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J 2 4 es ts hen 7 om ’ pass r vasenata re Rs . : S * ahi teee : era : - % Oe Sot Ra D' Sa. cs . st PBaras, +83 aie cat awed pass; seit ents erei= = poegrerss 7 “ ; Ps. - Scaer nee aie ' a3) sees see ae : . smis i cores tsisn acs é : : sabres i ate asters saa saieiess: Bevatarosaces : iseteseess : $283 H - : : : - <= » Ns : . : - - Pata ned' . t cH soe Tera ee bi sced Set ti ae 54 a3 série! afaaisae Sette Baie E gia = 7 - sats se =" i ri i i a ’ CH * ectaente et ee StH. att ota tr t tag: as, o4 bs re fae PA f Zs | THE ANALYST A *s &e MONTHLY JOURNAL OF. SCIENCE, LITERATURE, © AND THE FINE ARTS. ee for Noe VIE FEBRUARY, 1835. London ; SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO} STATIONERS HALL COURT; WHEELER, hlaebs: STRATFORD, RIDGE, HUNT, LEES, "EATON, WORCESTER; JEW- AND BRYANT, GUMM, LEA, GLOUCESTER; WILLIAMS, H. DAVIS, BEP- | ISON, CHELTENHAM} DAVIS AND SON, VALE, PARKER, JONES, HEREFORD 3 EDDOWES, SHREWSBURY; SHARPE, WARWICK; KNOTT, WRIGHTSON AND WEBB, LANGBRIDGE, BARLOW, DRAKE, BIRMINGHAM; W. PARKE, WOL- VERHAMPTON; AND ALL BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. Price ls. 6d. Chalk and Holl, Printers, Worcester. CONTENTS. PAGE. Memoir on the Geology of the Vale of Evesham ..........ecesecevceecee The Switch, or Maid of Kendal, by Wm. Carey, Esq. ........ etka a Boise. 2 An Outline of the British Mustelade, by Shirley Palmer, M.D. .......... 17 Sonnet on the North Hill, Malvern. ........... Waris che Wien Evisaea ee Vetere at On Quizzing, by C. L. E. P. ...... aie AWW aihcn on 2 Ole ree ail alee EGU Nas Ue The King’s Guard Chamber, Windsor Castle ........ Aare es Woe Siteene sa ats 26° * Sir Pettronell Flash ............. sieatales Gis Gee Wes aes a Sie Wiss tune ol a 5 Wate ie atom 29 Charles Bosc, . sane tcc ceeus: a eae bint wate satura eee, ore apg eee ne To Charlotte........ Se ak ee ere ae bala wiete wise ghe e's Sulake 6 _ 39 An Account of an Extraordinary Meteor, by W. Addison, Esq. F.L.S..... 40 Reviews of Prints and Illustrated Works............cscccucececccccccee. 42 The Comic Annual for 1835—Ilustrations of the Bible—View of Ara- con Fort, from Pioneer Hill. ‘a The Miniature........... bissesroe Ux bie tes aie eae arctes ewes Topas Pe ces ORS Critical Notices of New Publications. .....0...0.c.0cccccceecseecevcccece 46 Memoirs of Ichthyosauri and Plesiosauri, by Thos. Hawkins, F.G.S. . &c.—Travels into Bokhara, by Lieut. A. Burnes, F. R. S.—The History of Evesham, by Geo, May. Literary and Scientific ........ ve a'0: Via fase e[0's Were baled viene Reus ler acted Mee OS On the Combination of Oxygen with the non-Metallic Combustibles, by W. Addison, Esq.—Introductory Lecture delivered at Kidderminster, by R. I. N. Streeten, Esq. M. D.—On the Elementary Bodies, and the Laws which regulate their Union with each other, by J. Woolrich, Esq. List of New Publications ..............4. ad'e'b 409.0 Oe as Map penn cits ecesaa clase 69 Literary Intelligence .......... a dust isle eto Wie’ areas ieee en aii weeata's (6% Sits, vee 70 Preferments, Marriages, Births, and Deaths ................ eee’. Dereon TE Meteorological Report .......ccceceeees e@ereersreereeeeseveeseeeeseoereoeosen 72 TO CORRESPONDENTS. “Toy sss eavroy’’—in our next. A highly interesting Paper by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, K. H., descriptive of Kenchurch, Herefordshire, with a biographical sketch of the descendants of Owain Glyndwr, will be inserted in the ensuing nuimber. Reviews of the following Works will appear in our next Number :—Dr. Andrew Combe, on the Principles of Physiology applied to the Preservation of Health, and to the Improvement of Physical and Mental Education.—Lives and Portraits of the Celebrated Women of all Countries, by the Duchess of Abrantes, We have to acknowledge the receipt of ‘‘ The Wizard,” a record of the sixteenth century—“ Appearances”—‘‘Remarks on the Garden Spider,” and several Poetical effusions—the insertion of which we are compelled to defer for the present. It is requested that all communications sent to the Editor, may be post-paip; and Contributions should be sent early in the month, pre- ceding that in which they are expected to appear. ete eae &> The first Volume of ‘The Analyst,” (with Index, and list of Subscribers,) in cloth boards, price 10s. may be had of Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. London, and all other Booksellers. THE ANALYST: MONTHLY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, LITERATURE, AND THE FINE ARTS. VOL. II. London : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO., STATIONERS HALL COURT; WHEELER, DEIGHTON, STRATFORD, RIDGE, HUNT, LEES, EATON, WORCESTER; JEW AND BRYANT, GUMM, LEA, GLOUCESTER; WILLIAMS, H. DAVIS, BET- TISON, CHELTENHAM; DAVIS AND SON, VALE, PARKER, JONES, HEREFORD ; EDDOWES, SHREWSBURY; SHARPE, WARWICK; KNOTT, WRIGHTSON AND WEBB, LANGBRIDGE, BARLOW, DRAKE, BIRMINGHAM}; W. PARKE, WOL- VERHAMPTON; AND ALL BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. 1835. INDEX. Arenea Diadema, or Garden Spiders, Remarks on the, 85 . Architecture of the Cathedral Church of Worcester, Remarks on the, 98 Appearances, 111 Art of Multiplying Impressions from Engraved Surfaces, Remarks on the, by W. Carey, 148 Anecdotes, 313 British Musteladw, An Outline of the, by Shirley Palmer, M.D. 17 Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery, 319 Brake Nightingale, On the Habits of the, 394 Birds, On the Nomenclature of, 317, 419 Charles II., 35 Coke, Lord—Sir Henry Spelman, 96 Climates of Great Malvern and London, A Comparison between the, by W. Addison, F.L.8. 215 English Generic names of Birds corre- spond to the English ones, On making the, 238 Female Education, 107 Fine Arts.—Review of the Second Exhibition of Modern Paintings and Sculpture, at the Atheneum, Wor- cester, by Wm. Carey, Esq., 421 Geology of the Vale of Evesham, Memoir of, by H. E. Strickland, F.G.S. 1 Geology in Illustration of the Strata in the neighbourhood of Birmingham, Dene on, by Ogier Ward, M. D. 24 Heriots, Reliefs, 172 Horticultural Communication, 386 Insects, Pictorial and Poetical, Re- marks on, by Edwin Lees, M.E.S. 324, 401 Kenchurch Court, Herefordshire, Ac- count of, by Sir 8. Rush Meyrick, K. H. 73 Literary and Scientific.—“ On the com- binations of Oxygen with the non- metallic combustibles,” by W. Ad- dison, F.L.S. 58; Dr. Streeten’s * Introductory Lecture at Kidder- minster,” 60; ‘“‘On the Elementary Bodies, and the Laws which regulate their Union with each other,” by John Woolrich, 63 ; ‘On the Nature and Properties of Atmospheric Air and Water,”’ by the same, 135; “On the Organ of Vision in Man and Animals,” by O. B. Cooper, Esq. 206; Lecture on “ Poetry,” by the Rev. S. Middleton; On ‘ Geology corrobative of the Mosaic Writings,” by B. Maund, F.L.S. 275; On the ** Progressive Development of the Vegetable Organization,” by J. R. N. Streeten, M. D. 276; “ On the Study of the French Language,’’ by M. Sémonin, 278; ‘Report of the Bir- mingham Mechanics’ Institution,’ 280; “On the Mental Faculties of Man,” by Mr.Wallace, 355, 443; “On the Salt Springs of Worcester- shire,” by C. Hastings, M. D. 359 Letter to the Editor, from T. A. Knight, Esq. on Gossamer, 184 Lionel Lackland, or things concerning myself, 158, 226, 387 Literary Intelligence, 70, 142, 213, 285 Meteor, Anaccount of an extraordinary, by W. Addison, F. L. S. 40 Meteorological Report, 72, 144, 214, _ 286, 358, 446 Mechanics’ Institutions, On the Ten- dency and Prospects of, by W. Hawkes Smith, 333 Notices, Critical of New Publications: Memoirs of Ichthyosauri and Plesi- osauri, by T. Hawkins, F. G. S. 46; Burne’s Travels into Bokhara, 48; Second notice, 125; The Principles of Physiology applied to the Preser- vation of Health, and to the Improve- ment of Physical.and Mental Educa- tion, by A. Coombe, M. D. 117; Poems, by Louisa Ann Twamley; 130; A History and Description of the late Houses of Parliament, and iv INDEX. ancient Palatial Edifices of Westmin- ster, 131, 205, 352; Maund’s Botanic Garden, 133; Loudon’s Arboretum Britannicum, &c. 134, 354,439; The Acharnenses: of Aristophanes, by J. Mitchell,J188; A Tour on the Prairies, 191; Yarrell’s History of British Fishes, 194, 351; Dr. Conolly’s Address delivered at the Second Anniversary Meeting of the Provin- cial Medical and Surgical Association, 195 ; Roscoe’s Wanderings through North Wales, 199, 274, 437; Les- sons on Words and Objects, and Suggestions on National Education, by John Smith, 204; Birmingham and its Vicinity as a Manufacturing and Commercial District, by W. Hawkes Smith, 264; Mudie’s Na- tural History of Birds, 269; Hector Fieramosca, or the Challenge of Bar- letta, 271; Bertrand’s Revolutions of the Globe familiarly described,272 ; Cowper’s Works edited by the Rev. T. Grimshaw, 273, 436; Provincial — Sketehes, 274, 342; British Oology, by C. Hewitson, 346; The Natu- ralist’s Library, 347 ; Rennies’ Facul- ties of Birds, 347; Pompeii, with other Poems, by the Rev. 8, Middle- ton, 349; Gems of Literature, 349 ; Lives and Portraits of Celebrated Women of all Countries, 350; Phi- lanthropic Economy, by Mrs. Loudon, 427 ; The Mechanics of Law-making, 429; Poems, by Albius, 430; Catha- rine Audley, the Recluse of Ledbury, 431; Graphic Illustrations of the Life and Times of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., 435; A Literal Translation of Plato’s Apology of Socrates and the Crito, by Henry Vane Hemmings, B. A. 437; Treatise on the Geogra- phy and Classification of Animals, by Wm. Swainson, 437; A Manual of Entomology, from the German of Dr. Hermann Burmeister, 439; Harold de Burun, 440; Of the Power, Wis- dom, and Goodness of God, 441; A Selection of British Birds from Draw- ings, by Mrs. C. L. E, Perrott, 442. Notices, Critical, of Foreign Publica- tions: Collection Iconographique et Historique des Chenilles, ou descrip- tion et Figures des Chenilles d’ Europe, par M. M. Boisduyal, 53 Ornithological Query, 426 Paul Lander, a fact—thirty years since, 308 “Utelder, 2 5 NOV.1ISIB Phrenology, by Dr. Milligan, Some Remarks on a Review of a Paper on, 314) Phrenology, Remarks on, as applied to - Education, 413 Pettronell Flash, Sir, 29 Poetry: Sonnet on the North Hill, Malvern, 21; To Charlotte, 39; The Miniature, 45; In Imitation of ‘“*Mes, Premiers Amour,” par le Brun, 84; The Suicide, a Sketch from Nature, 89; To a dear Friend, 97; An Evening’s Meditation, 107; Translation, Sophocles Antigone, 1. 777,116; Epigram, 134; Spring, 147; Sonnet, 157; Invocation to Spring, 171; Lines, written by the Hon. — Law, 183; Lines addressed to Lud- low Castle, 187; To a Lady, 237; Adieu, 304; To C¥***y, 307; Son- nets, 332; Sonnets on the Scenery of the Malvern Hills, 393, 400; To . Friendship, 418 Poetesses, 176 Prints, and Illustrated Works, Re- views of: The Comic Annual, 42; Illustrations of the Bible, 43, 184; View of Arracan Fort, 45; Finden’s Byron Beauties, 339 Plants, To take Impressions of, 183; Locomotive faculty of, 183 Patent, New, Reclining Cylinder Bed- stead, 283 Progressive Development of the Ve- getable Organization, by J. R. N, Streeten, M. D., 287 Publications, New List of, 69, 141, 212, 284, 355, 444 Preferments, Marriages, Births, and Deaths, 70, 143, 213, 286, 357, 445 Quizzing, 22 Switch, The, or Maid of Kendall, by W. Carey, 10 Statistical Information, On the import- ance of, 301 - Trees, On the Characteristics of, and their effect in forming picturesque Scenery, by Edwin Lees, 254 Visit to Malvern, Sketch of a, by an Artist, 90 Vine in England in former periods, On the Culture of the, 145 Vernacular and Scientific Ornithological Nomenclature, Remarks on, 305 Windsor Castle, The King’s Guard Chamber, 26 *MOLIOGYUT M33VT “OL ~ ‘auoyspueg pay Many ¢ ‘UI9DAIS “ZS *u0jZuryoy “St ‘U0ISW ‘FI “3IneT *6 "9B sry 1omory “> *9YOYS WIBAIS *1Z SITE SIBTTOOM “LT “IH wo}9;quing “st "INH [9uuny, ‘g *aUOys[IVI *€ *"A10zBAlasqQ *0Z dno jomUNs “gt *SP[OMS9}}0D °ST "INH deuyyog ~Z "aeqg seryasddg *z ‘NOAY ‘61 "IILH wopeig “ST *MOIIOQYUT “IT “IH equiooksy “9 “90D 1OWajuy *{ c/ 00¢ 000t "709g Y : ‘AYOPG Uladag 07 spjomsazjog ay} WOLJ—'] I] worz2ag “ r ool OST 79a ME NOsLsagyut— J] uowyoag Oot 00% Fad ‘SUF Jauuny, puo aquoonsg—] 007999 HM me! 7 THE ANALYST. MEMOIR ON THE GEOLOGY OF THE VALE OF | EVESHAM. P (Read before the Worcestershire Natural History Society, March 13, 1834.) Ar the ‘request of several members of the Society, I have been induced to draw up an account of the geology of that part of the: county of Worcester with which from personal residence I was best acquainted ;—an investigation which was the more desirable as this district does not appear to have been hitherto very minutely examined by the geologist. Before I proceed to examine the subterranean structure of the Vale of Evesham, I will give a short sketch of its more obvious and superficial characters. This district is bounded on the E. by the lofty escarpment of the Cotteswold Range, and on the S. by Dumbleton and Bredon Hills, which constitute outliers of the same geological structure as the Cotteswolds, with which they have doubtless at some period been continuous. Tothe N. and W. this district has no natural boundaries, and might without im- propriety be extended over nearly all Worcestershire, which is in fact one vast vale, of which the S. E. angle is denominated the Vale of Evesham. The Vale of Evesham has an undulating surface, and, in some ' parts of it, hills occur of considerable steepness, and from 200 to 300 feet in height. These hills, however, by no means render the term vale inapplicable to the district, since from the lofty heights of Broadway and Bredon those minor elevations are barely dis- tinguishable from the plain. From its low and sheltered position. the average temperature of the district is high, and hence in a great measure, arises the fertility for which it has been perhaps too highly celebrated. In some parts of the district, indeed, tracts of very good landoccur. This is chiefly the case where the surface consists of red marl, diluvial sand, or the alluvial deposits of the Avon. But where the lias clays come to the surface without any foreign admixture, as is the case over a large portion of the district we are considering, a wet tenacious soil is the result, requiring great labour and attention on the part of the farmer, and often rewarding him with very inferior crops. It would seem, indeed, that the lias is better suited for garden-ground than for agriculture. Near Evesham and Pershore are some extensive and valuable February, 1835.—vou, U1. NO, VII, B 2 MEMOIR OF THE market gardens, in which the lias clays, by a high degree of manuring and cultivation, are rendered very productive. The whole drainage of the Vale of Evesham falls by.a variety of small brooks and watercourses into the Avon. ‘This river, though immortalized by the poets, has little to recommend it in the eyes of the painter. The clayey soil through which it flows imparts a considerable degree of muddiness to its waters at all seasons, and being kept by means of locks nearly on a level with the surround- ing meadows, it loses all the picturesque effect which its neighbour the Severn derives from the steepness of its banks. From being kept constantly full, a moderate quantity of rain suffices to cause a rapid overflow, but as the water seldom remains on the land many hours before it subsides, it deposits but a small portion of the silt which it holds in suspension. ! The Avon is commonly flanked on one or both sides by extensive meadows, whose level surface proves them to result from alluvial deposition. These meadows produce heavy crops of hay, which, from its excellent quality, bears generally the highest price in the market. The bed of the Avon is for the most part deep, with a muddy bottom, with a few exceptions where beds of gravel occur. Its ordinary depth is from 12 to 20 feet, and its breadth from 30 to 50 ~ ards. a : Having thus given a sketch of the external features of the Vale of Evesham, we will proceed to examine its internal structure. In so doing it will be most convenient to begin with the highest stratum in the district, and proceed in geological order to the lowest. We shall thus investigate in succession the following formations :—inferior oolite, upper lias shale, marlestone, lower lias shale,.and new red sandstone. The Inferior Oolite occupies the brow of Ilmingdon and Broad- way Hills, and extends thence with great regularity along the brow of the Cotteswolds, into Gloucestershire and Somersetshire. It also forms a cap on the summit of Meon Hill, and of that magnifi- cent outlier Bredon Hill, where it rises gradually towards the W. and N. to the height of about 900 feet above the level of the sea, and may be conveniently examined near the summer-house, which forms a conspicuous landmark to the surrounding country. On Broadway Hill it reaches the height of 1,086 feet, and forms the surface of that elevated table-land. This hill, as well as the whole of the Cotteswold Range, has lately been very carefully surveyed by Mr. Lonsdale, Secretary to the Geological Society, to whose labours those may be referred who wish for further information respecting that district. The Inferior Oolite is quarried at Bourton-on-the-Hill, and in many other places, as a bnilding stone, for which it is well suited. In appearance it has so close a resemblance to the Great Oolite that in many cases it can only be identified by examining its geological position ;—the mineralogical characters of both forma tions being the same. It commonly consists of a yellowish lime- stone, in which the “ ova” or small globular particles from which GEOLOGY OF THE VALE OF EVESHAM. 3 it takes its name, are more or less numerous and regular in different specimens. On Bredon Hill, portions of this stone sometimes occur of a brick-red colour, owing probably to the presence of an oxyde of iron. On Bredon Hill the Inferior Oolite appears at some period to have been much disturbed; in the various quarries its strata ure seen greatly shattered, and dipping in all directions, often with a high angle of inclination. These dislocations are doubtless of great antiquity, as the present outline of the surface does not seem to be affected by them. The general dip of the Oolite of Bredon Hill is to the S., and hence it descends with a gradual inclination much lower down on that side than on the N., where it terminates suddenly in a bold escarpment. In many parts of England this formation contains an abundance of fossils, but they seem to be comparatively rare in those portions of it which abut on the Vale of Evesham. There has, however, been no scarcity of animal life in the period of its deposit, for a great part of the Oolite is composed of fragments of shells and corals, but it is rare to find these remains in a sufficiently perfect state to fit them for cabinet specimens. ‘The most numerous shells are those of the genus Terebratula. | These researches, which have been chiefly confined to Bredon Hill, have as yet produced only the following fossils: Ammonita 1 species; Terebratula 5 ; Trigonia 1; Pecten 2; Cidaris 1; Pen- tacrinus 1; Terebellarial; Flustra1; Sarcinulal. Nine genera, 14 species. The next succeeding formation is the Upper Lias Shale. The traces of this formation in our district are so imperfect that in many places its existence is rather to be inferred from analogy than proved from ocular evidence. Nevertheless, as there are some places where it certainly exists, it would be improper to omit this stratum in our list, especially as in the North of England it assumes a very important character, both in a geological and com- mercial point of view. In this and the adjoining counties, the stratum is vastly reduced in thickness, and there are no induce- ments for the speculator to penetrate its interior, and hence illustrative sections of it are rarely to be met with. Mr. Lonsdale states that he has met with it in many parts of Gloucestershire, and on his authority I have coloured it in the Society’s Map, along the side of Broadway and Ilmingdon Hills, where it may be looked for at about three quarters of the way up. It occupies a similar situation in Bredon Hill, and may be traced round the N. side from the height above Aston-under-Hill to Wooller’s Hill, its situation being commonly marked by a grassy slope, below the steep brow caused by the Inferior Oolite, and above the line of the Marlestone quarries. Numerous springs are thrown out along the line of its course, as is always the case where clay interstratifies with more porous strata. This formation being in this district much concealed by grass and vegetable soil, but few fossils have as yet been found in it, but 4 MEMOIR OF THE if any good sections of it should occur, it may be expected to reward the geologist amply for the trouble of an examination.* The next stratum in the déscending order is the Marlestone. This formation consists of a series of beds of sandstone, marl, and sand, in various degrees of induration. It may be traced along the side of the Broadway Range, at about half the height up; and skirts Bredon Hill in the same manner, where it forms the summit of five or six flat-topped projections, half the height of the main range, and jutting out from it on the N. and E. sides. In Dum- bleton Hill, which is of inferior height, it occupies the summit, proving, by the regularity of its occurrence in these hills, that the intervening vallies have been denuded, and that Dumbleton and Bredon Hills are correctly termed outliers. : The Marlestone rarely possesses sufficient solidity of texture to qualify it for a building-stone, but in lieu of better materials it is quarried in many places to repair the roads. The Marlestone of our district seems unquestionably to be the equivalent of the bed of the same name on the Yorkshire coast, which separates the Upper and Lower Lias Shales. In both localities it contains an abundance of fossils, including several species which are common both to Worcestershire and Yorkshire. In this neighbourhood the most numerous and remarkable fossils are, Belemnites, Gryphea Gigantea, and Pecten Auquivalvis. The following is a list of the fossils hitherto noticed in it, and probably many more might be added on a closer examination of the several quarries where it is exposed. Ammonita 5 species; Nautilus 1; Belemnital; Terebral ; Turbo 1; Trochus1; Myal; Lutrarial ; Unio?3; Corbula?1; Tellina? 1; Astarte 1; Cardium1,; Modiolal; Pinna 1; Avicu- la 1; Plagiostoma4; Pecten9; Ostreal; Grypheal; Tere- bratula 8. Twenty-one genera; 45 species. We now arrive at a formation more important both in thickness and superficial extent than any hitherto described—the Lower Lias Shale, commonly known by the simple name of Lias. This stratum occupies nearly the whole of the Vale of Evesham, and extends from 200 to 300 feet up the sides of Bredon and Broadway Hills. Its total thickness is probably upwards of 500 feet. At Bretforton it has been sunk into more than 300 feet, in quest of coal, without being perforated. This excavation was com- menced three years ago by a sanguine speculator, in spite of the warning advice of geologists, and after a great sum expended, is at last given up as hopeless, All scientific geologists know that true coal is only to be found beneath the New Red Sandstone, and that to seek for it in the Lias which is above that formation can only end in disappointment, And such is the enormous thickness of the New Red Sandstone, (as shewn by Mrs. Brown’s excavation, which will be noticed hereafter,) that it is scarcely less chimerical to seek for it there, except, indeed, in the very lowest beds of that formation. If by diffusing a knowledge of the general principles of * An account of this stratum and its organic remains, will be found in Mr. Mur- chison’s excellent little work on the Geology of Cheltenham, just published. GEOLOGY OF THE VALE OF EVESHAM. 5 geology, the Worcestershire Natural History Society shall prevent future speculators from sinking their fortunes underground in places where they will never draw them up again, our infant Society will not be without its use. The Lias Formation consists here, as elsewhere, of a series of black or blue shales, producing, by exposure to the atmosphere, a cold, stiff, clay soil. At the lower part of the formation, thin beds of limestone occur, from 2 to S or 10 inches thick, which produce excellent lime, but when used as a building-stone are apt to shiver with the frost. At Binton, near Bidford, and at Haselor, these beds are thin, smooth, and of fine quality, and are used for flooring and other purposes. Experiments, partly successful, have been made to apply the Haselor stone to lithography. It is well adapt- ed for the lithographic ink, but is not suited for crayons, The strata we have hitherto described are very regular and con- formable in their arrangement with respect to each other, but the Lias presents us with an extensive fault or break in the strata, by which the Red Marl beneath is unexpectedly exposed on the surface. This fault has been traced from near Netherton on the S. to Lower Bentley on the N., a distance of 15 miles, and is dis- tinguished on the map by a narrow strip of Red Marl running towards the S., with Lias on each side. From Netherton to Radford, on the Worcester and Alcester road, this fault is marked by a shallow valley, from half-a-mile to a mile in width, crossing the valley of the Avon, and interrupted near the middle of its length by the Cracombe Hills. ‘Throughout this space the eastern side of the valley is the highest and steepest, the rise on the W. being very gradual. This valley is one of those which geologists term vallies of elevation, being a gap, caused by strata separating and sloping off to either side in’ consequence, as they suppose, of an elevation of the strata beneath. But as the same effect, (as far at least as relates to level,) would’ensue from the depression of two neighbouring districts, as from the elevation of some point between them, it would ‘perhaps be better to give to vallies of doubtful origin a name founded, not on theory, but on facts, and to term them anticlinal vallies, that is, vallies in which the strata on either side dip away in opposite directions. The portion of Red Marl exposed by the fault in question, is at first a narrow ‘strip, with a regular ‘width, of about half-a-mile, commencing near Netherton, and passing between Cropthorne and Charlton, whence it spreads out to a mile in width, reaching from Cracombe nearly 'to Chadbury. The Cracombe Hills cause an interruption to the anticlinal valley, and the Lias, which is con- tinued uninterruptedly‘along their summit, forms a kind of bridge, connecting the Lias on the two opposite sides of the line of fault. The Red Marl rises about three quarters of the height of these hills, and may be traced dipping beneath the Lias, both on the E. side and the West. Beyond Cracombe Hill the valley resumes its course as far as Rouse Lench and Radford, with a ‘width of half'to three-quarters of amiile. The'eastern limit of the Red Marl follows the brow of a 6 MEMOIR OF THE steep bank to Abbot's Lench, and an isolated patch appears in a valley about a mile to the E. of that place. ‘The Lias caps the hill between Rouse Lench and Abbot's Lench, and then turning to the E., appears no more on this side of the line of fault. The western limit of the Red Marl passes near Bishampton and Abberton, and crosses the Alcester Road a short distance W. of Radford. Up to this point, the break in our strata has been marked by an anticlinal valley, but from hence to Feckenham it assumes the form of a fault properly so called, the Red Marl being raised up, and forming a long range of hill, with the Lias on the W. abutting against it at the base. This is best seen by Section II., taken near Inkberrow. ‘The Lias, as before observed, extends no farther than Rouse Lench on the E. side, but on the W. it continues past Little Inkberrow, Morton-under-Hill, and Feckenham, nearly to Lower * Bentley, which is its furthest northern point in Worcestershire. At Feckenham, and near Bentley, the Red Marl is again seen to dip to the westward, and apparently to run under the Lias. Although the extent of the Lias in this county may be best seen by inspecting the map in the Society's Museum, yet it may be use- fulto give a general sketch of the line pursued by the junction of the Lias and New Red Sandstone or Red Marl. About three miles from Alcester, on the road to Stratford, is a hill composed of Lias, with Red Marl at the base; the former stratum extending northward, but to what distance has not yet been ascertained. From this point the lower junction of the Lias extends towards Bidford, and crosses the Avon about a mile E. of that town. It soon afterwards turns westward, and occupies the summit of a steep bank or cliff, with the river at the base, as far as Salford, whence the ridge turns to the southward, and is known by the name of Cleeve Bank. The river still keeps close to the foot of the bank, the sides of which are composed of Red Marl, and the summit of Lias. This continues to near Littleton Ferry, whence the boundary of the two formations is obscurely defined, but appears to pass near Norton, and turning to the N., to follow the eastern foot of the hills on which Atch Lench stands, as far as the Worcester and Alcester road, which it crosses for a short distance ; it then sweeps round to the westward and forms the hills above Rouse Lench, before mentioned. Having already described the form assumed by these strata throughout the line of fault, we will resume the line of junction at Lower Bentley, where that descrip- tion terminated. From near Lower Bentley the Lias passes about one mile S. E, of Hanbury, and thence at the back of Meer Hall to Goose Hill, and on the north of Trench Wood to Crowle, its course being for the most part marked by a low range of hill. At Crowle is a good section of it showing very distinctly its junction with the Red Marl. From Crowle, the line of junction crosses successively the roads to Alcester, Evesham, and Pershore, and then turning due S., passes close to Pirton, and across Croome Park, where it forms a low bank, with the house at the foot and the gardens upon the top. Beyond Croome the Lias runs to the S. for about three miles, and turning to the westward past Ripple, it stretches thence GEOLOGY OF THE VALE OF EVESIIAM. ¥ to Tewkesbury. The nearest point at which the Lias approaches Worcester, is on the Pershore Road, where it reaches within 32 miles of Worcester Cross. The Lias of our neighbourhood though not so productive in organic remains as it is in Dorsetshire and Yorkshire, contains, notwithstanding, in some of its beds, considerable abundance and variety. The vast Saurian Reptiles for which Lyme Regis is so famous, though rare, are not wanting in our district. Vertebre of the [chthyosaurus have occurred at Coltknap Hill, at Abbey Manor, and at Haselor, where also a fine vertebra of the Plesiosaurus was found, which has been presented by Mrs. Browne to our Museum. These facts suffice to render it highly probable that good specimens of these magnificent reptiles may occur in our neighbourhood, and lead me to hope that the interest excited by our Society in the cause of geology may be the means of saving many valuable fossil spe- cimens from the ruthless hammer of the quarryman. The most conspicuous fossils of our Lias are the Plagiostoma Giganteum, and an oval bivalve, apparently the Unio Hybridus of Sowerby, (Min. Con. pl. 154,) but belonging to a new and un- described geuus, which last is very common in some of the lower beds of the Lias. Besides these the Gryphza Incurva, the never- failing attendant of the Lias in nearly all countries, is in some parts of our district veryabundant. The following is a list of the genera I have hitherto noticed. Ichthyosaurus 1 species; Plesiosaurus 1; Ammonita 7; Nau- tilus 1; Belemnital; Trochus1; Turritella 3; Orbicula 1; Venus 1; Astarte1; Lucinal; Unio? 2; Pinnal; Avicula 2;. Arca 1; Nuculal; Ostreal ; Gryphea2; Pecten1; Plagiosto- ma2; Modiola2; Terebratulal ; Serpulal; Cidaris 1; Penta- crinus 1. Twenty-six genera, 38 species. Before dismissing the Lias formation I ought to mention certain substances, which in some parts of it, are not unfrequent. These are hard masses of stone in the form of a cylinder, or trun- cated cone, from one to four inches in diameter, and about the same in length, Their surface is rough and uneven, with some- times faint irregular ridges in a circular direction.. When broken, they appear composed of a hard marble-like stone, containing fragments of shells. These bodies appear to be the nuclei of nodular concretions, such as are common in many formations, the softer pairts of which have been decomposed. The lowest stratum which occurs in the Vale of Evesham, is the New Red Sandstone of geologists. This formation which com- poses the greatest part of Worcestershire is seen to dip under the Lias, whose escarpment generally forms a low range of hill along the northern and western borders of the district which it occupies. The New Red Sandstone formation possesses great uniformity of character throughout England, and in our district is not marked by any peculiarities. The uppermost beds consist here, as elsewhere, of a red friable marl, producing a rich strong soil. The highest bed of ail, next to the Lias, is commonly of a whitish or grey colour, but in texture much resembling the Red Marl beneath ; it $ MEMOIR OF THE is, seldom schistose like the lias, but breaks into fragments in all, directions. Wherever circumstances admit of a close examina- tion of the union of this formation with the last, the transition appears quite sudden and well defined, but without any marks of violent action. The New Red Sandstone is quite conformable with the lias, and in the case of the fault before described, the disturbing force has affected both formations alike. The upper part of the New Red Sandstone in Britain has in no instance, I believe, supplied the geologist with fossils, and its list of mineral contents is very scanty. The only mineral con- tained in the Red Marl of this district is gypsum, which occurs sparingly near Cracombe and at Hasler, but is rare, I believe, in other parts of the county. Of the salt which at Droitwich and Stoke Prior forms a never failing source of prosperity, no traces exist in these upper strata. At Inkberrow, the extensive fault before mentioned brings to the surface the sandstone beds, which in most parts of England underlie the Red Marl. These beds are there quarried for a variety of uses. Their position with respect to the Lias is seen in Section TI. - The vast thickness of the New Red Sandstone formation is proved by the shaft sunk in 1804, by Mrs. Brown, of Hasler, in quest of coal. The following is the best account of the strata that can now be procured, and geologists may »egret that a more exact account was not kept of so deep and interesting an excavation. Feet, Inches. Lias beds, about...cescesseee. 79 O (At5I feet, a strong spring.) Red marl, about......seeesee6 282 Gypsum. ......+.. oe ceccsseee Grey and red strata ...s..00.. 47 Black strata.. 15 Red and white beds with gypsum. 387 9 (At 582 feet, a thin vein of coal.) Tete i isd edse 807 9 Having now traced the strata of the Vale of Evesham in suc- cession, as far as that district is considered to extend, the in- vestigation of the rest of the county is left to others. It only remains to give, by way of an appendix, a sketch of what are commonly called diluvial deposits, as far as these occur in our district. The deposits of gravel, sand, and clay, which in most parts of the world lie in irregular patches upon older rocks, have been by many geologists referred to the Mosaic deluge. But recent observations seem to shew that these deposits have not all been ‘simultaneous, and that granting some of them to originate in the Mosaic deluge, others have been caused by irruptions ante- cedent to that period. Be this as it may, there is nothing, I think, in our district to prove that the diluvial beds, which are ti very abundant, are not the result of the Mosaic deluge alone. oOooo GEOLOGY OF THE VALE OF BVESHAM. a) . These deposits consist of clay, gravel, and sand, in various: proportions, and scattered over the country with capricious irregularity. Where the sand predominates, it is often of great service in lightening and fertilizing the otherwise clayey. soil. The clay is in many. places dug for brickmaking, and the gravel is a valuable material for the roads. The latter is composed of a variety of broken rocks, for the most part of older formation than those of this district, but chalk flints are not unfrequent, and the Echinocorys Scutatus, and Spatangus cor-anguinum, two well known chalk fossils, have been met with. In the neighbour- hood of the Lias, the diluvial beds often contain rolled fragments of the fossils of that formation, such as Gryphea incurva, Ammonites, &c. At the village.of Bredon, the Hippopodium Ponderosum occurs in the gravel in addition to the above fossils. Near the oolite hills the diluvial beds contain, as might be ex- pected, fragments of oolite. Besides borrowed fossils, the diluvial beds occasionally contain fossil remains peculiar to themselves, consisting of the bones of land animals, which appear to have been living in this country at the time of the catastrophe which caused the deposits in which they are now imbedded. This Society possesses several bones of the hippopotamus, ox, and deer, found at Cropthorne.* Ina gravel pit at Chadbury, bones of the rhinoceros have been found ; also, a fine molar tooth of that animal, which has been pre- sented to this Society by W. Perrot, Esq. of Fladbury. Fossil bones of some large animal have also been found in Mr. Day’s claypit at Bengworth, and the Society is indebted to Mr. Stokes, the Surveyor of the Roads, for a fine tooth of the elephant from Stratford-on-Avon.+ , , Thus, then, there is ample evidence of the existence, in our diluvial deposits, of these interesting remains, which carry us back to a period, and, geologically speaking, not a distant one, when the hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and elephant roamed, undisturbed, in the vallies of Worcestershire ;- and hence I beg to recommend to the attention of the Society the numerous pits of gravel, sand, and clay, which abound in the county, not doubting that many valuable relics may thus be rescued from the workmen, who, unless taught otherwise, will still continue to throw them aside as worthless and unprofitable. It is now time to close these imperfect remarks, which , may suffice to shew that this county contains much that is interesting to the geologist, by whom Worcestershire has hitherto * The excavations at Cropthorne have been lately resumed, and have brought to light a considerable number of bones, accompanied by many species of land and fresh water shells, the same as now exist in the neighbourhood. An account of this discovery was read to the Society on Noy. 25, 1834. t Since the reading of this paper, the Museum has been enriched by two molar teeth of the rhinoceros, from Sandlin, near Malvern, and the tooth of an elephant from Powick,. February, 1835,—voL. 11. No, VII. Cc 10 THE SWITCH OF KENDAL. been much neglected, but we may hope that, under the auspices of the Natural History Society, it will recieve a thorough in- vestigation, and that the treasures it contains will be added to the commonwealth of Science. P.S. With a view to illustrate the order and position of the several formations above described, an imaginary section, No. IT. is introduced, commencing at Severn Stoke, and intersecting Bredon and Dumbleton hills, till it meets the Broadway or Cotteswold range. H. E. STRICKLAND. THE SWITCH, OR MAID OF KENDAL. “> 7 BY WILLIAM CAREY. Tue Muses’ green retreat beneath, From busy themes, awhile, I breathe ; No more the plastic arts rehearse ; Dear, lovely Woman claims my verse. Ye Maids, who beauty justly prize, And, in the mirror, turn your eyes, To triumph in the vermeil glow, That Love and Hope on Youth bestow ; To practise o’er to-morrow’s wiles, Of radiant looks and tender smiles ; To teach the ringlets where to play, That o’er the lovely forehead stray, The braid coronal proudly deck ; Or lightly shade the snowy neck ; The rising bosom—but beware, My Muse!—nor let description dare, ith bold, unhallow’d thought, to rove, Beneath the mystic veil of Love. Ye Fair—my serious tale attend, And own the Poet for your friend ; What though you pride in show and dressing, A husband’s a substantial blessing. Near Kendal, in a neat abode, Sequester’d from the dusty road, With lands, which brought an income clear Of just six hundred pounds a-year, There liv’d—I don’t exactly know, Nor is it fix’d—how long ago— A widow, who, at sixty, found — Old envious Time, with steady pace, Upon her footsteps gaining ground And pushing fast to win the race. Her tresses fell; she knew not how * Tt could befal so young a woman”— And wrinkles lin’d her pallid brow, Which “ at her years, were more uncommon.” — Her sight grew dim ; from day to day, She felt her appetite decay ; A growing tremor shook her head ; Refreshing sleep her pillow fled ; THE SWITCH OF KENDAL. A whizzing deafness stopp’d her ears ; Yet, still, she struggled with her fears : But, when a palsy seiz’d her tongue, A weight upon her spirits hung, For she was sure that fatal sign Foretold a woman’s last decline. Fearing to leave alone her daughter, To wed, she earnestly besought her. Blithe as.the Throstle on the spray, And lovely as the fragrant flow’r, That blooms upon the lap of May, Refresh’d by genial sun and show’r, Fair Dora, though, in all things, still Obedient to her mother’s will, When Fame’s loud trump her beauty sounded, And,Suitors in her train abounded, No witchcraft needed to discover, Or fancy, failings in each lover. Instructed in Lavater’s school, . To love, or hate, by settled rule, The Maiden boasted of her skill, By signs and tokens, to foretell What youth would play the bridegroom ill, Or act, for life, the husband well. Her system taught her to detect Hypocrisy in every sect, And in the fleeting gestures, find Each latent feature of the mind. By form of eye-brow, lip and chin, She prov’d the owner void of grace, And pried into each secret sin, By dint of his immoral face. ‘Red hair a cruel soul betray’d, And tyrants mortally she hated ; A flaxen hue a knave betray’d, And with a knave she ne’er debated ; A thrifty suitor woo’d her pelf; (Yet was she not averse to saving ;) The handsome only lov’d—himself, Although of flames and Cupids raving ; The vice of play, in this, she fear’d ; Too light and fickle that appear’d ; This short in person ; that too tall ; An income, or a nose too small ; In these, or crimes like these, detected, One Lover fast pursu’d another, And each, in turn, with scorn rejected, Iu sorrow found a luckless brother. The Matron, an experienc’d Dame, Who knew the world and all its chances, Would seriously her Daughter blame, And preach against her “ silly fancies.” She quaver’d, oft, the ancient saying, “ There’s danger in a maid’s delaying. * A bird above us, in the bush, “Is dearly purchas’d at a rush ; * One caught—good sportsmen understand, “Ts worth an hundred out of hand.” “ Dorinda dear,”’—one day, she said,— “ A whimsy flutters in my brain ; ** Haste to the hedge in yonder mead,— “T long, and must not Jong in vain— ll ‘12 ‘THE SWITCH OF KENDAL. “ The Srraicurest Swircu I’d have you choose ; *“ And all your maiden wisdom use; - “ The issue will my thought explain ;— “* Waste not your time in hesitation ; “ For much it will my heart rejoice, * Tf acting with discrimination, _ * You make a quick and cunning choice, * The search at yonder elm commence, “ Pray Heaven you may approve your sense ! “ For, mark me, when you once refuse, “ And pass a growing sapling by, “ You must NOF TURN AGAIN TO CHOOSE, * But, further on, your fortune try.” The Maid replied :—* By yonder stile, “Tl haste—and stay so short a while, “ You may fill out my tea to cool— i *“ Thank Heav’n! I’m not so very blind, “ Nor—dear Mamma—so great a fool, stp * But what you want I’ll quickly find.’— Then breathing sweets—with spirits gay, Light o’er the ‘turf, she tripp’d away 3 Soon pass’d the stile—the elm beside, A TALL STRAIGHT swiTcH, at once, she spied. She stretch’d her hand—but hesitating— Though settled not to loiter long, And inwardly deliberating,— “To choose so quickly might be wrong.— ** Mamma was good—her stay might fret her, “ But further on she saw a better.” To that she flew—but found, when near, It did not quite so straight appear. One further still, she saw, and then, She found herself deceiv’d again. *T was odd, but, with more crooked bent, They grew, the further on she went. — At every step, now more perplex’d, She oft look’d back, asham’d, and vext ; Through apprehension of the worst, © Regretting that she left the first ; And choosing none, when all were pass’d, Return’d WITHOUT A SWITCH, AT LAST. Ye maids, alas! her tea was cold; For dear Mamma the cup had fill’d ;— The prudent lady still could scold, And was in many points self-will’d : But, having fully gain’d her view, This moral from her failure drew : “ There is a tide—I hate delays,— “In man’s affairs—as Milton* says— — * He might have said in woman’s too— “ And, if he had, ’twere full as true— “ That should be taken at the flood, “ Or neither ever come to good. “ Dear Dora, as you could not find, “ In yon, a swires to please your mind, “I greatly fear your curious eye * Will: pass the crowd of lovers by. “ Remember, youth not long will tarry ; « And years bring on most woful changes ;— * Milton for Shakspeare, a proof that the good Lady’s memory had partaken in the decay of her other powers, ~ THE SWITCH OF KENDAL. ; 13 * How often do our hopes miscarry ;— “ From Fair to Fair the fancy ranges— “ The Toast to-day, despis’d to-morrow, ** Discovers, to her endless sorrow, ** A maid, too late, may wish to marry. “You, too, may for a husband sigh, “ And feel, too late, the tender passion, ** When men, with scorn, will pass you by, * And younger beauties rule the fashion.” She ceas’d.—The Maid, with frowns, replied. The wise old Dame, soon after, died. Dorinda, long the envi’d Fair, Fresh Lovers still her hand pursuing, Saw years roll on devoid of care, *Till eas’d from all the plague of wooing. Ah! who is safe from Fortune’s frown ? Alike, the Scholar and the Clown, The Brave, the Fair, the Rich and Great, Must, in their turn, submit to Fate. A law-suit par’d her income down, And clatter went the tongue of Scandal ; Her loss was magnified through town, And few deplor’d her luck, in Kendal. But, though of half her lands bereft, She had enough for comfort left ; And, graver grown, when somewhat mellow, She vow’d to please some charming fellow. At forty, rather in a haste, Resolv’d no more her youth to waste : The tender frolic seiz’d her head, Like other blushing girls, to wed ; But strange, alas! no lover offer’d, Where crowds, so oft, their vows had proffer’d. The years roll’d on.—The luckless Maid ‘Felt all the pangs of hope delay’d, The Gossips whisper’d that she swore (But surely *twas upon her honour,) To trust Lavater’s rules no more, Which had drawn down such sorrow on her. Paints, patches, powders, cosmetics, P She vainly tried her charms to fix ; Call’d ev’ry fashion to her aid, And every rage of mode display’d ; But Art with Nature strove in vain ; Through all disguise the wreck was plain. Time stole her bloom, and in despair, She saw him thin her changing hair. Her cats and lapdogs multiplied. Her Monkey chatter’d at her side. But, fretful, pale and discontented, She bitterly the past repented ; At balls and routs appear’d no more ; Neglected dress, and cards gave o’er ; Dropp’d rouge and fard, and took to snuff, Nay, Malice said to “ stronger stuff ;” A private cure for spleen and vapours, Though never yet made up in papers, *T was lock’d so closely in her closet That none but Nelly knew what was it. But Nelly, in right buxom health, Had tri’d the elixir by stealth : 14 THE SWITCH OF KENDAL. Though never taught to know a letter, No Solomon e’er reason’d better. “ That which could malady expel * Could bar its entrance full as well.” With her “ prevention was the sure * And pleasant mode of ready cure.” But, though as any hand-vice close, Her tongue was loosen’d by the dose ; And, while it work’d, the maudlin jade, To one the recipe betray’d, That one, in secresy, to ten, And each to twenty more, again, All having gravely pledg’d their souls To be as mute as sleeping moles, But Nelly, having slept a night, Awoke and started in affright ; Her head still ached, though clear of fume, And, gazing wildly ronnd her room, , Recall’d to mind her ev’ning chatter, And weigh’d it as “no laughing matter ;” She saw before her, in the morning, A sure dismissal without warning, And, dressing quickly, glided down, Just as good folks were up in town ; With proffer’d oath the whole deni’d, And prov’d her mistress was beli’d. She swore the cordial was not ***#**#, But Glauber salts and sugar candy : And who could doubt her, when she said A glass or two had turn’d her head, And made her tell a silly youth A tale without a word of truth? Thus Dora was from slander freed, And all her knowing friends agreed To vote, without a non-content, Her elixir quite innocent. Though Rumour, prone to base invention, In whispers, scrupled not to mention, That, on one very nervous night, She smash’d her mirror, in despite. Alas! poor Nelly’s loud denial, To Dora, prov’d a sharper trial ; All slanders largely gain in telling, From mouth to mouth, like torrents, swelling ; Her secret reach’d the Market Cross, We may be sure, without a loss : And ’twould have vex’d a Tristram Shandy To hear the shout “ It is not ****** |” Where’er she went, with laughter rude, The odious cry her steps pursu’d ; And shock’d her eyes, in vulgar scrawls, Chalk’d high upon the doors and walls. Nay more, ’tis said, though greatly doubted, And by some learned Trav’llers scouted, That, to this blessed day, in Kendal, When any stage ring, tipsy Spend-all, Top-heavy, reeling to and fro And balancing ’twixt heel andtoe, To ’scape a headlong tumble, halts, They say “ He’s had his Glauber salts.” But “ the unkindest cut of all,’ The sting that drove her to the wall, THE SWITCH OF KENDAL. 15 A frequent shaft discharg’d in jest, That robb’d her lonesome nights of rest, Was, when some rosy girl pass’d by, With ruby lip and sparkling eye; Light airy step ; an Hebe grace, And laughing mischief in her face ; Her bosom fair, and ripen’d form, With love, and youth, and beauty warm ; Her finger rais’d, in whispering jeer, Just loud enough for Dora’s ear, With mimic show of pity, said “ Heav’n help her soul! the poor old maid.” That hateful epithet to shun, Ah, whither would not Dora run ! Recalling what herself had been, The toast of Kendal at eighteen : “ As young and lovely, once, was I, “ As fresh my bloom, as bright my eye, “« As gay my heart; my head as vain ; “ Of Maiden aunts with what disdain “TI thought, and spoke, and laugh’d and fleer’d ** And, with the giddy sneerers, sneer’d ! “ Now, cruel fate !—go where I will, “« Some taunt or gibe o’ertakes me, still. “« And to increase my heavy grief, “ The evil is past all relief.” But, here, I feel a touch of shame, And hesitate, in odd confusion, Though in my conscience void of blame, For poor Dorinda’s strange conclusion. Most gladly I my tale would stop, But something worse might be suspected, And Scandal a vile whisper drop Of some conceal’d intrigue detected ; What canI do? How make an end? My case is certainly a hard one! Your pity, Ladies dear, extend, And seal your luckless Poet’s pardon. I know (by Cupid’s bow I swear) On earth no greater grief or terror Than the displeasure of the Fair, * Although incurr’d by blameless error. Strip me of ev’ry other joy, And —— me to the lips in trouble ; Let Malice all her arts employ My pains and crosses to redouble. All—all Pll welcome !—all endure! Like some bold volunteer on duty ; And find for ev’ry ill a cure, If favonr’d with the smile of Beauty. _ O spare me, then, those looks so cold ! You cannot say ’twas I that did it, The honest truth must now be told, Though the Lord Chancellor forbid it.— Then list! oh list! while I relate The sequel of the Maiden’s fate. How, weary of a single life, With Puss and Monkey long at strife, Dorinda threw reserve aside, And of her precious moments thrifty, To Foorman Jonn became a bride, Fast verging on the bloom of fifty. 16 THR SWITCH OF KENDAL. Take, then, sweet Girls, a Friend’s advice, Who always sung his best to please you, Be not too vain, nor idly nice ; Nor let Dorinda’s whimsies teize you. Think, sadly think —when youth has pass’d, In heartless dressing and flirtation, What wilful maids endure, at last, In loneliness and tribulation. Neglect not in your rosy prime To make your hay in sunny weather ; And choose a proper switch in time, When ‘Love and Beauty dance together.* July, 1793. * The time of representation, in this tale, is about the middle of George the 2nd’s reign. ‘The manners even of the better orders, such as they are painted in authentic contemporary records, and by our best novelists and dramatic writers, were then, in many particulars, still tinctured with the prejudices and coarseness of the preceding century. This failure in courtesy was evinced in a degree of coldness, neglect, and derisive behaviour to un- married ladies of a certain age. Fortunately this rudeness, so disgraceful to that period, has almost wholly disappeared before the advance of good feeling and true politeness, Females, who, from circumstances over which they have no control, or from inclination, a love of retirement and quiet independence; a timid disposition ; or a religious sentiment, live in a single state, form an estimable portion of the community in the United Kingdom. In this class there are numbers distinguished for talents, elegant accomplishments, a cheerful good temper, and the exemplary practice of the Christlan virtues. It is not necessary to cite names from a past age. It is enough to mention, in our own time, Miss Edgeworth, Miss Anna Maria Porter, and the late Hannah More. Many unmarried ladies, from their having few household cares to occupy them, become an ornament and a blessing to society ; of almost every public institution for the improvement, or advantage of the poor, or for general purposes of charity and piety, they are active and liberal supporters. There are, also, many, on whom nature has bestowed tender domestic affections, and every qualification to render a matrimonial union happy, who are deterred from changing their condition by the too frequent instances of most obsequious and fervent adorers before the bridal ceremony, who, shortly after, are transformed into domestic tyrants and libertine husbands. Others live single from a conscientious dread of having a young family, without adequate means for their suitable education and establishment. To these pru- dential and virtuous motives for celibacy, more, as just and laudable, might be added. The preceding remarks prove the satiric touches, in the tale, are aimed at an injurious practice, not at any particular individual. “The Switch” was not written to abet a senseless, vulgar prejudice, or cast a ridicule on any class. The author intended, asa sincere friend; to show those very young ladies, who, with good hearts, without any ill intention, are not sufficiently considerate, through a want of experience, thoughtlessness, or a levity of temper, the folly of wasting the flower of their years in coquetry, flirtation, and the rejection of good offers, contrary to the affectionate advice of their parents and friends. A discreditable marriage, at the age of a grandame, with every chance of unhap- piness, is no uncommon result of these early errors. He has, always, looked upon the natural endowments and social qualities of the Fair Sex with esteem and admiration. | Woman was the “last and best gift” of the Almighty, and she may be fairly valued as the golden link between man and his Creator. Man comparatively boasts of his virtues. Woman practices hers, unobtrusively, without profession. In the breast of a true wife and mother, there are inexhaustible treasures of purity, resignation, fortitude, and dis- interested affection, which family misfortunes only call into action with more force and splendour. It is then seen that her attachment is devoid of selfishness. When the world falls away from her partner, her tenderness increases; and she redoubles her kind offices, Her voice is that of a consoling angel to his drooping spirit; her presence as a beam of light from heaven to guide his steps in the dark night of adversity. The heroism of Warriors is rarely free from some alloy of personal acquisition, aggrandisement, or false glory. But history furnishes abundance of examples, which show that the heroism of woman, whether called forth by the love of country, or by conjugal or maternal love, is a sublime emotion, which, at once, elevates her above the weakness that “ flesh is heir to.” In such instances, when her consort or little ones are in danger, she loses all thought of her own safety, and faces the dens of wild beasts, the sword of violence, the rage of fire and flood, all extremities of peril, even instant death itself, in their defence. The admirable influence of woman on the manners and morals of nations, cannot be too highly appreciated. The more she is honored and esteemed, the higher is man raised in intellectual dignity and public and private virtue. On the contrary, in the most inclement regions of the habitable globe, where man is sunk into the lowest barbarism of the savage state, one leading characteristic of his brutal degradation is his contemptuous and cruel treatment of woman. In all the wild tribes, however, they may differ in other revolting and ferocious habits and customs, there is found a disgusting agreement in their debasement of the women into servile drudges, driven, like beasts of burden, by threats 17 AN OUTLINE OF THE BRITISH MUSTELADA. BY SHIRLEY PALMER, M.D. THE genus Mustela, of Linneus, comprehending the Otters, the Martens, and Weasels, has, by modern zoological writers, been converted into a family, under the title of MusteLapm. From this, the Lutra, or Otter genus, which exhibits very wide dif- ferences of structure and economy, has been very properly excluded. The family, therefore, as now constituted, includes only two British genera; Mustela and Martes. Of the five British species belonging to these genera, I propose to trace such an outline, as may direct, and stimulate to further investigation, the student in zoology. ‘To the specific descriptions will be appended such notices of the haunts and habits of the respective animals, as I may be enabled to supply from personal. observa- tion and-experience. The best and most accessible sources of literary and iconographical* information will also be duly cited. The distinguishing characters of the Mustelade are: Body long, about the thickness of the head. Legs short: toes five, sepa- and blows, and inured to the severest labour, hardships, and privations. Shakspeare conveyed his exalted opinion of the sex in the following sentence— «“ When the women of Rome were chaste, the men. were heroes.” The sentiment shows he was fully sensible of the reciprocal moral influence, which the sexes exercise on each other; and that the noble example of woman moulds the highest character of man. After the swarm of barbarians had subverted: the Roman empire, the worse than Egyptian darkness, which overspread the intellectual world for centuries, was gradually dispelled by this reciprocal influence. The first light of civilization, which slowly followed this long barbarism, dawned from the eyes of Beauty. The spirit of chivalry imbibed, from the pure mind of this fair and lovely Being, an abhorrence of the violence, plunder, and bloodshed, which, every where, rendered life and property insecure. Under this slow and happy melioration, the elements of social harmony gradually re- appeared. The orders of Knight Errantry were instituted, in consequence of the preceding change, and the Troubadours kept alive the generous enthusiasm. The songs of love and heroism fired the youth of the time, witha high sense of valour, justice, and moral virtue. To woman, then, we owe the softened manners and romantic character of the middle ages. To her influence, also, we may justly add, we are very largely indebted for the high state of our present refined civilization. This is not the language of a young enthusiast, but of one, who, having lived nearly three quarters of a century; read the world as a library and human nature as a book, derived the brightest sunshine of life from one inestimable woman, his lamented * better half ;’? and may be-considered to speak the honest conviction of no very limited experience. i * This isa new and most convenient term introduced into science, from the Greek, by French writers. I, therefore, transcribe from the manuscript of my “ Dictionary of Terms’? now in progress of publication, and of which honourable mention has already been made in ‘‘ Tue AnaLyst,”’ the article illustrative of its etymology and meaning :— ee ‘“‘ IcONOGRAPHIL, 8. f.,—e:xovoypadia (esxovoypapew, to represent by pictures),— iconographia, f. L.,—bilderbeschreibung, F. G.,—iconography: the art ‘of representing objects by pictures, or engravings. IcoNoGRAPHIQUE, adj.,— uxoroypapos,—iconographicus,—bilderbeschreibend,—iconographic, iconographi- cal: pertaining to Iconography. See the exquisite Zconographie du Régne Animal, of Baron Cuvier, by .Guérin, of Paris.” February.—vou. 1. NO. VII. D 18 AN OUTLINE OF THE BRITISH MUSTELADE. rate, on each foot. Teeth, six incisor above, erect, acute, distinct ; six, below, more obtuse and thickly set: one bruising grinder, termed tuberculeuse, by Cuvier, in the upper jaw. Short intes- tines: no cecum. ‘They are arranged, by Blumenbach,* in the Class, Mammalia, Order, Digitata, Sub-order, Fere ; by Cuvier,+ in the Mammiferes, Carnassters, Carnivores, and, as treading only on the extremities of the toes, in the tribe of the Digitigrades. Of the two British genera which this family comprehends, the Mustela, or Weasel genus is characterized by the presence of two false or tearing grinders in the upper,—and three in the lower jaw: the carnivorous tooth,—carnassiére, Cuv.—below, has no internal tubercle. Muzzle comparatively short and thick : tongue rough. Odour fetid, especially when the animal is irritated. The genus contains three British species :{ 1. Putorius,—Fitchet or pole-cat,—le Putoir of the French,— Puzzola, of the Italian,—Putoro, of the Spanish, and der IIk, Iltis, Stankerratz, of the German writers. Specific characters: colour yellowish-black ; mouth and tips of the ears paler. Length of body seventeen inches ;—of the tail, which is uniform in colour, six inches. Brings forth six young at a time; and, in its burrowing habits, resembles the otter. Remarks.—This agile, sanguinary, and destructive animal was very common, in my younger years, in the country around Coleshill; and committed great depredations in the poultry- yards and -rabbit-warrens there. For the last twenty-four years, T have never met with a living specimen in the state of freedom. Reports of its capture or destruction at Hopwas-wood, in the vicinity of Tamworth, however, occasionally reach me. The ferret,—le Furet, F.,—Furetto, It.,—der Frettel, G.,—described by some naturalists as a distinct species, under the title of Mustela furo, constitutes, I believe, only an albino variety of the Putorius. It was originally introduced into this island, from Africa ;§ and breeds freely with the dark-coloured original. Its employment in the destruction of rats is well-known. When a boy, I have witnessed severe and long-protracted contests between individuals of the two species. The battle, however, invariably terminated in the destruction of the rat by its nimble and wily antagonist. 3 2. Erminea,—Ermine or Stoat,—lHermine, F.,—Ermellino, It..—Armino, Sp.,—das Hermelin, das grosse Wiesel, G. Spee. Char. Colour yellowish-brown above; yellowish-white, beneath ™, * See Blumenbach’s Manual of Natural History—page 52—translated from the German, by Mr. Gore, of Bath. A very useful work. + See Cuvier’s celebrated Régne Animal. Vol. i. p. 142. Second edition. t See Pennant’s British Zoology (8vo. edition of 1812), vol. i. p. 105, plates vi. and vii.; the Zoologist’s Text-book, by Capt. Brown, vol. i. p. 70, vol. ii. pl.x.; and Palmer’s Lectures on the Vertebrated Animals of the British Islands, p. 28. § Kai yaras aypias as n Avon pepe, Strabo, Liber 111. AN OUTLINE OF THE BRITISH MUSTELADE. 19 -—changing to white in the winter of northern regions:—tip of the tail, which is bushy, invariably black. Length of body ten inches,—of tail, five or six. Number of young not exactly known. Much more common than the preceding species. Remarks.—The stoat subsists principally upon eggs, poultry and other descriptions of bird, rats, and putrid animal substances. It has been known to track a young hare by the scent with all - the accuracy of the harrier.* The extent of its depredations in the rabbit-warren will be shewn by the following fact. One morning, in the early spring of 1832, while sitting at breakfast, at Packwood House, the residence of the late Col. Fetherston, I observed a large and apparently female stoat, rapidly vaulting, with arched back and bushy tail, through the tall herbage at the head of the pool which terminates the lawn. She carried some- thing in her mouth, which I soon discovered to be a young rabbit. After having disappeared for a few minutes and de- posited her burthen, the stoat retraced her steps with increased agility across the lawn; descended a steep bank into the neigh- bouring meadow, and plunged into a rabbit-burrow at the foot of an old oak which grew there. From this, she soon returned with another of the defenceless inmates in her mouth. Four times did the little animal renew her visit to the meadow with the same result. Thinking it high time, for the sake of his rabbits, to stop these predatory incursions, one of the members of the family now took up his gun, and stationed himself behind the oak, but the prey was gone; and the sagacious creature returned no more to the scene of her depredations. All our endeavours to discover the hiding-place of the stoat, with a view of obtaining possession, or at least ascertaining the number, of the young, for which she had, doubtless, been thus adven- turously and actively catering, were unsuccessful. 3. Vulgaris,—Common Weasel,—la Belette, F.,—Donnola, It..—Comadreja, Sp.,—das gemeine Wiesel, G. Spec. Char. Colour yellowish or tawny-brown, above; white or yellowish- white, beneath. A brown spot near the angle of the mouth. Length of body six or seven inches ;—of the tail, which is neither bushy nor tipt with black, two inches. Number of young, five or six. Its skin and excrements exhale an intolerable odour. Remarks.—This animal, by far the smallest of the British weasels, and frequently named by ignorant observers, the stoat, subsists on the same food as the preceding species. It is very active, and uncommonly courageous for its size. I have fre- quently experienced great difficulty in driving the little creature from any article of prey, of which it has been my object to obtain possession. A few weeks ago, a professional gentleman, of Tamworth, in the vicinity of which the. weasel is very common, observed an animal, of this species, crossing the road before him, * See Fleming’s History of British Animals, yol. i. p. 14. 20 AN OUTLINE OF THE BRITISH MUSTELADE. and dragging along, with incredible rapidity, a remarkably fine specimen of the water-rat, Arvicola aquatica, which the weasel had apparently just destroyed. My friend dismounted from his horse to secure the prize. But so reluctant was the weasel to abandon its prey, that it repeatedly turned round on the suc- cessful competitor ; shewed its teeth and chattered ; and was only, at last, put to flight by repeated blows with his hand-whip. It is said sometimes to assume a white colour in winter; and, in this state, probably constitutes the M. nivalis, of Linneus. The Martes, or Marten genus, exhibits the same internal organization as the Mustela; but is distinguished from it, prin- cipally, by the following external characters: three false grinders in the upper and four in the lower jaw: carnivorous tooth, below, furnished with an internal tubercle. Muzzle more elongated and slender than in the weasel. ‘Tongue smooth. Odour musky. Of this genus, there are two British species; the distinguishing characters of which, however, are very obscure and ill-defined. ~ 1. Fagorum (M. martes, of Linneus, and M. foina, of Blumen- . bach),—Common Marten,—la Fouine, F.,—Faina, It.,—Fuina, Sp..—der Hausmarder, Steinmarder, G. Spec. Char. Colour dark-brown, with a reddish tinge on the head: breast and throat white. Length of body eighteen inches ;—tail, from ten to twelve. Number of young from four to six. Remarks.—This, the most elegant and beautiful of all the British Mammifera ; preys upon poultry, game, and the smaller quadrupeds. It inhabits woods; forms its lodge in the hollow of trees; frequents the vicinity of the habitations of man; and is readily tamed. Formerly of common occurrence, it is now rarely seen in the midland districts of the island. About four years since, a fine specimen was killed in Hopwas-wood, near Tamworth; and is preserved in the collection of the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, at Drayton Manor, to whom a portion of that beautiful wood belongs. 2. Abietum (M. martes, of Blumenbach),—Pine Marten,—la Martre, F.,—Martora, It.—Marta, Sp.,—der Baummarder, Edelmarder, Feldmarder, G. Spec. Char. Throat and breast yellow. Size less, and fur finer, than that of the preceding species. Number of young, seven or eight. Remarks.—By many naturalists, this species is considered as a mere variety of the common marten. In such opinion, I do not concur. The pine-marten is distinguished from its congener, by its smaller size; by the finer texture, and deeper hue, of its fur; and, more especially, by the yellow colour of the throat and breast. It is, also, a much more shy animal, and in England, at least, far less frequently seen, than the common marten. It very rarely approaches the dwellings of man; and brings forth its young in the ¢ops, not in the hollow, of trees. A fine specimen, said to have been killed in Gloucestershire, was, about four years ago, brought to me for inspection. It closely corresponded, in SONNET ON THE NORTH HILL, MALVERN. 21 all its characters, with the description given above. The whole appearance, and especially the condition of the teeth, bespoke that it was a young animal. Consequently, the yellow colour of the throat, in this instance, could not have been,—as the advo- cates for the identity of the two species confidently assert that it is,—the effect of advancedage. Still, it must be acknowledged, the distinctive characters of these two of the most interesting of British digitigrade animals, are, by no means, at present clearly or satisfactorily established. I feel great anxiety to acquire some more correct and precise information than we hitherto possess, on this subject. Birmingham, December, 1834. I have omitted to cite, among other valuable works for reference on the present subject, the first volume of Dr. Turton’s General System of Nature. The following is a nearly literary translation from the second volume (page 340) of the Elémens des Sciences Naturelles, by Duméril,—a publicatiun very little known in this country, but containing much information, of great utility to the student in Natural History :—‘‘ Species of the Mustela genus are found on both continents. They subsist principally upon eggs, and the blood and brains of small animals strangled by them. ‘They are divided into three sub-genera: the Otters (les Loutres) which have the posterior toes palmated; the legs short; the tail broad at the base; the muzzle rounded; and:the head flat. They swim and dive with great facility ; feed upon fishes; and their fur is very valuable. The Weasels (les Belettes) have separate toes; short claws; the body and neck elongated; and back arched. There are many species of this genus, as the common weasel, ferret, pole-cat, marten, pine-marten, sable, and stoat. The skins ‘of the (three) latter are principally in request. The Skunks (les Mouffettes) have long claws; the body much broader posteriorly than anteriorly; the tail very hairy. They give out a most unplesant odour. They inhabit America.” SONNET ON THE NORTH HILL, MALVERN. Lert him a murmurer at this “ world of woe,” Thy rugged steep, majestic hill, ascend ; And let him gaze on those fair vales below, Where Nature’s charms in boundless space extend ; Where all in countless numbers ranged around, Heaven’s noblest blessings open to the view; A world of beauties wherein nought is found But shows a Maker’s care how watchful and profound !— And let him now, but for an instant, gaze, On that fair scene that greets his dazzled eye ; The gorgeous picture that the sky displays, As clouds float o’er clouds in heaven’s bright arch of blue And this is all for him!—oh if his heart swell not to ecstacy, Bitter must be the hour that sees that murmurer die ! F. H. W. 22 .QUIZZING. In the present very refined state of society, many accomplishments are sedulously practised, about which our great-grandmammas—good souls ! —never dreamt in their afternoon nap; and which (could they but hear of them) would, I verily believe, cause them to lift up their hands and eyes in mute and marvellous astonishment. Among these novel acquire- ments—these offspring of the nineteenth century—quizzing stands aramount, a gem of the first water, a star of the first magnitude. It is, indeed, as necessary to the exclusive as a moustache to a cavalry officer, or a billet-doux to the belle of the boarding-school, and as such must be considered ‘‘ part and parcel” of the legitimate accomplish- ments of one fitted to go forth into the paths of the beau-monde and mingle with those illustrious individuals who shine, planet-like, in the brilliant hemisphere of ton. ‘To be incapable of quizzing—to be either too diffident or obtuse,—too compassionate or abstracted to seize certain points of the ridiculous in the mien, manner, garb, or garniture of your friends or intimate, the modest stranger seen for the first time, or the shrinking novice trembling under the agonies of a debat, argues a want of spirit, tact, and discrimination sufficient to sink you into utter insignificance, and consign you, for the term of your natural life, to the supercilious pity of your associates as ‘‘a very well-meaning sort of personage—somewhat maudlin, and indeed destitute of esprit.” To avoid this disastrous conclusion, to escape the shrugs and sneers and commiserating looks of your friends, it isnecessary to cultiyate the talent of ridicule, in fact to become, by due training, a quizzer—a free, genuine, downright quizzer—and that your studies may be, in some measure, facilitated by the suggestions of experience, I venture to throw together a few desultory hints, to which} you can, occasionally, refer for assistance in your career. My brief reflections are principally intended for the benefit of country gentlemen, and Tyros from Oxford, emulous of becoming skilful and dexterous quizzers, but I must avow that I would fain comprehend among my pupils, the young and beautiful of the fairer and better part of creation, those bright and sylphid creatures who, catching the reflec- tion of their loveliness in the mirror, turn, half-blushing, from the bewitching vision, and feel, for the first time, the desire of conquest. It is true—too true, that I am a bachelor—and I confess, with a sigh, an elderly one—but Time has not yet frozen my heart, although the inexorable despot has, long since, forced upon me the assumption of wig, spectacles, and gouty pantouffles. I can, still, gaze with emotion upon a brilliant eye, lucid with tenderness, or gemmed with the pearls of compassion; still view with delight a cheek suffused with a bright damask blush, and welcome a lip vivid as the ruby, illumined with the exquisite spells of a smile. ‘Who can curiously behold The smoothness and the sheen of beauty’s cheek, Nor feel the heart can never grow all old.” Childe Harold; Canto III. Since, then, I am neither so juvenile as to incur the risk of being set down as a presumptuous greenhorn, nor so aged as to be Burked as a QUIZZING. 23 crabbed, crusty, old cross-sticks, whose costume and opinions are as venerable as the hills, I may enter upon my voluntary duty with an anxious and encouraging expectation that my advice will be hearkened to with deference, if not with eagerness. To become a superlative quizzer requires the unceasing exercise of your faculty of observation, of your memory, your imagination, and judgment ; the first is as necessary as a telescope to an Admiral, or turtle and venison to a Lord Mayor’s festival; the second will be wanted to assist you in recognising your victims; the third in inventing new weapons and modes of attack, and the fourth in arranging your battery and carrying on the war. Presuming that you have been at the University (I address myself, here, to the ruder half of mankind), it is natural for me to infer that you have succeeded in divesting yourself of that awkward and positively rustic attribute, entitled modesty; that you seldom look down but to admire your extremities, and that you never change colour but with the juice of the grape, or the influence of a midsummer sun. I, further- more, take it for granted that you have acquired a certain position in the circles of fashion, a station preparatory to one still more enviably distinguished, the ascent to which will be wonderfully aided by a suc- cessful practice of the very act upon which I am about to deliver some hints. Well—you thirst and hunger to be considered a quizzer, an unflinch- ing, inveterate, and immoveable quizzer—one who shall throw a whole dinner-party into a fever, and fill with alarms indescribable the ball-room or card-table ; bend an ear then and listen, for as Nature, lavish though she be, has not given unto all an intuitive perception of what is fit and becoming in the character, the whisperings of experience. cannot be thrown away. In the first place devote yourself duly and unremittingly to the practice of staring: commence by degrees, lengthening the duration of the stare until from the furtive and momentary glance, it swells into the calm, cold, open-eyed, and deliberate gaze of some five minutes by your repeater. You may exercise before the glass, or with a brother student: the latter mode is to be preferred, as the advantage is reciprocal, and you become mutually hardened. All agitation of the eye-brow, lid, or lash, and all tendency to aqueous effusion will, in time, utterly subside; but, of course, until you can, despotically, command the organ of sight, perfection is not attained. If you possess eyes large, dark and lustrous, black or hazel, you are, very certainly, felicitous in the admirable opportunity for display afforded by your quizzing operations ; and these ‘eyes, be it known, are wondrously adapted to excel in the profes- sion. The one-minute stare of a deep hazel eye is an absolute dead-shot, and effects on the spot, all that the piercing grey or blue orb, though keen as the falcon’s, can accomplish in five times the period. Still much may be—indeed is—wrought by a well-sustained stare from a small, round, light, or twinkling eye, and, with due discipline, the ferret’s-eye, owl’s-eye, cat’s-eye, and mouse-eye may be rendered killingly impressive. Blue eyes—those which the song-makers designate as “celestial” or “‘ sapphire” blue, are, however, difficult of management; and it is a question whether or not it is possible to dis- ee with a quizzing-glass of the most approved fashion and brilliant esign. * * Having accomplished yourself in the first step, and found staring “made easy,” you may proceed to the next, and after trying the effect of a laugh of sardonic character, run through a scale of sneers from the slight and almost imperceptible, to the marked, withering, and con- 24 QUIZZING. temptuous curve, which speaks more potently than words. A fade smile is, also, an invaluable auxiliary, and has been known to abash modest worth and artless loveliness as triumphantly as the most im- — stratagem. A loud voice will, invariably, have the effect of isconcerting the timid, but it appertains to the less refined style of quizzing, and with the practice of ‘‘ hoaxing,”’ may be made over to the junior ornaments of his Majesty’s army and navy, the younger members of the two Universities, and the upper forms of Eton and Westminster. To you I should recommend the sneer that accompanies the audible whisper, for this, like the basilisk, is never without its sting, and is certain to kill. In fact nothing can be more fatal aimed at a diffident, quiet, and unobtrusive book-worm from College, and when coupled with a supercilious survey of his whole, from head to foot, it may be esteemed as infallibly destructive as the aqua-tofana. I can scarcely tarnish-your pretensions with the suspicion that you would exhibit yourself at a country ball, unless under some power- ful inducement, yet could your ‘ exclusiveness” so far unbend as to permit your appearance on this scene, you would be, amply, compensated for your condescension. Imagine the company! imagine the innumera- ble shades and grades of form, face, feature, look, tone, gesture, garb, and ornament! and figure to yourself, if possible, any more fertile theatre of amusement. Allow me to think it possible that your political interests magnetically draw you into the vortex—you tremble with apprehension, and turn pale at the thought of vulgar contagion; | courage! mon ami! a brilliant dawn is before you, and you may dwell for a day and a half on the glories of the hour! Act as follows :— Select the prettiest girl in the room, if one of the youngest tant mieuax ! but beware of the reigning belles—eschew them! they are dangerous, and would fling back your dart. Having effected an introduction to your victim, station yourself behind her during the quadrille in which she dances, whisper the most bewitching compliments, and in florid terms express your admiration till her cheek deepens to the damask rose; when she ceases dancing, offer your arm for a promenade, which must be continued till another quadrille is on the point of being com- ~ menced; at this juncture, gradually draw her into the centre of the room, still besieging her with ‘‘ honeyed words,” and now your victory is near! at the very instant when your fair companion, innocent of your design, expects you to conduct her to the set new-forming, extricate your arm, make a slight bow, accompanied with the words, ‘‘I see my party is just entering the room:” and retire, leaving the deserted fair covered with confusion, and gloriously exposed to the flying artillery of her before envying companions. This isa gallant adventure, but the crowning of your triumph has not yet arrived: hasten then, take a brother of the shrug-and-sneer, lounge, carelessly, by the disappointed girl, drawling out, languidly, “rather pretty than not ;—no style—un peu gauche— une coiffure—d faire horreur !”? ‘and dispute with your aid-de-camp whether the floral ornaments in her hair are intended to represent *‘peonies, poppies, or roses.” By this stroke you will, to a certainty, achieve the misery of the lady, and wrest from her expectant hopes the not-often-tasted gratification of the evening. Voila! the glory of quizzing is complete ! * * . And now most gentle belles! ye flowers in the garden of beauty! ye gems in the circle of life! a silver-haired bachelor, assuming the privilege of years, ventures to address this portion of his paper to your consideration and bright eyes. I must repeat that my suggestions are designed entirely for the “‘eaclusives,” and that I must, positively, QUIZZING. 25 prohibit all gathering into corners, all tittering or loud laughing (tha absolute death to good breeding), and all petits cries aigues—one and all these must be looked upon as the express artillery of the school-girl and hoyden. To you, fair exclusives! I can permit no more actual demon- stration of merriment than a tempered laugh or a sweet smile : transient, indeed, must be the expression of contempt that curls your upper lip— — vanishing almost in the instant—and but just sufficient to communicate your sentiments to your companion, whom we will suppose to be the accomplished quizzer into which the preceding instructions have aided to raise him. ‘‘ Staring’? with you, fair girl, is out of the question—a thing not to be dreamt of, but a slight glance of astonishment or surprise will, with you, prove a brilliant assistance. I need scarcely forewarn you not to derange the exquisite repose of your features by any indication of feeling ; leave this to the vulgar, with whom nature is ever paramount to art; let me presume you, languidly, leaning on the arm of your friend, and promenading the aforesaid ball-room in search of the grotesque : yourself and companion can interchange remarks on the crowd around ou, and may consider al/ your legitimate game—all fit marks for the een shafts of your quiver. Worth, talents, learning, goodness, beauty, and modesty—what are they?—mere smoke and vapour! let the old- fashioned and ridiculous—the dreamers of the days that are gone—let these view them as shields of defence from the arrows of quizzing—you spare them not. If the coat be not ‘‘ built” by Stultz or Nugée; the millinery by Victorine, and the dijoutrie furnished by Howell and James ——if the proprietors smile out of place or of form, cr become guilty of any heresy in ton, spare them not! they are yours, and may be dis- patched ‘‘ without benefit of clergy.” In an open country at noon-day, it is strange if a traveller loses his path, but in the tangled woods by midnight a guide and a torch are absolute blessings; so here let me whisper how to poise the weapon when the prey is slippery or dangerous. The minister is thrown out, or the member is dead,—an election for the county approaches—all is expectation and tumult, and promises and patriotism become as drugs in the market; the gentlemen of your family are suddenly transformed into the most condescending, free, jovial, gallant, rattle-pated cavaliers imagin- able, with a warm shake of the hand for the ‘‘ brave,” anda merry glance and sly kiss for the “‘ fair ;” while the ladies go forth robed in smiles and loveliness, and all courtesy, sweetness, and melting tenderness, ask after the health of old cobblers, and caress dirty-faced babes with ex- traordinary rapture. A ball is projected;to open the hearts of the voters, and you are obliged to lay aside the mantle of dignity, and dance with the son of some large landed-proprietor; the temptation to ‘quiz is irresistible: but few persons are so utterly obtuse as not to dis- cover when they are ridiculed—to conciliate the voter is a point with our party, but your amusement must be enjoyed. ‘‘ How?” you Inquire; nothing more easy ! listen to his stories of horses and dogs, of hunting and shooting, with winning suavity and apparent interest, and having ‘‘ fool’d him up to his bent,” your diversion is secure; the few smiles you have bestowed have raised him to the pinnacle of self-com- placency, his cheeks blush with pride, he stands on tip-toe, and his exertions in the dance become more daringly conspicuous, till at the finale, leading you to a seat he gives you a fox-hunter’s ‘‘squeeze of the hand,” and vows that ‘‘ your Ladyship is a very nice girl.” His attentions doom you to martyrdom, but take courage! faint not! the election ensues, he votes for your father or brother, and receives his congée, falling at once from the sublime heights of ambition and love, February.— vou, Ul. NO. VII. E 26 THE KING'S GUARD-CHAMBER, WINDSOR CASTLE. And now you may seize every point of the ridiculous in his appearance ; his new blue coat—his bright metal buttons ; his complexion emulous of the full blown rose; his exploits in the field, his honest self-love, his blunt good-humour, his simplicity, and occasional bashfulness—all these are fair sources of amusement, and, properly handled, cannot but prove productive. * * The minor features of “‘ quizzing” I resign to your own arrangement, doubting not that by the aid of a natural genius, you will arrive at an enviable rank in the art; but to attain this position so sighed after by many, certain essentials are called for, and in writing down as a dead letter the Divine injunction “‘ Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you!” learn to root out of your bosom the sweet attributes of cordiality, gentleness, and good-will, filling up the void with heartlessness, severity, envy, and malignity, for, believe me, if you lack the latter qualities, you may be a very amiable indi- vidual, but can never be ‘‘a quizzer.” A French author has remarked that ‘‘ Ja moquérie est souvent une indigence d’esprit :” but be not deterred by this sentence; do not, from the fear of being deemed a simpleton, deny yourself a pleasure which though adapted to the meanest capacity, is still one of the most important ingredients in fashionable ‘‘ small talk.” Quizzing! dear delightful quizzing! who shall presume to decry thee! who shall venture to pronounce thee “‘ the bane of good breeding” and “‘ the pest of society !” What can be more gratifying to one’s amour-propre than to mark out, triumphantly, the deficiencies of others! to forget the beam in our own eye, and pluck the mote out of that of our brother—to point the finger of scorn at the ridiculous in our neighbour, while we walk forth armed at all points with the belief that we are invulnerable! our dress, our mien, our manner—all exquisite, all recherché, all comme-il-faut ! Glorious and delectable delight! to insult merit, to abash loveliness, to alarm timidity, to crush inoffensiveness! How many a friend has been for ever alienated ! how many a duel has been occasioned! how many a character has been destroyed! how many a fair prospect overcast! and how many a noble breast lacerated by the ‘‘ harmless—the very harm- less pleasures of quizzing!” Avaunt! thou insidious tormentor! let those cultivate thy enjoyments who prefer rendering others ridiculous and wretched to being themselves amiable and estimable. Such as are unfashionable enough to seek for cheerfulness and tranquillity in that extended charity which induces compassion for the mental and bodily infirmities of their fellow beings; and whose benevolent feelings throw a shield of generous protection over the misfortunes and deficiencies of others—such will avoid thee with a shudder, and pursue their inoffensive road to happiness, soothed by a recollection that much may be pleaded in palliation for conduct which militates against their opinion when they consider “‘ que fuerant vitia, mores sunt.” ona THE KING’S GUARD-CHAMBER, WINDSOR CASTLE. Tue decorations of the King’s guard chamber at Windsor Castle have been so much altered of late, that probably a description of its appearance at his present Majesty’s accession may be agree- able to some of our readers. This fine apartment, seventy-five feet in length, is placed at right angles to the magnificent hall dedicated to St. George, the entrances into which open from it. THE KINGS GUARD-CHAMBER, WINDSOR CASTLE. 27 Just before the demise of George IV., whose taste has been generally acknowledged, Sir Samuel Meyrick was honoured with the commands of that Monarch to select and arrange what armour and weapons he thought proper, so as to give to the room the best possible effect; and the Board of Ordnance was directed to grant him the assistance of Mr. Lovell, superintendent of the small armoury department, and Mr. Stacey, of the depot in Tooley-street.. His Majesty was pleased to approve most highly of Sir Samuel’s ideas on the subject, but did not live to see them realized. Those who have inspected what is termed Queen Elizabeth's Armoury, at the Tower of London, must have witnessed with what skill Mr. Stacey can display the various parts of modern weapons, as ramrods, gun-barrels, locks, bayonets, gun-stocks, swords, &c. In like manner various stars, laurel branches, and such like devices of a novel, yet appropriate character, were selected and revised by Sir Samuel Meyrick for the King’s guard-chamber at Windsor. It is but justice to state that one, by no means apparent, advantage in Mr. Stacey’s contrivances, is the important fact that by such an arrangement of the several parts of weapons, they are not injured in the slightest degree, but remain quite in a fit state to be put together at a moment's notice. Mr. Lovell also, combining with great practical knowledge, a thorough acquaintance with the forms and fastening of armour, afforded equally valuable assistance. Besides the decorations already described, and tasteful groups of ancient weapons procured and arranged by Sir Samuel Meyrick, were the following :— As the principal point of attraction over the chimney-piece, in a glass case, was deposited that extremely beautiful target of Henry VIII., which had a similar position in the octagon library in the late Buckingham Palace, and which George IV. ordered to be removed at the express request of Sir Samuel. This exquisite work of art, made of steel, is ornamented with bas-reliefs plated with silver, on a ground of niello, &c. and said, with good reason, to have been chased by the celebrated Ben- venuto Cellini, and a present to the English Sovereign by Francis I. King of France. The subject of them, distributed in four compartments, accompanied by a Latin inscription, is the contest between Cesar and Pompey. ‘This delightful specimen has been placed on a pivot, so that by turning it round, the by- stander can conveniently inspect every portion. As this is exactly opposite the centre doorway of St. George's Hall, above the fire-place was. a representation of St. George and the Dragon, so as when open to be seen through it. This was composed of a youth’s suit of armour, richly engraved and gilt, of the close of the reign of James I., and placed in such manner as that the supposed wearer was striding over one wing of his bestial enemy, and thrusting his lance into its mouth. 28 THE KING'S GUARD CHAMBER, WINDSOR CASTLE. Behind it appeared a glory, designating a holy personage, which was formed of ramrods, on a gilt ground. The scales of the dragon were made of sword-blades turned blue, and it was seen issuing out of a jungle of rushes composed of similar materials, shining bright. ‘The emphatic words of his late Majesty, on being shewn the design by Sir Samuel Meyrick were, “ now we shall have something worth looking at;” and those who saw it can bear testimony that the grouping justified the prediction. But alas! the. decorations were not completed till the 9th of July, 1831. : On a corbel labelled A. D. 1612, on the right side of the fire- place, was a magnificent suit of armour of bright steel and gold, made for the interesting Henry Prince A Wales, ornamented with his initials and the thistle and rose. This young man’s premature death was greatly regretted by the nation, as his love for, and proficiency in, the military pastimes of the day, were much more suited to the temper of the times than the peaceable disposition of his father. A part of the additional armour for the tournament was placed at his feet, and the remainder on the next corbel. | On a similar support on the other side of the chimney-piece, and inscribed A.D. 1620, was a suit that probably belonged to his brother Charles, Prince of Wales, afterwards King Charles I. ‘on which several naval and other trophies were beautifully engraved. Next, on a corbel dated A.D. 1635, was a suit of armour attributed to Prince Rupert, with the grand guard affixed in readiness for the tournament. The one after has the date A.D. 1596, and the armour is called that of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, the spirited but unfortunate favourite of Queen Elizabeth. The ornamental engraving of this suit is peculiarly chaste and elegant. A complicated trophy of arms and armour, in which were to be found various beautiful and rare pieces, was grouped so as tastefully to occupy a very broad space of wall. Another one to correspond was placed exactly opposite. At the end of the apartment, on each side of the great window, were two niches. In one of these, Sir Samuel placed a suit of the Duke of Brunswick, who lived A. D. 1530, and was ancestor of his present Majesty. It was at his suggestion removed hither from Carlton Palace, having been originally brought from the arsenal of that dutchy. It was of bright steel, and finely engraved. . | In the corresponding niche, having the date A. D. 1588, was a suit of massive tournament armour, which has been assigned to Lord Howard of Effingham, who commanded the English fleet in the memorable victory obtained over the Spanish Armada. Over the entrance to this apartment, at its opposite termina- tion, is a gallery, and on this were placed two trophies of arms and armour. 29 SIR PETTRONELL FLASH. SCENE—A PUBLISHERS ROOM. In the centre, a large round table covered with manuscript papers, rich sybilline leaves, the value of which increased in the ratio of their deficiency —Grammars of the Chinese language, in octavo, essays on taste, and lectures against taste, physics, and meta- physics, histories past, present, and future, prosaical poetry, and poetical prose—old sermons distorted into modern addresses— infant schools and systems without end—half a dozen dark, heavy-looking chairs, a large sofa, covered with dingy moreen, a black, James the First looking cabinet, with a bust of some modern Cato, jammed between the top and the ceiling, were the chief articles of furniture ;—the chimney-piece, the household museum and common receptacle of curiosities and cracked china, was strewed with sundry articles, a large shell, a piece of spar, almost opaque with dust, two or three pill-boxes, pens, spills, and a dirty taper, &c. &c. In the centre a handsome marble dial, with fluted pillars, somewhat improved the appearance of the apartment. Against the wall, a little above the bright oscillating pendulum, hung a pencil sketch of the genius of this sanctuary, over which was an engraving, from Barry’s first division of the Adelphi series, Orpheus harmonising the barbarian Greeks. With what a sweet, satisfied, complacent eye did the little publisher critic glance from Orpheus to himself; if the coun- tenances were unlike, the occupations of each were identical; certainly the “idola specus” of the barbarian and the modern European were somewhat dissimilar, but then the application was the same. Alexander the Great, and Alexander the Copper- smith, have been twin brothers in association. Tant pis for the first Alexander, tant mieux for the last—the balance is struck— “’tis all one.” Orpheus taught the Greeks to fiddle, but the moral Triptolemus of Paternoster is the Titan of the pen—more famed than the spear of Telephus is the fair goose quill—“ the mighty instrument of little men.” A thick clumsy bell-rope, with a rosette the size of a warming-pan, and a tassel like a pillow, measured the altitude of the room, and hung, dangling over an old-fashioned coal-box. A high-backed easy: chair was drawn close to the table, in which reposed the charming person of our little Aristarchus. Mr. P. was attentively perusing some worn-out manuseript on Church Reform, national decay, or changes in the moon. To give a slight sketch of our little bibliopolist. No one would have called Mr. P. a noticeable man neither in person nor address; he was a short, spare, frigid- 30 SIR PETTRONELL FLASH. looking mortal, with a thin sabre-like nose, and a quick, restless, grey eye, which luminous organ might have been often dimmed with the dew of compassion or lit up with the sympathies of a benevolent heart; but from being a disposer of books, Mr. P. had presumed to be their judge, and had become one of those un- skilful executioners of merit, who pour the “ waters of bitter- ness” into the parent bosom which had nourished it. Cushioned over his orbits was that severe corrugation—frons caperata—of his occipito-frontalis, which is the badge of his judicial office, and the seal of the Aristarchi. Mr. P. was asevere-looking man, —dressed all in “ fatal black,” he sat the “wizard of the den,” surrounded. with the battling spirits of defunct ‘ works,’ the “fanthoms of the feather.” Tick, tick, tick, said the dial, and the little man read on in silent acerbity.. Sir Pettronell Flash, said the boy, swinging open the door with an air of importance. The name was enough—with a startling alacrity the bibliopole rose from his chair; for one brief—too brief moment, Sir Pettronell was exchanging the sweet reciprocities of courtesy, and the silent salutations of the great Oh you shakers of hands—you bodily embracers—ye nodders and bawlers in the public streets, ye shameless vulgar—ye base io polli, know you not that Ange- rona was the mother of gentility, and she was worshipped in silence. * The salutations of the great are never meteorological,—“ the heavens above and the earth beneath” are the properties of the vulgarly honest; with the distinguished, habitual ceremony removes the sense of it, and frees them from embarrassment ; the first brief salutation is succeeded by the quick wit and sparkling repartee, or the deep mystery of fashion and the world. The introductory colloquial phrases mark the order of the species—to “‘compare great things with small.” The aspiring, but not inspired minstrel, strikes with feeble hand the Orphean lyre, shrinking even from the sound he solicits—with magic burst the “Prince of Song” salutes and charms you “arma virumque cano.” ‘Trusting his head to Providence, the little bald-headed critic bent down in one, straight, waveless line the whole of his vertebral column,—again he bowed. Sir Pettronell stood erect—his right leg slightly in advance, with a partial latteral submission of the left knee, and a minute incurvation of the big-toe. With one hand Sir Pettronell touched—merely touched—a small tortoiseshell eye-glass, which was supported by a narrow and not very black ribbon, his left hand retained his hat, the heeds of which just impinged upon the fore-arm. With half-closed eyes, Sir Pettronell bowed—slowly and in- sensibly his head resumed its position. The bow was enough— erfectly translatable—but his name was quite unequivocal. Sir — Pettronell—the sound seemed to have been coeval with the flood —so truly noble—so serene. “ A rose by any other name may smell as sweet; but oh, an Euphonious name, like Absolom’s SIR PETTRONELL FLASH. 31 hair, is the ‘‘ glory of the possessor.” A punless name*—a liquidly seductive musical name—like a beautiful face, “muta commendatio est,” is the sum of good fortune. “Ah! Lucy, what a pretty name is Clementina,’ said Miss Byron.t Was ever heroine with a vile monosyllabic name. In the creation of Eve, there existed no artificial scale of sounds, no “ harmonious discord,” no cacophonic words—name was lost in the music of pure tones, and melody diffused itself, like light, around the world. Once more the little publisher bowed. Sir Pettronell quietly inclined himself into a chair. Kind reader, hast thou ever had the misfortune to be mistaken for a gentleman, when thy solicitations were about to give the lie to thine address, to deceive a rich, low, man into obsequious ceremony, and humiliate him by the condescension, oh then pity the gentle Sir Pettronell, and apply to. thy own sensibilities the agitation of his, when even the advantages of poverty were denied him, and the thread-bare coat ominously buttoned close up to the chin, was perfectly unob- servable in the cimerian darkness of this Trophonian cave. Sir Pettronell was a fine, tall, soldier-like man, one “ that would not flatter Neptune for his Trident ;” but there was in that mystical eye, a dove-like beaming, that would have once become a “ ladies bower.” Once—for Sir Pettronell had seen many winters, and long since must it have been when the “ singing birds” awakened his young heart. His nose was well formed, advancing boldly from the forehead, but either naturally or by the habit of snuffing, the ale nasi were expanded a line or so too widely—his mouth rather large and voluptuous—his forehead—and here let me pause—twas not the “jutty and impendious brow” of the mathematician, nor the corrugated front of the logician, “one glance was as good as a thousand,” broad, clear, and unclouded, “ Frons ubi vivit honor’—poor he might be, but like Sir Lucius, “he was too poor to do a mean action.” No one would have called Sir Pettronell old, though the white hairs could hardly be numbered. Sir Pettronell would have called himself young—his small white hand played with the said eye-glass, which seemed, judging by the vividness of his eyes, to have been merely an outlet for physical irritability, like Cole- ridge’s frill, which he twisted and screwed as the “ winged words,” verba alata, escaped from his vibrating lip—the hands instantly sympathise with the tongue; there isa mototarysympathy. Sir Charles Bell has forgotten the chief glory of the hand; the mechanism is curious, but it is the moral expression of the hand which is the theme of its praise, the spirit of motion, which gives grandeur and sublimity to the eloquence of a Demosthenes, which, as an electrical rod, touches the inmost soul and awakens the echoes of its passions. * Shenston solemnly thanked God that his name was not liable to a pun.—See ‘Curiosities of Literature.” }~ Sir Charles Grandison. 32 SIR PETTRONELL FLASH. While taking this sketch of Sir Pettronell’s “outward-man,” which the attribute of my “invisible ubiquity,” would allow, he was sitting directly opposed to the little, sharp-looking Aris- tarchus, whose oscillatory movements too plainly expressed his uneasiness at the taciturnity of his visitor; vain it was that the little bald-headed book-keeper bowed and bent, blew his nose, rubbed his bearded chin, blew his nose still louder—and louder still—he awakened only the silence and solitude around him. Sir Pettronell was dumb—abstracted, immoveable, with his gleamy eyes fixed upon the dingy window of the apartment, and save that between the two first fingers of his right hand, he slowly swung the afore-mentioned eye-glass, he was moveless as a statue—still the ribbon and the glass swung to and fro—like a lone bird in the wilderness, the swing, swing, gave a horror to the silence. The bibliopole’s eyes began to glisten in snake-like sympathy—a sort of incubus looked Sir Pettronell; the little man could endure it no longer—seizing with a spasmodic grasp a newly-published work which lay on the table, and making a sort of preparatory cough or scream, to assure himself of his ex- istence—once, twice, and his tongue cleaved to the roof of his mouth ; closing his eyes, he threw himself back in the chair, and with a groan unutterable pronounced Sir Pettronell in a tone rather louder than was absolutely necessary. Merciful heavens! different soils produce not more variety in the “ world of vegeta- tion” than is created by circumstances in man. Sir Pettronell did. not jump off his chair in a startling sympathy with his associate, but quietly relinquishing the chaste past-time of counting the clouds through a London atmosphere, fixing his eyes on Mr. P. the almost silent responsive Sir, pronounced in a sort of audible whisper, was more distressing to his auditor than the noisy vociferation of a madman. The charm was broken— Sir Pettronell waited in silence. The confused bibliopole turned rapidly over the uncut leaves of the book he had resorted to. Sir Pettronell did not even reiterate the little monosyllable, but looking him full in the face, awaited in silence the proffered communication. I was going to ask—that is, I mean, I was going to inquire—(the idea of asking a nobleman his business; pah! ‘twas impossible)—have you seen this new work, Sir Pettronell ? just out, vastly clever—said to be by a young Lord, glancing an inquiring look at Sir Pettronell, vastly witty, young, handgome, and highly talented. Are you speaking of the book or the author? Sir Pettronell mildly asked, taking the proffered work from the hand of the disappointed Aristarchus, who had said anything but what he desired, which was to have inquired of Sir Pettronell who Sir Pettronell could be, and what Sir Pettronell could require. Admirable, said Mr. P. to Sir Pettronell’s remark —admirably cutting—you are quite one of us. Sir Pettronell did not laugh, but extracting from the tail of his coat a bundle of papers, he placed them in the hand of the astonished little SIR PETTRONELL FLASH. 33 publisher. Mr. P., said Sir Pettronell, I am aware I am a stranger to you—my name is Sir Pettronell Flash—here Mr. P. bowed (though not much the wiser for the information.) Who I am is of little consequence, and for the present I choose to be unknown. I am a gentleman—here Mr. P. bowed very low, because the term implied independence and patronage—I wish you, continued Sir Pettronell, to peruse carefully the manuscripts you hold in your hand, and in a little time I will return and receive your opinion—a man who is constantly supplying the tables of the public must know well what is best suited to their taste. The writer of the papers is a friend of mine, one to whom I am warmly attached, and am, therefore, anxious as to his success. Should you think the papers unworthy of notice, the author will be too proud to solicit it; and since he does not behold his intellectual offspring with the “bliss of excessive fondness,” neither will he condescend to be an eleemosynary suitor for public bounty. I submit these manuscripts to you, relying on your judgment, and confiding in your probity. Here Sir Pettronell paused; the little critic, as might be supposed, made a bow—a low bow—yes, a very low bow. Sir Pettronell rose from his chair, and moved towards the door. Mr. P. not knowing exactly what to say, and yet by habit knowing what to do—moved after his upright comical visitor, for the purpose of bowing him into the street, and to see whether he rode or walked, went up or down the row, &c. Sir Pettronell was aware of the thing and waving his hand—like Hamlet in the play—motioned the little man to his chair. JI insist on it, Sir, “iat you do not rise—for once I can dispense with ceremony. ‘The critic was as immoveable as Lot's wife. One more graceful bend of the neck, and Sir Pettronell closed the door—one, two, three, four, five steps, and all was as silent as the grave. - Most extraordinary, said little Mr. P., starting from his chair, most mysterious; what is he? who canhebe? OnceI thought I smel't the poor author—one of the poor proud Quixotte’s of literature; but then his manner was potent as a Lord’s. Hollo, Sir boy—opening the door—did that Sir Pettronell come in a carriage? No, Sir, cried the boy. Nor coach nor cab—did he ride home, wherever the devil it is. No, Sir, again cried the boy. Here the little man took up his hat and departed. The visit and departure of Sir Pettronell, as described in the preceding page, occurred on the morning of one of those cold, rainy November days which are a certain stimulus to fire-sides, arm-chairs, and recent novels. On the evening of the same day the bibliopolist was sitting in his private room—his snug hiber- nacle, ten feet by eight—a. blazing fire threw its cheerful gleams over the apartment, giving to the most trifling object an un- certain and interesting appearance by the changing lights and shadows, as the flame peered up, or flickered low and feebly. February.—voOL. I. NO. VII. F 34 SIR PETTRONELL FLASH. The candles were as yet not lighted. Mr. P., like a true “ fire worshipper,” was burning his shins to his perfect satisfaction, the table was close to his chair, his chair close to the fire; but there was not that abandonment in his reclining figure which marks the idle man, in his easy chair; there was a compression and twitching of the lips, an epileptic sort of stare, a rigidity of the whole frame, which betrayed a moral abstraction, to which Mr. P. was not accustomed. Who this mysterious Sir Pettronell was the little man had been quite unsuccessful in discovering, and his perturbed spirit even now vibrated under the misery of un- satisfied curiosity. Who can he be, most inexplicable man, the name familiar to no one. Who can he be, murmured the vexed bibliopole. Here Mr. P. lighted the candles, and opened the manuscript papers left by Sir Pettronell; to judge by the several titles, the papers offered the most agreeable repast, such as *** %xe XXX KKK 5 Hut as things must have a beginning (from the creation of the world to the unities of Aristotle), Mr. P., with all worldly wisdom, desired to be acquainted with the host before he partook of the entertainment. We therefore begin—in the beginning was chaos—“ rudis indigestaque males.” How know you all this, do you ask? How do I know! If you please, suppose that I had the cloak of Mephistophiles, or “as quaint Ariel, like to a nymph of the sea, subject to no sight, invisible to every eye-ball’—or perched with Asmodeus on the glowing ball of St. Paul's, or even astride the little critic’s chair, peering over his shoulder, for “ we have the receipt of fern seed.”