[To be continued.] thecaries Shop into your Chamber, and the what more lastingly, all their words goe for and The THE STATE OF JOHN BULL'S AFFAIRS. dily understood by those who are at all conversant with their right to be consulted in the management. If the sum total; a very jewel to a customer. As such I stood: leave of the partners hold a bit,' said I, you must and claw before John Bull will see his old neighbo robbed and plundered before his face. And so to lay went more fiercely than ever; and though I had one of best Attornies that ever wrote court hand, to manage t part of the law-suit, and though he gained me verdicts, yet many a fair pound did it cost me, Mr. Jo nalist, ere I got the vile little fellow ejected from the p mises. Nay, I don't know that ever I should be abe manage it, but that Nicholas, like the pitcher that went often to the well, got too venturous, and engaged in a m bloody row with Mr. Saunders, the Russian Merchan yet at length Saunders, who is a large hulking fa and though he licked him in the first two or three rou came down a top of Nick, with all his weight, and as fell into the fire in Saunders's counting-room, it wa signal for all, and sundry, to be on his jacket so s they smelled the singing. Corporal Kenisberg, whe become his game-keeper, Squire South, who had g him a daughter in marriage, even his namesake, Troy, who had been his errand boy, were all down on tibby at once. But although with my help, they him out of Westminster Hall and Louis Baboon who had suffered at the commencement of the row, a mises at once, and placed a second Louis, a brother of "Dear Mr. Journalist-To save long introductions, be pleased to know, that I am the same John Bull, of whom Sir Humphrey Polesworth long ago wrote a much-esteemed history. But little did honest Sir Numps dream of what was to befal this neighbourhood after he was dead and gone, or how often I should have to repeat his favourite proverb, Law is a bottomless pit.' I have been and now I am in such a quandary at the thought of anin that pit and out of it half a dozen times since his day, other dip into it, that I cannot help applying to you, Sir, weekly bestow on public men and matters. As they never as a judicious man, for some of that counsel which you appear much to mind you, I am sure you had better bestow a little of your wisdom on a perplexed individual like myself, who would be at least thankful for the favour. You know very well that my principal shop is one of the best situated in the neighbourhood, and hath been so for this many a day; I have got two others besides-one a sort of a back shop, which looks into a steep lane to the north of my principal messuage, a queer sort of a place it was in former days, and very inconvenient to my shop, being under the same roof, but possessed by a set of poor rascals, who were perpetually quarrelling with my people. They drove a petty trade in aqua vitæ, oatmeal, sul-head of that establishment, yet, though Nicholas was phur, and such huxtry wares, and were monstrously apt tilted out of the saddle, Saunders (who piques to pay their debts in old iron. Since a fortunate right of on doing things in a gentleman-like way) and S inheritance threw the place into my hands, matters are South (who as I said before, was Nick's father-in have no brawls whatever, the back shop is wonderfully before, and set him up with a handsome stock in trad much mended; we are all under the same management, insisted he should be at liberty to use the same brushed up, and the occupants become a civil, decent, awls and old shoes, in a cobler's stall, opposite neighbourly sort of people. Then I have a third shop on the splendid premises he had so lately occupied. Thre other side of the navigable canal, very fine premises in- more generosity than prudence in this arrangement deed; a capital potato cellar, Mr. Journalist, with excel- before Louis, who is something old and gouty, had lent vaults of usquebaugh. A fire high-spirited, light- settled his affairs, in whips your Master Nicholas, tru hearted sort of geniuses are the folks that live there, but himself up, and Louis down stairs, and so we went that they are rather wilful and frolicksome, and the dis- again, more briskly than ever. Luckily this was tance makes it hard for me to manage them; but on the short job. My Attorney, Mr. Arthur, whom I ment whole, I see none of my neighbours whose situation in the before, settled matters in a single pleading-got a bles, Mr. Journalist, and those which press me at present after having spent a few unhappy years in squabblic. world is more comfortable than mine, yet I have my trou- with costs; and Nicholas, instead of being restored t cobler's stall, was sent to the Fleet prison, where he are of a whimsical complexion. the turnkey. 6. A MEER EMPTY WIT is like one that pends on the stock without any revenues coming in, and will shortly be no wit at all, for learning is the fewell to the fire of wit, which if it wants this feeding eats out it selfe. A good conceit or two bates of such a man, and makes a sensible weakning in him, his braine recovers it not a year after. rest of him are bubbles and flashes, darted out on the sudden, which if you take them while they are warme may be laught at; if they coole, are nothing. He speaks best on the present apprehension, for Meditation stupifies him, and the more he is in travell, the lesse he brings forth. His things come off then, as in a nauseating stomacke, where there is nothing to cast up straines, and convulsions, and some astonishing bumbast, which men onely, till they understand, are scar'd with. A verse or some such worke he may sometimes get up to, but seldom above the stature of an Epigram, and that with some reliefe out of Martiall, which is the ordinary companion of his pocket, and he reads him as he were inspir'd. Such men are commonly the trifling things of the World, good to make merry the company, and whome onely men have to do withall, when they have nothing to doe, and none are lesse their friends, then who are most their company.mily, till some five and twenty or thirty