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AMBITION.

The most laudable ambition is to be wise; and the greatest Wisdom is to be good. We may be as ambitious as we please, so we aspire to the best things.

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PRIDE.

If a proud man makes me keep my distance, the comfort is, he keeps his at the same time.

CHARITY

Makes the best construction of things and persons, excuses Weakness, extenuates Miscarriage, makes the best of every thing, forgives every body, and serves all.

ADVICE.

Like physic, should be so sweetened and prepared, as to be made palatable; or Nature may be apt to revolt against it.

OLD AGE.

To a good man, who has wisely spent his days, years will steal on him insensibly, he will grow old by degrees, and without feeling it; nay, when he comes to break at last, the house will crumble gently, and fall down slowly, so as not to give him any great pain.

Londoniana.

DRURY LANE.

Some writers have supposed that this place was so called from its having been the residence of a Sir Thomas Drury, who had a spacious mansion towards its northern extremity. At the other end, or its southern extremity, in the reign of James the First, stood the noble residence of the Earl of Craven. This caused a great accession of inhabitants in these parts of the parishes of St. Clement's Danes, and St. Mary-le-Strand. But long before this, the Cock and Pie public-house, not a few doors from the end, stood alone, having been built prior to the reigns of Elizabeth and James the First. About the end of the latter reign, the George Inn, which was taken down many years ago, and some few others, began to be built. In the reign of Charles the First, the neighbourhood was further improved by new buildings; and in that of Charles the Second, Drury Lane was the centre of gaiety and dissipation, and consequently, of attraction to the looser and juvenile parts of the community. That its vicinity was the haunt of the Cyprian corps, we have the authority of Butler in his Hudibras. Here were bowling alleys, gaming

nouses, and taverns in every direction; to which we may add gardens, the probable names of which still remain; as Short's Gardens, Brown's Gardens, &c. long since formed into streets. These being in the neighbourhood of what are called the Cock and Pie fields, it is likely that the house called the Cock and Pie, was the seat of the hilarity of the times. Tradition says, that the Cock and Pie public-house was known in the reign of Henry the Seventh, as a place of pleasant resort for the citizens of London. It was afterwards called the Music-house, probably from the celebration of May-day, round the may-pole, which stood in the Strand, nearly opposite Little Drury-lane. For while apprentices and servants used to dance round the tall may-pole, it is very likely that the citizens of a higher order met to enjoy the same species of amusement in a higher degree, at the Cock and Pie; an idea which is justified by the appearance of the long-room for many years afterwards. This ancient ale-house, which was once much more extensive than at present, it appears, looked over the Cock and Pie fields to the westward on one side, and towards the gardens of Craven-bouse on the other. Even so late as the reign of George the First, many of the houses in Craven-buildings had trees before them: and one also stood at the upper end of Little Drury Lane, nearly in front of the present Cock and Pie ale-house. The gardens extending along the Strand might also have been seen formerly from the back of this house.

Lewtener's-lane, in Drury Lane, was commonly called Newtener's-lane; but the wickedness of its inhabitants having gained as well as some other places near it, the appellation of "Little Sodom," they have given it the preferable name of Charles-street, as appears from a stone fixed in the front of a house at the eastern end of it. Whetstone park, running between the south side of Holborn and the north side of Lincoln's-inn-fields, was also a receptacle for Cyprians, and continued highly offensive, to the decent part of the community, till they were routed by the mob, and the King's life-guard was obliged to be called out to suppress the riot that ensued. Upon the site of Wildcourt, Great Wild-street, stood Wildhouse, which was occupied by a Spanish ambassador, when William the Third landed at Torbay, and was plundered shortly afterwards by the rabble, of property to the amount of £100,000. Several respectable and well-built old houses in the vicinity of Drury-lane, the approaches to which are now obscure and unsightly

sufficiently attest the different classes of people that once occupied them, from their present inhabitants. Amongst these is a large house in Brownlow-street many years used as a lying-in hospital, and the remains of a considerable inn in the coalyard, &c. It is certain that a house in Brownlow-street, Drury-lane, formerly belonged to the Duke of Lenox. M. Monconnys, in his Voyage d'Angleterre, in 1663, mentions one of the small streets leading into Drury-lane, that was principally occupied by certain females of the lowest description. He had been to visit Gresin, i. e. Gray's-inn and Great Queen Street, with which he says he was much delighted. He afterwards passed through one of the little streets near Drury-lane, which he conceived was the public brothel, as being inhabited by women as disgusting in their appearance as in their minds, who were standing at their doors to call in passengers. "To me however," he observes," they said nothing, rightly judging that I was not one of their game or stamp." At this time some of the bowling-greens remained, that had distinguished this luxuriant quarter; for he says, I passed by one of them, where it was as agreeable to observe the facility with which the bowl ran over the smooth green, as to see persons playing."-Retros. Review.

