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INFANCY OF KNOWLEDGE.

NEW MUSIC,

Esop's Fables as Ballads: calculated for the Amusement and Instruction of Juvenile Performers on the Piano-forte. Written by Charles Dibdin the Younger. Set to Music by John Whitaker.

THE idea of converting the Fables of Æsop into Vocal Exercises, which the articles before us would certainly more properly be called, was, in our opinion, ingenious and useful; ingenious, because it would never have occurred to a common

mind; and useful, on account of the moral, which forms the very basis of every one of the allegories. With Mr. Whitaker's talents, as a vocal composer, we were too well acquainted, not to take up this first number of his little work with strong prepossessions in its favour; and must in candour say, that we were no way dis appointed. The several melodies are pleasing in the turn of their passages, and in most of the instances, perfectly adapted to the subjects of the words. Mr. W., in order to render his publication as serviceable to piano-forte practitioners as the nature of the undertaking would admit, has given accompaniments to all the airs; which, as combining an easy exercise of the finger with that of the voice, particu larly suits the work to that class of musical students for whose amusement and benefit it seems to be especially designed.

INFANCY OF KNOWLEDGE.

MANKIND, but a few ages since, were in a very poor condition as to trade and navigation; nor, indeed, were they much better off in other matters of useful knowledge. It was a green-headed time; every useful improvement was held from them they had neither looked into heaven nor earth, neither into the sea nor land, as has been done since. They had philosophy without experiment, mathematics without instruments, geometry without scale, astronomy without demonstration.

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They made war without powder, shot, cannon, or mortars; nay, the mob made their bonfires without squibs or crackers. They went to sea without compass, and sailed without the needle. They viewed the stars without telescopes, and measured altitudes without barometers. Learning had no printing press, writing no paper, and paper no ink. The lover was forced to send his mistress a deal board for a love-letter, and a billet-doux might be of the size of an ordinary trencher. They were clothed without manufactures, and their richest robes were the skins of the most formidable monsters. They carried

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on trade without books, and correspondence without posts; their merchants cash-books; they had surgery without kept no accounts, their shopkeepers no anatomy, and physicians without the materia medica; they gave emetics without ipecacuanha, and cured agues without bark.-Curiosities for the Ingenious.

Varieties.

MR. BROUGHAM has just published an interesting pamphlet, entitled " Practical Observations upon the Education of the People, addressed to the Working Classes and their Employers;" which we interd to introduce to our readers in a future number. It is inscribed to Dr. Birkbeck, the president of the Mechanics' Institution, to which society the profits on the sale of the work are to be appropriated.

An alarum on a new principle has been invented in France, A watch is set upon the frame of the alarum, and is connected with the index of the latter by a key fixed upon the hands of the watch, and which turns round and discharges the alarum at the hour marked by the person who sets it.

BRITISH GALLERY.-Among the pictures sold during the present exhibition are-Enchanted Island, by Mr. Danby, purchased by John Gibbons, Esq., for 200 guineas; a Scene in Bristol Harbour, by G. Jones, R. A. for 100 guineas, to sir Thomas Lawrence; Pandora crowned by the Seasons, by Mr. Etty, for 150 guineas, to sir Thomas Lawrence; the Champion, by Mr. Eastslake, for 150 guineas, to William Hutchinson, Esq.; the Review, by Mr. Farrier, for 70 guineas, to P. Ellams, Esq.; Othello relating his history, by Mr. Fradelle, for 150 guineas, to John Marshall, Esq.; the Burial of Christ, by Mr. Northcotte, R. A., for 150 guineas, to the British Institution; Boys launching a boat, by Mr. Frazer, for 70 guineas, to the Countess de Grey; Rummaging an Old Wardrobe, by Mr. Good, for 80 guineas, to John Hutton, Esq.

The Surrey Literary Institution, opened at the Mansion-house, Camberwell, on the 8th inst., when the Rev. J. Peters delivered a highly interesting lecture, on the progress of literature from the earliest ages to the present time.

