WEEKLY DIARY. MARCH. SUNDAY, 24.-Fifth Sunday in Lent. Dominica in Passione, or Passion Sunday, was the name given to this day in missals; as the church now began to advert to the sufferings of Christ. In the north, it is called Carling Sunday, and grey peas, first steeped a night in water, and fried with butter, form the usual repast. At several villages in the vicinity of Wisbeach, in the Isle of Ely, the fifth Sunday in Lent has been, from time immemorial, commemorated by the name of Whirlin Sunday, when cakes are made by almost every family, and, from the day, are called Whirlin Cakes, and a sort of festival is held, which does not, we believe, take place in any other part of the kingdom. The attempts to trace the origin of this custom have, hitherto, been without success. This day celebrates the angel's message to the Virgin Mary, respecting our Blessed Lord. She was, probably, an only child, and but fifteen years of age when espoused to Joseph. She died A. D. 48, being about sixty years old. SEA STORIES; Or, the Voyage and Adventures of Cyril Shenstone, Esq. features.ye possessed in ages gone even now, as in My cogitations were suddenly interrupted by the On entering, all eyes were turned upon me; I The sunshine cloudless, bright, and still, Bent, while it passed, a trembling head. I was soon summoned from my station to the parlour. My uncle had somewhat revived and his speech had returned. He told us death was making rapid ad vances, and that we might soon expect the moment of his his will, and gave us some excellent advice on our dissolution. He informed us where we should find future conduct. Some things he requested us to perform, which I thought were a little odd. He wished us to read his will in the room where he was, immediately after be had expired. He desired that he might not be laid out as it is commonly called, until at least twelve hours after his departure; and that his large two armed oaken chair might be placed in all order and solemnity at the head of the table every meal, and that it should remain unoccupied till after his funeral. He also wished to be interred in a very deep grave. All these requests we promised faithfully to observe, when, after taking an affectionate farewell of each, he quietly resigned himself to his pillow-bis breathing became more and more faint, till at last we could perceive it no more. It was plain that death was rapidly approaching. He had been speechless several hours, consequently! we could hold no conversation. He, however, put MONDAY, 25.--Aununciation of the Bles-out his hand, which I grasped with an affection resed Virgin Mary, or Lady Day. doubled by the prospect of soon losing him for ever. In my younger days I had lived with him, and he having no children of his own, was then remarkably During the foregoing transactions my mind was in a fond of me; subsequently that affection was strength-state I cannot well describe, my thoughts were all ened between us, and althongh providence had cast confusion while at the same time I struggled to be my lot in another country, yet we had kept up a calm and composed. friendly and affectionate intercourse. Some time Poignant as were my feelings, I gazed on my dyprevious to this indisposition, I had again removed ing relative with a sort of apathy of grief, and at the to within thirty miles of his residence, which was the moment when nature was yielding up the contest I place from whence I set out on this sorrowful visit. could not shed a tear; in a short time all quitted the My uncle was a man of sound judgment, keen ob- apartment and I was left aloue. The branches of the servation, and cheerful social disposition, joined to huge elm trees, with their thickening foliage, partially a thorough knowledge of mankind; he possessed a screening the window, made it, under such circumstan good portion of eccentricity and humour. He loved ces, awfully gloomy and tranquil; I took several turns a cheerful glass; he was kind to his servants and de- about the room, and with a soft step I approached the pendants, and though rather of a frugal and saving bed, gazed a moment, turned away, and then going disposition, yet he was charitable to his poor neigh-up to the window strove to divert my thoughts by bours. In his friendships he was rather capricious, looking at the surrounding landscape. but firm in his attachment to the kirk and the government of his country. He was apt to be a little passionate and hasty in his temper; but his resentment, however, was seldom of long duration. On the whole, he was well beloved by those among whom he dwelt, and might be pronounced a good neighbour, and an excellent subject. By a long course of industry in his profession he had amassed a pretty good property, the knowledge of which had drawn around him a host of needy relations, chiefly, however, consisting of nephews, who besieged him with flattery and professions, but whose attentions were chiefly drawn forth by their hopes of inheriting the old man's property. How he had willed his property was not known. He was a man of prudence, and seldom blabbed out his private affairs when there was no especial need of such promulgation. SPORZA. And what is death That I should fear it? it is but a sleep- Lord of creation!