4 CONDUCTED BY WILLIAM AND ROBERT CHAMBERS, EDITORS OF "CHAMBERS'S HISTORICAL NEWSPAPER." No. 53. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1833. CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH JOURNAL. AT this important era in our labours-the commencement of a second volume, and of a separate impression for the Kingdom of Ireland-we assume the liberty of saying a few words regarding ourselves. The JOURNAL was commenced, February 4, 1832, with nothing in its favour but a little experience in popular literature, joined to great ardour of purpose, on the part of the individuals connected with it. Since then-without any of the usual expedients for facilitating the circulation of literature-without puffingalmost without advertising-by the sheer force, apparently, of its own applicability to the wants and tastes of the public-the work has reached an extent of circulation far beyond that of any periodical work, consisting of letter-press alone, that ever existed. Some facts in the history of such a publication may be received with some degree of interest by the public. The sale of the first twelve numbers of the JOURNAL was confined in a great measure to Scotland; and the quantity then printed (including a portion designed for the supply of future demands) was thirty-one thousand. At the thirteenth number, an impression was commenced in London, which soon very nearly doubled the previous amount of sales. The eight ensuing numbers were printed both in England and Scotland, from forms of types respectively set up in London and Edinburgh, which necessarily induced the risk of printing a few additional thousands, to be reserved as stock. But at the twenty-first publication, it was resolved to use stereotype plates, so that the impressions might in both cases be limited to the immediate demand, leaving all future necessities to be supplied exactly as they arose. From the types set up under the care of the Editors at Edinburgh, were then cast two sets of plates, one of which was regularly transmitted on a particular day to London, where it was used instead of separate forms of types: by which means, the Editors might be said to have the advantage of supervising both editions; the risk of superfluous stock was avoided; and yet the whole expense of the two sets of plates was less than what had previously Deen paid for the double composition of the types. When the system had fully taken effect, the united sale of the two editions approached fifty thousand, and it is still increasing in both countries, to a degree which, though not perhaps warranting the expectation of a much greater advance, is the best possible assurance to the Editors that the general success of the work is of a steady and permanent character. Very soon after the commencement of the work, intelligence reached the Editors that a regular reprint of the principal articles in the JOURNAL was executed at New York. What success attended this scheme has not been learned; but, since then, the Editors have had repeated applications from different colonies of Great Britain, especially Canada and the West Indies, respecting a reprint in those places, by stereotype plates or otherwise, though, from various circumstances, no such arrangement has as yet been found practicable. As in some measure compensating this disappointment, the Editors have been given to understand that innumerable copies find their way, through the kindness of friends, to individuals in almost all the dependencies of Great Britain, even in the remote fur settlements of North America. It is also a circumstance in no small degree satisfactory, that, with the present publication, commences an independent impression for Ireland, by the use of a set of stereotype plates, taken, like the others, from the types set up under the immediate care of the Editors, and which are subjected to the press by Messrs Curry and Company of Dublin. The work is now, therefore, siNo. 1. VOL. II. multaneously printed and published in each of the three capitals of the United Kingdom; a circumstance for which there is no parallel in the annals of letters. In seeking to analyse the merits of this success, we must acknowledge in the very outset that the grand cause has been the unusually large space of paper and print in reference to the price; an idea for which we were indebted to certain works with less pretensions to originality, and others which endeavoured to minister to the less worthy passions of the multitude. As the circumstance may afterwards become matter of notice and dispute, we think it proper to claim, on this occasion, the merit of having first attempted a publication in which original and respectable literature was conveyed at the minimum of price, for the use of the people at large. To prove our claims, we request an inspection of dates, by which it will be found that we commenced several months before the Penny Magazine of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and still longer before the other respectable publications of the same kind, which have paid us the compliment of adopting our plan, and now divide with us the public attention. Whatever honour, therefore, may hereafter be thought due to the discoverer of a mode of circulating knowledge on