Page images
PDF
EPUB

lead the children to observe for themselves the facts of addition and the other rules; and some assert the wonderful readiness of calculation which this method begets in the learners. Similar means are used to convey a knowlege of weights and measures and the value of money; and the attention of the children is excited by the tables being sometimes thrown into a kind of doggrel, which is chanted by the whole number, with considerable accuracy of tune and time. But there is something like quackery in this, and there is seemingly as much exaggeration in the accounts of the quickness of learning arithmetic in these schools, as in the Hamiltonian reports of the newly-acquired facility of learning Latin. Something, without doubt, is learned in this way; but the knowlege attained is very superficial.

With regard to the third head, namely, language, a critic says, "Grammar is easily taught in these schools, for every action suggests some grammatical instruction: a child may be sent across the room, and the rest may be taught to sing, 'Here she comes!'There they go,' &c.; and the difference of genders, pronouns, action and suffering, time past, present, and to come-all may be remarked in these simple sentences. Adjectives are equally common, and with equal facility remarked. And thus, by the mere medium of conversation, without books or rules, great accuracy is acquired in speaking, so much so, as indeed to be very striking in children who are generally of the lowest order."

We deny these assertions on the subject of grammar. Words and phrases may be learned with apparent ease; but how is grammar learned? In the most slovenly and imperfect manner. The pretended accuracy is, indeed, that of a newspaper reporter.

FLOWERS OF FANCY.

Many are fond of reveling in the fields of fancy, and of culling all the flowers that offer themselves in that fertile region: they are highly pleased with the pursuit, and happy in the accumulation of poetical ideas. Others may wish to have the flowers found for them, like those versifiers who consult an "Art of Poetry" for fine thoughts and imagery.

Mr. Henry Schultes has kindly offered his aid to young writers, as a purveyor of these literary ornaments. He styles his volume, "Flowers of Fancy, exhibited in

a Collection of Similès, taken from various Authors, and alphabetically arranged." He says, "If it were possible to establish a criterion in literature whereby philological taste might be regulated, it would be easy to prescribe rules for deciding at once on literary merit, and awarding its just degree of praise; but, whilst a diversity of opinion continues to prevail amongst mankind, the renown of a writer must necessarily depend more upon fortuitous events and the ruling fashion of the age, than upon the brilliancy of his wit, or the force of his genius, as the example of Milton and others may serve to prove. The truth of this remark is so universally acknowleged, that every aspirant for public approbation now endeavours to discover some new path which may lead him to distinction, and hopes, through the medium of novelty, originality, or eccentricity, to gain popular fame. Some authors seek reputation by adopting a conciseness of style; others court regard by an elaborate amplification of their topics; and a few expect to attract notice by a partial revival of obsolete phraseology. Popularity, however, seems, conformably with the existing rules of philology, to be most deservedly due to him who, following the light of truth, is enabled to convey his ideas with clearness into the minds of others, and who can occasionally illustrate his propositions by apposite comparisons, formed by allusion to natural and familiar objects of the senses."

This is little better than pompous nonsense; and the body of the work is, in many parts, equally frivolous; but it may suit indolent and unreflecting readers. A specimen follows:

Pleasing as the day. Poetical Recreations.-as dawn of day. Gildon.-as light to the eyes. Atterbury.—as the rosy morn whose lovely cheeks look smiling on the day. W. Hemings. Pleasing and gay as the sweet smiling summer. W. Hett.More pleasing than a summer's morn. J. Clare.-Pleasing as sunshine to the bee. Gay.-as winter suns or summer shade. Dryden.-Pleasing to my sense as sleep after a tedious watching. Glapthorne.— as dreams of health to the diseased. Jacob.-as the pipe of Mercury which charmed the hundred eyes of watchful Argus, and enforced him to sleep. Play, Lear,-as hope. Play, Momus turned Fabulist.-as hope to the despairing peni

tent. Jacob.

"Pliable as an osier. Lacy, J. Worsdale as a twig. W. Davies.

"Pliant as a hazel stick. Play, Interlude of Youth.-as the shoots of a young tree in vernal flower. T. Moore.

"Plump as a partridge. E. Ravenscroft, Pope, and others.-Plump and shy as a partridge. Sir W. Scott.-Plump as a barn-door chicken. P. Pindar.-as a puffin. Farquhar.-as a cherry. Herrick. -as grapes. T. Killigrew; Play, Psyche. -as grapes after showers. Behn.-Plump and grey as a gooseberry. R. Burns.

"Point to him as naturally as the needle to the north.-Young Hypocrite.'

THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND DECLINE, OF THE ORDER OF JESUITS.

