The Naturalist's Diary,

For DECEMBER, 1820.

(Concluded from our last.)

The everlasting flowers, which form so pleasing an ornament to our parlours in winter, and indeed dur ing the whole year, deserve some notice in this muath, so destitute of Flora's beauties. The species of the genus gnaphalium * mostly cultivated are, (1) The everlasting tree (gnaphalium arboreum); (2.) The red-flowered everlasting (g. ignescens); (3.) The eastern-everlasting, or immortal flower (y orien tale), whose shining lemon coloured flowers frequently serve for ornamental purposes, and are known by the name of everlasting, a name appropri ate to the whole genus; (4.) the sweet-scented everlasfing, or eternal flower (g. odoratissimum); (5.) The American everlasting (g. margaritaceum). This plant is a native of North America, where it grows in vast quatities in uncultivated fields, glades, bills, &c. and is called life everlusting; because the silvery heads, properly dried, will keep their beauty long, without changing. It is also found in Kamtschatka: and with us in England; having been ob. terved near Bocking, iu Essex; and on the banks of Rumaey river, in South Wales, for the space of 12 miles. In Wales it is used to adorn the graves of the departed, elegantly alluding to immortality by the unfading nature of its flowers, and to spotless purity by their snowy whiteness. This plant is often cultivated in cottage gardens. (6.) The plantainleaved everlasting✅gnaphalium plantagineum); and 7.) The common shrubbery everlasting (gnaphalium itachas.)

THE EVERLASTING ROSE.

Hail to thy hues, thou lovely flower!
Still shed around thy soft perfume;
Still smile amid the wint'ry hour;

And boast e'en now a spring-tide bloom.
Thine is, methinks, a pleasant dream,
Lone lingering in the icy vale,
Of smiles that hail'd the morning beam,
And sighs more sweet for evening's gale!
Still are thy green leaves whispering

Low sound to Fancy's ear, that tell
Of morning's, when the wild bee's wing
Shook dew-drops from thy sparkling cell!
In April's bower thy sweets are breathed,
And June beholds thy blossoms fair;
In Autumn's chaplet thou art wreathed,
And round December's forehead bare.
With thee the graceful lily vied,

As Summer Breezes waved her head;
And now the snow-drop at thy side

Meekly contrasts thy cheerful red.
'Tis thine to hear each varying voice,
That marks the seasons sad or gay,
The summer thrush bids thee rejoice,
And wint'ry robin's dearer lay.
Sweet flower! how happy dost thou seem,
'Mid parching heat, 'mid nipping frost;
While gathering beauty from each beam,
No hue, no grace of thine is lost!
Thus Hope, 'mid life's severest days,
Still smiles, still triumphs o'er despair;
Alike she lives in Pleasure's rays,

And cold Affliction's wint'ry air.
Charmer, alike in lordly bower,
And in the hermit's cell she glows;
The Poet's and the Lover's flower,

The bosom's Everlasting Rose!

Mode of Culture.-Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, may be in- The oak, the beech, and the hornbeam, in part, treased by slips from the heads or cuttings, by plant-retain their leaves, and the ash its keys. The comng them in pots of light earth in the spring or summer months, and plunging them in a moderate hotbed, refreshing them often with water. When they have taken full root, they may be removed into separate pots, and placed among other plants of the hardy exotic sort. They require the protection of frame in the winter season.

No.7 may be increased in the same manner, being placed at once where it is to remain, in a shady sheltered border, or other place that is proper.

Nos, 5, 6, may be easily raised by dividing and planting their creeping roots where they are to grow, either in the autumn or spring months. These three ast are sufficiently hardy to staud the open air in warm situations. They are all ornamental plants, the former in the green-house collection, and the latter in the open ground.

As to the common European sorts, if the seeds are permitted to scatter, the plants will come up in the pring with greater certainly than if they were down; but they are regarded rather as weeds than garden plants,

mon holly (ilex aquifolium), with its scarlet berries,
is now conspicuous, as is the pyracanthus with
its bunches or wreaths of fiery berries on its dark
green thorny sprays; and those dwarfs of the vege
table creation, mosses, and the liverwort (lichen ),
now attract our notice.

The redbreast is still heard to chant his cheerful straiu,' and the sparrow chirps. Towards the end of the month, woodcock shooting commences; and the snipe (scolopax gallinago) becomes a prey to the fowler.

