Far more painful is the sensation produced by the in- | the subject of my present reflections. The world is a scene | starting-place, and to measure his course again, must hav spection of a number of figures of about five or six inches of such proverbial misery, and the instances of continued possessed what even they may at the present momen in height, contained in four glass cases, and representing happiness, which are to be met with in it, are so rare, desire; and, resting upon this assumption with as un persons afflicted by the plague at every period of its pro- that an avowal of this kind seems, upon first impressions, limited confidence as if it were incontestibly proved by the gress. In the first, are represented persons suffering un- to bear the stamp of its own falsehood. So prone are man- fullest knowledge of his life, would urge the chase wi der the first attack of the disease; in the second, they ap-kind to judge of others by themselves; so disposed are a speed redoubled by the idea, that the prize for whic pear in the ensuing state of langour and dejection; they they to reject, as fabulous, assertions which seem in oppo- they contend had, in this instance, conferred full happi are extended upon the ground or upon straw mats; their sition to their own experience, that had this sentiment ness. Nor would they change their mode of reasoning complexion is of an olive colour, and a corrupted blood been the only record that remained of Franklin, his opi- if success in the pursuit should show them its fallacy issues from their wounds. In the third, their bodies are nions, or his actions, it would have been regarded, if not as and though, when satiated with the enjoyment of the represented as they appear after death; they are of a deep an intentional falsehood, at least as an opinion avowed in wishes, they started again, untired, and full of hope, i green and covered with livid spots. In the fourth case, is a moment of pleasure, and transient as the sunshine which some fresh chase, they would conclude themselves mi faithfully depicted the putrefaction of the corpses, after warmed it into birth. It would, with much confidence, taken: yet they would perpetuate the error by making th they are thrown into the vault, and have become the food have been asserted, that the person who had left these second object of pursuit, in its turn, the summum bonu of worms and serpents. Such is the truth of these hideous words, as his only memorial, must have been young at compositions, that I have seen people involuntarily hold at the time he wrote them; that they were the production their noses while looking at them. of that age which entertains those flattering dreams of life, which are supposed to be invariably mocked by its sad realities. The gallery of the Medici contains also specimens of the vases, arms, and other utensils peculiar to every age and every people. The rooms, devoted to the study of anatomy, contain representations, in coloured wax, of every disease incident to the human race. There are also models of the human figure, in every stage of life, from early infancy to decrepit age, in which the finest nerves, arteries, and fibres are executed with admirable science and exactness. These rooms are filled, at certain hours, by young students who multiply the copies of these valuable imitations, executed under the direction of Professor Fontana, by Clement Safini and others. I stopped in the rotunda, in which the Venus de Medici was placed, before she was taken to Paris to rejoin the other deities of Olympus removed from Rome and Italy. Prefulgebat eo ipso quod non videbatur. The library of the Medici, at Saint Laurent, and those of Marucelliana and Malabachiana contain many rare manuscripts. The latter is particularly remarkable for its collection of books printed in the fifteenth century. I must not forget to mention the school of engravings, kept by the celebrated Morghen, nor the famous manufacture of works in alabaster of the brothers Pisani, whose statues, vases, and ornaments are much esteemed, both by the inhabitants and by foreigners, and are exported to every part of Europe. Leghorn, Pisa, and Volterra contain also many fabrics of alabaster; that of Volterra, at five or six leagues' distance from Pisa, is much esteemed, and its works are sold at a lower price than those of the other manufactures. The school of painting, and of works in mosaic and precious stones, directed by the celebrated Pierre Benvenuti, a native of Pisa, is much celebrated. His pictures are excellent. I remarked one in particular at Pisa, placed at the bottom of the nave of the dome, on the left side of the choir, representing a young and beautiful princess, performing the ceremony of taking the veil, and surrounded by her father, mother, and brothers, which is executed with admirable expression and truth to nature. Liverpool. A. W. Literature, Criticism, &c. NO. IV. ON THE RETROSPECT OF LIFE. "As constant good fortune has accompanied me even to an advanced period of life, my posterity will perhaps be desirous of learning the means which I employed, and which, thanks when I reflect on it, which is frequently the case, has induced me sometimes to say that if it were left to my choice, I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to its end; requesting only the advantage authors have, in standing, if this condition was denied, I should still accept the offer of recommencing the same life."