Page images
PDF
EPUB

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. 47.-VOL. I.

FOR THE IRIS.

THE AUGUSTAN AGE.

No. III.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1822.

complete subjection. But on the other hand, his
style is harsh and unpleasing. He has buried
himself so long amongst the writers of the
Elizabethean age, that he has become deeply
tinctured with their peculiarities; and, together
with their beauties, has imbibed their faults.
Colloquial barbarism he introduces without hesi-
tation or apology. This is an application of what
is, aptly enough, termed brute-force. It is the
use of an overwhelming power to produce a
comparatively mean effect; and this writer's con-
tinual resort to it proves, not his want of skill
or power in the use of the legitimate language of
the country-but certainly a carelessness of his
own fame, and an indifference to his reader's
feelings, reprehensible in the highest degree. A
fondness for harmonious cadences and musical
periods has been carried to excess; but still the
ear deserves some attention. Real strength and
dignity of style, are by no means incompatible
with well chosen ornament, and correct com-
position.

PRICE 34d.

[blocks in formation]

SCIENCE, ETC.
ORTHOGRAPHY.--(No. III.)

BY S. X.

"He was wont to speak plain, like an honest man aud a soldier; and now he is turned Orthographer, his words are just so many strange dishes."-SHAKSPEARE. 26. Aile

Aisle-the walk in a church.

This word is most generally written, aisle. Johnson, indeed, observes, that it is deducible only from aile, a wing, or from allée, a path, and ought therefore to be written aile. But he has not even noticed that spelling in the regular series of words, as they are alphabetically arranged, in his dictionary.

27. Almanac

Almanack

BRITISH Literature in the present day has assumed so many various aspects that an examination even of its leading features is a work of the greatest difficulty. The writers who flourished in the days of Elizabeth and Anne, were strongly marked and easily indentified. Whatever their subject or their mode of treating it; however discordant their taste, or temper, still a certain tone pervaded their works.-They all bore the same uniform, and marched in the same ranks. Not that literary disputation was then unknown, or diversity of opinion unfrequent:-on the contrary, they lived in one continual warfare. Every inch of ground was to them debateable land. But throughout the writings, even of those most opposed to each other in talents, taste, and temper, As the latter mode of spelling this word still prevails, we still discover a prominent feature, a kind of In his excellences Mr. Hazlitt is without a in all those annual publications which bear that title, it family likeness, of which they indifferently par- rival; his faults are generally those also of the may be deemed almost a solitary exception to the modern take; and this betrays their origin and connec- age in which he lives. His resplendent beauties very general practice of dropping the final k, at the end tions. This is done away. We have at pre-may serve to eclipse those errors for which they of words of two or more syllables; such as classic, sent scarcely any such thing as a national style. can make no atonement. But the same careless-critic, music, specific, &c. "In the responses, which Our living authors do not, as was the case a cen- ness of style which we have remarked in him, is are noted for various voices, this syllabic distinction is tary ago, bear an affinity to each other. Each is visible in the works of the whole body of living sufficiently attended to."--Mason, on Church Music. an isolated individual, thinking and writing in authors, almost without an exception. From the 28. BaptiseBaptizethe most independent manner, and perfectly in- rapidity with which the volumes of our favourite different to the taste of his contemporaries. Our authors succeed each other from the press, we predecessors, who traversed the ocean of litera- may be assured that no severe corrections ever ture, had a distrust and timidity. They sailed are submitted to. We have in consequence much in convoy. We boldly launch forth, each man that is truly great surrounded by much that is ignorant or careless of his neighbour's cause. below mediocrity. The authors of the present, Love of originality has made us harsh and disso- are not perhaps inferior to those of any former nant; fear of peculiarity made them mannerists; age of British Literature; yet few, very few of and urged them to restrain those bold and hazard- their productions can be considered as models of ous flights of fancy, in which the authors of our purity in style or thought. In the best of them day so much delight to indulge. we find and find it too without any great exertion of critical skill-much to condemn, as well as to admire. Their blemishes are as evident as their beauties.

The free and independent spirit of our living authors has produced a curious effect. It has assimilated their style to that of different eras of literary history. They who have been captivated by the wild and uncultivated charms of the early English poets and historians, have caught their rugged, unpolished style, as well as some share of their real beauties. Others, who have delighted in the more regular and classical beauties of antient literature, have endeavoured to implant in our cold and chilling soil, the tender verdure of

an Italian climate.

Hazlitt is an instance to the point. He is, without dispute, the most powerful writer of his day. He continually reminds us of Dr. Johnson; for though in style the greatest possible difference prevails between them, there is in their manner of thinking great similarity. Hazlitt continually astonishes with those brilliant and profound illustrations which are also characteristic of Doctor Johnson. Both were profound thinkers; and well acquainted with the mysteries of the human

heart.

It is almost impossible to read the works of Hazlitt, without frequently pausing to wonder and admire :—so rich his fund of ideas,-so great his power of language; he holds his reader in

[blocks in formation]

DispatchElectuary-probably from the old Fr. electuaire.

The former mode of spelling this word has been used in the History of Medical Transactions; but has not been generally followed. Peculiar and singular spellings should, in general, be avoided. They are a species of affectation in those who adopt them, of being wiser, or more accurate, than others. The late Mr. Pennant, of Downing, wrote parlement for parliament, contrary to the usage of parliament, and to the practice of all parliamentary reporters; when the word occurs in any of reader is apt to look upon it with disgnst, as an ineffecMr. Pennant's publications, the plain, unsophisticated tual attempt, on the part of this ingenious writer, to change the established orthography of a word, of very frequent occurrence, especially since the debates in parliament form so prominent a part in every modern newspaper.