The goodness of the Creator is not more manifest in any thing than in the return of day and night, heat and cold, summer and winter. We are pleased with the light in the morning, but it is after we have rested well in the night; when a few hours are spent, we grow weary of the light, and wish for the return of the silence and darkness of the nocturnal season. After a long cold winter, we joyfully welcome the approach of summer; but, when scorched a few months with its heat, and ready to faint, the return of winter is not so unpleasant to us as it appeared The gnaphalium dioicum, mountain-everlasting or more carly in the spring. But whatever effect these ud-weed (cat's foot), is a native of most parts of successions may have upon us, it is certain they are Europe, on open downs, and is one of our most very beneficial. The light of the day is advantageous elegant species; the flowers of a beautiful rose-co- for managing the toils and business of life; and the four. It is found on Newark-heath, and Gogmagog-coolness and stillness of the night are as suitable for hills, Canham-heath near Bury, Swaffham and Strat- rest and sleep. The summer's heat is necessary for ton heaths, in Norfolk; in Cornwall, Wales, on Ber- ripening the fruits of the earth, and hastening the Bock, and Wittering heaths, in the northern counties, harvest: but the winter's cold and hoary frost are and in Scotland. It flowers in May and June. The subervient to prepare the earth for the seed, and Cape of Good Hope is most fertile in this genus, render it fertile. This dreary season is servicebut several fine species grow in South America, and able both to man and beast: it gives a new spring some are found in New Holland. The mountains and vigour to nature. and fields of different parts of Europe produce various species, but few of the more handsome, except gnaphalium arenarium and its near relation gnaphatium olympicum of our gardens, gathered about Bathinian Olympus by Dr. Sibthorpe; both which vie with gnaphalium orientule in their shining golden Or lemon colour; and, the olympicum at least is a hardy perennial, of easy culture,

Glorious Author of the Year,

Teach us at thy shrine to bow!
As thy varying months appear,
Let our lips renew the vow!
When the dove-eyed Spring looks out
From her infant nest of flowers,
On the green fresh woods about
Sparkling in the sunny showers-

When, as up the blue profound,
Summer climbs her noon-day height,
Not the breathing of a sound
Wanders through the depth of light-
When o'er harvest-waving hill,
And on gaily-blossomed heath,
Autumn glows; or, beauteous still,
Wears the golden veil of death-
When, like some unspotted corse
Shrouded in its virgin white,
Nature yields to Winter's force,
Only to revive more bright-
Glorious Author of the year,
Teach us at thy shrine to bow!
As thy varying months appear,
Let our lips renew the vow!

29.73 | Mean.
30.18 Highest.
29.28 Lowest.

.90 Range.

Rev. F. Hodgson.

Deducted from Diurnal Observations made at Manchester, in the month of November, 1820.
OF THE ATMOSPHERICAL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE, RAIN, WIND, &c.

METEOROLOGICAL REPORT

The greatest daily variation of the barometer was on the 12th which was preceded by foggy evenings and mornings. The gradual rise of the mercury and other appearances on that day, indicated an approaching frost, but in the course of the following night there was a sudden change from clear to gloomy, and a loss of .42 of an inch of mercury, as above stated; the consequence was brisk showers of rain. At eleven o'clock in the evening of the 18th, being serene and almost clear, was a large but faint lunar halo. The greatest daily variation of temperature, was on the 10th and 11th. Mean temperature of the 44th week, commencing on the 28th of October, 44.03; 45th, 46.4; 46th, 88.94; 47th, 46.°2, 48th, 44.07, ending on the 1st of December.

often attended with hoar frosts and dense fogs. On the Ice has been noticed frequently throughout this month; 16th, in the morning, the temperature was five degrees below freezing, and in the country still lower. My friend Mr. John Blackwall, of Crumpsall, two and a half miles north north-east of Manchester, has favoured me with his register of rain for the last three monthe. Mr. B.'s account for September is 2.87 inches; October, 4.41, and November 2.77 inches. His rain fnnnel and gauge are exactly the same as mine.

The Gleaner.

"I am but a gatherer and disposer of other men's stuff." WOTTON.

THE SEVEN

SLEEPERS.

"The old man must be departed, or fallen into some fit, for the noise I have made would have waked the Seven Sleepers."

