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into sublimity, by conforming the shows of things to the desires of the soul, instead of subjecting the soul to external things, as reason and history do." ANNE R. Kirton Lindsey.

THE ROSE-GARDEN OF IRIM.

(From the Persian.)

WHEN Shaddad, who was King of Yemen, heard the description of Paradise, he said: "I have no necessity for Paradise; for I will make a Paradise for myself, the like of which, men cannot have beheld." He commanded his men artificers, that they should search for a spot fit for forming a garden. They hastened to every quarter, till they found a pleasant, airy, and elevated spot, on the borders of Syria. Then he appointed a hundred of his emirs, who were his councillors, to bring masters and skilful persons from every country and kingdom; and he gave command to the kings of India and Greece, and sovereigns of various states, that they should send gold, and silver, and pearls, and precious stones, and whatever was found in their countries. At length, a beginning was made on the structure. They laid in the work a red brick of gold, and a white brick of silver; and they fixed in the divisions and joinings of them, pearls and precious stones. Every day there were strings of forty camels, fully laden with gold, and silver, and pearls, and precious stones, which were used in the building. They erected a royal palace, the walls and roofs of which were of gold, and silver, and diamonds: there were two thousand rooms, and a thousand halls and vestibules; and all the walls were set with pearls, and rubies, and turquoises, and emeralds, and other gems. Before every one of the rooms were set up trees of gold and silver, the leaves of which were of emeralds; and on which, instead of fruit, hung clusters of pearls; and on the ground, like sand, were strewed musk, and amber, and saffron. Between the trees of gold and silver, was planted a fruit-tree, to amuse and to be eaten. In short, after five hundred years, the place arrived at completion. This they named the Rose-garden of Irim.

They informed the infidel Shaddad of its completion; when he, with the desire of viewing it, marched from his capital, with pomp and the utmost splendour, with forces and attendants. When he arrived near it, two hundred thousand youthful slaves, whom he had brought with him from Damasan, he made into four divisions, and stationed them on four spaces, which were without the garden. As Shaddad and his grandees were approaching the Rose-garden, and he wishing the horse on which he was mounted to gallop, there was a great cry uttered, so that Shaddad trembled within himself; and, on

looking up, he saw a person of great fierceness and majesty :-"Who art thou?" said Shaddad.-"I am the angel of death," answered the spirit; and I am come to seize thy impure soul."-" Grant me leisure," said Shaddad, "that I may enter into this Paradise.""It is not my order," answered the angel of death.-Then Shaddad, from fear of him, endeavoured to descend from his horse; but when, with one foot in the stirrup, he attempted to place the other on the ground, the seizer of souls bore from hence the spirit of the infidel, and he fell dead on the earth. And lightning came forth, which burnt to dust the slaves and whatever was on the plain, even the Rose-garden of Irim; and the Paradise of the infidel became hidden for ever. W. G. C.

NOTES ON SOME MODERN NATURAL HISTORY WORKS.

1. BROWN'S ANECDOTES OF QUADRUPEDS. Animals nestling in or on the bodies of others.-At page 138 is an anecdote from Buffon, who says, that a weasel with three young ones were extracted from the carcass of a wolf that had been suspended to a tree by the hind legs. In the thorax of the putrefied carcass, the weasel had formed a nest of leaves and herbage for her young. To this anecdote we shall connect some of a similar nature respecting other animals, which have not naturally this parasitic propensity. Mrs. G. Vasey, in her Natural Historian, states that the common hog's hide is so thick, and his fat so insensible to pain, that instances have occurred of mice gnawing their way into the fat on the back without incommoding the animal, (vol. i. p. 236.) In Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, the Rev. Mr. Bree, in a very amusing article on the singular nidification of birds, tells us that "at Knowle Hall, Warwickshire, a wren, (Troglodytes Europaus,) built its nest in the skeleton body of a heron, which had been nailed up against a wall, and formed part of what has been facetiously called "the countryman's museum." Another Correspondent to the valuable periodical just mentioned, states that a tomtit built its nest and reared its young, for two successive years, in the mouth of Tom Otter, a mur. derer who was executed and hung in chains, (vol. v. p. 289.) Captain Lyon says, that in the course of one of his voyages, the nest of a snow-bunting, (Emberiza Nivalis,) was found built on the neck of a dead child; and Gilbert White records the circumstance of a swallow having "built its nest on the wings and body of an owl, that happened by accident to hang dead and dry from the rafter of a barn. This owl, with the nest on its wings, and with eggs in the nest, was brought as a curiosity worthy the most ele

