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The Naturalist's Diary.

MARCH, 1825.

[From Time's Telescope.]

[Concluded from our last.]

Our little modest friend, the Alpine wall-cress (aratis alpins) has not yet forsaken us, and, though in external beauty it must yield the palm to the more gaudy flowers of Flora's train, yet it is endeared to us, from the recollecion that it enlivened our walks in the severity of winter, when the rude blasts of Boreas continued to blow with

we must not fail to notice that emblem of virtue in retire-
ment, the modest violet, which makes its appearance this
month, and perfumes the air with its delicious odour.
The character of the violet has been well exemplified in
that little French motto Il faut me chercher,' so justly
applied to this flower. Violets have been the favourite
theme of the poets, who have named them honours of
the flowery meads,' and pretty daughters of the earth
and sun.' They are also thus apostrophized :-
Sweet violets, that spread

Your gracious odours, which you couched bear
Within your paly faces,

Upon the gentle wing of some calm-breathing wind
That plays amidst the plain.

indiminished rigour. The mezereon is putting forth its and the turkey lay; and house pigeons sit. The green-
In this month, black ants are observed; the blackbird
eaves, and the blossoms of the peach and nectarine trees finch sings; the bat is seen flitting about; and the viper
amygdalas) are now open. But we have forgotten the uncoils itself from its winter sleep. The wheater, or Eng-
ir primrose, showing itself yet fairer from the early sea-lish ortolan (sylvia ananthe) again pays its annual visit,
on of its appearance; peeping forth even from the retreat-
ig snows of winter: it forms a happy shade of distinction
etween the delicate snowdrop and the flaming crocus.

THE PRIMROSE.

1 saw it in my evening walk,

A little lonely flower

Under a hollow bank it grew,

Deep in a mossy bower.

An oak's gnarled root, to roof the cave,
With Gothic fret-work sprung,

Whence jewelled fern, and arum leaves,
And ivy garlands hung.

and close beneath came sparkling out,
From an old tree's fallen shell,

A little rill, that clipt about
The Lady in her cell

And there, methought, with bashful pride,
She seemed to sit and look
On her own maiden loveliness,
Pale imaged in the brook.

No other flower, no rival grew
Beside my persive maid

The dwelt alone, a cloistered nun,
In solitude and shade.

No sun-beam on that fairy pool
Darted its dazzling light:

Only, methought, some clear cold star
Might tremble there at night.

No ruffling wind could reach her there...
No eye, methought, but mine,

Or the young lambs that came to drink
Had spied her secret shrine.

And there was pleasantness to me
In such belief-cold eyes

That slight dear Nature's loveliness
Profane her mysteries.

Long time I looked and lingered there,
Absorbed in still delight;

My spirits drank deep quietness

In with that quiet sight.

Blackwood's Magazine. otected from the inclemency of the weather by our -houses, roses, hyacinths, heliotropes, and gera18, are now in full blossom, regaling the senses with varied hues and rich perfumes, and affording to the f contemplation the lively picture of a virtuous mind, sheltered by the walls of a good conscience, is able thstand the keen blasts of affliction, or the more detive blights of slander, and, under the smiles of an wing God, blooms with redoubled freshness, shedits balmy sweets on all around. Yet, amid this tive scene of beauty, will thoughts, like those of the occasionally present themselves to the reflective

The flowers of Spring are beautiful,
And well their sight may cast
Before our visions, fresh and full,
The memory of the past.

The spirit alters: ne'er again.

Will life restore the hours

of innocence, when, free from pain,

Our day was like the flowers. D. M. MOIR. affodils, yellow auriculas, coltsfoot, with its brilliant en and sometimes pink or silvery stars, and houndsgae, are in blossom about the middle of the month. America we are indebted for a species of cowslip which ers in March, and whose beautiful rose-coloured soms, growing in thick branches in the form of a e, now add greatly to the beauty of our gardens. bilst our attention is attracted by the more gaudy anges which obtrude themselves on our observation,

leaving England in September. Those birds which have
passed the winter in England now take their departure
for more northerly regions; as the fieldfare, the red-wing,
and the woodcock.

The Commissioners, however, have not confined their attention to matters of utility only: with a view of ultimately restoring and perpetuating the scenery and enjoyment to the public of the Royal Parks of Richmond, Hampton-Court, Bushy, and Greenwich, they have caused a special survey to be made of these parks; and a great number of the trees being found to be in a state of progressive, and many of them of rapid decay, a competent sum of money is now annually appropriated towards stocking them with young and growing trees. In Windsor Great Park, plantations to a considerable extent had been made by the command and under the direction of his late Majesty, and these have been recently extended under the direction of the Commissioners. In Hyde Park, under the direction of the Lords of the Treasury. also, similar improvements have been made by the Ranger,

Among the magnificent ornaments of our metropolis, commenced under the auspices of his present Majesty while Regent, the Regent's Park ranks high in point of utility as well as beauty, and is an invaluable addition to the comforts and the pleasures of those who reside in the north-west quarter of London. It is no small praise to the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to say, that this Park is under their especial direction; and although, from the various difficulties they have necessarily encountered, they have not been enabled to carry into execution every The general or great flow of sap in most trees takes part of their intended plan, they have done enough to enplace in this month; this is preparatory to the expanding title them to the lasting thanks of a grateful public. A of the leaves, and ceases when they are out. The ash park, like a city, is not made in a day; and to posterity now puts forth its grey buds; and the hazel and the wil-it must be left fully to appreciate the merits of those who low exhibit some signs of returning life in their silky en-designed and superintended this delightful metropolitan folded catkins.