years since, when This was especially the case in Louis Baboon's faHere they vent themselves over a cup some- the clerks and underlings took heart of grace, and asserted a 64 "You are to know, Sir, that my affairs are managed by head of the house, who has the usual power to employ I was sorry for the poor devil, as is my natu the company's firm, go to law in their name, make com- such occasions; but, after all, we were best rid of positions, and soforth. But he cannot touch the funds of and, good easy man that I was, I thought, that the house without the consent of the younger partners, who so much stirring work, we might live for a few have thus a complete check upon any irregularity; and so like loving neighbours, under our vines and fiz-tra advantageous have I found this balance of management, so-forth, and have time to look a little into our own that I am, perhaps, a little too apt to despise those who which (I speak for one) were thrown rather into con carry on business on any other principles. But, indeed, I by this long law-suit. But we are not yet come believe it was, till some time ago, the general mode of con- it seems, as rest and be thankful. Another curs ducting business in the whole neighbourhood, until the has been brought out in the neighbourhood, of w heads of some establishments made encroachments, and in will endeavour to give you some notion. many cases turned the junior partners out of the firm, or retained them only as clerks and shop-boys. "You must know that after the great law-su ended, four of my principal neighbours formed a Bible had little to do with the matter, which was t club, a Bible Society they called it, though I belie weekly, and oftener, if necessary, at the Crow These were Mr. Saunders, who has ridden the forehorse up order among the younger gentry. When he lays esa sizce Nicholas fell into his counting-room fire (which about him needlessly or rashly, I know how to check him. 1, 12 way, burned a good part of Saunders's premises) "But though this is mine own practice, Mr. Journalist, Store South, Corporal Konisberg, and Louis Baboon. I hold that every man has a right to dress as he pleases; 'Ard Jona," said they to me, you will make one?' and so long as he pays his bills regularly, and acts as But Idcclared off, for I jealousied that these gentry being a good neighbour, he shall, for me, have it at his own albeads and managing partners in their several concerns, pleasure what to put on his head, or wherewithal to cover bye to the maintenance and extension of their own his bottom. But my neighbours view the thing very thority over all their subordinates, and had differently. wded to stick by each other through thick and thin, to The radical changes in the management of Strutt's bap down those who, after all, as they pay the piper, affairs, failed not to attract the notice of the Bible Society, bate, I think, some right to chuse the tunc. I thanked who, taking it upon them as a matter in which they were ten endly, cowever, and said in the way of apology, nearly interested, sent a solemn message to the Strutts, that my coalitution, of which I have been always par-desiring them to replace Don Diego, in the privileges apuly careful, did not permit me to attend these pertaining to the three-footed stool and the cocked hat of a head partner, and a ruler of the longer size by way of I did not think this Bible Society was like to truncheon, or to stand by the consequences. Now, though do mar god; but having no fancy to intermeddle with I always have, and always will, maintain my own head in beigton's affairs, I sat myself down seriously to partner in his own just prerogative, yet really, Mr. Jourarranco my own, which, in course of my long law-suit, nalist, I sce no business that cither I or these Biblical Dad disken into some confusion. In fact, I found, what Gentlemen have to impose upon others the form of doing an accounts to be paid, bills to be called in, goods hang- business, which we have found most convenient in the hon band, or rotting in the warehouse, complaints Bull family; and, accordingly, I despatched Mr. Arthur, vom my farmers of bad season and lost markets, and my attorney, to enter my protest against the measure, and nanas anong my servants, that it required the utmost to expostulate with them on the injustice of going to law tærstament, even on my comforts and iny charities, and with the Strutts on what concerned them not, and to offer Accurate attention to both sides of a shilling, before my own services as referee to bring about an amicable wording mu it, to enable me to maintain my credit as a compromise; and certainly, if ever faith is, on any occamint and housekeeper, in a style becoming my sion, to be placed in an attorney, it is when he advises you not to go to law. But these gentlemen were too much But we have all been thrown back by an unlucky fixed in their own opinions to be altered by the remon1 ja neighbour Strutt's family. After the end of the strances of Mr. Arthur, although he be one of the clevergreat lawat, when the old head of the firm, who had est attorneys who ever lived, and an honest man into the been kidnapped by the little Nicholas I told you of, was bargain. And so they settled, that, with their full counrestored to his own place, he would needs take the same tenance and approbation, Louis Baboon should raise a lute sway in the counting-house which he had en-suit against the house of Strutt and Co. and the action has yed before. But the younger partners objected to this, been entered accordingly, Counsel are retained, and the tak reasonably enough. They alleged that, after he case is put out for trial. ad suffered himself to be humbugged by Nicholas, and out to a spunging-house, they had taken upon themselves * Lasagement of the affairs of the concern, and, with tance, at length brought the law-suit to an hoble conclusion; and that, therefore, it was the t of injustice to expel them from the management, that quiet times were come round. And, indeed, to as my own opinion, as I judged the head partner, , too ambitious and selfish in grasping at