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officers of the army. The subject of their tragedies were the victories and great actions of their ancestors. In their comedies, their household affairs and follies were noticed. The poets tanght them what they had to say, not by writing, but by memory, for orthography was not known among the Indians till after the conquest.

THE AMERICAN DRAMA.

Lopez de Vega writes that, the Christian religion was propagated among the Americans by the theatre. Every part of gospel history is thrown into a play, and the Indians are the actors instructed by the Jesuits; one acts our Saviour, another St. Peter, a third Pilate, a fourth Judas, and so on. This they consider as the readiest way of instructing the vulgar Indians in the Christian religion, and to fix its sacred history in their minds.

SHAKSPEAREAN CLOWNS.

Marlow, in his preface to the Jew of Malta, writes that Mason and Taylor performed their parts with that excellence, that it was beyond conceiving.' And Baker, in his Chronicles, says of three eminent actors, 'Excellency in the meanest things deserves remembrance. Richard Burbidge,* and Edward Allen, two such actors, as no age must ever look to see the like; and to make their comedies complete, Richard Tarleton, for the clown's part, never had his match, nor never will have.' What this writer calls the clown's part, were such as Launcelot in the Merchant of Venice. Touchstone in As you Like it, the Fool in King Lear, and parts of the kind which required persons of infinite humour. THESPIS.

CHIMES.

BY HORACE GUILFORD. (For the Olto)

I KNOW nothing that gives me more pleasure in returning to dear old England than the thought of hearing once more the music of its melodious belfries. In Scotland you have no such thing as chimes. By chimes, however, I do not mean the artificial measured air that toils wearily through the harsh grated steeple, that awkward as Hercules with Omphales' distaff, transfer the melodies of the polished piano-forte to the gigantic hammers of the granite

His epitaph is Exit Burbidge.'
+ The founder of Dulwich College, 1624.

campanile. But I speak of that delicious music peculiar to the belfry, and which may be called its natural language, flowing in wild cadences from its embattled brow, like the untaught notes of the blackbird or the thrush

those swelling and exultant peals which few instruments can imitate at all, and of which those who can, make but a bungling copy. I speak of those sonorous harmonies, pealing every Sabbath over the lofty mansions of our cities, or echoing through the woody farms, broad meadows, and laughing brooks of our villages-that beloved and delightful descant, rising and falling in varied repetitions amid the sunny vales of a summer's noon, or caught by fits amid the groans and gushes of a wintry nightthat mighty diapason of the tower that strikes up its congratulatory hymn as the bridal train emerge from the venerable chuch porch, or mingles with the broad blaze and roaring blast that accompany the festal minstrelsy in the latticed halls of Christmas.

I mean that music that calls the decent

peasant to praise the giver of his Sabbath's rest, that shakes out its jubilant chorus for the monarch's birth-day, or the chieftain's battle pomp, that thunders in tremendous symphony above the triumphal bonfire, and grows louder as the radiant coloured rockets illuminate the gigantic belfry-windows, where its great wheels, like necromancers, maintaining the glorious turmoil, swing incessantly to and fro. I mean that sound, wanting which, the proudest church in Scotland seems like a warrior without his battle-cry, and the fairest like a beauty with a discordant voice.

The Note Book.

BUONAPARTE'S STYLE OF PLAYING
GAMES.

Every thing concurred to render our passage dreary and monotonous. The General had lost four aides-de-camps, Crosier, Sulkowsky, Julien, and Guibert; Caffarelli, Brueys, and many others, were no more. Our certain misfortunes, and the disquietudes of the future, alike threw their gloom over our hours. Nevertheless, though our apprehension was but too just, and intense the pre-occupation of Buowhen we sought to unbend from anxnaparte's mind, there were yet times iety, or, in familiar phrase, to kill

time. Who would have believed it? Instead of cultivating the intellect by

learned discussions, we endeavoured to find in cards a resource from thought. Well! even in an amusement so frivolous, the character of our companion manifested its peculiar bias. In general, he disliked play; but, since play he must, preference was given to Vingt et un, because that game comes to a conclusion sooner than others. If, in describing his noble deeds of arms, he loved to embellish, to vaunt his fortune, so he did not disdain to aid his cards by sleight of hand; in one word, he cheated. He laughed heartily, too, at those little tricks, especially when they were not detected; and, sooth to say, we were already courtiers enough to flatter him in this petty ambition, by voluntarily shutting our eyes. But I ought also to be no less in haste to say, that he never took advantage of these little contrivances in play. When the party broke up, he restored his winnings, which he divided amongst us. The gain, as may be supposed, was no object; but fortune must give him, at the nick of time, an ace or ten, just as she owed him favourable weather on a day of battle; and if fortune failed in her duty, no one was to perceive. He played also at chess, but very rarely, because indifferently, and liked not being beaten at this game, which passes, one knows not well why, for a pretended imitation of the great game of war. At that, Buonaparte feared no one. I remember, at Mantua, his losing a game to General Beauvoir, reckoned one of the best players in Europe, who gave him odds. He was any thing but well pleased. He liked very well to play with me, however, because, though the superior, I was not so much so as to gain always. When successful, he would give over playing, in order to rest upon his laurels. Bourriene's Napoleon, Vol. I, Constable's Miscellany, Vol. 75.