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gant private museum in Great Britain."(Nat. Hist. of Selborne, part 2, letter xviii.) Tiger, (p. 287.)-A story is here told of a party of travellers having kidnapped a tiger-cub which they carried away with them. "Being left at liberty and extremely well fed, the tiger grew rapidly, appeared tame, and fondling as a dog, and in every respect entirely domesticated. At length, when having attained a vast size, and, notwithstand ing its apparent gentleness, begun to inspire terror by its tremendous powers of doing mischief, a piece of raw meat, dripping with blood, fell in its way. It is to be observed that, up to that moment, it had been studiously kept from raw animal food. The instant, however, it had dipped its tongue in blood, something like madness seemed to have seized upon the animal—a destructive principle, hitherto dormant, was awakened; it darted fiercely, and with glaring eyes, upon its prey, tore it with fury to pieces, and, growling and roaring in the most fearful manner, rushed off towards the jungles." An anecdote equally illustrative of an animal abandoning its artifical for its natural taste, when once it has learned what it is, is related by M. D'Obsonville of a tame ichneumon, which he kept and fed with milk and baked meat mixed with rice. "One day I brought him," he says, "a small water-serpent alive, being desirous to know how far his instinct would carry him against a being with which he was hitherto totally unacquainted. His first emotion seemed to be astonishment mixed with anger, for his hair became erect; but, in an instant after, he slipped behind the reptile, and with remarkable agility, leaped upon its head, seized it, and crushed it between his teeth. This essay, and new aliment, seemed to have awakened in him his innate and destructive voracity, which till then had given way to the gentleness he had acquired from his education. I had about my house several curious kinds of fowls, among which he had been brought up, and which, till then, he had suffered to go and come unmolested; but, a few days after, when he found himself alone, he strangled them every one, ate a little, and, as appeared,

drank the blood of two."

Mice eating Flies, (p. 400.)-An anecdote is introduced, from Bingley's British Quadrupeds, respecting a tame harvest-mouse, which was in the habit of catching and eating house-flies. A correspondent to the Magazine of Natural History has also, it may be mentioned, recorded the circumstance of some species of mouse exhibiting a similar propensity towards the flies called Aphides; and Mr. Rennie, in his Insect Miscellanies, (p. 378,) says, he "once had a whole drawer of insects destroyed by mice."-J. H. F.

Manners and Customs.

THE CHILIANS.

(From Dr. Meyen's Voyage round the World.) Ir is greatly to be regretted, that the numer ous English travellers, who, in the hope of wealth, have lately visited these countries, and for the most part returned disappointed, should publish their journals, in which this amiable nation is often sketched in the most offensive manner, in return for the many tokens of hospitality and friendly reception which assuredly they have invariably experi enced, when they did not exhibit too much arrogance. The women have been made the peculiar object of attack, and often even individually named, whereby succeeding travel. lers have suffered great disadvantages, for already has the fashion disappeared of admitting every stranger of condition into the circle of the best families without the formality of a direct introduction. The ladies dread the stiff Englishman, who cannot enter into the spirit of their manners, and makes them a subject of merriment so soon as he is out of the room. He considers himself distinguished when he receives a bunch of flowers from a lady, though, in fact, this sort of courtesy is designed merely as a help to conversation. The Englishman calls the people dirty, because a basin of water goes round after dinner, and the whole company, men and women, dip their hands in it by turns, although these good people intend nothing further than to indicate the footing of confidence on which they wish to live with their guests.