so vast a scale, must fall indisputably to the originators of CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH JOURNAL. If this priority has already secured to us a success far distancing our imitators, we trust that the public will generally allow that we have not reposed upon that advantage alone, but have fairly and honourably exerted ourselves to give it permanence and real desert, by the intrinsic value of the articles successively composed for our work. It is, we have too much reason to suspect, a prevailing impression, that the most part of our work is borrowed, without acknowledgment, from various sources as if it could not be believed that so many original articles of fancy, observation, and science, could be given for such a small sum of money. But we can assure the reader, that, in every instance where not otherwise expressed, the article is an original composition, prepared by the Editors themselves, or under their direction, and expressly designed and fashioned for appearing in our pages. The superior success which has attended our efforts, instead of placing us at our ease respecting the material of our work, has only incited us to attempt, and enabled us to achieve, its improvement; so that, in some of the late numbers, there have been original compositions, by nearly as many different writers as what generally go to the composition of an ordinary magazine. While it is obvious that this could only be done, with advantage to those concerned, after a very high degree of success had been attained, it must be equally obvious to the public, that, in no work of inferior circulation, and of the same price, is there any chance of a quantity of reading being found equal in value to what we are enabled to present; a result, simply, of that near approximation of the manufacturer's price to that of the retailer, which an extensive and regular sale, unattended by extra expense, has enabled us to bring into force, to a degree infinitely beyond what has ever been known in literature where, on the contrary, there has always been a greater difference between the cost of production and the sale price than in any other branch of manufacture. In addition to all considerations of increased and increasing literary strength, the other principles upon • In No. 49-which, at the time we rite, is the last publication-there were seven writers employed-almost all of them men of such practice and experience in letters, as to be able to maintain themselves by the labours of their pens. PRICE THREE HALFPENCE. which the JOURNAL has hitherto stood, will be rigidly adhered to in time coming, so that no shock may be given, on the part of its conductors, to a system so promising of ultimate advantage, in the cultivation and improvement of the national mind. The work is perfectly universal in its principles, and such it shall continue to be. In looking back over the labours of the past year, the Editors feel assured that there is not to be detected a single passage by which any individual or body could be considered as injured, whe. ther in respect of religious, political, or simply moral feeling. If great power has been placed in the hands of the Editors, it certainly has, in no case, been used in an unworthy spirit: no attempt has been made, either directly or indirectly, to depreciate the efforts of our neighbours; no effort has been made to convert a great engine, properly destined for mankind at large, into a vehicle for the petulant fancies of an individual, or the narrow views of a partisan in science, politics, or letters; and, above all, we have indulged in none of that endless, meaningless flippancy, respecting ourselves and our productions, which, in many other periodical works of higher pretension, has given so much offence to good taste. Every article has been presented as a distinct thing, speaking for itself, either as a body of information on a certain point, or as a picture of real or fictitious life; and, while periodical works in general are chiefly composed of what may be called a literature upon a literature-like the commentators of the period of the revival of letters, with their huge tomes upon the classics the Journal has aimed at giving an original and independent literature, with however humble pretensions to merit. In the whole range of our pages, there has hardly been a word about what Goldsmith calls "Shakspeare, taste, and the musical glasses;" all has been plain, downright, substantial matter, generally based upon the broadest human interests, and depending for its effect solely upon its own merits. Though sensible, moreover, that we might have extended our circulation very much, especially out of Scotland, by the introduction of pictorial embellishments, we have stood steadfast upon letter-press alone, addressing our readers through their understandings, rather than their senses, and thereby making certainly a far less direct appeal to the mass of the public than what is made by the only respectable work which exceeds our own in circulation. Many attempts are made by the newspapers, from time to time, to hold up the EDINBURGH JOURNAL, and all other works of the same kind, as illegal publications, in so far as they evade the payment of the newspaper duty. An ingenious