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In the annexed sketch, the foremost figure is in the act of swimming, carrying along with him another person, who is borne up simply by applying one hand to each hip of his companion. It will surprise any swimmer who first tries the experiment, to find with what ease he can support a person attached to him in this manner.

Some persons try the experiment by placing the hands upon the shoulders of the swimmer; holding on at the hips is preferable, however; because, in that position, the the body and arms of the person to be borne along are wholly immersed in the water; in consequence of which, he loses so much of his weight as to be easily supported by the swimmer.

we are far, therefore, from being desirous of disturb-, serve a friend from drowning by the means I ani about to
ing the preconceived notions of others by the promulgation describe. I must, however, premise, that it is attended
of our own scepticism; availing ourselves, merely, of the with considerable risk, especially if the person you venture
same right of unrestrained thought, vested alike in every to rescue lose his presence of mind, which is too often the
case with those who are in danger of being drowned.
What! have we not Mr. Hunt and Miss Ford? Yea,
verily. And are not they each in possession of the niost
eminent vocal powers? Verily, nay. What then are
they? A lady and gentleman of rather prepossessing
exterior, whose mellifluous throats emit infinitely more
of sound than melody. Mr. Hunt should not sing any
thing, if he hopes to inherit ought of fame, except Pray
Goody;" and Miss Forde we shall take especial care never
to hear sing again. Well, but there is also Miss Cramer,
and Mr. H. Bellamy too, both distinguished names in
the annals of our opera. Of the former our opinion is cer-
tainly more exalted than it is of any female songsters we
have this season seen and heard from the capital. She has
taste, science, and judgment, and can articulate withal, a
qualification most singers think quite superfluous; but her
voice wants volume and mellowness, her acting dignity,
and her elocution discriminative pathos. The disciples of
Euterpe have, however, the very plausible privilege of
d's egarding dialogue, as poets have of contemning truth;
and hence it happens, probably, that Mr. Bellamy, whose
lungs are amply stentorian, disdains to separate his pretty
ruby lips, save when the welkin echos his more than
earthly stentorophonics. Gesticulation fares scarcely better
than articulation with harmonists of Mr. Bellamy's con-
sequence: but as this gentleman occasionally appears
unaccompanied by the adscititious aid of sweet sounds, we
take leave to suggest to him how very advantageously be
might disburse a shilling by visiting Messrs. Maffey, from
whose extraordinary automata Mr. Bellamy, and some
others of more than our theatre-royal, would derive an
instructive lesson on enunciative gesture.

The brilliancy of Miss O'Neill's renown now waves dimly in the sphere of which she once constituted such an

A person who cannot swim might easily be carried over a narrow and deep stream by this means, if he has sufficient presence of mind; but if he become embarrassed, and throw his legs and arms round those of his companion, there is a probability that both may be drowned. I should recommend to your readers who can swim, to accustom themselves to this experiment in some safe place, (the Floating Bath, for instance;) as it is an excellent mode of extricating from danger, another person, who may be seized with the cramp, which deprives him of the power of moving his limbs.

In the annexed figure, the person who rests upon the hips of his companion is represented as passive, as he is supposed to be unable to swim; but two swimmers performing the experiment, may strike out together with the legs.-Yours, &c.

Advertisements.

MAFFEY, YORK HOTEL, TARLETON-STREET.
THE LAST WEEK.

THIS DAY (Monday) the 16th instant, and every day

during the week (Saturday excepted) a brilliant represettation of HARLEQUIN PARROT, a grand comic Spectacle, interspersed with Dances, Metamorphoses, Disguises, beautiOn Monday, the 16th, Tuesday, the 17th, and Wednesday, the 18th instant, a superb View of the

CITY OF MOSCOW,

an animated Scene, of exquisite execution, and of acknowledged didelity.-On Thursday, the 19th, and Friday, the 20th, will be substituted the beautiful, picturesque, and maritime View of PORTICI,

the Castle of his Majesty, the King of Naples. This view

irradiating ornament; and she who was wont to delight THEATRE DU PETIT LAZARY DE PARIS, De messrs. all eyes and rive all hearts, lives but in our remembrance as an agreeable dream, from which we awake disappointed, because simply a vision that luringly flits before us and straight is seen no more. In the full blaze of Miss O'Neill's celebrity she retired from the stage universally regretted. The bright sun of her professional glory sankful Dresses, and changes of Scenery. effulgently beneath a matrimonial horizon, and shed a lustre on the altar of hymen that yet illumes her domestic happiness. Mrs. Bunn is, therefore, now undisputed mistress of the tragic field. In the sombre walk of Melpomene she is without compeer; nor as the heroine of what is technically termed the heavy drama, does her actSome novices in chess, upon seeing these kind of ing admit of successful competition. Biancha, Helen Macconditional games, very sagaciously discover that the regor, and Meg Merrilies, have no equal representative; checkmate may be given in fewer moves than specified; Comparisons, it is said, are odious; they may be so: but Lady Townly we have seen performed by Mrs. Davidson. forgetting that it is not merely giving checkmate that it is by comparison alone that we are enabled to form a is proposed, but the precise piece with which it is to true estimate of scenic excellence, and comparison probe done. In the foregoing game, for instance, check-nounces Mrs. Bunn capable of proving herself to be, mate might be given in one move, simply by advancing what she really is, at once, Mrs. Bunn and Mrs. Davidson. Aug. 16th. either of the pawns C-6 or E-6 one square; but it is hot so easy to give checkmate with the pawn D-5, without displacing the pawn D-7, which is the problem proposed to be solved.

