:

ever, that the boy died of the small-pox, and that his father had given an extraordinary example to his subjects by having his surviving children vaccinated; and so has shown, in one instance at least, a disposition to adopt European improvements in things not merely military. He is, moreover, a man well versed in oriental literature, writes, and understands Arabic well; and his Hatasheriffs, which he always dictates, and sometimes writes with his own hand, are admired for their style and composition. He is not a man of a morose or cruel disposition in his own family on the contrary, he has several daughters by different mothers, to all of whom he is affectionately attached; and in his ordinary intercourse in private life he is urbane and affable. His public conduct, however, has been marked by extraordinary fierceness and unrelenting rigour, not only to Rajas, but to Turks themselves; and in this he has shewn an impartial disregard to human life, and not a strict adherence to human obligations. But whatever his conduct has been to his own subjects, to those of other nations he has afforded the most inviolable protection. He has discontinued the barbarous practice of his predecessors, in sending ambassadors to the Seven Towers; instead of which, whenever they disagree, and are disposed to depart, he affords them every facility, and those of their nation who please to remain, are in security. During the frenzied excitement of the populace, which took place at the breaking out of the Greek insurrection, the odium and prejudice of the Turks extended to. all Christians; yet the Franks were perfectly safe, while the Greeks were shot without mercy whenever they were met by the mob; and notwithstanding a few accidents which occurred to individuals in the confusion, we never hesitated to walk abroad, either in the town or its vicinity, for business or amusement, though every Turk was armed with a yatagan and case of loaded pistols which he was ready to use on the slightest provocation. On more recent occasions, where such real cause of complaint and irritation existed, it is but justice to the present Sultan to say, that his moderation and good faith have afforded examples, which the best Christian nations in Europe might be proud to follow.-Walsh Jour.

Ellustrations of History.

THE ESTRADON; OR, TWO HANDED
SWORD.

(To the Editor of the Olio.) SIR. The very correct and spirited engraving given in the twenty-fourth

number of the "OLIO," induces me to offer a few remarks on that tremendous weapon y'cleped the Estradon, or Twohanded Sword; with which each man it appears, was armed in the celebrated combat between the Highland clans at the Inch of Perth.

I believe all those authors who have written on military antiquities, agree, that this weapon was first brought into general use in the reign of our first Edward. When an attempt was made to assassinate Bruce, that hero lopped off the head of the spear which his antagonist had directed against him, and slew his adversary with a stroke of his two-handed sword, which cleft him from crown to chin. The Estradon appears to have been a favourite weapon with the Germans, who it is supposed, first adopted it, and was used with terrible effect by their heavy-armed infantry. Louis the XIIth, we are told had a body-guard of Scotchmen, who were armed with the Estradon; and the grim heroes of Albert Durer and Van Leyden are drawn with this powerful weapon; which in their day was a substitute for the axe of the headsman, who could with a single blow decapitate a criminal. I have seen ancient pieces of tapestry and sculpture on which are representations of combats with this weapon; from which it appears, that a man armed with one of them could stand on the defensive. They were therefore, preferred to the battle-axe, with which a blow could not be warded off. The effect of a downright blow from one of these swords must have been terrific ; much more so than from the stroke of an axe. Some of these Estradons were seven and eight feet long; the blades being broader towards the point, to make them fall heavier. The handles were ornamented with tassels, and terminated in a large boss.

The author of Waverly speaks of the two-handed sword and the Claymore as one and the same weapon, which I suppose must be an over-sight in that learned antiquary and author; as the long basket-hilted broad sword was generally designated the Claymore. I find no mention of two-handed swords being used after the time of Elizabeth, when the improvements in military discipline, as well as the use of fire-arms, entirely superseded the use of these ponderous weapons. June 27, 1828. H.

orator. His speeches were admired for their spontaneous delivery, and in this respect, inimitable. He was thus chosen one of the ten ambassadors who successfully brought back, Antipater, Parmenio and Eurylocus, from Philip, two years before whose death, and jealous of the glory of his rival, Aschines impugned the decree which had granted him a crown of gold and drew up an accusation against Čtesciphon, or rather against Demos

thenes.

