nts." Volli subito to page 297, where there is a movement, which may be played as a coda to this piece. Vive la Bagatelle. order to employ one part of this life in serious and important pations, it is necessary to spend another in mere amuseJOHN LOCKE. There is a time to laugh and a time to weep."-SOLOMON. UTIONS TO THE CONUNDRUMS, &c. IN OUR LAST. Ash-ton-under-Line (Nile.)-47. Li-ver-pool. Land-lord.-49. Misbehave (Miss behave.) Because they are going to see (sca.) 1. Because he is describing (D scribing.) 2. Because I am delighted (D lighted.) NEW CONUNDRUMS. 54. Why should the Attorney-General indict crows' nests? 55. What county will denominate our sewer cleaners? 56. What order of architecture should the devil's debtor's adopt? BY W. W. C. C. 57. My first is in winter a warmth you desire, Both together are cold, yet appear all on fire, 58. An old maid, a willow bonnet, an oyster in love, a list shoe, and a merchant, may all be expressed by one fluid. BY PUZZLE-PATE. 59. My first the fair Ophelia gave the Queen, My next's a steed, as ancient poets make it; 60. My first, if lost, is a disgrace, Unless misfortune bear the blame; The heavy loss, may hide the shame: 61. A quadruped, my first, whose name declares DESULTORY SUGGESTIONS for PRRDANGE OF TION FROM SHIPWRECK, AND OTHER THE SEA, containing various modes of expeditiously forming Rafts, from materials always at hand, an approved method of constructing a temporary Rudder, an expeditious mode of converting any ordinary Boat into a Life-boat, a safe and approved mode of carrying out Anchors in Rough Weather, DROWNED, Precautions against the Effects of Lightning at Sen, Taylor's useful Instructions for the Management of Ships at Single Anchor, Precautions against Infection, and a great variety of Miscellaneous Suggestions useful to Seamen In general. ILLUSTRATED BY SEVERAL ENGRAVINGS IN WOOD. Then, Oh! protect the hardy tar, Be mindful of his merit, DIRECTIONS FOR THE RECOVERY OF PERSONS APPARENTLY And should pure justice urge the war, BY EGERTON SMITH. Liverpool: Printed by RUSHTON and MELLING, and sold by JOHN BYWATER and Co. Navigation Shop, Pool-lane, and at the other Navigation Shops; also at the Booksellers, and at the Mercury-office. Correspondence THE HAMILTONIAN SYSTEM. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-Your correspondent, Verbeiensis, supposes my notice of his letter tinctured with spleen or irritation; I trust your readers will have thought differently. That I should treat an anonymous and certainly uncandid critic without ceremony was, I think, conformable to established custom. His second letter appears to me still less deserving the courtesy he solicits:-a more contemptible display of dictionary pedantry, of schoolboy quackery, of more real ignorance, with so much assumed learning, I think same time; all are satisfied that they accomplished what was promised them at the outset. We have then only to inquire whether or not all these persons could be deceived themselves? and, if the supposition be impossible, were they likely to become, with their eyes open, the accom plices of fraud and delusion, by giving their testimoni favour of a system by which they had themselves but deluded and robbed? This supposition is equally in possible. What then are we disputing about? If the end be confessedly obtained, the means by which it is effected must surely be adequate to that end: in other words, the principles on which the Hamiltonian system is founded must be correct. The great principle TO TEACH, a principle in direct opposition with every other system of education that principle which, however used, however applied, will al ways produce wonders, has been misrepresented and aban doned by Verbeiensis. If this, however, be conceded, the rest is, in comparison, nothing; the other principles only serve to systematize this grand, this fundamental prici ple-they are, however, correct, or at least, have hitherto been attacked without success. The question of Grammars and Dictionaries, raised by Verbeiensis, is a mee quibble. He admits that none such as are now in isted with the Greeks and Romans; that they wanna used for the iniquitous purpose to which they are w applied, that of throwing the whole burden of educatin upon the student himself, while the pretended teacher ecomes a task-master, with whip in hand, to enforce instruction, but command. The rest is not worth con tending about. If your readers are curious to see all t LONDON NORTHERN RAIL-ROAD COM- temporaries. The most erudite of the French read Rabe- can be said on this subject, I refer them to that warko HONORARY PRESIDENT: The Most Noble the Marquis of LANSDOWN. HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENTS: The Most Noble the Marquis of ANGLESEA, The Right Hon. the Earl of