LAVATER.

Upon an occasion, the celebrated professor of physiognomy was presented with an excellent cast of Dr. Priestley, and at the same time with a portrait of the Lord Chancellor Thurlow, and his opinion asked of their natural dispositions. His answer was very remarkable, and we leave our readers to form a judgment of Lavater's discernment. On viewing the cast of Dr. Priestley, he said, "This is the resemblance of a man whose principles are unsteady, and who is ever pursuing some new idea." On viewing the portrait of the Chancellor, he exclaimed, "This man is born to rule in Heaven or in H-!"

Illustrations of History.

PROGRESS OF ANATOMY. The dissection of dead bodies, so necessary to the knowledge of anatomy, was at no very late period looked on as a sacrilege; and the Emperor, Charles V. ordered a consultation of the theologians of Salamanca, to determine whether, in point of conscience, a body might be dissected, in order to obtain a knowledge of its structure.

In the month of January, 1474, the physicians and surgeons of Paris represented to Louis XI. that "several persons of condition were afflicted with the stone, cholic, pains, and stitches in the side, that it would be very proper to inspect the parts where these disorders were engendered; that the greatest light they could receive would be from performing an operation on a living man, and therefore they begged that a franc-archer, condemned to be hanged for robbery, who was frequently afflicted with these complaints, should be delivered up to them."

Their petition was granted, and this operation, the first probably ever made for the stone, was publicly performed in St. Severin's church-yard.

After the operators had examined, and made the experiment, the bowels were replaced in the body, which was sewed up, and so well dressed, that in a fortnight's time he was cured, and was pardoned his crimes. It appears by the philosophical transactions for the year 1667, that the transfusion of blood, from which so great benefits were at that time expected, was tried on Anthony Maurex, a madman. The practice of inoculation was first tried on some criminals, who not only survived themselves, but have saved the lives of thousands; and it appears, that dissection of criminals, when alive, had been practised in the Western Empire, and perhaps earlier, by the Greek physicians."

Fine Arts.

SCULPTURE-TAM O'SHANTER, SOUTER JOHNNY, THE LANDLORD AND LANDLADY.

Executed by James Thom. The Landlady and Tam grew gracious, The Souter tauld his queerest stories, The Landlord's laugh was ready chorus.

Delightful is the treat to drop out of the realms of St. James's and Old Bond Street, and enter the quiet room in which Mr. Thom's group are seated

in the enraptured pleasure of illustrating the tale of Tam O'Shanter. So much has been written and imaged in the streets in praise of two of these 'merry wags,' who first made their appearance in their propria persona of sandstone, to the wonder and admiration of artists, critics, and exhibition amateurs, that we pass over their exquisite characteristics for the present, leaving them laughing out openly with their ale in still life, to say a few words of the Landlord and Landlady,' now added to the scene. Tam is now represented as holding the Landlady's shrewd countenance, spirit, and attitude, in rivetted attention to his humorous delivery and exposition of the "Tale." Her dress, anxiety, and taste, are in keeping with nature. She is spell-bound-nothing in common parlance would seduce her one inch from her seat; nor is he in haste to give his tongue one period of repose, so well pleasing are the relishes of his agreeable minutes. On the left side of the observer, next to 'Souter Johnny,' sits the 'Landlord' with a horn in his right hand, nearly spilling the liquor as he is operated on by irresistible feelings excited with the last rich conceit of the Souter, who, to take care of his ale till laughter has spent its last drop of joy, holds his thumb on the lid of the tankard, and curls in his lips with unbounded rapture, as he does his foot, accustomed to hold the lapstone.

The Landlord, no longer able to contain his excitation, throws himself back in aid of relieving his life victorious. His upper teeth are in full view, and he nearly slips from his chair to let his muscles stretch from all the quarters of his animated tenement of ten thousand nerves. His face remains in ecstacies, and the current of mirth that gushes in his heart's crimson vessels, cannot be equalled by any happy creature in the wide world's sphere.

