Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

parlour collection. A cheap life of Cowper, comprehending his correspondence, still remains a desideratum in bookmaking, and would require both sound judgment and refined taste.*

The next life, that of Robert Hall of Leicester, is mixed up with his works, which are published under the superintendence of Dr. Olinthus Gregory. Every new fact relating to the manner of life and modes of thinking of a man of great and original mind, is full of interest to all men. But the materials left by Sir James Mackintosh, (the friend of Hall,) whose literary representative Dr. Gregory is, are scanty and meagre, and add not much to our previous stores of information. Mr. Dove, to whom we owe the late cheap Memoir of Marvell, has published a memoir of the Wesley family, but omitting the principal personage, John Wesley, whose life has been so often written. It is a readable enough book of humble pretensions, and contains a great deal of information in short compass.

NEW NOVELS.

THE GHOST-HUNTER, by Mr Banim, forms the first of a new Novelist's Library, intended as an improvement on the Minerva Press and Colburn's fashionable novels, in quality and in cheapness. The idea is good, but it is not well developed. The volumes are too bulky, and the print too small for the skimming and skipping of circulating library readers. Mr Banim is one of the first novelists of his time, and the Ghost-Hunter the best work he has produced since the Nowlans.

TALES OF A CHAPERON, Edited by Lady Dacre. These tales are highly reported by the London papers: they are said to be written by one of her ladyship's daughters, Mrs. Sullivan. We have not yet seen them; but from the unsuspected quarters in which the work is praised, are inclined to believe it must be one of great merit.

AN AMERICAN'S ACCOUNT OF A LEVEE OF
THE TIME OF GEORGE IV.

At last I have seen the humours of a levee, which is certainly worth seeing for once, as presenting so remarkable a contrast to the plain simplicity of our own Chief Magistrate, who stands forth as a man among men; "who walks forth without attendants, lives without state, greets his fellow citizens with open hands as his companions and equals; seeks his relaxations from the labours of the cabinet at the domestic hearth; snatches a moment from the hurry of public affairs to superintend the business of his farm, and defrays all the expenses of his high office with a stipend of L.6000 a-year!" How different is the scene at Carlton Palace, with all its pomp and parade of military attendance, and all the glare and frippery of its court costume. I went under the protection of our worthy minister, and it was about two o'clock when we found ourselves in the large ante-room of the palace, which was soon thronged with bishops and judges, generals and admirals, doctors and surgeons, lawyers and authors-all anxious to bask for a mo

ment in the rays of royalty, and catch a passing smile of condescension from the great man. The mob at a levee is and entertaining. After waiting about an hour on the tipmuch like other mobs, though perhaps less good-humoured open, and the mass began to move. toe of expectation, the folding-doors were at length thrown Inch by inch we fought our way, till at last I got near enough to command a view of the King. He stood as it were in a door-way, with the opposite to him; and the intervening narrow lane, through whole of his cabinet ministers drawn up in a regular array which two persons could scarcely have passed abreast, jus sufficed to let the crowd off. I can compare the scene to nothing so well as to the getting into the pit of a theatre card, and the king your bow, if one may venture upon so on a full night. The lord in waiting who receives your homely a comparison, answered to the check and money takers; the cry of "Get your card ready," would have been as appropriate on one occasion, as "Get your money ready," on the other; and the press from behind scarcely allowed siness of presentation was begun and concluded in a motime for a moment's pause in the royal presence. The bument; the King smiled graciously, saying, “How d'ye do, Mr. Kentucky? I am very glad to see you here," and I found myself in the next room before I was well aware that the ceremony had commenced. It was then that a friend who had witnessed the scene, congratulated me upon the gracious reception I had experienced-a fact of which, but for his information, I might have remained in ignorance. The next difficulty was how to get away; for, having no Mentor, 1 scarcely knew what to do. carriage, and having been separated from my ministerial cocking my hat on one side, like my namesake Jonathan, At last, fiercely of wild memory in his boat scene, I sallied boldly out at the great-gates, and making my way through the crowd, at the awkwardness with which I wore my court habiliwho contented themselves with a few good-humoured jokes ments,I gained the stand of coaches in Cockspur Street, into one of which I vanished from their gaze. The next day Mr. R- asked me how I was satisfied with my reception, to which I made a suitable reply of acknowledgment. be satisfied, for I do not think his Majesty said so much to "Why, yes, indeed," said he, "I think you have reason to any one else." I find there is a graduated scale of great exactness, by which these things are measured with the most minute accuracy. "How d'ye do?" is a gracious reception; but "How d'ye do? I am very glad to see you here," is very acmé of condescension and affability.

the

STATISTICS.

