No. 166.

A WORD TO THE MERCILESS. THE practices of bull and bear baiting have for many years been abandoned, and dog and cock fighting are now, we believe, nearly extinct, except privately, and under the peculiar auspices of the idle and dissolute; yet we doubt very much if in the present day there be on the whole more mercy shown to the animal creation generally than in former times. With respect to the nourishing and coddling of lapdogs, parrots, canaries, squirrels, and cockatoos, the system has been always nearly alike from the time of Queen Elizabeth downwards, these creatures being apparently neither better nor worse treated than their predecessors were two hundred years since. The condition of other animals, not classed under the head of pets, has always been and still is discreditable to humanity. Here, general civilisation seems to have effected little or nothing beneficial; perhaps in some instances we have retrograded from the kindly usages of our ancestors; and it is at least certain that in this respect the behaviour of the ignorant Hindoo or the Arab of the desert would shame that of persons laying claim to the highest cultivation of intellect.

Some years ago, when a gentleman of benevolent feelings carried a bill through Parliament to prevent cruelty to animals, his excellent intentions, strange to say, were made the subject of ridicule; and till the present hour, such is the extreme indifference on all sides displayed both by those who are in and out of authority, that cruelties are daily committed on the streets of our large towns and elsewhere, without calling forth either remark or commiseration. We cannot but think that the present age, with all its modifications in barbarism, is still wonderfully affected with a taste for savage indulgences. This taste, however, to do justice to society, is demonstrated principally among what are usually styled the highest and the lowest ranks in the one case from idleness, in the other from sheer ignorance or obtuseness of feeling. In recent times, several instances have occurred of wealthy and tender-hearted ladies providing endowments for the preaching of annual sermons on the subject of cruelty to animals; but this, it may be presumed, is a hopeless mode of curing so aggravated an evil; for it is doubtful if any one attends these prelections whose feelings require to be prompted to a better treatment of the humble assistants of man in his various avocations. It is not by such means, we fear, that the horse-jockey on the one hand, or the coal-carter and cattle-driver on the other, are to have their feel. ings humanised. To reform their practices, the mode of cure must be somewhat more effectual.

Ignorance, and of course false reasoning, are frequently the main basis of those sufferings which many individuals cause the animal races to endure. Ignorance, which is the mother of every mischief, is conspicuously busy in depreciating the character and physically torturing some of the most useful creatures which we have subjected to our control. Let us, for example, mention the case of the ass. This most valuable, though humble, assistant in man's labours, has met with singular ingratitude for its untiring services. Upon it has been heaped every kind of obloquy, every kind of misusage. While assiduously working in behalf of its master, it has been kicked, beaten, starved, and its very name made a reproach. Surely this is but an inglorious triumph of man over the lower animals. Yet it is seemingly a triumph. It is the boastful conquest of the tyrant over the slave, who is unable to defend himself. The lion has been called the king of the brutes; but it would be difficult to say why it has gained this pre-eminence, unless ferocity, strength, and dignity of aspect, are to be con

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1835.

sidered the tests of superiority. There is but too great a disposition among human beings to admire the beautiful and the lofty, or even the gaudy and the pompous, and to neglect in proportion the simply useful. The glitter and misspent talent of certain kinds of shameless and trivial literature, engage more of the popular affections, and produce more reputation, than the writings of those men who have done most for the good of their kind. The opera-dancer is more liberally rewarded than many members of the learned professions. We admire the pageantry of war-love to gaze upon the splendour of military array, forgetting the while that it ever has been, and never can be any thing else than, productive of private misery and national impoverishment. The richly decorated and well-accoutred soldier, who spends more than half his life in a state of mental vacuity, lounging in listless idleness along our fashionable promenades, is reckoned a being far more deserving of our admiration and esteem, than the humble schoolmaster, the "vulgar shopkeeper," or any other "mean-spirited animal," who is engaged in honest labour, and by his industry contributes to the said soldier's support. We make a pet of the worthless parrot for its rich plumage, and cast not a thought upon the sober and productive hen. The lion, which never did a good action from the day of its creation, has met with nothing but universal reverence and eulogy, while the poor ass, whose race records a history of unintermit. ting usefulness, has been treated with an equal share of abuse and contempt. "Hard usage is this indeed," may the ill-treated Master Neddy say to his owners. "I have toiled for you for years, both in and out of I have exerted all my humble ability in your service. Many is the time I have endured cold, wet, and hunger, without complaint; yet, for all my services and sufferings, I am treated with contempt, because I have not the power to resent my wrongs; I am made an object of ridicule, because nature has denied me the elegant form of the horse, or the ferocity of the lion or the tiger." It can scarcely be denied that there would be something like justice in such a lamentation from the hard-wrought, scurvily treated donkey.

season.

