Imatges de pàgina
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REVERSES OF FORTUNE.

Stowe tells us, that at the Earl of Warwick's house situated in the lane which still retains his name, there were six oxen eaten at a breakfast, "and every taverne was full of his meate; for he that had any acquaintance in that house might have there as much of sodden and roast meate as he could pricke and carry upon a long dagger;" and although thirty thousand casual guests, besides numerous tenants, are said each day to have been fed by this munificent Earl, his sister (the Countess of Oxford) was reduced to so abject a state after her husband's defeat at Tewkesbury, that she was compelled to work at her needle for bread! NYRON.

EARLIEST MIRACLE PLAY.

The first exhibition of this kind specified by name, was called "St. Catherine," and, according to Matthew Paris, had for its author Godfrey the Norman, afterwards Abbot of St. Albans, who was sent into England by Abbot Richard to take upon him the direction of the the school belonging to that monastery, but coming too late, he went and taught at Dunstable, where he caused his play to be performed about the year 1110, and borrowed from the sacrist of St. Albans some of the ecclesiastical vestments of the abbey to adorn the actors. Latterly, these entertainments were called "Mysteries," because the most mysterious subjects of the holy history were selected.

THE SYBARITES.

NYRON.

Of the luxury of this people an instance is recorded of Syndirides, who once cast himself upon a bed prepared for him of the leaves of roses, and having there slept, complained of having pustules made upon his body from its hardness. He was likewise so addicted to his belly, that when he went to Sicyon, as a suitor to Agarista, the daughter of Clisthenes, he took along

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This valuable esculent was first imported into Europe in the year 1565, by Hawkins, from Santa Fé, in Spanish America. The potatoe was planted for the first time in Ireland by the great Sir Walter Raleigh, who had an estate in that kingdom. The natural history of the potatoe was then so little understood, that ignorance of what part of the plant was the proper food had nearly prevented any further attention towards its cultivation

for, Raleigh perceiving green apples appear upon the stems, he first supposed them to be the fruit, but upon their being boiled, and finding them unpalateable, or rather nauseous, he was disgusted with his acquisition, and thought no more of cultivating potatoes. Accident, however, discovered the real fruit, owing to the ground being turned over, through necessity, that very season; and to his surprise a beautiful crop was found under-ground, which, being boiled, proved nourishing to the stomach and grateful to the taste. The utility of this plant being soon known, rendered its cultivation pretty universal through Ireland, whence it found its way to this kingdom, by meer accident, where it was first planted upon the western coast, owing, as is reported, to a vessel which contained some potatoes, being shipwrecked at a village named Firm

THE OLIO.

by, in Lancashire; a place still famed for this excellent vegetable.

When Parkinson published his Paradisus Terrestris, our common potatoes, then called Batatæ Virginiana, were become more frequent, and were prepared the same way as the Spanish potatoes, being roasted under the embers, and eaten with sack and sugar,— baked with marrow, sugar, and spices, or candied by the comfit-makers, in all which ways, says Parkinson, the Virginian potatoe, being dressed, maketh a J. most delicate meat.

Customs of Warious Countries.

CHINESE MODE OF FISHING.

For the Olio

The manner of catching fish practised by the Chinese, is extremely curious. Besides the fishing birds described by Menhof, and which I will explain presently, they have an ingenious method of entrapping fish. A set of boats built purposely for this use, on each side of which is fastened a board, japanned with white varnish, which being driven out into the water during the moonlight nights, when the fish are leaping, they mistake for water, and leaping on the

boats are taken.

They make use, also, of a species of cormorant, which stands perched on the side of a boat, and when the fisherman gives the signal, the bird takes his flight and looks out for game, and having seized a fish, brings it to his master. Some fly great numbers of these birds at once, and they will divide a river or lake amongst them, and return to their masters with the fish they have taken; and if the fish are large, they will help one another to bring it to the boat, after which they take their flight again in search of more: having strings about their necks to prevent their swallowing any till their master leaves off, and then they are suffered to prey for themF.G. selves.

Anecdotiana.

