Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

omplexion of Beppo's letter) but that it will prove
hly gratifying to him; and if you, Sir, with your
ual polite attention, will afford the means of con-
yance, it will confer a favour on a constant reader
your instructive miscellany.
"JOHN SHAKSPEAR.

The

of cotton brokers and merchants, ship brokers and | but the merchant defies critics! and well he may, sugar bakers, millers, dandies, speculators, and considering that himself is a very notable one. idlers, I have been obliged to give up the search in Reviewer may fret himself to death, endeavouring› utter hopelessness of success. to find a limping couplet in an unfortunate author, The constant frown that dwells on the counteon which to descant and show his critical acumen: nance of that whipper-in to the Muses, the school- the merchant at one glance determines whether his master, (no offence to those worthy gentlemen; | book-keeper has kept the ledger straight; and the whipper-in to the Muses is surely no very contempti- uneven sides of his cash-book will readily prove, "The Editor of the Pocket Magazine has been fa-ble title) is not the result of ill-humour so much as with the most critical accuracy, whether his cashkeeper has cheated him of a new coat or a thousand pounds; whether his debtors are poor, or his creditors noisy.

*11, Austin Friars, May 25th, 1819."

"ROBERT BLOOMFIELD.

ared with a polite letter from Mr. Lane, of Biggleade, enclosing the following copy of a letter from r. Bloomfield to Mr. Lane, on the subject of our rrespondent Beppo's inquiries. In the hope that the blication of it may gratify his readers, and be sericeable to Mr. Bloomfield, the Editor inserts Mr.

B's letter."

"Shefford, Beds. May 9th, 1819. "Sia,-I feel obliged to you for the perusal of the Magazine, and your offer of writing to the Editor. tters addressed to me here will reach me until Mihaelmas next, when I mean to return to London. I hank the parties unknown; and wish to inform them hat I am not in distress, except as to very moderate ealth in general, and worse sight. Numerous friends ave been very kind in their subscriptions for my beent, particularly my countrymen of Suffolk. If there hould be still other persons able and desirous to add the list, their cash may be left at Messrs. Rogers ad Co.'s, bankers, Clement's-lane, or deposited in my ocket, in which there is plenty of room. I hope to ublish again in the ensuing winter; and am, "Sir, Yours, very respectfully,

"To Mr. Lane.'

"ROBERT BLOOMFIELD,

[From a Correspondent.] We copy the following from the London Magazine for this month, with reference to the "Hora Otiosa" in our last number:

Robert Bloomfield-We learn, with pleasure, that the mase of our rural poet, after a secession of some years, is about to step forth again; and, we trust, with undiminished attractions. An infirm state of health, and an almost total loss of sight, have rendered Mr. Bloomatield entirely dependent for support on the produze of his former poems; and, as his hand has ever been open to the demands of those dear to him, that resource has been extremely limited.

of continued and unrestrained authority, the traces
of which are visible upon the visages of these literary
dictators. The tremendous scowl of the Dandy is
scarcely worth notice, being generally used as a kind
of accompaniment to an enormous pair of whiskers,
or it may be mustachoes, which are now the favou
rite offensive weapon with these heroes of the stiff
neck.

The cloud that overhangs the face of the man of
business' is not caused by a continual exhaustion
of spleen; it does not betoken a surly, morose, un-
sociable being; but is produced by long and close
application to the affairs of the counting-house,
where the feelings of the man are generally repressed,
In the bosom of his family he may be seen in pro-
priâ personâ; but in his counting-house he is so
completely metamorphosed, his natural countenance
so obscured, his liveliness so repressed; he is in so
continual an agony respecting the safety of this ves-
sel, or the success of that speculation, that, as before
hinted, unless directed by a gouty shoe, or some
other such unsophisticable object, I have been very
unsuccessful in my researches.

M..