It is unfortunate for both the ass and horse creation that most of those persons who come in contact with them are inapproachable either by the censures of the press or the pulpit. They cannot be said to fall within the scope of literature. Civilisation seems to have a difficulty in reaching them. "What! shall I not do with my own horse what I like?" is the indignant exclamation of many of those who are challenged for their cruelties. Acting on this extreme principle, how many thousands of carters shut out every thing like mercy from their breasts, and both torture and starve the poor animals over which they claim a supreme authority! The French are described as a people generally kind to their horses. They incite them by smart reverberating cracks of the whip, and address them with many kind words, praising their activity and beauty-a species of flattery which the animals seem perfectly to comprehend; but they seldom strike them. We have also seen not a few English waggoners, and dray and car men, very kind to their teams. At this moment, we have vividly presented to our mind's eye the noble large-boned animals, with their dark glossy skins, arched necks, and switchy tails, going in fours and sixes in their glistening brass-mounted harness, dragging after them, with seeming unconcern, the bulky wains along the streets and highways of the south. We see also, marching alongside, the proud driver of the luxurious stud, with his Saxon smock,

who were

PRICE THREE HALFPENCE.

his heavy well-shod quarter-boots, his slouching peaky hat, and his long, very long whip, with which he ever and anon gently touches and guides the sagacious animals. How nicely he knows how to quicken or retard their progress, to make them bend to the right or left, to make them gee-up or gee-wo, all by the slight, hardly perceptible touch of the whip-his truncheon of office-applied with the lightness of a lady's finger to the neck of the foremost of the train. As for striking his "good hosses," he would not commit such an outrage for the world. Love you, he has too much affection for them, to treat them ill. See how carefully he keeps their coats free from dust, how sleekly he has combed down their shaggy manes ! Look, see there, he is now wiping the forehead of Fanny with his handkerchief, and calling her his pretty Miss. This kindness is habitual with him. He loves his horses, and they love him. He has always a good word for them, and would die rather than set out without a proper complement of well-filled nosebags, or "a bit of fresh hay" for them to munch when they come to a stop with their draught. And would not any thing else be the height of cruelty? Does not he himself love to "touch the pewter," and refresh himself " of an 'ot foggy mo'ning" with a pull at Whitbread's entire; and while performing such an act of devotion to his internal ease, would he be so shabby as neglect to give his darling team " a bit of summat" to keep them comfortable and in good humour?

Messieurs the Worldly-wise-men may perhaps turn up their noses at "all this sort of thing," and with frowning brow set about calculating how much loss is incurred by these well-fed teams leading a happy life, and how much more work by a different course of

treatment could be extorted out of them. We do not

The

like folks who reason in this narrow-minded way. If the labourer be worthy of his hire, the horse is worthy of his meat, and of good usage into the bargain. We have no idea of knocking horses to pieces and half starving them, in order to realise a trifle additional from their exertions. It is enough to shock the feelings of any one to witness the cruel treatment of horses in some parts of the country. In and around the Scottish metropolis, the greater part of those of a hum. ble class lead a life of incessant misery: the grand object seems to be to get work out of them at the lowest possible cost. In nine out of every ten cases, no regard whatever is paid to their strength; they may be lame, or old, or weakened with disease or famine, but they must get on-must never slacken in their duty. Yoked singly in carts loaded with from fifteen to twenty hundredweight of coal, you see them frequently goaded on in the most savage manner. lash is in constant requisition, and not the lash only, but rack-sticks, staves, or any other weapons that come readily to hand, are lustily applied to all parts of the carcase of the poor drudged animals. With heavy random blows over the head and ribs, are the wretched creatures urged on their way, while their lagging steps are most likely accelerated by the furi. ous tugging of the halter, accompanied with oaths and meaningless vociferations from their heartless master. Is it possible, we say, to look upon this ha bitual misusage of the horse with a feeling of unconcern? Can we see the thin worn-down animals, with their bones almost protruding through the lank skin, their galled sides grazed to the red flesh by the friction of the clumsy yoke, their dirty unsorted condition, their drooping head and sunken eyes, with their backs sinking to a deep curve under the weight of their burdensome draughts-in such a condition, can we see them under the guidance of an unfeeling master

May we hope though it must be owned there is little reason to expect that public feeling will not be long in concurring, both with law and common decency, in rendering the condition of the animals we have been speaking of somewhat more accordant with the dictates of humanity and moral responsibility.

POPULAR INFORMATION ON SCIENCE.

THE COMPASS.

In a former number of the Journal we treated of the magnet and its very mysterious influence, and at the same time described the principal phenomena to which it gives rise. Amongst other characteristics belong ing to a magnet, its polarity or tendency to point in a northerly direction, was mentioned, and that this property had been practically applied in the construction of what is called the mariner's compass, an instrument which is now indispensable in navigation, although it was not discovered, or rather used as a guide, until the beginning of the fourteenth century. The ancients, although acquainted with some of the properties possessed by the magnet, appear to have been utterly ignorant of its polarity; and hence, having no infallible guide through the deep, such as was independent of every casualty connected with the weather or the state of the heavens generally, their mari. time discoveries fade into very trivial exploits when compared with those achieved by the moderns. But let us deal fairly by the ancients. When we consider that they were ignorant of the compass, our astonishment is excited that so much was accomplished by them. They were necessarily compelled to sail at no great distance from the shore, and follow the sinuosi. ties of the coast, generally coming to anchor at sunset. If, however, the weather was propitious, and they sailed during the night, the only guide in which they could repose confidence was the stars, which were very precarious in this respect, as they were ever liable to be suddenly obscured by clouds. Yet, with this unfortunate drawback upon their enterprise, the ancients, prior to the introduction of the compass, made some remarkable discoveries.