-Memoirs of Dr. Franklin, written by himself. to Providence, so well succeeded with me. This good fortune, a second edition, of correcting the faults of the first. Notwith How few are there, who, looking back upon a life of milar length, could, with sincerity, echo the wish which is I made these reflections on this passage in the auto-biography of Franklin, which I sat down to peruse, on one of the few rainy days which the fine weather of this July has afforded. It was growing dusk, and when I came to this sentence, the evening had darkened so far, that I could not continue the perusal of this very interesting work without a light. I was so comfortably seated, that I felt unwilling to move; and, instead of rising to call for candles, I leaned back in my elbow chair to enjoy all the luxury of thought.. ness, But some would adopt a different opinion, who, wearie with continued endeavours, had, late in life, been, b successive disappointments, driven from all hope of su cess; and in despair, ceased every effort to obtain happ and were ready to join Amavia, when"But if that careless Heaven (quoth she) despise The doom of just revenge, and take delight To see sad pageants of men's miseries, As bound by them to live in life's despight; Yet can they not warn death from wretched wight. Come then, come soon, come sweetest death to me, And take away this long lent loathed light: Sharp be thy wounds, but sweet the medicines be That long captived souls from weary thraldom free." They would conclude that Franklin must have bee highly favoured by fortune, and have met with but fe of the misfortunes incident to human life. Very different would be the inference of the man reason, who was accustomed to act from principle, an not from impulse. Knowing from experience, that it not the enjoyment of ideal pleasures, nor any exemptio from human misfortunes, which confer happiness; bu that it must be successfully sought, by a firm and un wearied course of conduct, by reducing the scale of en expectations, and acting so as to find pleasure in recollection, rather than in anticipation; he would, naturally and justly, be led to conclude, that the man who ha lived a life which he was willing to repeat, must hav made use of every fault, as a beacon, whereby to guid his steps from a similar error; must, as he lived, hav grown wiser, therefore happier; and must have enjoye all the pleasing recollection of having, during his past in whenever circumstances allowed him, been useful to h fellow-creatures. To the man who reasoned thus, Fran lin's life would be of inestimable value; there would see the elenchus of all his views on this subject, and ba before his eyes a forcible example, that, not upon series of events which man can never control, but rational principles of action, firmly adopted, depends t happiness of life. I tried how far I could apply this assertion to my own life; and looked back into a series of events which awakened emotions of very diverse characters. Some were of that bright and sunny cast which form spots of verdure on the waste of life, where memory loves to linger; but they were few and far between, and they seemed barely visible amidst the sombre hues of the remaining darkness. Turning from the gloom of reminiscence, I varied the scene by generalizing the experiment, hoping that I might draw consolation from comparing my lot with that of mankind in general, and perceiving that I stood not single and alone in the cheerless retrospect. I reflected, that (pursuing my former supposition of this being the only remaining passage of Franklin's writings) had it from any incontrovertible proofs been received without the least doubt, either that he had really felt and expressed such a sentiment, or that it was in his individual experience founded on truth, and not the evanescent dream of momentary deception, the declaration would have appeared of immense importance. Present happiness is the object of almost universal pursuit: few are there, who, for any length of time, imagine that they have attained it; and great would have been the anxiety to discover how that man had passed his existence, who, when he had so nearly arrived at the haven, could wish again to cross the stormy But those who advocated the groundless opinions wh sea of life. Various would have been the hypotheses we noticed above, would, although they read his life, which men would have formed: each would have been to perceive the necessary connection between reason an inclined to figure him to his imagination as successfully happiness; and driven from every other hold, would engaged in that pursuit which he deemed most essentially maintain, that Franklin was of a particularly happ to happiness; and their ideas, of the manner in which he spent his life, would have resembled the picture which the ancients drew of their fabled Elysium, which is so beautifully described in the following well-known lines: "Quæ gratia currûm, Armorumque fuit vivis; quæ cura nitentes Pascere equos, eadem sequitur tellure repostos." And, though there is no fact more indisputable than that conviction. Numbers, therefore, would think, that the man, who, at the close of a long life, was willing to return to the temperament, that he felt not the ills of life; for them, po souls, they are "framed of tender stuff." "His passi and feelings," they