1

The scholar may introduce himself to Elysium, and banquet himself with nectar; he may cram his empty maw with ambrosia, quite as satisfactorily as the poor fellow in the Arabian Nights, and after all he may go supperless to bed (if perchance he has one:) the merchant goes to Surr's or Horridge's, and never envies the poor wretch who (in imagina tion at least) bas dined with Jupiter. The scholar, by the help of a lively imagination, may picture tô himself the fleet of Eneas; or he may fancy he sees the car of Neptune, tritons and mermaids and all! The man of business takes a walk to the Pier, to feast, not his imagination with a view of these nonentities, but his eyes with a sight of his vessel returning home, loaded, not with Elgin marbles, or such like objects of virtú, but with cotton bags or other merchantable commodities. The sight of that wonder of human ingenuity, the steam boat, will not cause him to review the progress of the arts, perhaps; but he will be found ruminating on the Give me the man for a friend, whose mind may be possibility of these vessels one day crossing the read in his countenance! I do not mean that he Atlantic; and he can calculate with great accuracy should have the awkward clownishness of the coun- the saving of time, and consequently interest of try-man, nor such vacant, good-humoured bashful-money, they are destined to effect. And after all, staring in a man's face is not the ness as the servant girl betrays; but that honest, undisguised appearance, which indicates an amiable most accurate method of unraveling his secret rather than au empty mind. Whatever produces so thoughts, and the dispositions of his mind. A celemany dull visages on 'Change, vacancy of mind is brated writer somewhere observes, that the most not perhaps the cause; the merchants of this town noble minds are frequently concealed under the being famous for their general knowledge, and many most unpromising exterior;' so that our observations of them even for their literary attainments. The must of necessity be often inaccurate. Many chaLiverpool Exchange is not, however, the most gene-racters, however, such as the studious man, the man ral spot for literary characters. The rose may occa- of pleasure, &c. are immediately detected. Our sionally be found luxuriantly flourishing in the remarks upon these and other characters must be desert; but I am greatly mistaken if the majority deferred till another week. of these gentlemen will not turn with far greater Liverpool. eagerness towards the barbarous shores of Brazil or Chili, than to the classical plains of Greece; the deadly clime of the West Indies is far more inviting to them than the temperate breezes of Italy: nevertheless, they are by no means destitute either of bril liant imaginations or studious habits; the man of letters could scarcely view with more enthusiasm the Parthenon of Athens, than the man of business the coffee plantations of Jamaica: and the merchant will peruse the Lex Mercator ia' with as much diligence as the scholar. Horace's De Arte Poetica, A broker's circular, or foreign prices current are to me dry enough; but how eagerly the merchant devours them! Can the Greek student take more pains to unravel the mysteries of Homer, than the merchant to calculate the different exchanges? or does the one read with more pleasure the Siege of Troy, or any of Virgil's stories, than the other the pages of his ledger? And as to enthusiasm of soul, which the scholar supposes to be his alone, can he boast of having ever heard with half so much pleasure any news from Parnassus, as the merchant But amongst no class of mankind have I been less evinces upon hearing of a fall in the price of cotton uccessful, in these my impertinent speculations, at New Orleans, or elsewhere? View the wan face hay with those generally designated 'the mercantile of the scholar, and the chubby rotundity of the world. Here, I must coufess, I am completely be- merchant's visage, and be convinced, that, whatever wildered: the contour of the face does not here give difference there may be in the intellectual pleasures, much indication as to the quality of the heart; and the man of business has got something substantial except when I have been able to steal a hint from a So long as bis banker bows politely, which will be gouty foot, or what is vulgarly, yet appositely called just as long as the balance keeps on the right side, a Brandy Nose,' I am often as much at a loss what the combined forces of the Edinburgh and Quarterly conclusion to come to, regarding the tempers or Reviews, et hoc genus omne, will not cause him a as i have frequently been to find an individual on der with unfeigned horror at a squib let off in a aath of those I have selected to philosophize upon, moment'à uneasiness, the poor authur could chuda "Change,' when, after wandering through labyrinths frolic by an oud straggler from the forces of either;

HORE OTIOSE.

[Written for the Kaleidoscope.}
No. IX.

MAN is practis'd in disguise,

And cheats the most discerning eyes.

Gray.

Without pretending to much acquaintance with he craniological doctrines of Gall or Spurzheim, I bare frequently amused myself with looking in the Aces of the numerous busy mortals daily crowding he streets, and faney, at least, that I have some nes got a clue to the mind by a little attention to be countenance; and though far from having found fallible indicator of men's minds in their faces, have frequently thus procured a little amusement, hu perhaps I was too idle to seek after it in more serious occupations.

6

I

THE YOUNG OBSERVER.

NO. III.

TO THE EDITOR

"These are my companions."-Addison.

SIR,-In imitation of my predecessor, the Spectator, hasten in this paper to give you a description of my usual associates, who, by the bye, are as great observers as myself.

