companion, made his ascent. Their Majesties were quite close to the aeronauts when they ascended, and appeared to take much interest in this part of the entertainments with which their presence was celebrated.

His Majesty's progress from one end of the Bridge to the other was, we suppose, considered as the opening of the Bridge. His Majesty showed himself from the parapets on either side of the Bridge to the assembled multitudes below, and was evidently much struck by the appearance which the river presented. A hearty burst of cheers from the river welcomed the King as often as he showed himself. After the conclusion of this ceremony, their Majesties and the Royal suite returned to the Pavilion, erected on the Bridge, where a cold collation was laid out. A similar repast was served up to the guests at all the other tables. This banquet was conducted upon a scale of profuseness, remarkable even in civic feasts, which, as every body knows, are notorious, even to a proverb, for their magnificent display and abundance of good things. The wine, which was extremely good, flowed more freely even than the guests desired; and although caterers for the palate work at manifest disadvantage when their inventive powers have only cold materials to work upon, yet Mr. Leech of the London Coffeehouse, who furnished this collation, proved himself to be an artiste of no ordinary stamp.

The total of the supplies furnished by Mr. Leech were, we understand, as follows:

70 dishes of chickens; 150 hams and tongues; 75 raised French pies, &c.; 75 pigeon pies; 40 sir loins of beef; 50 quarters of lamb; 250 dishes of shell fish, &c.; 200 ditto salads, cucumbers, &c.; 200 fruit tarts; 200 jellies, creams, and strawberries, 350 lb. weight pine apples; 100 dishes hot-house grapes; 100 nectarines, peaches, apricots, &c.:

100 green gages, Orleans plums, &c.; 100 currant, raisin, gooseberry, &c.; 150 ornamented Savoy cakes; 300 ice-cream, &c.; 300 turtles, roast chickens, &c.

As soon as their Majesties had concluded their repast-the Lord Mayor rose to drink his Majesty's health. "His Most Gracious Majesty," said the Lord Mayor, "has condescended to permit me to propose a toast. I therefore do myself the high honour to propose that we drink His Most Gracious Majesty's health with four times four."

The company rose, and, after cheering in the most enthusiastic manner, sang the national anthem of "God save the King."

His Majesty bowed to all around, and appeared to be much pleased.

Sir C. S. Hunter then rose and said,

"I am honoured with the permission of his Majesty to propose a toast. I therefore beg all his good subjects here assembled to rise and to drink, That health and every blessing may attend Her Majesty the Queen."

The Lord Mayor then presented a gold cup of great beauty to the King, who said, taking the cup, "I cannot but refer on this occasion to the great work which has been accomplished by the citizens of London. The City of London has been renowned for its magnificent improvements, and we are commemorating a most extraordinary instance of their skill and talent. I shall propose the source from whence this vast improvement sprang, "The trade and commerce of the city of London.""

The King then drank of what is called the Loving Cup, of which every other member of the Royal Family partook.

His Majesty next drank the health of the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, and, His lordship, in a few words expressive of the deepest gratitude, thanked his Majesty.

Soon after this toast was drank, the King rose, it being near six o'clock, and, bowing to the company, intimated his intention to bid farewell. The chairman of the committee followed the King to the royal barge. His Majesty again expressed his high satisfaction at the grand scene presented to his view, and at the whole of the occurrences of the day.

Thus concluded one of the most gorgeous festivals that has occurred for some time past in the annals of the metropolis.

At six o'clock their Majesties re-embarked, amidst the same loud cheering, firing of artillery, ringing of bells, and the other tokens of respect which had marked their progress down. Their Majesties, on landing, were loudly cheered as before. In going along the platform, her Majesty, who leant on the King's arm, turned round repeatedly, and bowed to the surrounding multitudes. His Majesty remained uncovered the whole of the way along the platform. The cheering at this time was incessant. In a few moments after their arrival at Somerset House, the royal party entered their carriages, and returned to the Palace, escorted in the same way as on setting out. The cheers, as their Majesties passed along the Strand, were loud and continued. The Duke of Sussex was also loudly cheered on his way to and from Somerset House.

The weather throughout the day was most favourable; during some part the sun shone with great power, but there was

a cool breeze, which greatly moderated the heat. Towards evening it became agreeably cool, with some slight rain, but this did not commence till some time after the procession had returned to the Palace. Considering the immense assemblage on the river and its banks, we are happy to say, that we heard but of few accidents, and only one of a fatal nature, that of a young man who was pushed off a wharf at Bankside, and drowned; though only a very short time in the water. Three men were taken into custody charged with the offence.