On the 20th the vernal equinox takes place, and all nature feels her renovating sway, and seems to rejoice at the retreat of winter.

Now hazel catkins, and the bursting buds

Of the fresh willow, whispered Spring is coming:'
And bullfinches forth flitting from the woods,

With their rich silver voices; and the humming
Of a new wakened bee that passed: and broods.
Of ever-dancing gnats, again consuming,
In pleasant sun-light, their regiven time:

And the germs swelling in the red shoots of the lime:
All these were tell-tales of far brighter hours,

That had been, and again were on their way;
The breaking forth of green things, and of flowers,
From the earth's breast; from bank and quickening spray
Dews, buds, and blossoms; and in woodland bowers,
Fragrant and fresh, full many a sweet bird's lay,
Sending abroad, from the exultant spring,
To every living heart a gladsome welcoming.

Howitt's Forest Minstrel

About the middle of the month, the red currant is in leaf. The buds of the red lilac appear, and the leaves of the thornless sose and of the hawthorn are gradually be. coming determinate. The field daisy is now seen scattered over dry pastures.

The planting and sowing of FOREST TREES is generally concluded in this month. The mixing of fir-trees with oaks (except in very sheltered situations) is now frequently adopted by the planter. From a variety of experiments made under the direction of the Commissioners of his Majesty's Woods and Forests, and Land Revenues, former have derived so much benefit from the shelter it appears that where oaks have been mixed with firs, the afforded by the latter, that in almost all cases the oaks obviate any objections that might be made to the planthave so far outgrown their neighbours as completely to ing of firs on account of their supposed injury to the tion, however, will be required to thin out the firs, before beauty of the forest scenery. The most watchful attenthey either overgrow the oaks, or draw them up to a height disproportioned to the strength of the stem, and without regard being had to the whole of the produce, such thinnings must be executed in the first instance, which, for a few years, would probably not defray their

expenses.

We have much pleasure in stating, that in consequence of the very active measures taken by the Commissioners, within the last few years, for the improvement of the Royal Forests, and of the purchase of Freehold Lands applicable to the growth of oak, the whole extent of land belonging to the Crown, now actually in timber or young plantations, amounts to 51,627 acres; and from some new inclosures to be made in New, Dean, and Woolmer Forests, it is expected that 11,000 acres may yet be added to this amount.

Such are the beneficial results (as it respects the growth of Navy Timber) of the science and industry displayed by the Commissioners in the execution of the important task committed to their care. Having carefully perused their different triennial Reports, we cheerfully give our humble testimony to their meritorious and unceasing labours for the attainment of this great national object.

improvement.

In March, trouts begin to rise, and blood worms appear in the water. The clay hair-worm is found at the bottom of drains and ditches, and the water-flea may be seen gliding about upon the surface of sheltered pools.

The equinoctial gales are usually most felt, both by sea and land, about this time.

The smelt begins to ascend rivers to spawn, when they are taken in great abundance. The gannets or Soland geese resort in March to the Hebrides, and other rocky isles of North Britain, to make their nests and lay their eggs.

Black beetles may now be observed flying about in the evening; and bats issue from their places of concealment Roach and dace float near the surface of the water, and sport about in pursuit of insects. Peas appear above ground; the sea-kale (crambe maritima) now begins to sprout. The male blossoms of the yew-tree expand and discharge their farina. Sparrows are busily employed in forming their nests. Young otters are produced, and young lambs are yeaned this month.

About the end of March a brimstone-coloured butterfly (papilio rhamni) appears.

THE ENFRANCHISED; OR THE BUTTERFLY'S FIRST FRLARIN.
Thou hast burst from thy prison,
Bright child of the air,
Like a spirit just risen

From its mansion of care.
Thou art joyously winging

Thy Arst ardent flight,
Where the gay lark is singing
Her notes of delight:
Where the sun-beams are throwing
Their glories on thine,
Till thy colours are glowing

With tints more divine.

Then, tasting new pleasure

In Summer's green bower
Reposing at leisure

On fresh-opened flowerst
Or delighted to hover
Around them to see
Whose charms, airy rover,
Bloom sweetest for thees
And fondly inhaling

Their fragrance, till day
From thy bright eye is failing
And fading away.
Then seeking some blossons

Which looks to the west,
Thou dost find in its bosom
Sweet shelter and rests
And there dost betake thes
Till darkness is o'er,
And the sun-beams awake thes
To pleasure once more.