-Is this, then, thy doom, Venice, or the Fall of the Foscari. (The Test of Affection, continued.) Many years had elapsed since I had wandered about this very meadow in careless infancy, and the pretty secluded cot to which I was advancing had been my home. I looked around on the hills and dales, and could easily recognize them as my old acquaintances. Ha' said I, ye change not your appearance, ye grow not old in the course of time, the feebleness of age cometh not upon you;-ye still smile in the brightness of summer, and frown in the lowering winter. For ages ye have reared your towering crests, and given food to the flocks and the herds that have chequered your dark surface; ye have given a direction to the murmuring brook that proceeds from you, till it seeks, far distant, the mighty ocean; and while generation after generation hath passed away, ye have preserved unvaried the On my arrival, I consequently found all the friends about him remarkably attentive and duteous in their behaviour, though it was very evident that a good deal of the affection was assumed for the occasion. Shortly after my arrival he fell into a kind of a doze, and all left the room save an attendant or two. Peggy, the servant who had lived with my uncle fourteen or fifteen years, now insisted on my taking some refresh ment, and accordingly set meat before me.-But I was too much agitated to feel any thing like pleasure in my repast, and what I ate was more to please the faithful old domestic, than from any inclination of my own. Accordingly when my slight meal was over, I got up and went to the window in a serious and reflecting mood.-The afternoon was far advanced, and the scenery without was wrapped in tranquility. Twilight was descending, and the sober bues of evening gradually enveloped the lofty hills. No sound struck my ear, except the faint and low murmurs of the brook, which brawled down the valley at the bottom of the Flinty Knowe-the shout, softened by distance, of the peasant committing his herds to the pasture and now and then the solitary barking of a shepherd's dog among the echoing dales, attendant on his master looking out his charge for the night. I had not stood at the casement many minutes when my cousins, all talking in a rude, noisy, and indecorous manner, came into the room with the will, which it seems they had departed in search of, the moment the testator had expired. I was a good deal shocked at the frivolity they manifested, and could not help reproving them, though in a mild and gentle manner, for the little respect they paid to the deceased. Why ye ken,' said one, he tauld us to read the will amaist as soon as he died.' Aye,' cried another, and sae in conformity wi' his command, we went straight up the stairs and rummaged o'er his auld kist, till we found it. Mind yer ain concerns, gude man, an we'll mind ours,' rejoined a third, rather gruffly; so that my well meant admonitions had no better effect than to cause me to be more disliked by the party, for I could perceive before this that they looked upon me in the light of an unwelcome intruder. The will was now read, to which all paid the greatest attention. A mate anxiety and deep interest sat upon every countenance; their aspects were, how ever, instantly changed into those of intense disap pointment and vexation, on hearing that my uncle had made a stranger, whom none of us knew, the heir of all his property, real and persona!. For my own part, this circumstance did not affect me in the least, I had not had any expectation of inheriting the smallest portion; therefore could not feel disappointed on But with the others it was different; this occasion. they had clung to him like so many leeches, or like the ivy to an old ruin, and with about as much affection as the two before-mentioned things have for the objects to which they so closely adhere. A most appaling and disgusting scene now took place among the disappointed legacy hunters. They abused the old man in the most shocking terms: they taxed him with injustice and villany, and even proceeded to I call down imprecations upon his lifeless corse. shuddered at the conduct of the unprincipled villains; I trembled at the impiety of men who could, at a time the most solemn and impressive to a human being, act in a manner sufficient to call down upon them immediate and divine vengeance; I was chilled with horror; I almost expected every moment to see the lifeless corse of my uncle start from the bed, on which it lay, to take vengeance on the audacious wretches. Once, indeed, I actually, thought I saw his lips quiver with rage-his eyebrows knit together and all the muscles of his countenance contract into a dreadful frown. I shuddered at the sight and withdrew my gaze. At length they went into the kitchen, and I was once more left alone in the chamber of death. I went to the bed side, and the scene I had just witnessed, operated so forcibly upon my feelings, that I burst into tears and uttered aloud my lamentations over my lifeless relative. When this ebullition had somewhat sub sided, I began to reflect a little where I was, and a There is an sort of timidity came creeping over me. undefinable apprehension which we feel while we are We imagine, in spite of in company with the dead. the efforts of reason, that the departed spirit is hovering near