The Drama.

[SEE A NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS.]
THE THEATRE.

"The man that hath no music in himself,

Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds,

Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils;

The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus:

Let no such man be trusted."

Shakspeare was attached to music, it would seem, and so are we, provided it resemble as little as may be that of the theatre-royal, Liverpool. This, however, we speak with all possible respect and becoming deference; without impugning the taste of others, or wishing to obtain exclu. ive credence for the infallible accuracy of our own.There are few subjects on which may exist a greater variety of opinion, and honestly, than such as embrace questions of taste. Thus, while some consider Mr. M-Gibbon an Apollo Belvidere, and Mrs. Aldridge a Medicean Venus, there are others who imagine differently of them. All cannot think correctly, and we are quite as likely as other people, perhaps more so, to think wrong. But it is our humour, sanctioned by high authority," to to write what we think, not what we should write;" and

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presents one of the most charming coup d'ail in Italy, and
will be variegated with a number of vessels afloat, and on
shore by numerous moving figures; with a variety of other
entertainments, which will be detailed in the bills of the day.
Doors to be opened at half-past Seven, and the performance
to commence at half-past Eight precisely.
THE LAST WEEK of LITTLE LYRA'S PERFORMANCE

IN LIVERPOOL.

N compliance with many applications made, the Infant

LYRA'S stay in town will be prolonged till SATURDAY next. The Nobility and Gentry are respectfully informed, that the Infant's engagement in Cheltenham precludes her from remaining in Liverpool longer than Saturday, and thar, consequently, the intended Concert will not take place.

In thus announcing the Infant's departure, her Parents beg leave to offer grateful acknowledgments of thanks for the marked patronage which she has received since her arrival in Liverpool.

The Exhibition Room will continue open till Saturday next.-Performance to commence precisely at Two, half-past Three, and at Eight o'clock in the evening.-Tickets of acmission, and bills stating the particulars of the entertainment to be had at the different Music Shops.

UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE KING.

Tthat the ROYAL PORTRAITS are now exhibiting, by
Nobility and Gentry are respectfully informed,

permission, for a very short time, in STOAKES'S ROOMS,
Church-street, Liverpool. The Morning is preferable for
viewing this curious and interesting Gallery, recently
thronged by fashionable crowds in the Capitals and Cities
where it has been on view.-Open from Ten till dusk.

ADMITTANCE, ONE SHILLING.

In addition to the numerous novelties which have been lately exhibited in this town, we have now to call the attention of our readers to the NATURORAMA, which ar rived here last week, and which will be ready for public inspection in the course of a few days, at the Large Room, bottom of LORD-STREET. This Exhibition, which consists of a combination of Dioramic and Cosmoramic Views, possesses considerable merit, and is one of the most splendid and complete that we have witnessed for some time; and this accounts for the unusual success which attended

the Exhibition in London. We understand that it cost the proprietor upwards of £6000 to bring it over to this country.

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A Century of the Names and Scantlings of such Inventions
as at present I can call to mind to have tried and perfected
(which, my former Notes being lost) I have, at the in-
stance of a powerful Friend, endeavoured now, in the
year 1655, to set these down in such a way as may suffi-
ciently instruct me to put any of them in practice.
THE AUTHOR THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER.

[Continued from our last.] 57.-A CONSTANT WATER-FLOWING AND EBRING MOTION.

An ebbing and flowing water-work in two vessels, into either of which the water standing at a level, if a globe be cast in, instead of rising it presently ebbeth, and so remaineth untill a like globe be cast into the other vessel, which the water is no sooner sensible of, but that vessel presently ebbeth, and the other floweth, and so continueth ebbing and flowing untill one or both of the globes be taken out, working some little effect besides its own motion, without the help of any man within sight or hearing: but if either of the globes be taken out with ever so swift or easie a motion, at the very instant the ebbing and flowing ceaseth; for if during the ebbing you take out the globe, the water of that vessel presently returneth to flow, and never ebbeth after, untill the globe be returned into it, and then the motion beginneth as before.

58.-AN OFTEN DISCHARGING PISTOL.

How to make a pistol to discharge a dozen times with one loading, and without so much as once new priming requisite, or to change it out of one hand into the other, or stop ones horse.

59-AN ESPECIAL WAY FOR CARABINES.

A seventh, tried and approved before the late King (of ever blessed memory) and an hundred Lords and comMysterious Harmony.-The following has been com mons, in a cannon of 8 inches half quarter, to shoot bul- municated to us by a professional friend, the last man i lets of 64 pounds weight, and 24 pounds of powder, the world whom we should think of charging with credu twenty times in six minutes; so clear from danger, that lity. He says, in an accompanying note, I can vouc after all were discharged, a pound of butter did not melt for the accuracy of the enclosed, for I know all the partic being laid upon the cannon-britch, nor the green oil dis- to be of the greatest respectability, and incapable o coloured that was first anointed and used between the bar-making the story:"-" Died at Charlton, near Chelten rel thereof, and the engine, having never in it, nor within six foot, but one charge at a time.

A third way, and particular for musquets, without taking them from their rests to charge or prime, to a like execution, and as fast as the flask, the musquet containing but one charge at a time.

