and the ships themselves were so greatly damaged that many retreated out of it. But King Olaf, and the Northmen's fleet with him, rowed quite up under the bridge, laid their cables around the piles which supported it, and then rowed off with all the ships as hard as they could down the stream. The piles were thus shaken in the bottom, and were loosened under the bridge. Now as the armed troops stood thick upon the bridge, and there were likewise many heaps of stones and other weapons upon it, and the piles under it being loosened and broken, the bridge gave way; and a great part of the men upon it fell into the river, and all the others fled, some into the castle, some into Southwark. Thereafter Southwark was stormed and taken. Now when the people in the castle saw that the river Thames was mastered, and that they could not hinder the passage of ships up into the country, they became afraid, surrendered the tower, and took Ethelred to be their king. So says Ottar Swarte:

"London Bridge is broken down,—
Gold is won and bright renown.
Shields resounding,
War-horns sounding,
Hildur shouting in the din!
Arrows singing,
Mail-coats ringing,
Odin maks our Olaf win!""

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Miscellaneous.

THE GOOD LORD CLIFFORD. The "Shepherd Lord" was restored to all his estates and titles in the first year of Henry VII. He was a lover of study, and had lived too long, according to reason, to assimilate with the court of the crafty Henry. By the Lady Anne, he is described as a plain man, who lived for the most part a country life, and came seldom either to court or to London, excepting when called to parliament; on which occasion he behaved like a wise and good English nobleman." His usual retreat, when in Yorkshire, was Barden Tower; his chosen companions, the canons of Bolton. His favourite pursuit was astronomy. He had been accustomed to watch the motions of the heavenly bodies from the hill-tops, when he kept sheep; for in those days, when clocks and almanacs were few, every shepherd made acquaintance with the stars. If he added a little judicial astrology, and was a seeker for the philosopher's stone, he had the countenance of the wisest of his time for his learned superstition. It is asserted that at the period of his restoration he was almost wholly illiterate. Very probably he was so; but it does not follow that he was ignorant. He might know many things well worth knowing, without

He lived

being able to write his name. at Barden with what was then a small retinue, though his household accounts made mention of sixty servants on that establishment, whose wages were from five to five-and-twenty shillings each. But the state of his revenues, after so many years of spoliation, must have required rigorous economy; and he preferred abating something of ancestral splendour to grind the faces of the poor. This peaceful life he led, with little interruption, from the accession of the house of Tudor till the Scotch invasion, which was defeated at Flodden field. Then he became a warrior in his sixtieth year, and well supported the fame of his house on that bloody day. He survived the battle ten years, and died April 23, 1553, aged about 70. By his last will, he appointed his body to be interred at Shap, if he died in Westmoreland; at Bolton, if he died in Yorkshire.-Coleridge's Northern Worthies.

MR BELL AND MR BUNN.-The question on the subject of the comedy of 'Mothers and Daughters' was announced in the 'Mirror' some weeks since to have been amicably settled. The following letter was written by the manager:- 66 Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Jan. 3, 1844.-My dear sir,-Regretting, as I do, the disappointment created by the non-repetition of Mr Bell's comedy of Mothers and Daughters,' I beg to repeat that it arose from no want of merit in the comedy itself (of which I entertain the same opinion I have ever expressed, that it is one of our best of modern comedies), but is entirely to be attributed to the crippled state of the theatre, and the impossibility of doing it justice by those means which previous failures had left in my hands. The best opinion I can give you of Mr Bell's comedy is, that I would have done it this season at Drury Lane, if I possessed a company capable of doing it justice. I am most happy in putting an end to the litigation between Mr Bell and myself, by the payment of 50l. towards the expenses incurred by Mr Bell in printing the comedy, as well as his legal expenses, and of ceding to him the entire right of representing that comedy. I do this, not merely to express my sense of Mr Bell's forbearance throughout all the unpleasantry which has arisen, but my highest appreciation of his gentlemanly conduct, &c., &c. If I knew how, either to Mr Bell himself, or to the merits of his comedy, I could offer higher tribute, I would do so.-Yours, &c., A. BUNN.

ON THE LATE PARLIAMENTARY DECISION AGAINST TWELVE WORKING HOURS IN THE

DAY.

Be wise humanity our toast,

Which spares the million early graves, And justifies the nation's boast,

That" Britons never shall be slaves." Though Parliament, 'tis very clear,

Can hardly what is right make wrong, They can enact, 'twill soon appear, We shall not have long hours long.