its former tenement, at least, it is the case with myself. It being now quite dark, and having these feelings in a strong degree, it is no wonder that I rather preferred the company of the wretches in the kitchen, than to remain long where I was. The I accordingly proceeded thither, where I found them all carousing round a large table, on which were placed the fragments of the dinner and plenty of liquor. I reminded them of our promise to place my uncle's old two armed chair at the head of the table, as he had requested, which they had neglected to do, and which they now strenuously opposed my doing; I was however resolutely determined to have it done, and at length succeeded; I then retired to the fire-side, where I sat, without taking any part in the conversation, or in any thing that passed during the whole evening. I shall pass over the several succeeding hours, the whole of which they sat drinking, till they were all in a greater or less degree intoxicated, and generally brawling, wrangling, and swearing, in a loud and boisterous manner. night became stormy as it advanced. The wind rose, and at intervals moaned, sighed, and whistled shrilly without, roared in the wide chimney, and as it furiously bent the trees in which the house was embosomed, made a sound similar to the dashing of The rain fell in waves on the shore of the ocean. torrents, and the large drops pattered against the window with a ceaseless and melancholy cadence. It was now getting nigh the witching time of night,' and I saw no signs of the revellers quitting the table. On the contrary they grew more loud and boisterous. In obedience to their imperious commands, yet evidently with the greatest reluctance, Peggy had kept replenishing the exhausted vessels with more liquor, and their demands increased in proportion to the reAt length, luctance with which they were satisfied. however, on receiving an intimation from me that would interpose, she absolutely refused to draw any more liquor for them, telling them they had had plenty, and that it was time to retire to bed. The scene that now ensued was such as is impossible for me to describe; maddened and inflamed with rage at THE MANCHESTER IRIS.' tions. being thus refused, the wretches began to throw the There appeared to be something supernatural in laughing outright at the last incident so comic and farcical Half a minute had not elapsed, when I heard a step, and in another instant (I still kept my eyes Villains! Rascals! Hypocrites!' He muttering, upon the door) in came the very form of my uncle fastened the door after him, shut out his nephews, and He however gave me to understand that he was alive, and well, and that the spectre, and then came towards the fire. At this I was more amazed than ever. all I had seen transacted in the afternoon and evening, was nothing but a stratagem he had made use of to as he conjectured, false in their professions, to get try the sincerity of his relations, and if he found them, rid of them; the scheme answered nobly, and, it must be confessed, the stratagem was well planned and exceedingly well executed. My uncle concluded his relation with assuring me, Peggy, I should inherit all that he possessed, as that, excepting a good legacy for his faithful servant, some little acknowledgment for the fright he had caused me; and as for the wretches he had expelled from his house, in so singular a manner, they should never more cross the threshold of his door. We all three now sat down to a little supper, of which my uncle stood in great need, and after taking a cheerful glass retired to bed. Notwithstanding the fatigue of my journey, and sitting up so late, my sleep was far from being sound The windows shook and every door of the habita- and refreshing. I was disturbed with fearful dreams tion gave a momentary jar.-I trembled with awe. I the whole night. At length the cocks began to crow When it was tolerably felt every hair of my head bristling upwards,-my-the clouds of the eastern sky to break asunder→→→ Before going out, I, however, went knees smote against each other, a deathly paleness and the morning to dawn. sat upon every countenance, and all eyes were fixed light I started up, resolved upon a stroll over the in an intense gaze on the door at the upper part of the meadows. utmost confusion. Chairs, tables, walking-sticks, kitchen, which led to the staircase, buttery, and par- into the parlour, where I found every thing in the lour. When, to complete the horror of the scene, the door burst wide open-dashed against the wall, and logs of wood, lay all over the floor, and every to the outer door, which I opened, but started back and in, gliding at a slow pace, came a dreadful appa- thing upset or in a wrong position. I then proceeded rition. Its countenance was that of death. It seemed to have been long the inhabitant of that dark and iu horror, on perceiving a human skull lying on a narrow house-the grave; the worms had revelled sheet at my right hand, just without the door. upon its eyes, and left nothing but the orbless sockets. The rest of the skeleton was enveloped in a long and white sheet. This horrid spectre advanced into the middle of the room. I involuntarily shrunk back-the heavy wea pon dropped from my hand and rang loudly upon the stone