62.-A WAY FOR A HARQUEBUSS, A CROCK.

A way for a harquebuss, a crock, or ship-musquet, six upon a carriage, shooting with such expedition, as without danger one may charge, level, and discharge them sixty times in a minute of an hour, two or three together. 63.-FOR SAKERS AND MINYONS.

A sixth way, most excellent for sakers, differing from the other, yet as swift.

ham, on Friday the 30th ult. Thomas Barton, Esq. in th 72d year of his age. One circumstance attending the la solemn hours of this regretted gentleman's death occurred which is too interesting not to be recorded. Just at h last struggle, began a voice, more melodious than any th was ever heard by those surrounding the mournful scene it seemed to fill the room with a psalm tune, continued t he expired, and then ceased. There were four of h respectable relations in the room, and all exclaimed t gether, Who can be singing?" The sound was ver loud, yet no one in the house except the four heard though all the doors were open. This is no fiction; for people could not all fancy it, and whilst they live the he venly strain will vibrate on their ears."-Provincial papa

Rousseau's Three Things Needful.-J. J. Rousse always regarded gentleness as the first quality in woman Whenever he heard any one boastingly detailing the qua lifications, talents, and charms of any young female, I used to place a few ciphers one after the other, and the concluded by asking, "Is she gentle ?" If the reply w in the affirmative, he then placed it before the number ciphers, according with the value he attached to this qu lity. Sometimes he would ask, "Has she then the thr things needful ?" His friend well knew these three thin on which he set so great a value; they were a sweet voi a sweet temper, and a smooth skin.-World of Fashion

Touch of the Sublime.-The following is a literal co of a speech delivered at a debating society in one of t western towns of Pennsylvania. Corporal Trim's e quence was no touch to this master-piece:

"Well-the subject to be excussed is, whether arde spirits does any good or not. I confirm it don't. J think of our ancestors in future days, they lived to a m numerous age, so that I think that whiskey or arde spirits don't do any good. (Long pause.) Wellquestion to be excussed is whether ardent spirits does an good or not; so that I conclude that it don't. (Anoth long pause.) I can't git hold on the d--d thing."

In one of the articles of a benefit society at the end of London, the following description of persons pro bited from becoming members thereof is inserted, name "No lawyer, or lawyer's clerk, or any other danger artificers!"

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Correspondence.

THE O'MULLINGONIAN SYSTEM; GE, ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF LIVERPOOL.

The top of the morning to yees, my darlings! My name's Mr. Terence O'Mulligan, Esquire, and may I never be after seeing that jewel of a place, sweet Tipperary, never no more, if I arent after feeling the highest felicity in addressing your honours, all three both together; for ye look as rosy, be my hod! as our one cow Paddy on a May morning. May be now I needent be after repate. ing the swate name myself got, when parson Paddy Whack, Esquire, splashed me in the blessed buttermilk-for there is'nt a pig, or a cat, or a prato in all Ireland, be the powers! but what takes off their hats and says "Mr. Terence O'Mulligan, Esquire, Sir, your honour's worship's most beautiful sarvant." "Arrah!" then says I, "get out wid your blarney, and don't be after intruding on my studiorum, studiarum, studiorum: accusative, his studio; vocative, O! stude! ablative, ab his studiidibus!" But, as myself was telling yees, in himitation of the divine Heroditus, Paracelsus, Lampsachus, and other luminaries of the ancient world, I opened a college in the swate city of Tipperary, for to be after giving the wild Irish a taste for the ambobus, ambabus, ambobus, the nec sinit esse feros fidelitor artes of philosophy; and, be the powers! I've succeeded beyond all calculation. Ye may talk of yer culinary system, and yer drill system, and yer solar system, but they are all blarney, be me hod! and vanish, like a jingle trotting three miles an hour, before the O'Mallingonian, which has set fire to all Ireland. Thunder and turf! thunder and turf! but its beautiful! Whizzing, by the Hill of Howth! whizzing the whole thirty sciences through and through every mother's son of them, like a glass of rum!

Now may be ye'l be liking to hear a small touch how I

capabilities to give such an explanation, when deuce a bit I am farther than the 156th book of Newton's Principia!" "Don't bother me with your blarney, now, Squire Phelim; sure the system'll whiz it int'ye. Stop, and I'll translate it for ye into the only symbol in nature which'll mane it. What name d'ye call the thing yer father is feeding the cows with ?"

"Pratoes!"

"Thunder and turf! thunder and turf! yer out. Can't ye be after translating literally? Arrah! what grows in the fields?"

"Trees, and pigs, and turnips, yer honour!" "O, Phelim! Phelim! I'm fear'd it'll take three sections to make a philosopher of ye; sure, I manes Hay: migroque similime cigno to A, the foundation of all the felicity of larning. Come here Miss Biddy M'Monaham, Esquire; how far is yourself up Parnassus ?" "Sure, the ten-thousandth word in St. Paddy's epistle to the Men in the Moon; the 748th proposition in the 99th book of Euclid, A B, ab; and the thirty sciences." "That's a darling! that's a darling! Come here, swate Miss Biddy, Esquire, and parse me this beautiful lesson. What d'ye call that swate letter ?"

"Hem!"

"So it is M, dear! Now, ye might a been larning on the solar system since the foundation of Kilkenny without knowing it. The next?