* 4 Z. * It may not generally be known that to several plants, the old herbalists attached a magical power; thus the vervain, Verbene officinalis, was given to conciliate friendship, and hence Shakspeare alludes to the power of the fern-seed in bestowing invisibility. John Parkinson, in his Theatrum Botannicum, 1640, thus curiously describes the magical virtues of the Feliz mas vulgare :—“ The - seed, which this and the female fern do beare, are to be gathered only on Mid- summer eve, at night, with I know not what conjuring words, is superstitiously held by divers, not only mountebanks and quack-salvers, but by other learned men, to be of some great secret hidden virtue’’—(see Tribe 10 Felices, page 1039); but if the age of charms is gone by, and even his present Majesty King William “ of blessed memory,” forgets to cure his people’s “evils” by “ touching them,” and though we no longer weave the tapering vervain into a pyladean cestus for an amiciciary tie, still are our minds linked to superstitions which seem the physico- spiritual chain between time and eternity. “ Hominibus vitee finis mors non Autem superstitiones.”—P.in. 35 CHARLES II. To the Editor of the Analyst. Sir,—I was much pleased with the article in your last number relative to Charles II., and permit me to say that the more papers you publish upon topics connected with local antiquities, the more the interest of your periodical, to the success of which I am a hearty well-wisher, will be strengthened among the generality of your readers. Now certainly, as Mr. Hughes observes in his Introduction to the Boscobel Tracts, p. 12, “at no time did the character of Charles II. appear to so much advantage as at the period of the battle of Worcester, and had he met his fate there, history would have lost a theme of repro- bation in a bad king, and gained as respectable a hero as many whom it has thought fit to immortalize.” For it seems a settled point with all historians of credit and authority, that after his accession to the throne, he became, as Mr. Fox has briefly but most impressively styled him, “a bad man and a bad king.” Accordingly, some writers have deemed it an unaccountable circumstance why a great people who had put down the tyranny of the father, should not have opposed another revolution as a barrier to those passions which the son had let loose upon them for the destruction of their national religion and liberty. Ina very able article* in the Edinburgh Review on that illustrious man’s history of James II., we meet with the following observa- tions :— ** There are three great events of which it appears to us, that the story has not been intelligibly told for the want of a correct analysis of the national feelings. One is the universal joy and sincere confidence with which Charles 2nd was received back without one stipulation for the liberties of the people, or one pre- caution against the abuses of power. This was done by the very people who had waged war against a more amicable Sovereign, and quarrelled with the Protector for depriving them of their freedom. It is saying nothing to say that Monk did this by means of the army. It was not done either by Monk or the army, but by the nation; and even if it were not so, the question would still be, by what change in the dispositions of the army and the nation, Monk was able to make them doit. The second event, which must always appear unaccountable upon the mere narrative of the circumstances, is the base and abject submission of the people to the avowed tyranny of Charles when he was pleased at last to give up the use of Parliaments and to tax and govern on his own single authority. This happened when most of those must have still been alive who had seen the nation rise up in arms against his father, and within five years of the time when it rose up still more unanimously against his successor, and not only changed the succes- sion of the Crown, but very strictly defined and limited its prerogatives. The third is the Revolution itself; an event which was brought about by the very individuals who had submitted so quietly to the domination of Charles, and who, when assembled in the House of Commons under James himself, had of their own accord sent one of their members to the Tower for having observed upon a harsh * Vol. XIL, 1808, p. 284. 36 CHARLES II. and tyrannical expression of the King’s, that ‘ he hoped they were all Englishmen, and not to be frighted with afew hard words.’ It is not to give us the history of these events merely to set down the time and circumstances of their occurrence. They evidently require some explanation, in order to be comprehended, and the narrative will be altogether unsatisfactory, as well as totally barren of instruction, unless it give some account of those changes in the general temper and opinion of the nation, by which such contradictory actions become possible.” Now, Sir, I think that the political phenomena here set forth for our consideration by the Edinburgh Reviewer, have been satis- factorily elucidated in a paper in my possession, belonging to a deceased friend, and who was deeply read in the constitutional history of our country, and therefore I will transmit to you his - remarks on this interesting topic in nearly his own words. The writer in the Edinburgh Review supposes that there is an apparent inconsistency in the three events of which he speaks, and he proposes to account for it by the investigation of some alleged but not specified changes in the national character and opinions, such as occur, he says, from age to age. The three events are, Ist—the joyful and unanimous and unconditional restoration of Charles the Second; the subsequent acquiescence in his attempts to govern without Parliaments; and the third—the Revolution, accompanied by a change in the suc- cession of the Crown and a limitation of its power. All these events took place within a space of 28 years; and if we carry our examination back to the commencement of the civil wars, even then the whole period included in the inquiry would be less than half a century. It is difficult to suppose, that in so very short a space of time as this, a change was originated in the national character sufficient to account for any very glaring inconsistency, if such there was in the transactions of those days. But in truth it does not appear at all out of the course of human affairs, that a nation wearied out by twenty years of civil war, confusion, and military despotism, and menaced with an immediate renewal of those calamities in consequence of the death of the usurper, and the acknowledged weakness of his successor, should fly with some im- patience, or even with inconsiderate haste and confidence, if the fact were so, to the only authority under which they could look for peace. Nor is it surprising, though much less justifiable in sound policy, that when the restored monarch broke his faith and violated the constitution which he was called back to re-establish, the recent memory of the evils consequent on armed resistance, joined to a well grounded distrust in the views of some of his opposers, should have led to a temporary acquiescence in_ his unconstitutional usurpation of power. It is by no means clear, that this acquiescence would have been prolonged even had he lived. It was quite natural, that when the same or even some much more violent infractions of law were attempted by his successor, a man of far inferior talents, worse judgment, and less popular character, the nation should by an unanimous effort CHARLES II. 37 depose him, and then set limits to the authority of the new sovereign whom they placed in his stead. Tf in addition to this general view it was to be asked what peculiar causes arising from the events and character of those times most contributed to the course which these transactions took, I should look not to any change in national opinions, but to the uniform operation of that which I conceive to be the leading characteristic of our whole history from the Reformation to the Revolution. What most distinguishes that period from those which preceded and followed it, is the intimate connexion and decisive influence of contested religious opinions on political conduct and principle, which have indeed had some effect on every part of our history, but which I hold to be the master key of the internal affairs of this country during the latter half of the sixteenth, and nearly the whole of the seventeenth century. He then who should write a history of the civil wars, and conclude that, because of the two sets of men into which the popular party was divided, that from one set of men calling themselves Presbyterians, and another set Independents, therefore the contest was mainly a religious dispute and not essentially a struggle for political power, would betray, in my judgment, a most complete ignorance of his subject. It was religious zeal that inflamed the civil discontent of the English into civil war under Charles the First. It was the same feeling, operating still more powerfully in Scotland, that produced the first open resistance to the King, and his final overthrow. With him fell - the Church of England, with whose cause his was inseparably connected. But with her downfall commenced the disunion of her adversaries; and the Presbyterians, the first movers of the civil war, found themselves in its progress as much depressed as those against whom they had taken up arms. Both were com- pletely trampled upon (though forming together a very large majority of the nation) by an army which was wielded by the Independents, and was the main instrument of Cromwell's usurpation. Both, therefore, united in earnestly desiring a change in their condition, and when the jealousy of the Presbyterians had been quieted by the declaration from Breda, both zealously co-operated in the restoration of the hereditary Monarchy under which form alone it was evident there was any possibility of composing these evils. In this state of things no reasonable man could venture to incur the hazard of imposing previous conditions on the King. The discussions of such conditions must immediately have divided the two parties whose co-opera- tion was necessary for the accomplishment of that great work. In the mean time, the danger from the army was imminent, and the interposing such a theme of discord as the imposition of new constitutional limitations on the Crown, must, in all human probability, have exposed the country to many years more of civil bloodshed and confusion. : | 38 CHARLES II. It is not true, that immediately after the Restoration, all security for the public interests and liberties was neglected. At a subsequent period, and at no great distance of time, Charles shewed himself in his true colours. But it was beyond any ordinary calculation of political probability, that the Monarch thus restored, should happen to be one of the worst men ever entrusted with power in any age or country. Among his innumerable errors it was not the least, that his measures almost immediately drove back the Presbyterians into irreconcileable enmity to his Government, and created at the same time a very general, and as we now know, a very just alarm throughout the nation of his disposition towards the re-establish- ment of Popery. But the Church of England deceived themselves on this subject; they shut their eyes to the dangers on the side of Popery, and looked only to the evils which they had experienced from the prevalence of other sectaries. ‘They persevered in their former support of the Crown, and this the more in proportion as they saw it more strongly assailed by the same adversaries, whose hostility to themselves they knew to be indisputable. To this blindness they had well nigh sacrificed the es- tablished religion and the established constitution, to both which they were sincerely attached. But the madness of James the Second at length opened their eyes. His determined purposes of hostility to both could not be mistaken, but his means of giving effect to them were far less than those of his brother; his talents much inferior, his judgment weaker, and his person and character almost universally unpopular. It was then that the Church of England roused herself. The whole kingdom was thus united as one man against his designs, he stood alone against the whole body of his subjects, and the revolution which deprived him of his Crown, was not only peaceable, but unanimous. Those whose previous weight, station, and character in the country authorized them to take the lead in such a crisis, had nothing to apprehend: whatever the public interests demanded might at that moment be safely undertaken and easily accom- plished. Happily, their own tempers and the necessity of avoiding to wound the prejudices and feelings of the various persons and parties to whose co-operations they owed their strength, and the nation its security, alike inclined them to moderation and caution. They proceeded rather to repair than rebuild; they rested on old foundations, trusting, and as ex- perience has shewn us wisely trusting, to the facility with which a Government, such as they established it, might and would accommodate itself to the unforeseen exigencies of succeeding times. Here terminate these luminous remarks, for none of your readers will, I think, disagree with my applying this epithet to them. Now it is much to be regretted that such considerations as the foregoing did not enter into Mr. Fox’s conception. of the limits of legitimate history, as he would have treated them with His not deeming the usefulness of history to consist principally in unfolding the causes and results of political changes, renders this article, in my opinion, an ad- the kand of a master. TO CHARLOTTE. ditional acquisition to “The Analyst.” Great Malvern, Jan. 22, 1835. Dec. 6th. I am, Sir, Yours, &c. TO CHARLOTTE. ** Around her shone The nameless charms unmark’d by her alone; The light of love, the purity of grace, The mind, the music breathing from her face ; The heart whose softness harmonised the whole And oh! that eye was in itself a soul!” Byron, ** Years have not seen, time shall not see The hour that tears my heart from thee.” : BID, I'd wait for thee—aye, fondly, wait for thee Till vanished expectation’s latest ray, And, one by one, sweet hopes, all silently, Like roses with’ring, droop’d and died away, I'd wait till joy was lost in sable gloom, Till dreams—ev’n dreams had perish’d into air, Till all, bué love, lay shrouded in that tomb Whose seal is graven with one word—*‘ Despair :” Yea! till the summer verdure of my years Had faded in life’s ‘‘ sere and yellow leaf,” And waning smiles dissolv’d in bitter tears— Prophetic messengers of cureless grief ! And, thus, borne down with suff’ring, mute but deep, Heart-wrung and spirit-broken, to the grave I’d wend, unplaining, never more to weep O’er shatter’d peace which naught alas! could save! Yet unto thee, when bending o’er my clay One tear of pity thou shouldst yield to me, A pleading voice, in whispers low, should say, “ Why tarry love? I watch and wait for thee !” EDWARD. HISTORICUS. 40 AN ACCOUNT OF AN EXTRAORDINARY METEOR, Seen at Malvern, November 13, 1832, BY W. ADDISON, ESQ., F. L. S. Communicated to the Royal Society by Dr. Maton. On my return from Malvern Wells, at half-past one in the morning of Tuesday the 13th of November, my attention was arrested by a sudden burst of vivid light in the heavens. The moon was at the time shining brilliantly, and the line of light, . (which was a little above and between that luminary and the two principal stars in Gemini,) continued three or four seeonds, and then gradually melted away into a thin nebulous appearance which bent and contorted itself very curiously. The weather the whole of the preceding day had been extremely foggy ; but, as is some- times the case at Malvern, those houses situated highest upon the declivity of the Hill, were quite above the dense vapour which was spread out like a vast sea below, undulating to and fro, sometimes reaching and shrouding higher portions of the Hill, and then sub- siding, leaving them quite clear. The vapour was in this condition when the light excited my notice. In descending the Hill I became enveloped in fog ; the moon then became partially obscured, and the stars quite invisible. I shortly afterwards observed a slight flash of light, and a post-boy whom I met with, stated, that he had seen lightning through the fog several times, and once in particular, about two hours previous, the sky, to use his own expression, “ opened and shut—but not like common lightning.” This infor- mation induced me to continue my observations, and I soon perceived, through the mist, a very large meteor shoot across, leaving a long line of light behind. I resolved to mount the Hill, in order to get clear of the fog, and endeavour to ascertain from what cause these lights proceeded. Having ascended a considera- ble distance, and emerged from the dense vapour below, I found the moon and stars shining most brilliantly—the atmosphere per- fectly calm—and the hoar-frost coating the ground. Continuing my ascent towards the summit, I beheld one of the most extraor- dinary and beautiful spectacles that was ever witnessed—a constant succession of meteors of various degrees of magnitude and brilliancy. The smaller meteors were like what are vulgarly termed shooting stars, leaving behind them a train of pale light ; those of a larger description were much more brilliant, and, notwithstanding the brightness of the moon, they threw a strong glare upon everything around. ‘The latter always commenced from a small luminous point, rapidly increasing in size and brilliancy, shooting with great swiftness across a considerable AN ACCOUNT OF ‘AN EXTRAORDINARY METEOR. 41 arch, and then suddenly disappearing, leaving, behind a long train of very vivid white light, which slowly became changed into a pale. yellow, the latter remaining sometimes for two or three minutes, occasionally even for a still longer period, becoming broader, con- torted, and faint before entirely vanishing from my view, At one time, three or four of these luminous bodies would appear at the same moment, frequently two very near together; at another I could scarcely turn sufficiently quick to observe the spot whence the glare of light arose. Once, in particular, three very large meteors became visible at the same moment, presenting a most beautiful appearance. The recurrence of these phenomena was so rapid and continued, that in the brief space of five minutes, by turning about in different directions, I counted forty-eight of these meteors, of different magnitudes. In contemplating this scene, of the sublimity of which I had no previous conception, a variety of ideas crowded upon my mind. My situation was novel in the extreme—standing upon a dark pinnacle of the Hill, sparkling here and there with large crystals of hoar-frost, shut out, as it were, from the world by a vast sea of white vapour, whilst meteors of great magnitude and brilliancy were momentarily bursting upon me, I felt some degree of awe, and should have descended but for my desire to continue my observations, which I did for upwards of an hour. In order that the reader may form some idea of these luminous bodies, I will here observe that they varied in size and brilliancy from a magnitude equal to Mars or Jupiter to that of a Roman candle, some being even much larger than the latter, throwing out a strong glare around, and leaving a long stream of light behind. It is, perhaps, impossible to judge, with any degree of accuracy, of the distance which these bodies were from me; the smaller meteors appeared to be near, but the larger and more brilliant ones far off. On the following day the weather was very foggy; towards the afternoon the wind arose from the southward, the fog gradually ascended, and during the night a great deal of rain fell. The next day was fine and warm, but cloudy; during the night it rained heavily, as it did also on the 15th, with a northerly wind. : I forbear attempting any explanation of the causes of these singular phenomena. I may, however, remark that there must be a great difference in the electrical or other condition of the air and vapour, to account for the dense fog lying at one time in a confused mass upon the surface of the earth, leaving the higher regions comparatively free, and at another to assume the arched, distinct and compact form of a cloud, in the upper regions of the atmos- phere. The light emanating from these meteors was observed, through the fog, on the same night in Sussex, Gloucestershire, the Isle of Wight, and in Yorkshire ; and an appearance very similar to what I witnessed was seen in the neighbourhood of Geneva, the details of which were giveh, upon report, by Professor Gaultier. February.—vou, 1. NO. VIL. G 42 REVIEWS OF PRINTS AND ILLUSTRATED WORKS. “ The Comic Almanack for 18353; with twelve Illustrations of the Months, by George Cruikshank.” London, C. Tilt, Fleet Street. That the Press caters as assiduously for the mental appetite of the million, at the good old season of mirth and festivity, as the confectioner does for their gastronomic indulgence, is obvious from the profusion of elegant, fanciful, and humorous publi- cations brought forward as tributary to the period. We have literary cadeauz of all. descriptions, from the aristocratic annual gleaming in gold and amethyst, hot- pressed, embossed, and splendidly illustrated, to the humble pocket-book in scarlet morocco, embellished with a neat little head of “H.R. H. the Princess Victoria,” twelve vignette views of gentlemen’s country seats, anda scene from a popular novel ; and among other attractions containing some half-dozen conundrums, and. the “mew” music of an obsolete quadrille. Fancy is exerted to the utmost. in the production of these fascinating gifts, and the fairy volume issues to the public a perfect specimen of combined talent. There is the sentimental Annual for the pensive and love-stricken, the Romeos and Juliets who are as yet wandering in a world of their own creation; there is the cumic ditto for the rattle-brained, and: the good, fat, elderly lovers of dinners and broad grins, who have danced out of the. flowery illusions of boyhood, and become too stout and mellow-looking for sighs and . serenades: then there is the sacred annual for the devout, and the commercial one for the man of business, whose very pleasures must bear an allusion to “ trade.” And as there is matter for all minds, so there is “ price” for all pockets; to wit the five-guinea “ large paper” copy with “ India proofs before letters;” and the quiet little offering at “ one shilling and sixpence, bound in cloth.” di Our remarks have been elicited by the appearance of the “‘ Comic Almanack for 1835,” a risible production from the inimitable needle of George Cruikshank. The idea of this pleasant bagatelle is clever and original: the duty on almanacks was removed by the wisdom of the national legislature ; the incubus fell off ; monopoly died in convulsions; the privilege of the Stationer’s Company became a dream and a dead letter, and lo! the metropolis was inundated with a whole herring-shoal of almanacks, rushing forward under every shape, size, tint and authority, and put forth at prices so astoundingly low that the sober, old, square-toed, brown-coated citizen who annually paid down 2s. 6d. for his “ Vow Stellarum” stood still, took off his spectacles, wiped them, re-saddled his nose, and stared mute with amazement. From “ one penny” to “ six-pence” there is the “ Hat dimanack,” the “ Paragon Alnianack,” the “ National Almanack,” the “ Sunday Almanack,” and the “ Red and Black Almanack,” and, for aught we know, as many more as there are sands in the sea, or whims in the heart. ves The Comic Almanack, whose pages lie temptingly before us, is “ adorned with a dozen ‘right merrie’ cuts, etched and sketched by George Cruikshank, and divers humourous cuts by other hands:” the envelope is grotesquely enlivened with witty conceits typical of the signs of the Zodiac; these are, veritably, choice little bits of “fun,” and might be effectively placed on the back of that rare old print of the months with a fac-simile of which Strutt has favoured the curious in his “ Dictiona- ry of Engravers.” The jolly young “ Waterman ;” the descendant of Cadwallader with his leek and his goat; the artilleryman ram-ming down cartridge ; the gouty John Bull; the Siamese twins ; the fair fisherwoman with her balance ; the pen- sioners swilling like fishes ; the unlucky wight caught by the crab; Leo the triple- crowned pontiff; the evergreen virgin with her tabby, her poodle and parrot; the scorpion, like shrew flying tooth and nail at her easy poor sot of a husband; and the elegant archer, full “ fat, fair, and forty,” taking aim at the bull’s eye, are, each and every, sparkling and spirited incentives to laughter. The illustrations of the ** seasons” are equal in humour; spring appears in the seducing guise of a market- woman bawling “ radishes ! who'll buy my young radishes ;” summer, a feminine mountain of flesh, with gypsey-hat, fan, and French cambric, seated sighing away the sultry hours beneath a ‘‘ green tree;” autwmn is'a cockney sportsman—a genuine Sammy Simple—in regular costume, tremblingly taking aim at an invisible . REVIEWS OF PRINTS AND ILLUSTRATED WORKS. 43 spatrow ; and winter—hoar winter—freezes us in the shape of 4 withered Billings- gate crone warming her hands over a pan of charcoal which the bellows by her side has assisted to kindle. Are not these capital, good Reader? Well, pass on, take a peep at the interior. Here is January, with the pageant of “the poor frozen-out gardeners,” and their frost-bitten turnips and carrots: there is a “ fine body” of street-sweepers on winter duty, collecting the ice ; and there is a knot of helpless little imps performing sundry involuntary evolutions on the slides. Now comes February, aqueous February fill-dyke, the sewers are let loose and the chains of the kennel are dissolved; half-melted ice, black and forbidding, and rivers of water terrify the pedestrian ; there is an old granny, mounted on pattens, with petticoats duly tucked up, perched on a little islet of ice, and staring most piteously at the flood between her and the wished-for chaussée where a malicious charity-boy revels in her despair, and a couple of buxom housemaids, with a disconsolate damsel, busy on the missions of Valentine, are on the gui vive. There is an agonized poodle floundering in the “slush” and howling to its master in the extremity of its ‘alarm; and there is the master, a meagre Frenchman, roquelaured, clogged and umbrella-ed, striding aghast over the deceitful ground: there are the ministers of ‘cleanliness ycleped scavengers, flinging up the molten treasures of the Macadamized streets ; and further on the industrious clearers of the roofs have contrived to deposit ‘an avalanche on an unhappy couple below, the cavalier lies prostrate on one knee beneath his umbrella, and the fair one flies with extended arms from the desolation impending over her “last new bonnet.” Bravo! here is March ! rude, rioting, racketty March, whose “ bushel of dust is worth a king’s ransom!” the locale of the scene is that corner of Fleet Street where we are so often tempted to pause and feast ourselves on the graphic delicacies at “86; ’’ but what an animated picture of distress, and doubt, and dustiness! as gentlemen we must first glance at the ladies : one, a fair, slender-footed nymph, struggles with her rebellious drapery, while, taking advantage of her embarrassment, Boa and Brussels hie forth on a voyage of discovery ; vis-a-vis to the maiden, and threatening an immediate collision, a middle- aged lady in equal perplexity, grasps with one hand the structure of velvet and lace cognomened a bonnet, and a little girl, blown into the shape ofa balloon, shares in the rude greeting of March. And now for the gentlemen; a lusty elderly man, robbed of his hat and wig, in his efforts to protect himself from the blinding whirl- wind of dust that is rushing up the court, has thrust an open umbrella right into the chest of an unlucky spindle-shanked wight, who is blown, violently, round the corner ; another, with dress in dire disorder, is flying in chase of his beaver, and a third, a hearty old fellow, in cloak and spectacles, laughing at his neighbour’s pursuit, has wisely presented his back to the hurricane. Nor is the least comic in- cident that of the spaniel nearly blown topsy-turvy, with its tail turned over its ears by the blast. A mixed assemblage of coaches, horses and foot passengers, labouring in the breeze, fills up the back-ground. And here we have capricious April, not clothed in sunshine but, literally, dissolved in tears! A pelting shower is descend- ing in the appropriate vicinity of “ St. Swithin’s Lane :”’ a group of individuals as varied in form and feature as Falstaff’s regiment, have taken shelter from the mer- ciless torrent in the covered-in entrance of Bath Court; there isa skeleton dandy of six feet high, prim and erect as a pike-staff; and there is the Daniel Lambert, who requires a whole stage to himself when he travels: on the pavement two of the fair sex are wading through the storm; the foremost short, fat and “ elderly,” with the legs of an elephant thrust into a pair of jean boots, cowers beneath a diminutive parasol, and, reckless of splashes, the whole breadth of her sole is planted heroically upon the ground; her companion, “ tall and slender as a poplar tree,” with dripping boa round her neck, and her dark hair dishevelled, for rain be it known is ruinous to ringlets, holds up her muslin robe fastidiously and with an aspect of piteous dismay, treads along most daintily on the tip of her foot, pointing her toe as grace- fully as any votary of Almack’s. A porter escaped from the infliction of a shower- bath, and wringing himself like a half-drowned dog, two or three gibing urchins, and the umbrella “ depot” of “ J. Gingham,” &c. complete the sketch. * April showers bring forth Afay flowers,” and here they are decking out old. “ Jack-in-the-green” most gloriously, and 44 REVIEWS OF PRINTS AND ILLUSTRATED WORKS. blooming and blushing in the chevelure and chapean of the king and queen of the month. By the merry faces of the sable rogues, and the joyous grimaces of their Grimaldi, one might fancy that the “chimney sweepers’ act” yet slumbered, an embryo, in the brain of the sapient Solomon who framed it, but the text apprizes us’ that it has been matured and that the revelling of their sable majesties is but the intoxication of despair. A band of shrieking children, boys, men and nursery maids, brings up the procession. And what treat hath Jane—sweet month of roses, nightingales, and twilight skies—what treat hath June in store for us? “* Prodi- gious!” the Royal dcademy ! the walls are covered with the triumphs of native art, and we flatter ourselves with detecting the works of our favourites; there is, surely, a whole length by Sir Martin, and a portrait by Phillips, one by Pickersgill, and another by Rothwell; a mythological by Etty, and a scriptural by Hilton; two landscapes in India by Daniell; a subject from Comus by Howard, a sea-shore by Collins, and a passage from Shakespeare, with the head of a fair girk by Alabaster, that promising pupil of genius: and there are many more which we might identify had we but time. But look at the motley crowd! the woman of ton and her exquisite escort; the corpulent clergyman whose right foot has, inadvertently, pulverised the corn of the hapless old lady behind him ; the artist, horror-struck on discovering his “ wonderful production most wickedly and maliciously” hung on the highest nail in the room ; the enormous alderman wiping his face with his handker- chief; the connoisseur bent double to feast on some rare little bit near the ground— in short, Reader, prithee put on thy spectacles if thou wearest such, and make thy bow to the whole ;—let us turn to July. Oh! this is Vauxhall with its coloured lamps, its green trees, its vocalists and musicians, wafer sandwiches, scaramouch waiters, and harlequin groups; and there is “ Simpson the brave,” attitudinising in full dress, and as happy as a Parisian coxcomb of /’ancien régime. Good! very good! go on. August hurries us not amidst the reapers and gleaners and the wide waving harvest of wheat, where the lark has buried her nest in the furrows, and the quail and the partridge and corn-crake have brooded and brought up their young— no—it is “ oyster-day,” and a vision of Billingsgate rises before us ; we are jostled amidst cab-men, coal-heavers, porters, bricklayers, and divers of the ruder specimens of the softer sex, all eagerly selling, buying, opening and eating the unfortunate bivalve. And lo! there is a dandy, with his belle, in a state of actual oyster-shell siege, blockaded by some dozen ragged, active and clamorous little monkeys, from the age of seven downwards: good lack! And now for September! where are we? what have we here? “ Gyngell,” “ Richardson,” booths, dwarfs, giants, posture- masters, and rope-dancers ; clown, punch, and pantaloon ; the hero and heroine of the sock and buskin ; a flying rabble of tailors, washerwomen, and new-breeched little boys, and a mad bull rushing, unceremoniously, onward: the gentle revel of St. Bartholomew has commenced, and we are in the classic region of Smithfield. October presents us with the arrival of the stages from Hastings, and the surly descent of the worn-out cits who have been “ pleasuring”’ at the sea-side,—gulping salt water, and wetting their shoes on the shingles, and are now wending homewards with guinea-less purses, band-boxes of millinery, and mutual discontent. Well! all things must have an end, even a trip to the coast, and the cash in our pocket. No- vember—chill and dark—ushers in the funeral procession of the “ Papist plotter, Guy,” and the incident of the urchin, pulled back by his wiser companion, yet sanguinely holding up his cap to the suicidal-looking personage in the barred window of the sponging-house, is excellent: look at the queer little rogue too, with an ocean of shirt collar, and handsomely dressed in the nether habiliments of some broad- shouldered Irishman! what can be better? Oh! ¢his, most certainly, the feast of December; the social, happy, cheery dinner-party in their pleasant, warm, well- lighted room, with the sparkling and savoury condiments before them,—the turkey, chine, hare, wine, jellies and mince-pies; the pudding and roast beef, and all good things in possession and expectancy ; jests and gibes and broad grins; quips and cranks, smiles, simpers, blushes, and soft flatteries—all that is joyous, tender and amiable, animates the scene,—even the servants are mollified, and John oglingly whispers a sly compliment to Betty as she hands him the tart. This is a capital termination, and so we leave it. Of the etchings we must say, that while the designs exhibit much of the graphic humour of the master, the execution is less vigorous than might be desired; a too THE MINIATURE. 45 delicate corrosion of the metal has impaired the effect, and we are, immediately, struck by a want of fulness of colour in the plates. We are, decidedly, of opinion that sharp, beautiful and spirited engravings on wood would have more favourably brought out the designs. The minor morceausx “ by other hands,” are not without merit; and the literary portion is ludicrous, particularly the burlesque on the * Brutish College of Health.” “ Illustrations of the Bible.” London, Edward Churton, Holles Street. Parts VII., VIII, IX. Increasing in merit and attraction, this beautiful little series continues to present new claims to our admiration; the present numbers are among the best we have seen, and we shall give some detailed remarks on the prints in our next. “* View of Aracan Fort, from Pioneer Hill,” Havell, Zoological Gallery, _ Oxford Street. A well-executed coloured engraving of the Fort of Aracan, which was captured, after a severe struggle, during the Burmese War, by the British and Native forces, under the command of Brigadier General Morrison, and subse- quently dismantled. The bamboo barracks on the parade were occupied by the troops. On the extreme left is the house of the governor ; in the rear of the position is the village, which extends to the river, flanked on both sides by mosques. - This fort was built originally by the Portuguese, from whom it was wrested by the Burmese, who retained possession of it near five centuries. The position occupies a large extent of ground; one face entirely commands the river, and was deemed by the Burmese of great importance, being considered the key to the seat of government, at Ava, with a good anchorage for a fleet, and within a few days sail of Bengal. From the time of the capture until the withdrawal of the troops, a space of eight months, upwards of 4000 men fell a sacrifice to the climate, which, in consequence of its destructive tendency to human life, has given to this district the appropriate designation of ‘‘ The Valley of Death.” THE MINIATURE. BY J. ALFRED LAW. It is the hour I love to gaze Upon this beauteous work of art; Whilst long departed, sacred days, In silence steal over my heart. The brightest hope man ever had— The deepest truth of woman’s breast ; The joy which makes the eye look glad— The happiness by love caress’d. » : Such wert thou unto me—and now, The wild grass waves above thy head ; Those beaming eyes, that polished brow, Deep in their parent earth are laid. No stone is raised to mark the spot, Nor record left to tell the same ; The few who knew thee once, “are not,” Save one, who never breathes thy name. In this dim hour, when daylight dies, Come thoughts of thee which cannot die ; And tears, as now, are felt to rise, In tribute to thy memory. 46 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. Memoirs of we cea and Plesiosauri, extinct Monsters of the Ancient Earth, by Thomas Hawkins, F.G.S., &c. &c. London: Relfe and Fletcher, 1834. Had not Mr. Hawkins confessed himself conscious of his own defects, and appeared before us as his own humble apologist, we should have been more inclined to quarrel with the manner in which he has thought fit to conceal a few important scientific facts amidst a mass of silly speculations and unmeaning verbosity. But let our author speak for himself. He says in his So The Geological Society of London was the remote cause of the Book I now commend to my reader’s indul- gence, and since I am by no means sanguine of his praise, I must acquaint him with the disadvantages under which it was written, that if it should unfortunately incur his censure, he may know how to qualify it at the least, if not to forego its expression altogether.” ibe After telling us that his education was neglected, and that he was left to the unrestrained indulgence of a collecting mania from the age of twelve, he proceeds—‘‘ therefore, the volume now before the reader has but modest claims,—indeed, the title anticipates it—memoir signifying a familiar exposition of one’s own ideas in a latitudinarian degree,—and is sufficiently descriptive of the thing proposed—the assemblage of facts relative to Ichthyosauri and Plesiosauri, merely. To this end | had but to study their remains as an anatomist, and, if I may boast, that branch of science has not been neglected by me, and to watch vigilantly the progress of my plates, which are, after all that is said, the best inter- preters of the original matter, if carefully examined. But the deter- mination of the most remarkable individual difference, by which the species should be known, devolved upon me—a serious responsibility as the genera had their historians; but having ascertained their consent to my views upon the subject, for Messrs. Conybeare and De la Beche published their’s during the infancy of our acquaintance with these extraordinary creatures, [ at once referred it to the extremities. “* Naturalists wonder, if they bear not in mind the peculiar difficulties that encounter the sauriologist when he grapples subjects of this kind. The object—excessively rare—comes before him divested of the pro- perties of living animals; he sees but the osseous relics of beings that, without analogue in the present creation, set all common methods of reason at defiance, and leave him no choice but the exercise of opinion or its abnegation. Now, mark the consequences of the latter postulate ; the question sent a begging returns with a Babel of answers, and is consigned, with the good and bad company it has picked up, to oblivion, while the mover of it, tacking the name of one of his friends to the generic appellation, lays the flattering unction to his own and another’s soul at the same moment that he betrays science. Thus, the records of extinguished times and things are interpolated with the most fleeting accidents of our own,—in the same spirit is ignorant Monkery painted on its missal the Jewish virgin in the habit of a nun, and the disciples shaven and hooded like itself. So critical a dilemma must plead for my temerity, and I trust my reader will believe that I should be the very first to forego for better distinctions the poor credit of my own, which I will, nevertheless, vindicate until such be substantiated. CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 47 “Further, I beg the reader to bear in mind that I am no adept author; confined, like the Abyssinian prince, to a world of my own making, for | have enjoyed neither the privilege of a Mentor nor leisure necessary to the acquirement of much worldly wisdom, being engaged from my earliest years in the gratification of an inordinate acquisitive organ which understood no motive but curiosity—I speak only the language of the heart. It will offend a fastidious taste; it may even militate against some of the conventional forms which the literary world has agreed to respect, but it bears the impress of truth, and be that the honourable badge of my first solicitude—my sacred care, I make no apologies by way of mask, no more professions than I fulfil;—that my explanations extenuate such mediocre as may chance in my pages, I am excusably solicitous; that I acquire the good opinion of my readers, anxious ; these are the simple aspirations of my ambition, and the latter the only honour that I covet for reward.” Taking the anterior extremity of the Ichthyosaurus and the posterior extremity of the Plesiosaurus as the bases on which to found a new arrangement of species, he explains himself thus. Speaking of the Ichthyosauri. ‘‘ Rejecting the old specific terms, as of too indefinite pretension, and comparing the numerous specimens in our collection with one another, we ascertain that the most unique feature of the Ichthyosaurus—the paddle—furnishes the best ground for the true identification of the species which we enumerate :— 1, Ichthyosaurus Chiroligostinus, from yep, hand; oasyos, few; and ogreoy, bone. Chiropolyostinus, from yep, hand; woavg, many; and ogreos, bone. 3. I Chirostrongulostinus, from yep, hand; srgoyyvaos, round; and ooreoy, bone. 4. I Chiroparamekostinus, from yep, hand; waeaunxns, oblong ; and ogreoy, bone.” Speaking of the Plesiosauri, he says—‘‘ It is not in the relative characters of a few dislocated bones of an extinct family that we look for the differences that identify species, but in some great deviation from the general rule as betrayed in the teeth of quadrupeds and in the limbs of oviparous reptiles: here, in the posterior extremity—in the tarsus— it is discovered. We establish from species, therefore—the same number that belongs to the fish-lizard genus—the 1. Plesiosaurus Triatarsostinus, from reia, three; ragaos, tarsus; and ogreoy, bone. 2°) Tessarestarsostinus, from recoages, four; ragoos, tarsus; and ooreoy, bone. 3) P. Pentetarsostinus, from wevre, five; raesos, tarsus; and ooreoy, bone. 4, P. Extarsostinus, from ¢&, six; raecos, tarsus ; and ogreoy, bone.” We beg to offer our meed of approbation to the getting up of the plates, and our sincere admiration of Mr. Hawkins’s indefatigable industry and enthusiasm; but we hope when he again lays before us their results, he will remember that accuracy of facts and simplicity of diction are the ro apeoy and roxxAcy of books of science. We finish with a choice specimen of our author’s manner. ‘‘ There is an oasis in the North of our Isle which has a temple—like the Ephesian—beautiful, high-priests venerable, and sons rich in the wisdom that cures the maladies of the soul. The northern town Scarbro’—the second Bath—has founded this building—modelled after the temple of Theseus, at Athens—and directed the public energies to the cause of 48 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. natural philosophy, of which it is the worthy store-house. If my reader has taken the palmer habit that he may travel to the heavenly countries of Phanes, Zeus, and Eros, let him visit that classic place and pay his vows at its Theseuian altars—one of them is a fragment of the fifth Plesiosaurus and the Goliah of the race. I went seven hundred miles to see it—worshipped it—and purpose it yet another pilgrimage,” Travels into Bokhara; being the account of a Journey from India to Caboul, Tartary, and Persia; also Narrative of a Voyage on the Indus from the Sea to Lahore, &c. in the years 1831, 1832, and 1833. By Lieut. A. Burnes, F.R.S. 3 vols. 8vo. with plates. London, 1834. , Whatever may be the disadvantages of the system, which has ruled our Eastern colonies from their first establishment down to the present day, it may reasonably be doubted whether the changes, which have been made of late years, could have been brought about in the year 1783, when they were first suggested, without endangering that moral influence, which has alone enabled the British nation to extend her empire over a tract of country, almost without bounds, and over tribes inimical not only to her, but to every other people. The extraordinary and exclusive nature of the superstitions, customs, habits, and language of the East, required a peculiar mode of Government: one, wholly different from any thing with which its conquerors were previously acquainted. Perhaps, indeed, those very evils (and evils they undoubtedly were in principle) which Mr. Fox’s opponents were accused of promoting, for party purposes only, were, what mainly contributed to fix the British dominion in Hindostan upon its present firm basis. The East India Company have been stigmatized as despots, and of the worst kind; as tyrannizing over the mind as well as the body. Granted.—But what would have been the consequence of at once bestowing a liberal constitution, and a free press upon those, to whom the very name of liberty was unknown. They have been upbraided with condemning the half caste population to a state of inferiority, which it did not deserve. How far this accusation is true, it is not for us to decide. But in a country where the. separation of caste is (if we may use the expression) indigenous, and where the intermarriage with one of an inferior grade is viewed with feelings almost amounting to horror, the conquerors could have devised no more effectual means of establishing their authority than by discountenancing, to the utmost of their power, all connection, immediate or mediate, with the conquered. This caused them to be regarded as of a superior caste ; and, by thus complying with the prejudices of the vanquished, they acquired a moral influence over them, which, years of bloodshed, and the slaughter of thousands, could never have procured. Much too has been said of the lavish prodigality of the Indian Government; and the charge is not denied. The rigid economy which is so necessary to the well-being and happiness of a free nation, would be viewed with astonishment—nay—even with contempt, by those with whom the magnificence of their native princes is the ordinary criterion, and frequently the sole stay of their power. Time, and the progress of civilization, have already brought about many changes; and the day is robably not far distant, when the very measures of reform which have en hitherto stigmatized as chimerical and dangerous, may become absolutely necessary for the preservation of our Eastern territory. But to return to our subject. ‘The head and front of the offence seems to be, CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 49 that the Directors of the East India Company were an irresponsible body, independent of, and almost wholly unconnected with, the Government of the mother country. Here again the peculiar circumstances of the case, not only neutralized the greater portion of the evils which might be naturally expected in such a system, but in many instances converted them into positive advantages. To say nothing of the extraordinary secrecy and dispatch which they thus ensured in all their undertakings ; the very circumstance of their having no family nor political connexions to court, no parliamentary majorities to seek, enabled them to select as agents of their power, men recommended solely by their talents and efficiency. It is under such a system as this that have flourished a Malcolm, an Elphinstone, and many others whose names are recorded in the annals of Eastern history with gratitude and admiration. And, to. go no further than the work before us, we have in their author a remarkable instance of the position we have just advanced. — Lieut. Alexander Burnes, a soldier of fortune, recommended solely by the talents he had displayed in some inferior diplomatic situations, was nominated by the Governor-General for two of the most important missions which have ever been entrusted to an individual. And well and faithfully has he executed the task imposed upon him. The present volumes are of themselves sufficient evidence that the author possesses considerable intelligence, observation, and perseverance ; but they no less prove that his education and habits fit him rather for leading an expedition than compiling a narrative. They certainly contain an immense mass of information relating to countries hitherto almost unknown; but there is an unconnectedness and want of arrangement throughout, which take away greatly from the interest they would otherwise inspire, and render an analysis of them almost impracticable. At the same time, wherever this want of con- nection occurs, and (we regret to say) it is only too frequent, we are disposed to think that it arises from the omission of some passage con- taining political or other observations which it might have been inex- pedient to publish; and we, therefore, view it more mildly than we otherwise should have done. Nor is this all.—In defiance, as it were, of all system whatever, our author has chosen to invert the chronological order of his proceedings, and has given to his more recent journey into Bokhara priority over his voyage up the Indus. The reason which he assigns is, that the former possesses greater interest; we doubt, how- ever, whether his readers will be of the same opinion. With all these defects, however (and they are defects solely of style), Lieutenant Burnes’s work will be found invaluable as a book of reference upon every thing connected with the countries he has visited. He has seen much, and observed more, and his narratives bear a stamp of truth rarely to be met with in any work connected with regions so fraught with mystery and fable as those through which he has travelled. In the short notice which follows, we shall treat of the two expeditions in the order in which they were undertaken, in preference to that in which our traveller has chosen to describe them, and we recommend his readers to follow the same plan. In the year 1830, Mr. Burnes, then political agent in Cutch, was sent on a mission to Lahore, with a present of five large spotted horses from the King of England to Maharaja Runjeet Sing, the Sovereign of the Seik nation. He was accompanied by Ensign Leckie, a surveyor, a native doctor, and their servants. They set off from Cutch in five native boats, and after meeting with considerable difficulties in their attempts to proceed up the western branch of the Indus, they found themselves February.—vou, Il. NO. VII. H 50 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. forced to abandon their original intention, and, accordingly, on the 12th of April (two months from the day of their departure from Cutch) they embarked in six doondees, or flat-bottomed vessels of Sinde, on the Wanyanee, another branch of the same river. Here our travellers witnessed the fishing of the pulla, a species of carp. ** The mode of re, Bee fish,”” says our author, ‘‘ is ingenious, and peculiar, I believe, tothe Indus. Each fisherman is provided with a large earthen jar, open at the top, and somewhat flat. On this he places himself, and lying on it horizon- tally, launches into the stream, swimming or pushing forward like a frog, and guiding himself with his hands. When he has reached the middle of the river, where the current is strongest, he darts his net directly under him, and sails down with the stream. The net consists of a pouch attached to a pole, which he shots on meeting his game; he then draws it up, spears it, and putting it into the vessel on which he floats, prosecutes his occupation. There are.some vessels of small dimensions, without any orifice, and on these the fishermen sail down, in a sitting posture. ) We confess we do not quite understand Mr. Burnes’s description ; perhaps some of our readers may be more successful. At Mittum, our travellers left the Indus, and entered the Chenaub (the Acesines of the Greeks), and, shortly after, arrived in the territory of Bhawul Khan—the capital of which is Ooch, a poor place, with a ihe of about 20,000. Ata short distance from Ooch they were met y an envoy from the chief of the Seiks, who announced that a considerable body of infantry and cavalry would be in constant readiness to attend the mission to the end of their journey. They were welcomed with » presents, both in provisions and money, at every halting place upon the road, and at Mooltan all these were doubled. At length, on the 17th of July, they came in sight of the lofty Minarets of the King’s Mosque at Lahore. They were here met by the British resident at Lodiana, and Dr. Murray, with a large escort of troops, and they were shortly after joined by Mr. Allard, a Frenchman, who commanded the Royal cavalry, and the whole party entered the ‘‘ palace gate” of Lahore through two lines of troops drawn up to honor their arrival. Nothing could exceed the kindness of their reception by the Maharaja. ‘‘ A peal of artillery from 60 guns announced to the citizens of Lahore the joy of their King.” He seemed greatly delighted with the horses which had been sent; he called them little elephants* (an unfortunate expression, by the bye, when we recollect who was the President of the Board of Control at the time.) His reply to the letter of the King is a fine specimen of Oriental hyperbole :— . ‘¢ By the favour of Sri Akal Poorukh Jee, there are in my stables valuable and high-bred horses from the different districts of Hindoostan, from Turkistan, and Persia ; but none of them will bear comparison with those presented to me by the King through your Excellency—for these animals, in beauty, stature, and dis- position, surpass the horses of every city and every country in the world. On holding their shoes, the new moon turned pale with envy and nearly disappeared from the sky. Such horses the eye of the sun has never before beheld in his course through the universe. Unable to bestow upon them in writing the praises that they merit, I am compelled to throw the reins on the neck of the steed of descrip- tion and relinquish the pursuit.” Mr. Burnes and _ his party remained at Lahore until the 16th of August; and after taking leave of the chieftain, by whom they had been so hospitably entertained, proceeded towards Semla, where Lord William Bentinck was then staying, to give an account of the success of their mission. ' * Lord Ellenborough, whose extraordinary application of the terms ‘ wild and tame elephant”’ created so great a sensation a few years back. CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 51 The Governor-General expressed “his entire and unqualified appro- bation” of Mr. Burnes’s conduct, and declared his intention of entering into immediate negociations for opening the waters of the Indus to British commerce. This river, it would seem, is navigable to a distance of nearly 1000 miles from the sea, and has seldom less than 15 feet of water, even in the dryest seasons. The chief danger seems to be at its mouth; when the tides ebb and flow with considerable violence at the time of the full moon. Our traveller, ‘therefore, recommends that the steam boats intended to sail upon its bosom should be built without keels, to diminish the risk of grounding. Mooltan (the capital of the Molli of Alexander, at least so says our author) might thus be reached in 20 days, instead of 40, which is the time now required; and a new field thereby opened for the increase of British industry, in climes where the very name of Englishman is even now almost unknown. The actual territories of the Maharaja comprise the whole of the Punjab : and so entirely, says Mr. Burnes, has he altered the constitution of the Seik nation, that he has succeeded in converting into an absolute monarchy that which was originally a pure republic.—But his power can hardly be expected to last beyond his own reign. ‘¢ He has a disciplined army of infantry, with a due proportion of cavalry and artillery. The system is unpopular, and the Scik Sirdars view with distrust the innovation and the innovators. The French officers, when deprived of their patron, would find it necessary to stand aloof, from motives of personal safety; and if they left the country the wreck of their labours would perish in the general tumult.’’ Vol. iii. p. 296. We must here bid adieu to Lieut. Burnes for the present; in a follow- ing number we will conclude our notice by a short sketch of the first and second volumes, containing the narrative of his journey into Bokhara. The History of Evesham, its Benedictine Monastery, Conventual Church, existing .Edifices, Municipal Institutions, Parliamentary Occur- rences, Civil and Military Events. By George May. May, Evesham; and Whittaker and Co. London, 1834. This work has been on our reviewing list for some weeks, but literary matter, long in our possession, which would admit of no further pro- crastination, has so fully occupied our pages, that we have been hitherto unable to direct the necessary attention either to this publication or to others of no less local interest. Literary eminence is not attained by a coup-de-main—it is the result only of assiduous and untiring application, of severe study, of a correct taste, of apt discrimination, of a sound judgment, of an inventive imagination, and of a mind totally abstracted from the petty scenes and annoyances of life. In the race of literary fame, numerous as are the competitors, how few reach the desired goal! If all aspirants for lettered distinction, however, do not attain the point of eminence for which they strive—there are many who are satisfied with such knowledge as may render them useful—and to be useful is no slight distinction either in letters or in the arts. Of this description of writers is the author of “The History of Evesham.” He has evidently, at considerable pains and with much unwearied assiduity, sought and obtained for his subject all the information practicable, from the most authentic sources, and has very skilfully woven his materials into an interesting local history. — It will scarcely be credited, but such is the fact, that no history, not even a guide of the meanest description, of this interesting portion of 52 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS, the county of Worcester, has been published within the last fourteen years. For want of such publications, how much local intelligence of in- terest to the antiquary and inquisitive examiner is hidden from observation. It is true that in most counties there are historical records on a large scale, but from their bulkiness and price they are usually out of the reach of the common reader. This “ History” well and fully supplies the object required; it is sufficiently minute, without being prolix, embraces all necessary information, and in every point of view must be considered a valuable addition to the chronicles of that part of the county. To make extracts from this work will scarcely be necessary. Those persons to whom the publication will be valuable, will not require a detached portion for their perusal, and to the uninterested reader it would be useless. It has been the writer’s aim, he observes, to weave in one continuous chain an authenticated history of events pertaining to his subject—and in this laudable attempt we must allow that he has fully succeeded. Amongst the author’s introductory observations, there is the following sentence, which we extract for its novelty :— ‘In continuation of his acknowledgments for the assistance he has received, the author takes occasion to observe, that, toward such chartered antiquaries, resident within the county, as he has had occasion to apply, he has vo load of obligation to bear: with the exception of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., F. S. A., whose readiness in affording facility of reference to certain valuable works in his extensive library at Middle-Hill, the author would duly acknowledge.” This charge, we trust, has been made hastily, or under some un- favourable impression which the writer had unthinkingly imbibed. There are few gentlemen in this or any other enlightened county, we are willing to believe, who would wilfully throw obstacles in the way of an attempt to perpetuate a faithful record of the civil institu- tions and remarkable events of the county, in which, as residents, they must naturally feel a deep and solicitous interest. For our- selves, we are bound in honour to declare that in no single instance where inquiry was necessary to elucidate or adorn any subject, on making application to the proper quarter, did we ever meet with other than the most prompt, polite, and gentlemanly acquiescence—and not only acquiescence, but in many cases the most courteous and valuable personal assistance. If Mr. May, however, actually did meet with those obstructions in his researches, at which he hints, and we are of course bound to rely on his statement, he may rest assured that there was either some informality in his mode of proceeding, or some mistake in the sup- posed purport of his inquiry. i It must be confessed that this is not an elaborate work—its great claim to notice is its incontestible usefulness. Even in such a production, however, we would recommend to the diligent and able compiler, a careful revision of its pages, for we have detected errors in the con- struction of some of the sentences, which slightly mar their consecutive fitness. We are aware that it is only necessary to point out this defect to see it duly rectified in a second edition. There are two well executed plates of the Evesham Parochial Churches and Abbey Tower, and of the Bell Tower of Evesham Abbey, from sketches made by the author, and engraved by J. C. Varrall.—The list of subscribers, which is appended to the work, we are gratified to observe, is numerous and respectable. 53 CRITICAL NOTICE—FOREIGN. Collection Iconographique et Historique des Chenilles, ou Description et Figures des Chenilles d’Europe. Avec PHistoire de leurs Métamor- phoses, et des Applications a T’Agriculture. Par MM. Boisduval, Rambur, et Graslin. 8vo. Paris, 1832. With the exception of the antiquated and curious work of Madame Merian,* we recollect the existence of no publication exhibiting even the pretensions to the character of a complete Monograph on the Cater- pillars. Many of the British and continental writers upon insects have, we are well aware, cursorily adverted to, or partially and imperfectly illustrated, the subject. Not one of them, however, has yet been inspired by the noble ambition of grasping with a master-hand, this most instructive and important but neglected branch of entomological science, and treating it in the minute, luminous, and comprehensive manner of which it is alike susceptible and pre-eminently deserving. Among the foreign publications upon the European Lepidoptera, those of Réaumur, Degeer, Ernst, Esper, and Roesel exhibit, here and there, figures of the caterpillars; but they are, for the most part, unfavourable specimens of the iconographic art, even at the period of their execution, —generally coarse, and sometimes contemptible. By another artist, the lamented Hubner, a numerous collection of the caterpillars of Europe has, indeed, been published. The text, however, is wanting; and, while many of the figures are excellent, others, from their inaccuracy, are completely worthless. This sad failure may probably be traced to the fact of Hubner having sometimes drawn his figures from inflated specimens, or servilely copied them from the faulty productions of pre- ceding authors. Donovan and Curtis, in their respective works on British Entomology, have frequently appended to the figures of the Lepidoptera, correct and even splendid drawings of the Caterpillar. In proof of this assertion, we confidently refer the reader to that engraving of the third volume of the Natural History of British Insects, in which the various states of the beautiful Papilio Anttopa, are depicted ; and to the first, in the fourth of British Entomology, exhibiting representations of the Acherontia Atropos and its magnificent caterpillar. But the volumes of Donovan unfortu- tunately contain not a tenth part of even the British Lepidoptera; and the exquisite work of Mr. Curtis is a book of genera only, not of species. Again, the minute and generally correct descriptions of the Caterpillars, which exist in the productions of Hawortht, Stephens, and Rennie, are not illustrated by engravings. | Impressed with a conviction of the necessity and importance of a work which may enable the student of entomology to recognize the numerous species of caterpillar everywhere met with, and instruct the agriculturist * Erucarum Ortus, Alimentum et Paradoxa Metamorphosis, &c. Per Mariam Sibillam Merian. Amsteledami, 4to. No date. + Lepidoptera Britannica, 8vo. Londini, 1803—1828; Illustrations of British Entomology, 8vo. London, 1828 ;—Conspectus of the Butterflies and Moths found wn Britain, 12mo. London, 1832. Mr. Stephens has availed himself, with admirable effect, of his profound knowledge of the Caterpillars, in the construction and arrangement of the genera, and discrimination of obscurely marked species of Lepidopterous insects. The term Caterpillar, we may observe, is exclusively re- stricted to the larva of the Lepidoptera. 54 CRITICAL NOTICE—FOREIGN. in the preservation of his property from the ravages of the more de- structive and rapacious kinds, the authors of the present interesting Collection of European Caterpillars, have long been accumulating mate- rials for their arduous enterprize. Not only have they procured from different parts of Europe, original drawings, of extreme accuracy; but they have employed an accomplished artist to make sketches of the caterpillars received or collected, by themselves, in a living state. Such an undertaking is obviously encompassed by many difficulties, which are not encountered in the execution of a work on the perfect Lepidoptera : for a collection of the caterpillars is generally little more than an assem- blage of mis-shapen bodies and desiccated skins, retaining little or no vestige of their original form and character. ~ Divers methods have been employed to remedy this evil; yet none of them has, at present, been productive of any satisfactory result. Some Naturalists, after having squeezed out the intestines and sub-cutaneous tissue through the posterior extremity of the caterpillar, inflate the re- maining skin with air. Sucha process, however, has the effect of impart- ing to the specimen an unnatural figure. The rings of the body become distended, and more prominent than in astate of nature. ‘The colours are not preserved: those which were originally green, assume a dead leaf hue; and the hairy species lose their covering. In the preservation of these latter, another method is sometimes had recourse to: the abdo- men is opened, and stuffed with cotton, in the ordinary way of preserving birds and quadrupeds. This mode is attended with less deformity, and loss or yariation of colour, than the preceding. Again, it has been at- tempted to preserve caterpillars, like the Annelides, in spirits of wine. In this way, if the colours fade, the animal still, in some degree, retains its pristine form and distinctive characters. Lastly, some persons employ the art of modelling in wax. This, by far the most eligible process, is, however, only applicable to the smooth caterpillars. It may also, be re- marked, that wax is promptly discoloured by the action of light; and that the models which were originally deep-green, assume, after a certain time, a pale-green hue. Such, unfortunately, are the difficulties and discouragements with which a collection and delineation of the cater- pillars are encompassed: while the Lepidoptera, if preserved with ordi- nary care, retain their characters, and their colouring in all its pristine freshriess, during a long succession of years. That these difficulties, however, are not insuperable, an examination of the exquisite and admirable collection by which the preceding observa- tions have been elicited, will suffice to prove. . It was long a question with the authors whether they should, in the execution of their work, publish the description of the whole of the Cater- pillars, belonging to one tribe or family of the Lepidoptera, in unbroken succession, or exhibit them in small interrupted series. After much deli- beration, they, at length, decided, with evident propriety, upon the adoption of the latter plan: since, as all the figures are copied from nature, it would have been obviously impossible for them, even with the stock of materials already accumulated, to present the whole of the Caterpillars of one tribe, amounting, in some instances, to upwards of two hundred species, in regular succession. In conformity with this arrangement, the work is published by plates, and not by series: care, however, has been taken that each plate shall exhibit only species of the same genus or tribe ; and that the plates illus- trative of each tribe, shall be separately numbered. _Thus, we have Sphingide, pl. 1, II, 111, Pseudo-Bombycide 1, II, and soforth: and, as one entire leaf is devoted to the description of each subject of each CRITICAL NOTICE—FOREIGN. 55 plate, and as the text is not paged, the whole may be readily arranged at the conclusion of the work, according to the peculiar views of the pos- sessor, or in the order of any entomological system which he may have been led to adopt. Each caterpillar is figured, at the adult age, with the plant upon which it feeds; but its appearance at different ages will, as often as practicable, be described in the text. The most remarkable varieties of each species are also represented ; and a drawing, of the nympha or chrysalis, added. In the accompanying text, the process and period of metamorphosis of each species is, moreover, indicated; and the time of its existence in the chrysalid state. | In the plates of those Caterpillars which spin a cocoon, the figure of this curious and admirable production of “‘ insect architecture” is fre- quently introduced; as often, at least, as it exhibits any striking pecu- liarity of form or character. Thus, if the cocoon of the Dicranura (Cerura) vinula have been represented, those of D. furcula and erminea will be omitted: and to the drawing of the cocoon of Bombyx (Lasio- campa) quercis, it will be unnecessary to subjoin that of the corresponding state of B. lanestris and catax; since all the cocoons display the same figure as those of their congeners. The same principle is generally fol- lowed in the delineation of the chrysalis. With the figures of the numerous Caterpillars, which are polyphagous, or feed upon many different plants, that plant upon which the animal is most commonly found, will be selected for delineation. Thus the cater- pillar of the Bombyx quercis is represented on the leaves of a briar; and that of the Orgya fascelina upon the Spartium scoparium. In the prospectus of this most interesting and valuable work, it was stated by the authors, that one number (livraison) containing three plates, and the letter-press descriptive of them, would appear every month. The number of distinct species of European Caterpillars, re- quiring delineation, would, they calculated, be about nine hundred: and as they proposed to give, upon the average, five species of caterpillar in each plate, the whole work would be completed, according to the ordinary rules of arithmetic, in sixty numbers, and in five years from its commence- ment. But the professions of literary men, like the promises of newly- fledged statesmen and embryo senators, should be invariably received with suspicion: as they are too commonly fallacious in exact proportion to the loudness and confidence with which they are advanced. In the present instance, the justice of this censure is conspicuously exemplified : after a lapse of almost three years, we have received twenty-eight num- bers of the Iconographic Collection of European Caterpillars; and, in the first twelve numbers, seventy-six species, instead of one hundred and eighty, have only been delineated. At this rate of progress, the work will obviously require, for its completion, at least fifteen years, and one hundred and forty-four such numbers as these, which are now lying before us. The price of each number is three francs in Paris. Having thus succinctly exposed the origin, pretensions, and plan of this remarkable publication, we have now only to speak of the execution of the plates, and of the accompanying descriptions. The former, like the Scottish Cryptogamic Plants of Greville, the British Insects of Curtis, and the European Birds of Gould, are unrivalled in their peculiar depart- ment. The drawing is correct; the character of the subject admirably preserved; the colouring delicate, rich, but true to nature. The animal, in;many instances, looks as if it were starting from the paper,’and actually feeding or crawling before our eyes. ‘The delineations of the accom- panying plants, although less highly-finished and elaborate, are almost 56 CRITICAL NOTICE—FOREIGN. — accurate and excellent. Of the merits of the descriptive portion of the work, the following extracts, in the selection of which we have been guided by the elegance or notoriety of the Caterpillars which con- stitute their subjects, will enable the reader to judge for himself. They belong to the 1st Plate of the Sphingides, and the 1st of the ‘‘ Pseudo- Bombycines”’ of the work. ‘¢DEILEPHILA EUPHORBIZ,”’ ‘“‘This Caterpillar is very beautiful. The ground-colour is black, with yellow points very thickly set. Upon each side, are observed two longitudinal rows of round spots, sometimes reddish, sometimes yellow or white. There is a longitudinal red streak onthe back ; anda similar one on each side above the legs; but the latter is frequently intersected with yellow. The head, the last ring (of the body), and the base of the horn, are deep-red; as are also, the legs. The horn is scabrous, onaret posteriorly, and black at the extremity. In early age, the longitudinal lines are yellow. ‘¢ The Chrysalis is of a greyish-brown colour, with the articulations more bright, and the stigmata blackish.”’ ‘This Caterpillar is rather common. It feeds upon several species of Euphorbia or Spurge ; but prefers the E. gerardiana, cyparissias, esula, and exigua, At the sea-side, it is frequently found upon EZ. paralias. It is very voracious, and grows rapidly. Sandy plains, the borders of roads and paths, and all situations in which the Euphorbia are common, constitute its favorite habitation, Itis first found about the close of June: its metamorphosis takes place at the end of July; and the per- fect insect appears about August or September, in the South, and sometimes even in the vicinity of Paris, if the weather be favorable. Hence caterpillars are found in the months of September and October. The individuals, which pass the winter in the chrysalid state, come out in June of the ensuing year. It sometimes happens that the chrysalid condition is prolonged for two years,” The species to which this splendid chrysalis belongs, is the Sphinz Euphorbie, of Linneus; and Sphinx du tithymale, of Godart. An exquisite drawing of the caterpillar may be seen in the third plate of the first volume of Curtis’ British Entomology ; but no detailed description* of the animal is given by that profound and accomplished naturalist. The deficiency is, however, supplied, with tolerable correctness, at page 125 of Stephens’ valuable Illustrations, Haustellata, vol. i. ‘6 DICRANURA VINULA.”’ ‘¢ Like all the Caterpillars of the genus Dicranura, the present is rendered very remarkable by two fistulous tails, from which, at the will of. the animal, two highly flexible tentacula are protruded. These tentacula, we may add, are of a crimson colour, and have, when exerted, an incessant writhing or vibratory mo- tion.”’ ‘¢ In early age, the body is everywhere of a blackish colour; but, after the first change of skin, it becomes apple-green, and sometimes whitish-green with a few remotely scattered black points. From the third ring, which is slightly prominent, the back exhibits a kind of lozenge-shaped mantle, which is prolonged to the origin of the tails, and descends rather low upon the sides, yet always at a certain distance from the membranous legs. This mantle is almost invariably connected by its ante- rior extremity, with a triangular spot of the same colour. The head is brown- black ; and retractile, at the will of the animal, within the first ring which exhibits a square form, and deep-crimson colour. It is, moreover, marked with two black spots. The tail is intersected with whitish and black ; and embraces another small forked tail completely black. Frequently at the base of the second pair of mem- branous legs, there exists a purple lunule, marked with yellow, above.” * At least in the first edition of his invaluable work. A second edition of the letter-press, descriptive of the species, was commenced afew years ago; but unfor- tunately, did not meet with sufficient encouragement to justify its continuance. This is much to be lamented ; as accurate descriptions of the various species of the genera of insects, so admirably illustrated by Mr. Curtis, were alone wanting to render the British Entomology as perfect in its kind, as it is correct and beautiful in execution. ' CRITICAL NOTICE—FOREIGN. 57 “This caterpillar is found, from June to the beginning of September, upon the different species of the poplar, and willow genus. On attainment of the full size, it spins an exceedingly hard and gummy case, covered with minute chips, cr morsels of lichen, and strongly adherent to the body upon which it is fixed.” ‘The chrysalis is of a shortened conico-cylindrical figure, and blackish-brown colour. . The perfect insect is disclosed from the middle of April to the end of May.” The very common Lepidopter, produced by this extraordinary cater- pillar, is the Bombyx vinula, of Linnzus and Godart; Harpya vinula, of Ochsenheimer ; la Queue fourchue, of Ernst; Cerura vinula, of Curtis and of Stephens; and Puss-moth, of vulgar entomologists. ‘The reader may compare the preceding description of the French naturalists, with that appended to plate LX XXV, in the 3rd volume of Donovan’s pleasing work. Professor Rennie’s sketch, exhibited at page 33 of his Conspectus of Butterflies, is very vague and unsatisfactory. As the exquisite work, upon which we have long been feasting, with all the avidity and zest of the epicure of ancient Rome for his celebrated Cossus,* is probably destined to fall under the notice of comparatively few readers of “‘ Tum ANALYsT,” we have been strongly tempted to present another sketch,—that of the Bombyz quercis, and its compact and beautiful cocoon,—from the Family of the ‘‘ Bombycines.” Prudence, however, warns us to desist. Caterpillars, although affording an admirable and most ‘nutritious food to organs of intellectual digestion in a sound and vigorous state, will readily cloy the delicate and fastidious stomach. Our object is to stimulate, not pall, the appetite for knowledge ;—to produce craving and not satiety. Should the specimens, however, already given, excite, in the student. of entomological science, any desire for further supply of the like substantial fare, we may, probably, be induced to present an occasional dish of European caterpillars, dressed up in our plain old English fashion; and rendered, mayhap, somewhat more grateful to the English palate, by the judicious admixture of a few spices of criticism, and a small sprinkling of the pure spirit of observation, with and upon the various articles destined for his repast. To the description of each caterpillar are prefixed’ an extensive Synonymy; and copious references to the works of the various authors by whom the animal has been figured or described. The collection, moreover, will be ultimately enriched by “‘ general considerations and anatomical details’? on the subject of caterpillars. In these, the best mode of procuring, and rearing the different species, will be explained ; and an outline of the generic characters, by which they may be dis- tinguished and arranged, will be carefully traced. Finally, full directions will be given to the agriculturist, for the discrimination and destruction of noxious caterpillars. The execution of this important pledge will, we apprehend, be deferred till the work is drawing near the period of its completion. When that will be, ‘‘ Man does not know.” # * Great diversity of opinion exists among authors of the present day as to the precise animal which formed this celebrated article of Roman luxury. By some, it is stated to have been the caterpillar of the goat-moth,—Phalena cossus, of Line neus,—Cossus ligniperda, of modern entomologists. Others believe it to have been the larva of a beetle of the Lucanus or Cerambyx genus. From our own researches on this curious subject, we are led to infer that the wood-boring caterpillars and larvee of several insects, now arranged in different orders and genera, were, by the ancients, confounded, and eaten, under the common designation of Cossus. The most satisfactory account which we have hitherto seen, is given under the articles, Calandre des Palmiers, and Capricorne, in Cloquet’s Faune des Médecins, ou Histoire red Animaux et de leurs Produits, 8vo. Paris,—an interesting periodical, commenced hirteen years ago, and not yet completed. February.—vou. Ul. NO. VU. I 58 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. ON THE COMBINATIONS OF OXYGEN, WITH THE NON-METALLIC ‘ COMBUSTIBLES. The following is an analysis of the lecture on this subject, delivered at = Atheneum, on the 22nd of December, by W. Addison, Esq. of Great alvern :— ** In all the varied productions of Nature man may contemplate instances of the profoundest skill and wisdom, every object displaying a power and an intelligence superior to his own, and adequate to the production and main- tenance of all he sees. Above him is a vast etherial expanse, traversed by a refulgent sun, and canopied with cloud or illumined by the moon, and studded with a thousand stars—beneath him is the earth on which he treads, with all its tribes of plants and animals, its rocks and water. A desire to obtain some knowledge of these objects is congenial to the intellectual character of man. Hence Natural Philosophy, which in its extended sense embraces every inquiry or investigation into the phenomena of Nature, whether Astronomy, Geology, Natural History, or Chemistry. In the study of Astronomy the imagination wanders through infinite realms of space, occupied by masses of matter in magnitude, and in the rapidity of their motions, beyond the feeble powers of our finite comprehension—yet all obedient to certain fixed laws, moving noise- less—in harmony—without@onfusion. The rapidity of the real movements of the planets, (measured by the scale of our experience,) exceeds conjecture ; yet such is their boundless distance, and so wide the circles in which they range, that their apparent motion is hardly to be noticed. The foundations of Astronomy are laid in the highest departments of mathematical study, which few only can understand, yet the verification of the statements which these mathematical investigations evolve, comes home to every one, when we find the orbits of the earth, the moon, and all the planets pointed out with such certainty and precision that the particular station or place of either of them, in any period of time to come, may be foretold ; and any partial or total obscuration of any one of them may be predicted, and all the circumstances which shall attend it be detailed as if describing an object of present observation. Such results as these shew the truth of astronomical reasoning—give the stamp of superiority to mathematical calculation—fix the high endowments of the mind of man, and indicate that the operations of the intellectual faculties can no more be estimated by the powers of his corporeal frame than the diameter of the earth can be measured by an outstretched arm.” From Astronomy Mr. Addison proceeded to similar and highly interesting general observations upon Geology and Natural History. ‘* But if the student of Nature,” he observed, ‘‘ passing by all these objects, is anxious to discover the materials employed in the several structures around him, then Cuemistry teaches him to unravel their complexity, exhibits the nature and properties of the elements composing them, and makes him ac- quainted with the laws which govern their combinations. The wonderful and sudden transformations with which this science is conversant, the violent activity often assumed by bodies usually considered as the most inert; and, above all, the insight it gives into the nature of innumerable operations daily carried on in the arts of civilized life, have contributed to render it the most popular, as it is one of the most useful, of the sciences.” ** A solid body,” said the lecturer, ‘‘ may be chemically regarded as a fabric more or less regularly constructed, in which the materials and the workmanship may be separately considered, although the latter may be broken up or destroy- ed, the former remain unchanged, though, perhaps, very differently arranged.” Instances of this were adduced in the burning of wood, the solution of chrys- tallized salts, and the explosion of gunpowder—in all these cases, Mr. Addison LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 59 remarked, the workmanship, or the fabric, is destroyed, but the materials are neither lost, nor made away with. The latter instance, in particular, was noticed as being merely a change from the solid to the aeriform state. **It is the business of Chemistry,’* said Mr. A., “to investigate these and similar changes, and to inquire into all the circumstances which can influence them.” Many interesting observations were here made upon the imponderable agents Heat, Light, and Electricity, and Mr. Addison shewed that all simple elements might be arranged into two classes—the electro-positive and the electro-negative ; from the former Mr. A. selected hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, and carbon, and from the latter oxygen—detailing the several properties peculiar to each, and giving a succinct account of the various compounds which they form by combination with each other. _Water was shewn to be a compound of two invisible gases, oxygen and hydrogen; and a very beautiful experiment was exhibited, in which a small mass of platina by being merely suspended in a current of hydrogen gas, was rendered red-hot, remaining so as long as the stream of invisible matter impinged upon it. Mr, Addison explained that this effect was produced by the union of the hydrogen with the oxygen of the atmos- phere, effected by the platina which was rendered red-hot thereby, the result being pure water, which was copiously deposited in pearly drops of dew upon a small glass receiver which Mr. Addison held for a short time over the glowing platina. Sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) is a compound of sulphur and oxygen. Nitric acid (aquafortis) of nitrogen and oxygen. Ammonia (hartshorn) of hydrogen and nitrogen ; the two last are colourless fluids, and formed by the union of two invisible gases, yet totally dissimilar in all their qualities. The combus- tion of sulphur in oxygen gas was shewn, and the beautiful blue or purple light emitted called forth the admiration of the audience. ** There is nothing which excites the wonder of the chemical student more than the tremendous powers which the particles of matter in certain modes of combination display; instances of it are afforded in the vapour and in the freez- ing of water ; to the power evinced by the former the steam-engine owes all its usefulness ; and the bursting of strong leaden pipes during severe frosts are familiar demonstrations of it in the latter. The vast power derived from the combustion of gunpowder is another sufficiently homely example. -‘‘ There is a compound of silver,” said Mr. Addison, ‘‘ which can hardly be handled without exploding ; and another of mercury which explodes violently by a slight blow. The chloride of nitrogen is another hazardous compound, it is an oil-like fluid, decomposed by many combustibles, with powerful detonation: Dulong, who discovered it, lost an eye and the use of a finger before he was aware of its dangerous nature; and Sir H. Davy was wounded in the face by the effects arising from its sudden decomposition.” The various combinations of phosphorus and carbon were then briefly . noticed, and the atomic theory, with the laws of definite combination and pro- portionate numbers popularly explained. This was followed by illustrations of the nature of combustion ; and the brilliancy of flame was shewn to depend upon the large proportions of carbon carried up and burnt in the hydrogen which forms the body and figure of the flame, for instance, of a candle. This interesting and instructive lecture was concluded by a brief history of the various theories which have at one period or another prevailed upon the subject of combustion—theories which have now all given way before the experimen- tally established doctrines of modern chemistry, beautifully developed by the researches of Hooke, Mayow, Cavendish, Lavoisier, &c:—and combustion is proved to consist in the union of the elements composing the combustible with the ponderable part of the oxygen of the air, the results, in all] ordinary cases, being water and carbonic acid, which are dissipated in the atmosphere. We cannot conclude this brief notice of Mr. Addison’s lecture without giving our readers the following pertinent observations with which it closed :— ‘* Whatever may have been the rapid strides of chemical discovery within the last century, more, much more, remains for future investigation, The farther we advance in any branch of the study of Natural Philosophy, the more its circle instead of closing on us, widens ; when we reach some distant but seem- 60 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. ingly fixed point where we thought to terminate a definite object of inquiry— then the boundaries recede—fresh objects and novel contemplations pour in upon us on every side, multiplying and becoming more wonderful and more worthy our attention at every step. From these accumulating scenes the humble man (and true philosophy will make its votary humble) learns the little that he can, and in understanding that little, becomes not only better acquainted with himself, but gains a more correct and exalted knowledge of his Maker,— while the vain who pride themselves in a fancied knowledge too often fail, not only in these, but in contemplating as they ought the coming scenes of futurity.” ~ SCIENTIFIC LECTURES AT KIDDERMINSTER. The Committee for conducting the affairs of the Kidderminster Public Library having long felt the want of a Scientific Institution in that populous and increasing town, to meet the general taste for really useful knowledge, at length determined to arrange a course of lectures on scientific and philosophical subjects, which should tend to give a new impetus to the feeling of the inhabitants, and gratify their numerous and highly respectable subscribers. On this being made known to Thomas Bradley, Esq. the respected High Bailiff of the borough, that gentleman with the utmost urbanity and politeness, granted the use of the ‘Town- hall for the purpose, and on Monday, the 12th of January, R. J. Streeten, Esq. M. D., of Worcester, opened the course with an introductory lecture. e regret to be compelled to abridge this admirable lecture so closely, that it can hardly be said to bear more than a slight sketch of the original discourse. . The lecturer, after shewing the manifold advantages to be derived from dis- cussing and investigating the various topics of scientific inquiry, pointed out the important benefits resulting from the practical application of demonstrative knowledge considered with relation to our external comforts—but the most in- fluential advantage connected with these pursuits, he observed, was that arising from the culture of the intellectual powers and consequent elevation of the mind, “If man, considered as a sentient being (he observed), is in any way raised above the beasts that perish, it is surely by the possession of those reasoning faculties—those powers of observation, of reflection, of comparison, and of judg- ment, which, whatever advantages he may derive from the peculiarities and perfection of his organization, still constitute the main distinctive marks between him and the whole race of animated beings. And if this be true, the cultivation of these faculties must necessarily raise him in the scale of being. One, then, of the prominent advantages of the cultivation of science, perhaps the most prominent, is the raising of our race from the debased condition in which we too often find some of its members delighting to revel—a condition which is only distinguished from that of the brute creation by the additional degradation arising from the prostitution of the powers of mind, as well as those of body, in the grovelling pursuits of the mere animal principle.” . “To cultivate science for its own sake ;—for the sake of the gratification and amusement we derive in the acquisition of the many curious facts which it unfolds, is a pure and delightful recreation ;—to cultivate it for the good which may result to our fellow creatures, in the addition to their bodily comforts and the general improvement of their external circumstances, is an object worthy of the philan- thropist ;—but to cultivate it as a means of advancing the moral and intellectual eoniitian of affording not only facts, whereupon to exercise the powers of the mind, but as a means of developing those powers, is a still higher aim. It isthe aim, the object of every one who wishes his fellow-men to take that rank in the scale of being which the Almighty Creator has assigned to them. And yet this is not the loftiest flight, this is not the noblest end to which the investigation of the powers, LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 61 the laws, and the objects of nature leads us. In seeking to read the book of nature, and@o develope the laws by which the processes therein unfolded to our view are governed and regulated, we seek to become acquainted with the opera- tions of that Divine mind which presides alike over every page of the record of creation as over every page of the record of revelation.” The lecturer then proceeded to unfold the nature of those grand ultimate princi- ples, as displayed in their effects upon material bodies, gravitation, undulatory mo- tion and polarizing forces, which appear to regulate the phenomena of the universe, and the investigation of which constitutes the several branches of science; and afterwards passed to the consideration of that additional principle of life implanted in organized bodies. On the undulatory theory of light, the lecturer remarked—“I may mention the fol- lowing curious instance of the conclusions to which, upon this view of the nature of light, mathematical calculations of undoubted accuracy, and a chain of reasoning which does not admit of dispute, have led. ‘ Modern optical inquiries have dis- closed,’ observes Sir John Herschel, ‘that every point of a medium through which a ray of light passes is affected with a succession of periodical movements, regularly recurring at equal intervals, no less than five hundred millions of millions of times in a single second! that it is by such movements, communicated to the nerves of our eyes, that we see—nay more, that it is the difference in the frequency of their recurrence which affects us with the sense of the diversity of colour; that, for instance, in acquiring the sensation of redness, our eyes are affected four hundred and eighty-two millions of millions of times; of yellowness, five hundred and forty-two millions of millions of times; and of violet, seven hundred and seven millions of millions of times per second.’ “ Were it not that other parts of the works of the great Creator clearly prove that magnitude and number present no limits to his power—that the vast and the minute are equally the object of his attention, we should be almost tempted to throw aside the sublime truths of mathematical science as the wild reveries of a heated imagination ; but every branch of science leads to the same conclusions, overwhelming as they are to the powers of the human intellect, and every mode of investigation teaches the same results; and while we make the vain attempt to conceive the wonders of creation, we can only pause and admire when the faint glimmering perception, which alone we are able to obtain, arises in our minds. Let us for a moment endeavour to realize to our view the wonderful velocity of these vibrations—five hundred millions of millions of times in a second—and then consider the sublime fiat of the Almighty Creator calling this undulatory motion of inconceivable rapidity into existence—“ Let there be light.” Upon the subject of Natural History it was observed—‘“ The especial object of Botany is, as you are aware, the investigation of the phenomena presented by the vegetable kingdom ;—that of Zoology, the study of the phenomena presented by the animal kingdom. The one principle which pervades both these divisions of the works of the Divine Creator is life. But what that principle is, in what it con- sists, how it acts in the regulation of the bodies, and of the parts of the bodies in which it exists, weare utterly unable to say. Endowed with this principle, the most minute and simple vesicles of animal or vegetable existence, as well as the most elaborate of their forms, fora time, at least, and within certain limits, exert a controul over those powerful forces by which the worlds above us roll in their vast orbits, and the whole system of the universe is kept in its place. The powdery lichen which incrusts the surface of the rock, and the loftiest oak or pine of the forest, the monad of which five hundred millions may be crowded into the space of one cubic inch, and the majestic elephant; yes! and the noble form of man himself, alike owe their developement and their existence to the implantation of this mysterious principle; for, deprived of life, they die and moulder into dust, from that moment becoming subject only to the powers which regulate inert matter. “‘ Examine this principle in some of the more simple forms of existence, and you would think it pre scarcely be destroyed, for it will last for ages dormant in the seeds of many of the vegetable tribes and some of the inferior animals, the polype for instance, may be maimed and divided almost indefinitely, and the cade ses parts will be reproduced, and the divided parts will each form a perfect animal—further, some of the aquatic animalcula, which inhabit gutters, and other places where 62 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. water stagnates, may be dried and remain to all appearance inert as the mere dust of the earth for weeks and months, and yet, on the application of a little water, will again become active and exert the functions of life with the same energy as before. Examine it again in its state of highest perfection, in the most elaborate forms of vegetable ind animal being, and you will find that a suspension for a few seconds only of some one of the processes in which it is concerned reduces the compli- cated structure, but a moment before flourishing in full vigour and activity, toa vein in or inanimate mass of dead matter. Once more, let us contrast it as displayed in an individual of our own race; born, it is true, a child, growing up through the period of youth into manhood, and at length gradually descending into the vale of years, but still, throughout, a perfect man; and in the insect egg, deposited by its parent and cradled upon some other form of animal or vegetable being, becoming in the second stage of its existence a worm which devours its nest, and then crawls upon the ground; in a third stage losing all semblance of life, and enveloped in a mimic shroud, at length bursting into a new and glorious existence, arrayed in glowing colours, to range with expanded wing, the free, the - unfettered inhabitant of air.” In investigating the phenomena of living beings, the eloquent lecturer observed— ** To define the limits where instinct ends and reason commences, would indeed be a difficult task, and the investigation of this principle and of that assemblage of faculties constituting reason, and the powers of the mind, would plunge us at once into the depths of metaphysical discussion. Without entering here upon this intricate subject, it is sufficient for us to derive the conclusion—a conclusion to which the investigation of the phenomena of life, as exhibited in the highest link of the animalcreation, our own species, inevitably leads—-that in man at least, another and a higher principle than even that of life exerts its sway—a principle which leads him to thirst after knowledge, and to seek his own and another’s good—a principle which, not satisfied with the transient pleasures and the existence which the life - that he now enjoys confers upon him, constrains him to aspire to worlds yet un- known, and to seek after an immortality which the records of revelation have shewn that he is hereafter to inherit. “‘T say not that these aspirations after eternal truth and immutable good are natural to man in his present fallen state, but perhaps there is no individual so dark—none so utterly debased—at least where the light of Christianity sheds its benign influence, who has not, at some part of the period which intervenes between his attaining the years of reflection and the termination of his existence on this passing scene, experienced some desires after that existence in the regions of bliss to which a way has been opened through the beneficence of his Creator. «When the lamp of science sheds a light upon this path—when it leads man to a more intimate knowledge of the ways and of the vidoes of the Almighty Being who formed him from the dust, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life-— when to man the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy-work, then does the record of creation fulfil its most important end— instruction in that true wisdom, the possession of which can alone constitute the Christian philosopher. ‘Philosophy, baptised In the pure fountain of eternal love, Has eyes indeed : and viewing all she sees As meant to indicate a God to man. Gives him his praise, and forfeits not her own.”—CowPEr. We are now most unwillingly forced to pass on to the conclusion of this compre- hensive lecture, which was to the following effect :— * And now, before bringing these observations to a conclusion, permit me to lay before you the bright example of one who was all that a man of science should be. Though labouring under every external disadvantage, the child of obscurity, in- debted tothe charity of a benevolent public for his education and the support of his early years, behold the revered Newton holding on his course in the paths of calm philosophy; at every step of his progress amply repaying the fostering care of that public; conferring benefits upon his fellow creatures in the most exalted mode : at length, receiving the highest distinctions which science has to offer, and achiey- ing for himself a name, imperishable, and ranking with the highest which grace the annals of mankind. Behold him in his hours of study, developing those LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 63 brilliant phenomena which belong to that great principle light; investigating its na- ture, working out its laws, step by step, with the most cautious and philosophic induc- tion, but guided, throughout, by the most admirable sagacity ;—behold him laying down the latte which regulate the universe ; devising new modes by which to inves- tigate the complicated motions of the heavenly bodies, modes of mathematical analysis of such depth and power, that even the highest intellects have scarcely been able to wield them; and, ultimately, bringing to light the beautiful unity, simpli- city, and order, of the whole celestial mechanism; concerning which, all that had been previously made known was little better than an intricate mass of false hypo- thesis;—behold the vast powers of his mind developed in!that master-work the Principia, the perfection of mathematical and inductive analysis:—and yet, throughout the whole of this bright career, behold him simple, humble, and a Christian ; and at the last, when the great work which had been assigned him to accomplish on this transient scene was nearly finished, exclaiming, impressed with an overwhelming sense of the vast extent and unfathomable depths of creation, ‘I have been merely picking up shells upon the shores of the great ocean truth.’ ”’ ON THE ELEMENTARY BODIES, AND THE LAWS WHICH REGULATE THEIR UNION WITH EACH OTHER. On January 15th, John Woolrich, Esq. Lecturer at the School of Medicine, Birmingham, delivered the first of a series of lectures on Chemistry, at the ‘Town-hall, Kidderminster. If a person unaccustomed to chemical research could take a survey over the globe, including its mineral productions, the great masses of water and the atmos- phere that surrounds it, together with the animal and vegetable creations, he would be apt to conclude that they were formed of an almost infinite variety of substances, and he would despair of ever becoming acquainted with them. Such, however, is now the state of natural science, that we are enabled, through the labours of eminent men of the present and preceding generations, to acquire, with com- paratively little talent and labour, a knowledge of the composition and properties of almost all bodies that are presented to our notice. By chemical analysis all the various substances constituting the animal, veget- able, and mineral kingdoms may be reduced to 54 simple or undecompounded elementary bodies. : By an elementary body is not understood a body absolutely simple and incapable of further decomposition. It is probable that many of those bodies which are now considered as simple, may be compound, but, until we succeed in decomposing or separating them into more simple parts, we are bound to consider them, accord- ing to the logic of chemistry, as elements. The ancients conceived that all com- pound bodies were formed of the four elements—fire, air, earth, and water. This | view, however, of the constitution of bodies has long since been proved to be a mere assumption, unfounded upon experiment. Air, earth, and water are now proved to be compounds. Modern Philosophy teaches us to consider all bodies as elements that have not yet been decomposed ; and according to the present state of chemical science there are 54 of these bodies. By the union of these elementary bodies with each other in various proportions, all the variety of compounds are formed. A knowledge of the properties of these elementary bodies, and of the compounds they form, constitutes the science of chemistry, a science of greater utility and more subservient to the wants of mankind than any other. The 54 elementary bodies may be very conveniently divided into three classes, according to their particular properties. In the first class five of them may be included, viz.—oxygen, chlorine, iodine, bromine, and fluorine. These ele- mentary bodies are remarkable for the energy of their action upon other bodies, in many cases so violent as to produce combustion—hence they were formerly termed “ supporters of combustion,” and they were considered as such exclusively. We find, however, bodies belonging to the other classes capable, by their union of 64 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. producing heat and light, or in other words, of exhibiting the phenomena of com- bustion. The principal distinction which separates these five elements from others, is their electrical relations. Compound bodies, containing any of them in combination with others, when decomposed by the agency of electricity, always present these elements at the positive pole of the galvanic battery—hence they are frequently termed electro-negative bodies. The remaining 49 elementary bodies are all opposed in their electrical relations to the first class, and when separated from their combinations, always appear at the negative pole of the battery—hence they are termed electro-positive bodies. But these 49 electro-positive bodies are again divided into metallic and non- metallic bodies. The number of the non-metallic bodies is eight—the number of the — is 41; so that by far the greater number of the elementary bodies are metals. The eight non-metallic bodies are nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, sulphur, phos- phorus, beron, selenium, and silicon. These are remarkable not only on account of their electrical relations, but also because they form acids by their union with oxygen, or with some other body of the first class, thus— Nitrogen with Oxygen forms ........ Nitric Acid. COLD. iisasWeck.cc ke uaileeses 6 deve «hae ORIG ats Sulphur, «..cccvecovcvseccvcceceseseee Sulphuric Acid. PROSPNOTUS ©. os ccve oc ceed se teeeeceve se, PHOSPNOLIC AOIGs Boron: . Sh23 Bas AAS aaa ee. aorta Ack, SeleniGM £56 ie: Seeds vase cake Jee. 0kd45 4 DRLODID ACG. PUTCO iota on Soin prop nc tape Roba0 6d'g0 Mp Re duels OF BLCis Hydrogen does not form any acid with oxygen, but with chlorine it constitutes muriatic acid. Of the 41 metals, some of them were known at an early period of time, while others are of very modern discovery. Tubal Cain, we learn in the 4th chapter of Genesis, was an artificer in copper and iron, and it is probable this person is the same that is spoken of in fabulous history under the name of Vulcan. The following table contains a list of the metals, and the dates of their discovery : on Silver, Iron, ka ah PE } Known to the ‘Andheri’ Antimony ......-.seseceeseese eveeeeeee Gescribed by Basil Valentine........ 15th Cent. ZINC 2. cccccccccerccvccsosccesvescepece Agricola’... .......0.... 1520 Bismuth... ......secececececeecsecceecene Paracelsus ............ 16th Cent. Arsenic and Cobalt......s.seeeseeceeeeee BEANE iis Hales Seine en AZBS PR AGRO oo iid cede dc se's vps sue bigtae ous Chale scene MERCOVCEOS DY. Wood, Set Maen Jamaica ..... sili DELTEOL os bcc ti ) Laceep rien snes eee ken es : Cronstedt............ 1751 Manganese 26... scceccccepesvccecccscs Gahn and Scheele..,. 1774 TUNGSCED 20 oe os voce seavies cate seine ee esgic M. M. D’elhuyart .... 178! "SATURATING «9 ara alate Feces iets 0 Cees > aioe MOTOR is c's aiinie's/s4hin-se Rae Molybdenum ......ccccccceteccverccscs PRICION, goes oss
The first Volume of “The Analyst,” (with Index, and list of Subscribers,)
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215
A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE CLIMATES OF GREAT
MALVERN AND LONDON.