The first is unprepossessing in his appearance. As

[blocks in formation]

he has embraced every opportunity that has offered of seeing foreign lands, his complexion has become weatherbeaten and dark; and mine being as pale as ashes, when walking together we form a striking conThis is, however, counterbalanced by his mental powers: he is master of most languages and acquirements; but his forte is geography; on the knowledge of which be so much prides himself, as to have challenged an acquaintance who contradicted an assertion of his, that Morocco was north of the equator. Ulysses is his darling hero; and would, no doubt, be still more so had he deserted Penelope longer. Vasco di Gama and Columbus are favourite topic: the late discovery in the South Seas

was almost too much for him; and were he prime

minister, the public revenue would, doubtless, be en

a

tirely spent in polar expeditions, or voyages of disco- | game, but which certainly renders it more complicated very. and difficult, and of course more interesting. The The next is a chronologist (I was about to say chro-Russians have also another method of playing at Chess, nometer.) The idea of time is never absent from his namely, with four persons at the same time, two mind; nay, his bodily motions are almost as regular as against two; and, for this purpose, the board is larger those of a clock. He can tell the day of every ac- than usual, contains more men, and is provided with quaintance's birth or marriage, and has several favou-greater number of squares. I was informed that this rite epochas of his own. To-day, when he writes to method was more difficult, but far more agreeable you, he dates his letter Anno Mundi;' or, to-morrow than the common game.” he gives you the Julian period; sometimes you have the Romanides and kalends; but never does he condescend to use the English, or (as he calls them) the Gothic names for the days of the week. With this one singularity he is a boon companion, and holds the second place.

The third and last is an arithmetician. He, like the preceding, is a close observer; but his peculiar ideas are those of quantity. He sees a house, and calculates the dimensions; he views a ruin, and computes the sold feet. If you show him into an elegant room, he is lost in reckoning, by duodecimals, what the painting and papering may have cost. Newton and Napier are his worthies; and he has no small regard for Jedidiah Buxton. He can tell the tonnage of a ship almost at a glance; nor do I know any where a better guager.

This motley triumvirate I denominate my "adjunct of place, time, and quantity;" in which three particulare I am inexcusable if I ever err; for nothing pleases my friends better than to put their talents into action, which indeed I often do. From the first, I know the latitude and longitude of my lodgings; the chronologist furnishes me yearly with the common notes and fast days; and my monthly expenses are examined by the arithmetician.-Yours, &c.

CHESS.

(Written for the Kaleidoscope.)

PYRUS.

The following game of Chess was invented by the Duke of Rutland, and was played very much about the year 1747 by some of the best players in England (Abm. Janssen, Stamma, &c.) "At this game the board is 14 squares in breadth, and 10 in height, which make 140 houses; 14 pieces and 14 pawns on a side. The pawns might move either one, two, or three squares the first time.

[ocr errors]

"The pieces were, the King, the Queen, then two Bishops, two Knights, a crowned Castle, uniting the move of the King and Castle, and a common Castle. “On the other side of the King was a Concubine, whose move was that of a Castle and Knight united, two Bishops, a single Knight, a crowned Castle, and a common one. The best players at this game were Stamma, Dr. Cowper, and Mr. Salvador. It may be observed, that the Pawns are here of very little use; and that by the extent of the board, the Knights lose mach of their value, which, of course, renders the game more defective, and less interesting than the common one; and since the death of Sir A. Janssen, in 1763, it is forgotten, or at least, disused."

Mr. Cox, who was in Russia in 1742, says, "Chess is so common in Russia, that during our continuance at Moscow, I scarcely entered into any company where parties were not engaged in that diversion; and very often observed in my passage through the streets,

April 2, 1821.

SIEGE OF LATHOM HOUSE.

TO THE EDITOR.

L. J.

SIR,-I feel particularly obliged by the reply you have so ably, and (as far as I am concerned) so justly made to your correspondent "Fair Play."

Had I been aware that "The brief account of the Siege of Lathom House” was already in the European Magazine, I should, by referring you to that work, have spared myself both the expense of employing an amanuensis at Oxford, and the trouble of again tran scribing the MS. for the Kaleidoscope.

Having thus vindicated my own good faith, (I trust to your satisfaction) allow me to return, with scorn the insinuation of plagiarism to the gentleman who has so unblushingly advanced it. Whilst he views, with serene satisfaction, the efforts of his pen and the depth of his reading, I would assure him, that there are those who think it no shame to send their productions into the world unfortified with dashes or italics, and who cheerfully acknowledge their absolute ignorance of the matter contained in the dull octavos of the European Magazine.

[blocks in formation]

Anne's wishes (through the medium of your miscellany) SIR,-An inhabitant of the neighbourhood of St. to call the attention of our worthy Chief Magistrate to the shameful violation of the Lord's day. On Sunday last, at a quarter past two o'clock, p.m. no fewer than 12 boys, or young men, were playing at pitch-and-toss, within a few hundred yards north of St. Anne's Church: before that hateful term Police was known amongst us, the Constables used to keep order, and suppress public violations of the Lord's day; and it would be a very great satisfaction to the lovers of order, if the Head Constable was directed to attend to his out-door duties, particularly on Sundays.