"High ho!"

"So it is, I, dear! Blessed system! Only been studying the thirty sciences for three years, eight months, and four days at the college, and can parse! Can parse, be the powers! I, at first sight, without boggling! The next, dear Miss Biddy, Esquire; think on, it's the opposite of Heaven?"

"Purgatory, yer honour! "Arrah, bad luck to your translations! sure it's L, I You can't tell the next, for yer not so far; but lissen till I tache ye on the system. What does your

mane.

mammy open the door with ?"

"A string, yer honour !"

goes on.-Arrah! can I do better than give yees an extract from my address to the citizens of the bogs of Kilkenny, where a hundred thousand bull children are ready to verify that I've taught 'em lots of boderation in a jiffy: "Citizens of the bogs of Kilkenny! be as mute as thunder now, and I'll tell ye all about it in the squake of a bagpipe. What's the solar system, or any other system, the-O'Mullingonian? Can ye clap any other beside I answer, No!'-Can ye bodder yourselves more antifully? I answer, No!'-Can ye cut turf faster by My other system? I answer, No!" Then have'nt ye een a parcel of ignorant moonshine-clapperdoggin pup-greatest felicity!" pes, to let Barney Cassidy, Esquire, yer schoolmaster, spelder ye, and bate ye, and chate ye, from the foundaJons of the civilized world?

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"Arrah, get out dosen't the O'Mullingonian system ache ye to translate words in all languages into someing that'l mane them. Now every soul of them has but de maneing. For instance, if I meant to bate my wife dy, sure I wouldn't go and bate no other of the mulieris generis like a baste as I would be. But, as I was aying, ye all know Phelim O'Dogherty: beautifully did be repate two lines of wild Irish, on which I had not given im more than fifty lessons: and delighted were ye to hear Miss O'Muggins and Miss O'Cohannypie so delicately and spiritedly repate the same, before ye all, in the chae-the part, dears, honour'd all Ireland-and more they ill, too, when ye know that they havn't been studying axions in my college more than three years, and yet ey know, be the powers! they know what's twice one as rell as ere a cow in all Kerry."

Now, I'll be after parsing a lesson to yees, honies! and, ye don't be after feeling the highest felicity, arrah! bad Lack to ye! "Squire Phelim O'Dogherty, ye know now that the East letter of all larning can be translated into a maneing nature that'l be as like as two eggs: spake it!" "Lord love yer honour! how can ye suppose I've

"O! bad manners to Barney Cassidy for tacheing ye so many maneings, when there's only one! Sure it is a K. Now what is MIL K spelder? Mute as thunder! O Miss Biddy, Miss Biddy, Esquire! Parse wid yees, I say! What does yer mammy put in her tea? Spake! or by the powers I'll throw ye so far that a jingle shall be three whole weeks in fetching you back to the college again." "O! it's rum, yer honour-I see, now, every word has but one maneing, for MIL K just spells Rum with the Thus, yer honours, do the citizens of the Bogs of Kilkenny bask in all the sunshine of larning and myself and Judy, and Paddy Bush, Esquire, from Tralee, the author of the Illiad, will be mighty glad to whiz the whole thirty sciences through every bull child of ye in a jiffy, by the most beautiful system ye ever clapt yer eyes on-no bateing or gnashing of teeth-no thingumbobs or thingumberries, but aize and comfort--so God save the King!

TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-Before I answer Mr. Macgowan's philippic, I think it right to acknowledge the candour of his attack; it is open He comes forward in his own name, and and above-board. skulks not behind an anonymous signature to vent what he would be ashamed to own. I have also to thank him, that he distinguishes between the Hamiltonian system and Mr. Hamilton. The personal character of the latter is, really, of little importance to the public; his personal weaknesses or infirmities are not those of the system which he advocates.

What interests the public, what vitally interests every parent, is, to know whether the system which I advocate be or be not a good one. Mr. Macgowan himself assures us that it is; here, then, is the only question fit for public discussion at once conceded. The Hamiltonian system is a good one, at least for twelve months! I have never asked more than five or six for any language; Mr. Macgowan is, therefore, more a Hamiltonian by one-half than I am myself, and yet he attacks me! For what? Want of courtesy to other teachers! In

my prospectus and public lectures, I have, invariably, acknowledged the private worth, the unassuming, harmless integrity of the great body of teachers, considered as individuals. Their mode of tuition only I have attacked; and this is a privilege which every member of society has a right to exercise; but it became, especially, my duty. Having another and more efficient method of instruction to propose, it was incumbent on me to show that a change was necessary, and to prove, as I believe I have done, that nothing is taught, and very little is, or can be, learned in schools. I have appealed, on this head, to the personal experience of every individual, wishing them to make that alone the criterion by which to judge. No man has yet come forward to assure us that he had been taught; all acknowledge that they owe what they know to their own efforts, to their own genius, to their own diligence; and a little reflection would enable them to see, that they have not only learned without the assistance of their master, but in spite of his efforts to prevent them. I say, distinctly, that the system of the schools is calculated to prevent the progress of the boy in all useful knowledge, by obliging him to apply his whole time and talents to learn, by heart, the supposed laws of language, at a time when it is utterly impossible he should be able to comprehend their meaning, or to apply them usefully; thus putting it out of his power either to read the good authors in his own language, or to attain, in almost any number of years, a tolerable knowledge of another.