Care, mad to see a man sae happy, Een drown'd himsel amang the nappy. His bones are thickly lined with flesh, and this, even to his buckles, is clad in a coarse suit. His head, by the baldness on the os frontis, gives him a cast of years in the decline of life. The hair, howbeit, divided on each side yields even reverence, hope that ma

keth not ashamed.'

Considering that stone is the medium through which Mr. Thom has conveyed his mind from 'Burns to the public; the conception, poetic effect, and execution, are in unison with the spirited affections of human nature and the best achievements of art.

· Customs of Varions Countries.

THE FEAST OF WILLOWS.

Four kinds of boughs or branches, in accordance with the command as they could be procured, were necessary to keep this feast. The willow and palm branch were almost essential. But if they could not be procured, others were substituted rather than the feast should be delayed. The palm branch, the myrtle and willow, were united into one bunch. When a man took them up to go forth with them, he blessed the Deity for the privilege. He carried the bunch in his right hand, and the pomecitron in his left, as they grew with their roots downward, and their tops waving in the air; but rather than not have the bunch perfect, he waited and diligently sought for the deficient till he completed his wishes. The palm branch might not be less than four hand-breadths in length; the myrtle and willow not less than three. The pomecitron might not be less than an egg, but as much larger as it could be procured. As this triune bunch was borne along, it was waved three times towards each way of the four winds, that the blessing might reach the quarters of the world. During this performance, the 118th psalm was read. It was allowed only to be carried during the day time. The first day of the seven of keeping the feast, was for waving branches; but in the sanctuary, every day. Whoever was bound to the law of the trumpet and of booths, was obliged to carry the palm branches; others were free. The child that knew how to wave it, was bound by the doctrine of the Scribes to carry the branch that it may be trained up in the commandments. Every day the bearers went about the altar once with the palm trees in their hands, and said, "Hosanna save now!" and "Hosanna prosper now!" And on the seventh day, they went about the altar seven times. PYLADES.

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Diary and Chronology.

Wednesday, September 1.

St. Lupus -High Water Oh 24m Morning-0h 50m After.

Our saint, who was archbishop of Lens, and sometimes called St. Leu, was particularly distinguished by his benevolence and forgiveness of the greatest injuries. He died a D. 620. Sept. 1, 1715.-Died on this day, Louis XIV. The natural good sense of this monarch, combined with his sedateness, would have made him respectable, though not brilliant, in an inferior ́situation, and it may be said in alleviation of his faults, that never was man more exposed to moral perversion by a bad education, and the extravagant flattery of a whole people, who indulged their own vanity in deifying their monarch. During the reign of Louis, France made great advances, for which the country was no further indebted to him, than as he was a general encourager of every thing which could contribute to his own glory. One of his ablest panegyrists has summed up his character by saying, that, if he was not a great king, he was at least a great actor of royalty.

Thursday, September 2.

Full

St. Justus, Archbishop of Lyons, died A.D. 390-Moon Eclipsed, 50m after 8 Even. Eclipse ends 26m after midnight. Digits eclipsed 20° 40' on the Moon's southern limb. Moon, 1h 58m Afternoon.

Sept. 2, 1666.-FIRE OF LONDON.-This memorable event begun on a Sunday morning at one o'clock, and being impelled by strong winds, it raged with irresistible fury nearly four days and nights, nor was it entirely mastered till the fifth day after its commencement. Among the scarce prints possessed by the Society of Antiquaries, is one about 24 in. by 12 in., which appears to have been hastily engraved in a rude and scratchy style, for immediate publication after the are. It was "printed and sold by W. Sherwin, at his shope in Barbican, next door to ye Green Dragon;" and has on it the following inscription and verses:-"The Pickture of ye most famous City of London, as it appeared in ye night, in the height of its ruinous condition by fire, Sept. 2,1666.

"In forty-one, London was very sick
Of tumult and disorder; lunatick,
In sixty-five, (ye fatall yeare) this City

Was plagued with tumours, and had few to pity.
In this prodigious yeare a burning fever
Dia seize our mother, & of breath bereave her.

She both in lechery (and flames) did burne;
Her ashes lye in a neglected vroe.
By serving king and country in this time,
Till that her sons do expiate her crime,
Howere her scorched carkas don't despise;
A Phoenix from her ashes will rise."

Friday, September 3.