floor, and, overcome with terror, I sank into a chair. A cold sweat broke from my forehead, and I had well nigh fainted on its first appearance; the others had tumbled one over the other, in the greatest horror and confusion, and now lay as if dead in all directions. Recovering from my fright, I went and gathered it up; I could not restrain my laughter, when I discovered it to be nothing more than a mask, repreIt seems while we were senting a death's head. all wrangling the night before, my uncle had stepniture, logs of wood, and-timber, he could in the ped out of bed,-dressed himself,-piled all the furapartment, in a heap, crowning the pyramid with a dozen or more walking sticks, which had lain time out of mind on the top of an old cupboard,-then gone up stairs and put on the horrid mask,-brought down a pistol, and enveloped himself from his feet to his chin, in a clean white sheet; after alarming by striking three heavy blows against the wall with us, just as the clock struck the awful hour of twelve, a huge log of wood, he contrived to tumble down the whole mass of furniture at once,-fired his pistol at the same moment, and then burst in upon us in the manner described. The spectre gazed wildly around for a moment— at the clock-at the fire-and then turned its eyeless sockets upon each individual, motioning at the same time with its long arm, and pointing to the outer door, seemingly directing to an outlet for escape and wishing for their exit. They were not long in obeying I attributed the flapping of the doors up stairs, this intimation, but severally crawled away upon their hands and knees, with all the speed they could possibly make, none of them daring to stand upright. and the jarring of those below, to nothing but a at the critical moment; and in the repercussion of the The spectre all the while was standing in the middle boisterous gust of wind that happened to blow just of the floor, eyeing, or rather appearing to eye them, The whimsical orders and through the void sockets where eyes had once glisten-air when the pistol was fired, I accounted for the ed, as they retreated one by one in the greatest fear shaking of the windows. and trepidation. When Peggy and I offered to de- requests of my uncle, were absolutely necessary to the design, and to make it impossible that we could camp along with the rest, the spectre motioned us suspect any thing. to remain where we were, and we durst not for our lives disobey. When the last of the crew was making his exit, and had crawled nearly to the door, the spectre, which had hitherto stood motionless, except waving its arms and slowly turning its eyeless countenance upon the wretches as they crept successively out of the door, bounded with the rapidity of lightning after the terrified wretch. But swift as the flights of spirits are, in this case that of the mortal was swifter, the fellow gave a thrilling scream,made a convulsive spring-his heels struck violently against the lintel of the door in his course-and he vanished from my sight and the spectre after him. 'Gude defend us,' said Peggy. For my part, ill as was frightened, I could scarce forbear I now went out. As I was crossing the yard, I discovered several drops of blood upon a stone, some of my good cousins had received, in their rewhich I could no way account for, but by supposing treat, a fall; and, a little further, I discovered a pair another part of the yard, bore evident marks of some of shoes. A receptacle for the filth of the byre, in one having had therein a severe struggle. Indeed the adventures of the flying heroes had been various and woful; one of them, he at whom the spectre made such a sudden bound, as I afterwards ascertained, actually ran seven miles without stopping, and with his shrieks, supposing the grim monster close at his heels, almost raised the whole country. I now proceeded onwards over the fields listening to the warbling lark'springing blythely up to greet the purpling east.' The air was fresh and pure, and, in the beauties of nature, I awhile forgot the events of the preceding evening; with hasty steps I roved over the faintly recollected scenes, where I had, in childhood, spent some of my happiest hours, until weary with my rambles I returned to breakfast. MATHEMATICS. So numerous and repeated, have been the applications made to us by our friends, to introduce Mathematics into the Iris, that we have at length determined to devote a portion of the work to this interesting Science. We may, therefore, by way of introduction, simply observe, that in the management of this department, we shall endeavour, as much as possible, to combine amusement with utility; and shall to the best of our judgment, exercise the greatest impartiality in our selections from the contributions with which our Correspondents may favour us. Of our scientific friends we must particularly request the patronage and support; assuring them, that, on our part, no exertion shall be spared to give to them every satisfaction. The study of the mathematics, has at all times, been considered highly advantageous. It is, indeed, universally allowed, by persons competent to judge, that of all pursuits, the mathematics are decidedly pre-eminent as mental exercises, and, at the same time, peculiarly valuable for their practical utility. In order to afford to our Correspondents every convenience for giving solutions to the different questions, we propose to insert the solutions in a fortnight after the first appearance of the questions. We must, however, observe, that no Question will be accepted unless it be accompanied by a Solution; and that it is particularly desirable, that the diagrams to the different Questions and Solutions, be as simple as possible.