plan is adopted for giving this false imputation an appearance of truth: the works which the newspapers in reality wish to depreciate are always confounded with the desperate trash, which, in open defiance of the laws, issue weekly dissertations on political events without the use of stamps. We hold this to be an exceedingly unworthy trick on the part of the newspaper press; for, though it is certainly a hardship for them to be competed with by unstamped political pasquils, they have no reason to complain of other papers, which are exclusively literary, and sedulously avoid every allusion whatsoever to the passing time. Of this latter description is our JOURNALwhich, in reality, is prevented from being in the remotest degree a newspaper, by its being necessarily set up in types about a month before its publication. The small price of the work has in other instances procured us sneers for which there is but a very unsub. stantial ground. Even if it were allowable to estimate literature by the price connected with it which certainly is not allowable, otherwise the heaviest three guinea quartoes would throw the cleverest half-crown magazines completely into the shade-it is only in respect of single copies that the work could be termed humble. Take the JOURNAL in the aggregate, and, even upon the contemptible principle of those who talk of a cheap publication, as if cheapness were a stigma, it would probably exceed the fortune, or extent of business, of ninety-nine out of every hundred who expose in that manner their own illiberality. The number of sheets annually circulated by the Scottish newspapers-thirty-five in number, and many of them published twice and three times in the week-is 1,733,500. The number issued by the publishers of the JOURNAL is 2,600,000, exclusive of the HISTORICAL NEWSPAPER, which would increase the amount to within a little of three millions! The paper annually used by the JOURNAL amounts to 5416 reams, weighing about 130,000 pounds, and paying about L.1600 to government as duty; and it is exceedingly probable that, in a short time, the Irish circulation will add, at least, a fourth to these computations. If cheapness, or, to use better phraseology, the minimum of price-the perfection of every manufacturing system secures results so brilliant as this, speaking commercially-but, speaking morally, results so likely to elevate the character of the British nations-who would not stoop, in such a case, that he might conquer? NATURAL HISTORY. In a former article, we stated, that of all animals, the Crawford, in his "Mission to Ava," mentions a human individual whom he saw in that country, who bore strong marks of quadrumanal descent, in as much as he was covered with hair from head to foot, and whose history is not less remarkable than that of the extraordinary Porcupine Men, who excited so much curiosity in England and other parts of Europe about a century ago. The hair of the face of this singular hairy man of Ava, the ears included, is very shaggy, and about eight inches long; on the breast and shoulders it is from four to five. This curious being has a remarkable peculiarity in the number of his teeth, namely, being entirely divested of those called the molars, or grinders. This individual is a native of the Shan country, or Lao, and from the banks of the upper portion of the Saluen or Martaban River; he was presented to the King of Ava as a curiosity, by the Prince of that country. At Ava he married a Burmese woman, by whom he has two daughters-the eldest resembling her mother, and the youngest is covered with hair, like her father, only it is white, or fair, whereas his is now dark brown, or black, having, however, been fair when a child, like that of the infant. With the exception mentioned, both the father and mother are perfectly well formed, and, indeed, for the Burman race, are rather handsome. The whole family were sent by the king to the residence of the Mission, where drawings and descriptions of them were taken. These singular beings will no doubt increase, if allowed to marry, and establish a race of monsters like themselves; for we find that peculiarities of animal structure are frequently carried down through successive generations. And we have no doubt, but, by a union of two beings thus provided with natural clothing, that their whole progeny would be like themselves. Monkeys and their congeners are a vast tribe, consisting of many species, out of which modern naturalists have formed a number of distinct genera. There is scarcely a country in tropical climates that does not swarm with them, and hardly a forest that has not vast troops of distinct species. All the species smaller than the baboon have less power of doing mischief, and their ferocity diminishes with their size. In their native woods they are the pests of other animals, and the masters of the forests where they reside; the tiger nor the lion will not venture to dispute dominion with creatures, who, from the tops of trees, with impunity carry on an offensive war, and by their agility escape all pursuit. Even birds have not less to fear from their depredations, as they seem to have a delight in pillaging and tearing to pieces their nests. Many species of birds, with an intelligent