LONDON JOURNAL. TO ASSIST THE ENQUIRING, ANIMATE THE STRUGGLING, AND SYMPATHIZE WITH ALL. WEDNESDAY, Oct. 8, 1834. No. 28. PRICE THREE HALFPENCE. vonshire Pixies or Pucksies, are the reigning elves, nutriment from every ground, and silently making FAIRIES and are among the gayest and most good-humoured to the weakest things contribute to its strength, burst Continued. be met with. Mr Coleridge, in his juvenile poems, forth at last into flowers and fruit together, in the It may be agreeable to follow up the growth of this has put some verses into their mouths, not among noon-day of Shakspeare. A shower of fairy blossoms good-humoured light in something like chronolo- his best, but such as he may have been reasonably was the ornament of its might. Spenser's fairies are gical order. The old romances began it. Oberon, loth to part with. The sea air which he breathed at those of Romance, varied with the usual readings of the beautiful and beneficent, afterwards king of the a distance, and “the Pixies' Parlour” (a grotto of the his own fancy; but Shakspeare, the popular poet fairies, made his appearance very early. He is the roots of trees, in which he found his name carved by of the world, took the little elfin globe in his hand, Elberich, or Rich Elf, of the Germans, and became the hands of his childhood, were proper nurseries for as he had done the great one, and made it a thing of Oberon, with a French termination, in the romance the author of the Ancient Mariner. joy and prettiness for ever. Since then the fairies of “ Huon de Bourdeaux." The general reader is well Chaucer's notion of Fairies was a confused mix. have become part of a poet's belief, and happy ideas acquainted with him through the abridgment of the ture of elves, and romance-ladies, and Ovid, and the of them have almost superseded what remains of a work by the Count de Tressan, and the Oberon of Catholic diablerie. We had taken his fairies for the darker creed in the minds of the people. The proWieland, translated by Mr Sotheby. He is a tiny regular little dancers on the green (induced by a line found playfulness of Shakspeare's wisdom, which creature, in the likeness of a beautiful child, with a of his to that effect in the following passage); but humanized everything it touched, and made it know face of exceeding loveliness; and wears a crown of the author of the Fairy Mythology has led us to its own value, found out the soul of an activity, conjewels. His cap of invisibility, common to all the form a different opinion. The truth is, that a book vertible into good, in the restlessness of mischief; and Fairies (which is the reason why they must not lose in Chaucer's time was a book, and everything to be Puck, or the elf malicious, became jester in the Court it) became famous as the Tarn-Kappe, or Daring found in those rare authorities became a sort of equal of Oberon the Good Fairy,—his servant and his help. Cap, otherwise called the Nebel or Mist-Cap, and religion in the eyes of the student. Chaucer, in one The “ Elves” in the Tempest are rather the elementhe Tarn-hut, or Hat of Daring. * In the poem of of his verses, has brought together three such names tal spirits of the Rosicrucians, confounded both with the German Voltaire, he possesses the horn, which as never met, perhaps, before or since,“ Samson, classical and popular mythology. It is in the Midsets everybody dancing. He and his brother dwarfs, Turnus, and Socrates.” He calls Ovid's Epistles summer Night's Dream,' that the true fairies are of the northern mythology, are the undoubted ances- “the Saint's Legends of Cupid.” Seneca and St found, as they ought to be ; and there amidst bowers tors of the 'fallen but illustrious family of the Tom Paul are the same grave authorities in his eyes ; in and moonlight, will we indulge ourselves awhile Thumbs, who became sons of tailors and victims of short, whatever was written was a scripture ; some- with their company. We make no apology to the cows. Of the same stock are the Tom Hickathrifts and thing clerkly, and what a monk ought to have writ- reader for our large quotations. They have been Jack the Giant-Killer, if indeed they be not the gods ten if he could. His Lady Abbess wears a broach repeated many times and lately on the present subthemselves, merged into the Christian children of exhibiting a motto out of Virgil . Elves, therefore, ject; yet we should rather have to apologise for the their former worshippers. Their horrible coats, and Provençal Enchantresses, and the nymphs of the omission, considering how excellent they are. To caps of knowledge, swords of sharpness, and shoes of Metamorphoses, and the very devils of the Pope and add what novelty we could, or rather to make our swiftness, are, as the Quarterly Reviever observes, St Anthony, were all fellows well met, all supernatu- quotations as peculiar to our work as possible, we • all out of the great heathen treasury.” Thumb ral beings, living in the same remote regions of fancy, had made up our minds to bring together all the paslooks like an Avatarkin, or little incarnation of and exciting the gratitude of the poet. He is angry sages in question out of Shakspeare's drama, as far Thor. Thor was the stoutest of the gods, but then with the friars for making more solemn distinctions, as they could be separated from other matter, and the gods were little fellows in stature, compared with and displacing the little elves in their walks ; and he present them to our readers under the title of a the giavts. In a chapter of the Edda, from which runs a capital jest upon them, which has become Fairy Play : but we began to fear that the profane the Reviewer has given an amusing extract, the giant famous. might have some colour of reason for complaining of Skrymner rallies Thor upon his pretensions and size, “ In olde dayes of the kinge Artour, us, and accusing us of an intention to swell our pages. and calls him “the little man. ."+ As the god neverthe- Of which that Britons speke gret honour, We have, therefore, confined ourselves to selections less was more than a match for these lubbers of the skies, All was this land full filled of faerie ; which are put under distinct heads, so as to form a his worshippers might have respected the name in The Elf-quene, with her joly compagnie, Danced ful oft in many a grene mede. kind of gallery of Fairy pictures. We shall take honour of him; a panegyrical raillery not unknown to This was the old opinion as I rede, the liberty of commenting as we go, even if our reother mythologies, nor unpractised towards the “gods I speke of many hundred yeres ago; marks are called forth on points not immediately of the earth." The West of England, it may be ob- But now can no man see non elves mo, belonging to the subject. For now the grete charitee and prayeres It is not easy to read served, is a great Fairy country, though even the Of limitoures and other holy freres, a great poet, and not indulge in exclamations of miners and their natural darkness have not been able That serchen every land and every streme, fondness. Besides there is something fairy-like in to obscure the sunnier notions of Fairy-land, now As thikke as motes in the sonne-beme, having one's way. prevailing in that quarter as much as any. The De- Blissing halles, chambres, kichenes, and boures, Citees and burghes, castles highe and toures, • " Tarn, from taren, to dare (says Dobenell), because they Thropes and bernes, shepeness and dairies, Fairy. Over hill, over dale, gave courage aloog with invisibility. Kappe is properly a This maketh that ther ben no faeries ; Thorough bush, thorough briar cloak, though the tarn-kappe or nebel-kappe is generally For ther as wont to walken was an elf, represented as a cap or hat.”