The times seemed to favour Eschines very much; for the Macedonian party, whom he always befriended, was very powerful in Athens, especially after the ruin of Thebes.-Nevertheless schines lost his cause and was justly sentenced to banishment for his rash accusation. He thereupon went and settled himself in Rhodes, where he opened a school of eloquence, the fame and glory of which continued for many ages. He began his lectures with the two orations that had occasioned his banishment; great encomiums were given to that of schines; but when they heard that of Demosthenes, the plaudits and acclamations were redoubled,--and it was then that he spoke these words, so highly worthy of praise in the mouth of an enemy and a rival."But what applauses would you not have bestowed, had you heard Demosthenes speak it himself!"

To conclude, the victor made good use of his conquest, for at the time that Eschines was leaving Athens, in order to embark for Rhodes, Demosthenes ran after him, and forced him to accept a purse of money, an offer which must have obliged him so much the more, as he had less room to expect it. On this occasion Æschines cried out "How will it be possible for me not to regret a country in which I leave an enemy more generous than I can hope to find friends in any other part of the world." died by poison in prison. Seven others of this name are mentioned by Dionysius.

Science and Art.

P.

He

Preservation of Zoological Specimens from the depredations af Insects.-Put rectified oil of turpentine into a bladder, the mouth of which is firmly tied with a waxed string, and nothing more is necessary than to place the bladder thus prepared in the box with the birds, or to tie it to the pedestal on which the birds are perched in a case. For large cases of birds, a pig's, or a sheep's bladder is sufficient; for middle-sized cases, a lamb's

or a rabbits bladder will do; and for a small one, we may use a rat's bladder. The turpentine evidently penetrates through the bladder, as it fills the case with its strong smell. This method of preserving zoological specimens has been most successfully employed to a great extent, in the museum in the University of Edinburgh.-New Monthly.

Cold Injection for Anatomical Preparations If a mixture of varnish and vermilion have a small quantity of water mixed with it, it soon sets and becomes hard. This affords an excellent composition for anatomical injection, being very beautiful and very penetrating, (so much and is visible in the minutest vessels.-ib. so, that it frequently returns by the veins)

Influence of Light on colouring the Leaves of Plants.-It frequently happens in America that clouds and rain obscure the atmosphere for several days together, and that, during this time, buds of entire forests expand themselves into leaves. These leaves assume a pallid hue till the sun appears, when, within the short period of six hours of a clear sky and bright sunshine, their colour is changed to a beautiful green. A writer in Silliman's Journal, mentions a forest on which the son had not shone during twenty days. The leaves, during this period, had expanded to their full size, but were almost white. One forenoon the sun began to shine in full brightness. "The colour of the forest absolutely changed so fast that we could perceive its progress. By the middle of the afternoon the whole of these extensive forests, many miles in length, presented their usual summer dress." Sill. Jour.

Standard of Colours.-Speaking of colours, it really would be important to naturalists and artists if a standard diagram of colours were established, (and, if you please, deposit it in the Tower with weights and measures). The original should be in stone, and authenticated copies may be issued in metallic colours. Thus any tint could be referred to by number or name. You are nearer to the useful Secretary than myself, and should ask Mr. Peel to add it to his list of desirables.-Mag. Nat. His.

Education. The progress throughout Europe of schools on the Lancasterian system is well known; the following is an authentic statement of their annual increase in the kingdom of Denmark :First year, (31st December,) 1823, 244 schools; second year, ditto, 1824, 605 schools; third year, ditto, 1825, 1143 schools; fourth year, ditto, 1826, 1545

schools; fifth year, ditto, 1827, 2003 schools. Schools organizing in 1828, 368-that is to say, 2371 schools for the Danish dominions,-New Mon.

The only school in Malacca at present which is likely to benefit the Malays, is supported by Government. It is on a small scale, the boys are twelve in number and, from its recent establishment, cannot be expected to have acquired any character. The master seems well disposed, and the number of scholars likely to increase. Every attempt to establish a female Malay school has hitherto failed. Malacca Observer.

German Method of making Flowers grow in Winter. We saw off such a branch of any tree as will answer our purpose, and then lay it for an hour or two in a running stream, if we can find one; the object of this is to get the ice from the bark, and soften the buds. It is afterwards carried into one of our warm rooms and fixed upright in a wooden box or tub containing water. Fresh burnt lime is then added to the water, and allowed to remain in it about twelve hours, when it is removed, and fresh water added, with which a small quantity of vitriol is mixed to prevent its putrifying. In the course of some hours the blossoms begin to make their appearance, and afterwards the leaves. If more lime be added, the process is quickened; while, if it be not used at all, the process is retarded, and the leaves appear before the blossoms."