The greatest maritime people of antiquity were the Phoenicians. With learning equal to the Egyptians, they were devoid of that superstitious dread which the inhabitants of the banks of the Nile had for the Their chief cities were Tyre and Sidon, at the top

sea.

of the Mediterranean; and between the twelfth and

eighth centuries before the Christian era, they planted colonies at Utica, Carthage, and Gades, or Cadiz, a town of Spain at the mouth of the Straits of Gibraltar. Beyond this, upon the coasts of the Atlantic, they likewise made settlements, and also upon the shores of the Euxine, the ancient name of the Black Sea. Their vessels also traversed the Arabian Gulf or Red Sea, and through this channel may possibly have reached the aromatic shores of India. Amongst the Greeks, Jason's Argonautic expedition, in which he explored the Euxine at a period of remote history, is well known, and was famous of yore. But the Carthaginians, who were originally a Phoenician colony, surpassed even the mother country in maritime enterprise. Hanno, a celebrated navigator of that people, explored the western coast of Africa, it is supposed as far as Senegambia. Pliny even goes the length of saying that Hanno entirely circumnavigated it, and returned to Carthage by the Red Sea. This is highly improbable; for the doubling of the Cape of Good Hope was an achievement of too great magnitude not

to be alluded to in the ancient chronicles wherein the voyage is described. Nay, it is to be questioned if the comparatively slender vessels of the Carthaginians were capable of braving "the stormy spirit of the Cape," of crossing that sea where two opposing currents keep up an eternal conflict in the waters, and at all times render the navigation of this quarter somewhat precarious. Besides, granting that they did accomplish this, and return by the Mediterranean, how would they get their vessels over the Isthmus of Suez ? Himilco, another famous admiral, held his course

During the middle ages, the rival states of Italy, whilst they kept up an almost perpetual hostility, vied with each other in improving the art of ship

parent. Henry of Portugal, a prince renowned for his military qualities, and no less conspicuous by his cultivation of philosophy, assembled around him the astronomers and mathematicians of his age, for the purpose of systematising all the science of the day. In order to discover a nearer route to India than that

usually pursued, he caused charts to be drawn out, which, although they involved the egregious absur dity that the earth was a vast plain, were undoubtedly of great use to the mariner, as they indicated the relative positions of different places, and pointed out those parts which were to be avoided by the seaman. The invention of the astrolabe is likewise ascribed to him by some writers, but this we apprehend is an error, for Sir John Mandeville, who wrote in the middle of the fourteenth century, mentions it as being in use in his time. An astrolabe (from astro, a star, and lam. bano, I take) is an instrument for measuring the degrees, minutes, and even smaller proportions of angles. That of Prince Henry was simply a quadrantal arch, graduated at the rim into degrees and half degrees. When the altitude of a heavenly body was required, the edge of the instrument was directed to it, and a building, and navigation in general; for as their plummet, suspended from the centre, was made to mark the angle of elevation. The latitude of a place, superiority depended upon the extent of their commercial relations, each was eager to surpass the others As to a person standing at the equator the pole star or its distance from the equator, was thus determined: in these respects. But a new impulse was to be given appears to lie in the horizon, and gradually to ascend to nautical pursuits by the discovery, or rather the as the pole is approached, so the edge of the instru improvement, which was made on the compass in the ment being gradually raised to bring it in a line with year 1302, by one Flavio Gioja, a native of Amalfi, the star, the plumb-line will also gradually describe a more acute angle, by which the latitude is determined, which was a place of some commercial importance in until at the pole it will coincide in a vertical line with the territory of Naples. This is one of the most re- the instrument. The error resulting from the star markable events belonging to a period characterised not being perfectly polar, was but little heeded in by the rapid advances which it made in knowledge altitude of the sun was likewise taken to determine those days of primitive navigation. The meridian an event which may be said to have changed the histhe latitude; and subsequently, from the age of Prince tory of the world, and made the uttermost parts of Henry to our own times, many discoveries have been the earth to meet. Yet no circumstances incidental made and new plans adopted for insuring perfect acto the discovery have come down to us, and the par-curacy in fixing the latitudes and longitudes of places; ticulars of Gioja's life are unknown. What is more but of these we shall treat in another place. extraordinary is, that the instrument for some time held a very subordinate place as a useful invention in the estimation of the author's contemporaries. In strict accuracy, however, he is scarcely entitled to the renown which must inevitably belong to the discoverer of the mariner's compass, for it seems to have been known at least a century before. The Chinese (who seem to possess a prior claim to every great discovery which has been made in modern times, except, as far as we can recollect just now, the steam-engine) are said to have been acquainted with the compass even previously to the Christian era. But before they are entitled to claim the glory of the invention, we may simply ask, how comes it that they never acquired any proficiency in the art of navigating the deep? The Arabians likewise are said to have used it as their guide in traversing the trackless sands of the desert, where landmarks are nearly as rarely to be met with as on the ocean; but this we think is utterly disproved by the fact, that, when Vasco de Gama first bore the standard of Portugal across the navigated these seas steered entirely by the stars or ocean to the golden shores of India, the Arabians who by headlands, the compass being entirely unknown to them. The Hebrews, with Solomon at their head, and likewise the Hindoos, have also had those who support their claim to prior discovery. Passing over every doubtful speculation upon the point, it is certain that Giot de Provins, a troubadour or Provençal poet, who flourished about the year 1180, mentions the magnet in his works, not only as turning to the pole, but also as useful in directing the mariner through the ocean. Another writer mentions it in 1202 as the well-known guide to seamen; and in a letter written by Peter Adsiger, a German physician, which bears the date of 1269, an elaborate account of its construction is given. What is more remarkable is, he menfrom the true north. Thus, only the glory of having tions the declination of the needle, or its deviating been the improver of the compass, and the first who