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A crimson velvet pelisse appears to us remarkably

gant: the corsage is made tight to the shape, oma
on each side of the back with braiding in a scroll pa
and finished at the hips with hard silk lozenges
richly wrought. Low collar, cut in dents de s
are lightly braided, to correspond with the back.
sleeve, the fulness brought entirely into the middle of
arm, and confined by five narrow bands of wrought
each fastened by a small lozenge. The trimming c
of lynx fur, disposed in a very striking manner in
leaves; they are edged with trimming to correspond
the bracelets, are placed at regular distances, and
from a scolloped band of velvet at the bottom of the s
each scollop forming the base of a leaf. The p
fastens up the front with lozenges of different sizes
largest being placed at bottom, and the smallest at
a tassel depends from each.

he Austrian mantle is also much in favour in carriage
It is lined with white sarsnet, and is large and long
ugh to form a complete envelope. The trimming con-
of a broad flat band of white down feathers; the
rine is edged to correspond, and the collar is formed
rely of plumes.
Bonnets have not altered size. We observe that the
wns of a good many undress bonnets are ornamented
urmotte with a piece of the same material, the ends
which pass under the brim, and form the lappets;
e bonnets are generally trimmed with knots of the
erial they are composed of. Ruches of shaded ribbon,
in sharp points, have superseded, in a great degree,
curtain veils lately so fashionable.

The Investigator. prehending Political Economy, Statistics, Jurisprunce, occasional passages from Parliamentary Speeches nts, and other speculative subjects, excluding Party a general nature, occasional Parliamentary Doculities]

WARM AND VAPOUR BATH.

remember that it is from authority of the most unques-
tionable character, that we add, that in the countries
where it is the practice for the natives to pass naked out
of the vapour baths, and to roll themselves in the snow,
the rheumatism is wholly unknown.

catarrhs, chronic rheumatism, contraction of the muscles, and stiff joints,' yield to the influence of the vapour. calculi were passed, without any of the agony which the Two cases of gout appeared to be cured by it; and small patient had undergone, before the bath was resorted to. Tooth-ache has been dissipated by it in a few minutes.' -Medical Review.

"In this apparatus (the vapour bath) the stimulant diffused through the air; and as the elastic vapour, like power of heat is modified and tempered by the moisture air, is a less powerful conductor of heat than a watery fluid, the effect of vapour in raising the temperature of the body is much less than that of the hot bath. Its heating effect is also farther diminished by the copious perspiration which ensues; so that on all accounts the vapour bath is safer, as it is in most cases more effectual than the hot-water bath, and may be employed with success where the hot bath would be attended with danger.

Mr. Coglan, to whom the town is, in our opinion, under very great obligations for having established a Floating Bath, greatly and confessedly superior to any similar establishment in the world, has lately written and compiled with great care a most useful little work upon the Subject of Warm and Vapour Bathing, in which he has collected together the opinions of the most eminent men upon this important subject, together with an enumeration of the numerous diseases in which warm and vapour bathing is recommended by professional men of great celebrity. This little treatise, comprised in a pamphlet of twenty-four pages was intended, by Mr. his own baths, in Bold-street,-but on a perusal of its Coglan, principally for the use of those who frequented contents, we found the work so judiciously compiled and so generally interesting, that we solicited permission to appropriate the whole of it for the Kaleidoscope. We now offer our readers a portion of it, reserving the remain-of internal inflammation; it draws a great quantity of der until next week.

"The vapour bath may be applied to the whole body, or to any part of it: its immediate effects are to excite or diminished: this increase of circulation at the surface of increase the action of the superficial arteries, by which the determination of blood to the deeper seated parts is the body produces a copious perspiration, which may be continued, as it is excited, at pleasure. It should, however, always cease before debility begins.

"The utility of this application is obvious in all cases blood to the surface, and relieves the internal parts by the secretion of the skin, which is the mode.nature takes to

nce the introduction of improved baths into Liverpool, Ir. Coglan and the late Mr. Sadler, the wholesome uxurious custom of warm and vapour bathing has Extracts from the Works of the Hon. Basil Cochrane, Dr. resolve inflammations and fevers. Besides an increased Kentish, Sir Arthur Clarke, M. D. &c. to shew the ef- perspiration, other effects are produced on the system; be much more prevalent and general than it formerly ficacy of vapour bathing in the cure of several diseases, equal and due action is restored to the surface, and a and we congratulate the public upon the circum- viz. rheumatism, scrofula, cutaneous eruptions, glandu-highly agreeable sensation is produced, which renders the lar swellings in the neck, gravel, palsy, gout, dropsy, influence of cool air safe and desirable."-Clarke's Essay. , fully convinced, as we are, that the use of the warm xonduces more than almost any other thing to the consumption, fever, inflammation of the bowels, bilious "The moderns seem, until lately, to have had a very and liver complaints, water in the brain, &c. different opinion with regard to warm bathing: it has vation and the restoration of health. We are also as been generally regarded as relaxing, weakening, and ener assured, that, in many cases, arising from obstructed "Every practitioner, who has paid any attention to the vating; and this opinion has descended from the physician ration, and in a variety of diseases to which the na-operation of heat and moisture on the animal economy to the people, so as to be regarded as an axiom. Marour ever-varying climate are particularly liable, teau, Maret, and Macquart, with a host of Continental writers, have looked upon this as a settled point, and pour bath is a most efficatious remedy. te prejudices, however, still exist, upon the subject have reasoned accordingly. But surely the opinion of the m and vapour bathing, which operate against their very small proportion, not merely of the population, but Greeks and Romans, from their extensive and national