The Chilians rise early, and the ladies immediately hurry off to mass, arrayed in black silk with long black veils. They are attended by female servants, bearing fine cushions for their mistresses to kneel upon. After mass they take chocolate, coffee, or China tea; maté, or Paraguay tea, being now entirely banished from the houses of the higher class. The men, who appear to trouble themselves very little about mass, usually employ the time devoted by the women to religious observances in strolling through the streets and market-places. During the forenoon, the ladies pay visits in their carriages; little twowheeled coaches with glass windows, drawn by two mules, the coachman being seated upon one. Men and women never ride together in these carriages, which, indeed, are intended for women exclusively. As the heat increases with the advancing day, all life and action disappear from the streets, and by the afternoon all business is quite over. Two o'clock is the ordinary hour of dinner, which is soon ready, for the mode of living is singularly moderate; soon after dinner comes the siesta, which commonly lasts till six. During this time, a stillness, like that of death, reigns through the uni

form streets of the city, which are heated to an extraordinary temperature by the unintermitting rays of the sun. All the shops are closed, and there is no one to speak to; none but curious strangers, and soldiers upon guard, are to be seen in the squares. Nothing less than an earthquake would be powerful enough to rouse the inhabitants of this town from the lethargy into which they fall, not so much perhaps from the intolerable heat as from habit. During our stay such an earthquake took place about three o'clock in the afternoon. Misericordia! Un temblor! Un temblor! resounded on all sides, and the inhabitants hurried out of their houses, often in the most laughable attire, for they had been surprised in the midst of their sleep. As the heat abates, the houses re-open, the shopkeepers expose their goods, and the squares are again filled with workmen. The bustle re-commences, the people stream towards the churches, and the promenades are filled; but on a sudden, as the sun sets, the bell calls to prayer, and heads are bared and all is still. Thousands and thousands of people, on horseback and in carriages, all huddled up together, as they chance to be confounded in the crowd, are instantly prostrated by the sound of this bell, as by catalepsy, and turn their thoughts to their common Creator. With alternating pauses an harmonious ringing of bells sounds from the different towers, admirably arranged with a view to effect, until the striking of the clock sets the mass again in motion. Then the noise redoubles, as if to overtake what has been lost in the preceding moments. Buenas noches! buenas noches! is the salutation then exchanged amongst acquaintance.

In the evening, from nine to ten o'clock, family visits are paid, and these last till long after midnight. Particular invitations are not the fashion here; any one once presented to the family by a friend of the house has the right of entry ever after; he may come as often as he chooses, and go away again if he does not find amusement in the circle which he happens to meet, without its being taken ill. When the rooms are lighted, and the doors open, it is a sign that the family are at home, and receive visits. The gentleman of the house, however, is rarely of the party; we have been for weeks in the habit of going in and out of houses without ever becoming acquainted with their masters. The ladies are splendidly dressed, and adorned with fragrant flowers in their hair, when they receive visits; a conversation begins, which is particularly remarkable for witty allusions and plays on words, whilst music, singing, and dancing by single pairs at a time, help to pass away the night; new guests are constantly coming in, and others departing to join a second or third company. People here assemble only for amusement, and not for

eating and drinking, which in many other countries is the principal matter; but some preserved fruit is commonly offered, which here and over the whole west coast of South America is so renowned under the name of dulce. It is usual to take only a few teaspoons ful and then a glass of water. In houses of distinction the dulce is handed round in small crystal saucers; in inferior houses one vessel goes round, and each guest helps himself in his turn. Frequently at these evening meetings the ladies have flowers brought to them, and, with a taste and elegance peculiar to themselves, form them into little bouquets, which they present to the gentlemen; but this, as I have already said, is meant merely as an invitation to converse. Most commonly the ladies sit still and exhibit their skill in the management of the fan, which they learn to use with an adroitness and grace such as no one assuredly could match in our country. From their earliest youth the management of the fan is the daily study of the young women of Santiago.