in the following statement, the details of the climate of London
are taken from the Meteorological 'Tables of the Royal Society, as
published in the “ Athenzeum ;” those of Malvern have already
appeared in the first and succeeding numbers of “The Analyst,”
excepting the observations upon the hygrometer, and the tempera-
ture of the mercurial column of the barometer, with some other
minor details which we have subsequently procured.
On the present occasion we shall confine ourselves to the
summer and autumnal quarters of 1834 ; the former including the
months of June, July, and August; the latter, September, Octo-
ber, and November.
TEMPERATURE.
In the month of June, the first month of the summer
quarter, the mean temperature of Malvern was 3.8° lower .
than the mean temperature of London. The mean maxi-
mum at Malvern was 66.8,° the mean minimum 51,0° In
London the mean maximum was 72.5,° the mean minimum
55° The greatest height of the thermometer during the
month was, in London, 86.7,° in Malvern, 76°; the mini-
mum, in the former place, 47.3,° in the latter,43° The
greatest range during the month, for London, 39.4° for
Malvern, 33°
In July, the second month of the summer quarter, the
mean temperature at Malvern was 6.5° lower than the
mean temperature in London. The mean maximum at
Malvern was 67, and the mean minimum 54.1° The
mean maximum in London, 74.7° the mean minimum
59.3° In London the maximum height of the thermome-
ter was 86.7° in Malvern, 80°; the minimum, in London,
51.4,° in Malvern, 49.5° The greatest range, in London,
35.3° in Malvern, 30.5°
In August, the last month of the summer quarter, the
mean temperature of Malvern was 5.3° lower than the
mean temperature of London. The mean maximum at
Malvern, 66.5° the mean minimum 53.6° The mean
maximum in London, 72.8,° the mean minimum 57.9° The
greatest height of the thermometer during the month, was,
in London, 83.8°; at Malvern, 75.5: the lowest, in Lon-
don, 46.2°; at Malvern,43° The maximum range in the
former place 37.1,° in the latter 32.5°
Thus we get for the summer quarter—
eeeoeoeooev ee eee eeseeene §ziF
May, 1835.—vou. 11, No. x. QE
216 A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE
In the Report on Meteorology, in the first volume of the British
Association, it is stated by the author, that “ The errors arising
from solar and terrestrial radiation in determining the temperature
of a place, have not been sufficiently attended to. It is surprising
at what a distance a sensible portion of heat is conveyed from soil,
and walls, or even from grass, illuminated by the sun; the maxima
of temperature are thus generally too great; and from the near
contact in which thermometers are generally placed with large
difficultly conducting masses, such as walls, the temperature,
during the night, is kept up, and the minima are thus also too
high.” Such an effect as this may be supposed peculiarly liable to
occur in London, where the copious and varied reflections of heat
from the pavement, buildings, &c., must, in the bright hot days of
summer, considerably increase the maximum of the thermometer ;
and we find from the foregoing table that the mean maximum |
range in summer is in London 5.2° higher than in the elevated
situation where the village of Great Malvern stands.
In September, the first month of the autumnal quarter,
the mean temperature at Malvern is 4.° lower than the
mean temperature in London. The mean maximum at
Malvern was 64.° and the mean minimum 49.3,° In Lon-
don the mean maximum was 67.3,° and the mean minimum
54.1° The maximum height of the thermometer in Lon-
don was 74.8° in Malvern, 70°; the minimum, in London,
46.2° in Malvern, 40.° The maximum range in London
was 28.6° in Malvern, 30.°
In October, the second month of the autumnal quarter,
the mean temperature at Malvern was 2.2° lower than the
mean temperature in London. The mean maximum in
London was 58.2° and the mean minimum 46.2° In
Malvern the mean maximum 56.1° the mean minimum
44.3° The maximum height of the thermometer during
the month, in London, was 70.2° the minimum 34.4°; the
maximum, in Malvern, 64.° the minimum, 35.5° The
greatest range, in London, 35.8° in Malvern, 28.5°
In November, the last month of the autumnal quarter,
the mean temperature of Malvern is 1.7° lower than the
mean temperature in London. The mean maximum at
Malvern was 47° the mean minimum 40.4° In London
the mean maximum was 49.4° and the mean minimum
41.4° The maximum height in London was 61.° in Mal-
vern, 59.°; the minimum, in London, 83° in Malvern, 30.°
The greatest range, in London, 28.° in Malvern, 29.°
In the autumnal quarter, therefore, we have—
Mean Temperature. Mean Maximum Range.
London......+++. DZihs hivie w sles tisecdacebethnbis camer
Malvern 6 b.0 Siok bh OE Sk bn cok cede Seen
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE§
In instituting a comparison between two distant barometers, it
CLIMATES OF GREAT MALVERN AND LONDON. Q17
is necessarry to premise the conditions of the two instruments,
and the circumstances of the localities in which they are placed.
In the Standard Barometer of the Royal Society the tube is 332
inches long ; its exterior diameter 0.86 inch, and the diameter of
the bore 0.530 inch. The cistern is turned in well-seasoned
mahogany, and there is a small cavity in its bottom to receive the
end of the tube, which rests upon it ; a groove communicates with
the cavity, to ensure the free passage of the mercury. Everything
has been studied in this instrument to render accuracy attainable
with as little trouble as possible to the observer. ‘The diameter of
the tube renders the correction for capillary action almost unneces-
sary. The correction for the capacity of the cistern has been con-
trived to be __ of the result above or below the neutral point
30.576. its
The barometer at Great Malvern—on the accuracy of which the
following statements depend—is a very carefully constructed in-
strument. The tube is 34 inches long, its exterior diameter .5
inch, and the diameter of the bore .280 inch. The mercury has
been boiled throughout in the tube. The cistern is turned in
mahogany, and through the bottom the tube passes into a leathern
bag firmly fixed to its circumference; a small hole forms a com-
munication between the cistern and the mercury in the bag: at
one part of the circumference of the cistern an ivory point is fixed,
and a screw acting upon the lower part of the bag will always keep
the surface of the mercury just touching this point: thus the
correction for the capacity of the cistern is rendered unnecessary.
The scale has been duly affixed after several accurate measure-
ments from the ivory point.
In the following statement of barometrical heights, great pains
have been taken to apply every correction so that they are strictly
comparable one with another—in the Royal Society's barometer
the variable correction for capacity—and in the barometer at Mal-
vern, the constant one, .055, added for capillary action ; the diameter
of the bore in the latter instrument being so much smaller than in
the former, renders this requisite. The whole of the heights
stated have been reduced to one temperature, 32° F.*
* That the reader may be put in possession of the practical application of these
corrections we shall subjoin the detail of the process, taking the mean height of the
barometer for September 1834 in London and Malvern.
London. Malvern.
Mean Height. Mean Height.
30.114 ) Temperature 62.9— 29.441 ) Temperature 59.7
—.005 > Correction for capacity obtained 055 > Add correction for capillary
thus 30.576 neutral point depression
30.109 30.114 29.496
— 00462 971 2 Correction for temperature
—.083 29.425 True height at 32°
30.026 True height at 32° F. the elevation of Malvern .570
and the results very nearly agree
Correction for temperature 070 Vie a constant correction for
29.995
In order to make a comparison between two barometers absolutely accurate, it is
218 A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE
In June the maximum of the barometer in London {cor-:
rected as before stated) was 30.325, the minimum 29.597 ;
the mean 29.930; the range .728. In Malvern the maxi-
mum was 29.746, the minimum 28.953 ; the mean 29.332,
and the range .793.
In July the maximum height of the barometer in London
was 30.218, the minimum 29.396; the mean 29.876, and
the range .817. In Malvern the maximum 29.665, the
minimum 28.892 ; the mean 29.269 ; the range .773.
In August the maximum in London 30.109, the mini-
mum 29.593; the mean 29.819, and the range .516, In
Malvern the maximum 29.572, the minimum 28.955 ; the
mean 29.245 ; the range .617.
From this we obtain for the summer quarter— —
Mean Height. Mean Range.
London eoenep eae 29.875 eeeeeeseeveeeose oe .687
Malvern eeeesene 29.282 @eeeeseevosveeroeaevee ee 727
The height of the Worcestershire Beacon is stated, on the
authority of Col. Mudge, to be 1444 feet above the mean level of
the sea; and from an apparently careful and correct barometrical
measurement (the details of which will be found in the first volume
of “ The Analyst’) it appears that the height of the Beacon above the
village of Great Malvern is 924 feet; these statements therefore
leave 520 feet as the elevation of Malvern: and for this it becomes
necessary to add .570 to all the barometrical heights observed
there. If the reader should take the trouble of doing this to any
of them, he would then immediately perceive the very slight
differences in the fluctuations of the barometer in London and
Malvern.
In looking over the various daily details from which the fore-
going mean barometrical heights have been deduced, the coinci-
dence in the movements of the two barometers was so constant,
that we have taken pains to determine accurately this point ; and
upon comparing the daily fluctuations, for a whole month, at the
same time at each place, after every necessary correction, the
variation between the simultaneous movements of each has never
amounted to so much as |, inch, very generally not more than a
few hundredths, a result peculiarly establishing the constant mag-
nitude of the atmospheric movements.
There are many minor circumstances likely to introduce discre-
pancies in any comparison between the heights of two barometers
necessary that the elasticity of the vapour of the atmosphere should be estimated at
each place, by determining the dew-point, and adding or subtracting according as it
is higher or lower in the one place or the other.—This would be a very laborious
task ; and as the correction is always small, it has been neglected. I have made
the correction for the means of the different seasons hereafter stated, and I find the
difference between the barometer in London and Malvern to be, for the summer
quarter, only .007 in., and for the autumn .016 in.
CLIMATES OF GREAT MALVERN AND LONDON. 219
distantly situated, and noted by different persons ; thus they may
not be observed at precisely the same period, and this, should they
happen to be rising or falling rapidly at the time, would introduce
some error; again, at the time of observation, one person may
give a tap with his finger to the tube—the other may not, which
will sometimes make a difference of some hundredths, the mercu-
ry, often adhering slightly to the glass, resuming its proper indica-
tion when gently moved or shaken.
From these considerations, (to say nothing of the probable error
in printing three different decimal figures thirty times every
month) we feel much inclined to conclude that the fluctuations of
the barometer at London and Malvern are simultaneous, and very
nearly (quite?) equal, and, if so, of course in all places intervening.
In September, the first month of the autumnal quarter,
the maximum of the barometer, in London, was 30.461, the
minimum 29.315; the mean 30.026, and the range 1.146
inch. In Malvern the maximum was 29.877, the minimum
28.740; the mean 29.425, and the range 1.137.
In October, the maximum, in London, was 30.619, the
Minimum 29.237; the mean 29.996, and the range 1.382.
In Malvern the maximum was 30.027, the minimum
28.734 ; the mean 29.401, and the range 1.293.
In November, the last month of the autumnal quarter,
the maximum of the barometer, in London, was 30.379, the
minimum 29.141; the mean 29.904, and the range 1.238.
In Malvern the maximum 29.883, the minimum 28.586 ;
the mean 29.331, and the range 1.297.
For the autumnal quarter—
Mean Height. Mean Range.
PUMORLS a rd os SOL OL 6 oe Chiises peedach eel zoe
DARIVORD. | fied os oO sa * 5 oe Uiule e nant oy oc oe Lae
DEW-POINT.
The atmosphere being everywhere mingled with aqueous vapour
of very variable elasticity, and upon which all those important
meteorological phenomena rain, cloud, mist, dew, &c., primarily
depend, it is necessary, in any comparison of climates, to estimate
the changes it is daily undergoing. ‘The hygrometer enables us to
do this—particularly the one now well known as Daniell’s Hygro-
meter. In the Meteorological Tables published by the Royal
Society, there is a column including the dew-point, every morning
at 9, A. M. and we are in possession of similar observations at the
same hour made at Malvern, and both determined by the above
instrument.*
* It would be almost impossible to describe this delicate instrument so as to be
understood without a plate and references; the result is obtained by gradually
lowering the temperature of a dark glass bulb, until a thin ring of dew or moisture
is deposited upon it. The precise point at which a thermometer, affected by the
process, stands when this appears, is termed the dew-point, or point of condensation,
which marks with infallible precision; the comparitive degrees of moisture and
220 A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE
In June, the maximum dew-point was, in London, 62,°
the maximum in Malvern also 62° The minimum dew-
point, in London, 45° in Malvern, 43° The mean, .in
London, 51.5° in Malvern 51.12
In July, the maximum dew-point, in London, was 69°
the minimum 54° and the mean 59.4° In Malvern, the
maximum 68° the minimum 50° and the mean 55.8°
In August, the last month of the summer quarter, the
maximum dew-point, in London, was 67° the minimum
49° and the mean 59.1° In Malvern, the maximum 64.5°
the minimum 47.5,° and the mean 55.8°
For the summer quarter—
Mean Dew-Point.
LOUDON. os 0.00 5.c0kss secon”
BEANVOTH : oc k's baad say 04,2°
Taking the mean temperature of the summer quarter, and the
mean dew-point, as data, we are enabled to estimate
London. Malvern.
The mean elasticity of the vapour in the air (for the season) ..0.492 in.. .0.460 in.
The mean weight of vapour (in grains) in a cubic foot of } 5.400 5.112
air (for the season) es asi naa bn
Thus we find, as would be expected, a less quantity of vapour in
the higher locality than in the lower during the summer months.
In the month of September, the first of the autumnal
quarter, the maximum dew-point, in London, was 64° the
minimum 47° and the mean 55.8° In Malvern, the maxi-
mum 57° the minimum 49.5° and the mean 52.8°
In October, the maximum dew-point, in London, 60°
the minimum 26° and the mean 48.7° In Malvern the
maximum 55° the minimum 37° and the mean 46.3°
In November, the last month of the autumnal quarter,
the maximum, in London, was 58° the minimum 34,°° and
the mean 43.6° In Malvern, the maximum also 58° the
minimum 28° and the mean 40.5°
For the autumnal quarter
Mean Dew Point.
London (6 is tees O08 ERE SB
Malvern sed a Cl ln wage tee eee
London. Malvern.
Mean elasticity of the vapour in the air (for 0.388... .0.352
the season) eeee . eee .
Mean weight of vapour (in grains) in a
cubic foot of air (for the season) v0 shB7G +» «03.900
dryness in the atmosphere, and by exhibiting them in degrees of the thermometer,
refers them to a known standard of comparison. By means of appropriate tables,
the weight and elasticity of the invisible vapour of the atmosphere may be de-
termined.
CLIMATES OF GREAT MALVERN AND LONDON. 221
The hygrometer, when consulted with a view of predicting the
greater or less probability of rain, or other atmospheric changes—
two things are principally to be attended to, the difference between
the temperature of the dew-point, and the temperature of the air, and
the variations that may occur between them. In general the
chance of rain, or other precipitation of moisture from the atmos-
phere, may be regarded as in inverse proportion to the difference
between the two thermometers, one marking the dew-point, the
other the temperature of the air. An increasing difference, accom-
panied with a fall in the former, is an almost sure prognostic of
fine weather; whilst a diminution in the temperature of the air,
and a rising dew-point, portend rain. In winter, when the differ-
ences between the dew-point and the temperature of the air are
aiways small, the indications must be taken more from the actual
rise and fall of the dew-point, than from the difference between it
and the temperature of the air. A sudden change in the dew-
point is generally accompanied by a change of wind, and the
former sometimes precedes the latter by a short interval; and the
course of the zrial current may then be anticipated before it affects
the direction of the weathercock, or even the passage of smoke. A
rise in the dew-point, accompanied with a fall of the barometer, is
an infallible indication that the whole mass of the atmosphere
is becoming imbued with vapour, and a copious precipitation may
be expected. Ifa fall in the barometer, and a fall in the tempera-
ture of the dew-point, take place at the same time, we may conclude
that the expansion which occasions the former has arisen at some
distant place, and wind, not rain, will be the result.*
WIND.
In comparing the direction of the wind at Malvern with that in
London, we have adopted a very easy, but not perhaps the most
desirable classification. The hills at the former place influence so
much their force and direction, that it is often very difficult to
determine precisely the point whence the great atmospheric cur-
rent comes; it is not always that there are clouds by which to
determine, besides, when these are high, it not unfrequently hap-
pens that they are subjected to the movements of the higher cur-
rents, and passing away in a direction quite opposite to the wind
below. On these accounts we shall denominate all those winds
blowing from the south of east and west, vapour winds, and those
blowing from the north of these points, dry winds,—
aes ; JUNE. Jury. a i vasagaie
’ apour. Dry. Vapour. ry. apour. ry.
London ...... 53 tina's eda 15 AKIO Scenes Co EOS yee Le
Malvern nema eae ee A. ani Oa TOs es 15 eeeeceee Beicee a 14
TOTAL FOR THE SUMMER.
Vapour. Dry.
LONGO: cireens cana ehenn ns ase NENT he ecole . 30
NEAIVONO' Ts oc ce ee tks Hage WO vecece OO
* Vide Daniell’s Meteorological Essays.
999 A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE
SEPTEMBER. Ocrozer, Novempenr.
1834. . Vapour. Dry. Vapour. Dry. Vapour. Dry.
London eeeeer 15 enee 15 eee teres 20 e2ee ll eveecesee 14 oone 16
Malvern ..cecoce py. Sarees ras eke o ae cv tis p> pe tak tice ll as ee 19°
TOTAL FOR THE AUTUMN.
Vapour. Dry.
OS EOS TT CRIP rar 49 eceeer 42
THERINOTT Co's 5 uc. 0 00:0 ocine oe ale What Biitce kao ae
The mean temperature of the vapour winds during the summer,
is, in London, 66.8,° and in Malvern, 62.4° The mean tempera-
ture of the dry, during the same season, is, in London, 64.2,° and in
Malvern, 60° In the autumn the mean temperature of the vapour
winds, is, in London 53.4,° in Malvern, 53.6° The mean tempera-
ture of the dry, during the same season, is, in London, 49.4° in
Malvern, 47° So that the southerly winds in autumn at Malvern
are rather warmer than in London.
The mean temperature of a climate, is generally regarded as made
up of the average impression of the sun due to its latitude upon the
surface of the globe. But in considering the climate of any place in
Great Britain, this statement must be taken with some limitation ;
according to it, the cloudy days would always be the coldest, but
during the winter season in this country, it is not generally so; on
the contrary, the south west winds bring up large and copious
accessions of vapour of a high constituent temperature, warming
the air, and raising the thermometer ; at the same time thick clouds
form, and everywhere obscure the sky, accompanied very often
with large quantities of rain; on the other hand, with north-
easterly winds, the atmosphere is frequently freed from cloud, the
sun shines brilliantly for days together, but the temperature in the
shade is many degrees below the cloudy, damp, and vapourous
breeze from the south-west. During the winter we have very
frequently observed the maximum of the thermometer at eleven or
twelve at night, or even one or two in the morning, a result that
can only be due to a change of wind, and the consequent accession
of warm vapour. In a clear sky, during the winter, the earth
radiates heat, even in the middle of the day, almost as fast as it
receives it, so that the temperature, in the shade, during a bright
day at this season, advances but little; but warm vapour and
dense clouds not only prevent the earth's radiating its heat, but
bring with them a positive warmth.
The following circumstances must not be overlooked with
reference to the climate of this country, for they have a most
important influence. On the north is the Arctic Ocean, with its
icebergs ; on the north-east the frozen shores of Lapland, and the
intensely cold mountainous regions of Sweden and Norway ; on the
east, the vast continent of Europe; on the south, the Atlantic, and
the western shores of Europe; on the south-west, the ocean only ;
and on the west and north-west, the continent of America, and the
North Atlantic.
CLIMATES OF GREAT MALVERN AND LONDON, 223
It is a general fact that winds blowing over large tracts of land
are considerably colder than those blowing over the ocean. The
reasons for this it is hardly necessary for us to explain here, but the
consequence is that N. E. winds are the coldest, S. W. the warmest ;
N. W. are intermediate, with a northerly character ; the S. E. inter-
niediate, with a southerly character.
From these considerations, therefore, the winds are more accn-
rately divided in the following diagram.
_ ‘The dew-point can never be higher than the temperature of the
air, Supposing, therefore, during the winter in the high regions
of Lapland, Sweden, and Norway, the temperature of a breeze to be
20° or 24° F., often doubtless very much lower, air of that tempe-
rature cannot hold vapour higher than 20° or 24° This atmos-
phere being put in motion, and rushing rapidly to the southern
and warmer regions, is constantly acquiring a higher temperature,
but passing over only a limited track of ocean, it acquires but little
increase in its vapour; the dew-point, consequently, remains very
nearly the same.
Let us suppose that such a breeze has reached the temperature of
82° or 84° when arriving at the British Isles, the difference
between this and the dew-point (20° or 24°) would constitute a
very dry harsh wind, little likely to be accompanied with any deposi-
tion ; on the contrary, drying up all the moisture it meets with, it
would have precisely the character of our N. E, winds in a very
marked degree.
On the other hand, a S. W. breeze coming from the warmer
regions and over an immense tract of ocean, into the colder tempe-
rature of Britain, would soon become cooled, until the temperature
of the air was no greater than the temperature of the vapour
it bears with it or the dew-point. At this point, and pursuing still
its northerly course, some of the vapour must be precipitated, or
take the shape of cloud, in either of which cases it parts with that
portion of its temperature which was necessary to its invisible
‘May, 1835.—vo.. 11, No. X. ea ee
2204 A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE
condition, and this is immediately absorbed by the air.. The con-
sequence is, that the S. W. breezes, when they reach our shores,
bring with them the character of the locality whence they spring,
modified by the colder temperature they meet with. They are mild,
and, except in the summer, almost always saturated with vapour, i. e.
the temperature of the air and the dew-point are pretty nearly the
same.
The following is a statement of the dew-point, in London, during
the summer quarter, with the wind N. E. and S. W.—
Wind. Dew-Point.
N. E. eeeeeeweeeeeaeee e@eeeoeeee eee 55.4 °
S. W. e@eeeeeeeveeeeee eeneveeeaeaeee oy 9
Here we see the effect that might be anticipated at this season.
The continued action of the sun for fifteen or twenty hours, in the
high northern latitudes, during summer, melts the snow, warms the
ground, calls forth a rapid vegetation exhaling large quantities of
moisture, and, consequently, we find our north-easterly winds
approaching very nearly to the character of the south-west, the
mean difference in the dew-point being only 1.6° In Malvern,
from its elevated site, the difference is rather greater—
Wind. Dew-Point.
N. E. eeoaeeeteeeseeceseeeeaveseeen 53.3 °
Ss. W. @eveesesreeeresrevoeveseees 56.0°
In autumn, the effect of the sun’s rapidly declining elevation, with
its certain concomitants—frost, snow, and a cessation of vegetable
vigour, begin to shew themselves in the increasing difference in the
dew-point of winds from this quarter compared with their south-
western antagonists.
In London, for this quarter, the following is a statement of the
mean :— |
Wind. Dew-Point.
WN) Bo Fiie's dk cpade te bin tips sOhld.6) NGO
SW is i snips wate pin ib bo 8% 0's opie «5 MOS
Here, then, the difference increases from 1.6° during the summer
to 5.2° in theautumn. In Malvern the difference is as follows—
Wind. Dew-Point.
N. E. eeeeeeeeeseeesenereseeee 43.2°
Ss. W. eeoeeeerse ee eer eseeeeses ee 50.5 °
From these statements it results that S. W. winds are equally
damp in autumn both in London and Malvern, and there is only 1°
difference between them in the summer ; whereas the north-easterly
winds are drier in Malvern, both in summer and autumn, than they
are in London.
RAIN.
To conclude these remarks, it remains only to compare the num-
ber of days in which rain fell, in London and Malvern, during the
summer and autumn. The numbers below, for Malvern, include
all those days upon which it rained, whether much or little; the
CLIMATES OF GREAT MALVERN AND LONDON. 225
slightest shower between 8, A. M., and 10, P. M., is included ;
whether the Meteorological Tables of the Royal Society do the
same, we are unable to determine. The summer and autumn
of the past year, 1834, had some peculiarities with regard to rain,
which it is right to mention. Along the south-eastern coasts of
England hardly any rain at all fell, and all the inconveniences of a
long drought were experienced ; whereas, in London, there was no
complaint of deficiency ; and on the western coast, rain was so
abundant that two crops of hay were generally secured, and the
autumnal grass was most luxuriant.
NUMBER OF DAYS ON WHICH RAIN FELL,
1834. June. July. August. Total for the Summer Quarter.
Riondon ‘sit. ED awe, dO eeieie 14 Pee eae . 30
Malvern 0:0: «1h i vicecanne AD: .cnadiies LGiriee ctwelse die: 42
1834, September. October. | November. Total for the Autumnal Quarter.
Tee LENO Re Ee Py ech ees Mee hew sess . SE
Malvern.... 8 ee eeeece 9 eeesesce 9 eoeeeeresesecees 26
The following are the general results of the foregoing eompari-
son—whether they are applicable in a series of years, more
extended observations alone can determine :—
1. The temperature of London, during the summer months, is
about 5° higher than at Malvern, partly attributable to the
greater effect of the sun’s rays among crowded buildivgs
o~ in the open country, and to the elevation of the latter
place.
2. The temperature of London during the autumn is 24° higher
than at Malvern, attributable to the same influences operat-
ing in a minor degree.
3. The fluctuations of the barometer are simultaneous, and the
daily range very nearly (if not quite) the same.
4, The mean range for the summer quarter, in London, was
.687 in.; in Malvern, .727 in.: for the autumnal quarter, in
London, 1.255 in.; in Malvern, 1.242 in.
5. The dew-point, during the summer, is 23° higher in London
than in Malvern, and the same in autumn; an effect no
doubt arising entirely from the altitude of the latter locality.
6. The temperature of winds, northerly or southerly, is about
4° degrees higher in London than in Malvern, during the
summer. ‘The reasons for this are included probably in (1.)
7. The temperature of southerly winds during the autumn is the
same in both places, but northerly ones are 2° colder in
Malvern at this season.
8. The dew-point, with north-easterly winds during the summer,
is 2° higher in London than in Malvern, and 1° higher with
south-westerly.
9. The dew-point, with north-easterly winds during autumn, is
23° higher in London, but there is hardly any difference at
this season with south-westerly ones, :
226
LIONEL LACKLAND,
Ta es savrov;
OR THINGS CONCERNING MYSELF.
SOAR THE FIRST.
(Continued from page 171.)
Tue tones were deep and stern, sometimes rapid, or rising into
a. momentary passion, then suddenly sinking into the same low,
vibratory sound, which at first startled me; even in the mono-
tonous thrum of: that: voice, -there was an energy strikingly
impressive. As I listened, my curiosity became unbearable; I
resolved to discover the speaker. Fixing the oar softly on the
sex-weeded rocks, I pushed off without the slightest noise; still
keeping under the shadow of the cliffs, I floated a few yards
further down, until I turned a projecting crag, when jumping on
shore, I pulled in the head of the boat over the slippery stones,
and moved round the crag, gliding under the deepest shadow of
the rocks. JI crept silently along, until I reached to within a few
yards of the cavern, whence the sound had evidently issued,
breathless with my exertions, my heart beating audibly against
my ribs; I almost repented of my temerity ; for a few moments
I rested, uncertain whether to remain; my curiosity prevailed,
and advancing noisélessly, I drew myself still further under the
rocks; there I sat like a timid hare in her form; looking down
the cavern, which extended for some distance, I could just make
out the forms of two persons, but the light was too obscure to see
whether of man or woman. “Forgive him! preach to me of
fio what! will you, too, join with my own weak, womanish
eart, that sometimes pleads against its own revenge; I would
that my heart were as hard as these beaten rocks. Forgive
him! what him! no, woman, you don’t mean what you say ;
what! pardon him after all”—(here the voice rose with terrific
force)—*“ never, never. Dost thou hear me? what have I been ?
what am I now? a being once as happy as hope could make me,
as fond and kind as a mother to her child; as generous as the
undenying earth; I may say all this now, for to what am I
reduced ? a creature beneath contempt-—a wretch to be pitied
and laughed at—ah, ah, ah—yes, yes, I willforgivehim. Forgive
him, who made me what Iam, what we are—yes, girl, we, we, I
say, for what art thou? oh God! let me not think of what thou
wert; no, no—keep me from that.” I saw the man seize his
listener by the arm, as he continued, in a low, sepulchral voice—
“Dost thou know this place? Ay, here it was, in this same
wizard’s cave; -tears, curses, struggles, that blow; ‘twas well
LIONEL LACKLAND. 227
dealt, woman ; and then darkness, darkness, years of maddening
grief, madness: oh thou just God! save me from myself! But
hold, girl, blood pays blood ; ruin for ruin ;—you tremble; would
pethaps betray me; if I thought’—« Never, oh never!” sobbed
the woman, “ for ever have I loved thee, will love thee for ever;
until the pale-leafed Neonin blossoms o'er my grave.’ Her deep
convulsive sob alone awoke the silence. “My poor girl; my
poor broken-hearted girl; weep on, weep on for me, I cannot
weep; my eyes burn, and my brain is withering and scorching,
but I cannot weep. In the bright and sunny days of summer;
in the merry groups of the winter fire side; in the dead of the
night; in the clear beams of the morning; all alone, with no
other sound than the winds, and the roaring deep; or in the
midst of the noisy and busy crowd, I have tried to forget myself;
I could not—no, girl, I could not-—like a demon my ruin and
misery have ever haunted my scathed mind: but the time is
come, I’ve looked for it, prayed for it, maddened for it, and it is
come at last; and shall I pardonhim? If trouble and grief had
come upon him, if he too had writhed under the anguish of ruined
hopes, I could have pardoned him! but no; while all has been
dark around my course, his pleasures have never ceased, his
prosperity never broken, his sun never dimmed; and now, in the
full tide of his happiness, with new hopes, in the ripe volup-
tuousness of his desires, all hot and teeming of love and bridal
joys, his sun shining in the very turn of his bright path, now
will I be avenged.” Scarcely audible, the voice of the female
muttered in husky tones, “and is it right to take the avenging
in our own hands? what saith the book, ‘ vengeance is mine.’”
«Peace, woman! prate not tome of God; with years of gnawing
anguish have I purchased the sacrifice. To-morrow the furry
begins—Goat’s-moor Furry—'tis long since I flung the ball on
the merry evening of the furry, long since I trod, with a light
step and a lighter heart, on the brown heather of Goat’s-moor; I
will be there once more; you too will be there, but remember to
leave ere the sun sinks low, and be here exactly at the hour: to
be seen near the house might create suspicion, the Kethmen may
know you.” “Know me!” (replied the woman, in a firm, melan-
choly tone), “know me! no, no—thou art not more changed
than Iam; grief has not come upon me without leaving its
marks; sorrow and anguish have not lain upon my heart so long
without telling the tale; look at me! am I then so like myself?”
“ Listen, and interrupt me no more. Be not seen in the village ;
track him to the moor, and unobservedly slip the paper into his
hand; if you should not succeed, I will draw him to the tent;
he will certainly be at the furry: I cannot be mistaken; I will
watch him with more fondness than did the mother that bore
him ; be here at the time, the tide will then be slipping off the
reef, and the boat moored in the vraun above. Now we part;
remember! at eleven.”
228 LIONEL LACKLAND.
I saw the man pass out at the other end of the cavern;
the woman stood motionless for a few minutes, then pulling
a large dark cloak around her, she advanced towards where
I sat, passing me so closely as to brush my face with her
dress: she walked rapidly on. -The murmuring surge tumbling
with laughing cadence over the rocky bay alone was heard. I
arose, half dead with cold, and trembling with dreadful sus-
picion. When | arrived at home, there sat Mark, in his old nook
at the window, with the same stolid, idiotic expression and
contortion of feature; I looked at him with more earnestness
than usual; scarcely knowing why, I felt a strange misgiving; he
cast a side glance at me, as I gazed on him, then commenced
moving his head from side to side, while his features assumed a
more idiotic cast than ever; ‘‘ psha impossible! it could not be,”
muttered I, in answer to my own suspicions, “ it could not be.”
“ Mark! Mark! what are you thinking of?” He spoke not, but
continued moving his head.from shoulder to shoulder. “Mark !”
said I, “when were you last gull catching in Tolgarrik?” I
thought he started; it was mere suspicion. “ 'Tolgarrik,”
muttered Mark, “'Tregagle’s King of Tolgarrik; no, no, maun
step in Tolgarrik, ah, ah, Tregagle, ‘lregagle. Hark! Master
Linny, he whistles, whew There's death in Tolgarrik,
Linny.” He relapsed into silence and idiotey. It could not be,
thought I, and soon I was lost in the visions of sleep—Tolgar-
rik, Mark, Ellen, Stratton; awaking with a start, the golden
sunbeams of the morning glanced through the lattice upon my
bed; eleven to night! was it not a dream ?
.With the privilege of my caste, I must leave fora moment the
line of progression, and make a necessary diversion : as my brave
old friend, Captain O’Flannagan, once said, when he was obliged
to order a retreat, I must “advance backwards.” JI mentioned a
few pages back, that beyond the village the country was rich, and
fertile, a fine irregular landscape, spread out as far as the eye
could reach ; passing over the drear and blighted “ Goat's-moor,”
with neither tree nor shrub to relieve the seeming interminable
prairie, the traveller was suddenly surprised by a change in the
scene, as unexpected as it was beautiful; there beneath him lay
the vale, like a fairy oasis, rich in every tint, the green fields and
orchards, like the vineyards of gay France, smiling with fruits.
Pomona there built her bower “ with interlaced branches mix
and meet;” the dew fell upon a myriad of pied blossoms, and
the apple might have rivalled the “ pleasant grapes of Eschol.”
I love to recall that beautiful Eden, a spot so often visited in
happier days; so rich and yoluptuous is the memory of that
scene and its associations, that I would not, for the world, behold
it now; my enthusiasm springs out of the past—apathy, cold
freezing apathy belongs to the present. ‘To revisit those places
over which the shadows of past events hang like the mystery of
superstition, beatified by time—to behold them now with my
LIONEL LACKLAND, 229
dead, unspeculative eye, would be as though the armies of the
locust had alighted there, leaving it leafless and desolate.
Within this fairy land, formerly stood a large antique house,
called the Trefuses, or the Fortified House; it was a very old
structure, and though in many parts falling away, the rough and
heavy stone walls still defied the imperishable elements which
had assailed it for so many ages. It stood out, from the gay
scene around it, like some magician’s palace, throwing its gloomy
shadow over the laughing flowers beneath; the perennial ivy had
crept, with its tensile branches, over the old gabled ends, hiding,
in the flattering smile of its green leaves, the progress of decay.
This was the residence of Clement Westberry, the father of the
fair Ellen. Ellen was an only child; her mother was by birth
an Italian. I have heard my grandmother speak with rapture
of the beautiful Catherina Brunnati. <“ Yes, Lionel,” said she
to me one day, when talking of her lovely daughter, “ Catherina
Brunnati was a creature to be afraid of; her passions were over-
whelming, her beauty seductive. She never loved her husband,
and yet she could not live without love; but she died, Lionel,
even in giving birth to her child. Oh, it was dreadful and heart-
breaking to see those large, dark, liquid eyes, with the film of
death upon them, and that voluptuous form. cold and sunken.
Her little Ellen sprung, like a flower, from her mother’s grave.
So died the beautiful Catherina Brunnati. Westberry was a
jealous man, and after his marriage he relinquished all his com-
mercial engagements, and with a small, but sufficient patrimony,
determined to secure his lovely bride from the blandishments of
the world. He felt the danger of exposing such a heart to the
fascinations for which she languished. She might have sinned.
She died; and though he felt the loss of his beautiful wife, he
was at the same time relieved from the hell of his own fears.
But on her dark-eyed, melancholy child, the father ever watched
with the deepest solicitude; his love and attention were constantly
lavished on his child.”
In happy infancy we linked our young affections together ; we
played and sported together—I was her knight, and Ellen was
my “ladie faire ;” but I must pass over the time of “ prattling
infancy.” Ellen had reached her seventeenth year; her com-
plexion was pale, vividly pale; her long, dark, luxuriant hair,
tangled in many a wreath and curl, fell wantoning upon her full
and swelling bosom; but those eyes! they have no type; it was
not in the lustre of those orbs, it was not in the mere form of
those visionary eyes, but in the fascination of her look, in the
gazy utterance of that love, which overwhelmed her heart.
‘There was a light in Ellen’s angel face
That made a sunshine in the shady place.”
Seldom was it that those gushing lips murmured their music;
Ellen thought too intensely to love the vagueness of words. By
230 LIONEL LACKLAND.
rock or dell, as she sat musing in the sunny twilight of evening,
her bosom rose, and her lips grew closer, cushioning their soft
pillows on each other as though she would imprison her glowing
dreams. Ellen was the creature of visionary joys; still was she
sometimes playful as the young fawn. As her elegant form
flitted by in momentary joyousness, her clustering hair flying from
her high spiritual brow, streaming and waving in the wind, she
would turn with sudden thought, and glancing her long delicate
fingers through the straggling curls, she would murmur with her
dulcimer voice some little fairy legend or romaunt, wild and
wandering as her own dreams. Like her mother, Ellen was the
child of love, intense, exclusive love. Such was Fllen West-
berry, full of the hopes of warm affections and fairy vision. To
be the bride of Stratton—so exquisite a mind, so sensitive a heart
to be the wedded companion of the brutal and unsympathising
Stratton—who knew neither the cadences of love, nor the expres-
sions of its fondness! In one accomplishment Stratton excelled ;
we could forgive the coarseness of his language and the rudeness
of his voice, when we listened to the narratives of his voyages
and travels, which he could paint with a powerful hand, impart-
ing to trifling events the most intense interest. How often have
I and Ellen listened with fearful admiration, looking with timid
glance towards the bold bravado, as he made the old room ring
again with his noisy vociferation and mirth, whilst we shuddered at
the mention of acts which to him were remembrances of jest.
As he thus detailed his strange and fearful adventures, Ellen
would listen with flattering attention, looking through the lustrous
hues of her imagination, upon the scenes he pictured to her mind ;
and thus necessarily became interested in him, who conjured up,
as by a charm, the illusions of romance. But no admiration
eould long conceal, from a mind so discerning as Ellen’s, his low
and brutal character. With feminine instinct, she soon dis-
trusted and feared him. There was never yet a villain who
could deceive a woman, however simple and unsuspicious, who
had not first learnt the art, from the same susceptibility of love;
who had not onee been like her, the creature of the same affections.
Stratton had never known the tremblings of first love, had never
toned his voice to its whispers, faint and low. Of coarse and
boisterous health, with as little inflection in the movements of his
sturdy and muscular body, as irregularity in the pulsations of his
heart, he had grown up alike insensible to love or fear. The roar
of the ocean had been his only music; cooped up within the
narrow compass of a few yards, his ideas had advanced but
little beyond himself. Such was the man who declared a
passion for the passionate Ellen. Clement Westberry, never
supposed, poor man, never suspected, that we had lived, not
as children, but in the deep absorbedness of a first love.
Yes, first love; the only love that is worth remembrance,
the on'y passion of our natures which is the pure, free-will
LIONEL LACKLAND, 231
offering of the heart, unadulterated with a tincture of the selfish-
ness of manhood. But however blind Mr. Westberry might be,
his accepted son looked on me with an eye darkened by sus-
picion; and if he affected to despise, he was still weak enough
to fear me. With all the jealousy of a boy, I beheld Stratton
with hatred and alarm: his audacity intimidated me—his self-
confidence subdued me; I crept about the fields like a proscribed
man. I looked darkly and suspiciously on Ellen, nor did her
tears awaken my confidence. Stratton persecuted me in every
possible way ; my slight and pliant body was so infinitely weaker
than his, that he felt secure from retaliation ; he loaded me with
the bitterest taunts, insulted me; scorned me—oh God! I could
have died to have buried my hand in his heart's blood, and tugged
it hot and palpitating from his dastard breast; but I bore it—
silently, tearlessly, unrevenged—but
To the demands of her father, Ellen was so habitually com-
pliant, so submissive and gentle, that he never anticipated a
contradiction, or even an aversion, to any of his plans. Mr.
Westberry was constitutionally cold, and those affections which
he exhibited in his youth seemed to have died with the object of
their elicitation; he loved his daughter, all his thoughts and
schemes tended towards her; he wished to make her happy, but
then her happiness must proceed from himself; her own election
was a thing never anticipated; and, therefore, when she, for the
first time in her life, opposed a measure so desirable in his own
settled judgment, he felt surprised and hurt at the novel event,
and, like a true autocrat, determined at once to sacrifice every
thing to his prerogative. Ellen heard her father with meekness
and sorrow; but as he grew violent and resolved to enforce the
marriage, she became bold, and in spite of entreaty and rebuke,
pleaded the sacrifice as too great; she could not, would not,
perjure her soul before the altar of Him who abhorred a broken
vow. Her father contended in vain; the more Stratton im-
portuned her the more she scorned and hated him; he listened
to the avowal of her disgust, and still the insensible wretch paid
his loathsome suit to her in beastly apathy.. A year had nearly.
rolled away, and still Ellen was as firm and resolved, her father
as bitter and merciless. Stratton visited her daily, and was daily
repulsed.
It was on an evening in May, after having seen Stratton, who
left her highly incensed, and swearing the bitterest curses, Ellen
met me at aspot called “‘Tachen Glaz,” or the Green Place,
where we had idled in sweet looks through many an hour; a few
old monumental stones raised their grey heads above the long
luxuriant grass, surrounded by the clustering branches of vener-
able trees, forming a circle round this grass-erown temple. Here
we met; we sat together upon the little velvet mound, under the,
“shade of melancholy boughs.” We spoke not: as I gazed on
her pensive features, I was alarmed at the change; her face was.
May, 1835.—vou, Il. NO. xX. 2H
232 LIONEL LACKLAND.
wild and wan, her long dark hair, once so bright and flowing in
loose curl, now hung down in neglected tangles, shadowing her
pale cheeks like a dying nereid’s veil; that lustrous eye was
sorrowfully cast down; her lips, those beautiful lips, were thin
and pale; a light and gauzy scarf fell loosely round her elegant
form. How indescribably lovely! I had looked on her when
beaming with health and happiness; her frame expanding with
joyous emotions, and her eye dilated and brilliant as the startled
antelope’s; but oh, she was less lovely, to me, than on that
blissful eve, when we met in that lonely place. As I gazed on
her, her eye fell upon mine; we looked on each other—and in
that long absorbing glance our souls languished in their embrace,
and still we looked and spoke not—love absorbed all thought,
suffused every sense. I drew her to my still heart, and there reck-
less, we abandoned ourselves to the bliss of that short moment ;
she raised herself from my arms, the loving, all-confiding Ellen ;
she felt no shame for that one chaste embrace; but blushing even
in her joy, she leaned on my light reclining body, and looking in
my fair face, with a melancholy smile, “Lionel, at last I am
resolved—we will not part, Lionel.” She raised herself from me
as she continued—“ to-day he swore a terrible oath that I should
next week become his bride. J] shudder at the thought. Yes,
Lionel], to be the wife of Stratton; move not, but hearme. I
reasoned with him; prayed to him; Lionel, I bowed my knee as
I would to my Maker; and there humiliated and agonised
besought him to spareme. He was dumb—my father! he was
cold as a marble statue; he looked on me—oh God! that look!
thrust me from him; swore, nay, Lionel, my father almost cursed
me; doI deserve to be cursed? Oh, Lionel! Ihave called on
the spirit of my mother, in the dead, silent hours of the night,
when the cold moonbeams lay flickering on my heavy breast ;
I have prayed, called on her for help, but she came not; even in
hope she left me no remembrance but sorrow; I am alone, help-
less”—*“ Helpless, Ellen!” I replied, “my own love! my Ellen!
does no one love you?” “Oh! yes, yes, Lionel (speaking
with great rapidity), I am loved! I will not give you up.
Lionel, do you love me?” “Ellen!” “ Well, well, I am almost
mad, Lionel; I almost fear you should not love me, but you
do—you do love me; take me, then, Lionel, I am all your own.”
She threw herself into’ my arms, clasped me to her breast—
“'Take me, I will wander with you, suffer with you, struggle with
you, labour for you, worship you, I will be all to you, Lionel ;”
she wept hysterically, in the deep agony of her soul. I was
satisfied—her tears were dried, her heart stilled—-we parted.
When to meet again ?
The superstitions of the Cornish peasantry seem to be com-
pounded of Druidical, Pagan, and Christian mythology. Inthe
progression of time, the fables of Roman Paganism were incor-
porated with Druidicism, and the superstitions of Christianity
LIONEL LACKLAND. 233
modelled on both; thus the poor people retain a jumble of
tradition, which is difficult to disconnect from the dreams of
either Druid; Pagan, or Christian. The “Kornuath Keth” have
their charmed stones, wands, rings, and braids; Brownies,
Spizzies, and Podrocks. The watery mistletoe is still cut with
mysterious ceremony, though not with the golden hook or knife;
“'The Festival of Flowers,” from the “Flora” of the Romans;
“the Blessing-day,” and the “ Galuan,” or the “eve of light and
joy,’ with a host of other strange observances too numerous to
detail. But among all their festivities, that of the “furry” held
on ‘‘ Goat’s-moor” was one of the happiest, and perhaps the most
ancient.
The “furry,” or parish wake, is to be traced as far back
as the Saxons, who instituted it as a religious ceremony. The
furry was held on “ Goat’s-moor,’ a wild, uncultivated waste,
covered with short moss or peat; on one side the moor was
bounded by black, shaking bogs; not a house or tree was visible
for miles. The eye was interrupted only by a group or two of
Jarge Druidical stones; in the dim twilight, asthe traveller wended
his solitary way over the heath, he might have imagined them
the mighty shades of past ages, hovering over the sacred spots of
their religious ritual.
It was on a day in the beginning of June, the air sparkling
like a mirror with the reflected rays of the culminating sun,
burning in the blue laughing sky, when crowds of persons of all
classes, dressed in their gayest attire, were hastening over rock
and dell, and round on every side in happy exultation of the
festivities of the “furry” on the wide “ Halgaver.” Not a
breath of wind brushed off the sea; even the light duck “sky
scraper’ on the “top masts” fluttered but a moment, and then
dropped lazily against the slender “ fore-top,” peering with their
silken pennons into the light grey sky. It was a sweltering,
burning, gaspingly-hot day, and well I remember it, though I
would, if possible, forget it, as a lost page in my life. It cannot
be. There was the rough, leather-faced “tar,” swearing it was as
fiery as the Tropics; the weather-beaten fisherman, shuffling
along with his ruddy, laughing “spalleen” (daughter), her lover
roaring and talking by turns, now cracking his scurvy jokes on
the more quiet and grave in the motley groups, then flourishing
his pliant baz (staff) in recognition of some galloping cavalier,
mounted on his long, shaggy-haired pony. t
On that eventful morning, although my mind was bewildered
with suspicions which my dreams had magnified into the most
horrible events, forced on by a supernatural compulsion, I
startled like a guilty thing from my bed, even before the merry
birds had carolled their first note of praise. I had to meet
Ellen; to triumph over Stratton—it was sufficient—with the
most coquettish care did I arrange my dress; and if my face
looked paler than usual, and my long chesnut locks hung down
more wild and negligent, still (I remember) it was with a feeling
234 LIONEL LACKLAND:
of pride, all perfect, self-satisfied pride, that I glanced my large
blue eye ever and anon upon the reflection of my tall, slight,
and elegant figure. Ye gods! I was supremely happy. Poor
Stratton ! I muttered, as I gave a last glance upon the old carved
mirror, “his face is shockingly red!” but his hair—what hair,
said I, pushing my fingers through my thick locks. Seizing my
fishing-cap, I sprang into the parlour, and kneeling down on one
knee, as I had ever been taught by my romantic, high-minded
dame, took her hand and kissed it twice most reverently. The
good old lady bent over me and kissed my forehead. “My
Lionel !"—ere she could utter more I started up, and throwing
my arms around her, pressed her trembling lips—*« Farewell,
dear mother !” and darted out of the room. My heart was full!
I could not trust myself to utter or hear another word. Accord-
ing to appointment, I joined Ellen and her father at a spot
called “Lan-Kelly:” Stratton was from home, but intended
meeting them on Goat's-moor.
The roads were crowded with people, either advancing singly
or in groups of from five to twenty, according as family con-
nexion had extended family community ; there were few gigs, less
of carriages, and as for the lazy looking cabriolet and sparkling
tilbury, dear, gentle reader, you must substitute the unobtrusive
“plazzy’ (or cart), of which there were some of all sizes,
creaking and groaning on their heavy axletrees, full of laughing
brouzy girls, perfect amazons in hand and tongue.
In the evening we arrived on the moor, which presented a
most interesting appearance; its smooth and unbroken plain
dotted with the white tents, yellowed by the light of the westering
sun, while the dark shadows of peasant groups, in busy activity,
or as quiet spectators, rose in strong relief to the white tents,
still more beautifully varied by the light fluttering dresses of the
women, arrayed in all the colours of the rainbow, with their
long flying ribbons and bright coloured shawls and kerchiefs :
long before we beheld the gay, spirit-stirring scene, the noise and
clamour of the multitude broke upon the ear. Ellen was
amused with the scene; every where around her were laughing
faces, little Love ran loose among the merry maidens, who seemed
on this occasion privileged to play the romping coquette with
their half-abashed swains, though now and then a rough banging
kiss on the ripe lips of some screaming damsel, frightened the
posse into a momentary sobriety.
“Well done for Pannek! he knows how to give a Cornish
hug, doesn’t he, Vatheens?” said a wicked-looking little pedlar,
who was hawking his wares about, provoking the unwary girls
with the glitter of his rings, brooches, and “charmed braids”
for true-love knots, and many were the hard-earned shillings the
rogue bore away that night from Goat's-moor. “Cornish hug!”
said a strapping fellow, who had heard the pedlar’s remark—“ ay,
Mister Smallsman, and thern another can give Cornish hugs to
pretty Vatheens, or thaivish pedlars too, oon ther haun a mind
LIONEL LACKLAND. 235
to thry the fall.” “Oh! my Voon, what! you would not lift a
leg of an old worn-out pedlar, or make him back the ground before
his final end; no, no, Voon.” “ Aih, aih, Smallsman, an thra
away your fase goud and lying dramers, such as youn ha there,”
striking his box with his thick staff until the trinkets rattled
again. The old man took the alarm, and partly closed the lid;
muttering a curse or two between his teeth, he moved quickly
away from his unfriendly company, who all began to look with
suspicious eyes upon his condemned box. “TI know the chate,
thof he has put on that big black patch over his eye; tint na
long since he sauld me a brooch for goud that wann none
but kenneth-cole (copper). I mind it an well, for it kept my
pocket cold for a month.” A loud laugh from the by-standers
at the expense of the poor dupe did not tend to lessen his irri-
tation; lucky it was that Mister Smallsman departed when he
did. Ellen and I moved slowly on, her father stopping with
different persons, saluting some with a passing word, or loitering
a few minutes to ask after family or agricultural business; we
sauntered on, listening to the quick-witted maid and the loud
laugh of the discomfited churl. The tents were principally
occupied as drinking booths and for refreshment; some were
filled with stalls, loaded with cakes and ripe gushing fruits ;
generally not far distant from a tent, the games were held—
wrestling, back-sword, throwing the “mottoed ball” (a very
admirable and exciting game, long celebrated in Cornwall)—
while in two or three more retired spots the fortune-telling crone
was “realing the cards,” a circle of girls around her, waiting,
with breathless anxiety, the destiny of the “fall.” Above all
people in the world, the Cornish are credulous of the supernatural,
and they will wait the chance of a “ fall” with the most implicit
reliance. Ellen leaned on my arm; her father walked behind in
earnest conversation with Stratton, who had just appeared ; the
sun was sinking lower in the horizon, and the evening breezes
blew rather chilly across the moor.
The shouts of the victor wrestlers rose up every now and then
even above the unremitting din of voices—the girls witnessed
the games with the most absorbed attention, now clapping their
hands in exultation, or waiving their kerchiefs for the “best
throw.” Away flew the “mottoed ball,” bounding from one to
the other in quick succession, until it was caught and borne
away by the successful side. We had advanced towards a small
tent, from which the noise of laughter was unusually loud, and
yet occurring but at intervals; as we drew nearer to the entrance,
we could perceive anumber of young men and girls crowding
round a table, on which was a large blue slate, famed ages back
for its prophetic properties ; on the table also were a small box
compass, a pack of cards, and a number of “plaited braids,”
which the Kenneth peasant wears as a charm against sickness
and misfortune ; there was also a heap of small round blue and
white pebbles, called “dreamers.” Standing over the table was
236 LIONEL LACKLAND.
the pystrior (or fate-man) ; he was a tall, gaunt figure, his long
skinny face shaded by a large hat with flapping breeds; his eyes
were large and vivid; whenever he looked on you, his eyelids were
drawn up close under his shaggy brows, exposing the whole eye-
ball, glaring upon you with a long, fixed stare; his long, black
hair streamed over his pale, haggard cheeks, while his thick
bushy eye-brows meeting over his sharp sabre-like nose, altogether
gave him a terrific expression. His coat fitted tightly round his
body, but the sleeves were cut off a little above the elbows,
exposing his large sinewy arms, and thus allowed him the full
play of the arm in his manual deceptions; over his coat he wore
a large ulair or mantle, made of a thick, hairy material, Such
was the pystrior. .
“ Rafaria, Rafaria, a miracle! a miracle!” cried he, turning
over the cards and running them with singular quickness along
the table; the crowd waited in silence; the poor wench whose
destiny he was “wearing” stood in trembling anxiety for the
result; he drew the girl aside, and whispering in her ear, she
quickly left the tent without noticing her inquisitive companions,
who seemed to think every “ fate” but their own a matter of jest.
Far back in the tent, I thought I saw the face of a person I was
familiar with, but being in the shade, could not at first ascertain
who it was; a gleam of light falling on the face, discovered the
dark, mysterious eye of Mark watching intently the motions of
the pystrior. I know not wherefore, but the moment I looked
into this tent I felt an emotion I could not overcome or account
for. I did not think of Mark, but no sooner did I cast my eyes
on the fate-man, than I felt the same fatal curiosity which made
me an auditor at Tolgarrik cave. I seemed borne along by con-
curring circumstances over which I could have no controul; a
power unseen, led me from point to point—like the doomed boat
beating with every wave towards destruction, or as the loadstone
attracting the steel by an invisible sympathy. In every instance
of this unhappy event, I hung back with a dreadful presentment
of evil, and yet still I went on even in spite of my own disincli-
nation. As we stood at the entrance of the tent the pystrior
fixed his eyes on Ellen—she shrunk back—he extended his arm
over the table, and with a low, melancholy tone, addressed her—
“Lady, lady, the star-light is dim, and the shrouded moon is
wan—Hark lady—
**' The waves are tumbling on the sea,
And lash the rocky side ;
The boat is brimful in the cove,
The oars on the rocking tide :
Sad sits a maid beneath a cliff,
And eyes the rolling stream ;
Her lover promised to come,
She saw his boat (when it was evening) on the lake,
Are these his groans in the gale?
Is this his broken boat on the shore, lady?”
TO A LADY. 237
Lionel, I faint, lead me, lead me;” I hurried her out of the
tent; the air soon restored her. “Lionel, what did he say ?”
gasped the affrighted girl—« did you notice his look, how horribly
dark and mysterious—I shudder at it.” I laughed away her
fears. ‘‘ Well, well, Lionel, I am not well, and indeed I could
ery with fear; but Lionel, you speak not, perhaps you wished to
remain.” “No, no, Ellen, not for the world would I keep you
there ; we will find your father, and then perhaps you will excuse
me for a few minutes, as I saw a person in that tent with whom I
wish to speak. Come, come, my love! do not be alarmed at
shadows.” “ Ah, Lionel! the shadow which I feared was on my
own mind, ‘twas not the man. No, no’— My own love! re-
member next week, and then for ever we shall put an end to
fear—remember ‘'Tachen-glaz,” said I, as I pressed her nearer
to my side; she pressed my hand. Mr. Westberry joined us, to .
whom I consigned my affrighted Ellen. “Have you seen
Lieutenant Stratton ?” inquired Mr. Westberry somewhat sharply,
“it is half an hour since we parted, if you see him, Sir, tell him
we shall proceed slowly homeward. Come, Ellen—Sir, good
even to you.” “Lionel, dear Lionel!” whispered Ellen—“ haste
my love; stay not Lionel,” said Ellen, gazing with unutterable
fondness upon me. “Ellen.” “I come, Sir.” “Dear Ellen,
farewell!” She left me. For some minutes I stood as if frozen
to the ground, even as dead as those distant, monumental stones.
“Farewell! did she say farewell!—Ellen, my love—oh God!
shield me—be to hera preserver.” I looked over the bleak moor,
I could just see Ellen’s light dress fluttering in the fleeting wind
—now they are gone—gone sighed the wind. I turned slowly
towards the pystrior’s tent.
(To be continued. )
TO A LADY.
CuiL1, stormy clouds will veil the fairest sky ;
Hopes in their fragrant blossom droop and die,
And tears—dark tears—bedim youth’s brilliant eye:
Roses, ere fully blown, desert their spray ;
Light, newly born, fast fleet in shades away; .
Old friendships weary’d, root and branch decay :
Truth vanish like a far-off sail at sea,
Time teach the bosom infidelity ;
Earth fade, and ocean’s waves no longer be,
But, fair and pure one! be it thine to share
All things that ever-changeless beauty wear !
Roses whose buds no thorns in secret, bear ;
True friendship flourishing in verdant prime ;
Love that, illumed with radiant joy, sublime
Endureth, loyally, through tide and time ;
Tears born of bliss,—thoughts bath’d in golden light,—
Transports that faith and Christian deeds requite
Ere Eden’s bow’rs salute thy raptur’d sight.
EDWARD.
238
ON MAKING THE ENGLISH GENERIC NAMES OF
BIRDS CORRESPOND TO THE LATIN ONES.
Tus is a department of nomenclature to which systematists
have paid less attention than to any other. Perhaps professed
ornithologists are not aware of the confusion which is created,
and the difficulties which are placed in the way of the student
by this unscientific mode of proceeding, as they themselves have
the subject at their fingers ends. New genera are daily forming,
and yet the old names—many of which were even then improper
—are still retained. For instance, we often meet with the fol-
lowing English and Latin names in standard Ornithological
works :—Meadow Lark, Anthus pratensis; Gold or Thistle Finch,
Carduelis elegans; Bull Fineh, Pyrrhula vulgaris; Java Sparrow,
Tringilla oryzivora; Hedge Sparrow, Accentor modularis; Grey
Plover, Squatarola cinerea; Meadow Crake, Ortygometra crex
(Raltus crex, Linn. and Gallinula crex); Willow Wren, Sylvia
trochilus; Water Ouzel, Cinelus aquaticus; and many others
that might be given. In all the above instances there is a great
and unaccountable inconsistency, which might be easily avoided
with a little care. Of all English generic names, Wren is the
commonest; thus we have the Common* Wren (Anorthura com-
munis, Rennie), the Golden-crested Wren (Regulus auricapillus),
the Wood Wren (Silvia sibilatrix) ; which birds belong to three
entirely distinct genera.
If the proper English generic names were applied to every
bird, how greatly would the acquisition of this fascinating study
be facilitated! Are not the names Meadow Pipit, Java Finch,
Hedge Dunnock, Grey Squatarole,t Willow Warbler, Europeant
Dipper, Bearded Pinnock (Calamophilus biarmicus, Leach), and
Snowy Longspur (Plectrophanes nivalis, Mey), infinitely pre-
ferable to those given above? Forif an intelligent student finds
in a book “the Bearded Tit (Calamophilus biarmicus, Leach),”
he will ask, and with justice, how one bird can be in two genera ;
and no satisfactory reason can be given. By using the names
which I have given above, this is remedied, and all becomes
plain and easy to understand. It seems surprising that sys-
tematic ornithologists should not have perceived, long before
now, the impropriety of taking a bird out of a genus, and still
retaining its former English generic name. Professor Rennie
(Architecture of Birds, p. 236) goes so far as to say that the
name Reed Bunting is inappropriate for Emberiza scheniclus:
it is difficult to determine to which part of it he objects; but
* The trivial term common is objectionable, as being vague and inexpressive ;
but in some instances it is difficult to find any other.
+ Selby says he retains the name Grey Plover because he wishes his J//ustra-
tions to be a popular work—as if giving propernames would render it less popular.
{ This is rather an indefinite and unmeaning specific name,
ON MAKING THE ENGLISH GENERIC NAMES, &c. 239
this is quite immaterial, as he is certainly wrong either way ; for
the name Bunting cannot be inappropriate, Emberiza being the
only Latin generic name this bird has received, and Reed Bunting
is the most expressive that could possibly be found, as it constantly
nestles amongst reeds, and is mostly found in wet, reedy places.
And, moreover, if the English names be inapplicable to this
bird, so must the Latin be also: to these, however, the worthy
Professor seems to have no objection. But Rennie’s names are
beneath comment, as may be seen by referring to his edition of
the Ornithological Dictionary. For instance, he has given.
Motacilla lotor to the Pied Wagtail ; as if it might not be applied
with equal propriety to all the true or typical Wagtails. Why
not call it M. maculosa ? Linnzus’ss name, M. alba, is of course
absurd, and yet all ornithologists since his time have adopted it.
Nyctichelidon Europeus is another name proposed by this “ Bare-
faced Crow (Corvus nudirostris) of King’s College.” This name
is no less faulty than the other, as this bird is no Swallow. The
best in my opinion which has been proposed for this bird is
Vociferator Europeus (mihi). If any one can find any objection
to this name, I sha!] be much obliged to him if he will mention it.
If naturalists have any regard for order and symmetry, I
would advise them no longer to disgrace their catalogues—which
it should of course be their aim to render as complete and fault-
less as possible—by the loose and unscientific practice of giving
different English generic names to birds belonging to the same
genus. The difficulties thus put in the way of the student are
evident; if, for instance, a student who has made but little pro-
gress in the science, were asked to what genus or genera the
Hedge Sparrow and House Sparrow belong, he would probably
answer that they are both in the genus Sparrew (Passer, auct.),
although so far is this from being the case, that they are not even
in the same family—the one be'ongs to the Fam. Sylviade
(Vigors) and the other to the Tringillide (Vig). But, if the
same birds were called Hedge Dunnock and Houre Sparrow, he
would at once perceive that they could not possibly belong to
the same genus.
Iam extremely happy.in being able to mention Temminck
and Stephens amongst those writers on ornithology who have
attended to this important part of nomenclature. Even these
have not always succeeded, but they have got the principle, and
that is more than half way towards being right. Where Buffon
has given but one name to a bird, 'Temminck invariably has both,
as in the case of the Grey Snowflake (Nyctea cinerea, mihi;
Strix bubo, Linn.; Bubo maximus, Sibbald): Buffon merely
calls it “Le Grand-Duc,” but Temminck “Le Hibou Grand-
Duc.” The latter is an excellent systematist and a tolerable
field naturalist—the former was merely an eloquent writer.
NEVILLE WOOD.
Foston Hall, Derbyshire, April 9, 1835. 3
May, 1835,—voL, 1. NO, x. 21
240
LECTURES ON GEOLOGY,
IN ILLUSTRATION OF THE STRATA IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF
BIRMINGHAM,
DELIVERED AT KIDDERMINSTER, BY OGIER WARD, M. D.
Tue Lecturer, after a few preliminary remarks upon the course he
intended to pursue in treating the various subjects that would be
brought under the notice of the Society, observed, that in the
general thirst for knowledge which characterized the present age,
it was quite unnecessary to defend the study of Geology from the
ridicule of those who set no value upon its acquirement. He then
proceeded to impress its importance upon his hearers, by alluding
on the one hand to the losses that had been sustained by many
persons in vainly seeking for coal among the oolites, for gold
in the yellow mica of Malvern, and for copper in the chlorite of
Nuneaton; and on the other hand to the discoveries of tin in
Brittany, of coal in the Holy Land, and more recently of an inex-
haustible vein of plumbago on the Welsh estates of a gentleman
in Birmingham. Again, the endowment of Professorships of
Geology in our Universities and Colleges, and the attention that
this Science has met with from the British Association, and from
the various Philosophic Institutions of the country, prove that it is
at length beginning to hold that place in public estimation which
its practical utility, and the interesting nature of its details, may
fairly claim for it.
The preference of the civilized nations of antiquity for specula-
tive studies prevented them from paying much regard to geological
phenomena; and their peculiar mythological notions induced some
to refer them to alternate destructions and restorations of the
earth's surface ; while others who believed in the eternal existence
of the world from past to future time, saw nothing more in these
changes than matters of daily occurrence, whose effects were pro-
portional in their magnitude to the lapse of time since their
commencement, This latter is the opinion of one set of modern
geologists.
Where Christianity prevailed, the Noachian Deluge offered an
explanation, apparently so easy, for the appearance of the action of
water upon high mountains ; and the ignorance of Natural History
prevented any attempts to determine the relative ages of strata by
distinguishing the remains of extinct from those of recent animals,
that we must not be surprised at the opposition Fracastors met
with, in the 16th century, when he asserted that a bed of shells
found under the city of Verona, must have lived and died in that
situation.
..The controversy respecting the origin of these shells gave a
stimulus to the study of geology in Italy, which extended from
thence into every country in Europe; but it was not till towards
thé end of the last century that just notions began to be entertain-
LECTURES ON GEOLOGY. 241
ed of the arrangement of strata, and the mode of their formation,
from the labours of Pallas, Saussure, Werner, Hutton, and Smith.
The Geological Society, which was established in 1807, having
assumed it as their maxim that there were not yet sufficient data
for general conclusions, or “Theories of the Earth,” put a stop to
the violence of the disputes between the Huttonians and Werne-
rians, and turned the attention of both parties to support their
opinions by the observation of a greater number of facts.
_ The Lecturer next exhibited a geological map of England, upon
which he pointed out the various strata ranged in a curvilinear
form round the primary mountains of Cumberland and Wales ; and
explained, by sections in different directions across the kingdom,
how the inclined strata, by their “ out crop” at the surface, produce
corresponding changes in the appearance of the soil.
As several groups of these strata, or formations, have a greater
degree of relation to each other in position, structure, and con-
tents, than to those which follow them in the series, they have
been divided by geologists into certain classes. One arrangement
makes four great divisions of the strata into primary, transition,
secondary, and tertiary ; but as this mode involves an absurdity in
making an interval between the primary and secondary rocks, a
new classification has been proposed, which taking the coal as the
middle of the series, determines the rest by their position with
respect to it. Thus the primary corresponds to the inferior, the
transition to the submedial, the medial is the coal, the secondary
is the supermedial, and the superior is the tertiary class, which last
Mr. Lyell again divides into eocene, meiocene, and pleiocene
strata, according to the lateness of their deposition,
Notwithstanding the infinite variety of forms and colours that
the rocks, stones, and earths assume which compose these strata,
almost all of them, except the metallic ores, consist of the follow-
ing minerals, silica, alumina, lime, magnesia, potash, and iron
oxide. If, therefore, we take granite and marble as examples of
the combination of these materials to form primary rocks, we can
account for all the newer formations, except the coal, by their
disintegration and reconstruction under different forms. Granite
consists of quartz, felspar and mica, and marble is merely car-
bonate of lime; and both are easily corroded by the action of
the atmosphere and water. The quartz of the former is converted
into sand, and the felspar and mica into ferruginous clay ; while
the marble is reduced to chalk. The claim of the primary rocks to
this appellation rests upon their inferior position with regard to the
other strata, their crystalline structure, and their not containing
any organic remains. By the Wernerians they were considered to
form the floor of the earth, upon which the succeeding strata have
been deposited; and by the Huttonians, as old materials worked
up again into new forms by volcanic heat. The transition rocks
were so called, from their passing by almost insensible gradations
from the crystalline structure of the primary strata, into forms
decidedly indicating a mechanical origin by subsidence from water ;
242 LECTURES ON GEOLOGY.
and some of them contain abundant organic remains in a fossil or
petrified state.
The circumstances which guide us in assigning certain relative
ages to different strata, are, the order of superposition, the differ-
ence of structure, the including fragments of other rocks, and the
containing petrifactions of a preater or less number of organized
beings analogous to existing kinds. It is a remarkable fact that
the order of succession of stratified rocks is never changed,
although some of the strata may be absent ; but rocks of igneous
origin are often found piercing through the ‘superincumbent strata,
so that with regard to these the criterion is not unerring. Struc-
ture is not a more certain guide than superposition, for although
crystallized rocks are usually older than sedimentary deposits, yet
shale and lias limestone have been converted into crystalline
marble and garnets (a primitive mineral) by their vicinity to
granitic and volcanic dykes, the impressions of the shells they
contained being all obliterated, It is evident, however, that a rock
containing fragments of other strata must be of more recent date
than these ; and by a comparison of their fossils we are enabled to
identify mineral masses from opposite sides of the earth as belong-
ing to the same era.
Modern petrifactions are not really a conversion of the substance
into stone, but are merely incrustations cf carbonate or sulphate
of lime, or of silica, upon any body submitted to the action of water
in which these minerals are dissolved. In this manner are formed
petrified bird's nests, in Derbyshire, and moss agates round the
basins of the boiling springs in Iceland, as well as the medallions
of San Filippo, in Italy. In a true petrifaction, on the contrary,
the substance of the body is carried away, while solid matter,
usually crystalline, is deposited in its place. In some cases, how-
ever, the substance is removed, but nothing is deposited, so that a
vacant space, containing an impression of the body, only is left.