”

Tales of My Landlord, Third Series.

stay or reside at any place, either on the part of the
collectors of the capitation, tax (Kharatsch) by their
demanding from him this tax, or on the part of
others, on other pretexts, contrary to the imperial
capitulations; but that he be protected and defended,
by giving him a friendly and polite reception, and by
providing that he be accompanied, at his own expense,
by a sufficient number of courageous guides in places
where they may be in danger to be feared, and that
care be taken that he may pass freely and safely.
I order, in consequence, that he be treated in the
manner above-mentioned,

Literature. It is announced from Rome that M. Mai, the principal Librarian of the Vatican, has made several discoveries interesting to the lovers of ancient learning. Among these are parts of the books usually designated as lost, of Polybius, Diodorus, Siculus, and Dion Cassius; fragments of Aristotle, Ephorus, Hyperides, and Demetrius Phalerius. Fragments of v rious other ancient works have also been discovered, but the names of the authors are not known. Some You then, ye Judges and other Officers above-men- fragments have been found of the Byzantine writers, tioned, know, that, it being proper, according to the such as Europius, Menander of Byzantium, Priseus, ties of sincere friendship, and the claims of good un- and Petrus, Protector. The fragments are of precisely and the Court of England, to protect and defend tra- has also found several harangues of the rhetorician Ar derstanding which subsist between my Sublime Porte the most interesting parts of these historians, M. Mal vellers and persons belonging to that Court, this illus-tides, and seven books of the physician Oritorius, which trious command is issued, in order that, whilst the are a valuable acquisition to the History of Natur above-mentioned nobleman is travelling with a Tatar Science. The fragments discovered of Polybius com and two Frank servants, to the said places, and return-tain the 39th book, in which he announces that ing from them, he be not troubled or molested on the 40th and last will treat of chronology. road, or at the posts, or when he may stay or reside from necessity at any place, either on the part of the Antiquities. Professor E. D. Clarke, of Cambridge, At the end of that time, the slaves of Adolus, to him this tax, or on the part of others, on other pre-zoni, in the chamber of the tomb of the kings, of the tax, the from Be texts, contrary to the imperial number of courageous consists wholly of Aragonite. This discovery, wh was opened by that enterprising traveller in Upper E guides, in places where there may be danger to be will give an additional interest to the most surpris feared, and that care be taken that he may pass freely relique of antiquity in the world, has been comm and safely. cated by the Professor to the Cambridge Philosophil Society.

When the Emperor Decius persecuted the Christians, Seven noble youths of Ephesus concealed themselves in a spacious cavern, on the side of an adjacent mountain; where they were doomed to perish by the tyrant, who gave orders that the entrance should be firmly secured by a pile of stones. They immediately fell into a deep slumber, which was most miraculously prolonged, without injuring

whom the inheritance of the mountain had descend ed, removed the stones, to supply materials for some rustic edifice. The light of the sun darted into the cavern, and the Seren Sleepers were permitted to awake.

After a slumber, as they thought, of a few hours, they were pressed by the calls of hunger, and resolvǝd that Jamblichus, one of their number,should secretly return to the city, to purchase bread for the use of himself and his companions. The youth, if we may still employ that appellation, could no longer recognise the once familiar aspect of his native country; aud his surprise was increased by the appearance of a large cross, triumphantly erected over the princi pal gate of Ephesus. His singular dress and obso lete language confounded the baker, to whom he offered an ancient medal of Decius, as the current coin of the empire; and Jamblichus, on the suspicion of a secret treasure, was dragged before the judge. Their mutual enquiries produced the amaz ing discovery, that two centuries were almost elapsed since Jamblichus and his friends had escaped from the rage of a Pagan tyrant, The Bishop of Ephesus, the clergy, the magistrates, the people, and it is said, the Emperor Theodosius himself hastened to visit the cavern of the Seven Sleepers, who related their story, bestowed their benediction, and at the same instant, peaceably expired!

LITERAL TRANSLATION OF A TRAVELLING FIRMAN
For Mr. WILLIAM TURNER,
Issued the 10th of February, 1815.

· [Taken from Turner's Tour in the Levant.}

SULTAN MAHMOUD KAN,

EVER VICTORIOUS.

I command, therefore, that on the arrival of this
supreme order, nobly issued as above-mentioned, and
to which all obedience is due, you act conformably to
its tenour, and understand it thus, and repose faith in
the noble signature.
the year one thousand two hundred and thirty.
Written towards the end of the month of Saafer, in

From our well defended residence of Constantinople.