THORWALDSEN, THE SCULPTOR. Thorwaldsen, travelling to Stuttgard, overtook on the road a poor German, heavily laden with a knapsack; on seeing the carriage pass, the man called to the coachman to stop, and entreated to be taken up; but the driver, giving an insolent reply, would have continued his way, when the sculptor himself ordered the coachman to stop, saying he would make room for him inside; he

accordingly requested the tired pedes-
trian to come in and take a seat. They
soon entered into familiar conversation,
in the course of which the stranger said
he was a painter, and, hearing that the
great Thorwaldsen was shortly ex-
pected at Stuttgard, he had started from

on foot, resolving to see an artist whose works had made such noise in "And pray, Sir," said he, Europe.

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as you say you have just left Rome, have you seen, or do you know Thorwaldsen personally ?"-"Yes," replied the sculptor, "I have the good fortune to be very intimate with him, and promise on our arrival at Stuttgard to present you to him." At this assurance the German's joy knew no bounds; he grasped him by the hand, and a silent tear bespoke his gratitude. The benevolent old man felt sensibly moved at the unsophisticated zeal of the young artist, and unable to sustain his incognito any longer-" My dear good friend," he exclaimed, "I will not keep you in longer suspense-I am Thorwaldsen."

ERUDITE PREACHER.

The following choice morceau (says the Exeter Gazette) was posted about 66 October that city a few days ago: 24th, 1830. The Revd. W. Mackintosh of Scotland Will Preach Three Sermones In Sent Thomas' in the Same House whare the Revd. S. Kilpin youse to Preach Six doors Above. Ockipyed by Mrs. Webber, The Sarvicess will Comence at half-past ten in the Morning at half-past tow in the Afternoon and at Six in the Evening. Preaching likewise betwine the Sarvices above menshend on the Quay or on bord a Ship."

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Biary and Chronology.

Wednesday, November 17.

St. Dionysius, b. of Alexandria, A D. 265.-High Water 54m aft 2 Morn - 11m aft 3 Aftern` November 17, 1821.-Expired suddenly of apoplexy, in his 72d year, Rear Admiral Burney, F.R.S. He was eldest son of the celebrated Dr. Burney, the elegant historian of music, and brother to Dr. Charles Burney, the Hellenist, and Madame D'Arblay the distinguished novelist. The Admiral was not an unworthy member of so literary a family; his History of Voyages of Discovery displays extensive reading and research, as well as geographical knowledge. He also published another work on the Eastern Navigation of the Russians.

Thursday, November 18.

Dedication of Sts. Peter and Paul at Rome-Sun rises 39m after 7-sets 20m after 4. The Vatican church, dedicated in honor of St. Peter, is the second patriarchal church in Rome, and in it reposes one half of the reliques of Sts. Peter and Paul." The religious multitude to this day repair in numbers to these sepulchres of saints," says St. Chrysostom," thas surpassing the palaces of kings, for even kings and emperors go to salute them." Butler, the historiographer of the saints, expatiating on this habit of pilgrimages to shrines and reliques, expressly guards the reader against any false notion that the Catholics worship the reliques themselves, or even dedicate holy edifices to saints. "They are," says he," in reality dedicated to God, and are so dedicated under the patronage of some saint, whose intercession we may invoke with the Deity." The sacred vault of this church is called the Confession of St. Peter, or the threshold of the Apostles; and thousands of pilgrims have flocked to it ever since the primitive ages of the church.

Friday, November 19.

St. Barlaam, mar.-High Water 2m after 4 Morn-20m after 4 Aftern.

November 19, 1689.-On this day the Rev. George Walker received the thanks of the House of Commons for his gallant defence of Londonderry against an army belonging to James II. He was of English parents in the County of Tyrone, Ireland, and educated in the University of Glasgow, in Scotland: he was afterwards rector of Donnogbmore, near Londonderry. He was created D D. by the University of Oxford in February, 1690, the year in which he was unfortunately killed.

Saturday, November 20.