foresight, construct their nests either at the very pinnacle of a tree, or suspended at the tip of one of the most tender branches, so as to prevent the prying intrusion of monkeys. The only animals of the forest which venture to oppose them, are serpents. Large snakes often wind up the trees, and surprise them while they are asleep, when they fall victims to their superior strength, and are speedily devoured. Monkeys generally inhabit the higher parts of trees, while snakes cling to the branches near the bottom; in this manner they are near each other, like enemies in the same field of battle. Some supposed that their vicinity rather argued mutual friendship, which is by no means the case. Labat says he has seen them playing their gambols upon those branches on which snakes were reposing, and dexterously jumping over them without receiving any injury. They provoke snakes in the same manner as sparrows twitter at a cat. The dexterity in passing from one tree to another, noticed in our last paper on this subject, is common to the whole tribe. The next animals which demand our attention are those of the third order of Cuvier's arrangement, viz. the CHEIROPTERA, which includes all the numerous In April 1828, a dog-faced baboon (the Semia ha- tribe of Bats. Their general form is disposed for flight, madryas of Linnæus) died in the Tower Menagerie of their cutting-teeth are variable in number, their ca. London, after having attracted a great deal of atten-nine teeth more or less strong, and their grinders tion during his residence in that establishment, not sometimes covered with points, and sometimes furonly on account of his extraordinary resemblance to rowed lengthways; they have a fold of skin between humanity in form and appearance, but also in his man- their arms and legs and the fingers of the fore-feet; ners and habits. The right arm, in particular, exhi- they have two teats on the breast, and very strong bited a singular similitude to the corresponding part collar-bones; their fore-arms are not capable of rotaof the human figure; so much so, indeed, that had it tion. not been for its hairy covering, and the somewhat un- The first family of this tribe is termed Galeopithecus usual length of the fingers, the eye at least might by Cuvier, or the Flying Lemur of Linnæus' system. have almost mistaken it for a portion of some brawny The habits of these animals are yet but imperfectly blacksmith, or hero of the ring. This baboon, we un- known. They hang suspended by their hind-legs to derstand, used at all events to brandish his pot of por- the branches of trees, and feed on insects, and, in all ter by its assistance, in a style that would have done probability, on small birds, for which nature has fitted honour to a lord of the creation, and would swill it them, from the carnivorous character of their teeth. off, apparently with quite a human relish. His at- These animals move on the ground with great diffitentions to a dog that used to be a frequent visitor at culty, but climb trees with much facility, and spring his cage, were in the very finest style of dignified pa- from the branches of one to those of another with surtronising. Nor did this little favourite of his seem to prising dexterity, supported in the air by the extenrecognise any difference between the pat of his bro- sion of a large membrane, by which their body is ther quadruped's paw and that of the whiter-skinned invested, even to the points of the toes. One of the and shorter-fingered animal. This jolly toper, how-species is nearly as large as a domestic cat; and it ever, sunk under the effects of a confirmed dropsy, may well be wondered that so large an animal should caused, no doubt, by his plentiful potations, with be enabled to float a distance of thirty-five to forty which, we understand, he was too liberally indulged. feet through the atmosphere, and be able to alight on In common with man, quadrupeds can easily ac- a branch, and have the power to sustain itself after quire a taste for liquors. It is well known that the so violent an action. But they have collar-bones of elephant forms an ardent liking for wine, ale, gin- very great strength, which give them much strength ger beer, and even brandy. The horse, also, has been in the fore-arms. They feed by night, and suspend frequently known to relish these luxuries. Indeed, themselves by their hind-feet to branches of trees, like there is hardly a horse that will not drink ale freely. bats, during the day. Dogs have frequently been taught to take ardent The second family of this order are the Vespertispirits. We have one in our possession, who drinks liones, or Bats. Modern naturalists have divided punch out of a wine-glass. We remember many years these into many genera. The most remarkable of ago to have seen at Gilmerton, near Edinburgh, a these are the various species which go under the comjackdaw who had contracted a liking for whisky. He mon appellation of Vampyres. One of the most frightbelonged to Mr William Wright, a publican, where ful of these is the Spectre Vampyre, Phyllestoma speche had frequent opportunities of tasting John Barley-trum. It is the largest of the bat tribe, and inhabits corn; and we saw him on one occasion indulge in it South America