28th March, 1821.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-You will oblige a constant reader of your publication, by noticing that there exists great abuse in our fish market, by a few individuals what polise the purchase of fish, and have the market at their own control, by raising or depressing the price at their own pleasure. When a fishing-smack arrives with a cargo, it is brought to the market to be weighed and sold; the owners of the craft and the poor fishermen are quite left to the mercy of the chosen few, to give what price the offal, they please for the best sort of fish, and ive nothin such

the tradesmen and common people playing it before If the fish were soid by the hammer at the place lately

the doors of their shops and houses. The Russians built at the north end of the town, it would be better are osteemed great proficients at Chess. With them for all parties, and break up those forestallers, so that the public would be benefited as well as the fishermen the Queen has, in addition to the other moves, that of and their families, who have, of late been in a sad situake Knight, which, according to Philider, spoils the|ation.

Z. Z.

ANECDOTE OF MR. TOOKE.

From a Correspondent.]

Mr. Tooke, well known from his works on Russia, In this situation he never showed himself unmindful was Chaplain to the British Factory at St. Petersburg, of the high duties of his office, without, however, being morose or censorious. One day, dining with some of the merchants, one of them proposed the fol lowing toast:-" May prudence guide the helm, while passion fills the sails." Mr. Tooke said, "Young man, when passion fills the sails, then out and run, other. wise you are lost.'

[ocr errors]

To Correspondents.

LATHOM-HOUSE SIEGE.-X. L. D. has noticed our observations of last week, just as we anticipated from one whose communications give evidence of the gen tleman and the scholar. If we do not hear further from him in the mean time, we shall very soon pes ceed with the notes, as it is imperative in us to have them comprised in our present volume, in which the narrative commenced.

WALKS IN DERBYSHIRE.-We have much pleasure in acknowledging the original MS. offered some time back for our publication, by a Staffordshire friend It is entitled, "A Pedestrian Pilgrimage of five day through some of the most romantic parts of Derby shire, 7th month, 1820; by WILFRED WINDEL This little work, which is peculiarly suitable for the Kaleidoscope, is written with taste, simplicity, and good feeling; and we promise our readers no small gratification from its perusal, if their taste assimilates, in any degree, with ours.

It is somewhat singular that both the articles suggest for insertion by a FRIEND, who subscribes himad A constant Reader of the Kaleidoscope from its com mencent, should have already appeared in our lumes. If our correspondent will take the trouble, however, to consult the index to the first volume of our old series, he will meet with the objects of his enquiry, under the following heads:-page 200, 4 Description of the Public Funds, Pages 15 at 189, Historical Account of the principal Banking Companies of Europe; occupying a space equal to about twelve columns of the Kaleidoscope, in its present form.

BONHOMME is entitled to our acknowledgments f

transcribing the humorous story of CRICKET, although he might have been spared the trouble, had he bee apprized that we could have copied it from the Me cury, in the 9th volume of which it may be found, page 86. It shall have a place also in the kids cope on the first vacancy.

CHESS.-All the copies of the last Kaleidoscope which we have consulted are free from the crrata noticed by A. S. of Warrington. It often happens, that the ear liest impressions of publications of this nature contain some inaccuracies, which are detected and rectified before any considerable portion of the edition is c pleted; and it is probable, that the copy of our car respondent was of this number.

The paper of ADOLESCENS on Personalities shall 1pear in our next.

from Ormskirk.

Next week we shall notice the amusing impertinence
a pedant, who subscribes a CONSTANT READER,
We have also to notice J. F.-PYRUS-L.'L-MI
-W. E. S.-WILLIAM-AMICUS.-E. V.R.-R.H

-BENVOLIO, and T. S. T

Printed, published, and sold by E. SMITH and
Sold also by J. Bywater and Co. Pool-lane; Evans, Cheg

54, Lord-street, Liverpool.

win & Hall, Castle-st-; T. Smith, Paradise-st.; T. War brick, Public Library, Lime-st.; E. Willan, Bold-t and J. Smith, St. James's-road, for ready money is

[merged small][ocr errors]

OR,

Literary and Scientific Mirror.

"UTILE DULCI."

his familiar Miscellany, from which religious and political matters are excluded, contains a variety of original and selected Articles; comprehending Literature, Criticism, Men and Manners, Amusement, Elegant Extracts, Poetry, Anecdotes, Biography, Meteorology, the Drama, Arts and Sciences, Wit and Satire, Natural History, Monthly Diary, Fashions, &c. &c.; forming a handsome Annual Volume, with an Index and Title-page.-Regular supplies are forwarded to the following AGENTS.

