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An inspiration nature can't bestow, Though Nature's beauties, where a taste is given, Warm the ideas of the soul to flow With that intense enthusiastic glow That throbs the bosom, when the curious eye Glances on beauteous things that give delight, Objects of earth, or air, or sea, or sky,

That bring the very senses in the sight, To relish what we see :-but all is night To the gross clown-nature's unfolded book, As on he blunders, never strikes his eye; Pages of landscape, tree, and flow'r, and brook, Like bare blank leaves he turns unheeded by. CLARE.

MASON'S LAST SONNET.
Again the year on easy wheels has roll'd,
To bear me to the term of seventy-two!
Yet still my eyes can see the distant blue
Of yon wild peak, and still my footsteps hold,
Unpropp'd by staff, support me to behold

How nature to her MAKER'S mandate true,
Calls Spring's rich-mantled Heralds to the view
The Snow-drop bright, the Crocus spik'd with gold;
And still, thank HEAVEN! if I not falsely deem,
My lyre, yet vocal freely can afford

Strains not discordant to each mortal theme
Fair Truth inspires, and aids me to record,

Best of poetic psalms! my faith supreme
In THEE-MY GOD, my SAVIOUR, and my LORD!

SONG.

The morning hours the sun beguiles,
With glories brightly blooming;
The flower and summer meet in smiles,
And so I've met with woman.
But suns must set with dewy eve,
And leave the scene deserted;
And flowers must with the summer leave,-
So I and Mary parted.

O Mary I did meet thy smile,

When passion was discreetest;

And thou didst win my heart the while,
When woman seem'd the sweetest ;
When joys were felt that cannot speak,
And memory cannot smother,
When love's first beauty flush'd thy cheek,
That never warm'd another.

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The original diamond ring of Mary Queen of Scots, upon which are engraved the Arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, quartered, and which was produced in evidence at the trial of the unfortunate Mary, as a proof of her pretensions to the Crown of England, was in the possession of the late Mr. Blachford, one of the Lords of the Admiralty, at the time of his death. The history of this fatal ring is curious. It descended from Mary to her grandson Charles I. who gave it on the scaffold to Archbishop Juxon, for his son Charles II. who, in his troubles, pawned it in Holland for £300, where it was bought by Governor Yale, and sold at his sale for £320, supposed for the Pretender. Afterwards it came into the possession of the Earl of Ila, Duke of Argyle, and probably from him to the family of Mr. Blachford. At the late sale of his effects, it was said to have been purchased for his present Majesty.

ENTERTAINING PHILOSOPHICAL EXPERIMENT. Partial flashes of lightning, Aurora Borealis, &c. are to be beautifully exhibited, by taking in a spoon about a drachm of the powder or seeds of Lycopodium, and throwing it against a candle, all other lights being excluded. Powdered rosin is equally fit for the purpose, but from its adhesive quality sticks to the hand or any thing on which it falls. A very entertaining sort of corruscation of light is obtained by the use of phosphorised lime. When a small quantity (20 or 30 grains) is thrown into a glass of water, bubbles of gas are successively extracted from it, which rising to the surface of the water, are inflamed on coming in contact with the air of the atmosphere, producing a flash of bright light. And as a succession of such bubbles is produced, during a considerable time, a repetition of such flashes will be seen.

A FRAGMENT.-The following, selected from a paper published at Boston, America, is said to be founded on fact:-" The wearied animal can proceed no further," said the Doctor, as he stopped the horse at the turnpike inn. He entered the bar-room, inwardly cursing the bad roads, which prevented his reaching home before midnight, and seated himself by the blazing fire. Gloomy were his meditations, which became more so at the entrance of two men, whose faces presented to his disturbed imagination pictures of fierce ambition. "Six hundred dollars," thought he; "why did I bring them with me? and proceed alone? but perhaps they may not be robbers - perhaps they may not overtake me; at any rate I will proceed." After an inspiring draught the jour ney recommenced, and tremblingly alive is the Doctor to each little noise. I see a robber!-and with the deadly weapon at that head which has so often directed the councils of the commonwealth. And shall a life so precious to the nation be sacrificed for a little pIf? Shall one vile blow deprive the country of a hero and a statesman.-No! Take my money, and spare my life!" exelaimed the son of Galen, and casts his pocket-book at the ruffian's feet. He waits for no reply, but applies his lash to his jaded steed. The welcome glare of light soon flashes on the Doc

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tor's eyes. Assistance is procured, and a full pursuit of the robber commenced. They rear ed the scene of villany; and, monstrum horrendum! the terrific bandit still maintained his post!-The weapon of death still extended, and the robber had not yet stooped to pick up his booty which lay at his feet. A pump with the hand frozen in a horizontal position, was found to have been mistaken by the sapient Doctor for a murderous highwayman.