more wwer than be could make use of, so I think these young 2 did not altogether consult their own establishment, *shing to skin him so close as to leave him little more the empty honour of hearing his name stand first in him. This, however, was their own affair, not mine wok they went-pull devil-pull baker-til artmen, whom Diego had forgot to pay their ge, broke into the counting-room to help the partners, and to put matters on a new footing, the whole management of every kind was vested eating Diego only the privilege of sitting in the use on a high three-legged stool, with a cocked kad, but without power so much as to look La; while the junior partners, who tranthe vile business, were accommodated with red and affected an odd humour of going without , as the rascals who began the great general used to go without their breeches. Most people Ay would have turned Diego out to graze entirely; 41 were a sort of people about the house, who were habituated to see him on the three-legged stool, ring the cocked hat, that it was thought they could ave been brought to submit to any direction to august symbols were not annexed. Besides, en had a great deal to say with some of the and the younger partners had imprudently ed his salary, and withheld his tithe-pig, so 4a determined enemy to the new form of ma, and talked of nothing else but restoring Don to his plenitude of power. In short, the family 4 variance among themselves; and though the new 2 put the best face on it they could, it was imto hide fro their neighbours that the house was "On the other hand, there are several of the Company's once actually on fire. partners (very smart clever fellows, I assure you) who Sir, I was very sorry for all this. I cannot say would have me bristle up on Strutt's part, and make my ed of my neighbour's new arrangements. I self a party to his law-suit. It is a shame, they say, to ught the cocked hat a decent dress on Ex-see such a pretty spirit as that which the Strutts have and for gentlemen to go without shirts or breeches lately shown, put down by old Louis, and his assertions of they belong to the Celtic Society) I hold to be legitimate rights and they put it to me, how I should r. So, though I should not approve of my like to be hollooing myself hoarse for assistance, when rers wearing a hat like Mr. Saunders', or the Cor- robbers were breaking my door, without having any one dor Squire South's, which are cut on the mould of stir to my assistance. t Pistols, yet I not only permit him to have one rate dimensions, but allow him to wear a cockade and to hold the paper ruler in his hands for keeping "Now, Sir, in this unfortunate dispute amongst neighbours. I would be willing to do my duty, could I but accurately discover how far that duty extends. I am always in the habit of taking the advice of the younger partners of our mercantile house on such occasions, and I find that, as usual they are very much divided in opinion. I say, as usual, for it is very rarely that they are unanimous, even in the most common topics; and, to say the truth, I am pleased it should be so, since I have an opportunity of hearing every subject discussed to the bottom. "The majority of these junior partners, who consist of the same individuals who so strongly urged the supporting the Strutts against Nicholas, are now much against my becoming a party to this new law-suit brought against them by Louis. They admitted that the interference of the latter with his neighbour's internal arrangements was altogether unjustifiable; but they urged that if the Strutts had not been utterly pig-headed, they might have averted this crisis by such an alteration in their arrangements as would at once have satisfied Louis, and been better for themselves; and although they thought that Strutt and Co. (for Diego, his three-cocked hat and high stool, has been wheeled into the coal-hole as a piece of useless lumber) were entitled to resist even the most obvious improvement at the hands of Louis Baboon; with respect to their call upon us for assistance, that inust, in a great measure, depend upon showing that their law-suit was not only just, but necessary and unavoidable-for, admitting, in its full extent, their title to make good their right to the farthest iota by their own power, it did not appear that they were intitled to involve third parties in their quarrel. if they themselves could get out of it by the sacrifice of punctilio. A man assaulted by robbers has a right to the assistance of every passenger; but, if he be engaged in a duel, on account of a point of honour, it does not seem that third parties are equally called upon to commit themselves. And, therefore, since neither party would listen to our friendly advise, these honest gentlemen thought the best thing I could do was to lock on and see fair play, taking care in the mean time not to have my pockets picked. all this. It goes to my heart, that I should lose, in my "Really, Mr. Journalist, I scarce know what to say to old days, the character of general redresser of wrongs in my neighbourhood; for since I could write man, John Ball, with his blunderbuss, was always more ready at the cry of watch,' than the Charlie with his rattle. On the other hand, it is not holding up my hand will do. I know by sad experience, I must thrust them deep into n pockets; and, to say truth, I cannot find so much there as I used to do. My money is become like a wild colt-I must herd it into a corner before I can catch it. Besides, Mr. Journalist, I was just beginning to let out a reet, as my dear boy, Jack, calls it, after all my retrenchments. I had just settled to allow myself the use of the buggy once more, a decent pot of double ale after dinner, and was thinking of clearing out my drawing-room, and having another foot-boy. But all those indulgences must be given up, if I go into Westminster-hall again, and Heaven knows when I may have the good luck to get out of it. The last law-suit, which was only to have lasted a winter or two, in fact was drawn out to twenty years. Now, Sir, though my servants and partners are honest men enough, yet