would say, "must have been v sluggish he must have been very cold. We are of warmer temperature; our feelings and passions hurry away with irresistible impulse." I do not know, w ther I would, if I could, be one of those cool men. Su seem to attach ideas of energy, of mental superiority, those who are the slaves of every present impression. B these are errors as deep as they are dangerous. In asser ing and maintaining an habitual commmand over ou selves; in restraining, but not extinguishing, our feeling lies the whole secret of happiness. Allowing for eve difference of natural constitution, there are, to every ma allotted, in an abundant degree, the means of effecting the No man has, I believe, passions or feelings so strong, th they may not, by the determined and timely use of prop means, be so far brought into subjection, as is desirable for it is the business of reason to moderate, not to extin- | first night or two, and thus lie ruminating on the noctur- Let them not despair at the former, or be puffed up with the latter; but endeavour to correct what is wrong, and improve what is right. Nor are those studies which #trengthen the mind and confirm its powers to be neglected; for to those who would live happily they are of infinite Importance. Such must seek their recreation in mental, and not in sensual pleasures; the former exalt, the latter debase and enervate our nature. On the exaltation of our nature, on our hopes and fears being lifted beyond this transient world, depends, after all, much of what men call happiness. Here the candles appeared, and their light broke the rain of my thoughts; so I resolved, that my next retro. pert should boast a brighter character, being convinced hat it depended upon myself; and under this impression I returned to the perusal of the work with redoubled Z. interest. Fashions for September. MORNING DRESS.--Shaded yellow jaconet muslin Iress; the stripes in waves, with small sprigs of gold colour; the corsage en blouse, and the long sleeves en bouffants, having seven divisions formed by corded bands, equidistant. Plain cuff, the size of the hand, with a neat worked muslin ruffle; corded band round the waist, with plain gold buckle in front. The skirt is neatly trimmed with five double tucks, cut bias, and corded at the top and bottom: worked muslin square collar, fastened in front with a small gold buckle. Round cap of white crépe fisse, drawn with amber colour ribband, and a large square lace veil. Wrought gold drop ear-rings. Yellow kid gloves and shoes. EVENING DRESS.-Dress of white crépe lisse, ornamented with small sprigs of rose colour floss silk; the corage rather high, falls on each side of the bust, and is con - | hed by a narrow pink satin band at the top, supporting tow of semicircles, which unite and point downwards; rrow tucker of fine blond. The sleeve is very short and , and is decorated with four fancy bows, formed of ur corded Persian lilac leaves, united by a knot; the eve is finished with a satin band, composed of three all realeaus, and a vandyke blond lace beneath. The it has a deep bouillonnee of white tulle, cut bias, and adal with a band of three small rouleaus of pink satin; sime is introduced to confine the bouillonnee midway, broad rouleau is added beneath the small ones at the ton, and two rows of pink satin bows, to correspond h the sleeves, are placed at regular distances in the loanee. Large French bonnet of pink crépe lisse, tin front; the brim formed of double folds, and edged prak satin and a narrow rouleau; the crown circular, a trimming cut into eight oblong divisions, each und with satin, and edged with folded crepe lisse; four Age white ostrich feathers are placed in the front. The dressed in light curls, and two full-blown white China s on each side of the head. Emerald neck-lace, eargy, and bracelets. Long white kid gloves, white satin toes, lace ficha, or silk elegantine. of The Housewife. " Hon sekeeping and husbandry, if it be good, BEAUTY. Odd Coincidence.-The Cambridge paper of Friday se'nnight contains the following curious coincidence:-"The Chief Justice for the Isle of Ely, before entering the court to open the assizes, at Wisbeach, attended divine service, when an appropriate and impressive discourse was preached by the Rev. Mr. Pratt, of Whittlesea, from these words:-One day in thy courts, is better than a thou 2d. Let her rise about six o'clock in summer, and about eight in winter, immediately brush her mouth well with a tooth-brush, and cold water, and then take a table-spoor.- |sand."–Psalm 1xxxiv. 10. ounces; of tincture of bark, one ounce; of diluted sulful of the following mixture:-Of decoction of bark, six phuric acid, one drachm; mix; after which breakfast within an hour. 3d. Her breakfast should be something more solid than a cup of trashy tea, and a thin slice of bread and butter. She should take an egg or two, or a little cold meat, or a cup oft chocolate. 4th. She should not sit reading romances all day by the fire, or indulge herself with thinking upon the perfidy of false swains, or the despair of a pining damsel, but bustle feels hungry, eat a mutton chop or a custard, with a glass about, walk, or ride, or make puddings; and, when she of wine. 5th. Let her dine upon mutton or beef, without fat; 6th. She must not take three or four cups of tea, but one 9th. Let her take a cup of senna tea, or fifteen grains of Miscellanics. Ancient Lawsuit.