The writers of our day are not, in general, characterized by profound knowledge and deep research. The age has been termed, by one who enjoys the highest character in the republic of letters, that of skin-deep learning. The facilities offered to the young and inexperienced invite them to make public those hasty and inaccurate effusions, which severe and repeated corrections might have rendered truly valuable: and the writers of the first talents, the greatest geniuses of the age, waste their strength and their resources upon trifles. The contents of our numerous periodical journals prove the assertion to be correct. The College of Physicians published their first PharIt is on the pages of these trifling works that the macopoeia, or London Dispensatory, in Latin, in 1618. brightest ornaments of our national literature are Since that period it has been revised, and republished, lavishing in puny efforts those powers which are in the years 1627, 1632, 1639, 1650, 1677, 1720, equal to the greatest undertakings,-and which 1745, 1787, and 1809. In the editions which were pahproperly directed might produce a memorial of lished in 1720 and 1745, this word was spelled accordtheir worth as firm and lasting, as the literature ing to the Latin derivation, electary; in 1787, the French derivation was adopted, and the word was accordingly of the day is transient and ephemeral. From these few remarks on the general charac-lished in 1809, the former title is omitted, and the nearly spelled with a u, electuary; but in the last edition, pubter of the literature of the present day, we shall synonimous word, confection, substituted it its place, proceed to an examination of the different au- meaning," an assemblage of different ingredients, a thors, now before the public. It is thus only composition, or mixture."

[blocks in formation]

It is very remarkable that this singular mode of spelling the word plough, as it is now invariably written, is, notwithstanding, still retained both in the Bible and Prayer Book. See Isaiah xxviii. 24, and Psalm exxix. 3. Brady, in his Clavis Calendaria, gives the correct spelling, but observes that the Almanacs [Almanacks] erroneously spell it, Plow Monday.-There is, indeed, a variation in the Bible itself, the substantive, ploughman, (in the passage already quoted from Isaiahi,) being spelled with ugh; and plowers and plowed, in the xxxix Psalm, with the letter w. Mr. Todd, in his edition of Dr. Johnson's Dictionary, in this instance, changes the scriptural orthography, (as he has also done in many other cases,) so as to correspond with the spelling which he himself judges to be right; without following, in his authorities, as his great predecessor, Dr. Johnson, invariably did, the orthography of each individual writer. 34. PlumbPlum-a fruit so called.

The former spelling is correct, when the word is used to denote a weight, or plummet, at the end of a line; and the latter, when it signifies a particular species of

fruit.

35. Pourtray

Portray

To find the greatest common measure and lowest terms of -two or more numbers.

RULE.-The product of all the primitive roots which are common to the roots of each of the given numbers will be the greatest common measure; and the product of those which are not common will be the lowest terms.

Required the greatest common measure of 630, 882,

1134 and 1386.

Sol. 6302, 3, 3, 7, 5
882= : 2, 3, 3, 7, 7
11342, 3, 3, 7, 3, 3
1386 2, 3, 3, 7, 11

2, 3, 3, 7 are common to the roots of each of the given numbers; therefore, 2x3x3 x7=126 the greatest common measure required. Required the lowest terms of 7632

=

25416

Sol. 76322, 2, 2, 3, 3....2×53=106
254162, 2, 2, 3, 3.... 253 353

2, 2, 2, 3, 3 are common to the roots of both the numerator and denominator, therefore

the greatest common measure is 2×2×2×3×3=72; and the roots of the numerator which are not common to those of the denominator are 2×53=106 the required numerator; therefore 353, being the only root of the denominator which is not common to the roots of the numerator, is the denominator required; hence are the lowest terms of the given fraction.

106

353

To extract the roots of all complete powers. RULE. Arrange the primitive roots of the given numThe former is the more ancient way of writing the ber into as many rows as there are units in the index of word; but the latter is that which now universally pre-horizontal row, will be the root required. the given power, and the product of the roots, in each vails. It is not, however, the scriptural way of spelling Note-A number ending in 2, 3, 7, or 8 cannot be a the word. See Ezekiel, iv. 1, which Mr. Todd has misquoted; for the word is uniformly spelled with a u, square number; and there is no such thing as the exact square root of 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, &c. nor the in all the authorized editions of the Bible.

[blocks in formation]

Spoonful is now become an entire word, whole and undivided; consequently the plural is formed in the regular way by the addition of an s, at the end of the word; and not, as some have contended it should be, by the insertion of an s, in the middle of the word.A medical spoonful is half an ounce, and in the plural number makes spoonfuls, as in the following passage from Arbuthnot:"Surely the choice and measure of the materials of which the whole body is composed, and what we take daily by pounds, is at least of as much importance as what we take seldom, and only by grains and spoonfuls." (To be continued.)

[blocks in formation]

the second.

To find the primitive roots of a composite number. RULE. Divide the given number continually by the

least number that will divide it without remainder till nothing remains, and the several divisors wil be the roots required.

Note 1.-All numbers ending with 2, 4, 6, 8, or 0 are divisible by 2.

2. Any number ending in 5 or 0, is divisible by 5. 3. If the sum of the figures in any number be divisible by 3 or 9, the whole is divisible by 3 or 9.