In the earlier part of the sixteenth century, Ignatius Loyola followed the military profession, in the service of Ferdinand V. king of Spain. Having been severely wounded at the siege of Pampeluna, he amused himself, while he was confined to his bed, with the perusal of the Lives of the Saints, and became so inflamed with bigoted zeal, that he resolved to quit the army and devote himself to the church. He dedicated himself to the Virgin as her knight; made a pil. grimage to the Holy Land; and, after studying in some of the universities of Spain, he visited France, where he laid the foundation of a new brotherhood. The scheme was not at first acceptable to pope Paul III, who refused to sanction it; but the church of Rome was then so shaken by the defection of protesting Christians, that, upon the offer by Loyola of a vow on the part of his fraternity of utter subserviency to the papal dictates, the pontiff at length confirmed the association under the name of the Society of Jesus.

The laws and constitution of this aspiring order were perfected by the two superiors, Laynez and Aquaviva, who succeeded the founder. They were men whose deep penetration and refined subtilty made them his masters in the insidious tactics of priestcraft. Loyola was an enthusiastic bigot; but his successors were crafty counsellors, whose capacity enabled them to systematise ecclesiastical encroachments under the cloak of religious zeal; and it appears, from recent exposures, that never were plans concocted more unerring in their nature for the effectual predominance of monkish authority, and the enthralment of the secular body. While other monastic orders

professed seclusion from the world, the Jesuits were taught that their duties lay in the activity of public life. They were bands professedly trained to the active service of God, and his vicar, the pope. They may be said to have been the knights errant of the Roman see; for, wherever there were converts to be won, enemies to be encountered, or dangers to be braved, there was their post. They were exempt from austerities to which other societies were subject; they wasted no time in counting beads, or practising rigorous penance within the walls of their convents; their arena was the world; there they were to study man, to scan the transactions of life, probe the dispositions of the wealthy and the powerful, cultivate their friendship, win their confidence, and consequently direct their faith.Loyola had learned as a soldier the value of implicit obedience, and he therefore exacted toward the general, or chief of the order, the most unlimited submission. Every member under him was a mere passive instrument; and it is affirmed that there is not in the annals of mankind such an example of unqualified despotism; and, be it remembered, this tyranny was not exercised over cloistered monks, but over active agents of an ambitious society, dispersed amongt the numerous grades of worldly men for one settled end in view, namely, to exalt the interests of the fraternity, and to chain to its purpose the entire population over which it acted. Means were adopted (and those efficacious) to learn the thoughts, inclinations, and capabilities of every member of the order. Periodical reports were made, from which, at one comprehensive glance, the general could learn every Jesuit's forte or failing, while these in their turns furnished the same data to judge of the monarchs, princes, governors, and chiefs of every denomination into whose confidence they insidiously crept; and thus was the whole Christian world, in a manner, subject to this formidable body. Before the expiration of the sixteenth century, the Jesuits had obtained the chief direction of the education of youth in every Catholic country in Europe; but even nations professing the Romish faith were at length awakened to a sense of the peril of fostering such a sect; and the cry raised against the society was so loud, that its members, to maintain their ground, were compelled to offer eminent proofs of learning and science; and thus, while their insidious policy and irreli

gious ambition subjected them to the odium of Christendom, their classical acquirements and scientific researches entitled them to a just meed of praise. These accomplishments, in fact, retarded their ruin. În the Spanish colonies they appear to have labored diligently to meliorate the condition, physical and moral, of the Aborigines. What they did effect in that quarter we have not space to detail; but the cloven-foot of unhallowed ambition was manifest in all their efforts; and, though they assuredly did much for suffering humanity, their prevailing aim was the enlargement of the temporal power and authority of their dangerous league. One of the original articles of their institution was an abstinence from the acquirement of worldly riches; but this rule was soon disregarded, and a departure from it reconciled to their loose consciences by specious arguments; and so they became rich as well as powerful. Individual interest, at whatever cost, serves as a key to the genius of their policy; and, therefore, in the days of their power, they were the most zealous patrons of those doctrines which tend to exalt ecclesiastical power on the ruins of civil government. They contended for the entire independence of ecclesiastics upon the civil magistrates, and are pronounced "to have published such tenets concerning the duties of opposing princes who were enemies of the catholic faith, as countenanced the most atrocious crimes, and tended to dissolve all ties which connect subjects with their rulers." Indeed it has been affirmed, that "whoever recollects the events which happened in Europe during two centuries, will find that the Jesuits may justly be considered as responsible for the most pernicious effects arising from that corrupt and dangerous casuistry."