The strata of the neighbourhood of Birmingham occupy a space
in the geological series from the old red sandstone to the lias, but
their description forms the subject of the succeeding lectures. It
is in the lias that the remains of those huge and strangely-formed
reptiles, the ichthyosauri and plesiosauri, first appear, and in the
contemporaneous formations of Germany that paradoxical ball-like
animal the pterodaclyte is found. In Portland Island, one of the
secondary formations, the curious phenomenon is observed of per-
fect plants allied to the cactus and palm tribes, standing erect in a
petrified state, with their roots fixed in a kind of soil, and their
trunks piercing into the superincumbent bed of limestone. The
occurrence of round flint stones in chalk, the last of the secondary
group, has been recently accounted for by what has been observed
to occur in potters’ paste (a mixture of clay and ground flints)
when allowed to settle. The flint separates from the clay into
nodules, which soon become exceedingly hard, and would probably
assume a crystalline form under favourable circumstances. ‘The
chalk forms the limit of the secondary strata by the total differ-
LECTURES ON GEOLOGY. 243.
ence of its fossils from those of the succeeding tertiary group, in
which shells are found identical with those now inhabiting the
earth. Some of the tertiary strata are reared in a vertical position
in the Isle of Wight, and others are laid horizontally upon them.
The upper part of Headen Hill, at 400 feet above the sea, is a stra-
tum of fresh-water shells, 55 feet thick: The shells of the Suffolk
crag, the latest of the British tertiary strata, are so perfect that they
have hardly lost their colours, and yet most of them are now only
found in hot climates. The stones of which Stonehenge is formed
belong to the same furmation as the crag.
All these formations, except the primary, and a few of the
transition groups, bear most evident marks that they were formed
by the slow and gradual deposition of their materials upon. the
bottom of lakes or seas; but over the whole of them we find
extended a bed of gravel, consisting of rounded fragments of the,
whole series, even of the primary strata, and containing the remains,
of recent as well as of extinct quadrupeds, not petrified, and but
little altered in consistence. From the almost universal extent of
this stratum over the world, and the internal proofs it bears of its.
recent origin, geologists are generally agreed in referring it to the
period of the Noachian Deluge, and have given it the name of
diluvium. Other gravel beds, of partial extent, and referrable to,
causes still in action, are termed alluvions.
In this country, some of the most remarkable effects of diluvial,
action are exhibited by the deep vallies which have been excavated,
near Bath, and. by the immense deposits of gravel, and granitic,
boulder-stones which are spread over the midland counties from.
their parent rocks in Cumberland. In like manner our eastern
shores are covered with fragments of Norwegian rocks, which have.
also formed the source from whence the blocks which strew the.
plains of Lower Germany have been derived. Similar masses, of.
enormous size, have been torn from the Savoy Alps, and borne by
the rush of retiring waters across the Lake of Geneva, have rested
on the secondary strata of the Jura, 2500 feet above the level of,
the lake. The bones of the mammoth have been found at Santa,
Fe, 8000 feet above the sea; and the remains of horses and deer
were collected by the Tartars at twice that elevation in the eternal
snows of the Himmalaya Mountains. It is impossible for us to do
more than conjecture the causes that have operated in producing
such a flood; but from the scores, or scratches, on the surface of,
the rocks both in Scotland and in the rocky mountains of North
America, as well as from the direction of the gravel beds and
boulders, we must conclude that during some period of its preva-.
lence over the earth, the current set strongly to the south-east.
The proofs of a more elevated temperature than we at present:
enjoy in these northern. latitudes, are very evident. through the.
whole of the secondary and tertiary strata; but in none are they
more striking than in the diluvial deposits, from the circumstance.
that in this stratum we find more animal remains whose congeners,
are now inhabitants of hot climates. The abundance. of perfect:
244 LECTURES ON GEOLOGY.
trees, and bones of the mammoth, or fossil elephant, not petrified,
found in Siberia, fully confirm this opinion of the heat of these
climates being greater immediately previous to the deluge.
We have remarked that all the strata, except the primary, and
we may add the trap rocks, are evidently of sedimentary origin ;
but as we have no reason to suppose that the quantity of water
covering the earth has ever varied in any great degree, how are we
to account for this conversion of sea into dry land? A considera-
tion of the changes still going on upon the earth’s surface will
afford us a satisfactory solution of this most interesting problem.
The agents employed in producing these changes are the antago-
nizing powers of fire and water ; the former by means of volcanoes
and earthquakes adding to continents, and raising iskands from the
bottom of the ocean; the latter in the form of rain and torrents,
levelling uplands, and excavating vallies, and more rapidly wearing
away our coasts by the billows which unceasingly break upon
them.
We will just mention a few instances of these phenomena, of
recent occurrence. The morning after a tremendous earthquake,
at Valparaiso, in 1822, the whole line of coast, to the distance of
100 miles from north to south, was found to have been raised
several feet above its former level; and Mrs. Graham remarked
that this was only one of a series of elevating convulsions, from
observing several ancient lines of beach covered with shells and
shingle full fifty feet above the present level of the sea. The
number of islands raised from the sea within the historic period is
very great; the last instance of the kind occurred off the coast of
Sicily, but this island has been again reclaimed under the dominion
of Neptune, and only exists as a shoal. ‘The above-mentioned
elevations of land took place suddenly, but the shores of the Baltic
are now pretty clearly ascertained to have been gradually increasing
in height for more than a century.
' An idea of the destructive effects of running water upon our
continents may be formed from the quantity of solid matter carried
down annually into the sea by the Ganges, which is estimated to
exceed a mass twelve times the size of the great pyramid, the
height of which is 500 feet, and the base of which covers eleven
acres. Although the ravages of the sea upon our coasts are very
much influenced by local causes, they are almost universal in their
occurrence ; for the exceptions are not real, and where we find the
sea retiring as it were, it is merely depositing in some bay or
recess, the debris it has washed from the neighbouring promonto-
ries. The present rate of encroachment on the Yorkshire coast is
about four yards annually ; and at Sherringham, in Norfolk, the
flag staff has been thrice removed inland within the last fifteen
years, in consequence of the advance of the sea. The sand and
mud being carried round the projecting part of the Norfolk coast
is deposited at the mouth of the river Yare, where thousands of
acres are reclaimed, again to be submerged whenever their protect-
ing cause is removed,
LECTURES ON GEOLOGY. 245
In order to account for the greater heat of climate during the
first ages of the world, geologists are now beginning generally to
revert to the opinions of Leibnitz and Descartes, of the cooling
down of the earth into its present condition from a state of igneous
fusion. ‘The chief arguments in favour of this hypothesis, are, the
ellipsoid figure of the earth, which is the same that a fluid body
would assume with the same period of rotation ; ~the volcanic
origin of the primary rocks ; the marks of more violent action of
extinct than of recent volcanoes, as exhibited in the various trap
and basaltic formations of the Giant's Causeway, Staffa, the Rowley
Hills, &c.; the tropical temperature of the Polar Regions during
the deposition of the coal strata, which in Spitzbergen and Melville
Island, are associated with the same plants as in lower latitudes ;
and lastly the increase of temperature both of air and water in
wells and mines in proportion to their depth. This degree of heat
varies in different places, but not in relation to the latitude; and
below the level at which it ceases to be affected by atmospheric
changes it increases one degree of Fahrenheit for abont every 60
feet of depth. In the present imperfect state of our knowledge of
geology, we have no data for determining the absolute age of even
the crag, the most recent of the British strata, if we except a few
beds of recent shells lately discovered on the Lancashire coast ;
and when we reflect that the aggregate average thickness of the
sedimentary strata is about one mile, the mind is lost in the con-
templation of the time necessary to form such an accumulation.
- We are also unable to answer another interesting question, viz.,
at what period of the series man became an inhabitant of the earth ;
but from the total absence of the remains of human beings even in
the diluvial stratum, it is generally concluded that but a small por-
tion of the earth was peopled at the time of that catastrophe.
LECTURE II.
Tue Lecturer commenced by stating that at the present and
following meeting of the Society, he should direct the attention of
his audience to the more immediate object of these lectures, viz.,
the description of the strata that are found in the neighbourhood of
Birmingham, beginning with the old red sandstone or quartz rock,
the lowest in the series, and concluding with the new red sand-
stone, the latest, being that upon which the town is built.
The old red sandstone of the district is confined to the Clent
Hills, and to a part of the Lickey Range; and the quartz rock to
another portion, which, as it exhibits more sections than the Clent
Hills, and the gradual passage of one rock into the other, will form
a better subject for description.
The Lickey is formed of two ranges of hills, which have been
named the Upper and Lower Lickey, by Dr. Buckland, who first
examined and described them accurately. According to him, the
Upper Lickey is composed of new red sandstone, but there is
reason to believe that this is a mistake, and that it belongs to the
same formation as the Clent Hills. ‘The Lower Lickey consists of
246 LECTURES ON GEOLOGY.
four rocky ridges, divided by vallies which intersect them down to
their bases. ‘Their direction lies north and south, almost parallel
to the upper hill which they join, and then diverge from it a little
to the east. All the ridges are composed of quartz, stratified, and
dipping generally to the south-west, with an angle of 30° but at
the northern end the dip is northerly, and in some places the strata
are almost horizontal. At the south the quartz is thrown back by
trap and transition limestone like that of Rowley and Dudley.
The limestone occurs, with coal and old red sandstone, towards the
north, lying upon cornstone or calcareous breccia, Coal has been
found in the angle between the upper and lower hills. ‘The quartz
rock consists of strata of various thickness, separated by clayey
slate containing mica, though but little mica is seen in the sub-
stance of the stone, the purest specimens of which consist of
hexagonal crystals of quartz, interspersed with grains of felspar
and oxide ofiron. In the less perfectly formed stone the felspar is
in a state of decomposition, and has the form of veins, which
traverse the strata, splitting the rock into thousands of fragments,
to which the oxide gives a rusty tinge. The coarsest specimens
are merely grains of sand in a reddish cement, not to be dis-
tinguished from common sandstone ; and in this part of the rock
impressions of shells are observed, though the calcareous matter
has disappeared, or is converted into a greenish flaky marl.
A section of the rock offers to the view a reddish sand, mingled
with irreyular fragments of the subjacent rock. Below the sand,
the stones become more and more agglutinated, till they form a
hard reddish conglomerate of fragments of quartz, imbedded in a
mortary cement, without any appearance of stratification above,
but gradually passing into the stratified rock on which it lies. In
the stratified part large boulders of similar composition are imbed-
ded. The occurrence of these boulders in the solid rock, the great
inclination of the strata, and the masses of conglomerate that are
scattered even upon the summits of the hills, prove that the Lickey
has been subjected to several violent commotions since its forma-
tion in the depths of the ocean. It is probable that the formation
of the layer of conglomerate is still going on by means of the
cementing power which water acquires by the solution and subse-
quent deposition of the Silica it takes up in passing through sand.
A remarkable instance of this kind has occurred within the last
500 years in the river Dove, at Tutbury, where some of the treasure
of the Earl of Lancaster was found so firmly fixed in a breccious
mass, that it required a pick-axe to break it.
A little manganese is found at the Lickey; and it .is rather
curious that it is also found at Hartshill, on the edge of the War-
wickshire coal field, associated with quartz rock, basalt, and coal,
as at the Lickey.
The impressions of shells that have been observed in the quartz,
where it passes into sandstone, are such as are met with in the
transition limestone, viz., anomie, pentameri, pectines, and encri-
nites, :
The next stratum above the old red sandstone, in the neighbour-
LECTURES ON GEOLOGY. 247
hood of Birmingham is the transition limestone of Sedgeley, Dud-
ley and Walsall. Limestone is also found at Kingsbury, in the
Warwickshire coal field, but as it contains no organic remains, it
is difficult to fix its place in the series of strata, though from some
circumstances it may perhaps be referred to the lias. It is
remarkable that the coal of this district reclines upon the transition
and not on the carboniferous limestone of the other coal fields of
England.
Lime, next to silex, is the material most universally distributed
over the world, more particularly in the strata which succeed the
primary. Some geologists have considered that lime might be a
secretion of the animals whose remains it contains in such immense
quantities ; but a comparison of the lakes in Scotland in which
shell marl is now forming, with others where no such formation is
taking place, has established the fact that no shell marl is deposit-
ed where the water holds no lime in solution. ‘To account for the
abundance of lime in certain strata, it will be necessary to revert to
the primary rocks, of which limestone formed a part. These
rocks have been demonstrated to be of igneous origin; and an
examination of recent analogous phenomena, as exhibited in vol-
canic countries in the formation of limestone, will afford a clue to
the source of the immense deposits of this mineral in the seconda-
ry and tertiary strata. Almost all the springs which contain an
abundance of carbonic acid, are situated in countries that are, or
have been, the seats of volcanic action ; and it is well known that
water impregnated with this gas will readily dissolve lime, In
passing through the calcareous strata the acidulous water dissolves
a portion which it brings to the surface, where the gas, escaping,
precipitates the lime, thus forming a stalactical deposit. On the
banks of the Anio, at Tivoli, this travertine is 600 feet in thickness,
and forms an excellent building-stone. In Tuscany the ground is
covered by it to a great extent, which would be increased by
diffusion if the springs flowed at the bottom of the sea. In such
situations shell-fish abound, and their shells are enveloped by the
growing mass, which now becomes a perfect shelly limestone.
The solution of the lime by the carbonated water in its course will
also account for the caverns which are met with in limestone rocks.
All limestone countries abound in caverns, which are so numerous
in Styria as to engulph most of the rivers in some part of their
course. That curious animal, the Proteus, one of the rea] amphi-
bia, is found in these subterraneous streams.
All the limestone strata of this neighbourhood, have a great
inclination, particularly at the Wren'’s Nest, near Dudley, where
they resemble the fructrum of a cone, having a dip from 50° to
75,° probably the effect of the same volcanic action that has raised
the Rowley Hills. ‘The stone is of two kinds, the black at Sedge-
ley and Great Barr, near Walsall, and the white at Dudley and the
Wren’s Nest. The former is apparently the older formation, and
is in thick layers ; the latter is in thin strata at top, but it is thicker
below. Each layer is separated by a thin parting of marly slate,
May, 1835.—vou, 1. NO. X, 2K
248 LECTURES ON GEOLOGY.
termed bavin, whose thickness does not increase with that of the
stone. No satisfactory explanation has hitherto been given of this
form of stratification, nor why the fossils, though equally abundant
in every part, project in relief only from the upper surface of the
slab; nor why the finest specimens are usually found in the
thickest and lowest strata.
The Lecturer then exhibited specimens and drawings of the
more remarkable fossils of the limestone, and proceeded to point
out the peculiar structure of the ammonites and orthoceratites, and
other multilocular shells of this and the succeeding strata, by
means of which they are supposed to have had the power of rising
to the surface of the water, like the chambered nautilus, and little
spirula, the only animals of analogous form now existing ; for the
sepia that inhabits the paper nautilus is believed to be an intruder,
like the hermit crab, into the shell of some unfortunate mollusca it
has destroyed. The most remarkable fossil of the limestone is the
trilobite, whose place in the series of animated beings is very far
from being determined; some geologists referring it to the class
of insects, and others to the crustacea, or crabs. It is of an oval
shape; like the crab it exhibits an almost plane surface, which
may be considered as its head or body, and attached to the body is
a three-lobed tail, each lobe of which consists of an equal number
of convex plates or rings, jointed to each other like those of the
tail of the crab or lobster. Like the crustacea, its surface is
covered with minute tubercles and pores, but it differs from them
in the position of its eyes, if such they be, which are placed-upon
the back instead of being beneath its projecting edge, as in that
class. As one species of trilobite is monocular, it is probable that
the tubercles, which have been taken for eyes, were destined to
some other purpose. Again, both the head or body, and the tail,
are surrounded by an elevated rounded margin, which is not the
case with the crustacea. In this respect, as well as in its jointed
structure, it closely resembles the limpet cheton; and there is
reason to suppose the trilobite analogous to that shell, from the
circumstance that nothing but its oval crust has ever been disco-
vered; for were it a species of crab, the legs and claws, which are
of the same texture, and even harder than the shell of the body,
could not fail to have been discovered among the thousands of
specimens of different species of trilobites found in various parts
of the world. Mr. Parkinson compares the trilobite to an animal
which M. Latrobe has named oniscus pregustator, from its peculiar
mode of life. At certain seasons the fish called the old wife
ascends York River, in the United States, from the sea, in vast
quantities, and each fish carries in its mouth an oniscus firmly
fixed there by its fourteen claws. Perhaps our doubts concerning
the nature of the trilobite may soon be dispelled, as the discovery of
a recent specimen in the Falkland Islands has been announced,
Of all the petrifactions of the transition limestone, coral is the
most abundant, and in the greatest variety of forms. A mistaken
notion of the nature of coral has been long prevalent, that each
LECTURES ON GEOLOGY, 249°
mass is the residence of innumerable animalcule, which, like bees
are actuated by a common instinct in the construction of their ha-
bitations, and the preservation of their species. But a more
attentive observation of their habits has proved that these zoophytes
more closely resemble plants than they were imagined to do, and
that each lamina, tree, or mass of coral, is the stony skeleton of a
single animal, adhering to the submarine rocks by means of roots,
as lichens, fungi, and trees do to the soil; throwing out branches
which bear and shed their fruit—the young coral; and, like vege-
tables, dying when deprived of their bark. This bark is the fleshy
part of the zoophyte, and connected with it are the polypi, or coral
insects, as they were called, but which are now considered as so
many distinct mouths, constantly employed in catching their prey,
and supplyiug nourishment to the whole bark or fleshy portion, to
enable it to add by fresh deposits of calcareous matter to the
growth of the trunk or skeleton.
Coral requires for its growth water holding lime in solution,
which will explain its abundance in the Italian seas, where that
mineral is supplied, as we have seen, by the rivers and springs
flowing from volcanic regions. The rapid formation of coral
islands in the South Pacific, and their peculiar configuration, has
been accounted for upon similar grounds. These islands are most
abundant in the vicinity of volcanoes, and are of a circular or
crescent-like form, with a deep lake in the centre, in which pumice
and scorie have been found. From these circumstances, and from
the fact that coral will not grow at a greater depth in the sea than
about 100 yards, many geologists believe that the coral islands are
the summits of submarine volcanoes, capped and raised above the
surface by the labours of the zoopbytes. :
A comparison of a recent coral rock, with the Dudley limestone,
will enable us to affirm with some confidence that when the latter
was formed volcanic action had hardly commenced in its vicinity ;
no scoriz or basalt are found in it, and although the important
condition of a tropical sea was present, as is indicated by the
associated fossils, yet we never meet with coral in rock-like
masses ; it is entirely in lumps or fragments imbedded in strata of
almost unvarying thickness. We cannot, therefore, consider that
Dudley and the Wren’s Nest were ever coral reefs, but we must
suppose that they owe their peculiar form to the upheaving power
of volcanic action.
LECTURE IIL.
Tue Lecturer first pointed out the distinction between true coal,
one of the lowest secondary formations, and lignite or fossil wood,
which is found in many of the secondary and tertiary strata; and
then described the most important of the English coal fields.
The south Staffordshire coal field extends about twenty-five
miles in length, from near Stourbridge, across Cannock Chase, to
Rugeley, having an average breadth of four miles. It is divided
into three portions by the intersection of basalt and limestone from
250 LECTURES ON GEOLOGY.
Rowley to Sedgeley, and from Walsall to Wednesfield. Besides
these extensive interruptions to its continuity, there are many
faults or breaks in the strata, some of which are traceable to centres
of volcanic action at Rowley and Pouch Hill, near Walsall. This
coal formation consists of eleven beds of coal, separated by others
of clay and shale, containing ironstone. There are five above and
as many below the main, or ten-yard coal, which is formed by
thirteen different layers, some lying close together, others sepa-
rated by thin “ partings’ of slate clay. None of the beds above the
main coal are worth working, their united thickness amounting
only to nine feet ; but those below it are of great value, being col-
lectively fourteen yards in thickness. The general dip of the strata
is south-easterly, and as the extent of the field, to the east, is not
known, it is possible that it may join the Warwickshire field, (the
dip of which is to the south-west,) and thus form a basin, whose
centre would be about Castle Bromwich, or Coleshill.
. The main coal crops out at Bilston, and is not found far to the
north of that town, from whence it is continued southerly to Dud-
ley, where it is elevated by the limestone on the north of the town,
and abuts against, if it does not under-lie, the basalt on the east.
South of Dudley it rests upon the limestone on one side, and upon
the basalt on the other, and goes on to Brierley Hill and Cradley,
where it again crops out. It is continued easterly from Bilston to
Wednesbury and West Bromwich, where it sinks rapidly beneath
the new red sandstone.
Of this bed of coal, the thickest in England, if not in the world,
so much is consumed by the iron furnaces, and neighbouring
manufactories, that its exhausted state, in some parts of the field,
has induced the miners to be less wasteful in their mode of work-
ing ; and the slack, or small coal, is now pretty generally raised to
the surface, to supply the engine fires. This, with the pillars
supporting the roof of the mine, constituting together a third of
the whole, was formerly left in the pits, where, becoming ignited
by the decomposition of the iron pyrites, it has set fire to the
remainder of the bed, in several instances, thus forming what is
termed a pseudo-volcano. ‘The action of the fire upon the clay and
shale converts them into porcelain, jasper, and vitreous scorie,
which form good materials for roads. Much sulphur and sal
ammoniac is sublimed round the vents by which these fires come
to the surface.
There are many different kinds of cval, distinguished by their
colour, lustre, fracture, &c. but viewed in reference to their chem-
ical composition, they may be divided into three species, according
to the proportions of bitumen they contain. The first yields abont
forty per cent. of bitumen when distilled, this is the Newcastle coal.
The second, the slate coal of this district, contains only about
twenty per cent; and the Welch, or stone coal, is almost free from
bitumen. Dr. Maculloch considers coal, however, as forming a
link in the series of bitumens, which vary by the proportion. their
hydrogen bears to their carbon, rather than as a mixture of bitumen
LECTURES ON GEOLOGY. 251
and carbon as distinct principles ; in his opinion, all the bitumens,
from naptha to asphaltum, consist of compounds of carbon and
hydrogen. In the most fluid, the hydrogen predominates and
diminishes progressively, according to their relative tenacity or
solidity, where asphaltum ends the series of bitumens ; cannel coal
begins that of the coals, and from cannel coal to the most perfect
anthracite, or to plumbago, the hydrogen is less abundant as the
coal is less inflammable, and yields a smaller quantity of bitumen
by distillation, Anthracite yields no bitumen, though it contains
hydrogen, until it passes into plumbago, which is devoid of that
element. ‘The vegetable origin of coal appear to be established by
its association with strata, abounding: in vegetable impressions, by
its close resemblance to lignite or fossil wood, and by the fact, that
some true coal is composed of layers of carbonized vegetable
matter.
Here the Lecturer exhibited a series of specimens, arranged
according to their chemical constituents, from plumbago through
the bitumens to naptha on one hand, and from plumbago through
coal, lignite, and jet, to peat on the other.
Many geologists, with Sir James Fall, have believed that the
conversion of fossil wood into coal was effected by heat, but the
almost total absence of porcelain jasper in contact with the coal
beds, and the facility with which the bituminous shale is accounted
for by the mere infiltration of bitumen into the adjoining clay,
not to mention many other arguments which Dr. Maculloch has
adduced, wiil induce us to suppose that water, and not fire, was the
medium of the change from wood to coal.
The fossil plants found in the strata alternating with the coal
beds, are chiefly allied to the fir, cactus, reed, and fern tribes ; but
fossil botany has made too little progress at present to enable us to
decide with accuracy the place of more than a very few of them in
the system of plants.
Shells are rarely seen in the coal itself, but they are very common
in the ironstone nodules of the shale. The most abundant genus
is the unio, a fresh-water shell, but pectines, producti, and even
nautili, are occasionally met with, which are all considered to have
been inhabitants of the ocean, The radius of a balistes also being
found sometimes in the same strata, gives support to the idea that
the coal fields were estuaries, or marshes, occasionally overflowed
by thesea. The coal fish which are often shewn in collections and
museums belong to the strata superior to the coal, chiefly to the
lias; and their carbonised bodies should be classed with the
lignites, and not with true coal.
The hypothesis that at present prevails among geologists re-
specting the origin of the coal strata, is that they are analogous to
modern deposits of peat, and that they were formed from the
remains of vegetables growing in and around a lake, marsh, or
estuary, which was subject to occasional violent inundations,
By these floods, much gravel, sand, and mud, together with trees,
and plants, and mineral substances in solution or suspension, was
253 LECTURES ON GEOLOGY.
carried down from the high grounds, and deposited over the
previous accumulations ; thus producing alternate beds of pebbles,
sandstone, shale, and coal, according to their respective densities.
The enormous size of these plants, as well as the quantity
necessary to form so great a thickness of coal, is accounted for by
the supposition that the primeval world was more disturbed by
volcanic action, and the atmosphere more loaded with carbonic acid
and moisture, while the soil was hotter from the proximity of the
internal fires than at the present time, even in tropical regions,
where alone the congeners of most of the coal plants are now
found.
The inundations alluded to are not uncommon in volcanic
countries, produced either by the sudden condensation of the clouds
into rain by the electricity evolved during an eruption, or from the
melting of the snows crowning the mountain summits, or from
river or sea water sucked up and again discharged from the crater.
In South America volcanoes exert their ravages less by burning
lavas than by torrents of mud and water. In one instance, nearly
fifty miles of country were covered with mud containing so much
carbonaceous matter that when dry it is used for fuel. A partial
mud-flood of this nature would account for the separation of the
two upper beds of the ten-yard coal from the rest, by the interpo-
sition of a thick bed of shale, at Bloomfield colliery, upon which
these two beds recline, cropping out at one extremity, though they
join the main coal at the other. The thin laminz, however, which
constitute the beds of coal are sufficient to convince us of their
gradual deposition in most cases, even if the perfect and uninjured
remains of the associated fossil plants did not place it beyond all
doubt. It may not be presumptuous to suppose that the pro-
digious development of vegetable life that occurred in those early
ages of the world, was necessary to free the atmosphere from its
superabundance of carbonic acid; and that the consequent accu-
mulations of vegetable remains were laid up in the form of coal
beds, by a bountiful Providence, for the use of the latest and most
noble of the beings destined to inhabit the earth.
The existence of a stratum of basaltic rock below the coal, many
yards in thickness, and identical with the trap of Rowley, and the
occurrence of numerous faults, fissures, and basaltic dykes, in the
coal strata, are sufficient to prove that subterranean fires were
exerting their energies both before and after the formation of the
coal. These faults intersect the coal fields in every direction, and
many of them are traceable to the Rowley Hills on one side, and
to Pouch Hill on the other. Sometimes the strata have merely
subsided many yards at the fault, without any separation; but in
many cases the faults exist as fissures, filled up with green rock, or
basalt and limestone, altered by the effects of heat. The Rowley
Hills make a breach of very considerable extent into the coal field,
being about three miles long, by three-quarters of a mile wide, with
an elevation of 900 feet. ‘They are eleven in number, and consist
of dark-coloured basalt; but except at Pearl Hill there is but little
“GOD BLESS THEE. 253
appearance of columnar structure among them ; here, however, it is
very distinct ; and near this part the coal has been worked beneath
the basalt, though on the other side the range it reclines upon that
rock. The town of Dudley stands upon a kind of isthmus between
the basalt on one side and the limestone on the other ; but the two
rocks have not been traced to their junction. The other basaltic
formation at Pouch Hill has a similar relation to the limestone and
coal; but it is remarkable for its basalt being almost horizontally
columnar, and for a stratum of green rock being interposed
between the coal beds, which are much altered in texture by its
proximity. From Pouch Hill the basalt is continued, with little
interruption, in a decomposed state, to Wednesfield. Some curious
minerals are found in the basalt at Pouch Hill, as_prehenite,
zeolite, &c.
The new red sandstone of this district presents no remarkable
features, but between Kidderminster and Bewdley, and at the latter
place, it appears from the inclination of its strata, to have been sub-
jected to some very powerful and extensive disturbing force.
The diluvium of this neighbourhood consists of water-worn
pebbles, chiefly quartz, similar to that of the Lickey, with granite,
porphyry, and sienite in a decomposed state, and flints and fossils
from the Lias, and very rarely the bones of extinct quadrupeds.
STANZAS.—“GOD BLESS THEE.”
“ Gop bless thee!” Oh note most sweet, most soft,
Played on the harp of love-—From childhood’s hour,
Thy thrilling melody, dear note, how oft
To cheer the blithe or aching heart hath power!
In Misery’s dungeon or Loves’ verdant bower,
How grateful is thy music, and how sweet;
Dew is less welcome to the fading flower
Than thou that mak’st the heart so wildly beat,
Cheering when sad we part and gladdening when we meet!
**God bless thee!” sweet music of the heart!
*Tis music still though heard with sighs and tears,
E’en though in sorrow’s strains that sudden start
All wildly on the wretched culprit’s ears,
From that fond mother’s lips, who now appears
To bless him ere he die.—Oh what a spell
That touching note of love! How sweetly cheers
Its latest sound.—“ God bless thee! ’—who can tell
How thrilled that broken heart at her last wild farewell,
« « « « * « « « .
254
ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES,
AND THEIR EFFECT IN FORMING PICTURESQUE SCENERY.
BY EDWIN LEES,
Honorary Curator of the Worcestershire Natural History Society, &c.*
I HAVE been surprised to find in preparing illustrative sketches of
trees, how few artists have paid any attention to the subject. I
have inquired in vain, in many instances, for original studies of
aged trees, or portraits of remarkable veterans of the forest.
Landscape painters have sketched ruins and castles till we are so
familiar with the features of every ruined edifice “ within the
kingdom of England, dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed,” as to require no inscriptions beneath their repre-
sentations. But trees—themselves more interesting ruins than
many a black, dismantled, undistinguishable pile—have been in
most instances neglected; and many a “ stately tree,” the “ time-
honoured” contemporary of olden days, has sunk into the arms
of destruction unnoticed and unmarked on the canvass of the
painter. Not, indeed, that artists can fill up their landscapes
without the aid of trees, but too often the trees they display are
creations of their own imagination, referable to no botanical
class, formed on the spur of the moment to fill up a fore-ground,
or clothe a barren space; and as the artist himself in all pro-
bability intended no particular tree or class of trees, it would
argue too much skill in the spectator to suppose he could make
out the species thus exhibited. It will be easily perceived, that
on this Procrusteian system, a forest denizen is made to have
arms or no arms as the whim of the moment may direct, and the
“ ferat ruber asper amomum’ of the Mantuan bard, if not alto-
gether realized, is very closely approximated to. Even professed
delineations of trees, from careless finishing, often want character,
and in too many instances I have noticed drawings and engravings
that might have passed for almost any tree in the range of
woodland scenery, but for the good-natured information con-
tained in the inscription. If, indeed, we except the works of
Gilpin and Strutt, we find our native literature very barren upon
the subject; but few professional treatises havé appeared
* The following paper formed part of a lecture recently delivered before a
Philosophical Society at Kidderminster, in compliance with the request of the
members. [As the author is preparing a work on the dicotyledonous plants of the
midland counties, and is desirous of obtaining information relative to any ruined
veterans of the forest that may remain yet unnoticed in secluded situations, with
the view of ascertaining their age, he will feel obliged by, and will duly acknow-
ledge, any information calculated to illustrate old indigenous trees, not hitherto
noticed, more especially those within the boundaries of the forests of Needwood,
Wyre, Feckenham, Arden, Wichwood, and Dean.]
ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES 255
that deserve especial notice, and while thousands have dilated
upon the effects of light and shade, and the advantages or dis-
advantages of a blue or a muddy sky to the pictures under their
critique, they have been altogether indifferent as to the character-
istic features presented by various trees, and the differences
exhibited by the rigid tortuosity of the oak, the cumbrous
uniformity of the elm, the lofty and majestic bearing of the ash,
the umbrella-like umbrage of the sycamore or beech, or the
thousand vivifying and latticed wiry sprigs of the dependent
lime, letting in the mellow sunbeams as through the traceried
interstices of an oriel window. Strutt, indeed, has admirably
depicted many of our forest trees in his ‘Sylva Britannica’ and
“Delicie Sylvarum ;” these are works of which we may be justly
proud—many, too, of Westall’s views on the ‘Thames represent
waving willows not to be mistaken—but the subject yet remains
to be treated in a scientific and botanical manner, with regard to
our indigenous trees.
Every tree has some peculiar character, which, though perhaps
at first difficult to describe, is at once caught and recollected by the
eye of the observant naturalist, so that whatever difficulty he
may have to make out the trees of the landscape-painter, he has
none with those of the real landscape itself.* The funereal yew,
the bending willow, and the sturdy oak, will occur to all. This
“ physiognomy” of vegetation depends, generally speaking, on a
very few peculiarities. Of these the most obvious is the mode of
branching, or ramification of atree or shrub. The importance of
this characteristic is so perceptible, that even in winter, trees may
be distinguished by it, and the observer of nature needs not
foliage to perceive the striking difference between a poplar, an
oak, a beech, or a willow. The branches of a poplar form acute
angles with the main stem; both are straight, giving the tree a
pyramidal appearance, which in contrast with others, renders it
ornamental in plantations. The willow, on the other hand,
“stooping as if to drink,” if in its prime of beauty, gracefully
waves its tresses over the ruffled waters, or as an old pollard on
the bank of the stream, looking like a giant, with huge distorted
head, cannot be mistaken. The beech darting round its con-
voluted spokes in regular order, with its wiry branches and smooth
bark, forms another character; while the “ gnarled” and “ knotted
oak,” stiff, rigid, and motionless, even amidst the most furious
blast of winter, merely moans a gruff defiance to the storm.
* An instance exemplifying this occurred to me a few weeks since. Walking
with a friend in the country, an extraordinary large misletoe bush caught our view
among the branches of a tree on an eminence at some distance. Its great size had
a curious effect, and from the shape of the branches of the trees around, I thought
it was an oak. My companion differed from me in opinion, and we had anarduous
scramble “over bush, bank, and scaur,’’ to determine the matter, when it actually
proved to be a dime, but growing so close to an oak, that the branches of two trees
were intermingled together. What was also very curious, numerous oaks grew on
this ridge, but no other dime.
May, 1835,—vou. Il. NO. xX. 21
256 ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES.
It is important to notice these graphic outlines traced upon
trees, because, as Baron Humboldt has well observed—it is
vegetation that principally characterizes the features of a country,
and distinguishes it from another. The granite rock, the basaltic
column, and the limestone ridge, are the same in Iceland and
Sweden as in Mexico and Peru:—but who could mistake the
vegetation of the two regions? Even animals seldom appear in
quantities sufficient to give a feature to the scene, and their con-
tinual restlessness removes them from our view; but trees affect
our imagination by their magnitude and stability, flowers by
the brilliancy of their colours, and herbs by the freshness of their
verdure.
If trees have their distinguishing characteristics even amidst
the gloom of winter, when their denuded branches stretch in
mournful array across the heavy atmosphere, we may easily con-
ceive their varied effect when clothed in the vivid umbrage of
summer. This, indeed, is noticeable by all who have an eye to
appreciate sylvan scenery, and is frequently alluded to by our
poets. Thus Cowper has described the various aspect of th
leaves of trees, in his “ Task :">— ;
‘No tree in all the grove but has its charms,
Though each its hue peculiar; paler some,
And of a wannish gray, the willow such, .
And poplar, that with silver lines his leaf,
And ash, far stretching his umbrageous arm ;
Of deeper green the elm; and deeper still,
Lord of the woods, the long-surviving oak,
Some glossy-leaved, and shining in the sun,
The maple, and the beech of oily nuts
Prolific, and the lime at dewy eve |
Diffusing odours: nor unnoticed pass
The sycamore, capricious in attire,
Now green, now tawny, and, ere autumn yet
Has chang’d the woods, in scarlet honowrs bright.”
Numerous other trees might be mentioned more or less obviously
claiming the attention, but all are familiar with the silvery
feature given to a landscape where the waving willows of the
brook predominate and are agitated by the wind. Contrast, too,
the gloomy aspect of a pine forest, or even of a single dark pine
or fir, recognizable over a country for miles, with the splendid
parti-coloured and golden umbrage of the beech in autumn, un-
rivalled in its vividity, as the sunbeams play upon the smooth
leaves. The forest scenery of Great Britain, indeed, when we
leave the cathedral tower far behind, the dim blue apex to a dark
mass of distant foliage,—when we enter among the scattered
relics of olden forests, or penetrate amid the glens of a hilly or
rocky region, presents features interesting to the true lover of
nature; and without studying from scenes like these, the true effect
of our forest trees is unknown and unattended to. Look at the
contorted lime forced in the plantation to crimp up its toes and
ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES, 257
shoulders to range in the “ rank and file” line that some capability
Brown has marked out for it—but how different its independent
aspect on the rocky strata of Ankerdine hill, in Worcestershire,
or like an hoary Druid, shaking its tresses over the foaming
cataracts of Pont-nedd-Vechan, Glamorganshire. The yew,
subjected to the metempsychosis of a Dutch gardener, with out-
stretched wing, or stiff tasseled crest, is unsightly enough to the
eye of taste; but seen in its native solitudes, clustering up the
sides of a bare hill, or encamped with its horny tortuous roots
upon the edge of asteep precipice, its funereal plume waves
there in. unison with the rough rocks around. Those who have
seen the yew on the sides of the Wrekin, and adjacent Lime-kiln
Woods, or where, overshadowing the streams that murmur from
their defiles, clustered with ivy, it throws the deepest possible
obscurity of shade upon noon’s fervid glare; or those who have
paused, as I have, to mark its old mossy clumps, shrouding in
early spring the brook that patters down the rocks of Areley, on
whose black basaltic height the Roman eagles have stooped, will
duly estimate the yew as a British tree,* and admit its pictorial
effect in its native habitat. Wordsworth has well described the
appearance of the yew in Cumberland—
‘“¢ There is a yew-tree, pride of Lorton Vale,
Which to this day stands single in the midst
Of its own darkness, as it stood of yore,
Not loth to furnish weapons in the hands
Of Umfreville, or Percy, ere they marched
To Scotland’s heaths, or those that crossed the sea,
And drew their sounding bows at Agincourt,
Perhaps at earlier Cressy, or Poictiers.
Of vast circumference and gloom profound,
This solitary yew ! —a living thing
Produced too slowly ever to decay ;
Of form and aspect too magnificent
To be destroyed.”
England is distinguished by her park-like scenery, and nothing
is more characteristic of an English nobleman or gentleman’s
mansion, than the “old patrician trees” that surround it, and give
only an indistinct and imperfect view of the towers and wreathed
chimneys rising above them. A long avenue of trees, forming a
natural arch overhead, if the vegetable columns have sufficient
room to extend themselves, forms a majestic object to gaze down,
especially when a picturesque building in dim perspective forms
a vista tothe scene. In this case, however, the trees must be all
* In Loudon’s “ Arboretum Britannicum,” recently published, a doubt is
raised on the authority of Daines Barrington, as to the yew’s being an indigenous
tree. Those who have rambled over the woods and hills of Worcestershire and
Herefordshire, where hundreds may be seen in every stage of growth, can entertain
no more doubt on the subject than they would as to the bramble’s being a native.
At the western base of the Herefordshire Beacon, beyond Little Malvern, some
very fine old trees occur, and numerous others are dispersed in the woods.
258 ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES.
of one species, or the mass is broken, and the longer the avenue
the better the effect. Those who have seen the magnificent
avenue of limes at Cotheridge Court, Worcestershire, a quarter
of a mile long, in double columns; or the huge luxuriant firs
stretching along a broad extent of greensward, at Llanvihangel
Court, Monmouthshire, will fully comprehend the effect thus
produced.
* A length of colonnade
Invites us. Monument of ancient taste
Now scorn’d, but worthy of a better fate.
Our fathers knew the value of a screen
From sultry suns; and, in their shaded walks
And long protracted bow’rs, enjoy’d at noon
The gloom and coolness of declining day.” Cowper.
But in admitting the effect of colonnades, under certain cir-
cumstances, we must discard all other regular figures from the
picturesque of plantation. Squares, circles, or polygons are all
in bad taste, and when as at Bleinheim, the plantations are made
to represent the positions of squadrons of horse and foot in battle
array, the puerile conception of groves thus “nodding at each
other,” is too flagrant and apparent to be dwelt upon.
An estate or wild district of country is often much improved
and rendered beautiful and picturesque by judicious planting ;
but the present practice is often too indiscriminate, and the effect
therefore fails. A clump of firs on the summit of a barren hill
(if the aspect be not too bleak) has in general a good effect; but
if the entire hill be planted in the same way, the uniform same-
ness tires the eye, the trees being all nearly of the same growth.
A wild pine forest, on the other hand, on rocky and broken
ground, with aged veteran trees stretching their roots upon the
banks of a brawling stream, hurrying along a deep stony ravine,
has a fine picturesque effect. The indiscriminate planting of
evergreens and deciduous trees together, though commonly prac-
tised, is objectionable, and particularly if they are placed too
near each other, and no attention paid to their thinning and
pruning. But judiciously grouped together, the effect of ever-
greens is often very fine; Lord Bacon has descanted in his
Essays upon their effect in a winter garden, and Evelyn speaks
with rapture of his magnificent holly hedge, at Say’s Court, which
the eccentric Czar Peter amused himself by riding through when
an artizan in the Woolwich dock-yard. Where the holly grows
naturally, its effect as a wild thicket in the wintry season, with
its varnished leaves and brilliant ruby berries, is very exhilarating
in a season when all appears bleak and denuded, and I have fre-
quently met with spots about the Wrekin, the Lickey, or the
Malvern hills, that at such a time had the effect of the most
beautiful and brilliant cabinet pictures, seen in unison with the
objects around. This is the charm of forest scenery—suddenly
to dive into some bosky recess where the world is entirely shut
«
ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 259
out, the green leaves and the blue sky all that is seen—the waving
branch and the plashy streamlet (across which some mossy trunk
has fallen) all that is heard !
“The deep recess of dusky groves
Of forest, where the deer securely roves,
The fall of waters and the song of birds,
And hills that echo to the distant herds,
Are luxuries excelling all the glare
The world can boast, and her chief favourites share.”’
An arboretum formed without any attention to the features of
woodland scenery in a state of nature, is but an heterogeneous
collection of individuals, pining for their native associates, pro-
ductive perhaps of wonder to the ignorant stranger, but altogether
wanting in that local aspect so pleasing to the naturalist. Among
rocks and lakes the pine genus are peculiarly appropriate; they
convey the ideas of savageness and solitude, and gloomy silence
seems enshrined within their limits. The aspect of a fir forest
in Norway is thus described by a pleasing writer :*—* Those who
have never been in any other than woods of small extent, and
adjacent perhaps to the abodes of men, have no conception of
the silence and solitude which pervade the greater forests. The
former are full of little birds, in whose very aspect there is glad-
ness, and in whose chirpings and clear notes there is no touch of
melancholy, and being associated too with gardens and lawns,
and with our very parlour windows, mirthful rather than gloomy
images are awakened by their presence:—but no images like
these, nor any such associations, belong to the forests of the
north. There no little birds hop from spray to spray—no gay
melody is in the air—the rustling among the bushes does not
denote the presence of the tuneful thrush, but of some wild and
solitary animal with which man has no associations. An eagle
or a heron rising from a dell, or soaring above a lake, augment
rather than detract from the feeling of solitude, because they are
birds of solitude, and never visit the habitations of men.” The
fir, then, is more appropriate to the wilderness than the garden,
where too often it grows in a mean stunted way, incommoding
its neighbours. But the magnificent cedar, stretching over a vast
circumference with its huge arms, seems exactly appropriate to
the vicinity of palaces, and combines well with the towers and
turrets that rise in architectural display around it. Hence the
images imprinted on the mind, and when we view the massive
architecture of the east associated with the cedar, we involuntarily
recur to Babylon or Nineveh in its ancient grandeur, as the
palm directs us to Palmyra or the pyramids.
From the cursory remarks J have made as to the striking dis-
tinctions in the characteristics of trees, even in the limited Flora
of our own country, it may be easily comprehended that in the
* Inglis’s Journey through Norway.
260 ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES.
almost numberless trees of foreign climes, a still greater variety
of forms and characters must appear, sufficient to affect the
general features of the locality, and distinguish one district from
another. This is in fact the case, and without entering in detail
upon the sixteen peculiar features described by Humboldt, it
may be sufficient to observe that the palms, bananas, and tree ferns,
peculiarly distinguish tropical countries; the heaths, of which
300 species are known, are mostly confined to South Africa and
the old world, none being found in America or Australia; the
aloes, from their magnitude and the imposing aspect of their
pyramids of flowers, give a singular feature to the parched plains
of Africa; while North America, profuse in her flowering forest-
trees, presents in her magnificent magnolias and liriodéendrons
objects of beauty unknown to European latitudes. Again the
plains of Australia are distinguished by the dull and sickly
evergreen eucalypti, often attaining the height of 150 feet; the
“ myrtle groves and orange bowers” breathe perfumes around the
countries of the Mediterranean ; while the stately cedarand the
lofty pine ascend the heights of the most precipitous mountains,
and towering even amid the snows, give an expressive feature to
the Alpine scenery. Were we at once wafted over half the
rotund earth to that immense banian-tree mentioned by Forbes,
whose principal trunks amount to 350, while the smaller de-
pendent stems exceed 3000, we should at once recognize Hin-
doostaun, and behold in imagination the gymnosophists men-
tioned by Arrian, and see in reality the Brahmin dressed in his
long white tunic, spending his solitary hours beneath the sacred
tree, himself held sacred for its sake, and supplied with the
comforts of life in return for his prayers and benedictions.
Trees, even in the arboretum, should endeavour to awaken our
sympathies, and this they will do, if a judicious attention be paid
to the circumstances under which they grew in their native clime.
A cypress that would be dissightly and neglected on a common,
is classical and impressive beside an inscribed urn in the pleasure
ground. Poetical association is indeed less indebted to the eye
than the mind; for though the eye awakens the association, the
train of thought was already there—it had slumbered from
earliest infancy, and needed but a single note to awaken up.
Old trees, “bald with antiquity,” lightning-scathed trunks, or
moss-grown seniors propped up and only saved from destruction
by a mantle of supporting ivy, are fine materials for the pic-
turesque, contrasted with young vigorous plantations, and impart
great interest to a woodland view, especially should some old
stag be resting beside their battered trunks. Memory, fancy,
and poetical association here all conspire to charm and affect the
mind. ‘The trees beneath which we have played in infancy, the
huge old roots where we have perhaps sat a thousand times,
while the laugh, and the tale, and the game progressed merrily ;—
the grove, or the avenue along which we paced when receiving
ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 261
the last advice of a father ere we sought other realms ;—the
shady walk where the evening star witnessed the first enthusiastic
declaration of a youthful but never-to-be-forgotten affection :—
the mansion concealed almost amid oaks or elms, where a brother
or uncle formerly resided—a home to us once, but a home no
more !—the funereal gloom thrown over the cherished forms of
those that once loved us, now resting in peace, unconscious of our
woes !—these are the materials upon which poetry works, and
largely draws upon our sympathies. She paints the “common lot,”
tells us of our past joys, and we cannot but be impressed, because
we all deplore the loss of some past joy, that is alas!—irrecoverable.
How skilfully Cowper has worked up these feelings in describing
the simple fact of the destruction of a grove of poplars.
‘“* The poplars are fell’d, and adieu to the shade,
And the whispering sound of the cool colonnade.’’
* + * * S5u6
“* Twelve years have elapsed since I last took a view
Of my favourite field and the bank where they grew;
And now in the grass behold they are laid,
And the tree is my seat that once lent me a shade.
My fugitive years are all hasting away,
And I must ere long lie as lowly as they,
With a turf on my breast and a stone at my head,
Ere another such grove shall arise in its stead.”
We shall perhaps be as much affected if we consider the converse
of this, and contemplate a tree whose vast extent of shade bas
overspread the earth centuries before we saw the light, and whose
immense bulk will still continue to resist the storms of winter ;
when all that we have loved are vanished from below, and when
we ourselves, and perhaps our very names and eyen nation, shall
have passed away. :
Our feelings may be also excited by the characteristic features
of trees. The first golden catkins of the sallow, produced in
early spring, when we saw the first butterfly of the year, or heard
the first hum of the bee; the oak beneath whose canopy of
verdure we have sheltered from the storm; the long line of silvery
willows, disclosing the devious course of the brook, where we
have loitered or angled many an hour; the flowering limes vocal
with unnumbered insects diffusing fragrance amidst the scorching
heats of summer; and the beeches, with their bark indented
with a hundred letters carved by the hand of love or frolic;—
all produce a train of association that has only to be kindled
with the spark of poetry, to touch and warm our hearts. One
of the most beautiful episodes of Homer is that where Hector,
returning from the conflict to Troy, to direct an immediate
sacrifice to Pallas, finds all the Trojan females seated in security
(though almost within hearing of the slogan of war) beneath the
shade of the beech trees— |
-
262 ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TPEES..
‘** Meantime, the guardian of the Trojan state,
Great Hector, enter’d at the Scean gate ;
Beneath the beech trees consecrated shades,
The Trojan matrons and the Trojan maids
Around him flock’d, all pressed with pious care,
For husbands, brothers, sons engag’d in war.’
Hom. Ji. vi. 296—301,
Humboldt has well observed on this point that “the poetry of
Greece, and the ruder songs of the northern races, are in great
measure indebted for their different characteristics, to the forms
of animals and plants, to those of the mountains and valleys
which surrounded the poet, and to the air which fanned him.”
“Who has not felt his mind,” he continues, “very differently
attuned, when under the dark shade of a beech grove, or when
standing on a hill crowned with isolated fir trees, or when in a mea-
dow, the wind murmuring in the tremulous leaves of the birch;
melancholy, serious, or pleasing images are called up by these
vegetable forms of our father-land. ‘The influence of the physical
on the moral, this mysterious connexion between the inner and
exterior worlds, givesto the study of nature, when thus generalized,
a peculiar and hitherto little known charm.”*
I cannot at present enter upon the benefits productive to
barren land from plantations, or the profits that are derivable
therefrom: my object here being only to consider the subject in
a pictorial and poetical view. ‘There are feelings connected with
trees that impress even the most indifferent minds. We trace
them in past ages as the seat of honoured tribunals, beneath
whose shade justice was dispensed, and the sacred rites of
hospitality performed. We behold them preserved to the ex-
tremest old age as landmarks, or as forming a mournful shade over
the ashes of those we love. We turn to them with rapture and
awe as associated with the names of bards and heroes, whose
memories are recorded in our annals, and with whom we would
converse as we gaze upon the trees beneath whose shade they
reposed.
Dr. Johnson loved to visit a favourite willow near Lichfield,
and Salt, the Abyssinian traveller, in his letters from Egypt, asks
“if the great elm and willow are still standing ?’+ and says the
assurance that the old pear and apple trees, and the mountain
ash were still living, gave him great delight. Such feelings have
led to the preservation of trees in every age, mentioned by various
authors—such as the Menelaid plane in Arcadia, seen by Pau-
sanias, A. D. 151, and believed to have been planted by Menelaus
previous to the siege of ‘Troy—that also hanging over the temple
of Delphos, and the one by which Socrates used to swear—the
plane-tree called Caligula's nest, at his villa near Velitre, capable
* Essay on the characters of Vegetation, by Baron Humboldt.
+ Halls’ Memoirs of Salt, 2 vols. 8vo. Perhaps some Lichfield reader of “The
Analyst” can give an answer to Salt’s quere, with the dimensions of the trees.
ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 263
of accommodating fifteen persons at dinner, with all the attend-
ants imperial pomp required—the holm-tree at Rome mentioned
by Pliny, with old Tuscan characters upon it, from which it
appeared that it was a remarkable tree before the foundation of
Rome—the renowned cedars of Mount Lebanon, one of which
was thirty-six feet in girth when seen by Maundrell, though still
sound, and beneath whose boughs the “feast of cedars” is still
annually celebrated—the tilia of Basil, under which the German
Emperors used to dine—Alfred’s oak, near Magdalen College,
Oxford, whose canopy of shade could have sheltered 3000 men—
or the great lime, at Newstadt, in Wirtemburgh, honoured by
above two hundred monuments, obelisks and inscriptions in
honour of it, by princes and nobles who had visited the tree.
I might to this list add many remarkable denizens of the
forest even in our own neighbourhood, but the length to which I
have extended this article obliges me to draw to an abrupt con-
clusion. Last year I was shown at Walcot, Salop, the seat of
Karl Powis, a young mango-tree in the splendid greenhouse there,
planted from the fruit presented to the hand of England's
proudest hope, the Princess Victoria. When at some far distant
day that accomplished princess shall ascend the throne,—when
surrounded by all the glories royalty can bestow, happy in the
love of a contented people—but ah! not exempt from the cares
that shadow even a royal brow,—what may be her emotions when
again gazing at that mango-tree, planted with her own hand in
the happy hour of youth and joy!
In conclusion, I would recommend all to cherish a love of
woodland scenery—for the emotions to which it gives rise must
lead us to a train of feelings that will enable us to enjoy with
greater zest the works of our best authors, and perhaps raise our
thoughts to the great Author of Nature himself. To those who
have land, nothing can be more gratifying and profitable than
planting such hardy trees, native and foreign, as will bear the
climate of Britain, and few are aware of the growth of a planta-
tion even in ten years.* We cannot, indeed, have the palm or
the banian to adorn our grounds, but as arboriculture is yet in
its infancy, the curious stores of our arboretum may be increased
year after year.
But could we even only pay attention to the indigenous trees of
our native island, these are important enough to demand our
study, and to furnish an ample store of knowledge and pleasure.
In anational point of view, the preservation of our invincible
navy depends upon the true British oak being preserved for ship-
building, and plantations of it should be constantly progressing
in every stage. Lord Collingwood used to say that he would
never walk out without taking a handful of acorns to scatter
about the country, leaving them in the hope that many would
* See Loudon’s “Arboretum Britannicum,’’ now in course of publication,
where the plates represent plants of ten years’ growth.
May, 1835.—voL. i. NO. x. 2M
264 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
rise up into trees fit for the navy. Here is the pivot on which
our national grandeur rests. While we command the ocean,
while our navies are ready at a moment's notice to wave their
pendants in the favouring gale, and pour their broadsides where-
ever an enemy shows himself, we have nothing to dread from
war; and peace, bringing to our ports the productions of every
nation at an easy price, must, with good government and domestic
tranquillity still render us independent of all other states, and
point us out to them an object of unmixed admiration, though
beneath less brilliant skies and less ardent suns than theirs.
“ Let India boast her palms, nor envy we
The weeping amber or the spicy tree,
Since by our oaks the precious loads are borne,
And realms commanded which those trees adorn.”
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Birmingham and its Vicinity, as a Manufacturing and Commercial District.
By W. Hawkes Smith. With numerous illustrations, engraved on
steel. Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Radclyffes and Co. Peck-lane, New-
street, Birmingham; and Tilt, Fleet-street, London.
The issuing of publications of this description in numbers, is of
advantage both to authors and readers—it enables the former to avail
themselves of time and circumstances, to add new matter and to effect
all necessary alterations, as the work proceeds, and to the latter it
cherishes the expectancy of future gratification.
_ This work is divided into its several portions with suitable and well-
adjusted classification. The district is first considered with reference to
its topography and geology; then follows a detailed account of Birming-
ham from its first origin; and afterwards a description of the various
manufactures by which this town and neighbourhood are most dis-
tinguished.
Streets, churches, institutions, and public buildings, the author
justly observes, are to be found in almost every town in the kingdom ;
and where these constitute all that is interesting, let them constitute,
also, the staple of the description; but surely a place whose varied
manufactures are dispersed among all ‘the civilized nations of the
earth,” may claim its peculiar history on their account especially. The
inquirer who seeks for information in Birmingham and its vicinity,
expects to gratify laudable curiosity by the inspection of the processes of
manufacture, the wonders of machinery, and the finest specimens of the
elegant works of art. He therefore may fairly desire to have recourse
to such a description as may not only in general terms inform him that
such things are, but may also, specifically, call his attention to the
precise points most attractive.
To illustrate the state of the arts and manufactures of Birmingham,
by a publication, which shall combine the popular character of what has
been attempted under the title of a ‘‘ Magnificent Directory,” with the
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 2656
information to be derived from a scientific and topographical description,
has been evidently the professed aim of the intelligent author; and in
this attempt he has most ably succeeded.
In his observations on the mining district, the following extract on the
article of coal consumed for one particular purpose—the smelting of
iron ore, will excite no small degree of astonishment :—
*¢ One hundred and fifty years ago, though coal was, says Plot, ‘used, not only
in private families, but for most, if not all of the mechanical purposes ;’ though it
was also ‘ prepared by charring, and called coak,’ which rendered it more exten-
sively useful, there were but fifty or sixty thousand tons raised annually in the
whole district. Such a statement, compared with the present production, exhibits
a difference and an increase absolutely astounding ; a sum and magnitude approach-
ing the sublime. To illustrate this, in a striking point of view, it may be well to
consider the quantity of coal raised for one particular purpose,—the smelting of
iron ore. A single iron furnace, in active operation, runs out, weekly, nearly fifty
tons of metal. These fifty tons are produced at the cost of about seven tons of
coal to each ton of iron, or three hundred and fifty tons of coal per furnace per
week. Multiply this by fifty-two for the number of weeks in a year, and the
product by a hundred for the number of furnaces in the district, and the result,
@ million and three quarter of tons of coals, gives a rough estimate—not of the
quantity produced; not including that which is required to render the pig or fused
iron fit for the hammer, nor the vast amount used in the preparation of manufac-
tured articles, nor the contents of the countless loaded boats sent for the supply,
domestic and manufacturing, of distant places; but only that which is consumed
in the act of rendering fit for the foundry or the forge, the iron smelted in the
district. A quantity equal to thirty times the entire and total produce of 1680,
consumed in effecting that which was ¢hen performed by the combustion of other
Juel! The mind is bewildered with the conception of a totality so vast ;—of a
consumption so prodigious.
‘* We might continue the calculation by assuming a similar quantity as the total,
employed to the other various purposes, but no certain data could be adduced to
verify the statement. Enough has been said to shew the extraordinary changes
that have taken place in this neighbourhood, within a comparatively short space of
time; to exhibit the prodigious natural wealth of the district; and to evince that
some consideration as to the mode in which these treasures are deposited in the
recesses of the earth, may fairly be expected to be attended with much interest.’’
The following account of a descent into a coal-mine, and the method
of working it, will not fail, also, to prove interesting :—
‘‘ The traveller, in a mineral country, will scarcely consider that he has seen all
that claims his attention, unless he descend into the subterranean depths where the
work is carried on. There is something novel and interesting in the act of ex-
ploring the secrets of the mine. It resembles a rapid visit to another world, or an
unknown country. The trip, however, is quickly performed,—without difficulty or
danger ;—and the information required well defrays the cost of time so bestowed.
‘* While the trifling pre-arrangements are making for a descent, the visitor takes
a rapid glance at the apparatus on the surface. Of this, the principal object is a
steam-engine, of greater or less power, in proportion as the pit is more or less
troubled with water,—in some cases, the contest with this enemy entirely employs
a very powerful engine, so that the coals are drawn up by means of another smaller
engine placed near the principal one. The water is raised by the alternate action
of two pistons, which thus throw out the intrusive fluid in a continued stream.
Elevated above the mouth of the working shaft is placed a simple triangular
tackling, from which, at the height of twenty to twenty-five feet, hangs a small
iron wheel, over which passes the end of a long flat rope or chain, about four
inches broad, which is coiled round an axis or band, moved by the engine. At the
end of this chain is suspended the platform or carriage, on which the visitor and
his guide place themselves, and which reposes upon the sliding head or cover of the
shaft. This carriage is first raised a little in order to withdraw the wooden
covering ; and the shaft or pit then lies open in all its black profundity. The
carriage immediately commences its descent—rapidly and silently. Casting an
upward look on the failing light, the stranger’s attention is arrested, to perceive
that all the weight of himself, his guide, and the carriage, is insufficient to keep
the rope in a complete state of tension, but that it undulates in considerable waves
266 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
through its whole length. He also perceives that the shaft is filled with a thick haze -
or mist, which is, in fact, the accumulation of foul air, and all sorts of impurities,
which are driven out of the mine by a rising current of pure air, and which thus
ascend by the shaft. Darker and darker each moment becomes the shaft, and the
upper orifice is now an inconsiderable circle of brightness, and still the machine
descends ;—down— down,
‘* Landing at length, after his easy transit, the visitor finds it difficult to discern
the objects about him, even with the assistance of the candle which is placed in his
hand—in the double blackness occasioned by the absence of light, and by the sable
hue of the ribs and walls of coal by which he is surrounded. * & bal
‘‘ Arrived at the part where active work is going on, several candles, stuck by
means of lumps of clay against the sides, shed a feeble light; and by each of these,
a workman is seen pursuing his laborious occupation. It is the universal custom
for the colliers, when engaged at work, to have the upper half of their bodies un-
clothed; thus leaving their limbs completely at liberty, and lessening the incon-
venience which would be felt if fragments of coal were continually falling within
their dress. Their arduous employment prevents their suffering from cold; and
indeed, the temperature, at these depths, is always rather high, and receives but
little variation from the changes which affect the state of the upper air.
** Noting the operation of getting out the lowest coal, it will be a matter of
astonishment to perceive into how small space the human figure can be packed,
while the pick or pike is constantly applied. An excavation below the stratum,
perhaps eight or nine yards square, being driven—the cavity not more than two
feet to two feet six inches high; the colliers next proceed to the still more difficult
task of cutting upwards, in the sides of the impending mass, forming a channel of
eight or ten inches wide, and four or five feet high, leaving here and there a small
point called a spern,* still attached to the main wall.
** The smallest coal and slack are all along carried away by boys employed for the
urpose, and removed, if the work be a new one, or if there be a demand for it ;
ut if the mine be partially cleared, and no demand exists for the small coal, it is
taid in heaps, on the nearest cleared space.
‘* The cavity completed, it is obvious that a solid mass of coal, eight or nine
yards square, and four or five feet thick, hangs, supported only by the occasional
points or sperns before mentioned. Retiring then to a safe distance, the miners,
with light poles, fifteen feet long, shod with hooks and points of steel, and termed
‘ prickers,’ by degrees work away a portion of the support, till a slight warning
erack is heard. Every one then gets out of danger, and shortly after, the vast
mass thunders down. The quantity of coal which descends at a single fall, varies
according to circumstances, from one hundred to three hundred tons. This is then
broken into removable pieces, and piled on the small low four-wheeled carriages, or
skips, before alluded to, which run on the railways. The pile on the skip is carried
to the height of four or five feet, by means of three or four broad iron hoops thrown
over it, as necessity requires, to keep the coals in their places; and is further
secured by two strong chains. When arrived under the shaft, the hook of the
descending rope is attached to these chains, and the entire load, including the
carriage, is drawn up.
‘* The lower fall of coals being thus cleared away, the miners prepare to bring
down the next stage above, by cutting upwards in a narrow channel as before, as
far as they can reach, leaving the requisite holds or sperns, in a similar manner.
In this work they are partially assisted by the heaps of slack, when these are left
behind ; but when they can no longer reach to make their strokes, temporary
scaffoldings are affixed into the perpendicular sides of the mine, by means of short
and stout wedges of wood, called bye/s, which are driven into holes bored for the pur-
pose ; these byets carry planks, on whose frail and precarious footing the workmen
stand, to pursue their dangerous task of detaching the enormous impending mass,
which a few superfluous or injudicious strokes may bring down in resistless ruin on
their heads. Such accidents, however, are of rare occurrence; practice enables
’ the workmen to judge very accurately how far they may proceed to sap the support
of the upper strata; and the weight is seldom known to fall without some notice.
When the proper degree of cutting has been effected, the pricker is used, as in the
former case, to bring down the loosened mass.
‘‘ In clearing out the coal, care is taken to leave at such distancesas are thought
necessary, strong pillars to support the superincumbent strata; so that whena
mine of ten yard coal has been some time worked, it presents the appearance of
nu extensive and regular range of cavities, technically termed stalls, supported by
massy columns of thirty feet in height.
* “ Sperm (German), a spur, buttress, &c,
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. ' 267
“' The arrangement of these pillars, the size of the stalls, and the measurement
of the work, comparing its progress with the area on the surface, under which the
mine is to extend, is the office of the ground bailiff, who superintends every
operation, and keeps order among the often mischievous spirits who form the
population of a mine.”
In glancing over this useful and intelligent work, we find that
Birmingham, commencing its existence in the profound depths of an-
.tiquity, and drawing its raw material from its own vicinity, was the seat
of manufactures, while yet manufactures were few and simple, and
before commerce had dispersed them in other directions. Inconsiderable
in point of size and population, for many generations this town was very
little known, but being principally peopled by a race of artificers in iron,
its inhabitants slowly and decisively acquired fame and skill; and when
circumstances favoured the introduction of new manufactures, they were
repared to take advantage of every change, and to exercise their
ingenuity in the fabrication of articles of ornament which had hitherto
been unknown in the country. About the time of the restoration of
Charles II., whose long residence on the continent gave new tastes and
new habits to his Court, the first great step towards improvement took
place; and when, in consequence, the fashions and the ornaments of
foreign countries began to claim admiration, and to excite the emulation
of imitators. 'Then dawned a new era in Birmingham—the era of
enterprise and improvement. This change was likewise accelerated by
political circumstances, which brought a large influx of individuals from
cities and boroughs of chartered importance, bringing with them capital
and industry, who settled in this then inconsiderable town. Since that
time Birmingham has continually and rapidly advanced; and towards
the middle of the last century, its original vulcanian pursuits having
ceased to form its prominent characteristics, and the ornamental manu-
factures so extended and varied themselves, that in his day, Edmund
Burke termed the place, not inaptly, ‘‘ the toy-shop of Europe.” There
was such a want of classical and elegant taste, however, at this period,
in most of their fancy and ornamental manufactures, that the name of
*‘ Birmingham” became a jest and a bye-word, and was fastened on any
article of ornament which was distinguished by misplaced or incongruous
decoration. Time and competition have, however, induced an acquaint-
ance with better principles of art; and at the present time its inhabitants
are competent to the design, as well as the execution of all articles that
require the exercise of taste, skill, and science, in the course of their con-
ception and completion. The change in the manufacturing pursuits,
which began to take place at the close of the last century, had an intel-
lectual and improving tendency. Steam-engines and their attendant
mechanical inventions could not fail to enlarge and improve the minds
of those engaged in putting them into action. Such a mass of scientific
power could not be accumulated, without rendering science itself familiar
to many minds. The extended trade of the town, and the consequently
increasing habits of locomotion, tended also to increase liberality of
sentiment—the principal inhabitants became imbued with chastened and .
enlarged views on political as well as other subjects, and the more ardent
spirits on both sides were thus held in salutary check.
Birmingham is in every sense of the word a ‘‘ manufacturing town,”
the birth-place and chosen spot of the most effective machinery,
and with such pretensions and advantages as no other place in the
British empire can equal—in wealth and magnitude, in population and
importance it is inferior in rank only to the metropolis. It must not be
inferred from this observation, however, that the hammer and the anvil
268 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
have chased away the impressions and the love of literature. In no large
commercial town is the desire of lettered distinction more ardently
cherished, or brought into play with more distinguished success. ‘There.
are Libraries, and Philosophical and Literary Societies of the best
description—a School of Medicine, an annual Exhibition of Paintings,
and other intellectual establishments—and there are few places in
England wherein are congregated so many men of lofty genius and first-
rate talent. Writers of the most distinguished eminence reside in
Birmingham, and the whole range of arts and sciences are cultivated
with an assiduity and perfection most honourable to its talented residents.
Under the head ‘‘ Manufactures” is an excellent description of the
steam-engine, with an account of the various improvements made in them
by Newcomen, Watt, and others, into which we regret want of space
will not allow us toenter. That the introduction of this powerful engine
has been productive of the most beneficial effects, the following brief
extract will demonstrate :—
*¢ The various manufactures of this town are carried on, in numerous instances,
by persons of small capital, who, yet, may require a mechanical moving force; and
their necessities have produced a trade, in the article of Steam Power. The person
who erects a large steam engine for a considerable work, finds it his interest to
make its power much greater than his own concern actually demands. He is thus
enabled to secure to himself a profitable return, by the sale of his superfluous
power, to persons who may occupy part of his building, or to whose machinery it
may be communicated, by means of long shafts or spindles, extending to the adjoin-
ing premises. The manufactory in any line which happens to be situated in a spot
contiguous to a large engine, is thus, at an easy rate, supplied with the quantity of
power required. Nay, the mere working man, who has saved a trifling sum, is
enabled, by renting a share of room and power, in some extensive rolling mill or
other considerable establishment, to pursue on a small scale, an occupation, which
would otherwise be out of his reach, The proprietor himself, also, has at his command
a magazine of power sufficient to meet the emergency, should an extension of his
own concern render the force he has hitherto employed insufficient for his purposes.”?
The historical portion of this work, as well as that part relating to
manufactures and machinery, teems with interesting and valuable
information, on which, had it been practicable, we would have gladly
commented. We hope to refer again to this publication, however, as it
farther advances, for it is well worthy of a more enlarged notice.
Before we dismiss this concise analysis of a most useful and enter-
taining work, it is, in strict justice, absolutely necessary that we draw
attention to its execution. The author (Mr. Hawkes Smith) must have
used most indefatigable industry in his researches for materials for his
work, which appears to us to be very complete, and is, most assuredly,
very ably penned. We must also direct due notice to the typographical
part of the numbers, not only for its general correctness, but for its ex-
treme neatness. In a most especial manner, however, are we bound to
speak most favourably of the numerous illustrations engraved on steel,
with which it abounds, all of which, for their style and subject, are as
excellent specimens of the graver’s burine as can be well imagined. Part
of these, it must be noted, are address plates of manufacturing and com-
mercial establishments. These form a distinct feature in the work.
They present cleverly combined groupings of ornamental articles, or
characteristic street-views and interiors ;—and although not connected
with the literary portion of the work, are deserving of notice as good
specimens of tasteful design and execution, and an indication of spirit
and enterprize in those who take such means,—attended with unavoidable
expenditure,—of advertising their residence and occupation.
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS, -- 269
The Natural History of Birds. By Robert Mudie, Author of. ‘‘ The
Feathered Tribes of the British Islands,” ‘‘ Guide to the Observa-
tion of Nature,” &c. London: Orr and Smith, Paternoster Row.
1834.
There is much soundness in the prefatory comments of Mr. Mudie on
the influence which a pleasurable and interesting mode of communicating
knowledge acts on the minds of the young, in contradistinction to that
dry and wearisome mode which long custom has adopted in most of our
seminaries of learning. ‘‘ The natural desire for knowledge,” he justly
observes, “‘has only to be preserved alive, enticed by that which is
pleasant, and kept in the way of that which is useful; and all wiil learn,
not only voluntarily, but in spite of opposition. That such would be
the case, if the young were not sickened with mechanical trifles in which
there is no occupation for the mind, and condemned to drudge at that
in which they can see no usefulness and find no pleasure, is not only
probable, but demonstrated in the cases of those who have been spared
this weariness of the spirit, and also saved from those errors into which
the unoccupied minds of the young are so prone to fall. To save from
those errors, and at the same time to keep the natural desire alive and
on the alert, there is no subject better fitted than natural history.”
Natural history, when considered in its largest extent, observes the
author, is the quarry from which the materials of all the sciences, as
well as those of the arts, are brought, and yet it is a science wholly of
observation. We may place the plant or the animal in peculiar circum-
stances, and watch the results; but still these differ in kind from those
which we obtain when we make experiments on dead matter. As the
science, therefore, is wholly one of observation, all the information
arising from it should be as much as possible in accordance with the
mode in which knowledge occurs to us by observation. ‘This is necessary
not merely to secure the possession of the knowledge itself, but to secure
that enjoyment of what we know, which constitutes the real value and
use of knowledge. ‘The knowledge of the plants, the animals, the
succession of the seasons, and of all the other appearances of nature,
would avail us little, if it did not bring along with it a more hearty love of
nature, and a more ready perception of the practical use of all that
nature presents tous. The book which treats of natural subjects should
come as near as possible to the actual observation of nature; and for
want of this attention, the ordinary books which are laid before the
young and the ignorant, not only fail in imparting that knowledge which
is professed to be communicated, but rob the parties of the desire of
obtaining it, and thus in reality defeat the very object which they profess
to serve. This species of deception is, unfortunately, not confined to
natural history, but runs pretty largely through all the departments of
knowledge; and although it is probably worse in the case of natural
history than in that of any of the more abstract sciences which depend
less upon observation; yet it is mischievous in every case, as withdrawing
the attention from the reality and the practical enjoyment and use.
_ Mr. Mudie has accordingly fashioned this work on the Natural
History of Birds in a style so lucid and entertaining as to make it
amusing and instructive to the tyro, and sufficiently comprehensive to
the adult. To render it as extremely useful as possible, too, we observe,
that he has, in every instance, taken the simplest views of all those
matters which come within the scope of the volume, and expressed them
in the plainest language. Still, however, he truly asserts, ‘‘ the beauty
270 : CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
of the subject cannot be fully appreciated, or reverence for those worn.
derful displays of creative wisdom which birds, more strikingly than any
other creatures, evince, be duly felt, without some knowledge of the
principles of mechanics, of geography, of the seasonal changes on the
earth and in the atmosphere, and of various other collateral subjects.”
The treating of ornithology in a manner rather more scientific than is
usually done, are strong arguments in its favour; and when the reader
is persuaded that there is not only additional knowledge to be sought,
but that the attainment of it is absolutely necessary to the full and
perfect enjoyment of that which is already known, the value is materially
enhanced, because it is calculated to effect the greater good.
In the general account of birds, as distinguished from the other
classes of vertebrated animals, their structure and the nature of their
more important functions, whether vital or active, are treated in a light
and sketchy, but sufficiently explanatory manner. The details, as the
author observes, “‘ are for an after time—for letting the mind easily down
on its pillow, after the contest is over, and the prize won. They are for
reference, and belong to the humbler department of (what is called)
memory; but the book of instruction ought to be of a more spirit-
stirring character—it should enkindle the fire which it is to guide—arouse
the mind which it is to illuminate.”
Mr. Mudie’s former work ‘‘ On the Feathered Race,” we have noticed
in an antecedent number—we there luxuriated in the bold descriptions
of his native land—in the volume before us, however, we find that he
has diverged into a more difficult course, and has not invariably sufficient
data on which to ground histheories. Many of his descriptions are vivid
and picturesque; and when he peoples the magnificent scenery with its
appropriate inhabitants, he delights and improves his readers. The
general arrangement of the work, however, is too desultory. We
absolutely disagree with any attempt to make the classification depend
on mere extremities alone, and our opinion is more strongly confirmed
when we consider Mr. Mudie’s arguments. He states the fact of the
blue tit, which he exemplifies by a very clever sketch, to be similar with
those of the rook; yet we confess that we should be adverse to classing
our little fluttering, merry friends of the blue cap and yellow waistcoat,
the constant attendants on the kennel or kitchen door, in the same
genera with the aristocratical and clerical rook, the tenant of a lofty
avenue, or the secluded precincts of a college.
Perhaps there are few more interesting descriptions than that of the
*« Air Birds,” inserted under the head of ‘‘ General Analogies of Birds,”
of which the following is a short extract :—
** An air bird is one which uses the wing in immediately obtaining its food; thus
an eagle which stoops to ground prey, a falcon which captures in the air but eats
on the ground, a gannet which plunges in the water, and a swift or other insect
feeder which feeds on the wing without stopping, are all equally air birds, arriving
at their food by the action of the wings in that medium. So also a bird which
immediately finds its food with the wings closed, or only with a partial use of them,
subordinate to that of the feet, as in the birds which chase their prey under water,
those that perch upon flexible stems and twigs, and a few others, is a ground bird,
No matter whether it walks the bare earth, the vegetable surface, the boles or
branches of trees, or perches, or climbs, or swims, or dives, if aerial motion does
not form part of the art of capture, it is not an air bird. Many ground birds
range far on the wing in search of places where they may feed or nestle; but the
distinction between that and feeding on the wing, that is, arriving directly at the
prey from the air only, is obvious enough. If the bird moves anew from any
support but that of the air, that element has, as it were, rendered it up; and be
the support rock, earth, plant, or water, there is an unbroken connexion with the
ground.’
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS: 271
In dismissing these observations, we are bound to declare that Mr.
Mudie’s “‘ Natural History of Birds’ is a very clever and a very useful
production—that it is got up with great neatness, and at a very small
cost, and is extremely reputable to all concerned in its publication.
Hector Fieramosca, or The Challenge of Barletta: an Historical Tale,
By the Marquis D’Azeglio. Translated from the Italian. Long-
man and Co. 1835.
We remember to have read this work in the original Italian some two
or three years since, partly on account of its having excited considerable
sensation in that country, but principally from the circumstance of its
author being a relative of the justly celebrated Manzoni. It has since
obtained popularity on the continent, and been translated into French ;
and now it makes its appearance in an English dress by a translator who
has certainly done justice to the undertaking. ‘There was an opinion, a
very current one, at the time, that the author of ‘‘I Promessi Sposi”
assisted in its composition, and that will sufficiently account for the
eagerness with which it was sought on the continent.
This is principally a work of fiction, but there are so many historical
facts and real characters mixed up with its imaginative scenes, that the
positive information with which it abounds must give interest to its
perusal. A brief historical account of the Challenge of Barletta, and
the subsequent combat, usually referred to in history as the Battle of
Quadrato, will be found in Mr. Roscoe’s ‘‘ Life of Leo the Tenth ;” but
those who have access to the works of Guicciardini, Muratori, Giovio,
and others, will find it described more in detail, and the investigation
will not be unattended with interest. The state of Italy, at the period
thus described, is not so generally known as it ought to be. It is usual
for travellers to speak of the Italian character as it exists at the present
moment—they are now an oppressed, an enslaved people, but in former
ages a braver or more chivalrous race of men never threw the lance, nor
wielded the battle-axe.
The hero of this tale was the son of a gentleman of Capua, grown old
in the wars that lacerated Italy during the fifteenth century—he resigned
his sword to his son, the youth considering the military profession as the
only worthy one—nor could he be expected to have ideas superior to the
time in which he lived, when force of arms had the certain effect of
increasing wealth and reputation. Nature had bestowed on him the
precious gift of being, from his very disposition, urged on to whatever is
beautiful, virtuous, and sublime. But, brought up as he had been from
early years to the profession of arms, his correct judgment soon learnt
what limit is of necessity required even to goodness itself, to prevent its
degenerating into weakness; and the stern rigidity often acquired by
being exposed to continual dangers, became in a heart like his a proper
firmness—the worthy and valuable endowment of a manly bosom. His
intellect increased with his age; and during the brief intervals of peace,
instead of spending his leisure hours in the common pursuits of youth,
he was fond of studying literature, and becoming acquainted with the
ancient authors, and the honourable deeds of those who had shed their
blood for the good of their country. In his early years he had accom-
panied his father, whom important business had called to Naples. At
the Court of Alphonso he was introduced to the celebrated Pontano,
who, struck with the boy’s beautiful person, mind, and disposition, became
much attached to him; and receiving him into the academy, since called
the Pontanian Academy, he began to instruct him with great earnest-
ness, and obtained in return from the youth that reverent affection which
is commonly inspired by gratitude united with admiration. The love
May, 1835.—vOL. I. NO. x. 2N
272 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
for his country and for Italian glory, awakened by the elegant words of
his master, could not remain cool in a heart like his; and in fact it
increased almost to a degree of mania. He fought sword to sword with
a French gentleman, his superior in age and strength, because the latter
had spoken ill of the Italians—wounded him, and compelled him to
confess the wrong in the presence of the King and Court. After various
vicissitudes, having left Naples, on the fall of the royal family, Fiera-
mosca followed the fortunes of Spain, in order to oppose in some manner
the other too predominant power; and because Spanish pride appeared
to him less intolerable than the vain-boasting of the French: besides, it
seemed to him that an enemy who could only reach them by sea might
be held of smaller account, and he considered that if the French could
be driven out by their arms, it would be a less arduous enterprise to
establish a good state of things in Italy.
Thus far we have described the intrepid warrior from whom the volume
takes its title. His daring courage was put to the proof at an early age,
by the challenge of La Motte, a French prisoner, who insultingly backed
the valour of his own countrymen against the Italians. The challenge
was accepted, twelve on a side were selected, and the day of engage-
ment appointed. At the head of the Italian list was Fieramosca. ‘The
trial of strength took place, and the description is fervid and soul-
stirring. It terminated in favour of the Italians and the total diseom-
fiture of the French, and places the prowess and skill of Hector ina
prominent and engaging point of view.
An historical narrative, without love, the ladies say, is an insipid affair.
There is no lack of that ingredient, however, in the volume before us ;
and the valiant and intrepid hero is so scathed by a hopeless passion,
that he eventually becomes a martyr to its sad and fatal entanglements.
There is a powerful and high-wrought picture of his last moments of
misery and despair, and of the desperation and madness which hurried
him to his appalling extinction. This is a description of harrowing
passion and reckless hopelessness which is rarely excelled, if ever
equalled, and is beyond all doubt the best imagined and most happily
described of the many well delineated representations with which the
volume abounds. |
The principal defect in this work is, that the narrative is too crowded
with incidents, and that there is not lucidness enough in the arrange-
ment. This, however, must not be charged to the translator, who has .
aimed at faithfulness, excepting in one or two instances in which he has
judiciously shaded the warmth of colouring peculiar to the temperature
of the south. Even the best translations usually abound with foreign
idioms, and with other encroachments on the vernacular language; in
the work under consideration, however, there is less of this defect in
style than is usually observable. Altogether, we are disposed to concede
to the translator much praise for his fidelity, and his discriminating taste
and judgment in pruning, when pruning was absolutely necessary. We
may venture to predict, we think, notwithstanding the trivial defects we
have pointed out, that this interesting volume will become a favourite
with all such readers as delight in history and romance judiciously and
pleasurably blended.
The Revolutions of the Globe familiarly described. By Alexander Bertrand,
M.D., translated from the French by J. C. Horry. London:
Ridgway and Sons.
To present a comprehensive view of the actual state of any science
claims the next grade of merit to that of advancing it. ‘The work before
us appears to aim at conveying a knowledge, in a popular style, of the
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 273
prevent state of geological science ; its facts are brought out clearly and
roadly, without reference or leaning to any particular theory. But its
theories*are also ably discussed in the Introduction, and in an Appendix
added by the translator. This arrangement appears particularly judi-
cious in a science which, although still in its infancy, has experienced so
many revolutions; for while we have in the body of the work, as far as
a book can form a substitute for the study of the actual phenomena, its
facts plainly and succinctly laid before us, unencumbered by theory,
we may also benefit by the deductions of those who have preceded us in
our labours, hy consulting the commencement and concluding part of
the volume.
We present our readers with a short extract, but strongly recommend
the perusal of the entire work :—
*¢ Bones of fossil elephants have been found, at all times; but, till lately, the
nature of these bones was always misunderstood. It is to the discovery of them,
that we owe the fabulous histories of the digging up of the bodies of ancient
giants ; for, at a period when anatomy had made so little progress, the love of the
marvellous could so much the more readily seize such events, to accredit the ideas
which affect the imagination; as the elephant is (except as to size) one of the
animals whose skeleton presents the most resemblance to that of man. An entire
volume would be taken up in detailing the accounts of fossil bones of great quad-
rupeds, which ignorance, or fraud, have represented to be the remains of human
iants. The most celebrated of all, is that of the skeleton which, in Louis the
IiJth’s reign, was pretended to be that of Teutobochus, King of the Cimbri, who
fought against Marius. The following are the circumstances which gave rise to
this tale :—
** On the 11th of January, 1613, in a sand-pit, near the Chateau de Chaumon,
between the towns of Montricoux, Serres, and Saint Antoine, some bones were
found, several of which were broken by the workmen. A surgeon of Beaurepaire,
named Mazurier, informed of this discovery, possessed himself of the bones, and
contrived how to turn them to good account. He gave out that he had found them
in a sepulchre thirty feet in length, upon which were incribed the words Teutobochus
Rex. He added, that, at the same time time, he found fifty medals, bearing the
head of Marius. He inserted these stories in a pamphlet, by means of which the
curiosity of the public being aroused, he exhibited, for money, the bones of the
pretended giant, as well at Paris as in other cities. Gassendi names a Jesuit of
Tournon, as the author of the pamphlet, and proves, that the pretended antique
medals were fabricated ; as to the bones, they were these of an elephant.’’
The Works of William Cowper; his Life and Letters by Wm. Hayley,
Esq. now first completed by the introduction of Cowper’s Private
Correspondence. Edited by the Rev. T. S. Grimshawe, A. M.
Vols. 1. and II. London: Saunders and Otley.
Hayley’s Life of Cowper is familiar to most reading men, but it has
never been considered a perfect work. His mind, however literary and
elegant, was not precisely qualified to present a religious character to the
view of the British public; we are not surprised, therefore, that his
reflections should be occasionally misplaced and injudicious. In his
anxiety to refrain from exhibiting Cowper too prominently in a religious
garb, he has ingrafted defects, and rendered his work faulty and incom-
plete. The termination of the copyright of Hayley’s Life of Cowper,
and sole and undisputed ‘access to the private correspondence collected
by Dr. Johnson, it appears, has enabled the editor to present, for the
first time, such a complete edition of the entire works of the author of
** The Task” as no other person can hope to accomplish, because all
others are debarred from the sources of his exclusive derivation. Up-
wards of two hundred letters are thus incorporated with the former work
of Hayley in their due and chronological order; and the merits of this
private correspondence are attested in a letter addressed to Dr. Johnson,
by that distinguished literary judge the late Rev. Robert Hall, of which
the following is an extract: —‘‘ I have always considered the letters of
274 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Mr. Cowper as the finest specimen of the epistolary style in our
language; and these appear to me of a superior description to the
former, possessing as much beauty, with more piety and pathos.’ To an
air of inimitable ease and carelessness they unite a high degree of cor-
rectness, such as could result only from the clearest intellect, combined
with the most finished taste. I have scarcely found a single word which
is capable of being exchanged for a better. Literary errors I can discern
none. The selection of words, and the construction of periods, are
inimitable; they present as striking a contrast as can be well conceived
to the turgid verbosity which passes at present for fine writing, and
which bears a great resemblance to the degeneracy which marks the
style of Ammianus Marcellinus, as compared to that of Cicero or of Livy.
In my humble opinion, the study of Cowper’s prose may on this account
be as useful in forming the taste of young people as his poetry. That
the letters will afford great delight to all persons of true taste, and that
you will confer a most acceptable present on the reading world by pub-
lishing them, will not admit of a doubt.”
This work is got up in a style of neatness most creditable to the
ublishers—it is a choice specimen of the typographic art. The plates,
y Finden, are beautifully graved, and the subjects are chosen with the
discrimination which taste and genius only can impart. We may truly
affirm that the volumes are altogether as tasteful in appearance as they
are precious in matter.
Provincial Sketches. By the Author of ‘The Usurer’s Daughter,”
“‘ The Puritan’s Grave,” &c. &c. London: Churton, Holles-street.