-ED. No. 2, by Mr. Jas. Wilson. Required the side of that cube, whose solidity subtracted from the side itself, shall leave the greatest remainder possible? No. 3, by Amicus. Let the line A C be so moved in the right angle A B C, that its extremities may constantly touch the lines A B and B C produced; and let D be a given point in A C-It is required to determine the locus of the point D? IMPROVEMENT IN BREWING. TO THE EDITOR. 'Wretched, indeed! but far more wretched yet, РОРЕ. SIR,-I am one of the many warm admirers of the beautiful essays which appear in the Iris, under the title of the Club.' The Club' is itself, I have no doubt, a mere fiction. The whole, if I guess rightly, is the produce of a single individual, notwithstanding which I care but little. In these essays I admire the variety of signatures. But this is a matter about equally, under either circumstances, the elegance that adorns, and the wit that enlivens them. They are unquestionably from the pen of a person of genius, who has long been accustomed to the niceties of composition. I have heard them attributed, I know not how truly, to a learned and accomplished female. The attack made upon the Club,' might have been expected. Such attacks were frequently made upon the periodical essays of Addison. The letter of Observer in your last number, is too unmeaning to require an answer; and I venture to predict, (though I am not gifted with second-sight like some of Blackwood's fortune-telling supernumeraries) that it will not be noticed. That the author of it may not, however, triumph in the silence of the Club,' I will offer for his instruction the following fable from the Tatler : THE DRAMA. MANCHESTER DRAMATIC REGISTER. Monday, March 18th-Alexander the Great: with Wednesday, 20th.-Every One Has His Fault: with Friday, 22nd. Such Things Are: with Therese. LECTURES ON POETRY. On Monday, 1st. of April, at seven o'clock in the evening, the REV. J. J. TAYLER, A. B. will begin a COURSE OF LECTURES, at the Rooms of the Literary and Philosophical Society, George-street, Manchester, on the HISTORY OF ENGLISH POETRY.-Further particulars may be learned by applying to Messrs. Robinson and Ellis, 5, St. Ann's Place; Messrs. Clarkes', Market-Place; Mr. Sowler's, and Mrs. Bancks, St. Ann's Square; or Mr. E. Thomson, Market-street; who will also receive the names of Subscribers. This Day is Published, 2nd Edition, Price 4d. CHRIST the BELIEVER'S BREAKWATER ; or, a few Poetical Remarks, occasioned by a Visit to the Breakwater, in Plymouth Sound, on the 30th of January, 1822, being the substance of Two Letters, sent to his family. BY WM. GADSBY. Fifteen Hundred copies of the first edition of this work, were sold in fifteen days. Richardson, and G. Greenough, Manchester; and TO CORRESPONDENTS. We shall feel obliged if MAROPHILUS will favour us with the remainder of the Dissertation, as we think the whole may be inserted at twice. It happened one day, as a stout and honest mas- A CLUBITE. LITERARY NOTICES. Cour de Lion, or The Third Crusade, a Poem, in sixteen Books, by Miss Porden, is in the press. It is reported in Edinburgh that, Mr. Dugald Stewart is at present engaged in writing a memoir of his late distinguished friend, Professor Playfair. A volume of Essays, by the Rev. R. W. Bamford, on the Discipline of Children, particularly as regards their education, will shortly make its appearance. The Fortunes of Nigil are going on rapidly. Ye town-bred spiders that so oft I've seen, Lines on the New Burial Ground,' by PHILAN- The Fragment,' by W. G. H. came too late for insertion this week. W. H. is respectfully informed that he will find FEMALE HEROISM' in the Gleaner,' published by the late Mr. Cowdroy. The Glasgow Chronicle says-A most important improvement has lately taken place in the mode of brewing and distilling, and is now practised at the Patent Steam Distillery at the Greenhead. The invention consists in the application of steam to the bottom of the boilers, which are indented with concentric circles, varying in depth according to the progress and quantity of heat wanted. A pipe from the steamengine boiler, situated outside of the building, is conveyed to three large brewing boilers and two stills. The boiler is not larger than that required of eighthorse power, and not more than the usual pressure is employed. In addition to the saving of fuel, the improvement consists in the great disparity of temperas ture betwist this mode and the common way of distill-years of that ageur boots of, che noi colla‚91193 ̧4 ing by a coal or peat fire. The difference is as 214 to 21,877 degrees of heat. The consequence is obvious. Steam cannot give any of that empyreumatic 'nauseous flavour, which is so difficult to be avoided in the common method, and which has so long dete riorated our native beverage. Another improvement at the Greenhead is a machine, styled by the inventor a separator, that completely prevents the mixture of the coarse essential oil, which is one of the products of distillation on the old plan, and which has been so "greatly injurious to all malt spirits.' 