e. Opportunity will be afforded you of instruction in the outset of the undertaking, however, when all is proceed now to offer a few observations on the advanwhich this Institution holds out to you:-and I will suggest, that the better knowledge of your business, the qualification to make valuable improvements in it, antages which attention to the course of instruction e proposed will, as I havejendeavoured to show, necesly give, are the surest means of advancing yourselves I your families in the world. How many distinguished names at once present themres, to relieve me from all necessity of reasoning on the ject. I need only mention those of Watt, Arkwright, nklin, Smeaton, Rennie, and Brindley, all of whom sed themselves from humble stations, and who have t behind them imperishable monuments of their fame. You have this great advantage over several of these exples, that every facility of improvement is at once put to your hands; whereas they met with many obstacles, id made great sacrifices both of their comfort and their oney, to provide themselves with means of instruction. If Brindley, in his earlier years, had enjoyed the facilies of acquiring the knowledge, which it is the object of nstitutions like this to diffuse, he would have been reieved from that excessive labour of thought which his reat undertakings cost him; and powerful as his mind was, these undertakings often required the abstraction of lays and nights to conceive and arrange. mained behind, and despatching my frugal meal, which I In the liberal policy of our own government, what an excitement have you to exertion. In the confidence the English nation feels in its superiority, it abrogates old monopolies and privileges, lets machinery and artisans go where they please, removes protecting duties, in short, says to the whole world" A clear stage and fair play; we know what our industrious, ingenious, improving popula tion can do and will do, and we'll beat you all." How are you to justify this confidence, and fulfil this vaunt? In my mind, by no more certain means than the universal adoption and support of Mechanics' Institutions, and by eagerly seizing the advantages they offer. Let it not be said, then, that there is no need of this Institution. Rather let us say, if so much has been done without these additional means of instruction, what may we not hope to accomplish with them. A greater and more certain reward is, at this moment, offered to knowledge, than at any former period of this, or any other country. Let me recur, however, to the fact, and more particularly impress upon you, that the men who have made those great improvements by which this country has attained its pre-eminence, and by which we are all surrounded with so many comforts, were workmen like yourselves:-Mr. Watt was a mathematical instrument maker; Sir Richard Arkwright was a barber; Franklin a letterpress printer; Rennie, Smeaton, and Brindley were engineers. But I need not multiply examples, we are our selves surrounded by them, and you have daily before your eyes every stage of that certain progress to indepen- It will be a vast advantage of this Institution, that, by dence and honour, which results from intelligent industry. adding knowledge to your industry and skill, it will uncannot refrain, however, from dwelling for a few moments lock the stores of many a vigorous mind amongst you. on the character of one of the examples I have named-I Rich veins of practical talent, which have hitherto been mean Mr. Watt, of whom it has been well said, "that his buried in darkness, will be brought to light; and important inventive talents, his extensive knowledge of the sciences phenomena, which have until now been passed over unand arts, and his practical application of them to the pur-heeded, from your inability to discern what they indicated, poses of life, place him in the foremost rank of those il- or whither they led, will be made known. Doubtless, at lustrious men whose discoveries have influenced the state this very time, many important facts within our own of society, and conferred distinction upon their country experience are waiting only for the eye of science to fall and age." Let me entreat you to read his life-aye, again upon them to benefit the world. In illustration of my and again, and to hold him up as a standard for your meaning, I will refer you to one of the greatest of moselves and your children to follow. He raised himself by dern discoveries-Vaccination: the Gloucestershire dairyhis industry and his talents to opulence and to honour, maids had known its property of protecting from small-pox, and "many generations will pass away before he shall time out of mind, when taken accidentally from the udder; have gathered all his fame." But it is not merely with but there the fact remained inert for want of meeting with reference to the means by which he advanced himself in some informed and scientific mind like Jenner's. How the world-to his scientific attainments and skill, that I much misery and disease and death might otherwise have wish to hold him up to you as an example. I wish also, been prevented! Galvanism, I believe, was discovered by that you should make yourselves intimately acquainted the accidental cooking of frogs, for Madame Galvani's with his private life, that you should see how he mingled dinner, in a laboratory instead of a kitchen. with his great acquirements, benevolence, modesty, and forbearance,-how willing he was to communicate his information to others, and how anxious to encourage them in their inquiries." At the close of life, he expressed," says his biographer, "sincere gratitude to Providence for the length of days with which he had been blessed, and his exemption from most of the infirmities of age, as well as for the calm and cheerful evening of life that he had been permitted to enjoy, after the honourable labours of the day had been concluded; and thus, full of years and honours, in all calmness and tranquillity, he yielded up his soul, without pang or struggle, and passed from the bosom of his family to that of