Ben-T. Rogerson;

-J. Kell, or J. Brandwood; Brei-J. Stanfield;

Bury-J. Kay;

Chester-R. Taylor;
Chorley-T. Parker;
Congleton-J. Parsons;
Dublin-W. Baker; J. P. Power;
and Mrs. Broadhurst;

No. 43.-NEW SERIES.

The Traveler.

LETTER II.

(Written for the Kaleidoscope.)

TO THE EDITOR.

Halifax-R. Simpson;
Hanley-T. Allbut;
Huddersfield-T. Smart;
Hull-J. Perkins;
Lancaster-G. Bentham;
Leeds-B. Dewhirst;

Manchester-Miss Richardsons;

J. Fletcher; and T. Sowler;
Macclesfield-P. Hall;
Newcastle-U.-L.-C. Chester;
Northwich-J. Kent;
Ormskirk W. Garside;

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1821.

provided, I determined upon paying a visit to the
telegraph at the summit of the rock the morning
after my arrival, and before the suu had gained too
great an ascendancy. I accordingly commenced
my perambulations at day-break, which is as soon
as the gates are open for egress. This chef d'œuvre
in fortification, Gibraltar, or the Rock, as it is com-
monly called, is about fifteen hundred feet perpen-

wholly inaccessible by nature, as also is that part
opposite the low sands which connect it with the
continent, and part of which is named the Neutral

Sta,-Immediately upon our anchoring at Gib.dicular from the level of the sea. The east side is
Telter, we were boarded by an officer of the impress
mervice, in the` usual agreeable way, who proceeded
vo minute search and examination for seamen;
But as the crews, as usual at that period, were, with
the exception of the officers, foreigners, be gained
nothing by bis visit.

Ground.

[blocks in formation]

way. The backneyed story of its extending to Africa is as absurd as it is untrue. A winding zig-zag military way conducts you to the highest point of the rock, from which there is one of the finest views imaginable. The Straits, with the cloud-capt Apes Hill and distant mountains of Africa; the lofty mountains of Spain, stretching to an immense distance in several directions; the towns of Algeciras and San Roque, the celebrated fortress Ceuta, the bay and harbour of Gibraltar, with its shipping, and the boundless sheet of water to the eastward, form at once a grand and impressive coup d'œil. Soldiers are bere stationed, whose buThe town is situated upon the slope to the west-siness it is to communicate by signal to the guardward; is pretty large, and tolerably well built, Where ship in the harbour what vessels they descry, which, I landed at the gate called The Water Port, and nature bas left any part unprotected, art has stepped from the clearness of the atmosphere, is easily done was under the disagreeable necessity of waiting ain; for the low ground on the townside, from the while they are many leagues distant. Monkeys, the fall hour for permission to pass, and this too at sands to Europa Point, the most southern point of only ones in a state of nature in Europe, are plenti2008 in the month of August, without shelter from the rock, presents one uninterrupted series of forti-ful on the east side of the rock, where they may be the scorching rays of an almost vertical sun. The fications, in batteries, bastions, &c. all mounting seen skipping and playing on precipices which make parement upon which I trod was so hot, that it was guns of the largest calibre planted at different one shudder to look at. There is a range of guns scarcely possible to remain long in the same place. heights, and pointing in almost all directions. The This for a Johnoy Newcome was running a great galleries are immense excavations in the rock, like risk of a fever. It would be difficult to describe my lobbies, along which are guns commanding the NeuBensations on entering the town, the scene was so tral Ground. St. George's Hall is the finest thing completely different from any thing in England. Per-in this way; it is an excavated chamber of large haps there is no part of the globe that presents so dimensions, and nearly circular, full seven hundred great a variety of persons of different nations, habits, feet above the Spanish lines or ground which it manners, and dress, as Gibraltar; Greeks, Turks, commands. There are many very heavy guns in Jews, Italians, Spaniards, English; in short, people this subterraneous battery, which point through of every clime and colour, in every garb and fashion, large holes or ports pierced in the rock. Garrison from the richly-embroidered velvet vest of the wealthy balls are sometimes given in this chamber, which, Spaniard to the miserable tunic of the Moorish por. from its coolness, is well suited for the purpose ters, who crowd the haunts of business, anxious to during the summer months. The passages and receive even the most trifling reward. This latter staircases which conduct us to this wonderful speglass of men are mostly of a dark copper complexion, cimen of human ingenuity are not less interesting and wear their beards long, like the philosophers than the Hall itself. Nearly half way up the rock and patriarchs of old. I noticed many extremely stands a noble Moorish castle, partly ruinous, but well featured countenances, full of inarked ex-which, in its time, has been a strong hold. A consi. pression.