The Chilian ladies, equally with the Peruvian, are liable to some degree of censure for surrendering themselves too unreservedly to their natural passion for dress. This makes them forget their other duties, and I have conversed with many a worthy father of a family who has broken out into the bitterest complaints about it. A Chilian woman, even of the middle class, wears nothing but silk stockings, with silk shoes so very thin that they cannot last beyond a few days; her church-going dress consists of velvet, silk, and lace; she wears the largest and costliest French tortoise-shell combs in her hair, often two or even three of them at a time, merely for the sake of show. She walks about at home in the finest China silk kerchiefs, and lies with them upon the carpets. It is not merely that domestic happiness is so frequently disturbed, and many a matrimonial union prevented because the necessary means are wanting to the men; we may even regard this folly as a cause powerful enough to bring about the ruin of the state, unless effective means can be found of counteracting its extravagance. Good, that is, practical girlschools, of the European kind, should be established; not such as the celebrated institution of Mora at Santiago, which, in my opinion, promotes the very thing which should be as much as possible repressed.

It is well worth remarking, that it is only since the casting off of the Spanish yoke that this luxury in dress has taken such exclusive possession of the women; but no one in this country dares to speak against it openly, although it is tacitly disapproved by all, for possibly in no country are the men so completely under the dominion of the women as in Chili; this, however, is a natural con

sequence of their beauty and charming

manners.

FESTIVAL OF ST. HERBERT.

ST. HERBERT has left his name to the island which he inhabited in Derwentwater. He had his yearly festival here in Romish times: on the 13th of April, the vicar of Crosthwaite used to perform mass in his chapel on the island, to the joint honour of the Hermit and St. Cuthbert, for they had been friends while they lived, and after death, their memories were not divided. Forty days' indulgence was granted to every one who devoutly attended. What a happy holiday must that have been for all these vales; and how joyous, on a fine spring day, must the lake have appeared, with boats and banners from every chapelry; and how must the chapel have adorned that little isle, giving a human and religious character to the solitude! Its ruins are still there, in such a state of total dilapidation, that they only make the island, mere wilderness as it is now become, more melancholy!-Southey's Colloquies.

TRIAL BY BATTLE.

On August 6, 1638, at the assizes held before Judge Berkeley, at Durham, the singular spectacle was presented of trial by waging battle being offered and accepted, for deciding the right to lands at Thickley, betwixt Ralph Claxton, demandant, and Richard Lilburne, (father of the well-known John Lilburne,) tenant. The defendant appeared at ten o'clock in the forenoon, by his attorney, and brought in his champion, George Cheney, in full array, with his stave and sand-bag, who threw down his gauntlet on the floor of the Court, with five small pieces of coin in it. The tenant then introduced his champion, William Peverell, armed in the same manner, who also threw down his gage. The judge, after examining the champions, ordered them into the custody of the two bailiffs of the Court, till eight o'clock next morning, when they were ordered to put in pledges to appear at the Court of Pleas on the 15th of September, when it was again deferred to December 22; and the King desired the Judges of the

northern circuit to hold conference and con

sider how the cause might be tried some other way. The result of the conference was, that six of the Judges overruled the objection by Mr. Justice Berkeley, that the champions were hired, the exception being too late after battle waged and sureties given, and that, in fact, Lilburne was entitled to his trial by battle, if he persisted. Means were found, notwithstanding, to defer the trial by battle from year to year, by finding some error in the record, till, at length, it was ordered that a bill should be brought in to abolish this mode of decision.-Sykes's Local Records.

WEDDING DINNER.

ON May 21, 1753, a wedding was thus solemnized at Bishopwearn outh, between two young persons. All acquaintances and relations on both sides were invited to the nuptials. They set forward to church at half-past seven o'clock, preceded by three violins and a bagpipe. Seventy couple went hand in hand, all distinguished by blue cockades, besides an innumerable crowd. The bill of fare for dinner was as follows:5 bushels of malt brewed for table beer, 10 bushels for ale, 16 quarters of lamb, 8 turkeys, 10 green geese, 8 hams, and 4 dozen of hens, 12 ducks, 20 quarters of mutton, 10 quarters of veal, 16 neats' tongues, a quarter of beef roasted whole, 20 stones of beef boiled, 6 bushels of white peas, 80 pounds of butter, 16 pies; the bride's cake was carried between two persons on a handbarrow to the bakehouse; 20 gallons of brandy, 8 dozen of lemons, 7 stones of double refined sugar, 10 bushels of wheat, a hundred weight of tobacco, 6 gross of pipes, tarts, whip-possets, cheesecakes, and jellies innumerable. The formalities of singing, throwing the stocking, and sack-posset, were not forgotten.—Ibid.

