rain affording matter for exhalation, always naturally the [strongest at the hottest period of the year, and those exhalations yielding in return matter for rain."-Credulity of our Forefathers.

Extraordinary Occurrence.-When the Kent Indiaman was on fire in the Bay of Biscay, Colonel M'Gregor, of the 31st regiment, hastily wrote a memorandum of the circumstance, and threw it overboard in a well-corked bottle, (previously to the fortunate rescue by the Cambria brig,) addressed to his father in Scotland. This officer now belongs to the 93d regiment, stationed at Barbadoes; and while on a visit to a gentleman's estate on the windward side of that island, in October last, the identical bottle, with the paper in it, was washed ashore there, having in nineteen months, crossed the Atlantic in a S. W, direction.

Phenomenon in Natural History.-Extract of a letter from Addison Phillco, M.D. of Sangamo, Illinois, dated May 4th, 1826: "Captain Abraham Hathaway has plowed up in an old turnip field, a number of vegetating insects. He gave me several of them when I was at his house a few days ago, which I herewith enclose you. The root of the plant is uniformly situated near the head of the creature, which is a sort of worm, or rather grub, and the stem in some instances divides into three leaves. My neighbour has planted some of these singular productions in his garden, and intends to watch their progress, and make additional observations."

Power of the Human Eye.-The overmastering effect of the human eye upon the lion has been frequently mentioned by travellers. From my own inquiries, I am perfectly satisfied of the fact; and an anecdote that was related to me by Major Mackintosh, proves that this fascinating effect is not confined exclusively to the lion. An officer in India having chanced to ramble into a jungle, suddenly encountered a royal tiger. The encounter appeared equally unexpected on both sides, and both parties made a dead halt, earnestly gazing on each other. The gentleman had no fire-arms, and was aware that a sword would be no effective defence in a struggle for life with such an antagonist. But he had heard that even the Bengal tiger might be sometimes checked by looking him firmly in the face. He did so; in a few minutes the tiger, which appeared preparing to take his fatal spring, grew disturbed, shrunk aside, and attempted to creep round upon him behind. The officer turned constantly upon the tiger, which still continued to shrink from his glance; but darting into the thicket, and again issuing forth at a different quarter, it persevered for above an hour in this attempt to catch him by surprise; till at last it fairly yielded the contest, and left the gentleman to pursue his pleasure walks. The direction he now took, as may be easily believed, was straight to the tents at double-quick time. Thompson's Southern Africa.

Curious Antique Relic.-A short time since, while some workmen were employed in sinking a water-course near the foot of one of the abutments on the west side of Chester Cathedral, they struck their implements against a hard substance, about four feet below the present surface of the ground. Upon examination, it proved to be a curious tombstone, which must have lain in that situation near 500 years. Considering the high antiquity of this relic, the material as well as the inscription are in a state of surprising preservation. The stone is about five feet in length, at the top two feet across, and at the bottom 4 feet; on its centre is cut a cross, beautifully ornamented with leaves of the fleur de lys, aud on the bevil edge on each side of the square is the inscription, neatly formed in Latin, the Roman letters intermixed with modern Gothic and Saxon characters. We subjoin the following translation of the inscription: "Here lies Henry De Bebynton, formerly Armour-bearer of Lord William the Abbot, who died in the feast of St. Chad, in the year of our Lord 1345.

Fecundity of Vegetables. A single plant of Turkey corn bears 3000 seeds! the sun-flower 4000! the poppy 32,000! and tabacco 40,320!

Discrimination.-A short time since a meagrelooking young man, with long lank hair, and puritanical aspect, said to be a Methodist in Lady Huntingdon's connexion, was called by the wife of an Irishman to visit her dying husband. The preacher performed the duties of his office, and Tim groaned piteously, while a portion of the inmates were observed to scowl most portentously during the continuance of the devotions. After Tim's wife had curtseyed the clergyman to the door, the difficulty was solved. A majority of the Irish part of the inmates were Catholics, and they ran open mouthed on poor Mrs. O'Grogan for bringing in any other than a Catholic priest to administer to Tim in his extremity. One shock-headed Irishman in particular was unusually vociferous on the score of the impious profanation which had occurred. To whom Mrs. O'Grogan vociferated--"What do you say, ye spalpeen? The priest a Protestant! Is it me that would bring a Protestant priest to Tim? I tell ye out of the face it's a lie. He's no Protestant--- He's a Methodist.'" seemed to silence, if not convince her opponents, and harmony was soon restored.----Edinburgh Paper.