THE PLEASURES OF PAINTING.

large dimensions, which is supposed to have lain in th A Stone Coffin, containing a perfect skeleton, oft ed lately by the workmen in digging the new road earth ever since the days of King Stephen, was discov Rodway-hill, Mangotsfield, near Bristol.

A large quantity of old silver coin, in fine preservation principally in the reigns of the Edwards, was dug up few day ago by some labourers employed by Richard Wormald, Esq on Tinsil Common, near Leeds

A letter from Bourdeaux says, "A few days ag Castelman, in Medoc, several silver coins or demigra were discovered amongst the ruins of the Castle of of Aquitaine, which exhibit on one side the effigy of Prince of Wales in a ducal attire, armed with a stand standing under a gothic canopy; and on the two fleurs de lis, and two leopards. symmetially separated by a full cross, marked with six pais, indicative of the value of the coin. Round the p trait of the Prince is the legend.-ED. Po. GNS. RE AGL. B. Eduardus primogenitus regis Anglier, B. ceps.) on the reverse.-ACIT. PRNCPS. (Aquitanic Priv

Anecdotes.

SINGULAR ANECDOTE OF MOZART.

"There is a pleasure in painting, which none but painters know."—In writing, you have to contend with the world: in painting, you have only to carry on a friendly strife with nature. You sit down to your task, and are happy, From the moment that you take up the pencil, and look nature in the face, you are at peace with your own heart. No angry passions rise to disturb the silent progress of the work-to shake the hand, or dim the brow; no irritable humours are set afloat; you have no absurd opinions to combat-no point to strain-no adversary to crush-no fool to anDoy; you are actuated by fear or favour of no man. There is "no juggling here," no sophistry, no intrigue, no tampering with the evidence, no attempt to make black white, or white black; but you resign yourself into the hands of a greater power-that of Nature,One day when Mozart's spirits were unusually oppers with the simplicity of a child, and the devotion of an sed, a stranger, of a tall, dignified appearance, was enthusiast" study with joy her manner, and with troduced. His manners were grave and impressive. To the Glorious Judges and Substitutes of Judges, rapture taste her style." The mind is calm, and full at told Mozart, that he came from a person who did. Mines of Science and Eloquence, who dwell on the same time. The hand and eye are equally employed. wish to be known, to request he would compose a solens the road in going and returning by sea, from my In tracing the commonest object-a plant or the stump mass, as a requiem for the soul of a friend whom he had Gate of Happiness, to the places hereinafter named, (may their science be increased) and to the Most of a tree-you learn something every moment. You recently lost, and whose memory he was desirous of Alustrious amongst their likes and equals, the In-perceive unexpected differences, and discover likenesses commemorating by this solemn service.-Mozart unda tendants and Chiefs of Janizaries and other Offi- where you looked for no such thing. You try to set took the task; and engaged to have it completed in cers, (may their powers be augmented.) On the arrival of this high imperial writing, be it down what you see, find out your error, and correct it. month. The stranger begged to know what price he se known to you that the Model of the Great of the Na--You need not play tricks, or purposely mistake; upon his work, and immediately paid him a hundred tion of the Messiah, the Ambassador Extraordinary with all your pains you are still short of the mark. Pa ducats, and departed. The mystery of this visit seem from the Court of England, residing at my Sublime tience still grows out of the endless pursuit, and turns to have a very strong effect upon the mind of the m Porte, Robert Liston, Esq. (may whose end be happy) has set forth in a note, sealed with his seal, which he it into a luxury. A streak in a flower, a wrinkle in a cian. He brooded over it for some time; and then sab has presented to my Gate of Happiness, that Mr. Tur-leaf, a tinge in a cloud, a stain in an old wall or ruin denly calling for writing materials, began to compost her, an English nobleman, desires to go by sea, with grey, are seized with avidity, as the spolia opima of with extraordinary ardour. This application, howeve a Tatar and two Frank servants, to Rhodes, Cyprus, this sort of mental warfare, and furnish out labour for was more than his strength could support; it brought Acres, Jerusalem, Seyd, Damascus, and its environs, thence to Baront, and Cairo; and then to return to another half day. The hours pass away untold, with- on fainting fits; and his increasing illness obliged hi my Gate of Happiness: and he has requested that an out chagrin, and without ennui; nor would you ever to suspend his work. "I am writing this requiem imperial order be issued to the effect that, whilst the wish to pass them otherwise. Innocence is joined with myself!" said he abruptly to his wife one day; "it will above-mentioned Englishman goes with a Tatar and the two servants, whom he takes with him to the industry, pleasure with business, and the mind satis-serve for my own funeral service;" and this impression above-named places, and returns from them, he be not fied, though it is not engaged in thinking or doing any never afterwards left him. At the expiration of the molested on the roads, or at the posts, or when he may mischief. month, the mysterious stranger appeared, and demanded

Scientific Records.