-The Egyptians (say the Rabbins) sued the Jews for the gold and silver vessels carried off by their ancestors at their departure from Egypt, and insisted on their making restitution. The Jews did not plead prescription; they readily admitted the claim, and offered restitution; but at the same time, preferred a counter claim in their turn. For 210 years, they said, we were in Egypt, to the number of 600,000 men; we, therefore, demand day wages for that period, at the rate of a denarius for each man, and our account stands thus:-365 multiplied by 210, is equal to 76,650, which, multiplied by 600,000, will give 45,900,000,000 denarii. The Egyptians, of course, dropped the suit. Dryden, in his poem of Absalom and Achitophel says: "But 'twas hard fate which to the gallows led which is not a little applicable to the slaughter that is at present going on among the canine race. "Life," said one who had seen much of it, "is like a game at backgammon; the most skilful make the best of it. The dice do not depend upon us in the one case, nor do events depend upon us in the other: but it is the manner of applying them that occasions the difference of success.' The present King of Persia made many inquiries of Sir Harford Jones respecting America, saying, What sort of a place is it? How do you get at it? Is it under ground, or how ?" A Canon of Exeter Cathedral died a few weeks since. A gentleman crossing the Cathedral yard, in that city, accidentally met a friend, to whom he said, "So Canon His dead."-" Indeed!" replied the other, "I was not aware that Canons went off in that way." Yes, they do," rejoined the first," for I have just heard the report." "How old are you, Pat?" said a clerk of indictment to a convict, at a late assizes in the south of Ireland. "Faith, Sir, I believe I'm pretty well as owld as ever I'll be," said Pat: and, in good truth, he was hanged on the Monday following. Lord Norbury is expected shortly to retire from the judicial bench. It will be seen by our Irish Assize IntelThe following respecting the preservation of the beauty ligence that his Lordship has lately held some curious diayoung ladies is from the Medical Adviser., On restoring Colour to the Face. 1st. Let her go to bed at ten o'clock-nine if she pleases. must not grumble because she may not sleep for the She logues in Court, and that he still retains his punning propensity. In this latter respect, however, a fellow-punster observes that his Lordship (whose name is TOLER) is no longer Toler-able.-Irish paper. Irish and Dutch Bulls.-The bull related of the Irish hangman, who, upon asking a criminal about to be executed, for the customary bequest, and receiving it, exclaimed, Long life to your honour," at the same monient he drew the bolt, which launched the ur.fortunate man into eternity, has found its fellow in a recent instance at Antwerp. A criminal there, when condemned to be broken on the wheel, is permitted to have any thing he may require for his sustenance, previous to his execution. A person deservedly condemned to this punishment, for a obtained it, and was observed blowing off the froth which murder he had committed, demanded a glass of beer. He surmounted its top. Upon being asked his reason for doing so, he exclaimed, "Because it is very unwholesome.” The criminal was executed in a very few minutes afterwards. Musical Drake.-A Dunkirk journal, anxious to prove that France possesses animals of rare merit, gives us the following example::-"Mr. Jolly, a cloth-merchant of Abbeville, is in possession of a beautiful drake, which he has, by perseverance for two years with a bird organ, the same experiment on a turkey!" Should this friend taught to sing several different airs. He intends trying of the feathered race succeed, we shall, in a few years, find ducks, geese, and turkeys, singing in cages, instead of smoking on our tables. Voltaire, the Inventor of Printing.-Mouctar Pacha, son of that Ali Pacha who, after putting to death so many human beings, was himself doomed to meet a violent end, looked upon Voltaire as the author of this pernicious discovery. "If he ever falls into my hands," says Mouctar, he shall swing for it without mercy. I will not suffer in my domioions (added his Excellency) a man more learned than myself." His Excellency could not read.— News of Literature. A Philadelphia paper relates the following laughable occurrence : A prisoner in the bar at the Mayor's Court in that city, being called on to plead to an indictment for larceny, was told by the clerk to hold up his right hand. Hold up The man immediately held up his left hand. your right hand,' said the clerk. Please your honour,' said the culprit, still keeping his left hand up, please your honour I am left handed.' The magpies and jackdaws of Milan were carefully taught to salute the Emperor of Austria, on his last visit, with the cry of "Va via Checco!" or, "Get away, Frank!"-a circumstance which was omitted in the of ficial account of his Imperial Majesty's reception. To make Names grow in Fruit.