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DIARY OF OCCURRENCES,

fessional gentleman offered 10,000 guineas for the ore in sight!

Mr. Blenkinsop, the principal agent to Mr. Brandling, at Middleton colliery, near Leeds, has determined to adopt an excellent expedient to prevent a repetition of such dreadful accidents as that recorded in our last. He has resolved to affix locks to the safety-lamps used in the pits, so that the men cannot open them, if they

should be so inclined.

A person named Roberts has made a very useful discovery. It consists of a hood and mouth-piece, so contrived as to render the wearer able to breathe in the densest smoke. In cases of fire it must be of particular utility, in the preservation of both life and property.

Burning of WATER.—The Americans have discovered a mode of using water for fuel! The invention consists of a stove of small size, and in shape an inverted cone, with several longitudinal openings near the apex. On a grate within rests a small quantity of coal. A pan of water placed beneath the openings ensure a constant supply of vapour. In passing through the ignited coal, the aqueous vapour is decomposed, and we have that powerful heat which is produced by the combustion of oxygen and hydrogen. The cover of the stove is attached to a movable section of pipe, which is raised and lowered by a fixture similar in principle to that of a suspended lamp, and by this contrivance the fire is regulated. So powerful is the heat that a small quantity of water thrown into the stove is immediately decomposed, and the combustion of its The component parts follows of course. principle of this invention has long been applied in the mechanic arts, especially by the blacksmith, who, it is well known, when he wants to increase the heat of his fire, throws on it a small quantity of water. How far it is applicable to domestic use is not yet ascertained. The honour of the discovery belongs to Mr. Augustus Day, of Philadelphia.

Diary of Occurrences.

Jan. 22.-COURT OF KING'S BENCH.The Lord Mayor brings an action against Mr. Stanton, a partner in the house of the late Holah, Johnson, and Co. Both parties are wholesale tea-dealers. It appears Garratt and Co. engaged a traveller who received a character from the defendant, as honest and industrious. After being several years in the Lord Mayor's employ, he was found to have defrauded him of 800%. This led to inquiries as to the truth of the character given him by

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the defendant, when it came out that he
had embezzled large sums while in the
employ of Holah and Co., and had ac-
tually repaid them 3501. after entering
the plaintiff's service. Upon this evidence,
verdict
the jury gave the Lord Mayor a
with 8011. 3s. 3d. damages.

The royal stables at Pimlico recently built, which are a mile in circumference, behind Buckingham palace, are nearly ready for use. The repairs of Windsor castle are advancing rapidly. An excavation has been discovered there, hollowed in the chalk to the depth of eighty feet; it is supposed to have been a dungeon for immuring the unhappy victims of feudal violence.-A magnificent new palace is talked of, on the site of Carlton-palace.The unpaid foreign debts of the late king of France, amounted to ten millions of francs.

THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.-Cobbett is now assailing the whole newspaper press. He seems to think the country had better be under the government of the Holy Alliance, than under newspaper government: he not only denies that it possesses the smallest merit, but asserts that it is the disgrace and scourge of the community— he contends that the reporting the proceedings of courts of law and the police, ought not to be permitted, and that it is as notorious as the sun at noon-day, that the columns of newspaper are to be sold to the highest bidder, at so much an inch !→→ He is a sad fellow !

The Kent Herald contains the prospectus of a scheme for constructing a tunnel under the British Channel, and thus effecting a dry-shod communication between Dover and Calais! Another project is on foot for establishing a vacuum communication between London and Edinburgh by means of pipes, for the rapid conveyance of goods, at the rate (I think) of a mile per minute. Some well-meaning folks too, foreseeing the tendency of these wild schemes, have projected the erection of an asylum for the reception of the large crop of lunatics' that are expected to grow out of the present speculating mania!

The sessions at the Old Bailey, which used to last a fortnight or longer, are now, by the erection of the New Court, con A great cluded in less than a week. accommodation this to prosecutors and witnesses, as well as a great saving to the county in their expenses.

24. DEBUT OF KEAN AT DRURY LANE.-The appearance of Kean so soon after his late exhibition in the Law Courts, excited a strong feeling of indignation, and he was received with loud hisses and hooting. It is argued by his friends, that

the public have nothing to do with the private lives of actors, more than other professions—the law for instance. This is not admissible: the morals and manners of actors are of public concern, because they are necessarily of public example. Even in private life, an individual who has disgraced himself cannot immediately appear, without encountering some expression of dissatisfaction, though it may not be by hooting and hissing. But the audience at a theatre, have far higher prerogatives: from time immemorial they have enjoyed the privilege of expressing their opinions of particular performers, both professionally and individually. This is a right they do not possess with respect to other classes, and consequently there can be no analogy between actors and other professions.