ANECDOTE of Sir ABRAHAM REYNARDSON.When the conduct of a man is regulated, in perilous times, by a conscientious regard to principle, his memory ought not to be buried in oblivion.-Such was Sir Abraham Reynardson, lord-mayor of London, in 1648. When a petition for bringing the king to trial was brought forward in the common-council, he opposed it, in spite of tumults within and without; and, at last, after a debate of twelve hours, he took up the city sword, and withdrew, at the hazard of his life, having entered the proceedings on the records of the court. After the king's death, being called upon to proclaim the abolition of kingly power, he peremptorily refused; for which he was fined 2000l. imprisoned in the tower, and deprived both of his office of lord-mayor and alderman. This virtuous citizen died at his house at Tottenham, on the 4th of October

1661.

SIR JOHN DUCKWORTH was always a careful and prudent man, and could not escape a sailor's joke, as well known in the service, testifies:- "When Capthe following humorous anecdote told of him, and tain of one of his Majesty's ships on the Jamaica station, a report reached the quarter-deck, while the ship was under a press of sail, that a pig was overboard; at the same moment the Captain's Steward informed him that the pig was his property. The necessary orders were immediately given to the Officer : "Man the fore and mainclue-garnets, weather mainbrace, clear away the quarter-boat for lowering down, square the main-yards, or poor piggy will be drowned." The Steward again reached the ear of his Captain, and communicated the pleasing information that the pig was the property of the dead-room mess, and not his. The orders now were "Stand fast the fore and main-tacks, keep fast the boat, for poor piggy could not be saved!"

"

The amiable founder of the present noble family of Fitzwilliam was Alderman of Bread-street Ward in the year 1506. Before his death he forgave all his debtors, and wrote upon the erased account of each Amore Dei remitto!' Cardinal Wolsey was the chief means of this worthy citizen acquiring his large fortune. After the disgrace of the Cardinal, Mr. Fitzwilliam very hospitably entertained him at Milton, in Northamptonshire, one of the finest estates of the present Earl. Henry the Eighth was so enraged at this that he sent for Mr. Fitzwilliam to Court, and said-" Ha! ha! how comes it, ha! that you dare entertain a traitor?". Fitzwilliam modestly replied, Please your Highness, I did it not from disloyalty, but gratitude." The angry monarch here interrupted him by "Ha! ha!" (the usual interjection of his rage.) Mr. Fitzwilliam, with the tear of gratitude in his eye, and the burst of loyalty in his bosom continued, "From gratitude, as he was my old master, and the means of my greatest fortunes."-Impetuous Harry was so pleased with the answer, that he took him heartily by the hand, and said-" Such gratitude, ha! shall never want a master. Come into my service, worthy man, and teach my other servants gratitude, for few of them have any." He then knighted him on the spot, and Mr. F. was immediately sworn in a Privy Counsellor.

A REMARKABLE SPEECH OF MR. CUFFE, Secretary to the Earl of Essex, who was executed in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, for the same offence which brought his master to the block.-" I am here adjudged to die for acting an act never plotted, for plotting a plot never acted. Justice will have her course: accusers

must be heard; greatness will have the victory: scholars and martialists (though learning and valour should have the pre-eminence) in England mast die like. dogs, and be hanged. To mislike this, were bat folly to dispute it, but time lost to alter it, impossi le but to endure it, is manly; and to scorn it, magnanimity. The queen is displeased, the lawyers injurious, and death terrible: but I crave pardon of the queen; forgive the lawyers, and the world; desire to be forgiven, and welcome death."