I

Every well-informed person can readily point out a dozen persons of his acquaintance who have studied the French or Latin languages for three, four, or five years, and yet are ready to acknowledge, that they know little or nothing of them. What are all Mr. Macgowan's personalities and puf

fings when opposed to such broad-day facts as these?

He acknowledges, that I have taught my pupils to translate the Gospel of St. John in ten lessons. Is not this all I have ever pretended or proposed to do in one section?

Is not

this all I was paid for doing? Is not this the very thing so long pronounced to be utterly impossible? The very thing, for proposing which I have been so often obliged to plead to the charges of quackery and imposture? The testimony of an enemy is, perhaps, stronger than the personal experience

of above seventy persons in Liverpool, who paid for that de gree of knowledge, and, as an acknowledgment that they had actually received it, paid their money for a second section of the language on the same plan. Why, then, am I attacked? But, though I have taught my pupils the Gospel of St. John, have not taught them 10,000 words, the whole Testament

not having half that number in the Greek. Has Mr. Macgowan counted the inflections of all the Greek verbs in the Testament? I think not. He would have found, that, in

cluding these, the words of the Greek Testament amount to ten times that number. I cannot here compliment my ad. versary on his candour, for this has been repeatedly explained. In supposing 2,000 different words in St. John's Gospel, it may be supposed that there are, at least, 160 dif ferent verbs. By the analytical mode of translation, pecu

liar to the Hamiltonian system, and one of its fundamental

principles, every mode, tense, and person of the verb is learned by the pupil, without the trouble of getting them by heart. In translating the latter chapters of St. John, there is scarcely an instance of a mistranslation of this nature in the largest class. Now each verb has 50 inflections, which, if multiplied by 160, the number of the verbs in this Gospel, will give 8,000, which, added to the 2,000 above mentioned, makes 10,000 words, learned in ten easy and pleasing lessons, according to my prospectus and advertisements. The challenge of Mr. Macgowan to bring my adult pupils from London, to have them compared with his, is, I am afraid, a little bom

bastic.

He is personally acquanted with many of my pupils; can

not he try his strength, or that of his boys, with some one of

them? I have said that my pupils defy the competition of adepts as far as they have learned, those in Liverpool for the Gospel of St. John. If Mr. Macgowan himself can point out, with greater precision than they do, the grammatical construction of every phrase, and the precise meaning of every word, I have not accomplished all I have professed. Aye, but, says Mr. Macgowan, they cannot parse! The only use of parsing (except that of filling the master's pockets for months and years in endeavouring to acquire it) is to do what I distinctly aver my pupils do after ten lessons; that is, to point out the grammatical construction of the phrase, and the exact relation of every word in the sentence to every other: to translate, in short, each word in French by a corresponding part of speech in English. They know then this art already, practically, more perfectly than it can, in almost any time, be acquired on the common plan. But, Mr. Macgowan well knew, I had not yet mentioned the theory of this art to my pupils, and they would, therefore, certainly be unable to recite rules which his pupils have got by heart for years, I am afraid without understanding them.

I enclose you, Sir, two familiar phrases in French, and as many equally familiar in English. The note containing them

is to be opened only by one or two of Mr. Macgowan's pupils,
calling at your office, and declaring themselves ready to
translate the former in the manner abovementioned, and to
parse the latter, which they are to do in writing, and upon
the spot.
Should they be able to do it, I shall publicly declare
my belief, that Mr. Macgowan's school is not liable to all the
objections I have made to others, and that "he does com-
municate, or at least that his pupils learn, some part of that
knowledge which he is paid for communicating." Should he
refuse it, I appeal to the public, if all he has said of his boys
of eleven years old be not idle gasconade. The phrases con-
tain no idiom, and may be solved by the general rules of

grammar.

But Mr. Macgowan has taught on my system for several years, or upon a system so like it that it differs only in principle and practice. Mr. Macgowan does not know the alphabet of the Hamiltonian system; he is ignorant of its very first principles, the arst word taught in the very first section. Au, says Mr. Macgowan, is at the or in the. The dative case of the definite article rendered by the ablative in an analytical transiation! Surely Mr. Macgowan's boys, of eleven years, would be ashamed of such a solecism. Mr. Macgowan taught a boy during three years, from two and a half to three hours a day, the Latin language, and this boy was taught three years more without being any thing extraordinary. Is not this as bitter a satire as ever was penned on the system of the schools? Is not Mr. Macgowan their libeller, if truth be a libel, and Had he taught the same boy two hours and a half a day during three months, he would, most certainly, have taught him more than he acquired in his six years' course; but, I repeat it, from his own showing, he never made him translate a single line on the Hamiltonian system, for the best of all reasons, because he did not know how.

not I?

JAMES HAMILTON.

THE POINT OF HONOUR.

A

To Correspondents.

commended to our notice by A Scotchman, is in preparation for insertion in our next.