The new London Bridge consists of five beautiful semi-elliptical arches, the respective spans of which are, the first or end arches, on each side, 130 feet; the second arches on each side, 140 feet; and the centre arch, which rises 29 feet six inches above high-water mark, 152 feet. These are constructed solely of granite, of the finest description and workmanship, from the quarries of Devonshire, Aberdeen, and Cornwall. The width of the carriage-way over the Bridge is 36 feet, and the footways 9 feet on each side, making a total width of 54 feet.

At present, we believe the gross expenses of the erection of the Bridge exceed £650,000-a sum far beyond the original estimate, but fully justified by the advantageous alterations adopted in the plans. The purchases of property to open the approaches to the new Bridge are not included in this calculation.

The Bridge will be free, funds having been chiefly supplied from the bridge-house estates, and a grant of £200,000, from the Treasury. The design for the Bridge was made by the late Mr. Rennie; his successors, the Messrs. Rennie, executed it.

ON THE CORONATION OF GEORGE III. AND QUEEN CHARLOTTE.

[This essay appeared in the London Chronicle, just after the Coronation, September 22nd, 1761. The composition was, at the time, generally attributed to Dr. Johnson, who was known to be a frequent writer in that paper.]

It is with life as with air: without frequent ventillations, it would sicken and stagnate, and therefore it is so ordered, that not only our appetites and passions, but our very reason, or desire of knowledge, should also concur in this wholesome and necessary operation.

Curiosity may be called a kind of middle principle, between reason and passion; because it seems to be in alliance with both. While under the influence, and employed

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in the service of the understanding, it belongs to the former; when merely the slave of the senses, to the latter.

Even in this its lowest operation, if it does not exceed a breeze, or moderate gale, it has its uses, and may be indulged, whatever the over-wise may pronounce, without the least imputation. But, in case it is suffered to gather to a storm, or to involve us in its vortex, like a tornado, we become the creatures of its power; and, from that moment, begging pardon for so problematical an expression, we are never at rest unless we are in motion.

So much of levity and vanity there is in our composition, so near akin are we to the chaff and feathers we laugh at, for being the sport of every flurry, that, in the early part of our lives at least, few or none of us are in a capacity to make the necessary resistance. On the contrary, we are never so well pleased, as when we abandon ourselves to every impulse; nor could the angel introduced by Addison in his campaign, be more happy in the direction of his whirlwind, than we are in being swept away by ours.

And having mentioned an angel, we may, perhaps, adventure also to mention the ladies. A flight may be called their element and when we consider how many of them annually flutter away their precious lives in this transporting giddiness, a compliment becomes due to the worshipful company of parish clerks, on their politeness, for not having as yet inserted an article in their weekly bills, which might stand in contradistinction to that of the STILL-BORN.

Of the vulgar I had rather speak with compassion than bitterness; and yet, when I reflect on the play-house calenture, which has seized them with such violence, that they had rather be stifled to-day, than wait till to-morrow for the same gratification, then attainable with ease and safety, pity seems to be thrown away upon them; and the discipline of St. Luke's more necessary to be called for.* Let this suffice to shew, that I am for confining it to its proper bounds.

An ordinary entertainment, I therefore, argue, would be resorted to with an ordinary appetite; but an extraordinary one, such as the late coronation was, might be allowed to have a suitable effect upon us. It had, indeed, a just and rational title to the attention of the public; and it was, perhaps, an argument of much pride, or little sensibility,

This alludes to the splendid spectacle of the Coronation, got up at Covent-garden theatre by Rich the manager, who was said to have expended four thousand pounds in velvet alone, for the pageant. But as the performance brought crowded houses, the speculation proved very fortunate.

in those who affected to distinguish them. selves by turning their backs upon it.

Considered as a mere ceremonial, every man of reflection knows, that even forms and ceremonies are essentials in government. But then it is, besides, one of the most august that Europe has left, to boast of -venerable it is for the traces of the manners, habits, and, customs of our ancestors retained in it; and over and above all, what more significant effort can a great and opulent and splendid nation like this make, to display its magnificence, than, by forming one great assemblage of all the ranks and degrees of which it is composed?

Now, that the assemblage I am speaking of was very nearly thus formed, the recollection of every spectator may furnish sufficient proofs. But, as some are found to plead want of memory, in hope to be complimented with the excess of wit,-as others are too idle to make use of any talent they are possessed of,-and as the Earl Marshal's book may be waste paper in most families by this time, I will be at the trouble of verifying out of it, with an addition here and there of an index, what therein was not to expected. Had the herb-woman and her maidens been the simplicities they ought to have been, instead of the finicals they proved to be, they might have passed well enough for the representatives of our villagery.

The drums and trumpets in the front of the procession, the gentlemen pensioners stationed round the two royal, though unsightly canopies, and the yeomen of the guard in the rear, must be admitted, so far at least as show is concerned, as military ingredients; to say nothing of the soldiers, who should have kept the peace of the platform.