4. A number is divisible by 11, when the sum of the odd places is equal to the sum of the even places of figures.

Required the primitive roots of 2310.
Sol. 22310 by note 1st.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

exact cube root of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, &c.

Extract the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, and 24th root of 16777216.

16777216-2·2·2·2·2·2·2·2·2·2·2

2·2·2·2·2·2 2.2=2

12th root =

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

storms, not doubting that angels surrounded and protected her. She was as little fearful of engaging in other dangers. She delivered a relation from imprisonment on account of the Rye-house plot, by a bold and well-concerted stratagem, though perfectly aware of the vindictive spirit of the government, and that her own life must have paid the price of his escape, had she been detected. She was in the secret of the revolution, and went into shops in different parts of the town, under a pretence of cheapening goods, and in coming out would drop bundles of papers to prepare the minds of the people for that happy event. She said she learned the art of keeping secrets from her grand-father, who said, when she was very young, there was no secret which he would trust with any one, that he would not trust her with. And to prove that he was right, he told her something, in confidence, and then urged her mother to extort it from her by promises, caresses, and bribes; and these failing, by threats and whippings; but she held out with amazing firmness, expressing her duty to her mother, but her greater duty to keep her promise of secrecy to her grandfather. In short, she had as much courage as a female constitution could receive, which was often shewn with more ardour than the rules of decorum will excuse; as the following anecdotes will prove :—

Happening to travel in a London stage, in company with two gentlemen who had swords, she informed them of her descent from Oliver, and, as usual, was extolling him with all that rapture to which her enthusiasm led her; when one of her fellow travellers descended so low as to treat his memory with gross indignity and abuse she answered him with great spirit till the coach stopped; and, when they got out, she instantly drew the other gentleman's sword, and calling her antagonist a coward for behaving as he had done to a woman, she then fairly challenged him, telling him she was prepared to treat him as he might expect for his insolence, were she a man, begging him not to shelter himself under any pretext on account of her sex. At

X 2 = 16 2 X 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2=64 2×2×2 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2256 2×2×2×2×2×2× 2×2× 2× 2× 2×2=4096. | another time, when in a violent fever, and thought

[blocks in formation]

SINGULAR BIOGRAPHY.

MR. EDITOR, The Anecdotes of Oliver Cromwell, in your last number, were so amusing, that I venture to send you a short account of one of his Grand-daughters. Dec. 9, 1822.

R. T.

MRS. BRIDGET BENDYSH was one of the grand-daughters of OLIVER CROMWELL. Her mother was the Protector's eldest daughter, and married to General Ireton. Mr. Noble, in his memoirs of the Cromwells, gives three accounts of Mrs. Bendysh, from persons who knew her. Dr. Brooke says, "the old lady was a very singular woman. There was something in her person that could not fail of attracting the respect of any stranger who entered the room where she was, though the company were ever so numerous, and though her dress was almost of the plainest kind. Her conversation, whether it concerned the history of herself, and her own times, or whether it consisted of advice or instruction, was always pleasing. Having been left in low circumstances, she engaged in various branches of business among others, she frequented fairs to buy cattle, in the only equipage she had, a one horse chaise, which afforded exercise for her courage and enthusiasm. Travelling in the night was to her the same as in the day, and in the worst roads and weather, as the best. On a wild open heath she calmly encountered dreadful

::

to be insensible of what was passing, her aunt, Lady Fauconberg, and other company being in the room, her ladyship giving 'too much way to things said in dishonour of her father's memory raised herself up, and with great spirit said, if by some present, to the astonishment of all, she she did not believe her grandmother to have been one of the most virtuous women in the world, she should conclude her ladyship was a bastard: wondering how it could be possible that the daughter of the greatest and best man that ever lived could be so degenerate, as, not only to sit with patience to hear his memory so ill treated, but to seem as if she herself assented to it."

Mr. Luson says, "the enthusiasm in which Cromwell was generally but an actor, in her was sincere and original; she had, not merely the courage to face danger, but had also that undis turbed possession of her faculties which enabled her to contrive the best means to repel, or avoid it. Upon all occasions, when they could express their attachment, Mrs. Bendysh was sure of the common people; she was, as she deserved to be, very dear to them. When she had money she gave it freely to such as wanted; and when she had none, they were sure of receiving civility and commiseration. She was not barely charitable; she practised an exalted humanity: if, in the meanest room, she found a sick person insufficiently attended, she turned attendant herself, and would sit many hours together by the sufferer, administering support and consolation to the afflicted.

Mrs. Bendysh was not only beloved by the poor, but was respected by the richer sort, of all parties; to whom, when she kept clear from her enthusiastic moods, she was highly entertaining. She had strong masculine sense, and a free spirited elocution; much knowledge of the world, great dignity of manner, and a most engaging address. The place of her residence was called! the Salt Pans, whilst her salt works were carried on there, but the proper name is South Town, that is, south of Yarmouth.

Her religion was in the highest strain of Calvinism; and Dr. Owen, in his writings, was her spiritual guide. She was often disappointed and crossed in her undertakings, but she had one never failing resource against all vexations; she was determined, at all events, to serve the Lord with gladness:" her way, therefore, was, to rejoice at every thing as it arrived.

If she was prosperous she was thankful; and if she suffered adversity, which was generally her lot, she was still thankful; for she so managed, that her spiritual joy always increased with her outward sufferings.

