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ANECDOTES OF OLIVER CROMWELL, Extracted from Butcher's Excursion from Sidmouth to Chester.

◄ Anecdotes of distinguished characters are always entertaining, and they mark their temper and genius better than a cha racter of the same individual, drawn by the pencil of the ablest historian."

The town of Monmouth, which is the capital of the county in which it stands, is a very ancient place, and has made a figure in our history ever since the Norman invasion. It had a castle in the time of the Conqueror ; but that, of which some of the fortifications still remain, is supposed to have been built by John, baron of Monmouth, who took part with the Barons, against Henry III. Its present possessor is the Duke of Beaufort.This town, as well as several of the neighbouring towns and castles, bore witness, in the year 1616, to the triumphs of Oliver Cromwell; but the leaf which be here added to his laurel, had like to have cost him dear. The general was then entertained at the house of a Mr. Fortune, and while he was there, a hot-headed royalist, of the name of Evans, attempted to shoot him through the parlour window. The prudence of the by-standers, fearful that the destruction of the town would be the inevitable consequence, prevented the accomplishment of this rash design, and Evans was permitted to escape.

In the course of his perilous career, Cromwell had many narrow escapes. One of them is thus related, on the credit of Mr. Danziel, a merchant, of Glasgow, by the late Professor Anderson, of the same place :-A short time before the battle of Dunbar, as Cromwell was reviewing the ground, accompanied by a small party of cavalry, a soldier of the Scottish army, prompted by his own zeal, concealed himself behind a wall which in closed a field, and fired his musket at Cromwell; the ball passed very near him; the cavalry which attended him were alarmed; but Oliver, who was going at a round trot, never altered his pace, but, only looking over his shoulder to the place from whence the shot came, called out, "you lubberly rascal, were one of my men to miss such a mark, he should certainly be tied up to the

halberds."

When Cromwell entered Glasgow, at the head of his victorious army, Danziel was standing in the street, called Bell's Wynd, at that end of it which joins the High-street, with several young lads, and amongst the rest, a shoemaker, remarkable for his drollery, and well known by the name of London Willie. As they were silently admiring the order of the troops, Cromwell happened to cast his eye upon the group, and cried out, Hah, Willie! come hither, Willie! They were surprised at this, and still more, when they saw Willie retire into Bell's Wynd, and one of Cromwell's attendants go after him, and bring him to the general, at whose stirrup he not only walked, but went in with him to his lodgings for some minutes. His companions waited till Willie came out, anxious to know why one of his station was taken notice of by the famous Cromwell. Willie soon satisfied their curiosity, by informing them, that his father, being a footman to James VI. had accompanied him to London, on the union of the crowns that he himself was bred a shoemaker, and worked in a lane through which Cromwell frequently passed to a school, as he supposed, in the neighbourhood; that Oliver used to stop at the work-shop to get his ball and other playthings repaired, and to be amused at the same time with his jokes and Scotch pronunciation; that they had never met from that time till now; that he had retired into Bell's Wynd, lest it should be remembered that his father had once belonged to the royal family; that he had no just cause however to be afraid, for that the general had only put him in mind of his boyish tricks, had spoken to him in the kindest manner, and had given him money to drink his health, which he was going to do, with all expedition!

But many natural philosophers, on the other hand, ridicule all serious disputation or contention on this point, and regard it as a fictious and fabulous animal, a mere chimera, the latter opinion, must evidently appear very reasonable, from the following considerations.

and the preacher's commentary upon it, though couched
in scriptural language and sacred history, was, by mani-
fest allusion, nothing less than an invective against
Cromwell and his friends. During this satire, one of
Cromwell's attendants stepped to the back of his chair,
when the following words passed between them :- 1. The being of the Mermaid originated, gained ground,
"Shall I shoot the fellow?"-" What fellow ?"-"The and was most universally received, in those early times,
Parson."-" What Parson?"-" That Parson.". "Be-when many departments of zoology were involved in that
gone, Sir," said Cromwell with a frown; "he is one darkness and obscurity, which enveloped every branch of
fool, and you are another."
science, both useful and ornamental, and which has gra-
dually been dissipating before the rapid strides of
improvement.

The following letters exhibit another trait of Oliver's character, and I apprehend, but very little known. To his Highness, the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England.

"The humble Petition of Margery, the wife of William Beacham, Mariner, Sheweth,

That your Petitioner's husband hath been active and faithful in the wars of this Commonwealth, both by sea and land; and hath undergone many hazards by imprisonments and fights, to the endangering of his life, and at last lost the use of his right arm, and is utterly disabled from future service, as doth appear by the certificate annexed; and yet he hath no more than forty shillings pension from Chatham by the year :

That your Petitioner having one only son, who is tractable to learn, and not having wherewith to bring him up, by reason of their present low estate, occasioned by the public service aforesaid:

2. All accounts, details, and relations, of its appearance, form, and habits, whether handed down by tradition, or given by travellers who professed conviction from ocular demonstration; whether recorded by the credulous historian, or given by the speculative voyager; yet still the relations are generally accompanied by some absurd, ridiculous circumstances, which tend to invalidate

and render them extremely improbable.

3. Its extreme scarcity, and its not being noticed and found in those seas, which were formerly famed for being frequented by it, and which traditionary history has been careful to people with these demi-human monsters.

4. Nature seems to have described an impassable line, and established a fixed barrier, between the human species and the multiform tenants of the waters; and to any person who takes either an anatomical, or a physical survey of the human frame, it must appear that organic Humbly prayeth, That your Highness would vouch-parts and internal structure, present themselves in direct safe to present her said sou, Randolph Beacham, to be contrariety to an opposite opinion. scholar in Sutton's Hospital, called the Charter-house." "Oliver P.