920 19200 The Anecdote, sent by Issachar Whyte, is so well known that we decline inserting it. We are obliged by Zeno's Communication, but must Communications have been received from T. A.-Iz. A work by Sir Walter Scott is mentioned in the A very severe Remonstrance has been addressed to Mr. John Murray, by an OXONIAN, on the subject of Lord Byron's Cain. This pamphlet, is written with considerable asperity, and condemns the motives of both the Publisher and the noble Author in the most unqualified terms. We believe that Mr. Murray has reason to repent of his bargain, the Court of Chancery having absolutely refused to grant an injunction against a pirated edition, in consequence of the immoral tendency of the Poem; although the sum of 20251. bad been given for the copyright.hlpin aw 1 2. 1'. FOR THE IRIS. PATRIARCHAL CHRONOLOGY. SECOND EDITION. SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1822. to Jacob, the founder of the nation of Israel. Adam therefore, of paradise, of the fall of man, and of out an immediate revelation from heaven, which was not granted in cases where the knowledge afforded PRICE 34d. subsequent to the death of the former, and 69 prior to the birth of the latter. 6. Noah died only two years before the birth of Abraham, and thus saw his posterity to the tenth generation, nine of which were swept away before himself. 7. Jacob was 15 years old at the death of Abraham, and 120 at the death of Isaac. 8. Isaac's death took place only one year before the commencement of the predicted years of plenty in Egypt. It is natural therefore to suppose, that if Isaac still retained the use of his faculties, (which however is doubtful, see Gen. xxvii. 1.) he would participate in the grief which the supposed death of Joseph occasioned; for the selling of Joseph into Egypt took place about thirteen years prior to his decease. Thus we see that a genealogical table is not always so uninteresting as on a first inspection it may appear. MR. EDITOR, DESPOTISM. INDEX. 2. The review of this table seems in a great measure to decide the controversy so long agitated, whether the Hebrew language was the language of paradise. If the patriarch Abrabam and his sons spoke the same language in which the Decalogue was afterwards delivered from mount Sinai, there seems no great difficulty in believing that this language might be the same which was spoken from the beginning; unless we suppose that at the confasion of tongues at Babel, the common language was annihilated, and gave place to some of the tongues which from that time began to be spoken. It appears reasonable to think that Methuselah would speak the same language as Adam, with whom he was contemporary for upwards of 200 years it is certain, indeed, that till the building of the tower of Babel all mankind spoke the same language, and it is highly improbable that it underwent any material alteration during that period. Shem, who spoke the Antediluvian language, would transmit it to that part of his posterity which adhered to the worship of Jehovah. One of these, Abraham, the father of the faithful, was his contemporary for 150 years; and there is nothing to prevent the supposition that Abraham, and even Isaac, were personally acquainted with Shem, and spoke the same language with their hoary progeni-kind moreover being the same in every age and tor.-Although this argument by itself may not be considered absolutely conclusive, yet, in conjunction with the others which have been repeatedly advanced, it seems to bring it nearly to a state of certainty, that the language of Abraham and the language of the Jews was materially the same as the language of paradise. From Shem to Abraham the re 2126 gister of deaths is in a great measure an inversion of 2183 2187 4. All the Antediluvian patriarchs, except Noab, 1. It appears from this table, that knowledge might were contemporary with Adam, and may have enbe communicated by tradition with the greatest acca-joyed his personal acquaintance. racy, through the long period of upwards of 2000 5 All except Adam and Noah were alive at the years, from Adam, the progenitor of the human race, time of Enoch's translation, which happened 57 years In the reign of Louis the XIV. of France, the Fathers of Redemption, of the Order of the Holy Trinity, made two voyages to Morocco for the purpose of redeeming Christian slaves from captivity; and on returning from their second voyage, in 1714. published an account of their success, and of the laws and customs of Morocco, under the title of a History of the Reign of Muley Ishmaël, King of Morocco, &c.: and as I do not remember to have seen the work in English, I send you a few extracts, trusting they may prove as new Some to some of your readers, as they did to me. of the facts on a first view, may appear rather incredible, but when we consider the characters of the worthy men who relate them, we may safely take them for granted.