his God!" Surely no soil can be more congenial to the luxuriant growth of an Institution like this, than Manchester. We are in the midst of an immense manufacturing population, our workmen are unrivalled for their industry and skill, our machinery is unequalled, both in the ingenuity of its construction, and the magnitude of its production. In scientific attainment we hold the highest rank, numbering amongst our townsmen a Dalton and a Henry-names connected with most important discoveries and improvements in science. But I check myself, lest you should say to me that I am treading upon dangerous ground,that I am arguing against myself, that if here we are so distinguished by our scientific attainment and our practical skill-if our advance be so rapid,-there can be no need of this Mechanics' Institution. Let me remind you, that we have competitors in the race, and that unless we accelerate our pace, we shall not long be first. The march of improvement throughout the world is proceeding with rapid strides. Look at the amazing advance of the United States of North America;-the vigour and enterprise and practical talent which have marked their rapid progress, cannot but excite our admiration; and there is now bursting forth in that great country an intellectual strength, which will give to their advance a tenfold value and a tenfold speed. Our neighbours, the French, now that they are relieved from the political troubles which so long have agitated Dr. Franklin, in his youth, was very earnest in his de- them, have commenced a brilliant career. In M. Dupin, aire for improvement, but had many difficulties to contend a master mind has risen up amongst them, to give a power with. He speaks, especially, of his difficulty in procuring ful impulse to their progress. He has visited our country, books, and the little time he had to read them; and he has witnessed our superiority, and learned its causes, and thus details one of the modes to which he had recourse for he returns home to tell his countrymen, not in the lanovercoming these obstacles." I said to my brother, that guage to which they have before been accustomed that if he would allow me per week half what he paid for they are the first people on earth: "Doubtless," says he, my board, I would undertake to maintain myself. The" we have every thing requisite to become so, but, at the offer was instantly embraced, and I soon found, that of present moment, we are, I fear, far distanced by England." what he gave me I was able to save half. This was a new At the same time, however, that he introduces amongst fund for the purchase of books, and other advantages re- them a knowledge of those mechanical arts in which we are aulted to me from the plan. When my brother and his their superiors, he instructs and liberalizes their minds, workmen left the printing-house to go to dinner, I re and animates them to a vigorous rivalship. And not only are you in the path of discovery, by adding knowledge to your skill, but you derive from the union a security against wasting your time in visionary projects. Mr. Watt used to say, it was as useful to know what would not do, as what would do; and how many among you must be convinced of the truth of this remark. How often are labour, anxiety, and money, thrown away in abortive efforts by men who, though endowed with talents and skill, have no knowledge beyond the facts which have come under their own observation. another material advantage of the Institution presents itself: not merely will it communicate knowledge through its ordinary channels, but it will become a great storehouse for all the practical observations and facts which are passing around us,-a library, if I may so express myself, of experience for your general benefit, by reference to which you may at any time be assisted in determining the value of any new observations you make. Here Last, but not least, of the many advantages which you may derive from this Institution, will be the increased comfort and happiness of yourselves and your families. You will very soon become interested in the subjects which will here engage your attention,-you will find that thinking and reading about them at your homes, will afford you entertainment as well as instruction, and, when you have done your day's work, you will never be at a loss for a pleasant and refreshing employment of your leisure. To any, who in search of amusement, are accustomed to spend their evenings frequently in a public-house, or indulge in other sensual gratifications, I can promise, if they will exert themselves a little at first, far more amusement from this Institution, and with this material benefit, that instead of heaviness and want of vigour in their work on the following day, they shall return to it with a clear head, a light heart, and a skilful hand. Your wives and your children will necessarily share in your improvement,your moral condition will be advanced-higher and nobler thoughts will occupy your minds-you will be better, as well as happier men. I thank you, my good friends, for having listened to me so long, and so attentively. I would that I were able to impress the benefits of knowledge deeply on your minds, and to bring them practically home to you. I feel the importance of the subject to be far beyond my power of doing justice to it. That I am sanguine as to the un. numbered benefits which will result from this Institution is true; possibly, I may be too sanguine :-I hope for your sakes it is not so: all depends upon yourselves, and oh! let me urge you at least to come forward and give it trial. And, under the blessing of Providence, may it be the means of raising many of you to independence and honour; and may this, "our opening day," be to all of you the dawn of many brighter and happier years! ALEXANDER IN AFRICA. (Translated from the German, by M. Neumeg of the German Language.) Alexander, the Macedonian, when on his way quer the world, found a people living in a remote m Africa, in peaceful cottages, who knew neither var conquest. These people took him to their Gover entertained, who