We refer this Petition and Certificate to the Commissioners of Sutton's Hospital." July, 28, 1655.

Copy of a private letter sent by Cromwell to his Secretary, on the above Petition.

"You receive from me, this 28th instant, a Petition of Margery Beacham, desiring the admission of her son into the Charter-house. I know the man, who was employed one day in a very important secret service, which he did effectually, to Our great benefit, and the Commonwealth's. The Petition is a brief relation of a fact, without any flattery. I have written under it a common reference to the Commissioners; but I mean a great deal more, that it shall be done, without their debate or consideration of the matter.

I have not the particular shining bauble or feather in my cap, for crowds to gaze at, or kneel to; but I have power and resolution for foes to humble at; to be short, I know how to deny petitions; and whatever I think proper, for outward form, to refer to any officer or office, expect that such my compliance with custom shall also be looked upon as an indication of my will and pleasure, to have the thing done. See, therefore, that the boy be admitted. Thy true friend,

July 28, 1655.

OLIVER P.

NATURAL HISTORY.

ON MERMAIDS.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR, It certainly has been a cause of much dispute and altercation among naturalists, whether the Mermaid is actually to be ranked among the animated works of nature, or on the other hand to be considered as the fabrication of poetic fiction, or a being of romantic and fabulous origin.

Notwithstanding the many strong and reasonable arguments, which might be urged and adduced against all On the Sunday following, Cromwell went to St. Mun-ideas of the existence of this strange being, the creature go's church, in Glasgow, and placed himself, with his attendants in the King's seat, which always remained unoccupied, except by strangers. The then minister of the church was a great Presbyterian, and no less an enemy to Cromwell; because he said, and in an early part of his discourse urged, that Cromwell and his friends would be forced, by the convulsion of parties, to erect an absolute monarchy-the very evil they meant to remedy. The text was taken from the prophet Jeremiah,

of fancy, yet many virtuosi, either from a love of the marvellous, or that rage after strangeness and novelty which too frequently sways the judgment, persist in asserting that this as well as others, such as the Phoenix, Unicorn, &c. have still places on the habitable globe; though from shyness and scarcity they are not often observed; nor have the most eminent characters, neglected to give credence and support, to the entity of Mermaids.

These monsters seem by different accounts, to have been found in all parts of the world; but particularly in the immediate neighbourhood of this island; according to some, Mermaids have occasionally been fished up, or caught near our southern counties ;* but as the belief in their existence, seems to be nearly allied to that of fairies, witches, and supernatural agency, we consequently find it so prevails where superstitious ignorance holds her seat; thus the isles of Scotland were long famous for a race of marine-maidens, whose beauty, if we confide in tradition, seems to have been far above mediocrity.

That sea-maid's form of pearly light,
Was whiter than the downy spray;
And round her bosom heaving bright,

OLD BALLAD.

Her glossy yellow ringlets play. The Isle of Man was long renouned in story, for the beauteous Mermaids found near and inhabiting its vieinity; and even at the present day, many of the Manks will undertake to relate instances which fell under their own observation. A gentleman, who resided in the very frequently highly amused by their wonderful stories remote parts of the island for a considerable time, was and strange traditions, as well as the serious confidence with which they repeated them; he was gravely informed by a venerable fisherman, that whilst one day engaged in his occupation near the sea coast, something suddenly arose out of the water with a splashing noise, at a little distance from him; upon turning to ascertain the cause of this plunge, he discovered to his no small dismay, a most formidable Mermaid sitting on the water, and stroking back her hair with both hands; but suddenly taking alarm at some of his motions, she instantaneously disappeared; having thus decamped with all speed, she left him to relate the singular adventure to his astonished countrymen. In a certain part of the island, the inhabitants can show a Mermaid's tomb; they pretend that it only lived a few days after it was brought to terra firma, but that even in that short time, it gave sufficient proofs of ability in uttering many curious prophecies, some of which have been remarkably fulfilled (at least, if we have reason to confide in superstitious villagers, and credulous fishermen); it is moreover affirmed, that one of the most extraordinary predictions must yet come to pass; this marine prophetess asserted, that at some distant period, the shores of Mona would so closely approximate to those of Scotland, that a woman would be able to cast a betle‡ from one to the other; in corroboration of this, the common people universally believe that the sea on the side opposite to Scotland, continues constantly to retire by degrees, leaving a small portion of coast dry

• Vide Larrey's Hist. de Angleterre.

+ This man confirmed his story with many serious protestations, a few hours before his death.

† An instrument, in which the country-people bleach thread.

A few observations on the benefits, and injuries arising
to mau, from the reptile and insect tribes, I suppress, on
account of the length they would have given to this letter:
another week should you deem them worthy, you may
insert them.
I remain, Sir,
A FRIEND.