HARDWICKE, The Right Hon. the Earl of LAUDERDALE, The Right Hon. the Lord Viscount DUDLEY and WARD, The Right Hon. the Lord DACRE, The Right Hon. the Lord SCARSDALE, The Right Hon. the Lord GRENVILLE, J. George Lampton, Esq. M.P. CHAIRMAN:-GEORGE HIBBERT, Esq. DEPUTY CHAIRMEN: JOHN SMITH, Esq. M. P. EDWARD WAKEFIELD, Esq. of learned rubbish, Harrison's Hermes. This ma our antiquity to bear on this important subject, we yer finds, if I mistake not, only four parts of speech mattin in all the authors who have written prèvicusly to the Cer-covery of printing. The principle, “that, with fewer w tions, the simple sounds of all languages are the same,” * first contested by Verbeiensis, and then established, is to as depended on him, by his shewing that, in the t language whose pronunciation presents, or is supperta present, any difficulty to the learner, the French, tr is but one simple sound not to be found in the Engs I am half inclined to think he obtained this little k ledge at my lecture; and as he has made so good a um – it, he is heartily welcome to it. I have never met. With all this, I acknowledge his facility and general purity of language, and regret to see those talents prostituted in the defence of the vicious and inefficient system of the schools. In proof of my remark I refer to his first letter, and appeal to every man who has the slightest knowledge of the French language, whether he has not there demonstrated an almost utter ignorance of it? I pointed out in my answer several gross errors: but he acknowledges that even this little French was not his own. Had he acknowledged the source whence he took the phrase "qu'est ce de cela," it might have escaped censure; though it would still have proved his ignorance and want of taste. Why borrow the worst phrase in the book? But I repeat it, he gave it as his own, as the French of today; and I was therefore justified in treating it as not being French. He now attempts to justify this phrase by the example of Rabelais and Montaigne, and all their colais with much difficulty; but Verbeiensis, who mistakes the meaning of the most common words in the language, is as familiar wich Rabelais and Montaigne as he is with Cervantes, from whom he also borrows a word which he assures us is used by this author in different senses. vantes is, with regard to style and language, almost as obsolete as Rabelais. No man who has any knowledge of the French or Spanish would appeal to these writers as an authority. Verbeiensis would not appeal to Spencer or Donne, nay, not even to Shakspeare or Milton themselves as authority for the use of an English word, because he knows English, but knows nothing of French or Spanish, except, perhaps, to read the Testament, or the Carte du Restaurateur (which he appears to have diligently studied) in the former. Verbeiensis has a perfect knowledge of the Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, and six or seven other languages;" we have his word for it, and who would doubt the word of this candid and erudite writer? I, for my part, believe it as firmly as if MR. GULLIVER HIMSELF HAD SAID IT. The sole object of these letters has evidently been to display this learning. They have without doubt been composed for the amusement of some Richard Hart Davis, Esq. M.P. society in which Verbeiensis shines as a star of the first Joseph Fry, Esq. magnitude; perhaps to excite the smiles of the accomplished and ingenious young lady, who, with equal taste and modesty, explained to a French waiter what a rump-steak was by pantomimic gesture. It is at all events certain, that Verbeiensis-knows nothing of the system which he has undertaken to criticise, except its acknowledged success. My pupils, he allows, are satisfied with their teacher and with themselves. A fuller or more satisfactory testimony of the excellence of the system on which they are taught could scarcely be given in so few words. My pupils are almost all adults, many of education, most in respectable situations in life, many of them engaged themselves in teaching on systems very different from the and themselves; these have all paid in advance for a Hamiltonian, yet these are all satisfied with their teacher stipulated quantum of knowledge in a given number of lessons, and yet there is no reclamation, all are satisfied with their teacher and themselves. Two hundred pupils have been formed in Liverpool in six months, a like number are now being taught in Preston, Blackburn, Bolton, and Manchester; many study different languages at the DIRECTORS: George W. Norman, Esq. Frederick Pigou, Esq. Sir Charles Henry Colvile, o Thomas Richardson, Esq. Duffield, near Derby, Edward Ellice, Esq. M.P. Lyndon Evelyn, Esq. M. P. Sir Robert Farquhar, Bart. Charles David Gordon, Esq. John Irving, Esq. M.P. John