must have had frequent occasion to lament the difficulty of
resorting to it, as a remedy, in consequence of the paucity
of establishments for warm bathing in this country. A
even of professional men, have had personal experience of
its effects: hence, the general knowledge on the subject is
extremely scanty, and the popular notions respecting it are
Warm bathing is deemed a relaxing
very erroneous.
and enervating' practice, calculated only to gratify the
effeminate voluptuaries of eastern countries, adverse to the
hardihood of the British character, and incompatible with
the mutability and rigour of the British climate; at once
weakening the physical strength, and rendering the body
more obnoxious to the injuries occasioned by cold. We
have no other foundation than hypothetical views of the
are persuaded, however, that these are prejudices, which
operation of heat and moisture on the living body, chiefly
deduced from their effects upon dead matter, or perhaps
from the occasional abuse of the warm bath: and we are
equally convinced of the great efficacy of warm bathing,

use of warm or tepid baths, should claim some attention on what they were so capable of forming a judgment. The allegories of the ancients agree perfectly with their extensive use of the warm bath: the warm springs were dedicated to Apollo; and so fat were they from being esteemed debilitating, that some of them were dedicated to Hercules, the god of strength. Suidas, Eustatius, and other ancient writers, make use of the term balnea Herculea, as synonimous with warm baths: not one cold bath

ing as general in this country as in many other of the world. It is a prevailing opinion that it gerous to venture into the cold air soon after used the warm baths. Nothing can be more und, or contrary to experience, than this apprehension; fact is, that the human body, after having been subto a high temperature of water or vapour, is better d to endure a very low one than it was previously to mmersion: and, although it is true that a rapid ion from cold to heat is highly dangerous, and often it is a well ascertained fact that the human body thout detriment, or even much inconvenience, pass reat heat to intense cold; and that when inured by it can endure a sudden transition from the tempe- in relieving many morbid conditions of the human body, prejudices, we should cease to regard warm baths as

is

was dedicated to Hercules; but he is said to have found view of recruiting his exhausted strength after any great a natural warm spring, whither he used to retire, with the exertion, from whence he rose giant refreshed. There existed an altar dedicated to Hercules at the baths of Thermopyla; also, in some Sicilian coins this demi-god represented in the act of bathing. Could we forget our debilitating; for a great and polished people would not have been so absurd as to have dedicated to the god of The vapour bath in use in this country is simple in its strength, that which they thought possessed an opposite construction, and effectual in its application: it is model-quality."-Dr. Kentish. he Finland peasants (says Acerbi, in his Travels in led from one invented by the Hon. Basil Cochrane, who of Eson being restored to youth, by means of the medical was led to the contrivance and use of it in the following

of boiling water to that of freezing water.
shall proceed to adduce some instances in proof of
sition, even at the risk of relating what is already
to the generality of our readers.

1, Finland, &c.) pass instantaneously from an at-
ere of 70 deg. of heat, (Reaumur) to one of 30 deg.
a transition of 100 deg., which is the same thing
ng out of boiling water into freezing water; and
more astonishing, without the least inconvenience;
other people are very sensibly affected by a variation
5 degrees."
Pontopodon's Natural History of Norway we find
llowing passage in corroboration of the same pheno-

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as well as of its total freedom from those hazardous conse-
quences
which are usually apprehended from its use."
Medical Review.

way:

A very protracted residence in India (he says) had
considerably deranged my constitution, and I began to
My chest was loaded with
feel the painful consequences.
phlegm: I laboured under a severe, and almost incessant
cough; and my voice, which was feeble and interrupted,
sometimes failed me. Accident, about this time, threw in
my way Mudge's Inhaler,' and I made use of it with
something of a prophetic assurance that it would lead to
salutary results: my success was equal, at least, to my
expectation. This naturally produced reflection on the su-
perior advantages that might be obtained from vapour,
upon an extensive scale, and with a mote general applica-
tion, &c. I was of course the first to try the efficacy of the
vapour I had thus learnt to control; and such were the
balmy effects it produced on my constitution, that they ap-
peared to me the operation of magic. I expectorated with
case, and very copiously; the stricture on my chest was
removed; I breathed freely; my cough left me; and my
whole frame acquired new health and vigour.'