pointed out all the advantages which may be expected to accrue from using it, legitimately belong to Gioja; but these are sufficient to entitle him to immortal fame. Yet, notwithstanding the manifest value of this instrument, it continued for some time to be used only as a useful companion, which the mariner might occasionally consult, and not as a sole guide. Man

mariner must direct his course, or the landsman deThe compass is the grand instrument by which the termine the exact spot of the earth upon which he stands. There are two kinds of compasses; first, those which merely show us the direction of the magnetic meridian (for the meaning of which term see our former article on Magnetic Influence). These compasses include the land compass, the mariner's compass, and the variation compass. The second class are those which mark the angular distances of objects from this meridian, and they bear the name of azimuth compasses. Whatever name the compass may assume, one grand principle predominates in its construction. The most essential part is a magnetised bar of steel, called the needle, having in its centre a socket or cap, which is supported on a sharp-pointed pivot fixed in the base of the instrument. In the plate or card, the circumference of which is divided mariner's compass the needle is affixed to a circular into degrees, whilst inside of this there is another circle, having marked upon it the thirty-two points of the compass, or rhumbs, as they are designated. The upright pin or pivot of support rises from the bottom of a round box which contains the needle and the card, and is enclosed by a sheet of glass to secure it might interfere with the correctness of the indicaboth from the agitation of the atmosphere, as well as to exclude dust, moisture, and other things which

tions.

The whole is enclosed in another box, suspended by two concentric brass circles, or gimbals, as they are technically called, and in such a manner that the compass hangs as it were on points like a swivel, by which, during the lurching, or heaving up and down, or motion from side to side, of the ship, the needle and its card remain in a horizontal position, correctly. The compass is sometimes disturbed by and under all circumstances indicate the various points the electricity of its glass cover becoming excited. This, however, can be at once destroyed by moistening the surface of the glass. Any one who has been at sea, whether in a steam-boat or sailing vessel, must have noticed the helmsman keeping his eye upon the needle as it fluttered in the box, and steering acdestined course. cording to its indications and the path through the

waters which he knew was to lead the vessel in its

In our former article we alluded to the dip of the

needle. Thus, a needle, not a magnet, which has been accurately balanced upon a pivot so as to lie herizontally, if it be magnetised, will appear to have become heavier at one end than at the other, the one extremity sinking and the other rising, so that it is necessary to restore the equilibrium by adding a corresponding weight to the end which has been raised. As the amount of dip or the inclination of the needle kind seem incapable of perceiving at a glance all the varies in different parts of the earth, according to the glorious results which are to flow from any great dis distance of the compass from the poles, so it is necescovery; these must dawn upon his mind gradually:sary to attach different weights at these different and hence, almost in every instance, a wide interval elapses between the first essay and the ultimate per. much from prejudice as from the want of an intellect fection of any remarkable invention. This arises as comprehensive enough to embrace a multitude of relations at once, and to concentrate all the rays of light in one bright focus.

places.

The best mode of adjustment is effected by having a sliding piece of brass placed under the needle, which can be shifted backwards and forwards at plea sure, so as to accommodate the needle to the various latitudes which occur in long voyages.

There is an instrument called the dipping needle, which is employed solely for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of the dip in different latitudes. Some It was about half a century after the time of Gioja have even attempted to determine latitudes and lougithat the inestimable value of the compass became ap-tudes by means of this compass, but without much suc

cess.

It is simply a magnetical needle so suspended, that instead of playing horizontally, or whirling round and pointing north and south, it rises or falls to the horizon, that is, plays vertically. The usual mode of observing with this instrument, is first to ascertain the direction of the magnetic meridian by a common compass, and then, removing this instrument to a distance, to fix the circle of the dipping needle in the plane of the meridian, and render it perfectly level by beans of the screws of a stand, provided with a spirit evel, to which it is attached. Great care must be taken to remove it from the vicinity of all ferruginous bodies, for, being very delicate, it is easily affected.

In the azimuth compass, the inner box is provided with sights, through which any object, either in the horizon or above it, may be seen; and in order that the sights may be brought to bear upon any object, the box is so suspended as to admit of its being turned round horizontally, and placed in any azimuth. The sights being directed to the object, its bearing from the magnetic points of the compass is determined by reference to the position of the card with respect to the sight. The needle always points in a northerly direction; and if the box which contains it be turned round, in order to bring the sights into contact with any given star, then the number of degrees which the needle will move, by its natural tendency to point to the north, will determine the azimuth. The two sights are vertically fixed upon the sides of the box, and directly opposite to each other; the one to which the eye is intended to be applied, consists of a brass slip having a narrow vertical slit; the other, which is turned to the object, is a similar slip, having an oblong aperture, containing a fine thread or horse hair, passing along the middle of the open space in a vertical direction. On one side of the box there is generally a nut or stop, which being pushed in, stops the card, and enables the observer to read off the number of degrees upon it, which correspond with an index or perpendicular line drawn in the inside of the box, and which is a prolongation of the slit in the sight for the eye. The land compass is analogous to this, being furnished with sights, and means for reading off the degrees marked on the card. This is effected in a very ingenious manner, by means of the eye-slit or aperture being provided with a prismatic lens, the upper edge of which is so situated with respect to the eye, that whilst the object is seen by direct vision, the circumference of the card upon which the degrees are marked is seen by reflection from the internal surface of the priem, and the coincidence can thus be easily and accurately ascertained.