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SIR,-The first Tuesday in October, is appointed, by the High Master of the Manchester Free Grammar School, as a public speech day, and, upon that occasion, extracts, selected from the best and most approved anthors, are delivered by the senior scholars. To be amongst the number of the speakers, is an honor, to which every member of this most excellent institution, looks forward with delight, and to the attainment of which, every nerve is strained.

I was, at an early age, placed in this seminary, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Elsdale, a gentleman as distinguished for integrity of character, and suavity of manners, as for his literary attainments. In

process of time, I arrived at the head form, and fondly wished for that eventful month, in the which I. together with my class-fellows, should ascend the hustings, and in the presence of a gay assemblage of beauty and fashion, give a specimen of our oratorical

powers.

For some weeks previous to the time appointed, all is bustle and anxiety, all are equally desirous to outshine their neighbours in suiting the action to the word, and the word to the action. To prevent the destruction of books, desks, tables, &c. &c., it has been found necessary to close the doors immediately upon the breaking up of the school; but, in order that all due preparation may be made for this most important event, the youthful aspirants after fame are, at stated periods, entrusted with the key, for the purpose of a rehearsal.

The day, the long expected day, at length arrives. At an early hour, I hastened to the school, and took my seat; but, so impressed was I with the great importance of the task assigned me, so fearful I should not perform it to my own s tisfaction, to that of my friends, that I was perfectly unconscious of every thing that passed near me, and around me. until my good friend L -y whispered in my ear, my lad you are next.' Had I been about to deliver my maiden speech in the parliament honse, to address the assembled peers of the realm, or to present a petition to the sovereign, my agitation could not have been greater, than upon delivering a copy of my speech, to the Warden of the Collegiate Church, who invariably attends on this occasion.

With a faultering step, and a countenance as pale as death, I mounted the rostrum, and awaited the nod of Dr. Smith, as a signal to commerce. In what manner I acquitted mys If I know not, but believe me, Sir, I returned to my seat, with as much delight as a transport returns to his native land, after a tedi

ous absence of fourteen years, and was soon able to take a survey of the light and airy forms that surrounded me.

The remainder of the day, and often of the week,

is holiday, and dedicated to social enjoyment; no thoughts of lessons, or of exercises, are suffered to disturb the peace and tranquillity that reigns; but alas! vain are all sudden sallies of delight; our pleasurable ideas quickly vanish; school with all its terrors too soon returns; tasks are once more resumed; the lexicon again is elevated to it's wonted station, and the noted Tuesday is well nigh forgotten; or, if remembered, remembered only with a sigh.

Manchester, January 31st, 1822.

'Those evening bells, those evening bells,
How many a tale their music tells
Of youth, and home, and that sweet time
When first I heard their soothing chime.'

TO THE EDITOR,

W.

MOORE.

SIR, I have often observed, with no small degree of surprize, that on no occasion of public rejoicing and festivity, do the bells of St. Ann's Church join in the celebration, and swell the sounds of joy.' I have frequently made enquiries respecting the circumstance, but always, until lately, to no purpose. I am, however, assured that the bells alluded to have been condemned to perpetual silence on public occasions, because they once rang a welcome peal to cheer the delusive hopes of the Pretender. I am anxious to know what authority there is for such an explanation of the mystery; and I shall, therefore, feel much obliged to any of your readers who is able and willing to inform me,

THE FOUNDLING.

QUERIST.

St. Vincent de Paule was successively a slave at Tunis, tutor to the cardinal de Retz, village curate, almoner-general to the galleys, and joint director for the distribution of benefices. He instituted in France the religious societies of the Seminarists, the Lazarites, and the Sisters of Charity, who devote themselves to the service of the unfortunate, and seldom change their condition, although their vows are binding only for a year. He also founded charitable institutions for foundlings, orphans, galley-slaves, and old men. He exercised for some time a ministry of zeal and charity among the galley-slaves. In the number of these wretches, he observed one who had been condemned to three years captivity for defrauding the revenue, and who appeared inconsolable at having left his wife and children to suffer the extremities of wretchedness and want. Vincent de Paule, deeply affected by his situation, offered to restore him to his family by putting himself in his place, and, it will hardly be credited, the exchange actually took place. This virtuous man was chained to the galley, and his feet remained swollen during the rest of his life from the weight of the honourable tetters which he had borne.