EUROPEAN POPULATION.-A German periodical (Hesperus) contains some very fanciful speculations on the causes which affect population, from which we have selected the following particulars :-The increase and decrease of marriages in a country are naturally influenced by greatevents, such as peace and war, public prosperity and public calamities, famine and disease; but here, we are told, that political feelings exercise an influence. Thus, in Prussia, the number of marriages was greatly increased after the expulsion of the French. During the years 1817, 1818, and 1819, when the political prospects of that country were in their zenith, 1 person was married in 98; in the subsequent years the numbers again fell to 1 in 108, 1 in 111, and 1 in 118. In France, from the year 1815 to 1822, the number of marriages was much less than before the revolu

tion, although the population was greater by several mil

lions. After 1817 the number of annual marriages increased by about 8,000, and continued stationary at that rate till 1821; but in 1822, after the evacuation of the country by foreign troops, the number quickly rose by 26,000, and, in the ensuing year, even by 40,000. But it again declined during the obnoxious administration of Villele, and again increased after the overthrow of his Ministry. Even in

Since this was in types, we see the very book we want announced as in the press, to form part of the British Library. It is by Dr. Memes, and from his Life of the Em-Russia, from 70 to 80,000 couples less than usual were press Josephine, we trust that of Cowper will be all the admirers of the most amiable of the English poets can desire.

married in 1812. The proportions of deaths among children under five years is also remarkable, as it seems to keep pace with the degree of education and comfort of the u

babitants. It is smallest in the large towns, and would be smaller still if it were not for those who die in workhouses and hospitals, deserted by their parents. The degree of fertility of marriages seem to vary between 3,590 and 5,500 children to 1000 couples. The author, from an average of more than 77 millions of births, and 17 millions of marriages, all extending over a period of several years, comes to some results, from which we shall extract two or three of the most interesting. To a thousand marriages there were born in the

Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
In France

In England,

In Zealand

5,546 children.

[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

4,148

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

3,439

Marthe Two Sicilies and Zealand being the extremes. riages appear to be less prolific as the countries lie nearer to the north. A fourth point of importance in these investigations is the growing excess of males over females since

the general peace, which, if correctly stated, is not a little alarming, and seems to make a periodical return of war an indispensable evil. Thus, in Russia, the increase of males over females in 15 years, was 804,453; in France, 347,254; in Prussia 69,764; in Naples, 25,796; in Bavaria, 8,398; in Bohemia, 69,172; in Sweden, 15,195; in Wirtemberg, 6,877; in Hesse, 3,361; in Nassau, 6,484 :-briefly, in a total population of 101,707,212, an excess of 1,356,754 males. If this proportion be applied to all Europe, with a population of 215 millions, the excess of the males would amount, in the same period of peace, to 2,700,000. In the southern provinces of Russia, near the Caucasus, in the two Americas, and at the Cape of Good Hope, the disproportion

is still greater.

WEST INDIA COLONIES.

The following estimate of the value of our West India Colonics is taken from the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords, recently published:

[blocks in formation]

BRITISH COLONIES.

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

So the whole amount is no less than

A GHOST STORY.

£59,125,298
9 086,630
4,364,000

3.783,800
1,750,400
1,087 440
1,093,400
4,994,365

4.006,866
3,056,700
4.932.705
2,043,500
1,111,000
578,760

£100,014,964

£18,410,480
7,415,160
2,682 920
2,529,000

£31,037,560

£131,052,424

described by Dr. Clarke, but now give him "chiefly from
Mr. Dove's late ingenious history of the Wesley family.
"About the end of the year 1715, and the beginning of
1716, there were some noises heard in the parsonage house
at Epworth, so unaccountable, that every person by whom
they were heard, believed them to be supernatural At
the latter end of the year 1716, the maid-servant was ter-
rified, by hearing at the dining-room door, several dismal
groans, as of a person at the point of de 1th. The family
gave little heed to her story, and endeavoured to laugh her
out of her fears; but a few nights afterwards they began
to hear strange knockings, usually three or four at a time,
in different parts of the house. Every person heard these
noises, except Mr Wesley himself; and as, according to vul-
gar opinion, such sounds are not heard by the individual to
whom they forbode evil, they refrained from telling him, lest
he should suppose it betokened his own death, as they all
indeed apprehended.