-When peaches and nectarines are about half ripe, cover the side exposed to the sun with strips or specks of wax, in any desired shape or form, which hinders the sun from colouring the parts covered; and, when the fruit is ripe, and the wax removed, it will be found marked in the manner described. Sealiores. A curious instance of the choice of situation by swallows is nowto be seen at Burton Hall, near Lincoln. The little creatur es having gained entrance to a closet through a broken pane, have fixed their nest on a huntsman's old cap which hangs on a peg, and have erected their plaster dwellir, on this moveable basis, which has been frequently brought down to exhibit to the visitors. There areuow four eggs in the nest, on which the parents are sitting. The recent discoveries of Professor Gruithausen, the moonich astronomer, have been but imperfectly detailed in the daily papers. The Learned Professor finds that the moonites are by no means ignorant of horticulture. The crops of vegetables are good ; but, he says, they do not exhibit many varieties of each kind: thus, among peas, they have no Prussian blues: nor have they any Windsor beans. The inhabitants do not, it seems, make the most of their gardens, for the Professor ascertained that the onions are running to seed, and that the French beans have got too large even for pickling. The reports of the Horticultural Society, and Phillips's History of Cultivated Vegetables, have not, it appears, yet reached the moon.-Literary Chronicle. Poetry. TIME. Time, why on rapid pinion only fly, When Pleasure, laughing helmsman, steers the bark, And heavenly azure tints the cloudless sky, And dances on the wave Joy's buoyant ark, Mocking the destinies, a hideous train; And but alone when roars the tempest loud, And Misery lights her torch to fire the brain, And angry winds do lash the billows proud; Then, then alone, to creep with sluggard pace, And weeping hours, to ages, reckless swell; And, all forgetting thy allotted race, Linger, like measured toll of passing bell? Strange, so to scorn the bower where roses blow, And love "the blasted heath," and couch of woe! Liverpool. EPIGRAM. (From the Greek Anthology.) G. 'Twas twilight's hour, I'd felt its sad control, When o'er my ear the sweetest music stole; It was a strain familiar, yet so dear, I stay'd my trembling breath to bring it near: It was an air so ravishingly sweet, It made my heart bound heavy from its seat; On what I lost, what still I love so well? For worlds I would not then one word have spoken; It was so sad and yet so sweet a grief, It would have hated and defied relief; The sombre quiet of the stilly hour, ELEANOR. Of printing and printers we've long had fair proof, May our chapel, of wisdom and sense the bright fame, While monks and gray friars, ever fruitful in evil, There, Sir! what think you of a Bristol bard? A brother rhymer with one sprig of bays; That merit should not have its meed of praise. We therefore join in hoping without humming, That Mr. Cummins will be soon forth coming. XIV, But why expatiate on a theme so low When you might soar to one of any height? A lass, and he, but rose to fall, I trow, XV. I had some thoughts, to you it should be known, XVI. I thought to you to write some verses twenty; And so I should, but time will not permit. Verily, therefore, xvi. must content ye, Seeing I've just now neither time nor wit. (In hopes of an epistle,) SAM. TAYLOR-Bristol. The following lines have been often published, and said to have been written by the late Lord Erskine at house of a friend, where he was on a visit. What a plague's a summer breakfast, Eat whate'er you will! Cold butter'd bread's à nasty thing, Hot toast is nastier still! Not knowing where to move: For he who sweats when he stands still, So now the supper's come, and come For supper, while it heats the cool, And bed, which cheers the cold man's heart, For he who sweats when out of bed, Advertisements. A FEW DAYS MORE ONLY. THE ROYAL PORTRAITS, which have been visite by upwards of eighty thousand persons of distincti and taste since they have been on public view, can real here but a few days more, as they return to London to engraved for a new Atiquarian Work, to be published in parts, under the immediate patronage of the King. Stoakes's Rooms, Church-street, Liverpool, where histor cal Catalogues may be had. Admittance, One Shilling. TH To the Industrious Classes, and to Families in General. Now publishing, in Weekly Numbers, Price Three-pence, Monthly Parts, Price One Shilling, a New Work, entie HE ECONOMIST, and GENERAL ADVISEE A brief abstract of our plan will, however, best shewt nature of the undertaking; and we shall at all time ready to adopt any suggestions which may contribute to improvement. 1. The Art of Housekeeping.-This branch of our Work w include directions for purchasing all kinds of Provisions the current prices of Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Vegetable with a list of those in season, and the various metho cooking them;-directions for Carving;-Recipes for P ling, Preserving, &c. The complete art of Distilling, Brea ing, and making various sorts of bread, &c. 2. Monthly Directions for Gardening. 3. The Family Economist; or Plans for the Expenditay Income, shewing the advantages of purchasing with money. IV. Directions for Parents in the selection of Trades and Prah sions for their Children; pointing out those which are likely to be permanent and profitable, and are the least jurious to health, with the probable amount of premiare pected, &c. This department of our work will include brief account of the privileges of citizens of London, and list of the Companies, distinguishing the advantageous fre the inferior ones. V. Annals of Gulling.