I was fortunate enough to possess a letter of infroduction to Mr. R—, which proved of essential service, as that gentleman procured for me a written permission from the Town Major to view all the objects of interest at my leisure; and moreover the latter ordered a serjeant of Artillery to attend me, and explain any thing in his particular department apon which I desired to be informed, Thus well

from the south gate of the town, called the Saluting Battery, the rampart of which makes a delightful promenade. An avenue of trees in the rear forms a pleasant object on this partially cultivated spot. All the open plots of ground in and about the fortress are covered with pyramids of caunon balls and shells of all dimensions, and furnaces are built at regular intervals to heat shot; in short, every part exhibits the ne plus ultra of engineership; and, while the garrison consists of British hearts, the fortress of Gibraltar may “laugh a siege to scorn." The Governorship is, as you well know, a rich sinecure; the Lieutenant-Governor, however, who resides in good style on the rock, has large emoluments, whick are further increased by a system of trade-licensing. It was my intention to take a trip to Ceuta, having provided myself with a letter to an officer of the garrison; I was, however, prevented by the sudden derable height above this, is the celebrated cavern departure of the fleet, which, though originally of St. Michael, the entrance of which is very spa-bound for Malta, was ordered to proceed forthwith cious, the roof covered with immense stalactites, to Minorca, in consequence of the plague having and from the constant dropping of the water and its broken out at the former place. Having replenished petrifying qualities, the botton is very rugged. our stock of provisions and laid in a plentiful store There is a spring of delicious water on one side, of grapes, which are abundant in the markets of which to the weary visitor is highly acceptable Gibraltar, we set sail, about twenty vessels in com This cavern narrows abruptly, but it is still large pany, under the convoy of a frigate. enough to admit persons upright for a considerable

After two days' light but favourable winds, we

fell in with, and were consigned to the protection of,
the Pelorus Brig of War, commanded by Captain
Gambier, nephew to the Admiral of that name.
We had the misfortune to be becalmed near the

car

Barbary coast for two or three days, the loss of
which time was in some respects compensated by
having the luck to catch several fine, and, to use
the cant phrase, lively turtle. They were of the
hawk's bill kind; a description not held in estimation
by your epicures. A fine breeze springing up,,
ried us briskly past the high mountains of Cape di
Gata, then, although the hottest month in the year,
covered with snow. Carthagena and Cape di Palos
were visible, but Alicant lay too distant from our
course, even to afford a view of the land in its vi-
cinity. Pursuing our voyage, we rapidly passed the
islands of Formentera and Majorca; and after lying
which we received some damage, anchored in the
noble harbour of Mahon, in the island of Minorca,
Having, I fear, already exceeded the reasonable
limits of an epistle, I shall not trespass longer than
to say, you shall hear from me again soon, and am,
Yours, &c.

10, the whole of a very tempestuous night, during

PEREGRINE.

Never before published.]

A PEDESTRIAN FILGRIMAGE

OF FIVE DAYS,

and rather cloudy; a gentle air now and cence, rustic simplicity and repose, which
then wafted to us the balmy odour of the books have represented as existing there,
honeysuckle and the clover flower, and and which our infant memories acknowledge
all was one scene of rural and beautiful to have witnessed.
repose. Nature was in her richest drapery; As we descended the hill from the village
her lines had deepened from the tenderness of Pentridge we observed at a distance to
and gaiety of spring; they were vivid and the right the beautiful ruins of South Wing.
strong, and varied with every shade. We field Manor, situated on a gentle eminence
saw, we felt, and recognised in every amidst the dark foliage of trees, disclosing
thing around us, all those images of peace-from the soft twilight of their own creatica
ful felicity and inimitable loveliness which a tower, or a gray wall, in a manner that
have given a witching charm to the de- gave them a greater interest and effect
scriptions of our poets. We sauntered than a broad uninterrupted view; just as
through winding lanes whose banks were the very imperfection of its records, the
green with nodding grass, and the thick obscurity of distant time, and the ragwe
springing mercury, and the long creeping breath of tradition, augmented the power
runners of the ale-hoof; from their high of its history, because they withheld from
luxuriant fences of hawthorn, the spreading our knowledge what might weary and dis
elm and the delicate cerulian ash threw gust, and left the imagination to revel in
their boughs over us; the wild roses blushed the romantic idea of that lovely accom-
in clustering confusion; and the elder scented plished and unhappy Queen, who had there
the morning air with its crowded umbels, wept away some period of her imprisot
that looked at a distance like masses of snow ment.* The scenery is altogether pecu-
amidst its green and vigorous verdure. We liarly pleasing; the richly picturesque ruins:
alternately caught the extended prospect of
wide meadows glowing with all the mingled
hues that ever were seen on earth; a bright

TARO' SOME OF THE MOST ROMANTIC PARTS OF and chequered surface of beauty such as no

DERBYSHIRE:
7th Month, 1820.
BY WILFRED WENDER.