- Fairy Mythology, vol. ii. Over park, over pale, p. 4. Perhaps the word cape, which may include soine- Ther walketh now the limitour himself, Thorough flood, thorough fire, thing both of cap and cloak, might settle their apparent In undermeles and in morwenings, I do wander every where, Swifter than the moones sphere; And I serve the fairy queen, To dew her orbs upon the green : sery Literature, he has deprived us of our old friend the In every bush and under every tree, The cowslips tall her pensioners be; giant Cormoran, who turns out to be a mistake of the Ther is non other incubus but he." In their gold coats spots you see ; printer's devil for Coridoran, “the Corinæus, probably, of Those be rubies, fairy favours : Jeffery of Monmouth and the Brut.” However, a printer's In another poem, we meet with Pluto and Proserdevil has a right to speak to this point; and we cannot In those freckles live their favours ; help thinking that Corporan onght to be the word both on pine as the King and Queen of Faerie; where they I must go seek some dew-drops here, account of the devouring magnitude of the sound, and its suitability to the brazen tromp of a Cornish mouthsing and dance about a well, enjoying themselves in And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear. Here's the valiant Cornish man, a garden, and quoting Solomon. The “ladies” that Flowers, in the proper fairy spirit, which plays beWho slew the giant Cormoran. wait upon them are the damsels that accompanied twixt sport and wisdom with the profoundest mysAbraham Cann or Polkinghom ought to speak it; or the descendants of the Danish bero Kolson, who have ora Proserpine in the vale of Enna, when she was taken teries of nature, are here made alive, and turned into rotunda in that quarter. away by his Majesty in his “griesly cart.” This is fantastic servants. Little Will, the scourge of France, No godhead but the first of men;" a very different cart from a chariot made of the In Fairy-land whatever may be, is. We may says Prior, speaking of William the 3d., and rebuking, at gristle of grasshoppers. gather from this and another passage in Cymbeline, the same time, Boileau's deifications of Louis. So Frede- The national intellect, which had been maturing that Shakespeare was fond of cowslips, and had obrick or Napoleon, or both, were called by their soldiers " the Little Corporal.” like an oak, from the time of Wickliffe, drawing up served their graces with delight. It is a delicate [From the Steam-Press of C. & W. REYXELL, Little Pulteney-street.) EMPLOYMENT OF A DAMSEL OF THE FAIRY COURT. ។ or no. THE FAIRIES BLESS A HOUSE AT NIGHT-TIME. SONG. SONG AND DANCE. Tita. I have a venturous fairy that shall seek Bol. Methinks, mistress, you should have little fancy to suppose that those ruby spots contain the The squirrel's hoard, and fetch thee new nuts. reason for that :, and yet, to say the truth, reason and essence of the flower's odour, and were presents from “Bot. I had rather have a handful or two of dried love keep little company together now-a-days: the peas. But, I pray you, let none of your people stir their ruling sprite. And the hanging a pearl in more the pity, that some honest neighbours will not me; I have an exposition of sleep come upon me. every cowslip's ear (besides the beauty of the line) make them friends. Nay, I can gleek upon the Tita. Steep thou, and I will wind thee in my arms. seems to pull the head of the tall pensioner sideways, 'occasion. Tita. Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful. Fairies, begone, and be all ways away. and make him quaintly conscious of his new favour. Bot. No so, neither : but if had wit enough to get So doth the wood-bine the sweet honey suckle Gently entwist,--the female ivy so Enrings the barky fingers of the elm. Where ox-lips and the nodding violet grows; Thou shalt remain here whether thou wilt 0, how I love thee! how I dote on thee! Quite over-canopied with lush woodbine, With sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine; There sleeps Titania, some time of the night, I am a spirit of no common rate; Enter Puck. Lull'd in these flowers with dances and delight. The summer still doth tend upon my state, Puck. Now the hungry lion roars, And the wolf behowls the moon; I'll give thee fairies to attend on thee ; Whilst the heavy ploughman snores, next the goggle-eyed owl, who is nightly astonished And they shall fetch thee jewels from the decp, All with weary task fordone. at the Fairies, as if amazement were his business; And sing, while thou on pressed flowers doth Now the wasted brands do glow, sleep : and also the child-like warning to the snails and Whilst the scritch-owl, scritching loud, And I will purge thy mortal grossness so, daddy long-legs, to keep aloof. That thou shalt like an airy spirit go. Puts the wretch, that lies in woe, In remembrance of a shroud. Now it is the time of night, seed! Tita. Come, now a roundel, and a fairy song; 1st Fairy. Ready, That the graves, all gaping wide, 2nd Fairy. Every one lets forth his sprite, 3rd Fuiry. In the church-yard paths to glide: Some war with rear-mice for their leather 4th Fairy. And we fairies that do run By the triple Hecat's team, From the presence of the sun, Following darkness like a dream, Now are frolick; not a mouse Shall disturb this hallow'd house ; I am sent, with broom, before, To sweep the dust behind the door. Enter Oberon and Titania with their Train. And pluck the wings from painted butterflies, Oberon. Through this house give glimmering light, Ist Fairy. You spotted snakes, with double tongue, To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes : By the dead and drowsy fire : Every elf, and fairy sprite, Hop as light as bird from brier; 2nd Fairy. And this ditty, after me, 3rd Fairy. Sing and dance it trippingly. 4th Fairy. Hail! Tita. First, rehearse this song by rote, To each word a warbling note, Hand in hand, with fairy grace, Will we sing, and bless this place. Bot. I shall desire of you more acquaintance, good 24 Fuiry. Weaving spiders come not here; Master Cobweb : If I cut my finger, I shall make Oberon. Now, until the break of day, Through this house each fairy stray. To the best bride-hed will we, Bot. I pray you remember me to Mistress Squash, Which by us shall blessed be ; And the issue, there create, Ever shall be fortunate. So shall all the couples three Ever true in loving be: And the blots of nature's hand Never mole, hare-lip, nor scar, Titania, by practice of Oberon, falls in love with beef hath devoured many a gentleman of your house: Nor mark prodigious, such as are a weaver, on whom Puck has clapped an ass's head. I promise you, your kindred hath made my eyes Despised in nativity, Enter Puck with him and some others. Imagine water ere now. I desire of you more acquaintance, Shall upon their children be. the weaver to be Liston. good Master Mustard-seed. With this field-dew consecrate, Tita. Come wait upon him ; lead him to my bower. Every fairy take his gait ! Quince. 