kind, demanded by whim, vanity, and taste. They also made large square toilet pincushions of white marseilles quilting, fully trimmed with double rows of muslin, and watch-pockets for beds to correspond. How to sell these articles, which were exquisitely finished, seemed the difficulty. The shop-keeper will seldom give a fair price for any thing offered by private hands; and if he did, still his profit would deduct much from the charity. To be a tax on unwilling friends, and perhaps uncharitable acquaintance, is always painful, and sometimes creates an uneasy sense of obligation. To avoid this, the young ladies engaged a standing, as it is called, at the great annual fair of the town in which they lived, and an intelligent person to attend it. This standing was lined with green baize, and ornamented with wreaths of natural flowers, and draperies of white muslin: the words of " Charitable Fund," were displayed in large letters on the top. The sale was so good as to produce a nett profit of forty guineas, after every expense was deducted. The money was expended in coals, medicine, and food, for the most necessitous families in the town, and in completely clothing ten women. They used serge for the gowns, as warmer and more useful than poor any other material. They bought it by the piece for 3s. 1d. per 1 yard, and four yards made a gown. They cut out all the clothing of the women, and paid the woman herself for making it, wherever she was found capable, gowns excepted, those they had made at a shilling each, by a mantua-maker. L. For the Belfast Monthly Magazine. A OBSERVATIONS ON THE MANNER OF I WAS much pleased at reading some directions that were annexed to the account of the death of Hugh Kirk, late of Belfast, as given in the Magazine No. 29, left by him to be observed after his decease, respecting the manner of conducting his fu neral, &c. period I have been desirous of Frequently since that bringing into public notice the following example of a similar kind in the case of Joseph Millar, who died near Dromore, upwards of three years ago; he left behind him in writing, the following memorandum, as a testimony against the extravagance too frequently manifested at such times, particularly in country places. That it may excite useful reflections in the minds of others, is the only end I have in view, in now bringing it forward. It is as follows: «Memorandum of the manner in which I desire my funeral may be conducted after my decease. "I desire, that when my last conflict is over, my body may be wrapped in a sheet, and laid on the bed where I usually slept, there to remain without undergoing any kind of operation whatever, until it be found convenient to put it in a cofplain and simple, without covering fin, which I desire may be made or colouring of any kind, or ornament, escutcheons, &c. I desire there may be no wake, (as it is called), or of numbers gathering on the long thought inconsistent, and tends to introduce irregularity, levity of behaviour, and unprofitable con occasion. This is a custom I have versation, unbecoming the solemnity of such an occasion. "I desire that my funeral may be conducted as quietly as possible, and in order to prevent a concourse of people, let my remains be interred as early in a morning as conveniently may be. "That no spirituous or other liquors (as the custom commonly is) be distributed on the occasion. Be punctual in this particular, I have seen miserable effects produced by it. That my remains be interred in Hillsborough church-burying-place, (so called); but if, as it is customary, the curate, or any other, persists in reading what is called the burial service on the occasion, then in that case, let my remains be taken to any other burying-place where no such observance will be insisted on. "That no head-stone or tomb-stone of any description be placed at my grave. "In testimony of the above, I subscribe my hand this 20th of 5th Mo.* 1808. "JOSEPH MILLAR.” About three months after writing the above, he finished his course, leaving behind him the example of a blameless life, and unsullied reputation. He was a good husband, an affectionate son, and fulfilled, to the utmost of his abilities, the several duties of his station. which enabled him to view without dismay his approaching dissolution. This much seemed necessary to state in order to show that the manner of his life was consistent with that kind of conduct he wished might be adopted, after his decease, respecting his remains, Indeed, to every serious reflecting mind that is not led away in his judgment by the force of custom, it must appear evident how inconsistent with the nature of the occa sion, is the manner in which, in too general a way, funerals are conducted. Instead of having a tendency to impress on the minds of survivors serious views of mortality, and to convey useful lessons of the uncertainty of time, the mode often practised, goes far in contributing to promote a lightness of disposition, and inattention to what should most of all concern them, their own dis solution. To what purpose but to indulge a spirit of vain-glory, and at a time that should be the most humiliating to beings circumstanced