I know in their hearts they are a little partial-the one party of them to the cocked hat, and the other to the red night-cap. No one so ready to go to law in behalf of Diego as the first class; none so full of doubts and fears as the other. Now they have changed hands. aud the former gentlefolks see all the dangers of a lawsuit, to which the latter shut their eyes. I would fain have your advice, as an impartial person, what Lought to do, and especially on these two points: Whether you think the having a fair excuse for going to law, if a man chuse, obliges him to do so whether he has money to carry on a law-suit or no? Secondly, if you see a neighbour falling from the top of his house, whether you are obliged, by Christian charity and neighbourly love, to place your own person below him, so as to give some chance of intercepting his fall, at the risk of yourself receiving such a dainnable squelch, that you will never be your own mau again? If you cannot answer these queries yourself, you may publish them in your paper for the consideration of the learned.-Your obedient servant, "JOHN BULL.” Correspondence. ON PUNCTUATION. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-Your interesting miscellany appears to me a suitable medium through which to convey a hint on the subject of punctuation. Being in the habit of instructing youth in the elementary parts of the English language, I generally make use of Mr. Lindley Murray's works, which I apprehend are adopted in most schools in this nation, and which I think excellent; yet there is in them one strange anomaly which I cannot account for. What I allude to is respecting relative proportions of time to be ob served at the points. Mr. M. in his English Spelling Book gives the following directions: The above corresponds with the old spelling-books by Markham, Dyche, &c. and I believe is conformable to the practice of the best and most correct speakers and readers. But Mr. M. in his 12mo. grammar, as also in his abridgment of the same, says: "The comma repre sents the shortest pause; the semicolon, a pause double that of the comma; the colon, double that of the semicolon; and the period, double that of the colon." Now, according to this last account, we are to stop at a colon while we could count one, two, three, four; and at a period till we could count one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. As I cannot persuade myself that such very long pauses are consistent with propriety of pronunciation, perhaps some of your numerous readers will have the goodness to inform me whether the arithmetical proportion of time, according to the spelling-book-or the geometri cal proportion, according to the grammar, be the more correct? Liverpool, July 16, 1823. J. J. S. The Drama. LIVERPOOL DRAMATIC REGISTER. "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players." July 21, Monday,-Rob Roy; and the Review. 22. Tuesday,-Guy Mannering; with Simpson and Co. Custom having rendered it necessary for our managers to visit the metropolis, for the purpose of gleaning from the great theatres there whatever inay be considered rare or excellent, we shall probably be deemed captious for presuming to impugn arrangements sanctioned by usage, and, doubtless, as judiciously made as circumstances would admit. Abstractedly, such objections are certainly specious enough, but we must not be intimidated by mere plausible salvos for managerial frailty; nor should our purposes be shaken by the anticipation of any adverse reasoning, much less that founded on what some may conceive the premature agitation of this somewhat delicate topic. What attractions may be reserved for us we have no opportunity of knowing; but we do happen to be acquainted with those hitherto employed to allure us to the theatre, and on them we may surely venture an opinion. True it is that Mr. Melrose and Miss Hallande, two distinguished vocalists, were last week introduced on our boards, to fill up the chasm occasioned by the termination of some of those star-engagements, which have followed each other in such abundant succession up to the present period of the season. True it is that these engagements have been numerous, and of varied qualifications, good, bad, and indifferent; nor is it less true that they were made with a view rather to quantity than quality. The managers cannot conceal this obvious fact, and apologise for it by announcing Mr. or Mrs. or Miss such an one," FOR A LIMITED PERIOD." There are indeed many of our annual visitants with whose company we could very well dispense, but who possess a tolerable connexion, as it is termed, and therefore come and perform a given time for a benefit only; added, perhaps, to the vain gratification of seeing their names printed in good round capitals, at the head of During the next vacation, we would really recommend the managers to furnish us with sceneshifters, and box-keepers, and bill-deliverers, with all the et cetera of their establishment, from London; due care the bills. being taken to serve them up with sufficient pomp and circumstance. Mr. Melrose and Miss Hallande being singers, or at least professing to be such, seem quite determined to be nothing else; though we are not aware of any reason why this class of stage proficients should not exhibit some symptoms of possessing common sense, when a character is given to them, however little they may feel disposed to **assume a virtue they have not," or will not have. Whatever this lady and gentleman may think on the subject, they may be assured an audience expect something more of Francis Osbaldiston and Diana Vernon, than the mellifluous harmony of sweet sounds; if they do not, Sir Walter has written to trifling purpose, except his own pecuniary benefit. face is hfortune," never excited our risible faculties more Simpson and Co. unexceptionably the best farce produced LIVERPOOL THEATRE,-MRS. M‘GIBBON. We have just received some dramatical strictures upon the performance of the Antiquary last week. We are naturally much more disposed, at all times, to bestow praise where it is due, than to inflict castigation even where it is merited; and it is for this reason that we confess ourselves deficient in the stoicism and constitutional phlegm which is the boast and glory of the rigid critic. Our present correspondent, who signs himself" The Trunk-maker in the Upper Gallery," from what we have said will easily divine our motive for declining one moiety of his letter, and inserting the remainder. In all that he has said in favour of Mrs. M'Gibbon we entirely concur; and it affords us considerable satisfaction to bear the following testimony to her merits.