0 monstrous ! O strange! The moon, methinks, looks with a wat’ry eye; And each several chamber bless, haunted. Pray, masters! fly masters! help! (Ex- And when she weeps, weeps every little flower, Through this palace with sweet peace : eunt Clowns.) Lamenting some enforced chastity. E'er shall it in safety rest, Puck. I'll follow you, I'll lead you about, around, Tie up love's tongue, and bring him silently. And the owner of it be blest. Trip away; Meet me all by break of day. Again, in act the fourth : It is with difficulty that in these, and indeed in all Like horse, hound, hog, bear, fire, at every turn. Tita. Come, sit thee down upon this flow'ry bed, our quotations, we refrain from marking particular Bot. Why do they run away? this is a knavery of While I thy amiable cheeks do coy, them to make me afeard. And stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head, passages. One longs to vent one's feelings, like Re-enter Snout. And kiss thy fair large ears, my gentle joy. positive grappling with the lines; and besides, we have Bot. Where's Peas-blossom? Snout. O Bottom, thou art changed! What do I the temptation of the reader's company to express our Peas. Ready. see on thee? admiration. But we fear to do injustice to what we Re-enter Quince. Bot. Scratch my head, Peas-blossom. Where's should leave unmarked; and indeed to be thought Quin. Bless thee, Bottom! Bless thee! thou Cob. Ready. impatient with the others. Luckily where all is art translated. Bot. Monsieur Cobweb; good Monsieur, get beautiful, the choice would often be difficult, if we Bot. I see their knavery: this is to make an ass your weapons in your hand, and kill me a red hipp'd of me, to fright me if they could. But I will not stopped to make any; and if we did not, we should humble-bec on the top of a thistle; and good stir from this place, do what they can : I will walk up and down here, and I will sing, that they shall yourself too much in the action, Monsieur: and good Monsieur, bring me the honey-bag.. Do not fret be printing nothing but Italics. Queen Mab, as the author of the Fairy Mythology' hear I am not afraid. Monsieur, have a care the honey-bag break not; I remarks, has certainly dethroned Titania; but we The ousel-cock, so black of hue, would be loth to have you overflow with a honey- cannot help thinking that both he, and the poets who With orange-tawny bill ; bag, Signor. Where's Monsieur Mustard seed ? The throstle with his note so true, Must. Ready. have helped to dethrone her, are in the wrong; and The wren with little quill. Bot. Give me your neif, Monsieur Mustard-seed. that Voss is right, when he rejects the royalty of both Pray you, leave your courtesy, good Monsieur, monosyllables. Queen or Quean is old English for Tita. What angel wakes me from my flowery Must. What's your will? bed ? Bot. Nothing, good woman, and is still applied to females in an ill sense. Monsieur, but to help Now Mab is the fairies' midwife, plebeian by office, Monsieur; for methinks I am marvellous hairy indiscriminate in her visits, and descending so low as Whose note full many a man doth mark, about the face : and I am such a tender ass, if my to make elf-locks, and plait the manes of horses. We And dares not answer, nay ; hair do but tickle me I must scratch. have little doubt that she is styled queen in an equivocal for, indeed, who would set his wit to so foolish a Tita. What, wilt thou hear some music, my sweet bird ?—who would give a bird the lie, though he cry love? sense, between a minicry of state and something cuckoo never so ? Bot. I have a reasonable good ear in music: let abusive; and that the word Mab comes from the us have the tongs and the bones. same housewife origin as Mop, Moppet, and Mob-cap. Tita. pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again : Tita. Or say, sweet love, what thou desir’st to eat. Mine ear is much enamoured of thy note, The a was most likely pronounced broad; as in Mall Bot. Truly a peck of provender; I could munch So is mine eye enthralled to thy shape; your good dry oats. And thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me, Methinks I have a great desire for Moll, Malkin for Maukin ; and Queen Mab is perto a bottle of hay; good hay, sweet hay, hath no haps the Quean in the Mob-cap-the midwife riding On the first view, to say, to swear, I love thee.. fellow. in her chariot, but still vulgar; and acting some sueh TRICKS or THE FAIRY KING ON HIS QUEEN. we are Make no stay; part with regard to fairies and to people's fancies, as Furto cuncta magis bella, GALLANT AND AFFECTING CONCLUSION OF one of Sir Walter 'Scott's fanciful personages (we Furto dulcior puella, MR GALT'S LITERARY AUTOBIO Furto omnia decora, GRAPHY. (Just Published.) Cum mortales lecto jacent, I have thus endeavoured to give an account of my Nobis poma noctu placent ; not a fine fancy, but that, in this instance, as in some separate publications to the best of my recollection, Illa tamen sunt ingrata, and also something of the feeling which I entertain others, he overlaid it with his book-reading, probably Nisi furto sint parata. myself towards them: I do not say cherish, because in despair of equalling Shakspeare. The passages I doubt if I could do so justly, and because some of quoted from him by the author of the Fairy We the Fairies blithe and antic, them have been preferred by the public more than Mythology,' rather out of respect than his usual Of dimensions not gigantic, others, which I seriously think have been consigned to Though the moonshine mostly keep us, unmerited neglect, good taste, are nothing better than so many common Oft in orchards frisk and peep us. Before considering the materials of this particular places, in which the popular notions are set forth. lucubration, I had no right notion of having attempted There is, however, one striking exception, out of the Stolen sweets are always sweeter; so much : I had kept no account of my essays, nor Stolen kisses much completer; do I know even where many of my novels may be • Sad Shepherd': Stolen looks are nice in chapels; found; yet those who see with what rapt ardour I There, in the stocks of trees, white fays do dwell, Stolen, stolen be your apples. enter into a subject, can have no idea that, after the And span-long elves, that dance about a pool task is finished, I could ever become so indifferent to With each a little changeling in their arms. When to bed the world are bobbing, the result. It is not, however, altogether owing to this indif- The Yet the fruit were scarce worth pealing, ference that I have been led apparently to undervalue changeling supernaturally diminished adds to the Were it not for stealing, stealing. the mere literary character. Many years ago, ghastliness, as if born and completed before its time. Jocastus's man Bromio prepares to thump these “ A change came o'er the spirit of my dream " For our next quotation, which is