-The dispositions of man country; except, so far, indeed, as those dispositions may be modified or connected by the civil and religious institutions of each particular country: when therefore this is considered, we shall not so much feel surprised at the conduct of Muley Ishmaël, which appears sufficiently wanton and capricious, as we shall in the first place feel gratitude to our Creator, who has placed us in a Christian country; and to our ancestors in the second place, who have transmitted to us such excellent civil institutions; the former operating upon us inwardly, and the latter outwardly, to restrain us from injury or oppressing one another; otherwise, we have amongst us those who might possibly act with as little respect or regard to right or reason as the African despotbut to my extracts. "He (Maley Ishmael) obtained the crown by force, after having gained several victories over his nephews, the sons of bis predecessor, and defeated all who opposed him. He is at present (1712) about 80 years of age, and of middle size; and it appears that age has not diminished either bis courage or his 66 strength, nor even his agility; and he will at a single spring, jump over any thing upon which he can place his hands. It is one of his ordinary diversions to draw his sabre at the same time he mounts his horse, and cut off the bead of the slave who holds his stirrup !" "His subjects know by the colour of his dress, what passion rules him at the time. Green is his favourite colour; white augurs well for those who approach him; but when he appears in yellow, every one trembles and avoids his presence; for that is the colour he wears on the days of his most cruel executions." "As a Talbe or Doctor of Law, he causes it to be believed, that the blood of Mahomet sanctifies Religion even the horse upon which he rides. makes him master of the lives and fortunes of his subjects, upon whom he looks as so many slaves: she consecrates the cruelties which he exercises towards the Christians and the Moors; the latter esteeming themselves happy to be sacrificed to his fury, in the persuasion that his murderous hand sends them to the Paradise of Mahomet; and in this foolish opinion they sometimes come from the extremity of his empire, to beg he will grant them this coup de grace. It is said that he has killed with his own hand, more than thirty thousand Christians and Mahometans. When he sacrifices any of his own children, he afterwards reproaches his officers for not having prevented him, and punishes their negligence with death!" "He one day caused the principal Jews to assemble before him under pretence that he had something of importance to impart to them. When they were in his presence, he thus addressed them :"Dogs, I have sent for you in order to see that you all put on the red cap and embrace my faith; you have trifled with me these thirty years respecting the coming of your Messiah; now if you do not positively name the year and the day of his coming, your lives and goods are forfeited: I am determined to be deceived no longer." The Jews surprised at this salutation, which they had little reason to expect, considering the obligations he was under to them, and the punctuality with which they paid all his excessive imposts, remained silent; until, at length one of the most prudent amongst them, tremblingly, requested eight days to deliberate on the answer they ought to give him. The King said, go, and take care you deceive me no more. They em tice. When any one complains that another has March, 1822. BIOGRAPHY. T. V. EDWARD DANIEL CLARKE, L.L.D. &c. (From the Cambridge Chronicle.) Early on Saturday morning (the 9th instant), died, at Sir W. Rush's house, in Pall Mall, after a severe and painful illness, the Rev. E. D. Clarke, L. L. D. Professor of Mineralogy, and Librarian to the University, formerly fel-, low of Jesus College, and Rector of Harlton, in this county, and of great Yeldam, in Essex.-It is with sentiments of the deepest regret, that we announce the above intelligence; and we trust to the indulgence of our readers; if we trespass beyond our usual limits on such an occasion, and insert a few tributary words to the memory of this highly lamented and most distinguished individual. We should fail indeed in our respect for the general sympathy which the loss of Dr. Clarke has excited, were we to content ourselves with the bare notice of his death. In the following paragraph it is not intended to draw the character of the late Professor, and to delineate his various exellencies-they will hereafter be traced by the biographer; but the hasty sketch which has been conveyed to us by one of his numerous friends, will, we trust, prove not unacceptable. Perhaps no person ever possessed in a more eminent degree than Dr. Clarke, the delightful faculty of winning the hearts and rivetting the affections of those into whose society he en tered. From the first moment his conversation excited an interest that never abated.— Those who knew him once, felt that they must love him always. The kindness of his manner, the anxiety he expressed for the welfare of others, his eagerness to make them feel ordinary opinion is contained in these two words, happy and pleased with themselves, when united to the charms of his language, were irresistible. Such was Dr. Clarke in private life; within the circle of his more immediate friends; in the midst of his family-there he might be seen, as the indulgent parent, the affectionate and sincere husband, the warm, zealous, friend. Of his public life, the present moment will only admit of an outline.