by himself. The Stuarts went much further. James I is quite wroth that his loving subjects should be debarred from lawful recreation and exercise on the afternoons of Sunday, "after the ending of all divine service." It must, he tells us, give occasion to the Romish priest to represent the Protestant religion as an enemy to honest and lawful recreation, and thus enable him to make converts, and debar the common people from such sports and exercises as strengthen the body, and render it fit to support the fatigues of war-the more so, as in the absence of such exercises they would resort to the ale-house, get drunk, and make seditious speeches. Hence his majesty (A.D. 1617) published the celebrated "Book of Sports.'

We need not go over the various statutes of modern times any further than to remark they present somewhat amusing inconsistencies. Au itinerant fruiterer is fiercely driven away for offering an apple or an Grange for sale during divine service, and an hour or two afterwards, the houses and gardens in the suburbs are allowed, without restriction, to sell ale, spirits, and tobacco, During the war, when an armament was about to be got ready for sea, it was no uncommon thing for the work. men in the dockyard to be required to labour on the Sunday. In 1819 the necessity of the case not being very obvious, carpenters were employed on Sunday in erecting the scaffold on which Thistlewood and his companions were beheaded, and in the following year the houses of parliament met on a Sunday on the occasion of the death of George III.

THE CRISPIN-STREET MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY.

We hear the society which long met in Crispin-street, Spitalfields, has been ab sorbed by the Astronomical Society. The members consented to transfer their library, memorials, and records, on condition of being admitted as fellows.

The society has long been favourably known. Forty years ago Mr. Varley's lectures on pneumatic chemistry were the theme of general admiration, and many came from the more distant parts of London to hear them. Great applause was elicited by the experiments made at them than which nothing could be more apposite or clever. Its rise and progress were singular. We understand it was in the year 1717 a society was established under the title of The Mathematical Society, in Crispin-street, Spitalfields, for mutual instruction and lectures. "The fundamental principle of connexion," says the Athenæum, "between its members was stated in

this rule, ' By the constitution of this society it is the duty of every member, if he be asked any mathematical or philosophical question by another member, to instruct him in the plainest and easiest manner he is able.' The original number of members was sixty-four, a square number, which was afterwards increased to eightyone, another square number. The members were very often men in humble station, but the society continued to exist, and could boast some mathematicians and other scientific inquirers of eminence, among whom Dollond and Thomas Simpson are conspicuous. The latter was taken from his loom in Spitalfields, and from the society, to teach in the Woolwich Academy. The manners of the society long continued to be what the nineteenth century calls vulgar; knowledge and refinement did not go together. At the evening meeting, each member had his pipe, his pot, his slate, and his slate-pencil; and many a knotty question was discussed: ex fumo dare lucem was the aim of every man."

The Gatherer.

Anecdote of a Banker. When many bankers failed, twenty years ago, a noble lord called on the principal of the firm, where he kept an account, and inquired if it were true that he had lately sunk £80,000 in a certain purchase? and being answered in the affirmative, asked further, did Mr. think such a diminution of his capital either prudent or expedient? The banker said he would do himself the honour to reply by letter, and did accordingly address the noble lord in these terms:-"My lord-I have the honour to enclose a checque for £1,500, being the amount of your lordship's credit in our books, and with which we mean to close your lordship's account. At the same time I take leave to add, that two tailors bank with us, the balance of each of whom, every day in the year, exceeds not only your lordship's, but that of every member of your lordship's family." This was thought very dignified on the part of the banker. Within two years from that date the house failed, and the tailors alluded to had balances in at the time of £6,000 and £10,000. The peer was consoled.

Ryland the celebrated Engraver. — In 1796 when Ryland was charged with forgery, he was confined in Tothill Fields bridewell. He so far gained the friendship of the governor of Tothill Fields bridewell, that he not only had the liberty of the whole house and garden, but when the other prisoners were locked up of an evening, the governor

LLYN IDWAL. The solemn gloom which rests from age to age on Llyn Idwal is seldom disturbed by the voice of man or the movement of any living thing. It is a dark lake enclosed by lofty mountains, and its general aspect may well inspire the beholder with awe.

But as if the sternness of nature were not enough to produce that effect, care has been taken to connect with this romantic scene a history of crime, dark as its frowning heights. Here, it is told in the ancient history of Wales, an unfortunate young prince was foully murdered.

The name of the victim is perpetuated in the scene of his death. Idwal was the son of Prince Owen Gwynedd, who selected, as was customary in those days, a fosterfather to guard and instruct the youth. His choice fell on Dunawt, the son of Nefydd Hardd, who was one of the Fifteen Tribes of North Wales, and regarded by the Prince as one to whom so important a charge No. 1274.

might safely be intrusted. In this the parent was mournfully deceived. The child was brutally hurled into the lake below; no hand providentially interfered to avert the danger,

"No human ear but Dunawt's heard Young Idwal's dying scream, and the Prince sank to rise no more.