This

Curiosities. It is perhaps not so generally known as the interests of science demand, that “ specimens illustrative of natural history" are, by a late act of Parliament, admitted to entry, duty free. Thus, insects, shells, corals, stuffed birds, &c. &c. whether imported for sale or as presents, are no longer chargeable with any duty.

Bugs. The spirit of tar is so powerful a poison to these nightly visitors, that as soon as it comes in contact with one, it instantly dies. It should be applied by means of a small painting brush to the joints and crevices or cracks in the bedstead, and also to their places of retreat in the wainscoat or wall. So noxious is the smell of this spirit to these vermin, that they desert the bed where it has been used. The price of the tar is 9d. per quart. The rectified spirit of tar, which is less odoriferous, is 2s. per pint. Both being volatile, they should not be used by candle-light. The essence of bergamotte is also a powerful poison to bugs.Gazette of Health.

An American Aloe.-Of this species of aloe, which is remarkable for the slowness of its growth, its tenacity of life, and its astonishing tardiness to flower, there is a fine specimen now in the Botanic Garden, Liverpool. It is about five feet in height, with very thick succulent leaves, and is, probably, half a century old. It is said of this plant, that it never flowers until it has attained the age of 100 years: and that its flowering is a last effort of existence, as it soon after languishes and dies. There is now laid up, as a curiosity, in a shed, at the Botanic Garden, the stem upon which grew the flowers of one of these aloes in its native climate; it is like a spar, is 24 feet in length, and has been sawed in two pieces, for convenience of stowage. From this magnificent stem, the flowers, each of which would have filled a man's hat, clustered upon branches so disposed, and decreasing pyramidically to the top, as to give the whole the form of an immense chandelier. The plant, even in this country, requires little or no attention, and is seldom watered. Were it drawn out by the roots and thrown upon the ground, it would live for many months. It is stated, in the Memoirs of the Royal Society,' that one of them, of twenty-two ounces in weight, bound in a red dry cloth, and hung up in a kitchen, lost, in one year, little more than two ounces. In some of the houses in Liverpool may be seen a plant of similar genus, brought from abroad, and known by the name of the vine. These have their roots merely bound in a piece of tarred canvass; and, fed we presume, by the atmosphere, grow healthily, but slowly, putting out succulent leaves of a lively and transparent green.

Captain Franklin and the North-West Expedition.-We have great pleasure in laying before our readers intelligence of the safety of the adventurous Captain Franklin and his companions. The accounts are from the Detroit paper of the 15th June, which contains despatches dated Saulte de St. Marie, April the 29th, 1827. At the time

when the bearer left Fort Franklin, in October, every person of the expedition was in good health; and the history of their travels in this expedition will be read without raising those feelings which the horrors of the former expedition excited.--Capt. Franklin, with his companions, was expected at Saulte de Marie in July, on their return to England. The following are the only facts which had transpired relative to the expedition: They have established the fact of the continuity of the water communication from the mouth of the Coppermine to M'Kenzie river, and from thence have pushed their examination as far as 149 degrees 48 min. of west longitude. At this point they were compelled, by the density of the fogs, to relinquish the design of proceeding to the Pacific Ocean by Icy Cape."

Gazette. The Italian penny is called gazet, which was the original price of a newspaper, and hence the term Gazette.'

Ancient Form of Abjuration.-In the ancient English customs, abjuration is an oath taken by a person guilty of felony, who, having fled to a place of sanctuary, engages to leave the kingdom for ever. The following passage will furnish a curious illustration of this subject.-"This bear thou, sir Coroner, that I. M. of H. am a robber of sheep, (or any other beast,) or a murderer of one or of many, and a felon of our lord the king of England; and because I have done many evils or robberies in his land, I do abjure the land of our lord Edward king of England; and I shall haste me towards the part of such a place which thou hast given me, and that I shall not go out of the high way; and if I do, I will that I be taken as a robber and a felon of our lord the king. And that at such a place I will diligently seek for pas sage, and I will tarry there but one flood and ebb, if I can have passage; and unless I can have it in such a place, I will go every day into the sea up to my knees, assaying to pass over, and unless I can do this within forty days, I will put my self again into the church as a robber and a felon of our lord the king: so God me help, and his holy judgment," &c.-(Rastall's Collect. of Stat. p. 2.)