DISCOVERY OF A FOSSIL BAT.-Dr.Brewster's Journal mentions, that about the middle of last October, the workmen employed in the quarries of Montmartre, discovered the fossil remains of a bat. This most interesting specimen was almost immediately presented to baron Cuvier, by the gentleman into whose possession it had

come. The discovery of a fossil bat, must be considered as a sort of era in the history of the organic remains of a former world; hitherto no animal so highly organized, has ever been unequivocally shown to exist in a fossil state.

The Liverpool paper states, that the first printed volume of the new Scotch novel, "The Crusaders," was seen in that town more than two months ago. The delay in the appearance of the work is ascribed to some essential change which the author thought it advisable to introduce. A ludicrous occurrence took place lately, in consequence of a young man having too liberally applied a solution of nitrate of silver to his hair, to change the colour. Next morning the whole of his face, which he had wetted with the solution, was turned black as well as his hair.

A SEARCHING EYE.-During Lent Assizes at York, in 1820, Mr. Brougham sat looking intently at a witness who was giving evidence, and whom he was about to cross-examine, which produced the effect attributed to the basilisk; for the poor fellow, after several ineffectual attempts to go on, declared that he could not say another word, unless" that gentleman," pointing to him, "would take his eyes off him."

Lieutenant George Lindsay, R. N., has lately invented a machine which he terms a Marine Circuitor, by which means he can place our largest ships of war, in any position immediately, when ships are dismasted in action, or attacked by gun-boats in a calm.

CURIOUS FACT. The following singular entry is made in the parish register at Camberwell:

"May 5, 1658, Rose, wife of William Hathaway, buried, aged 103, who bore a son at the age of 63."

The instance of child-bearing, here recorded, as Mr. Lysons remarks, is very extraordinary, and perhaps unprecedented since the patriarchal ages.

Dimensions of the Clock in the southwest tower of St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

The pendulum is fourteen feet long, and the weight at the end of it is one hundred and twelve pounds; the length of the minute-hand eight feet, and weighs seventyfive pounds; the hour-hand five feet five inches, and weighs forty-four pounds; the diameter of the dial eighteen feet ten inches; length of the hour figures two feet two inches and a half; the bell has a very deep and fine tone, and weighs four tons and a quarter.

The forthcoming tragedy at Drury-lane theatre, is said to be from the pen of. Mr. Soane, the author of The Falls of the Clyde,

The Innkeeper's Daughter, and other dramatic works of considerable merit.

Diary of Occurrences.

Feb 7.-NEW CLUBS.-It is reported the members of the Athenæum are about to erect a splendid mansion on part of the site of the king's Mews; and that the Oriental Club is in treaty for the purchase of Uxbridge-house, in Saville-row. The gregarious principle at the present moment is in active operation, and the whole country seems resolving itself into clubs, societies, joint-stock companies, institutions, and associations. It is impossible foreigners can now reproach us with our reserved and retired habits. Looking at our scientific establishments, and the num ber and variety of our places of amusement, we appear not only the most intellectual, but the most sociable and gay people in the world.

The coronation of the king of France to be postponed to the 25th of June.Lord Granville arrived in town to arrange, as is supposed, with the duke of Northumberland, for his mission to represent George IV., on the occasion, at Rheims. -The Lords of the Treasury allow small beer to be sold at 24s. per barrel of 36 gallons, during the present high price of malt.

8.-IMPORTANT TO HUSBANDS.-Last Tuesday in the court of King's Bench, the Judges reversed the verdict of a jury in the case of Montague v. Espinasse, in which a jeweller had obtained 100%. for furnishing trinkets to the wife, without the hus band's knowledge. It appeared the plaintiff had no reason to conclude the husband was privy to the wife's transactions. Their lordships hoped this decision would have the effect of introducing more caution among tradesmen.