When this illustrious philanthropist came to Paris, it was customary for the children who had been found exposed, to be sold in the

street St. Laudrey, for 20 sols each; and it is even said that they were given as charity to sick women, who made use of these innocent creatures to suck from their breasts a corrupted milk! The children thus abandoned almost all perished, and the few who chanced by the government to the pity of the public, to escape out of so many dangers, were those who were clandestinely introduced into opulent families, to deprive legitimate heirs of their successions: a practice that for more than a century was a perpetual source of law-suits, the details of which are seen in the compilations of the old French lawyers.

V. de Paule at first supplied funds for the support of twelve of these children, and it was soon put in his power to relieve all those who were found at the doors of churches. But that fervour which is always attendant on a novel establishment shortly began to cool; the supplies of money entirely failed, and the horrid outrages on nature were about to recommence. Vincent de Paul was not discouraged. convoked an extraordinary meeting, caused a great number of these unfortunate infants to be placed in the church, and ascending immediately into the pulpit, pronounced, his eyes streaming with tears, the following discourse:

He

'You are not ignorant, Ladies, that compassion and charity first made you adopt these little creatures as your children. You have been their mothers according to grace since the time that their mothers according to nature abandoned them. Consider now if you will also abandon them. Cease for a moment to be their mothers, and become their judges. Their life and death are in your hands, Behold! I take the votes and suffrages. It is time! You must pronounce sentence, and declare if you will no longer shew them mercy. They will live if you continue your charitable care, but if you consent to abandon them, they all perish.'

The only answer to this pathetic appeal was the tears and sighs of the audience; and on the same day, in the same church, and at the very instant, the Foundling Hospital was established and endowed with a revenue of forty thousand livres.

FIRE SHIELDS.

Mr. Buckley, of New York, has invented and obtained a patent for a Fire Shield. It is intended to protect firemen whilst employed in extinguishing fires, but particularly designed to prevent fire from spreading. It is made of a metallic substance; thin, light, and impervious to heat; it is of a length and breadth sufficient to cover the whole person, and it may be used in several different positions. For example: when used in the street, it is firmly fixed on a small platform, with wheels, and a short elevation from the ground, The fireman takes his stand on this platform and behind the shield; he is drawn by ropes near the current of heat and flames, without being scorched or feeling any inconvenience; and with the hose pipe, or leader, in his hand, he directs the water to the part where it is most required. In this way a line of shields may be formed in close order, in front of a powerful heat, behind which the firemen may stand with safety, and play upon the house with their water-pipes.

1821

METEOROLOGICAL RESULTS

Of the Atmospherical Pressure and Temperature, Rain, Wind, &c. deduced from Diurnal Observations,

Made at MANCHESTER, in the Year 1821, by Mr. THOMAS HANSON, Surgeon.,

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The annual mean temperature of the past year, is fifty-one degrees; being about two degrees above the average the mean of the first three months, 40° 9; second, 54° 1; third, 61° 9; fourth, 48°; of the six winter months, 44° 4; six summer months, 57° 9. The maximum, or hottest state of the year, was 81°, which occurred on the memorable 19th of July, the Coronation of King George the Fourth; the minimum or coldest state, was 23°, which is only 9 below freezing, this happened on the 4th January, making an annual variation of 58°. From the above, the reporter is enabled to draw the following comparison, between the past and preceding year, viz. the average heat of the six summer months of 1821, was nearly one degree more than that of 1820, and the heat of the six winter months, three degrees above the corresponding ones of the preceding year, so that the temperature of 1821, has been more mild than usual, and not marked by any very great extremes.

The annual mean elevation of the barometer, is nearly twenty-nine inches and seven-tenths; highest 30.65, which was on the 23rd of January; lowest 28.16 which happened on the 28th of December: the difference of these extremes, makes 2.49 inches: mean of the six summer months, 29.75; of the six BRIDGE-STREET, 28th JANUARY, 1822.

WEEKLY DIARY.

FEBRUARY.

SOME etymologists derive February from Februa, an epithet given to Juno, as the Goddess of Purification; while others attribute the origin of the name to Februa, a feast held by the Romans in this month, in behalf of the manes of the deceased. REMARKABLE DAYS.