When she made her evening visits, her dress, though it was in a fashion of her own, was always grave and handsome, being a plain rich silk, of what is called quakers' colour, with a black silk hood, an ornament not often worn by other ladies of her time: and though hoops were in fashion long before her death, nothing could have induced her to wear one. However late it might be when her visits were finished, she put herself into her chaise, never suffering a servant to attend her; God, she said, was her guard, and she would have no other." When her old mare, (which had been the faithful companion of Mrs. Bendysh's adventures many years) began to move forwards, she generally sung Psalms or one of Watt's hymns, in a loud, but not harmonious key; until she reached home, about a short mile from Yarmouth. Mr. Samuel say, a dissenting minister, says that "Mrs. Bendysh resembled Oliver more than any of his descendants in the cast of her countenance and character. She, on some occasions, appeared with all the dignity of a princess; and at other times as a laborious drudge, careless how or where she slept, or what she ate or drank, as Charles the Twelfth was in the course of his campaigns. Sometimes, after a day of drudgery in her salt works, she would go to the assembly at Yarmouth, where the greatness of her manner, and the superiority of her understanding, never failed to attract respect. She was never known to break her promise. Her charity appeared to be a virtue of the heart, as well as the hand; she exercised it in all places, and on all occasions. Her piety was strongly tinctured with enthusiasm. She, on emergent occasions, would retire to her closet, where, by fasting, meditation and prayer, she would work up her mind to rapture, and then inflexibly determine her conduct by some text of Scripture that occurred to her, which she regarded as a divine revelation. She had the highest veneration for her grandfather, whom she reverenced as a consummate hero, and glorified saint; often saying, "that if she had any thing valuable, she learned it all from him, who was not only the greatest of mankind, but also the best." She died in the year 1728." See the appendix to the second volume of Letters published by Mr. Duncombe. Also the third volume, page 168, where are many curious anecdotes of herself and family. We are there informed that the print prefixed to the Life of Oliver Cromwell, in 8vo. (said to have been published by the late Bishop Gibson, about the year 1725) nearly resembles Mrs. Bendysh as well as the Protector.

POETRY.

The following epistle is from an ingenious Artist in Liverpool to
bis friend in this town; who at our solicitation has per-
mitted its insertion in the Iris. The merit exhibited in these
slip-shod stanzas, would lead us to conclude that a more serious
effort would deserve the approbation of the public; and we
have heard with pleasure, that the author has some intention of
appearing in the world of letters, conjoining the Painter and
the Poet,-illustrating his own comic verses by his own comic
pencil.

DEAR ARCHI,

(As a wig, thou wearest not,
In Justice to the spelling, I add) BALD,
Inclos'd you've found, a Profile, with black coat
And touzl'd hair, (disdaining Fashion's thrald-
Om.) If 'tis like, then happy is my lot—
'Twas I, that did it!—and would have you taul'd
No variation wish I, for my part-
(Tho' 'tis the Fashion) on your Head or Heart-
"Send me some stuff."-"Tis very easy said
Pray do you think I weave it, by the yard-
Or keep a warehouse-have a stock in trade
And send out trav'lers-with a pattern card-
In search of orders-faith! I'm much afraid
(So scarce is money, and the times so hard)
If one went on commission-what he'd sell-
He might take with him, in a walnut-shell~~~
Knew I, as well, where Happiness did dwell,
As Thomas Toddrington his Uncle's house,*
Or as his Uncle his-'twould not avail
Unless the means to make her mine I use.
(I've found her in a bottle of brisk ale,
And smelt ber in the basting of a goose)
I'd quickly have her Goddesship in view-
If I could go in search of her with you—
It is an incontro-ver-ti-ble truth,
That "Christmas comes about, but once a year"—
I can remember, ever since a youth

It was the winter season of good cheer,
High jinks and jollity--from north to south
Made every face, in its best smiles appear-
But these sad times" all plans of mirth derange,
"O, trumpery! O, Moses!" what a change!—
My taste is still the same-I'm fond of fun,
Of frolic, fiddling, cards, conundrums, chat,
Riddle and rebus, puzzle-book and pun-
Hot cockles, hunt the slipper, and all that-
Whatever game goes forward-I make one
And laugh! with strong endeavour to get fat-
If you should find me so-sometime here-after-
I beg you'll give the credit to my laughter-
My Wife (and I must listen to her prayer)
Begs that I would remember her to you,
And wishes you and your's, a good new year"
And drinks your health in purest mountain dew
The strength of which gives me no cause to fear
As there's no danger, of her getting fut
And that's my cause of grief-0, curse upon't 'tis
Too meagre Christmas bev'rage Aqua-fontis-
Fill you the Goblet, and I'll find the toast,
"The Land of mountains, and of bonnets blue;
"The Land of which it is our pride to boast―
"The Land of tartan kilts, and tarry woo-
"We'll also join." The land that rules the roast-
"The Land of Shamrocks-and Shillelah too-
"And," may he never see "sweet Enbro' town,"
That does not glib'ly slide the liquor down.-
Cheering! as is the port-to mariner tost-
Pleasant! as rest is to the traveller weary-
Welcome! as letter by return of post-
From absent husband—to his late wed deary-
Joyful as the return of "wanderer lost,"
Brought back to duty- by his guardian Peri-
Pshaw! your last visit--for a day or two,
Was like a cordial-draught of mountain dew.
Whate'er our fate may be, 'tis sweet to think,
We are not quite forgotten, when we rove
We cannot be quite wretched, if one link
Still binds us to a being we can love,
Whose name may bless the goblet wheu we drink-
In town, or solitude, in camp or grove-

"Tom Todderington knows where his uncle doth dwell,
And his uncle knows where Tom Todderington dwells."
J-M-Y J-KS-N'S OLD SONG.