like us, are costly parade so often manifested on all the idle pomp, the vain and these occasions. To how much better purpose might the sums thus foolishly lavished away be applied? The costs attending these ostentatious appearances, would go a great way in relieving the naked and distress He bore a long and painful ill-ed, and in supplying the wants of måness with the patient hope, and calm ny who are pining on a bed of sickness, destitute of almost every com resignation of true religion, not the fort necessary at such a time, with religion of external show, cold and formal, which however calculated frame, whilst so many are indulging scarce a rag to cover their worn-out to please the imagination, and ain all the extravagance of supermuse the senses, mends not the heart, nor regulates the conduct. fluity of which invention is master, or of which art can boast; and exHis was a religion of higher origin, tending this thirst of vanity to matters relating to the dead, which of all folly appears to me to be the most absurd. *He never made any profession with the people called Quakers, although in this instance he adopted a mode of expres sion used by them. It is greatly to be regretted that so 盟 many in the middle and lower stations of life should discover so much weakness on these and other occasions, as to endeavour to copy after their more wealthy neighbours and aim to vie with each other in an expensive and showy appearance. They often grievously subject them selves to many serious inconve niences, and in wishing to maintain a rank above their means, become more and more regardless of supporting that rectitude of principle, a steady adherence to which, forms, in any situation, the truly upright character. If those who move in the higher circles were at all times to show an = example of moderation, it would, I think, be one means of reducing to a more proper standard the direction of affairs. In the eye of sober reason and just discernment, the extravagance frequently manifested at wakes, as they are called, especially in the country, assumes more the appearance of the remains of barbarous times, than symptoms of an enlight ened age. In what other light can be viewed the practice of previous ly preparing the body as if for a public exhibition, and then of numbers collecting together for no other purpose, than to spend the night in rioting and noisy mirth, whilst in many instances a plentiful supply of strong drink is not wanting to inflame the imagination, and to spur on to still greater degrees of savage rudeness, making that a season of feasting and jollity, which should be marked with conduct of a very different kind? It sometimes excites our astonishment when we read of the conduct of some countries on these and other occasions; what a pity it is that we do not more frequently turn our attention to what is passing among ourselves! To me it has often been a source of admiration, how those who have loved and respected their friends while living, could treat their remains with such cold indifference as to suffer them to become a kind of public spectacle, and expose them to the view of every vulgar beholder, giving them up as it were, to the will and pleasure of a licentious disposition in all who chuse to take advantage of the occasion, to gratify a vain taste for idle sport and pastime. How is it possible for serious minds to relish such entertainment within their walls, or by their conduct give encouragement to the practice? But custom reconciles the greatest contradictions. However, it is hoped, that some of the barbarous customs, for such they really appear to be, which, with a view of this subject come under observation, are beginning gra dually to die away, and I wish they may more and more get into disre pute, until they totally disappear; but I fear they have still too strong a hold on many minds to be easi ly given up. Many acknowledge their impropriety, but are unwilling to put in practice what they are convinced would be more consistent, from a fear of being pointed at by their neighbours, and remarked as affecting singularity. Yet the practice of singularity, when opposed to wrong customs, and bad habits, merits not contempt. When properly supported, it has a tendency to create in the minds of others an inquiry how far customs, though long established and generally acknowledged, are right to be adopted. The length of time that any custom has been in use, or however generally it may have been approved, is no proof of its being right; nor does it afford any plea why it is not bet. ter that it should be broken through, notwithstanding the adherents of it may strongly plead for its conti. nuance, by endeavouring to bring forward proofs of antiquity. Many blindly follow the ways and customs in which they have been educated, without ever once giving themselves the trouble of examining whether they are right or wrong: they can give no reason why they follow such and such customs, but merely because their fathers have done so, and so do they. Thus customs, no matter how corrupt, are handed down from one age to another, and rendered, in the too general estimation, venerable by their age, and