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A LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

This Paper is Published Weekly, and may be had of the Booksellers in Manchester; of Agents in many of the principal Towns in the Kingdom; and of the News-carriers. The last column is open to ADVERTISEMENTS of a LITERARY and SCIENTIFIC nature, comprising Education, Institutions, Sales of Libraries, &c.

No. 42-VOL. I.

FOR THE IRIS.

THE CLUB.

No. XXI.-FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1822.
Sit mihi fas audita loqui.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1822.

AS the following letter will sufficiently explain itself, we have thought proper to publish it as it was received, without introduction, alteration, or

comment.

MR. MEDIUM,

SIR,-In a late number of your paper, when describing the family of your friend the President, you have given us the character of an excellent and amiable wife, and have represented in very strong terms, the effect of her virtues and good management upon the happiness of her husband and their children. As I am a married man, but have not been so fortunate as your friend, I am induced to send you some account of my domestic affairs, as it will render your delineation of the hymeneal state more complete, and, in my opinion, more consonant with general expe

rience.

I must inform you, Sir, that I am a grocer, and can say, though I dislike boasting, that I have, for some considerable time, had as good a run of business as almost any person in the retail trade. I have been married about ten years, and have four fine children. My wife is by no means a shrew, and would be, in fact, a very good sort of woman, were it not for a certain negligence, and want of method, which discovers itself in all her conduct.

PRICE 31d.

although, as I am fond of company, I should feel great pleasure in seeing them at my house.

In this manner, but in a thousand different ways, is my home rendered uncomfortable by my. wife's unfortunate want of method and regularity. As we take the Iris regularly, I am not without hopes that this letter may attract the notice of my spouse; and, perhaps, induce her to reflect upon, and alter, her conduct. Should it, in any degree, have this effect, the time I have employed in writing to you will have been advantageously employed, and I shall have an additional reason for being, Sir, your constant reader, and humble servant, HEZEKIAH TREACLE.

But, alas! Sir, in a very short time these expec- | tations were completely destroyed. My shop, from being the very picture of neatness, became My children, as well as myself, are exposed to the seat of disorder. If I wanted any article, I a number of petty inconveniences from their mowas sure to find another in its place. I laid hold ther's immethodical disposition. Last Sunday, of green tea instead of black, and filled my scale as we were leaving home to go to church, I perwith gunpowder when the purchaser desired sou- ceived that little George's cloak had been supposed chong. Twenty times a day had I to carry back to be clean until it was put on. His brother the cannister, while half a dozen impatient cus- Tommy was equipped with two odd shoes, and tomers were waiting to be served. I have been had a hole in his stocking; and my daughter on the point of weighing lamp black for the best Mary had a shoe string in one shoe, and a piece mustard; and more than once had I a roll of of dirty tape in the other. When I am about to brimstone returned to me, which had been sent set off on a journey, I generally have to wait till to an old maiden lady, who was troubled with a my linen is repaired, and once found a capital cough, instead of Spanish liquorice. Nothing great coat completely spoiled by the moths. Nor was more frequent than for my teas and sugars to is my wife more attentive to herself than to her be brought back, with, perhaps, an angry mes- family. Many parts of her dress are put together sage, complaining of my blunders. In short, with pins instead of being sewed If her gown my business soon became as disagreeable as it had happens to catch upon any thing, the rent remains before been pleasant. I bore for some time with untouched, and her pocket-holes are, in conseas much patience as possible, the continued in-quence, often extended to twice the usual length. convenience to which, by my wife's inattention II have known her appear in company with a dirty was thus subjected. I hoped that her mistakes cap, and a handkerchief hastily darned, because and forgetfulness arose from the novelty of her she had delayed to send her linen to be washed, situation, but finding them not only to continue till she had not a change remaining. but increase, I at length ventured to expostulate. I must own that she heard me with attention, and promised to do her best, but having never been accustomed to a systematic conduct, she was soon weary of the trouble of being methodical; and declared that her father and mother had done very well without plaguing themselves to keep every thing just in one place, and that she could not think of living in such continual bondage to precise rules. Her example, and the avowal of such sentiments, had a very unfavourable effect upon the conduct of my servants. As she grew negliI should never have done, were I to relate all gent, they became remiss; and I was finally comthe vexations which this defect in my wife's cha-pelled to dispense altogether with her attendance racter has brought upon me. As I served my in the shop, as the only chance I had left of apprenticeship with a master who was a model preserving my affairs from disorder. I have, by of that order and punctuality which should be in- so doing, contrived to keep my customers; but separable from the behaviour of a tradesman, I my domestic comfort has been continually interentered into business with a confirmed habit of rupted by the same negligent habits which threamethod and regularity. "A place for every tened the ruin of my business. thing, and every thing in its place," was the maxim by which I adjusted all the goods in my shop; and I was pleased as well as profited, by being able to lay my hand upon every article which a customer required, without the trouble of searching for it, or the danger of making a inistake. I found so much advantage, in the despatch of business, arising from my systematic habits, that I became every day more and more attached to them. My customers, finding their orders invariably well executed, and meeting neither with disappointment nor delay, not only remained constant to me themselves, but recommended me to their acquaintance. My business went on regularly increasing; and as my shopman and apprentices insensibly grew into the habits of their master, my additional custom was not productive of any irregularity. In this state of things I married. As my wife had a pleasing person and genteel address, I flattered myself that I should find in her a companion and assistant, by whose attention our interests would be promoted, and our business and profits continue to increase.