From a variety of well-ascertained facts, it seems certain, that, whilst there is one grand influencing power in magnetism which is of general and predominating operation, there are others whose action appears to be accidental, or at least fluctuating or irregular. For instance, during the prevalence of the aurora borealis, volcanic eruptions, high winds, and other atmospherical phenomena, the needle is more or less affected; thus, diurnal changes frequently occur in the same latitudes and in the same meridian. The variation compass is employed to ascertain these. It has usually a needle of much greater length than those necessary for other instruments of the kind, in order that the extent of the variation of angular position may be more conspicuous. The magnetism of the needle ought to be uniform, and its magnetic axis should remain permanent. It is also suspended by a very delicate thread, such as that of a spider, so that it may instantly obey the slightest change in the direction of terrestrial magnetism. As it is only necessary that the needle should move twenty or twentyfive degrees from the middle line, an oblong box, instead of a circular one, is required. The changes of position are ascertained with great precision by ap plying a finely graduated scale, or vernier, as it is called, with a magnifier. Very minute parts of a degree can thus be measured.

The local attraction of vessels was until lately accounted so trivial a circumstance, that little attention was paid to it. But that the indications of the compass are often rendered erroneous from this cause, and that often to a considerable extent, is now beyond all doubt, and a method of obviating it has occupied the

attention of nautical individuals to no common extent. It is well known that at all times there is a great quantity of iron about a ship, especially ships of war, which contain a number of large guns, iron shot, and the like; and as iron always affects the magnetic poles of the needle, the combined attraction of the irony matter will occasion it to deviate from the true magnetic meridian. How many deplorable shipwrecks may we not trace to this cause, for the variation is sometimes fourteen degrees east and west! Mr Barlow, who has investigated the subject with great care and philosophical acumen, in his Essay on Mag. netic Attractions, instances the loss of the Thames Indiaman, which, besides the usual complement of guns, and other articles made of the same metal, had a cargo of four hundred tons of iron and steel on

board. The powerful influence of such an enormous mass of attracting matter can alone explain the ex

• The azimuth of a star is the are (part of a circle) of the horifum, comprehended between the meridian of the observer (the point where he is standing at the time) and the vertical circle passing through the star.

traordinary fact, that, after leaving Beachyhead in sight at six o'clock in the evening, the ship, without any one on board having the slightest apprehension of being near the shore, was wrecked on the same spot between one and two o'clock next morning! There is no correct method of compensating this local attraction, although Mr Barlow has, by an ingenious plan, made an approximation to it. Probably the best way is to place a standard compass permanently in some particular spot of the ship, where it is least liable to be influenced, and where the combined force of all the different attractions, to a certain extent, neutralise each other.

THE SCOTTISH GIPSIES.

SOME years ago a number of interesting papers appeared in various periodical publications regarding that very peculiar class of persons, the Scottish gipsies, who were described as still in a great measure preserving their individuality of character, still following the occupation of tinkers and dealers in crokery, and still loitering by the waysides with their tents or whommelled carts, their lots of children, and their horses and cuddies. It is a matter of some little curiosity to ascertain how far the pressure of civili. sation in recent times has affected these wanderers whether they have allowed themselves to come within the scope of the "schoolmaster," or continue to make a desperate effort to maintain their ancient rude independence and lawless habits. On these and several other points we find the following useful information in the NEW STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF SCOTLAND, under the head Parish of Yetholm, Roxburghshire, drawn up by the Rev. John Baird, minister :"Kirk Yetholm has long been known and somewhat celebrated as the residence of the largest colony in Scotland, I believe, of that singular and interesting race of people, the gipsies, whose origin is involved in so much uncertainty and doubt. I am indeed far from regarding the 'muggers and tinkers' of Kirk Yetholm as the pure unmingled gipsy race, whose forefathers emigrated or were driven into Europe from Hindostan or Egypt. They are much less distinguishable as a peculiar race now than they appear to have been formerly. Still their language, their predatory and erratic propensities, and, in general, their dark or dusky complexion, black piercing eyes, and Hindoo features, sufficiently betray the original of this despised and neglected race. At what period they first arrived and settled in Kirk Yetholm, I have not been able with any accuracy to ascertain. The family of the Faa's seem to have been the first who settled there, and probably about the beginning of last century. Their number in 1797, according to the former Statistical Account, was fifty. In 1816, the number was one hundred and nine. At present there are about one hundred. Of these, one gipsy female is married to a tradesman in the village; and one woman not belonging to the tribe is married to a gipsy, whom she accompanies in his wanderings.

That the gipsies of Kirk Yetholm have a peculiar language, is fully credited by most of the other inha. bitants of the village, many of whom have not only heard them converse with each other in this language, but also understand a number of the words. It was my intention to have given a list of such of these words as I have been able to collect; but I shall at present merely mention this general fact regarding them, that, on comparing this list with the specimens furnished by Hoyland from Grellman, I find that the language spoken by the Kirk Yetholm clans corresponds very nearly with that spoken by the English and Turkish gipsies, and that most of these also have been traced to an Indian origin. On this subject, however, they observe a profound secrecy.