↑ Anglice-Tipsy.

PER CONTRA.

E'en home itself must be a desert place
Unless 'tis brighten'd by a female face.
Man is the gathering cloud-of coming storm
Sombre, as is the raven's murky plume,
Save where the lively sunbeam, light and warm
Of woman's soul, throughout the gath'ring gloom
Gleams brightly, and the magic of her form,
(Lightening, his otherwise too dreary doom)
Blends with our cares and woes, a blissful leaven,
Changing our earth into an embryo heaven.
Woman-is like the Sun, dispersing light,
And life, and joy, on every thing that's human :
Like him, she's ever fixt, and warm, and bright---
Man's guardian angel, is her true cognomen,
Oh! pleasure's blossoms-never suffer blight--
Possess'd of such a paradise uncommon
Without her Eden-had been but a wild-
And man the Hermit-there had never smil'd-
Woman-her love I liken to a rock
That standeth firm whatever storms surround it.
Or Ivy wedded to its busband oak
That in its ruin still will cling around it,
And outermost as if to ward the stroke
Of any evil that might threat to wound it—
Or like the moon- -dispelling darksome night
Or like the rainbow-pledge of future light-

[ocr errors]

In woman, too-a likeness I espy

To rock-because nor truth, nor reason move her-
And like the radiant rainbow in the sky-

She shines but only when the storm is over

Her faith, (Bombastes says) is all my eye

(Not like John Dover-who is ay John Dover)—

She's like the moon, with borrow'd lustre shining-
Like Ivy-where it fastens, undermining-
Satiric wags, do also say she's like

The sea-to stop whose rage, no man has power-
Or like a clock, whose hands are seen at strike
Twice in the compass of a single hour-
(For flattery greedy, as for prey, a pike,
I pass the common simile-a flower)
A looking-glass-that constant is to none
And soon is sullied if 'tis breath'd upon.

Camparisons are odoriferous"—

(So Sheridan makes Malaprop to say)
She means "Comparisons are odious,"

But breaking Priscian's head, is in "her way"

A tritish maxim aud not worth a sous

And is not true-moreover let me say

As, for example-what you see above

By no means smack of treason, to true Love.
He who has flown with rapture to receive
A long expected letter-he can tell
What bliss a line from her he loves can give ;
And tho' upon the page, perhaps may dwell
Complaints of how his absence makes her grieve
(The sad expressions, of their late farewell)—
He finds in ev'ry accent of despair,
A fond assurance of her tender care.
Dear is the occupation, which he heard
Her lips approve, and precious to him then
The volumes she perus'd-for every word
Which she has look'd upon-seems to retain
The lustre of her glances, and afford
A pleasure, sought by other means in vain-
Impart a sweetness that is not their own,
Her lips have left a charm on every tome.
When I consider-what a fool I was-
Why do you laugh? and interrupt me so?
You mean to say when did a change take place?
It can't (say you) have happen'd long ago!
Well, have your joke!-I let the matter pass,
And quietly proceed to let you know
I'm Forty-and according to Young's rule
Have strong suspicions I have been a fool.
I'm glad I've found it out so soon-because
Most people wait till Fifty, ere they do so;
But looking at my face in Saturn's glass-

I found my nose look'd-rather black-and-blue-Se
It struck me "I am not the man I was,"
And this conviction, I have wrote to you-So
Seeing our life then is so very brief
We surely should-turn over a new leaf.

Remember me to all in Fustian-town,
Who waste a thought on me, or my affairs
To Chalmers (if he has not from you flown)
Tell him I beg an interest in his prayers
And if his Muse's wings-should be full grown
Beg him to send a sample of his wares
And-if there's truth in man-by all the Nine
I swear!-I'll pay him back in his own Coin.
Thus have I done my best-to give you pleasure
However you receive it-well or ill

These are the fruits of "winter-evening" leisure
Which (and it please you) I'll employ so still-
If for your money-you allow you've measure
I shall again a going-set the mill—
And whatsoe'er is ground-or sense, or blether+
I'll send to you-the wheat and chaff together.

Blether. See Jamieson's Dictionary.

BEAUTIES OF ENGLISH POETRY.

No. 1.

GEOFFREY CHAUCER.

E. G.

Chaucer was born, it is said, in London, in the year 1328; he died in 1400, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. There is a monument with an inscription over his tomb. For the sake of the memory it may be mentioned that he lived during the whole of the reigns of Edward 3rd, and Richard 2nd, and died in the 2nd year of Henry 4th.

Chaucer is justly styled the father of English Poetry. Spenser calls him that well of English undefled.'—He excelled in almost every respect his predecessors, and has been surpassed by few who have come after him. With the exception of Shakespear, (perhaps Milton,) Chatterton and Lord Byron, I know of none who have any pretensions to come near him. His particular excellences are, a remarkable power in the delineation of character, an overflowing richness in the depainting of the beauties of nature, a melting tenderness on occasions of grief and compassion, a raciness of quaint humour on occasions of merriment, and an inexhaustible store of genial good-nature in speaking of the faults and foibles of his fellow-men. He was emphatically a gentleman, a scholar, and a poet.