I have a house handsomely furnished, but scarcely any thing is kept in its place. I enter a room cautiously, lest I should stumble over a chair or a stool as soon as I have opened the door. My curtains hang awry, and the carpets are full of wrinkles. When I want the clothes brush, it is perhaps discovered in the pantry; and only the other day, I found a heap of apples amongst some important papers in my scrutoire.

Nov. 5, 1822.

METEORIC STONES.

Pluvia Lopidea, (Sperling ;) Meteormassen, (Klaproth ;) Aerolites, (Chladni ;) Meteorolites, (Nicholson, Ure, and others.)

IN the following paper I do not lay any pretensions to originality. I have merely compiled from sources which are not of general access, or which are totally inaccessible to the English reader, a number of facts that have hitherto been kept esunder. Compilations of this kind

are extremely laborions, but not altogether useless.

Though I cannot cast any new light on the formation of from the heavens, have excited the wonder and admira

those masses of stone, which, falling at different times

tion of all, and called forth the profound researches of As to my table, though I take care that the the most eminent philosophers, I flatter myself that I means of having a decent plenty shall never be shall succeed in interesting the general reader. I am wanting, yet the appearance is scarcely ever ade-induced to undertake the task, because a recent aud quate to the expence, or such as reflects any highly valuable scientific work has left the subject in a credit on the mistress of the house. The dishes very imperfect state. Out of respect for the deeply are either too much or too little done, and some- learned author, I forbear to mention its title, since I am thing or other is generally forgotten till the time for its appearance has passed by. Then, there is such a constant fidgetty bustle, such an apparent effort in the mistress and servant, to produce even an indifferent dinner, that a guest loses his appetite, and goes away with the impression of having been troublesome. I am, in consequence, frequently obliged to avoid inviting my friends,

compelled to censure him for culpable negligence on a subject of such great importance; for, as Klaproth, to observes, "Nature does not afford us a phenomenon whom I am chiefly indebted for my information, justly

more remarkable than the fail of meteoric stones."

mind, surely that kind of scepticism, which affects t If extreme credulity be a certain indication of a weak doubt the best authenticated facts, is entitled to littl respect. The testimony of the most accredited authorse

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It is also remarkable, that on the spots where they are found, it has mostly happened, that none of the substances which compose the stones, exists.

There have been made many lists of these phenomena: Chladni compiled a table of this kind, noticing the substance, the time and place of its fall; Izarn made another up to 1803, in which, as far as was practicable, he mentions the persons who witnessed these showers of stones. It appears," says Dr. Ure, "that Domenico, Troili, a Jesuit, published at Modena, in 1765, a work entitled, Della Caduta di un Sasso dall' Aria, Ragionamento, in which the ingenious author proves, in the clearest manner, both from ancient and modern history, that stones had fallen from the heavens." Of the lists of these stones, Dr. Ure says, that the latest and most complete is that published in the first volume of the Ed. Phil. Journ. compiled partly from a manuscript of Mr. Allan's, (who is in possession of the Italian Dissertation) read before the Roy Soc. of Edinburgh.

From the concurrent testimony of those who have described these phenomena, we learn that in every instance, they are preceded by a luminous appearance, globes of fire, or igneous meteors, which generally break with a noise resembling thunder, and then fall to the ground in masses of different sizes. The weight varies from a few ounces to several hundred weight. At Verona, two stones fell in 1668, of which one weighed 200lbs. and the other 300lbs. When the masses have fallen, they are almost always warm, and penetrate the earth to some depth: at Barbotan, near Bourdeaux, a mass of fifteen inches diameter penetrated a but and killed a herdsman and a bullock, on July 24th, 1790. They are without lustre, and generally covered with a thin black crust, hard enough to give sparks with steel, which Hatchett found to consist of oxide of iron and nickel; and they sometimes emit a strong odour of sulphur. Their texture is granulated, and intercally of the grey colour of cinders. Four different substances are interspersed among their texture, easily distinguished by a lens. The most abundant is from the size of a pia's head to that of a pea, opaque, with a little lustre like that of enamel, of a grey colour, sometimes inclining to brown, and hard enough to give faint sparks with steel. Another is a martial pyrites of a reddish yellow colour, black when powdered, not very firm in its texture, and not attractible by the magnet." Hatchett's analysis of this substance gave

Iron.

Sulphur
Nickel

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Extraneous earthy matter

.68

.13

.06

.13

-100 parts. "A third consists of small particles of iron, in a perfectly metallic state, which give to the mass the quality

of being attracted by the magnet, though in some specimens they do not exceed two per cent of the whole weight. They are connected by a fourth of an earthy consistence in most, so that they may be broken to pieces by the fingers, with more or less difficulty. The black crust appears to possess the qualities of very attractible oxide of iron."

Meteorolites are divided with great propriety by Klaproth, into three classes: - Meteoric Stones, properly so called, of a grey-cinder mass, composed of silex, magnesia, oxide of iron, nickel, and sulphur. In this class we find grains of native iron, and combined with nickel.