St. Mansuet,bish of Tul, died A D. 375 -Sun rises 17m after 5-sets 42m after 6. BARTHOLENEW FAIR-At a season like the present, when this scene of hubbub and confusion reigns in all its glory, it may not be out of place to introduce here a note of its origin, and of fairs in general. The metropolitan fair is held under a charter granted by Henry II. to the priory of St. Bartholemew, and confirmed by succeeding monarchs. This fair, Stowe says, was appointed to be kept yearly at Bartholemew-tide, for three days; to wit, the eve, the day, and the next morrow. It was no doubt originally intended chiefly as a fair of business, as the same historian says, the clothiers of England and drapers of London repaired to it," and bad their booths and standing within the church-yard of this priory, closed in with walls and gates, locked every night, and watched for safety of men's goods and wares." FAIRS were first instituted by Romulus, who directed a kind of market should be held, under the superintendence of proper officers, for the purpose of traffic, as also of hearing the laws promulgated, upon every ninth day; hence they were called by the Romans Nundinae. About the eighth century, these kind of meetings assumed the name of Fairs, from their being held in places where the markets, or feasts of the dedication of churches, called feria, were celebrated, in order that trade and pleasure might be made subservient to the cause of religion. These fairs, though probably introduced by the Romans, are not, however, noticed till the time of Alfred, who made some regulations concerning them in 886; at which period the Piepowder Courts were established; upon these occasions, booths were erected, and public shows exhibited; they were also attended by jugglers and buffoons.

Saturday, September 4.

St. Ida. Widow, 4th Cent-High Water 41m after 2 Morn-2m after 3 Evening. Sept. 4, 1657.-On this day the funeral of the brave Admiral Blake took place with great magnificence: he was interred at the Protector Cromwell's expence in Westminster Abbey, from which place his remains were removed by the order of Charles II. in 1661, and re-interred in the church-yard of St. Margaret.

Sunday, September 5.

THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

Lessons for the Day-19 chapter Kings, b. 2, morn-23 chapter Kings, b. 2. Even. Sept. 5, 1548.-Expired Catherine Parr, wife to the amorons sovereign, Henry VIII., whom she was fortunate enough to survive. Catharine Parr was a prudent, amiable woman; and, though neither over-young, nor exquisitely handsome, she found means to gain more influence with her capricious mate than either of the young beauties who had preceded her.

Monday, September 6.

St. Bees of Ireland, Vir.-Sun rises 23m after 5-sets 36m after 6

Sept. 6, 1813.-A curious circumstance occurred this day, developing the longevity of trees. An oak, near Marmion, in Monmouthshire, fell, whieh, from the account given in Mr. Pennant's Tour, had been growing in the time of Owen Glendower.

Tuesday, September 7.

St. Cloud, Confes. A.D. 560.-High Water 48m after 4 Morning-10m after ↳ After. Sept. 7, 1709.-Born on this day, at Lichfield, the great leviathan of literature, Dr Samuel Johnson. Had we space here, we should insert a poem by our friend Horace Guilford, upon the Doctor's WILLOW, a relic often an object of curiosity tot ose who visit the natal place of this great genius. However, in our next it will appear.

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On the 1st of September was published Part 36, being the second Part of Vol. VI. ; and on the 1st of October will be ready Parts 37 and 39.

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Illustrated Article.

THE UNEARTHLY WITNESS.

BY THE ETTRICK SHEPHERD.

SIR, With regard to the story which has reached you of the late consternation caused at Castle Gower, by the return of William Tibbers from the grave, and the events following on that phenomenon, I am without doubt enabled to write you at great length. And if a man is allowed to take the evidence of his own senses, I am entitled to vouch for the truth of a part of my narrative.

You knew Mr. William Tibbers, at least I remember of your having met with him. He was a man of that specious cast, of that calm reasoning demeanour, that he had great influence with all the gentlemen of the county, and could have carried any public measure almost that he pleased among them, so purely disinterested did all his motives and arguments appear. He was employed by them all, as a factor, a valuator, a land-letter, and an umpire in all debates. And then such general VOL. VI. M

See page 182

satisfaction he gave in all cases.

there was no man like old Willie Tibbers! He was quite a public benefit to the country, and a credit to the class to which he belonged.

So far, so well. This was the opinion of the gentlemen concerning him, at least of all, save one or two, and their shakes of the head, and hems and haws, were quite drowned in the general buzz of approbation. But the sentiments of the common people relating to him differed widely from those of their superiors. They detested him; accounting him a hollow-hearted deceitful person; an extortioner, and one who stuck at no means, provided he could attain his own selfish purposes. They even accused him of some of the worst and most flagrant crimes heard of among men; and I have heard them say they could prove them. This may, however, have originated in the violence of their prejudices; but there is one thing I know, and there is no worse mark of a man-he was abhorred by his servants, and I do not think one of them would ever have staid a second season with

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