Cáre sélve beate,

Evoi, solinghi e taciturni orróri,
Di repóso e di páci alberghi véri,
O quánto volontieri

A rividérvi io tórno!"

GUARINI.

WALK TO MATLOCK.

To sit on rocks, to muse o'er flood and fell;
To slowly trace the forest's shady scene,
Where things that own not man's dominion dwell,
And mortal steps have ne'er or rarely been;
To climb the trackless mountains all unseen,
With the wild flock that never needs a fold;
Alone o'er steeps and foaming fails to lean:
This is not solitude, 'tis but to hold
Converse with Nature's charms, and see her stores
unrolled."
Byron.

painter has yet tolerably imitated, and of
sloping fields, and woods with a dark wild
air of silence and loneliness, with some gay
villa, or white cottage sleeping in their
grassy glades or reared on their confines,
which our fancies immediately pursuaded
us were the habitations of delighted beings,
conscious of all the charm and tranquillity

of their situation.

their commanding situations above a fie winding and fertile vale; and the luxuriast foliage of trees, both surrounding them, and shading the opposite side of the valley, whence the manor was connonaded during the civil war, heighten the solemn and pensive air so peculiarly appropriate to such scenes, where the memory of the past, and the ruinous aspect of the present, dispose the fancy to indulge the spirit of romance, and to create with prolific energy may splendid vision, at the very moment whes the heart impressed with the solemn träisi of morality pronounces, "Vanitas vanitatum omnia vanitas."

possesses

As we proceeded, the scene gradually became more animated; the smoke of the different quiet hamlets we passed through At Critch we began to enter on the began to ascend in many a busy curl, de- Peak scenery. The village itself, situated noting that the repose of the simple inmates on a high limestone rock, has little to t was at an end the labourer came leisurely commend it but its prospect; if we may forth from his snug cottage embowered in except an ornament which it his paternal trees, with his scythe on his this time of the year (in common w arm; the jingling team and the whistling mcst Peak villages) rich masses of stone lad were already on the road; the cows crop (sedum acre) like heaps of radi began to assemble round the homeward gold embossing its straw roofs, gray rods, gates, in expectation of the sweet rosy lass and walls. We ascended the tower of o and the white scoured pail; and the sun servation, on the summit of the hill abựre flinging abroad his joyous splendour gave the town, which commands a most extensive their full charm to these scenes of rural prospect of the country, lying, like a grand

peace,

On 2d day morning, the 10th of 7th month, my brothers Richard and Godfrey, and myself, set out on a botanical ramble through some parts of the Peak; Richard full of life, yet destitute of bustle, map of fertile and level scenery, inter taking the pony, and intending only to animated and yet serene, amidst which the spersed with innumerable lines of m accompany us as far as Matlock; Godfrey, poetic imagination for ever lingers, because and hedges, and gleaming serpentine streams. and myself on foot. We left home about it there combines with all the external beauty and diversified with the different shades o four o'clock in the morning. It was cool of creation, those delicious ideas of inno

Queen of Scots.