The following is Klaproth's analysis of the stones of this class, which fell at Sienna in Tuscany, June 16, 1794. Their sp. gr. was from 3.310 to 3.400

Native iron

2.25

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He found the same principles in other proportions, in the meteorolites of Aichstadt: Vauquelin in those of Aigle in France, 1813; and Howard in those of Benares and Yorkshire. Proust did not find nickel in the earthy parts, but only in the metallic grains; he als found some traces of lime. The stones which fell at Valence in 1806, were found by Thenard to contain, besides the above substances, 2.5 carbon, 0,1 oxide of chrome, and a considerable quantity of water. I analysed a substance, which I was assured, was part of one of the stones which fell at Angers in June last, and found silica, lime, magnesia, oxide of iron and nickel, and sulphur. I did not ascertain the proportions with accuracy, as I understood that Gay Lussac was occupied on the same meteorolites. His analysis, however, I have never met with, though I have looked for it. The silica seemed to constitute about 50 of 100 parts, and the oxide of iron about 30.

The second class consists of coralliform native iron, having round cellular spaces, filled with yellowish grains. The celebrated mass of iron, found by Pallas, at Jenisei, is of this kind. Klaproth found it to be

Silex
Magnesia.

Attractible oxide of iron.

41.
38.50
18.50

98

Howard, whose valuable paper in the Phil. Trans. for 1802, has received the warm approbation of Vauquelin, analysed the substance contained in the meteorolites at Benares, and found

Silex
Magnesia

Oxide of iron.
Oxide of nickel.

50.0

15.0
34.0
2.5

101.5

lieved that they were projected from volcanoes; but the great distance at which they were found from volcanoes,t and the remark that volcanic products did not in any respect resemble them, caused this opinion to be abandoned. The next theory gave them a cosmic origin: the author, Chladni,t supposed that the meteors called globes of fire had their formation neither on the earth nor in the atmosphere, but that they derived their existence from the wide expanse of the universe. In support of his opinion he cites their shape, height, route, velocity of motion, &c. According to him, the mass of iron found by Pallas in Siberia, as well as other substances of a like nature, are fragments of a broken globe of fire, of which the wrecks fall upon the earth. This is mere assertion, entirely destitute of proof.

La Place considers these meteoric masses as products of a lunar volcano. But all the circumstances which attend these meteors, their fiery appearance, their breaking near the ground, the velocity of their horizontal motion, are opposed to this opinion.

Another hypothesis is very ingenious, and as it is supported by the observations of Dr. Zimmermann, which were made from May, 1821, to May, 1822, it merits some consideration. He imagines that these concretions are formed in the atmosphere, as we do not find them on the earth, but only their elements; and, besides, there is nothing opposed to their terrestial origin. As all bodies may be reduced to gas, the supporters of this hyporaised into the air in the gaseous state, where they float thesis suppose, that the elements of these meteors are about until they concrete into a mass, which is attended with the phenomena above described. The great specific gravity of these substances militates against this opinion; but if the experiments of Saussure were fully confirmed, they would remove a great part of this difficulty. According to his ingenious researches, the specific gravity of elastic vapours, at an equal temperature, appears to be in proportion to the volatility of the matters from which The third division consists of native metal, without they are obtained. Volatile bodies produce, under favorany stony admixture: such was the mass, weighing able circumstances, the heaviest elastic vapours; and, at 30,000 lbs., which fell at Chaca Gualamba. It consisted, an equal temperature, water is less volatile than alcohol, according to Proust, of equal parts of iron and nickel. and the latter less than ether. The vapour of water is, This last metal is found in all the varieties Its green however, lighter than that of alcohol, and the vapour of oxide was mistaken for copper in a work, in which we alcohol lighter than that of ether. Then, according to should least of all others, expect to find a notice of the Saussure's bypothesis, if the vapours which rise from component parts of meteorolites. It is so very remark-the earth are ranged according to their specific gravities, able, that instead of multiplying analyses, I will cite the those proceeding from the less volatile bodies, as the passage as I find it in Klaproth. It is in the work of earths and metals, would form the upper strata of the Kazwini, a Persian, who died in 1275. The work is in atmosphere: whence one might conceive that in the Arabic, and is entitled "The Wonders of the Creation," most elevated regions of the atmosphere, the elements, and embraces all parts of physics and cosmology. He of which meteorolites are composed, are found in a "Stone is also formed in the air from parts of state of vapour, and that by abandoning that state, they smoke which become stone. After lightning accompanied become concrete masses, attended with flame, noise, with thunder, these stones, which are of a ferruginous smoke, &c., as is the case with numerous chemical and cupreous nature, fall to the earth." Professor combin tions. Ideler, who was engaged in a translation of this work, called the attention of Beigel of Dresden to this passage, who remarked that he had mistaken nickel, from its green oxide, for copper and Ideler added that if Kazwini had used the word gas instead of smoke, and nickel for copper, the notice written 540 years ago, would have modern experiments. been conformable to chemical language and the most

says,

Of the formation of these singular productions there is no want of hypotheses; but no satisfactory explanation has yet been given. That this point will always remain obscure, let no one predict: Davy has discovered the metallic bases of alcalis, and Dobereiner that of hydrogen.* A brief review of the most celebrated of these hypotheses may not be unnecessary. At first it was be

M. Dobereiner, of Jena, having succeeded in metallizing carbon, seized upon hydrogeu also in the metallic form. At least his experiments seem to indicate a metallic base. He galvanises water put in contact with mercury, and obtains at the positive pole, oxygen; and at the negative pole where the mercury is placed, instead of hydrogen, he obtains an amalgam consisting of this metal. We may knead this amalgam and make it take different forms without its being decomposed; but when exposed to heat, it gives off the hydrogen, and the mercury once more becomes finid. He concludes that hydrogen is a metal dissolved in caloric. He had also indications of metallization in phosphorus. He burns it under a bell glass, and subjects it to a ray of light direct from the sun. The phosphorns is formed in pellets of a gold colour, and with great metallic lustre. Subhydrogenated sulphur exhibited a blue snhstance, similar to ultramarine. I think this appearance, however, arises from the developement of blne sulphuret of iron, as it seems to exist in the azure stone. If so, this experiment is of great importance. Dobereiner and many others consider all the substances hitherto undecomposed, as metals.