AMERICAN AEROSTATION.

MR. GUILLE'S ASCENSION.

IMPROVEMENTS ON THE PUMP.

The Hull paper states, that an ingenious townsComprehending Notices of new Discoveries or Improve- man, has obtained a patent for "certain improvements in Science or Art; including, occasionally, sin- ments in pumps of various constructions, for Medical Cases; Astronomical, Mechanical, raising and conveying water and other liquids, and Philosophical, Botanical, Meteorological, and Mine- also methods of applying a certain principle or ralogical Phenomena, or singular Facts in Natural principles to ships' pumps." The chief of these imHistory; Vegetation, &c.; Antiquities, &c.; to be provements is, the application of a syphon to ships' continued in a Series through the Volume.] pumps and others, which, when the water is raised to the short leg of the syphon by the common power of the pump, above the height of the place where it can be discharged by the larger leg, will of course lessen the weight of the column of water to be otherwise that contained in the upright leg of the syphon. It raised by the pump lever, by a quantity equal to is proved by experiment, that a weight of less than 30 lbs. applied to the lever of a ship's pump, will, where this invention is used, raise as large a column of water as would otherwise require a weight of upwards of 60 lbs; or, in other words, nearly double the quantity of water may be vended as can be done by the ordinary pumps now in use, with the usual SIGN POSTS.

the requiem. "I have found it impossible," said Mo-
zart, "to keep my word; the work has interested me
more than I expected, and I have extended it beyond
my first design. I shall require another month to finish
The stranger made no objection; but observing,
that for this additional trouble, it was but just to increase
the premium, laid down fifty ducats more, and promised
to return at the time appointed. Astonished at his whole
proceedings, Mozart ordered a servant to follow this sin-
gular personage, and, if possible, to find out who he
ww: the man, however, lost sight of him, and was
aliged to return as he went. Mozart, now more than
persuaded that he was a messenger from the other
sent to warn him that his end was approaching
with fresh zeal to the requiem; and, in spite of
the exhausted state both of his mind and body, completed
bee the end of the month. At the appointed day,
the stranger returned;—but Mozart was no more!--the distance of 1000 feet, when the earth disappeared
to my view; there was not a sufficiency of distance
Edinburgh Review.
between my situation and the earth; that to disen-
gage myself from the balloon, would have been at-
teaded with great danger. In this situation, when
could not see any part of the earth, I remained
about thirty minutes, when I was transferred to a
and had the advantage of red edn,
which made the e

ANECDOTE OF LORD BYRON.

In front of Newstead Abbey, ten miles from Notngham, the seat of the Byron family, is an elegant

I started at 35 minutes past three o'clock on
Saturday afternoon, the 14th October. By some
mistake, and many people interfering to assist me
in ascending, the balloon lost a considerable
tity of gas. In less than five minutes ascended to

labour.

uonament, erected by Lord Byron, the poet, to the clear region earth appear to me to be covered through the Gentleman's Magazine, that he has pre

emory of a favourite dog. Near it were formed hree vaults, which were also prepared by his Lordhip. In one of them are deposited the remains of favourite dog, and in the other two, his Lordship sended his own remains and those of a favourite ervant to be also interred, when the hand of death hould close their earthly career.