Their occupations are various. There are two who manufacture horn into spoons: one tinker; and most or all of the rest are 'muggers,' or, as they prefer being called, potters,' or travellers,' who carry earthenware about the country for sale. These last also frequently employ themselves in making besoms and baskets. The gipsy in general enjoys but few of the comforts of home-with the exception of the spoon-manufacturer, who must remain stationary to fabricate his wares, which the females usually dispose of at neighbouring markets, and in the surrounding country. The horn-spoons, or 'cutties,' are very generally used by the peasantry, and before harvest

for sale, while the men either remain with the cart, or occupy themselves in fishing and poaching, in both of which they are generally expert. The children ac company the females, or collect decayed wood for fuel. At night the whole family sleep under the tent, the covering of which is generally woollen cloth, and is the same usually that covers their cart during the day. Occasionally two or more families travel together. A dog, chained under the cart, protects their property, and at night gives warning of danger. Each family generally travels a particular district, seldom remaining more than a few days in one place. This is their mode of life, even in the coldest and wettest weather of spring, or the beginning of winter; and sometimes the tents are but scantily provided with warm and comfortable clothing. The ground, from which, while they sleep, they are separated only by a frequently, of course, be completely saturated with blanket or slight mattress laid on some straw, must rain; nevertheless, I have never understood that these people are, even so much as others, troubled with colds and rheumatisms, to which this mode of life seems almost unavoidably to expose them. Indeed, both at home and abroad they enjoy the best health. In cases of sickness, they are usually unwilling to call in a medical practitioner. Before autumn, all return who are able and willing to hire themselves as reapers. After harvest work is over, they set off once more to the country, where they continue until the severity usually quiet and peaceable. Their quarrels, which of winter drives them home. At home they are do not often take place, and are only among themselves, are very violent while they continue: and the subject or ground of quarrel is seldom known but to themselves. On these occasions they are much adother times. I think it deserving of remark, that dicted to profane swearing, and but too much so at most of the murders for which gipsies have been condemned seem to have been committed upon persons of their own tribe, in the heat and violence of passion, strangers of other clans for invading what they regard the consequence of some old family feud, or upon as their territory, or the district they have been wont to travel. Their character for truth and honesty is certainly not high. Their pilfering and plundering habits, practised chiefly when from home, are pretty generally known. Their money debts, however, they discharge, I believe, as punctually as others; and there is a species of honour among them, that, if trusted, they will not deceive, and a principle of gra titude, that, if treated kindly, they will not injure. Numerous instances can be referred to of the grateful sense they entertain of favours bestowed on them, and of the length of time they will remember a kindness done either to themselves or their relatives. A deep spirit of revenge is the darkest trait in their characYet may most of the savage features of the gipsy disorderly life; to their lamentable ignorance of the character be referred to their loose, wandering, and duties which they owe both to God and man, and their total want of restraint by any consideration, moral or religious. I am not aware that they are much ad. dicted to ardent spirits, or that there is any habitual drunkard belonging to their tribe.

ter.

Most of the tribe are able to read, though very indifferently. They seem alive to the advantages of education, and speak of it as the only legacy which a poor man can leave to his children; but the migra tory habits of the people prevent their children from remaining long enough at school ever to make much progress. The children are generally remarked as clever. One large family of children have been taught to read by their mother at home; and I have every day to his two children, in the course of their known a father (when he was able) who gave a lesson migrations. I may mention, as a proof of the anxiety of parents on this subject, that most of them have again and again professed their willingness to leave their children at home throughout the year for instruccharge of some prudent person. This is a great step tion, could they only afford it, and entrust them to the to their improvement, considering how extremely attached the gipsy parent generally is to his children; that attachment to their offspring being one of those traits or features of character which distinguishes the tribe wherever they are found., Most of the younger children have attended the Sabbath school when at home; and not only do the parents willingly send them, but even the children themselves seem delighted to attend. I have remarked in most of these children, what may account in some degree for this desire on their parts, a spirit of emulation, and strong desire to please those who will take the trouble to notice them.

Even a few of the adults have attended the Sab. bath school, but many are kept back by the shame of appearing more deficient than others of their own age.

A great majority of the children have been oap. children among them as among the lower ranks of tised; and there are probably not so many illegitimate society in general. They almost always intermarry in their own tribe, and are generally dissatisfied when this is not the case.

Nor

sent from church, excuse themselves on the ground that they have no suitable or decent clothing.

I have not been able to ascertain whether they entertain any peculiar sentiments on the subject of religion. Like most ignorant persons, they are very superstitious. All of them profess to belong to the established church, and there are no dissenters among them. Eight or nine of them are communicants. Most of them possess Bibles, which have been purchased, however, rather for the use of their children when at school than for any other purpose. Those who have not Bibles would purchase them, they say, could they afford it. Most of them are indeed very poor, if we may judge from their apparel and their household accommodations, all of which are inferior to those possessed by the common class of labourers

in the country.

cations from which they derive their subsistence, have

It is a fact not very creditable to the wisdom of Britain, that, while so much has been done for the heathen, no attempt has yet been made in Scotland to civilise and enlighten those wandering tribes, who, during three-fourths of the year, in pursuing the avono pastor, no church, no school, no home, and are deprived of the means and opportunities of acquiring every kind of instruction. The attempt, if properly made, would, I am persuaded, be in numerous instances successful. Society would be the principal gainers by the success of any such scheme. They would render their own homes, persons, and property more secure; while they would discharge a long-neglected duty to a considerable number of their fellow. creatures and fellow-subjects, and rescue an interesting race from infamy, ignorance, and vice."

OLD ENGLISH MANNERS.

NO. I.