This is a very ingenious theory, and deserving of attention. The experiments of Saussure, as I have remarked before, are in some measure confirmed by the observations of Dr. Wilhelm Zimmermann, the learned professor of Chemistry in the University of Giessen. A brief notice of them lately appeared in several scientific Journals, and as it is sufficient for the present purpose, I shall not scruple to adopt it. Among Zimmermann's discoveries may be mentioned that all the aqueous atmospherical precipitates or deposits made by snow, rain or hail, during the period of his observations, con

tained meteoric iron, which was combined with nickel in
the same manner as in meteorolites. Almost all the iron
contained muriate of soda, and a (new) organic substance
which the professor has called pyrine. It is composed of
hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon; but the proportions are
not mentioned. In like manner, the rain water was
found on several occasions to contain various kinds of
earths. The rains in February and March particularly
abounded in those ingredients which are found in meteoric
From contemporary observations made on vari-
ous eminences, Diensberg, the castle of Glieberg, the
tower of the barracks of Gliessen, &c., various other
results were obtained, of which several support the
opinion that meteorolites are of telluric, and not of
cosmic origin. In other words, they are in favour of
the ingenious theory of Saussure.
J. K.

stones.

A stone of 6 oz. fell in June, 1809, on board an American vessel, in latitude 30° 58' and longitude 70° 25′ W.-Bibl. Brit.

L' Origine des Aérolithes, Leipsic, 1794.

THE AUGUSTAN AGE.

No. I.

deed must that people have been, and devoid of all true glory, who could for a single day submit to the yoke of men so cruel and so contemptible. And it is morally impossible that in the short UNDER the benignant sway of Augustus Cæsar, space of eighty or a hundred years the people of Rome possessed a degree of power and splendour Rome could have undergone so great a change, which no former nation had ever sought, and as from champions of liberty to have become the perhaps no succeeding one can ever obtain. From tame and nerveless cowards who trembled at the the desarts of Lybia to the stern regions of Cale- nod of the tyrant Nero. Had Augustus been donia, and from the banks of the Danube to the possessed of Nero's cruelty, his subjects would hitherto unpassable boundary of the Atlantic no doubt have submitted with the same ease to the ocean-or in other words, throughout the whole same indignities. The nature of the emperors compass of the civilized world-the name and differed: that of the people was still the same. the power of Imperial Rome carried with them The writers of the Augustan age are now so terror and submission. Throughout the unnum-highly enthroned in public opinion, that it bebered provinces which constituted this mighty comes a very hazardous undertaking if we should empire universal peace prevailed. If not content, derogate from their majesty, or dispute their clain her millions of subjects were at least submissive: to the highest honors. But between the political and some of them, contrasting the easy yoke and the literary character of this period there will, now imposed with the tyranny of their own legi- upon close examination, be found to exist no timate governments, gloried in that slavery which slight connection. Both are splendid in the exreleased them from a far heavier bondage. At treme: and both are clothed with an appearance home, too, all was happiness and grandeur. The of inward vigor which on close examination they dissentions which from the tyrannies of Sylla to are not found to possess. We may even go a step the dictatorship of Cæsar agitated and tore the further, and declare that the political imbecility bleeding state, had now ceased. The only care was the immediate cause of the literary weakness of the voluptuous citizen was to discover some of the Augustan age. For, with all their acknownew scheme of pleasure. Day after day the amphi-ledged excellence, it must be granted that the theatre and the circus opened their gigantic por-writers of this period fell short of that noble simtals, each designed to receive an audience of sixty, plicity and unassuming dignity which characterize eighty, or an hundred thousand souls, who-sti- the early ages of Grecian, Roman, or even Brimulated by the ardency of enthusiasm, or that tish, literature. equally powerful motive, the dread of perfect inactivity—impetuously rushed in, to enjoy the sport without the dangers of the chase; to stake their fortunes, their families, their liberty on the event of a chariot-race; or to urge to desperation the courage of the gladiator, and with shouts of more than fiend-like ferocity to triumph in the agonies of his death. No angry debates disturbed the senate: no demagogue inflamed the people. The ETERNAL CITY sat upon her throne of seven hills and beheld the world at her feet. Not a whisper dared dispute her sovereignty; not a look scowled defiance at her laws.

At this very period when her power was at its zenith, this period of universal peace, and unequalled splendour-Rome carried in her bosom the seeds of death. Nay, the disease had already attained a great ascendant; and it was the more fatal because unsuspected. As the hectic flush which decks with more than mortal beauty the cheek of consumption is but too sure a sign of immediate dissolution; so the magnificence of Rome pointed out, to a scrutinizing eye, the presence of an inward and mortal disease. The citizens of Rome (who had hitherto taken the lead in every political commotion) were now a mere lifeless body. The form of liberty they were still permitted to enjoy ; the spirit was fled, and it went almost unregretted. With the dictatorship of Sylla it received a wound from which it never recovered: the tyranny of Cæsar hastened its departure: and on the field of Actium it fell. Weary of repeated and sanguinary revolutions, the people willingly submitted to the gentle sway of Augustus. They ceased to interest themselves in the government of their country. The orations of the senator, on which they had once hung with rapturous delight, were now unheard or unheeded: The voice of the tragedian was now alone thought worthy of attention.