WESTMINSTER SCHOLAR'S translations from the Greek sha appear; but we must decline accompanying them with th Greek. The trouble which Greek characters give to ou compositors more than counterbalances any interest the possess with the public.

hope for the honour of human nature, that such individuals that had long since slumbered; and days of "auld land are not numerous, but it is nevertheless true, that, though syne," with all their painful associations, have been re few, they may do much mischief; they are the most insinuat- called to my recollection; but if this record of real feel ing characters, those formed with all that can please the eye, ings can excite one serious thought in the minds of the and endowed with all that can win the heart, who alone unthinking, or raise a sigh of contrition in the breast o possess this power; the very facility with which they make the erring, the distant prospect of effecting so slight a conquest, leads them to undervalue it. I have known good will reflect a cheering beam upon the heart of many instances where a pure and ingenuous mind, that Manchester, August 3, 1824. CORINNE. wished "to give freely, where it gave at all," had to mourn the dereliction of a heart that perhaps once sincerely offered to her its homage. Such characters, how highly soever gifted, cannot long retain our esteem, and repeated ROBERT Burns and Lord ByronN—This interesting article, r weaknesses render them in danger of becoming objects of our contempt. I consider an engagement, Mr. Editor, as a solemn compact; I would not have it entered into lightly; but when once a man has avowed a preference for a woman, openly sought her as his wife, unconditionally pledged to her his faith, and received in return her vow of truth, though repeated not upon an altar, nor hallowed by the blessing of man, the eye of Heaven was upon him, and if he causelessly desert her, the judgment of Heaven will be pronounced against him. Nor will he here entirely escape retribution: should he even afterwards prove fortunate in marriage, and the caresses of an amiable woman succeed in soothing the reproaches of conscience, when he is a father, remembrance will awake, and in watching over the first dawning of love in the bosom of his child, how will he dread lest her innocent heart should be given to one who would gain her affections, then leave her to die." -I could imagine cases where youthful companionship, TO THE EDITOR. parental influence, or strong affection, artlessly shown, SIR, I have searched the pages of your useful miscel- might have led to a preference mistaken for love, till lany for the few last weeks, with a warmer feeling of cusome other object, by awakening a much stronger feeling, riosity than usual, in the hope that some of its able con- occasioned a painful conflict between inclination and hotributors would have been induced to offer a few remarks nour;-such a struggle I would terminate by proving that upon the question proposed in the number for May 25. I sought the happiness of the man I loved, beyond any Your correspondent, signed P. has concisely delivered his selfish consideration. I might lament that he had not or her sentiments; but on a subject so interwoven with more fully investigated the grounds of his preference ere the daily events of life, it has appeared to me that a fuller he avowed the wish to obtain me as his wife; but in no investigation might be profitable. I am no advocate for case whatever would I, after a change of sentiment, releading the young into the labyrinths of love, or initiating quire the fulfilment of an engagement; and if honour them into the mysteries of intrigue; but I am of opinion, had strictly regulated his actions previously to his acthat a few plain notions, early inculcated upon the mind quainting me with the alteration in his feelings, I would as principles of conduct, would be a better preservative not refuse him my esteem ;-he should be free to seek the than ignorance, against present folly or future misery; woman he loved; and when time had thrown the softenand that, if the nature of an engagement were better un- ing veil of distance over painful remembrances, the friendderstood, so many instances would not occur of its being ship of both should repay me for the sacrifice. If pre. rashly entered into. The subject is generally discounte-served by an honourable communication from that stroke nanced by all prudent mothers, and not unfrequently the of agony which falls upon the brain at the moment of disblushing girl of seventeen is called upon to decide a ques- covering that the being you had almost worshipped is acttion that materially influences her future happinness, be-ing towards you with the most insiduous dishonour; if. fore she has heard one single enumeration of the requisites spared that desolation of feeling, that can only be comto promote a happy marriage, or the duties which matri-pared to the whirlwind's ravages,-bow with thankfulness mony involves. Who that values the heart's first feelings, nature's purest offering, would not seek to guard it from a worthless attack, and prevent its becoming the spoil of him whom novelty alone can please, and whom novelty will again attract from her whose inexperience has rendered her an easy prey to specious manners and a designing address. I am not unwilling to hope that a little prudent advice, affectionately given by older friends, would prevent many imprudent attachments; nor should we hear of

so many broken engagements, if juster notions prevailed, or consequences were a little more considered. I would still discountenance the novel or love-tale; unfortunately they too seldom contain rules for the guidance of life; but I would seriously warn, before temptation is encountered: when the imagination is already excited, how seldom is the sober voice of reason listened to, and how very rarely is the virgin's first love" given to the man to whom she solemnly plights her vows at the altar! It is difficult to believe that a man can be won by the charm of a first love, can value the purity of a first engagement, yet rove himself from heart to heart, and pledge vows that have scarcely a moon's duration; but such is life. I would

to your fate:-the sunshine of your existence may have
vanished, and cheerless skies alone may seem to surround
you; but, exempt from the storms of an unhappy marriage,
or that more fatal blight to happiness, the misery of watch-
ing over a wandering heart, deem not that every joyous
feeling is for ever withered: the buds of brightest promise
may have been blasted; but if religion were at the root,
and reason had lent its aid in the culture, the blight
would not be perpetual; its proud luxuriancy might be

crushed, but the plant would still revive, and, kindly fos-
tered, would bring forth fruit in season. Not to feel a
disappointment of this nature deeply, would argue an in-
sensible heart; to sink under it would betray a weak or
an ill-regulated mind. May my fair friends bow with
meekness and humility to the strokes, if ever the great
Disposer of events should show them the instability of all
earthly hopes; may they seek for consolation where it is
never sought in vain, and endeavour to raise their affec-
tions, chastened by sorrow, and purified in the furnace of
affliction, from the sinful creature to the great Creator.