"Mr. Cochrane, however, with the utmost liberality,
has allowed the use of his bath, and the attendance of his
servants, to any one, we believe, who has been desirous
of obtaining that benefit. And, though disclaiming all
medical science, he states, that he has seen inveterate

"It has been hinted by Lord Bacon, that the tradition chaldron of Medea, was in fact an allegorical representation of the effects of the warm bath, in retarding the approach of old age; and, in a note to the Loves of the Plants, Dr. Darwin has farther expanded the idea in the following

words:

cated baths of Medca, seems to have been intended to
"The story of Eson becoming young, from the medi-
teach the efficacy of warm bathing, in retarding the ap-
The words relaxation and bracing,
proach of old age.
which are generally thought expressive of the effects of
warm or cold bathing, are mechanical terms, properly
applied to drums or strings; but are only metaphors,
when applied to the effects of cold or warm bathing on
animal bodies. The immediate cause of old age seems to
reside in the irritability of the finer parts or vessels of
our system; hence these cease to act, and collapse,
or become horny or bony: the warm bath is peculiarly
adapted to prevent these circumstances, by its increasing
and the extremities of the finer vessels which terminate in
our irritability, and by moistening and softening the skin,
it. To those who are past the meredian life, and have dry
skins, and begin to be emaciated, the warm bath, for half
an hour twice a week, I believe to be eminently serviceable
in retarding the advances of old age.'

[To be continued.]

Literature, Criticism, &c.

ON SATIRE.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR-My correspondence with you has been unavoidably suspended for some time, by circumstances over which I had no control. I have now the pleasure of resuming it, and hope that it will not again experience such an interruption. During my silence I have, however, attentively perused your papers, and the discussion on the subject of learned quotations has afforded me much entertainment. In the course of this debate, Mr. Y. Z. has honoured me with some censures, upon my abilities and style, delivered in an assuming self-complacent tone, with which I have been considerably amused. But, as I do not in the least either desire his praise, or heed his disapprobation, I will not consume either your time or my own with any further remarks upon this subject.—I remain, &c.

Yet what can satire, whether grave or gay? What vice has it subdued?"

Z.

Cowper's Task, Book II.
"Ridiculum acri
Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res."
Hor. Lib. I. Sat. 10, Line 15.

In reading over the Task, a poem which (since I read the two volumes lately published, of Cowper's private correspondence) I have reperused with increased interest, I was struck with the dissonance between the passage which I have just quoted and the opinions generally entertained of the powerful influence of satire and ridicule. The lines which I have given from Horace immediately occurred to my remembrance, and I fell into a train of thoughts respecting the ridiculous.

Was, then, the poet right in denying that satire and
ridicule had any effect upon the more important parts of
conduct and character? Certainly not, if the foregoing
reasoning be correct.

But, after all, it seems by no means clear that he did
of Cowper's sentiments, as to the power of satire, the
seriously deny this influence. In forming a correct idea
most prominent feature to direct our judgment appears
with so much skill, and employed so frequently, that he
to be his extensive use of this weapon, which he handled
can hardly be thought to have denied its efficacy; and
many passages might be adduced from his letters and
poems which would form a strong argument, that the
prevailing tenor of his mind did not coincide with the
opinion alluded to. Indeed, it appears barely possible
that nerves so tremblingly alive to every species of irrita-
tion or annoyance, that feelings so poignantly acute as his
could have been insensible to ridicule or scorn.
But in the lines immediately in connexion with those
I have quoted, he limits the circle of their operation to
things of merely minor importance, though, certainly, as
we have just seen, his continued attempts to work upon
mankind by their agency seem hardly reconcileable with
such an impression.

attached to the

selves ridiculous; that this stigma
wholly arbitrarily. Whence it follows, that the we
we ought to affix to this censure, depends wholly upes
qualifications of the judge who passes sentence; and thes
fore, we ought not to fear the ridicule of those
whose judgment we cannot rely with perfect confidence
bours as will save us from their derision, without yielding
But such a compliance with the prejudices of our neigh
on every account, to be recommended, though even
any point of importance that ought to be maintained,
must not be carried too far, lest we compromise ear i
dependence of character.

cation of ridicule as a means of influencing others. 7
Precisely the same views ought to regulate our app
attempt to benefit a man of acute and irritable feelings,
by the rude touch of sarcasm and scorn, would be a bar.
barous and unmeaning as an attempt to te aferee of
the brain by a stroke of the scalping knife; to reset to
these agents, when the point may be gained by reason of
argument, would be as absurd as to knock a man down,
who stood in your way, when a civil request would have
produced the desired effect. But many persons mig de
cured of follies, have their pride alarmed, or their sleeping
faculties roused by a judicious and timely use of al
directed satire, when the most striking appeal to tr
conviction would have totally failed.

Let us remember that our prejudices are naturly strong to need any further attempt to darken the titu vision. If we have the least desire to assert our chin that emanation from divinity, which raises our above the brutes, let not our reason, the highest st of our nature, be subjected to the scoffs or seen t man; whatever be his talents, "let us dare to be selves."

