainly ought not to have been made, because these pieces did not appear on the printed card.

The French recitations have been alluded to in the way of censure, as that language is not taught in the school; but there may have been other reasons for this deviation from ancient custom, besides that of the pieces in question adding to the variety of the exhibition. The boys might have been improved by jadicions rehearsals, and the whole performance might have been better managed. A FRIEND TO THE SCHOOL

Oct. 3rd, 1822.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

LITERARY SOCIETY.

THE MEMBERS of the MANCHESTER JUNIOR LITERARY SOCIETY are respectfully informed, that the half yearly Session of the Society has commenced, and that the next Meeting will be held on Monday, the 14th inst. at the usual place, in Pall Mall; the chair to be taken at balf-past Seven o'clock.

It may be proper to state, for the information of stranger who may feel inclined to join such an establishment, that this Society has been instituted for the encouragement of Literary and Philosophical pursuits, and that to promote this object, a each of its Meetings (which are held on every alternate Monday during the Session) a paper is read, or discourse delivered, on some Literary or Scientific question, which afterwards forms the subject of free discussion, all reference to party politics, or co troversial divinity, being strictly prohibited.

Particulars, relative to the mode of admission as Members, &c. may be ascertained by application to the Secretary, Mr. FREDERICK BOARDMAN, Solicitor, 17, St. Ann's Alley. Manchester, October 1st, 1822.

CONCERT.

MASTER MINASI most respectfully informs his Friends and the Public, that, in consequence of an order for a General Review, by Lord Edward Somerset, on Monday the 7th inst. his CONCERT is unavoidably POSTPONED until SATURDAY, the 12th inst. when he hopes to bave the patronage of the Inhabitants of the town of Manchester.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. We should be happy to receive the Chemical papers of R. L. if they are such as the author repre sents them. Communications on this science will be particularly acceptable.

I. B. M. on The Egyptian Mythology' shall appear our next number, and we shall be proud to see it there.

We have much pleasure in acknowledging the packet
from Macclesfield, enclosing a number of very inter-
esting articles.-S. X. has our best thanks for it:
when he has leisure, we shall be happy to hear from
him again.

The story alluded to by our correspondent T. A. H. is
too generally known, to be inserted in the Iris.
We are obliged to "Puzzlepate" for the selection be bas
favoured us with ;-a continuation will be acceptable.
Pluto On the Infernal Regions,' is inadmissible.— The

MS. shall be returned.