-Soon after taking his degree, Dr. Clarke accompanied the present Lord Berwick abroad, and remained for some time in Italy. The classic scenes he there met with, and his own inquisitive genius, stimulated him to enter into a wider field of research; and shortly after his return to England, he embarked on those travels, which have rendered his name so celebrated throughout Europe; indeed, we may add, in every quarter of the civilized world. To enter into any description of them is needless-they are before the public. They have been, and will continue to be, the delight and the solace of those who have been unable to visit other countries; and they have excited the dormant spirit of curiosity in many a resident of this university, who has fol"The patience of the slaves was lately tried by lowed eagerly the steps of Dr. Clarke, and a project he took into his head of joining the cemei tary of the Christians to his gardens. As his reli- has invariably borne testimony to the accuracy gion taught him to look upon this ground as unholy, and fidelity of his narrative. Dr. Clarke has be caused them to dig it to the depth of six feet, somewhere mentioned all the excellencies and to carry the soil to the distance of three quar- which must unite to form a perfect travellerhe must have the pencil of Norden, the pen of ters of a league. Of five thousand Christian slaves Volney, the learning of Pococke, the perseemployed in this work, which lasted only nine days, verance of Bruce, the enthusiasm of Savary. Of all these Dr. Clarke united in his own perfifty died from infection caught from the bodies newson by far the greater share. No difficulties in ly buried." his progress were ever allowed to be insuperable; and, upou all occasions, he imparted to others a portion of his own enthusiasm. It was upon the return from this extensive tour, during which he had visited nearly the whole of Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa, that Dr. Clarke presented to the University those memorials of his travels, which now decorate the vestibule of the library; and, as some return for the splendour which his name had reflected upon the University, he was complimented in full senate with the degree of L.L.D. From that moment the residence of the traveller was confined to Cambridge, and he shortly after commenced those public lectures in mineralogy, which, if possible, have made his name more known and honoured, both in this and in foreign countries, than even his long and interesting travels. Natural history was his earliest and most favourite study; and that peculiar branch of it, which refers to the mineral kingdom, soon engrossed the whole of his attention. In the delivery of his celebrated lectures, Clarke was without a rival-his eloquence, perhaps, few have ever equalled him quence was inferior to none; (in native eloin this country;) his knowledge of his subject was extensive; his elucidation clear and simple; and in the illustrations, which were practically afforded by the various and beautiful specimens of his minerals, he was peculiarly happy. Most of those specimens he had himself collected, and they seldom failed to give rise to the most pleasing associations by their individual locality. We may justly apply to him in the delivery of his lectures, what is engraven on the monument of Goldsmith, Nihil, quod tetigit, non ornavit-? Of the higher as a Christian preacher, of the sublimity and qualities of his mind, of his force and energy excellence of his discourses, we might tell in any other place than Cambridge; but here, all mention of them is unnecessary: his crowded congregations are testimony sufficient. the estimation in which Dr. Clarke was held by foreigners, we may, in the same manner, refer our readers to the various honorary societies in which his name stands enrolled; we may safely say, that to no one person has the University of Cambridge been more indebted for celebrity abroad during the last twenty years, than to her late librarian, Dr. Clarke. He has fallen a victim indeed to his generous ardour in the pursuit of science-he looked only to the fame of the Univesity; and in his honest endeavours to exalt her reputation, he He has thus left to his afflicted family and to unhappily neglected his own invaluable health. his surviving friends, the most painful and ployed these eight days in preparing the principal "He carries his council in his head; he has, for the sake of form, some Alcaydes and his Talbe about bim, to whom he declares his intentions, and their ANAMA SIDI; thou sayest right Lord." "His avarice is the principal spring of all bis actions. If his police is strict, it is because he has his interest in view. The butchers, bakers, &c. daily bring a portion of their meat and bread, to the Chamber of Police, which is always open, except one hour in the day. If any one has sold too dear, he is condemned to carry his merchandize about his neck through all the city; and hootings, stones, and blows are not spared him. At his return he undergoes the bastinado, and pays a heavy fine to the King. "From the same motive he renders prompt jus Of |