-A series of articles under his head expose the many frauds by which the Public are imposed o such as Cheap Ticketing Shops, Mock Auctions, Pawn kers, Tally Shops, Dealers in Second-hand Articles, Sham B gains, Hawkers, adulterated Tea, Coffee, Wine, &c. VI. The Laws of Landlords and Tenants-in a clear and str form, including advice respecting taking Houses, Lo ings, &c. VII. Domestic Medicine. The recipes we shall presenti our readers are furnished from the practice of an emines physican. This department will also include an exam tion of popular, or as it is usually termed, "Old Wor Remedies, which we shall decide upon with impartia tice. A Copious Index, of the Contents of the Number alread published, will be found in Knight and Lacey's new Catang s which may be had of all Booksellers. Sold in Liverpool by Thomas Smith, Paradise-street, a all Booksellers. น Ꭺ FINE PENMANSHIP. PERSON who writes a clear, free, and handsome RUNNING-HAND, such as is prized by Merchants, for their Circulars and Prices Current, and who would accept of an occasional, or partial EMPLOYMENT in this way; if such A Person will be pleased to send in a Specimen, or Specimens fich, his writing (free of postage) to THOS. SMITH, Engrare, &c. 13, Paradise-street, accompanied by some Address to Le writer, the Specimen will be thankfully received, and duly attended to even excepting the exquisite richness of Dowton's Fal-scientific gentleman of this town, whose opinion we le- HE REAL SWISS GIANTESS, during her stay THEATRE DU PETIT LAZARY DE Paris, de Messrs. MAFFEY, YORK HOTEL, TARLETON-STREET. IN consequence of the rush of Spectators, whose numbers nightly increase, Messrs. Maffey have resolved yet to prolong their stay for one week longer, and will have the honour to submit to the Public, THE ATTACK OF THE CONVOY, Or the DEFEAT of the BANDITTI, A grand military melo-dramatic Spectacle. This Piece is embellished with superb Changes of Scenery and Decorations, and superb Dances, Costumes, Ballets, Metamorphoses, Military Marches and Evolutions, Charges of Cavalry, desperate Combats, Firing, &c. In the course of which, and incadent to the Piece, the beautiful and picturesque View of THE PROCESSION OF THE CONVOY Across the defiles of the Mountains. This fine Painting Will be animated with a variety of analogous objects, and in particular will be distinguished the meeting of the hostile Armies, in roads, which at first appear inaccessible; together with other entertainments which will be announced in the Bils of the day. Bills will be given to the Spectators at the Door, announcing the Piece in the English Language. Driors to be opened at half-past Seven, and the performance to commence at half-past Eight precisely. Messrs. Maffey have the honour to announce, that before leaving the town, they request all those who may have any -claims upon them, to apply to them at the York Hotel, any dap before the 13th Instant, the period fixed for their departure. The Drama. THE THEATRE. "That it should come to this!" THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, Shakspeare's Merry Wives of Windsor, has been mercilessly mutilated to an opera, to the great scandal of dramatic orthodoxy, the profit of music composers and dealers, as well as the delight, perhaps, of some quantity of barren spectators." Hereafter few things of this kind will much surprise us. Coriolanus, belike, will next be melo dramatised, Macbeth reduced to the empty parade of pageant spectacle, Lear transformed to a capering ballad singer, and Hamlet be made to chant his plaintive tale of domestic woe tippity witehet, after the manner of Grimaldi. Queen Elizabeth," says Mr. Theobald, "was so well Pleased with the admirable character of Falstaff in the two Parts of Henry the IV. that, as Mr. Rowe informs us, Se commanded Shakspeare to continue it for one play sere, and to show him in love. To this command we we The Merry Wives of Windsor: which, Mr. Gildon ys, he was very well assured, our author finished in a night. But this must be meant, only of the first imrfect sketch of this comedy, an old quarto edition hereof I have, printed in 1602; which says, in the title "As it hath been divers times acted, both before her Majesty and elsewhere." It should now be announced, "as hath been divers times" ALTERED both by men of sound ense, and senseless men. We have surely operas enough cat dressing up Shakspeare in the fantastic garb of Mr. Bishop, or Mr. any body else, who chooses to enrich self at the trifling cost of the poet's degradation. And, erall, what do we gain by the metamorphosis? In the Merry Wives of Windsor, songs (two of them ShakSpares, certainly, from As You Like it,) as inapposite, excepting "Sweet Ann Page" to the tune of Shenkin Bahor Sheer Montgomery," vulgarly called "Poor Mary Anne," as the music is old. What occasion, ample, could Master Fenton possibly have to plain of "man's ingratitude?" Nobody had been grateful to him but fortune, for the lady he so antly sighed for was kind enough in all conscience. Pak might just as appropriately have entertained us the birth, parentage, education, et cetera," of the 14ous Dennis Brulgruddery. Nothing, in short, not of the hospitality of High Life below Stairs, was never dom. The horns found at Wallasey have been regularly shed, and T. S. T. their points have been polished by use. They are not in a He as In the month of June, 