that destructive vice; nor was he insensible to the other defects of his original character which he had failed to correct. "Alas!" he would sometimes exclaim, on recovering from one of these paroxysms of rage by which he was liable to be carried away, "I have reformed my people, but have not been able to reform myself." Perhaps, how ever, no man in any station ever did more than this illustrious monarch to repair the mischievous consequences of a neglected youth, as far as intellectual acquirements are concerned. In addition to a competent knowledge of mathematics, mechanics, navigation, medicine, and anatomy, he appears to have made himself master of more than one of the modern languages of Europe.

An Anecdote.-The Czar, upon one occasion, found two of his daughters reading a French author. He desired one of them to translate the passage before her into Russian,-when, struck with the facility with which the task was performed, he exclaimed, "Ah, my children, how happy are you, who are thus taught to read in your youth, and enjoy all the advantages of an education which I totally wanted." He used often to say that he would willingly have lost one of his fingers to have had a good education in his youth.

Peter's History. The emperor's history presents us with, perhaps, as remarkable a case of the conquest of difficulties in the pursuit of knowledge as it would be possible to quote. In his noble resolution to educate not only himself but his country, he had to contend with obstacles at every step, which nothing could have overcome but that determination to succeed which overcomes all things. Few monarchs have better deserved the epithet of Great, if he is to be appreciated either by the great powers of mind he displayed, or the great effects he accomplished. And of these last it is to be remarked that none have passed away; all have been permanent and productive. Compare Peter the Great, in this respect, with many other characters who during their time have filled the earth with the noise of their exploits; and how high must he be placed above them! Alexander's mighty empire fell to pieces as soon as his own hand had resigned its sceptre; so did that of Charlemagne; so did that of Buonaparte. These all, after moving every thing, established almost nothing. But whatever the Russian planted still grows

and flourishes, and bears fruit more plentifully every year. The reason is, that while other builders up of empires have trusted, for the support of their institutions, alone or chiefly to the sword, he based his on the moral strength of knowledge and civilization.

Among the useful discoveries made by men of wealth and rank, we may adduce an example in the person of Baron Von Canstein, a German nobleman, noted for being the discoverer of stereotype printing, which he practised with success at Halle. The new mode of printing brought to light by the ingenuity of Canstein, at the beginning of the last century, is singular for its vicissitudes of notoriety and oblivion. The Chinese have had a long acquaintance with the art of printing from blocks or plates, instead of moveable types, and among them it is to this day the only method in use. It was probably also the first form which the art of printing assumed in Europe, was then forgotten for many years till it was revived in the middle of the sixteenth century at Augsburg, where some of the plates that were used for the purpose are still preserved,- -was again introduced at Leyden about half a century later, was a few years after re-invented by Canstein, was practised at Edinburgh in 1744, by William Ged, who was quite ignorant of what had been done by his predecessors, and, lastly, after his attempts had ceased to be remembered, was taken up anew by the late ingenious Dr. Alexander Tilloch and Fowlis, the Glasgow printer, who, however, did little more than merely take out a patent for what they deemed their discovery. And even now, after it has been practised on a larger scale than ever, it does not appear to be gaining ground in general estimation, principally from its inapplicability to works which require improvement in successive editions. If such works are largely corrected, the saving in the plates is in a great degree lost. If that saving is principally regarded, and antiquated opinions or positive errors are multiplied through a paltry economy, the invention is a positive incumbrance to learning, and is therefore of little worth. Unquestionably the proper range of its application is very limited.

It ought to be observed, that the several block or plate-printers we have mentioned did not all pursue the same method. Faust, for instance, on the invention of printing, employed merely wooden blocks, such as are used by the Chinese,

on which the characters were cut out, as is done still in wood-engraving; the Augsburg printers appear to have set up their types in the usual manner, and then to have converted them into a solid plate by pouring metal upon the back of the congeries; and the present method, as is well known, is, after having set up the types, to take an impression from them in plaster of Paris, or some other composition, and to cast or found the plate in this as a mould. It does not very clearly appear what was the plan which Canstein followed; but it is known that he printed a great many volumes, and sold them very cheap. A copy of the New Testament, for instance, he used to sell for fourpence; but, as he was very pious, it is not improbable that he distributed the Scriptures at less even than the cost price, which his fortune enabled him to do. It is said that it was while endeavouring to devise a cheap method of multiplying copies of the Bible for the use of the poor, that the notion of his invention suggested itself to him."

In our next we shall, probably, make a few further extracts from this intelligent and important work.

Fine Arts.