The Gatherer

The London Peace Society.-This body have presented a petition to the House of Commons, declaring that they are fully of opinion that war cannot but be displeasing to Almighty God, whilst it is fraught with unnumbered evils to all parties; and therefore pray that there may be no more increase whatever made to the existing military establishments of the empire.

Reading for the Blind.-Mr Hughes, a gentleman who has lost his sight, has cleverly contrived a set of arbitrary characters for letters, which being indented or embossed on paper by a very simple instrument, with different points at the ends, enable the blind to commit their thoughts to paper and read them by the touch with great facility.

A Dauphiness Undressed.-When a foreign princess became the wife of the Dauphin of France, a curious ceremony was observed on her passing the French frontier. Madame de Campan thus describes it in the case of the unfortunate Marie Antoinette::-"A superb pavilion had been prefixed on the frontiers near Kell; it consisted of a vast saloon connected with two apartments, one of which was assigned to the lords and ladies of the court of Nisma, and the other to the suite of the Dauphiness. When the Dauphiness had been entirely undressed, even to her body linen and stockings, in order that she might retain nothing belonging to a foreign court (an etiquette always observed on such an occasion), the doors were opened; the young princess came forward, looking round for the Countess de Noailles; then rushing into her arms she implored her, with tears in her eyes, to direct her, to advise her, and to be in every respect her guide and support."

Poisonous Effects of Milk when kept in Zinc Vessels. The following extract will show the danger and folly of the practice of keeping milk in zinc bowls, a custom which has lately become very prevalent, these articles being sold with the recommendation of a larger quantity of cream being produced, owing to galvanic action. "I would scarcely have believed," says Dr Elaines, of Berlin, "that zinc vessels could again have come into use for holding fluids

used for alimentary purposes, as Vanquelin, forty years ago, proved that such were certain, after a short time, to hold a considerable portion of zinc in solution. I have found by experience that a solution of sugar, which had stood only a few hours in the summer in a zinc vessel, contained a considerable amount of zinc salts. It has been often stated that the cream will separate more easily from milk if the latter be kept for a short time in a zinc vessel. As, however, it is known that milk will turn acid much sooner than a solution of sugar, it is the more to be apprehended that some zinc will be dissolved, and such milk will be the more noxious, as it is well known that even a small amount of zinc will cause violent spasmodic vomiting."-Pharmaceutical Journal. Colleges of London and Edinburgh have Veterinary Surgeons.-The Veterinary just been joined in a Royal Charter of Incorporation, which confers on them, as title of "The Royal College of Veterinary a simple body corporate, the name and Surgeons." By this charter the veterinary art is recognised as a profession.

The Lyceum.-This theatre, which has generally been unfortunate, has at length fallen into good hands. Keeley has taken it, and opens at Easter. One favourite from the great houses generally makes the fortune of a minor. What will two, himself and his lady, do?

I am a good poet, but a better historian; Southey's Estimate of Himself.-Me judice, because, though I read other poets and am humbled, I read other historians with a very different feeling. They who have talents want industry or virtue: they who like a French sensualist, another like a have industry want talents. One writes Scotch scoundrel, calculating how to make the most per sheet with the least expense of labour: one like a slave, another like a fool. Now I know myself to be free from these staminal defects, and feel that where poet's feeling, without the slightest affecthe subject deserves it, I write with a straightforward to the meaning by the tation of style or ornament, going always shortest road. My golden rule is to relate everything as briefly, as perspicuously, as rememberably as possible.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Erratum.-Line 21, p. 170, of the Mirror,' of last March 16, for "Baronet," read "Earl." We have not yet found in any Peerage the informa tion wanted by our Perth correspondent. 'Villages in Middlesex' next week. Several articles intended for the present Number must be postponed.

LONDON: Published by JOHN MORTIMER, Adelaide Street, Trafalgar Square; and sold by all Booksellers and Newsmen. Printed by REYNELL and WEIGHT, Little Pulteney street, and at the Royal Polytechnic Institution.

to mention that the Church Building Fund, which he was the means of establishing, had, during the last ten years, reached in amount to nearly 200,000l., by means of which forty-two churches had been already erected. In this case, as above stated, individual liberality had been successfully appealed to. The total expense of erecting the church was estimated at 6,000l., of which, at the time of consecration, 5,000l. had been subscribed. Mr Bowerbank, the vicar of Chiswick, who assisted on this occasion, had been active in furthering the design.