"At length, however, these disturbances became so great

and frequent, that few or none of the family durst be left alone; and Mrs Wesley thought it better to inform her husband, for it was not possible that the matter could long be concealed from him; and moreover, as she said, she was minded he should speak to it." These noises were now various, as well as strange; loud rumblings above stairs or below; a clatter among bottles, as if they had all at once been dashed to pieces; footsteps as of a man going up and down stairs at all hours of the night; sounds like that of dancing in an empty room; gobbling like a turkey-cock, but most frequently, a knocking about the beds at night, and in different parts of the house. Mis Wesley would at first have persuaded the children and ser

vants, that it was occasioned by rats within doors, and mischievous persons without, and her husband had recourse to the same ready solution; or some of his daughters, he supposed, sat up late and made a noise; and a hint, that their lovers might have something to do with the mystery, made the young ladies heartily hope their father might soon be convinced that there was more in the matter than he was disposed to believe.

"In this they were not disappointed, for the next evening. a little after midnight, he was awakened by nine loud and distinct knocks, which seemed to be in the next room, with a pause at every third stroke. He arose, and went to ser whether he could discern the cause, but he could perceive nothing; still he thought it might be some person out of doors, and relied upon a stout mastiff to rid them of this nuisance. But the dog, which upon the first disturbance had barked violently, was ever afterwards cowed by it, and seeming more terrified than any of the children, came whining to his master and mistress, as if to seek protection in a human presence. And when the man-servant, Robin Brown, took the mastiff at night into his room, to be at once a guard and a companion, so soon as the latch began to jar, as usual, the dog crept into bed, and barked and howled so as to alarm the house.

"The fears of the family for Mr Wesley's life being re moved as soon as he had heard the mysterious noises, they began to apprehend that one of the sons had met with a violent death, and more particularly Samuel, the eldest. The father, therefore, one night, after several deep groans had been heard, adjured it to speak if it had power, and tell him why it troubled the house; and upon this three

distinct knockings were heard. He then questioned it, if it were Samuel his son, bidding it, if it were, and could not ONE of the best authenticated ghost stories which is on speak, to knock again; but, to his great comfort, there record is connected with the Wesley family. It is of gob- farther knocking that night; and when they heard that St. lin Jeffrey, a familiar sprite, who, for more than thirty/muel and the two boys were safe and well, the visitations of the of of which our gare is the goblin became rather a matter of curiosity and amuse the name of old Jeffrey, and by this name he was known a harmless, though by no means an agreeable, intante of the parsonage. Jeffrey was not a malicious goblin, but he was

ers lately heard in the memoir of Mrs Susanna Wesley,

the mother of John Wesley, the Founder of Methodism.

easily offended.

Sir David Brewster's late amusing work on Natural Magic, and an elaborate article on the Philosophy of Ap"Before Mrs. Wesley was satisfied that there was some, paritions, in the Quarterly Review, have given ghost stories thing supernatural in the noises, she recollected that selling *emporary interest. We have read of goblin Jeffrey as he is her neighbours had frightened the rats from his dwelling

by blowing a horn. The horn therefore was borrowed, and blown stoutly about the house for half a day, greatly against the judgment of one of her daughters, who maintained, that if it were any thing supernatural, it would certainly be very angry, and more troublesome. Her opinion was verified by the event; Jeffrey had never till then begun his operations during the day; but from that time he came by day, as well as by night, and was louder than before. And he never entered Mr Wesley's study, till the owner one day rebuked him sharply, calling him a deaf and dumb devil, and bade him cease to disturb the innocent children, and come to him in his study, if he had any thing to say. - This was a sort of defiance, and Jeffrey took him at his word. No other person in the family ever felt the goblin but Mr. Wesley, who was thrice pushed by it with considerable force. So he relates, and his evidence is clear and distinct. He says also, that once or twice when he spoke to it, he heard two or three feeble squeaks, a little louder than the chirping of a bird, but not like the noise of rats. What is said of an actual appearance is not so well confirmed. Mrs. Wesley thought she saw something run from under the bed, and said it most resembled a badger, but she could not well say of what shape; and the man saw something like a white rabbit, which came from behind the oven with its ears flat upon the neck, and its little scut standing straight up. A shadow may possibly explain the first of these appearances; the other may be imputed to that proneness, which ignorant persons so commonly evince to exaggerate in all uncommon cases.