annually. But to the truly enlightened mind, this will space enclosed by the hemp." On first reading this,
appear a mere idle tale, suited only to vulgar, supersti- it put me in mind of the means wisely recommended to
tious, ignorant capacities; in fact all accounts of these children of catching birds, by putting a little salt on their
monsters are so tinctured by absurdity, and displayed tails. The idea perhaps affords as much pleasure to the
under such incredible circumstances, that sensible minds infant mind, as the actual possession of a bird, and some
place little reliance upon them; the grand difficulty, wit may have perhaps invented the story of the hemp, to
arises from the extreme scarcity of the species; if pos- amuse the gardener in a similar way. It is known to
sessed of a place in the European seas, it may be enquired every school-boy, that caterpillars are deposited on plants
-why are they not frequently noticed, or seen by naviga- by butterflies, and that the voracious green caterpillar,
tors? they certainly cannot be so extremely rare, as not is the common white butterfly in its larva or worm state,
to be observed more than once in a century, in spots that butterflies deposit their eggs on plants they judge
where in days of yore, they "became fruitful and multi-large enough to supply their offspring with food, till, ready
plied;" it has been replied, that different beasts, which to change into the chrysalis state, that they are hatched by
formerly abounded in this quarter of the globe, have now the heat of the sun, and immediately begin their depre-
become extinct, as the immense horns and bones frequent-dations, never quitting plants while a leaf remains. Had
ly found in a fossil state serve to testify; and that conse- the cordon of hemp been recommended to present the
quently the scarcity of Mermaids, by no means can be approach of the small grey snail, commonly called a
advanced as a proof of their nonentity, but rather tends slug, it would not have been quite so astonishing. The
to demonstrate, that they have retired from the haunts of gardener may rest assured that no winged insect will
mankind, into some secluded recesses, where, though but respect such boundaries. I have frequently seen means
thinly diffused, yet they still continue to sport their pointed out of preventing the ascent of grubs into fruit
comely forms in peace and undisturbed felicity, and but trees, such as washing the ball of the tree with lime, cover-
seldom appear to the astonished eyes of mankind; it ing it with tar, &c. as if the depredators ascended the ball
certainly must be granted that many instances might be of the tree, and were not principally deposited there by
cited, where travellers and voyagers have been eye-wit- their winged progenitors. Most of these wise plans are
nesses to their appearance, whose accounts we must for- recommended by persons, who scarcely ever spent an hour
bear reciting, for the sake of brevity; but if these in a garden in their lives.
accounts be strictly investigated, with impartial eye, not
a single circumstance'seems to afford substantial evidence,
for the existence of a being half human and half pisca-
tory, that appearances may deceive, and fabrications
impose upon men held up as first-rate philosophers, or
sterling naturalists, many grossly erroneous doctrines
detected in modern times will serve to eyince- men with
tails-nations with dog's heads-indians with one eye-
ants as large as foxes-fishes two miles in circumference
-flying dragons-centaurs and showers of mice, with a
vast multitude of other staggering monsters, and creatures
of imagination, have all had able, learned, strenuous
advocates and supporters; but though these have in
great measure been exploded, and regarded as vainly
chimerical from their manifest absurdity; still the
Mermaid has not yet met with the disregard it merits, and
wants not a number of wonder-loving zoologists, to
assert its right to a distinguishing place in the multiform
families of the creation; but prejudice, when combined
with ignorance, and upheld by obstinacy, has ever proved
an obstacle to free enquiry and impartial investigation;
in fine, it is physically impossible for a warm blooded
creature, to subsist in a cold element ; and before the
frame of man, wholly or in part, could be rendered fit
for a residence in the depths of the ocean, so many mate-
rial changes in conformation, (both internal and external)
would be effected, as ultimately to destroy all traces of
humanity, and utterly preclude all ideas of that symmetry,
beauty, and elegancy, which poets, painters, and histori-
ans, have universally gifted it with ;-we may safely con-
clude, that did such a creature possess a being, it would
in all probability be more calculated to excite sensations
of disgust, and horror, than sentiments of admiration;
and in fine, we have every reason to discard, all ideas of
a monster, so directly opposite to the fixed ordinances of
nature, and endowed with properties in diametrical con-
trariety, to both analogy and reason.
Liverpool, Nov. 30th, 1822.

MONOCEROS.

§ Artedi gives place to the syren in his ichthyology, placing it among the cetaceous tribes,

TO THE EDITOR,

SIR. Under the head of Natural History in your last week's paper, you have given us some curious information respecting the spider; which shows how far that loathsome creature surpasses human ingenuity in the art

of spinning.-Spiders are equally noted for their knowledge of Geometry.-Cobwebs assume a beautiful appearance in the moist mornings of autumn, the hedges are covered with them, and each web thickly set with "pearly dew;" while on the grass an iris is inflected from the drops of water hanging on the webs. The following

I will shew that there are fabrications of cobwebs from moonshine.-There has lately appeared in several scientific Journals, a plan of preventing the depredations of caterpillars, which must be extremely interesting to the naturalist. It is this; "Sow a belt of hemp seed round the borders of the ground, where cabbages or other vegetables are planted, and not a caterpillar will approach the

Pendleton, Dec. 4th, 1822.

The Plague of Locusts.-A modern traveller relates the following extraordinary phenomenon of the locust. We transcribe it in his own words:

SCIENCE, ETC.

MR. EDITOR,-As the subject of what are usually styled, by grammarians, impersonal verbs, has been incidentally noticed in some late strictures on an English Grammar, by that erratic politician, William Cobbett, I have now only to add, that such expressions as it rains, or it freezes, or at thaws, &c. are all idiomutical phrases, the meaning of which is just as well understood by the most illiterate, as by the most acute reasoner on grammatical construction. I will not, therefore, waste either my own time, or that of your readers, by any superfluous remarks on the Strictures" inserted in your last Iris; but conclude this brief notice with an extract from the very valuable and justly esteemed Grammar of Bishop Lowth, being a Note, annexed to his Observations on the most common phrases used in simple sentences: this Note expresses, in few words, all that is really necessary for a clear understanding of the particular point alluded to in the present correspondence.

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"The neuter pronoun it, is sometimes employed to express, First, the subject of any discourse or inquiry; Secondly, the state or condition of any thing or person and, Thirdly, the thing. whatever it be, which is the cause of any effect or event; or any person, considered merely as a cause, without regard to proper personality. The agent or person, in all these cases, is expressed by the neuter pronoun it. In some other languages, the pronoun is not expressed, but understood. As pluit,Your's, &c. Dec. 3rd, 1822.

it rains."