-Edit. Kal. "The character, however, which was by far the most ably supported, and which, in fact, I have no hesitation in declaring, in my opinion, perfect, is that of old Elspeth (Mrs. M'Gibbon ;) but description can do it no justice-it ought to be seen; and those who go to see it, should, half an hour before, have read the part of the novel here represented: her form bent double with age; her shrivelled face; her palsied head and hand; her voice and manner; her dress throughout, down to the very shoes-all brought the original before me. One point, and a great one it is, she possesses in perfection, that she never forgets herself, but as long as she is on the stage, is the character she represents. Where all is so good it is difficult to point out Mr. Vandenhoff's Rob Roy is a bold vigorous per- beauties; but one of the things that struck me most, was, formance, evincing the most consummate knowledge of when she searches her pocket for the ring, which Lord his art and of his author, and characterised by that chaste Glenallan shows her upon his finger, and finds only the declamation and powerful feeling of which he is perfectly paper which contained it. I am sorry, however, to say the master. Browne's Dougal is, however, more decidedly audience seemed, few of them at least, to know or value "the creature" we read of in the novel than any other of the the excellence before them: 'tis true they were few, sadly whole dramatis persona, not even excepting Mrs. M'Gib-few in number, and not generally of that class who could bon's Helen Macgregor, which yields not one iota to either appreciate what they saw; for myself, I confess my attenher Meg Merrilies or Elspeth, each very different in all save tion was too much taken up in admiring, to allow me to excellence. Rashleigh Osbaldiston has a good represen- applaud, otherwise than by attention, in reality the best tative in the person of Mr. Bass, towards whom we are applause; but, for the sake of the actress, I was sorry she certainly charitably inclined, knowing that the urgent did not receive some of those thunders which are generally necessities of the theatre have forced him to become the considered so gratifying, and are most usually resorted to unwilling executioner of his own fair fame. The rotten by the audience." state of Denmark" owes this gentleman much, for he has * done them some service, and they know it." Bailie Nichol Jarvie was most villanously mal-treated "on Monday July 21," by Mr. Meadows; who nor looked the part, spoke the part, nor did any thing worthy himself or the part, throughout the part. He isagentleman possessing considerable capabilities, though by no means capable of doing every thing; a truth of which he is probably ere this convinced. Dominie Sampson, the following night, retrieved his character with ourselves and with the audience. Liston, of whom it may be said that “his To Correspondents. The article ascribed to Sir Walter Scott, and inserted in our THE BOLOGNIAN ENIGMA. Our Kendal correspondent G. w excuse our giving the translation of this celebrated parado which we do in order to prevent expostulation from sor of our readers." To the god's manes, Elia Lælia Crisp neither man, nor woman, nor hermaphrodite; neither gi nor young woman, nor old; nor chaste, nor unchaste, n a modest woman, but all these:-killed neither by hung nor steel, nor poison, but by all these: rests neither heaven, nor on the earth, nor in the waters, but eve where:-Lucius Agatho Priscius, neither her husba nor lover, nor friend; neither sorrowful, nor joyful, n weeping: certain and uncertain, to whom he rears t monument, neither erects her a temple nor a pyran nor a tomb, but all these."-The work from which have made this extract adds, that in the MS. at Ma instead of D. M. we find A. M. P. P. D. and at the end t following addition: "Hoc est sepulchrum, intus cadaver non habens Hoc est cadaver sepulchrum extra non habens. Şed cadaver idem est et sepulchrum." Which signifies, "This is the grave that has no corp within; this is the corpse that has no grave without; b the corpse and the grave are the same."-It may appe presumptuous in the editor of the Kaleidoscope to offer as opinion on a subject which has puzzled the most learn men of this and other countries; but if we cannot un the Gordian knot, we must cut it. We offer no confide hypothesis on the subject; but we venture to hazard opinion, that the writer of this enigma was an invetera wag, who has practised a literary hoax upon posterity, setting the learned world upon a wrong scent. In oth words, we are of opinion that the enigma, to borrow a no ble phrase, is "all my eye and Betty Martin." A friend of ours is of opinion that the true solution is Nata LIVERPOOL APPRENTICES AND MECHANICS' LIBRARY.-Since 1 last published, we have been favoured with the fol books: From Charles Sidebotham, Esq.:-Lewis and Clarke's Tr From a Friend.-Garretson's English Exercises; Murra From Mr. Nicholson.-Chart of French nouns; four odd lumes of French; four volumes of Pope's Works. Amongst the books, &c. sometime since acknowle from Mr. Marwade, there is a very useful book, int "James Smith's Panorama of Science and Art," Na 12 inclusive, except No. 4, which we hope this inter will be the means of supplying. NATURAL HISTORY.-The letter of Zoologist, on the bal the spider, is very acceptable. We shall avail ourselves of the selections with which w been favoured by A Subscriber from Manchester: whose favours we have appropriated. LEIGH WALDEGRAVE'S NIGHT MUSINGS in our next. Compendium of the various Human Dispositions is rath fanciful and hypothetical, but it may serve to amuse of our readers. PUNCTUATION. The equivocal line "Eduardum occider shall be noticed, together with some parallel cases, next. EOLIAN LYRE.