WE propose, under this head, to present a few arti cles of past literature, descriptive of classes and individuals formerly conspicuous in English society, and of styles of living which have ceased to exist. It is our intention that these shall be given retrogressively, in order that the mind of the reader may be led back gradually from the present age into the past a mode of procedure (if it can be called procedure) for which many good reasons might be adduced, but for which one will be sufficient, that it will thus be possible to

town, and that only at assize and session time, or to attend an election. Once a-week he commonly dined at the next market-town, with the attornies and jus. tices. This man went to church regularly, read the weekly journal, settled the parochial disputes between the parish officers at the vestry, and afterwards adjourned to the neighbouring alehouse, where he usually got drunk for the good of his country. He never played at cards but at Christmas, when a family pack was produced from the mantelpiece. He was commonly followed by a couple of greyhounds and a pointer, and announced his arrival at a neighbour's house by smacking his whip, or giving the view-halloo. His drink was generally ale, except on Christ. mas, the 5th of November, or some other gala days, when he would make a bowl of strong brandy punch, garnished with a toast and nutmeg. A journey to London was by one of these men reckoned as great an undertaking as is at present a voyage to the East Indies, and undertaken with scarce less precaution

and preparation.

The mansion of one of these 'squires was of plaster striped with timber, not unaptly called callimanco work, or of red brick, large casemented bow windows, of the house well inhabited by swallows, and the court a porch with seats in it, and over it a study; the eaves set round with holly-hocks. Near the gate a horse. block for the conveniency of mounting.

The hall was furnished with flitches of bacon, and the mantelpiece with guns and fishing-rods of different dimensions, accompanied by the broadsword, partizan, and dagger, borne by his ancestor in the civil wars. The vacant spaces were occupied by stags' horns. Against the wall was posted King Charles's Golden Rules, Vincent Wing's Almanack, and a portrait of the Duke of Marlborough; in his window lay Baker's Chronicle, Fox's Book of Martyrs, Glanvil on Apparitions, Quincey's Dispensatory, the Complete Justice, and a book of Farriery.

In the corner, by the fireside, stood a large wooden two-armed chair with a cushion; and within the chimmas, he entertained his tenants assembled round a ney-corner were a couple of seats. Here, at Christglowing fire made of the roots of trees, and other great logs, and told and heard the traditionary tales of the village. In the meantime, the jorum of ale was in

continual circulation.

of St Paul's cupola, enveloped in a cloud of smoke. I set out on my visit betimes in the morning, accompanied by my friend's bookkeeper, who was my guide, and carried over with him the London Evening Post, his mistress's hoop, and a dozen of pipes, which they were afraid to trust in the chair. When I came to the end of my walk, I found my friend sitting at the door, in a black velvet cap, smoking his morning pipe. He welcomed me into the country; and after having made me observe the turnpike on my left and the Golden Wheatsheaf on my right, he conducted me into his house, where I was received by his lady, who made a thousand apologies for being catched in such a disha

bille.

The hall (for so I was taught to call it) had its white wall almost hid by a curious collection of prints and paintings. On one side was a large map of London, a plan and elevation of the Mansion House, with several lesser views of the public buildings and halls on the other was the Death of the Stag, by the happy pencil of Mr Henry Overton, finely coloured; close by the parlour-door there hung a pair of stag's horns, over which there was laid across a red roccelo and an amber-headed cane. When I had declared all this to

be mighty pretty, I was shown into the parlour, and was presently asked, who that was over the chimneypiece. I pronounced it to be a very striking likeness of my friend, who was drawn bolt upright in a fullbottomed periwig, a laced cravat, with the fringed ends appearing through a button-hole, a black livery. gown, a snuff-coloured velvet coat with gold buttons, a red velvet waistcoat trimmed with gold, one hand stuck in the bosom of his shirt, and the other holding out a letter with the superscription, To Mr Common Councilman of Farringdon Ward Without.' My eyes were then directed to another figure in a scarlet gown, who, I was informed, was my friend's wife's great-great-uncle, and had been sheriff and knighted in the reign of King James I. Madam herself filled up a panel on the opposite side, in the habit of a shepherdess, smelling to a nosegay, and stroking a ram with gilt horns.

shown to be so apt to prevail with describers of man. ners, in comparing the old with the new. We begin with a delightful picture from Francis Grose's Olio,

published in 1792 :—

THE SMALL SQUIRE OF THE REIGN OF GEORGE II.

"One of our celebrated writers has observed, that there is nothing so indifferent to us, that we can say without a disagreeable sensation, we have seen the last of it. To the truth of this remark, every man who has lived long in the world can give his testimony. I am myself a man of little more than fifty years of age, and yet I have nearly outlived divers species of men and animals, as well as a variety of customs, fashions, and opinions; and I can truly say, that although some of them were not the most agree. able, I cannot help recollecting them with a degree of complacency closely bordering on regret.

The best parlour, which was never opened but on chairs, and hung round with portraits of his ancestors; the men in the character of shepherds, with their crooks, dressed in full suits, and huge full-bottomed perukes; others in complete armour or buff coats, playing on the bass viol or lute. The females, likewise, as shepherdesses, with the lamb and crook, all habited in high heads and flowing robes.

luxury of the times has obliged them to quit the counAlas! these men and these houses are no more; the try, and become the humble dependents on great men, to solicit a place or commission to live in London, to rack their tenants, and draw their rents before due. The venerable mansion in the meantime is suffered till, after a few years, the estate is conveyed to the to tumble down, or is partly upheld as a farm-house; steward of the neighbouring lord, or else to some nabob, contractor, or limb of the law."