The Augustan age;-the theme of poets-the pride of historians, in every later generation ought to be regarded with an eye of jealousy. Its glory was hollow its strength convulsive. Of this no other proof need be sought than that which is afforded by the history of Rome under the tyrants Nero and Caligula. Weak and pusillanimous in

1

This subject is too important to be dismissed
with a few hasty remarks; and will be resumed
in a future number.
Liverpool.

J. B. M.

BRAVERY AND HUMANITY.

The following Anecdote of Heroisin in humble
life appeared some time ago in the Newcastle Ma-
gazine. We think it worth recording :-

It happened in this town, (Alnwick,) more than forty
years ago, that a very severe frost set in on a Saturday
evening, and next day, in the afternoon, several boys
got upon the river while the ice was but weakly frozen,
Under one of them, a
immediately opposite the castle.
cobbler's son, fourteen years of age, the ice gave way,
and he hung by his arms nearly in the middle of the
river. The alarm given by the other boys soon brought
a number of persons to the place, but no one durst ven-
ture near the unfortunate boy, and an hour elapsed before
proper ropes could be procured and stretched across the
river. The boy was extremely benumbed with the severe
cold, and, when the rope was brought in contact with
him, and he had laid hold of it, he was raised almost
above the ice, but his hold suddenly giving way, he
dropped down and had very nearly sunk beneath the hole.
This so terrified him, that he could never again be pre-
vailed upon to attempt the rope. Amongst the persons
assembled were the boy's father and brother. The father

would have precipitated himself upon the ice, but he
who could swim well, stripped off part of his clothes,
was forcibly withheld; and the brother, a young man
and the ice being broken from the side with poles, he
went into the water to attempt reaching his brother, but

so intensely severe was the cold, that he was utterly in-
capable of making any impression on the ice, and with
some difficulty he was dragged out, and laid almost in-
sensible upon the bank.

for assistance, but he was now become so enfeebled that
The boy from the first had cried out most distressingly
his voice was rapidly failing, and it was evident that in
the son of a neighbon ing miller, celebrated for the pos-
session of extraordinary agility and athletic powers,

a short time he must sink beneath the ice. At this period

which, hitherto, had only been employed in low combats
and alehouse brawls, happened to come in view of the
people at the river side, and curiosity in an instant
brought him amongst them. Breathless and silent be

eyed the scene around him--the boy in feeble wailings
presaging his approaching end-the father held fast, and
uttering the most heart-rending expressions of distress-
the brother, half naked and half perished, stretched
word, he kicked the shoes from his feet, threw off his
upon the bank. In an instant, and without uttering a
hat, coat, and waistcoat, and in a moment dashed into
the hole where the ice had been broken, and reaching
the edge, he raised both his arms over the ice, and with
rapid ambidexter blows beat it down and swam in through
the aperture almost with unobstructed facility. From
his first ceming up and stripping, the crowd had viewed
him with silent wonder, and on his passing through the
ice, not a whisper escaped from any one, the attention
of ail being held in dumb suspense. But when he was
seen to reach the boy, and seizing one arm, to raise him
half out of the water, a spontaneous and universal shout
of triumph burst from the gazing crowd, and continued
ice, guiding the boy with one hand, and himself with the
without intermission as he returned through the broken
other. Both were quickly on the bank, and while
shaking the wet from himself, observing the people to
gather out of curiosity around the boy, instead of carry-
ing him away, he uttered an indignant exclamation, and
tumbling down half a dozen of them that were in his way,
snatched up the boy, placed him across his shoulder, ran
off to his own father's house, at a short distance, and had
him instantly stripped and put into his own bed. The
name of this spirited young man merits preserving; it
still recollect him and the transaction.
was George Cockburn, and numbers in this place will

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POETRY.

POETICAL EXTRAVAGANZA.

"There is no music like the voice

Of those we love."-SHAKESPEARE.

I have listen'd to beauty playing
On the sweet piano's keys;
Till the heart, the impulse obeying,
Dissolved in ecstasies.
But when Melissa's voice prevails,
So deep and sweet each note,
You'd think a nest of nightingales
Were warbling in her throat.
Howe'er the heart suspend its choice,
When gentle measures move,
"There is no music like the voice
Of those we love."

I've heard the Organ's solemn pealing,
When the anthem's chant began,
Till music with the tide of feeling
Through every fibre ran.

But when Melissa sang the hymn,—
I deemed her in disguise

One of the choir of cherubim,
A truant from the skies.

She made my heavy heart rejoice,
And buoy'd my soul above;
"There is no music like the voice
Of those we love."

I have hearken'd when airy fingers
Woke the Eolian lyre;
Where Zephyrus softly lingers

On the enchanted wire.

But oft Melissa's breast will swell

With harmony more rare,
As Memnon, when his statue fell,
Had hid his music there.

She charms into the heart, by choice,
Affection's captive dove;

"There is no music like the voice
Of those we love."