The cliffs that surround the lake present a most striking spectacle, "split into a thousand fearful slopes," and a vast chasm yawning between which is called Trol or the Black Cleft. This is fancifully reported to have been selected by Divine wrath to become the abode of the murderer, and of the howling demon, who, exulting over the fallen spirit, is supposed to be engaged in subjecting the guilty Dunawt to new tortures from day to day. The appalling aspect of the spot is such, that "no bird dare venture to dip his wings in the lake, or pause near its water."

VOL. XLVI.

THE AUTHOR RUSTICATING.

DEDICATED ΤΟ THE NOW RUSTICATING
GENTRY OF LONDON.
BY DR. EDWARDS.
(Continued from page 6.)

"Those

are

In the morning, at breakfast, Mr. Adolphus was pointedly introduced to all the ladies, and their several accomplishments were respectively marked out with the utmost precision by the baronet. four," said the worthy gentleman, " my nieces, and they live with me just to make up the dozen." "I am not surprised -it could not but be so," rejoins Adolphus; "the Graces, you know, were three, and the Muses nine-which, together, make twelve." "And now, sir," says the baronet, "shall I introduce you formally to each? This young one (she was last year above thirty) is my eldest, and is distinguished for her learning; she will best suit a great author. My second is distinguished for her skill in horseman or womanship; I intend her for a soldier: ah! and I will not disdain a lieutenant, if a brave, honest, good-natured fellow. My third is very religious; I intend her for a clergyman. That young demoiselle by your side is, I believe, distinguished for nothing but her beauty; and as beauty and plainness generally match, she will in all probability find a mate amongst the descendants of the worthy club whose fame Mr. Spectator has transmitted (see No. 17, 18): she has something, however, besides a pretty face, and will not, I think, be forced hereafter to say to her husband, 'You never love me but when you look me in the face.' The next in the illustrious order is a nightingale: she has the prettiest voice you ever heard in your life, unless it be that of your sister's; she can play on nearly every instrument, but, despite of Mrs. Caroline Fry, she will never open her mouth in church. The sixth is a painter-an amateur in all the fine arts. The seventh is, I believe, distinguished for nothing but good common sense, mixed up with an agreeable effluvium of nonsense and of philosophy; and my youngest, my pet, is very ambitiousshe is both constantly aspiring and attain ing to every form and feature of female excellence and virgin superiority. I should not be surprised if Matilda does not gain the fond admiration of one of our first statesmen; but whomsoever she marries, will be great, for she will make him such. She has a power which witches never had, of converting a dwarf into a giant, and a cripple into a pedestrian, a pugilist, and a warrior. Good luck to her; may she live all the days of her life." "Yes," says Adolphus," and may I be permitted to

add, when she dies, and before she dies, may she die to earth, but may earth and fame never say 'die' to such amiable and exalted worth and genius." "As for the other four girls, Mr. Adolphus, they are good-natured creatures, at least when they have all their own way ("So I believe the very furies are," said Adolphus-who, indeed. here spoke unadvisedly and rashly) and their escritoires full of love-letters: but I will take good care that they do not marry any one." "Yes," added Mr.Adolphus, "better, far better, marry no one, than any one. "I cannot say," continues the baronet," that they are particularly celebrated, unless it be for good-nature." "There is such a thing as excess, even here, Sir Thomas," observed Mr. Adolphus, thus continually giving the worthy baronet a little interval for breathing; "I've known many victimised by good-nature; mild dishes, more than others, require a little cayenne; there are a gang of wretches in the world, who, though never educated for the medical profession, yet love to prescribe, and still more to apply, the mustard poultice wherever they discover more than ordinary quietness, amiability, and goodnature, especially if mixed with a little indiscretion." Sir Thomas was proceeding to describe the peculiarities in the varied excellencies of these accomplished girls, adding to all a glorious bumper, by assur ing our philosopher that they would have such handsome fortunes, especially the eldest, when he was violently interrupted by the young or old (for I scarcely know which to call them) ladies, who, though evidently as much animated and delighted by the strain of the conversation as their dear papa, yet protested against his saying anything further. "You will make us all blush," says Dorothea. "Ah!" says Matilda, "look at my face-it must, I am sure, resemble an old woman's scarlet gown.' "You must excuse papa," adds a third; "it is weakness; but it is the weakness of a father." Mr. Adolphus thought he would give both parties a hint, but in so polite and courteous a style, that, if offended, they could only be offended with themselves. "The ladies, Sir Thomas,' says our moral philosopher, "need no recommendation; self-recommendation, sir, is the best, the only true recommendation; and this the father gives his children when he gives them a good education and sets them a good example, when he places good society and good books in their daily path, and his house is fortified as a city. The light of virtue then shines on their lightsome step, their hearts are buoyant as the trippling billow, their countenances fresh and vivacious as the early spring, and their eyes sparkling as the dew-drop; in prosperity the regent of heaven shines without