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PUSEY is a village in Berkshire, and only remarkable, (says Britton,) for having belonged to one family since the reign of Canute, who gave it their ancestors by the medium of a horn, which is now in the possession of the owner of the estate, and bears the following WYLLYAM PEWSE YYS HORN TO inscription: "KYNG KNOWO GAVE HOLDE BY THY LOND."

This horn is described by Mr. Gough as being of a dark-brown, tortoise-shell colour, mounted at each end with rings of silver, and a third round the middle, on which the inscription is written in characters of much later date than those of the time of Canute. The horn is of an ox or buffalo; two feet are fixed to the middle ring, and the stopper is shaped like a dog's head.

ANCIENT PUNISHMENTS.

THE Cut shows two secular penances, which were inflicted upon disturbers of the peace, at Newcastle, so long since as the year 1649. First, is a representation of Robert

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Sharp, an officer of the Corporation, leading Ann Bidlestone, through the town, with the branks, or gossip's bridle on her head. This contrivance was described at page 360 of our vol. xxiii.; but, the above is a practical, whole-length illustration of its utility, when it did the present work of education.

Next is a drunken fellow wearing "the Newcastle Cloak," which was a cask, one end being out, and the other having a hole through it, sufficient for the offender to pass his head through, by which means the vessel rested on his shoulders; holes being made in the front for his hands. Thus the drunkard was led through the streets as a spectacle of contempt.

It need scarcely be added that both these punishments have long been laid aside. The date of their infliction, as in the Cut, is September 14, 1649, as appears in Sykes's Local Records of Northumberland and Durham, (second edition,) a book, by the way, to our taste; and we wish every county in England had so diligent a chronologist as the editor of these entertaining volumes.

The branks are still preserved in the Town Court of Newcastle; but, Mr. Sykes shrewdly asks, why has the cloak been laid aside? The women of our time, (Heaven bless them!) do not require to be branked; they speak with silver, not iron, tongues; but, we fear, the men get as drunk as in the "good old times" at Newcastle. Why then should the cloak be thrown by? It would, certainly, prove more efficacious in restraining drunkenness than a shilling or a five-shilling fine. A wine-drinker, at our elbow, suggests that the cloak be recommended to Temperance Societies, and that it be embellished after Rippingville's pictures of Drunkenness. Then, indeed, sugar hogsheads would look up; though a puncheon sawn asunder would

(Drunkard in the Cloak.) fit a pair of drunkards. Lastly, let this punishment be inflicted on all

Whether with ale irriguous or champagne.

New Books.

NEW FACTS REGARDING THE LIFE OF
SHAKSPEARE.

WE are indebted for this very interesting contribution to our knowledge of the life of Shakspeare, to Mr. J. Payne Collier, F.S.A. Steevens, the commentator, long since stated, "all that is known with any degree of certainty, concerning Shakspeare is that he was born at Stratford-upon-Avon, married and had children there, went to London, where he commenced actor, and wrote poems and plays, returned to Stratford, made his will, died, and was buried." Yet there are scarcely any of his distinguished contemporaries, regarding the events of whose lives we are better informed. Mr. Collier supplied a few novel particulars in his History of English Dramatic Poetry and the Stage; and he here adds more, of a most authentic kind, and of considerable importance. The most interesting of these are derived from the MSS. of Lord Ellesmere, Keeper of the Great Seal to Queen Elizabeth, and Lord Chancellor to James I. They are preserved at Bridgewater House, and Lord Francis Egerton gave Mr. Collier instant and unrestrained access to them. The Rev. H. J. Todd had been there before him, and had classed some of the documents and correspondence; but large bundles of papers, ranging in point of date between 1581, when Lord Ellesmere was made Solicitor-General, and 1616, when he retired from the Chancellorship, remained unexplored; and it was evident that many of them had never been opened from the time when, perhaps, his

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