SATURDAY, 2-Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

This festival is of high antiquity, and the ancient christians observed it by using

winter months, 29.63. The mean daily movements of the barometrical surface; measure near forty-eight inches: total number of changes, one hundred and five. The barometer throughout the month of February, was remarkably high and desultory in its movements on the contrary, in the month of December it oscillated most extraordinarily; and towards the close of the year, very low: the utmost depression, was the minimum of the year.

Much has been said about the wetness of the past year. My annual account scarcely amounts to 32 inches in depth, which is certainly under the average for Manchester. Mr. JOHN BLACKWALL, of Crumpsall, makes his annual fall three inches more, and Mr. JOHN DALTON, for Ardwick, nearly eight inches more than mine. On the contrary Mr. EDWARD STELFOX, of Lymm, near Warrington, has only registered a fall of twenty-eight inches. The differences in our annual statements of rain, from places so near together are singular, and certainly require an attentive inquiry: the only difference in our apparat is, is, that Mr. Dalton's rain funnel is larger; min, Mr. Blackwall's, and Mr. Stelfox's are made alike, the same size, and of one material, which is that of copper. Provided our calculations of the method of

a great number of lights; in remembrance, as it is supposed, of our blessed Saviour's being declared by Simeon to be a light to lighten the Gentiles; hence the name of Candlemas-day. It is also called Christ's Presentation," the Holiday of Saint Simeon,' and, in the north of Englaud, the Wives' Feast-day.'

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measuring the rain collected in these funnel-areas be correct, and which I have every reason to conclude is the case; and provided their surfaces are parallel with the horizon, and at sufficient distances from trees, buildings, or any object that might obstruct a free access; it must follow, tat there can be no error in our results I have noted down 180 days, on which rain fell more or less, which number is one less than last year. In the last five months of 1820, there were 85 wet days, the number in the corresponding ones of 1821 is 101. February was the dryest, and S ptember and November the wettest.

The south, south-west, and west winds, have been the most prevalent: t ose winds were noticed to blow on 224 days. On the 18th, 19th, and 20th of March, (about the vernal equinox) the wind blew hurricanes from the north-west, at ended with rain, snow, and sleet. On the night of the 30th of November, and following morning, the wind blew a most violent gale from the south-west, accompanied with hail and rain, the damage done in consequence, by the falling of chimneys, unroofing of houses, &c. was great, several lives were lost in Liverpool, and other places, and a large number of vessels suffered in the harbours and on the neighbouring coasts.

each going individually, and kneeling at the throne to receive it. The ceremony commences with the cardinals; then follow the bishops, prelati, canons, priors, abbots, priests, &c., down to the sacris tans and meanest officers of the church. When the last of these has gotten his candle, the poor conservatori, the reproThe Benedictions of the Candles sentatives of the Roman senate and peoRome, on this day, as witnessed by Lady ple, receive theirs. This ceremony over, Morgan in 1820, is thus described :- the candles are lighted, the pope is mountThe ceremony takes place in the beauti-ed in his chair and carried in procession, ful chapel of the Quirinal, where the pope himself officiates, and blesses, and distri butes with his own hands, a candle to every person in the body of the church;

at

with hymns chaunting, round the antici apel; the throne is stripped of it's splen-did hangings, the pope and cardinals take of their gold and crimson dresses,.

put on their ordinary robes, and the usual mass of the morning is sung. The Blessing of the Candles takes place in all the parish churches.'-(Lady Morgan's Italy, vol. ii, pp. 284, 285.)

SUNDAY, 3.-Saint Blase.

Blase was a Bishop and Martyr; and his see, according to the Breviary, was Sebasta, or Seback, in Cappadocia. He is a person of great note amongst the vul gar, who, in their processions, as relative to the wool trade, always carry an effigy or representation of him, as the inventor or patron of their art of combing it. There was an order of Knighthood also instituted in honor of him. He suffered death in the reign of Diocletian, about the year 283, according to the Legenda Aurea, but authors vary much about the time of his death. Before his death, which was by decapitation, he was whipped, and had his flesh torn ferreis pectinibus, 'with iron combs.' And when he died, his prayer to our Lord was, as the Golden Legend has it in the English Version,That whomsoever desired hys helpe fro thinfyrmyte of the throte, or requyred ayde for any other sekeness or infyrmyte, that he would here hym, and myght deserve to be guarisshed and heled. And ther cam a voys fro Hevene to hym sayeng that hys peticion was graunted, and shold be doon as he had prayd."