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Though you have left a Parent's wing,
Nor longer need his care;
It is but seldom Husbands bring

A lighter yoke to wear.

They have their humours and their faults,
So mutable is man;

Excuse his foibles in thy thoughts,
And hide them when you can.
Nor anger, nor resentment keep,
Whatever is amiss;

Be reconciled before you sleep,
Aud seal it with a kiss.

Or if there's cause to reprehend,
Do it with mild address;
Remember, he's your dearest friend,
And love him-ne'er the less.
'Tis not the way to scold at large,
Whate'er proud reason boast;
For those their duty best discharge,
Who condescend the most.

Mutual attempts to serve and please
Each other, will endear;

Thus may you draw your yoke with ease,
No discord interfere.

Thus give your tend'rest passions scope,-
Yet better things pursue;

Be Heaven the object of your hope,
And thither lead him too.*

Since you must both resign your breath,
(And God alone knows when,)
So live, that you may part at death,
To meet with joy again!

Nov. 11th, 1822.

• The friendship of a good man is not the mere impulse of passion, but springs from a virtuous similarity and congeniality of taste and feeling; it originates in innocence and esteem, and will doubtless have its consummation and final completion in Heaven. Thus may the sweet intercourse of connubial life acquire a holy and a heavenly character; and thus, likewise, may friendships, begun in the few and evil days of our pilgrimage upon earth, be, in a future and a better world, co-existent with eternity.

STANZAS,

Composed by a Lady, when suffering under extreme debility of body, from severe and long-protracted illness.

While the exhausted frame of clay,
Worn down by pain, in ruin lies,-
Scarcely perceives the light of day,

Or knows the hand its wants supplies.
The spark that animates this clod,
Wanders excursive, wide and free ;
Almost unburden'd of its load

Of cumbersome mortality.

It travels over time and space,
Recalls full many a by-gone year,
Each form and feature can retrace,
Of friends, who once could life endear.
For though my earthly pilgrimage,
In each event of good or ill,
From earliest youth to latest age,
Friendship hath been my solace still.
The past with fond regret I view,-

Behold the present with surprise,
While unexpected friends and new,
I daily see around me rise.
Friends, only known to me by name,
Eager each circumstance to seize,
(As in pursuit of wealth or fame,)
To give or to procure me ease.
Wherefore this kindness shewn to me?
And whence have I such favour shared?
This is true christian courtesy ;

O! may it meet its due reward.

For no return have I to make,
No recompence is in my power,
But prayers and wishes, for their sake,
Through many a future passing hour.

May fair prosperity and health

Be theirs,-with every pleasure pure; And innocence,-the bosom's wealth! Combine to make their bliss secure. Yet should, in life's still varying round, Some portion of its ills succeed, May comfort, such as I have found, Attend them in the hour of need. And when their work of love is done, And all their earthly labours cease,May they obtain a heavenly crown Of everlasting joy and peace!

Nov. 5th, 1822.

VARIETIES.

LADY OF JAPAN.

The Russian Capt. Rikord gives the following description of a Japanese Lady, in his "Voyage to the Coast of Japan"-On reaching the cabin door, she wished to take off her straw shoes, but as there were neither mats nor carpets, I explained to her by signs that this singular mark of politeness might be dispensed with. On entering the cabin, she placed both hands on her head, with the palms outwards, and saluted us by bending her body very low. I conducted her to a chair, and Kachi requested her to sit down. Fortunately for this unexpected visitor, there was on board our vessel a young and handsome woman, the wife of our surgeon's mate. The Japanese Lady seemed highly pleased on being introduced to her, and they soon formed an intimacy. Our country woman endeavoured to entertain the foreigner with what the women of all countries delight in; she shewed her her trinkets. Our visitor behaved with all the ease of a woman of fashion: she examined the ornaments with great curiosity, and expressed her admiration by an agreeable smile. But the fair complexion of our country woman seemed most of all to attract her attention. She passed her hands over her face, as though she suspected it had been painted, and with a smile exclaimed, "Yoee, yoee !' which signifies" good." I observed that our visitor was somewhat vain of her new ornaments, and I held a lookingglass before her, that she might see how they became her. The Russian Lady placed herself immediately behind her, in order to shew her the difference of their complexions. She immediately pushed the glass aside, and good-humouredly said, Varee, varee!" ("not good.") She herself might bave been called handsome: her face was of the oval form, her features regular, and her little mouth, when open, disclosed a set of shining black lacquered teeth. Her black eye-brows, which had the appearance of having been pencilled, overarched a pair of sparkling dark eyes, which were by no means deeply seated. Her hair was black, and rolled up in the form of a turban, without any ornament except a few small tortoise-shell combs. She was about the middle size, and elegantly formed. Her dress consisted of six wadded silk garments, similar to our nightgowns, each fastened round the lower part of the waist by a separate band, and drawn close together from the girdle downwards. They were all of different colours, and the upper one was black. Her articulation was slow, and her voice soft. Her countenance was expressive and interesting, and she was altogether calculated to make a very agreeable impression. She could not be more than eighteen. We entertained her with fine green tea and sweetmeats, of which she drank and ate moderately. On taking leave I made her some presents, with which she appeared to be very much pleased. I binted to our country woman, that she should embrace her. When the Japanese observed what was intended, she ran into her arms, and kissed her with a smile.

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PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE.