Illustrations to the Literary Souvenir

for 1831. Longman and Co. We are sorry to find, upon looking into the "Souvenir," that its illustrations will not, upon the whole, bear comparison with those of earlier years: though there are several splendid pictures, yet the majority is of a very mediocre description. The following strikes us as delightful works of art :Lady Georgiana Agar Ellis, by Sir T. Lawrence, engraved by J. H. Watt, is full of delicacy and spirit. This portrait is distinguished by that genius, and lit up with that high intelligence only to be found in the productions of the late and much lamented president. The Narrative, by Stothard and Greatbach, is a delightful subject of the Decameron species; we know of no artist but Stothard capable of painting such a subject, so perfect in drawing and so original. To the View of Ghent, by Nash and Goodall, we are spell-bound; on this plate we could gaze for hours and not be satiated. Seldom is a subject every way adapted for graphic display felicitously portrayed; but this picture is an exception, both drawing and engraving are of the highest order of merit and must secure admiration. Trojan

Fugitives, by G. Jones, R. A. engraved by Edwards, is a finely conceived and inimitable painting. The terror depicted on the features of the group of fugitives gazing in wild dismay at the flame-enveloped city, is true to nature. But the jewel of the book is the Destruction of Babel, by an artist named Slous, of whom we know very little; but if he continues to produce such splendid efforts of imagination as the scene here presented, he will not want for fame long; and we predict that a golden reputation will be his. To convey an idea of this magnificent scene, and its architectural glories, words are inadequate, it must be seen to be appreciated. No less deserving is the engraving of T. Jeavons. Here we regret must end our critical labours, as the less that is said of the remainder the better. Next year we hope to see more gems, and less foil to set them off.

Customs of Various Countries.

BEATING THE BOUNDS. An Ancient Ceremony. The custom of making the bounda ries of parishes by the neighbouring inhabitants going round them once a year, and stopping at certain spots, or Gospel Oaks,* to perform different ceremonies, in order that the localities might be impressed on the memories of the young, as they were attested by the recollections of the old, is still common in various parts of the kingdom. The custom itself is of great antiquity, and

Oaks have sometimes not only been termed Gospel" trees, but have also been dignified by the title of "Apostles." Thus the fine group, consisting of twelve in num

ber, at Burley in the New Forest, is known by the appellation of the Twelve Apostles." Towards the centre of Coleshill Park, in Warwickshire, there once stood four very aged oaks, forming a square, one occupying each

corner, which were familiarly known by the

name of the "Four Apostles" (the Four Evangelists, we presume, they ought rather to have been called. Some forty or fifty years ago the steward of the manor fell foul of one of these consecrated trees, and unceremoniously cut it down, for the purpose of repairing the park pales. This sacrilegious act excited the honest indignation of the old park-keeper, near whose residence the trees grew, who, observing that there always had teen four apostles in Coleshill Park ever since he had known the place," swore, with an o-th, that

if he could have his way, there always should be," Accordingly he planted another in the room of the displaced apostle. This newly planted tree, on account of its youth, acquired (as might be expected) the name of St. John. We have often seen it in company with its three aged fellows, and believe it is still a vigorous and thriving young tree.

ALWAYS anxious to present to our readers every novelty that comes under our editorial eye, we eagerly seize upon such of the Annuals as have already made their appearance, and transfer from them to the OLIO some of the choicest and most piquant pieces in story and song. In this age of improvement, when almost every individual possesses a taste for literature and the Fine Arts, the editorship of any one of these beautiful" perennials," to borrow a phrase from the witty Thomas Hood, must be a task of considerable difficulty; yet we perceive, with some astonishment, that other works of a similar class will, this season, be added to the already lengthy list. But nine winters since, the Adam of the Annuals, Ackerman's "Forget-me-Not," burst into life, and now nearly a score of these "grave and gay" competitors for public favour appear with the revolving year, to announce to us that Christmas and its festivities-its good cheer-yule logswine and wassail-its frolics, forfeits, and kisses,-are near at hand. Y

VOL. VI.

Dismissing the fond anticipations to which their appearance has led us, we return at once to our task, and commence with the

Forget-me-Not.

Edited by F. Shoberl,

which contains many articles of great merit and originality: among the best are the tales of "The Haunted Hogshead," "The Elves of Caer Gwyn," "The Painter of Pisa," and the following:

MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER'S
HARPSICHORD.

RY THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY, ESQ.
"Most musical-most melancholy."

I HAD drained the last drop of my bottle of claret, and sat musing in solitude before the fire. "Yes," thought I, "yes, my daughters are come to years of education, so I must get a musical instructor and a grand piano."

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