Though we can scarcely approach, without a feeling of dread, the awful presence of the god Ridiculus, yet, at the risk of arousing his slumbering ire, let us, in this age The attempt to shut out the light of truth, or b of bold and free inquiry, molest "his ancient solitary vert rational principles of thought or action in the mind reign;" and, since the doctrine, that power is a trust to be others, by means of ridicule, can scarcely be suffe exercised for the benefit of those under its influence, seems detested and avoided. To undermine the “palace of the now pretty generally acceded to, we will bring his pre-soul" is an offence which no talent in the execution of dis tension boldly to the bar of truth and utility, and pass plan, no dexterity in the mode of the attack, can pill sentence on them fearlessly and impartially. These circumstances, indeed, only enhance the day, The happiness or misery of the subjects, dwelling under and ought to call forth a proportionate degree of rat the immediate eye of a government, and in the vicinity of the seat of power, seems an obvious test of its merit. In order to decide upon this principle, we must visit the It is universally acknowledged that posthumous fame, capital of this deity, and look around us upon his votaries. however visionary the prospect which it holds out, however But where does he reign" enthroned in highest state ?" inconsistent may be the basis upon which it rests, with the Two shrines, situated in neighbouring countries, seem his utter annihilation of all the joys, hopes, and fears of this most favourite abode :-the Parisian saloons, the dread of world, imposed by death,-has been, is, and, as far as we the raillery of which oppressed Bonaparte in the zenith ean judge of the future from the past, will long continue to of his glory-and the British Reviews, which have, with On those who have the cool malignity, I had almos be the moving principle of a great proportion of mankind. remorseless and unsparing persecution, “tortured even to the desperate wickedness, thus to attempt to poismaid The ways in which men seek this renown may be various: madness" men possessed of the most gigantic talent. source the spring of all that is good or great in m the duration of it, at which they aim, may be different: the From these, the strongholds of his dominion, his power proach and remonstrance would be alike wasted. Th sacrifices which they will make to obtain it may be great or extends, with various degrees of despotism, till its out-are worthy only of the deepest unmingled contempt. small, but the end is in all the same. The incendiary who posts seem fixed in the back settlements of America, or burned the temple at Ephesus, and the conquering gene- some other half-civilized territory, where the colonist, ral who hung his "spolia ossima" on the triumphal tree, careless of appearances, lives in a condition a very few MR. BUTLER'S OBSERVATIONS ON THE REFORMATE -the monarch who inscribed his victories on a pyramid degrees above that of the "beasts that perish:"-and who, formed to last while the world endures, and the thief who in this our land of liberty, can come forward and candidly summons every nerve to the task of dying game upon the say that he bends not more or less beneath his sway? gallows, the philosopher who threw himself into Etna, Who, even in a large assembly, can feel satisfaction, or and the nobleman who spent a large annual sum in erect- even indifference, when "ridetur ab omni conventu ?” ing and beautifying his mausoleum,-would all, if asked Unlimited power bears to an Englishman something wherefore they pursued paths so different, alike answer-repulsive and suspicious in its very name : let us lay aside “memoriam nostri quàm maxumè longane efficere," or this feeling, and view this Colossus with the calmness ne* mit ausgespreitenen Hûgeln zum Tempel deo nach-cessary to form an accurate conclusion. The fear, then, ruhons empor zu fliegen.” of derision operates upon the mind, so as to induce it to If, then, the thirst after the admiration and attention of adopt, or reject, certain habits of thinking, speaking, and mankind be so insatiable as to grasp at an imaginary acting: and this operation will be beneficial, or the coneternity of fame, the dread of their neglect or contempt trary, as the line of conduct encouraged or proscribed be can scarcely be thought a thing which has little or no absurd or rational. But, in the wide circle of the world, influence. Laughter is said, in the Spectator, to arise the things to which ridicule is attached, are as various as from an inward sense of glory; and this appears to be are the customs of its inhabitants. This truth may render most clearly the case with regard to that laughter which the idea of adopting a standard so fluctuating, as the guide wa indulge in at the expense of others: here rests the of our actions, somewhat absurd; but since, let us reason zest of ridicule. Our exuberant mirth arises from an as we will, we shall still in some degree bend to its nod, inward exultation in our freedom from the follies or mis- and since, like most other motives, the extent of its power fortunes of those whom we deride; and here also lies its regulates its utility, we will examine how far we may sting; since holding up its victim as a mark for the reasonably yield to it, and how far it may be reasonably Bioving finger of scorn, and the contemptuous derision employed as a lever to move the minds of others. of mankind, it wounds most acutely those feelings, the strong force of which we have just considered.

[Continued from page 283.)

TO THE EDITOR SIR, Mr. Butler arrives next at the inqui the conduct of the religious orders justify the tion of the monasteries? I agree with the leang man, that, upon the whole, it did not. At the I would make a distinction between the dissoluist d thi orders, and the seizure and alienation of monarąją The first resolves itself into a nice matter of disc and the nation was certainly as much at liberty this point as the use of the cross, the shaven crown, any other. The second admits a larger field of sion; and perhaps so nice a question should not be esta upon in these limited pages. I will endeavour, howe to be as concise as possible. It is not clear to me Henry VIII. had any more right to seize this particul property, than his present Majesty has to appropria himself the endowments of any modern dissenting i tion. It may, perhaps, be objected, that the same ciple will extend to the regular clergy. I think not there appears to be a great difference between the We cannot keep too constantly in mind, that few, per- The one partook more of public, the other of priva haps accurately speaking, not any, things are in them-perty. By what means, and for what purposes, wata