The following Inscription was placed on the Monument
Near this spot

Are deposited the remains of one
Who possessed Beauty without Vanity,
Strength without Insolence,

Courage without Ferocity,

And all the Virtues of Man, without his Vices.
This Praise,

Which would

be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed

over

Human Ashes,

Is but a Just Tribute to the Memory of

Boatswain.-A Dog,

Who was born in Newfoundland, May, 1803, and died at

Newstead, Nov. 18, 1808.

with show; from thence I entered into another re-
gion of clouds, much darker than the former ones,
and having no valve to my balloon, I was obliged to
ascend much higher than I would otherwise have
done. In this situation, when I ascended about
35,000 feet, according to the calculation I made
with the help of a barometer, which I had with me,
the air was so obscure, that I could neither see the

H. Harvey, of Wickham Skeith, Suffolk, states, pared a model for direction-posts, with painted letters, giving light in such a manner as to be legible in the night time, and retaining that property for several years. This is certainly a humane and useful invention; and it is to be regretted in this respect that the immense aggregate of human inconvenience, disappointment, and suf fering, occasioned by the neglect of the most simple ex pedients, is suffered to exist in a country like England.

balloon or parachute, and owing to the great cold, we could take into one view all the evils of a single

experienced, and also the fatigues, I felt asleep, and
slept for some time. I would still have continued
to ascend had it not been for the wet state of the
balloon, which made it very heavy; and this I at-

tribute to the cause why my descent was sooner than I expected. A singular circumstance, and which I never have experienced, happened to me iti my descent: during the time I remained surrounded by clouds, I could distinctly hear the report of guns; I attribute this to the atmosphere being generally covered with clouds; and believe that a commotion in the air will sooner communicate it to a dark than a clear atmosphere. When I first disMany years ago, Judge Buller presided at the Win-covered the earth I descended so rapidly, owing to chester assizes, when a prisoner being on trial for a ca- the balloon being so heavy, that my parachute tal offence, the Judge desired the Jury to consider opened itself. When I got to the ground, in an eir verdict. They turned round to do so, except one open field, and having no grappling irons, I was w-boned countryman, who amused himself with look- dragged about the distance of Market-street, until yg about the court. Judge Buller said, "Why do not the balloon was arrested in its course by a forest, on consult with your brother jurymen ?" He answered, where, with the assistance of some persons, I was I shall do as they do my Lord." On this the upright able to get out of my basket and secure the balloon. fudge ordered the officers to take that fellow out of the Mr. Raphell Smith, to whom I herewith offer my which they did somewhat unceremoniously, and him out of the Court. The Judge, then, turning to sincerest thanks, was kind enough to accompany e prisoner, congratulated him on having escaped with me to Trenton, where we arrived at eight o'clock, life for that time, the law requiring that he should P. M. e tried by a pannel of 12, and there were only 11 honest

The following circumstance took place in a neighbourag town a short time ago. A fellow hearing there was letter for him in the post-office, accordingly went for it. On the postmaster's handing it to him, he frankly conssed he could not read, and requested the postmaster to Pen it, and let him know the contents, which he very adily did. After getting all the information he wanted, knowingly shrugged up his shoulders, thanked him his politeness, and dryly observed, "When I have me change, I'll call and take it!"

During the late polar expedition, one of the she volves of the country where the ships were laid up, rmed an intimacy with a ship dog, and almost daily I him for some time, as if he had belonged to the cies. At last, the dog, a setter belonging to e of the officers of the Griper, followed his wild comanion, and was never seen more. Another dog, from e Hecla, also went off, but returned, though with his roat all mangled.

ARTS AND SCIENCES IN AMERICA.

Mr. Randolph, an American chemist, asserts that he has discovered the long lost secret of the mortar or cement of the ancients, which was proof against fire, water, and the influence of time. He states, that his composition daily growing harder, becomes more and more solid and unalterable. He has not judged proper to make his secret known to the public. Mr. Sheldon, of Springfield, in North America, affirms, that he has discovered that the bark of the chesnut tree (fagus castanea) contains twice as much of the substance used in tanning as oak bark, and almost as much dyeing matter as campeachy wood.

A valuable assortment of succulent plants, consisting of four hundred species, many of them extremly curious and rare, has recently been presented to the Botanic Garden, at Glasgow, which was before one of the finest collections in the kingdom.

from the want of direction-posts generally, and of on the road inscribed conspicuously upon some of the the common precaution of having the names of places houses, it would lead, we think, to the universal adop tion of than of both practices, and conduce more materially first be supposed to the public comfort and

benefit.

NEW GLOBES.

A Berlin artist, Mr, Charles. P. Khummer, has recently published a globe with the mountains boldly executed in relief. This method impresses the subject more forcibly upon the mind than the mode hitherto employed, and is consequently admirably suited for geographical instruction and knowledge.