The new church is situate on the Great Western road, on the south side, near to the five-mile stone, and in the centre of the well-known common, called Turnham green. Its style of architecture is the Anglo-Norman, from a design by Messrs Scott and Moffatt, architects, of Spring gardens, which has been ably carried out by Messrs Bird, builders, of Hammersmith. The plan is cruciform, with a spire of considerable altitude, terminating in a point surmounted by a vane. The principal entrance is under the tower at the west end, and there are two other entrances north and south. The body of the church, exclusive of the chancels and transepts, is 72 feet long and 44 feet wide, and will accommodate 930 persons, a large proportion of the sittings being free.

TOPOGRAPHICAL GLEANINGS IN

MIDDLESEX.

(For the Mirror.)

HARLINGTON.-In the churchyard of this village stands a famous and magnificent yew tree. It is of great age, and is fortyfour feet and a half in height, the greatest circumference of its trunk being nineteen feet and a quarter. The branches cover a space of one hundred and fifty square feet. One William Woodeson, who lived in this village, made a very curious will, which was proved October 27, 1786. In this document he says, "I desire my corpse to be dressed in my last new shirt, muslin neckcloth, nightcap, and plaid nightgown; that my old rusty sword, which always lay by my bed-side, be put in my right hand, and my Latin testament in my left hand, and my little pillow under my head. I desire to be buried in a plain coffin, to be drawn, if convenient, on my own one-horse chaise to the church, and then to be carried on the shoulders of six poor men, without any pall or funeral pomp whatsoever, and I order that the said poor men be paid half-a-crown each for their trouble."

HANWELL.-The most conspicuous things here are the Railway Viaduct, the Lunatic Asylum, and the new church, which pre

sents a very picturesque appearance from the road. By-the-by, there is a scarce book extant, entitled the Drunkard's Cup,' by Master Harris, pastor of Hanwell, published in 1626.

HAYES.-The church of this village is well worth looking at. The roof is of wood, unpainted, and curious. It contains also several relics of armoury, gloves, and spears placed over ancient escutcheons. There is also an interesting baptismal font. In the churchyard is a flat tombstone to the memory of a printer who left an annual bequest of buns for children. Also, a tablet to the memory of Dr Walker, who resided at the house now occupied by the Rev. Mr Hale, and was the first person who gave public lectures on astronomy.

DRAYTON.-The church of this village is covered with ivy, and is greatly admired for its rustic beauty. Near it is a fine ornamented brick doorway-a remnant of the ancient palace of the Earls of Uxbridge. On the floor of the church is a brass to the memory of John Goode, an eminent physician, A.D. 1581.

COWLEY.-In the small church of this village are buried Barton Booth, the celebrated tragedian, and John Lightfoot, the author of the Flora Scotica' (1777). Booth resided at Cowley Grove, which was afterwards, for many years, the residence of Rich, the famous Harlequin. Lightfoot lived in the parsonage house, Uxbridge. He was born at Newent, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Dec. 9, 1735. He was curate at Colnbrook, but afterwards at Uxbridge, and until he died. Meanwhile, he also officiated as chaplain to the Duchess Dowager of Portland, at Bulstrode. He married a Miss Raynes, of Uxbridge, a lady of very considerable fortune, by whom he left two sons and three daughters. On February 20th, 1788, he was suddenly taken ill at Uxbridge, where he died in a few hours. Pennant says that in botany, whether British or foreign, Lightfoot was unrivalled. Modern botanists also hold his name in great respect, and his work on the plants of Scotland is frequently quoted by them.

The

HILLINGDON.-The Red Lion inn at this village is an ancient house of great interest to the antiquary and historian, for in 1646, when it was kept by one John Tisdale, King Charles the First stopped in it for two or three hours, and took refreshment. His majesty was at that time on his flight from Oxford to the Scots. church is ancient, and has a fine appearance. In the churchyard lies, buried under a conspicuous tomb-stone, John Rich, patentee of Covent Garden Theatre, and celebrated as the originator of the English harlequin, and for his excellent performance of that character under the name of Lun. His "matchless art and whim" are