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'come hither according to my duty against 'Thomas Mowbray, duke of Norfolk, a 'false traitor to God and the king, the 'realm and me.' Then taking the oath that his quarrel was just and true, he desired to enter the lists; which being granted, he sheathed his sword, pulled down his beaver, crossed himself on the forehead, seized his lance, passed the barrier, alighted, and sat down in a chair of green velvet placed at one end of the lists. He had scarce taken his seat when the king came into the field with great pomp, attended by the lords, the count de St. Pol, who came from France on purpose to see that famous trial, and ten thousand men at arms to prevent tumults and disturbances His majesty being seated in his chair of state, the king at arms proclaimed, that none but such as were appointed to marshal the field should presume to touch the lists upon pain of death. Then another herald proclaimed aloud, Behold here,

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Henry of Lancaster, earl of Hereford, 'who has entered the lists to perform his "devoir against Thomas Mowbray duke ' of Norfolk, on pain of being counted 'false and recreant.' Just then the duke of Norfolk appeared in arms, mounted on a barbed horse, with a coat of crimson velvet, embroidered with lions of silver and mulberry-trees; and, having taken his oath before the constable and mareschal, entered the field, exclaiming aloud,

God defend the right.' Then alighting from his horse, he placed himself in a chair of crimson velvet opposite to his antagonist at the other end of the lists. After which, the mareschal having measured their lances, delivered one to the challenger, and sent a knight with the other to the duke of Norfolk, and proclamation was made that they should prepare for

Elustrations of History. the combat. Accordingly, mounting their

horses and closing their beavers, they fixed their lances in rest, and the trumpets

ACCOUNT OF THE COMBAT BETWEEN THE sounded the charge. The earl of Here

EARL OF HEREFORD AND THE DUKE

OF NORFOLK.

The remarkable quarrel between Henry earl of Hereford (afterwards King Henry IV.) and the duke of Norfolk, in the latter part of the reign of Richard II. affords a fine specimen of the ceremonies used in the trial by combat as it was practised on great and solemn occasions. The circumstance is thus narrated by an elegant modern writer:

"Hereford, the challenger, first appeared on a white charger gaily caparisoned, armed at all points, and holding his drawn sword. When he approached the lists the marshal demanded his name and business; to which he replied: I am Henry of Lancaster, earl of Hereford,

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ford began his career with great violence; but before he could join his antagonist, the king threw down his warder, and the heralds interposed, and, by the advice and authority of his parliamentary commissioners, he stopped the combat, and ordered both the combatants to leave the

kingdom." The consequences of this ill timed interference, it is well known, cost Richard his crown and life.

EASTERLINGS.

People living on the East of England' especially merchants on the Hanstown, in Germany. Our current money, says Bailey, was called sterling, from a coin there stamped by Richard the First. P,

CUSTOMS OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES, (No. XIV.)

ANCIENT CUSTOM AT LOSTWITHIEL.

A VERY singular custom, now long since disused formerly prevailed, in the times of popery at Lostwithiel in Cornwall.

On Low Sunday it was usual for the freeholders of the town and manor, either in person or by their deputies, to assemble in an adjoining field, and from amongst them one was chosen, whom they attired in a most sumptuous manner, placing a crown on his head, and a sceptre in his hand, and being mounted on a fine horse, a sword of state was carried before him, while all the freeholders walked in procession through the principal streets, in solemn state to the church. When he arrived at the principal gate of the church, and the curate or other minister approached to meet hin, dressed in his best robes, and then conducted him to a princely seat in the church to hear mass. On leaving the church he repaired in the same pompous manner to a house, previously repaired for his reception. Here a feast suited to the dignity he had assumed, awaited him and his retinue: and being placed at the head of the table, he was served by the principal townsmen, kneeling, with all the marks of respect usually shown to regal dignity. This ceremony ended with the dinner; the prince being voluntarily disrobed, and descending from his brief exaltation, to mix with common mortals.

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Various have been the conjectures of historians, concerning the origin and meaning of this custom. Mr. Spencer an author and antiquary of some celebrity, modestly offers the following explanation, which has more the appearance of truth than that of any other writer.