This is anything but a dull and narcotic volume—in fact it is full of wit
and humour, and evinces an intimate knowledge of real life in situations
the most opposite to each other, and the most grotesque. It is thrown
into distinct stories, the titles of which are—The Rival Farmers—The
Country Newspapers—The Snug little Watering Place—Amateur Con-
certs—Itinerant Lecturers—Itinerant Artists—The Public Library—
Gentility—Village Choristers—and Dame Deborah Boreham’s Alms-
houses. They are all good of their kind, are replete with droll and
whimsical incidents, and so faithful to nature, that the dullest soul must
be struck with their aptitude and comicalness. .
It unfortunately happens that we did not receive this exquisite morgeau
before our pages for the present number were fully occupied; we must
defer, therefore, all extracts to the ensuing month, when, if not too
much pressed for room, we will advert to the subject again, and give
such a specimen from the work itself as shall make it speak in its own
commendation.
Wanderings through North Wales, by Thomas Roscoe, Esq. Author of
**The Landscape Annual,” cabellished with highly finished en-
gravings, by W. Radclyffe, from drawings made expressly for the
work, by Cattermole, Cox, and Creswick. Part II. London:
Simpkin and Marshall, and Charles Tilt.
This charmingly illustrated work, of which we had occasion to speak
so warmly in our preceding number, has presented another admirable
specimen of the taste and skilfulness of its designs and execution. It
contains three sweetly delineated views, by Cox, of Harlech Castle,
Bridge over the Llugwy, and Snowdon, engraved in Radclyffe’s best
style. If we have spoken highly of the first number, we are bound with
equal justice to speak as favourably of the present—and we have con-
siderable gratification in being enabled to state, from the most authentic
source, that it has received all the encouragement which we predicted.
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 275
Indeed, if works of this stamp are not liberally encouraged, how can it
be expected that a taste for the fine arts can flourish—without the aid of
liberal patronage, of what avail are the toils of the artist and the life-
destroying intensity of the lettered? Of the three plates in this number
we scarcely know to which the preference is due, they are all so inimit-
ably finished. The descriptive part of the work, too, we perceive,
maintains its high reputation—and it is, altogether, one of the very rare
productions on which the asperities of criticism cannot justly alight.
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC.
WORCESTERSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
On Tuesday, the 31st of March, Mr. B. Maund, F. L. S., delivered a Lecture “On
Geology corroborative of the Mosaic Writings,” to a very crowded assemblage of
the Members of this Society, at the Guildhall.
In reference to the relation between the modern science of geology and the
Mosaic writings, the Lecturer observed “ The subject has been embarrassed by the
misconceptions, as well of the friends as of the opponents of Revelation. If sceptics
have presumed to argue without a sufficient acquaintance with the facts of science, it
is not less true that those of established religious principles have injured the cause of
revealed religion by a similar defect of information. Some, too, may have done the
same by an unphilosophical timidity in approaching the subject. Some well-mean-
ing, but weak-minded persons are afraid of discussion on such subjects, lest some-
thing should be found in the page of nature subversive of their established faith.
This, however, is paying a very poor compliment to Revelation. This weakness of
mind (although it may be an amiable one) is inconsistent with a sincere and
enlightened love of truth. Let Revelation and Science be brought fearlessly into
opposition, Let facts supersede surmises, and Revelation will trample on Scepti-
cism.”’
The Lecturer then explained in a very clear and lucid manner the rapidity with
which the secondary strata are sometimes deposited ; and remarked,—“ We have
satisfactory evidence not only of the mutability of rocks, but also of the rapidity of
their solidification. In a chalk formation in Ireland, where convulsions have rent
the strata asunder, and protruded from beneath into the chasm, or dyke, a quantity
of basalt in a state of fusion, its great heat combined with the superincumbent pres-
sure, has, for several feet from the dyke, converted the chalk into granular marble,
Arthur’s Seat, near Edinburgh, has, in like manner, been divided, and the injection
of greenstone, in a melted state, has converted the sandstone near it into a compact
jasper-like rock. Red sandstone, under similar circumstances, has been converted
into hornstone—slate clay into flinty slate—sandstone, of the Isle of Skye, into solid
quartz ;—and in Anglesea an instance is noticed, by Professor Henslow, where
common shale became highly indurated, and was found to contain garnets, the result:
of its change of character.”
These and other evidences were adduced by the Lecturer to shew that rocks may
be rapidly formed, and also solidified, and that the extravagant theories adopted by
some geologists are not founded on that basis of inductive truth which should be
the guide of all scientific inquiry. These arguments were not advanced to confine
the geologist to a consideration of the present order of things belonging to our
planet, for Mr. M., like most other geologists of the new school, admits that its
surface may have undergone many successive changes, and have been inhabited by
many races of living beings, each being adapted to the state of the globe during the
period of its existence.
After some explanatory remarks and evidences of the Deluge, its effects, &c.,
the Lecturer thus concluded :—
‘¢ These evidences have been summed up in so masterly a manner by Dr. Buck-
land, that I cannot do better than quote the words of that eminent geologist.
*<« The proofs of an universal deluge are to be found in the following facts :—-
276 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC.
«¢1. The general shape and position of hills and valleys; the former having
their sides and surface universally modified by the action of violent waters; and
presenting often the same alternation of salient and retiring angles that mark the
course of a common river. And the latter, in those cases which are called valleys
of denudation, being attended with such phenomena as shew them to owe their exis-
tence entirely to excavation under the action of a retiring flood of waters.
**¢2. The almost universal confluence and successive inosculations of minor
valleys with each other ; and final termination of them all in some main trunk which
conducts them to the sea; and the rare interruptions of their courses by transverse
barriers, producing lakes.
«¢3. The occurrence of detached insulated masses of horizontal strata, called
outliers, at considerable distances from the beds which they once evidently formed a
continuous part, and from which they have at a recent period separated by deep and
precipitous valleys of denudation.
«4. The immense deposits of gravel that occur occasionally on the summits of
hills, and almost universally in valleys, over the whole world, in situations to which
no torrents nor rivers, (such as are now in action) could have drifted there.
**<«5. The nature of this gravel, being in part composed of the wreck of neigh-.
bouring hills, and partly of fragments and blocks that have been transported from
distant regions,
«6. The nature and condition of the organic remains deposited in this gravel ;
many, though not all of them, identical with species that now exist ; and very few
having undergone the process of mineralization.’
“ Their condition resembles rather that of common grave bones than of those
fossil bones which are found imbedded in the regular strata; being in so recent a
state, and having undergone so little decay, that if the records of history and the
circumstances that attend them, did not absolutely forbid such a supposition, we
should be inclined to attribute them to a much later period than the Mosaic Deluge, .
and certainly there is, in my opinion, no single fact connected with them, that should
lead us to date their origin from any more ancient era.
“«*7, The total impossibility of referring any one of these appearances to the
action of ancient or modern rivers, or any other causes that are now, or appear ever
to have been, in action since the last retreat of the diluvian waters.
*«*8. The analogous occurrence of similar phenoména in almost all regions of
' the world that have hitherto been scientifically investigated, presenting a series of
facts that are uniformly consistent with the hypothesis of a contemporaneous and
diluvian origin.
«<9. The perfect harmony and consistency in the circumstances of those few
changes that now go on; e. g. the formation of ravines and gravel; mountain
torrents; the depth and continual growth of peat bogs ; the formation of tufa, sand-
banks, and deltas ; and of the filling up of lakes, estuaries, and marshes. These
changes are progressive, and have been so from the last great catastrophe of the
earth, and their present state perfectly coincides with the hypothesis which dates the
commencement of all such operations at a period not more ancient than the Mosaic
deluge.
« ‘Al these, whether considered collectively or separately, present such a general
conformity of facts tending to establish the universality of a recent deluge, as no
difficulties or objections, that have hitherto arisen, are in any way sufficient to
overrule.”
ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VEGETABLE
ORGANIZATION.
On the evening of the 14th of April, a lecture “On the Progressive Develop-
ment of the Vegetable Organization,” was delivered before the Worcestershire
Natural History Society, by Dr. Streeten. After stating that the subject formed
a counterpart to the Development of the Animal Organization, so ably treated by
Mr. Walsh upon a former occasion, the lecturer proceeded to describe a globular
vesicle, as affording the most simple idea of a primary cell. The Lepraria viridis,
or powdery green substance, so common on trees, old palings, and in damp situa-
tions, was instanced as apparently consisting of these simple vesicles, slightly
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 277
agglomerated together, so as to form a loose continuous crust. Various of the
alge, or sea weeds, were then introduced, as illustrative of the different modes of
union and progressive complication of these vesicles in the formation of the cellular
structure, and the manner in which this complication took place by the gradual
extension of the primary cells and successive development of secondary vesicles,
under varying circumstances of pressure, was pointed out. After a brief allusion to
the great division of plants into cellular and vascular, extended and interesting
details of the diversities of the cellular and vascular structures, and the intermediate
_ links connecting them, were brought forward. It was then shewn that notwithstand-
ing the vast difference between the extremes of the vegetable kingdom, the
gradation from one family of plants to its near allies, and from one individual
species to others of the same family, was often so slight as to render the separation
of allied plants and families a matter of considerable difficulty to the botanist.
Returning to the consideration of the more simple plants, the lecturer successively
alluded to the structure of the Lichens, Alge, Hepatici, Mosses, &c. tracing the
increasing complication of their forms, and their transition into and connection
with each other; from these, proceeding to the monocotyledonous tribes, of which
the grasses were especially noticed, and the more complex structures of the
dicotyledonous plants. After showing that a general similarity prevailed in the
internal organization and external form throughout the whole, the development of
the several parts of which these more perfect plants consist—of the root, stem, and
branches—leaves, flowers, and fruit, concluding with the bulb and the bud, both
of which were shewn to contain the rudiments of the future plant, was successively
detailed. The lecture was concluded by an appeal to the audience upon the utility
and dignity of these pursuits, and the good influence which they were calculated to
exercise upon the public mind. We regret that we have not space for a more ex-
tended analysis, but we hope on a future occasion to be able to lay before our
readers some of the curious particulars to which we have briefly alluded, in a
different shape,
‘We cannot close this concise notice without bestowing our unqualified praise on
the beautifully executed drawings exhibited on this occasion in illustration of the
subject.
Tue adjourned Quarterly Meeting of the Worcestershire Natural History Society
took place on Tuesday, the 14th instant, at which Dr. Hastings presided. After
some preliminary observations of a general nature, the following Donations and
New Subscribers were officially announced :—
Beautiful specimen of Fossilized Sponge, from Mr. Warde, of the Atheneum;
* Newman’s Grammar of Entomology,” with plates, from Mr. G. Newman, of Leo-
minster, an Honorary Corresponding Member; various specimens from the Isle of
Staffa, from Mrs. C. L. Perrott; a beautiful variety of the Mustela Erminea, (shot
at Wolverton,) from Mr. H. Deighton, High-street; and L’Antiquité Expliquée et
Representée en figures,” 6 vols. 4to., from John Simpson, Esq., LL. D. Shrub’s
Hill.
A donation of ten pounds each having been received from R. Berkeley, jun. Esq.
Spetchley, and the Rev. T. H. Newport, of Thorneloe House, those gentlemen were
elected life members.
The new Annual Subscribers of one guinea each, elected Members of the Society,
since the last Report, were—Mr. John Herbert, Powick; Mr. John Herbert, jun.
Powick; Mr. W. Holden, Lark Hill; Mr. Rob. Allies, Hill House; Mrs. Wheeler,
Foregate-street ; Mr. Gossage, Rushford ; Mr. Childe, High-street; Mr. Ledbroke,
Surgeon, Worcester. :
The Curator’s Report was then read, (in every respect a satisfactory one) of which
the following are the leading particulars :—
** Since the last Report was presented to the Society, various donations have been
received for the Museum, the most interesting of which is a collection of Australian
Birds, from William and Hyla Holden, Esqrs. Of these, 60 specimens, many of the
genus Psittacus have been set up, and a considerable number yet remain to be done.
Numerous specimens in Geology have been likewise presented, which have been
classified as far as the present limited space will allow ; but another receptacle is
much wanted for a more perfect elucidation of the series. Various Insects, Plants,
278 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC.
and Miscellaneous Curiosities from different public-spirited individuals, have been
also added to the collection. The following is a synopsis of the present contents of
the Museum:—Mammalia, 36 specimens—Birds, upwards of 500 individuals—
Chelonia and Sauria, 40—Ophidia, 159—Batrachia, 4—Fishes, 4—Shells of the
Mollusca, 550—Insecta, 8 cases, chiefly of the Coleopterous, Lepidopterous, and
Dipterous tribes—Radiata, 3—Zoophyta, 23—In Geology and Fossil Remains
there are upwards of 2,000 specimens arranged in the order of the descending strata,
3 drawers devoted to Mineralogy, and a case dedicated to British Oology.—Besides
these, there are various Miscellaneous Curiosities, as the horns of several extinct and
existing Quadrupeds, Esquimaux Dresses, Snow Shoes, Weapons, Indian Belts, &c.
—Among the more recent acquisitions to the Ornithological department, is a beau-
tiful pair of the Bohemian Chatterer (Ampelis garrulus, Lin.), a rare and uncertain
visitant, the male of which was shot at Radford, near Evesham, and the female at
Claines, both during the past winter.
WORCESTER LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION.
On Monday, the 6th of April, Mr. Sémonin delivered a lecture on the “Study
of the French Language.”
The lecturer commenced by a few observations on the utility of learning French,
in the course of which he adverted to the way French works are generally trans-
lated in this country. ‘Thisled him to instance a great many blunders committed by
English translators : we shall subjoin a few for the amusement of our readers.
Those who have read Gil Blas, may recollect that part where Rolando takes Gil
Blas through the different parts of the cavern. The original runs thus—“ I] me
fit traverser plusieurs chambres: dans les unes il y avait des piéces de toile, dans
les autres des étoffes de laine et de soie. Dans une autre de Vor et del’ argent
et beaucoup de vaisselle a divertes armoiries.”” He made me pass through
divers apartments, some of which contained bales of linen, others of silks
and stuffs. In one I perceived gold and silver, and a great quantity of plate in
different cupboards. Smollett renders the French word armoiries (coats of arms)
by the English word cupboards.
In the Journal of Las Cases we find that about the time of the battle of Wagram,
the son of a Protestant minister had laid a plan for the assassination of Napoléon,
‘en pleine parade,” that is, in the middle of the parade; but, according to the
English translator, Napoléon was to be assassinated with due parade.
The translator of Madame de Genlis’s Memoirs committed some strange
blunders. The word “rétie au vin” (mulled wine), he translated by some roast
meat prepared with wine. ‘Un livre d’heures’’ (a prayer-book) by a book of
hours. Madame de Genlis, describing her apartments at the Palais royal, says in
the original—“ Il était meublé magnifiquement, tapissé en damas bleu,” &c.
They were magnificently furnished, hung with blue damask, &c. The translator
makes her say—‘‘ My apartments at the Palais royal were magnificently furnished,
carpeted with blue damask,” &c, The following blunder is very ludicrous. We
shall give the English translation only; it will be a kind of riddle for our readers.
Madame de Genlis was residing in a convent. ‘‘ When any one,” says she,
‘< wished to come in, he rang at the grate, and the nuns, pulling down their veils,
went to open the door ; besides this precaution we hada little tower built beside the
grate, in which were laid our letters, our packets, and the dishes for our meals,’?
What does this mean? Why, it means nothing at all. The translator had
mistaken the word four, a turn-about, a sort of turning box in a convent, for the
word tour, a tower.
Another of Madame de Genlis’s works, entitled ‘‘ Nouveaux Contes Moraux,”
is translated in very nearly the same intelligent manner. In the original it is
said—** La Duchesse courut a une fenétre et vit 4 travers la jalousie, le Baron et
M. de Ferriolles descendre de voiture.’”” The translation ought to have been—
“‘ The Duchess ran to a window and beheld, through the blinds, the Baron and M.
de Ferriolles alight.” But the translator thought that the French word jalousie
had no other meaning than jealousy, and translated the above passage thus—“‘ The
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 279
Duchess ran to a window, and beheld with the eye of jealousy the Baron and M.
de Ferrivlles alight.”’
The lecturer next proceeded to offer some remarks on the grammars and dic-
tionaries generally used in teaching the French language. ‘An immense number
of French grammars have already been published in this country, and every
month produces anew one; but notwithstanding the ostentatious pretensions of
some, and the quackish titles of others, I do not find they are better, or even so
good, as those that are now commonly used by the generality of teachers, I mean
Hamel’s, Levizac’s, and Wanostrocht’s, and were I to express my humble opinion
on the merit of these three last mentioned works, I should say that an excellent
grammar might be compiled by combining the simple plan of Hamel’s with the
grammatical knowledge of Levizac’s, and the familiar exercises of Wanostrocht’s.
After all, it matters little what grammar a master uses. An efficient instructor
should be able to supply the place of the grammar, and indeed to give a great deal
of explanation that is not found in it. As to the dictionaries, there is nothing that
calls more loudly for improvement. I do not hesitate to assert that there is not one
good English and French, or French and English dictionary extant. Boyer’s
Dictionary is very defective, Levizac’s, in spite of its improvements, is bad enough,
and Nugent’s is the worst of all. They are not only very deficient in examples of
French idioms, and behind the present state of the French language as relates to
the more modern and newly-established m.odes of expression, but of the words in
the most common use, some are altogether omitted, others are translated in such a
manner as to mislead entirely the French student.”
Here the lecturer adduced many examples in proof of the justice of his charge.
We regret that our limits will not allow us to follow the lecturer in his remarks
on the different modes of teaching the French language, and especially on the
system called the Hamiltonian. He illustrated the utility of exercises on Homo-
nymous words by relating an adventure which occurred to Mr. Reynolds, the
dramatist, and in which he cut rather an awkward figure. An account of the
scene, which took place at Dessein’s Hotel, at Calais, is extracted from that portion
of his diary which describes his excursion to the continent, when about seventeen
years of age, on some business for his father :—‘‘ Wanting to walk on the Pier,”
says Mr. Reynolds, “‘J asked the garcon, who spoke English very tolerably, the
French for it. He, thinking as Milord Anglais, I could mean nothing but peer,
a lord, ‘replied pair. Away I then went, and passing over the market-place and
draw-bridge, stumbled on the pier, without having had occasion to inquire my way
to it by the garcon’s novel appellation—there I remained, strutting my half hour,
till dinner time. At the table @héte, the Commandant of the troops of the town
sat next tome, and among other officers and gentlemen at the table, were the
President of the Council at Ratisbon, a Russian Count, and several Prussians ;
in all amounting to about twenty, not one of whom (as it appeared to me) spoke a
word of English. I thought I could never please a Frenchman so much as by
praising his town: ‘‘ Monsieur,’”’ I said condescendingly to the Commandant,
** J’ai vu votre pair,”? meaning I have seen your pier ; but which he naturally
understood, I have seen your father. This address from a perfect stranger sur-
prisedhim. ‘Il est beau et grand, Monsieur,” I continued... The Commandant
examined me from head to foot with an astonishment that imparted to me an almost
equal share, I saw there was a mistake, and I attempted to explain, by pro-
nouncing very articulately, ‘Oui, Monsieur, j’ai vu votre pair—votre pair, sur le
havre.” ‘Eh bien, Monsieur,” replied the Commandant, “ Et que vous a-t-il
dit? (What didhe say to you?) I was astounded, and looking round the room
for the keeper of the supposed madman, I discovered that the eyes of the whote
company were upon me. ‘‘ Monsieur,” I cried, again attempting to explain, with
as much deliberation and precision, and in as good French as I could command—
“ Monsieur, est-il possible que vous résidiez ici et que vous ne connaissiez pas votre
pair—votre pair—si long!”? This speech only increased the incomprehensibility
of the whole conversation ; and the Commandant beginning, in rather haut en
bas terms, to demand an explanation, like all cowards, when driven into a corner,
I became desperate. ‘‘ Messieurs,” I cried, somewhat boisterously, ‘‘ 11 faut que
-vous connaissiez votre pair! le pair de votre ville, qui est fait de pierre, et a la téte
de bois.” This was the coup de grace to all decorum; every Frenchman aban-
doned himself to his laughter, till the room fairly shook with their shouts, and even
the Commandant himself could not help joiningthem. ‘‘ Allow me, Sir,” said a
May, 1835,—vo., I. NO. x. 20
280 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC.
gentleman whom I had not previously observed—‘* My dear Sir,” interrupted I,
** you are an Englishman, pray, pray explain.”? “ Sir,” he replied, ‘‘ you have
just told this gentleman, pointing to the Commandant, that his father is the father
of the whole town, that he is made of stone, and has a wooden head!” I was
paralyzed. ‘Tell me,” I cried, as if my life depended on an answer—‘ what is
the French for pier 2” ** Jetée,” he replied. I had scarcely sense enough left to
assist the Englishman in his good-natured attempts to unravel the error. He
succeeded, however, and then commenced, in French, an explanation to the officers.
At this moment, the waiter informed me that the St. Omer diligence was about to
depart. I rushed from the scene of my disgrace, and stepped into the vehicle,
just as the termination of the Englishman’s recital exploded an additional éclat de
rire at my expense.”
After some further remarks on the Hamiltonian system of teaching languages
in fifty lessons, the lecturer concluded with observing that, “if Mr. Hamilton (or
any one who teaches on the same plan) had the good fortune to fulfil that which
their system promises, young and old, pupils and masters, would be eager to learn
a secret of such virtue, and that this method would then be adopted by all—but
unfortunately, there is no rail-road yet to the acquirement of the French language,
and until it has been practically demonstrated that the power of steam can be
applied to the acceleration of improvement in the mental faculties, other professors
will continue to follow their own system, varying it according to the age, abilities,
and application of the pupil, and introducing all those modifications that may be
deemed necessary. They will continue to teach without fixing any limit to their
instruction, because they are persuaded that the acquisition of knowledge can only
be obtained by labour. Let us then be persuaded by fact and experience. All
those who have learned languages, and have desired to know them thoroughly, that
is, to speak and write them with grammatical purity, were obliged to labour hard,
and all those who wish tolearn them in this manner, must labour hard also. A
fair method of teaching on the part of the master, assiduity and application on the
pait of the pupil, may accelerate this desirable end, but will never be able to convey
the power to go beyond the bounds which the Author of Nature has assigned to the
human intellect. Let every man, who is desirous of knowledge, be persuaded of
this incontestable truth, and then he will neither be disappointed in his pursuits,
nor become the victim of his own credulity.
BIRMINGHAM MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION.
We have received from a correspondent the last Annual Report of the Birming-
ham Mechanics’ Institution, and are glad to perceive that itis advancing in public
estimation as well as in utility. In this Institution a weekly Jectwre is delivered
on some subject connected with physical or moral science ;—with the arts, history,
or literature—classes are open four evenings in each week for the study of writing,
arithmetic, mathematics, drawing, and the Latin and French languages—and the
books, in a library of about 1100 volumes, cireulate freely among the subscribers.
The lectures, partly by gratuitous and partly by stipendiary lecturers, during the
last year, have been on the following subjects :—Electricity, Pneumatics, Mental
Arithmetic, Geology, Insect Transformations, Linear Perspective, Botany,
Rowley Rag, Gravi‘ation, the Human Voice, Architecture, Education (by Mr.
John Smith, of Liverpool), the Study of Languages, a Course of Twelve Lectures
on Chemistry (by Mr. Woolrich, the Lecturer to the Medical School of Birming-
ham), the Properties of the Atmosphere, the Temperature of the Earth, Tem-
perance and Temperance Societies (by J. S, Buckingham, Esq. M. P.), Elocution
and Oratory, three Lectures (by Mr. Chas. Pemberton), a highly-interesting
ort Exhibition and Elucidation of the Hydro-Oxygen Microscope, by Mr.
arter.
Vigorous efforts are making to raise funds for the erection of a Hall, or building ~
for the entire purposes of the Institution, which, the Committee conceive—and we
think justly—will greatly conduce to the prosperity of the Institution. Among
the contributors to this fund, we are pleased to discover the names of the Rev.
T. J. Law, the respectable Chancellor of the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry,
the Members for the borough of Birmingham, and several gentlemen who are
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC. 281
familiar to us, and highly esteemed in that town. The President for the current
year is Sir E, Eardley Wilmot, M. P.
The Report concludes thus:—‘‘ Such then is your position as to the regular
action of the Institution, The classes more than ever satisfactorily conducted ;
the library gradually increasing, and its utility recognized; and the lectures as
well in prospect as in retrospect,—for utility and interest, equal, or superior to
those of any former period.
“Your Committee also consider the pecuniary affairs of the Institution to be in
a sound and healthy state. Enjoying a much larger income than usual from
subscriptions and check receipts during the past year, a small portion only has
been applied to the gradual reduction of the remaining debts outstanding, and the
remainder has been liberally, and they trust, judiciously expended in the purchase
of those intellectual advantages to which they have adverted; and this expenditure
has reacted, and if the anticipations of your Committee be not falsified by coming
events, will continue to react, by inducing the rapid increase of the list of Mem-
bers ;—so that the Mechanics’ Institution of Birmingham may continue to
advance in prosperity, and to extend its useful action,—may take rank in the public
eye, amongst the most valuable establishments of the town,—and claim, from its
magnitude and importance, as well as from the excellence of its conduct,—the
admiration and the willing aid, as well as the cordial approbation of the inhabitants
of this town and neighbourhood, of every rank and of every shade of opinion;
taking its full share in the great work of the development of the powers of the
human mind,—urging on the approach of the period, when shall be realized the
aspirations of the purest and Hi inh philanthropy,—‘ The same Education, and
THE BEST,—for ALL CLASSES,’ ”’
To our copy of the Report are appended some letters on the subject, which have
appeared in the Birmingham Journal, signed ‘‘ W. H.S.,”’ from which we present
the following extracts :—
*‘T hear and read assertions and statements of facts, produced to show that the
great bulk of the population, in the most civilized countries, are oppressed by
existing circumstances, deficient in those means of enjoyment, which ought, under
wise arrangements, to be attainable by every human being ;—that their condition
is, in short, far inferior to what it ought to be, speaking as philanthropists,—what it
might be, speaking as statists, and in reference to our national resources.. .I may
be told that I am querulous and fanciful; that the condition of the population
generally, of these kingdoms for instance, has, in fact, greatly improved during the
last half century; that the working classes were never better, never so well taught,
fed, clothed, and housed, as at present. It may beso, and I believe it is so, but
the improvement is comparatively trivial, and the complaints continue. Men have
not their due, and they are, and ought to be, discontented, The prevalent dis-
content, in truth, properly considered, so far from being an evil to be deprecated,
is one of the most favourable signs of the times, ‘ How is it,’ asks an able
periodical writer, ‘that the mechanic of the present day is at the same time better
off and more dissatisfied than were the operatives of past generations? He has
more knowledge, more mind—he wants more. He believes that more is to be
had, and, eventually, he will have it. Very silly it is to Jectwre him out of his
craving. Itis nature’s provision for the progress of society. * * * * *
You cannot stay the change—why should you ?’ ”
“These anticipations are now very generally entertained, and these opinions
indulged by the soundest and most reflective political economists. * * * The
degree and mode of physical amelioration to be desired varies according to the
varying impressions of the several individuals, but in the means allagree. Epu-
CATION, Epucation, Epucation, is the universal cry. Education—full, free,
and equal, without distinction of class or caste.”
‘*<*'The people,’ observes Mr. Chandos Leigh, ‘cannot know too much, but they
may easily know too little.’** There is is in this short sentence a terseness and a
* The following is an extract of a letter from Chandos Leigh, Esq. to the Vice-President
of the Mechanics’ Institution, dated “Stoneleigh Abbey, Dec. 16, 1834.
‘No man is more favourable to Mechanics’ Institutions than myself, and I trust they will
be established throughout the kingdom. To use the beautiful language of Robert Hall:
‘They are the expedients for forming a sound and virtuous population. If there be any
truth in the figure by which society is compared to a pyramid, it is on them its stability
chiefly depends. The elaborate ornaments at the top will be a wretched compensation for
289 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC.
condensity which give it the character of an aphorism. It is marked by a frank-
ness and a boldness worthy of the English gentleman; the man of wealth whose
acres are counted by thousands; the lord of estates whose unbroken circuit is
measured by miles. And shall a man holding so large a stake in the country fear-
lessly avow his conviction that from knowledge diffused with measureless liberality,
no evil need be feared, but that it is the ground of the most lively hope? And shall
the leaders of a sagacious and active commercial manufacturing community, with
rudish coyness, coldly hesitate their doubts of the safety of diffused intelligence,
ook on indifferently, or prefer to remain ignorant of the proceedings of the institu-
tion, an allusion to which called forth the burst of zealous philanthropy just quoted?
“When the value and capacity of the human mind are considered, how mon-
strous seems the absurdity, how culpable the waste, of suffering that inestimable
gift of the Creator, which causes its possessor to rank but ‘a little lower than the
angels,’ to be disregarded—such a mine of wealth to lie unworked—such a treasure
to be hidden in a napkin, instead of being put out to profitable usury by action and
cultivation! Who would not laugh at the prodigal stolidity of the man who, having
the command of a machine with power to move mountains, should employ it only
in drawing of corks and polishing of boots? But such folly were but a type of
that which would forbid and impede, or would wilfully neglect to assist in the
improvement of the minds of men and of women!”
** Of all the powers put into action for the attainment of the great end, to which
I alluded at the close of my last letter, namely the intellectual improvement of the
people ; and many persons would be surprised were they conscious of the total
under-current of thought and reflection already excited by the people, but un-
observedly by the careless eye ;—of all these acting powers, I say, none are so well
organized,—so well calculated to be effective, as Mechanics’ Institutions.”
“Yet are they not the originators of the spirit of inquiry, of the excited thirst
for knowledge which exhibit themselves on every side, but the agents to guide that
spirit, the benign mediums for satisfying that thirst. It was finely said by Lord
Brougham, when he first moved the establishment of these Institutions :—‘ The
uestion is not now, whether the people shall have knowledge or not: but whether
the knowledge obtained shall be such as will be useful.’ /
“ Mechanics’ Institutions claim to be considered the guides and directors to
useful knowledge; they are the regulators, the safety-valves, the governors of the
great intellectual machinery, the mi/lion-mind-power-engines, which circumstances
will call into action. The advance of intellectual improvement, it is true, ‘ cometh
not with observation ;’ that is, those who are indifferent to it, may continue for a
time unconscious of its progress. The impetus given by the energetic mind of
Lord Brougham, though not generally seconded by persons eminent for wealth and
station, still, however, continues in wholesome activity. New Institutions are con-
tinually being announced, The philanthropist may lament over their comparatively
slow progress; and the admirer of antiquity, the slave of precedent, the blind
laudator temporis acti may sneer at their small visible effects. But both are in
error. The seed is sown, and will duly spring into life; and its fruit will be for
the healing of the nations.”
The writer of these letters, we understand, is Mr. W. Hawkes Smith, the
Vice-President of the Institution. We have before us the MS. copy of a lecture
lately delivered by this gentleman, ‘ On the Tendency and Prospects of Mechanics’
Institutions,” in which his views, both general and individual, are freely developed.
It is our intention in our next number to offer some connected extracts from this
lecture, which, in our opinion, contains some valuable reflections, accompanied by
useful practical observations.
the want of solidity in the lower part of the structure. These are not the times in which
it is safe for a nation to repose in the lap of ignorance.’
“Tam one of those who always considered the intelligence of the working people to be
much undervalued by the prejudices of some and the pride of others. This intelligence,
overruling times and circumstances, often shoots up by the native force of the seminal
principle ; but when aided and assisted by such institutions as yours, will unceasingly, in
time, bring forth the richest fruits.
** I do not think the people can know too much, but they can easily know too little; anda
half-reasoning multitude, when their passions are excited, is one of the most dreadful
moral scourges ever inflicted on humanity.
“Let me congratulate you on having such a liberal and well-informed President as Sir
E. E. Wilmot at the head of your institution. That that institution may go forward in
harmonious accordance with the ‘ spirit of the age’ is my sincere wish.”
283
NEW PATENT.—RECLINING CYLINDER BEDSTEAD.
To assuage the pangs of physical suffering, and to soothe the weary hours of
bodily debility, are among the nobler efforts of humanity; and to mitigate
the trials of the sick chamber, and to lessen the gloom that hangs about the bed
of the invalid is, assuredly, to become a benefactor to society. The important
and invaluable contrivance, denominated the reclining cylinder bedstead, for
which a patent has been recently, obtained and which, on the point of adoption
in St. George’s Hospital, London, has been minutely inspected and most cordially
approved by written testimonials, by the whole of his Majesty’s physicians and
surgeons, and the most eminent practitioners in the metropolis, is one amidst the
many brilliant evidences of that astonishing progress in mechanical science for
which the present age is remarkable. ‘The inventor, Mr, James Cherry, of
Coventry, has devoted himself with the most unwearied assiduity to the construc-
tion and ultimate perfection of his design, and this extraordinary piece of me-
chanism, elegant in appearance, and of the utmost simplicity in its arrangements,
stands forward as a proof of the singular patience and ingenuity of this gifted
individual. For the information of our professional readers, and the satisfaction
of the invalid, we subjoin a description of an article which may, truly, be charac-
terised as one of “‘ comfort to the sick, of convenience to the nurse, and of refined
luxury to the convalescent :—”’
The sacking is attached to two cylinders running lengthwise, one on each side
of the bed; these cylinders contain several springs upon the chronometer prin-
ciple, which propel them upon the axles outwards, or right and left from the centre
of the bed. The sacking, when the bed is not in use, is always at full stretch;
but when it receives the weight of the body, the springs relax, and the bedding is
sunk to aconcave of twelve inches; the feathers encompassing the patient and
relieving the back from the pressure which is imparted to the sides ; together with
the undulating motion of the springs by which the bedding is sustained, impart a
sensation of entire comfort and ease. In the opinion of the faculty, this indivi-
dual feature presents an effectual preventive of sloughing in the back, that
dreadful and often fatal consequence of a long continuance in the recumbent
posture. The invalid, however helpless he may be, may be placed in any re-
quired position, either for his own comfort, or for surgical operation; for example,
the body can be raised to any degree ; the lower limbs placed on a double inclined
plane, a point essential in the the reduction of fractures; the feet elevated to
assist in replacing a dislocated knee-pan, &c. &c.
By this fortunate invention, the torture which many patients experience from
being lifted out of bed, and exposed to the atmosphere while the bed is re-mak-
ing, or other necessary changes effecting, will be utterly obviated, and the ex-
‘ pensive attendance of assistants precluded. One person can, in the space of two
minutes, and without trouble or exertion, complete an entire change of bedding—
the bed under the patient, bolsters, pillows, &c. all may be swept upon the floor,
and replaced by others, and this arrangement is made without inconvenience
to the patient, nor is he in this, or any of the other changes, once touched or
exposed to sight or cold.
The bedstead is also convertible into an easy chair, and can be restored to its
horizontal without disturbing the patient or deranging the bed clothes; the bed-
rest and pan are brought into use upon a new and most easy principle ; the latter
is closed by an air-tight, self-acting valve, and all its operations are conducted
without the least noise or jarring from the machinery, which is entirely concealed
when the bed is made up.
In concluding our brief, and we admit imperfect sketch of this inestimable inven-
tion, we may add, that ‘‘ the revolving cylinder bedstead is an elegant structure, in the
newest French style, with scroll back and canopy top, that it is not only applicable
to cases of sickness, but available for ordinary use, imparting, from its peculiar
construction, much greater comfort, with a mere mattress, than is derived from
a bed of the softest down when laid upona bedstead of the general description ;
in short, it fully justifies the patronage of the most eminent of the faculty, pos-
sessing every conceivable convenience, unimpaired by a single objection.”
284
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LITERARY INTELLIGENCE, &c.
In the press—A Guide to an Arrangement
of British Birds; being a catalogue of all
the species hitherto discovered in Great
Britain and Ireland; and intended to be
used for Labelling Cabinets or collections of
the same. By the Rev. Francis Orpen
Morris, B. A. f
Nearly ready, Annals of Lacock Abbey, in
the county of Wilts; with memorials of the
Foundress Ela Countess of Salisbury, and
the Earls of the Houses of Salisbury and
Longespé. By the Rev. W. L. Bowles, Canon
of Sarum.
Also, the IXth Number of the Collec.
tanea Topographica et Genealogica, will
contain, among other articles, the valuation
of Bishops’ Lands throughout the Kingdom,
temp. Charles I. now first published from the
Rawlinson MSS.
286
PREFERMENTS, MARRIAGES, &c.
MARRIAGES.
At Ludlow, Henry Hodges, Esq. surgeon,
to Miss Lloyd, only daughter of the late
Henry Lloyd, Esq. all of Ludlow.—At Kin-
fare, in the county of Stafford, Captain
Arthur Lyttleton Mac Leod, to Mary, third
daughter of the late W. Bradley, Esq. of Col-
bornehills, in the same county.—By the Rev.
H. T. Streeten, Edmund C. Streeten, Esq. of
Queen’s College, Oxford, to Elizabeth daugh-
ter of the late John Warren Paget, Esq.—-
At Castle Froome, Thos. Jones, Esq. of Led-
bury, to Miss Mary Ann Derry, eldest sur-
viving daughter of Francis Bennett Derry,
Esq.of the Birchend.—At St. James’s Church,
London, William Wilberforce Pearson, Esq.
to Lady Angela Alexander, daughter of the
Earl of Stirling.—At Holmer, Mr. Charles
Anthony, proprietor of the Hereford Times,
to Anne Deykes, only daughter of James
Archibald, Esq. of Holmer Court, near Here-
ford.
BIRTHS.
At Broadwas Court, Worcestershire, the
lady of Phipps Onslow, Esq. of a son.—The
lady of Francis Valentine Lee, Esq. barrister-
at-law, of a son.—At the Guildhall, Worces-
ter, Mrs, W. S. P. Hughes, of a daughter.—
At ‘Stourbridge, the lady of Robert Scott,
Esq. of a daughter.
DEATHS.
In Paris, in his 72nd year, Wm. T. Len-
thall, Esq. of Besses Leigh, Berks, and late
of Broadwell, Gloucester; he was fifth in
paternal decent from the Speaker, of the
Long Parliament.—In Bath, in his 88th year,
General Sir H. Johnson, Bart., Colonel of
the 5th Foot.—In Berkeley-square, Lady
Julia Hobhouse, wife of Sir John Hobhouse,
and sister of the Marquis of Tweedale.—Aged
four months, William Robert, only child of
Wm. Acton, Esq. of Wolverton, Worcester-
shire.—In the eighth year of her age, Eliza
Ann, only daughter of Edward Morris, Esq.
Worcester.—At Brighton, in her 83rd year,
Lady Cornewall, relict of the late, and mother
of the present, Sir George Cornewall, Bart.
of Moccas Court, Herefordshire.—Of scarlet
fever, John, the only child of John K. Booth,
Esq. M. D. inthe eleventh year of his age.
—At Leamington, Mr. E. A. Jennings,
surgeon.—At his house at Dudley, in
his 75th year, deeply and deservedly la-
mented by his family and friends, James
Bourne, Esq.—At Berlin, April 7, his Excel-
lency the Minister of State, Baron W. Von
Humboldt, at his country seat, Jagel, near
Berlin, in the 68th year of his age, after a
short and not painful illness. Not only the
State but the sciences have suffered a severe
loss inhim. To the study of antiquity, and
in particular of genera] philology, which
last was his favourite pursuit, he devoted all
the energies of his mind, and with indefati-
gable perseverance. He retained his facul-
ties in their full vigour to thelast.—Aged 74,
Admiral Sir Robert Moorsom, K. C. B. of
Cosgrove Priory, near Stoney Stratford,
aoe of Captain Moorsom, R.N. of Edg-
aston,
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
Barometer. |Thermometer Remarks.
Mar. | Morn. | Even. | Max. in, Day. Night. Wind.
1 | 28.657 | 29.355 | 39.5 | 31.5 | Cloudy, st. snow &rain| Fine, frosty |S, W.
2 | 29.600 | 29.160 | 45 41 Cloudy, windy Fine, windy :
3 | 29.106 | 29.360 | 45 35 Cldy, wind, It. showers | Fine “IN. W.
4 | 29.221 | 29.195 | 46.5 | 31 Cloudy, wind, andsnow | Snow Ss.
5 | 29.402 | 28.870 | 48 38 Cloudy - | Wind and rain | N. light
6 | 28.795 | 28.820 | 47.5 | 37.5 | Fine, cloudy, high wind | Rain N. W.
7 | 28.215 | 28.930 | 44 32 Cloudy and windy Fine, frost W. high
8 | 29.205 | 28.805 | 45 37 Fine, cloudy Clds, showers | W. light
9 | 28.560 | 28.474 | 47 32 Showers, rain, & snow | Sharp frost S,&N.W.
10 | 28.836} 28.935 | 45 39.5 | Fine Wind, showrs | W.
11 | 28.800 } 29.110 | 49 39 | Rain, mist on the hills | Fine w.
12 | 29.115 | 29.315 | 43.5 36 Clouds and rain . | Fine Calm
13 | 20.548 | 29.486 | 48 40 Very fine, fresh breeze | Clouds, rain | W.
14 | 29.300 | 29.430 | 54 42 Fine Rain Ss. W.
15 | 29.300} 29.500 | 47.5 | 39 Fine Fine W.N. W.
16 | 29.495 | 29.490} 51.5 41 Fine Clouds, ‘rain N.N.W.
17 | 29.216 | 29.270 | 50 38.5 | Fine, rather cold Fine Calm, W
18 | 29.440 | 29.593 ) 47.5 35.5 | Cloudy, hazy Fine .E,
19 | 29.620 | 29.675 | 51 43 Fine, sun Cloudy, fine |S. W.
20 | 29.695 | 29.695 | 57 46 Fine, cldy, mist on hill | Fine S.
21 | 29.664 | 29.664 | 58 45 Fine, cloudy, showers | Fine S.W.&E.
22 | 29.705 | 29.748] 48 37 Fine, cloudy Fine, cloudy | N.E.
23 | 29.706 | 29.700 | 45 36 Cloudy, dry Fine, cloudy |N. E.
24 .725 | 29.880] 45 31.5 | Cloudy, dry Fine, frosty | N. E.
25 | 29.945 | 29.940} 47 35 Fine, sun Fine N.N. E.
26 | 29.882 | 29.735 | 47 37 Fine, sun Fine N. E,
27 | 29.715 50.5 | 35 Fine, sun Fine Calm
28 | 29.615 | 29.508} 43 32 Cloudy, fine Fine N. E.
29 | 29.480 47 34 Fine Fine g. E.
30 | 29.238 | 29.145] 50 40 Cloudy, fine Fine S. E,
31] 29.115 | 29.110} 54 49.5 | Clouds, mist, rain Fine Ss.
Mean Max. 48 37.6 mean Min.
Malvern, April, 1835.
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THE
GARDENER’S MAGAZINE; |
CONDUCTED BY
J.C. LOUDON, F.L.S. &e,
No. LVIII., for January last, commences a New Series, which will be
1.
2.
3.
4
4.
§
. A Series of Designs for laying out the Grounds of Country Residences
8
- continued MONTHLY, at 1s. 6d.
THE NEW FEATURES IN THE SERIES WILL BE—
Pomological Notices ; or Notices of all the New Hardy Fruits de-
serving of cultivation, as their respective merits become known.
Olitonal Notices; or Notices of all the New Culinary Vegetables
deserving a place in Kitchen Gardens. —
Arboricultural Notices ; or Notices of all the newly introduced Trees
and Shrubs, whether adapted for the Forest, the Park, the Shrubbery,
or the Pleasure Ground.
The Floricultural Notices will be continued as before, with additional
matter, connected with the Culture of Flowers.
The Series of Kitchen Gardens, and that of Gardener’s Houses in the
Classical Style, will be completed in No. LXI., for April next; when
a Series of Designs for Flower Gardens, and one of Gardener’s Houses,
in the Old English Style, will be commenced.
. After the Series of Flower Gardens, and that of Gardener’s Houses
in the Old English Style, are completed, a Series of Designs for
Shrubberies and Pleasure Grounds, and one for Ornamental Garden
Buildings will be commenced.
A Series of Designs for Parks, Farms, &c. will follow; and
of every degree of extent from one perch to 1000 acres. |
Also, by the same Author,
THE MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY,
“Monthly, at 2s. |
THE ARCHITECTURAL MAGAZINE,
Monthly, at 2s.; and
THE ARBORETUM BRITANNICUM,
To be completed in 24 Numbers, with upwards of 300 Plates, exclusive
of Wood Cuts, and above 600 Pages of Letter Press, forming two Volumes, .
8vo. Monthly, at 2s.6d. London: Longman, Rees, & Co. -
“THES ANALYST %
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE FINE ARTS.
(Published by Simphin, Marshall & Co., London: Price 1s. 64.)
Ae, CRITICAL NOTICES.
‘* Our provincial friend, ‘The Analyst,’ is really growing up a fine fellow ;
although still somewhat graver than we think becoming a person at his time
of life. We hail the first Hight of ‘ Lionel Lackland’ as propitious. Let him
only take care that he does not soar too bigh—a fault, by the way, very com-
mon of late. The reviews and literary notices are both numerous and tastefully
executed.” —Szn. Bs hie
“<4 Student, may find the particular objects of his inquiry agreeably and
ingeniously treated in the last number of ‘The Analyst,’ (a very valuable, en-
tertaining, useful, literary, scientific,,and critical monthly publication,) under
the head of a Critical Notice of a Lecture on the Nature and Properties of
Atmospheric Air and Water, by Mr..Woolrich, Lecturer on Chemistry, &c., in
the Birmingham School of Medicine. The critical notices of new publications,
and of scientific dissertations and lectures, which form a very prominent
department in ‘ The Analyst’ would do credit to any periodical, and cannot fail
to. be duly appreciated by .a discerning and reading community.”—Liverpoot
Mercury.
‘This is a little periodical which seems to increase in interest with its
growth. Its character and its pretensions are quite in keeping withthe niche
which it aspires to fill.”"—Liverpool Courier. — ay
‘¢* The Analyst’—has taken a rapid stride in advance this month. £ Lionel
Lackland’ is a specimen of writing and thought far above the ordinary cast.
The subject of ‘ Poetesses’ is very delicately and judiciously handled; nor must
we exclude from our just tribute of praise a very scholar-like review of
‘ Mitchell’s Acharnenses of Aristophanes.’ * The Analyst’ has gained ground,
and seems determined upon keeping possession of every inch, \as'also ready to
extend its conquests far beyond their present limits,’’—Gloucestershire Chroni-
cle.
“* Asa monthly journal of science, literature, and the fine arts, this miscella-
ny is an honour to the county (Worcester) whence it originates ; and it affords
us sincere pleasure to record its increasing success and patronage, which, if
they: continue to be commensurate with the literary and scientific merits of the
work, cannot fail to ensure to the Analyst a degree of prosperity and public
favour fully equal to that enjoyed by most of its metropolitan contemporaries,
A paper ‘ On the Culture of the Vine in England in former periods,’ is particu-
larly interesting, particularly in Gloucestershire, where, according to the old
chroniclers there Were ‘ many. vineyards.’ ”’—Chéltenham Chronicle,
>
‘¢This is a monthly journal of science, literature, and the fine arts, printed .
at Worcester, and published in London. . We have perused several of ‘the
articles of the April number with much pleasure. ‘They are, for the most part,
written with taste and elegance, and are calculated toamuse and instruct. The
best article is the one entitled ‘ Poetesses.’ So much are we pleased with it
that its length alone prevents us from copying it into our pages. The review
of Mr. Thomas Roscoe’s *‘ Wanderings through North Wales,’ contains a beau-
tiful’ eulogy on the character of that popular writer’s father, the lamented
William Roscoe.”—Liverpool Albion. | .
‘¢ The successful career of this useful and entertaining periodical, renders all
comments from us superfluous. * * * We need only call the attention of the
reader to the exquisitely written article on the ‘ Poetesses ;’ and we hesitate not
to assert, that the critical acumen, the sterling original essays, and the chaste —
style of ‘The Analyst,’ entitle it to rank with the best magazines in circula-
tion.’—Hereford Times. i +
Chalk & Holl, Printers, Worcester.
Ea UV G. Gaede
THE
ANALYST
%
MONTHLY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE,
LITERATURE,
AND THE FINE ARTS,”
JUNE, 1835.
London: A
SIMPKIN, ‘MARSHALL, AND 60:
eC
STATIONERS HALL COURT;
WHEELER, DEIGHTON, STRATFORD, RIDGE, HUNT, ' LEES, EATON, WORCESTERS
' JEW AND BRYANT, GUMM, LEA, GLOUCESTER5S WILLIAMS, H. DAVIS, BET- .
TISON, CHELTENHAM 3) DAVIS AND SON, VALE, PARKER, JONES, HEREFORD 5
EDDOWES, SHREWSBURY; SHARPE, WARWICK 3 KNOTT, WRIGHTSON AND
WEBB, LANGBRIDGE, » BARLOW; DRAKE, BIRMINGHAM5 W. PARKE, WOL-
TORE Pr ers AND ALL BOOKSELLERS IN TOWN AND COUNTRY.
To
he Bike kA sf Se
Chalk and Holl, Printers, Worcester.
CONTENTS.
; Pace
On the progressive Development of the Vegetable Organization, by Robert
2 Hi Ni -Mtreeten) Favay tain weston cc cclewcs owe ceaceswadewkeee . 287
Letter to the Editor, on; Statistics, .)..iseetee se cakasceevseceeesewe ats 301
Adieu eee Cee eeeeee peer eweete eee ee ere eee eeeeeeeeseeeoeeneeeeeereeeesd 304
. Remarks on Vernacular and Scientific Ornithological Nomenclature .... 305
To Cetety eeseeeeeeseeaeee
eeeeve e@eee Geese eeeneeeeseeeeeeeeaeeeeseeveene 307
eeete ee *®S®eeeeeeeoeev eevee eeveees 308
y Dr. Milligan ..... ooo O14
e@eeeeeese eeeevoeeaeeeeseeeteeetenes 317
Birmingham School of Medicine and Surgery ..se.seccceecseesceseees SLY
Remarks on Insects, Pictorial and Poetical, by Edwin Lees, M. E.S..... 324
Sonnets ...... se ccece er ccrescoepeeseseeessess BdL
On the Tendency and Prospects of .Mechanics’ Institutions, by W. Hawkes
RNG ores ka cels eececeerces 333
Fine Arts CHOSE HHO meee ee ee ea HEHH ee HOHHEEHH EH ES ee Hees eesesses 358
Finden’s Byron’s Beauties.
Critical Notices of New Publications......cs.sscccsscesssssccccesess 42
Provincial Sketches—British Oology, by W. C. Hewitson—The
Naturalist’s Library ; Ornithology, by Sir Wm. Jardine—Faculties
of Birds, by James Rennie—Pompeii, by the Rev. S. Middleton,
B. D.—Gems of Literature—Lives and Portraits of Celebrated Women
of all Countries, by the Duchess of Abrantes—A History of British
Fishes, by Wm. Yarrall, F. L. S.—History and Description of the late
Houses of Parliament, by J. Britton and W. Brayley—Loudon’s Arbo-
retum Britannicum, &e.
Literary and Scientific eee ee eee eee eee ee eee eee ee eee ee 355
Lectures ‘‘On the Mental Faculties of Man,” by J. Wallace.
List of New Publications COCO So ee eer ee SOG HHEFoseeeeesesseeeees 355
' Preferments, Marriages, Births and Deaths ..cesecesesccesceescceee B00
Meteorological Report, . 6. cccccccclseseevescvcresetcvcseevecveviaces 398
ee eCecee eves tee ewaetsae ee teeteoev eee
K&S We have made arrangements for publishing Dr. Hastings’s Lecture
on the ‘‘ Salt Springs of Worcestershire? (recently delivered before the°
Members of the Worcestershire Natural History Society) in our next
Number, without curtailment. As the Lecture will far exceed the limits
we usually allot to a single article of a scientific character, it is our intention
to present our readers with at least SIXTEEN ADDITIONAL PAGES. The
Lecture will be illustrated with a Lithographic Section, exhibiting the
different Strata in boring for the Salt Springs at Stoke Prior.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
The continuation of “ Lionel Lackland” is unavoidably deferred.
Our Correspondents, ‘‘ Juvenis” and “ Zilla,” will, we trust, excuse us when we
state that their poetical effusions require revision before they can be transferred
to the pages of “The Analyst.” mets:
Publications received too late for review in our present number will be noticed
. next month.
o
It is requested that all communications sent to the Editor, may be
post-PAIpD; and Contributions should be sent early in the month pre-
ceding that in which they are expected to appear.
287
ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION.*«
BY ROBERT J. N. STREETEN, M.D.
Tue Linnean axiom, “ Mineralia crescunt, Vegetabilia crescunt et
vivunt, Animalia crescunt vivunt et sentiunt,” was intended to
illustrate the difference existing in the objects of the three great
divisions of Nature—the animal, the vegetable, and the mineral
kingdoms, and may perhaps, for all ordinary purposes, serve to
establish a sufficient distinction; but when we come to scrutinize
more closely into Nature—when we proceed to investigate her as
displayed in the more simple and elementary of her productions
—in those productions which we are accustomed to consider as the
lowest in thescale of being, and often to neglect as scarcely worthy
of our regard, we shall find ample reason to doubt the correct-
ness of the generalization. Many mineral substances, when
crushed into fragments, afford minute globular particles, which,
if thrown into water, and viewed under high magnifying
powers, are seen to gyrate and revolve in a manner highly
curious, and at the same time present an appearance and habitude,
or mode of action, so entirely similar to some forms of animal or
vegetable being under like circumstances, as to be altogether
undistinguishable by any of the means of investigation which
are at present under our command. That there is a difference
between the ultimate molecules or atoms of mineral or inorganic
matter and the simplest forms of animal and vegetable existence,
we cannot doubt; but as we are incapable with the aid of the
instruments which we at present possess of tracing out and
examining these elementary bodies, either in the one case or the
other, we must be content to take our departure in this investigation
_ from that part of the scale of progressive development of which
- our means of research, aided by our reflecting powers, permit us
to acquire a knowledge.
The ultimate particles or molecules of all mineral bodies have
been conceived to be of a shape either perfectly spherical, or
more or less inclining-to a sphere, and these spheres or spheroids
of most inconceivable minuteness, varying, however, in their
size in bodies of a different nature, and probably also in their
polarities or modes of attraction. In the simplest forms of
vegetable or animal existence with which we are acquainted,
the external configuration of the organic particle is the same as,
or at least very similar to that conceived to belong to the mineral
* Being the substance of a. Lecture delivered before the Members of the
Worcestershire Natural History Society.
June, 1835.—VOL. IJ. NO. XI. 2P
288 ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
molecules, namely, spherical or spheroidal. But there is this
essential difference. The phenomena of the mineral molecules
are best explained upon the supposition that they are homogene-
ous, or of like nature throughout; whereas, as far as our researches
go, the ultimate forms of organization are not homogeneous,
but consist of amembranous or filmy envelope of extreme tenuity,
inclosing within its cavity a transparent fluid, constituting, in
fact, a close spheroidal cell or vesicle.
It is not necessary for our present purpose to attempt to define
the difference between the simple monads of animal, and the sim-
ple vesicles of vegetable existence; and when it is stated that of
the former five hundred millions have been crowded into the
space of one cubic inch without apparently interfering with each
other, and that of the latter still greater numbers have been
observed to occupy the same space, it will be seen that the very
minuteness of these bodies in itself opposes a barrier to our inves-
tigations, the bounds of which we cannot pass. The subject
which more immediately demands our attention is the gradual
development of the mysterious principle of life, as shown in the
variations of organic structure throughout the scale of vegetable
being, commencing with the most simple vesicle or germ of vege-
table existence, and tracing the increasing development of the
vegetable structure till we arrive at the most complex and
elaborate of its forms.
The most simple form of vegetable existence, according to the
views here expressed, of which we can form a conception, is a
close cell or vesicle—a simple vesicle, consisting of a membranous
film of extreme tenuity enveloping and inclosing within its central
cavity some fluid, or perhaps aeriform matter. Such a vesicle
may be observed in the granules of the Lepraria viridis, that
green powdery incrustation which is found in such abundance on
trees, old posts or rails, walls, &c. in damp shady situations.
This green crust is in fact one of the most simple forms of
vegetable being with which we are acquainted, and when ex-
amined with the aid of a powerful microscope, will be found to
consist of innumerable small granules* of a spheroidal shape,
very loosely connected together in fours. |
It is not meant to be asserted that these granules, cells, or
vesicles are perfectly simple—that they are the ultimate organic
elements of the plant; for it is not at all probable that we should
here have arrived at the real elementary composition. On the
contrary, there is much reason to believe that the external filmy
coating of these vesicles, though of such extreme tenuity, is itself
compounded of numerous other cells—that it in fact consists of
a congeries of vesicles of inconceivable minuteness so united
together as to form a continuous surface ; each of which secondary
* That these granules are vesicular is evident, for by touching them with the
point of a fine needle, when viewed in water under the microscope, their filmy coats
will be ruptured and will be observed to present irregular torn edges.
THE VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION. 289
vesicles, as they may be termed, may possibly also be com-
pounded in like manner, and so on to an extent which it is
utterly beyond our powers to comprehend. ‘To the limits of
minute division in the works of the great Creator there appears
no bound. Were it not that all parts of his creation clearly
prove that magnitude and number present no restraint to his
operations—that the vast and the minute are equally the object
of his attention—we should often be tempted to throw aside
many of the sublime truths of natural science as little better
than the wild reveries of a heated imagination. But every
department of scientific research leads to the same conclusions,
overwhelming as they are to the powers of the human intellect,
and every mode of investigation teaches the same results; and
while we make the vain attempt to conceive the wonders of
creation, we can only pause and admire when the faint glimmer-
ing perception, which alone we are able to obtain, arises in our |
minds. | ' |
But to proceed, without entering further into a question which
is quite beyond our powers—this green powdery crust in its ele-
mentary composition—elementary, as it appears to our eyes,
may represent what is to us the ultimate forms of vegetable
organization. A simple vesicle connected in this instance with
similar vesicles by a quaternary arrangement, in others, as in
some of the Conferve and various plants of the Alge tribes, by a
binary, ternary, or linear mode of arrangement.
When the connection between the organic particles is more
close, the vesicles being as it were brought within the sphere of
mutual attraction, we have them not merely in contact, but
variously compounded—two together as in the granules of
Gracilaria erecta—three together as in the ternate granules of
Rhodomela pinastroides—or lastly, four or more as in the compound
granules of Microcladia glandulosa.
If a number of these elementary vesicles be so arranged in sim-
ple contact as to take up the smallest possible space, a section of
them will present the appearance of a series of circles, or if
subjected to a certain degree of equable pressure, they will
form a kind of network, pentagonal, hexagonal, or otherwise,
according to the presence of various modifying circumstances.
In thus regarding the arrangement of the ultimate vesicles of
the vegetable organization to form the cellular structure of plants,
we must not confine our attention to the mere mechanical
principles of juxta-position and pressure. Each organic vesicle,
in a state of activity, is endowed, either in itself, or as appertain-
ing to the vegetable structure of which it forms a part, with the
principle of life. It may, therefore, increase in substance and
expand in size; and from this gradual expansion or growth,
certain changes in its development and in its apparent structure
will necessarily take place. Thus, by the gradual expansion of
a simple vesicle, it will attain to a larger size—its shape may
290 ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
become elongated or depressed, according to the circumstances
of pressure under which the expansion takes place—the outer
filmy covering or envelope may increase in thickness, and the
secondary vesicles of which this film consists become so far
developed as to be sensible to our modes of investigation—and
lastly, the organic molecule may acquire the property of repro-
duction, and by the formation of other vesicles from the inner
surface of its filmy covering, or more probably by the develop-
ment of the pre-existing particles of which this covering is
composed, the vesicle which was either simple, or to our senses
apparently so, becomes compound, having its central portion
occupied with other and secondary vesicles. ‘That these are not
merely speculations has been fully established by the researches
of M. Raspail upon the minute chemistry of organic products.
In examining the granules or vesicles of fecula, a vegetable
product of great importance, and of which the seeds and roots
of many plants almost entirely consist, he observed that, sub-
jected to a limited artificial heat, the membrane or filmy
envelope constituting their external coating was capable of
gradual extension, the granules increasing in size, and that at
the same time globules were formed all over its surface, resembling
new grains of fecula, attached by a hilum or minute scar to a
membrane. “ Analogy,” observes M. Raspail, “seems to point
out before hand that, under the influence of the natural causes
which affect vegetation, whose action though slow is durable,
this development should possess a more regular character
than under the influence of an artificial cause. What is thus
indicated by analogy is proved by observation, in regard to the
grains of fecula, which grow in the vegetable organs, till their
forms and dimensions might render it difficult to recognize them.
On the other hand, direct observation shows that; in consequence
of this development, there are formed in the interior of each
grain of fecula, new feculent globules, which being packed
together, present a very perfect resemblance to the cellular
texture. Each of these grains of fecula, when obtained separate,
is furnished with a hilum, by which it was connected with the
inside of the cell which contained it, just as a bean is connected
by its hilum with the placental parietes of the large cell which
we call the pod. But this bean is not merely stuck on to the
surface of the pod; it has been developed by the progressive
swelling of the inside, and has passed successively through every
dimension from that of a microscopic globule to that which it
possesses when ripe."—‘“ The secondary grains, whose presence
we have detected in its interior (i. e. of the primary vesicle),
acted on by the same causes, will be developed in their turn, and
will in turn give rise to other tertiary grains, and so on inde-
finitely ; so that we shall then have a more or less complicated
cellular texture in the interior of a single cell. Now as these
new cells are, at every period of their growth, attached to the
THE VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION. 291
sides of the generating cell, we can conceive that each of them
is nothing else than the development of one of the globules of
which the coats of the cell are composed.”*
It has been before observed that the development of the cells of
plants is materially influenced by the varying circumstances of
pressure under which it takes place. When the pressure is
unequally distributed, being less in one direction and at the same
time considerable in all others, the cells will be much modified
in their shape. They will be compressed according to the
direction in which the pressure is applied, and the active principle
of growth continuing to be exerted chiefly in the direction of
least pressure, a series of elongated cells will be formed, ap-
proaching more or less to the form of tubes. ‘To this modifica-
tion of cellular structure, M. Link has given the name of
elongated tissue. Sometimes the elongated cells, instead of
being cylindrical or prismatic in their shape, are fusiform or
spindle-shaped, that is, narrower at the extremities than in the
centre. These are the clostresof M. Dutrochet. The medullary
rays or strie found in the stems of dicotyledonous plants are
also elongated cells, but placed in a horizontal position, instead
of a vertical one, which is the usual arrangement of the cellular
texture.
Such is the elementary structure and development of the
cellular tissue of plants; we have now to direct our attention
to the various modifications of vessels constituting the vascular
tissue. “ Vessels,” says M. Richard, “are layers of elementary
cellular tissue, rolled up in such a way as to form canals, or
cells, which are more or less elongated and placed end to end,
and whose partitions have often disappeared.’+ This definition
of vessels, though given by one of the latest and best authorities,
is extremely vague and imperfect, and affords us little insight into
the gradual or progressive development of this part of the vegetable
organization. From what has been stated before respecting the
modifications of the cellular configuration induced by pressure, it
will appear upon consideration that there is a tendency, under
certain circumstances of pressure, to atransition from the cell to the
vessel or tube: the elongated cell, for instance, is in fact a short
tube, closed at both ends, and itis precisely underthe circumstances
of pressure by which the elongated cell is produced that we find
the vascular structure to be developed. The lateral pressure in
vascular plants, arising from their external form, is very con-
siderable; whereas the pressure in the cellular plants is for the
most part much more equally distributed. It does not seem
improbable, also, that the mode in which the cells are arranged
together may exert some influence upon the development of the
vascular structure. When arranged in close contact, there will
* Raspail. Elements of Organic Chemistry, translated by Henderson, p. 2.
7 Richard’s Elements of Botany, by Clinton. Ed. 4. p. 15.
292 ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
be a greater tendency to form the hexagonal cellular tissue, but
if placed in a linear arrangement, and subjected at the same
time to lateral pressure, the cells will tend to become elongated,
and not yielding laterally, the filmy envelopes will give way at
their points of contact, and a communication be thus formed
from one cell to another, constituting at length a continuous tube.
Let us now examine the several varieties of vessels with the view
of ascertaining how far the opinions here advanced are in accord-
ance with the more evident phenomena presented by the vegetable
organization. At the points of union between the stem and the
root, and the stem and the branches, are found vessels of a monili-
form or beaded configuration. They are apparently jointed, and,
according to some botanists, are traversed interiorly by transverse
partitions. Their external coats, as well as their internal par-
titions, are formed of areolar cellular tissue; that is, of cellular
tissue in which (probably from the secondary cells of which it is
composed not approximating very closely) interstitial spaces are
left. They,.therefore, present the appearance of being per-
forated. The slightest inspection is sufficient to prove that these
beaded vessels are nothing more than cells arranged in a linear
series, and which, in consequence of the interstitial character of
their coats, have become united together, so as to form an im-
perfect tube or vessel, the internal partitions remaining in some
instances, and disappearing in others, according to the progress
made in the development of the true vascular structure.
In the woody layers of the root, stem, and branches, vessels
nearly allied to the preceding are found to occur. These are
the punctuated vessels of some botanists, the porous vessels of
M. Mirbel. They appear to be continuous tubes, having their
sides perforated by pores, which are arranged in transverse lines
around the tube. We may readily conceive the beaded or
jointed vessel when subjected to considerable lateral pressure,
such as must take place in the parts of the plant where these
punctuated tubes are found losing the jointed appearance, and
having its internal partitions removed. When the pores which
are found in the sides of these vessels run into each other,
forming apparent transverse slits, the tubes are called false
spirals, to distinguish them from the true spiral vessels. The for-
mation of these last, the true spirals, appears to be somewhat dif-
ferent from the preceding, and to arise from the development of
the secondary vesicles constituting the envelope of what may be
termed the primary cells. M. Raspail is of opinion that these
secondary vesicles are so arranged in the filmy tissue of the en-
velope of the primary vesicle as to pass round the cell in a spiral
direction, instead of in parallel rows or rings. Now if acell of this
description be gradually elongated, and increase in its progressive
development according to the principles before laid down,
a tube or vessel presenting precisely the characters of the spiral
will result. The whole primary cell is developed and elongated
THE VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION. 293 —
so as to form a cylindrical tube of greater or less extent, its
central cavity constitutes the internal tubular cavity of the vessel,
and the secondary vesicles of its envelope still retaining their
spiral arrangement, form the spiral external coating of the vessel.
The communication between several of these elongated cells or
tubes may afterwards take place, so as to form a continuous
vessel of considerable extent in the same manner as in the more
simple vessels. These spiral vessels are very readily seen
in the leaves of many plants. By carefully breaking a strongly
nerved leaf, and gently drawing the parts asunder, the spiral
vessels of the nerve will become visible, and the spiral texture
may be unrolled to a considerable extent without breaking.
These several kinds of vessels pass into each other, forming the
mixed vessels of Mirbel; the same vessel being in one part of
its extent porous, in another transversely slit, and in a third
spiral. The explanation of this modification of vascular de-_
velopment appears to be that cells and tubes formed under
varying circumstances of pressure or other modifying causes,
and consequently differing in the arrangement of the particles of
which they consist, have become united together so as to form a
continuous vessel.
There are two other kinds of vessels which require to be
noticed. These are simple tubes and the proper vessels. The
proper vessels of plants are short tubes without pores, and are
found in the bark, leaves, and flowers. They contain the peculiar
secretions of the plants in which they are found, as the yellow
acrid juice of the Celandine Cheledonium majus, the opaque milky
juice of the poppies, &c. They are, therefore, elongated cells,
appropriated as reservoirs for the proper juices furnished by the
individual plants. The simple tubes are vessels which are with-
out pores, and appropriated to the circulation of the sap, and
hence called sap-vessels. They do not differ in their mode of
development from other vessels, but in consequence of the
secondary cells of their coats being more closely compacted, no
interstitial spaces or pores are visible in their sides,
In the more simple and elementary forms under which plants
present themselves to our notice, the cellular texture aloneis found
to occur. ‘These plants, the Cellulares, or Cellular plants of De
Candolle, constitute one of the primary divisions of the vegetable
kingdom. ‘They differ greatly, both in their internal structure and
external configuration, in the several organs and parts of which
the vegetable frame consists—in their roots, stems, branches,
leaves, and parts of fructification, not only from plants of a
higher order, but also among themselves. There is little
apparent analogy between the rose which delights us with its
fragrance, and the noisome fungus, Nature’s scavenger—between
the sturdy oak, and the crust which attaches itself to the surface
of the solid rock, either as a whole or in any of their parts; and
yet the transition from one of these extremes to the other, through
294 ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
the varied tribes of this part of Nature's wide domain, is so
gradual, and the relation by which many of these tribes are
connected together, so intimate, that the difficulty which
botanists experience in the arrangement of the objects of their
studies frequently consists more in the separation of allied plants
and families than in their union with each other into groups.
The structure of the powdery lichen, to which allusion has
already been made, and of its allied species, is most simple, con-
sisting of vesicles only, and those scarcely connected together.
Other forms of the vast tribe of lichens—those humble individuals
of the vegetable race which form the first of Nature’s coverings—
which act, as it were, the part of pioneers, and though of small
repute, and to the unobservant eye insignificant, are the very
instruments which it has pleased the Almighty Creator and Ruler
of all to employ as the secondary agents of his power in breaking
down the surface of the hard and barren rock, and rendering
many a wild and uncultivated region fit for the nourishment of
larger tribes of plants, and ultimately adapted to the support of
the higher orders of animals, yes, even of man himself.—Other
forms of this vast, and shall we not say important family of
plants, are found, in which these primary vesicles are closely
compacted into crusts or films,—crusts of extreme tenuity, but
covering the surface of stones and rocks, and the bark of trees.
Such are the curious Lecidea geographica, so called from its
resemblance to a chart or map; the Graphis elegans, and Ope-
grapha seripla, a species of mimic writing, &c. The transition
from these filmy expansions to the foliaceous lichens, such as the
common yellow wall lichen, Parmelia parietina, and its allies, by
the splitting up, as it were, of the crust in different directions
from the surface to which it is attached into scales or lamina of
various thickness, as in Squamaria, and others of the scaly lichens,
is well marked; and again from these through the Cetraria
Islandicus, or Iceland moss, and others in which these scaly and
leafy crusts are gradually lengthened into thongs, to the fibrous
or filamentous lichens on the one hand, and into some,of the
tribe of Alge or sea weeds on the other.
The same gradual development of the cellular structure may
be traced in the Alge, a family of plants, the greater number of
which are inhabitants of the ocean. ‘This we have already had
occasion to observe in their fructification from the simple vesicles
of Porphyra and Ulva, to the variously compounded granules of
Gracilaria, Rhodomela, and Microcladia, changes accompanied by
corresponding variations in the structure and configuration of
the entire plants.
The transition from the Alge to the mosses, in which the
external form approaches still more to those vegetable tribes
where the cells, becoming gradually more elongated, approach
more or less to the tubular structure, is well marked by some of
the Hepatici, or liverworts. Of these last, the frond or leafy
THE VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION. 295
expansion of the Riccia natans affords a beautiful example of the
cellular structure, and its general appearance comes very near to
some of the Alge, while, on the other hand, many of the
Jungermannie, another genus of the liverworts, are almost as
closely allied to the mosses.
The mosses are universal favourites, and it is impossible, even
for the most superficial observer, to. have glanced over any of
these beautiful plants, without admiring the general elegance
of their forms, and the extreme delicacy of their leaves and
other parts. The most finished drawing can convey but a faint
and imperfect idea of their extreme beauty. We must here
have recourse to the microscope for ourselves, and when thus
examined, so as to display their internal structure,—the modifi-
cations of cellular texture as seen in their transparent. leaves,—
the varied forms and delicacy of these parts,—the curious struc-
ture of the filmy teeth which, encircle the mouth of their capsules,
the interest which attaches to these productions is increased
ten-fold, and the reflecting mind is lost in the contemplation of
the infinitely varied beauties of form and structure which pro-
ceed from the Master hand, and which prevail in every depart-
ment of nature. In the works of the great Creator, there is
nothing imperfect—nothing unfinished—whether in simplicity
of design, or in the most delicate and refined construction. As
far as our limited powers will enable us to comprehend it, the
same sublime unity of purpose is displayed throughout. We look
above us and contemplate the vastness of the heavenly expanse,
—its brilliant orbs preserving their prescribed limits, and rolling
through space in perpetual harmony, and with never-varying
regularity,—and we feel lost in the vastness of the power and
wisdom of that Divine Intelligence which has called them into
being, and which presides over, directs, and regulates the whole.
We are ready to exclaim with the Psalmist, *‘ What is man, that
thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest
him ?” But shall we, therefore, infer, with the disciples of a false
philosophy, that He regards not the beings whom he has called
_ into existence? that He, having breathed into them the breath
of life, there leaves them, and casts them aside as utterly beneath
his attention and care? Let us turn tothe humble moss which
groweth upon the wall, and to the insect flutterer which reveleth
its short hour in the setting beams of a summer's sun. We be-
hold the same attention bestowed upon these minute existences,
—the same care in the adaptation of the circumstances under
which they are placed to the purposes which they are destined to
fulfil. Can we then doubt that even the hairs of our heads are
all numbered, and that he who so clothed the grass of the field
will fulfil all his purposes of love towards that being who,
though fallen indeed, and in himself powerless of good, is yet
gifted with faculties by which he can investigate, and in a
measure comprehend, the mighty works even of the High and
June, 1835.—voL. I. NO. XI. - 22
296 ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
Lofty One, who sitteth upon the circle of the Heavens and in-
habiteth Eternity.
The various species of the fern tribe, those leafy expansions,
some of while rival even the mosses in elegance of form and
delicacy of structure, while others vie with the loftiest denizens of
the tropical forests, are among those forms of vegetation, in the
internal texture of which tubes or vessels, as well as cells, are
found to exist. They constftute, as it were, the transition link
between the cellular and vascular plants, being allied to the
latter in internal structure, while in external configuration, and
more especially in their fructification, they are intimately con-
nected with the former. In that covering of herbage, the verdure
and freshness of which gives such a charm to the rich scenery
of the valleys and plains of our native country, we find many
different species of plants. ‘These are called gramina or grasses,
and resemble each other very closely in their general structure
and appearance, constituting one of the most natural groups
with which we are acquainted. They have for the most part
fibrous roots, a tubular jointed stem, narrow ribbed leaves, and
an elongated spike or panicle of flowers, in all which parts,
whether root, stem, leaves, or flowers, we find the cellular
structure to be combined with the vascular,—vessels or tubes
traversing in a longitudinal direction the genera] cellular texture
of the plant. The same combination of vascular and cellular
structure is found in the sedges and rushes—in the numerous
species of iris—in the lilies—the Orchidee, and others, con-
stituting the first division of the flowering plants. To trace the
connections between the several families of the Vasculares, or to
examine the gradations by which they insensibly pass into each
other, is not necessary for our present purpose, since in these
more complex and highly organized forms of vegetation there is
a unity of structure prevailing, with certain modifications,
throughout the whole. It will be sufficient if we examine the
several parts or organs of which these plants consist separately
and in detail, pointing out as we proceed the modifications in the
development of these several parts as they occur in plants of a
higher or lower degree of organization.
The more important divisions of the vegetable organization,
as it exists in the more highly developed families of plants, are
the root—the stem and branches-—the leaves—the flowers—the
fruit, including the seed—and lastly, bulbs and buds.
The external characters of the root vary considerably.
In grasses, as we have just observed, it is generally fibrous,
sometimes creeping, rarely bulbous; whereas, in many others
of the monocotyledonous plants, the tulip for instance, it is bulb-
bous. Inevery true root, however, a fibrous portion will be found
to exist, and it is the ultimate fibrils or divisions of the fibrous
part of the root, with the minute vesicular bodies at their extremi-
ties, which constitute the essential part of this organ. It is by
THE VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION. 297
these little vesicular terminations of the fibrils of the roots that
plants obtain their nourishment from the soil in which they
grow. ‘They are found equally in the lofty forest tree and the
herb which grows beneath its shade, and are equally necessary
to the existence of both; for if by accident or design the fibrils
are materially injured, the plant withers and dies. In their in-
ternal structure, roots, with some exceptions, will be found to
resemble the stem; in fact, in many instances, they consist of a
main descending trunk, branches, and twigs, the organization
of which is precisely conformable to the ascending stem and its
divisions, as it is found above ground.
The stem or trunk varies much in different families of plants.
In those among the acotyledonous plants in which it occurs it
consists of a thin epidermis or cuticle, surrounding a pulpy
matter, the texture of both which parts is almost entirely cel-
lular; a few fibres or vessels are, however, found in the stem of
the fern tribe, forming an exception to the general internal
organization of this division of the vegetable kingdom. In the
monocotyledonous plants, the stem consists also of a cuticular
envelope and internal cellular substance, but the cuticular
portion is more dense and firm, and the cellular texture of the
internal part of the stem is traversed by longitudinal fibres or
vessels, several of which are arranged together in bundles. In
the dicotyledons, the stem is composed of bark, wood, and pith.
The bark, which corresponds to the cuticular part of the stems
of the acotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants, is formed of
several layers of cellular and fibrous texture; the wood or fibrous
portion of cellular texture, and closely compacted vessels tra-
versing the cells in a longitudinal direction, and symmetrically
arranged so as to form concentric and divergent layers; and the
pith, which occupies the central portion of the stem, of a light
spongy cellular tissue.
The development of this apparently intricate organization
from the simple elements of cell and vessel, according to the
principles already laid down, may be conceived to take place
in the following manner. Let us suppose a complete circular
range of secondary vesicles becoming dilated by the process
of growth in the interior of a primary or generating cell.
It is evident that the envelope of this cell, pressed at all
points of the circumference by similar parts which are growing
at once in length and breadth, will take the form of a cylinder;
but it is also evident that the secondary vesicles will be more
compressed towards the centre than at the circumference, and
that, consequently, a transverse section will exhibit each of these
secondary cells under the form of a wedge. If the eight
vesicles grow in a longitudinal direction, without giving rise
to other vesicles within them, we shall then have an organi-
zation similar to that of the long stalk which supports the flower
of the Nymphea alba, or white water lily, a monocotyledonous
plant. Each of these vesicles will form an empty canal, of
298 ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF
which a longitudinal section will present a three-sided prism,
and which will extend from the base to the summit of the flower-
stalk. But if within each secondary cell a certain number of
tertiary vesicles be developed, so as to form cells of considerable
size and nearly empty, we shall then have the structure of the
central part of certain trunks of the monocotyledons, and also that
of the pith, as it occurs in the stems of some of the dicotyledons.
Now if, instead of vesicles thus developed, parallel and con-
centric cells are formed, we shall have a commencement of
concentric layers, and other vesicles being developed in their
interstitial spaces in a longitudinal direction, so as to form tubes
or vessels, a transverse section will exhibit the perfect develop-
ment of the concentric vascular tissue. If the cells, instead of
loose hexagonal cells, give rise to other vesicles pressed one
against another, and developed on the coats of more internal
cells which are incased in and line completely the cavity of
those in which they are formed, then we shall have the most
complicated organization of the stem of a dicotyledonous plant,
with its incased and concentric layers, and its medullary rays,
or divergent layers, which are nothing else than the interstices
of the secondary cells, or rather the junctions of their sides, in
which vesicles have been developed in a horizontal direction,
forming tubes or vessels running from the centre of the stem
towards the circumference.*
Branches are nothing moré than the divisions of the stem,
and may be conceived to be formed by the progressive develop-
ment of cells and tubes in a manner altogether similar,—a
generating vesicle gradually developing other vesicles upon its
internal membrane, and the growth taking place as in the former
instance.
Leaves consist of a cuticle or transparent film of cellular tex-
ture, enclosing a parenchyma or pulp, also of cellular tissue,
and usually of a green colour, and fibres of which the nerves
and veins of the leaf are chiefly composed. These fibres com-
municate with each other, and are ramifications from the central
nerve or midrib. In the monocotyledonous plants, the nerves are
for the most part parallel, or nearly so, extending from the leaf-
stalk to the apex of the leaf in a longitudinal direction, and
rarely branched, but communicating with each other by short
transverse ribs, which gives the appearance of a tesselated or
rectangular network to the vascular structure. In the acotyledons,
the leaves or leafy expansions are destitute of ribs or veins, and
consist merely of a pulpy cellular tissue, enveloped by a cuti-
- cular expansion. The development of these parts from the
simple vesicle or cell may be thus supposed to arise. Upon the
internal surface of the envelope of a primary cell, two secondary
vesicles may follow the growth of the generating or primary cell,
and stretch out longitudinally; they will thus form two lateral lobes
* Raspail. Elements of Organic Chemistry, by Henderson, p. — (?)
THE VEGETABLE ORGANIZATION. 299
whose interstice will be the median nerve. If other vesicles
be developed within these two cells, and become in their
turn large tertiary cells, their interstices will form the lateral
nerves, and will seem to derive their origin from the median
nerve. Other vesicles may, in the same way, be developed into
cells in each of the tertiary cells, and others again within these,
and so on indefinitely; and a primary microscopic vesicle
will be thus transformed almost before our eyes into the leaf of a
dicotyledonous plant. At the same time that this development
of the cellular texture of the leaf is going on, a vascular con-
nexion with the sap-vessels of the branchlet to which it is at-
tached may be formed through the medium of the hilum or
oint of attachment of the primary cell, and with this again
throughout the leaf, by the hila of the secondary, tertiary and
succeeding orders of cells, the interstitial spaces which
form the nerves becoming vascular, in consequence of the de-
velopment of elongated cells or tubes through these points of
attachment.
The structure of the floral coverings, that is of the calyx and
corolla, is analogous to that of the leaves; consisting of a
cuticular expansion, soft and pulpy cellular texture, and fibres
or vessels running in a longitudinal direction and ramifying so
as to form a kind of network, and differing from the structure of
the leaves chiefly in the delicacy of its several parts. But the
variety and elegance of their external forms, and the beauty of
their colours, are such as to excite our deepest admiration.
** Not a flower
But shews some touch in freckle, streak, or stain,
Of his unrivalled pencil. He inspires
Their balmy odours, and imparts their hues,
And bathes their eyes with nectar, and includes,
In grains as countless as the sea-side sands,
The forms with which he sprinkles all the earth.”
The stamens and pistils, or those parts which are more imme-
diately concerned in the process of fructification, and for the
preservation and due elaboration of which the more conspicuous
parts of the flower are destined, consist apparently of cellular
- texture only.
The most important part of the fruit is the seed. This organ
consists, at least in the flowering plants, of an embryo, or the rudi-
ments of the future plant, and various envelopes, generally two,
sometimes three or four. The essential parts of the embryo are
the plumula or young plantlet—the radicle or future root—and the _
cotyledons or seed“lobes, destined for the nourishment of the.
other portions in the first stages of their growth. Another im-
portant part of the seed, though not discernible in all plants, is:
the albumen,—that which forms the principal part of the seed in
the Cereales and grasses, and which, in one of this tribe, the
Triticum hybernum, or wheat, is of such vast and incalculable
importance to the welfare of the whole human race. The
300 ON THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT, &c.
primary divisions of the vegetable kingdom are characterized
by these peculiarities in the structure of the embryo.
The distribution of plants, however, according to this
arrangement, is very unequal. Of about 44,000 species
known to exist, 38,000 are flowering plants, of which number
32,000 are dicotyledonous, and only 6000 monocotyledons. The
remaining 6000 are cellular plants, and destitute of cotyledons,
the structure of their seeds being, indeed, from the extreme
minuteness of their organs, very little known, and probably
altogether different from that of the seeds of vascular plants.
They are perhaps more analogous to bulbs than to perfectly
formed seeds.
A bulb consists of an internal firm pulpy substance,
surrounded by a filmy envelope or cuticle, and coated with
several layers of a loose fibrous expansion. In the centre
of the pulpy substance will be found the future plant, which
may frequently be observed fully developed in all its parts
before there is any appearance of external vegetation. “If the
bulb of the tulip is taken up in the beginning of the month of
January, and carefully bisected in a line passing through its
longitudinal axis, the petals, the stamens, the pistil, and the
incipient stem may be already all distinctly perceived, small and
delicate in their appearance, but complete in all their parts.”*
Buds contain the rudiments of leaves and flowers. They
consist of a scaly envelope, inclosing the proper bud, which is a
pulpy substance, with numerous interlaced fibres, and sur-
rounded by a thin cuticle. “In the month of March, 1810,”
observes Mr. Keith, “I opened up a bud of the horse chesnut
that had not yet burst its scales. The scales, which were about
fifteen or sixteen in number, being removed, were found to
contain one pair of opposite leaves, now laid bare, the divisions
of which were closely matted together with a fine down. ‘The
leaves upon being opened were found to inclose a flower-spike,
consisting of not less than a hundred florets compactly crowded
together, and each enveloped by its own downy calyx, which
when opened discovered the corolla, stamens, and pistil distinct,
the rudiments of the future fruit being also discernible in the
ovary.”+
This singularly curious fact affords a striking illustration of
the general correctness of the principles attempted to be es-
tablished in the preceding observations. But these remarks
have already extended to too great a length, and to enlarge further
upon the subject would exceed our allotted limits. Enough has,
however, been brought forward to shew the nature of these curious
investigations, and should any of the readers of “'The Analyst’
be induced, by the deep interest which attaches to it, to pursue
the inquiry, these pages will not have been written in vain.
* Keith, in Brewster’s Journal, August, 1834, p. 114. + Ibid, p. 115.
301
To the Editor of the Analyst.
Sir,—In the prospectus of your periodical, I find an invitation
to supply your miscellany with such local or statistical infor-
mation as may instruct or amuse your readers. Hitherto your
invitation has been overlooked, yet so important do I consider
the information you solicit, that I must beg a page or two whilst
T endeavour to second your views in considering a subject in-
ferior to none in that interest which can engage attention, and
employ the faculties of the inquirer through the varied walks of
intelligence.
The human mind never stagnates, but is always busily em-
ployed in matters of research, it dreads vacuity, and is ever ac-
tive in pursuit, and, if not engaged in the higher flights of fancy,
or the more sober walk of conviction, it seeks a gratification in
the unhallowed and reckless influence of a distempered ima-
gination.
Knowledge is necessary to man, and whether it be that which
tends to moral instruction and useful attainment, or whether it be
that which leads to immoral consequences, and vitiates and de-
grades the natural energies, is a matter highly important to every
relation in life.
Knowledge is the medium through which man can be raised
in the scale of created beings, and its essence and character
justify his progression, for should it not tend to the purposes of
social life, and be profitless in its moral influences, it may be
gazed at for its splendor, but rejected for its inutility.