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landed property, would ever have been ready on any com- a very poor opinion of them, though not worse than of the
motion, to throw their weight in the scale, and use their Catholic clergy in general; be it understood in this as in
utmost exertions in the restoration of Catholicism. A strict other remarks, I more particularly refer to the state of reli-
reform and surveillance would have greatly lessened the gion before the reform introduced by the Council of Trent:
danger; but there still would have been much to fear. still, I can never believe the English Monks were such
There were then but two methods of remedying the evil, brutish and vicious beings as the report of Henry's commis-
both of which, strictly speaking, were violations of right sioners would lead us to suppose they were. These docu-
and justice, though the one was infinitely less so than the ments, from which the general opinion respecting the
other; either to have placed the monastic revenues and crimes of the English religious at the period of the Refor-
buildings in the hands of trustworthy Protestants, for the mation is taken, must be allowed by most men to be, for
purpose of being applied, in every respect, where public the greater part, destitute of truth. Money and threats
good and benefit was concerned, as they had been previ- will obtain almost any evidence, and no one knew better
ously, in the same manner the Catholic endowments of the how to employ both to advantage than Henry. The
public schools and colleges were retained; or at once to Monks would not surely have been such simpletons as to
take the arbitrary steps adopted by Henry, to confiscate disclose such enormities against themselves, or not to have
and destroy whatever appertained to the system of monach-been fully prepared for the examination. Then how came
ism. This latter procedure unfortunately coincided but all the trumpery, jugglery, and undescribable curiosities
too well with the views of this despotic tyrant, who, which were said to have been found in the monasteries,
throughout the Reformation, as in every action of his life, not to be put out of the way? One would suppose, from
was guided by the most detestable, selfish, and infamous the accounts of these gentlemen, they had pounced down
upon the Friars through roof and ceiling, and discovered
feelings.
them at once celebrating their horrid orgies like a Sabbath
of witches. Do the contemporary chronicles and writings
justify such enormous imputations?, The old writers were
not sparing of their censures of the priesthood, and the
monastic orders did not stand the highest in their good
graces. Is it not besides notorious, there was not the
slightest cause of complaint against many of the religious
houses? In the examination of the famous Abbey of

nonasteries founded? A very large portion of their
nents were derived, it is true, from the influence
erstition, a corrupted and ritual religion, and the
¡ of a wary priesthood: but there were other and
ources whence many of the monastic houses and
ions sprung. During the middle ages, and even
when the population of Europe was small compared
hat it is at present, these edifices lay scattered over
intry, at a distance from the towns. They were
up to, by the circle of population of which they
I the centre, as protectors and friends. In time of
otion, the peasantry had but to retire within the
aries of the convent, where the powerful arm reli-
hen possessed was stretched out in their defence. In
ss, the Monks were the only persons who could give
medicine or advice; they were employed daily in
struction of youth in the schools of the monastery;
doors were open at all hours, and lodgings and pro-
as prepared for the stranger and traveller; the desti-
poor around received a daily pittance; and, in time
carcity and want, a general distribution was made to
ho stood in need. All these offices were performed, It has been too much the custom among our Protestant
ust be remembered, at the cost of the institution, controversialists, and many of our literary men, to run
b thus returned to society a large share of what it re-down the Monks, without a single exception in their fa-
1 from it. It is but fair, then, to suppose, that many vour: every epithet the criminatory part of our language
e monastic endowments proceeded from persons who would admit has been applied to them indiscriminately.-
sensible of these benefits, and who believed they were Far be it from me to be the defender of monachism, and
rding the welfare of their fellow-creatures, at the especially of the system as it existed in the darker ages,
time they were doing what was meritorious in the and until the sixteenth century. I am as sensible of its
of God, and of service to themselves in a future state. enormities as any one; but a homely saying bids us be / St. Edmund's Bury, the annual revenue of which, at the
just, and not stint the worst of beings of whatever praise
he may rightfully lay claim to. In the middle ages, the
greatest par of the lower orders were to all intents and
purposes slaves: now those who were connected with the
lands of the Monks were treated with more humanity, and
fared far better, than those under the vexatious and fickle
bondage of the nobles. This is something in their favour.
A great deal of their attention was paid to agriculture and
rustic occupations, in which they greatly excelled those of
their times. Their estates always produced more, and
were held more valuable, than those of lay proprietors;
and a large portion of their riches may be safely affirmed
to have arisen from their improvements and superior cul-
ture of the ground. They were almost the only learned
men of their age, and had it not been for them, we should
know but little of antiquity, and ten of the most interest-
ing centuries in the history of the world would have been
to us almost a blank. They are accused of monopolizing
every branch of knowledge, and doing their utmost to
crush all attempts at literary cultivation in those not of
the privileged caste. But the truth is, most of the laity,
and especially the noble classes, held letters in the greatest
contempt, and gave themselves no trouble about even the
slightest rudiments of learning. Their "trusty blade"
held more of the quintessence of knowledge than whole
volumes of the schools, and the most skilful logician could
not parry one of its most insignificant arguments. There
are several other points of minor consideration, which
might be added in extenuation, and go far to prove the
Monks were not such worthless members of society, when
considered in a civil and political light, as they are gene-
rally represented. In a moral and religious view I have