1822, I made a trial of the White On Tuesday, Bickerstaff's celebrated comedy of the HYPOCRITE, as commanded by his Majesty last season at the theatre-royal, Drury-lane, was performed to a very indifferent house; notwithstanding the intimation at the head of the bills, that it was " THE ONLY NIGHT THE HYPO-pic motives. He is a gentleman of independent property, CRITE CAN BE ACTED THIS SEASON," and, what is and what he advances on the subject of the efficacy of the stranger still, notwithstanding Dewton's known excellence mustard seed is the result of his own experience. as Cantwell. Were it not that the king is really a gentleman sures us that it has been found a great and general bles (we trust we speak not treason) of acknowledged refinement, sing amongst the poor in the neighbourhood in which he we should almost conceive the managers had, themselves, resides.-Edit. Kal. contributed not a little to this most singular occurrence: for, from the advertisement, it might have been thought by many that they were not going to witness the represen-Mustard Seed merely as an aperient: when the generally tation of " Bickerstaff's Hypocrite, but of "Bickerstaff's improved state of my feelings, which soon followed, inHypocrite as commanded by his Majesty," the inference clined me to give it credit for other medicinal propertics being that they were totally different from each other, of a very beneficial nature. Under this impression, I gave when, in fact, they are precisely the same. We went, it to some of the sick poor in the neighbourhood, and with nevertheless, and, for once, were certainly much pleased a success which excited my astonishment. I have since with the whole of the dramatis persona; more espe- recommended it in many cases, of which, several were cially with Miss Kenneth's Charlotte. It was a perfor very distressing. The result is such as to authorize a permance distinguished by much good sense, an suasion, that the public are not aware of its very extraor rate conception of the character, and replete with the dinary powers, nor of the very great variety of cases to arch gaiety of one whose deportment was frank as her which it is applicable, and that in order to its adoption as a remedy for disease, its virtues require only to be knowr. mind, whose feeling was unrestrained as her thought, accompanied by the felicitous grace and dignity suited to her breeding. Of Mr. Dowton's Cantwell we have always been warm admirers: it is worthy a place beside Kemble's Co riolanus and Vandenhoff''s Cato. accu THE COUNCIL OF TEN. Scientific Records. [From the Liverpool Mercury.] In the white mustard seed are combined a valuable DISCOVERY OF STAG'S HORNS UNDER THE BED OF eating, heartburn, sickness, wind and spasms, cramp, ar d WALLASEY POOL. aperient and an equally valuable tonic: and thus, while it affords the most salutary and comfortable relief to the bowels, it strengthens and invigorates in a very remark. able degree the whole line of the alimentary canal. For diseases, therefore, and morbid symptoms connected with a disordered state of the stomach and bowels, it is a very general remedy: and, accordingly, it has been found to succeed in tendency of blood to the head, in head-ache, weakness of the eyes and voice, and hoarseness; in asthme, shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and other distressing affections of the chest; in indigestion, oppression after other uneasy affections of the stomach; in debility, unerThe labourers engaged in excavating the bed of Wal-siness, pain and sense of tenderness and soreness in the lasey Pool, for the purpose of making a wet dock, have interior, and particularly at the pit of the stomach, and n lately discovered several fine stag's horns in the most pain in the left side and lower part of the body; in defperfect state of preservation, which is surprising when we cient perspiration, gravel, scanty and unhealthy state of consider the length of time they must necessarily have the urine, and other morbid affections of the skin and kidbeen buried. We shall forbear to indulge in conjecture neys; in relaxed and irritable bowels, flatulence, and respecting the period when these remains of former days occasional and habitual costiveness; in rheumatism, lumwere deposited in this spot. At that time, it is probable, bago, spasms and cramp in the body or limbs, partial and that what is now termed Wallasey Pool was part of a wood general dropsy, palsy, coldness of the limbs and feet, loss or forest, as, in the neighbourhood, the remains of large of appetite, failure of sleep, weakness of nerves, deprestrees are frequently found at different depths below the sur- sion of spirits, and general debility of the system. face, and also out of the ground. These vegetable remains some species of gout and epilepsy, and in some diseases of are of a very dark coleur; some as black as coal, and so the liver, the seed may probably be taken with advantage. hard, that the farmers use them as gate posts. The horns-It invariably expels worms both in children and adults, were found nearly thirty feet below the bed of the pool.- and not only the long round worms, but the small white The specimen which has been committed to our care, for ones also.