NEW FISH COMPANY.-Foresaw some opposition to the proposal of forming a West-end Fishing Company, to be opened at Hungerford-market, but did not anticipate the wise, learned, and opulent corporation of the city of London, would be among the opponents of this salutary improvement. Their objection is, that it will interfere with the established rights of Billingsgate, and thereby depreciate some insignificant portion of city property. So then, because the City has got a bit of land in Lower Thames-street, all the good folks on the west of Temple-bar are to be doomed for ever to eat stale and dear fish. "Oh! horrible! horrible! most horrible !"-But really, their argument, if such it must be called, is the most obsolete and antiquated imaginable,

WEEKLY CALENDAR.

For the last century, similar objections have been made to every improvement; no change could be suggested, without encroaching on some alleged rights and interests; but it has been by disregarding these outcries, the general happiness and prosperity of the country has been promoted. It is not probable the Solons and Lycurguses of St. Stephen's, will show more deference to the interests of the citizens, than they have shown to the interests of coach proprietors,watermen, stocking weavers, cloth dressers, and many other branches of industry, whose interests have been momentarily depressed by the march of improvement.

9.-MR. HAYNE STILL LONGING.-This gentleman has lately exhibited strong symptoms of a relapse. He lately bought a boat at Brighton, which he directed to be named "Maria Darlington," assigning as a reason, that it was the character in which he first saw Miss Foote. Far worse remains: he was seen sitting quite snug with his idol in a private box at Coventgarden theatre.

WHAT IS A GENTLEMAN ?-The chief justice in the Common Pleas gave, last week, a sort of negative solution to this problem. A little personage appeared in Court, who was stated, in the affidavit, to be a "" gentleman." It came out, however, in the examination, that he was only a bell-ringer, and not a gentleman. Doubts

arising respecting the appellation, the lord

chief justice questioned him as to the
fact; when the little creature said, that
he was a bell-ringer, at half-a-crown per
day. "Oh! then," said his lordship, "the
affidavit has stated an untruth; for you!
cannot be a gentleman at half-a-crown a
day." And in consequence, the little man's
bail was refused for this misnomen in the
affidavit.

11. THE BUBBLE COMPANIES.-The Lord Chancellor to-day, in the course of an argument in his court, threw out a hint that in any measure the legislature might determine upon with regard to Joint Stock Companies, it would probably ob serve a distinction between such as were manifestly gambling associations, and such as were bonâ-fide directed to some useful and feasible object. But, pray, my lord, who can judge, what objects are useful and feasible, better than the parties themselves, or the community? I doubt if his lordship had not better be quiet, and leave JoHN BULL to take care of himself.

12.-Talk about monopoly-but what greater monopoly can there be than now exists in the newspapers? For the last two days they have been absolutely filled with the speeches of the hon, members,

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and there has not been a spare inch for any thing-the debate adjourned too again-all about the Catholic Association - Catholic-rent Mr. O'Connell —the

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Pope and Father O'Leary!

Weekly Calendar.

February XIX.-Saturday.

High Water, Morn. II. 54 m.-Aft. III. 8 m.
Sun rises, V1.55 m.; sets, V. 5m.

NATURAL HISTORY.-In ordinary seasons nature begins to show signs of returning life by this period. The wood, lark, one of our earliest and sweetest songsters, renews his note; the yellow hammer is heard, the owl hoots, and the chaffinch and redbreast continue their lays. Partridges and rooks begin to pair; the house-pigeon has young, field-crickets open their holes, gnats ply about, and insects swarm under sunny hedges. By the latter end of February the raven has usually laid its eggs and began to sit, Bullfinches have returned to our gardens, and, though timid half the year, are now fearless and persevering: it is a fact, that these birds only select such buds as contain the larva of an insect, and so render us a kindness, by destroying a consuming colony in embryo.

February XX. 1st Sunday in

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Lent.

High Water, Morn. III. 21 m.-Aft. III. 35 m.
Sunday Lessons, Morn, Gen 19. Luke 1.3. Even.

Gen. 22. Gal. 3.

On this day, 1712, the marriage of the Czar Peter and the celebrated Catherine, was publicly solemnized, with great pomp, at Petersburg.

1792. Leopold, emperor of Germany, died, after an illness of only thirty-six hours, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Francis I.

February XXI.-Monday.
High Water, Morn. III. 48 m.-Aft. IV.
Length of day 10 hours 18 min.