Marshall, Esq. of ingley, near Leeds. Simon M'Gillivray, Esq. Edward Goldsmid, Esq. Sir J. T. Stanley, Bart. Alder- Joseph Strutt, Esq. Derby, James Warre, Esq. AUDITOR: BANKERS: Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith, Mansion-house Place; and Sir James Esdaile, Esdaile, Hammett, Grenfell, and Scott, Lombard-street. Nathaniel Hibbert, Esq. Standing Counsel. George Stephenson, Esq. Engineer. The Public are hereby informed, that competent persons are now actually employed in examining the two lines of communication between the Metropolis and Manchester, which have been recommended to the Board of Directors, as offering the greatest advantages to the Public and the Subscribers, viz.: From London by the Vale of the Lea to Ware, and to pass near Cambridge, Peterborough, Oakham and Loughborough (with branches to Nottingham and Derby) and thence join the intended Derby Peak Rail Road at Cromford, and pro ceed by Stochford to Manchester. Coventry to Birmingham), Leicester and Derby (with From London to Northampton (with a branch through branch to Nottingham) and thence (as in the former line) by the Derby Peak Rail Road to Manchester. From Manchester to Leeds, with or without connexion with other undertakings in that line of communication. And from Derby, through Sheffield to Leeds. And the Board of Directors expect to be able to report, within a very short period, their decision as to which of the two lines will be ultimately adopted. 18, Aldermanbury, Feb. 12, 1825. R. MILLS. Hon. Sec. dei. It is possible, Sir, that your correspondent may have not done justice to many parts of his letter, nay any part, and that I have wholly omitted to notice oth you, Sir, and your readers, will probably think I att noticed too much.I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, JAMES HAMILTOY ON DRUNKENNESS. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,-This is a vice not less detrimental to rig morality, than injurious to the welfare of individu destructive of the peace and comfort of famil one upon which might be exhausted all the large abhorrence and reprobation, and it would still reca so black and appalling, as to baffle all description. phemy, sickness, poverty, and crime, are its consta tendants; and malice, slander, and discord, are amp the never-failing results of its indulged contin Habitual drunkenness at once emaciates the frame, enervates all the powers and faculties of the mind of a duties, and so completely does it work an absorpt it unfits him for the performance of his social and rea the mental powers, as to exhibit in the human fo the unrestrained and irrational propensities of the be beast. I shall not enter farther into the horrible which might be given of the consequences of indu in this vice, my main object being to condemn that fi prevalent practice, of making drunkenness, in some ‚” vi ification, and in most, an apology, for any grievance rage resulting therefrom. Common sense ought to ace us, that one breach of moral duty can never stif a continued and more extended departure from a rectitude, but, on the contrary, that it is a great agvasion of crime. Such a supposition is opposed both eligion and the laws of the country, the latter of which only consider drunkenness as an evil in itself, deserving unishment, but likewise forbid its being pleaded in nuation of any offence, committed by persons whilst suring under its influence and control. And this, for TO THE EDITOR. B. SIR,-Having seen in the Kaleidoscope some curious. accounts of toads being found in solid blocks of stone, in such a manner that there was no apparent means of their ingress; and mentioning the same to an intelligent acquaintance, he related to me the following circumstance, the authenticity of which, from his known veracity, I have every reason to suppose correct. It is certainly the duty of all persons to give what relief quantity to work the engines till the water-works com and assistance may be in their power to any one in distress, panies could bring in their assistance. The whole of the and particularly under the very distressing circumstances proceedings, both of endeavouring to extinguish the fire, of fire; and this duty extends, individually, to those who and of saving property, should be under some very strict, are interested in the water-works and fire-office companies efficient, and well-organized regulations. as well as to others. They, indeed, seem called upon as a It is well known, that, in many cases of fire, a very matter of course; because they possess the means of assis-little water, immediately applied, would have put it tance that no one else does: but I wish to know what right out. 1, therefore, recommend, with respect to dwellingthe public have to require any particular exertions from houses, that the master