St. Felix of Valois, Confessor, 1212.-sun rises 42m after 7-sets 17m after 4 November 20, 1759.-Anniversary of the brilliant victory gained over the French Admiral Conflans, in the bay of Quiberon, by the brave Admiral Hawke. This most perilous and important action defeated the projected invasion of Great Britain. Sir Edward Hawke was soon after gratified by a considerable pension from the King; and the extraordinary activity which he had long displayed in the service of his country was honoured with the approbation of Parliament, Iu the year 1776, he was advanced to the dignity of a peer of Great Britain, by the title of Baron Hawke, of Towton, in the County of York.

Sunday, November 21.

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

Lessons for the Day-13 chapter Proverbs, morning-14 chapter Proverbs, Even Presentation of Our Lady.-High Water 16m after 5 Morning-37m after 5 Afternoon. November 21, 1820.-Expired James Harris, Earl of Malmsbury. His lordship was the son of the celebrated author of Hermes, and the Three Treatises. He had been ambassador at several foreign courts, was created Baron Malmsbury in 1789, and raised to an earldom in 1800. His literary works are an Introduction to the History of the Dutch Republic for the last ten years, published in 1783; and the Works of James Harris, Esq., with an account of his Life and Character, by his son.

Monday, November 22.

St. Cecilia. Virgin & Mart. A.D 230.-Sun rises 45m after 7-sets 14m after 4. November 22, 1774.-- Died the Right Hon. Robert Clive, L.L.D. and F.R.S.; his lordship had been twice governor of Bengal. One of his biographers says that he was an eminent soldier, and adorned with all the virtues of a military life-pride, cruelty, and insatiable avarice! He amassed immense wealth, and returned home to be as miserable as a guilty conscience and illgotten riches could make him, till on this day he terminated his own life at the age of fifty;-a warning to other great men to take care by what means they acquire their wealth and ho

nours."

Tuesday, November 23.

St. Clement, pope and martyr, A.D 100.-Moon's First Quarter, 44m after 11 Morning. Plott, in his History of Staffordshire," page 430, describing a clog almanack, says, "A pot is marked against the 23rd of November, for the festival of St. Clement, from the ancient custom of going about that night to beg drink to make merry with."

November 23, 955 -Expired Edred the Saxon, who was the first monarch styled King of Great Britain. He died of a quinsey in the seventh year of his reign, and was buried at Winchester. Edred was the dupe of that artful and greedy impostor, Dunstan, Abbot of Glastonbury, who lowered him, by filling his mind with superstitious fears, from an active warrior to a mere pusilanimous driveller.

With our last was published a SUPPLEMENTARY SHEET, wholly devoted to, and being the CREAM OF THE ANNUALS for 1831.

We trust our friend J. H. B. is not indisposed.

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in the chapel of Aston Hall, near Stone, in Staffordshire, to his kinswoman Dorothy, sole heiress to Sir William Stanley of that place.

Such, had newspapers then flourished, would have been the announcement of a splendid match by which the bridegroom, then in his nineteenth year, acquired the broad manors of Aston,

I should have thought of heaven and hell com- Clifton-Camville, &c. in addition to his

bined,

The morning star mixed with infernal fire,
Ere I bad thought of this!

Detested of my soul! I will have vengeance! Shall groans and blood affright me?-No, I'll do't!

Though gasping life beneath my pressure

heaved,

1 would not flinch!

DE MONFORT.

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already magnificent estates. October, that lord of the russet and golden leaf, -of oaks and beeches, bourgeoning with yellow, or ruddy mast,-when hedgerows display

VermilHon hyps, as bright
As skies at sunset crimson-colour'd haws,
The robin's winter store; pale milky nuts
Nested in fringy green; the elder, dark
With purple juice; the black and bloomy sloe,
Sharp mimic of the plum; the service tree,
With its ensanguin'd clusters; blackberries
Of such an hue as if some Pyramus
Had stain'd them newly; and thy scarlet
fringe,

Beautiful rowan! mingled with the harsh
And choaking crab, as brilliant in its hues
As if the orchard were its stepmother!
While over all the tendril'd briony
Her berries pink and waxen hangs aloft
In meretricious loveliness.