1 fear intruding too much upon your amusing pages,
Mr. Editor, but the subject has awakened remembrances

HYDROPHOBIA. We have been requested by several friend both in Liverpool and the country, to copy into the Kel doscope an editorial article on this subject, which appeare recently in the Mercury. Our friends are pleased to say that it is better calculated than any thing they have see on the subject to allay, in some degree, the very extra vagant panic which is now so prevalent. In order that we may comply with this request of our friends, we sha publish a gratuitous supplement either this week or nex in which we shall introduce the paper on hydrophob together with a letter of J. E. on the same subject, whk we inadvertently omitted to acknowledge. MUSIC.-Our supplementary number will enable us to give place to an original waltz, with which we have be favoured by the composer, Mr. James Walker, teacher music in this town. It occupies a whole page, and mig be thought an intrusion upon our columns by those wh feel no interest in music. They cannot, however, reas ably complain at what is gratuitously delivered. THE COUNCIL OF TEN.-The gentlemen who compose t critical junto are so extremely severe, and, in our opnie uncandid, that it seldom happens that we agree with the in anything. If we are correct in our conjectures, & the identity of these cynical gentlemen, we advise the especially to say nothing about music, as the little they d say is generally very "much abroad." We may be why insert critiques to which we have such well-fede objections? Our answer is, that other people may for very different estimates of their merits, as well as of the candour and justice. Whilst we offer an occasional ec to strictures, with more claims to taste than to judgm or kind feeling, we beg it to be distinctly understood, t we disclaim any participation whatever in the opinions a severe judgments of the The Council of Ten, whose promin characteristic seems to be an overweening conceit in th own discernment, and a callous indifference to the feeling others. Why should they single out any individualis ( way they have noticed Mrs. Aldridge? (by-the-bye, the cleverest women on this or any other stage;) nor is sneer at Mr. Hunt in better taste. Mr. Hunt is one of best singing actors we have seen! his voice is somew peculiar, but his ear is excellent, his taste considerable, his action is graceful and appropriate. In short, if Council of Ten would send their manuscript earlier to office, so that we could know what they say before it print, we should often offer a word or two, expres of our dissent from their judgment. We had almost of ted observing, that the strictures on the managers are ticularly mal apropos, at a time when the theatrical pany is so strong and attractive as at present. An Irish Subscriber may be supplied with the index to last volume of the Kaleidoscope on applying to the a from whom he takes the work. There has been no ne on our parts, as we sent Messrs. De Joncourt and Hary regular supply early last month.

The NUT-SHELL, an original translation by L. MAN,

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No. 217.-VOL. V.

Men and Manners.

NO. XXIV.

THE FESTIVALS OF TUSCANY.

OM LÄHDEMITE EN ITALIE, THE LATEST WORK OF M. JOUY. [Translated expressly for the Kaleidoscope.]

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1824.

the streets, to cheer the sad inmates with songs of pleasure,
hope, and liberty, or to complain, in rude couplets adapted
to well known airs, that they cannot celebrate with them
the month of May. The scene is often concluded by a
consolatory repast, which the prisoners partake with their
friends, who offer meats and wine at the windows.

The month of May is not, however, the first which
revives nature in the southern p of Italy. There the
beautiful month of April, il bel Aprile, commences the
season of rejoicing.