Knowledge, says Lord Bacon, is power, and, he might have
added, virtue also; for, through its instrumentality, the affections
of the heart and mind are engaged, and lead through a pro-
gressive expansion to the consummation of all instruction, re-
ligious influences, and moral order. I need not trace its pro-
gress, for its steps are perceptible from the lowest grade of ig-
norance and sensuality to those of wisdom and benevolence, and
we find our illustration in those nations and people who have
preserved the sameness of nature through successive generations,
exemplifying the admitted axiom, that vice and ignorance pre-
serve a close and intimate alliance, and in those who, through the
advancement of knowledge, have displayed the fruits of wisdom
in the principles of virtue and moral truth.
If these prefatory remarks shall meet with approval, the line
of duty is plainly laid before us, through the exercise of those
powers with which God has endowed us, to instruct, enlighten,
and improve, to the best of our ability in the sphere of life in
which we move.—Relative are our duties, and relative their
exercise, and although few can attain the higher walks of know-
302 TO THE EDITOR OF THE ANALYSY‘.
ledge, yet all men of ordinary intellect and education may suc-
ceed, to a considerable extent, as their time, their talents, and
their opportunity shall allow; and although they may contem-
plate the acquisition of others as beyond theit reach, although
they may behold, with dismay, the giants of literature and of
science, yet let them not, in an evil hour, throw away the means
they possess, nor feel because they cannot attain the highest
intelligence, that they are incapable of instructing or amusing
their fellow men through such channels as their industry and
locality shall allow.
There is no class to whom this admonition applies so forcibly
as the resident clergy, whose education, whose attainments, and
whose time afford a facility of communicating information be-
yond that which the leisure of others, however well qualified,
will allow—moreover the locality of the clergy is most favourable
in affording that particular information which it is the wish and.
the intention of the writer strongly to recommend and enforce ;
and if he shall be so fortunate as to impress others with the
same conviction of its utility, its interest, and its importance,
both as regards science and amusement, which he entertains, he
must feel highly gratified with the result, in learning, through
the pages of the “ Analyst,” the statistical relation of those
parishes where that periodical is so generally read, and for whose
immediate use it is especially intended.
To accomplish this desirable object, the higher branches of
science are by no means necessary, nor need it require other
aids than an active perception and the ordinary powers of
describing what falls within the limits of almost daily obser-
vation. ‘That I may be as intelligible as the nature of my sub-
ject will allow, I shall beg leave to give a few heads under
which might be ranged the objects of inquiry :—
Topography and Natural History, as name of parish boundaries,
rivers, mountains, minerals, soil, birds, insects, &c.
General History, as to eminent men, battles, or other events.
Antiquities, as to buildings, fortifications, or ought else of local
interest.
Population, industry, and means of employment.
Agriculture, &c.
Parochial economy, management of the poor, parish registers,
education, and diseases.
Miscellany, climate or other matter not included in the above
heads.
Now it appears to me, Sir, that ordinary research and ordinary
science are ample for such elucidation of the statistics of each
parish, and that a very interesting whole might be produced by
these means, somewhat in the manner of an able and entertain-
ing work now in progress “'The new statistical account of
Scotland,” and which I recommend to the attention of your
readers, ‘
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ANALYST. 303
It may be asked what are the advantages which would result
from local knowledge upon subjects generally treated in county
histories? ‘To this may be answered that they are compressed
and succinct, and do not adopt a wide spreading view of the mat-
ters embraced in statistical information, which treats upon
subjects wholly omitted, or slighty touched upon by the more
general historian.
It may further be asked what is the end to be answered by
this local development, and how, will it confer a general be-
nefit? To which may be replied, in various and many ways—
To the agriculturist it is no small object of inquiry what the
nature of soil, its general produce, the influences of seasons, and
the description of cattle which depasture the land—TIo the
manufacturer what the staple produce, its character, its means of
transmission and its effect upon population, both moral and
physical—To the curious, what the boundaries, the rivers, the
lakes, the seats, and parks, and pleasure grounds, population or
other objects of attention incidental to each parish—To the
geologist, what the general nature of stratification, the particular
construction of hills, their fossil remains and the mineral quali-
ties—To the antiquarian, what the historical records of each
parish, what the remains of years long since past, the ruins, the
mounds, the encampments of our hardy ancestors—To the na-
turalist, what the plants, the birds, their migration, their return,
and their natural habits, what the insects, reptiles, &c.—To the
literary man, what may be accounted of the illustrious dead and
the eminent men of old, and the philanthropist may find much
matter for inquiry and interest in the character of the people,
the nature and objects of their pursuits, of their relative position
in society, and the moral and intellectual progress they have
made and continue to make.—These are some of the results to
be forwarded by statistical information, and to these may be
added much that is interesting toa numerous class of persons
who employ their leisure in visiting scenes of foreign interest.
With this view they travel far and wide over the classic countries
of Greece and Italy, in search of the memorabilia of ages long
since past, and contemplate their remains associated with the
important events which victory has handed down—distance in
time and place awake the sympathies and excite the admiration ;
this 1s natural and I quarrel not with nature, yet if I cannot ad-
vance the latter inducement, I can point to the former, and
whilst [ admit the merit of such scenic reminiscences which justly
merit the enthusiastic admiration of the traveller, I must be
allowed to ask, are there no monuments within our own country
which claim similar attention? I leave this consideration to the
tastes of the opulént, and direct myself particularly to those who
feel the importance of gratifying the many whose opportunities
forbid extensive inquiry—of promoting the best sensibilities of
nature by directing the attention to objects of general interest—
June, 1835.—VOL, Ll. NO. XI. 2k
304 ADIEU.
and of exciting a sentiment of kindly feelings through those réla-
tive considerations which unite man with man in the general
bond of sympathy and regard.— Need I add, Mr. Editor, that our
duties are imperative and limited alone by capacity and occasion.
—It little matters to the individual what the nature and extent
of that sphere, if its end is utility,—to some it is extensive, to
others bounded, yet all are called to the exercise of their means
as the source of public esteem, and, what is of more consequence,
of personal satisfaction.
I remain, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
ADIEU.
Can’st thou, my dear Eliza, tell
The word (perchance oft heard by you)
That binds the soul with magic spell—
It is the fatal word adieu.
Adieu, adieu, oft hast thou rung
Thy deadly knell unto my ears ;
Full oft upon my brow hast hung
Thy mighty weight—too great for tears.
’Tis Nature heaves the long drawn sigh,
The offspring of an aching heart ;
’Tis Nature dims the sorrowing eye
When friends are doom’d, alas! to part.
And he may brook the battle’s roar,
May smile to ride the mountain wave,
Unmov’d may view the rocky shore,
And sink undaunted to his grave,
Who cannot brook the ardent press
The clasping hand delights to share ;
Who dares not break the fond caress,
But sinks unnerv’d, and lingers there.
Oh! who can mark the beaming eye;
Haply to him the light of day
Can then the parting pang defy,
Just gaze, and coldly turn away.
Though Pride forbids the streaming cheek,
E’en checks the rising of the sigh,
The throbbing heart must ever speak
In sorrow’s saddest melody. ee
305
REMARKS ON VERNACULAR AND SCIENTIFIC
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE.
I was glad to see in the last number (p. 238) the subject of
ornithological nomenclature treated of on sound principles, and
with a view to consistency in that hitherto much neglected depart-
ment. Writers on ornithology—even those of deserved scientific
repute—adopt names which they themselves own to be erroneous,
giving as their excuse that they are generally used! ‘To make this
the more evident, I will give a few instances. Selby, in his
excellent “ British Ornithology,’* places the white-tailed ossifrage
(Ossifraga albicilla, mihi) in a different genus from the golden
eagle, (Aquila aurea, Willughby,) and yet he calls it eagle, both in
vernacular and scientific nomenclature. The white-headed osprey
(Pandion leucocephalus, mihi,) is also called Haligzetus, or sea eagle,
although not in the genus Aquila, The Falco rufipes of Bechstein,
although left in the genus falcon, has most unaccountably a sepa-
rate generic name allotted to it; it is called red-legged hobby.
The honey pern, although removed from the buzzards, (Buteo) is
yet called a buzzard. There are three British species in the genus
hirundo, (swallow,) and yet Selby calls only one of them a swal-
low. But worse than all, he continues that prejudicial, mischief-
working name, goat-sucker and Capri-mulgus. How an author of
such generally sound views could have adopted such an inex-
cusable name as this, we are utterly at a loss to account for, unless
indeed, it be from thoughtlessness. “There is,’ as Wilson well
remarks, “something worse than absurd in continuing to brand a
whole family of birds with a knavish name, after they are univer-
sally known to be innocent of the charge.”— American Ornithology.
The names “owl” (Striz,) “hawk” (Accipiter,) and “ swallow”
(Hirundo,) which have also been bestowed on this genus, are
obviously erroneous, so that the name proposed by Bewick seems.
to be the least objectionable. Indeed, nightjar is very descriptive
of a habit of the bird. Mudie, in his charming “ Feathered Tribes,”
objects to it, but he does not state his grounds. It is warmly
defended in the mangled second edition of Montagu. Vociferator
(proposed page 239) is likewise an excellent name; but 1 do not
like Vociferator Europeus, N. Wood, for it is not the only European
species. I therefore propose to name the species the fern nightjar,
(Vociferator melolontha.) In naming animals, in my opinion, four
kinds of specific appellations should be avoided ; 1st, naming from
size, such as great snipe, (Scolopax major,) little grebe, (Podiceps
minor ;) 2nd, naming from the commonness of the species, for
instance, common wren (Anorthura communis,) common grosbeak,
(Coccothraustes vulgaris ;) 3rd, taking the specific distinction from
the country in which the bird is found, such as Bohemian waxwing,
* Two vols, 8yvo., 2d. edition, 1833, Longman & Co.
306 REMARKS ON ORNITHOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE.
(Bombycilla Bohemica,) European dipper, (Cinclus Europeus ;) and,
4th, naming after individuals, such as Richard's pipit, (Anthus
Richardi,) Bullock's petrel, (Procellaria Bullockii,) &e. &c. ‘The
objections to all these modes of naming are too obvious to need
pointing out here. In a future paper I may enlarge more on this
subject, but I shall now) give a few more comments on Selby’s
nomenclature. We left off at the fern nightjar, (Vociferator Euro-
peus, N. Wood ;) (V.melolontha, mihi.) To the Lanius excubitor,
of Linnzus, (1. cinereus, Willughby,) he gives two specific names,
“ great,” and “ cinereous,;” which should never be done. And to
the L. rufus he gives the generic name, chat—a name which
belongs to a very different genus, (Rubetra, Blyth.) One of the
thrushes he calls song thrush, (Turdus musicus,) but as the whole
genus is so musical, it seems inyidious to call one of them by that
name ; I therefore propose garden thrush, ( Turdus hortensis, mibi.)
The Merula vulgaris, Ray, and M, torquata, Will., I would put into
another genus, calling one the yellow-billed ouzel, and the other,
the ring ouzel. The robin redbreast he calls Erythaca rubecula ;
but I should prefer taking Willughby’s generic term Rubecula, and.
Blyth’s specific one ; thus it would be called Rubecula. familiaris,*
Blyth. The sedge reedling (Salicaria phragmitis, Selby,) he calls
sedge warbler, and the marsh reedling, (S$. arundinacea, Selby,) he
calls reed wren, thus giving different generic names (and both, by
the way, wrong,) to the same genus. To the fauvets (Ficedula,
' Blyth,) he gives three generic names. The Melizophilus provincia-
tis he cails Dartford warbler, although the bird has very small
resemblance to the genus sylvia. I should call it the whinbrake
red-eye. Two of the warblers he calls wrens, but he might as well
have called them larks at once, for they have as little resemblance
to Anorthura as to Alauda. The Regulus auricapillus he. calls
gold-crested regulus, but I think it would be better to translate the
term, and to call the bird gold-crested kinglet. ‘The American
species, the (Regulus carbuneulus of Buonaparte,) (Regulus Cuvierii,
of Audubon,) might be named the carbuncle xinglet. Another
American species, (Regulus tricolor, of Nutall,) might be named
the tricolored kinglet. I first proposed the name kinglet, in
“Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History,” for February, 1835,
(vol. viii., p. 110.) Selby most unaccountably leaves the Calamo-
philus biarmicus, Leach, in the genus tit, (Parus.) 1 would call it
the bearded pinnoc. Neither should the Accentor alpinus, of Bech-
stein, be left in the genus dunnoe, (Aceentor ;) .I would call it the
Alpine stare, (Curruca alpina.) _ By some ornithologists it is called
a starling, (Siurnus,) but this is incorrect. For the pied wagtail, I
have formerly proposed Motacilla maculosa. ‘The Anthus Richardi
* This name was proposed by Mr. Blyth in vol. 1 of the Field Nat. Mag. Long
before I had ever seen that work, I had given the name myself, and meant to have
proposed it soon to the scientific world, when I found that I had happily been fore-
stalled by that intelligent writer. I, however, entirely disagree with him in thinking
that the redstarts (Ruticilla, Will.,) ought to be in the same genus as the redbreasts
(Rubecula, Will.)
REMARKS ON ORNITHOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE. 307
of Vieillot, should be removed to a separate genus; it might be
named the tawny lavroc, (Corydalla fusea, mihi.) I would call the
waxwing the hawthorn waxwing, (Bombycilla crategus.) I would
likewise call the ‘Coccothraustes vulgaris, of Willughby, the haw
grosbeak, (C. crategus, Blyth.) The pine grosbeak, of old authors,
might be called pine thickbill, (Densirostra enucleator, mihi ;) and
the bulfinch, the hedge coalhood, Pyrhula modularis, mihi. The
Passer troglodytes, of Willughby, 1 would call the ivy wren, (Anor-
thura troglodytes, mihi.) We have three pigeons (Columba,) the
ring, (Palumbus) the rock, (Livia,) and the wood, (Arborea ;) and
one dove, the turtle dove, (Peristera turtur, Boje.) However, my
limits forbid my enlarging, for the present, and indeed I should
most likely never have troubled you with-my communication at all,
had it not been for the anxious wishes of some friends, who, like
myself, are greatly solicitous about the ornithological science, and
also my having names to propose, fearing that if [ did not take
some means of speedily making them public, I should soon find
myself in the unpleasant dilemma of that excellent entomologist
Mr. Westwood : see “ Taylor's Philosophical Magazine.”
May 5, 1835.
N. F.
TO € « & # ey,
Foreotren ! thou shalt be forgotten when
The bloodless miser thirsts for gold no more ;
And on the star-lit deep, sea-weary’d men
No longer pine to greet the peaceful shore.
When summer skies no more, propitious, bring
Bloom to the rose, and blossom to the tree,
Sunshine to flow’rs, soft musiq to the spring,
And songs to birds—thou shalt forgotten be !
Forgotten! thou—oh! thou forgotten! yea
When her wan babe the anguish’d mather spurns ;
When stormy clouds for ever veil the day,
And, wildly, back the foaming torrent turns:
When pain and grief are fled, when sighs are rare,
And burning tears, ah! never more are shed;
When hope fails not, nor joy dissolves in air,
And love—érue Jove—laments the silent dead.
When light—sweet light—forsakes these faithful eyes
That dwell—for ever fondly dwell on thee,
When from this breast mine anxious spirit flies,
Then, idoliz’d ! shalt thou forgotten be !
Yea! yea! forgotten as a vanish’d dream
That flees as shadow from the sleeper’s brain—
A lamp—a star—gone out! a bury’d theme!
A joy—~a hope that ne’er shall wake again !
EDWARD.
May, 1835.
308
PAUL LANDER ;
A FACT——-THIRTY YBARS SINCE.
“ Truth is strange,
Stranger than Fiction.”
Lorp Byron.
Srrvarsp in an embowered dell, in one of those quiet villages, far
remote from the noise and tumult of the crowded city, stood a small
cottage ; an English cottage. Around it, Nature revelled in the wild
exuberance of her own fertility; the entwining branches and tendrils
of the thick copse wood shadowed the purling rivulet, murmuring
round the sedgy banks, with the bright-eyed bells, narcissus, and lily,
gazing and bowing over the images of their own loveliness ; while
the sun-beam, peeping through the loving boughs, glittered on its
silvery bubbles. There the gay songsters rung forth their varied
notes ; the fields dressed themselves in their bridal attire, diffusing
over the panting bosom of the air a thousand sweets, when
laughter-loving light awoke the voluptuous earth, pregnant with
life ;—there the breathing solitude of nature was undisturbed, save
when the village church bell sent forth its melancholy voice, like
the adieu of departing hours ; or in the fragrant night, when Philo-
mel carolled to the whispers of true love. In such a fairy scene
stood the cottage of Luke Lander ; its appearance at once bespoke
the charm of quietude and peaceful enjoyment ; there was a voice
of innocence in its very walls, festooned with the graceful jasmine,
and the fragrant honeysuckle, while the citizen bees, through
“the long summer day,’ murmured round its Hyblean stores,
and gathered in their sweets.
Luke Lander was a contented man; he possessed enough, and
he was satisfied. Luke was a happy man, as far as the enjoyment
of the heart’s affections can advance happiness. He loved his
wife, a plain, kind, notable woman, but he loved his two boys still
more; he enjoyed the fruits of his labour with thanksgiving and
humility of heart; he trusted in the goodness of his Maker, and
let net the fears of probable evils disturb the enjoyment of positive
good,
For many years did Luke and his loving wife enjoy unin-
terrupted repose in their quiet abode; they saw the tender buds
burst into blossom, and the young branches put forth their
leaves in the flowery smiles of many a spring ; they had sown and
gathered in the fruits of summer after summer ; had watched the
yellowing days of autumn, and the husky leaves, rich in a thousand
tints, tremble and fall, while the odour of Nature’s dying breath
came from them ; they had shut out the cold winds and icy breath
of many winters, when they could purchase out of their sufficiency
the poor man’s benison. Through each succeeding year their
children had grown in strength and spirit, and reflected new and
higher-toned joy into their unscathed hearts.
Luke’s two sons were strikingly different in their characters.
PAUL LANDER. 809
The younger was all life and animal activity, a fine, tall, healthy
youth; his happiness was in the full tide of action; he neither
feared nor thought; his excessive elasticity of spirit placed him
almost above the touch of sorrow, though in his heart was the
echo of humanity and love. The elder,—Paul,—was, from his
early years, a milder, more sedate, and thinking child. He would
pore for hours over his school books, and seldom was it that the
village pedagogue had to complain of his idleness. Early in the
morning the brothers would start away from the dell, “ satchel on
back ;” but no sooner was the coppice behind them, than away
dashed the impatient Ned, over hedge and ditch, in the full cry of
bounding spirits, and lucky was the Dominie if the scape-grace
stood before him that day. ‘There was no reclaiming Edward
Lander ; the Dominie was tired of talking and punishing. Paul
witnessed his pranks, and sometimes laughed at them, but there
his partnership ended. He was always the student. Withdrawing
from his noisy brother, he would retire to some secluded spot, and
hour after hour would he devote to his favourite books. The
passion grew with his years; he neglected even that part of his
duty which he owed to his father, and with unappeasable ardour
sought after knowledge. By the assistance of a friend, Paul had
procured some scientific works from the town of * * * * *, and
thus alone, and unassisted by tuition, he acquired the most pro-
found intimacy with science.
Ann Gadsdill, the fair daughter of a villager, had ever been
beloved by the peasant student, and who, in the guilelessness of her
innocent heart, would shower upon him the fond expressions of her
passion. They had grown up in mutual attachment, as two fair
flowers on the same green bank, and whose fragrance is wafted to
each other. Sometimes, as they walked fondly together, the
lovely girl would toss her long light ringlets from her brow; with
her round arm half circling his neck, she would gaze on him with
her dilated sparkling eye, and then laugh in open joyousness at the
strange unaccountable things which Paul had been sounding in her
attentive ear. But still she would listen and believe, or she would
believe without listening—Paul was to her the oracle of truth;
but while the pale-faced boy wandered on with her, ever in
thought, she would wake him with a kiss. She believed all he
said, and though her test of truth was not the most infallible, it
was to her the first and best—love was her theme, her heart his
worshipper.
The sun rising in the clear effulgence of his light is often
prophetical of the darkness which, yet hid in the western cave of
night, soon spreads in dusky wreaths over the blue sparkling
heaven ; change seems essential to the vitality of nature. Nor
is the happiness of man less precarious, and if change appear not
necessary for our good, at least it is certain and unavoidable.
Riches make to themselves wings and fly away, and the hopes and
enjoyments of the present day, may be exchanged on the morrow
for sorrow and despair.
$10 PAUL “LANDER.
After nearly twenty years of unbroken peace and prosperity,
Luke’s sun became dimmed, and misfortunes first darkened around
him. Many causes, acting together, produced the melancholy
change in his affairs; “Sorrows come not singly, but in bat-
talions ;"—disappointment followed disappointment, but the vil-
lany of a friend consummated his ruin.—Luke had yielded to his
earnest solicitation to become bound with him for a considerable
amount. His friend left the country, and the whole responsibility
devolved on the unfortunate Luke Lander. ‘These troubles,
together with the singular conduct of his eldest son, Paul, his own
declining age, and the hundred fears which a first trouble engenders,
completely paralysed his energies. He would sit for hours, his
eye fixed, and his thoughts abstracted, unconscious of the presence
of his wife or sons ; while the heavy sigh, the sudden starting tear,
and the convulsive throb, told the deep agony of his soul. Poor
Luke—in his old age, God seemed about to forsake him ; he would
weep, but he could not pray—there was in his heart a rebellion
against prayer. His sinking wife would stand and gaze at him
with unutterable woe, and as she gently laid her hand upon his
shoulder, he would start, like one awaking from out of a troubled
dream, gaze hurriedly on her for a moment—when she would softly
whisper, “ Luke, Luke, your wife is with you yet.” His breath
would flutter round his heart—she would take his hand and mingle
her tears with his, and as they had joyed, so they now sorrowed
and wept together. His younger son would talk to him—blame
‘him for despairing—would speak to him of hope, and that he was
strong, and would labour to maintain them both ; and as the boy
talked, his eye would glisten, and his hand close with energy, and
his look grow bright. Paul spoke not, but the tear came, and he
went out to weep.
Amid all these afflicting scenes and distressing anticipations, the
student was ever at his books—night and day; the morning sun
and the evening star beamed upon his pale, haggard cheek, the eye
still bent over the pages upon which be worked; leaf after leaf
was thrown aside, marked with strange mysterious figures. Still
‘and ever the youth wrote on. A furtnight previous to the bond
becoming payable, to which Luke’s name was attached, full of fear
and misery the wretched man had arisen from his sleepless bed ;
the outer door was unbolted, unlocked, scarcely on the latch;
surprised and full of fears, he walked quickly to his son's room ;
Edward was sleeping. ‘The student was gone; his’ papers, too,
were-’no longer strewed over the room; not a leaf was visible—
trembling with fear, Luke awoke the sleeping youth—his brother
was at the table, silent and writing, when he fell asleep ;‘ of his
departure he was perfectly ignorant. All day, and he returned
not—the night drew on; his wretched father and brother had
sought him in his old secluded spots—later, and later, and still he
came not; the beams of that bright star, that the night before
seemed to smile upon his labours, now glanced far into the dark
room with unbroken ray, The copse woods, the wide fields,
PAUL LANDER, Sli
echeed with his name—he came not. Distracted with fear and
alarm, the wretched Luke refused to be comforted; with all his
son’s peculiarities and neglect of duty, there was about him a
mysterious charm, which made him dear to his father. Why,
he knew not, but he felt proud of his pale-faced boy. The
night had nearly elapsed, the faint streaks of day were darting
round the horizon, the poor family sat in mute despair—Hark !—
‘tis a voice, a loud voice at the cottage door—again—ah, ah, ah,
my boy, my child, Paul; Luke staggered to the door, he clasped
his lost son to his beart—* Now I care not ;” he looked earnestly
in his pale and sickly face, ardently, fondly did he look, put his
dark hair aside from his high cold brow; and his light-hearted
brother took his hand, and his mother gazed on him, and they
wept, and those tears were like the sun-light shower—they were of
joy; but the student wept not, moved not, spoke not—still he
seemed to look beyond them all.—My son—Panl—Paul—and as
they gazed on him he gently put aside their hands—“ Father, I am
tired, I wish to sleep, my head is strangely confused, my eyes are
dim, sleep will refresh me.” -
It was about a week after his son's absence when Luke received
a letter containing an intimation that unless the bond, then due,
was discharged in three days, his person and property would be
seized, to satisfy the claim. What could he do? no friends, no
hope, no prospect of escape from ruin, and worse than death—
imprisonment; to be immured within the close, dark cell of a goal,
for no-crime, no guilt, no shame; to be the mate of the most
abandoned, to go down to the grave with the seal of dishonour
upon his heart—“ Oh God! I ama poor old man; take me ere I go
mad with horror.” He looked around his home, his once neat
happy home; his wife, his drooping, now despairing wife, his
sons—Luke could not weep—he gazed from one to the other,
“‘ Wife, sons, speak, or are you all dead, sure you have not left me
allalone?” They wept; “ Weep on, weep on, I cannot weep, my
eyes are dry and burning, but I cannot shed one tear.” On the
evening of the second day, they were assembled in the little room,
taking a last farewell of all around them ; the fire unlit, the room
disorderly and unclean. There sat, in mute despair, the wretched
Luke, his poor wife seeming about to bid farewell to all her
sorrows—pale, haggard, and abstracted; the student looked list-
lessly on the flowered lattice, he scarcely breathed; sometimes he
inclined his head, and seemed to listen, ‘twas nothing—the wind—
the falling leaf. Edward, the gay, spirited Edward, how changed ;
his broad breast heaved with the dreadful throes of his agonized
heart. But how shall I paint such misery; who can paint the
agonies of the soul? “Ah, they come,” exclaimed Luke, “ they
come ; hide me—wife—boys’—and the old man sunk, powerless,
on the ground. ‘The noise of a carriage was heard in the distance,
rolling rapidly along. ‘‘ Yes, they come,” said Paul, “ they come.”
Suddenly the carriage stopped—a little time elapsed, when two
persons were observed passing slowly on to Luke's cottage. A
June, 1835.—voL. If. NO. X1. 25
S12 PAUL LANDER.
quick knock was struck on the door; springing to the window,
Edward demanded, in a hoarse, impetuous voice, the nature of their
business. ‘“ Does Luke Lander reside here?” “Ah!” replied
Edward, “come you here to take us like birds in a snare? we
know you—this is Luke Lander’s—what then?” He could
scarcely articulate. The persons seemed to pause a moment,
when one of them, stepping in front of the window, said to
Edward, with subdued tone, “ The person who addresses you is a
friend.” “A friend,’ echoed the youth, as if suspecting the truth
of the communication. Before he could recover himself, Paul
stepped to the door, and, unbolting it, stood before them ; his pale
sunken cheeks, shadowed by his thick clustering hair, thrown
boldly off from his broad white forehead, looking still more pale in
the partial twilight; he stood calmly before the inquisitors.
“ Sir,” said the gentleman, evidently moved by the appearance and
manner of Paul, “I seek Paul, the son of Luke Lander, nor need
he fear to give his hand to Sir James Westbery.” The stranger
bowed low as he spoke. “ Sir, I am the man, I am Paul Lander.”
“No, no,” screamed the distracted Luke, rushing past his son, and
glaring on the stranger with a frenzied eye—* J am Luke Lander,
yes, I am the poor old bankrupt; do you hear me?” The gentle-
man started back, but suspecting the nature of the scene, he
passed quietly into the cottage, his servant remaining at the door.
Poor Luke staggered after, and stood in dreadful anticipation.
The stranger took his son’s hand, “ You are Paul Lander?” “TI
am.” ‘“ You are the author and writer of , directed
to me on sucha date?” “Iam,” muttered Paul, “Sir, I rejoice
to know you—to offer you my hand and support ; the more so, as
my presence, if I may judge from the distressing appearance of
your family, will bring joy, and gladness, and honour, to the house
of mourning.” “Joy! joy!” muttered Luke, scarcely compre-
hending the meaning of what was said, “who talks of joy?”
“ Father, father, peace,” said Edward, holding him back. “ Yes
Sir, of joy,” said the stranger, turning to the trembling Luke. “In
your son, Sir, behold one of the first men of the age.” Paul sunk,
gasping, onachair. “It having been signified by the committee
of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that your discoveries
and inductions will produce the happiest results to his Majesty’s
Navy, I, Sir James Westbery, am commissioned to present you
with two hundred pounds, and the same to be settled as an annuity
for life.” “ Two hundred pounds! Good Sir, God bless you, Sir,
trifle with me not, I am a poor broken-hearted, ruined man; I am
quite ready ; the poor boy meant well.” Then, as if recovering a
short glimpse of hope, “Joy, joy, two hundred pounds!” The
stranger took his hand, and without saying a word filled it with
gold. Luke gazed on the money, then at the stranger, at his
sons, his wife, his quiet home—* Ah, ah, Paul, son, joy, joy,
wife,” The stranger caught him as he fell, overpowered by his
feelings. The truth became positive. The poor redeemed family
wept blissful tears, in the extacy of their hearts. There sat the
ANECDOTES. 3138
pale, haggard, Paul, the large beads of sweat stood on his cold, pale
brow—he wept not—moved not.—Hush—a low step was heard at
the door, a female figure glided shadow-like across the room. She
looked not around—she spoke not—kneeling down by the side of
the insensible Paul, she took his powerless hand, she pressed it to
her lips. He looked upon her upturned tearful eye, that fair and
beautiful face, shaded with her unbound streaming hair—but a
moment, and he clasped her to his bosom, and his tears were the
incense of love and joy.
Again the sweet birds awakened the happy Luke to his morning
duties, the spring blossomed, and the summer ripened her fruits
for him—the murmuring bees wantoned in their flower-bells, and
gladness rested on the quiet dell. But a word of Panl—he “‘ won
golden opinions from all sorts of men,” and gave an immortality to
a name, which wealth and birth could never have secured.
To tue READER,
To believe that the brightness of the morning shall continue
through the day, is the happiness of youth, whose feelings and
sensibilities would sink into the indifference of age, but for the
illusions of hope.
He who journeys on in fair weather, without preparing for the
storm, may be sacrificed to its fury—he only is wise, who, by
-- anticipating evil can mitigate its penalty ; who is neither too con-
fident of happiness, nor without hope in affliction.
MoreE.LuL.—Vossins told Paul Colomies the following et of
Frederic Morell, that great scholar and eminent printer in Paris
Whilst Morell was employed on his edition of Libanius, one day he was
told that his wife was suddenly taken ill; ‘‘I have only two or three
sentences to translate, and then I will come to look at her.”” A second
message informed him that she was dying. ‘I have only two words to
write, and I will be there as soon as you,”’ replied Morell. At length
he was told his wife was dead, ‘‘I am sorry for it; indeed, she was a
very honest woman.”
Da Vinci advises an artist to inflame his imagination with picturesque
ideas, by loooking on an old dirty stained wall, where he will find many
a fine landscape. Gainsborough frequently formed a landscape on his
table, with the fragments of stones and herbs for trees, and a piece of
looking-glass for his water. Another artist designed his rocks after
lumps of charcoal, which he broke into fragments of picturesque
rudeness. The Rev. Jas. Griffith, a gentleman of Oxford, practised a
method of burning portraits in wood. There is a portrait of Sir P.
Sidney in the picture-gallery there ; and in University College a copy of
Carlo Dolce’s Salvator Mundi, burnt in wood. Why may not we
anticipate striking likenesses by the smoke of a candle upon our ceilings,
if the floors may be so decorated by a red-hot poker !
?
314
SOME REMARKS ON A REVIEW OF A PAPER ON
PHRENOLOGY, BY DR. MILLIGAN.*
I wave only lately received the earlier numbers of “The
Analyst,” consequently my remarks on this paper come rather
late ; I could not, however, allow them to pass wholly unnoticed,
although neither these nor any other objections that have been
brought against Phrenology, ever have had, or ever will have,
any influence in retarding the science.t The review of the paper
of the late Dr. Milligan (by a writer who signs himself C. R.)
commences with the following observation :—“ Upon the present
occasion we shall confine our remarks to the Phrenological [or
rather anti-phrenological] paper from the pen of the late Dr.
Milligan. In selecting this essay, we are perfectly aware that
we run considerable risk of disturbing the repose and arousing
the ire of that very sensitive race—those exquisite specimens of
the irritable genus, the Phrenologists,” &c. This assertion is
totally unfounded, and all who know any thing at all of the
Phrenologists, are well aware that there are no persons more
unwilling to enter into disputes than they are, and that even
when they do, none are more calm and temperate. Witness,
for example, the controversies of Dr. Spurzheim, or of Mr. Combe,
and Sir William Hamilton. These were carried on—on the
part of the Phrenologists—in a calm, and at the same time,
masterly manner. The ire of the Phrenologists is not so easily
roused as C, R. supposes, and such a paper as his would cer-
tainly not tend to arouse their indignation.
In another part of the paper, Dr. Milligan, as quoted by C. R.
says that the inner table of the skull is adapted to the configura-
tion of the brain. This is perfectly true, but he should have
gone further, and have stated that the outward form of the skull
is regulated by the development of the brain. This has long been
satisfactorily proved, and the following instance, amongst many
others that might be adduced, is a remarkable proof of it :—
When I last visited Deville, he informed me that some years
ago Mr. C had had a cast of his head taken, which Deville
kept. The latter remarked to Mr. C that his organ of
Order was somewhat deficient, and advised him to study har-
mony, in order to develope more fully this important organ.
He did so, and on having his cast taken again, a few years after-
wards, the desideratum was found to be completely supplied,
* Vide “ Analyst,’”’ No. 1, p. 29.
+ Antiphrenologists carp at the discovery of the immortal Gall being called a
science ; a science, however, it is, and the noblest of sciences, inasmuch as its end
is the improvement of man.
SOME REMARKS ON A REVIEW, &c. 315
and the organ to have increased materially in size. The mani-
festations of course coincided. Mr. Deville keeps these two casts
in his collection, and shows them as remarkable instances of the
increase of an organ after the individual had attained the age
of forty.
The writer of the article under consideration proceeds to ob-
serve, that “the point in dispute between Dr. Milligan and the
Phrenologist is the relationship existing between the outer table
and subajacent diploe on the one hand, with the inner or
vitreous table, as it is termed, in the passage just quoted, on the
other.” Now this “point in dispute” is a question which does
not at all concern the Phrenologist, but the anatomist and the
physician ; the Phrenologist must determine the fact—which has
been done long ago—that the outward form of the skull is regu-
lated by the conformation of the encephalon,* and draw his in-
ferences from the fact. The reason why it is so, is quite another
department, and that he is not able to explain the reason of it
does not in the least disprove the truth of his argument. I will
proceed to quote further:—“ A genuine specimen of the Phre-
nological tribe exhibits so much versatility in argument,—such
an extraordinary facility in changing the grounds of his position
upon all occasions in which THE SCIENCE seems to be in danger,
that we really hesitate to place our index upon any one opinion
as a certain and indubitable tenet of the sect.” As to Phreno-
logists displaying such wonderful “ versatility in argument,” I
do not at all wish to deny it, this: being, in my opinion, by no
means discreditable; but when C. R. proceeds to make the
groundless assertion that a true Phrenologist displays “such an
extraordinary facility in changing the grounds of his position
upon all occasions in which the science seems to be in danger,”
&c. I openly challenge him to prove the truth of this in any one
instance. ‘To proceed. “Now it is here that Dr. Milligan
meets the Phrenologist, by shewing that the causes which act
in the development of the external table, and consequently
of its irregularities of surface, are alike independent of the
brain, and of the inner table of the skull, &c.” Now it is
evident that if the brain has no connection with the inner and
outer tables of the skull, it must be the skull itself that
regulates the operations of the mind. Whether or not this
is the case with C. R. I cannot determine, but certainly with
the generality of mortals, the inner table of the skull has
connection with the brain. In another part Dr. Milligan speaks
of ‘the organs marked’ on the skull ‘at their pleasure, by writers
on Phrenology.’ ‘The fallacy of this has so long been satisfac-
torily proved, that I consider it quite unnecessary for me to say
anything about it in this place, but merely refer those who are of
? Encephalon; from ey in, and xepeaw the head: a scientific term. for the.
brain; used by some for the cerebrum only.
316 SOME REMARKS ON A REVIEW, &c.
the same opinion to the works of Gall, Spurzheim, and Combe,
and tothe “ Phrenological Journal.” I will, however, just remark
that one of the organs (Alimentiveness) was discovered by two
individuals nearly at the same time, without either of them
having any knowledge of the good fortune of the other. Dr.
Milligan continues as follows:—‘Considered in relation to the
brain, the membranes, the inner table, and the diploe itself, the
outer table presents no other definite organization beyond that
of an irregular envelope, which is in some places as thin as a
wafer, in others thicker than all the rest of the cranium. But, if
we view it from without, we find that every particle of its surface
is adapted to some purpose which it has to answer in combination
with the soft parts with which it is in contact. Many processes
are levers for the muscles: others are merely scabrous surfaces
for their insertion ; others are condyles for joints; others organs
of hearing; others organs of fixation ; others of protection; and
all this in direct reference to the organs in contact, but without
the least relation, that can be discovered, to the encephalon,
Hence we are forced to conclude that its projections solely origi-
nate under the influence, and for the completion of functions
that are all external to the cranium; and the same thing must
necessarily be inferred of the external table, which is merely
their substratum.’ This apparently plausible theory might
probably induce many persons to believe it, as seems to have been
the case with C. R. Let us, however, examine into its truth.
If the worthy doctor really supposed that the outer table of the
skull presented “no other definite organization beyond that of
an irregular envelope,” he can only be pitied for the deficiency
of his organ of individuality (observation); but, when he pro-
ceeds to state that “ from without, we find that every particle of
its surface is adapted to some purpose which it has to answer in
combination with the soft parts with which it is in contact,” &c.
the question immediately presents itself why the external con-
formation of the head should vary so greatly in different
individuals? and why these modifications of structure should
invariably indicate certain manifestations? If this be the case—
as no one who has impartially investigated the subject can deny—
Dr. Milligan’s theory falls to the ground. :
C. R. remarks, in conclusion, that “The conciseness of Dr.
Milligan’s observations renders abridgment almost impossible,
while the closeness of his reasonings, and the indubitable facts
upon which they are founded [all of which “indubitable facts’
T would undertake to refute], are certainly calculated to make a
very strong impression against the doctrines which he opposes.”
Dr. Milligan certainly did show some ability in his essay, more
especially because, although on the wrong side of the question,
his theories had some plausibility. My bump of gullibility (as
an antiphrenologist might say) is not, however, sufficiently
large to allow me to be imposed upon by arguments like these,
LETTER TO THE EDITOR. $17
as I am well aware that every objection that either Dr. Milligan
or any other person has opposed or can oppose to this science,
is easily refuted even by the merest tyro in phrenology.
Leaving this paper of C. R. let us glance at the following no-
tice of the first number of the “ Analyst,” in the “ Brighton
Herald” :—*The paper of Dr. Milligan on phrenology is very
interesting, and we shall be curious to know what answer the
phrenologists will give; for it seems calculated to make sad
havoc in their science.” If the editor of the “ Brighton Herald”
finds. the paper of Dr. Milligan so interesting, I would advise
him to turn over the leaves of that excellent periodical the
“ Phrenological Journal,” if he has not already done so, for there
he will find papers against Phrenology, as interesting as this of
Dr. Milligan ; and will also find them ably refuted. The editor
of the “ Brighton Herald” says, “‘He shall be curious to know
what answer the phrenologists will give.” His curiosity is now
satisfied, if it has not been before, by an humble but ardent
follower of the science, whose sole aim in giving this paper to the
world is that those readers of the “ Analyst,” who do not see the
« Phrenological Journal,” or the works of Gall, Spurzheim, and
Combe, may not be led away by this article of C.R. I will
remark in conclusion, in order that the feelings of your corres-
pondent may not be wounded by this refutation of his “ in-
dubitable facts,” that a desire to point out his misconception of
the meaning of the phrenologists, alone induced me to address
this communication to your readers.
NEVILLE WOOD.
Foston Hall, Derbyshire, May, 1835.
To the Editor of the Analyst.
Sir,
In your last No. is a paper on the “ Nomenclature of Birds,” by
Mr. Neville Wood, on which I am desirous of offering a few
remarks. I think Mr. W.’s plan of altering many of the English
names of our common birds, objectionable, because they more
properly form part of our vernacular tongue than of the language
of Science. They are consecrated by usage as much as any other
part of the English language, and consequently when we speak of
an hedge sparrow we are much more likely to be understood than if
we called it an hedge dunnock, though [ willingly admit that it is
unscientific to give the same generic name to an Accentor and a
Passer.. But the truth is, that the science of ornithology does not
suffer by this incorrect application of English names, because those
818 LETTER TO THE EDITOR.
familiar appellations have no real or necessary connection with
science. ‘The first and most important requisite in scientific terms
is that they should be universally adopted, and hence the fathers of
natural history have wisely employed the Latin language as the
source of their nomenclature, being generally understood by the
learned among all civilized nations. English names are useful
only to denote those natural objects which are so common or
remarkable in our own country as to attract the attention even of
the vulgar, but as the science of natural history does not in the least
require their assistance, I should be sorry to see them in any degree
substituted for those Latin appellations which are universally current
in the republic of science. _ I may remark that French naturalists
are much more addicted to the adoption of vernacular names to the
exclusion of scientific ones, than the English. By endeavouring
to coin a French term for every natural object, in addition to the
Latin one which it already possesses, they exactly double the
enormous labour of bearing in memory the innumerable terms
with which science is unavoidably encumbered.
If, then, I am correct in regarding the English names of Birds as
belonging not to science, but to our mother tongue, it is clearly
better to let them remain as they are than by endeavouring to
reform the English language, to make changes which are certain
not to be universally adopted.
The second requisite in scientific nomenclature is, that when
once established, it should remain unaltered. Hence I cannot but
regard as erroneous the prevailing notion that improved names may
be at any time substituted for those which, though already estab-
lished, are less appropriate. In naming a new genus or species,
for the first time, it is of course desirable to give it the most appro-
priate appellation that can be found, but when a name has once |
become current, it is no longer the sense but the sound that recalls
the idea of the object to our minds, and it is therefore of more im-
portance that a name should be universally adopted, than that its
meaning should be exclusively applicable to the object it denotes.
To insure this universality in the use of terms, the only rule is to
recur to the name originally given by the founder of the genus or
species, which name I think no modern innovator has any more
right to alter than he has to improve upon the name bestowed on a
child by its godfathers. For these reasons I must still continue to
prefer the term Motacilla alba to either M. lotor or M. maculosa,
and to call the goatsucker Caprimulgus, instead of either Nyctiche-
lidon or Vociferator.. 1 will now conclude these hasty remarks by
referring Mr. Wood to “ Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History,”
for January last, p. 36, where he will find the same subject treated
of more at large.
I remain, &e,
H. E.S.
319
BIRMINGHAM
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY.
On the necessity of such an institution to the students of Medi-
cine in every town of consequence, few persons will deny. All
students cannot go to London or Edinburgh, at least for any
length of time, and in consequence the best part of their life is
usually wasted in some small town, perhaps most convenient for
their residence, in the attempt to gain a knowledge of the science
to which they may be devoted. New institutions are springing
up in every town of importance in the kingdom, but we hear of
no Schools of Medicine and Surgery. In Birmingham, how-
ever, the medical profession, with a public spiritedness most
worthy of them, contributed a fund, and obtaining the assistance,
which was afforded very liberally, of most of the nobility and
leading characters of the county, they succeeded in their object,
and there is now a School of Medicine and Surgery in that
intellectual town, which is almost equal to the celebrated institu-
tions of the kind in the metropolis. At the opening of these
extensive rooms, Dr. John Johnstone, Fellow of the Royal Society,
and of the Royal College of Physicians, London, delivered.an
address, which was remarkable for its perspicuity and elegance,
The following extracts from this address will doubtless prove
highly interesting :—
“In tracing the history of this School, the work is in so narrow a
compass that I need not detain you long in the detail. From small be-
ginnings under our own eye has the Medical and Chirurgical School
advanced to its present height. We have witnessed its birth, we have
watched its growth, all about it is clear and ascertained, and some among
you have the greater reason to be proud, because, in contemplating it,
you contemplate the work of your own hands and yourown minds. To
r. Sands Cox is due, not only the formation of the School, but the idea
in which it originated. After a liberal education in his own country, he
visited Paris in 1824 for the express purpose of preparing himself for
delivering lectures in anatomy and surgery. In October, 1825, he first
submitted his plans to the Profession in Hibbs and delivered his
inaugural lecture. In 1826 and 1827, for the purpose of obtaining in-
formation, he visited the schools of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dublin,
still continued to recommend the formation of a regular school in Bir-
mingham ; and, by that impulse which zeal and talent are sure to impart,
in 1828 he gained the patronage of some of the seniors of the Profession
in Birmingham, and the School was constituted.”
“Up to 1829, the School had only the convenience of one room for
all its purposes. In consequence of this narrowness of accommodation,
the Lecturer in Anatomy offered to build a set of rooms, provided the
body of lecturers would guarantee a certain rental, for the reception of
June, 1835,—VoL. I. NO. XI. 2T
320 BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF
the Museum and Library; and in order to learn how to arrange the
Anatomical Museum in the best form, our enterprising and unwearied
founder undertook to visit various collections in France, Germany, and
Italy. On his return, the means of founding a Museum and Library
appeared so scanty, that it was determined, in 1830, to solicit the aid of
the neighbouring patrons of science to extend the plans and the useful-
ness of the Institution. This aid was liberally granted, and the donations
of our benefactors, to the amount of £900, were expended in the pur-
chase of preparations, expensive books of plates, and the fitting up of
the Museum and Library. ‘The institution now assumed its present
form and feature, and the different offices were filled up as they at
present stand.”
In mentioning the names of those benefactors who liberally
extended their patronage to the establishment when it stood so
greatly in need of it, the learned physician alluded in pointed
terms to the Earls of Dartmouth and Bradford, to the Barons of
Birmingham of the house of Dudley, to the present noble
Baron, Lord Ward, to the late Earl Spencer, and to Lord Lyttel-
ton. Of Lord Lyttelton, he observed, that “his Lordship had
always been the munificent patron: of the arts and sciences of
that town, and his illustrious father-in-law, the late Earl
Spencer, has repeated to you, from his own mouth, in your
own School, his generous wishes for your welfare: but this
is not all—by his influence with the Government, the duties
on anatomical preparations, brought to your Museum from
foreign parts, have been remitted, he has added to your funds,
and he has made a precious addition to your library. To our
enlightened and independent representative, Sir Eardley Wilmot,
we owe the never to be forgotten boon of patronage given early,
when patronage is most efficient ; as well as the stimulus offered
to the exertions of our pupils by the presentation of a gold
medal. To Sir Charles Throckmorton we are likewise indebted
for early patronage, and also for the riches he has poured into
our Museum. It is our boast to have received this proof of
patronage from one of the chiefs of our county in ancient
family and large possessions—from a gentleman and a scholar,
who enrolled his name, in early life, in our profession, and who
now, from the claims of oldest standing, is the father of it. Of
your benefactors by donation, the name of Mr. Woods, of Coles-
hill, will be always prominent in your Museum and Library,
from his ample present of books and fossils; as that also of Mr.
Freer Proud, of Wolverhampton; and there are many other
names which might be added to whose bounty we are indebted—
many present and many absent, who, I trust, will not think us
ungrateful or unmindful because the allotted time does not
admit of further enumeration. But I hope to be forgiven if, in
departing from this rule, I allude to one other name, which I —
should fail indeed in justice were I to omit, although it is the
name of abrother. The merits of Dr. Edward Johnstone to this
School can never be forgotten by those who know the zeal and
MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 327
sincerity with which his patronage of it has been carried on from
the beginning; and although it may be urged both to him and
to myself that our obligations to medicine and to science are not
inconsiderable, yet I trust that the efforts we have both made for
their advancement in this instance, are an earnest that we shalk
not desert in our grey hairs that cause which we have cherished
from our youth.” He then proceeds:—“'Thus then here, in the
centre of a vast population, you have a School of Medical Science,
a Museum of Natural History im all its branches, and of Ana-
tomical Preparations, and a scientific Library, already fitted for
their important purposes. Your ingenuous youth may be here
imbued with all the necessary elementary instruction for the
practice of medicine and surgery; and suffering humanity may
be comforted by the reflection that it need not look up to you in
vain. Onthat primary education on which a scientific education
can be alone securely founded, I shall not detain you by enlarging.
On a recent public occasion I ventured to declare, that mere
lectures on science are barren without it—that unless a store of
good sense is formed out of the materials of general and common
information, and a certain portion of polite literature, and by
founding all on the adamantine basis of moral and religious
principle, the rest of education is a bubble.”
In conclusion, the learned physician thus addressed the
students: —
‘‘ While the subject is warm in my mind, let me address this parting
sentiment. You wel] know what a bright ornament classical learning is,
how much it decorates the character, purifies the style, and tends to
create accuracy of idea, and elevation of sentiment. It is on these ac-
counts, as well as of the number of medical books written in the learned
languages, and also on account of the usage of writing prescriptions in
Latin, that your superiors have made a certain proficiency in this know-
ledge part of your examination for admission to practice. It is not then
as a mere embellishment that classical literature is recommended to you;
for destitute of dignity and barren of utility is every acquirement which
has not for its end and aim the real information of your understandings.
It is to render your: minds better receptacles of science that primary
education is necessary—it is to expand your views, and substantiate and
fix your principles, that classical learning, as a part of moral discipline,
is so available; and, in fine, it is the union of all these which, by cor-
recting and enlarging the heart, makes you the fit companions and the
best comforters of sickness and of sorrow—bringing your professional
acquirements to bear, wheresoever they are Pebdad a blessing to
humanity.”
While on the subject of this admirable Institution, we cannot
omit alluding to an Introductory Lecture, on the Study of
Anatomy and Physiology, by William Sands Cox, Esq. the
Lecturer on Anatomy and Surgery.
The investigation of that exquisitely wonderful and beautiful
structure, the human frame, could not have been more appro-
322 BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF
priately chosen as the foundation of a lecture on this interesting
occasion, and Mr. Cox; in his mode of elucidating it, was par-
ticularly felicitous. He detailed the characters which distinguish
organic and inorganic matter, and then traced nature, rising by
gradual and gentle transition from link to link, until her arrival at
that grand, wonderful, and comprehensive system—man. After
@ minute investigation of the properties of anatomy and phy-
siology, which the learned lecturer made most clear and con-
vincing, he came to that part of his discourse which related to
«that sentient and intellectual power—the mind,” from which we
have made the following brief extract :—
“That this noble endowment proceeds from merely material organi-
zation has been contended by some of the most celebrated philosophers
and poets, and publicly advocated by some distinguished members of our
profession. But the opinions which have been advanced by the modern
materialists have no claim to originality. 'The novelties which have been
introduced are chiefly novelties in expression, not in ideas. The leading
arguments are the same as were advanced during past ages. If we refer
to the works of Democritus and the poet Lucretius, we shall find that
the anima and animus were considered parts of the body, and when dis-
organized they returned to mingle with their primary elements—
Primum animum dico, mentem quam sepe vocamus
In quo concilium vite regimenque locatum est,
Esse hominis partem, nihilo minus ac manus et pes,
Atque oculi partes animantis totius extant.
(Lucretius de rerum natura.)
To enter on this subject on the present occasion would be a digression.
I will only observe that I am perfectly convinced that the mind is incor-
poreal and immaterial ; which belief is strengthened and confirmed by
the wisest and best of men of past ages. How beautiful is this expressed
by the divine poet Virgil— |
Principio ccelum, ac terras camposque liquentes
Lucentemque globum lune, Titaniaque astra
Spiritus intus alit, totamque infusa per artus,
Mens agitat molem, et magno se corpore miscet.
This belief is confirmed by that of the most illustrious men of other
countries—by the greatest men of our own. Surely we may rely with
implicit confidence, if other evidence were wanting, on the opinions of
Bacon, of Milton, of Newton, and of Locke—all of whom were perfectly
convinced, after the most mature examination, that, exclusive of this ma-
terial frame, there is superadded to it an incorruptible and immortal
soul. How this combination of matter and spirit takes place can be only
known to the omnipotent Creator of all things; but, to prosecute this
inquiry further would be, in the words of one of our most beautiful
poets—
To lose ourselves in Him, light ineffable :
Come then, expressive silence, muse his praise !
(Thomson’s Hyma.)
MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 325
The seat of this intellectual power is supposed to be the brain. The brain
and spinal marrow communicate with every part of the body by means of
the nerves. It is by these that the muscles are made to act under the di-
rection of the will. By directing my will to the muscles of the fore-arm,
I readily bend it on the upper arm, because there is direct communica-
tion with the brain by means of the nerves. If these be divided, I might
will my arm to move, but it would remain motionless. The brain being
the seat of impression, naturally leads us to the organs of sense, which
are dependant on the nerves. ‘I'o judge of the qualities of bodies, their
temperature, and size, we are gifted with the faculty of touch. From the
hand being so minutely supplied with nerves, no part is better fitted to
the purpose.
- *©We have as yet provided only for the lowest degree of sensitive ex-
istence. It has been beautifully observed by a distinguished writer—
‘‘ We must open channels of communication with different objects, we
must apprise this being of his danger, we must inform him of the situa-
tion of thee objects which are subservient to his wants, we must shew
im the surrounding world, we must lift up the curtain of darkness which
conceals it, and admit him to the glorious spectacle of nature’s scenery,
and apprise him of the eventful changes that are hourly transacting
around him, and in which he is called upon to play his assigned part.
To the sense of touch, then, we add those of sight and hearing.” By the
beautiful construction of the eye, a faithful delineation of the external
scene is painted on the expansion of the optic nerve, and by it conveyed
to the brain. By the curious mechanism of the ear, sound is collected,
which, striking on the expansion of the auditory nerve, recognizance is
_ taken of it.by the brain. In addition to these faculties, and also depend-
ing on the nerves, we are gifted with the organs of smell and taste; the
former residing in the nose, the latter in the tongue.
“To perpetuate and preserve a being thus formed, Providence in his
wisdom has made male and female. By a process veiled in mystery new
beings spring forth, grow by the same power, exhibit the same succession
of phenomena, and after having in their turn given rise to another race of
beings, yield, sooner or later, to the imperious laws of mortality. All
living bodies must die—death is the necessary effect of life, which, by
its very action, seems gradually to alter the structure of the human body,
so far as to render its continuation impossible ; for the living body under-
goes a gradual but constant change during the whole period of its ex-
istence.”
Iurther proof cannot be required of the lofty position which
medicine and surgery hold in the extensive and populous town
of Birmingham; and while talent of such order exists in the
heart of the kingdom, so favourable to the inculcation of medical
knowledge, we may venture to predict that the metropolis, in the .
course of time, will have a competitor capable of dividing the
advantages and attainments, which are now, with few exceptions,
so exclusively confined to the range of its jurisdiction.
324
REMARKS ON INSECTS, PICTORIAL AND POETICAL.
BY EDWIN LEES, M.E.S.,
HONORARY CURATOR OF THE WORCESTERSHIRE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.*
ScrenTiFic opinions and systematic arrangements are for learned
bodies and purely scientific men; we have our choice, then—to
mount up into the clouds, beyond mortal ken, alone in our sub-
limity—or to be contented with the less dangerous though lower
station of the green earth. In other words, our language must be
adapted solely for the initiated in the mysteries of science, or we
must take the trouble, if we wish the audience of the world, to
speak a language the world can understand. Hence the propriety
of employing those popular illustrations that might otherwise be
considered as fanciful or puerile. Mr. Newman, as if in despair of
producing a favourable impression in behalf of entomology, rather
forbiddingly states that “ the collector of insects must make up his
mind to sink in the opinion of his friends, and be the object of the
undisguised pity and ridicule of the mass of mankind,”+ 1 must
confess, if this were really the case, I should feel inclined, like the
blue-bottle fly, in November, to seek some comfortable cranny,
safe ensconced behind my booxs and cases, where “ good-natured
friends” were uot very likely to lay their hands upon me. In
short, I should not by my buzzing give any tokens of my existence,
but remain as quiet and snug as possible. As for a good-humoured
laugh, we must expect it in this world, let our pursuits be what
they may; but 1 can scarcely think that the entomologist has a
greater load of obloquy to bear upon his shoulders than the devo-
tees of other sciences—unless, indeed, he does as Peter Pindar
makes Sir Joseph Banks do—break into a garden, and upset the
gardener, glasses, flowers, hives, &c., in pursuit of an emperor
butterfly. Some old stories, in the “Spectator,” of legacies of
grasshopper's legs and butterfly’s wings, perhaps seem to make
against us, and some “Saw-flies’ of the present day} occasionally
attempt an impotent stroke. But these are “ trifles light as air,’
no more needing serious attention than the game at tick which the
merry flies amuse themselves with, and which they get up so early
in the summer time to practise around the curtains of our bed, or
circling about the ceiling. Some flies seem not to relish the liberty
* Having recently delivered a Lecture on the “ Connection of Botany with Ento-
mology,” before the Worcestershire Natural History Society, in which I traced the
Physiology and Economy of the Insect Tribes, I was requested to furnish the Editor
of “ The Analyst” with my notes, for an entire Report, But in such a form the
paper would be too long; and perhaps, therefore, extracts from the more illustrative
part will be considered most interesting.
+ “Grammar of Entomology.” By Edward Newman.
{ See a curious paper that appeared a few months since in the “ Dublin Univer-
sity Magazine,” on the pretended introduction of a new large variety of the Flea.
REMARKS ON INSECTS. 825
thus taken with their persons, and buzz an angry rebuff, but they
soon see a joke is only to be smiled at, and push about in their
turns, till all enjoy the spirit-stirring exercise. For my own part
I know I have been more laughed at for attempting to carry off
part of the entrails of a mountain, than ever I expect to be from
the pursuit of entomology; and indeed, I must confess that I have
often wondered that some tenacious lord of a manor has not
prosecuted the geologist for purloining the stone from his quarries,
sometimes to no inconsiderable extent; while the most litigious
will scarcely object to the capture of an insect.
In sober seriousness, however, if any one objects to entomology
as a frivolous pursuit, I at once unhesitatingly claim for it the
lowest and the highest position any science can aspire to, and if its
aspect satisfies us in both positions, there can be no fear that the
whole picture can be satisfactorily filled up. [ then claim for
entomology the rank of an innocent and rational amusement. If
it were only this, if it merely afforded us pleasure amid scenes of
romantic beauty—rock, water, and wood—if it merely led us from
the tainted air of the pent-up city, to the breezy fragrance of the
heathy wild—if it merely whispered pleasure—that pleasure which
they only know who have found
“ Divine oblivion of low-thoughted care”
in the contemplation of the wonders of creation—it would, only
thus constituted, be not without its use, It is, indeed, true, that
the objects contemplated by entomology, are, in general, minute ;
but insects make up in numbers for their want of bulk ; and when
the celebrated Dr. Edward Clarke, in his travels in the East, com-
plains that the king of the fleas kept his court at Tiberias, I dare
say he felt no wish for the increase of bulk of his skipping majesty.
In fact, we may resolve all questions of bulk into the shrewd and
sensible answer of the Spartan soldier, who when about to proceed
to battle, was reminded that he had no emblem on his brazen
buckler. But he pointed to a fly on the central boss, and informed
his friends that however they might ridicule the emblem he had
chosen, he should approach the enemy so near, that they would be
as sensible of his presence as if he bore a more formidable ensign
that might be known from a distance. So if any demur to the
minuteness of the objects contemplated by entomologists, we may
tell them to bring their eye to the microscope, and only approach
as near to the object of their research as the Spartan brought his
shield to the enemy, and if magnitude be their aim they need
not be disappointed.
I shall not enter into any lengthened argument on the subject of
cruelty to insects, a point often needlessly insisted upon, since
their internal structure proves their obesity of feeling ; but I may
note a few examples of insect endurance and vitality. A drop of
Prussic acid, that would destroy a rabbit, has been put upon a fly,
who only suffered temporary inconvenience, and afterwards flew
326 REMARKS ON INSBCTS.
away. A tipula, or crane-fly, loses leg after leg, by mere accident,
without its evolutions being at all affected thereby; and cock-
chafers may be often seen moving about with only their head and
elytra, having had their abdomen devoured by some bird, The
flies that Dr. Franklin found in a bottle of wine that had crossed
the Atlantic, and which, though apparently dead, revived in the sun,
are well known.. But a much more extraordinary circumstance is
stated in Rennie’s “ Field Naturalist,” of a quantity of bees import-
ed in some hives from Holland, which are stated to have revived
and flown about, after having been well boiled in a furnace! Not
having witnessed the operation myself, I would not pledge myself
as to the degree of temperature attained by the water in the
furnace ; such a power of enduring heat seems more than can be
possible, even to insects, unless future observation should confirm
it ;—and we all know it is certain death to the poor fly who, anxious
for a.drop of savoury cream, slips down the glazed porcelain into
the scalding tea. Such accounts recal the caustic language of
Cowper :—
*¢Can this be true?’ an arch observer cries;
‘True, Sir, it is,—I saw it with these eyes |?
‘Sir, I believe it—on that ground alone ;
I could not, had I seen it with my own !’”
Yet it is possible to be too sceptical. Mr. Spence, one of the most
eminent entomologists of the day, relates that a beetle he once
immersed in hot water, so that it seemed dead, afterwards came to
life again ; and Kirby and Spence affirm that, bees will revive after
being subniersed in water for nine hours ;* so that they have a better
chance than Gray's cat, which—
‘‘ Three times emerging from the wat’ry flood,”
mewed in vain for a deliverer.t I shall here mention an instance
of insect vitality that fell undermy own observation a few years
ago. Having purchased a second-hand microscope, with various
objects fitted up for observation, I noticed that among them was a
group of aphides, (plant-lice,) with eggs, glued down to the glass
upon which they were placed. ‘These I had several times looked
at without observing anything extraordinary. But one evening,
some visitors wishing to view the microscope, I brought it for
some time within the powerful influence of a gas-light, when, to
our astonishment, while gazing at the aphides, they actually
assumed motion, and crawled away from the glass beyond the
range of vision. At that time the microscope had been for some
months in my possession ; and on inquiring of the optician from
whom I had purchased it, he was of opinion that the aphides had
* “Tntroduction to Entomology.” By Kirby & Spence, 4 vols. 8vo.
+ A curious instance is mentioned by the Rey. Revett Shepherd, of a spider, which
gets a comfortable subsistence by rowing about in a raft among drowning insects,
and rescuing from a watery grave such as he could lay his fangs upon.
REMARKS ON INSECTS. 327
been glued to the glass for several years. If insects, also, are
placed beneath an exhausted receiver, and left, apparently dead, for
some days, they will again revive when taken out.
All these facts seem to prove the obtuseness of feeling in insects,
and at the same time their astonishing retention of vitality.
While, therefore, I would not for a moment defend the brutality of
a Domitian in impaling every fly he could meet with, I think we
are fully justified in taking, for scientific purposes, whatever
insects we may require. If, indeed, an ichneumon were to remon-
strate with us as we removed him from our net, we might gently
hint to him that he himself had caused the destruction of numerous
caterpillars, and would continue his murderous practices even
if we spared his life. Indeed, the very persons who charge ento-
mologists with cruelty, are themselves, in many instances, guilty
of similar acts, with not half so good an excuse. I have occasion-
ally been in society where the appearance of a poor spider only
quietly taking a walk, or an elegant wasp which only wanted a
taste of fruit, has caused irrepressible consternation—tongs, shovel,
and poker, have been all raised for its destruction, and ere a
humane entomologist has had time to implore a respite, the poor
insect has been hurried out of life! The fact is, even humanity (so
called) has its bounds, and it is as absurd to decry the taking away
of animal life for useful purposes (of course in as quick a way as
possible) as it is for the Banians in Hindostaun to establish hospi-
tals for the support of vermin abhorred in all other countries. And
yet a pseudo-humanity might reach such a pitch as this, which,
carried ont to its full extent, would justify the establishment men-
tioned by Lieutenant Burnes, of a large colony of about 5000 rats,
at Anjar, in Cutch, one of the cities of India, which are actually
maintained with flour at the public expense, by a tax levied upon
the inhabitants !
The degree of sensation experienced by insects having been
much disputed, [ shall cursorily advert to their nervous system, as
the only correct mode of arriving at the truth, analogical arguments
as to the feelings of man under the impression of pain being of no
value in this case, which must be at once allowed when it is recol-
lected that a fall from a tower which would dislocate every bone in
a man’s body, would have no effect upon the frame even of an
apterous insect. In vertebrated animals the brain is in the head,
and all the nerves originate in the brain; hence the volition
impressed upon the brain is conveyed to the nerves, and the order
obeyed. Ifthe brain is injured, or the head cut off, rationality and
life ceases. But in insects no true brain is discoverable ;—a ner-
vous cord extends through the body, with masses, or knots, called
ganglions, at certain intervals. We may thus understand how it
is that an insect deprived of its head, or any other part of the body,
moves and acts as usual, because each of these ganglia is a separate
and independent centre of volition, and will act, therefore, either
with or without the rest. Cockchafers (Melolontha vulgaris) may
be often seen in the summer, whose entire internal system has been
June, 1835.—vou, Ul. NO. XI. 2u
“$28 REMARKS ON INSECTS,
scooped out bya bird, but the head still appears perfectly active,
and able to discharge its usual offices. From the nervous system
it is that we are enabled to form an idea of the senses of animals,
because the nerves obey the impulses given at the seat of volition,
and convey the sensation to the external matter ; hence it is com-
monly observed of an individual who displays some unaccountable
antipathy to the roar of cannon, the levelled bayonet, or any other
apparent or fancied danger, that he is a little nervous. The ques-
tion then arises as to the senses of insects under their nervous
system. That love penetrates their coriaceous covering there can
be no doubt, and if the glow-worm, like another Hero, does not
light her; nocturnal lamp as a signal for her lover, it is unknown
for what other purpose the fairy light can be employed.—
* Queen of the dusky eve she pensive glides,
A train of glory gleaming from her sides ;
Where’er she turns appears the vivid ray
That cheers the ling’ring lover’s weary way.”
Perhaps this is confirmed by the fact that glow-worms seldom
stray far from their usual haunts ; for I know situations where, in
the summer season, numbers may be found, with certainty, gem-
ming the turfy bank every evening, while they are unseen in other
places for miles round.
Instinct, or some stronger sense almost allied to reasoning,
certainly appears in insects ; for a female moth, confined in a box
within a room to which there was no apparent access, has been
found by some unknown means to cause the visit of a companion,
who was obliged to descend down the chimney; and nothing is
more common among entomologists than to capture other moths
by enclosing one in a box, and leaving the window open that its
situation may attract the sympathy of others of its species. In-
sects, then, it is evident, are able to receive and communicate
information to each other, and Dr. Franklin relates a story which
is a very remarkable illustration of this point. . Having placed a
pot containing treacle in a closet infested with ants, these insects
found their way into it, and were feasting heartily when he dis-
covered them. He then shook them out, and suspended the pot
by a string from the ceiling. By chance, one ant remained, which
after eating its fill, with some difficulty found its way up the string,
and thence reaching the ceiling, escaped by the wall to its nest.
In less than half an hour a great number of ants sallied out of their
hole, climbed the ceiling, and descended the string into the treacle-
pot, directed no doubt by the ant who had conveyed intelligence to
his friends of the only way of access to the booty. Ants are fully
sensible of the advantages of combination to give effect to what
their individual efforts would be unequal, and I once witnessed a
curious instance of this unity of purpose in the common brown ant
(F. fusca.) A garden spider having crossed their path, they seized
him by the only practicable method—one ant fastening himself at
the extremity of each of the spider’s long legs, like so many sailors”
REMARKS ON INSECTS. 829
tugging at opposite ropes, thus keeping the spider's legs in full
tension, and never relaxing their hold, they forced him vuwillingly
along ; unable to extricate himself from custody, and no rescue
appearing, he finally disappeared from my sight in the dark defiles
of the nest.
Insects certainly enjoy the sense of touch, but it would seem to
be confined to the antenne and feelers in frout of. the head, which
appear, in most instances, to precede their steps, and probably
possess the same delicate sense as the whiskers of the feline tribe.
The Ichneumonide, in particular, are perpetually waving their
antenne, and thrust them down holes, as if to obtain information
otherwise unattainable, which they would hardly do if, as some
suppose, the antenne were in reality merely ears. De Geer con-
ceived this idea from observing a coleopterous insect, apparently
asleep, rouse up its antenne quickly at a loud noise he made.
But this it would have done just the same on the supposition that
it is the organ of sensitive feeling—for, hearing the noise, and see-
ing nothing, it would naturally stretch forth its antennz to ascer-
tain, if possible, on which side danger threatened. _I have general-
ly found that insects are very sensible to any injury offered to their
antenne, and I have observed a species of podura fall into convul-
sions from its antenne being cut off in examining it. The tarsi
are also useful organs of touch in insects—in many having a broad
spongy surface, which, among flies, is applied with great facility to
enable them to walk upon the smooth superficies of any object.
The insect tribes have evidently more of epicureanism about
them than we are generally aware of ; they possess taste, therefore,
to a considerable degree, and many have organs for the production
of saliva. It is true that certain caterpillars are omnivorous, but
the greater number will die sooner than touch a viand that is
disagreeable to them. ‘The seat of the olfactory nerve in insects is
a disputed point; but that odours affect them there can be no
doubt, for how otherwise would the flesh-fly discover putrid flesh,
even in the most secluded spot. Some insects even give out the
musky odour so much cherished, though others have an eflluvia
altogether unpleasant.
Hearing is another sense possessed by the tribes passing in
review before us, though there is no apparent external ear, and we
can only judge by analogy, as the aural nerve has not yet been
detected. But to what end would be the boom of the bee, the
buzz of the fly, or the hum of the gnat, if hearing was denied to
them? Does the
“ Pretty cricket, full of mirth,
Chirping on our kitchen hearth,”
roll out his merry song to deaf ears ?}—This is hardly probable—
and must be considered impossible, if what I have now to commu-
nicate be correct—but at present I must admit I cannot say
“‘ probatum est’ to it. Some months ago a gentleman applied to
me for information how to exterminate some crickets, which made
330 REMARKS ON INSECTS.
such an obstreperous noise every night in his house, as to banish
peace from the place. The only method I could at that time
recommend was the issue of personal process against the cricket, in
order that he might be compelled to appear before “ Our Lord the
King, at Westminster.” But I have since learnt an easier remedy,
which I shall state for the relief of all enemies to noise. On some
evening in the cricket season, procure a band, the greater the
number of instruments the better, and it is of no consequence if
the amalgamation of sweet sounds be altogether harmonious or
not, so that the noise made be considerable. Let this din be kept
up throughout the whole night, and the crickets will be so astound-
ed that they will forthwith slink off, and desert the haunted
mansion.
On the organs of sight I shall not here dilate—their structure is
however, remarkable. Nearly all winged insects have compound
eyes, which consist of a great number of hexagonal slightly
convex lenses, of which 17,325 have been counted in the eye of a
butterfly.
The instinct, mind, or whatever else we please to call it, in
insects, must assuredly place them next in rank to the vertebrata,
many of whom they surpass in skill and ingenuity. But then this
skill is impressed upon them, it is thought, when they enter the
world, and they are precluded from a higher advance in the scale of
perfection. Perhaps this opinion will hereafter be found to require
some modification. What ideas they may entertain of man we can
hardly imagine, because perhaps none, certainly very few insects,
can be said ever to have been tamed. Bees, indeed, partly domes-
ticated, certainly know their owner, and will bear from him liberties
they would not from a stranger. They would seem also to possess
a higher degree of intelligence than most other insects, and this is
confirmed by their anatomical structure. For Straus Durckheim
remarks,* that as in higher animals the degree of intelligence is in
proportion to the number of convolutions of the cerebrum, so
he found that hymenopterous insects (among which bees rank)
were the only ones where he could detect in the ganglion, or brain
of the head, any well-marked convolutions. Wasps seem often to
act as if instigated by passion, and generally rush furiously to
attack the face, as I have found to my cost. It seems, however,
somewhat strange, that in attacking a wasp’s nest, no fear need be
entertained from the bands that are out on duty, provided the gar-
rison within are secured, and prevented from egress—if any of
these are enabled to come forth and communicate the state of
affairs, the event may prove serious. A collector I was well
acquainted with, informed me, that having one afternoon dug up a
wasp’s nest for the sake of that curious interloper amongst them,
the Rhipiphorus paradoxus, he was carrying it off rather carelessly,
when, the entrance not having been so fully closed up as it ought
to have been, two or three wasps contrived to get out, and almost
* Bull. des Sci. Nat,
REMARKS ON INSECTS. 331.
immediately he was so furiously assailed by a battalion before
unobserved or unnoticed, that he was compelled to throw down
the nest, and seek his safety in flight. In this case it would seem
that the wasps out of the nest did not understand what was taking
place in their mansion and treasures, till informed by the few who,
having escaped from within, suddenly cheered them on to the
rescue. Spiders, closely allied to insects, have formed intimacies
with prisoners, in whose cells they had fixed their abodes, and have
learned to come out of their webs when called ;—but how far they
understood the connection thus made, or if it was merely an
impulse to obtain food, is a fact not clearly ascertained.
In one respect, it must be confessed, insects are deficient—they
have no voice. With all their humming, booming, buzzing, piping,
chirrupping, creaking, droning, whizzing and whirring ; aye, not-
withstanding a thousand seeming evidences to the contrary, and the
assertion of the Bard of the “ Seasons,” that
———“* The burnish’d fly
Sprung from the meads, o’er which he sweeps along,
Cheer’d by the breathing bloom and vital sky,
Tunes up amid these airy halls his song :”
Notwithstanding this, and the delight every one must have expe-
rienced from standing in the midst of a rich balmy-breathing field,
gay with May-flowers, and listening to the multitudinous variety of
insect-sounds that now rising upon the gale in trumpet-like
clangors, now falling into the softest and gentlest almost unheard
murmurs, soothe the ear, and impart a delicious—a luxurious
tranquillity ;—notwithstanding what is familiar to all
“the ceaseless hum
To him who wanders through the woods at noon,”*
and resting beneath some grotesque yew tree, dark with refreshing
verdure, dozes in sweet repose, while the bees, among the banks
of mellifluous thyme, as they wing from blossom to blossom
“Travel with audible melodious hum,’ >
soothing him to that ecstatic rest which the tired pedestrian of a
summer's day can only appreciate ;—even the wish of Milton.
*‘ Hide me from day’s garish eye,
While the bee with honied thigh,
That at her flowery work doth sing ;”—
is unavailing—for it must be admitted that insects are altogether
deficient of the legitimate organs of speech ; they have no larynx,
and consequently any noises they make are merely mechanical—
just as any one may clap their hands, beat a drum, or whirl a stick
round. This certainly affords some ground for the celebrated sar-
casm of Xenarchus the Rhodian ;—
“ Happy the Cicadas’ lives,
Since they all have.voiceless wives.”
* Cowper. t+ Bidlake,
332 SONNETS.
But Xenarchus forgets to tell us, or did not know, that. if lady
insects cannot raise their voices in an unpleasant key, many of ©
them are possessed of a more powerful weapon than voice—
a poisonous barb, or sting, which no male insect is entrusted with ;
so that before we adopt the reform sarcastically suggested by the
crusty old Rhodian bachelor, we had better inquire whether “ the
harmony of sweet sounds” with an angel's form, is not more
_endurable, than if mankind had literally to conquer voiceless Ama-
zons, armed with sword and buckler.
My concluding sketches of the economy of insects, and the
bright and lovely images called forth by the transformations of
several of their charming tribes, I must defer till next month—for
having now spun out my thread, I feel it necessary to repose in
chrysalis, till called forth to a new existence amidst the splendid
landscapes of July.
SONNETS.
I,
Suggested by a Scene in Cowleigh Park, near Great Malvern.
Here let me linger, while yon shadowy wood,
Now fiush’d with sunlight, slowly waxes dim:
For hark !—a solitary warbled hymn
Flows from its deep and dreamy solitude.
Is it the nightingale, that loves to brood,
And chaunt her sorrows here, yet shuns reply 7
The sounds, at times, bespeak a downcast mood,
At times attain sublimest ecstacy.
Sweet forest-haunting sprite !—thy every tone
Teems with pure thoughts, and with each rise and fall »
My pensive Fancy moves in unison,
Rejoicing to become thy gentle thrall,
And treasure up, until the strain be done,
Thy gems of song so richly musical. “me
II.
To the Flower called Veronica chamedrys—the Germander Speedwell.
Tuovucu the wind lulls, the storm-cloud scarce is past,
As yet the rainbow brightly spans its shower ;
But thou, whose blue eye closed beneath the blast,
Already peepest at the sun, dear flower !
No fairer recompense, no lovelier dower
In her green lap rejoicing May doth bring,
To woo the glittering insects to her bower,
Or lure the coyly-twittering birds to sing :
Thou wert my childhood’s darling,—and I sought
Full oft on sunny banks the sapphire bloom
Of thy young blossoms,—and in later hours,
When Science to my mind her wonders brought,
How eagerly I longed for thee to come,
And teach me all the mystery of flowers.
E. Ss.
333 2
ON THE TENDENCY & PROSPECTS OF MECHANICS’
INSTITUTIONS.*
BY W. HAWKES SMITH.
Ir has been facetiously declared to be “contrary to the laws of
England to make a man happy against his will.” This is, after
all, a very judicious maxim, and, well attended to, would check
the impertinence of many an officious meddler. My object is,
to prevent such an imputation from attaching itself to me. I
am the perpetual advocate of Mechanics’ Institutions, because
I am fully convinced that these institutions tend, more than any
other of equal cost, to produce increased knowledge and intelli-
gence—and that such increased knowledge and intelligence, well
and fearlessly worked, are the surest road to increased happiness.
This is my firm opinion, and it is the result of years of reflection
and observation.
In what does happiness consist ?+ In a series of pleasing
impressions;—and it were not difficult to shew that sucha pleasing
series must flow from intellectual sources; from intellectual, as
opposed to animal enjoyments. Stil], however, human nature
claims a certain portion of physical comforts as necessary in-
gredients to happiness, and if, on inquiry, it be found that the
world is capable of supplying these comforts in abundance to
all, it becomes a duty to endeavour to obtain the desired dis-
tribution. And on whom is this duty most manifestly paramount?
Surely on those who suffer from the unequal distribution of the
means of physical comfort. Let them inquire, then, what are
the qualifications which enable men most surely to acquire the
desired share, and they will soon perceive that it is the posses-
sion of a good education. This is now pretty much seen, and
the effects of the discovery are curiously diversified. Some would
quietly close—or being closed, would keep fast shut, the doors
of the temple of knowledge, against the working people, because
they apprehend that the diffusion of knowledge would inevitably
lead to searching inquiries into the means of a better diffusion
of comforts. This is sheer selfishness. Others perceive that
there is a disposition excited to acquire information, and they
* Being a portion of a lecture lately read before the Birmingham Mechanics’
Institution,
t Since this lecture was written, I have seen Simpson’s work on “ Popular
Education as a national object.” Would those who have not yet considered the
subject closely, sit down by fifties in a company, night after night; deputing one
to read aloud from this important and most intrepid work, and determine to acé as
the convictions which might be induced—we should have a chance of seeing the
search after happiness rationally conducted,
*
334 ON THE TENDENCY AND PROSPECTS OF
flatter the working classes—call them “ intelligent artizans,” and
other pleasant denominations,—and would give them a certain
share of abstract information to amuse their leisure hours. ~
But again—there are some who boldly say that wherever
Faculties exist, they may be safely cultivated ;—and who fear not
that the great social system will suffer damage, even should the
gradual destruction of castes be the consequence of such cultiva-
tion. Observing the nascent desire of improvement, they see no
evil, and apprehend no danger from its increase, and would urge
it forward as the probable means of extensively communicating
general happiness; interposing their assistance as guides, not
standing in the way as checks. ‘They would lay down rail-ways
—not hang on drags. ‘They unhesitatingly declare, with the
enlightened and liberal Chandos Leigh, whose words I have in
another place already quoted,* “The people cannot easily know
too much ;—they may easily know too little.” Too little for the
best interests of well-conducted society.
“JT wish,” said King George the Third, some five-and-thirty
years ago—and the saying was a remarkable and a bold one, as
coming at that period from an individual holding a station so
little advantageous for the cultivation of liberal views—“ I wish
that every poor person in my dominions may be enabled to read
his bible.” The wish, emanating from such a quarter, could not
be gainsaid or directly opposed, and Lancasterian Schools and
National Schools were established. Very many would probably
have excused the King, had he been less liberal, but the word
had gone forth; and it was unperceived that reading alone would
not satisfy. The determination of the people to acquire more
than elementary knowledge afterwards induced Lord Brougham
to advocate the foundation of Mechanics’ Institutions. He
brought into free and specific action the desire that was kindled.
He encouraged the people to infuse mind and intelligence into
what was before almost a mechanical operation. To read,—to
write—to cast accounts—though too much by two thirds for
many quietistic politicians, was far too little for the excited
wishes of those who were becoming aware of their mental powers,
and the class studies of Mechanics’ Institutions took a more ex-
tended and academic form, and are now conducted in a mode
that—time for time—is equal to any thing than can be provided
for the youth of any station. Nor are the gates of science less
freely opened, in the lectures that are delivered; nor is their
circuit bounded by any narrow or selfish considerations.
Who expects that a course of lectures on Astronomy, on
Geology, on Acoustics, or Electro-Magnetism, will cause a man
to become a more skilful workman at the stamp or the lathe—
more useful as a clerk or a packer? I am not content that our
ingenious population should be taught mechanics and chemistry
* See the Report of the Mechanic’s Institution inserted in our last number.
MECHANICS INSTITUTIONS. 335
simply because these pursuits have relation, real or imagined, to
their occupation as workmen ;—I would have them instructed in
the sciences in general,—as human beings,—and because, being
by nature capable of comprehending the properties of mind and
of matter, these properties ought to be rendered familiar to them—
or else their powers of comprehension are in so far wasted or
degraded, by being confined to inferior objects.
But some kind friends of the industrious classes are fain to
mourn over the havoc which will be made in their comforts, by
the attainment of such a stock of general information as I have
alluded to. The fate of smatterers is in their mouths, and they
are apt to quote the lines of Pope as oracular and decisive—
- “A little learning is a dangerous thing,
Drink deep—or taste not the Pierian spring.”
Now this maxim taken without limitation is a fallacy. There
is no danger in having a little, if your opportunities do not
permit you to get all you would. _ What should we say to the
working man, who, entering his house at dinner time, and seeing
the uncostly dish of potatoes and the modicum of. bacon, which,
his frugal wife, with an eye to the fare of the morrow, had pro-
vided—should overturn the table, scatter the provisions, and
trampling them under foot, express himself thus in heroic vein—
‘** The spare repast I hate—be these my wishes,
Fat beeves or famine-—feasts or empty dishes !”
or what kind of counsellor should we hold him to be, who,.
addressing a knot of persons waiting the opening of the doors of
a Savings Bank to deposit their small sums, should mock their
care and rebuke them thus— 3
“Your little dabs of cash are useless things, ;
No paltry thrifis !—be beggars—or be kings !”
The first of these instances would be pronounced an absolute
fool or madman ;—and the second could only claim the posses-’
sion of his wits by avowing his selfish treachery ;—that, wealthy
himself, he could not bear that the lower classes should take any
well-concerted measures gradually to accumulate for themselves
a moderate share of wealth.
Suspect, then, the judgment or the intentions of those who
talk with horror of smatterers—who indulge their small fancies
in tirades against royal roads to learning, and railways to science.
There is an aristocracy of intellect as well as of birth or of
purse, and those who have by weary inches delved their way into
the mine, are proud of their success ;—and perhaps, vain of the
pains they have taken, they are unwilling that others, by any less
laborious process, should reach the precious deposit. “'The
evil,” as the president of the Birmingham Philosophical Institu-
tion well said in one of his instructive lectures—“the evil
consists, not in knowing @ little, but in fancying that we know
June, 1835.—VOL, I. NO. XI. 2x
336 ON THE TENDENCY AND PROSPECTS OF
much ;”—and this kind of fancy, this conceit, will be less and less
prevalent as knowledge becomes more generally diffused.
The advance of science is rapidly bringing on a state of things
which our Mechanics’ Institutions are preparing to meet without
hazarding the derangement of society. The Rev. James
Martineau, at the last annual meeting of the Liverpool Institu-
tion, used these remarkable words—‘‘ Machinery is rapidly
supplanting human labour, and rendering mere muscular force a
worthless drug. ‘That natural machine, the human body, is
depreciated in the market. But if the body have lost its value,
the mind must get into business without delay. The intelligence
of man must be brought to the mint and coined, and set in instant
circulation.”
I like to hear such sentiments—far better are they than the ad-
vice of the speaker's clever sister, and of a whole clan of political
economists—to reduce our working population, in order to secure
employment to those that remain. The complainers, the well-
informed people of the old school, may perhaps beset Mr.
Martineau, and rejoin—*“ But what are wE to do, if the dominion
of heads be invaded by the desertion of whole legions from the
realm of hands?” And if the question were put to me, I should
answer—* That is not the affair of the population of hands.” I
only feel quite sure that a really well-informed people-—a people
universally educated, would not long continue to suffer the
strange anomalies which now prevail in our social system; and
the way to prepare for such change rationally, is to equalize, as
far as possible, the advantages of education—to abolish all
feelings and prejudices of class or caste—and to encourage all
to consider themselves as HUMAN BEINGS.
When the steam engine was perfected, half the eternal dis-
tinctions of rank vanished;—the new power rendering manu-
factured articles more accessible. But the effects of scientific
advancement will not be branded by the cheapening of silks,
calicoes, and hardwares. There is an intellectual machinery, a
mental steam power at work, and still rising in its action, which
renders education proportionally as cheap and as attainable to
the man of small means, as his clothing and his domestic ap-
pointments.
There is a science which, in spite of the sneers of its opponents,
—in spite, too, of the extravagance of its supporters, is slowly
and gradually winning its way into general respect and estima-
tion. I alludeto thescience of phrenology. ‘The poet sings
* Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear ;—
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.’’ GRAY.
This may be of little consequence in reference to such things
as corals and cowslips—pearls and polyanthuses; but it is
another affair when applied to human beings. It is there an
MECHANICS INSTITUTIONS. 337
error, not an accident ; there ought to be no sentence of —“ Their
lot forbade,” interposed between the capacity of man and its
full development.
Dr. Eppo, whose name I was glad to read as a lecturer on
Phrenology at the Liverpool Mechanic’s Institution, and who
addresses large audiences in London, scruples not to declare—
“ Tt is a truth which our science demonstrates, that society never
was and never can be in any other state than an agitated one,
until every human being have every opportuni‘y of exercising
every faculty which God has given him.”
A Mechanic's Institution, vigorously conducted, becomes a
school of Phrenology. Let all, then, become practical professors
of the science, and lend their aid to the complete exercise of the
powers of the mind.
{Here follow various statements relative to the progress and
prospects of the Birmingham Institution, which the extracts from
the “ Report” in our last number render it unnecessary to detail.