The price of iron, which was in Wales some months past 77. per ton, has been rapidly advancing to 12., confessedly in anticipation of the demand certain to follow the introduction of rail-roads.-The ale brewers have reduced the price of ale ten shillings per barrel.-The French authorities have laid an embargo on two million bottles of Champagne at Rheims, for the gratification of the court and the visitors at the ensuing coronation.

26. The Custom House is in a more dangerous state than was supposed. A portion of the floor at the east end of the long room gave way this morning, and was precipitated with a dreadful crash into the king's warehouses, immediately under it; only one individual was standing on that part of the floor which fell in, and he saved himself by springing on the window-seat. The army about to be increased 15,000 men; 5,000, it is said, are destined for India.

Miss Foote, it appears, was not quite an amateur in the service of colonel Berkeley; and that she received from the colonel, upon an average, 7001. per annum, in addition to 600% paid in 1819, to enable her father to come from Devonshire to London.

28.-END OF STATE LOTTERIES.-Today the gentlemen who usually bid for the State Lotteries, waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, agreeably to ublic notice, and engaged to take all the remaining tickets at an advanced price. This contract concludes the National Lotteries, which have existed in this country as a branch of the public revenue for upwards of one hundred and fifty years.

In an action, Bloxam v. Elseer, for the infringement of a patent that had been granted for a machine for the manufacture of paper in single sheets, at considerable length, without seam or joint, the jury

returned a verdict for the plaintiff, dama→ ges 3,000l.

PRICE OF LABOUR.-The operative cotton weavers of Carlisle state, that they cannot earn more than 6s. or 7s. a week. An interesting letter has appeared in the "Times," signed "A Day Labourer," in which it is shown that the wages of labour in Essex, are not more than 7s. a week, I hope Mr. Robinson will bear these facts in mind, when he is describing the prosperous state of the country, at the approaching meeting of parliament.

SPECULATION MANIA.-Bubble! bubble! toil and trouble! Saw a list to-day of 20 rail-road companies, 22 banking and assurance companies, 11 gas companies, 8 British and Irish mining companies, 17 Foreign mining companies, 9 shipping and dock companies, and 27 miscellaneous companies, for iron, patent brick, fish, milk, corn, coals, &c. &c. The proposed capital of these various associations, is upwards of a hundred millions; but great as that sum is, it will be far from absorbing the immense surplus capital which has accumulated during peace, by the suspension of the war-loans.

Weekly Calendar.

February V.-Saturday.

High Water, Morn. III. 23 m.-Aft. III. 40 m. Sun rises, VII. 20 m.; sets, IV. 40 m.

GARDEN.-Ridge out early cucumbers and melons. Plant garlic, shalots, rocombole, and olives. Sow beans, peas, and small salad every week; on hot-beds sow cauliflower-seeds. Transplant fruit trees.

FLORA.-Double daisies in mild seasons blow, and ornament cottage-gardens about this time. Like many other flowers, the single daisy becomes double by culture, and frequently proliferous; in this state it is called the hen and chicken daisy. Etymologists agree with the old bard in his derivation of daisy-namely, "day's eye.” In French it is termed Belle Margarette, probably in compliment to some lady; but critics are not agreed who this lady

was:

Above all flouris in the mede

Than love I most those flouris white and rede, Such as men call daisies in our town. Chaucer.

February VI.-Sunday.

High Water, Morn. III. 56 m.-Aft. IV. 15 m. Sunday Lessons, Morn. Gen 3. Mark 6. Even. Increase in the length of day 2 hours 26 min.

Gen. 6. 2 Cor. 2.

ANNIVERSARY CHRONOLOGY.-A. D. Charles II. died at Whitehall,

1685.

WEEKLY CALENDAR. '

He left no legitimate issue, but his natural
children were numerous. He was suc-
ceeded by his brother, James II., the
third but only surviving son of Charles I.
1804. Expired, in the 71st year of his age,
at Northumberland in America, Joseph
Priestley, LL. D., and member of many
foreign literary societies. He was born
at Field-Head, near Leeds, in Yorkshire.
In Dr. Priestley's mental constitution were
united ardour and vivacity of intellect,
with placidity and mildness of temper.
In the domestic relations of life he was
Not
uniformly kind and affectionate.
malice itself could fix a stain on his pri-
vate conduct, or impeach his integrity.