-In compliance with the suggestion Reader, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne (post paid) we have a fac simile engraving to be prepared of the Musica torum, as it is called in the Monthly Magazine. 1 scription and the diagram are reserved for our next. Letters or parcels not received, unless free of charge Printed, published, and sold, EVERY TUESDAY, SMITH and Co. 75, Lord-street, Liverpool. Sold also by J. Bywater and Co. Pool-lane; Evans, C and Hall, Castle-st.; T.Smith, Paradise-st.: T.Wa Public Library, Lime-st.; E. Willan, Bold-stres Smith, Tea-dealer and Stationer, Richmond-re Gamage, 11, Clarence-street; and J. Lowthian, ry, 119, St. James-st.; for ready money only. OR, Literary and Scientific Mirror. “UTILE DULCI.” Thar Miscellany, from which religious and political matters are excluded, contains a variety of original and selected Articles; comprehending Literature, Criticism, Men and Manners Ament, Elegant Extracts, Poetry, Anecdotes, Biography, Meteorology, the Drama, Arts and Sciences, Wit and Satire, Fashions, Natural History, &c. &c. forming a handsome Annual me, with an Index and Title-page.-Its circulation renders it a most eligible medium for Literary and Scientific Advertisements.-Regular supplies are forwarded weekly to the Agents, viz. LONDON Sherwood & Burnley-T. Sutcliffe; Bookers; E. Marl Burslem-S. Brougham; ugh, Newsrender; Bury J. Kay; -W. Hoon; Carlisle-J. Jollie; -T. Cunningham; Chester-R. Taylor: 26-7 S Meyler: Chorley R. Parker; B-R.Wrightson Clithero-H. Whalley; P-Kell Brand wood; Colne-H. Earnshaw; the-T Rogerson; Congleton-J. Parsons; Profrd-J. Stanfield; Doncaster-C. & J. White; No. 162.-NEW SERIES. Natural History. SPIDERS. TO THE EDITOR. Dublin-Leet and De Jon- "The spider's touch, how exquisitely fine!"-Pope. The learned Julius Scaliger was accustomed to keep a The gider is unquestionably one of the most extraor- Kendai-M. & R. Branthwaite; | Nantwich-E. Jones; Lichfield-Lomax; Newcastle-under-Lyme-J.Mort; Manchester-Richardson &Sil- Ormskirk-W. Garside; Penrith J. Shaw; TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1823. such conduct attracted several persons together, who were which the former continued suspended; he then turned round, and, most dexterously fastening his tail to the upper extremity of the said thread, commenced a journey upwards with his prey, trailing it after him as nimbly as any Jack Tar would mount the shrouds of a vessel. This insect, in every respect, appears to be the most sagacious in nature, nor can we avoid expressing some surprise that naturalists have not enlarged more upon a subject, which affords so ample a field for discussion; in some respects they seem to possess a share of foresight nearly approaching to reason. I have frequently observed them, after having despatched a large fly, previously to hauling it up, display great judgment, if I may be allowed the term; like pioneers, they first proceed to clear the path by cutting away all obstructing threads; if upon trial their efforts prove unsuccessful, they again quit their prey, and once more commence an attack upon the obstructing web, until the prize is safely lodged in the citadel. The wound is affirmed to be invariably under the wing; but, from accurate observation, I am perfectly convinced that they frequently snap blue-bottle flies behind the head. I know of no individual of the winged insect tribe which they refuse to assault when pressed by necessity; bees, wasps, and even the snuff-coloured manure flies, fall their occasional victims, as repeated experiments have fully convinced me. Many persons affirm that they display a marked aversion towards the latter, from a high degree of olfactory sensibility; but they not only eagerly feast upon the "sickly weakly-looking thing," but also snap with avidity at their winged provender, whether it be sprinkled with salt, snuff, or mustard; in fact, those bees or wasps with which I tried my experiments were secured and conveyed home in a snuff-box; and were therefore very liberally powdered, previously to any invasion of the spider's dominions. A wasp was next procured, towards which, in general, spiders manifest a peculiar antipathy; in fact, after six or seven had successively retreated with precipitation upon briefly essaying the contest, I began to despair of being able to bring about a battle; some of these assailants, advancing to the attack in too unguarded a manner, received a sting from the wasp which instantly put them to flight; others, after a slight examination, turned tail, to await more pliable game in patience and fortitude. At length I espied a fine black-looking veteran warrior, whose wide-spreading domain, hung with remains of carcases and skeletons of fallen comrades, bespoke a power of no ordinary class. Upon the ramparts of this Cacus I planted my wasp, who soon gave sufficient alarm to rouse the watchful enemy within; he, like an experienced sentry, first cautiously surveyed his outposts and field of action, then poured forth with a desperate determination upon "th' invading foe;" but, checking his rapid career in "mid volley" with remarkable suddenness, he paused to examine his opponent's position as a skilful combatant should do; after a short cessation of hostilities, the wasp sounded a retreat, whilst his more determined antagonist continued hovering around, and occasionally putting forth his long From what knowledge I have been able to gain, I am legs towards the flying foe; spying his opportunity, he led to believe it impossible for the spider to haul up bees darted forward with astonishing celerity and pierced the when suspended from his net by a fine thread; nor does wasp's neck, who, feeling the venom, halted: the success-it appear probable that it spins threads around to bind ful assailant meantime stood aloof, like Sarpedon or Achilles, and resolutely renewed his