A mammoth gourd was cut in the garden of H. P. Tozer Aubrey, Esq. of Bromhall, near Oswestry, which, through the peculiar management of its cultivator, atattained the weight of one hundred and thirteen pounds.

Mr. J. Carr, of Liverton, in Cleveland, farmer, has a cow, not four years old till about Lady-day next, which has already had eight calves, viz. two before she was two years old, two before she was three years old, and ori the 14th ult. she prematurely calved four more.

M. Lalande, a distinguished naturálist, who was commissioned by the French government to make researches in the interior of Africa, arrived at Bordeaux, on board the royal ship the Panther, on the 3d ult. after an absence of two years. He has brought with him a valuable collection of objects, of the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms; amongst the former is the skeleton of an enormous hippopotamus, which, after a peril ous combat, he succeeded in killing and dissecting. Paris journal gives the details of his fearful encounter with the animal, and adds "Great praise is due to the English for their hospitable and generous conduct towards him. Their Hon. Commander favoured him in prohibited under severe penalties; but this interdiction every way in his power. Hunting the hippopotamus is was dispensed with in favour of the French naturalist : they aided him in every thing calculated to insure his success, without, however, concealing from him that they thought success impossible. When, contrary to all expectation, he had succeeded, the English cordially rejoiced, and loaded the fortunate hunter with the most sincere congratulations. It is pleasing thus to see the love of of science unite, as by family ties, all civilised people. It is consolatory, and gives a better idea of

CURIOUS MOUSE TRAP.

We have often heard of rats and mice having been captured by oysters; and this week to record an instance of this nature. A dead mouse has been sent to our office, together with the oyster, in whose jaws the little animal's head was made a fatal captive. This singular mouse-trap together with the victim to epicurisma, have been exhibited in the window of our office, for two or three days, where they shall remain as long as they continue innoffensive. The authority upon which we relate this fact, is Mr. Phenix of the Liverpool Library, from whom we received the specimen; and who assures us that the parties were actually "caught in the fact."

SLAUGHTERING ANIMALS.

The Mosaic law so strictly prohibits the eating of blood, that the Talmud contains a body of regulations concerning the killing of animals; and the Jews, as a point of religion, will not eat the flesh of any animal not killed by a butcher of their own persuasion. Their method is to tie all the four feet of the animal together, bring it to the ground, and, turning its head back, cut the throat at once down to the bone, with a large, very sharp, but not pointed knife, dividing all the large vessels of the neck. In this way the blood is discharged quickly and completely. The effect is, indeed, said to be so obvious, that some Christians will eat no meat but what has been killed by a Jew butcher.

If a person loses a thing, will he look for it in a will remain unfinished, and the public must contrive dispense with it. place where he has no idea of finding it?

If a person goes to seek a thing, does he, whether he gets it or not, go for that thing?

TO THE EDITOR.

A cruel method of preparation for slaughter used to be practised, though now much less frequently, in regard to the bull. By some ancient municipal laws, no butcher was allowed to expose any bull beef for sale, 7th and 14th ult. I was surprised to see the objecSIR,-In looking over your Kaleidoscope, of the unless it had been previously baited. The reason of tions started by W. to the French expression, Mes this regulation probably was, that baiting had the effect très chers père et mère, as violating, says he, the of rendering the flesh or muscular fibre much more rules of concord. But I was still more surprised to tender; for it is an universal law of the animal econo- see the wrong application made by both S. M. and my, that, when animals have undergone excessive fa- P. C. S. of the examples they quote, in order to tigue immediately before death, or have suffered from prove that the above expression is not correct, and a lingering death, their flesh becomes sooner tender in opposition to the opinion given by the French than when suddenly deprived of life in a state of gentleman alluded to in the first Kaleidoscope, who very properly said it was correct. To convince those health. The flesh of bunted animals also is soon ten-gentlemen, that, notwithstanding their great knowder, and soon spoils; and it is upon this principle only ledge of the French grammar, they have been rather that the quality of pigs' flesh could be improved by the mistaken, I shall observe, 1st, that in these exam horrid cruelty said to be practised by the Germans, of | ples, mon père et ma mère sont venus; mon père, whipping the animal to death. Another part of the ma mère, mes frères, &c.: il faut régler ses goûts, same receipt to roast a pig, wild boar fashion, consists ses travaux, &c. &c.; in a word, in all those great quotations, which show that they have read the in making him swallow, some hours before put to grammar, the possessive pronouns are joined to the death, a quantity of vinegar aromatised with herbs. substantives, without the interposition of any other We notice this, because we think the action of vinegar word between them, which is not the case in mes given to animals before death, in rendering the fibre très chers père et mère. 2d, That this expression 18 mellow, deserves to be examined. It is a common generally made use of in addressing our parents practice in the country to give poultry a spoonful or jointly; for then we never say, mon très cher père two of vinegar sometime before they are killed, when of a clown, and would at once detect a great defiet mu très chère mère, which would smell too much they are to be dressed immediately. Popular practices ciency of education. 3d, In the commandments of are seldom without some foundation, and with this, our Lord, taught in all the boarding-schools in the fact that acetic acid, or vinegar, has a peculiar che- France, we say, tes père et mère honoreras afin que mical action on fibrine, connects itself. The Moors in tu vives longuement. Many other examples might West Barbary, before they kill a hedge hog, which is be quoted, which I omit for brevity's sake. esteemed a princely dish among them, rub his back against the ground, by holding his feet betwixt two, as men do a saw that saws stones, till it has done squeakIng, and they then cut its throat."—Mr. Jones, Phil. Trans. No. 245.