LITERARY NOTICES.

S. X.

Life of G. B. Piranesi, by his Son, with an Account of his works.

Travels through Denmark, Sweden, Lapland, Finland, Petersburgh, during the Tyranny of the Emperor Paul: Norway, and Russia, with a Description of the City of St. by E. D. Clarke, L. L. D. Being the sixth and con

"I was one day standing on the great battery, when,
casting my eye toward the Barbary coast, I observed an
odd sort of greenish cloud making to the Spanish shore;cluding vol. of the Author's Travels in Europe, Asia, and

not, like other clonds, with rapidity or swiftness, but
with a motion so slow, that sight itself was a long time
before it would allow it such. At last, it came just over
my head, and, interposing between the sun and me, so
thickened the air, that I had lost the very sight of day.
At this moment it had reached the land; and though very
near me in my imagination, it began to dissolve, and
lose of its first tenebrity; when, all on a sudden, there
fell such a vast multitude of locusts, as exceeded the
thickest storm of hail or snow that I ever saw. All
around me was immediately covered with these crawling
creatures; and yet they continued to fall so thick, that
with the swing of my cane I knocked down thousands.
It is scarce imaginable the havoc I made in a very little
space of time; much less conceivable is the horrid deso-
lation which attended the visitation of those animalcu!æ.
There was not, in a day or two's time, the least leaf to
be seen upon a tree, nor any green thing in a garden.
Nature seemed buried in her own ruins; and the vegeta-
ble world to be supported only to her own monument.
I never saw the hardest winter, in those parts, attended
with any equal desolation. When, glutton-like, they
had devoured all that should have sustained them, and
the more valuable part of God's creation-whether weary
with gorging, or over-thirsty with devouring. I leave to
philosophers-they made to ponds, brooks, and standing
pools, there revenging their own rape upon nature upon
their own vile carcasses; in every one of these you might
see them lie in heaps like little hills,-drowned indeed,
but attended with stenches so noisome, that it gave the
distracted neighbourhood too great reason to apprehend
yet more fatal consequences. A pestilential infection is
the dread of every place, but especially of all parts upon
the Mediterranean. The priests, therefore, repaired to
a little chapel, built in the open fields, to be made use
of on such like occasions, there to deprecate the cause
of this dreadful visitation. In a week's time, or there-
abouts, the stench was over, and every thing but verdant
nature in its pristine order."

A turkey cock, the property of J. Lee, Esq. of Red-
brooke, near Whitechurch, which was black last year,
has now become perfectly white; this extraordinary change
took place so gradnally, that in the middle of the moult-
ing the bird was beautifully mottled, the feathers being
black and white alternately.

Africa; with numerous Engravings of Views, Maps, &c.
Sixty Ancient Ballads, Historical and Romantic.
Translated from the Spanish; with Notes and Illustra-
tions, by J. G. Lockhart, L. L. B.

An Encyclopædia, or general Dictionary of Music, has been announced, in which many of our eminent Composers are engaged..

plates by Lowry, Scriven, &c.
Mr. Elmes' Life of Sir Christopher Wren, with many

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The great length of the communication from Leucippas, alone
renders it objectionable.-We are sorry that we have fre-
quently to reject interesting articles on this account.
Amicus may be correct, but he is certainly very ill-humoured.
The article on Dandyism, transmitted from our esteemed friend
John Bull, shall, if possible, appear in our next.
The Singular Adventure related in the first page of the present
Iris, happened, we believe, to a gentleman of the highest res
pectability and literary eminence of this town; and, with a
little creative imagery suggested by the ardent mind of the
writer, is literally true.

Ignoto's wish shall be complied with.
Monoceros will receive a note from our Liverpool agents.

The paper "On Laws;"-Myself's Recollections:-On Preja-
dice;-The Phantom, a Tale ;-On Habitual Drunkenness
The Recluse, by B. F.;-Ellen's Tender Looks ;-The Death
of Christ; and several other favours have been received.

TO SUBSCRIBERS-As several numbers of the Iris are now nearly out of print, we beg to suggest to those subscribers whose sets are im perfect, the expediency of completing them without delay.

Manchester: Printed and Published by HENRY SMITH,
St. Ann's-Square; to whom Advertisements and CommW-
nications for the Editor,' (post paid) may be addressed.
AGENTS.

Ardwick, R. Harwood.

Ashton, T. Cunninghain.

Bolton, Gardner & Co.
Bury, R. Hellawell; J. Kay.
De by, Richardson & Handford.
Leeds, J. Heaton.

Liverpool, E. Willmer & Co.
Macel speld, J. Swinnerton.
Oldham, W. Lambert.
Preston, L Clarke.
Roch ale, M. Lancashire.
Stockport, T. Claye.

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, Sules of Libraries, &c.

No. 46.-VOL. I.

FOR THE IRIS.

THE CLUB.

No. XXIII.-FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1822.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1822.

Hoc est quod palles? Cur quis non prandeat, boc est?
PERSIUS.

OUR friend the Schoolmaster has had at his house, for the last fortnight, a visitor whom he has kept so much to himself, as to excite the curiosity of the whole Club. The old gentleman did not drop a single word about him for two meetings, but left the other members, who had received some hints that the stranger was an odd sort of person, quite in suspense.