Among the scenes of terror of which Smyrua has been at different times the theatre since the commencement of the Greek insurrection, the following affecting circumstance occurred. While the murderers were forcing in the doors of the houses, with their carbines, a poor Catholic family, in the neighborhood of these massacres, was in a desperate situation. False security had hitherto made them neglect the necessary precautions. The unhappy father did not perceive his error, till his house

in the doing whereof he writhed her neck in sunder, so
she died miserably, her body being straight waies chang-
ed into blue and black colours, most ugglesome to behold,
and her face (which before was so amorous) became most
deformed and fearfull to look upon. This being known in
the city, great preparation was made for her buriall, and
a rich coffin was provided, and her fearfull body was
laid therein and covered very sumptuously. Foure men
immediately essayed to lift up the corpse, but could not
move it: then six attempted the like, but could not once
stirre it from the place where it stood. Whereat the
standers bye marvelling, caused the coffin to be opened to
see the cause thereof where they found the body to be
taken away, and a black catte, very lean and deformed,
sitting in the coffin, setting of great ruffes and frizzling of
hair, to the great fear and wonder of all the beholders!"

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEEING AND BEING SEEN.

SLAVE TRADE.

Testimony of the antient existence of the Stave Trade in
England, from the life of Saint Wulfstan, Bishop of
Worcester, who died A. D. 1096.

"There is a town called Brichston (Bristol) opposite to Ireland, and extremely convenient for trading with that country. Wulfstan induced them to drop a barbarous custom, which neither the love of God, nor the King, could prevail on them to lay aside. This was the mart for slaves, collected from all parts of England, and particularly young women, whom they took care to provide with a pregnancy, in order to enhance their value. It was a moving sight to see in a public market, rows of young people of both sexes, tied together with ropes, of great beauty, and in the flower of their youth, daily prostituted, daily sold! Execrable fact! wretched disgrace! Men, unmindful even of the affections of the brute creation, delivering into slavery their relations, and even their very offspring!"

door was pierced through and through by a shower of musket balls. The only means that remained to save his wife and numerous family from inevitable destruction, was to escape over the roofs of the houses. The moments were precious; the door was already giving way to the efforts of the assailants. Taking his youngest son in is arms, he climbed from his own to the next roof; followed by his trembling wife with an infant at her breast, and after her his four daughters. But this flight was soon interrupted by a cross street. They already beard, on the neighboring terraces, the furious cries of their pursuers; it was necessary to venture the dangerous passage over the street. The father, inspired with new strength, pulled a plank from the adjoining house, and laid it across the street, so that it rested on the two opposite roofs, and offered a narrow insecure bridge to this unfortunate family. But the imminent danger of falling was not the only one that threatened them; the street they had to cross was that in which the shot (the A Quaker in Edinburgh, of the name of James cause of the tumult) had been fired. It was full of furi- M-Pherson, a stocking manufacturer, being involved in ous Turks, whose continual firing alarmed them. But difficulties, which procured for him a visit from a mesthey had not time to consider. At last one of the daugh-senger and a party of constables, Mrs. M'Pherson met ters ventured on the narrow board; but at her first step them at the door, and demanded what they wanted. "I an hundred muskets were discharged at her. However, want Mr. M'Pherson," said the messenger. "Well, she reached the opposite roof without injury; and her friend," replied she, "he shall see thee," and immedisister, who followed, was equally fortunate. Meantime ately shut the door, leaving them on the outside. the rest of the family were discovered by furious Turks waiting a considerable time, the constables began to on the neighboring roofs, and a shower of balls from remonstrate with their superior on the folly of waiting that side also assailed the unhappy fugitives. Urged by so long, insinuating that the quaker would bilk them. By Mrs. Shipley, Wife to the Very Reverend, the Dean of alarms from all quarters they all crowded at once on the "There is no danger of that," replied the messenger. frail bridge, which at first they hardly thought would However great rogues quakers may be, they are scrubear one person. All the shots were now directed to the pulous in speaking truth; she promised I should see same point, and pierced, in many places, the board,him, and she will be as good as her word." He therewhich bent under their weight. But it seemed as if fore continued standing at the door till his patience was Providence covered with its Ægis this unhappy family completely exhausted, the quaker was not like to make not one was wounded; all reached the opposite roofs, his appearance, and he knocked again, when the door and thence the residence of an European family; where the father, exhausted by exertion and mental agitation, question, "What dost thou want, friend?"-" What do was instantly opened by Mrs. McPherson, with the old as soon as he found himself in safety, fainted away. I want," said he, I told you I wanted Mr. M'Pherson, and you promised that I was to see him."-" Nay, friend," replied she, "I only said that he was to see thee! and he did see thee! and he did not like thee! and he fled from thee!!"

BUNKER'S HILL.

Dugald Graham, author of a well-known metrical history of the rebellion in 1745, being candidate for the place of town bell-man in the city of Glasgow, was desired to call "Guide fresh herrings new come in at the Broomielaw," (it not being the season of herrings,) Dngald added,

"But, indeed, my friends, it's a' a blaeflum,

For the herrings no catch't, an' the boat's no come." Which procured for Dugald the situation.

Dugald was a kind of Scotch Esop, he had a large hump on one of his shoulders, and like his prototype, had wit. Calling in the street of the Gallowgate, opposite the Saracen's Head Inn, where several officers of the gallant 42d regiment were dining, at the close of the American war, some of whom knew Dugald before they went abroad, opening the window, called out, "What's that you've got on your back Dugald ?" Knowing what the regiment suffered at Bunker's Hill, Dugald replied, "It's Bunker's Hill, do you chuse to mount?"