It was not, however, until a much later period that it was ascertained that this aspiring body was regulated by secret oaths, and covert regulations of the darkest character; in short, there appears to be little doubt that it was in the contemplation of these artful religionists to effect the entire prostration of society under their despotism. Before, however, the mysterious volume of their law was opened to inspection, some of the principal powers of Europe became aware of the mischievous tendency of the sect, and it was at different times suppressed by various princes. In 1773, pope Clement XIV. (Ganganelli) consented to this sup

pression; but, though the Jesuits thus ceased to be a recognised body, they did not altogether lose their influence. Pius VII. revived the order at Rome in 1814, and Ferdinand VII. of Spain, as soon as he was restored to the throne, extended his patronage to the remains of the fraternity. Charles X. of France also favored them for some years; but their intrigues have been effectually checked in that country by the spirit of the two chambers. Some members of the order have intruded into this country, and they are even protected by our ministers and parliament; but they are restricted in the exercise of their craft, and the extension of their number will be prevented by law.

AN IRISH MUNICIPAL PROCESSION AND

VOYAGE, from the Peace Campaigns of a Cornet.

THE following narrative reminds us of the celebrated voyage of the lord-mayor Venables from London to Oxford, so finely described by the rev. Mr. Dillon. The chaplain, however, though more erudite than the cornet, is not so humorous a narrator.

"It was a glorious August morning; gun after gun reverberated in quick succession along the shores of the Lee, as the merry corporation of Ballintemple sallied forth. Croker Barrington, arrayed in robes of Tyrian hue, headed the august procession, mace in hand. The macebearer was followed by a motley train of burgesses, some with helm on head and battle-axe on shoulder, others with Spanish cloak, and waving plume-others again in full court-dress, with lace ruffles and sword-others in the ponderous boots, square-bottomed coat, three-cornered hat, and well-curled periwig of former dayshere a hussar, with a prodigious display of whiskers-there a jolly tar, with the blue jacket, long cue, and loose trowsers.

The burgesses were followed by little George Goblet, the mayor, a highly respectable personage, whose stature did not materially exceed four feet and a half; yet there was an air of conscious loftiness in every step and look, as the diminutive mayor strutted with all the pride of a Bantam cock, surrounded by sergeants at arms, ushers of the black rod, and various other officers of state.

And next in order, Came the recorder.

an imp of sallow hue, and wrinkled visage, clad in well-worn robes of rusty black, with ponderous wig, descending in ample curls. The procession was closed by a numerous body of common-council men, while the sheriffs, with their cocked hats, white wands, and massive chains, brought up the rear.

6

"The mayor had no sooner embarked in a skiff to proceed to the state-barge, than he roared out, By the powers, Dick Millikin-I'll be drowned if you don't put your stern into the bow of the boat, and bring her by the head.-Right worshipful,' replied Millikin, 'you have heard of

Bryan O'Lynn, with his wife and wife's mother,
Who all went over the bridge together;
But the bridge broke down and they all fell in :
We'll get to the bottom, said Bryan O'Lynn.

Why, Goblet, my old boy, there's not six
feet water between the shore and the mud-
barge.'-'Six feet,' echoed the mayor, "tis
well enough for you to talk in this way;
but what the devil would I do in six feet
water?'-'Shall I help your worship up
the side,' said Millikin; they have forgot
the accommodation ladders;' and, without
waiting for reply, he seised the mayor,
and handed him up in safety to the grasp
of Jerry Leary, a stout brick-maker, who,
without much exertion, soon placed him
firmly upon his feet, on the quarter-deck
of the barge. Well, thank goodness,'
said little Goblet, perking up his head
like a cock-sparrow, and nothing discon-
certed at the proceeding, or the halloos
and huzzas of which it was productive,
'I'm safely landed at last!-and now,
boys, as soon as you get into something
like order, I'll give the word. The seven
four-oared boats, you see, are to follow
the state-barge-the band of the Cork
militia to be in one of them-let a banner
be placed in the head of each. Steady
there the six-oared gig with the mace-
bearer, is to go a-head, with the other
band in the bow, and the wherries are to
keep off the crowd of boats. Let Mic
O'Brien be admiral of the fleet. And now,
are you all ready? Let Maurice Cogan
go into the elephant; and mind, Maurice,
for your life, keep the proboscis and tail
moving, fore and aft.'-'Now,' said Jerry
Leary, as Tom Barrett, the piper, is
drunk, who in the wide world will we
put on his curribub sitting up on the ele-
phant? Here's Barrett's pipes, any way.'
-Come here, Tim Sullivan,' said Milli-
kin, can you play the bagpipes?'-' In
deed then myself can't tell that same
rightly,' replied Tim, scratching his head;