«These circumstances, therefore, though apparently silly in themselves, in no degree invalidate the other parts of the story, which rest upon the concurrent testimony of many intelligent witnesses. The door was once violently pushed against Emilia, when there was no person on the outside the latches were frequently lifted up; the windows clattered always before Jeffrey entered a room, and whatever iron or brass was there, was rung and jarred exceedingly. It was observed also, that the wind commonly rose after any of his noises, and increased with it, and whistled loudly around the house. Mr. Wesley's trencher danced one day upon the table, to his no small

amazement; and the handle of Robin's hand mill, at another

time, was turned round with great swiftness: unluckily Robert had just done grinding: nothing vexed him, he said, "but that the mill was empty; if there had been corn it, Jeffrey might have ground his heart out before he would

have disturbed him.

"It was plainly a Jacobite goblin, and seldom suffered Mr. Wesley to pray for the King, and the Prince of Wales, without disturbing the family prayers. Mr. Wesley was sore upon this subject, and became angry, and therefore repeated the prayer. But when Samuel was informed of this, his remark was, 6 as to the devil being an enemy to King George, were I the King, I would rather old Nick should be my enemy than my friend.' The children were the only persons who were distressed by these visitations: the manner in which they were affected is remarkable: when the noises began, they appeared to be frightened in their sleep; a sweat came over them, and they panted and trembled till | the disturbance was so loud as to awake them. Before the noises ceased, the family had become quite accustomed to them, and were tired of hearing, or speaking on the subject. Send me some news,' said one of the sisters to her brother, Samuel, for we are secluded from the sight, or hearing of any thing, except Jeffrey.'

"There is a letter in existence from Emilia to her brother John, dated 1750, from which, says Dr. Clarke, it appears that Jeffrey continued his operations at least thirty-four years after he retired from Epworth.' We shall give an extract from the letter referred to. 'Dear Brother, I want most sadly to see you, and talk hours with you, as in times past. One reason is, that wonderful thing called by us Jeffrey! You won't laugh at me for being superstitious, if I tell you how certainly that something calls on me against any extraordinary new affliction; but so little is known of the invisible world, that I, at least, am not able to judge whether it be a friendly or an evil spirit.""

FASHION IN ITS LOW PLACES. This clever jeu d'esprit first appeared in an Irish newspaper. It is a felicitous quiz upon the absurdities which are so often served up in the fashionable Morning Prints, and Court Journals.

SPLENDID FETE AT BALLYGROOGAGH.

Ballygroogagh House, the hospitable mansion of Timothy O'Mulligan, and his lady, was, last month, (Nov. 1821,) graced by the most elegant festivities on the happy return of their eldest son from the north of Europe, where he had been incognito in the humble guise of a cook to a whaler. The principal entrance to the house was most handsomely decorated for the occasion; on one side was seen a heap of manure, shaped like an ancient tumulus, and tastefully ornamented with hanging straws, &c.; on the other side appeared a stagnant pool, whose smooth surface was gently moved by a duck and drake, who muddled through it with uncommon vivacity and spirit; in the perspective was seen a venerable turf-kish, around which a pair of trowsers being carelessly thrown, gave a light and graceful finish to the

whole scene.

About two o'clock, the approach of company was proclaimed by the distant clatter of wheel-cars; this deep sound, mingled with the finer tones of cur-dogs barking, whipped children crying, &c. produced a full and mellow volume of the most delightful harmony. The first arrival coucheuse; she was soon followed by the rest of the exwas that of the dowager Mrs. Fluggins, an eminent acloon, the walls of which were painted à la soot drop. pected company, who speedily repaired to a grand rustic sa

Here a rich and finely-flavoured beverage was handed round in noble wooden vases, which the charming hostess, with bewitching simplicity, denominated broth in noggins. Dinner was shortly afterwards served up; a plateau was dispensed with, but its place was most tastefully supplied by a fine skate, cooked up in the Turkish fashion, with all its tails; near it a quarter of delicate veal, which had breathed its last sigh after an existence of five hours. On the central dish was placed a male bird, which during a life of nine years, had increased to such a size as to excite the admiration of the whole company. There were many other rarities, such as are seldom to be met with at the most sumptuous tables.