160

October, thus attended (pardon this flighty parenthesis gentle reader !) had commenced his reign before the bridal revelries had terminated at Aston Hall. It was early in that month that the spacious and majestic mansion of Pype Hall was ordered to be in preparation for the immediate reception of the newly married pair and their friends.

Unprecedented was the bustle displayed by butler, house-steward, and tire-woman, in arranging the great hall, the bower, the buttery, &c., for the accommodation of the bridal train. This, however, once accomplished, the whole household betook themselves right and left earnestly to the celebration of that important event. The long, low, and vaulted apartment appropriated to the domestics of the family, was opened alike to the lusty young yeoman, the blossoming damsel, the broad-fronted farmer, the buxom dame, the sage village politician, the wrinkled crone, and the babbling child who had the good luck to be born under the sway of the Stanleys or the Heveninghams.

were

It was now late; the brazen-figured clock in the bell tower had already warned the revellers of approaching midnight, and the party had begun gradually to diminish. The stream of viands and the clang of beakers had gradually died away with the laughter and songs they produced. The tenants (who had flocked in groupes to the hall on seeing the banner of Heveningham with a scutcheon of pretence in the centre, bearing the Stanley arms argent on a bend azure, three stags' heads cabossed and attired or,) had by this time chiefly departed to their homes. Few beside the household servants crowded round the capacious fire-place, whose hearth, pouring up the chimney a noble blaze, almost drowned with its roar the autumnal gusts that blew heavy and hollow against the strong transomed windows, speedily succeeded by lightning and rain. Tales of apparitions, sorcerers, and fairies, now began to blend with many a legend of treachery, revenge, and bloodshed. These, the usual termination of such merrymakings, seemed, by the subdued tone, the pallid cheek, and the anxious eye of the listeners, to be a very interesting theme, when suddenly a blaze of lightning was seen by those opposite the windows to strike the eastern end of the chapel, unfolding its cross, its gable, and its buttresses in red light,— Seem'd all on fire-within, around Deep sacristy, and altars pale,

Shose every pillar foliage-bound,

And glimmer'd all the dead men's mail; Blazed battlement and pinnet highBlazed every rose-carved buttress fair.

They who first saw the flash, exclaimed that "the east end of the chapel was on fire!" Old Martin the steward, who had been sitting with his back to the windows, turned round, and as it lingered for the extraordinary space of four or five seconds, he noticed the mantle of light that enveloped and illumined the building, with a most ghastly change of countenance; he had nearly fallen to the ground at the sight, and although it soon vanished,

"Ay!" he exclaimed, "it is not for nought, that wild flash! I have known the time when on every ninth of October it used to gleam and linger over the old courts, but now it only comes when some change awaits their inhabitants!"

All now crowded around him in greedy expectation of some marvellous tale; and, after a pause, which he turned to good purpose by applying devoutly to a large copper Gawn of Burton ale, Martin proceeded to inform his pallid audience, that the ghastly flame they had just witnessed was not the only circumstance of terror that was wont annually to disturb the house on that night.

"For," added he, his voice sinking almost into a whisper, “regularly at midnight some half-century agone, you might hear the bell at the great gateway sounded, and an imperious voice thundering, "What ho! sir porter! let in your lord!' immediately the gates would unfold of themselves, and a knight on horseback, bearing a fainting lady at his saddle-bow, and followed by numerous retainers, in the livery of Stanley, who led a disarmed youth with them, would clatter through the flagged porch. Then would lights glance from window to window, and doors would bang, and heavy steps would sound on the staircases,--although, heaven knows, every inmate, save those who braved the witching spectacle, were slumbering in their beds! These, however, have said and sworn, that a pale but dignified dame, in the fashion of Henry the Seventh's reign, always entered from the interior court, preceded by flambeaux; that, as she approached the armed cavalier, he was wont to lift his vizor, and frowning point to the fainting lady and disarmed knight; and that forthwith the visionary cavalcade used to vanish in that large carved fountain,

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