In this prayer there is not a word, that

concerns the wool-combers.

The art, no doubt, had been invented long before his time; it is so very ancient that the invention is at this day entirely unknown. It is therefore probable, he was esteemed the patron of the woolcombers, merely because he was tortured with the iron comb. It is still the custom in many parts of England, to light up fires on the hills on St. Blase's night, a custom anciently taken up, perhaps for no better reason than the jingling resemblance of his name to the word blaze!

3.-Septuagesima.

The institution of this and the two following Sundays cannot be traced higher than the beginning of the sixth, or the close of the fifth century. When the words Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinqgesima (eventicth, sixtieth, and filet), were first applied to denote these three Sundays, the season of Lent had generally been extended to a fact of six weeks, that is, thirty-six days, not reckoni.g the Sundays, which were always

* See Aurca Legenda.

+ Collin's Dict. in voce.

He bed cured a boy that had got a fish-one in his throat; and was particularly invoked by the papists in the squilaney or quins.

So he was one of the 11 Skints for deseases in general, Fabric; Bibliogr. Antiq. p. 203.

celebrated as festivals. At this time, on his head, and twelve stars over it; holding also, the Sunday which we call the first a sceptre in the right hand: to him was attriSunday in Lent, was styled simply Quad-buted the power over both heaven and earth, ragesima, or the fortieth, meaning, no and that as he was pleased or displeased, he doubt, the fortieth day before Easter. could send thunder, tempests, plagues, &c. or Quadragesima was also the name given to fair seasonable weather, and cause fertility. the season of Lent, and denoted the From him our Thursday derives its name, quadragesimal or forty days' fast. When anciently Thorsday; among the Romans, dies the three weeks before Quadragesima Jovis, as this idol may be substituted for

ceased to be considered as weeks after the Theophany (or Epiphany), and were appointed to be observed as a time of preparation for Lent, it was perfectly conformable to the ordinary mode of computation to reckon backwards, and, for the sake of even and round numbers, to count by decades.-(Shepherd.)

TUESDAY, 5.-St. Agatha,

She suffered matyrdom under Decius, in the year 251.

SAXON IDOLS WORSHIPPED IN ENGLAND.

Whence the Names of our Days are derived.

1.-THE Idol of the Sun, from which Sunday is derived, among the Latins dies Solis, was placed in a temple and adored and sacrificed to; for they believed that the sun did co-operate with this idol. He was represented like a man half-naked, with his face like the sun, holding a burning wheel with both hands on his breast, signifying his course round the world; and by his fiery gleams, the light and heat wherewith he warms and nourishes all things.

2. The Idol of the Moon, from which cometh our Monday, dies Lunæ, anciently Moonday: this idol appears strangely singular, being habited in a short coat like a man: her holding a moon, expresses what she is, but the reason of her short coat and long eared cap is lost in oblivion.

3.-Tuisco, the most ancient and peculiar god of the Germans, represented in his garment of a skin, according to their ancient manner of clothing: next to the sun and moon they paid their adoration to this idol, and dedicated the next day to him; from which our Tuesday is derived, anciently Tuisday, called in Latin dies Martis. But this idol is very unlike Mars, whom Woden much nearer re. sembles than he does Mercury.

4.-Woden was a valiant prince among the Saxous; his image was prayed to for victory the usually sacrificed the prisoners taken in over their enemies, wirich, if they obtained, battle to him. Our Wednesday is derived from him, anciently Wodensday The northern histories make him the father of Thor, and Friga to be his wife.

5.-Thor was placed in a large hall, sitting on a bed, canopied over, with a crown of gold

Jupiter.

6.-Friga; this idol represented both sexes, holding a drawn sword in the right hand, and a bow in the left, denoting that women as well as men should fight in time of need: she was generally taken for a goddess, and was reputed the giver of peace and plenty, and causer of love and amity. Her day of worship was called by the Saxons, Frigedaeg, now Friday, dies Veneris; but the habit and

weapons of this figure have a resemblance of Diana rather than Venus.

