He who would happy live to-day, Nor think of woes to come; 24.-SAINT BARTHOLOMEW. The word Bartholomew means the son of Tolmai, or Tolomæus, the name of a family among the Jews, mentioned by Josephus. He preached the Gospel in Armenia, converted the Lycaonians, and afterwards visited India. Some authors assert that he was crucified, like St. Peter, with his head downwards; others, however, with more probability, say, that he was flayed alive, by order of Astyages, King of Armenia. Many have supposed him to be the same as Nathaniel, since the evangelists who mention Bartholomew say nothing of Nathaniel; and John, who mentions Nathaniel, takes no notice of Bartholomew. In that savage scene of butchery, the massacre of St. Bartholomew, planned with all the coolness of deliberation, five hundred gentlemen and ten thousand persons of inferior rank were massacred in one night, at Paris alone, and great numbers in the provinces, because they were Protestants'. The Roman Pontiff, on hearing of it, expressed great joy, announcing that the Cardinals should return thanks to the Almighty for so signal an advantage obtained for the Holy See, and that a JUBILEE should be observed all over Christendom2. *24. 1759.-EDYSTONE LIGHT HOUSE BUILT, In one hundred and eleven days. The outside and basement of this edifice are formed of granite; that kind of stone being more durable than any other, and more competent to resist the action of the sea: the interior is chiefly of Portland stone. When the light was first exhibited, a very great storm hap 1 Thuanus, lib. 63, sect. 14. T 2 Ibid. ib. pened, and the light keepers observed, that they felt a sensible motion in the building; but, from their experience of its strength, they were neither agitated by fear or surprise'. Sublime thy pile, great SMEATON, stands Amidst the boiling breakers, spiring o'er Though swept by whirlwinds, and by lightning scathed, At morn, when peering from a cloud, and leads Through death's encircling horrors; and though broke In gathered ruin, plucks them from the deep. *25. 1819.-JAMES WATT DIED, ET. 84, The great improver of the STEAM-ENGINE; but, as to all that is admirable in its structure, or vast in its utility, he should rather be described as its INVENTOR. It was by the different inventions of Mr. Watt, that the action of the Steam Engine was so regulated as to make it capable of being applied to the finest and most delicate manufactures, and its power so increased, as to set weight and solidity at defiance. By his admirable contrivance it has become a thing stupendous alike for its force and its flexibility; for the prodigious power which it can exert, and the ease, and precision, and ductility, with which they can be varied, distributed and applied. The trunk of an elephant, that can pick up a pin or rend an oak, is nothing to it. It can engrave a seal, and crush masses of obdurate metal like wax before it; draw out, without breaking, a thread as fine as a gossamer, and lift a ship of war like a bauble in the air. It can embroider muslin, and forge anchors; cut steel into ribands, and impel loaded vessels against the fury of the wind and waves. 'See an interesting account of this and the former light-houses on the Edystone Rock, in the Beauties of England and Wales, vol. iv, p. 209. The steam-engine has increased indefinitely the mass of human comforts and enjoyments, and rendered cheap and accessible, all over the world, the materials of wealth and prosperity. It has, in short, armed the feeble hand of man with a power to which no limits can be assigned, completed the dominion of mind over the most refractory qualities of matter, and laid a sure foundation for all those future miracles of mechanic power which are to aid and reward the labours of after generations'. 28. SAINT AUGUSTINE. Augustine was born at Thagaste, a town in Numidia, in the year 354. He early applied himself to the study of polite literature, and became a professor of philosophy and rhetoric, first at Rome, and afterwards at Milan. He next diligently studied theology, in which he was instructed by St. Ambrose, with whom he contracted an intimate acquaintance. In the year 388, he returned to his native country, and, three years afterwards, was chosen Bishop of Hippo. Augustine was a judicious divine, and the most voluminous writer of all the Fathers. He died in 430, at the age of 77. *28. 1648.-SIR CHARLES LUCAS AND SIR GEORGE LISLE EXECUTED. These two valiant captains, who defended Colchester for eleven weeks, against the Parliament army The progress of steam-navigation has been rapid and general: in America, 35 boats (7259 tons burthen) were lately in operation ou the river Mississippi and its tributary streams; and 30 new steam boats (5995 tons burthen) were building, including the Robert Fulton, of 750 tons, and to carry 200 persons between New York and New Or leans. On the Clyde, in Scotland, 25 boats are employed, and others on the lakes in summer. Steam-vessels also ply on the Tay, the Humber, the Trent, the Dee, and the Mersey. The Margate steam-yachts are well known; one of these lately (August 1820) carried 360 passengers to this much frequented watering-place. The passage is sometimes made in six hours. See a very interesting biographical Memoir of Mr. Watt, in the Quarterly Journal of Science, Literature, and the Arts, vol. viii, pp. 136-141. under Fairfax, were led out of the town about seven o'clock in the evening of the above day, to a green spot of ground, only a few paces distant from the north wall of the castle, and there submitted to their harsh fate with the most intrepid bravery. "The bodies of the two knights were privately interred in the vault of the Lucas family, in St. Giles's church. The following characters of these great men are given by Clarendon. Sir Charles Lucas, the younger brother of Lord Lucas, and heir both to his title and estate, was bred in the Low Countries, under the Prince of Orange, and always among the horse. He had little conversation in that court where great civility was practised and learned. He was a very brave -man in his person, and in the day of battle a gallant man to look upon and follow, and gained the repute of being the best commander of horse in the world. Sir George Lisle, who always desired to imitate him, was a gentleman who had the same education, and an officer of foot. He led his men to battle with that alacrity, that no man was ever better followed; his soldiers never forsaking him, and the party that he commanded never left any thing undone which he led them upon. His courage was attended with the most gentle nature; kind to all, and beloved of all. The manner of taking the lives of these worthy men was new and barbarous beyond example; and was generally imputed to Ireton, who swayed Fairfax. See also March 9, 1648, p. 58. 29.-JOHN BAPTIST BEHEADED. This day was formerly denominated Festum Collectionis Sancti Johannis Baptista; or the feast of gathering up St. John the Baptist's relics; but afterwards, by corruption, Festum Decollationis, the festival in remembrance of his being beheaded. His nativity is celebrated on the 24th of June, which see. Astronomical Occurrences In AUGUST 1821. SOLAR PHENOMENA. THE Sun enters Virgo at 1 m. past 1 in the afternoon of the 23d of this month; and he will be eclipsed on the 27th. The conjunction takes place at 163 m. after 3 in the afternoon, in longitude 5° 3° 57'; Moon's latitude 3' north. The eclipse will be central on the meridian at 134 m. past 3, in longitude 48° 22' west, and latitude 14° 43' north; but will not be visible in this country. He rises and sets during this month as in the following TABLE Of the Sun's Rising and Setting for every fifth Day. August 1st, Sun rises 20 m. after 4. Sets 40 m. after 7 The quantity to be added to apparent time for every fifth day of this month, to find the mean time corresponding to the same moment, is stated in the following Wednesday, 1st, to the time by the dial add 5 58 5 34 8 2 afternoon Last Quarter 20th 49 6 morning |