Sir," replied the phrenologist, "you have the
organ of amativeness very strongly marked."
Here there was a loud laugh from the other mem-
bers, while the Widower appeared rather discon-
certed. When he had a little recovered himself
he protested that the gentleman was quite mis-
taken; that he was very far from being attached
to the female sex; that he thanked God he knew
better than to be so; that--but he was here inter-
rupted by another laugh which burst from the
whole Club.

PRICE 3 d.

PREJUDICE.

of man, are more strongly rooted or less easily None of the passions which actuate the conduct subdued than prejudice. As weak minds form their opinion of a person's superiority from the degree of determination with which he supports a decision hastily pronounced-the petulant and pertinacious readily adopt this criterion of merit, and, in contradiction to the most conclusive arguments of their opponent and their own convicThe stranger coolly remarked that he could tion of error, rather than yield and allow themassure the gentleman there was no mistake; for selves mistaken, will adduce every petty resource the organ had been early discovered by that pro- of sophistry. There is always danger in discussfound physiologist Dr. Gall, and it is now consi-ing a subject, lest some interested motive or feeldered by every learned phrenologist, as quite ing of pride should convert our research for truth "established." The Widower still persisted that into a desire of victory. he had no such disposition; but he found the visitor and the members equally deaf to his protestations.

While our curiosity was at its height, our friend brought his visitor to the last meeting at the Green Dragon. The stranger was introduced to us as a professional gentleman, and a distinguished member of the Phrenological Society. It may be necessary for us to acquaint the reader, that the Phrenologists are a new sect, who profess to be able to discover the prevailing qualities of the mind, from an exterior examination of We were very anxious to hear from the gentle-tleman was, sometimes at least, a little hasty in man some account of his favourite science; but, argument. as a matter of delicacy, we refrained from being

the human head.

the first to introduce the subject.

The widower happening to allude to a young acquaintance whom he had met with during the day, and who, he remarked, had shaken him by the hand as violently as usual, so as to leave him for some time very little use of it, "aye," said the Phrenologist gravely, bending down his eyebrows, and turning his head on one side, that person must have the organ of adhesiveness very fully developed."

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We thought this a favourable opportunity for procuring some information from our learned visitor. He was, accordingly, asked a number of questions; and the members willingly acceded to a request which he made, to be permitted to inspect their craniums.

have adopted are erroneous, we display much By acknowledging that the sentiments we may stronger proofs of greatness of mind than by perOn taking a view of the Doctor's head the phre- sisting in them. Firmness of character is not nologist informed us that the organ of language shown by precipitately forming an opinion, and shewed well, and, therefore, he had no doubt the pertinaciously defending it; but by a judicious cation of self-love was rather strong; but the against-and then, after having maturely assented gentleman was fond of the classics. The indi- consideration of the evidence offered for and developement most conspicuous was that of combativeness, from which he inferred that the gen-ble proof be brought of its want of validity. to that opinion, by maintaining it until irresistiObstinacy is no mark of a correct judgment, but is generally found combined with ignorance. For tentively has the least presumption. He sees that the man who has studied human nature most atmen of sound understandings differ on almost every subject, and knowing that a perfect mind is required to form an infallible conclusion, he is willing to suppose himself as liable to error as when proved to be incorrect. He fully assents to his neighbour, and is ready to retract his opinion the truth of the saying, that there is no greater prejudice than to suppose we have none. Liverpool.

with a pinch of Mr. Lovatt's prince's mixture, next
offered his head for inspection, with his usual
simplicity of manner. The organ of acquisitive-
ness was the only one which, in the opinion of
the stranger, was well developed.

The Tradesman, after having prepared himself

examination, and was pronounced to be the best
The head of the Secretary underwent a long
in the Club. For wit and ideality the phrenolo-
gist had not lately seen a better. He was of
opinion, however, that the state of the organs of
order and cautiousness must impart to the manners
of the Secretary, what his friends must lament,
as a more than desirable degree of stiffness and
frigidity.

The other members were examined in succes-
sion; but we will not trespass upon the patience
of our readers by detailing the appearances.

The first person who underwent an examination was the President, of whose head the learned When the examinations were finished, the gentleman gave a very complimentary report. Widower and the Doctor, neither of whom was It seems our worthy friend had very good appear- pleased with the report of the phrenologist, enterances of philoprogenitiveness, which indicate theed into a warm discussion with him upon the love of children, and causality, which are the signs of a philosophical understanding.

principles of his science. As their objections
seemed, in many points, to be rather ingenious,
we may, perhaps, make some use of their remarks
in a future paper.

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B. F.

Of words which are variously spelled by different writers.
Who shall decide when doctors disagree ?-PorI.
Wrong.
Behoove-

Right.
Behove-

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The next member who submitted to the fingers of the stranger was the Widower, who, while he evinced much incredulity, shewed yet an unac- Before we close our present number we will Todd observes, of our ancient writers; though Dr. Johncountable reluctance to the inspection. "I find, just notice a practice now very prevalent among Sir," said the phrenologist, "that you have the our fair townswomen, of braiding the hair in appearance of individuality well presented, Your front of the face, so as to expose the forehead. knowledge of the arts and sciences is, therefore, We think the fashion very unbecoming; and we I presume, rather extensive." We ali acknow- would caution them against it, lest some ill-naturledged the truth of the conclusion. "I observe, ed disciple of Gall and Spurzheim should take too," he proceeded, "that you have a good me- advantage of the circumstance, and make them mory, and are partial to natural scenery; for I regret that they had so imprudently laid aside those perceive that the organ of locality is well defined.graceful curls, which contribute in so great a If I mistake not, Sir, you are a married man." degree to female beauty. "Why so," said the Widower, eagerly. "Because,

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The lattter mode of spelling the word is, no doubt, correct. There is a provincial Newspaper, published in the North, ander the name of The Sentinel. There is also an article in a provincial Magazine, (the Lonsdale) printed at Kendal, in Westmorland, but spelled with a c; which the Editor of the Work has probably discovered to be erroneous. But having so long persisted in the mistake, he is unwilling now to retract, and fairly acknowledge to his readers that his orthography, in this particular instance, is "not according to" Johnson. Chace Chase

Whether it be a verb or a substantive, this word is always written with an s. It might perhaps be an advantage to distinguish the substantive from the verb, by writing the substantive with a c, and the verb with an s, similar to the words practice, practise; recompence, recompense. But since the word under consideration has only one authorized spelling, it is certainly better not to deviate from established custom.