ntermission all the day-it is all sun, and all summer; in adversity—the night of the soul-there is not a planet or a star in the heavens but rejoices to shed its halcyon blaze on their perhaps tear-swollen, sleep less eye; they had but one sun by day, but ten thousand sparkle by night, as though full of love, and hope, and joy; yea, they have more as they are more virtuous-for, like astronomers, with the glass of faith, which is the wand of virtue, they see thousands of lights, creations, and splendours, where the common eye perceives but darkness. I delight—I delight-" "Oh! Mr. Adolphus," says the eldest, interrupting him," you remind us of mama; her sentiments and your's are exactly the same; but then, poor mother had no accomplishments, and she used to be so constantly introducing such reflections, that they lost, I am afraid, their energy, being regarded as tame repetitions, especially as she was little accustomed to converse on general subjects; but I love to think and talk of mama. Do you not think, Mr. Adolphus, that those young people who are fond of their mothers generally make excellent partners for life? I never yet knew an exception." "And I am sure," adds Mr Adolphus, "that you will not be the first." But we shall not give the remainder of the conversation at the breakfast-table, as it would perhaps be neither pleasing nor profitable, but proceed with the account of the promenade of our city philosopher in this delightful rookery."

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After the refreshments of the table were removed, and they had retired to another room, Mr. Adolphus was surprised to find the spinsters suddenly vanish, and equally surprised when, after about half an hour's solitude, the lady governess of the establishment stepped in, and, with some work in her hand, placed herself by his side. Oh! delectable opportunity! to be thus left alone, with so talented a lady! how fortunate, to be allowed, the very first morning, to hold a tête-a-tête with a lady of such splendid fortune-the richest coheiress of her grandfather, the sole proprietor to her great uncle's estates, which lay, our friend knows not whither, in Kilkenny in Ireland, or Kentucky in the United States; but, however, it was certainly in the United Estates; for, besides these, she was expecting houses, lands, chattels, and cattle, in another direction! A distant relation of the family, an old bachelor, who had followed some mean business in London, and accumulated year after year, till he got tired of accumulating, if the reader can believe it, was so proud of the connection, and so much flattered by their casual and cold invitations, that he determined to leave all to them, and having a strong partiality for the law

of primogeniture, being the law and fashion of the aristocracy, and believing himself to have a great taste for literature, he determined on bequeathing the whole to the eldest, contenting himself with doing nothing for the rest, but making them occasional valuable presents in his lifetime-which is just the way in which most men, alas! treat religion, leaving all to a dying bed. After some conversation with this talented heiress, Adolphus ventured to express a wish to promenade; to which, however, the lady seemed much averse, stating that there could be no inducement to walk in the country, as in town, where there were so many sights. Oh! degenerate taste! Is this, then, what it is to live in the country, to be longing for town? But the lady kept on, showing him some other curiosities of literature or science, whilst he was in vain sighing, with Horace, "O rus! quando ego te aspiciam?" (2 Sat. 6, 60.) But at length, however, when a pause occurred, Adolphus urged his request with so much eloquence and earnestness, that the lady consented to accompany Mr. Adolphus, in half an hour or so, to some pretty romantic spot, about a mile distant. On their way thither, instead of descanting, in poetic terms, on the happiness enjoyed in contemplating the verdure of fields, and the shade of woods, and the charming varieties of hill and dale, in listening to the melody of birds, and the fall of the cascade, and the sweet murmuring of brooks, and bleating flocks, his fair companion was wholly occupied with the delights of literary society, and the refinements of polite modern philosophy. Oh, it is so rare to find a man," says Miss Winterbotham, endued with the true spirit of poetry and philosophy-a rara avis-in this neighbourhood, I assure you. But, though they may have pleasures superior to others, they are also more susceptible to anxiety, neglect, and every kind of mental suffering." Yes," says Mr. Adolphus, "there is no rose but has its thorn-no jewel to be gathered on the shores of life without piercing the tender feet with the flints that surround it, but I would rather have knowledge, though purchased with much toil, and though with much wisdom, there be much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow, rather than riches; still more dearly purchased at the expense of fine and holy feeling, and tranquillity of conscience. But there are other griefs and annoyances of an external nature," observed Miss W., "and the more popular and successful the author, the more he is exposed to their rude attacks." Adolphus-"You refer, perhaps, to the contempt with which many of the class are held by those who thus express contempt for themselves, or

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