7.-Seater or Crodo, stood on the prickly back of a perch: he was thin-visaged, and longhaired, with a long-beard, bare-headed, and bare-footed, carrying a pale of water in his right hand, wherein are fruit and flowers; and holding up a wheel in his left; and his coat tied with a long girdle: his standing on the sharp fins of this fish, signified to the Saxons, that by worshipping him they should pass through all dangers unhurt; by his girdle flying both ways was shewn the Saxons' freedom, and by the pale with fruit and flowers was denoted that he would nourish the earth. From him, or from the Roman deity Saturn, comes Saturday.

NATURAL HISTORY.

DANCING SNAKES.

(FROM FORBES' ORIENTAL MEMOIRS.)

THE cobra di capello, or hooded-snake (coluber naja), called by the Indians the naag, or nagao, is a large and beautiful serpent; but

one of the most venomous of all the coluber

class; its bite generally proves mortal in less than an hour. It is called the hooded snake, from having a curious hood near the head, which it contracts or enlarges at pleasure; the centre of this hood is marked in black and white like a pair of spectacles, from whence it is also named the spectacle-snake.

Of this genus are the dancing-snakes, which are carried in baskets throughout Hindostan, and procure a maintenance for a set of people, who play a few simple notes on the flute, with which the snakes seem much delighted, and keep time by a graceful motion of the head; erecting about half their length from the

ground, and following the music with gentle curves, like the undulating lines of a swan's neck. It is a well attested fact, that when a house is infested with these snakes, and some others of the coluber genus, which destroy poultry and small domestic animals, as also by the larger serpents of the boa tribe, the musicians are sent for; who by playing on a flagelet, find out their hiding-places, and charm them to destruction: for no sooner do the snakes hear the music, than they come softly from their retreat, and are easily taken. I imagine these musical snakes were known in Palestine, from the Psalmist comparing the ungodly to the deaf adder, which stoppeth her ears, and refuseth to hear the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely.

When the music ceases, the snakes appear motionless ; but if not immediately covered up in the basket, the spectators are liable to fatal accidents. Among my drawings is that of a cobra de capello, which danced for an hour on the table while I painted it; during which I frequently handled it, to observe the beauty of the spots, and especially the spectacles on the hood, not doubting but that its venomous fangs had been previously extracted. But the next morning my upper servant, who was a zealous Mussulman, came to me in great haste, and desired I would instantly retire, and praise the Almighty for my good fortune: not understanding his meaning, I told him that I had already performed my devotions, and had not so many stated prayers as the followers of his prophet. Mahomet then informed me, that

while purchasing some fruit in the bazar, he observed the man who had been with me on the preceding evening, entertaining the country people with his dancing snakes ; they, according to their usual custom, sat on the ground around him; when, either from the music | stopping too suddenly, or from some other cause irritating the vicious reptile which I had so often handled, it darted at the throat of a young woman, and inflicted a wound of which she died in about half an hour. Mahomet once more repeated his advice for praise and thanksgiving to Alla, and recorded me in his calendar as a lucky man.

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GREENLAND DUELS.

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plot. It has some lively music by Mr. T. Cooker who has borrowed copiously from our oldest acquaintances. An opening chorus and a glee by Fishermen, composed by a Mr. Rooke, are of a better order,

The play opens with Mordaunt's rescuing Cleveland from the waves. The introduction of the latter to

We recommend to our men of honour, the following mode of settling disputes. It is extracted from Crantz's History of | Greenland. The natives decide their quarrels by singing and dancing, and call this a singing combat. If one Green| lander imagines himself injured by another, he betrays not the least trace of vexation or wrath, much less revenge, but he composes a satirical poem; this he repeats so often with singing and dancing in the presence of his domestics, and especially the women, till they have all got it in their memory. Then he publishes a challenge every where, that he will fight a duel with his antagonist, not with a sword, but a song. The respondent betakes himself to the appointed place, and presents himself in the encircled theatre. Then the accuser begins to sing his satire to the beat of the drum, and his party in the auditory back every line with the repeated Anna aiah, and also sing every sentence with him; and all this while he discharges so many taunting truths at his adversary, that the audience have their fill of laughing.When he has sung out all his gall, the defendent steps forth, answers the accusation against him, and ridicules his antagonist in the same manner, all which is corroborated with a united chorus of his party, and so the laugh changes sides. The plaintiff renews the assault, and tries to baffle him a second time; in short, he that maintains the last word wins the process, and so acquires a name.-At such opportunities, they can tell one another the truth very roundly and cuttingly, only there must be no mixture of rudeness or passion. The whole body of the beholders constitute the Jury, and bestow the laurel, but afterwards the two parties are the best friends." The letter of G. B. we gratefully acknowledge, and thank