very pleasant, of life, and I was moved to desire, rather than to pretended elves, but the master is overwhelmed by we are indebted, amongst our numerous obligations, make books from topics designed by others, to furnish the condescension of the princely Oberon in coming to the same fairy historian. There is probably a a topic for myself. I cannot state when this hapto his orchard, when pened, but the place and occasion are still vividly in good deal of treasure of the same sort in the rich remembrance, His Grace had orchards of his own more precious I was reading in the Lazaretto of mass of Old English poetry; but the truth is, we dare Messina the life of Alfieri, and was prodigiously Than mortals can have any. not trust ourselves with the search. We have al affected by the incidental observation, where he reready a tendency to exceed the limits assigned us; The elves therefore, by permission, pinched the marks that the test of greatness is the magnitude of officious servant, singing a man's undertaking to benefit the world. The truth and on subjects like these we should be tolled on descended on me like inspiration. I rose agitated from one search to another, as if Puck had taken the Quoniam per te violamur, from my seat, and could think of nothing all the reshape of a bee. The passage we speak of is in Ran Ungues hic experiamur ; mainder of the day, but of corroborative circumstances. Statim dices tibi datam Since that time I have ever held literature to be a dolph's pastoral of “Amyntas, or the Impossible Cutem valde variatam. secondary pursuit--the means of recording what has Dowry.' A young rogue of the name of Dorylas been done; and thus, although a voluminous author, “ makes a fool of a “fantastique sheapherd,' Jocastus, Since by thee comes profanation, I cannot persuade myself how in that way I should Taste thee, lo! scarification. by pretending to be Oberon, King of Fairy.” In this have ever merited the distinction to which I aspired, Noisy booby! in a twinkling, or attained the glittering goal towards which my character, having provided a proper retinue (whom Thou hast got a pretting crinkling. hopes struggled. we are to suppose to be boys) he proposes a fairy Finally, when the coast is clear, Oberon cries, The sentiment of Alfieri did not, however, cause husband for Jocastus's daughter, and obliges him by me to enter a new line of life ; but it elevated my So we are clean got off: come, noble peers plundering his orchard. We take the former of these motives, and lent energy to the impulses by which I Of Fairy, come, attend our royal Grace. was actuated, for I had previously determined, as I incidents for granted, from the context, for we have Let's go and share our fruit with our Queen Mab have varrated, to be distinguished; it only made me not seen the original. Dorylas appears sometimes to And the other dairy-maids : where of this theme observe, that distinction without benevolence was unact in his own character, and sometimes in that of We will discourse amidst our capes and cream. worthy of a rational being's pursuit. The creation of Oberon. In the former, the following dialogue Cum tot poma habeamus, books did not appear to me to fall within the scope of Triumphos læti jam canamus: his sublime idea of greatness;* and therefore I conceive takes place between him and his wittol; descriptive of Faunos ego credam ortos, that, although few authors have published, in so short A FAIRY'S JOINTURE. Tantum ut frequentent hortos. a time, more various productions, I have not earned, estimated by his test, which I think the true one, any Thestylis. But what estate shall he assure upon me? I, domum, Oberon, ad illas, claim to a better reward than is due to indefatigable Jocastus. A royal jointure, all in Fairy land. Que nos manent nunc ancillas, exertion. However, I am not the first in whom the Quarum osculemur sinum, desire of fame has been greater than the talent to Inter poma, lac, et vinum. acquire it. From my earliest recollection, both by Dorylas. Paled round about with pickteeth. Now for such a stock of apples, meditation and action, I have been devoted to what I Joc. Besides a house made all of mother of pearl. Laud me with the voice of chapels. thought the accomplishment of useful purposes, and An ivory tennis-court. Fays, methinks, were gotten solely my chief recompense is the satisfaction, undoubtedly, Dor. A nutmeg parlour. To keep orchard-robbing holy. of my own bosom. Yet my efforts, I think, have Joc. A sapphire dairy-room. not been altogether ineffectual, and the consciousness Hence then, hence, and let's delight us if this emboldens me to say, that I must be much With the maids whose creams invite us, misunderstood by those who imagine that the pressure Kissing them, like proper fairies, of disease, and the embraces of poverty, could darken All amidst their fruits and dairies. the cheerfulness of mind in reflecting that I have not Joc. The jacks are gold. We must beg the reader's indulgence for one more been ordained in vain. A puling sickly expression, Dor. The spits are Spanish needles. no doubt, often escapes me, but I am in the habitual paper on this subject. Joc. Then there be walks practice of uttering what I think, and it may indul Dor. Of amber. gently be called to mind, that in addition to being Joc. Curious orchards deprived of locomotion and rendered helpless, I often Dor. That bear as well in winter as in summ Caution to Dogmatic Deniers. Progress of Know suffer anguish and merciless pain to a degree that Joc. 'Bove all, the fish-ponds, every pond is full - ledge.--- Previous to the establishment of the rotun- ought to be allowed in extenuation of this human Dor. Of nectar. Will this please you ? Every grove dity of the earth, and during the centuries of discus offence. I do not, however, always repine, and I can Stored with delightful birds. sion which took place upon this point, the existence look on the moral green around me, though I see Dorylas proceeds to help himself to the farmer's of the antipodes was the theme of constant ridicule arid spots here and there, with compariltive comin the mouths of the opposers of the globular figure. placency and pleasure, as I repeat a sentiment of apples, his brother rogues assisting him. This The sentiments of Lactantius, De Falsâ Sapientiâ, my aspiring years. license, it must be owned, is royal. But what is cap. 23, may be taken as a fair specimen of the com- “ Benevolence is like the generous sun still pleasanter, we are here presented for the first mon objections. He asks, is there any one foolish Whose free impartial splendour fosters all; time with some fairy Latin, and very good it is enough to think that there are men whose feet are It is the radiance of the human soul, quaint and pithy. The Neapolitan Robin Good higher than their heads ? with whom those things The proof and sign of its celestial birth. that we place upon the earth, hang downwards from All other creatures of corporeal ore fellow, who goes about in the shape of a little monk, the earth? who have trees and vegetables turned Partake the common qualities of man ; might have written it. upside down ? and rain and snow falling the wrong Love, hatred, anger, all particular aims; way? Will any one henceforward place the hanging But in that infinite and pure effusion,FAIRIES ROBBING AN ORCHARD, AND SINGING LATIX. Dor. How like you now my grace? Is not my gardens among the seven wonders of the world, when That only passion of divinity,- the philosophers make hanging seas, and fields, and He owns no rival but the Heavenly God." countenance Royal and full of majesty ? Walk not I mountains! The confusion that here takes place Antonie. between the words upwards and downwards will be Like the young prince of pigmies? Ha! my knaves, Surely there have been books, than which nothing now universally apparent, but was not so in the time We'll fill our pockets. Look, look yonder, elves; greater or more serviceable to man was ever by man creof Lactantius, who lived A.D. 311; who, had he ated. What does our author say to bis friend Shakspeare ? Would not yon apples tempt a better conscience simply confined himself to the assertion, that the to the great poets in general ? to Newton, Bacon, and a Than any we have, to rob an orchard? Ha! hundred others?