Correspondence.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR,-Having been engaged in an argument concerning the following questions, in which the parties

Messrs. W., S. M., and P. C. S., instead of quoting the names of so many classical French grammarians, as rejecting the above expression, ought, I think, to have quoted the passages of their gram mar, by which they reject it.

THE FRENCH INSTITUTE.

1. B. 1.

This academy has undertaken to edite the great dictionary of the French language. It is now about 50 years since this dictionary was commenced, and it is said in about 200 or 250 years hence, we may see, at least the first five letters of the alphabet are finished. Thus our great-great-grand-children may see, the completion

To Correspondents.

LYTHROGRAPHIC MAP OF CAPTAIN PARRY" POLAR VOYAGE.-Owing either to the want of em perience, or of management, or perhaps of both; b certainly from no deficiency of inclination or pers verance, we are obliged, for a while, to abandon intention to present our readers a Lythrograph sketch, illustrative of the recent voyage of Captai Parry. We shall resume our efforts, however, in the new branch of the graphic art; as we are not in th habit of abandoning any speculation without a "fal fair, and impartial trial."

The Biographical Sketch with which we were we time since favoured by HENRICUS shall apper, bably, in our next. The MS. required a little ti

sion.

The insertion of the Original Biography of LADY YAMOUTH Would be in some respects incompatible v the design of our work.

Neither the paper on the Parallax of the Fixed Star
nor the verses of Fleur de Lis, have been overlooked.
CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE.-Before PHILOSO
mences the task he is about to impose upon him
we recommend to his notice a small volume, entitle
"Cecil's Sixty curious and authentic Narratives," in
in which he will find upwards of one hundred p
occupied with circumstantial evidence, some of th
most interesting of which we have already presente
to our readers. As the work is in our possession, vu
state the circumstance in order that our corresponda
may not be subjected to the superfluous drudgery
transcription.

AMATEUR THEATRICALS.-As it seems that an inter
view has taken place between several of the theatrical
aspirants, in spite of the misunderstanding all
in our last, we conceive that, having contributed
"break the ice," we may retire, under the impresen
that "Othello's occupation's gone!"

The "Pig in the Poke," recommended by A Cox-
STANT READER, shall have a place.

We have not yet had time to peruse the DISAPPOINTE
BRIDE, and the narrative signed A NATIVE.
We shall attend to the instructions of R. D.

ORIGINAL CRITICISMS. We have little doubt the
the proffered papers of Y. Z. are on dramatic lite
"The Iron Mask," the first opportunity.

ture.

The Rev. Mr. PHILIPS'S SPEECH ON ST. ANDEE

DAY.-In reply to A SCOTCHMAN, we can only b serve, that if we should be favoured with a copy a the speech delivered on St. Andrew's Day, by the Rem Mr. Philips, which is so warmly recommended, shall be happy to give it a place in our pages, pro ded we find, upon a perusal, that it is of a c plexion, adapted to our work. Further Acknowledgments. J. P.; VERITAS; B WELL WISHER; R. L.; B. H. D.; R. D.; L ROCHE; Y. Z.

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