[ocr errors]

VOL. X.

for I never tried.'-' Well then, you shall try now,' said Millikin; 'up with you on the elephant's back, sit down, cross-legged there, under the red and gold tester, my boy-here's the pipes, put the bag under arm, fasten it with that strap, and blow away like a broken-winded horse. There's grand music for you, Mister Mayor. Who cares for Tom Barrett, now?'-'What are you about, Cogan?' said the mayor, why don't you keep the proboscis and the tail moving together?' -Cogan replied in a hollow voice of despair, from the interior of the elephant,

Goblet, this will never do; I'm fairly

bothered from the head to the tail-I must have some one to help me—the strings are too short entirely, and I'm in a regular stew cramped up here.'-Well, well,' replied his worship, just stay where you are, and never mind it; you shall have some one directly.'

"These important arrangements being completed, a signal was given from the state-barge for the aquatic procession to move forward. The bands struck up 'Bob and Joan;' the boats glided along the glassy surface of the Lee toward Cork; and towering above the rest was seen the elephantine barge. Unfortunately, when the vessel approached the centre arch of the New Bridge, a loud and fearful crash, followed by a tremendous plunge, was heard.-'Oh !' said Dixon, starting up, the elephant is overboard-cast off!'— And so in truth it was. The stage upon which it was placed, had been erected at such an elevation, as to render it impossible that it could pass under the arch of the bridge. Crash went the head and trunk against the key-stone of the arch, with an impetus so sudden and overpow ering, that the mock animal was forced back on its hinder legs, and, rolling to leeward, sent the mayor overboard. The elephant, which was formed of basketwork, covered with canvas, floated like a Leviathan, the hugest monster of the deep, surrounded by the small craft, the persons in which endeavoured to keep it from sinking by the aid of oars, boat-hooks, and spars. Cogan and his assistant were not perfectly conscious of their precise situation; but, having experienced the crash, and heard the prodigious splashing of the water, imagined that the barge had foundered. It's all over with us-we're done for, and sold fairly,' cried Cogan;

half a minute more, and we'll be praying in heaven-like Jonah in the elephant's belly-can't you get out of that leg-I

2 E

should like to have one kick for it any how.'-'Sure, I'm cutting it as fast as I can, Cogan,' replied his deputy; and in his efforts to release his principal and himself, the balance of the elephant was lost-the leg sunk downwards with his weight-the body rolled over-and the water rushed through the aperture which he had made. It was at this moment that the grand effort was making for their safety; and the prisoners, hearing the sound of the voices, and being sensible of the thumps on the outside, knew that friends were near, and as a signal of distress began to work with extraordinary vehemence at the strings connected with the machine

Tom Deane

ry of the trunk and tail.
then arranged for slinging up the elephant,
by directing the rope to be carried over a
lamp-post on the bridge, which, having
been secured under the body, and round
the neck, it was hoisted up according to
the orders of that distinguished architect.
Nothing could be more amusing than its
ascent; for the unconscious prisoners still
continued their active exertions in the in-
terior, producing most extraordinary and
laughable flourishes from before and be-
hind; and, by their restlessness, caused
the body to sway backwards and forwards
in the most ludicrous manner."

THE BEAUTY OF THE COTTAGE,
with a fine Engraving.

Speaking of one of

COARSENESS of features and inelegance of form are generally seen in rustic life: yêt some female villagers exhibit the most attractive beauty. these "roses of the wild," Thomson says,

"A native grace

Sat fair-proportioned on her polish'd limbs,
Veil'd in a simple robe, their best attire,
Beyond the pomp of dress; for loveliness
Needs not the foreign aid of ornament,
But is, when unadorn'd, adorn'd the most,
Thoughtless of beauty, she was beauty's self,
Recluse amid the close embowering woods."

Before we knew that our designer intended to represent Lavinia, we had composed a soliloquy in the name of the fair inhabitant of the cottage, and we shall not withhold it from our readers.

Oh, what is Love? it moves my anxious breast;
Yet its full force, perhaps, I do not know:
It fills my eyes with tears, obstructs my rest;
And, 'midst suspense, my joy has ceas'd to flow.

In this secluded spot I've found a youth
Who is to love me seemingly inclin'd.
Why should I doubt his honesty and truth?
To him, indeed, I yield my heart and mind.

But men, they say, are fickle-will delude:
My Damon, surely, will not thus deceive ·
His open looks all artful wiles preclude;
He will not to despair his Delia leave.
As Love can best allay the ills of life.
Oh, may I soon become a happy wife!

« PreviousContinue »