RUFFS.

The ruff worn in the reign of Elizabeth attained the most extravagant pitch of absurdity. It reached behind to the very top of the head, and being of fine texture, it was strongly starched to make it stand upright; and in addition to this, was supported by an underpropper called a supertasse. Stubs says, "One arch or pillar wherewith the Devil's kingdom of great ruffs is underpropped, is a certain kind of liquid matter they call starch, wherein the Devil has learned them to wash and die their ruffs, which being dry will stand stiff and inflexible about their necks." The same writer gives the following true and awful relation of the punishment of an Amsterdam Belle, who had been led into evil by this prevailing fashion :--She could not get her ruff plaited according to her taste, though she employed two celebrated laundresses, Upon which "She fell to swear and tear, to curse and han, casting the ruffes under feete, and wishing that the Devil might take her when she did wear any neck-arches again." The Devil being an arch one, assumed the form of a handsome young man, and "tocke in naud the setting of her ruffes, which he performed to her great contentation and liking; insomuch as she looking herself in a grasse (as the Devil bade her) became greatly enamoured of him. This done the young man kissed her;

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After

CHARACTERS OF THE PRINCIPAL NATIONS OF

EUROPE.

In religion-the German is sceptical, the Englishman
devout, the Frenchman zealous, the Italian ceremonious,
the Spaniard a bigot.

In keeping his word-G. faithful; E. safe; F. giddy;
I. shuffling; S. a cheat.

In giving advice-G. slow; E. fearless; F. precipitate ;
I. nice S. circumspect.

In external appearance-G. large; E. well-made; F.
well-looking; I. middle size; S. awkward.

In dress-G. shabby; E. costly; F. fickle; I, ragged;
S. decent.

In manners-G. clownish; E. barbarous; F. easy; I.
polite; S. proud.

In keeping a secret-G. forgets what he has been told; E. conceals what he should divulge, and vice versa; F. tells every thing; I. close; S. mysterious.

In vanity G. boasts little; E. despises all other nations; F. flatters every body; I. estimates cautiously; S. is indifferent.

In eating and drinking-G. a drunkard; E. gross and luscious; F. delicate; I. moderate; S. penurions,

In offending and doing good-G. is inactive; E. does both without consideration; I. prompt in beneficence, but vindictive; S. ind.ferent.

In speaking-G. and F. speak badly, but write well; E. speaks and writes well; I. speaks well, writes much and well; S. speaks little, writes little but well.

In address-G. looks like a blockhead; E. resembles neither a fool nor a wise man; F. gay; I. prudent, but looks like a fool; S. quite the reverse.

Servants are companions in G.; obedient in E.; masters in F.; respectful in I.; submissive in S.

Women--are housewives in G.; queens in E.; ladies in F.; captives in I.; slaves in S.

In courage-G. resembles a bear; E. a lion; F. an
eagle; I a fox; S. an elephant.

In the sciences-G. a pedant; E. a philosopher; F. a
smatterer; I. a professor; S. a grave thinker.
Magnificence in G. the princes; in E. the shops; in
F. the court; in S. the amorous and the magnificent.

REPOSITORY OF GENIUS.
"And justly the Wise-man thus preach'd to us all,-
Despise not the value of things that are small."
Old Ballad.

A RIDDLE.

St. Asaph.

Since Riddles are so much in vogue,
My fancy needs must play the rogue,
And make you search the latent truth
In thoughts and rhymes alike uncouth.
First to old warriors you may go,
From them, perhaps, my name you'll know;
Though they may disavow my aid,
Yet I have many a hero made,
Who, stript of all my saving art,
I fear had play'd the coward's part.
But here, though you may learn my name,
They will not tell you what I am;
Nor knew these heroes that I speak of,
The subject which I mean to treat of.

I first was known, as story says,
About the gay King Charles's days;
An humble creature was my sire,
Who cross the country toiled in mire ;
But in long journies, (for his fate
Forced him to travel soon and late,)
He rode, and fac'd whate'er ill weather,
Clad in a coat of frieze or leather.
But things improved, as time run on,
And then I drove my chaise and one;
Till luxury advancing more,

I now enjoy my coach and four!
And still to make myself more great,

I give a livery of state;

And music oft attends my way,
Whether I travel night or day.

O! should I tell you half the schemes,

I rise and blast the idle dreams,
The fears that chill, the hopes that burn,
Between my going and return,

I ne'er should end the tedious song,
Which you already think too long.

LITERARY NOTICES.

Popular German Stories, translated from the Kinder and Haus-Marchen. collected by Messrs. Grimm, are in the press, with designs by Cruickshanks.

Preparing for publication, The Life of Alexander Reid, a Scotch Covenanter, written by himself; with notes by Archibald Prentice, his great-grandson.

The Youth of Reginald Dalton. By the Author of Some Passages of the Life of Adam Blair. 3 vols. post 8vo. The new Edition of the Progresses of Queen Elizabeth is in considerable forwardness. Two Volumes are finished at the press; and the Third is so far advanced, that the whole may be expected early in 1823. The Volumes are entirely new-arranged; and will be accompanied by proper indexes.

A separate Volume of the Progresses of King James is also preparing for the press, by Mr. Nichols.

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