We shall now present, from the well-known paper entitled the Connoisseur, published in 1754 by Mr Bonnell Thornton and Mr George Colman, an article descriptive of the London citizen of that time, spend

When I was a young man, there existed in the families of most unmarried men or widowers of the ranking the Sunday in his country-box. of gentlemen, residents in the country, a certain antiquated female, either maiden or widow, commonly an aunt or cousin. Her dress I have now before me: it consisted of a stiff-starched cap and hood, a little hoop, a rich silk damask gown with large flowers. She leant on an ivory-headed crutch cane, and was followed by a fat phthisicky dog of the pug kind, who commonly reposed on a cushion, and enjoyed the privilege of snarling at the servants, occasionally biting their heels with impunity.

THE LONDON CITIZEN OF THE REIGN OF GEORGE II.

By the side of this good old lady jingled a bunch of keys, securing, in different closets and corner-cupboards, all sorts of cordial waters, cherry and raspberry brandy, washes for the complexion, Daffy's elixir, a rich seedcake, a number of pots of currant jelly and raspberry jam, with a range of gallipots and phials, containing salves, electuaries, julaps, and purges, for the use of the poor neighbours. The daily business of this good lady was to scold the maids, collect eggs, feed the turkies, and assist at all lyings-in that happened within the parish. Alas! this being is no more seen, and the race is, like that of her pug dog and the black rat, totally extinct.

Another character, now worn out and gone, was the country 'squire; I mean the little independent gentleman of three hundred pounds per annum, who commonly appeared in a plain drab or plush coat, large silver buttons, a jockey cap, and rarely without boots. His travels never exceeded the distance of the county

"In those dusty retreats where the want of London smoke is supplied by the smoke of Virginia tobacco, our chief citizens are accustomed to pass the end and the beginning of every week. Their boxes (as they are modestly called) are generally built in a row, to resemble as much as possible the streets in London. Those edifices which stand single, and at a distance from the road, have always a summer-house at the end of a small garden; which being erected upon a wall adjoining to the highway, commands a view of every carriage, and gives the owner an opportunity of displaying his best wig to every one that passes by. A little artificial fountain, spouting water sometimes to the amazing height of four feet, and in which frogs supply the want of fishes, is one of the most exquisite ornaments in these gardens. There are besides (if the curious statues of Harlequin, Scaramouch, Pierrot, spot of ground allows sufficient space for them) very and Columbine, which serve to remind their wives and daughters of what they have seen at the play. house.

I went last Sunday, in compliance with a most pressing invitation from a friend, to spend the whole day with him at one of these little seats, which he had fitted up for his retirement once a-week from business. It is pleasantly situated about three miles from London, on the side of a public road, from which it is separated by a dry ditch, over which is a little bridge consisting of two narrow planks, leading to the house.. The hedge on the other side the road cuts off all prospect whatsoever, except from the garrets, from whence indeed you have a beautiful vista of two men hanging in chains on Kennington Common, with a distant view

I was then invited by my friend to see what he was pleased to call his garden, which was nothing more than a yard about thirty feet in length, and contained about a dozen little pots ranged on each side with lilies and coxcombs, supported by some old laths painted green, with bowls of tobacco-pipes on their tops. At the end of this garden he made me take notice of a little square building surrounded with fillehad turned into a temple, by erecting some battlements and spires of painted wood on the front of it. he proposed taking a walk, that we might enjoy a After dinner, when my friend had finished his pipe, little of the country; so I was obliged to trudge along the footpath by the road-side, while my friend went puffing and blowing, with his hat in his hand, and his wig half off his head. At last I told him it was time for me to return home, when he insisted on going with me as far as the half-way house, to drink decanter of stingo before we parted. We here fell into company with a brother liveryman of the same ward, and I left them both together in a high dispute about Canning; but not before my friend had made me promise to repeat my visit to his country-house the next Sunday.

As the riches of a country are visible in the number of its inhabitants and the elegance of their dwellings, we may venture to say that the present state of England is very flourishing and prosperous; and if the taste for building increases with our opulence for the next century, we shall be able to boast of finer country-seats belonging to our shopkeepers, artificers, and other plebeians, than the most pompous descriptions of Italy or Greece have ever recorded. We read, it is true, of country-seats belonging to Pliny, Hortensius, Lucullus, and other Romans. They were patricians of great rank and fortune: there can therefore be no doubt of the excellence of their villas. But who has ever read of a Chinese bridge belonging to an Attic tallowchandler or a Roman pastrycook? Or could any of their shoemakers or tailors boast a villa with its tin cascades, paper statues, and Gothic root-houses? Upon the above principles we may expect that posterity will perhaps see a cheesemonger's apiarium at Brentford, a poulterer's theriotrophium at Chiswick, and an ornithon in a fishmonger's gar. den at Putney.

As a patriot and an Englishman, I cannot but wish that each successive century should increase the opu lence of Great Britain; but I should be sorry that this abundance of wealth should induce our good ci

tizens to turn their thoughts too much upon the country. At present we are deprived of our most eminent tradesmen two days out of six. It is true, the shopkeeper and the travelling part of his family, consisting generally of himself, his wife, and his two eldest daughters, are seldom sufficiently equipped to take leave of London till about three o'clock on Saturday in the afternoon; but the whole morning of that day is consumed in papering up cold chickens, bottling brandy-punch, sorting clean shifts and nightcaps for

• Elizabeth Canning, a servant girl, who was then exciting pubseized and immured in a house at Enfield Wash, but who subse lic curiosity in a great degree by declaring herself to have been quently proved to be an impostor, and was found guilty of perjury.