in the eyes of their zeal ous votaries, are viewed as so many sacred relics, so that for any person to dare to touch them in point of the least deviation is deemed a crime of no small magnitude. I now speak not only of the subject on which these few observations are founded, but also with respect to the fond attachment so generally manifested in giving the preference to ancient usages and customs, how proper and laudable soever the relinquishing of them may be, or how greatly the state of society may be benefited by the change. Many entertain a superstitious veneration for ancient customs, and bestow a kind of veneration on whatever bears the name of antiquity, to the total rejection of every idea that any further step towards improve ment is necessary. This disposition to follow implicitly, and without examination, the footsteps of past times, proves a powerful obstacle in the way of further search, and keeps the mind instead of advancing properly forward, still going back. I would not approve of condemning ancient customs merely because they are ancient, nor of applauding new ones, on account of their novelty. Let all measures, ancient or modern, be valued according to the rank they are entitled to hold in the scale of real usefulness; and so far as they have contributed in forwarding the best interests of man, let their value be Numerous acts of past estimated. are on these and present times grounds entitled to respectfu! remembrance. But a fondness for antiquity, merely for the sake of antiquity, and a belief in its infallibility, has gone far in obstructing the channel of free and rational inquiry, and occasioned the abuse of sober reason, and of those noble powers of the mind designed by the great Creator to lead man on in a state of progressive purity. I do indeed most sincerely wish, that mankind would act as becomes rational intelligent beings. N. S. 1 most charming river; as it flows ofer steep crags, and large masses of granite, with immense precipices on each side, and rocks hanging over our heads, seemingly threatening to hurl destruction upon us, at every step. When we came into the Deer's Meadow, the ground became very wet, as it is a spot surrounded by prodigious hills on all sides. The difficulty which some of the ladies experienced, in making good their way over the moist, slippery ground (some of them having dirtied their stockings and gowns very much,) however, it might, on a different occasion, have been regretted, at present only added to the mirth of the whole party. We now began to distinguish our Mourne friends advancing. They looked like a little army at a distance-and no wonder; as the party consisted of nine ladies, and twelve gentlemen, all on horseback. We, though nearly equal in number, did, by no means, exhibit the same formidable appearance, as we were all on foot -About eleven o'clock, we met at the Cairn, the place appointed for rendezvous. After mutual greetings on the part of old friends, and introductions on the part of strangers, we proceeded to climb Slieve-muck, a very high mountain, in the middle of the whole range. The ladies received assistance from the gentlemen; notwithstanding which, they were occasionally obliged to stop, in order to rest and regain breath. The party was very soon spread over the whole mountain; each taking the way that seemed most easy, in gaining the ascent. Some of the girls held by the skirts of the men's coats, and some by their arms-while some of the young men, in their turn, held gaily by BELFAST MAG. NO. XLI. the girls' gowns. No one however, complained of fatigue-as nothing could exceed the spirits of the whole party. My father remarked that there was a time for all things, and that now was the time for playing the fool; and that the cleverest persons of the party were those that would make the greatest fools of themselves-and really it could not be doubted that all present did all in their power to contribute to the good humour and hilarity of the whole party. After a vigorous effort, we gained the North-East summit of the mountain—and never was I so struck with admiration and wonder. Slieve Donnard just opposite, reared his majestic head to the clouds, the proud superior of the whole range. Next to him Bignian, a most beautiful mountain, awful with steep precipices, and immense rocks hanging with threatening aspect over Mourne. On the other side stood Bencrum: this mountain is uncommonly picturesque and grand. It rises in a conical form, with its summit indented with huge rocks. sides are covered with a beautiful verdure; and as the valley below is very deep, the height appeared quite terrific. Another high mountain, with that on which we stood, formed a vast circle, in the middle of which the valley appeared like a deep well of many hundred acres. We were surprised to find here a large lake, exhibiting a most beautiful sheet of water, and having the sauds on its shore of a most brilliant hue. Altogether, the scene was calculated to fill the mind with those exalted transports, which result from a contemplation of the magnificent and sublime. My heart swelled with rapture, aud my mind was transported on the wings of The |