Allusion is also made to the character of the lectures that have
been delivered during the last year, which induces the following
observations on the different branches of the institution. }
I need not repeat and re-urge the advantages derivable from
attending lectures. They give the first flash—the clear, eluci-
datory insight into principles and facts. ‘Vhey often impress the
mind with a valuable series of general ideas, which form the
scaffolding by which the edifice, by after efforts, is erected. But
they are not the only;—they are not,—properly considered,—
the principal—the most valuable portions of Mechanics’ Institu-
tions. It is the classes and the library—the unobtrusive—the
unglittering portions—which form the really—the profoundly
beneficial characteristics of such institutions.
Lectures carry us on by leaps, and leave in the field of know-
ledge, here and there, a mark where we have reaped. It is by
regular continued studies—by sedulous application only, that the
intermediate spaces can be cleared. These alone qualify us to
rejoice in the abundant harvest. ‘These alone will place us on
the stubble land—triumphantly exclaiming—“ The produce of
this field is mine—is mine. It is reaped; it is gathered ; it is
housed for my after use.”
On glancing over the Report of the Liverpool Institution, I
perceive modifications of classes for the study of chemistry,
mineralogy, political economy, and natural history—by mutual
instruction. At Manchester they have a class for music. The
wise Government of Prussia in its arrangements for public in-
struction makes musie a matter of high importance. It is well.
Nothing tends more to refine the mind and to give amenity to
the manners than the cultivated perception of the harmony of
sounds, and yet this pleasing study is not one which claims
attention, as useful, in the pounds, shillings, and pence acceptation
of the term.
338 FINE ARTS.
The lecturer here enters, at considerable length, into details
connected with the finances and conduct of the institution, and
remarks in conclusion—“ Charity,” says the Apostle—that is—
Christian fellowship—brotherly kindness—the benevolent, well-
regulated mind “thinketh no evil” —* envieth not ”—it “ seeketh
not its own’—that is, its improper aggrandizement,—but it is
added that it “rejoiceth in the truth.” That is, its energies must
be kept awake to the perception of what is right and good, and
these ends must be pursued with alacrity. Be such our con-
fiding—such our active, discerning charity, and this institution
will soon take a different rank in the town from that which it
has hitherto held. Sunday Schools, Lancasterian, and National
Schools—Temperance Societies—Provident Societies, in all their
widest operations, should be considered but as inductions,
auxiliaries, adjuncts, to Mechanics’ Institutions. It is ours to
apply to their best and final uses, the advantages gained by these
excellent subsidiaries. ‘“ Above all thy getting,” says the wise
king of Israel, “ get understanding.” This great acquisition is
to be made, especially, HERE. It is HERE;-—it is in Mechanics’
Institutions that we shall best learn our own power and the mode
of wisely using it. If a change for the better is needed in our
social relations—as writers of all creeds and all opinions intimate
— it is here the nature of that change shall be best comprehended.
It is where knowledge holds her seat that the change shall be con-
templated with the steadiest eye—that the most determined
voice shall utter—it is coming.” While the joyous chorus
shall be re-echoed by all the worthy—all the discerning—all the
benevolent—* It must come—and let it come.” 3
FINE ARTS.
WHILE copious and earnest commentaries are bestowed upon music,
poetry, and the drama, it is still to be lamented that the pen of the
reviewer too often skims, like the rapid wing of the swallow, over the
subject of painting and sculpture. A few hurried lines, frequently most
cruelly seasoned with the hot spice of critical sarcaam—a mere word or
two of general praise or censure—a running nod of recognition—a sneer
or a smile en passant are, for the most part, all that are conceded to the
toils of the artist—to hours wasted by the midnight lamp, and to days
passed from the early dawn to the dim twilight in the solitary pursuit of
science. In vain the genius of. historical painting put forth its
magnificent conceptions, and the deathless creations of the chisel appeal
by their impassioned beauty and grandeur to the eye and the brain of
the reviewer ; the briefest note in the tablet of ivory, and the narrowest
space in the page are, even reluctantly, doled out to their claims. Yet
what lengthy and numerous columns are lavished upon ‘‘ the very last
novel ”’—the jejune production of the silver-fork school—the melancholy
FINE ARTS. 339
twaddle and indigested ideas of some ‘‘ noble author” or ‘ authoress”
who fondly and foolishly dreams of immortality through the pen (!) and
handsomely fees the fashionable bibliopole for the privilege of murder-
ing his Majesty’s English, and appearing in print. What overgrown
analysis of the flimsy and butterfly songs of the day—the junction of
epithet and the sickliest sentiment! what close-sifting of the little
trilling melodies that charming the ears of the boudoir or salon, are, at
length, to the delight of the lackey, murmured in the housekeeper’s
room by the mellifluous lips of her Ladyship’s woman, and thence
caught by the scullery-maid, make their way up the area to become the
ultimate property of the publican’s boy, who pathetically whistles them
while-scouring his pewter! What elaborate details of the pedal flourish-
ing of some celebrated opera-dancer, who springs three feet and a half
higher than any of his contemporaries! what grave criticism upon the
saltatory movements and evolutions! what deliberation upon the re-
spective merits of two rival danseuses! what profound dicta upon the
“‘grand and the graceful” in pirouettes! what bustle and grief, and
indignation, and absolute transports of sorrow, at the ‘‘ sudden indis-
position” or non-appearance of the prima-donna! A false note—a
scarcely perceptible hoarseness—a sprained ankle—or a dislocated toe,
are enough to fill the newspapers with clamour and lamentation, and to
spread terror and confusion through the most brilliant audience that
ever gladdened the optics of Laporte. But the decay of the ‘“‘ Fine
Arts,’? the abandonment and distress of their professors, the futile
struggles of genius with the heart-rending influence of public neglect,
are nothing of any moment whatever—a fly perishing beneath the wheel
of a waggon, or a withered leaf whirled through a forest, would be as
seriously noticed, and the most splendid pictorial display is not more
than the languid attraction of the hour. A freer spirit on the part of
the press would, in a great measure, counterbalance the apathy of the
fashionable world ;—to lead—nor to follow—is the critical province; but,
unfortunately for the fine arts, there are but few exceptions to the too-venal
practice of studying that which is most amusing to the general reader, rather
than that which is instructive and valuable, tending to produce some-
thing of higher character than the fugitive entertainment of the moment.
In our first number we entered into a statement of the feelings and
opinions with which we regarded national art, and the anxiety with
which we should watch its career in this country, and assist in cherishing
its efforts. We may now refer to the liberal space which we have,
invariably, devoted to the subject, in proof of the sincerity of our pro-
fessions, and we reflect with unmitigated pride and pleasure upon the
fact that the fulfilment of our duty has been favoured with the gratifying
encomiums of the public press.
In pursuance of the path which we conceive to be that of justice and
sound sense, we select for the critical commentary of this month one
publication to which we can pay the merited attention, in preference to
crowding our given space with a dozen notices, unavoidably brief and
unsatisfactory. Reserving for future remark Parts XVII., XVIII., and
XIX. of Fisher’s exquisite Lake Scenery, and the spirited, graceful, and
beautiful illustrations (by Harvey) of the ‘‘ Story without an end,” we
shall here redeem a promise given in our ninth number, and beg the
reader to accompany us in our examination of
“‘ Finden’s Byron Beauties: a series of ideal portraits of the principal
female characters in Lord Byron’s poems.”
In the present taste for fanciful and elegant design, uniting beauty
with passion and sentiment, these illustrations, happily adapted to the
340 FINE ARTS.
pee feeling, cannot possibly fail to be universally acceptable in the
fashionable circles for which they are, evidently, designed. All that
relates to Byron, all that has been hened. seen, or said of him, his every
look and word, and tone, and whisper, his slightest gesture or most
ordinary proceeding from the penning of ‘‘ Childe Harold,” down to
the throwing off his pantouffles and drawing on his boots, have been put
upon record and listened to and swallowed with dilated eyes and open
mouths by the multitude,—and probably no man ever created a more
generally extended interest than the ‘* Bard of Newstead.” It is not
the peer alone who, seated in his library, surrounded by the wit, the
wisdom, and the genius of all ages, turns his eyes with a high toned
sentiment of exultation upon the undying inspirations of his brother
patrician, the fame of the poet is familiar fo all, and the intensity of
interest with which he was viewed may be estimated not only from the
overwhelming mass of ‘ Recollections,” ‘‘ Tributes,” ‘‘ Souvenirs,”
** Conversations,” ‘‘ Particulars,’ ‘‘ Memoirs,” ‘* Anecdotes,” ‘‘ Last
days,” and ‘‘ Private Accounts,” which hurried from the press with an
alarming fecundity, but from the fact that every tagger of rhyme, from
the bard of the drawing-room to that of the attic or counting-house,
fell to and fancied that their anonymous and anomalous lines would
mystify critics, and make men cry out ‘‘ Ho! ho! Byron sud rosa !”’
Then his air, his dress, and his manners were studiously attempted by
young medical men and clerks of delicate nerve and poetic complexion ;
nay an interesting degree of lameness, such as Charlotte de Baviére
ascribes to the fair De la Valliére when she tells us, ‘* Elle boitail un
peu; mais il semblait qu’ au lieu d’y nuire, ce défaut ajoutait a ses graces,”
was assumed by several, in order to perfect the identity of the resem-
blance. Read, quoted, talked of, thought of, and dreamed of, Byron
has made, and his name will continue to make, noise enough in the
world to render any well-conducted speculation of which he forms the
basis free from incertitude, and profitable to the parties engaged in its
issue. The work before us has already attained that degree of popularity
which might have been foreseen, and in which its spirited projectors
will find their reward. Six parts only have appeared, yet these are in
everybody’s hands, and on everybody’s table; they greet us at every
corner, smile at us from every printseller’s window: go where we will
we have ‘‘ Zuleika” or the fair ‘‘Julie;” ‘‘Kaled” in page-attire, or
‘* Leonora D’Esté,” ‘‘the bright particular star’? rising before us, and
giving to the eye that which before was visible only to the imagination.
With equal liberality and judgment, the proprietors of the work have
called into requisition the talents of various artists, thus judiciously
diffusing their patronage, and increasing the interest of the illustrations.
With her cultivated taste, her pure sense of the graceful and beautiful,
aided by her long study of the antique, her skill in design, and her
practical power over the materials of art, that gifted—but we fear too-
diffident—artist, Miss Alabaster, could not fail to produce something of
high character and loveliness—something most admirably calculated to
add to the reputation of this charming series; we trust that a specimen
of her genius—one of her exquisite female heads, will be shortly in-
cluded in this collection, and when we revert to the brilliant and
surprising progress evidenced by this fair enthusiast in her lately-
exhibited picture, we indulge, fearlessly, in the warmest anticipations of
her eminence—anticipating which we feel nothing but the continued
delicacy of her health can possibly disappoint. In the six numbers
before us we find that out of the eighteen portraits, one is contributed
by J. W. Wright; three are by J. f. Lewis; seven by F. Stone; one is
by W. Boxall, and one by that captivating painter Mac Clise; three are
FINE ARTS. 341
by E. Wood; one is from the talented pencil of Corbould, and one
from that of Miss Fanny Corbaux. The first part contains the heads of
** Zuleika,” of ‘‘ Donna Julia,” and of ‘‘ Donna Inez.” (1) Zuleika is
an exquisite imagining, full of tender and enchanting sensibility; the
face is seen in three-quarter, and the arms are folded across the bosom ;
the hands are well drawn, and the features sweetly and delicately de-
picted; the hair is finely executed, and the drapery sharp and beautiful:
This captivating plate is engraved by H. T. Ryall, from the design of
J. W. Wright, and forms one of the loveliest specimens of the publica-
tion. (2) ** Donna Julia,” engraved by the same, from a drawing by
J. E. Lewis, is clear, rich, and sparkling in effect ; the details are finely
discriminated from the delicate texture of the flesh; the minute mark-
ings of the features, the eye-lashes, brow, and hair, to the laces, silks,
and lawns, and the jewelled trinkets which adorn the garb. The
character of the countenance is in unison with the poet’s conception.
As an effort of the burin this print reflects infinite honour upon Mr.
Ryall’s abilities. (3) ‘‘ Donna Inez,” engraved by F. C. Lewis, from
the original by J. E. Lewis; finely executed, but not so felicitous in
materiel as the preceding; the head is too youthful, and the expression
that of pouting sullenness alone; the artist has erred in his translation of
the character. Part Il.—(4) ‘‘ Myrrha’—the ‘‘Ionian Myrrha,” by
R. A. Artlett, from the design of F. Stone, is a fair example of the
engraver’s powers—a clear and forcible stipple, managed with much
delicacy and great effect. (5) ‘‘ Anah and Aholibamah,” from the same
artist, by H. Mote, is not the happiest of his designs; heavy and tumid
the countenances repel rather than attract admiration. (6) ‘‘ Julie,” the
fair Countess d’ Houdelot—the divinity of Rousseau—is a fascinating
head, full of sweet, unassuming, girlish simplicity and grace, with the
slightest possible touch of coquetry at the toilette: engraved by R. A.
Artlett, from W. Boxall. Part III.—(7) ‘ Kaled,” engraved by E.
Finden, from D. Mac Clise, is elaborately executed, rich in detail, and
imposing in appearance: the error of the design is the rendering the
disguise of the page no disguise whatsoever, as Mr. Mac Clise has, in his
drawing, presented us with a full figured female in boy’s attire; Kaled
could not for a single day have escaped discovery, had the page stepped
forth so imperfectly protected against detection; besides the rounded
contour mars entirely the description of the poet—
‘* Light was his form.”
(8) ‘ Parisina,” by W. H. Mote, from F. Stone, is pretty, and conse-
Spey attractive; and (9) ‘‘ Leonora D’Esté,” firmly engraved by
. T. Ryall, from the same, is a beautifully executed print, but in the
name of all that is graceful and rational, why did Mr. Stone substitute
a literal horse-tail for the bright tresses of this divine and illustrious
lady, and in what fit of extravagance was he betrayed into encumbering
her eyes with lashes of such extraordinary growth? We have heard eye-
lashes poetically entitled ‘fringe,’ but such absolute, long and heavy
curtain-fringe we are quite positive we never beheld. Let Mr. Stone
beware of such fantastic ideas; let him purify and elevate his con-
ceptions of the beautiful, or he will infallibly degenerate into a mere
designer of ‘‘ prettinesses” for drawing-room albums.
(Parts IV. V. and VI. in our next.)
342
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Provincial Sketches. By the Author of “The Usurer's Daughter,”
* The Puritan’s Grave,” &c., &c., &e. London: Churton.
(Continued from our last Number.)
Brief as we must necessarily be, we yet contrive to redeem our
promise of last month by reverting once more to the contents of
this amusing volume.
Under the head “ Country Newspapers” the facetious Author
has concocted an article which, whether correct or not in its out-
line, Proprietors and Editors can best explain, but it is altogether
of so ludicrous a complexion, that our readers perhaps will not
be displeased to descend for a few seconds from the lofty pin-
nacle of science to smile at the whimsical manner in which the
important business of Newspaper Editorship is treated by this
disciple of the laughter-loving philosopher.
‘‘ Country newspapers are curiosities, not for their rarity, for they
abound and super-abound; but for the peculiarity of their literary cha-
racter. The English language in a country newspaper bears the same
relation to the English language in general, as a rustic in his Sunday
clothes bears to the general population of any large town or city. There
are varieties of style, yet there is a oneness of character in it. The
language of the editor differs from the language of his correspondents,
and the original and local matter differs also from the extracts made from
the London papers. But we shall be best able to speak of so compre-
hensive and complex a matter as a country newspaper, by taking up the
matter analytically and viewing the several parts distinctly. A country
newspaper is composed of various elements : firstly, of extracts from the
London papers ;—secondly, of local intelligence ;—thirdly, of the editor’s
leading article; fourthly, of literary criticism ;—and fifthly, of original
correspondence—and very original that is.
‘* In the first place then, let us speak of the extracts from the London
papers. People in the country like to know what is going on in London,
and the editors of country papers generally give their readers a conden-
sation of intelligence under the title of multum in parvo, This is a kind
of Hamiltonian system of conveying the greatest possible degree of intel-
ligence in the smallest possible number of words, so that one paragraph
is made to do the work of twenty. For instance. ‘‘ On Monday last
his Majesty dined with the Duke of Wellington.—Ducks are selling in
Leadenhall Market at four shillings the pair.—The Siamese ambassador
wore a yellow coat at Lady B—’s rout.—It is Lady C. and not Lady D.
who has eloped with Lord F.—An affair of honour took place between
two journeymen pastrycooks of the New Cut; the parties met at the
back of Bethlehem Hospital and after firing two rounds of blank cart-
ridge, the seconds interfered to prevent farther bloodshed. ‘The cause of
the quarrel is supposed to have been a dispute about the weight of a
twopenny loaf.—There is no truth in the report that the Dowager Duchess
of Horsleydown is about to bestow her hand on General Fitzhigginbo-
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 343
tham.—In the box lobby at the Adelphi Theatre last night, Mr. Smith
called Mr. Brown a fool, and Mr. Brown called Mr. Smith an ass, further
particulars in our next.—Last Wednesday the metropolis was visited by
one of the most tremendous thunder storms in the memory of man. The
hailstones were as big as cabbages, but the thunder could not be heard
on account of the noise of the omnibuses and the bawling of the chim-
ney sweepers.—Mr. Clarke has purchased Mr. Simpson’s famous horse
Blunderer, that ran against a brick wall last Greenwich Fair.”
‘** There, now, what an immense deal of important intelligence is com-
municated to the provincial public in the compass of one short paragraph !
But sometimes it happens that events of a more awful, serious, and
mysterious nature are to be communicated to the readers, and then no
curtailment or abridgment can be allowed, and instead of Multum im
Parvo we have Parvum in Multo, as; Remarkable and mysterious occurrence.
** On Tuesday last the family of Mr. Walter Wiggins, a most intelligent,
upright, honest, and conscientious grocer, tea-dealer, tallow-chandler,
cheesemonger and hop-merchant, of No. 76, Snipe-street, Wapping, was
thrown into considerable alarm by the following extraordinary and mys-
terious occurrence. It appears, from all that we can learn, that Mr.
Wiggins and his family, consisting of himself, his wife, two sons, three
daughters, a shop-boy, and a maid of all-work, had retired to rest at their
usual hour, half past ten; but they had not been in bed more than three
quarters of an hour, when Mr. Wiggins, who is not the best sleeper in
the world, thought that he heard a noise at the front door. Alarmed as
he naturally might be at this unusual and mysterious occurrence, Mr.
Wiggins woke Mrs. Wiggins out of her first sleep, in order to consult
what was best to be done in this emergency. Mrs. Wiggins, who is a
woman of great fortitude and discretion, immediately, with the most
praiseworthy presence of mind, and without the slightest hesitation,
recommended her husband to dress himself with all speed, and to take a
poker in one hand and a blunderbuss in the other, and go down stairs
to the street-door and ask, ‘ who’s there?’? This advice Mr. Wiggins
took, without more delay, and strange to say when he got to the door
and proposed the question so recommended by Mrs. Wiggins, there was no
answer. Again, in a louder voice, and with a still bolder and more
determinate tone, he said, ‘ who’s there, I say? why don’t you answer?
Speak, or I’11 blow your brains out.’ Still there was no answer; Mr.
Wiggins, therefore, being tired of asking questions to which he could
get no reply, returned to his bed, and lay awake nearly an hour longer,
listening with the closest attention, but in vain, for a repetition of the
knocking. The strictest inquiry has been made to ascertain if possible
who the miscreant was, that knocked at the door and ran away. Miss
Wiggins has positively declared that, had she not been asleep at the time,
it is very likely she should have gone intu hysterics. Scarcely anything
else is talked about in Wapping, and it forms a prominent topic of con-
versation in the coteries of Shadwell, Limehouse and Poplar. Our read-
ers may rest assured that we shall spare neither pains nor expense to
obtain all possible further information on this mysterious matter.”
** Paragraphs of this nature are highly valuable to country readers,
who thereby gain a knowledge of metropolitan manners, customs, and
interests. But if such be the beauty of the general information, greater
still is the importance of the local information, which, being supplied by
a variety of correspondents, exhibits a corresponding variety of style ; but
all of them are eloguent—very eloquent.
“It seems to be taken for granted that no language is fit to make its
appearance in the columns of a country newspaper, except it be adorned
June, 18385,—voL, Il. NO. XI. 2Y
344 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
and decorated with the most tawdry ornaments, like a chimney-sweeper
on May-day. ‘The editor of a country paper cannot be always present in
every town, village, and hamlet, Seabaih which his paper circulates; but
he has generally in every place some gratuitous correspondent,—not a
penny-a-line man, but an amateur writer, who is more than paid for his
trouble by seeing his own composition in print. Now if the editor be an
elegant writer, delighting to see the English language attitudinising in
his paper, like a Harlequin and Columbine ina plumber’s shop-window,
the correspondents of the paper will be ten times more eloquent than the
editor himself.
‘* A baronet’s son comes of age, and the baronet gives an entertain-
ment on the occasion. The tenants and villagers dine and dance in the
park ; the baronet’s friends dine and dance in the house ; and here fol-
lows an account of the festivity :— ’
“© On Wednesday last the village of Little Dribbleton was a scene of
gaiety and festivity, reminding us of olden times, when baronial splen-
dour and hospitality were at their meridian acme of glory. On that day
the eldest son and heir of Sir Matthew Mugg, Bart. came of age and in
order to commemorate so grand and imposing an epoch, the worthy baronet
with his accustomed liberality resolved on giving a splendid fete. Most
felicitously fortunately the fineness of the day was favourably propitious
to the hilarity of the festival. As soon as the bright Phoebus showed his
unclouded face over the eastern hills, the bells of the village church
struck up a merry peal, a splendid silk flag bearing the armorial bearings
of the Mugg family was elevated on the church steeple, which waved
gracefully to the gentle breezes of A®olus, and all the lads and lasses of
the village were seen tripping across the plain in their holiday attire. At
one o’clock a dinner was set out in the park for the tenants and inhabit-
ants of Little Dribbleton, which consisted of the most liberal supply of
the good old English fare, roast beef and plum pudding, while rivers of
home brewed ale were liberally supplied to wash down these substantial
viands ; and the condescension of Lady Mugg, who actually ate a piece
of the plum pudding, provoked the loudest plaudits from the assembled
multitude. When the guests had discussed their dinner, they proceeded
to their sports in the park, which were ably managed and skilfully arrang-
ed under the highly talented superintendence of Mr. Hogsflesh, the
landlord of the Crown and Pigstye. The sports consisted of donkey-
racing, pig-hunting, jumping in sacks, grinning through a horse collar,
running for a chemise, and such like manly sports, which were wont in
the olden time to invigorate the frame, and to make Britain the pride and
envy of surrounding nations. The racing of asinine quadrupeds afforded
most excellent sport, and the prize, which consisted of half a Cheshire
cheese, was carried off in triumph by young Joe Mumps, son of the cele-
brated cricket player of thatname; and, singular it is to relate, but such
is the fact, that Peggy Mumps, his sister, was victress in the chemise
race, so that two prizes went into one family. Dancing also was provi-
ded for such as loved that graceful recreation, and many of the lads and
lasses of Little Dribbleton were tripping it on the light fantastic toe till
such time as the beautiful queen of night, in her silver car, the chaste
Dian, sister to the bright-eyed Phoebus, began to climb the eastern
heaven. The entertainment within the hall was on the most splendid
and sumptuous scale, consisting of every delicacy that_the season affords,
and exhibiting a profusion of the most costly viands. The magnificent
display of brilliant plate exceeded all that we ever read of in the Arabian
Nights’ Entertainments, or Gulliver’s Travels. All the beauty and fa-
shion of Little Dribbleton were present, and the élite of the vicinity
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 345
graced the festival with their company. Among the company present,
we observed the Rev. Oliver Whiteface, Mrs. Whiteface, and the nine
Misses Whiteface, John Popkins, Esq., Mrs. and the seven Misses Pop-
kins, cum multis altos que nunc proscribere longam est.’
‘‘This is rather a long communication, but woe betide the editor if he
dare to make the slightest alteration in it, or curtailment of it; should
he correct the Latin quotation or omit it altogether, there would be such
a philological controversy in the paper, that its columns, for the next six
months, would look like ‘‘ the Diversions of Purley.”? Should the editor,
by any accident, omit the name of Popkins, or insert it as Mr. Popkins,
the village apothecary, no individual, bearing the name of Popkins, would
read his paper for the next twenty years; and, in all probability, such
an insult would lead to the establishment of a rival paper on independent
principles. The editor of the Blunderton Chronicle once lost fifteen sub-
scribers and a constant correspondent, for presuming to substitute the
word ‘‘ moon” for ‘lunar orb,” in an epistolary communication. It
was in vain the editor protested that the alteration was made merely
from want of room, and that he was aware of the great superiority of his
correspondent’s talents ; the correspondent was inexorable, and would
never forgive any man such a gross and scandalous crime, as daring to
presume to correct his style. Many other pleasant matters of local in-
telligence grace the columns of a country newspaper, such as gigantic
turnips, unseasonable cabbages, kittens with six legs, pigs with one ear,
and, peradventure, some elaborate narrative of “ certain diabolical mis-
creants, sacrilegiously breaking into the pantry of the parish clerk, and
stealing thereout two cow-heels and a bushel of tripe, together with four
pewter spoons and a bran new gridiron, which he had provided for his
Sunday dinner.”
“It is to be particularly remarked, that country thieves, in country
newspapers, are all diabolical miscreants, therefore, all those who would
avoid the reproach of diabolical miscreancy, would do well to avoid plun-
dering pantries in the country. For my part I cannot see how a man
ean hold up his head again, after being called a diabolical miscreant in a
country newspaper, it is enough to kill him for life.”
In some of the articles the burlesque is comical to the extreme,
but the veriest cynic who has disclaimed laughter as a vulgar pro-
pensity, must have his risible faculties forced into play on perus-
ing the chief part of these characteristic sketches. It is the
conviction of their strict resemblance to nature, though broadly
caricatured, and the ludicrous position of men and things in
circumstances dexterously placed for the peculiar occasion, which
give these stories their force of colouring—and then the phraseology
in which they are wrapped is so admirably adapted to the different
scenes brought to the mind’s eye. ‘There is no coarseness of lan-
guage in any part of the volume—on the contrary it is distin-
guished by purity of style and neatness of diction—and we have
no doubt, which is presuming in no slight degree on its merits,
that allits readers will cordially agree with us in this our unbias-
sed opinion.
346 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
British Oology ; being Ilustrations of the Eggs of British Birds, with
Figures of [those of} each species, as far as practicable, drawn
and coloured from Nature: accompanied by descriptions of the
materials and situation of their nests, number of eggs, &c. By W.
C. Hewitson. In two monthly 8vo. numbers, each containing four
lithographic prints. Newcastle-upon-Tyne and London. Nos.
1 to 20.
This beautiful work, of which the twentieth number has just ap-
peared, far surpasses any other that has yet been published on eggs. —
The plates, which are drawings on stone by the author, coloured by Mr.
J. Standish, of London, are admirably executed. It would be useless
to criticise any of them, as all are equally well done, and are, in fact,
perfect fac-similes of the originals. here the eggs of any species are
subject to variety, two, and even three, specimens are given: although
this somewhat extends the work, yet the use of it is manifest; for in
Lewin’s ‘‘ Birds of Britain,” where only one egg of each species is
given, it is often impossible to find out to what bird an unknown egg
belongs, and the figures in that work are generally miserably executed,
although both these and the figures of birds are excellent for the time at
which they were published (1795—1800). We accordingly hailed with
delight the appearance of a new work devoted exclusively to eggs.
The descriptions, though generally accurate and written in a pleasant
style, are, in our opinion, too short. Mr. Loudon, in a notice of this
work (Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol. V. p. 699), suggests that it would be ‘‘ an
excellent means of acquiring a mass of authentic facts on British
Oology, were the author now to announce that he will publish, at the
conclusion of the work, whatever facts, derived from personal observa-
tion, his subscribers may please to communicate unexpensively to him,
if supplementary, or even controversial, to those already advanced in the
work.” But would it not be preferable to place such remarks as he may
receive, under their proper heads in the body of the work? Supple-
ments are always inconvenient for reference, and should, therefore, be
avoided if possible. oe
There is one thing in this work against which we must enter our
decided protest, and that is, the placing on the same plate the eggs of
birds belonging—according to the modern system—to entirely distinct
genera; as for instance, those of Coecothraustes vulgaris (Will.) and
Pyrrhula vulgaris (Temm.) The eggs of C. vulgaris and C. chloris*
should of course have come on one plate, and those of P. vulgaris and
P. enucleator on another. Let it be understood, however, that we do
not object to having the eggs of birds of different genera on the same
plate, provided each of those genera contains but one species, but only
where there are two or more. We arereally sorry that Mr. Hewitson
should mar his beautiful and useful work by a fault which might so easily
be avoided.t| We must also remark that the author has adhered too
much to the system of Linnzus and the venerable Dr. Latham (now in
his ninety-fifth year), which, though a lofty and comprehensive arrange-
ment, and well suited for rendering the acquirement of Natural History
easy, and although it clearly proves the superior talents and genius of its
founders, yet is not sufficiently exact for scientific purposes, and has
* The author most unaccountably keeps the Green Grosbeak in the genus Frin-
gilla, while he very properly removes the Haw Grosbeak into Coccothraustes.
+ Selby has, in some instances, fallen into the same error, in his splendid ‘‘ Hlus-
trations of British Ornithology ;’’ but his masterly classification and excellent
letter-press atone for all such defects.
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 347
long since been entirely superseded by the system of the great French
Naturalist, which latter system has also now given place to that of Vigors
and Swainson. Mr. Hewitson could not have done better than follow
the arrangement adopted by Selby in his admirable ‘Illustrations of
British Ornithology” in every particular, and even now we would advise
him, when the work is completed, to arrange the plates in exactly the
same order as the birds come, in the second edition of the last mentioned
work. The ‘‘ Oology” would then form a valuable addition to the
** Tilustrations” of Mr. Selby.
In fine, notwithstanding the defects of this work, we may safely re-
commend it to all those who wish to possess a complete work on British
Oology; it is also an elegant work for the drawing-room, and we are
happy to see the names of several ladies amongst the numerous subscri-
bers, and also many of the first British Naturalists. We hope that Mr.
Hewitson will figure the eggs of all the birds described by Selby, and
even a few more, such as Cypselus Alpinus, Regulus ignicapillus, and
Motacilla neglecta of Gould (Yellow-headed Wagtail). The ‘‘ British
Oology”? was commenced five years ago, and, if continued at the same
rate as hitherto, will not be completed for ten years to come.
The Naturalist's Library. Ornithology. Vol. 1V. Part II. Game Birds,
32 plates engraved on steel by Lizars; with a portrait and
biographical sketch of the life of Raffles. By Sir Wm. Jardine.
Foolscap 8vo. London, Edinburgh, and Dublin.
This Volume—or rather part—is decidedly superior to the preceding
Ornithological vols. of this work, both as regards the plates and the letter-
press ; it is prefaced by a beautiful portrait of Raffles, copied by permis-
sion from that which accompanies the interesting history of the “ Life
and public services of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.” The life of this
modern Sir Hans Sloane cannot fail to be of great interest to every Brit-
ish Naturalist, and is written in an easy flowing style.
On the title page is a beautiful vignette, consisting of a pair of Red
Grouse ; the female surrounded by a numerous family, some of which are
perching on her back, and the malestanding beside her with all the watch-
ful solicitude of a good father. ‘The descriptions are generally well writ-
ten and interesting, particularly the long and full account of that noble
bird the Wvod Grouse—now, alas! extinct in Britain, and has been so for
more than half a century. The plates are, for the most part, very fairly
executed, especially that of the Wood Grouse, evidently taken from Be-
wick’s wood-cut. The figure of the Black Grouse is also very good; altho’
the tail is not so well finished as in Selby’s plate, from which it is copied.
The author speaks of the elegant Coromandel Quail, but unhappily the
figure of this bird does not support his testimony, as it appears to our
vision to be remarkably clumsy. It is, however, perhaps unfair to criti-
cise any of the plates very severely, as they are generally good, and the
volume is certainly remarkably cheap.
We understand that the next Ornithological volume of this work is to
be on the Columbide (Pigeon family), from the able pen of Mr. Selby,
the well known author of the “‘ Illustrations of British Ornithology.”
Faculties of Birds : forming a vol. of the Lib. of Entertaining Knowledge.
By James Rennie. 12mo. 1835.
This volume, like all others published under the superintendence of
the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, certainly does answer
348 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS,
the desired end of promoting useful knowledge, but then the knowledge
imparted is too much pilfered from other authors. Thus free scope is
allowed to this ‘‘ Prince of Compilers,” as the Spectator justly styles
him, to draw upon sterling authors whose works are the product of years’
patient observation and investigation in the field of Nature—such are the
delightful volumes of Wilson, Audubon and Mudie, from the first of
whom our author—compiler we meant—has made no scruple to take
copious draughts, especially in the ‘‘ Architecture of Birds,” and which
he has had the effrontery to cram in amongst his ‘‘ conglomerates of
dust and slime.” We will now proceed to investigate the contents of
this volume.
The first chapter is devoted to the ‘ Vision of Birds.” Rather than
take a masterly and original view of this subject, as Mudie would have
done, the Professor has chosen to string together a series of facts and
anecdotes related by other authors, with here and there a remark which
he would fain have us believe to be his own; they are, however, almost
entirely culled from higher authorities. Yet at p. 8 we are actually start-
led by a ‘‘ fact observed by J. R;” but, alas! it is buried in an over-
whelming mass of quotations.
Chap. II. is on the ‘‘ Hearing Sof Birds.”” We must not omit to
remark the lamentable want of Phrenology in this division of his subject.
For instance, at p. 55 he says; ‘‘ The anatomical structure and conform-
ation which constitutes what is called a musical ear, remains hitherto
unknown.” We could hardly have supposed it possible that any person
who has read—as we believe the Professor has—Dr. Gall’s excellent work
“Sur les Fonctions du Cerveau,” would still retain the absurd opinion
that the love of music depends on the anatomical structure of the ear.
It of course depends on the comparative size of the innate organ of tune
(see Mag. Nat. Hist. Vol. VII, p. 567). The remaining chapters treat of
the other faculties, and in these the compiler, as usual, puts into requi-
sition the theories and opinions of every Naturalist from the time of Aris-
totle to the present day, without coming to any decided conclusion of his
own. This loose and unscientific method of proceeding may diffuse
entertaining knowledge, but it certainly does not advance science. The
‘“* Natural History of Birds” of Mr. Mudie—in common with the other
works of this delightful author—answers both these ends.
This, then, is the volume which—with the other two—we are told,
“‘ completes the subject of Ornithology.” Completes it, forsooth! and
in what manner? By stringing together a series of facts, anecdotes, theo-
ries, opinions and remarks of other authors who are thus robbed of their
lawful property, merely to please the multitude. We are certain that
were we informed of any one department of Ornithology on which this
“literary Lestris” were going to write, we could furnish a review of it
before we had seen it.
This person in all his compilations, seems to wish to show that he is a
“‘ well read man,” by conspicuously placing the titles of books quoted
in the margin, which is literary filled with them. We cannot help won-
dering why the Professor should not sometimes treat us with remarks of
his own, as those which he has from time to time given to the world, are
by no means devoid of interest ; such as those in his ‘‘ Architecture of
Birds:” but as if not satisfied with having lodged them there, he must
needs fall back into his old habits, and transfer them into his edition of
that delightful work ‘‘ Montague’s Ornithological Dictionary.”—We
must now finish our review of this volume, and leave the Professor to do
as he, in his profound wisdom, may think fit in his next ‘‘ conglomerate.’
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 349
Pompeii, with other Poems. By the Rev. S. Middleton, B.D. London:
Smith, Elder, and Co. 1835.
In that part of ‘The Analyst” for April, dedicated to the Lecture
delivered by the Author of this publication to the inhabitants of Chel-
tenham, we quoted so largely from the MS., it not having then ap-
peared in print, that it will only be necessary for us now to speak of
the work in its present shape as a published volume. Indeed, it
appears that the dissemination of these poems, in their present form, is
entirely owing to the enthusiastic approbation with which their recita-
tion was received at the Literary and Philosophical Institution of Chel-
tenham, and the unanimous and strongly urged desire of the Members
that they should be published, the Duchess of Gloucester granting her
gracious permission to have them dedicated to her Royal Highness.
The proceeds, be it observed to the Author’s honour, are devoted to the
use of the Cheltenham Female Orphan Asylum. Neither the approbation
of the members of the Literary and Philosophical Institution, the august
patronage of the Duchess of Gloucester, nor the charitable assignment
of the produce of their funds to the Orphan Asylum, honourable as
are such indications of the talent and charitable feeling of the Author,
however, have not, nor ought to have, any power over the judgment of
impartial criticism. This volume is the production of a scholar well versed
in the writings of antiquity, and in that metrical harmony which is incul-
cated by a classical education, but the true inspiration of poetry is quite a
different matter—we acknowledge, in most parts, it has many of the
graces, but in few instances has it the soul of poetry—that essential
qualification without which rhythm is a powerless adjunct. Yet is this
work a performance of no despicable stamp, and if it cannot be com-
pared with the mighty genius of Byron, it is evidently the production
of aman of letters, possessing a fertile and lucid imagination. We
have little doubt of the popularity of this volume; and we wish it every
deserved success.
Gems of Literature; consisting of Original Tales, Dramatic Sketches,
Poems, &c., by popular living authors. Inscribed to the Duchess
of Kent. London: Longman and Co., 1835.
The contributors to this small volume are in general well known in the
field of literature at the present day—amongst them are Miss Agnes
Strickland, C. Marshall, the Countess of Blessington, Miss Emma
Roberts, Miss Mitford, Miss Sarah Stickney, Miss M. A. Browne, Miss
Jane Anne Porter, Dr. Ainslie, Capt. Marryatt, the Ettrick Shepherd,
&c., &c. Each of these have contributed one, and in some instances, two
papers, either in prose or poetry, from which it may be deduced that it
contains many amusing and eves articles. Altogether the
miscellany is extremely creditable to the Editor, Mr. Revis, we learn, of
Ludlow, in Salop, who to his editorial functions, has also distinguished
himself as a contributor.
In this collection, which is evidently assorted with much care, there is
scarcely an article which is not marked by some emanation of genius and
talent. The tale, by the Editor, intitled ‘‘ The Emigrants” is very in-
teresting, and is written with considerable ability, but as literary and
moral censors, we find much to condemn in the catastrophe. All ima-
ginative writing should be devoted to the high purpose of morality—there
should be no incentives held out to meanness and profligacy. A sensible,
modest and discreet heroine, therefore, such as Catherine Morton is de-
350 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
scribed, has no sympathy with the good, whatever may have been her
former sufferings, when she allies herself to a felon and a heartless liber-
tine, because she had known and loved him in his days of youth and
virtue. She might have assigned to him a weekly pittance to save him
from the degrading habits which extreme poverty engenders—but there
is a want of delicacy in a generous and high-minded female affiancing
herself to a coarse, depraved, and ruthless vagabond, whatever might
have been his warrantable pretensions before he had linked himself to
vice and infamy. ‘The good old mode of rewarding virtue and contemning
vice is, we think, the best dénouement for all tales of the imagination ;
it is more in consonance with sound reason and moral feeling, and teaches
a better lesson to the young and the thoughtless. The author must
have had some misgivings on this point, too, for when he had completed
this incongruous match, he is at a loss what to do with the happy pair,
being perfectly aware that they had placed themselves out of the pale of
respectable society, and had therefore no chance of spending a pleasant
honey-moon in their native country—after their marriage, therefore, he
starts them off, with all their kin, for America! Considered as a literary
composition only, we must, however, acknowledge, that the story of
‘«The Emigrants’’ is entitled to much commendation.
Lives and Portraits of the celebrated Women of all Countries. By the
Duchess of Abrantes. London: Bull and Churton. 1835.
We have, here, a work which professes to present us with ‘‘ the lives
and portraits of the celebrated women of all countries;” but instead of
being gratified with a portly volume in royal 8vo. closely printed in
double columns, like Gorton’s admirable ‘‘ Biographical Dictionary,”’ we
are actually served with a nutshell—a paltry duodecimo of 366 pages of
very fair-looking ‘‘ brevier,”’ enlivened with the ‘‘ sayings and doings”
of no fewer than sixteen ladies of celebrity!!! Forming a high esti-
mate of the fair, of their talents, their virtues, and genius—we open our
eyes in astonishment, and cannot but marvel what strange apathy stole
over the Duchesse d’ Abrantes and her gallant coadjutor the Count
Straszewics, when they wearied, yawned, and laid down their pens and
their labours thus prematurely. Surely some envious Merlin—some
wicked masculine elf,—jealous of the fame and glory of the feminine
half of our species—stealthily distilled ‘‘ poppy and mandragora” on the
eye-lids of its literary advocates, and lulled them into a treacherous
oblivion of duty. From the promising prospectus before us, we dis-
cover, first, that “‘women seemed doomed by the unjust silence of
biographers to be forgotten” (ungrateful pedants, we blush for ye!) ;
second, that the fair widow of Junot and the chivalrous Noble were
** long engaged in preparing to set forth the claims of women to cele-
brity ;” and third, that these writers intended to ‘‘ devote their future
labours to the biography of the celebrated women of ALu ages.” We
furthermore find that the collection was to “‘ present not only the moral
characters of the most distinguished females,” but likewise ‘‘ their
portraits,” and that for this purpose ‘‘ nearly all the public and private
galleries of Europe” were to be thrown open to the artists selected.
Indeed! and could the long labours of the assiduous defenders of the
gentler sex,—could their patient researches into the history of woman,
could the written and oral records of “‘ all ages and countries” supply
them with but sixteen females of celebrity ? or is it possible that a paucity
of materials for illustration occasioned the untimely decease of their
project ?—is it a fact that ‘‘all the public and private galleries of Europe”
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 351
are collectively enriched with no more than sixteen, eight pair of heads
of illustrious dames, and that the heads, thus limned for the gaze of
sterity, graced the shoulders of the following fair—‘‘ Maria Letizia
olini Bonaparte; Anna Zingha, Queen of Matamba; Lady Jane
Gray; Dona Catalina de Erauso; Beatrice Cenci; Catherine the First,
Queen of Russia; Ann Boleyn; Baroness de Stael Holstein ; Charlotte
Corday; Josephine Bonaparte; Mary the Catholic, Queen of England ;
Marina Mniszech; Christina, Queen of Sweden; Lady Mary Wortley
Montagu; Marie Antoinette ; Mary of Medicis.”
We are at fault in conjecture; the final paragraph of the prospectus
unriddles the riddle ; the Duchess and her amiable ally have evidently
not suffered from the narcotics of sorcery; they dreamt two or three
scores of numbers, but, with shame be it spoken, the community was
dead on the subject, and the publishers wound up their accounts with
the fourth. 'To speak in a graver style, we are sorry to see this palpable
lack of interest on the part of the public, because the work promised
well, the design was liberal and praiseworthy, and the matter would
have been fruitful in material for philosophical speculation on the moral
attributes of women. That the Ladies are decidedly censurable for not
supporting a work consecrated entirely to their honour, is an un-
questionable certainty ; but we fear—and with regret and surprise we
affirm it—we fear that they are generally too indifferent to that which
most intimately concerns the claims of their sex; few of them exhibit
any thing like a warm and heart-stirring sentiment on the subject,—so
few indeed, that while the majority were shopping at ‘‘ Howell and
James’s ;” popping in at Soho Bazaar; modestly keeping a stall at a
fancy fair; concerting new fashions; penning conundrums; consult-
ing their milliner, and deciding the fate of a riband, or the tint of a
flower, ‘‘The Lives of the celebrated Women of all Countries,” came
to a premature end at the age of four months. The Duchess wrote in
vain, and the Count turned over parchments and papers, and worm-
eaten MSS.—yet was fain to confess that ‘all is vanity and vexation of
spirit !” and a publication undertaken with energy, executed with grace,
feeling, and fidelity; correct in its sentiments, acute in remark, and
icturesque in detail, was suffered to create disappointment to both
ditor and Publisher. We trust that when—if ever—a similar work is
projected, the Ladies will come honestly forward, and do themselves
justice by a cheering encouragement of the same. The lithographic
heads are in excellent style.
A History of British Fishes. By William Yarrall, F. L. S. Illustrated
by wood cuts of all the species and numerous vignettes. Part II.
London : John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row.
To the Ichthyologist the above work, of which the third number has
but just made its appearance, must prove an agreeable and instructive
offering. Perhaps no second department of natural history has been so
partially investigated as that devoted to the inhabitants of the great deep,
and yet not any department is in truth more productive of material for
interesting analysis and remark. The appearance, organization and
habits of fishes are equally worthy of observation, and their picturesque
forms and beautiful colours have long rendered them favorite studies for
the easel: among the Dutch and Flemish painters were many who parti-
cularly excelled in their delineation; and we have seen some Chinese
June, 1835.—VOL. Il. NO. XI. 22
352 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
drawings of fish painted upon rice-paper with an accuracy, a delicacy
and high finish not to be satieaailt Mr. Yarrell is, evidently well
qualified for the task which he has undertaken, and he has come forward
in an admirable spirit to enlarge the circle of knowledge respecting the
natural history of fishes.
Mr. Yarrell’s descriptions are elaborate without being tediously mi-
nute, and his remarks evince a scientific intimacy with his subject: the
style in which they are conveyed is polished and agreeable, but probably
a degree more of animation and familiarity would enhance the pleasure
of a perusal by the general reader or the incipient Ichthyologist, to whom
the track should be rendered as facile and alluring as possible.
The illustrations, of which there are twenty-one in the number before
us, are given with a laudable regard to detail; they are cut in wood with
taste and singular delicacy; indeed for a publication designed for wide
circulation, where the impressions must consequently be numerous, it
would, in our opinion, be advisable to aim at more force, in order to
escape the peculiar disadvantage of worn and brokep-up blocks before
the requisite supply is obtained.* The necessity is obvious: Old Bowles,
the printseller of the ‘‘ Black horse,” in Cornhill, the early employer of
Hogarth, Laguerre, and a whole host of engravers, whose labours he pur-
chased at little more than the cost of the copper on which they worked,
was so sensible of the importance of ‘‘ depth” that on the commence-
ment of the process of corrosion, his usual cry was ‘“‘ Bite it in deep !”
and the completion of the same was sure to produce an eager inquiry
of ‘‘ Is it black ?” alluding to the state of the etching: from the latter
circumstance, this hard-fisted chapman in art, was, facetiously, designa-
ted ‘* Black Jack,” a soubriquet which adhered to him to the day of his
death. Now we do not wish the artist to sacrifice every thing to depth
for the sake of a multitude of impressions, but we caution him not to
lose sight of the fact that minute and very delicate cuts are not susceptible
of the ‘‘ wear and tear” of any but a very limited demand, and that his
professional reputation may suffer injury in consequence of an oversight.
The late Lord de Tabley, that munificent patron of British Art,
some years back, projected a magnificent series of illustrations of Brit-
ish ichuhyoloey: to be engraved in the line manner from original draw-
ings by the noble amateur himself; the descriptions were to have eman-
ated from the talented pen of W. Jerdan, Esq.; but the lamented
indisposition and subsequent demise of his Lordship, we believe,
unfortunately suspended the publication.
A History and Description of the late Houses of Parliament, and ancient
Palatial Edifices of Westminster. By John Britton and Edward W.
Brayley. Parts 1V.andV. London: John Weale, High Holborn.
By an Address inserted in the first of these numbers, it seems that
the spirited authors have lately obtained access to some important docu-
ments relating to the ancient Palace of Westminster; and as extensive
researches are now making among the national archives for further
authentic materials, they are anxious to avail themselves of such oppor-
tunities, in the hope of giving additional value and increased interest to
the work. The quantity of letter-press in these two numbers is in
* The plates for the Annuals are, invariably, wrought much deeper than is ac~
ceptable to the judgment of the connoisseur
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 353
consequence much diminished, but an assurance is held out that the
promised portion of literary matter will be strictly conceded as the
volume advances to completion. What is given, however, is extremely
interesting, having been derived almost wholly from the original docu-
ments belonging to the Office of the King’s Remembrancer of the Ex-
chequer, and from the Chancellor’s Roll of the 12th of King Edward
I. in the British Museum.
The following instances (among others) of infringement on the
privileges of the palace, in the reign of Edward II. with the awards
made in each case, are derived from the Placita and other rolls.
‘* In the King’s second year, Alice, the daughter of Nicholas le Ken, was sum-
moned to answer the complaint of Walter de Bedewynde, the Remembrancer of
the Exchequer, who had accused her of reviling him, by calling him “a thief, se-
ducer, and other opprobrious names,’ in the great hali at Westminster, and else-
where within the King’s Palace there, and which she denied. A jury of the court,
and of persons dwelling near the palace, was consequently impannelled;. and
having found that the insult was given ‘“‘upon the King’s Bridge of his palace at
Westminster,” they awarded damages to the amount of forty pounds.
** In the sixth year of Edward II., a court of the palace for pleas of the Crown—
‘Placita aule domini Regis de Corona’’—was held at Westminster, before Hugh
de Audley, steward and marshal of the king’s household, when John de Redinges
was arraigned for counterfeiting the king’s privy seal; but he alleged that he had
Sa, ie it of Edmund de Malo Lacu, the former steward, (who was also before
the court, ) for forty talents of gold, and judgment was in consequence given against
the latter. *
*< On the eve of Ascension day, in the 8th of Edward II. (anno 1315,) Thomas
de Gerdestan, Archdeacon of Norfolk, and one of his officers, were impleaded before
the king and his council, then sitting in parliament at;Westminster, for that they,
on the eighth of March preceding,—the king being then in his palace and holding
his parliament,—did cite oan de Barr, Countess of Warenne, she being then in at-
tendance on the queen consort inthe chapel of the said palace, to appear in the
church of St. Nicholas of Braheden, to make answer to Maud de Nerford, in a
cause of divorce between her and John Earl of Warenne. The fact having been
proved, the archdeacon and his officer were committed to the Tower.”
The embellishments in No. 4 are te of the south half of the
Crypt, and of the northern half of St. Stephen’s Chapel, drawn by
Billings, and engraved by Bellin; View of the Long Galery, in ruins,
looking north, drawn and engraved by T. Clark; View of the South
Walk of the Cloisters, drawn by Billings and engraved by Clark; and
View of the House of Lords, &c. after the fire, drawn by Billings, and
engraved by Woolnoth:—those in No. 5 are—St. Stephen’s Chapel,
Interior, looking east, drawn by Billings, and engraved by Le Keux ;
New House of Lords, drawn by Billings, and engraved by Clark ; New
House of Commons, drawn by Billings, and engraved by Taylor.
With the exception of the diminution of the letter-press, which is
sufficiently explained, and cannot be deemed an excuse for complaint,
this work fully maintains its high ground in all its departments, and we
see nothing to justify the slightest depreciating observation. When
finished, it will be a most interesting and valuable history.
* BA ** Additional Manuscripts” in the British Museum, Ayscough’s Catalogue, No.
4,486, fo. 52.
pe Vide Ryley’s * Placita Parliamentaria,” p. 543; and ‘ Cal. Rot. Patentium,” p. 75, 6:
edit. 1802.
354 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS,
Arboretum Britannicum; or the Hardy Trees of Britain, Native and
Foreign, pictorially and botanically delineated, &c. &c. by J. C.
Loudon, F.L.S., &c. No. 5. May, 1835. London: Longman
and Co.
The Magazine of Natural History, and Journal of Zoology, Botany,
Mineralogy, Geology, and Meteorology. May, 1835.
The Gardener’s Magazine. May, 1835.
The Architectural Magazine, and Journal of Improvement in Architecture,
Building, and Furnishing, &c. May, 1835. Conducted by J. C.
Loudon, F, L. 8., &c. London: Longman and Co.
These monthly publications have lost none of their usefulness and
value,—indeed, we are disposed to think that each succeeding number
lays claim to some new attraction. In the Arboretum Britannicum, we
observe a decided improvement in the execution of the plates. The
History and Geography of Trees in the British Islands is continued,
-with some information and anecdotes of an interesting character.—The
Magazine of Natural History, &c. contains some intelligent papers
written with considerable tact.—In the Gardener’s Magazine are various
communications on the gardening of Belgium and France, which are
well worthy of perusal; and a series of designs for laying out and
panting Flower Gardens, merit particular attention.—The Architectural
agazine is rich in its original articles. Amongst others is an able
paper on the elements and principles of Gothic Architecture, by Picton,
the Architect, embellished with many well-executed wood-cuts.
From the Arboretum Britannicum we select the following interesting
article :—‘‘ John Bartram, one of the most distinguished of American
botanists, was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1701. His
grandfather, of the same name, accompanied William Penn to this
country in 1682. John Bartram was a simple farmer ; he cultivated the
ground for subsistence, while he indulged an insatiable desire for botany.
He was self-taught in that science, and in the rudiments of the learned
languages, and medicine and surgery. So great, in the end, was his
proficiency in his favourite pursuit, that Linnzus pronounced him ‘the
greatest natural botanist in the world.’ He made excursions, in the
intervals of agricultural labour, to Florida and Canada, herborising
with intense zeal and delight. At the age of 70, he performed a journey
to East Florida, to explore its natural productions; ata period, too,
when the toils and dangers of such an expedition far exceeded those of
any similar one which could be undertaken at the present time, within
the limits of the United States. He first formed a botanic garden in
America, for the cultivation of American plants as well as exotics.
This garden, which is situated on the banks of the Schuylkill, a few miles
from Phaladelphia, still bears his name. He contributed much to the
gardens of Europe, and corresponded with the most distinguished
naturalists of that quarter of the globe. Several foreign societies and
academies bestowed their honours upon him, and published communica-
tions from him in their Transactions. John Bartram died in 1777, in the
76th year of his age. At the time of his death he held the office of
American botanist to George III. of England. He was amiable and
charitable, and of the strictest probity and temperance. (Encyc. Amer.)”
NEW PUBLICATIONS. 355
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC.
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION, BIRMINGHAM.
Ar this Institution a course of four lectures was commenced on the fourteenth of
May, by Mr. Wallace, ‘‘ On the mental faculties of man,’”’ exemplified by various
natural and experimental illustrations. The first lecture had a reference princi-
pally to sensations, as the primary source of intellectual power; but as the inferior
animals possess this faculty in a degree equal, or superior to man himself, the use of
language was referred to as his diminguistiay characteristic,—by which he was
enabled to reason, and thus have dominion over the inferior animals. An extract
was here read from a paper in the first volume of the ‘‘ Edinburgh Philosophical
Journal,” page 172, in which is contained an account of a boy born deaf and blind,
and who, being destitute both of a language of words and a language of signs, was
consequently incapable of exercising the reasoning faculty at all. The habits of
the inferior animals were exemplified by animal architecture,—as for instance, the
nests of birds, the abodes of ants and of bees, and the works of aquatic animals in
the formation of such substances as coral. These were stated to be always similar
in similar animals, and consequently always of one particular nature in the same
animals ;—-while the architecture, and fabrications of man, were altogether arbitrary,
and a dissimilar at various times, arising out of the arbitrary nature of language
itself,
In the second lecture, the construction of the human eye was explained, and the
commonly received opinion controverted, that the inverted pictures upon the retina
are the final causes of sensation within the eye. In place of this the lecturer con-
sidered the base of the optic nerve as the true seat of vision. The modifications of
structure in various eyes, and of conformation under various circumstances, were
illustrated by a hollow cube, and a hollow hemisphere of glass, filled with water, by
which it was shewn that the surfaces of all transparent media act in pairs, and that
they are acted upon by equal forces towards their centre, (in the transmission of
light), by which acentral optical plane is produced, where the images of objects
are uniformly suspended, and from which they are transmitted to the eye. This
being the case, the conflicting opinions of authors upon the subject of the varied re-
fraction of light, by the employment of denser or rarer mediums, were shewn to
result from fallacies originating in the modifications of the surfaces of hollow vessels,
when filled with them. This was explained to originate in the varied specific gra-
vities of these mediums, tending to curve the surfaces of the vessels,—as well as
the upper surface of the liquid or solid employed,—in greater or less degrees ; and
even in the formation of a foreign atmosphere, produced by the employment of such
light bodies as ether and phosphorus. Another cause of fallacy was said to arise
also from the nature of the eye itself, which, by rendering those parts of the vessel
employed, which are nearest the eye, greater (apparently) than those which are
more removed from it,-—according to the well known principles of perspective,—
creates a difference in the measure of the central plane, when that is compared
with either of the surfaces producing it,
NEW PUBLICATIONS,
From April 9 to May 9.
Baar geo Residence in China, &c. 1832- Alfred’s (King) Will, Saxon and English, gvo,
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Adventures of a Gentleman in Search of a Anderson’s Ballads, in the Cumberland Dia-
Horse, 12mo, 5s. 6d. lect, 32mo, 2s. 6d.
Aldine Poets, Vol. 33,(Butler, Vol. },)12mo0,5s. Auldjo’s Visit to Constantinople, 8vo, 10s. 6d.
Alfred’s (King) Anglo-Saxon Version of Boe- Badcock’s Journal Kept in Spain and Portu-
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Rev. S. Fox, 8vo, 10s. 6d.
356
Barlow’s (P.) Experiments on the Strength of
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Bennet’s (Sol.) Treatise on the Hebrew Lan-
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Blakston’s (John) Customs’ Sure Guide, sm.
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Blunt's Life of Christ, Part 2, 12mo, 5s. 6d.
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Cabinet (The); Essays, Moral and Literary,
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Caunters’s Lectures to Children on Gospel
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357
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PREFERMENTS,
PREFERMENTS.
The Rev. James Hargraves, A.M. Vicar
of Shenstone, to the valuable Rectory of
Handsworth, in the county of Stafford.—
The Rev. Wm. Marsh, M. A. Rector of St.
Thomas’s, Birmingham, has been inducted
into that living by the Rev. John Garbett,
M. A. Commissary to the Bishop of the
diocese.
MARRIAGES.
In Dublin, the Rev. G. Mac Neill, of Co-
lonsay, Argyll, nephew of the Earl of Gra-
nard, to Cecilia, daughter of the late C.
Maughan, Esq. of Harrington Hall, York-
shire, and Londonderry.—At the Catholic
Chapel, and afterwards at All Saints’, Mr.
John Durieux, Professor of Languages, to
Mary Christiana, only daughter of Mr.
Chapman, Worcester.—At Trinity Church,
Brompton, George Sheward, Esq. of Upton-
upon-Severn, Member of the Royal College
of Surgeons, in London, to Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Mr. William Mathews, of Brompton,
Middlesex.—At. St. James’s Church, Lon-
don, George Clive, Esq. youngest son of
E. B. Clive, Esq. of Whitfield, Herefordshire,
M. P. to Ann Sybella, second daughter of Sir
Thomas Farquhar, Bart., of St. James’s-
street, London.—At the Abbey Church, Great
Malvern, by the Rev. Dr. Card, Andrew
Morison, Esq. Surgeon, R.N. to Margaret
Wallace, eldest daughter of the late Colonel
MARRIAGES, &c.
Hugh Houstoun, Inspecting Field Officer of
the Forces in the Counties of Worcester,
Gloucester, and Hereford—At Cheltenham,
Robert Appleyard Fitz Gerald, Esq. only son
of William Fitz Gerald, Esq. of Geraldine,
near Limerick, to Isabella Caroline, eldest
daughter of Mrs. Stevenson, and grand-
daughter of the late James Poole, Esq. of
Hennor House, Herefordshire.—-At Wotton-
under-Edge, the Rev. K.H. Digby, second
son of Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Digby, K.C.B.
to Caroline, fifth daughter of Edward Shep-
pard, Esq. of the Ridge, in the county of
Gloucester.—At St. George’s, Hanover-sq.
the Rev. H. B. W. Hillcoat, D.D. to Cathe-
rine, youngest daughter of the late Francis
Pym, Esq. of The Hasells, Bedfordshire.—
At Newent, by the Venerable Archdeacon
Onslow, Robert Washbourne, Esq. Surgeon,
of Stroud, and late of the Hon. E.I. Com-
pany’s Service, to Sarah, fourth daughter of
George Hollister, Esq. of Newent.—At Wood-
chester, the Rev. James Williams Hatherell,
A. M. Rector of Eastington, to Eliza, eldest
daughter of the Rev. Dr. Williams, Rector of
Woodchester.—At Wimbledon, by the Rev.
H. Lindsay, Vicar of Croydon, the Rev.
Henry St. Andrew St. John, M. A. Vicar of
Addingham, in the county of Cumberland,
to Emily Murray Belcher, second daughter
of Andrew Belcher, Esq.—At Clifton, the
Rev. Henry Gray, of Almondsbury, and
fourth son of the late Bishop of Bristol, to
358
the Hon. Amilie Caroline Pery, third daugh-
ter of the late Viscount Glentworth, and
grand-daughter of the Earl of Limerick.—
At the Friends’ Meeting-house, Gloucester,
P. N. Edwards, of Bryn Lloyd, Radnorshire,
to Rebecca, daughter of John Shipley, of
Gloucester ; also, at the same time and place,
J. Sessions, of the Westgate-street, to Eliza,
youngest daughter of the said John Shipley.
BIRTH.
May 14th, at the Dowager Countess of
Coventry’s, Streatham, Surry, the Hon. Mrs.
W. Coventry, of a daughter, still born.
DIED.
Suddenly, at Kirby Mallory, Captain Rus-
sell, son of Lord William Russell, and ne-
phew to the Duke of Bedford.—At Sidmouth,
Retired Rear-Admiral George White, aged 74.
—At Blackheath, the Hon. Sir Arthur Kaye
Legge, K. C. B. Admiral of the Blue, in the
69th year of his age.—At Clifton, aged 74,
Joseph Seymour Biscoe, Esq.—At Dudley,
in the 66th year of his age, T. Brettell, Esq.
of the Tiled House, Kingswinford.—At Hay-
lands, Ryde, Isle of Wight, Walter Lock, Esq.
Vice-Admiral of the White, in his 79th year.
—At Strawberry Hill Cottage, Twickenham,
John Bull, Esq, Clerk of the Journals of the
House of Commons, in his 59th year.—At
Madeira, Elizabeth, only daughter of Lady
Arthur Somerset, and niece to the Duke of
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
Beaufort and the Earl of Falmouth, in her
25th year.—At Howth Castle, Almerica,
fourth daughter of the Earl and Countess of
Howth.—At Kidderminster, aged 82, Joseph
Crane, Esq. for 61 years Surgeon in that
borough.—At Cheltenham, Anna, wife of the
Rev. Richard Dickson, and sister to Sir W.
Chatterton, M, P.—At York Gate, Regent’s
Park, Captain Henry Kater, F. R. S. a gen-
tleman of very high scientific attainments.
—At. St. Sidwell’s, Exeter, after a lingering
‘illness, the Rev. George Sercombe Luke,
B. A. of Queen’s College, Oxford, aged 40.—
At Presteign, aged 45, Captain Matthew
Higgins, Adjutant to the Radnorshire Mili-
tia.—At Montpellier Parade, in Cheltenham,
Thomas Gray, Esq. in his 63rd year.—At
Tllington, near Uxbridge, in the 40th year of
her age, Alice, the wifeof Luke Minshall,
Esq. Solicitor, Bromsgrove.—At Woolescote
Hall, near Stourbridge, Mrs. Brettell, of Bar-
bourne Terrace, near Worcester, relict of R.
Brettell, Esq. formerly of Foster-lane, Lon-
don.—At Marl Hill Cottage, Carisbrook, Isle
of Wight, Captain Charles Blomer, formerly
of Pershore, Worcestershire.—After a long
illness, in his 72nd year, Jeremiah Hawkins,
Esq. of the Haw, Gloucestershire: a gen-
tleman well known in that and the adjacent
counties.—In Dawson-street, Dublin, after
along and painful illness, which she bore
with that cheerfulness and pious resignation
which might have been expected from her
writings and her character, Mrs. Hemans.
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
Barometer. | Thermometer Remarks.
April | Morn. | Even. | Max. | Min, Day. Night. Wind.
1 | 29.268 | 29.255 | 61 48 Fine, brisk wind Fine s.
2 | 29.230 | 29.135 | 62 50 Fine, shower, thunder | Showers s,
3 | 29.185 | 29.316 | 57.5 | 42.5 | Clds, showrs, and d. th. | Cloudy S. E.
4 | 29.490 | 29.500 | 50 47 Cloudy, light rain Cloudy 8. E.
5 | 290.563 | 29.680 | 50.5 | 47 Cloudy, mizzling rain {| Cloudy s.
6 | 29.708 | 29.735 | 58 47 Fine, sun, and clouds | Fine Ss.
7 | 29.745 | 29.710 | 58 46 Fine, sun, and clouds | Fine Ss.
8 | 29.685 | 29.615 | 60.5 45.5 | Sun, fine, windy Fine Si
9 | 29.580 | 29.510 | 58 50 Clouds and wind Fine W. high
10 | 29.600 | 29.695 | 56 40 Fine, cold wind Fine N.W.
11 | 29.740 | 29.730 | 50 39.5 | Fine, clouds,and sun /| Fine N.E.
12 | 29.670 | 29.579 | 58 40 Sun, very fine Fine S. E.
13 | 29,562 | 29.530 | 58 43 Fine, light clouds Fine Ss.
14 | 29.530 | 29.430 | 61 41 Fine, sun, hazy Fine 3;
15 | 29.305 55 30.5 | Fine, cold afternoon Fine and frost | N. W.
16 | 29.605 | 29.595 | 47 28! | Fine,sun, very cold Very sh. frost | N.
17 | 29.605 | 29.600 | 42 31.5 | Fine, very cold Littleshowers | N, E.
18 | 29.460 | 29.480 } 50 37.5 | Cloudy, fine, little rain | Rain N. W.
19 | 29.680 | 29.800} 51 42 Cloudy, fine, and rain | Cloudy, fine | Calm W.
20 | 29.835 | 29.840] 54° 45.5 | Fine, clouds, and sun | Cloudy, fine | Calm
21 | 29.830 | 29.805 | 57 47.5 | Fine, clouds, andsun | Fine W.N. W.
22) 29.850 | 29.895 | 58 42.5 | Fine, cool wind Cloudy, fine |N. W,
23 | 29.670 | 29.820} 56.5 | 46 Cloudy, cold Cloudy, fine . W.
24 | 29.805 | 29.660} 57 42.5 | Fine, sun, and cloud Fine N. W.
25 | 29.580 | 29.235; 53 37 Fine, sun, and cloud Fine a
26| 29.168 | 29.046; 47 30 Fine, sun, lt.sn,showrs | Fine, sh. frost | N. E,
27 | 29.000 | 29.117; 49.5 34 ©] Fine, sun, andcloud Fine N.E.calm
28 | 29.206 | 29.285} 48.5 36 Fine, sun, and cloud Fine N,E.
29 | 29.195 | 29.085} 50 41.5 | Fine, cloud, high wind | Heavy rain N.E. high
30} 28.945 | 29.000} 44 42 Rain Rain o Be
Mean Max. 54.0 41.3 mean Min.
Malvern, May, 1835.
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NOV 1916:
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THE
GARDENER'S MAGAZINE;
CONDUCTED BY .
J.C, LOUDON, F.L.S.. &e.
No. LVL, for January, 1835, commences a New Series, which will be
1,
2.
3.
6.
continued MONTHLY, at 1s. 6d.
THE NEW FEATURES IN THE SERIES ARE—
Pomological Notices ; or Notices of all the New Hardy Fruits de-
serving of cultivation, as their respective merits become known.
Olitonal Notices; or Notices of all the New Culinary Vegetables
deserving a place in Kitchen Gardens.
Arboricultural Notices ; or Notices of all the newly introduced Trees
and Shrubs, whether adapted for the Forest, the Park, the Shrubbery, |
or the Pleasure Ground.
The Floricultural Notices are continued as before, with additional
matter, connected with the Culture of Flowers.
. The Series of Kitchen Gardens, and that of Gardener’s Houses in the
Classical Style, were completed in No. LXI., for April last; when
a Series of Designs for Flower Gardens, and one of Gardener’s Houses,
in the Old English Style, were commenced.
After the Series of Flower Gardens, and that of Gardener’s Houses
in the Old English Style, are completed, a Series of Designs for
Shrubberies and Pleasure Grounds, and one for Ornamental Garden
Buildings will be commenced.
7. A Series of Designs for Parks, Farms, §c. will follow ; ae
8. A Series of Designs for laying out the Grounds of Country Residences
of every degree of extent from one perch to 1000 acres.
Also, by the same Author,
THE MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY,
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“THE ANALYST:
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE FINE ARTS.
(Published by Simphin; Marshall & Co., London: Price 1s. 6d.)
CONTENTS.—No. VIL.
_ Memoir on the Geology of the Vale of @vesham—The Switch, or Maid of
Kendal, by Wm. Carey, Esq.—An. Outline of the British Mustelade, by Shirley
Palmer, M. D,—Sonnet on the North Hill, Malvern—On Quizzing, by C. L.
E.’ P.—The King’s Guard Chamber, Windsor Castle—Sir Pettronell Flash—
Charles II.—To Charlotte—An Account. of an Extraordinary Meteor, by W.
Addison, Esq. F. L. S.—Reviews of Prints and Illustrated Works—The Minia-
ture—Critical Notices of New Publications—Literary and Scientific—List of.
New Publications—Literary Intelligence—Preferments, Marriages, Births, and
Deaths— Meteorological Report. ; :
No. VIII:
Kenchurch Court, Herefordshire, by Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, K. H.—Re-'—
marks on the’ Aranea Diadema, or Garden Spider—The Suicide—Sketch of a
Visit to Malvern—Letter to ‘the Editor—Anecdote—Lord Coke—Sir Henry ©
Spelman—To a dear Friend—Remarks on the Age and Architecture of the Ca-
thedral Church of Worcester, with-suggestions for its reparation—An Evening
Meditation—Female Education—Appearances—Translation, Sophoclis Anti-
gone, 1. 177—Critical Notices of New Publicatiois—Literary and Scientific— ~
List of New Publications—Literary Intelligence—Preferments, Marriages,
Births, and Deaths—Meteorological Report. ie:
No. IX.
On the Culture of the Vine in England in former Periods—Lines on Spring—
Remarks 6n the Art of multiplying Impressions from: Engraved Surfaces—Sonnet. —
—Lionel Lackland—Invocation to Spring——Heriots;, Reliefs—Poetesses—Letter
to the Editor, from Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq,—Lines written by the Hon.
Law—Reviews of Prints and Illustrated Works—Lines addressed to Ludlow
Castle—Critical Notices of new Publications—Literary and Scientific—List of
New Publications—Literary Intelligence—Preferments, Marriages, and Deaths—
Meteorological Report, Sante . ;
No. X.
A- Comparison between the Climates of Great Malvern and London—Lionel
Lackland (continued from p. 171)—Lines to a Lady—On making the English
Generic Names of Birds correspond to the Latin ones—Lectures on Geology, in
Illustration of the Strata in the Neighbourhood of Birmingham, by Ogier Ward, ~
M.D.—Stanzas: God Bless Thee—On the Characteristics of Trees, by Edwin
Lees, Curator of the Worcestershire Natural History Society—Critical Notices of
New Publications—Literary and Scientific—New Patent: Reclining Cylinder
Bedstead—List of New Publications—Literary Intelligence—Marriages, Births,
and Deaths—Meteorological Report.
bg
ERRATA. a
Page 238, line 12, and p. 239, 1. 33, for ‘ Tringilla” and ‘Tringillide,” read
“‘ Fringilla”’ and ‘ Fringillide.”’ .
Page 239, 1.5 from the bottom, for “Grey Snowflake, Nyctea cinerea, mihi,”
read ‘‘ Great Toad-eater’’ only. ms
ft
Chalk & Holl, Printers, Worcester.
—
All are extinguished! the sweets of that transitory existence
are over—life has been ended ere well begun.
I ought here to mention the Phryganide—whose larve inhabit
very singularly constructed mansions made of leaves, sticks, and
even shells, with their inhabitants within them. Here, too; we
have a geological link werthy attention; for Mr. Lyell mentions
a rock of fresh-water lime-stone in Auvergne, France, composed
entirely of the cases of a large species of Phryganea, which
“‘ swarmed in the Eocene lakes of Auvergne.”* The cases are of
course abandoned when the pertect insect ceases to be.a “ lady of
the lake,” and leaying her singularly formed boat, becomes
thenceforth a denizen of the air. ' : |
The transformations of insects have been considered if not to
indicate a change in the nature of man, yet as shadowing forth
the possibility of our future state being exceedingly dissimilar to
our present one, without altogether losing sight of our identity,
The larva of the gnat breathes as I have shown by a very dif-
ferent apparatus to that of the perfect fly, and although man
now finds a rare atmosphere unfitted for his existence, we may
easily conceive that when the necessity for a material habitation
for the soul is at an end, we may have powers allotted us of
which we can have now but a very imperfect idea; but with
these powers, whatever they may be, we shall assuredly retain
the faculty of memory. The wonderful economy and contrivance
insects display has been usually ascribed to a blind instinct, that
allows them no choice; but this appears to me to be incorrect,
Memory is generally allowed to the perfect insect, and why not
then to the animal in all its states?. This would in some measure
solve the mystery; and we.all know how powerful memory is in
early life. We can indeed, understand the instinct that. prompts
the infant to smile in its mother’s face, and seek the breast that
imparts its nutriment; but without memory no instinct would
enable a man to find out. the scenes of his early existence, or
induce him to return to the land of his birth. . Instinct, then, I
will allow, causes the young caterpillar to feed upon the leaf hig
parent has placed him upon; and the aquatic larva to swim in
the water in which he finds himself, and to partake of the food
* Lyell’s Principles of Geology, Vol. 4, p. 100. 3rd edit.
July, 1835.—VoOL. H. NO, XII. 3H
412 SKETCHES OF INSECTS, &c.
he sees before his view; but a stronger impulse, I infer, must
lead the butterfly to leave the flowers for the nettles; the bee to
construct her cells with laborious care; and the gnats and other
insects which float in air to lay their eggs in that water which would
be fatal to their own existence. This faculty I presume to be
memory, or a near approximation to it, andif we admit that the
insect in its perfect state, remembers its former adventures, it
must necessarily infer that its own progeny will have to pass
through the same vicissitudes.
I had intended to enter upon a review of the various systems
of Entomology proposed by learned investigators, descanting upon
their several merits, and recommending those best adapted to
practical purposes; it is perhaps fortunate for me that I have not
now either time or space for the purpose—since systematists
rarely forgive any attack upon their favourite structures.—I
therefore recommend the student, to think, read, judge, and act
for himself, taking the benefit of whatever systems he may find,
and concoct a new one for himself if he should think such a
project advisable. It will be well, if he do build a hive, that no
rude bear overturns it for him. 7
And now, is it possible, that after flying about like an insect
among meteors in the air, and amid forests and flowers ;—that
my own flight must at last cease? Yes, sad to say, I must be now
_ pinned down and consigned to the cabinet.— Well, then, as I
can buzz on easy wing no more, permit me, fair readers of the
Analyst, for such there are, to droop my antenne before you in
token of a last adieu. For your bright eyes I exist no longer—
if we do meet again it will be on other ground—in other climes.
We have met among fragrant flowers—we have held converse
beneath the broad canopy of aged trees, who could have told us
of others who had sought that sweetly solemn shade before us, and
dreamed as we have dreamed. All-is over—we must dream no
more. We have gazed together upon the midnight sky—nought
disturbed us but the breeze rustling the topmost boughs of the
elms—as we gazed upon meteors flashing silently in the deep
blue zenith, no sound met our listening ears—for the Nightin-
gale had flown southward, and the watch-dog slept. Man and all
his busy schemes lay fora moment in abeyance—if then but for
a moment, Nature charmed us when her voice awoke not,
let us seek her shrine—we may part for ever here—let us again
meet there and mingle our orisons. To you, grave and learned
votaries of science, if such have glanced over my remarks, pardon,
my aberrations—excuse those fanciful allusions, which I have
perhaps indulged in with too unrestrained a license. In this
respect I must take my own course, and wander like the brook—
to sleep beneath the hanging wood, or dash careless in the rocky
rapids. I shall at last, perhaps, with steadier aim approach with
broader waters the ocean where all our efforts terminate. If so,
we shall meet again—perhaps graver and sadder, to con over our
mutual labours—if not, why then “this parting was well made.”
413
REMARKS ON PHRENOLOGY, AS APPLIED TO
EDUCATION.
* Seek you to train your fav’rite boy ?
Each caution, ev’ry care, employ ;
And, ere you venture to confide,
Let his preceptor’s heart be try’d ;
Weigh well his manners, life, and scope ;
On these depend thy future hope,”
Epvcation has always received a large share of attention from
philosophers, and everything has been tried which the learned, the
eloquent, and the experienced could suggest for its facilitation.
How is it then, it may be asked, that while machinery, rail-roads,
and steam-packets have been brought to so high a degree of per-
fection, that the art of developing the human faculties should have
baffled human ingenuity for the last two thousand years? ‘The
answer is easy—the philosophy of the mind has not been under-
stood. A new era has now, however, commenced, which may be
dated from the discovery of Gall, and the dissemination of the
fruits of his observation, in 1796. This discovery—this invaluable,
unparalleled discovery—has been ridiculed, derided, trampled on—
its expounders have been loaded with every degrading epithet the
most unlicensed vocabulary could furnish ; they have been insulted,
reviled, and calumniated—not merely by small witlings, and press
hacks, but by names which adorn the temple of Fame ; and yet the
science is at this moment more flourishing than ever—the united
efforts of learning, wit, and eloquence have been and ever will be
ineffectual to pull it down. In spite of every interested effort of
the ignorant and the prejudiced to retard its progress, it is “ gra-
dually winning its way into general] respect and admiration,’’* ‘
The first consideration is whether phrenology be founded in
truth. No unprejudiced person who has read the highly interest-
ing and valuable work of Dr. Gall,f and made observations of his
own, can have any doubt upon this point. It only remains, there-
fore, to discover in what way it can be applied to our advantage,
Not long ago, hearing a friend talk scornfully of phrenology, I re-
marked that if it bestowed no other advantage on the human race
it would render education much easier and more profitable to the
pupil, To which he rejoined, “I do not see that.” What should
* See page 336.
+ “Sur les Fonctions du Cerveau,” 6 vols. 8vo., 1822. To those who have not
leisure for such minute details I should recommend the ‘‘ System of Phrenology” by
George Combe, now in the third edition. As the best work on education with which
Iam acquainted, I should recommend Simpson’s “ Popular Education’”—a work
which is, as Leigh Hunt remarks, indispensable to every lover of his species who
can afford to purchase it.
414 REMARKS ON PHRENOLOGY.
we think of the farmer who maintained it to be useless knowledge
to be conversant with what kinds of grain or roots would thrive im
such and such soils! Andif this kind of knowledge is universally
admitted to be useful, nay indispensable, of what vital importance
must it be for teachers to know what kinds of instruction may be
given with the greatest advantage to each pupil, for they may rest
assured that “as they sow so shall they reap.”
It is an axiom in phrenology, that it is impossible to create any
faculty—all that the teacher can do is to strengthen those which his
pupil possesses. Thus phrenology is of inestimable value in
indicating those faculties which are very defective. These being
ascertained, the teacher wilf avoid the irksome task of attempting
to drag the pupil after him in subjects with which Nature never
intended him to be proficient. The “ Phrenological Journal” con-
tains an account of a girl who bad no taste for music. Notwith-
standing this defect masters were employed to teach her the art ;
great pains were taken, but without success ; music was not only
indifferent to her, but absolutely painful; the finest chorusses of
Handel, the swelling peals of the organ, the thrilling harmony
of the orchestra, all produced distressing sensations. In this
instance the organ of harmony was very deficient, and therefore it
was a folly to attempt to impart a taste for music.
- But if the organ instead of being very deficient, is moderately
developed, it is advisable to cultivate it, and, by judicious manage-
ment, to strengthen aud enlarge it. The pupil, of course, will not
advance so rapidly as he who has the faculty strong, but the phre-
nologist will at once perceive the reason, and will see the folly of
uvishing the tyro for his comparatively slow progress, and making
invidious comparisons between him and his more fortunate com--
panions. This system of making comparisons is a most baueful
but a very common practice, in the routine of teaching. It is
baneful in relation to the pupil compared, as tending to rouse his
animal propensities ; it wounds his self-esteem, and his approba-
tiveness, which in their turn arouse combativeness and destruc-
tiveness, to be revenged on the favourites of the teacher; and if
the boy happens to be younger or weaker than those whom the
injudicious conduct of the master has rendered objects of envy and
jealousy, secretiveness will be called into play, in order to obtain
that revenge by stealth which would be impracticable openly. And
it is baneful with regard to those with whom he is compared, as
unduly encouraging their self-esteem and approbativeness, and
puffing them up in their own conceits, and teaching them to be
proud of (what is no merit of theirs) having superior powers.
Superior powers of mind spring from a superior organization
of brain—and surely no one will maintain this to arise from any
merit in the possessor; the original size of the brain and confor-
mation of the head are produced by circumstances before birth,
over which the owner had no control.
We thus see what a number of opposing faculties are called into
action by the ignorance of those who ought to “ train up a child in
REMARKS ON PHRENOLOGY. 415
the way he should go,” but who too often adopt a different course.
Even if the above-mentioned plan of making comparisons were
productive of beneficial results in an intellectual point of view, the
moral evils engendered thereby would render it unjustifiable. But
when, as the phrenologist knows, it is mischievous both ways, and
is unproductive of a single counterbalancing advantage, the amount
of evil produced is incalculable.
I think it may safely be affirmed that if a pupil does not advance
in his studies, or does not advance so quickly as is expected, the
fault is never hisown. ‘This assertion will, no doubt, startle many
persons, and more particularly teachers, but it admits of proof, and
I shall here give a quotation in point from the ‘ Parenological
Journal :” “ A man believes that three times three are nine, in con-
sequence of his faculty of number perceiving the relations of these
quantities ; but if in him the organ be very small, and the faculty
in consequence weak, he may have great difficulty in finding out
how many fourteen times nineteen are. Suppose we wish to con-
vince him that the amount is two hundred and sixty-six, we must
lay before him the simplest elements of the calculation, and advance
step by step till he see it as we do. If he fail in attaining the right
result after all our pains, the proper inference is either that we
have not been sufficiently explicit in our demonstration, or that his
faculty of number is so weak as not to be able to comprehend the
computation, If the first has been the cause, we must bear the
blame ourselves ; if the second, we ought to avoid in future placing
that individual in a situation where the power of calculation is
necessary to the discharge of his duties; but in neither view is it
proper to scold him for the disappointment that we meet with.”*
If teachers were generally impressed with views like these, what a
different thing education would be, both to master and scholar !
But, unhappily, it is otherwise. The former is too apt to cloak his
incapacity for teaching by pronouncing the latter to be incapable or
unwilling to learn. But, it will be said, there are cases in which
wilfulness and obstinacy on the part of the pupil really exist. I ad-
mit that there are, but a skilful teacher, by firm yet mild treatment
will be able to snbdue and eradicate this unhappy disposition, or
else it results from the organization of the boy, in which case he is
not responsible. I should suppose this kind of conduct to result
from over-large self-esteem, combativeness,t destructiveness, and
firmness, with perhaps small conscientiousness; and it is as
impossible for a person with this organization, (especially if the
intellectual and moral organs be moderate) to be otherwise than
naturally haughty, quarrelsome, riotous, and obstinate, as for
another with those organs small to be otherwise than meek,
peaceable and yielding. 1 contend, therefore, in every case in
which the pupil remains stationary, or advances but slowly, the
.
* Vol. IIT., page 310.
- st Mr. Cox proposes to call this organ Opposiveness. See an excellent article of
his on the subject, in the “ Phrenological Journal,” No. 42, (vol, IX., p. 147:)
416 REMARKS ON PHRENOLOGY.
cause must be referred either to the ignorance of the teacher, or to
the mal-organization of the pupil's brain.
I have given an example in which the non-progression of the
pupil was referable to a deficiency in organization ; for the girl
alluded to had excellent teachers, and an excellent disposition. I
shall now give an instance in which the fault rests with the
instructor. Out of the very many examples which I could give,
both from reading and from observation, I shall select one from
No. IV. of the “ Phrenological Journal,” a quarterly periodical of
great ability and sound views, replete with amusement, interest, and.
instruction. ‘The subject of the second article is a boy of an active
spirit, combined with much good-nature. ‘‘ When sent to school,
tu learn to read, he made little progress; and afterwards, when an
attempt was made to teach bim Latin, he stood absolutely still.
His father and-mother were almost in despair lest he should turn
out destitute of capacity for any liberal pursuit. As a last resource
they sent him to board with a celebrated teahcer in the country ;
but here he made as little progress as before; he could not be
brought to comprehend a single rule of Latin, and scarcely was
able to master three sentences of French; in geography and
arithmetic he was very little more successful. In this state of
matters Dr. Spurzheim arrived in this country, and a gentleman
who attended his lectures imagined that the case might not be so
hopeless as was conceived, He examined the boy's head, and’
declared that the mystery was cleared up. He found the organ of:
language very decidedly deficient, and the perceptive organs in
general not large; while the reflecting organs were far above an
average in point of size, for that period of life. Combativeness he
found rather small, while cautiousness, conscientiousness, self-
esteem, love of approbation, firmness, adhesiveness, benevolence,
and ideality were all amply developed, and destructiveness was not.
deficient. He advised, therefore, that the youth should be taken
from school, and sent for three or four years to learn the trade to
which it was intended to bring him up, and that, thereafter, at the
age of seventeen or eighteen, his education should be begun anew.
This was accordingly done, and with the happiest effects. His
studies were now directed entirely according to his development. He
was absolved at once from all drudgery with Greek and Latin,
He set to master the French language, and could read a French
author with facility. His other studies were geography, algebra,
and mathematics, and in these also he now took pleasure, and
stated distinctly that he saw the principle and application of them.
His next course was chemistry, natural history, natural philosophy,
and anatomy ; and the pleasure with which he followed the lectures
on these branches of knowledge, was intense, and his improvement
proportionately great.”
To this imperfect outline of the interesting article 1 would gladly
subjoin the highly sensible and instructive remarks of the youth
himself, describing his feelings before and after his acquaintance
with phrenology, but must omit them for want of space. How-
REMARKS ON PHRENOLOGY. Aly.
ever, I earnestly entreat all those who take any interest in the
improvement of the human mind, to turn to the first volume of the
“ Phrenological Journal,” page 505, where the original article will
be found.
The small progress made, in this instance, by the boy under his
first course of training, was clearly referable to the want of tact in
those who ought to have been his instructors, And had it not
been for the new lights afforded by phrenology, they would have
proceeded in the same track of irksome labour to themselves, and
‘unutterable anguish to the pupil.