Inquests. From June 1825, to June 1826, no less than 1738 coroner's inquests were held in Lancashire, of which 975 were furnished by Manchester and its vicinity.

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

The History of Scotland, translated from the Latin of George Buchanan; with a Continuation to the present time, by John Watkins, LL.D. with Portraits and other Plates, boards, 15s.

A new edition of the Dramatic Works of Shakspeare, edited by C. H. Wheeler, Esq in one vol. 8vo. 16s.

Now publishing, in numbers, an interesting work, entitled, "The Manners and Customs of all Nations," by the Rev. J. Platts.

Narrative of a Mission to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Somers Islands; with a Tour to Lake Ontário, and Travels in the Interior of America; in a Series of Letters, addressed to James Montgomery, Esq. of Sheffield. By Joshua Marsden, late Wesleyan Missionary. With a Portrait of the Author, by J Jackson, Esq. R. A. and a Mission-Scene, by White. In one thick volume, 12mo. 2d edition, boards, 5s.

The first volume of a new History of London, by Thos. Allen, (author of the History of Lambeth,) with numerous Engravings of Antiquities, &c. on Copper and Wood. Boards, 8s. 6d.

The Age Reviewed, a Satire; with the Runaways, a Political Dialogue; and a Reply to the Pseudo-Critique of the Literary Gazette, 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Mr. Wallis's entertaining Lectures on Astronomy, with numerous Engravings, 29.

Biographical History of the Christian Church, from the Commencement of the Christian Era to the times of Wickliffe, the Reformer. By J.W. Morris, 2 vols. 16s.

Mechanics' Magazine, Vol. VII. with a Portrait of the King, and 200 Engravings on Wood.

The Pulpit, Vol. VIII. containing five Portraits, and upwards of two hundred Sermons, by the most eminent and popular Divines of the day.

Stories from the History of Scotland, by the Rev. Alexander Stewart, half bound, 2s. 6d. Papistry Stormed, or the dingin down o' the Cathedral, ane Poem in sax sangs, M. W. T. Pilgrims of the Nineteenth Century, upon the plan projected by John Bunyan, &c. &c. By Joseph Ivimey.

A Practical View of the present State of Slavery in the West Indies, an Examination of Mr. Stephen's Slavery of the British West India Colonies, &c. &c. by Alexander Barclay, 2d edition.

The Bath Directory, corrected to January, 1826. Scripturæ Lyra, containing the Study, and other Poems, &c. by the Rev. John Young.

A Plan for bettering the Condition of the working Classes, by the Establishment of Friendly Societies, by George West, A. M.

A Key to the Calendar, explanatory of the Fasts, Festivals, and Holidays of the Church of England, &c. by Josiah H. Walker.

Babylon Destroyed, or the History of the Empire of Assyria, compiled from Rollin, Prideaux, &c. Private Life of the Persecuted, or Memoirs of the first Years of James Nisbet, written by himself. Sacred Poetry, sixth edition.

Vocal Melody, or Singing the only Music sanctioned by Divine Authority, &c. by Daniel Isaac.

A View of the Economy of Grace, in Connexion with the Propagation of the Gospel, by the Rev. Robert Hogg, bds. 5s.

A few Philosophical Reasons against Catholic Emancipation, a Letter to the Right Hon. Lord Farnham.

Anti-Slavery Reporter, for June, 1827.

Life of Ulricus Zuinglius, the Swiss Reformer; with a Biographical Sketch of J. Ecolampadius. An Elegy on the Death of the Rev. Legh Richmond.

An Examination of the Rev. Thomas Tyson's Pamphlet, Part II. by A. G. Jewitt.

Early Recollections, a Tale, dedicated to Christian Parents.

Tales of all Nations, boards, 88.

In the Press.

In August will be published, a pamphlet, con taining Remarks on the Mustard Tree, mentioned in the New Testament. By John Frost, F. A. S. F. L. S. of Emanuel College, Cambridge.