grass, and corn, and wood; decorated with aspect of scattered crags, some of immense | in particular." "Bless me," said I, "hast towns, villas, and villages, and inclosed with dimensions, pitched from the eminence thou lived here these forty or fifty years, a fine sweeping line of blue, where the vastly above, and balanced on a small point and dost not know of a stone that has been distant horizon unites heaven and earth, amongst the moss and green fern. A few so often visited, and which, I believe, is combining in its fine and shadowy tints solitary sheep are seen wandering upon it: within a hundred yards?" "Why," said something of the character of both. This and in the valley the clear little river he, apparently ashamed of his ignorance, is the nature of the greater part of this Amber runs winding amongst different "what d'ye want it for?" "Want it for! immense landscape; but on the side next scattered plantations and retired cottages. why we are not going to carry it away in the Peak it is less extensive, being inter- Beyond, rise the undulating grounds and our pockets; I suppose it is about fifty tons!" rupted by the high range of hills. The woods, and the mansions of Alderwasley," Oh!" said the fellow, "there's a stone view towards Matlock and Crumford is and before you the view is terminated by just above, but it's not so big as you talk peculiarly delightful. It is not extensive, the scene towards Crumford, which we of." We looked up, and saw it just by. Arbeing but about six miles; but it presents noticed from the top of the tower. riving at the place, we found it standing in such a mixture of grandly swelling hills Near Holloway a neat house is erected, the man's corn-field, which at once explaincrowned with woods, and romantically on the right hand of the road, in a situation ed all his pretended ignorance. The stone itstretching lawns of the softest and most to command all the charms of this spot; self is remarkable on no account, except that lively green among them; of valleys, here and its tasteful garden, and romantic scite, its origin and ancient use. It is, perhaps, displaying a scene of wild rudeness, and prepossess the stranger with an idea that its three feet square, mounted on two larger there filled with the deep gloom of the inmates are sensible of the beauties that ones, which appear to belong to the hill, mountains that run into them; of light surround them. At Holloway we turned and to be in their natural place. On the and shade, cultivation and unreclaimed na-off to the right by a narrow stony road, top is cut a circular hole of about ten ture; winding waters, and lofty bounding that lead us at once into a wild and soli- inches diameter, and six inches deep. This hills; the sublimity of creation, and the tary region, partly enclosed with stone walls; altar, as doubtless such it was, is fixed on the tasteful touches of human toil-as are sure and partly open uncultivated common, summit of a remarkably high hill, immeto make the observer descend with a sigh. where the blue milkwort, and the crimson diately overlooking the village of Matlock. It is to be regretted that the tower should foxglove, and the ling, decorated the rocky We were disappointed in it, but most debe suffered to fall into a state of decay, solitude; the silver tones of the gorse-lin-lightfully surprised with the sudden prosthat renders it dangerous of ascent; and net, and the chittering of the grasshopper, pect that broke upon us, just at the moment it is to be hoped that the same laudable were the only animated sounds. In this we reached it; so that our immediate attenspirit which induced the proprietor of the scene, along the side of the eastern ascent, tion was involuntarily drawn from the object hill to raise it, will call his attention to its and yet low and hidden at a distance, stands of our search, and fixed on the enchanting preservation. The repairing of it would the little, unconnected, antiquated village view of Darley Dale. @ccasion the owner but small expense, of Dithick, or, in the Peak pronunciation, while it would preserve a source of grati- Dedick. From this spot, where one might fication to travelers, which would render imagine the world was unknown or forgot. Many indebted to him. ten, and all the concerns beyond the bounLeaving this in the descent to Holloway, dary of its valley were considered of little or, as the people call it, Howy, the scenery is interest, went forth Anthony Babbington, striking and delightful; the roads run along chief of the conspirators who were executhe side of a steep hill to a considerable ted for a design to assassinate Elizabeth, distance. Turning round the hill at first, and to liberate the Queen of Scots. The the road is intercepted by a plantation of ancient mansion of the Babbington family larches on the left hand, as if purposely still remains near the church.

a

[To be continued.]

Enterprising Traveler.-An English gentleman of the name of Cochrane, a relative of Sir Alexander

Cochrane, is engaged in an attempt unequaled in the narratives of persevering and intrepid adventurers. We have seen a letter from St. Petersburgh, of a very recen date, which states that this gentleman, as appears by his

America, by the supposed north-cast Promontory of

own letters, has reached Irkutsk on foot, on his road to

Asia. He had previously written from Lobolsk. On

in

123 days, entirely on foot. When he wrote, he ex

pected by the 10th of December to meet with 45 degrees

in his power towards success in his arduous enterprize.

planted to surprise you by the prospect Riber, a village near which is a stone, the 13th of September last he had traveled 8000 versts they cause suddenly to burst upon you. probably a druidical altar, is situated on Above, waves a lofty wood amongst whose hill, on the opposite side of the valley. of cold. He sleeps in the open air, and wears nothing shade and scattered trunks the eye wanders Ascending to it, we inquired our way of a but nankeen breeches. The Government has been very up the steep ascent, charmed with the gay countryman, who told us we should readily kind to him, particularly Count Kotchuberg, the Minisprofusion of mountain flowers which adorn see the stone, where, he said, "some docter of the Interior, who furnished him with every facility it; the blue flaunting campanula, the elegant trine had been done, and an altar where erulean jasconic, there mingle their hues they did duty in some former religion." with the orange glow of the beautiful St. At the village, which consists of a few poor Johnswort (Hypericum pulerum,) and the houses on this wild common, we passed a bright tints of cornels, orchisis, and vero-large old hall, now used as a farm-house; nicas. Below, the hill descends with great and not seeing the stone so readily as the precipitance,to the distance of about a quar-man promised us, we again inquired of ter of a mile, presenting a wild and rugged another: he told us, he knew of "no stone

The Emperor took great pains to try to dissuade him from this desperate undertaking; but he was determined make his experiment.

to

James Abernethy, the wandering mendicant, so well who some time ago entered into his 100th year, declares

known between Tinto tap and Loudon Hill," and that this last year has been the mildest he ever remembers. None can be a better judge, as he is out every whole winter. Glasgow Chronicle.

day. One flake of snow did not fall on him during the

« AnteriorContinuar »