Magnus Troil, under the conduct of Bryce Suaelsfoot, is managed as it is in the novel. The injurious reports which have been spread of him procure Mordaunt a cool reception (when at Norna's instigation he goes to Burgh Westra) from all but Brenda. Norna's sudden appearance, and her forbidding the union between Cleveland and Minna, create an enmity between the two young men. A duel is heard to take place off the stage, in which Mordaunt falls just at the moment when Norna is imparting her unfortunate against the consequences of her attachment to Cleveland. They rush off at the noise of deep groans which succeed the clashing of swords. Mordaunt having been recovered by the care of Norna, Cleveland joins the other pirate vessel at the persuasion of Jack Bunce, his lieutenant. On coming ashore to procure supplies he is detained, and the hostage which was given in exchange for him having escaped, the | Pirate is lodged in St. Magnus' church. Here Minna's endeavour to procure his liberation is rendered unnecessary by the sudden appearance of Norna, who intrusts him to her dwarf Pacelot, and before parting he gives her a box, which he says was the last present knows him to be her former lover, and the father of her son, whom she supposes to be Mordaunt. In the course of their dialogue, and by means of the box, she discovers that Cleveland, whose destruction she has caused by bringing down the King's ship, is her son, and she hastens with Mertoun to endeavour to preserve him. In the last scene, Cleveland, with a part of his crew, has come ashore, to take leave of Minna. Jack Bunce has planned a stratagem to make his captain "happy against his will," by carrying off Minna; this fails, and they are taken by a detachment under Mordaunt's command, The Halcyon frigate appears in the offing and blows up the Fortune's Favourite. Norna's apprehensions are dismissed by Mertoun's producing a pardon for his son and his companions, granted in consequence of services be had redered to the navy. The ladies and their lovers to partake of their satisfaction.

history to Minna, for the purpose of warning her

THE DRAMA.

MANCHESTER DRAMATIC REGISTER.

Monday, Jan. 28th.-Damon and Pythias: with
A Roland for an Oliver.

Tuesday, 29th.-As you like it: Rosalind, Miss
Wensley, from the Theatres Royal, Covent Gar-
den and Dublin; with The Poor Soldier.

of his father. Basil Mertoun then enters, Norna

are made happy, and the rest of the company seeus

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

him for his good wishes and promised support.

We feel indebted to our friend N. O. for his interesting Essay; his favors shall, at all times, have a place in our miscellany.

The Biographical sketch of WM. AIKMAN, shall be attended to: it arrived too late for insertion.

Lines to a Young Lady with a Locket,' are inadmissable: the author, we are confident, can amend them.

For the promised communications of NEMO we shall be thankful, and which will, we doubt not, be acceptable to our readers.

Wednesday, 30th.-Romeo and Juliet: Juliet, Miss The article on Criticism' is inserted; the observations of

Wensley; with The Benevolent Tar.
Friday, Feb. 1st.-Pizarro: Cora, Miss Wensley;

with Mr. Tibbs.

NEW PLAY.

(As performed at Drury Lane.)

THE new novel, the Pirate, has been dramatised, and met with a reception just warm enough to save it from condemnation. Its greatest merit is the closeness with which it follows the novel, and its chief fault the want of incident, and tardy progress of the

Z. so perfectly coincide with our own views, that we earnestly solicit a continuance of his favours.

'An Essay on War,' is under consideration.

W. H. on Ventilation,' and the Epigram' of M. A. B. will appear in our next publication.

Letter-Box in the Door,

Manchester: Printed, Published, and Sold, by the
Proprietors, HENRY SMITH AND BROTHERS,
St. Ann's Square, to whom all Communications (post
paid) must be addressed.

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