After dinner, some original sentiments and well-selected. songs were given, a few of which are the following:Mr O'Mulligan." A speedy rise to the price of pigs." Song." The night that I put the pig under the pot." Mr O'Loughlin." A merry go-round to the foot organ."

Song." The weary pound of tow."

Mr M'Dade." The weaver's harpsichord."
Song." A weaver boy shall be my dear."

When the pleasures of the festive board were concluded, preparations were made for dancing. The orchestra, an unique of the most simple beauty, was an inverted creel, on which a single minstrel sat, the interest of whose appearance was much heightened by the loss of his left eye. Mr Patrick O'Mullaghan, disliking the monotony of the waltz, and the vagaries of a quadrille, opened the ball by daneing a jigg with Miss Judy Higgins; they were soon followed by Master Charley M'Dade, who floated into a reel with Miss Nancy Fluggins. Dancing was kept up until a late hour, and the elegant revellers parted with mutual regret. subjoin a description of some of the most admired dresses worn on the occasion, which, from their striking costume, will doubtlessly be the standard for fashionable imitation.

LADIES' DRESSES.

We

Mrs O'Mullaghan-A loose bedgown robe of linsy woolsy, petticoat to match, two-and-sixpenny shawl thrown with graceful negligence over the shoulder; pincushion and seissars suspended by the right side with red tape. Head-dress, dowd and scull cap.

Miss O'Mullaghan-Round gown of striped calico, habit-shirt embroidered en goble stitch. Head-dress, bandalettes of scarlet sixpenny ribband.

Miss Nancy O'Mullaghan—A superb old cotton, dy

blue for the occasion. Head-dress, crooked horn comb, bound to believe it, and to look for the reason of its exclusion and splendid brass bodkin.

Dowager Mrs Fluggins-Body and train of snuff-coloured stuff, petticoat of deep crimson; the brilliancy of this truly beautiful dress was increased by a pair of large ticken pockets, worn outside of the petticoat. Head-dress, a most valuable antique straw-bonnet.

Miss Fluggins-A light drapery of plain yellow linen over as prigged cotton-gown, petticoat gracefully sprinkled with pure-coloured spots. Head-dress large velveteen band, with a mother of pearl button in front; black worsted stockings, à la Carraboo.

GENTLEMEN'S DRESSES.

Mr O'Mullaghan-A wallicoat of white drugget, deep blue inexpressibles-wig unpowdered.

Mr Patrick O'Mullaghan-Jacket and trousers of blue frieze-cravat blue and white handkerchief.

Mr Gulley-A brown jacket, handsomely patched at the elbows with grey cloth-waist chequer. This gentleman's declining to wear shoes, gave a peculiarly cool and easy freedom to his fine figure.

THE PRESS AND THE THEATRES.

A question is gradually growing up between the press and the theatres, which, we suspect, must ultimately be resolved by the public. The free admission of the press-a privilege sanctioned by custom, and producing to the theatres enormous advantages by way of publicity-has been latterly treated, in some few instances, by managers, as if it were held upon good behaviour, and should be considered dependent upon the favourable character of the criticisms. According to this view it is not a privilege existing for the mutual good of the public and the playhouses, but a bribe given by the manager to the dishonest

critic.

to the other clause of the indictment.

The Haymarket management is distinguished for its sensitiveness in this way. We were informed by Mr, Morris that we might have orders whenever we would send to him for them. It is unnecessary to add, that we declined to accept as a favour that which, if it be used at all, should be used as an unshackled privilege. Mr. Morris gives very few orders to the newspapers, and is always reducing the number. He is trying an experiment with his theatre similar to that which the Frenchman tried with his horse-when he has just succeeded in bringing it to live without orders, it is not unlikely that its nights will be numbered. Mr. Price once said, that we wanted to drive an actress off his stage, because we did not happen to esteem her talents as highly as his interests required; and he even intimated something about our admission to his theatre. That sort of ill temper is very foolish, because the criticism, if just, must prevail, and, if unjust, it cannot overcome the force of general opi nion. At the Surrey, where the value of an order has been very much lessened of late to the critic, they wished us to consent to an occasional "little disappointment" in our admittance, or, in plainer words, they wanted to make our privilege coutingent on their good-will! so that one night we should feel ourselves entitled to the entree, and the next we should be turned from the doors.