February VII.-Monday.

High Water, Morn. IV. 33 m.-Aft. IV. 54 m. NATURAL HISTORY.-Moles go to work in throwing up their hillocks, as soon as the earth is softened. Under some of the largest, a little below the surface of the earth, they make their nests of moss; in which four or five young are found at a time. These animals live on worms, insects, and the roots of plants. They do much mischief in gardens, by loosening and devouring flower-roots; but in the fields they seem to do no other damage, than rendering the surface of the ground unequal by their hillocks, which obstruct the scythe in mowing. They are said also to pierce the sides of dams and canals,

and let out the water.

Mountain scenery in Wales, Switzerland, Savoy, and particularly on the barren mountains of Scotland, are often seen in the greatest perfection in this month; when these huge mountain-torrents are seen rolling down the rocky precipices of the hills, and streaming across the stony valleys with the hollow roar of waterfalls reechoing from the rocks.

February VIII.-Tuesday.

High Water, Morn. V. 14 m.-Aft. V. 38 m.

ANNIVERSARY CHRONOLOGY.-On this day, 1576, was born Robert Burton, author of the Anatomy of Melancholy, a book that has had a very extensive sale, and is much admired for its learning, pleasant humour, and sterling sense.

1587. Mary queen of Scots was beheaded at Fotheringay castle, in Northamptonshire, after an unjust and cruel captivity of almost nineteen years in Eng

land.

February IX.-Wednesday. High Water, Morn. VI. 2 m.-Aft. VI, 30 m. SIGNS OF THE WEATHER-If the last

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eighteen days of February, and ten days of March, be for the most part rainy, then the spring and summer quarters will probably be so too: and a great drought seldom happens but it enters at that season.

If the latter end of October and beginning of November be for the most part warm and rainy, then January and February are likely to be frosty and cold, except after a very dry summer.

If October and November be snowy and frosty, then January and February are likely to be open and mild.

February X-Thursday.

High Water, Morn. VI. 59 m.-Aft. VII. 31 m.
Moon last quarter, Morn. I. 56 m.
Day 9 h. 38 m. long.

ANNIVERSARY CHRONOLOGY.-On this
day, 1567, Henry Stuart, lord Darnly,
who, on marrying Mary, queen of Scots,
had been by her declared king of Scot-
The house where
land, was murdered.
Darnly slept was blown up with gun-
powder; so that it is uncertain whether
he was put to death first, or perished in
the ruins. It is generally supposed that
this tragical scene was acted by the con-
trivance of Bothwell, and with the con-
nivance of the queen herself, since she
murderer. The scene of this dark business
soon afterwards espoused her husband's
was a lonely mansion, in the neighbour-
hood of Edinburgh, about two o'clock in
the morning. It cast a shade over the
character of Mary, that neither art nor
panegyric can efface.

February XI.-Friday.

High Water, Morn. VIII. 3 m.-Aft. VIII. 39 m.
Night 14 h. 18 m. long.

ANNIVERSARY CHRONOLOGY.-In the year 1763 expired, at his much admired residence, the Leasowes, near Hagley, in Worcestershire, William Shenstone, an eminent pastoral poet and miscellaneous writer. He was buried at Hales, a town in Shropshire, his native place, where he was born, in 1714.

HEALTH AT THIS SEASON.-This month is generally considered unwholesome, and requires caution to guard against colds, and the contagion of typhus and other fevers, which are apt to prevail in the early spring. Smoking tobacco in moderation is considered a salutary practice, as well as being a preventive against infection. The German pipes are the best, and get better as they are used, particularly those made of merschaum, called Ecume de Mer. Next to these the Turkey-pipes, with long tubes, are to be recommended; but these are fitter for summer smoking, under the shade of trees,

than for the fireside. The best tobacco is the Turkey, the Pérsian, and what is called Dutch canaster.

LITERARY PROPERTY.

THE manuscript of " Robinson Crusoe" ran through the whole trade, and no one would print it. The bookseller who at last bought it, cleared a thousand guineas by it. "Burn's Justice" was disposed of by its author for a mere trifle, as well as "Buchan's Domestic Medicine;" both of which yield immense incomes. "The Vicar of Wakefield," the most delightful novel in our language, was sold for a few pounds; and Miss Burney's "Evelina," produced only five guineas. Dr. Johnson fixed the price of his "Lives of the Poets" at two hundred guineas, by which the booksellers, in the course of a few years, cleared upwards of twenty-five thousand. Tonson and all his family rode in their carriage with the profits of the 51. epic of Milton. The copy-right of "Vyse's Spell. ing Book", sold for 2,000 guineas.