66

recorded by Garrick. Smith's Historical and Literary Curiosities' (Part V), contains a view of "the tomb of John Rich, at Hillingdon, the founder of Covent Garden Theatre, with a fac-simile of his autograph." Here is also buried Eliza Maria Harris, daughter of Thomas Harris, patentee of Covent Garden Theatre, who resided in the neighbourhood. While writing, we perceive in Thorpe's Catalogue of Autographs' (1843) the following apropos memorandum: 'George Lord Chandos, Baron of Sudeley, in Gloucester; his signature to a document relative to some estates at Hillingdon, dated Dec. 11, 1754, written on vellum." I know not whether any of his descendants have a landed interest in the neighbourhood at the present time. On the north side of the church is an ancient, comfortable, and picturesque mansion, called the Cedar House, from a cedar tree of large dimensions having formerly stood in the garden. The house was, from about the years 1678 to 1721, the residence of Samuel Reynardson, Esq., a naturalist of some distinction; and it is probable that the cedar tree which proved so flourishing as to bestow a name on the house to which it appertained, was one of the earliest planted in this country. According to an admeasurement carefully made in 1779, its height was fifty-three feet; the diameter of the horizontal extent of the branches, from east to west, ninety-six feet; ditto, from north to south, eighty-nine feet; the girth of its trunk, close to the ground, was fifteen feet six inches; at three and a half feet above the ground thirteen feet six inches; at seven feet, twelve feet six inches; at twelve feet, fourteen feet eight inches; at fourteen and a half feet, just beneath the division of the principal branches, fifteen feet eight inches: the girth of the larger branch at a foot and a half from its division was twelve feet; it then separated into two secondary branches, one eight feet six inches in girth, the other seven feet ten inches: another principal branch measured at its division ten feet in girth, and spread itself into two arms, each being five feet six inches in girth. One of the largest branches of this fine tree was torn from the parent stem by a high wind, in Sept. 1789, and the whole tree was soon after cut down. Mr Reynardson died in 1721, liberally bequeathing his fine library for the use of the vicars of Hillingdon for In the will, dated in 1715, he directs his curious collection of plants to be sold to defray the expense of building a room attached to the church for receiving and preserving his library; and he orders that if there be any surplus after building the room it shall be expended in purchasing more books, and he directs that the whole be kept according to the rules prescribed bv narliament for the preservation of pa

ever.

I regret to say that this valuable library of scarce and excellent works is quite neglected and unappreciated by the illiterate persons in whose trust it is placed. The books are closely shut up in an immense cupboard in the vestry; and it was to me really painful to behold so many valuable and rare works suffered to become perfectly rotten and illegible from damp, dust, and mildew. Such neglect is a gross insult and ingratitude to the memory of Mr Reynardson, who, doubtless, concluded that in leaving his library to the church, it would be held sacred, and treated with becoming care and decency. The neglect is an injustice doubly to be regretted, as some future vicar might derive intellectual benefit from these books. At any rate, contemptuous treatment of a bequest made with so liberal an intention, is a dangerous and reprehensible precedent. Men of public spirit and philanthropic sentiments may by such careless conduct be deterred from founding parochial libraries on a more extended and useful plan. I would also here observe that it is not altogether decent or welltimed of any preacher to have his dogs put into his pulpit every Sunday during service; and that the parsons of Hillingdon would do well to show gentlemanly courtesy towards eminent persons who civilly apply to them for facts of a local nature Mr Brewer, the eminent topographer, complains, in the fifth volume of his Beauties of England' (1816, Prefatory Remarks, p. 7), that the vicar of Hillingdon treated him and his studies with insolent indifference, and Mr Loudon, whose name and labours ought to have commanded every attention, complained of similar treatment when he applied to the vicar for information relative to the library, &c. After the death of Mr Reynardson the Cedar House was inhabited by MajorGeneral Rich Russell, son of Sir John Russell, of Chippenham, Cambridgeshire, and grandson of the illustrious Oliver Cromwell. In 1816 it was the residence of Lacey Primatt, Esq., whose house at Hampton was purchased, in 1754, by Garrick. At present the Cedar House enjoys a high and well-deserved reputation as a first-rate school for young ladies, under the superintendence of Miss E. Mann, of whose refined taste and judgment the house contains many proofs. J. H. F.

True Wisdom-"The beginning of all wisdom," says the Iceland moralist," is the fear of the Highest-that fear never let go out of thy heart. God must thou love above all things, and next to him love all virtue. Accustom thyself habitually to equity, justice, and moderation. Think of thy last hour and avoid all slander."