We mention these trifling illustrations of the progress of question in which the true interests of the drama are concerned, merely to draw attention to the consideration of the subject. If newspapers are to have the free privilege, they should have it clear of all considerations of a personal or interested nature To hold it as a sort of fee in hand for services to be rendered, would degrade the office of criticism to the level of the auctioneer who puffs the chattels committed to him for sale. No eritic whose intellect was superior to that of a puffing auctioneer, or whose descriptive talents were less marvellous, would consent to sell his powers at so small a rate. It would be better to put an end to free admissions at once than to grant them in this slavish spirit. Newspapers that must, of necessity, incur a large expenditure in other departments of taste, would not object to so Suppose this privilege were entirely abolished, and that the petty an outlay as this would occasion. But what would be the newspapers, offended at its withdrawal, were to cease to notice result? None but the independent papers would take the trouble of noticing the theatres-the confluence of observation would the theatres, what would be the consequence? Why, twocease; and integrity alone would remain to chronicle the prothirds of the play-going people would lose their interest in theatricals; the stimulus that now make the new play and the fa-gress of the stage. What an advantage would hereby be gainvourite actor a common type of conversation, would be at an end; and the fame of the stage, and its nightly doings, would be limited to the uncertain, loose, and capricious gossip of private life. All theatrical managers are well assured of the great power of the newspapers in exciting the curiosity of the public, and they know well enough that one paragraph of original commentary is more valuable to them than a hundred advertisements. If they did not feel this, why should they exhibit such anxiety to oblige the very meanest of those hangers-on at newspaper offices, who have impudence enough to assume the airs of responsibility, and are mean enough to accept favours under false pretences? There is, however, no obligation on the part of the newspaper. The obligation lies entirely on the other side. The newspaper can do without the theatre, but the theatre could not maintain itself without the newspaper.

The managers, however, object to unfavourable criticisms. They are well enough satisfied with the good report, but they

There is the whole secret; and the soreness they betray where the shoe pinches in reality proves the importance they attach to criticism, even

do not like to take chance for the evil.

of the poorest order. Why should a manager be so very angry at occasional severities, if he did not feel the weight of their influence?

Mr. Morris, of the Haymarket, withdrew his order in a pet from an evening paper, because it published a critique, the only fault of which, in our estimation was, that it was too lenient. But how did that affect its tranquillity or reputation? Strange as it may appear, this paper is still alive and flourishing. Other papers have been similarly excluded from other houses, on similar grounds; and a few weeks ago the Athenæum was forbidden the squeezing place at Drury Lane because its criticisms

were ill-natured, and because the gentleman who was known

as its theatrical critic was said to have been heard to hiss a
new opera. Upon the latter charge rather than the former,
however, the manager finally rested his decision; yet, although
the gentleman distinctly denied the assertion and challenged
proofs, it does not appear that the decision has been reversed.
A gentleman who is understood to have at his control so
powerful a medium for the expression of his opinion as the
It is indecorous and in
press, ought not to hiss in a theatre.
bad taste.
But the Athenæum denies the charge,, and we are

ed to the cause of sound criticism-but what a terrible risk it would be to the managers to lose the hope they now repose ia timid and friendly journals.-Atlas.

BUONAPARTE'S MAY DAYS.

The month of May seems to have been peculiarly inauspicious to this celebrated character; and the day of his Death was the anniversary of several memorable occurren ces in his" strange eventful history." He who impelled his veteran troops to victory with the cry "Behold the sun of Austerlitz !" was "lighted on his way to dusky death," by the last fading beams of the suns of Madrid, of Almeida, and of Elba.

In the year of his own birth and the month of May, his
Conqueror, the Duke of Wellington, first drew breath.
In 1799, May 4. He lost Seringa patam. 21. He was de-

defeated at Acre.