-ED. existence of antipodes could not be demonstrated, true, but probably false, would have been justified by the general state of knowledge then existing. But Judgment of Books. ---I have no other rule by which Ascends his throne of state. not so when he asserts that he can prove the thing to to judge of what I read, than that of consulting the Elces. Nos beata Fauni proles, be impossible, and professes that he sees no alterna. dispositions in which I rise up from my book; nor tive, but supposing its professors to be joking, or san I well conceive what sort of merit any piece has Quibus non est magna moles, intentionally lying. The French Encyclopædia is to boast, the reading of which leaves no benevolent Quamvis lunam incolamus, Hortos sæpe frequentamus. incorrect in stating that he appeals to the sacred impression behind it, nor stimulates the reader to any writers as deciding the point. -- Penny Cyclopædia. thing that is virtuous or good. Rousseau. nmer. XXXVIII. -THE LIFE OF A YOUNG JACOBITE SAVED BY MRS GARRICK. June 24, 1834, reader of yours. when about going for the first time to London, with cumstances would his fiery nature have made living ROMANCE OF REAL LIFE. a strict charge to procure an inverview with the late with him a very secure or comfortable business. He Ir is proper to state, that we have no other autho Mrs Garrick, to whose intercession with Lord was of the “ loaded musket” order. Nobody could rity for the following story than that of the fair unBurlington, whose natural daughter she was sup have been sure whether he would not go off. His known, who has sent it us; but we take for master was a noble soul. granted, from the style of her letter, that she is, in posed to be, the pardon of Wilding was ascribed ; and to assure her that the surviving members and Firmien da Costa was a Portuguese negro, the proevery sense of the word, “ fair ;” and this is one of the connexions of that family, retained the warmest perty of a respectable and humane merchant at reasons why we have not thought fit to alter it. We Lisbon. gratitude towards her. Various circumstances comneed not add how delighted we are with her approbined to prevent Mr N. from performing this duty tacle, and, stimulated by curiosity, had, with other This extraordinary slave, attending a public specbation, nor that we cordially agree with the remarks at that time; nor was it till a short time before her spectators, trespassed beyond the prescribed bounda. which accompany her quotation from Burns. death that his interview with Mrs Garrick took ries, and after being repeatedly desired to keep back, Mrs Garrick was brought into the English world place. He said the old Lady appeared scarcely to was slightly goaded by a soldier with his bayonet. under the patronage of Lord Barlington, as a Made- heed or understand his words, whilst apologizing for Exasperated by this provocation, Firmien declared, with bitter oaths and execrations, that the want of a moiselle Violette, a dancer. She had great reputa- his visit, and explaining its cause, until he mentioned weapon alone prevented him from laying his assail: tion in her art, and was very handsome. Horace the name of Wilding, when her countenance became ant dead on the spot ; with these, and other expres. Walpole somewhere manifests the delicate distress sions of ungovernable passion, he departed breathing lit up with sudden animation, and she said he suffered under (poor man,) in being asked by vengeance. Wilding ! O yes ! I remember him as it were but Making himself acquainted with the regiment, a brother patrician, in a large party, who she was. yesterday ; yet it is long, long since. I was scarce company, and name of the man who had offended He was obliged to confess that she was “a dancer ;' more than a child myself;" and she commenced the him, he, a few evenings after, decoyed him, by a prethat is to say, that they had a beautiful young lady narrative with a precision and vivacity, strongly con tended message, to a retired spot near his master's house, and stabbed him to the heart. in their company, who had talents enough to earn trasted with her former apathy. Not satisfied with mere murder, he inflicted deep herself a livelihood by charming the world. It was, she said, not long after her arrival in wounds on various parts of the soldier's body, whisEngland, Lord Burlington had, as was his frequent pered to the dying man who he was, mentioned th3 affront he had received, as his reason for perpetrating practice, called on her in his carriage to take an the bloody deed, declared himself satisfied, quitted his airing. As soon as she was seated, he ordered the master's service, and concealed himself in a distant Dear Sir,— Be not surprised at so familiar an coachman to the Tower, saying carelessly to her, wood. address from a stranger, for, although I may be, and “I must first go there to see the state prisoners The place in which the dead body was found, the am, a stranger to you, you are not a stranger to ordered for execution to-morrow; it is a customary mark on the instrument of death, which was lying near it, and the circumstance of the master of the me, but, on the contrary, an old and well known form; if you like, you can come in with me.” She murderer being the last person who had been seen. friend, with whose modes of thought and feeling I felt shocked at the manner in which he spoke, yet speaking to the soldier, strongly marked him as an am intimately acquainted, although I have never curiosity prevailed, and she entered the Tower with object of suspicion. seen your face, nor heard your voice. I am not very It was in vain that the unhappy merchant declared him. The prisoners were summoned, and the usual old (I may yet call myself two years on the sunny his innocence, appealed to the general inoffensive inquiries made whether there was any indulgence mildness of his character, and pointed out the flight side of thirty), but for by far the greater part of my Amongst of one of his slaves as a presumptive evidence of life, I have been an admiring and sympathising they might wish for ; any last request. the number were