or mistress of every house either of these sources, or what right they have to censure should direct that the water-jugs in the different rooms if prompt attention is not paid? It is true that the diffe- should always be kept full. This would be attended h. by many, is considered very improper, if not abso-rent companies depend, in some measure, upon the good with little trouble, and with no expense: it would proly unjust; were it otherwise, however, what a door opinion of the public; but this is pretty much occasioned mote cleanliness: and it may be, that sufficient water would Id be opened for the perpetration of the worst of by the competition that exists amongst them: and, as they thus be ready, in case of accident. And with respect to es, and under the cloak of drunkenness full scope know the consequences of inattention, it is their own look-warehouses, each should be furnished with at least six it be given to the most deadly hatred. There are out; they have the option of obliging the public or not, water-buckets, the utility of which needs no comment. maxims and principles of our jurisprudence, which, as they please. There may, indeed, seem a greater claim I wish these remarks may claim the attention of some casual observer, may appear harsh and unreasonable, upon the fire-office companies than upon those of the one better qualified to do justice to the subject. which, upon more mature deliberation, exhibit all the water-works; but they have no interest in putting out fires Yours, &c. rks of sound wisdom, and a fully digested and well that do not affect their insurances. On the contrary, the ulated policy. Amongst this class I may mention the more fires there are, by which they are not losers, and the lity of common carriers to make good any loss, in more their interest is promoted, by the public being ect of goods, committed to their charge, notwithstand-alarmed, and induced to increase their insurances: thus it such goods may have been stolen, or destroyed by fire, is even their interest to have occasional fires, if they do that without any connivance or negligence of the suffer loss by them. What right have the public to comer. As also the case of masters of vessels, who, after plain of their inattention, when they are the losers ?-and, ds once come into their possession, by a due delivery if they are not the losers, the loss then falls upon such as mer to themselves or any of their petty officers, are anhave no claim whatever to their assistance as insurance=rable for any theft committed upon them, and even offices. There is a blame, however, sometimes attributable robbery, though the crew should be overpowered, and to those who have the management of the fire-engines on her they nor the masters in fault." If this liability such occasions. I will mention one instance, which I have not exist, a great facility would be afforded in effecting no doubt is true; and it may be supposed and feared that most extensive frauds, and be the means of engender- there have been many others. A fire took place, some time many criminal conspiracies. It is therefore for the ago, in an ironmonger's shop; and, after it was completely lic safety that individuals are sometimes subjected to put out, so that several people were in the upper rooms of ing hardships. So by a parity of reasoning, to allow the building, which had suffered very little, if any, yet akenness to be a justification of any crime, would be the men belonging to one of the engines were directed to low the midnight assassin, the highway robber, and play into those rooms, against the adjoining house, under hose bosoni burned with the desire of revenge, to ac- a pretence of securing it; and, when the manager was replish, under its disguise, their several purposes with monstrated with, not only on account of its being altoge. unity: and as drunkenness has a tendency to lead to ther unnecessary, but that it very much damaged the conindulgence of other vices, and in some cases to the tents of the rooms, which were hardware, he very sturdily mission of many outrages, we should on this account, said he would not be dictated to; and so continued, very pendently of its being a breach of religious and moral seriously and unnecessarily, to injure the property of an refully abstain from partaking to excess of the in-individual instead of protecting it. If premises on fire are cating draught. so much injured as that the damage must amount to more than the sum insured, the insurance-offices have no interest whatever in securing the remainder of the property, and frequently seem to care little about it; nor can they be expected to use much exertion for that purpose. 