1804, May 18. He assumed the title of Emperor of France
This was perhaps his worst political step.
May 2. After massacring the Spaniards at Madrid,
he appointed his brother Joseph King of Spain.

1808,

1809,

1811,

5.
He issued his mandate to the Queen of Spain
to declare her son illegitimate.

May 12. His troops in Portugal, under Soult, were
defeated by Sir Arthur Wellesley. 22 He was
defeated by the Archduke Charles.

May 5. His army, under Massena, was repulsed at Almeida. 16. His troops, under Soult, were de1812, May 19. The French forces were defeated at Al

feated at Albuera.

marez.

1813, May. The like in Saxony, Lutzen.

The 20th, at

Bautzen. And the 31st, at Wurtschen. 1814, May 5. He was landed at Elba. 1815, May. During his reign of 100 days he was prepar ing for his final overthrow on the 18th of June at

Waterloo.

1821, May. He Died at St. Helena.

[ocr errors]

EFFECTS OF SLOVENLINESS.

COBBETT.

'IN my English Grammar, I earnestly exhorted my Son, always to write in a plain hand; because if what you write cannot be understood, you write in vain; and, if the meaning be picked out, that is to say, come at with difficulty there is a waste of time; and time is property, and, indeed, a part of life itself. The other day, when I first advertised my Trees for sale, I besought gentlemen to write to me in a plain hand; to write the dates and signatures in a plain hand, at any rate. Here was an affair of proper names, both of persons and places; and there was to be a real proceeding of some consequence to be produced by each letter. In such a case, not to write in a plain hand, was, in effect, voluntarily to incur the risk, and the manifest risk, of not receiving that which was written for. Nevertheless, I received some letters which lay unanswered for a good while, owing to the bad hand writing. One I could by no means make out. The name of the writer was plain enough; but the word which was written as the name of the place was, according to the reading of ten different persons, Lancern. We hunted Gazetteer, Book of Roads, and at last came to the conclusion, that it must be some place in Ireland. Very little of this hunting would have taken place, had not the letter contained some Bank Notes. However, in spite of all our efforts to discover what Lancern meant, we were obliged to give the thing up, and to pocket the Bank Notes for our trouble. Yesterday, how. ever, comes, by the two-penny post, a little blotted note, with a signature to it, which appears to be the name of a post-master; this note begins, by saying, "Sir, Mr.

of Lancing, Sussex." And then the note goes on to say, that this Mr wrote to me some time ago, enclosing a sum of money, and it concludes thus: "the money was put into our box.". The devil of any date was there to this note. But the words 'our box,' I discovered that the writer was a post-master. By the sum of money, I knew that this Lancing was the very Lancern that had so plagued and puzzled us. But, upon again hunting through Gazetteer, Book of Roads, Book of Fairs, &c. &c. we can find no such place as Lancing. Happily, however, we had got the County of Sussex. That word, with two s's in the middle, and an x at the end, made us know what county we had got into, at any rate. We then took the Book of Roads, and went to the towns on the cross roads, under the letter L, stopping to read every word opposite the word Sussex. We soon came to the word Launcing! The Gentleman wished to have some Apple-trees, which he can yet have, by mere accident; but nothing like so fine as those would have been which he would have had, if his letter had been dated in a plain manner. I give this as a practical illustration of the mischievous consequences of slovenliness in writing. But, there is another thing to be well considered; and that is, that nobody pays so much attention to a slovenly as to a neat and plain piece of writing. It is an invariable rule with me to fling into the fire at once any blurred or dirty letter that I receive, and every letter that is written across the writing, let such letter come from whom it may. People that write in this manner are idle people. What they put upon paper is unworthy of occupying the time of any persons not like themselves. This seems, at first sight, to be a very trifling matter; but if we duly reflect on it, we shall find it a matter of considerable importance. At any rate, as I am certain that I never in my lifetime sent a slovenly scrawl to any person whatever, I beseech them who do me the honour to write to me, to write in a hand that will not compel me to waste my time, and expose me to the risk of appearing to be guilty of negligence or ill-manners. To young men I would observe, that slovenliness is no mark of gentility; that amongst their most valuable possessions is their time; and I beg them to consider how large a portion of their time is consumed in deciphering even their own bad writing. The hand-writing is, with me, a great thing. I cannot believe that slovenliness of hand-writing can exist without a general slovenliness in the conducting of affairs. Of this, at any rate, I am certain; and that is, that I never should have done a quarter part of what I have done, if to write a plain hand