An individual who has been entrusted for many years with the
education of a large family, on being asked by a lady whether he
was a believer in phrenology, after much hesitation answered—
“ Why—why, Madam, I’m wavering.” By his expression at the
time it was easy to see that he was ashamed to confess the plain
truth that he was opposed to phrenology. There are some minds
naturally so warped and contracted that they cannot see phrenolo-
gy in any other light than as a “lump and bump” affair ; to which
class the person above alluded to belongs.
The following sound advice, given to teachers in general, is
extracted from an excellent little work on education, by Mr. Abbot,
whose views on this subject are perhaps as perfect as views on
education possibly can be without the illuminating influence of
phrenology ;—“ Never get out of patience with dulness. Perhaps
I ought to say never get out of patience with anything. That would
perhaps be the wisest rule. But above all things, remember that
dulness and stupidity—and you will certainly find them in every
school—are the very last things to be out of patience with. If
the Creator has so formed the mind of a boy, that he must go
through life with difficulty, impeded by obstructions which others
do not feel, and depressed by discouragements which others never
know, his lot is surely hard enough without your adding to it sar-
casm and reproach.”*
How very common it is to hear parents and masters, when
a pupil is backward, exclaim and repeat with great emphasis,
“There must be the will—nothing to be done without the will.”
True, very true; but how is the will to be got. It seems to me
that the asserters of these profound truths expect their pupils, by
some magic, to become anxious to acquire that which is naturally
distasteful and repulsive to them—or perhaps they think that the
frequency of the repetition will impart this indispensable “ will.”
However that may be, it is certain that they expect the pupil of his
own accord to gain this much desired will, and, like all those who
found their expectations on false grounds, they always have been
and always will be disappointed. Those who are naturally idle are
no more to be reproached for that failing, than the studious are to
be lauded for their diligence. All that the master has to do is to
* The “ Teacher,” p. 124. ,
418 YO FRIENDSHIP.
increase the power and activity of such organs as are naturally
sluggish, to bridle and repress those which are naturally too strong
and active, and to direct such as are likely to go astray. But there
is certainly no room for praise when a pupil has a relish for his
studies, any more than if he has a relish for an apple tart; the
studies are pursued with avidity for the same reason that the apple
tart is swallowed with satisfaction—namely, the pleasure which it
yields. In the same way, if a person is very obliging and compas-
sionate, his acts of benevolence do not properly admit of praise,
inasmuch as they are rewarded by an innate pleasure arising from
the very act of doing good implanted in him by his Creator ; and
what is there to praise in the act of procuring for oneself pleasure?
That delightful ornithologist, Wilson, seems to have understood
this; speakiug of the motives which induced him to undergo the
perils, toils, and hardships, of his romantic ornithological tours in
North America, and to undertake an extensive and laborious work
on ornithology, he says— Biassed, almost from infancy, by a
fondness for birds, and little else than an enthusiast in my
researches after them, I feel happy to communicate my observa-
tions to others, probably from the mere principle of self-gratification,
that source of so many even of our most virtuous actions.’—Introduc-
tion to “ American Ornithology.” If instead of saying so many, he
had said all, he would have spoken the whole truth.
The benefit conferred on the human race by the dissemination
of phrenology, is like the refreshing and reviving influence of some
great river overflowing and irrigating the surrounding meadows,
which were beginning to become parched, like the mighty Nile dis-
persing its enriching favors far and wide. Its influence is as varied
as its scope is extensive, and in promoting all the advantages which
have sprung and will continue to spring from it till time shall be
no more, none will have contributed more than the third and
greatest triumvirate—Gatvt, Spurzuerim, and Comsg.
S. D. W.
June, 1835.
TO FRIENDSHIP.
Immortat Friendship, loveliest of those ties
That knit our fallen nature to the skies ;
Without thy influence, through the world we stray,
As the lone wanderer of a weary way,
Who seeks in vain for e’en an humble shed,
To rest his limbs, and ease his aching head.
So ’reft of thee no kindred breast we find
To share the burthen of a troubled mind,
No friendly word, no sigh responsive given,
No pitying tear, the kindly dew of heaven,
Till crush’d by sorrow, overcome by pain,
Breaks the sad heart, nor breaks to heal again.
419
ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF BIRDS.*
i was by no means surprised to perceive in the last number of the
Analyst, that my proposed alteration (though a very slight one) in the
English nomenclature of birds, was considered objectionable by your
correspondent. I am well acquainted with the views of Mr. Strickland
on this subject from his paper in the Magazine of Natural History,
which; in my opinion, does not contain one sound argument in favor of
his statements. On this occasion I shall confine my remarks to his
paper in the Analyst.
r. Strickland says, at p. 317, that the English names of birds “ are
consecrated by usage as much as any other part of the English language,+
and consequently when we speak of an Hedge Sparrow we are much
more likely to be understood than if we call it an Hedge Dunnock,
though I willingly admit that it is unscientific to give the same
generic name to an accentor and a passer.” I am sorry that Mr. S.
belongs to that unimproving class who consider that ‘‘ whatever is, is
right.” If every one were of the same opinion, the world would never
advance. As to the name Hedge Sparrow being better known than
Hedge Dunnock (although the bird goes by the latter name in many
parts of England), that is possible enough ; but it is the business of the
scientific Naturalist to reform thesé abuses, and to substitute proper —
names for those which are erroneous and unscientific. Why Natural
History should be doomed to possess so loose and unscientific a nomen-
clature, while that of all other sciences is so exact and precise, I am
really at a loss to determine. I remember that when I first entered on
the study of Ornithology, I actually supposed the ‘‘ Bull Finch” to be
a true Finch ;{ and is this to be wondered at? I had heard that every
bird hada generic and a specific name, and, therefore, it was quite
natural to conclude that the generic name indicated the genus to which
the species belonged ; how grievously I was mistaken, the works of any
modern Ornithologist will amply testify.
The number of naturalists (field naturalists especially) is now so
great, that were the proper English names given in all standard orni-
thological works, the multitude would insensibly follow in the steps of
the professor. For the amateur naturalist would use in common con-
versation such names as they had been accustomed to meet with in
books. Thus the name Gallinule has now almost wholly superseded the
absurd name ‘‘ Water Hen.” The naturalist should direct the multi-
tude, and not the multitude the naturalist.
If Mr. S. objects to my name Hedge Dunnock, what will he say to
that used by Selby, in his masterly work the Illustrations of British Or-
_ nithology ; in both first and second editions that excellent naturalist
calls this bird the Hedge Accentor. Now, although there is no scientific
error in this name, yet it is, in my opinion, too pedantic for common
use. Selby seems rather partial to using latin names in English; thus he
has, the Egyptian Neophron ( Neophron percnopterus), the Swallow-tailed
Elanus (Elanus furcatus) the Goldcrested Regulus (Regulus auricapillus), the
* In answer to Hugh E. Strickland, Esq. Vol. II. p. 317.
+ A gradual change is constantly effecting in every part of the English language.
} This is a general opinion amongst the vulgar. See Johnson’s Dict, for a
inition of ‘‘ finch.’
July, 1835.—voOL. Il. NO. XII. 31
x
a |
420 ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF BIRDS.
Hedge and Alpine Accentors (Accentor modularis and A. Alpinus), &e. -
It is evident enough that there is no essential objection to any of these
names; still, however, it is probable that the generality of those who
read works on natural history, would not adopt them. But who can
object to the name Whiteheaded Forktail (Elanus sascuephalie, mihi), or
to the beautiful and expressive name Kinglet (Regulus) :
Even supposing that the science of Ornithology did ‘‘ not suffer b
this incorrect (and Mr. S. allows it to be incorrect) application of Englis
names,” yet the difficulties thus placed, unnecessarily, in the way of the
student, would sufficiently warrant the change of the names. Anything
loose or unscientific is totally inadmissible in science. Science is surely
sufficiently abstruse in itself, without heaping upon it inaccuracies which
render it ten times more difficult! But to proceed.
Mr. S. observes that ‘‘ the first and most important requisite in scientific
terms is that they should be universally adopted, and hence the fathers
of Natural History have wisely employed the Latin language as the source
of their nomenclature, being generally understood by the learned among
all civilized nations.” . It is certainly very important that scientific terms
should be generally adopted, but before names become well known, the
newly proposed one might be followed by the old and Linnean name.
It is essential to the improvement of Ornithological science that names
—Latin as well as English—he frequently altered ; for when a new sys-
tem is proposed—and there are now few who advocate the Linnean
system—new names must necessarily be introduced, and as new systems
are always propounded in works which it is essential for every scientific
Naturalist to possess, there would be no fear of the names not being
sufficiently known.
I by no means advocate—as Mr. S., seems to think—the substituting
English for Latin names, but merely wish to effect a reform in the for-
mer, which has long been most grievously wanted. ‘To say that ‘‘ the
science of Ornithology does not suffer by this incorrect application of
English names,” is evidently erroneous, and requires no comment from
me. Mr. S. also speaks of ‘“‘changes which are certain not to be uni-
versally adopted.”* One or two instances will prove the groundlessness
of this assertion; Cinclus aquaticus was formerly invariably called the
Water Ouzel, and the Pipits (Anthus) were termed Larks or Titlarks ;
now, however, the former receives the name of Dipper, and the latter of
Pipit, in Ornithological Works ; and rarely do we now meet with the old
names in the Natural History periodicals of the day. It is unnecessary
to multiply instances.
The whole use of a system is, to facilitate the acquirement of Natural
History ; consequently this system should be as simple, and as free from
errors as possible, in every part. ‘This is a proposition which, I think, no
one will deny, and I consider that the slight alteration in English
nomenclature, proposed by me in a former number, greatly conduces to
this important a If I wished the science to remain stationary, then
indeed I should say, leave the names as they are.
Temminck and Stephens, as stated in a former paper, are amongst
those Naturalists who have paid most attention to this subject, and I
have no doubt but that the generally correct nomenclature of the ‘* General
* Happily for the cause of science, our Ornithologists are not of the same
opinion as Mr.S. Thus Mudie gives the name Hedge Warbler to the Pettichaps ;
the translator of Bechstein’s Cage Birds uses the name Dunnock ; and Selby intro-
duces the following new names :—Longbeak (Macroramphus), Lobefoot (Lobipes),
bogey (Cursorius), Thicknee (Gdicnemus), Hareld (Harelda), Garrot (Clangula),
c. &c. &e.
FINE ARTS. 421
Zoology”? has greatly improved the English nomenclature of birds.
Whatever names are adopted in standard Ornithological Works will of
course be used by amateur Naturalists, and finally by the public. Selby
effected several good alterations in English nomenclature, but he seemed
to be labouring under the erroneous impression that giving proper names
would render his ‘‘ I/Justrutions” unpopular.
Leaving this subject to the consideration of your readers, let us just
glance at an article on ‘‘ Vernacular and Scientific Ornithological Nomen-
clature,” at p. 305. Not only are the principles inculcated in this paper
sound, but they are carried into practice in a manner which has never
before been equalled. The names there proposed are excellent, and
especially that of the Caprimulgus Europeus of Linneus. Your cor-
respondent proposes to name it the Fern Nightjar (Vociferator melolontha.)
This name is infinitely preferable to my name, V. Europeus, which,
besides being rather a vague and inexpressive specific name, is erroneous,
as there is another European species, the Rednecked Nightjar ( V. ruficollis,
| mihi; Caprimulgus ruficollis, Temm.) The generic name of Linnzus
and other authors was, however, what I most objected to. These
remarks having already extended to a greater length than I originally
intended, I here close my paper.
NEVILLE WOOD.
Foston Hall, Derbyshire, June 4, 1835.
FINE ARTS.
BY WILLIAM CAREY.
THe second Worcester Exhibition of the works of modern artists
opened on Monday, the 15th of June, at the Atheneum. The number
of paintings, drawings, and sculpture, is 228, of which only four are of
the class last mentioned. There are twenty-six London exhibitors, who
have contributed sixty-nine pictures and drawings. The twenty-six
Worcester candidates for public approbation have sent 104 of their per-
formances; four Pee elas exhibitors have six pictures; Pershore,
Leamington, and Cheltenham have added eight from three artists;
Bewdley eight, from a lady’s easel; Derby two, from one painter; an
Edinburgh professor one, and a foreign artist four, from France.
The show is highly to the honour of British genius, and there are,
altogether, fewer inferiorities than last year. It is true Lord Northwick
has not lent his powerful aid. ‘There is no production from the masterly
hand of Stanfield; no work of Roberts, the first painter of architectural
views in Europe ; nor is there anything from the inspired pencil of Etty,
three artists whose admirable specimens, with Frazer’s Antiquary and
Teniers in his painting-room, constituted a most attractive feature in last
year’s exhibition. ‘But then the works of Danby and M’Clise, two
professional giants, who did not contribute last year, are a tower of
strength in this exhibition. There is also a new and charming auxiliary
in Charles Landseer. Fewer portraits and pictures of horses, dogs, and
dead game are in this catalogue than are usual in the London and
provincial exhibitions. JI am grieved to see there are only five which
can be classed under the head of history. A taste for landscape takes
the lead ; but it is a passion for local views, in which the British artists
422 FINE ARTS.
have arrived at wonderful excellence. The higher order of landscape
composition is but little patronised, and, therefore, but little cultivated.
The muster of so many Worcester contributors is greatly to the credit
of their industry and honourable to their talents, although it cannot be
expected that all are equal, and there are a few very inferior, such as we ©
meet in all miscellaneous collections. Several of these candidates have
already deservedly acquired a local reputation, and many are on the
advance with a very favourable promise of speedy success. Their names,
with the amount and class of their works, will be an interesting docu-
ment for future reference, and I here insert it as such, without space,
time, or health to notice particular excellence. S. Cole has one portrait
(large, in oil); J. Clements six ditto in miniature; J. W. Slater four
ditto, some tinted on paper; Jos, Taylor one ditto, in enamel; T. Edg-
combe three local views ; Henry Hill nine ditto, and one landscape study ;
H. H. Lines two Baronial halls, and twelve local views; J. Oldnall one
ditto; Jos. Powell one landscape composition and nineteen local views ;
Wm. Wood six ditto; John Wood three ditto; J. Wood, Jun. two ditto;
E. L. Williams one ditto; H. Whiting one landscape composition; J.
Pitman a magpie entrapped, a buck’s head, and four of horses and dogs ;
H. Eginton two architectural designs; J. Riches one ditto ; J. Varden four
ditto. J. Stephens (I believe the only resident sculptor) four busts.
An impartial examination of these 104 performances is well worthy atten-
tion to show the state of the arts in this part of the kingdom. [ think
they will afford an unprejudiced amateur a fair opportunity of selection,
and he will probably agree with me that the specimens of excellence
are far beyond what might be expected from the patronage. which the
vicinity affords.
This cursory general notice is by no means intended or offered
as a review of the pictures. Neither my present very severe indis-
position, which renders any close application dangerous, nor my limits,
restricted to this single communication on account of the change of
‘‘The Analyst” from a monthly to a quarterly publication, leave me the
power to do more than furnish a brief record of the whole in the
forthcoming publication for July. Under other circumstances, I would
gladly point to the works of every exhibitor, as I did last year in my
letters under the signature of Lorenzo; but as it is impossible for me to
enjoy a similar gratification now, these few critical observations are
written to draw the attention of the public to the splendid merits of the
exhibition, and to promote the general interests of the arts as a great
national concern, and not from any personal feeling for the artists men-
tioned, or against those whose works I am necessitated, sorely against
my will, to pass in silence. |
The ‘‘admirable Creswick” has two local transcripts; ‘‘ No. 9—A dis-
tant view of Battle, Sussex,” is every way worthy of his distinguished
reputation. The force and spirit of the fore and middle grounds, the
tender gradations in the going off of the distances, the truth of the local
colouring, and the beautiful breadth of light and shadow, render this a
model for a young landscape student. ‘The touch is everywhere firm,
and the definitions marked with delicacy and spirit. The group of cattle
which a man is driving near the foreground, would not discredit the
taste of Berghem, or du Jardin, and three figures sitting on a fallen
tree, are happily introduced and painted with freedom. If there could
be any addition to heighten the attraction of the effect, it would be a tall
massive tree or cluster of trees on, or near, the foreground, to present a
rich mass of shadow against the wide extent of sky.
‘*121—Near Bedgellart, North Wales,” by Creswick, has merit, but
FINE ARTS. 423
is mannered. A grey, wheyish hue extends over the greater part of the
sky and landscape, and enfeebles the effect. Indeed, there is nothing
like an attempt at truth of local colour or freshness in the whole. It
was by the light, sweet, tasteful handling I, at once, recognised the
master.
Charles Landseer has three admirable fancy subjects—‘‘ No. 176, «
Bribery-and Corruption.””—* And so if you will promise to come alone the
next time.””—‘‘ May be I will, and may be I winna,” said Jenny—* but
if ye get the dollar ye’ll like it just as weel.”—* I’ll be d—n’d if I do,
said Halliday, taking the money however.” ‘This is the scene where
Edith. Bellenden and her maid Jenny Dennison are applying to ranting
Tom Halliday, the trooper, who is centinel over Henry Morton in the
tower of Tillie-tudleim, for leave to have a stolen interview with the
prisoner. Jenny is slipping the piece of silver into the trooper’s hand.
Her eyes are fixed on him, scrutinizing his features, as if not guite
satisfied to trust him; at the same time there is a demure sly touch of
quiet coquetry on her handsome countenance. Halliday is a tall power-
ful fellow, with his steel head-piece, and all the offensive and defensive
costume of a life-guardsman in the time of Charles II. ready, on the in-
stant, for boot and saddle, to do the bidding of his officer. He is leaning
against the inside of the porch, listening to Jenny, and eying her with
the eager look of free-quarters, while he takes the bribe.
Edith Bellenden stands aside, with one hand resting on the massive
oak door, and the other drawing close the plaid in which she is disguised
as the kinswoman of Jenny. The artist’s refined discrimination is
marked by the modest concern expressed on her features. Her eyes
are not directed either to Jenny or the centinel, but rather lowered, as a
listener awaiting the issue. I cannot in any words give an idea of the
exquisite expression of gentle trouble in that very lovely face. Al-
though in the ordinary plaid of a waiting woman, her chastened air, and
the mild dignity of her demeanour, indicate her superior rank. Jenny
is a handsome buxom young woman, with an intelligent look, and
nothing vulgar or rustic in her manner, yet her inferior grade is, at once,
discernible when the eye passes from her to her mistress.
Perhaps no scene from any of Sir Walter Scott’s novels has been better
painted than this, or the characters better sustained. The whole of the
picture is highly finished, even to the table cloth and other accessaries.
The carnations are warm, clear, and mellow, and the tender, delicate
bloom of sixteen in Edith’s complexion has the transparency and glow of
flesh and blood, heightened by the agitation of her spirits, when the life
of her lover hung by a thread liable to the doom of military law at a
moment’s notice.
In pages 265 and 266 of “The Analyst” for November, I reviewed
‘*182—Glad Tidings,” and ‘‘183—Sad Tidings,” by Charles Landseer,
which have been sold in this present Worcester Exhibition. I therein
went so fully into the colouring, character, and expression of these two
charming pictures that any similar notice here would appear wholly un-
necessary. ‘They were exhibited last year in Birmingham, and are in-
cluded in my critical notices of that exhibition.
Constable, the R. A. has five landscapes, painted from nature ; “‘ 50—
A Lane Scene—Harvest Noon ;” ‘*62—A Heath Scene ;” ‘‘ 68—A Water
Mill ;” ‘*171—The Glebe Farm ;” “185—The Valley of the Stour—
Morning.” ‘This artist’s power is here seen to great advantage. Those
pictures have little of his spotty manner, and any amateur, who wishes
to possess a very capital specimen of his pencil, has here a favourable
opportunity to make a selection.
424 FINE ARTS.
** No. 2—The Installation of Captain Rock,’’ by Daniel M’Clise, a
very young Irish artist, has, during many months past, excited a more
general and intense sensation than any British work of art within my
memory. During its exhibition in London, last year, it was the chief
attraction, and formed a subject of conversation in the leading circles
of fashion. ‘The young artist became almost at once, like his celebrated
countryman, Sheridan Knowles, one of the leading lions of the day.
Report, not always to be trusted, and generally mixing fiction with truth,
states him to be in his twenty-fourth year ; that he received his first lessons
in drawing in the Dublin Academy, and afterwards perfected himself as
a student in the Royal Academy of London. I give this as a hear-say,
which I have no particular reason to doubt or affirm with certainty.
The great size of this picture afforded a wide field for his copious inven-
tion, which he has displayed in an astonishing variety of incident,
character, attitude, and expression. An amateur, who es taken the
trouble of counting, has declared there are seventy-eight figures in the
various groups. ‘To enter, therefore, into partial details, in this brief
communication, would be an injustice to the artist, as any thing like a
due notice would extend toa handsome octavo volume. I can, therefore,
only offer.a scanty outline of the subject.
Although it is termed ‘‘the Installation of Capt. Rock,” it is also
**the Wake” of his predecessor in command, who has fallen in a recent
skirmish. The body of the deceased is laid out on a bier, with his
daughter’s arms clasped round the neck in an action of natural and
forcible pathos. A ‘‘ Wake” in Ireland is always a scene of festivity in
honour of the dead, to which the neighbours and country-people for
miles round flock. ‘The widow, the daughter, sister, or any very
near relation, may, without offending against the settled notion of
decorum, give way to tears and grief; but the decency and spirit of the
scene are considered to consist in mirth and enjoyment of refreshments,
in which the glass is never forgotten. This explanation is necessary to
account for the merriment of some of the groups contrasted with the
fierce gesticulations and furious threatenings of those, who are attending
the installation and joining with the newly-elected Captain Rock, in an
oath to avenge the death of his predecessor. _
The reader will therefore perceive that there are two actions repre-
sented, ‘‘ the Wake” and ‘‘ the Installation,’ and with this clue for his
guidance he will be better able to enter into all its contrasted varieties,
and to understand them more clearly. But there is also an episode of
interest introduced. The place of meeting is in the ruins of an abbey,
and a group is seen descending through a high breach in the walls,
bearing in one of their companions supposed to be mortally wounded in an
attempt to begin the work of vengeance on those by whose hands their
yet unburied captain had fallen.
As a work of art this picture displays not alone any one particular
high power, but a climax of high powers, and M’Clise may be truly
said to have broke forth on the world, in this and his few preceding ex-
hibitions, as an artist of copious invention, an able draftsman, a splendid
colourist, and a genius capable of undertaking any class of subject, and,
with due application, of succeeding in whatever he may choose to attempt.
John King exhibits three pictures; ‘‘ 1—Abraham and Isaac in Thanks-
giving after the Deliverance ;” ‘‘ 184—Cordelia and King Lear ;” and a
three-quarter length portrait of F. Danby, A.R. A.; the first is one of
his best sacred subjects ;—in 184, the head of Lear appears rather large ;
but this is more than atoned for by the simple grace and pathetic expression
of Cordelia ;—the likeness of Danby is said to be very true; th,
FINE ARTS. 425
icture is well coloured, and painted in a broad, mellow style. Miss
Raitcs, Jones’s favourite Pup, and her Girl and Grapes, are well drawn
and coloured, with much good taste, vigour of pencil, and forcible effect.
The Orphans, by J. G. Wood, are two whole lengths, well grouped and
drawn, with a simple expression of imploring sorrow; the mellow
breadth of style with which the light and shadow are massed,
does great credit to the artist. The landscape background is also
successfully studied. There are three pictures by T. Barker, of
Bath; “189—Four Sand Boys,” and ‘‘159—The Mower,” both the
property of Mrs. Denham Cookes, and “ 160—The Cotter’s Family ;”
the first is a fine specimen in his last and most powerful style; the
second in his middle style, and the third in his early manner, about the
time he painted the Woodcutter, which spread his reputation all over the
kingdom. Handcock’s Pet and Recovered Sailor have much merit; but
the former would have a better effect if on a canvass of half the size.
There are several other pleasing fancy subjects, which the visitors, I
hope, will duly appreciate.
The London landscape exhibitors, and others at a distance, the two
Fieldings, Baker, Lee, and Vickers, the two Laportes, Starke, and Prout
have a number of precious gems. Canella has four very small street
views in France, crowded with figures, painted with the correctness and
spirit of Canaletti. ‘*‘ No. 65—A Scene on the River Tamar, careening a
Vessel by Night,” is a most admirable specimen by P. H. Rogers. The
lovely gradations by which the moonlight and firelight are insensibly
blended into one solemn tone, produce an effect not inferior in stillness
and beauty to the finest moon and firelight by Vernet. There are two
clever three-quarter-length portraits by R. Evans; the one of the Rev.
Professor Lee, of Cambridge; and the other of Miss Harriet Mar-
tineau. ‘The portraits and characteristic studies of Mrs. Joanna Cox, of
Bewdley, display much agreeable taste and a high degree of practical
excellence, with some inequalities. ‘‘ No. 41,” her half-length of Miss
Montgomery, is a very attractive specimen of her style, which, if duly
appreciated, cannot fail to crowd her sitting-room with commissions.
The increasing pressure of severe indisposition renders me unable to
hold the pen any longer, and compels me to shorten my communication,
leaving the names and works of many clever artists unnoticed. This is
a source of great regret to me, and I must only hope that what I have
endeavoured to write, in hours of pain and debility, may, in some degree,
contribute, with other advocates, to draw the attention of the public to
the works of art in the present exhibition.
It would be a vain attempt to disguise or conceal the fact, that the
first ten days have not been favourable, or at all encouraging. The
number of visitors has been few, and only four pictures sold. If these
circumstances could be concealed by my silence here, there are some
persons who would deem concealment prudence. But when the broad
facts are known to the few visitors, nat spread by them, in the course
of conversation, through the city, any exaggeration from me, however
well intended, would not be of any avail, but it would cast a discredit on
the whole of this communication. There are in every part of England
persons whose vanity is flattered by having it to say, as a boast, “‘ we have
an exhibition in our town or city,”—and they conceive that to be a proof
of their own taste and public spirit, and of the taste and public spirit of
the vicinity. . But the interests of the British school require that the
truth must be told. I have seen many of those pretenders to taste and
liberality confine their patronage to paying a shilling for their admission,
and, with an economy a little out of place, save a shilling by borrowing
426 ORNITHOLOGICAL QUERY.
a catalogue from oor other visitor in the room. I have known many of
those patrons consider themselves discharged from all further exertion
by paying five shillings for a season ticket; as to their buying a picture, a
thought of the kind seems never to have entered their heads. They have
supposed that these things passed unnoticed. But nothing can be more true,
that an exhibition cannot have a negative issue—it cannot leave those whose
education and rank in society render it their duty to promote every in-
tellectual improvement of their fellow citizens, on the same ground of
public estimation as before. If any such exhibition be well attended by
visitors and purchasers, the local character will be raised, and with it
the character of the higher orders. The success will be an honour to
both. If, on the contrary, an exhibition of British excellence fails to
produce a due impression upon the public, the failure will be a discredit
to all; but more conspicuously to those who affect to lead the public
on all other occasions.
- Monday, June 22nd, 1835.
ORNITHOLOGICAL QUERY.
To the Editor of the Analyst.
Str,—I observe with pleasure that you have several Ornithologists
among your correspondents, and to whom I would beg leave to ask the
names of two small birds which I am perfectly well acquainted with, but
entirely ignorant of the names by which they are known in books.
They are both summer birds, arriving soon after the swallow, and after
breeding depart some time in the autumn.
The first I have always considered to be a kind of lark; at least it has a
very striking resemblance to the tit-lark in general colour and markings,
but differing much in size and manners. In size and’shape it is more
like the wood-lark ; the tail being as short, and rather more bulky about
the breast. It is a mute bird; having no kind of song, and its call, very
seldom uttered, cannot be distinguished from the weak chirp of a young
hedge-sparrow.
In the year 1823 I watched the manners of a pair of them which
nestled in a piece of summer tares by the side of a foot-path along which
I had occasion to pass and repass several times daily. The cock bird
usually sat on an elevated tuft of the tares near the nest; and on my
approaching near the place would fly and perch on a low branch of a
hedge about twenty yards off, but very seldom on the topmost sprays.
My regard for the strange birds, and wishing to see as much of them
as possible, prevented me examining the nest, nor from the same feeling
did I see the eggs: but they brought out their brood before the tares
were cut, and were seen for a few days afterwards walking among the
stubble as larks usually do, though seldom on the wing. They were
scared from the field at last by the plough, and were not seen by me
afterwards.
This bird is certainly scarce in this country; as though I am acquainted
with all our summer birds which breed in the southern counties of
England, I do not remember to have noticed this above three or four
times during a period of forty years. I imagine their usual summer
habitat to be on the western shores of the European continent; but that
a few stragglers occasionally cross the English channel. I may ask,
however, is this the Red Lark said to be common in Yorkshire?
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 427
The second bird of whose name I am ignorant is another of the lark
family, and which is much more common, having met with it every
summer except the rh a for many years past. It is an emigrant,
arriving in April, and after breeding, retires from its usual haunts about
October. It nestles among field peas in the country; and near London
it may frequently be seen among dwarf fruit trees which have been
headed down in the public nurseries. Ata distance it may easily he
mistaken for the yellow wagtail, its action and call being very similar.
But it is a much smaller bird, and the tail is considerably shorter; and
as near as can be, about the size and shape of the titlark. Never having
had one in my hand, I can say nothing of the length of the hind spur,
the distinguished mark of the lark family. But no bird is easier detected
than this; the shrill and incessant call of the male may be easily heard
by any intruder within five hundred yards of the nest. Its note is that
of alarm ; and exceedingly restless, flitting from place to place, apparently
in a state of great uneasiness. The front of the neck and breast is bright
yellow; back, upper part of the wings, and tail, olive brown. I have
often pointed out this bird to persons* well versed in the knowledge of
them, but they invariably called it the yellow wagtail; although they
admitted that the latter is seldom met with far from water. I never saw
the nest nor eggs of this bird, as they generally choose the thickest
patches of the crop to nestle in, and at some distance from hedges or
trees :—being certainly a ground bird.
In one old book I have seen a yellow lark described ; but this is dropped
by modern writers, at least, as far as my reading goes. ;
Yours, truly,
QUERIST.
4
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Philanthropic Economy, or the Philosophy of Happiness, practically applied
_ to the Social, Political, and Commercial Relations of Great Britain.
’ By Mrs. Loudon. Churton, London, 1835.
The most striking peculiarity in this volume is the subject chosen by a
FEMALE, of some repute, it is true, as a writer of elegant fiction, but
** Political Economy” is so very dissimilar in all respects to works of
imagination, and is a science so intricate and complex even to deep-
thinking men, that we were really astonished to find a lady possessed of
sufficient courage to enter the lists in so disputatious and perilous a field.
There are many persons, well educated and well-disposed persons too,
who have been deterred from approaching almost any subject connected
with the general weal, by the too prevailing opinion that the science of poli-
tical economy is something quite distinct from religion, morality, or phi-
lanthropy, something too speculative to be practical, too intricate to be
understood, or too dull to be endured. To render this subject compre-
hensible to all descriptions of people, to obviate the unmeaning antipa-
thies of many whose object is benevolence, and to spare them the ar-
duous task of pursuing scientific deductions through ponderous volumes,
or collecting scattered proofs from innumerable sources, in search
of a knowledge of what are the exertions which they are called on by
benevolence to make, is avowed to be the ostensible and laudable purport
* Among others, the late Mr. Sweet, author of ‘‘ The British Warblers,”
July, 1835.—VvOL. 1, NO. XII. 3K
428 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW ‘PUBLICATIONS.
of this work. How far this well-meant design is practically put into
execution, it is our province to inquire—how it may fulfil the liberal
intentions of the author, must be left-to the gradual operations of time
and opinion. |
The attempt to condense from the ample materials now abroad into as
short a compass as possible, and to couch in the plain unscientific
phrases of common conversation, a sketch of the causes of the misery
which so extensively prevails, and of the power possessed by enlightened
opinion, honestly and constitutionally, to relieve it—to point out the
most feasible modes of thoroughly effecting such purpose without call-
ing in the fallacious aid of supposed expediency—and to demand of all
who have power or influence cordial co-operation in a measure so bene-
ficial to all ranks and classes of the community, is not the useless and
theoretic whim of an hour. With much good reasoning and sound re-
flection are mingled many salutary suggestions for the enlarged end in
view, which do honour to the searching scrutiny and generous motives
of the author; we must be allowed, however, to state that in the volume
before us are some conclusions on certain topics, impressed with much
earnestness and force, but which, to our minds, require a little more of
that deliberate investigation and sound judgment which the author has
the power of applying to most subjects that come within the grasp of
her capacious intellect. We will not further allude to this only drawback
. on the very superior merits of the work before us, but proceed at once.
to examine such portions of its contents as our circumscribed time and
limits will allow.
The present depressed state of agriculture is unfortunately a topic of
such harrowing interest to the hardy tiller of the soil, that we have been
induced to direct our comments principally to this division of Mrs.
Loudon’s valuable treatise. An article on the small allotment system
has many claims to attentive consideration, and we hope to see the
humane landlord adopting more generally a plan which has been found
in every instance of its trial so remarkably efficacious. From this sec-
tion of the work we extract the following interesting facts :—
‘Mr. Smith, of Southam, in Warwickshire, as an experiment, divided an acre
of land into fifteen lots, among as many boys of about twelve years of age. The
rent is five pounds per annum, which is paid with ease out of the sale of their
produce, besides supplying the fifteen cottages of their parents amply with good
vegetables. While so much has the cultivation of these gardens improved the
habits of the boys, that though previously they were without any thing better to
do than loiter or play about the streets of the village, they are all now in full em-
ployment for daily hire, and perform the work of their own allotments at over
hours ; and so great is the pride and pleasure they each take in the plot cultivated
by their own hands, that they never suffer the productiveness of their crops to be
deteriorated by insects, drought, or weeds, as is so often the case in larger and
and less carefully tended gardens.”’
Many other instances of a like description are given, some portions
the land being sufficient to keep a cow and pigs, clearly shewing that the
small allotment system to labouring farmers is one of the most beneficial
and compassionate that ever has yet been suggested for that useful class or
men. Besides the utility and comfort of such a system to the agricultural
labourer, the parishes are in consequence, in places where the plan has
become general, entirely freed from the onerous impost of poor-rates !
Can the beneficent suggestion, fraught with such advantages, require an
additional recommendation?
To write in such a charitable cause, to argue the matter in all its
bearings, to point out its useful and ameliorating qualities, to impress it
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 429
on the land-owner with all the cogency of reasoning and all the zeal of
kind and generous feeling—if it make but one convert in a proprietor of
land, as yet insensible of the blessings he has the power to confer, and
the family of one labourer be thereby saved from the degradation of
pauperism and vice, and led to industry and habits of order and social
and moral respectability, the considerate and talented author of this book
will not have written in vain.
There is so much of that benevolent endeavour to benefit the whole
human race—so much of that lofty and splendid comprehension which
serutinizes, embellishes, and lays open to clear investigation all intricate
and available subjects—so much of the disinterestedness, philanthropy,
and kind-heartedness which distinguish high-minded and intellectual
women, that we hope often to see her unfold the treasures of her under-
standing on subjects more especially of such interesting inquiry.
To the objection likely to be urged that political economy is not a
subject suited either to lady readers or lady writers, the author justly
observes that when political economy is confounded with political
intrigue, and consequently identified with corruption, contention, and
party spirit, the less women interfere with such unfeminine topics
the better: but when political economy is made subservient to philan-
thropic economy, or a ‘“‘ disposition of things” based on the principle of
good-will to all, therefore calculated to alleviate want, enlighten ignorance,
and cause the provocations of injustice to cease, and give place to the
growth of the —s sympathies, it acquires a legitimate interest for that
gentler portion of the human race, who have ever been the soothers of
all sorrow, the alms-givers of society, the binders up, in short, as far
as their limited sphere might reach, of every wound which the rougher
hands and more impetuous passions of man have inflicted.
Taken collectively, this is the production of an author of a more than
usually comprehensive mind—of one who searches unflinchingly into all
the recesses of knowledge, and thence deduces facts and illustrations
with a clearness and vigour which it is the lot of very few to attain,
even of long standing literary pretensions. We have scrutinized the
contents of this volume with the vigilance we should have devoted to
Adam Smith, Poulet Scrope, or any other author on the subject, of
equal celebrity ; we have not in this instance suffered our gallantry to
warp our judgment, and all our regret is, that absolute want of space
compels us to contract our present notice within so narrow a compass.
The Mechanics of Law-making. Intended for the use of Legislators,
and all other persons concerned in the making and understanding
of English Laws. By Arthur Symonds, Esq. Churton, Holles-
street, 1835.
It has always been a source of complaint that the framers of our laws
encumber their acts with such technical jargon that none but members ~
of the legal profession can understand what is meant to be enforced.
The present publication offers a plan of simplifying and making all Acts
of Parliament intelligible to the community, by omitting the unmeaning
pe the repetitions, and the technicalities, which do but add to their
ulk and mystification, without conferring a single benefit in exchange.
From ignorance and want of skill in the workmanship of details, which
our legislators leave to the routine performance of mere artisans, it isa
common complaint that they seldom succeed in giving to the people a
law intelligible either to themselves or the persons for whose especial
guidance the law was designed. Acts of Parliament are not unlike a
430 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
piece of statuary, the value of which is unknown from being encrusted
with mud and other defacing substances. The first step is to remove,
carefully, this incrustation, by which its merit may he discovered and its
beauty laid open to general view. This work of purification has been
uttempted by Mr. Symonds, and from the mode he has adopted, we can
readily conceive that he will enlist many admirers into his system.
The statutes of a single session, it is well known by those who
critically observe these matters, contain every variety of anomaly; and
this must be the case until the legislature shall appoint persons to draw
or revise all laws, and to couch them in an uniform expression. In
some degree the present work would help the discussion of the legis-
lature on this point; but in the meanwhile individual members will find
that it is practically useful, to enable them to wateh the exertions of
others, and to complete their own. Half the labour of pushing a bill
through Parliament would be saved, if it were made plain to ordinary
understandings—for want of this intelligibility, the magistrates and the
people often fall into egregious error. Our Acts of Parliament are written
in the style of a foreigner who has learned the language out of book,
with the aid of a grammar—grammatical rules are nowhere violated, yet
it is difficult to recognise in his finical preciseness one’s own language.
A law should be written in the tone of the language of the time (for
which we have Lord Coke’s authority), and when that has become
obsolete, it should be-altered; but it will be found that the idiomatic
structure, which has relation to the matter of a thing, does not change
so fast: and the laws would help to preserve the sameness of meaning. .
To men who cling to the present system, and yet would introduce
all improvements compatible with it, as well as to the more comprehen-
sive-minded, and yet more practical reformer, who would make the laws
as brief, as clear, and as simple as laws might be made, this book will
unquestionably furnish some useful auxiliaries.
The articles which comprise the substance of this volume are arranged
under seven distinct heads, as follow :—
The Art of Reading an Act of Parliament as at present written—the
Art of Making a Law—on the Classification and Consolidation of the
Statutes—Institutional Reforms connected with Law-making—Parallel
Mlustrations—Critical Notices on particular Statutes—Suggestions for
a Statute of Directions and Constructions—and an Appendix, containing
a glossary of proscribed words and phrases, and an abridged table of
Statutes of session 1834.
This is not decidedly a theoretical work wholly unfounded in practice,
it is right to observe, although it contains many things that are new,
many things that are questionable, and many that are imperfectly ex-
plained ; still it is, on the whole, an attempt most creditable to the
ingenious author, and from which the materials for improving the
present wordy and complex system of our parliamentary acts may be
profitably gleaned.
Poems: by Albius. Churton, Holles-street, 1835.
If these poems were composed so far back as the year 1825, as some
of them are stated to have been by the author, we conclude that they
were the first ebullitions of an imagination just beginning to feel its own
restlessness, a precocious but rather praiseworthy attempt to picture the
feelings, the passions, and the phantasies of incipient manhood. In that
case they might have soothed the pensive hours of the happy dreamer,
and as intellect expanded, have occasionally afforded a temporary
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 431
gratification by contrasting the immaturity of unfledged ideas with the
soberness of advanced reason. But to publish such crude and abortive
thapsodies ten years afterwards, when the taste should have been per-
fected and the judgment matured, is an offence against literature which
admits of no palliation. All men are not gifted with the fire of genius
and the creative imagination of poets—but all men, before they publish,
ought to have penetration enough to distinguish the ravings of absurdity
from the brightness of intellect. To culla given number of words from
a dictionary and arrange them in the order of versification, is only the
employment of a literary mechanic—a poet must be endowed with
genius, fancy, sensibility, imagination, perception, a taste for general
literature, a knowledge of the arts and sciences, and a thousand other
qualifications not necessary here to enumerate, but known to be indis-
pensable to sustain the character of a bard with fame and honour. To
none of these essential endowments has Albius the least pretensions ;
we therefore strongly advise him to abandon the muses, and pursue an
occupation more suited to the order of his talents. That we may not
be supposed capable of checking the rising flame of genius by undue
harshness and severity, we extract the following brief specimen from a
short poem entitled ‘‘An Ode to Achilles, addressed to the British
Fair?’—
‘‘ Not long Pelides did survive his date,
But justly met the vengeful hand of fate,
To the dark shades by Paris’ shaft was sent,
For British dames to erect his monument,
- To those fair nymphs who first devised the same,
Let this inscription further speak his fame.
‘ This massive pile is to commemorate
The savage hero of the Grecian state,
Whose brutal courage to the world is known,
And deeds ascribed that never were his own ;
The indelicate posture of whose effigy,
And immodest state of shameless nudity, |
Bespeak a want of common decency,
To grace or figure not the least pretence,
Devoid of meaning—still more void of sense.
Unlike the noble Hector did he die
In the defence of his beloved Troy,
Struck by an arrow winged from Phcebus’ bow
Ere scarce he had pronounced his perjured vow,
As from the fane the fair Polyxena led
A mourning captive to a tyrant’s bed.
Anticipated in his lovely prize,
Called off by Pluto to the nether skies,
Albion’s fair daughters thus lament his doom,
And to their loved Achilles raise this tomb.’ ”’
Verily, the man who could publish such trash as this must either have
an overweening fondness for his own mental imbecility, or a very
indifferent opinion of the perception and judgment of his readers. The
only flickering of rationality which the author has evinced, is that of
having concealed his name and adopted a fictitious signature.
Catherine Audley, the Recluse of Ledbury: an Original Historical and
Local Drama, as performed at the Ledbury Theatre with the greatest
approbation. Ledbury: Gibbs, Jun.
By bell, book, and candle, and the seven champions of Christendom,
if here is not St. Catherine herself bodily, after many a long ramble we
have had in yain attempts to capture her. Long life to the resuscitator
432 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
of Catherine Audley, long life to Dr. Booker, who brought the holy
maid before us some months sinte—long life to her mare and colt, and
the tracks made by them—long life to all concerned in their preservation
—and above all, long life to this “‘ original drama,” and the good people
of Ledbury who received it with ‘* he greatest approbation! !” After
this statement, it might seem presumption in us to offer any critical.
remarks upon this production, did we not recollect that Lord Byron
mentions a play which was performed at some private theatre with the
“greatest approbation,” and ‘‘damned at Covent Garden with the
greatest expedition’? As Shakspeare truly observes, ‘‘ there is a tide
in the affairs of men,” and so it appears to be with St. Catherine. After
a long rest in her quiet bed, she has been in an extraordinary manner
again suddenly brought before the public; Dr. Booker has illustrated
her history in his poems, the tracks of her mare and colt have been
recently made the subject of erudite investigation, and here we have an
‘‘original drama” developing her whole history. First, then, for the
plot, and then for the poetry. St. Catharine appears to be the patron
saint of the good town of Ledbury, in Herefordshire, and certain it is,
that in the reign of Edward the Second, a devout recluse of the name
lived in that town, where there is still an hospital bearing her name.
Who this Catherine Audley really was, what duties called her to Led-
bury, and induced her to take up her abode there, and when or by whom
she received canonization are most unfortunately queries which cannot
be satisfactorily answered, though pb’ diligent inquiries have been re-
cently instituted. Thus circumstanced, we hailed with joy the timely
appearance of the present drama, and the successful researches of the
author seem to have thrown a strong light upon the facts of the case;
we hasten, therefore, to relieve the curiosity of our readers, by
giving the following outline of this ‘‘ original drama” which was per-
formed (for 100 successive nights?) at the Ledbury theatre “‘ with the
greatest approbation.”
According to our author, Catherine Audley, (and, as legal reporters
say, “‘ with whom” was Mabel, her ‘‘ bower-woman”) was the only child
of Sir Andrew de Audley, in love with Edward the Second, and beloved
by Mortimer Earl of March. The young lady is found, rather suspi-
ciously, we think, wandering in men’s clothes with her ‘‘ maid Mabel,”
in the Forest of Dean, but for what purpose does not appear. At the
same time Hugh de Mendax, a squire of Lord Montraver’s, gets en-
tangled in the same forest, and is bound and robbed of a packet (with
which he was intrusted to deliver to Mortimer, at Wigmore Castle,) by
some “‘ out-laws,” one of whom proves to be Sir Andrew de Audley
himself. Catherine and her maid release Mendax, and Peter Coci, a
Herefordshire bumpkin, who is made the butt of some drunken jokes ;
and are, in kind return, made prisoners by Roland, a squire of Mortimer’s,
and Mendax, and carried to Wigmore Castle, where Mortimer, Queen
Isabel, and Prince Edward are represented to be staying. On Cathe-
rine being introduced to Mortimer, as a prisoner, she is immediately
recognised, and subsequently imprisoned in consequence of the taunt-
ing language addressed to him. Queen Isabel, hearing of this circum-
stance, has some suspicions of Mortimer’s intentions with regard to Ca-
therine, sends for her, and a warm altercation takes place between the
ladies. This scene is pleasingly interrupted by the appearance of the
third Edward, who, rather strangely comes to solicit grace for Sir An-
drew de Audley, whom he has just ce is returned from exile without
permission, and is in arms against Mortimer. The Queen refuses. Ca-
therine rushes forward, proclaims Edward King, and tells him Mortimer
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 433
has murdered his father. Mortimer now appears, and after a fierce
affray, Prince Edward and Catherine are sent to prison. Catherine
contrives to assist Edward to escape. Audley and the out-laws arrive—
blood, fire, and confusion ensue—the castle is stormed and burned down,
and Mortimer receives his quietus from Edward. All this is very dra-
matic, and therefore we can forgive our author outraging history, and
forgetting the real capture of Mortimer at Nottingham Castle. But this
is not the catastrophe of the story. This would not have had the
‘* greatest approbation” of the Ledbury audience. The close therefore,
the denouement of this singular and original drama is not the burning of
the Church, the sack of the town, and other dramatic et cetera, but
simply the circumstance of St. Catherine henceforward determining to
board and lodge in the good town of Ledbury. This is introduced by the
episode of a “‘ Prophecy” uttered, we are left to suppose by the sybil
who took the oracles to King Tarquin, and which is thus delivered by
** Maid Mabel ;”
** The last of the daughters of Audley’s old line,
A pilgrim shall wander from shrine unto shrine ;
Without rest, without refuge, the maiden shall go,
Till she comes where the waters of Leddon’s stream flow ;
There the bells of a grey and ivy’d church tow’r,
Without hands shall be peal’d to point out her lone bow’r ;
When the virgin recluse, long by sorrow opprest,
- Shall gain from the world a rude mansion of rest.’’
St. Catherine receives this intelligence with very great complacence,
and feels from ‘‘the holy calm pervading her mind” she shall soon
arrive at the end of her toils. After the burning of Wigmore Castle, a
guide and horses are given St. Catherine and her maid to proceed with
to a place of safety, but under the conduct of stupid old Coci, they get
lost. Here a most beautiful scene occurs, which being the best in St.
Catherine’s history, we shall give entire, though we regret to under-
stand, peculiar circumstances caused it to be ‘‘ omitted in the represen-
tation.”
Scene—The Banks of Sapey Brook, with Tedstone-de-la-Mere in the distance,
Enter St. Catherine, Mabel, her Maid, and Peter Coci.
Peter. In sooth I fear a weary trudge is our’s,
Worse than I ever had in all our woods,
Attending on the swine. The colt is lost,
d That blessed colt that never wore a shoe,
And her good mother. 5
Mabel. Oh ye blessed saints,
Look down on our distress, and if the rogues
Have led our steeds astray, drench them with rain,
Bid lightnings scath them ; may the furious winds
Blow them o’er ocean; may the floods o’erwhelm
Their hideous features, and the vultures tear.
St. Catherine. Where’r they tread
The stony bed
Of the brook shall show
Their tracks below ;
Both colt and mare
Shall be shown there :
Where’r they spring
The patten-ring
Shall mark their tread
On the stony bed.
Peter. What do my eyes behold? on every stone
Where the brook gurgles, I perceive the mark
Of horses’ hoofs—and softly by the side
434 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
Of the mare’s track, I see the little colt’s
Small round impression—down this wat’ry way
The rascals must have gone—come on, come on,
We soon shall overtake them.
Exit Peter.
Scene changes to the Hoar Stone in Tedstone. A thief is seen mounted on pattens
leading a mare and colt along the bed of the brook.
Thief. -These stones seem soft as clay, I cannot tread
But something pulls me down; the horses drag
As if some lumb’ring wain, high pil’d in air
Was at their heels. The curse of some pure saint
Is on me; ere a felon’s doom is mine,
I’ll leave the nags to fate. _ ; .
(As he goes off, Peter with a possee of countrymen with pikes and
staves rush on him and bind him.)
Peter. So-ho—So-ho !
Villain, we’ve track’d you to this last retreat,
Spite of your wiles ; bind up the recreant knave,
Screw him to the Hoar-stone, and from its dizzy peak
There let him dangle, till the dripping springs
Have from his head to every nether part
Made him a stony mass hard as his heart.
Enter Sf. Catherine.
St. Cath. Long renowned in future story
Be his memorable end,
Here to Sapey’s wild rocks hoary,
Pilgrims shall for ever bend ;
Here with awe the footsteps trace
‘Of my mare upon the place, —
There the colt’s with wonder view,
And the ring’s impression too ;
Distant ages shall inquire,
And‘the theme shall never tire.
-
This most impressive scene, we are persuaded, would have been re-
ceived with the ‘‘ greatest approbation” at Ledbury, and we repeat our
regret at the ‘‘ untoward”’ circumstances that prevented its representation.
The writer seems to have thought that it was his duty rather to bring St.
Catherine to Ledbury as soon as possible, as the ringing of the bells of
Ledbury church “‘ without hands’ was of course an event more interest-
ing to the good people of that place than any antecedent facts, however
curious and important. We regret, however, to be obliged to remark,
that at this critical point our writer breaks down, and when all his
energies were required to bear upon the bells, he comes to a most lame
and impotent conclusion—and his efforts to bear the bell prove vain. It
was evidently his duty to have introduced the belfry and bells of Ledbury
upon the stage, that the audience might have been fully satisfied that no
trickery was practised upon them. It is useless to object that the belfry
was too bulky—for we answer with Don Quixotte in reply to the stupid
actor who thought the stage could not admit the numerous throng pre-
posed by the Don—
‘* So vast a throng the stage will ne’er contain,—
Then make a new, or act it on a plain.”’
So our author was bound to show the audience the bells in question
moving without hands. Instead of this, when Mabel sagely remarks
that ‘‘ nothing but my own ears (eyes she means) shall convince me we
shall ever hear bells rung without. hands,” Peter is made to show the
possibility of the phenomenon by referencé to the bell of Marcle church.
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 435
This bell, Peter = was ‘‘stolen by a Welch thief one night, and he
was carrying it off between two horses; and the moment they began to
trot, wiggle-waggle went the clapper, and waked all the village.” And
this is positively the only explanation we receive of the important and
hitherto unaccounted-for phenomenon of the bells at Ledbury ringing
“‘without hands,” and which was the circumstance that induced St.
Catherine to take up her abode at Ledbury. ‘lo this point, in particular,
our author ought unquestionably to have paid the greatest attention, as
the prosperity of Ledbury undoubtedly hinged upon it, and we suggest
three points for his investigation, the results of which we recommend
him to insert in a note in the second edition of his ‘‘ original drama.”
Ist, when St. Catherine observes, “‘1 have heard the peal rung by no
human hand,” how she had ascertained this extraordinary fact—2ndly.
as Mabel observes ‘‘self-tolled were the beils,” it would seem to imply
that these Ledbury bells were not in fact rung by any hand at all, hut
were instinct with life; and therefore it seems important to ascertain
whether the animation ascribed to the bells yet remains, and in what
degree it differs from vegetable or animal life. 3rdly, how came bells of
this peculiar manufacture to be only placed in the belfry at Ledbury?
When these important points are fully cleared up, we purpose again to
examine this “ original, historical, and local drama,” and quaff inspira-
tion from the classic waters of the Leddon! But mercy! what a name
—‘‘the waters of Leddon” for an immortal river—we greatly fear it is a
first cousin to the Lethe, and in imagination we already see St. Catherine,
Mabel, the mare and colt, tracks and all, being ferried over the Styx by
old Charon to pass from our sight for ever. Oh for one single draught
of the Lethe to forget if it were possible, St. Catherine, her tracks,
Mabel, the bells, Ledbury, and this incomparable drama, relating all
their acts and deeds. But we fear the spirit of investigation has been
so roused, that we shall be left in a similar situation to the Arabian
enchanter, who had raised a spirit which he was unable to lay. So St.
Catherine, having been once roused from her repose, will, we fear, track
our footsteps for many a long year.
Graphic Illustrations of the Life and Times of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.
Part I. Murray, Albemarle-street, 1835.
These graphic illustrations will make an admirable companion to
the new variorum edition of Boswell’s Life of Johnson. Each part,
it is announced, will contain at least five engravings; and if these
engravings should all be of the style and character which distinguish
the first number, just published, a fact which the high respectability
of the publisher insures, nothing more perfect can be wished for.
There are in this part a view of Lichfield, the birth-place of Johnson,
drawn by Stanfield, and exquisitely engraved by Finden ; a portrait of
Michael Johnson, of Lichfield, the father of the lexicographer, also
engraved by Finden, from a drawing in the possession of Mr. Murray ;
a portrait of Edward Cave, the founder of the Gentleman’s Magazine,
drawn by Kyte, 1740, and engraved by Seriven ; a view of St. John’s
Gate, Clerkenwell, the residence of Cave, with a fac-simile of his
hand-writing ; a fac-simile of a letter from Gilbert Walmesley to
J. Colson, Esq. F.R.S.; and a fac-simile extract of a letter from Dre
Johnson to Edward Cave, in 1738.
Explanatory notes and interesting anecdotes, copies of letters, and
other elucidatory and interesting particulars accompany the plates,
which are of two sizes—quarto, for the convenience of collectors,
July, 1835.—voL, I. NO. XII 3L
436 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
and octavo, for more general use. There are few libraries, public or
private, we conceive, into which these charming graphic illustrations
will not be admitted.
The Life and Works of William Cowper. Edited by the Rev. T.S.
Grimshawe, A.M. Vols. III. and 1V. Saunders and Otley, Con-
duit-street, 1835.
This unique edition of Cowper is now brought down to its 4th
volume, and, both in its embellishments and its typography, we cannot
but observe, it still continues to be distinguished by the same excellent
taste and general correctness.
In the 4th vol. we perceive the learned editor has, for an instant,
suspended the progress of the correspondence, to make room for a few
pertinent observations on Cowper’s great and laborious undertaking,
the translation of Homer. Five years of intense application, it seems,
were devoted to this employment ; being, doubtless, stimulated in his
exertions by the idea that he was in that work building up for himself
a fame which should immortalize him. On the Ist of July, 1791, the
complete version was published in two quarto volumes, the Iliad being
inscribed to his young noble kinsman, Earl Cowper ; and the Odyssey
to the Dowager Countess Spencer. If any circumstance can prove
more strongly than another, the infatuation of men of genius, it is
that which took possession of Cowper’s mind on the subject of this
translation. He knew that Pope had failed, who had called to his aid
all the varied charms of which poetry was capable, and yet he fancied
that the strength of his blank verse would more than compensate for
the sweetness of Pope’s metrical numbers. The idea strangely wan-
dered in his brain, that by giving a faithful yet free translation, he
should embody a genuine and graceful representative of the admired
original. It is true that he is more faithful than Pope, but far less
rich and spirited—what he has gained in strength, he has lost in ele-
gance and in melody. We read Cowper as a task—we dwell on Pope,
and commit his lines to memory. Although there are many passages
distinguished by much grace and beauty, and we allow that in the
pages of Cowper there is a closer interpretation of Homer's meaning,
yet, on the whole, the lofty spirit, the bright glow of feeling, the
“thoughts that breathe, the words that burn,” are not sufficiently
sustained. Each of these distinguished writers, to a certain extent,
has failed, not from any want of genius, but because complete success
is difficult, if not unattainable. Homer still remains untranslated,
because of all poets he is the most untranslatable. He seems to claim
the lofty prerogative of standing alone, and of enjoying the solitary
grandeur of his own unrivalled genius, allowing neither to rival nor
to friend, to imitator nor to translator, the honours of participation ;
but exercising the exclusive right of interpreting the majestic sim-
licity of his own conceptions in all the fervour of his own poetic
ancy, and in the sweet melody of his own graceful and flowing num-
bers. He who wishes to understand and to appreciate Homer, must
seek him in the charm and beauty of his own inimitable language.
' We had intended to give a few specimens from each translator, to
invite comparison, but we find that we must defer such intention to,
our next number. Want of space, and not inclination, must be our.
excuse.
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 437
A Literal Translation of Plato’s Apology of Socrates and The Crito, with
Notes, original and selected. By Henry Vane Hemmings, B. A.
Ex-Scholar Trinity College, Dublin, Translator of the Phedo.
Dublin, Gibton and Overend, 7, Capel-street, 1835.
Plato, an author most difficult to understand, has met with a trans-
lator in Mr. Hemmings, who has ably rendered him in a style remark-
able for its clearness; always faithful, generally elegant. To trans-
late literally, and, at the same time, elegantly, is a task confessedly
one of the most arduous that a literary man can attempt, and we might
add, the most unprofitable; for while the serutinizing eye of the
learned critic would be apt to overlook the difficulty of the original
work, it would fall with a withering glance on any little inelegancy
which the correct rendering of idiomatic language seldom fails to pro-
duce. From those who are acquainted with the language of Plato,
Mr. Hemmings is sure to meet with inviting encouragement, and even
those who are unacquainted with that philosopher, and who are totally
ignorant of Hellenic literature, will read Mr. Hemmings’ book with
a pleasure rarely produced by literal translations. The student will
find in it all he requires—a translation, not only literal, but elegant
and faithful.
The notes are not the least worthy the attention of the scholar, the
selections are principally culled from Foster, Fischerus and Dacier, &e.
and do credit to the taste as well as judgment of the translator ;
whilst those that are original show into what able hands the trans-
lation of this work has fallen.
_ In conclusion, we should recommend this version to the student
and general reader, as an excellent elucidation of the difficulties of
one of the greatest philosophers of antiquity.
Wanderings through North Wales. By Thomas Roscoe, at author of
the Landscape Annual. Tilt, and Simpkin and Marshall, London ;
and Wrightson and Webb, Birmingham, 1835.
The third part of this beautifully illustrated work has just made its
appearance, and it deserves more than a mere passing notice. It con-
tains three exquisite engravings, by Radclyffe, from drawings by Cat-
termole, Cox, and Creswick. The first is Dolbadern Tower ; the next
Cader-Idris, from Kymmer Abbey ; and the third, Bolingbroke’s False
Homage to Richard Tl. at Flint Castle. The letter-press, too, is in
keeping with the engravings, and Mr. Roscoe has made it an unusually
interesting appendage. Surely this very talented little publication
must ere now be in general request; at all events, its merits re-
quire that it should be so.
Treatise on the Geography and Classification of Animals. By William
Swainson, Esq. Longman and Co., 1835.
This is the second of a series of volumes on Zoology, in Lardner’s
Cabinet Cyclopedia, by Swainson, and will, we anticipate, prove useful
to all students of Natural History ; more particularly to those scien-
tific students who are unable to procure the Northern Zoology of Rich-
ardson and Swainson, the Linnean Transactions, the Zoological Journal,
and other expensive works of the kind. The geography of animals,
so ably treated in the volume before us, is a subject which has hitherto
been but little attended to. Our author divides the world into five
zoological provinces, viz. Europe, Asia, America, Africa, and Australia,
438 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
These provinces, respectively, occupy five: ehapters; their zoology
and limits are traced with the hand of a master, and in a manner
which we have never yet seen equalled,
We shall now proceed to remark.on the English names used in this
volume. In referring to those of birds at pp. 42-3, we find “ vultur,
L, true vultures.” And we would ask, what else can a vultur be but a
true vulture? Itis, of course, sufficiently plain that Swainson intends
by so doing, to distinguish this genus from the other groups of Vultur-
ide. But why not find other generic names for those? Gypaetus he
designates ‘bearded vultures,” thus giving a specific and generic name
where the latter only is required. Pastor he calls “ sheep-bird.” We
cannot too strongly censure the practice of making bird the scientific
name of any species. It was a very favourite practice with Wilson—
thus we have the crow blackbird (Quiscalus versicolor), the bluebird
(Sialia Wilsonii, Swains.), the redbird ; and amongst British birds we
have the blackbird (Merula vulgaris, Wil.), and the greenbird (Cocco-
thraustes chloris.) ilson, however, was no systematist, and may,
therefore, be pardened; but for Swainson to fall into this error, is
perfectly inexcusable. Again, in the volume before us, we find
** Anthus, B. tit/ark.” Why not pipit? and why not dunnock, instead
of the clumsy name “finch warbler?” We are glad to see that
Swainson has rejected the absurd name goatsucker, but are surprised to
find him adhering to the old name Caprimulgus (auctorum.) These
remarks may be deemed frivolous, but every philosophic naturalist
will, doubtless, on consideration, admit them to be of no little im-
portance.
_ The second part is dedicated to the consideration of the different
systems which have been promulgated. This division of the subject
is admirably treated, and we regret that our limits will not permit us
to make any extracts; but we will endeavour to give our readers some
idea of its contents. Our author has shown the difference between a
natural and an artificial system, with great clearness and precision.
He also appears to speak most impartially of all naturalists, and to
give each his due. How different is this from the “ querulous tone”
in which the Introduction to Rennie’s Montagu’s Ornithological Dic-
tionary is written. In the latter work, we find all naturalists and all
systems abused. Swainson also discusses the merits of the principal
systems, and more especially the circular theory of the great Macleay,
at some length. The dichotomous system of Dr. Fleming, we agree
with our author in thinking totally unworthy of regard. He justly
remarks, that any one might make fifty other dichotomous systems,
all of which would be as useless as those already promulgated. Inthe
formation of a binary system, it is only necessary to fix on some one
character, and to have “ distinct conceptions on positive and negative
characters.” A single glance at Fleming’s British Animals will show
the. fallacy of such a system, and it is drawn up by one who is pos-
sessed of no mean talents. Swainson justly considers the classifica-
tion of Linnezus, ‘as a whole, much more comprehensive than that of
Cuvier.” p. 127.
Part IV. is dedicated to “ A familiar explanation of the first prin-
ciples of practical and scientific Zoology, with suggestions for a plan
. of studying the details of each department.” In this division, the
difference between a practical and a scientific naturalist is pointed out.
Our author appears to us somewhat to undervalue the former class 3
in our opinion, both are equally useful, and both mutually assist each
other. Let each choose that line which best suits his inclination, and
let him not, because he has taken to it, despise another for studying in
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 439
another department.—The whole of the 368th paragraph is very just,
a we are sorry that our limits will not admit of our transeribing it
ere. |
We have only been able to take a very cursory view of the contents
of this useful volume, but we inform the scientific student of Natural
History, that he cannot have a better book than this if he wishes to
obtain a thorough knowledge of the classification and geographical
distribution of animals. In no other work would he find such a mass
ef sound information in so small a compass, and in so popular a style.
These volumes in the Cabinet Cyclopedia are, perhaps, not indispensa-
ble to the professed zoologist, as every one who has any title to the
name of a scientific zoologist, must be familiar with the principles
inculeated in the Fauna Boreali-Americana ; but to those who are
unable to obtain this work, the volumes now in course of publication
are invaluable, and will, we have no doubt, sustain the very high
reputation of Swainson as a scientific zoologist.
A Manual of Entomology, from the German of Dr. Hermann Burmeister.
By W. E. Shuckard, M. E.S. with original Notes and additional
Plates Nos. I.to V. Churton, Holles-street, and Tilt, Fleet-
street, 1835. '
This is a translation of a popular work on that branch of Natural
History which treats of insects, and comprises a valuable introduction
to the science of Entomology. To investigate the nature of insects,
to shew how the insect is organized and formed, and to explain the
generalization and ner sepeatt of the various vital phenomena
observable in the class, is the useful and professed object of the pub-
lication, and to our judgment it will prove an important assistant to
the entomologist. There are occasionally interspersed, we observe,
many original experiments and observations, in addition to its other
scientific matter; which, with the facts elicited by the laborious
investigations of the most eminent scientific men on this subject, must
necessarily render this work extremely useful and popular. We
believe that the study of insects, although more general than it was
a few years back, is still less cultivated than most other branches of
Natural History, notwithstanding it has the power to give an intense
interest to those who duly reflect on the purposes which insects have
to accomplish in the economy of nature. If this monthly publication
should stimulate a more general inquiry into a species of knowledge,
which to much attractiveness adds extreme usefulness, and that it
will do so we anticipate with confidence, the labours of the ingenious
translator will not have been exerted in vain.
According to the prospectus, this work will be completed in about
eighteen numbers, and when we lock at the faithfulness of the trans.
lation, its general neatness, and the number of its plates, we must, in
common justice, say that it ranks amongst the most respectable of the
cheap periodicals.
The Arboretum Britannicum. By J. C. Loudon, F.L.H.G. & Z.S. &e.
June, 1835. Longman and Co.
The Architectural Magazine; the Gardener's Magazine ; and the Maga-
sine of Natural History. June, 1835. Conducted by J.C. Loudon,
Longman and Co.
In the first-named work, by Mr. Loudon, there are sixteen plates,
eight from zine and eight from wood, all from specimens in the garden
of the London Horticultural Society at Chiswick ; and although in
one or two of the wood engravings there is a trifling defectiveness,
440 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS.
which the liberal author promises to replace by more perfect ones, we
consider them, taken together, as remarkably good specimens of this
mode of engraving. It is tolerably well known, we believe, that wood
engravings are far more expensive than impressions taken from zinc
or stone ; notwithstanding which, Mr. Loudon, with his characteristic
liberality, has, we perceive, engaged to adopt wood, in future, for all
the pats Me trees, because that mode of engraving enables the artist
. to give their character and their botanical details with greater accu-
racy than the zinc.—The letter-press, we perceive, consists of the con-
cluding part of ‘‘ The History of the Introduction of Foreign Trees
and Shrubs into Ireland,” and “Of the Foreign Trees and Shrubs
introduced into Britain in the 19th century,’—subjects which are as
interesting as useful. aj
The Architectural Magazine is distinguished by some original com-
munications of no ordinary talent. The continuation of the article
“On the origin, excellences, and defects of the Grecian and Gothic
Styles of Architecture,” by the late Dr. James Anderson, will be found
particularly interesting ; and the papers by Brigden, Lamb, and Kent,
are indications of the high talent engaged in this undertaking.
Mr. Forbes’s continuation of ** A Natural History Tour in Norway,”
and various other communications, replete with instruction and amuse-
ment,” occupy the pages of ‘The Magazine of Natural History ;”
and ‘* The Gardener's Magazine” is fully equal to the useful purposes
of its preceding numbers. The “ Observations on the gardening of
Belgium,” by John Maddison, Esq. in the latter publication, are, we
perceive, brought to a close, and areas intelligent as the first portions
of them led us to expect. Most of the other papers, too, lay claim to
considerable merit, for many of them throw new light on the pleasing
and healthful occupation of horticulture.
Harold de Burun. A Semi-dramatic Poem; in six Scenes. By Henry
patton Driver, author of ‘‘ The Arabs,” a Poem. Longman and
0. 1835. :
Amongst the multiplicity of publications, in verse and prose, o
every calibre and every form, to do honour to the memory and genius
of the bard of Newstead, there are few which exceed in interest
“ Harold de Burun.” Viewed as a mere romance, or as a vehicle for
poetic imagery, this work would impart no slight gratification ; but
when associated in its connexion with the distinguished poet, whom
its title obliquely designates, it becomes additionally attractive.
The author avows that the especial object of the undertaking has
been to develope what he conceived to be the true character of Lord
Byron, and to endeavour to dispel that fantastical one which has been
reared and nursed amidst the magnifying haze of popular credulity.
He is here introduced as an interlocutor, as a contemplatist, or as an
auto-vindicator: the author has anticipated sentiments to which he
conceived he was silently but gradually veering ; and amidst the pen-
dulous vibrations of his mind between the wide extremes of supersti-
tion and scepticism, has attempted to shew that its natural tendency
was to settle down into the steadfast principles of virtue. This
assumption he draws from his peculiar mood and general tone of
thought. In what manner the author has achieved his intentions,
will be best evinced by a quotation from the work.
Scene II.—Hanro.p, and Marepicus, Harold’s Evil Genius.
HAROLD.
Is’t not enough that you have dragged me forth
To shew me in the gladiatorial ring
CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 441
To gaping multitudes, but, even here,
Beyond the arena, I must still be goaded ?
Have I no home where I may rest awhile
From these assaults ?
MALEDICUS. |
Ask your antagonists !—
Can they forget who trod them in the dust,
And then upraised them only to display
How much they had been sullied by the fall ?
HAROLD.
Tine—true ! a generation must pass by.
The unforgiving will remember me
When I am low; and lift triumphant hands,
Knowing that mine will be so still: in phalanx
They will assail me when I have no shield
But the cold marble o’er my colder breast ;
Which yet shall not repel them: they will strike
In anger—that they cannot make me feel.
But I shall mock them from the sepulcbre
With haughty silence—for with living power
I now invest my ashes with that stern
Posthumous attribute! Go, tell them this—
I scorn them from my soul! Mine is a pride
Which, though the heart be shattered, stands erect
Amidst the ruins of its citadel :—-
A feeling that endureth—and endures ;
Exists—and suffers ; but which yet no rack
Shall wrench from out my bosom, but with life ;
And e’en with parted life shall not resign
Its power and influence. They may stride my dust,
But nought shall quench that spirit, till they yield
Their add of life to the oblivious soil :—
Their names e’en frailer than their bones.
[MaLepicus disappears.
In the 5th scene, Harold holds converse with a hermit in his cell,
wherein he gives a confidential history of his early life, mixed with
extenuations and regrets, too often the sad attendants of high-wrought
genius. This colloquy is full of instruction and interest.
The characters in this poem are,—Harold de Burun, Percy, his
friend, Minstrel, Hermit, Maledicus, Harold’s Evil Genius, Patronus,
Harold’s Better Genius, Teresa, &c., and exclusive of the extract we
have given, there are some interesting portions of the different scenes,
which want of space alone deters us from transplanting to our pages.
The reader, in Percy, will instantly recognise the unfortunate Byshe
Shelley ; and in Teresa, the still more unfortunate Italian Countess
de Gambia, both which characters are sustained with much of the
impress of generous feeling, and with a striking similitude to the best
accounts published of these Lord Byron’s chosen friends.—This
volume is well worthy of perusal, and cannot fail, we think, to get
into general circulation.
Of the Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of God, as shewn in the Works of
the Creation, by examples taken from among the least of terrestrial
creatures, also from the mineral and vegetable productions of the Earth ;
and from the inferior animals up to Man. Edwards, London, and
Lees, Worcester, 1835.
Our present number was completed when this volume came into our
hands, we haye, therefore, no time to examine its contents, at least,
4492 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS,
with all the carefulness required. From a hasty glance it appears to
us well adapted to lead young persons to contemplate with suitable
feelings and reverence the stupendous works of nature. In fact, it is
a really popular introduction to Natural History ; and comprising the .
essence of many elaborate works, it may be correctly defined a
“ Bridgewater Treatise” for the young and thoughtful inquirer.
A Selection of British Birds, from Drawings by C. L. E. Perrott,
Honorary Corresponding Member of the Worcestershire Natural
History Society ; and dedicated, by permission, to Her Royal
Highness the Landgravine of Hesse Hombourg. Folio, No. I.
Robert Havell, Zoological Gallery, London.
This selection comprises all the birds which are known in the county
of Worcester, either as perpetual or only transitory residents, and of
many others peculiar to neighbouring counties, faithfully copied from
nature by the talented author, Mrs. C. L. E. Perrott, of The Chantry,
Fladbury, Worcestershire, so well known and appreciated for her
intellectual pursuits and her varied accomplishments. Many hundreds
of the feathered tribe, accurately copied from nature, the work of her
own experimental skill, will, we understand, ultimately appear in this
work, of which five are comprised in the number before us.
The engraver, Robert Havell, duly and justly estimated as the
celebrated graver of the Lirds of America, is the artist by whom the
birds in this number have been engraved and coloured; and had he
not previously earned a well-merited fame in this beautiful branch of.
the art, this publication would have stamped him as a leading member
of his difficult profession. :
Nor is the accompanying letter-press, so full of information, practical
and lucid information, to be passed over with an ordinary comment.
The diligence and keen observation of an enthusiast devoted to the
soul-absorbing subject, is perceptible in every page, and Mudie him-
self _ pick up scraps of accumulated knowledge by a diligent
erusal.
. The five birds comprised in this number, are—the common fowl, or
domestic cock ; the ring-dove, wood pigeon, quest, or cushat doo; the
raven; the whin-chat; and the blue titmouse. Of these, if a preference
can be given, we think it leans a little in favour of the domestic cock
—but they are all executed with remarkable fidelity and skilfulness,
without the least stiffness of position or unnatural contortion.
This publication was put into our hands a few hours only previously
to the present number of “ The Analyst” being completed. To this
cause must be attributed the concise form which this critical notice
assumes. As the numbers continue to be issued, however, we shall
again draw attention to their merits. The plan seems to be so well
arranged, that we have no doubt it will continue to display throughout
the same taste and research, and charm of exeeution, which distinguish
the first number ; in that case, no ornithologist ought to be without
a work so useful for study and reference. We now conclude our
brief observations, by again promising some further comments ina
succeeding publication.
448
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC,
MECHANICS’ INSTITUTION, BIRMINGHAM.
Mr. Wallace commenced his third Lecture at this Institution, “On the Mental
Faculties of Man,” by passing a ray of light through a glass cube filled with water.
The light was directed at an angle of about twenty-seven degrees, with a perpen-
dicular falling upon the centre of the bottom plate of the cube, at which point a wafer
was placed, that intercepted the light when the cube was empty. After entering the
medium through a hole in a board, placed upon the upper surface, it was found to
proceed in a vertical direction, and, by the action of the upper and under surfaces,
to be suspended in the central plane. From this plane, when the eye was directed
underneath, it was clearly seen to issue ; thus shewing that light is not bent, or re-
fracted, in one continued line through any transparent medium, but that its direction
is solely influenced by the nature of the surfaces employed. To this peculiar modi-
fication in the operation of light, the lecturer referred all those phenomena which are
witnessed in the Polar and Torrid regions, and sometimes in more temperate
climates; such as the appearance of objects above the horizon, when they are really
beneath it; the multiplication and inversion of the images of objects; and the
distortion of these images, either by elongation or contraction. To this peculiar
‘modification was also referred the nature of our sensations within the eye, which, of
necessity afforded us perceptions derived in all cases from the images of objects sus-
pended within the various mediums communicating them, and not from the objects
themselves. The next subject alluded to was the origin of our conceptions of num-
ber, proportion, and magnitude, illustrated by drawings; and of relation and com-
parison, as derived from the peculiar conformation of the eye itself; out of all which
the principles of perspective were stated to arise, and from which it was intimated
that we had derived the sciences of arithmetic, geometry, and trigonometry. The
various scales made use of for measuring palpable distances, in order to correct and
assist the eye, were then alluded to, and explained to be necessary, in consequence of
the physical properties of transparent bodies, which cause the images of objects to be
presented at apparent, instead of at real distances, in every instance.
The fourth, and concluding lecture, treated of man in reference to the material
world. In the course of the lecture, man was considered as a recent inhabitant of
this planet; and the particular localities which he had inhabited—as they are
described in ancient history—were stated to be still open to the inspection of the
traveller, with very few exceptions. At the same time, it was maintained that the
crust of the earth bore evident marks of distinct epochs, having long intervals of time
between them—the various strata containing organic remains peculiar to each; but
that the ruins of the abodes of mankind were visible only upon the exterior part of
this crust ; and that no true organic remains of the human race had ever been dis-
covered within it. The diminution of the major axis of the ellipse described by the
orbits of comets, was alluded to as an argument that these bodies were incipient
worlds, similar to what the earth bore evident marks of having originally been; as
was stated.to be manifest from an examination of the various regular strata of which
its crust is composed. The deposition of these various strata were considered as the
result of animal architecture, and the assimilating powers of organized bodies ; and
a conclusion was drawn that inorganic matter was the result of these various opera-
tions, aided by subsequent crystallization, fermentation, or (its consequence) fusion
by volcanic agency. The position which man holds in the scale of creation was
inferred from all these considerations; and the gift of speech—which he only enjoys—
was viewed as a means imparted to him of arriving at a comparatively perfect
knowledge of the constitution of matter, by the aid of reason and future inquiry.
July, 1835.—VoL. 11. NO. XII. 3M
444
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PREFERMENTS,
PREFERMENTS.
The Rev. J. Garbett, Fellow and Tutor of
Brasennose College, has been presented by
the Principal and Fellows of that Society, to
the valuable Rectory of Clayton, in the
County of Sussex.—The Rev. Haddy Wil-
liams, M. A., has been instituted to the
Vicarage of Avenbury, Herefordshire, void
by the resignation of the Rev. John Durand
Baker, on the presentation of the King.—
The Rev. Bryan Sneyd Broughton, B. A.,
has been presented to the Rectory of Elmley
Lovett, in this county, void by the cession
of the Rev. John Lynes, Clerk, LL.B. Pa-
tron the said Rev. John Lynes.—The Rev.
John Hardy, B. A., has been licensed by the
Bishop of Gloucester, to the Perpetual Cu-
racy of the Lea, vacant by the death of the
Rev. Charles Whatley, on the nomination
of the Rev. A. Matthews, M. A., Vicar of
Linton, Herefordshire.
Atthe recent examination for Scholarships
at Trinity College, Dublin, Mr. Hamilton
‘was one of the successful Candidates. We
mention the name of this gentleman in par-
ticular, on account of the extraordinary fact
of his having obtained this distinction al-
though he has been blind from his infancy.
MARRIAGES.
At Shrewsbury, John Pryse Jones, Esq.,
of Coffronyd, Montgomeryshire, to Mary,
second daughter of the late Rev. Herbert
Oakeley, D.D., of Oakeley, Salop.—At Cam-
berwell, George Jones, Esq., surgeon, late
of Alcester, Warwickshire, to Anne, relict
“of Thomas Snepp, Esq.—At Wickhamford,
MARRIAGES, &c.
Worcestershire, Mr. Henry Cooper, B. A.
late of Worcester College, Oxford, only sur
viving son of the late Rev. H. P. Cooper, of
Evesham, to Felicia, second daughter of
Mrs. Sawyer, of Wickhamford. — Thomas
Kidley, Esq. M.D., of Byford, to Mary, only
daughter of the late J. L. Pateshall, Esq., of
Hereford.—At Edgbaston, near Birmingham,
James Lang, Esq., of Hampstead, to Emma,
daughter of William Wood, Esq.—At Rich-
mond, Surrey, by the Rev. J. Peel, Prebenda-
ry of Canterbury, Henry Brown, Esq., of the
Bombay Civil Service, to Eliza Anne, young-
est daughter of the late Sir Harry Verelst
Darrell, Bart.—The Rev. Frank George
Hopwood, A. M., second son of Robert
Gregge Hopwood, Esq., of Hopwood Hall,
and grandson of John, fifth Viscount Tor-
rington, to the Lady Eleanor Mary Stanley,
youngest daughter of the Right Honourable
the Earl of Derby.—At St. George’s, Hano-
ver Square, by the Bishop of Lichfield and
Coventry, J. David Watts Russell, Esq.,
eldest son of J. Watts Russell, Esq., of Ham
Hall, Staffordshire, and Biggin House,
Northamptonshire, to Mary Neville, young-
est daughter of John Smith Wright, Esq.,
of Rempstone Hall, Nottinghamshire. —At
Bristol, William Spry Stock, Esq., nephew
of the Rev. J. Hume Spry, D. D., late of
Birmingham, to Anna Jane, eldest daughter
of the late William Ravenhill, Esq., of Here-
ford.
DEATHS.
In Portland Place, after a few days’ illness,
of a boil in his throat, the Earl of Longford.
His Lordship has left a widow and ten chil-
446
dren. He was 61 years of age.—In his 88th
year, Sir Samuel Wathen, of Woodchester,
one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace
for Gloucestershire.—At the Rectory House,
Bangor, Flintshire, the Rev. Maurice Wynne,
LL. D., of Llwyn, Denbighshire, Vicar of
Much Wenlock, Shropshire, aged 75,—At
West Bromwich, Lucy, wife of W. Bagnall,
Esq., of West Bromwich, and daughter of
Capt. Sherwood, of Wick, near Worcester.—
At Kinlet Hall, in her 10th year, Lucy,
fourth daughter of William Lacon Childe,
Esq.— On his passage home from India,
James Theodore, fourth son of Mr. George
Ryder Bird, of Edgbaston, near Birmingham.
—At Hall Green, near Birmingham, Sarah,
youngest daughter of the late Richard Nott,
Esq., of Worsley, in the Parish of Rock,
Worcestershire.—Aged 90, John Inge, Esq.,
of the Charter House, near Coventry.—
Aged 30, at Beaumaris, S. H. Trevor, Esq.,
youngest son of the late Rev. Dr. Trevor,
Prebendary of Chester.—At the Vicarage,
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
Helen Maria, second daughter of the Rev.
William Cooke.—Aged 77, Mrs. Mary Mat-
thews, sister to Captain Matthews, of Rose
Villa, near Tewkesbury.—In Tewkesbury,
in her 79th year, Mary, relict of John Mar-
tin, Esq.—At Malvern, Louisa Augusta, wife
of the Rev. Francis Duncan, of Alcester,
and eldest daughter of Colonel Elrington, of
the 47th Regiment.—At his house, 5, Corn-
wall Terrace, Regent’s Park, David Carru-
thers, Esq., M. P. for Hull.—At Dolydd-
ycau, Talyllyn, near Dolgelly, of apoplexy,
Dr. William Owen Pughe, the celebrated
Welsh Lexicographer. His memory will be
long cherished by the lovers of Cambrian
Literature.—At Camden Hill, Birmingham,
Ann, the wife of Owen Johnson, Esq., in
the 65th year of her age.—Aged 55, highly
respected by all who knew him, Mr. Henry
Jacob, surveyor and auctioneer, of Newhall-
street, Birmingham.—Aged 19, Mary, second
daughter of Mr. Ward, bookseller, of Strat-
ford-upon-Avon,.
Bromyard, in the 14th year of her age,
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
Barometer. | Thermometer Remarks.
May | Morn. | Even. | Max. | Min, Day. Night. Wind,
29.005 | 29.003 | 49.5 43 Fine, clouds, rain Rain ‘
2 | 29.000 | 29.065 | 54 40 Wind, clouds, showers | Cloudy N.
3 | 29.150 | 29.225 | 53 4l Sun, clouds, It. showrs | Fine N. W.
4 | 29.264 | 29.410 | 55 40 Fine, clouds, sun Fine N. W.
5 | 29.430 | 29.300} 64 48 Fine, sun Showery W. vble.
6 | 29.200 | 29.2296} 59.5 | 45 Fine, clds, sun, Ll. rain | Fine W. vble.
7 | 29.318 | 29.430 | 60 46.5 | Fine Fine N. W.
8 | 29.420 | 29.400 | 64 52.5 | Fine, clds. sun, It.rain | Fine Ss. W.
9 | 29.270 | 29.118 | 63 49 Fine, sun, clouds Showery Ss. W.
10 | 29.110 | 29.220 | 57 43 Fine,clds. showers, hail | Showery S.W.
11 | 29.310 | 29.160 | 56 47 Fine, cloudy,wd.1. rain | Fine W. high
12 | 29.160 | 28.930 | 59.5 44 Fine, clouds, and sun | Showers ;
13 | 28,995 | 28.810 | 60 37 Cloudy, fine, even. rain | Heavy rain S. E.
14 | 28.830 | 28.942 | 43 40 Rain - | Cloudy rs
15 | 29.030 | 29.050 | 51 43.5 | Clouds, heavy showers | Fine Calm,vbl.
16 | 29.110 | 29.235 | 57.5 47 Fine, sun, clds, & lt. sh. | Fine 2
17 | 29.235 | 29.280 | 55 48 Fine, sun, lt. showers | Fine a
18 | 29.250 } 29.270} 64 52 Cloudy, sh. light sh. Fine Caim S$
19 | 29.250 | 29.240 | 63.5 50 Cloudy,sun, It. showers | Rain Calm,vbl.
20 | 29.315 | 290.500 | 53.5 | 46 Cloudy, rain Fine CalmN.E
21 | 29.598 | 29.600} 60.5 47 Fine, sun Fine N.
22 | 29.520 | 29.495 | 66 48 Fine, hazy, sun, lt, sh, | Fine N.
23 | 29.506 | 29.485 | 65 51 Fine, sun Fine N.
24 | 29.516 | 29.305| 66 50 Fine, sun, clouds Fine Ww.
25 | 29.208 | 28.975} 58 45 Clouds, sun, showers | Rain WwW.
26 | 28.860 | 28.910} 58 42 Fine, hazy, heavy sh. | Hea, showers | W. vble.
27 | 29.080 | 29.215| 56 44 Clds, sun, sh. dt. thun. | Fine W. vble.
28 | 290.345 | 29.405] 57 43.5 | Clds. sun, sh, dt. thun. | Fine N. E.
29 | 29.495 | 29.550] 57.5 43 Fine,sun,clouds, &haze | Fine N.
30 | 20.525 129.505| 58 40.5 | Fine,sun,clouds,&haze | Fine N, E.
| 831} 29.440 129.315 | 65 45 Clds,sun, hazy,even.rn. | Rain Calm, N.
Malvern, June, 1835.
4 ; f f f
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ix (MONTHLY JOURNAL OF ks reaceee THE FINE. ae
Meditation—Temale. _Education—Appearances—Translation, ‘Saphachis ade
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CONTENTS “No. VI. ey Mg
Memoir on the ‘Geology of ‘the ‘Vale of ‘Evesham—The Bantake: or Maid of
Kendal, by Wm. Carey, Esq.—An*Outline of the British Mustelades, by Shirley
Palmer, M. D.—Sonnet on the North Hill, Malvern—On Quizzing, by C. L.
- E. P.—The King’s Guard Chamber, “Windsor Castle