"As Cornwall was long an earldom, under the West Saxon Kings, and as earls were obliged to reside in their own districts, possibly, when a new one was appointed, or a minor arrived at maturity, the Sunday after Easter was the time fixed for his entering upon the office, and taking possession of the estate. But it

may

be objected, why did he wear a crown, with other marks of regal dignity? We answer that long after the conquest, namely, in 1350, Cornwall was made a duchy of subordinate regality, to be held by the princes of Wales, for ever, and at their demise, by the king. But few of these princes having visited the country after the death of Edward III., and the people being accustomed to those processions on the arrival of their chief, whom they considered as

their sovereign, and likewise when his deputy came annually to administer justice, continued to keep up the custom ; till it was utterly laid aside, as tending to promote idleness and create luxury."

Anecdotiana.

TRICK OF A POPISH PRIEST.

A PRIEST in a village in Spain had a garden, the wall of which was contiguous to an altar, on which was placed a crucifix that leaned against the wall. He contrived, at the time in which his vine was dropping, to introduce a sprig of it into the eyes of the crucifix, by means of an hole made through the adjoining walls, by which contrivance the statue appeared

to shed tears. When the vine ceased to

drop, the stratagem was carried on by means of oil. Many superstitious persons crowded to see this prodigy, to which sight they were admitted on paying a certain sum. The trick was for some time very lucrative. At length it was discovered, and the priest, with forty other accomplices, was executed in the adjacent

town.

EPIGRAM,

Translated from the Latinof Sir Thomas More. A rogue, convicted and condemned to die, Had still some hope of safety in his eye; He fee'd his lawyer, and then ask'd advice"Your case," replied the counsellor, "is nice, "Tis from my books this inference I draw: Fly from the country, and you'll fly the law."

MASSACRE OF THE NUNS AT PARIS.

A community of nuns with their abbess were all condemned to the guillotine, while the sanguinary fury of the French revolution was at its height. Many of these victims were young and beautiful, and most of them possessed angelic voices, and as they passed to execution, attired in their monastic habits, through the stormy streets of Paris, regardless of the insults of the ferocious mob, they raised the hymn of Veni Creator. They had never been heard to sing it so divinely, and the celestial chorus ceased not for a moment, not when they ascended the steps of the scaffold, nor while the work of death was going on, though it became feeble as one after the other fell under the guillotine; and at last it was sustained but by one voice; which was that of the abbess, but that at length ceased also, when she in turn submitted to the fatal stroke.

THE POTATOE.

The first introduction of this excellent

root into England took place in 1565, it was brought from Santa Fè, in New Spain, by a Captain Hawkins. Sir Walter Raleigh planted it soon after on his lands in Ireland; but, on attempting to eat the apple it produced, he had nearly consigned the whole crop to destruction for its nauseous and unwholesome taste. Fortunately, the spade discovered the real potatoe, and the root became rapidly a favorite eatable. It continued, however, for a long time to be thought rather a species of dainty, than of provision; nor till the close of the 18th century, was it supposed capable of guarding the country where it was fostered, from the attacks of famine.

DR. ABERNETHY AND HIS PATIENTS.

THE following anecdotes of the above skilful and eccentric professor of the healing art, we take from an unique intelligent, and cheap little volume, entitled Public Characters," which contains well and impartially written biographical and characteristic memoirs of twenty six distinguished living personages embellished with their portraits, engraved in a style of art that would not discredit any work however high its price, in fact to gain for this unpretending little work, considerable popularity it needs only to be seen, for the accurate information it affords on

popular subjects, in our humble opinion will cause it to be highly esteemed:

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"A gentleman desirous of the advice of Mr. Abernethy, was entering into all the details of his complaint, when the Doctor, as usual, grew impatient, and said, Sir, get on, and come to a conclusion.' The patient was going on again with his story, when Abernethy hastily said he was wasting time, and that he could not listen any more unless he would come to the point at once. Upon this the patient got up, and locking the door, put the key in his pocket, and declared that having travelled a long way for the purpose of consulting him, he would be heard, and that neither of them should leave the room until his case was properly considered. Abernethy laughed heartily, and desiring his patient to sit down, listened quietly to the whole story."

Nor is this the most severe return that Mr. A.'s rudeness has provoked, as the following will testify:-"A Chancery Barrister having been for a long while annoyed by an irritable ulcer on one of his legs, called upon Mr. Abernethy for the purpose of obtaining that gentleman's advice. The counsellor judging of an ulcer as of a brief, that it must be seen before its nature could be understood, was busily occupied in removing his

stocking and bandages, when Mr. Abernethy abruptly advanced towards him and exclaimed in a stentorian voice'Halloo! what are ye about there? put out your tongue man! Aye there 'tis, I see it-I'm satisfied-quite enough-quite enough-shut up your leg, man-shut it up-shut it up. Here take one of these pills every night on going to bed.' The lawyer put the box of pills into his pocket, handed over a fee, and was about to leave the room, when Mr. A. thus accosted him :- Why d -e look here, this is but a shilling.' The Barrister sarcastically replied:- Aye, there 'tis, I see it-I'm satisfied! quite enough—quite enough, man!-shut it up!' and hastily quitted the room."