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This distinction in the orthography of these words, seems now generally, if not universally, to prevail. It is not, however, sanctioned by Mr. Todd, or by his great predecessor, Dr. Johnson; and the former merely inserts dye, to stain, in the alphabetical series, for the purpose of referring the reader to the word die, as the more correct spelling. The Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, have adopted this very useful variation, using the letter y, in the first mentioned word, and inserting also the letter e, in the word, dyeing, which most effectually distinguishes it from the participle, dying, from the verb to die, to expire. Excellencés

Excellencies

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the etymology. Mrs. Hemans, in her beautiful poem,
The Sceptic, is the only modern writer that has adopted
this singular, if not obsolete mode of spelling the word.
Reflexion-
Reflection-

The latter word is derived from the verb, to reflect;
and therefore Mr. Todd considers the former spelling,
with an x, less proper.
Tranquility-

Tranquillity, from Tran-
quillitas, Latin.

(To be continued.)

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whereby should hang a waggish tail, with two or three specimen bundles of matches in his faithful paws, from morn to eve, a summer's day," and from twelve till two, a November day in the city, his dark master meantime pouring out his Godbless-you thankfulnesses, and pity-stirring plaints, with that beseeching earnestness of voice and benedictory piety of manner which none but your poor stone-blind beggars ever attain to, but the whole of whose blessings and brimstones only bring into his inverted hat a shilling's-worth of half-hourly dropping half-pennies, to the infinite just been invented, on principles of extraordinary inge-numbing and desponding drooping of poor Tray's New Printing Press. An apparatus for printing has soreness of his petitioning knees, and to the cold nuity. The first part of the operation is the casting the cramped tail, that wags no more than does that types in a machine, which, though simple in its struc- erect and stiff stone Lion's tail that overmounts ture, gives a variety of motions, by which the types are the lordly house of the Percys, at Charing-cross. founded, finished, and distributed in order, in the cases ready for the compositor. The second part of the apparatus is a machine for composing or collecting the individual types together into words, lines, and sentences; which is effected by jacks and keys, to be played upon in the manner of a harpsichord. The third is a printing those above alluded to, but equally good and more expepress, the principles of which are very different from ditious. After the types in the form have given the desired number of impressions, they are returned to the melting pot, recast, and distributed mechanically; which is more expeditiously performed than by the old process of the form, and distributing the letters by hand. The whole of the mechanism is worked with perfect ease, by manual labour. A Mr. Crutch is the inventor.'-The editor of the Tyne Mercury, after copying the above paragraph, adds, We happen to know that the part of this invention which relates to setting up the types in the manuer of playing on a harpsichord, was contemplated and nearly completed many years ago. We believe that serious misfortunes in trade alone, prevented the inventor from bringing the invention into general practice; we cannot but think, however, that the idea of recast

ing types whenever they are used is extremely ridicu

lous.'

ON 'DOGS.

Seeing, as we must see, or ought to see, the excellent and excelling qualities of that manydespised quadruped, it has often surprised me that any man of a mild mind, with a little milk of humility in it, should feel uneasy at being opium-chewing ruffians, the Turks, in the serenity called Dog! I know that those Greek-grinding, of their tempers, fling it as a stone of reproach at the foreheads of the Christians; but to me it seems, and ever has seemed, a handsome and elevating compliment, and nothing but being kicked in the same breath, like a dog, would convince me it was not one; and even in this dilemma I should have a reasonable number of doubts whether it was not still a compliment, and that the kicks of accompaniment were intended only to impress a lasting sense of it, and to refresh the slow and tardy memory, which is ever behind in its recollections. To be called Puppy! even, is put-up-withable. But if an impertinent, instead larities, and chose to designate me Spaniel, or of calling me generally Dog, went into particuPug, and this opprobrium happened in January, take offence at it; because Spaniels I dislike for I might take time, in the following December, to their fawning tempers; and Pug-dogs for their useless littleness, and heel-barking pugnacity, a word no doubt, derived from them. Pugs are as libellous of the better race of dogs, as monkeys and dwarfs are of the nobler race of man. Next to these, the whole variety of French Shocks, and family and single Lap-dogs are obnoxious to my high opinions of dogs in general. I can never feel any thing but a bitter biped indignation when I see a wealthy and well-informed woman lavish