It is not less difficult to separate the ideas of music and Italy, than those of bravery and France, or of commerce and England. It is a singular circumstance, that, The Fête-Dieu, or the Corpus Domini, is celebrated in a country where the love of music is so prevailing a in the following month with much solemnity and zeal. passion, the people should be characterized by morose- At Pisa, the flags which form the pavement of the ness and taciturnity; yet it cannot be denied that singing streets are strewed with flowers and verdure, arranged in is the expression rather of joy than of any other feeling, the form of letters, or of religious and political symbols. as in order to sing even melancholy airs, it is necessary At day break, every inhabitant covers the part of the to be gay, or, at least, that the mind should be in a state street immediately in front of his house with roses, of tranquillity. If the fine opera singers were in the thyme, mignionette, or branches of orange-trees, tracing sitations of the personages they represent, they would out verses of psalms, and stanzas of canticles, which at user only inarticulate or discordant tones. It is a once perfume the air, and enrapture the faithful. As the general remark among those who have visited Italy, that day advances, the streets resound with the chiming of the popular songs, far from being impressed with that bells, the music of drums and fifes, and the voices of the acity which characterizes the French vaudevilles, are, people singing hymns in chorus. On the eve of St. Lawfor the most part, distinguished by an expression of ten- rence's day, the Tuscans send to invite their friends to derness and melancholy. I do not think that the choirs come and gather nuts during the night-time, and, on the the first theatres in Europe, not even excepting those day of the festival, send branches of nut-trees to their Italy and Germany, composed of men and women neighbours and acquaintance, inquiring of one another brought up in the conservatories, are superior to those if they have worked hard, and what success they have had. ten formed by an accidental assemblage of workmen, The most celebrated profane festival at Pisa is that of ho unite their voices as they return from their work the game of the bridge Giuoco del ponte, which takes along the shores of the Arno, or the borders of the Brenta. place every third year, in the month of June. The The Italian people, in the qualities they possess, afford two quarters of St. Mary and St. Antony then declare instances of astonishing contrasts; they are at once thought-war to one another, and the battle is fought upon ful and destitute of foresight, deceitful and ingenious, the marble bridge, the object of victory being to throw loquacious and reserved. Ever in extremes, they would the enemy into the Arno. As early as the month of accomplish the most painful vow in order to ensure the March, immense preparations are made for the armament, execution of a scheme of vengeance; and if at certain and the splendid illumination, which is often continued periods they depart from their habitual sullenness and for three nights. Scaffolding, amphitheatres, and stages apathy, it is to abandon themselves to a joy that knows raised to the height of the houses, are prepared in every no bounds, and that wears the semblance of madness. street, and all the open spaces are filled up with wooden The emblem of Italy is a poignard adorned with flowers. constructions. The people are busied in making ready Spring is the youth of the year, and instinct; no less their costumes, and fabricating their arms; they nomithan reason, inclines us involuntarily to celebrate the re-nate their chiefs, and perform daily exercises. The inha. am of this beautiful season. The month of May was bitants of the principal quarters of the town are divided the period chosen by our untaught ancestors, the Gauls, into parties, and entertain a mutual distrust of each other for their great military assemblies. In Tuscany, the as if they were really enemies. Parents and children abanival of this month gives the signal for festivals and stain from visiting each other if they happen to reside in plare, and the amusements of the champs de Mai are different districts, and brothers and relations scruple not consecrated by venerable and pleasing custom. The whole to quarrel if it be necessary to do so, to support that Population take a share in them. In the evening, and the bravery, skill, and honour of their quarter are superior during the night, the streets are filled with companies to those of the enemy. The lower orders of people, in of trolling choirs, whose accents are repeated from the particular, indulge in the bitterest invective, feeding themshops of shoemakers and tailors, in every quarter of the selves with the hope of vengeance in the approaching comThe Italians generally prefer stringed instruments: bat. The colour of the warriors of Saint Mary is blue, the use of wind instruments is confined to theatres and that of the heroes of Saint Antony is red. When the public concerts. Young boys of twelve or fourteen years grand day arrives, the battalions are drawn up: the two old, adorned with paper caps or helmets, and armed with generals richly dressed, and armed with lances, harangue Fooden sabres, parade the streets in the early part of the their armies, and the aides-de-camp gallop from post to mth of May, stopping in the public squares, where they post to convey their orders. The streets and quays are and sometimes recite military songs, The wives, crowded with spectators, who flock to the town from the ghters, and mothers of the prisoners take their stations distance of forty or fifty leagues. The windows, roofs, Under the grated windows of the prisons, which look into and scaffoldings are adorned with flowers and foliage, and

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hung with tapestry of silk and woollen stuffs. At length the van guards approach the two extremities of the bridge, hailing each other with cries and shouts, and then fall back to the body of the army. The signal is then given, and the attack commences. The shields resound on all sides with the strokes of the club and cestus, and the shouts of the combatants are mingled with the clamours of the mob. The two generals carefully avoid encountering each other, that the battle may be of longer duration; till, at length, the columns are broken up in confusion, and the men, engaging with each other hand to hand, begin to throw one another into the river, whence they are taken up in boats, and brought back to the shore quite ashamed of having been conquered.

The victory is not assigned beforehand to any particular quarter, and is generally gained rather by force than address; though the two Generals exert all their skill in drawing up their armies, the combatants individually make it their principal object to seize their enemies by the legs, and throw them over the parapet. Sometimes several groups, closely drawn up together, encounter a column of their adversaries, and, completely surrounding them, press against them with their shoulders, heads, and bodies, till they succeed in lifting them up upon their united shields, and throw them into the water. The conqueror remains master of the bridge: the Generals, officers, and soldiers unite in one cry of evviva santa Maria! or evviva sant' Antonio, whilst the members of the conquered party break out into lamentations for their defeat, and complain of the want of skill in their commanders, and of courage in their champions. Sometimes, eager to wipe away the stain of their defeat, they indignantly clamour for a second battle, and again station themselves upon the bridge to prepare for action; but they are soon dispersed by the authorities of the town, who proclaim the conquerors, and order all the battalions to withdraw. The relations and friends of both parties, accompanied by the brethren of la Misericordia, then hasten to the assistance of the bruised and wounded left upon the bridge, and place them upon litters, or carry them away upon their shoulders, consoling them for the dangers they have run, and congratulating them on their good fortune in having escaped the disgrace of measuring the height of the bridge. The inhabitants of the two opposed quarters, forgetting their late animosity, mingle indiscriminately together, and joyfully take their places at the repast which concludes the day. The tables are laid out upon the quays, and are plentifully loaded with polenta, water melons, fried fish, cutlets, and herrings soaked in the wine of Florence and of Lari. Soon afterwards, the clergy of both quarters set out at the head of two grand processions, bearing the shrines of St. Mary and St. Antony, adorned with jewels and rich stuffs, and hung with garlands of flowers. They meet upon the bridge, and a reconciliation takes place between the Madonna and the blessed saint: the latter bows down before the shrine of the Virgin, who answers by a slight motion of the head. This is the signal of a general peace, and the united processions once more parade the streets.

In the evening, the town is splendidly illuminated with lamps of various colours filled with fine olive oil, the smoke of which diffuses its perfume through every part of the town. Every respectable proprietor expends from

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