The common Rose-wood of Cabinetmakers. Is the root of the Convolvulus scoparius, common in the Canary Islands, in Rhodes, and Cyprus. There is also a rose-wood sent from Jamaica, which is the timber of the Amỳris elemifera; and, from the Antilles, the timber of Ehrètia fruticosa, and from Cayenne, that of Licària guianensis, is also sent under the

name of rose-wood.

Soundness of the Lungs.-Dr. Lyons, of Edinburgh, proposes an ingenious and practical test for trying the soundness of the lungs. The patient is directed to draw in a full breath, and then begin to count as far as he can, slowly and audibly, without again drawing in his breath. The number of seconds he can continue counting is then to be carefully noted. In confirmed consumption, the time does not exceed eight, and is often less than six seconds. In pleurisy and pneumonia, it ranges from nine to fourteen seconds. But when the lungs are sound, the time wil range as high as from twenty to thirtyfive seconds.-New Mon.

The Weather, from the beginning of May to this time, has been a continuation of that we have had ever since the commencement of the year. Changeableness has been its general character. Dry and wet days have succeeded each other; showers and sunshine occurred several times on the same day. Easterly and northerly winds prevailed during the first two weeks of May; but frequently shifting to the opposite points, were, on such change, always accompanied with rain. Thunder showers have been frequent, and sometimes very heavy, with hail, and sometimes followed by night-frosts. Travellers over extensive tracts of the kingdom have been struck with the appearance of drenched ground in one district, and annoyed by the dust flying on the roads in another, at no great distance. The quantitity of rain which has fallen during all this period has been but little more than the waste by evaporation; and though some of the operations in the fields have been retarded by the frequent showers, it was not till the 4th inst. that garden ground received a sufficient share of moisture to reach the roots. For these two or three day's last past, the wind has remained pretty steady in the N.W.; should it not veer to the southward again, a dry season may follow, and give opportunity to make and secure the generally abundant crops of hay.-Loudon's Mag.

THE DYERS.

Though the die's cast, he dye's again, And makes old colours yield to new.

A DYER's house in London, is known by a pole extending at the top of the dwelling half across the way to his opposite neighbour, with flags of blankets, counterpanes, and ineffables, stretched like the Rhodian bully over the aperture of the street in conjunction with the pantaloon that slaps his wand against the petticoat, in obedience to the air which controls their society, as much as to say," dyeing makes acquainted with strange bedfellows." The shop, which is surely a gay one, is filled with bundles placed on shelves either to be called for, or dipped agreeably with the directions which are ticketed to them. As the seasons change, so do the fashions follow, or, rather, keep pace with them. Dyers are thus in requisition, and by the length of time either required or assumed, they are proverbial for keeping the articles intrusted to them an unconscionable time. In the interim, many persons themselves die. Hence the Babel-like confu

sion which sometimes prevails in a dyer's shop. But the bustle, like that of the Royal Exchange in business hours, or of a baker's in roll time, is at its height on Saturday evenings. Then the counter is laden, and females wait anxiously for their counterparts, the shop is crowded, and the dyers appear from the furnace behind like imps of a darker world, to make their votaries more gay and more charming.

These scraps, remnants, and pieces, are chiefly consisting of violet-coloured neckhandkerchiefs, salmon shawls, pink ribbands, brown stuffs, green veils, black cloths, scarlet satin, pea-blossomed hose, and lilac silks. Colours are warranted to take, and not warranted to stand. Articles for scouring are in great request, and the scene of translation in bearing colours is not tranquil till midnight chimes go their "pious orgies," and watchmen snore in accompaniment, pious airs." After the bolt is turned against the customers, then "home, sweet home!" is the place for active exertions with females. What hem-stitching! felling, whipping, snipping, needling, pinning, and trimming is done to make the figure perfect for the promenade! or, to say the least, to smarten the Ladies, when asssisted by the rainbow properties of an agreeable London dyer.

P.