attacks: the victim's weakness soon after enabled him to fasten his deadly fangs, drag his fainting prey towards head-quarters, and commence a sumptuous banquet. We also witnessed another singular circumstance, which clearly evinces that this strange creature possesses no ordinary share of sagacity and contrivance in particular situations. We were highly amused the other day in observing a small spider, who was constructing, with much ingenuity, an octagonal web, parallel to a pane of glass in the window-sash; as soon as it was completed, I cast a common house-fly at it, which became entangled, and was immediately pounced upon by the petty tyrant from above. Aware that he would have to ascend nearly perpendicularly with a prey much more bulky than himself, I waited to witness the result. No sooner had the poor fly ceased to struggle with fate, than the spider neatly severed all the surrounding threads, except one by them down; on the contrary, I uniformly find that these singular insects either fly at once from the bee's presence, or make a bold and courageous succession of bites until it be completely vanquished. That the spider is timid must be admitted by every impartial observer; if, whilst the creature is deeply engaged in feasting upon a delicious fly (howsoever pressed by famine) the web be in the least disturbed, how quickly does it quit the object of its enjoyment and seek for safety in an ignominious flight; if too closely pressed, the fortress is instantaneously quitted, and, perhaps, for ever relinquished to the breath of fortune, whilst the exiled tyrant wanders more like a Dionysius than an Ulysses, to prey upon his weaker compeers, till subdued by one of superior power. This predatory animal, in many respects, resembles those larger beasts of prey which roam the wilds of foreign climes; like the lion, he waits under cover until his plunder presents itself within reach of his clutches; like either in this country or in Great Britain. This indeed is the insidious tiger, which has been known to flee at the | mous work of that editor, left by him incomplete, an unfurling of a female's umbrella, the slightest alarm will never designed by him for the use of schools. This editio often destroy his tranquillity; and as the wolf, if taken in has gone through perhaps more than twenty reimpressions a pitfall, becomes perfectly stupid and regardless either of while it is every time republished with all its imperfection blows or prey, so the spider, if taken and put into a box | and all its errors; and this, although it would be just along with flies, makes no effort either to oppose or molest I remember once asking an old schoolmaster, how he easy, and just as cheap, to re-print Ernesti's revision of th them, but places all his hope and security in flight. managed with such copies. I will tell you,” said he, work, in which many of these errors are corrected. Mar One small species which lately came under my observa-"how we manage. When the poor boy comes to one of others remain, as must be well known to those who a tion, seizes its prey very similarly to the tiger; it sallies these errors of the press, he spends half an hour puzzling acquainted with the invaluable Lexicon of the laboriou forth from a crevice in the wood, and springs upon those his brains, and searching his dictionary for a word, which Damm, and the edition of the book-making, but literar small flies which its want of a web prevents it from other- is no where to be found. When all has failed, he comes Heyne. And why, let me be allowed to ask, why shoul wise securing. We may conclude by noticing the vast blubbering to me, with a declaration of his inability to mistakes be perpetuated in our schools, which have bee disparity which exists between our own insects and those make out the passage: and then I send him away with-for half a century exposed and rectified in the learne found in hotter climes. Ulloa speaks thus of the South Pugh, you blockhead! it is an error of the press; and world? Do not such facts evince, beyond contradiction American centipedes: "they are generally a yard in ought to be so or so." Is it thus, that the time and mental the neglect of classical learning? And does not such ne length, some a yard and a quarter;" and we are also in-energy of an ingenious youth ought to be employed? In lect account for the general deficiency of progress in formed the spiders are so monstrous in size, that flies fact, there are few books, in which typographical accuracy among our youth, notwithstanding the length of tim easily escape through the meshes of their webs (or rather of execution is of so much importance, as in those designed which is devoted to the study? nets) and that they principally subsist upon small birds.- for the use of schools; and there are none, in which it is The bites of these tremendous animals are as venemous as so much neglected. those of serpents: what must be the joys of an evening promenade upon "India's fertile shore !" Stockport, July 22, 1823. ZOOLOGIST. Literature, Criticism, &c. POLITE LITERATURE. [Concluded om our last.] But besides this objection to them, most of them are in- I have now to notice the comparative inefficiency of our school-education, for communicating a real and manly acquaintance with the languages of Greece and Rome. And in stating this, and proceeding to assign one of the obvious causes of it, I do not really depart from the sub. ject of this essay. The imperfectness of school education is most unfavourable to the success of collegiate; and too much diverts the latter from that which ought to be its principal object-science, to that which cannot be taught effectually in college-the learned languages. I by no means intend that these should not, as they do, form a considerable part of collegiate exercises. But I conceive that the student, passing from school to college, ought to possess such a radical acquaintance with Greek and Latin, as would render his further prosecution of the classics ra. ther a literary relaxation, than a laborious and ungrateful task. Now, on the contrary, it commonly happens