The natives of Cockaigne are not alone in misfortune, when their organs refuse to articulate the luckless 2. In some districts of France it is confounded with b; which induced Scaliger to exclaim, "Felices quibus vivere est bibere!" CRITICAL RESPONSIBILITY. It is contrary to the rules of military discipline that a superior officer should accept the challenge of an inferior. On the same principle a reviewer may refuse satisfaction to an angry author!

--

LOVE AND RELIGION.-The agreeable Menage has an acute observation on the writings of love and religion.. "Books of devotion," he says, "and those of love, are alike bought. The only difference I find is, that there are more who read books of love than buy them; and there are more who buy books of devotion than read them."

The following munificent donations have been lately presented to the London Mechanics' Institution:

Sir Francis Burdett, (second subscrip- 1000 tion)

Thou dost appear the flame of heavenly love!
For thus sweet tenderness is far above
All the deep passions, which the bosom move.
J. E. S. 4

LIST OF WORKS PUBLISHED. Weatherby on Wills, 8vo. 4s. 6d.-Brown on Calculus, 8vo. 9s.-Dick's Christian Philosopher, 12mo. 88.-Oliver's Star in the East, fc. bs. 6d.-Memoirs of Fouche, 2 vols. 8vo ll. ls.Nare's Sermons, 8vo. vol. 2. 10s. 6d.-Signs before Death, by Welby, 12mo. 6s.-Maclean on Quarantine Laws, 8vo. 15s.-Cavendish's Life of Wolsey, 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 10s.-Byron's Last Journey to Greece, by Count Gamba, 8vo. 12s.Sayings and Doings, Second Series, 3 vols. 8vo. 1.11s. 6d.-Life, Love, and Politics, 2 vols. 12mo. 12s.-The Gil Blas of the Revolution, 3 vols. 12mo. ll. Is.-Bowles's Final Appeal relative to rum, bds. 12mo. 7s. 6d.-The Crisis, by the Rev. Pope, 8vo. 7s.-Dodd's Connoisseurs' RepertoEdward Cooper, 8vo. 7s.

LONDON MARKETS, Jan. 28.

There continues little variation in the for British Plantation Coffee is a little on the Cotton, Sugar, or Spirit market. The demand increase, and prices improving. Saltpetre has become a great article of speculation;

the price 24s. to 24s. 6d.

CORN. Wheat is 2s. cheaper than last week. There is an abundant supply of barley, and the country papers all say this article is unsaleable; yet the Gazette states 7d. above the price at which the ports open. the general average price 40s. 7d., which is

VEGETABLES.-At Covent Garden market potatoes were a trifle dearer-3s. 9d. to 5s.6d. per cwt. washed, unwashed 3d. cheaper. Cabbages 2s. to 3s. per dozen heads; brocoli 1s. 6d. to 2s. 3d.; coleworts, or greens, 2s. 6d. to 4s. per dozen bunches.

FISH has been rather scarce during the week, but nothing like the price it was a few weeks since-a good cod is worth 10s.-salmon 3s. the pound-haddocks, fine and large,

2s. 6d. each-soles from 1s. to 3s. the paireels, 7d. per lb.-turbots, from 7s. to 30s. each (retail prices.)

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Art thou, fair star, no more than thou dost seem?

While gazing on thy halo eagerly,

My fancy wanders, and I fondly deem Thee some bright, blest abode, where harmony And love are habitants eternally. Is this indeed naught but an idle dream, Sprung from Imagination's airy dwelling?} Thy lustre has so delicate a hue,

So greatly all the other stars excellingSo beautiful thou seemest to our view,

London: Printed by A. APPLEGATH, Stamford Street, for THOMAS BOYS, No. 7, Ludgate Hill, to whom all Communications (free of expense) are requested to be addressed; and sold also by all Booksellers, Newsmen, and Venders in Town and Country-Published every Saturday.

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EVERY one must have seen what a blaze the stationers' shops have been in for the last ten days; how they have been bespangled with the loves, the muses, and the graces here the poetry of love, and the love of poetry, under all possible and impossible forms and metaphors, from little cupids, creeping out of cabbageroses, to large, overgrown hearts, stuffed with doubled-headed arrows-all in preparation for the good St. Valentine,whose day, of all the days in the year, is the day for life and glee. What running of postmen! what heaving of knockers! what fluttering of hearts! How many sighing—“Ah, me !"-" Oh, dear!

VOL. I.

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