The dignitaries of the city will insist on passing as an epitome of all that is important in it. From the appearance of the King's chaplains, and the gentlemen of the privy chamber, we have some portion or other of his Majesty's household in sight all

were exhibited at full by the deans, prebendaries, and choir of Westminster.

The plumage of the Knights of the Bath furnished the ladies versed in romance with the phantom of their dear departed chivalry.

By the courtesy of England, the lords of his Majesty's council, not being peers of parliament, were to be regarded as the very flower of the house of commons. But, unfortunately for them, Mr. Pitt, the Atlas of the state, did not choose to honour them with his presence; and fortunately for his Majesty and his subjects, it was a glorious day notwithstanding.

Proceed we now to the Right Reverend Fathers of the Church; no longer, it is true, mitred, crosiered, and otherwise adorned as in the days of delusion and superstition; but so enrobed, nevertheless, as might best exemplify the piety, gravity, and moderation so essential to their functions.

In the several orders of the peerage, as arranged, we have the scale of honour before our eyes, from the baron to the duke; and to all that is grand and senatorial in the institution itself, the accompaniment of the ladies has been most judiciously contrived, for the sake of superadding to it all that belongs to beauty, grace, and splendour.

Perhaps, it is to shew that there is something more essential in power than titles, that the great personages who hold the high offices of state, though belonging to the peerage, are selected to form a corps by themselves.

The dukes and no dukes of Normandy and Aquitaine, we are to suppose, make their appearance after these, as vouchers for the title of our kings to the throne of France.

The princes of the blood royal, each in his order, according to the laws of precedency, are so placed, as to be the immediate harbingers of his Majesty.

But even the Queen Consort, though royally robed, crowned, sceptred, and attended, and consequently to be considered as a figure in chief, appears in relation to the throne but as a subordinate. To her happy presence, however, we owe the most striking part of the solemnity. The sight of Lady Augusta, in her train, could not but excite a warm wish in every bosom that the like illustrious lot could somewhere have been found for her; and if such a station could have been assigned to her royal mother as became her state and dignity, the groupe would have been complete*.

• She not long after became the wife of the bereditary prince of Brunswick; by whom she had the late unfortunate Caroline, mother of the late Princess Charlotte of Wales.

In the amiable, gracious, and captivating person of the King, surrounded with all the insignia of power, pomp, and majesty, the glory of the day was consummated.

The KING,-if in these mutinous times, when so preposterous a struggle is maintained to set the servant above his lord, a subject may venture to assert the rights of his sovereign, the KING is the source of all the titles and honours which passed in parade before him; the distributor of all the offices exercised under him; the masterspring of every civil and military movement; and all these powers and prerogatives are constitutionally vested in him, that he, and he alone, the parliament not sitting, might be the guardian of the community.

By the kings-at-arms, heralds, pursui. vants, &c., whose very business is parade, and whose habits are declaratory of their office, the whole procession was to have been methodized, arranged, and conducted, under the Earl Marshal, as commander-inchief; and for this purpose, it may be presumed, they were interspered through the whole.

Was, therefore, this vast combination of forms, orders, and dignities, to be considered as a mere ceremonial? I again repeat it, the very pomp of the show would have been worth the curiosity of the crowds who came to be spectators of it.

:

But they must have little knowledge, indeed, who take the shell for the kernel. It is true, the king is virtually bound to his people, and the people to their king, the moment he enters on the kingly office. But the reciprocal duties of the governor and the governed are not to rest on implication only on the contrary, the covenant between them is, by a positive law, to be renewed on the one hand, and assented to on the other. At the time of the coronation, this great interchange of fealties is to be explicitly and formally made. The king is personally presented to his people; they are on the other hand asked, whether they are willing to be his subjects; and he is not crowned till their assent has been specified by their acclamations. He then takes the great oath to discharge his sublime office according to law, justice, and mercy; and also to conform to the other conditions prescribed by the constitution; and having so done, he receives in his royal state the homage of the peers, which, till then, cannot be legally exacted.

MISSIONARY COMMUNICATIONS.

THE Society of the friends of the Hebrew nation have lost no time in carrying into

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effect the resolution adopted by them at their anniversary, respecting an institution for the reception of converted Hebrews; wherein they might be taught useful trades, in a manner similar to that practised at the institution at Camden-town, which is open to inquiring Hebrews only. See Imperial Magazine for June, p. 277.

A committee was immediately elected; who examined such vacant houses as appeared eligible; compared the terms on which each was offered; and, out of these, selected one, situate No. 10, Durhamplace East, Hackney-road. This house, entered upon at Midsummer last, has been furnished and fitted up for the reception of the institution, with all convenient speed. Behind it, and immediately contiguous, an ample garden, and extensive conveniences, at once give sufficient room, and constitute a fine, open, airy situation for the destitute sons of faithful Abraham-the friend of God; who, converted to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ, long to attain some useful trade, in the exercise of which they may be enabled, on quitting these premises, to provide things honest in the sight of all men.