Cameleon Sketches, a Series of original Outlines and Opinions of Scenery and Manners; with Recollections, Autobiographic, Literary, and Topographical. By the Author of the "Promenade round Dorking."

A Treatise on the Existence, Nature, and Mi. nistry of the holy Angels, 12mo.

The Reasons of the Laws of Moses, from the "More Nevochim" of Maimonides; with Notes, Dissertations, and a Life of the Author. By James Townley, D.D.

The Three Sisters, or Memoirs of Mary, Jane, and Eliza Seckerson, by their Father. In a neat pocket volume, 18ino. extra boards. A cheap edition of the work will be published for Sunday schools.

A Memoir of the Life of the late Rev. Charles Atmore, nearly forty-five years a Preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion. By Richard Matthews, Esq. Barrister of the Middle Temple.

ERRATA-Col. 652, line 3, for polar attraction read solar attraction.-Line 45, for all forms read all forces.-Col. 664, 1. 28, for vernal read vermeil.,

SEPT.]

Memoir of

THE RIGHT HON. GEORGE CANNING.

(With a Portrait.)

"Omnes Fata trahunt serius ocius:
Caligo subit, et triste silentium;
Sed vates tenebras discutit invidas,
Virtutemque vetat mori."

MORTALITY, though inevitable, is awful at all times and under all circumstances; but it is peculiarly so when a nation is deprived of pre-eminent talents which have been uniformly devoted to the public service, and the loss of which cannot be easily supplied. We feel much when such men drop into the grave in the fulness of age, and after a long retirement from the cares of state and the fatigue of business; but when they are taken suddenly away, in the vigour of life, and in the active exercise of their powerful faculties, it seems as though an important member were wrenched violently from the body politic, by way of judgment.

To visitations of this kind, England cannot be said to be altogether a stranger. The same year saw the setting of two luminaries who were long opposed to each other as the leaders of formidable parties in the senate; yet, scarcely had the rites of sepulture been paid to the remains of Pitt, than his rival, Fox, was laid by his side, in the house appointed for all living. To pass over other instances, which might be enumerated to mortify the pride of man, a few short months only have elapsed since the helm of state was transferred from the enervated hand of the Earl of Liverpool, to his early friend and steady associate, George Canning, who now falls almost suddenly into the grave, on the brink of which, his great predecessor still stands, bereaved of his vigour, as the oak that has been scathed by the lightning. These are serious warnings, but our present concern is narrative, not reflection.

The late minister was a member of the elder branch of the Cannings, at Garvagh, in the county of Londonderry, in Ireland; for the present representative of which family, a patent of peerage was procurred in the year 1818. This Lord Garvagh 105.-VOL. IX.

married Lady Georgina Stewart, daughter of the first Marquis of Londonderry, and At niece of the Marquis of Camden. what period the Cannings passed over to Ireland, from their ancient seat in Staffordshire, we are not informed, but it must have been anterior to the great revolution in the seventeenth century, since we find that a Colonel George Canning was one of the protestant gentry attainted by the parliament which the unfortunate James the Second called in Dublin, the year after his abdication of the throne. This attainder was, of course, reversed on the reestablishment of the protestant interest under William the Third. The above George Canning married into the family of Stratford, Earl of Aldborough, in consequence of which, one or other of the male descendants of this line, has ever since borne the baptismal name of Stratford; as is the case in the person of the present ambassador at Constantinople. The father of that gentleman, who was also called Stratford Canning, carried on an extensive business in the foreign liquor and wine trade, in the city of London, for many years.

His brother, George, was bred to the profession of the law, and was called to the bar by the honourable Society of the Middle Temple. He was, however, more attached to the muses than to the courts, and instead of studying Coke upon Littleton, he devoted his time to poetry, of his proficiency in which, he gave some specimens to the world, particularly in an "Epistle from Lord William Russel, the night before his Execution, to Lord William Cavendish;" which affecting and spirited piece first appeared in Dodsley's collection of fugitive poetry. Mr. Canning also published a faithful translation, in verse, of Cardinal Polignac's fine Latin poem, entitled, "Anti-Lucretius." This production was censured in the Critical Review, as being too servile a version; in consequence of which the translator took fire, and attacked the anonymous critic with an asperity which did him little credit, and provoked a reply equally indignant. This was in 1767, and about the same

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