GARDEN.-Sow celery, carrots, and parsnips; transplant fruit-trees; cover blossoming trees with mats; transplant shrubs and flowers. Uncover fig-trees in warm weather.

February XXII.-Tuesday.

High Water, Morn. IV. 16 m.-Aft. IV. 32 m.

ANNIVERSARY CHRONOLOGY.-1785. Died, at North-church, Herts, Peter, known by the name of the Wild Boy, hav ing been found wild, in the forest of

Hetswold, near Hanover, in Germany, in 1725, when he was thought to be about twelve years old. In the following year he was brought to England, and the ablest masters were provided for him; but prove ing incapable of speaking, or of receiving instruction, a comfortable provision was made for him, at a farm-house in the above parish, where he continued to the end of his inoffensive life. It is thought he was an idiot, purposely put in the way of George I., in the forest where he was discovered.

1806. Expired in London, the day on which he had completed his 65th year, James Barry, a distinguished artist, and a memorable example of the effects of per severance. His principal performances were a series of epic paintings and attic conceptions, which depict the origin and progress of human nature; and which embellish the walls of the Adelphi Society for the Encouragement of Arts. Mr. Barry was a native of Cork, came from Dublin to London, and visited Rome, under the patronage of the celebrated Edmund Burke and his brother Richard.

Died on this day, 1824, in penury, “without a friend to close his eyes," John Day, musical composer. Many of Day's productions will never cease to be recollected and admired; particularly his "Just like Love,"-" May we ne'er want a Friend,"-The Death of the Smuggler," and the "Bay of Biscay." He also wrote several operas; the latest were" Rob Roy Macgregor," and "Woman's Will."

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February XXIII-Wednesday. High Water, Morn. IV, 49 m.-Aft. V. 7m.

ANNIVERSARY CHRONOLOGY, 1792, Expired, at his house in Leicester-fields, London, sir Joshua Reynolds, a most eminent painter, and many years president of the Royal Academy. Sir Joshua was born at Plympton, in Devonshire, 1723, and buried in St. Paul's cathedral. Of his character and talents the following lines, by Goldsmith, in the Retaliation, are briefly, yet strongly, expressive:

Here Reynolds is laid; and to tell you my mind, t

He has not left a wiser or better behind:
His pencil was striking, resistless, and grand,
His manners were gentle, complying, and bland.
Still born to improve us in every part;
His pencil our faces,-his manners our heart.

February XXIV-Thursday.

High Water, Morn. IV. 22 m.-Aft. V. 47 m.

FLORA. The daisy is now seen in the meadows, and opens its pretty flower, here and there, in warm days: in the evening daisies close their flowers. The periodical opening and shutting of flowers is a

curious phenomenon in the physiology of plants. Some flowers are open all day, while others expand only in the evening. There are, likewise, noctiflorous plants, which close their flowers in the morning. The generality of flowers open at sunrise, and close in the evening. The evening primrose opens at sunset, and closes before midnight. The yellow goatherd opens in the morning, and shuts at noon, The hippochieris ridicata, and several others of this family, shut their flowers about three o'clock in the afternoon. The four o'clock flower is well known, and is nearly as regular as a watch. The helianthus annus follows the course of the sun, being directed eastward in the morning, south at noon, and westward in the evening, The pimpernel does not open its flower when rain is coming, and has become thereby a barometer of the weather..

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High Water, Morn. VI. 14m.-Aft. VI. 40 m
February XXV.-Friday.

ANNIVERSARY CHRONOLOGY,-On this day, 1601, Robert, earl of Essex, who had long been one of queen Elizabeth's chief favourites, was privately beheaded in the tower, in the 34th year of his age. Some of the earl's associates, in his wild enterprise, were executed at Tyburn, particularly Menick, his steward, and Cuff, his secretary, both men of great parts, especially the latter, who was a celebrated wit, and excellent scholar.