Coal Gas and Oil Gas.-The subject of the comparative advantages of oil gas and coal gas has, of late occupied a considerable portion of the public attention. We observe, by a Bristol paper, that the gas-light company there, have challenged the promoters of the oil scheme, to prove their assertion, that one foot of oil gas is nearly equivalent to four feet of coal gas:' but the challenge has not been accepted. The company assert, as the result of a series of experiments, that one foot of oil gas is equal to two feet of coal gas, and no more; with which the experiments of Mr. Brande, Chemical Lecturer at the Royal Institution, and those also of Mr. Creighton, of Glasgow, perfectly agree. The latter authority also shows, that oil gas would be more expensive to the pub-ing that fondness on those ugly quadrupeds, who lic, as the quantity of light from coal which would cost are thought handsome, which if bestowed on some 23d. could not be rendered from oil for less than 44d. little friendless orphan, whom they might comfort at less expense, and adopt and keep at little more than is wasted on these wiry-haired aliens. When I meet one of these fat and pampered animals waddling and wheezing it's panting way after it's fashionable mistress, I am much perplexed which usually satisfy my spleen with despising the dog to despise; but as I venerate all petticoats, I instead of his mistress. And when I have seen a tall manly fellow of a lady's lacquey hoisting one of these white enormities under his arm, and dogging the heels of his superior, I have felt something like indignation, that even a man in a livery should be degraded to so vile and unmanly an office. But when I have met in the Mall some fair spinster hugging one of these monstrous affection-stealers to her fair bosom, I have, at the moment, wished myself bitten by a mad dog, that I might run about the Parks and polite places in an unsuspicious shape, and bite every dog's tail bend of a fair spinster's elbows, and thus inocuthat was caught dangling down from the dexter late those pretty protegés with the dog-day variolus of death; at other times, I have wished my self a humane overseer of the poor, with an

tures, and never fawn on those they like not."
DOGS!-I love dogs, "for they are honest crea-
Of all the domesticated animals, I know none
before them in usefulness, or in real attachment
and faithfulness to man; in ardent courage in the
defence of his person, or honesty in protecting
his property. That their attachment is disinter-
ested, we cannot but believe, when we look at the
affection which a blind man's dog shows to him
in all his poverty, and in that daily imprisonment
of the leathern leading-string. What but attach-
ing affection could induce such a poor, wandering,
free-prisoner of the streets, when he is at night
loosed from his prison-thrall, to allow himself to
be quietly strapped to his blind log the next
blind master could thus content a dog, that might
morning? Nothing but genuine love for his poor
be free if he would, to such a life of restraint and
beggary. How often have I pitied that matchless
beast which patiently sits perched on that end

arbitrary power given me to snatch away these undue favourites from their arms, and to place in their stead, the little orphans and foundlings of human nature, taking the mother-forsaken child from the half-feeding work-house, and sending the well-fed banished dog there as its proper substitute. Would that this could be done by force of pens, rather than by force of arms! Would that one of these fair sinners against the beautiful

SCRAPIANA.-NO. XVI.

From the common-place book of a Lancashire Clergyman
who flourished upwards of a century ago.

Removes in this world are from one wilderness to another.
Rich he is in grace, whose grace is not hindered by his
riches.
Risus in Ecclesià, Diaboli opus est. Chrysostom.

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.-No. 1.
(NEVER BEFORE PRINTED.)

By the late Rev. Francis Leighton, a Shropshire
Clergyman.

affections of her sex, could be converted by this Rex est dum benè regit, Tyrannus dum populum opprimit. Come, thoughtless sinner, read the instructive line,

How much hint from such an absurd custom ! handsomer would a handsome woman look followed by two or three chubby English children attendants, though in the livery of dependence, than by the same number of French dogs: even the old fashion of a following black boy was a more humane folly.

An ingenious Barrister, of rather singular opinions, has a very plausible theory on the subject of dogs, on which I have heard him hold forth rather dogmatically; that you may ascertain and infer the prevailing disposition of a man in the particular choice of his dog: as thus-if he choose a Spaniel, not for sporting purposes, but for a companion, he infers that he loves to be flattered, or else that he has himself a taste for fawning on others; if a Pug, that he is apt at impertinence, but impotent and insignificant; if a Cur, that he is savage and sly, sneaking and cowardly; if a Bull Dog, that he is obstinate and unyielding in anger, but harmless, though surly, when in a good temper; if a Newfoundland, the noblest of all dogs, and the most humane and human of all animals, that he is courageous, gentle, and generous, and has a philanthropic turn of mind, that would not let a man drown without trying to save him; if a Terrier, that he is ferrettish, sharp scented, and keen, and that he is a lawyer, or should have been one. This is certainly ingenious, and it may be true. One may indeed observe a peculiar congeniality in disposition between some men and some animals. One man shall resemble a dog in his habits and appetites; another a fox in his craftiness; a third a monkey in his mischievousness; a fourth, an ass in his intellect; and so on, down the many-linked chain of animals, A late and up the variously-linked chain of men. Right Honourable dramatist and M. P. has said that "all are not men that wear the human form;" neither are all dogs that wear dog's habits. But I will not be proscribing and invidious, and set the malicious and the cruel, who are always glad of an excuse for their inhumanity, kicking and stoning all dogs that are not deserving of that honourable title.

a Ram may possibly kill the Butcher!
a Recorder setts all in order. Ray.
Rattles please children; Oaths men!
Rome, ye Epitome of ye World.

Reasonable Travellers must beware of ye Pride of Spain,
ye Poison of Italy, the Treason of France, and the
drink of Flanders.

Rabbins have a proverb yt 10 kahs of speech descended
into ye World & ye Women took away 9 of them.
Rawleigh's Epitaph of Sr Robt. Cecil his Enemy

"Here lies Hobinal our Pastor while ere,
That once in a quarter our fleeces did shear :
To please us, his Cur he kept under clog;
And was ever after both Shepherd and dog:
For oblation to Pan, bis custom was thus,
He first gave a trifle, then offered up us,
And thro' his false worship such power he did gain
As kept him oth' mountain and us on ye plain;
Where many a hornpipe he turn'd to his Phillis
And sweetly sang Walsingham to's Amaryllis."
Revelation begins where reason ends.
Regents in Scottland often slain.