It has cost

had not been the constant habit of my life.
many thousands of pounds less to print from my manu-
script, than it would have cost to print from the manuscript
of almost any other man. Then, again, as to time; hun-
dreds upon hundreds of articles written by me, could not
have been printed soon enough, if they had been in manu-
script like that of writers in general. Habit has made me
write fast and plain at the same time; and every man will
have the same habit, if he resolutely persevere in writing
plain. To write plain is the great thing; writing fast
comes of itself.

THE MOVING POWERS.-When Voltaire said, that "a man hanged is good for nothing," this wise aphorism might be very true in his day, but in this country, we have lived to see many changes, which controvert the dicta of philo. sophers, and confound even the wisdom of Solomon himself. A dead, or hanged man, at this day, becomes at once, "a good subject," not for the King, but the modern Chirons, who mutilate poor mortality when alive, with so much facility and skill, but value it most, when they can mangle it in death, for the relief of the living. “A hanged man" now, what his proportions, his defects, or even his crimes, is worth L. 14, or L.15. Very few living subjects, however honest, and proper men, would fetch half that sum.-[Voltaire is right again. The value or a hanged man is again, by the operation of the Anatomy Bill, next to nothing.]

-This plant has lately been introduced into this country from S. OXALIS CRENATA; AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE POTATOE. America, and is likely to be extensively cultivated, as decidedly preferable to the common potato. A root was brought over, in 1830, by Mr. David Douglas, and planted by Mr. Lambert. A these was planted by Mrs. Hirst, in the garden of Great Roper's few small tubers were exhibited in the Linnæan Society. One of Hall, near Brentwood, and has succeeded remarkably well. It month of May the pot was placed in the flower garden, and was first put into a small pot in the end of April, and in the broken, and the parts removed. This precaution appears to have been unnecessary, for it has stood the frost remarkably well, and on the 5th of this month, when it was dug up, the leaves were green.

The root planted was about half an ounce in weight, and the roots produced were about ninety in number, in a space not exceeding nine inches in diameter and six pounds. A few of the roots were boiled, and, when eaten, inches deep. The aggregate weight was upwards of four mitted by all the party to have a more agreeable flavour. Such were found to resemble the potato, but were unanimously ada result is very promising, and when we consider that the comconfined to gardens, and that its roots were for a long time not mon potato (Solanum Tuberosum) was, for a hundred years, larger than beans, and were watery, we may reasonably expect that cultivation may do much to enlarge the size of the roots of the Oxalis, and perhaps improve the flavour beyond what it is at present. It has a fine yellow flower, and is ornamental in the garden. The time of flowering is August. be particularly useful in the manufacture of bread, by promotUSES OF THE POTATO-SALUBRITY.-Potatoes appear to ing the fermentation of the dough. To effect this they may be but the best method is to employ them as a ferment. For two introduced among the flour, after being boiled to a mealy state; pecks of flour take from 3 lb. to 4 lb. of mealy potatoes, the former quantity will be enough, if it be preferred. Boil them till they will pulp readily through a colander, and when lukewarm add to the pulp one-fourth of the barm (yeast) which would have been used without potatoes. The pulp, if too dry, should be brought to the consistence of thin paste by addition of milkwarm water, and a table spoonful or two of moist sugar plate or cloth, and let it stand near the fire till a strong frothy or honey will promote the process; cover the mixture with a head arises. This potato yeast should be blended with about a twelfth or sixteenth part of the flour, to work as 'sponge' in the centre of the mass, in order to secure the fermentation of the whole Some bakers, I have been credibly informed, have given two guineas for a receipt to prepare potato yeast; and it is considered so effectual in promoting fermentation, that the misfortune of a 'sad' (heavy) batch is seldom incurred when it is used. It is said by some who ought to know the fact, that shades whiter in colour, and of much better texture, than when bread, worked with a due proportion of potatoes, is at least two it is wrought with the yeast of beer only; to which it may be added, that the bitter taste frequently communicated by such berally, with almost certainty of a corresponding good resul yeast is wholly obviated, and the ferment can be employed li

« AnteriorContinuar »