The inhabitants of the states which comprise New England, are known" by the familiar appellation of. Yankees.' This word is most commonly supposed to be a corruption of Yengeese,' the manner in which the native tribes, first known to the colonists, pronounced English.' Some, however, deny this derivation, at the same time that they confess their inability to produce a plausible substitute. It is a little singular that the origin of a soubriquet, which is in such general use, and which cannot be of any very long existence, should already be a matter of doubt. It is said to have been used by the English as a term of contempt,

when the American was a colonist, and it is also said, that the latter often adopts it as an indirect and playful means of retaliation. It is necessary to remember one material distinction in its use, which is infallibly made by every American. At home, the native of even New York, though of English origin, will tell you he is not a Yankee. The term here is supposed to be perfectly provincial in its application; being, as I have said, coni fined to the inhabitants, or rather the natives of New England. But, out of the United States, even the Georgian does not hesitate to call himself a Yankee.' The Americans are particularly fond of distinguishing any thing connected with their general enterprise, skill, or reputation, by this term. Thus, the southern planter, who is probably more averse those personal qualities, which are thought than any other to admit a community of to mark the differences in provincial or rather state character, will talk of what a tor,' or a 'Yankee soldier,' can and has "Yankee merchant,' a Yankee negociadone: meaning always the people of the United States. I have heard a naval officer of rank, who was born south of the Potomac, and whose vessel has just been constructed in this port, speak of the latter with a sort of suppressed pride, as a "Yankee man-of-war.' Now, I had overheard the same individual allude to another in a manner that appeared reproachful, and in which he used the word

Yankee,' with peculiar emphasis. Thus it is apparent, that the term has two significations among the Americans themselves, one of which may be called its national, and the other its local meaning. The New-Englandman evidently exults in in the appellation at all times. Those of

other states with whom I have come .in contact, are manifestly quite as well pleased to lay no claim to the title, though all use it freely, in its foreign, or national

BANNERS.

THAT noblemen and gentlemen of ancient families, should not more frequently display a banner on their castles or mansions, instead of the national flag, which, properly speaking, they have not the slightest right to use, arises perhaps as much from ignorance and indifference as from modesty. They would laugh at the idea of painting a shield charged with the union badge on their carriages, and yet they place it over their residences, though it would be as appropriate in the one place, as in the other. One nobleman at least is sensible of propriety on the subject, and we think that his example would be generally adopted if it were known. A banner of the arms of Neville floats over Eridge Castle, the seat of the Earl of Abergavenny, whenever that respected nobleman is present; and how much more in character, with all the associations which Arundel Castle is calculated to excite, would be a banner of the quartered coats of Howard, Brotherton, and Fitz-Alan, than the incongruous combination which has been adopted for the national flag? The observation applies, mutatis mutandis, to Alnwick, Chatsworth, Woburn, &c.-Retro. Rev.

Anecdotiana.

FORGIVENESS OF INJURIES.

To a man of exalted mind, the forgiveness of injuries is productive of more pleasure and satisfaction than vengeance obtained. Louis the twelfth of France, in answer to those who advised him to revenge himself on those who had been his enemies before his accession to the throne; replied nobly, "The King of France does not remember the injuries of the Duke of Orleans.' A sentence of equal magnanimity is recorded to have been uttered by the Emperor Adrian, on seeing a person who had injured him in

his former station "You are safe, I am Emperor." It would be well if all men in power imitated the true greatness of these illustrious individuals. Then mankind would not have to regret that Mans inhumanity to man makes thousands mourn.'

DR. LANGHORNE, AND MRS. HANNAH
MORE.

In the summer of the year 1773, the celebrated John Langhorne, D. D. resided at Weston-super-Mare, in the County of Somerset, for the benefit of the sea air, and the equally celebrated Mrs. Hannah More resided at Uphill, not far distant from the above place, for the same salutary purpose.

The Doctor meeting the female bard one day upon the sea shore, he wrote with the end of his stick upon the sand the following impromptu :

ANECDOTE OF THE KING.

On the death of the late organist to St. George's Chapel, Windsor, great interest was made by several Professors of eminence to succeed to that honourable and lucrative situation. Old Horne, the music master, who taught the [King, and other Members of his August Family, in their juvenile days, was at this time very low in his circumstances, arising from losses and other untoward events. The fact was mentioned to his MAJESTY by one of the Lords in Waiting, who at the same time ventured to add that the existing vacancy would enable the poor old man to weather the storms of life, and pass the remainder of his days in competency and ease. His MAJESTY expressed his astonishment, and could scarcely credit that his old tutor was still in existence, or that, if so, he had not applied to his former pupil, stating his embarrassment. Modest merit is always dumb -HORNE "knew if he had made his case known, he should have been relieved, but he dared not intrude his suffering on his gracious master's attention." The fact, however, of his situation being, thus