some of note; the gallant and the fugitive's guilt ; he was committed to prison, and Judge handsome Dawson, the hero of Shenstone's touching be found, being admitted in its place, was condemned circumstance, in a case where no positive proof could then of my joy at hearing of the first appear- ballad, for whom a young heart was then breaking ; to die. ance of the London Journal, which (even in my and the youthful Wilding. “I see him now,” said The sentence of the law reached the ears of the asremote habitation, a little 6 nook of mountain sassin in his retreat, and the wretch, who, rather tha2 Mrs Garrick, kindling as she spoke, “the beautiful ground" in green Erin,) I managed to procure submit to a trifling injury, had, with circumstances boy, as he stood calm and unmoved before us; I of peculiar barbarity, imbrued his hands in the blood immediately, and which it delights me to find every shuddered as I thought of Lord Burlington's fatal of a fellow-creature, could not bear the self-accusation way worthy of the name it bears. words before they entered: Every one you are to see, of ingratitude and injustice, to a master from whom After all this preamble, it is time I should get to must die tc-morrow,' and I vowed inwardly they should he had long experienced kindness and indulgence. the real business of my letter, which is to offer you Nature, or Nature's God, triumphed in his bosom; not shed that boy's young blood. No sooner were yielding to the salutary impulse, he presented hima true story, which I think not unworthy a place the prisoners removed, than I Alung myself at Lord self before a judicial tribunal, and confessed himself amongst your Romances of Real Life." I shall Burlington's feet; I wept; I implored him to save the murderer. The judges paused with astonishgive it to you as nearly as I can in the words of the ment; they could scarcely believe that the man who the youth. Astonished at my vehemence, he tried exhibited so transcendant an instance of heroic virtue person who related it to me, now some years since, to put me off'; but I persisted ;-I became more and strength of mind, had recently proved himself when it made a very strong impression on my mind. urgent;—I declared I should never know a moment's a merciless and a blood-thirsty savage ; after a reMy informant, Mr N., was related on the mother's peace were he to die. Lord Burlington was moved luctant pause, for examination and regret, the deside to an ancient Catholic family named Wilding, by the agony of his child; for he was my father," describe the feelings of the merchant ; although sud fendant was taken into custody. It is not easy to of the North of England. In the rebellion of 1715, continued she ; " he promised, and performed his denly and unexpectedly rescued from an ignominious this family were steady in their loyalty to the house promise. The pardon was obtained, and I was death, the joy of deliverance was considerably dimiof Hanover, so much so, that when the rebel army satisfied." nished when he reflected on the guilt of his slave ; approached the town (either Preston or Carlisle) in Such is my story. Mr N. added his suspicion his domesties, attached to him by long servitude, and when he discovered the fondest and most faithful of which they resided, they fled from it with the other that Mrs Garrick's sudden zeal had been caused by valuable for tried integrity, was an atrocious murLoyalists. However, the family mansion, being one a passion for the young captive; that she had, as the derer. Yet a character of such a cast was not a of the largest in the place, was made use of by the vulgar phrase is, “fallen in love at first sight.” But desirable inmate, nor a safe attendant; the same rebels as their head quarters. When the rebels were ungovernable ferocity of passion which hurried him into assassination, on some trilling occasion of petdriven out, Mr Wilding's mansion was again seized I think (you I hope will agree with me) that there tishness, ill-temper, or accidental affront, might have by the triumphant army, and maugre his represen- is a sufficiency of what Burns calls “the melting impelled him to destroy his master, his mistress, their tations, and the absolute proofs he produced of his blood in woman's breast” to account for her exertions children, and the whole of his property. loyalty, was totally dismantled, and much valuable Many applications were made to save the culprit’s. on principles of pure humanity, called into im life ; but all intercession was in vain. With every property carried off, whilst his complaints were mediate action by the extremity of the case (and it appearance of triumphant joy, rather than repentant unheeded; and, being a Catholic, he could get no was a shocking case; a youth-a child almosto-con- sorrow, the negro was led to execution. redress, demned to death for merely following the advice and In a country like Portugal, which affords scanty Such a reward for loyalty was not likely to increase example of his father, when incapable of judging for example of grateful attachment, and inflexible uncor. materials for panegyric, I record with pleasure an it in the bosoms of the sufferers ; the injury rankled hinselt),—and perhaps rendered more acute by the rupted justice : Da Costa's master, Emanuel Cabral, in their hearts; and when the Pretender's standard callousness of the man who could bring his daughter whose name I omitted mentioning, and on the faitii was again hoisted in 1745, among the first who to witness such a scene. Should you admit the of one of whose descendants I relate the circumstance, flocked to it was the then head of the family (son to would have given half his property to save the of. above into your pages, clothing it in your own fender's life. the loyalist of 1715) with his only son, a fine boy of language, you will give me very great pleasure. fifteen. I remain, dear Sir, The disastrous results of that ill-fated under With sincere 'good wishes for your health and Defects and Merits of Others. To abstain from taking are well known. Ainong the prisoners taken prosperity, and in particular for the success of bringing into view the infirmities of others, is one of and condemned to death, was young Wilding; but the marks of negative efficient benevolence. To hold your present undertaking, up to view the accomplishments or merits of another, through the interest of the Earl of Burlington, then Your constant Reader, occupies the corresponding place in the regions of Secretary of State, the young man received a pardon, F. N. L. . positive benevolence. -- Bentham. on condition of banishing himself for life to the Berghem was of a pleasant temper, his nature North American Colonies, where he entered the XXXIX.