-It has been successful in a case of ague. A public inspection, consists of a single and very perfect poor woman, of the age of 77, had been suffering from a antler, so hard as almost to defy the file. It weighs three quotidian ague, of at least a fortnight's standing, when pounds and a half, and is very elegantly branched. We had she began the mustard seed, taking two small tea-spoonalmost omitted stating a circumstance, which, if true, is fuls every three hours. The disease abated almost immefully as extraordinary as the discovery of the animal re-diately, and in two days was entirely subdued. She had mains; and we doubt not, that some of our antiquarian also for some years laboured under the consequences of a readers will endeavour to ascertain whether it be fact, as very weak interior, and had suffered greatly from habitual reported, that the workmen have discovered evident traces costiveness, and extreme coldness in the extremities, and of an ancient road having once existed, twenty or thirty in the stomach and bowels. Such was the sense of coldfeet below the bed of Wallasey Pool. We have been favoured with the following note from a In ness in the interior, that warm tea and broth afforded no relief. After taking the seed for a fortnight, all these un, seed is to be swallowed whole, and either alone, or in a easy symptoms, with some others, disappeared; and she nerally speaking, however, it excites no other sensation than that of comfortable warmth, and in some cases no particular sensation whatever. I will close these observations by remarking, that there are peculiarities belonging to the mustard seed, which may perhaps in some measure account for its extraordi nary powers. It discharges a sort of mucilage, which serves as a vehicle for its medicinal properties; and that this discharge is slow and gradual, is perceived by retain ing a portion of the seed in the mouth for ten or twelve or a greater number of hours, during which, a sort of radi lage is found to be incessantly flowing from it. When therefore the seed is taken whole, there is some ground for supposing that its virtues are not exhausted in the stomach and primæ viæ, but that they reach every part of the alimentary canal, by direct communication, as the seed passes through it. And it is also very probable, that the bowels are assisted in the propulsion of their contents, by the mere mechanical action of the seed thus taken in an entire and unbroken state. August, 1824. I. T. On Mr. Samuel Seaward's claim to the Invention of a TO THE EDITORS OF THE PHILOSOPHICAL MAGA GENTLEMEN,-I observe in your last number a draw. ing and description of a pump for condensing gases, by Mr. S. Seaward, which pump he states to be his invention. As far I am myself concerned, I should have hardly thought it worth while to contradict his statement; but i cannot in justice to yourself allow your respectable journal to be made the vehicle for conveying a falsehood to the public. This pump was constructed at the manufactory of which I am a proprietor, during the time that Mr. Seaward filled a situation as draughtsman in it. In that capacity be made the necessary drawings connected with it; but I do most positively assert, that he did not invent or suggest any one essential part of it. I content myself with simply stating the above facts, and remain your most obedient servant, City Road, August 10, 1124. JOHN MARTINEAU. LIST OF NEW PATENTS. To Charles Random Baron De Berenge, of Target Cat tage, Kentish Town, in the parish of St. Pancras, Mid dlesex, for his improvement as to a a new method or methods of applying percussion to the purpose of igniting charges in fire-arms generally, and in a novel and pecuar manner, whereby a reduction of the present high price fire-arms can be effected, and the priming is also effect ally protected against the influence of rain or other mes ture; such invention and contrivances rendering the pet cussion principle more generally applicable even to comm pistols, blunderbusses and muskets, as well as to all sort of sporting and other guns, by greatly reducing not on the charges of their manufacture, but also those impeding circumstances which persons have to encounter whis loading or discharging fire arms when in darkness, whilst exposed to wet, or during rapid progress-seri impediments which soldiers and sailors, and consequentl the service, more particularly and most injuriously expe rience.-Dated 27th July, 1824.-2 months allowed enrol specification. To Alexander Nesbitt, of Upper Thames-street, L don, broker, who, in consequence of a communicat made to him by William Van Houten the younger, foreigner residing abroad, is in possession of a process which certain materials may be manufactured into pape or felt, or a substance nearly resembling coarse paper felt, which material so prepared is applicable to variou useful purposes.-27th July.-6 months. To Thomas Wolrich Stansfield, of Leeds, Yorkshire merchant, for certain improvements in power looms an the preparation of warps for the same.-27th Julymonths. To Edward Cartwright, of Brewer-street, Golde square, in the parish of St. James, Westminster, M dlesex, engraver and printer, for his improvements on additions to roiler printing presses.-27th July.-2 month To Charles Jeffreys, of Havanah Mills near Congleton silk thrower, and Edward Drakeford, of Congleton, watch maker, both in the county of Chester, for their method making a swift and other apparatus thereto belonging, it the purpose of winding silk and other fibrous materials. 29th July.-2 months. |