NAPOLEON'S PRESENCE OF MIND. he used it to excess, in general supplying NAPOLEON was so partial to snuff that his nasal organs from his waistcoat pocket. Many reasons have been assigned for his adopting the pocket of his waistcoat as a substitute for the article generally used, and as we have not met with the following before, we venture on its insertion :

On the eve of the battle of Waterloo, as Napoleon was ruminating in his tent, upon what might be the event of the conflict about to be commenced, he took his snuff box off the table and proceeded to make use of it, but so familiar was he with the quality of its contents, that as he took a pinch between his finger aud thumb he perceived it felt gritty to the finger instead of being as usual, though the difference was not visible to his naked eye. He immediately by way of trying its genuineness gave some to a dog that was lying in the tent. It had an almost instantaneous effect on the animal, and in the end deprived it of existence. Buonaparte's suspicions was now confirmed, he saw plainly that an attempt had been made to poison him, but such was his great presence of mind that he took care to let none of the officers composing his staff know of it at such a critical time,-his only precaution being to prevent a like occurrence taking place, was, the substituting of his waistcoat pocket for his snuff box. T.

EPITAPH.

The following epitaph, in the church of St. Como, is inscribed on the tomb of Francois Treillac, whom nature had decked with a horn on his forehead.

In this retired paltry corner,

Lies a most eccentric horner,
For horned he was without a spouse,-
Pray, passenger, for his repose.

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CORRESPONDING CHRONOLOGY.

April 11 Pope St. Leo, surnamed the Great. He was the successor of Sixtus III. and distinguished himself by his zeal against the Manichees. He died A. D. 461.

1713. The celebrated treaty of Utrecht was con
cluded on this day, between the Allies & French,
1770. Born on this day, the late right Hon. Geo.
Canning, prime minister of England. This cele-
brated individual was eminent for his oratorical
powers. The characteristics of his style of speak-
ing" was rapid harmony, lucid arrangement, and
freedom from affected phraseology."

12 St. Julius I. pope, succeeded to the papacy in 337.
He strenuously supported the cause of Athana-
sius, and was eminent for learning and piety.
He died in 352.
A. D. 65.

Expired on this day, Seneca, (Lucius Annæus) the celebrated philosopher, a native of Corduba, in Spain. He was preceptor to Nero, who ordered him to destroy himself, upon a charge of having been implicated in the conspiracy of Piso. The moral writings of Seneca have secured to his name a lasting fame.

1782. This day is the anniversary of the complete victory gained over the French in the West Indies by Admiral Rodney, who captured the French Admiral De Grasse.

13 For an account of custom practied on this day, see present number.

A. D. 586. St. Hermenigild, a Spanish Prince, son of Leuvigilde, King of the Goths. He abjured Arianism, which so incensed his father, that he ordered him to be murdered in prison.

.814. Expired, Charles Burney, Mus. Doc. the author of the History of Music, a work of great ability.

1471. On this day, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, was defeated and slain at the battle of Barnet, by the army of Edward IV. of York. -141685. Expired miserably, Thomas Otway, the dramatic writer, at a public-house on Tower-hill, of want, by swallowing, after a long fast, a piece of bread, which charity had supplied. Otway excelled in touching the tender passions, of which his Orphan and Venice Preserved, are proofs of his powerful mastery.

1792. The island of Tobago taken by the English, under Sir John Lafory.

1814. On this day the Emperor of Austria entered Paris, and was met at the barrier of the city, by Monsieur, the brother of Louis XVIII. late king of France.

15 1821. Expired, James Bartleman, the eminent
bass singer. He was a member of the Chapel
Royal, and other choirs, and a scientific and
erudite musician.

16 1825. Expired, at the advanced age of 85 years,
Henry Fuseli, Esq. a painter of considerable
eminence. Mr. Fuseli was a native of Zurich,
and a friend of Lavater, the physiognomist, who
entertained a very high opinion of his powers.
17 St. Anicetus succeeded Pius in the papacy, about
the year A. D. 157. He filled the See of Rome
eleven years.

1746. The battle of Culloden fought between the
armies of the duke of Cumberland and the Pre-
tender. In this conflict upwards of 3000 of the
adherents of the unfortunate Pretender slain and
wounded, covered the field of battle.

1785. Died, William Whitehead, T. 70. the author of several dramatic pieces. He became poet laureate, 1757.

18 St. Appolonius was a member of the Roman Senate, and a man of great eloquence. He was martyred A. D. 186.

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