66 Being about a mile from Desart Martin, in the county Derry, where there was a very extensive quarry of blue limestone, a large block of which was removed from about three feet below the surface of the rock, and about seven below the surface of the earth, and subsequently broken, in order to reduce it to proper sizes for burning; from the centre of which block, an eel, of the common species, evolved, of a very dark colour, about fourteen inches long, and of proportionable thickness. It moved about with the greatst vivacity, and without the least inconvenience, from the sudden change of place After looking for a considerable time on this strange phenomenon, the eel was killed by the brother of my informant. The hole in which it was incarcerated was almost round, of the most perfect smoothness, and having a slimy appearance; consequently the creature must have been in a coiled position while it remained in the stone. It might not be superfluous to mention, that the place where this occurred is about twenty miles from the sea, and as many paces from an insignificant rivulet. Newry. MUSICAL CATCHES. TO THE EDITOR. R. is a matter of considerable importance, that the lower s of society should fully understand and know, that depravity is an aggravation of any other to which it lead; but of this, I am fearful, they are, in a great sure, ignorant, from the frequent use they make of The inferences are, that there is not a sufficient claim apology-"I was in liquor," thereby plainly in- upon the water-works companies for prompt assistance; g, that they consider this an adequate excuse and that the fire-office companies have an interest of their own, SIR,-If you think the subjoined, in addition to your ement for any transgression they may be induced to not only distinct from, but often in opposition to, that of the own description of a MUSICAL CATCH, is worthy of admit whilst in that situation. public; and the exhibition of their engines and mounte-mittance into your Kaleidoscope, it is much at your service. Averpool bank-like men is more for display than for any useful purpose: and that, if ever any efficient regulation is made, it must be by the public themselves. FIRE AND WATER. TO THE EDITOR. W. SIR-Whenever fires have taken place in Liverpool, e want of an immediate supply of water, or the defective tte of the fire-engines, or of the hose belonging to them, a want of proper management, have been complaints -time immemorial. It was so when we were supplied th water by water-carts; and it continues to be so under e present mode. The want of an immediate supply of ater has, however, increased, since the water companies ere established. The newspapers have frequently contained paragraphs n these subjects; and the fire-office companies, and the ater-works companies, are, one or other of them, always udly exclaimed against. Without finding fault with those who appear to have very different opinion to what I have, I shall state my view of the subject, and leave the public to decide. A police regulation has been proposed; and perhaps this may be the best plan: but I should rather incline to recommend a public meeting of the inhabitants of the town, to consider what will be most eligible, whether a police regulation or some other plan, or a mixture of both. There should be a sufficient number of fire-engines pro.. vided, either by the fire offices or the public, or by both. There should also be an ample provision of hose, and of every thing appertaining to the engines, with buckets, &c. The whole should be subject to one control, and kept in constant repair, and they should be properly examined, and tried frequently, at stated times. There should be a proper control over an immediate supply of water, and a certain dependence upon it. As an aid to this it would be well to have reservoirs in different parts of the town, especially in the higher parts, and a great length of hose always ready, so that water might be almost-immediately supplied to the place where wanted, and in a sufficient Yours, &c. J. M. X. A CATCH is a piece of vocal music, generally harmonious in three or more parts, for which the words expressing the concerto are interwoven with as many lines in verse as are necessary, by a cross reading, to convey the intended sense; and in which the melodies, forming what is called a round, are so contrived to catch up each other's subjects as to give effect to those words. The following lines "Zephyr, I can tell you where Delia sleeps, devoid of care. If you steal with gentle pace, She'll retain her slumbering grace. Then, oh! mark her roseate hue, You'll be transported at the view,” are set to the most beautiful music I recollect, as a Catch, by WEBBE; in which the words printed in italics, “I can tell you-if you steal-you'll be transported," express the idea intended, while the subject of them, in direct reading, is merely such as was most convenient. |