o this, the religious houses were places of refuge to who naturally were inclined to a life of devotion; to who were disgusted with the vanities of the world; a desirous of a quiet and studious life; and to the ger branches of noble families. The property posI by these classes of persons was added to the funds e monastery.+ All this was given for specific pur; for the benefit of future periods, and not for that of esent alone: it was a species of entailed property, to ministered, year by year, by certain persons, and for n purposes. The Monks could not alienate their posns, which pertained as much to their successors as selves; they had only the life enjoyment of them, for 1, in return, they were bound to perform with fidelity

e duties the regulations of the institution required.

y did not act up to the terms of the trust, they ought
re been punished, reformed, or replaced; but the
rty of the establishment itself should not have suf-
for their misconduct, or have been turned from the
el it was originally designed for. Had our Catholic
ors supposed their donations would have been seized,
istributed amongst the favourites of Henry, would
have been so liberal of their gifts? It will be an-
1, neither would they have been so had they sus-
I or foreseen the change in faith and religion:-and
all these Monks, with their vows, observances, and
ence to the Papal system, to be passed by unnoticed,
eft in the quiet possession of their enormous wealth,
he power necessarily attending it? I confess there
i have been much hazard to the firm establishment
otestantism if such a course had been pursued; for,
y of men, organized as the monastic orders were,
possessing the influence they did, from their immense

emales.

Early in the reign of Elizabeth the Speaker of the House
mmons declared that the dissolution of the monasteries
bestroyed more than a hundred flourishing schools.
All these remarks on the Monks relate, with the neces-
Exceptions, to the whole system of monachism, including
On the entrance of the last into a convent, they
expected to present a certain portion of property, either
nd, money, or movables, according to their situation in
This, in Italy, was equivalent to a marriage portion,
was thus denominated. George Vassari, the author of
Lives of the Painters, in a letter to a friend of his father,
ks him for obtaining a place in a convent for his sister,
for prevailing on the Nuns to accept a picture, painted by

present time, would have been at least £100,000, the only accusation the commissioner could bring against it was, that the Abbot was fond of a game at cards or backgamnon, and passed some of his time at his farms and in the occupation of building: "As for the Abbot, we finde nothing to suspect as touching hys livying, but it was detected that he laye moche forth in hys granges; that he delited moche in playing at dice and cards, and therein spent moche money, and in buyldinge for hys pleasure. He did not pche (sin) openly .............. As touching the Convent, we coulde geate litle or no capte (cause of complaint) Their innocence, however, did not avail them: the blameamong thym."-History of St. Edmund's Bury, 1804 less and the guilty alike fell beneath the rapacious hand of Henry, and the crying injustice apparent throughout the dissolution and destruction of these institutions; and the reproach attendant on the proceedings of his ancestors

must awaken feelings of regret in the breast of every im partial Englishman and Protestant.

"Pudet hac opprobria nobis et dici potuisse et non potuisse refelli."

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After all, would not institutions, similar to the monastie

houses, without their vows and restrictions, but under proper regulations, be of great benefit in Protestant communities? am of opinion they would render the lives of thousands, especially of the female sex, far happier than they are at present. What would be more grateful to a female of family and education, who had been left destitute, or nearly so, instead of becoming the contemned dependent of some rich relation, or entering a strange family as the slave of children, with salary and treatment little better than a nursery maid, or gaining a to enter such an establishment, where she would meet with companions of her own station and refinement; all care

lowly and miserable subsistence by her manual efforts, than

respecting her present and future prospects removed from her mind; and free to spend her time as she pleased, in the visithim, which was all he was enabled to give, for the dowry, peration and relief of the poor and sick, the instruction of youth, parte di dote. (Let. Pit.) Many of the fine paintings in the mo- in ornamental work in aid of the institution and its objects, nasteries were thus obtained. or in the many offices such an establishment would require. There are, or used to be, in the south of France, several houses A stated sum was refor ladies of birth on a similar plan. quired on entering, no vows were taken, the time of the inmates was employed in a similar way, and they married or left the institution whenever they chose; in the latter case the mu ney at first deposited was retained by the society. Montaigne mentions these convents and circumstances in his travels. The sisters of charity, the Frati della misericordia in Italy, and other orders of a like nature, are productive of the greatest benent and good. [To be continued:]

During the twelfth and succeeding centuries, the laity and nobility paid more attention to learning: previously, they were in a miserable state of ignorance; few could write their own names-hence they made use of the sign of the cross, as they confessed from ignorance of letters, pro ignorantia literarum, a practice still continued amongst the lower orders, and for the same reason. The warlike spirit of the times was in great part the cause of this neglect; the nobles thought with their northern ancestors, "that he who had been accustomed to tremble under the rod of a pedagogue, would never look on a sword or spear with an undaunted eye."

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