-STORY OP FIRMEN DA COSTA." was like his landscapes cheerful and quiet ; he loved army, and was some years after killed in a skirmish This man should have married the heroine of to sing at his easel, nor was he one who believed in the influence of set times and seasons, for he rose with the Indiansbeing the last male descendant of Goethe's story, given in our last Number. They early and painted late, and always wrought happily his ancient family. would have kept one another in order. Firmien had when in good health. He was a careful finisher of These facts were communicated by an old maiden virtues, but accompanied by a frightful power of sacri his works; nature, he said, finished all hers with much grand-aunt, a sister of young Wilding, to Mr N., ficing them to his will and self-love. Under no cir minuteness, and artists ought not to be wiser in their own conceit than nature. - Major's Cabinet Gallery. THE PLINIES. DESTRUCTION OF THE ELDER PLIXY BY MOUNT VESUVIUS. Of the erup HOW TO CURE A SICK LION. ment. THE WEEK, without marks of external violence, and resembling a which become smooth as they mount towards heaven person asleep rather than one who had suffered death. The following picture of his manners and amuseFrom Wednesday the 1st, to Tuesday the 6th of October. This event took place on the 24th of August, in the seventy-ninth year of the Christian era, and a few ments is given (says our author) by his pupil, Fabrimonths after the demise of Vespasian. cius: The late frightful eruption of Mount Vesuvius will As a specimen of the bad and good, the ridiculous We were three, Kuhr, Zoega, and I, all fo reigners. In summer we followed him into the render interesting, even to those who have read it and the interesting, in Pliny's “ Natural History,” we country. In winter we lived facing his house, and in other works, the following account of the death of quote from the Lives of the Zoologists his account of he came to us every day in his short red robe-dePliny the Elder, taken from a new volume (which the Lion's Sickness, and the famous story of Cleo- chambre, with a green fur cap on his head, and a pipe in his hand. He came for half an hour, but has just appeared) of the Edinburgh Cabinet Library, patra's Pearl. The forner is taken from the old stopped a whole one, and many times two. His translation of him by Holland. entitled Lives of Eminent Zoologists. conversation on these occasions was extremely sprightly tion we shall probably speak again, and therefore say and pleasant. It consisted either of anecdotes rela tive to the learned in his profession with whom he no more of it in this place. The lion is never sick but of the peevishness of got acquainted in foreign countries, or in clearing up Pliny was a man of fortune in the age of the his stomacke, loathing all meat; and then the way our doubts, or in giving us other kinds of instruction. Cæsars, and author of a History of his own time to cure him is to tie unto him certain shee apes, which He used to laugh then most heartily, and displayed a with their wanton mocking and making mowes at serenity and an openness of countenance, which proved which is lost, and of a Natural History which is a him, may move his patience and drive him, for the how much his soul was susceptible of amnity and good huge miscellaneous compilation of all sorts of know- verie indignitie of their malapert saucinesse, into a fit fellowship: ledge existing up to his time, bad and good, exhi- of madnesse ; and then, so soone as he hath tasted their Our life was much happier when we resided in Our habitation was about half a quarbiting more style than discernment. He was, how. bloode, he is perfectlie well againe; and this is the the country. ever, a most industrious gentleman, valuable for ter of a league distant from his house at Hammerby, only remedie. in a farm-house, where we kept our own furniture, preserving better things than he could have found CLEOPATRA'S PEARL. and other requisites for house-keeping. He rose out for us; and that he was a bold one, the following Pearls were very highly esteemed in Pliny's days. very early in summer, and mostly about four o'clock. narrative will testify. At six he came to us, because his house was then His nephew, Pliny the The ladies wore them dangling at their fingers and Younger, whom he educated, and whose fame also ears, took great delight in hearing them rattle, and building, breakfasted with us, and gave lectures upon not only appended them to their garments, but even the natural orders of plants as long as he pleased, surpasses his deserts as an author, though he too was embroidered their buskins with them. It will not and generally till about ten o'clock. We then wanan amiable man and an elegant writer, is chiefly suffice them, says he, nor serve their turn, to carry dered about till twelve upon the adjacent rocks, the productions of which afforded us plenty of entertainknown by his Letters. His style is too conscious and pearls about them, but they must tread among pearls, artificial. Both the Plinies may be looked upon as go among pearls, and walk as it were on a pavement In the afternoon we repaired to his garden, of pearls. Lollia Paulina, the wife of Caligula, and in the evening we usually played at the Swedish the artificial products of the highly wrought, but cold was seen by hiin, on an ordinary occasion, ornamented game of crisset in company with his wife. and imitative literature of those times, the polish of a with emeralds and with pearls, which he valued at On Sundays the whole family usually came to despotism which repressed originality. spend the day with us. We sent for a peasant who But they forty millions of sestertii (about 300,0001.) both appear to have been good men; and they main The two finest specimens ever seen were in the played on an instrument resembling a violin, to the sound of which we danced in the barn of our farmtained a degree of political independence in the worst possession of the celebrated Cleopatra, who, on being house. Our balls were certainly not very splendid, times, highly honourable to the spirit of knowledge. for the meanness of the entertainment; and on his the company was but small, the music superlatively rustic, and no change in the dances, which were conThe death of the Elder Pliny took place during demanding how she could go beyond him in such a stantly either minuets or Polish ; but regardless of the eruption which is understood to have destroyed matter, answered that she would spend upon him in the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. one supper ten millions of sestertii. Anthony, con these defects, we passed our time very merrily. ceiving it impossible for her to make good her boast, pipe with Zoega, who was deformed and emaciated, While we were dancing, the old man, who smoked his He was at Visenum, where he commanded the laid a great wager with her about it. When the fleet which protected all that part of the Mediterra became a spectator of our amusement, and sometimes, supper came, although it was such as to befit the con though very rarely, danced a Polish dance, in which nean comprised between Italy, the Gauls, Spain, dition of the hostess and guests, it presented no exand Africa, when a great eruption of Vesuvius took traordinary appearance, so that Anthony jcered the extremely delighted whenever he saw us in high glee, he excelled every one of us young men. He was place. His sister and her son, the latter of whom Queen on the subject, asking, by way of mockery, was then about eighteen years of age, were with him. for a sight of the bill of fare; whereupon she affirmed nay, if we even became very noisy. Had he not He had just retired to his