Most persons have been frightened from the study of Chaucer by an unfounded notion of the difficulties that attend it. I beg to assure the young ladies of Manchester, for whom I make bold to say that I entertain the most profound regard, that in no respect does Chaucer differ so much from modern poets as in his spelling. It follows therefore that by modernising the orthography we remove the principal difficulty; for I have always found that when I read Chaucer aloud to any of my friends they are generally surprised at the ease with which they understand him. In the following selections I have in most instances altered the orthography only; but in some places I have taken other slight liberties, with the view of rendering the perusal more easy and intelligible. One thing more is necessary to be attended to:-the final e is very often intended as a syllable and serves to make up the metre, exactly as it does in French poetry to this day; as in the line

'O Rome, seul objet de mon ressentiment;'

in which we must sound the fiual e of Rome, though we do not do so in prose. So in Chaucer,

'Whanne that April with his shourés sote,"

we must sound the e in whanne, and in shroures. On this account I have taken the pains to mark all these e's. I modern. If there still remain any difficulty, I shall be glad to give every explanation in my power to any young lady or gentleman who will take the trouble of favouring me with a call at my chambers.

have also marked the accent, where it varies from the

EUSTACE ST. CLERE. Lower Byrom-st. Manchester, 17th Dec, 1822.

PROLOGUE TO CANTERBURY TALES. Whanne that April with his showers swote (1) The drought of March hath pierced to the root, J. Swote, sweet,

And bathed every vein in such liquor,
Of which virtue engendered is the flower;
When Zephirús eke with his swote breath
Enspired hath, in every holt (2) and heath,
The tender croppës, and the youngë sun
Hath in the Ram his halfe course yrun, (3)
And the small fowles maken melodie,
That sleepen (4) all the night with open ee,
So pricketh 'em nature in their couráges,
Then longen folk to go on pilgrimages,
And palmers for to seeken strange strands,
To keep their holy vows in sundry lands;
And specially from every shirë's end
Of England to Canterbury they wend,
The holy blissful martyr (5) for to seek,
That them hath holpen when that they were sick.

A Knight there was, and that a worthy man,
That from the time that he first began
To riden out, he loved chivalrie,
Truth and honour, freedom and courtesy.
Full worthy was he in his lordë's war,
And thereto had he ridden, none more far,
As well in Christendom as Heathenness,
And ever honour'd for his worthyness.

At mortal battles had he been fifteen,
And foughten for our faith at Tramissene, (6)
In listes (7) thrice, and aye (8) he slew his foe.
This ilke (9) worthy Knight had been also
Some time with the Lord of Palatie (10)
Against another Heathen in Turkey,
And evermore he had a sovereign price,
And though that he was worthy he was wise,
And of his port as meek as is a maid.
He never yet no vilanie (1) had said
In all his life unto no manuer (2) wight:
He was a very perfect gentle (3) Knight.
(To be continued.)

2. Holt, a small wood, or grove. 3. Yrun,

shrine of avarice; or unthinking youth, smitten by exterior charms alone, instead of the attracting graces of modesty, sentiment, and discretion, has become a voluntary victim to insipid ornament, if not to meretricious beauty!

Certainly no prudent person ought to engage in the married state without a sufficiency on one side or the other. That lover cannot regard his mistress, with a virtuous passion, who would involve her in all the possible consequences of irremediable poverty. True love never forgets the happiness of its object; for when this ceases to be regarded, it is not the generous tenderness of love, but the unthinking wildness of passion. These, observations, however, cannot set aside the just complaints that may be made, against the frequency of matches, in which beauty or fortune only are regarded. Beauty," says LORD KAIMES, "is a dangerous property, tending to corrupt the mind of a wife, though it soon loses its influence over the husband. A figuré agreeable and engaging, which inspire affection without the ebriety of love, is a much safer choice. The graces lose not their influence like beauty. At the end of thirty years, a virtuous woman, who makes an agreeable companion, charms her husband perhaps more than even at the first. The comparison of love to fire holds good in one respect, that the fiercer it burns, the sooner it is extinguished."

It is unquestionably true, that happiness in the married state does not depend on riches, or beauty; but on good sense and sweetness of temper. A young man who has a sufficient fortune, should not always look for an equivalent of that kind, in the object of his love. His inquiry should not be whether there are riches, but whether the lady possesses those qualifications which form the amiable wife, and the exemplary mother. In like manner, if a parent direct his

y at the beginning, and en at the end of words daughter to a wise and judicious choice of a hus4. Sleepen, merely serve to lengthen them.

5. St. Thomas à Becket.

6. A kingdom in Africa.

7. Listes, a place enclosed for combat.

8. Aye, always.

9. Ilke, same.

10. Palatia in Anatolia.

1. Vilanie, any thing unbecoming a gentleman.

2. Manner wight, manner of person.

3. Gentle, wellboru, and wellbred.

ON THE CHOICE OF A WIFE.

Soft love, spontaneous tree, its parted root Must from two hearts with equal vigour shoot; Whilst each, delighted and delighting, gives The pleasing ecstacy which each receives: Cherish'd with hope, and fed with joy, it grows; Its chearful buds their opening bloom disclose, And round the happy soil diffusive odour flows.

PRIOR'S SOLOMON.