that | grossly erroneous. he is so occupied with the drudgery of classical preparation throughout his collegiate course, that he has little attention to spare for the sciences; and looks forward with impatience to the termination of his academic studies, as the period when he shall be released from the irksome necessity of studying at all. Nor is this to be remedied by attempting to make the all Latin poets,-to enforce the composition of verses in dead language. The attempt, though such a favouri one in the sister island, has always appeared to me a rid culous waste of time. There really are not so many wh can write poetry, even in their mother tongue; though a now write verses. It is very well that encouragemen should be held out to any, whose taste leads them to cult vate this exercise. But the structure of classic verse, a an accurate acquaintance with quantity, may be attaine as efficiently with much less trouble. To promote the great object, a sound and critical inte pretation of the Greek and Latin Classics, completely ne editions of them all are wanted; and these furnished wi critical Indices Græcitatis and Latinitatis, in order supply the defects of the common lexicons. Never al should they be destitute of that class of annotation whi is calculated to form the taste of the youthful student, regulate his judgment, and to excite his attention to t elegances of classic structure, and his admiration of t beauties of classic composition. The Traveller. EXPEDITION FOR EXPLORING THE COURSE OF (From the Gold Coast Gazette.) In such a well-directed and regular application to c sical studies let the age of boyhood be passed, and in su other pursuits as are adapted to a boy. And at the age sixteen, the very earliest, assuredly, at which any o But I have objections as decisive against the matter, as to enter the University,-the youth will come to lis against the form of the annotations, in most of the classics legiate studies with a mind so furnished, with facultie read in schools. They are defective and redundant, and invigorated and enlarged, with powers of combining As to the Latin classics, those pub-discriminating his ideas so exercised, that his literary in usum Delphini are almost exclusively employed; and gress shall be ensured; and multiplied experience s I venture to assert, that the editors of these, with few ex- satisfactorily decide the question-Whether the cultiva ceptions, were fitter to be at school themselves than to of science and that of polite literature assist or obstruct publish books for the use of schools. The number of in- other 2 stances it would be more easy to enlarge than to exhaust. But I conceive the specimens I have noted are quite sufficient to mark the character of these editions as beneath criticism; and to mark, also, the low state and lamentable neglect of classical learning in a country where such books continue to be employed, year after year, for teaching boys to misinterpret Latin. It is a great mistake to suppose that any largeness of pecuniary endowments allotted to the advancement of literature (and they are, in this plication be actively superintended by literary men. As to the Greek classics read in schools, the character of their editions is not quite so contemptible; for it happened, fortunately, that Greek classics were not published In the first place, they are printed with so much typo-in usum Delphini. Yet, even of these, I know not one graphical inaccuracy, as to be in many passages unintelli-fitted for the purpose. The selection from Lucian, to gible even to a scholar; while they often present, in al- which I have already referred, has the notes indeed in most every page, difficulties utterly insuperable by a school- English; but the editor possessed no critical acquaintance boy. The last edition published in this city of the selec- with the language, has adopted a text the most vicious, tion of Lucian's Dialogues, which is read in schools, and and has fallen into perplexities and mistakes the most the only edition now to be obtained in this country, ex- ridiculous; while the vulgarity of his attempts at humour hibits in the first dialogue (containing about one duodeci- must disgust any reader of taste. mo page of Greek) no fewer than nine gross errors of the press and a similar imputation, though not in equal degree, lies against almost every other school-book, printed For the defectiveness of our present system of schooleducation various causes might be assigned; and among them, some general errors in the methods of teaching employed. But I shall confine myself to one cause, which I believe is little noticed; while its existence is certain, and its influence most injurious. I mean the total want of proper books, for teaching the learned languages. I speak not now of the absurdities of the common gram-island, liberal) is sufficient for the object, unless their ap-ney arrived at Mourzouk, the capital of the kingd mars and 'dictionaries. I speak of the editions of the classics used in our schools; and I denounce them, with very few exceptions, as scandalous to a country professing literature. Of Homer-venerable, wonderful Homer!-the only edition used is Doctor Clarke's; a man who deserved well of literature. But it is well known that this is a posthu The mission, consisting of Dr. Oudenay, Major' ham, and Lieutenant Clapperton, had on their first Fezzan, in the month of April last, in the best healt: spirits, having performed the journey in forty-two a distance of 600 miles. On their arriving at Mour the same house was prepared for them that had be habited by Mr. Ritchie and friends in the year 1813 where he fell a victim to the arduous enterprize b undertaken. All those who have read Captain Lyon's inter narrative of his journey, will recollect the delays and culties that presented themselves to the further prose of their object, and the privations they had to enc and endure, which paralyzed their exertions by exha at once their health and resources. Major Denham ing lest his hopes might be defeated by similar r and all his endeavours to advance to Bourno prove |