1723. Died, in the 91st year of his age, our most illustrious architect, sir Christopher Wren. He erected St. Paul's cathedral, the Monument, St. Bride's, and St. Stephen's, Walbrook; the last is deemed his masterpiece; the inside being uncommonly beautiful. Notwithstanding the extraordinary merit of sir C. Wren, he was turned out of his office, at the age of 86, in the reign of George I., in order to make room for another, who had better court interest, but was an arrant blockhead, and was afterwards dismissed for incapacity. The name of this ignoramus was Benson.

LES JEUX ET LE RIS.

SCOTCH LOGIC.

Extract from the Edinburgh Review:→→→ "If we take two persons of the same station in life, one of whom has resided in India, while the other has never left this country, we shall generally find the former much better acquainted with Indian affairs than the other, who has probably read and thought very little about them."

This admirable reasoning has called forth the following

WEEKLY CALENDAR

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THE transition from books, (which, in a former number, we briefly considered with relation to their present influence,) to readers, is obvious and natural. They were made for each other, and the supply and demand keep pretty even pace together. The severing asunder the ties by which they are bound, would create chaos again.

Readers are as various in their tastes as the literary food they devour is in style; for whilst your mere man of amusement, he who runs as he reads, will devour his three or four courses sans intermission, the graver student will more temperately, but with full as much appetite, dwell upon his profitable banquet, submitting the deepest propositions to the crucible of taste, and ardent in extracting the pearls of worth that lie hidden in the food before him, he subjects the most learned problems to a literary mastication. Yet both of these characters are "of price," and admirable in their way. The one as giving employment to the lighter troops of literature, a numerous phalanx, the other to the laborious pioneers of research, a rarer company, both to the welfare and the success of the community; inasmuch as they are, in their several likings, the patrons of its most powerful machine, its greatest oracle-the

Press

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The inquiry would not be destitute of interest which should profess to draw a parallel between the readers of to-day and yesterday, this age and that of our fathers, from the general character of the works the property of either period. Johnson, and Pope, and Goldsmith, and the rest, were certainly of the first order of critics; and the works they published, or spread a glory around by their praises, are more lasting than titles or monuments; but yet, like the planets, they were famous for their rarity as well as splendour, and it therefore may be contended" in this our day," that if particular works, or individual writers do not leave in the shade the best emanations, and the wisest scholars of another and

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earlier period, yet in our general literature, both with respect to works, commentators, and readers, we certainly may compete for the laurel with those who have passed away, but who have left us legacies which, like the "widow's cruse," shall never be wasted.

Taste varies with time. Not now, as a matter of course, to be a reader, is to be nothing; not now to be able to discuss the day's novelty is not to know oneself. The very tone of authorship now has assumed a totally new character. Mediocrity of talent, I speak generally, becomes of little use to the possessor, and the lightest efforts of the pen must be now, and our magazines have a good deal contributed to the improvement, rounded by caution, and fashioned with taste. Readers will have it so. The revolution is a wise one.

But, after all, it is to be feared that the majority of readers ramble through books as couriers ride through towns, merely for despatch; and when they arrive at the end of their volumes, can tell as much concerning them as the twopenny postman with the contents of his bag. They know there was a title-page, and a finis, and something of love, and vows, and protestations, and they know no more. Others, again, will read you every page assiduously, greedily, and they will quote you the prettiest passages with due emphasis and discretion, but that is all. With the bent of the book, its intents, its usefulness, its morality, they are unacquainted,—they pluck the fruit without considering if it be forbidden, place the flowers in their bosoms without inquiring if their fragrance be wholesome. But the third party-the "wisest, virtuous, discreetest, best," they will sun themselves in the smiles of wisdom, and gather learning whilst revelling in amusement. These are they that read and mark, and learn, and digest-they who find, "books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every thing.'

All, however, readers of all habits and inclinations, will, with their best exertions, fail in obtaining perfection, and we will therefore take the liberty of concluding our paper by a wise observation of a truly great man, the application of which might be serviceable to all.

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I do not know what I may appear to the world," said sir Isaac Newton, just before his death, "but to myself I seem to have been only a boy, playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble, or a prettier shell than ordinary, while the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered; before me."

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