study, when he was always found us so, he would have manifested his that what bad as yet been brought to the table was apprized of the appearance of a cloud of the most not to be reckoned in the count, but that even her apprehension that we were not sufficiently enter tained. extraordinary form and size. It resembled a pine- own part of the supper should cost sixty millions. tree, having an excessively elongated trunk, from She then ordered the second service to be brought in. which some branches shot forth at the top, and The servants placed before her a cruet of vinegar, A SCENE AFTER A THUNDER STORM. appeared sometimes white, sometimes dark and and she put into it one of the pearls which were spotted, according as the smoke was more or less appended to her ears. When it was dissolved she The storm hath passed away, and I am frec; mixed with earth and cinders. Anxious to discover took up the vessel and drank its contents; on which The foamy torrent flashes in the sun, the cause of this singular appearance, he ordered a Lucius Plancus declared that she had gained the light vessel to be got ready, and was proceeding on The giant shadows o'er the meadows run, wager. Afterwards, when Cleopatra was taken priboard, when he met the mariners belonging to the soner, and deprived of her royal estate, the other They chase each other o'er the sunny sea ; galley stationed at Retina, who had justo escaped pearl was cut into two, and affixed to the ears of the The hare is sporting in the spangled lea ; from the danger. They conjured him not to advance statue of Venus, in the Pantheon at Rome. In the blue cleft of the precipitous cloud and expose his life to imminent peril; but he ordered We have been surprised, not very pleasantly, to The lark is singing,—lows the ox aloud the fleet immediately to put to sea, for the purpose of find by these Lives of the Zoologists, that Linnæus, rendering aid to such as might require it; and so In the sharp shadow of that beechen tree. devoid of fear was he, that he noted all the variations whom we took for a man mild as his flowers, was of Ah, me! the fascination of that day and forms which the cloud assumed. By this time so very irascible and vindictive a nature; and that he A deeper happiness within me wrought the vessels were covered with ashes, which every was miserly. He once, it appears, had serious moment became hotter and more dense, while frag; thoughts of killing a man,-assassinating him! for Than is the joy of philosophic thought, ments of white pumice and stones, blackened and Touching on issues that can ne'er decay: * split with the heat, threatened the lives of the men. taking away his character. However, his studies Dear Henrietta to my heart I caught, They were likewise in great danger of being left helped him to get rid of these frightful absurdities And wept th' excess of happiness away. aground by a sudden retreat of the sea. He stopped (the more honour be unto them!) and his miser J. C. ? for a moment to consider whether he should return; liness is accounted for by the narrow means with but to the pilot, who urged him to this expedient, he • I fear 1 express myself very indistinctly. An anecdote which he once struggled. from the life of Newton will make it clear. replied, " Fortune helps the brave-steer to Pompo having noted down the length of the degree obtained by nianus." That officer was at Stabiæ, and being in sightof The following portrait of him is drawn by him Picard, began to recompute his former calculation from the the danger, which, although still distant, seemed always self: new data. Finding, as he advanced, the manifest tendency of these numbers to produce the long wished for results, he coming nearer, had put his baggage on board, and was The head of Linnæus had a remarkable pro- suffered so much excitement that, becoming unable to go waiting a more favourable wind to carry him out. minence behind, and was transversely depressed at on with the calculation, he entreated one of his friends to Pliny, finding him alarmed, endeavoured to recall his the lambdoid suture. firmness. In the meantime, the flames were burst His hair was white in infancy, complete it for him!!” afterwards brown, in old age greyish. His eyes were ing from Vesuvius in many places. so as to illuminate hazel, lively, and penetrating; their power of vision the night with their dazzling glare. He consulted Tyranny of Vice under a Mask.–Vice is never so with his friends whether it were beiter to remain in exquisite. His forehead was furrowed in old age. He had an obliterated wart on the right cheek, and much at ease, never more tyrannical, never more amthe house, or to flee to the open fields; for the build another on the corresponding side of the nose. His bitious, than when it imagines it has found a mask, ings were shaken by frequent and violent shocks, so as to reel backwards and forwards, and in the open teeth were unsound, and at an early age decayed, under the cover and protection of which it may pass air they were not less in danger from the cinders. from hereditary tooth-ache. His mind was quick, off for virtue. And masks there are, which, to a cereasily excited to anger, joy, or sadness; but its affec tain extent, deceive even the wearers; a deceit to However, they chose to go forth, as the less hazardous tion soon subsided. In youth he was cheerful, in age which they lend themselves with alacrity, and find, alternative, covering their heads with pillows, to pro- not torpid, in business most active. He walked with in their own delusion, encouragement to make daring tect them from the stones. It was now morning, a light step, and was distinguished for agility. The experiments on the credulity, timidity, or dependence but the country was enveloped by thick darkness. of others.- Bentham. management of his domestic affairs he committed to He proceeded towards the shore by the light of his wife, and concerned himself solely with the pro Numerous Households._I have narrowly examined torches, but the sea was still so much agitated that ductions of nature. Whatever he began he brought into the management of great familes, and have found he could not embark; and, seating himself on a sail to an end, and on a journey he never looked back. it impossible for a master who has twenty servants which was spread for him, he asked for some water, to know whether he has one honest man among of which he drank a little. The approach of flames, As Linnæus grew old, the best parts of his them, and not to mistake the greatest rascal perhaps preceded by the smell of sulphur, put his compa- nature (money-wards excepted) seem to quite out- to be that one. This alone would give me an avernions to flight, excepting two slases, who assisted grown the others, and to have exhibited him in the sion to riches. The rich lose one of the sweetest him to rise, when he seems to have immediately condition desiderated by Mr Southey in his beau. pleasures of life, the pleasure of confidence and fallen, suffocated by the vapours and ashes. On the esteem. They purchase all their gold at a dear rate! following day, his body was found in the same place tiful lines on the Holly-tree, the thorny leaves of -Rousseau, « Newton |