As the attainment of happiness is the grand spring of human actions, I have often been surprised at that inattention, so apparent in the generality of mankind, to the most important

choice, on which, not only their terrestrial welconcern in their lives, the choice of a wife; a fare, but even their everlasting felicity may depend. Let those, who, in the ardour of unreflecting youth, form gay visions of splendid enjoyments, and everlasting passion, consider, that there are requisites of a nobler kind, without which, when it may be too late, they may find themselves involved in irretrievable ruin. What melancholy stories have been recorded, in which, manly virtue has been united to a fortune, and to misery; blooming loveliness sacrificed at the

band, he will not so much urge the necessity of a fortune, as of virtuous conduct, good temper, a love of order, and habits of industry. With these, a husband, if he be of a reputable profession, may improve the fortune of his wife, and render it of much greater advantage to each, than the most ample equivalent in money, without these qualities. On the contrary, whilst interest pervades the bosom, and forms the chief motive to every alliance, what can more naturally be expected than unhappy matches? Without a certain congeniality of sentiment, independent of the adventitious circumstances of beauty, rank, or fortune, the connubial state is the very opposite of heaven. Home becomes disagreeable where there are diversities of taste, temper, and wishes; or where those intellectual resources are wanting which invite conversation, and render it delightful and endearing. Neglect then succeeds on the part of the husband, and indifference marks the conduct of the wife; happy, should disgust succeed not to insipidity, and criminality to both. But, the scenes of wretchedness, inseparable from such a state, must be obvious to every mind; and we turn, with pleasure, to that exquisite happiness which is the result of a virtuous choice, ment replete with satisfaction. which renders home delightful, and every mo

However, without dwelling longer on this charming theme, permit me to ask, who would give up the enjoyment of such felicity, for all the gaudy appendages of rank and wealth? What weakness of mind does it betray, to forfeit the matchless joys of virtuous love, for the ideal pleasures of affluence; and, to be uniformly wretched, provided we be richly so! Dec. 20, 1822.

R. S.

[blocks in formation]

Professor Onsted, the discoverer of the affinity between electricity and magnetism, or galvanism, is engaged in a considerable work on the subject. He is at present on a tour to Germany, France, and England, in which he will see the distinguished Natural Philosophers whose attention has been excited by his discovery, and collect yaluable materials for his intended work.

A difficult Passage.— A marshal of France, when confined in the Bastile, was one day busily employed in turning over the leaves of the Bible; and being asked what he was looking for, replied, "A passage that I cannot find a way to get out of prison."

Sham Capons and Hams.--The ingenuity of the Chinese is too often exercised for the purpose of frand, Sometimes you will buy a capon, as you think, of a Chinese, but find you have the skin of the bird only which has been so ingeniously filled, that the deception is not discovered until it is prepared for being dressed.

the blind tailor was working, and hearing some low
singing, he asked who was there? to which the poor
blind tailor answered, "I am here, working at your
honour's hose." 66
How," says the gentleman, forgetting
that he was blind," can you work without a candle?"
"Oh! please your honour," rejoined the tailor, mid-
night darkness is as clear to me as noonday." In fact,
by the sense of touch only, he was enabled to distinguish
all the different colours in the Tartan.

TOBACCO.

'Critics, avaunt, tobacco is my theme;
Tremble like hornets at the blasting steam.
Coxcombs prefer the tickling sting of snuff,
Yet all their claim to wisdom is—a puff;
Lord Foplin smokes not-for his teeth afraid;
Sir Tawdry smokes not-for he wears brocade.
Ladies, when pipes are brought, affect to swoon,
They love no smoke, except the smoke of town.

[ocr errors]

It was introduced into this country about the year 1585, by Capt. Greenfield and Sir Francis Drake. The following account of its diffusion among the Christians is given in the Athenian oracle :'-. When the Christians New Solar Theory.—Dr. Hoyer, of Minden, has pub-first discovered America, the Devil was afraid of losing lished in the Sunday Journal of that town, a detailed his bold among the people there by the appearance of account of his hypothesis that the Nucleus of the Sun Christianity. He is reported to have told some Indians consists of molten gold. of his acquaintance, that he had found a way to be revenged upon the Christians for beating up his quarters, for he would teach them to take tobacco, to which, when they had once tasted it, they should be perpetual slaves.' James the First, of sapient memory, wrote a treatise against this herb, which he called a Counterblaste to Tobacco,' in which he informs us that several gentlemen of that time expended no less than four hundred pounds a yeere upon this precious stink! If we consider the value of money in those times, we shall conclude they were Scotch pounds. The quotation of the following lines from Hawkins Browne, Esq. on the favorite pastime of smoking, will not be considered irrelevant :-'Little tube of mighty pow'r, Charmer of an idle hour Object of my warm desire, Lip of wax and eye of fire; And thy snowy taper waist, With my finger gently brac'd; And thy pretty swelling crest, With my little stopper prest.'

The Chinese also make counterfeit hams These are made of pieces of wood cut in the form of a ham, and coated over with a certain kind of earth, which is covered with hog's skin: and the whole is so ingenionsly prepared, that a knife is necessary to detect the fraud.

A gentleman travelling in China some few years ago, purchased some chickens, the feathers of which were curiously curled. In a few days time he observed the feathers straight, and that the chickens were of the most common sort. The Chinese had curled the feathers like a wig, a little before he sold the brood.

Anecdote of a Scots Grey and a Collier-During the engagement between the Scots Greys and the colliers at Crwmlin, one of the Greys was in the act of striking a collier with his sabre: " Hold, Alexander," said the collier, and showing his medal," don't you remember when I carried you wounded off the field of Waterloo." The soldier immediately dropped his sabre, proud that he had, for the first time, an opportunity of showing his gratitude to the man to whom he owed his existence: the effect may be better conceived than described.