The severe illness and lamented death of the Rev. C. S. Hawtrey, A.M., one of the secretaries of this society, the latter of which took place on Sunday morning, July 17, deranged, at the moment, the plans, and, during a short period, delayed the opening of this asylum. But, with due resignation to the inscrutable providences of Jehovah, the opening of "The Operative Jewish Convert's Institution," for thus it is denominated, took place on Thursday, the 14th of July.

The Rev. J. C. Reichardt, who was unanimously elected superintendent of this institution, and who resides on the premises, offered up, on this occasion, fervent prayers, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; invoking the blessings of God upon all the promoters of this undertaking, its officers, its present and future inmates, upon Israel, scattered over all the earth, and the Israel of God in every nation under heaven, and upon all

men.

Five of the sons of Abraham have been admitted into this institution, who have been sometime baptized into His church, and profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; for these, and others who may hereafter be admitted, an able master has been provided, to teach the art of shoemaking; and this, for the present, is the only trade practised or taught.

The house of mercy is thus opened; the

friends of mercy are in exercise; and, with truth and holiness for their motto, while they labour at once to teach the descendants of Abraham the religion of Jesus of Nazareth-the great prophet announced by Moses-the Christ of God, according to His gospel, and also a trade whereby they may hereafter live honestly among men, they cry, "Who is on the Lord's side, who?" and individually say to their fellow Christians, "Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? If it be, give me thine hand." Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand, to bring them out of the land of Egypt: (which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord) but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.'

On Sunday, August 14, I witnessed the baptism of another son of Abraham, at Somers' Chapel, by the Rev. T. I. Judkin, M. A., previous to the morning service therein. The Hebrew youth, who then publicly professed his faith in the great Redeemer, has been for some time, and now is, an inmate of the Hebrew institution, Camden-town: and having rendered himself useful, by an upright and correct discharge of the office of accountant therein, is much respected. He had many struggles with the enemy of souls, ere his faith became fixed, as to the divinity of Jesus Christ: but before the hallowing teachings of the Holy Ghost, his unbelief gradually melted away; and, previous to his baptism, he expressed himself in terms which left no doubt upon the minds of those who witnessed his initiation into the Christian church, that Christ was formed in him, the hope of glory.

This convert, in addition to his Jewish names, received the christian name of James. The second chapter of the Epistle of St. James, being the lesson for the day, was read and commented upon, at the Hebrew institution, Camden-town, on the Friday

evening previous to his baptism, during the weekly service, held on those evenings there on the beginning of the ancient Sabbath, and the impression upon the minds of all present was most solemn and affecting.

In order to present no obstacle to the inquiring Jew, on his entrance into the Hebrew institution, the Jewish sabbath has been, from the first, kept by the inmates, as well as the Christian sabbath: and, therefore, the superintendent causes the bell to be rung, in order to call the whole to attend a solemn service, at seven o'clock on every Friday evening, as the commencement of that sabbath. After prayer, portions of the psalms or prophets are sung or chanted in the Hebrew language; solemn prayer is then offered up to Jehovah; and the lessons for the day are read, throughout, in order. Every man having a bible before him, in the language which he understands, (for several of the inmates are foreigners, and do not understand the English language,) the superintendent reads the first verse; the person next to him, on the left, reads the second; and so on, in succession, until it becomes the superin. tendent's turn to read again, and until the chapters are ended: every man reading in the language to which he is accustomed. Comments are then made upon these readings; doubts, suggested by the inmates, are solved by the teachers, and exhortations are delivered by them, arising out of the subjects treated upon; and translations are verbally made to those who do not understand English. Singing then recommences, in the Hebrew tongue, and the service is concluded with solemn prayer.

WM. COLDWELL.
King Square, August 17, 1831.

CELESTIAL PHENOMENA.-SEPT. 1831.

THE Sun enters the equinoctial sign Libra on the 23d, at 46 minutes past 7 in the evening, when the Autumnal quarter commences, and the days and nights are again of equal length in every part of the world. His semi-diameter on the 1st is 15 minutes 53 seconds and a tenth, and on the 25th, 15 minutes 59 seconds and 3 tenths.

The moon is new on the 6th, at 33 minutes past 8 in the morning; she enters her first quarter on the 14th, at 42 minutes past 4 in the morning; is full on the 21st, at 55 minutes past 9 in the evening; and enters her last quarter on the 28th, at 28 minutes past 4 in the afternoon. On the 11th, at 14 minutes 30 seconds past 8 in the evening, she is in conjunction with y