and some islands of the Pacific Ocean. to intoxication. It was amusing to see him with his The length of its body is six inches, and with extended wings drooping, their tips dragging along the ground, wings exceeding two feet. while he staggered from side to side, and all but losing his equilibrium, with his eyes half closed by the nicitating membrane. At length, however, poor Jack fell like a Dutchman bottom-over-top, and lay motionless, having sunk into that death-like sleep which a superabundance of fermented or spirituous liquors always produce on the animal system. His feet were extended, and Mr Wright thought his favourite, if not dead, was certain to give up the ghost without awaking. He was rolled in flannel, and placed in a closet. Next morning, when the door was opened, Jack was ready to sound a retreat, and ran to the back door, so that he might allay his thirst in a stone basin, from which the domestic fowls drank. Having given a rapid sketch of the monkeys in general, we shall now turn to the second family of four-handed animals, which Cuvier has ranked under the general name of LEMURS. The characters of these animals consist in their general form approaching to that of quadrupeds, properly so called; their cuttingteeth being in both jaws, as regards number, form, and situation, like monkeys, while their nostrils are placed at the extremity of the muzzle; their posterior limbs are longer than those before, and the first finger of the hind feet, next the thumb, is terminated by a sharp turned-up nail; they have either two or four teats, which are placed in the breast; and when they have a tail, it is not hanging. This family, according to Cuvier, consists of seven commonly keen and sharp, which it exercises fre- Several An absurd opinion has long prevailed that the It would be difficult to account for this remarkable The whole of this family are inhabitants of tropical climates. We are informed by De Condamine, that these bats suck the blood of horses, mules, and men. He says, that, in his time at Boria, and several other places, they had destroyed the breed of great cattle, which were introduced there by the missionaries. Foster says, that, in the Friendly Islands, they swarm like bees, and that clusters of from four to five hundred of them may be seen suspended from trees, by their hindfeet principally, although a few hang by their fore fect. Captain Stedman states, that, while in Surinam, he awoke about four o'clock one morning, and was considerably alarmed by finding himself weltering in congealed blood, and was unable to account for this, as he felt no pain whatever. "The mystery," says he, "was, that I had been bitten by the vampyre, or spectre of Guiana, which is also called the flying-dog of New Spain; and, by the Spaniards, perrovolador This is no other than a bat of monstrous size, that sucks the blood from men and cattle, while they are fast asleep, even, sometimes, till they die; and as the manner in which they proceed is truly wonderful, T shall endeavour to give a distinct account of it. Knowing, by instinct, that the person they intend to attack is in a sound slumber, they generally alight near the feet, where, while the creature continues fawning with his enormous wings, which keeps one cool, he bites a piece out of the tip of the great toe, so very small, indeed, that the head of a pin could scarcely be received into the wound, which is, consequently, not painful, yet, through this orifice, he continues to suck the blood, until he is obliged to disgorge. He then begins again, and thus continues sucking and disgorging until he is scarcely able to fly, and the sufferer has often been known to pass from time to eternity. Cattle they generally bite in the ear, but always in places where the blood flows spontaneously. Having applied tobacco ashes, as the best remedy, and washed the gore from myself and hammock, I observed several heaps of congealed blood all round the place where I had lain, upon the ground; on examining which, the surgeon judged that I had lost at least fourteen ounces of blood.” The following amusing account of these animals is recorded by a recent traveller in South America:"Some years ago," says Mr Waterton, "I went to the river Paumaron, with a Scotch gentleman, by name Tarbet. We hung in hammocks in the thatched loft of a planter's house. Next morning I heard this gentleman muttering in his hammock, and now and then letting fall an imprecation or two, just about the time he ought to have been saying his morning prayers. What is the matter, Sir ?' said I, softly; “ is any thing amiss? What's the matter!' answered he, surlily; why, the vampyres have been sucking me to death.' As soon as there was light enough, I went to his hammock-See, how these infernal imps have been drawing my life's blood." On examining his foot, I found the vampyre had tapped his great tee. There was a wound somewhat less than that made by a leech. The blood was still oozing from it. I conjectured he might have lost from ten to twelve ounces of blood. Whilst examining it, I think I put him into a worse humour, by remarking, that a European surgeon would not have been so generous as to have blooded him without making a charge. He looked up in my face, but did |