Accidents by Fire.-In cases of accident by the clothes

of females taking fire, throw a large quantity of vinegar over the clothes the instant the fire is extinguished, without taking any off, and continue to do so for an hour or two--this will lay some blisters, and prevent others rising-then the clothes may be safely taken off. If a blister break, it must be dressed with ointment used for burns; but in general an immediate application of vinegar will prevent all bad consequences. Violently tearing off the clothes causes the tops of the blisters (which rise immediately from scalding or burning) to be broken, and they become inveterate sores. If blisters do not fall, lay clothes over them steeped in vinegar, aud wet them often. The immediate care depends upon the blisters

not being broken; persons ignorant of this, generally

If

let the water out with the scissars-a ruinous error. vinegar is not handy, throw water over the clothes, and continue to do so until vinegar can be procured.

Blind Tailor.-The late family tailor of Mr. Macdonald, of Clanronald, in South Uist, Inverness-shire, lost his sight fifteen years before his death; yet he still continued to work for the family as before; not indeed with the same expedition, but with equal correctness. It is well known how difficult it is to make a Tartan dress, because every stripe and colour (of which there are many) must fit each other with mathematical exactness : hence it is that very few tailors, who enjoy their sight, are capable of executing this task. Blind Macquarrie having received orders to make Mr. Macdonald a complete suit of Tartan, within a given time, proceeded to work without delay. It so happened, that Mr. Macdonald passed at a late hour at night through the room where

[blocks in formation]

"Piu che mortel Angel divino."

It is like an emanation from the mind of an An-
gel, unstained by earthly thought!-St. John
playfully frightens our Saviour with a dove; the
Virgin protects him, and gently puts up her hand,
as if in affectionate reproof, while the superior
Infant leans across his mother's lap, startled, yet
amused.The parts which are finished are equal
to any thing in the world; and those which are
not, have a dash of chisel like the brush of TIN-
TORETTO. To have an idea of the Virgin in this
divine group, we must see it :-holy, pious, me-
lancholy, tender, and beautiful, she turns her
sinless face towards St. John, as if interested in
the frolic, and yet thinking it a little beyond the
awe due to the God-child.

Nothing in the world that was ever imagined by
human genius, or executed by human hand, ex-
ceeded the sentiment of this angelic figure!

B. R. HAYDON.

P. S. It was executed at his purest time of Art, before he had done the Capella Sistina or the Moses.

SCRAPIANA.—NO. XVII.

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

Socrates would say that every man will take his own
trouble were all laid on a heap.
Spes quasi animi pes.

Stage playes condemned by Bishop Babington, Chrysos-
tom Cyprian and 6th general Councel.

Sins of Germany sett up the stately Edifices in Rome. Seculum est specnlum ; ye world below is a glass wherein we may see ye world above.

Semel in Anno ridet Apollo.

Souls of men præexistent according to ye opinion of Origen, Plato and Pithagoras, and after detruded into a body as into a Prison. Credat Ju.

Socrates being demanded what countryman he was, an-
swered that he was ὁ κοσμοπολίτης, a citizen of the
world.

Soul pays a dear rent for ye tenement of ye body, upon
Salns populi suprema lex. Parl. Debs.
ye account of pains distempers and melancholy.
Shut ye windows that ye house may be light. Ara-
bian Prov.

Sampson propounded ye Riddle at his nuptials to stop
ye mouth of talkers (saith Ambrose) and to occupie
their witts.

Spirits can pass through ye hardest stone walls.
Speake always of persons with civility, of things with
freedom.

Silk and Sattin putts ont th' fire ith' kitchin.
Sun may shine, but leave not your cloak at home.
Solid. head there cannot be where there are itching ears.
Self-murder comes from pride, unbelief, revenge, covet-
ousness, discontent,-dispair.

Sole et sale nibil utilius.

Silence is ye best ornament of a woman..
Serpents Eye does well only in ye Doves head.
Satago, misereor, miseresco Genetivum exigunt.
Swallow an ox, and be choakt with ye taile.

Sixtus Quintus was affraid yt ye wards of ye locke were
altered since ye keys were given.

Silver hairs adorned with golden vertues: a brave sightSome men's religion canonical, their conversations apo. cryphal.

REPOSITORY OF GENIUS.

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

MR. EDITOR,-The following Enigma is very excellent which you printed in a former Iris,-attributed by some in its way; and is not an unsuitable companion for one to Lord Byron, and by others, to Miss Fanshaw. Yours, &c. December, 1822.

ENIGMA.

S. X.

In Paradise found, I with Adam descended,
And was seen in the sword that his footsteps attended:
On the Deluge I rode, with the Flood I subsided,
And was seen on the land when the waters divided;
on the face of the deep I am constantly found,
I aid in the murder, assist in the pardon,
Yet ever most low in the lowest profound;
Mount guard in the dungeon, sway half of the garden.
With the high-foaming tankard I'm banded about;
The slave of decision, yet ever in doubt.
No good can be proved such, unless I am civil,
Nor without me can evil be found in the Devil;
The support of a coward, the pride of a duke,
Disease without me claims a contrary look.
Though I ever was deemed the last prop of a maid,
Yet 'tis plain that I ne'er was of wedlock afraid;

I lead up each dance, yet am never in motion,

Am equally true to despair, and devotion.
I exult o'er my foe, to expire with my friend,
I attend him in death and am true to the end.
Would you seek me,—go mark where the leopard has trod,
A stranger to home, I have settled abroad.

I play in the whirlwind when tempests are near,
And ride in the dust midst the havock of war.

« PreviousContinue »