Reformation not the Lott of every nation.
Rumbal said to speake as soon as born. Credat.
Religio peperit divitius, sed filia devoravit matrem.
Running Mettal will sooner melt other of its own kind,

than fire alone can do. Rabor virtutis color.

Registers set up in churches by Ld. Cromwell at ye com-
mand of Henry ye 8th 1538, wherein the names of all
that were married, christened or buried were inserted.

Royal society founded by Charles ye 2d Anno 1663.

Extraordinary Elephant Hunt.-Kbasgur, a town in the province of Agra, 64 miles N. W. from Furrackabad, has, for some time, been ravaged by a wild elephant with only one tusk, who had taken up his abode in a wet dyke near the town, from which be issued whenever he happened to be so disposed, and, without fear or mercy, destroyed men and beasts, villagers and travellers, as they came in his way. The Sahabina Alashan having been moved to compassion by the lamentations of the inhabitants, undertook the deliverance of the town, and resolutely bound up their kurimi himet to destroy him. They, accordingly, provided themselves with twelve good elephants, and, under the supposition that the wild elephant would show symptoms of mildness at the sight of a female, they determined to take a female elephant in their train, placing her, however, in front, Dogs have more sagacity, and instinct, and with an advanced guard under seven bold Burkardaz, intellect, than any other animal. Innumerable well mounted on seven elephants, with a great concourse are the recorded instances of their tenacious meof people, The Sababina Alashan then took post in the mories of inen, places, and circumstances; of the rear, and gave the word to advance. On arriving at the strength and long endurance of their attachments; ditch the wild elephant was iscovered, and a shot was This did not in the least and of their reflective powers that seem to weigh immediately fired at him. the consequences of their own actions and the alarm him; on the contrary, it excited his utmost actions of others. Never shall I forget the humane choler, and he turned his face towards the Sahabina Upon this the misconceptions of that noble Newfoundland dog Alashan and began to shake both his ears at them in I once met with, who would not suffer a smaller armed Burkardaz, on their elephants, advanced within dog of the mongrel species, quietly to swim about one hundred and sixty yards of the spot in a most couraa pond, without plunging in after him, and bring-geous style, supported by the Sahabina Alashan in the ing him out in his mouth, as if he conceived him in danger of drowning; and as fast as the mongrel was thrown in again, so often did he jump in after him, and bring him again to land. By the way, I have often thought that a score or two of these brave dogs, regularly trained to the employment, and stationed as assistants to the assiduous humanities of the Humane Society, would do more good than all the drags and life-boats that ingenious invention ever invented.-New European Mag.

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a manner at once wild and terrific.

rear.

The elephant, wild as he was, very judiciously
took alarm at this formidable advance, and endeavoured
to retreat. The hunters, upon this, opened a beavy fire,
which drove the animal out of the ditch. The whole
body then pursued and crossed the dyke, and, after a
severe contest, this formidable animal was slain by a ball
On opening him, no less than
entering his left eye.
eighty balls were found in his head. He measured 94
cubits high, 12 feet in length, and 7 round the neck.
He had been a resident of the ditch at Khasgur for up-
wards of four years, and had killed, during that time,
about fifty of the inhabitants.

Pierce the dark meaning of my mystic strain ; Like mine commenced, conclude thy life like mine, And own one Riddle not composed in vain.

Like thee forgetful of my nobler birth,

In mean delights I pass'd the fleeting hours
I crawl'd degenerate on the sordid earth,

And with gross food repair'd my languid powers.
Oh, shame! that beings meant by heaven to rise
Above this sublunary sphere, sublime,

Born for high ends, and destined for the skies,
Should waste on earth their thoughts, their powers,
their time.

Not long, thank heaven! this grovelling life could charm,
Fill'd with base pleasures and low-thoughted care;
Behold me, sinner, seiz'd with just alarm,

Retir'd and pensive, for the tomb prepared.
On me grim death exerts his transient power,
O'er me, o'er thee, he claims no lasting right;
We sink but like the day, the herb, the flower,
Oppress'd by winter, or obscur'd by night.
From the burst tomb kind beaven deliverance gave,
I dropt my earthly spoils ;-on buoyant wing
Rose to sublimer scenes: where, boasting grave,
Is now thy victory, where, O Death, thy sting
A form more glorious, purer joys I own,

(So soon may'st thou) new gifts, new powers display; Contemptuous on my former life look down,

Soar in the skies, and drink ethereal day.
Come, thoughtless sinner, read the instructive line,
Pierce the dark meaning of my mystic strain;
Like mine commenced, conclude thy life like mine,
And own one riddle not composed in vain.

BY THE SAME.-No. 2.

Of four small members I consist,
Which, rais'd aloft in air,
Make soldiers, sailors, invalids,

By turns frown, smile, and swear.
Four despots fierce they represent,

Great tyrants, I assure ye;
And all men wish them mild and smooth,-
All deprecate their fury.

My whole, at morning, noon, and night,
By folks of all conditions,

Is sought, or made; but most delights
Old maids and politicians.

CHARADE.

Without my first, this happy Isle
Where freedom, peace, and plenty smile,
In one short month, would be
The haunt of terrible despair,
Lur'd from the bloody fields of war,
By deeper misery.

Without my second, Ilium's towers
Had fall'n before the Grecian powers
In half the stated years;
Or else, old Priam's sceptred pride
Had yielded up the ravish'd bride,
And sav'd a world of tears.
Within my whole, conceal'd from light,
The mineral Kingdoms shun the sight
Of mercenary man ;
"Till he, by darkness undismay'd,
Deep plunging, plies the earliest trade,
Which in our land began.

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