first set before him gold tamarind figs, and golden bread. Do you eat gold here?" Alexander. I suppose," replied the Governor, would find eatable things enough in your own why do you come hither ?" "Your gold did not i me," said the Macedonian; "but I wish to know customs. "Stay, then, with us," replied he, " as you please." Whilst they were conversing two of the natives came before their chief, to settle pute. One said, "I bought of this man a spot of g and, on digging it, found a treasure that does n to me, because I only bought the ground, and treasure hidden in it, which the seller will not t The other said, "I am as conscientious as my I sold him the land, and all belonging to it, cons I sold him the treasure also." Their Judge repe words, in order that they might be sure he un them. After some deliberation," Friend," said be you a son? Yes.'" And you a daughter?" "Well, then, let your son take his daughter, and the sure shall be their marriage portioa." Alexs struck with astonishment. "Is my sentence wag asked the Judge. "O no," said Alexander; but "How would it be pears very strange to me." in your country ?" demanded he. " Why, to tell y truth," replied Alexander, we should treat them as madmen, and take the treasure for the king." the king!" rejoined the Governor, with surprise, the sun shine in your country?" "Yes." Do there?" "Of course," was the answer. Strange said he. "Are there domestic beasts that eat vegetabl considerable improvement: "compunctious visitings", Mr. C. Bland, from the Theatre-royal, York, made his from his doom by seducing Rodulph, another Huntsman, and his favoured rival in the affections of Agues, into a similar compact with the terrific fiend; and for this purpose having, by the assistance of the wicked spirit, deprived him of his skill in archery, upon which, by the command of the Bohemian Prince Offocar, the hand of Agnes is to depend, Rodolph is prevailed upon to accompany him to the Wolf's Glen, to assist him in the magical process of making seven enchanted bullets, six of which are to implicitly follow the will of the marksman, and the seventh that of the wayward demon: "Six will achieve, The seventh deceive." It is so contrived by Caspar, that this seventh bullet shall be used by Rodolph (who keeps clear of any compact, and is not made aware of its evil property) to shoot for the bridal prize. This enfant perdu expects that the Demon, in the genuine spirit of his profession, will turn it aside to the accomplishment of some dire mischief which will ensure the disgrace and destruction of Rodolph, whereas the retributive devil, to prove the truth of the observation, evil, causes the swift white pigeon, which is the allotted we suppose, that there is a spirit of goodness even in things mark, to fly across the bosom of the villain Caspar, who thus falls a sacrifice to his own diabolism;-the terrific Zamiel instantly seizing his sinking frame in person, and bearing him off in fiery triumph to the regions below. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that the catastrophe is completed by the union of the lovers. MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.-We call the attention of readers to the advertisement for a general meeting to held on Wednesday evening the 8th instant, at seven lock in the evening, for the purpose of forming a MELANICS' INSTITUTE in this town: the meeting is to held at the Music-hall, in consequence of the Mayor ring declined granting the use of the Town-hall, alugh (as our readers are aware) he was requested to do by a requisition signed about two months since, by a number of persons of all parties, and more particuFby the master-tradesmen and the heads of the manuuring establishments of Liverpool. We hoped and wed that the day was gone by when any serious obon was entertained to the education of the working es, especially in the branches of science connected their trades. In Edinburgh and other towns, where Mrs. Haydn Corri, a well-known favourite, from the anies are now flourishing, the magistrates have Dublin stage, made her first appearance on these boards, ed in the formation of Mechanics' Institutes, and, in the character of Agnes; her reception was unequivocally flattering. When the high and deserved estimation in onsequence, the happiest effects have been produced which Miss Cramer stood with us is taken into considehe habits and dispositions of the poorer classes. We ration, it would be natural to suppose that her successor not doubt that the same result will be experienced would at first have to encounter the disadvantage of preLiverpool, which, although not a manufacturing possession that species of prejudice which is generally 1, contains, besides the important branches con- felt for an old favourite. This drawback, however, was, in the present instance, insignificant, the sole difficulty ed with ship-building and navigation, more extensive to overcome lying in that timidity almost ever consequent lishments for making steam engines, watches and to the first appearance of a lady. On her first coming So much for the general cause of action, the interest of s, &c. than any town in Great Britain. But we can forward, Mrs. C. was evidently much agitated; as we which, independent of the music, is principally concenonceive why Mechanics' Institutes should be confined however, gave her no reason to tax us with our proverbial trated into one or two scenes of striking originality, nufacturing towns. The joiner, the millwright, the coldness, she gradually gained confidence, and her singing among which the incantation and demonism of the Wolf's became proportionally the more effective. In the bravura, Glen is the most characteristic and appalling. Within the er, and the other artisans that are found in every Hours of Rapture," (by the way, an arduous and com hollow of a rocky glen, exhibiting horrible dreariness, town, will be as much benefited by them as the cot-plex piece) she had so far gained self-possession as to gra- Caspar appears at midnight with a scull and a hanger, in anufacturers or the ship-builders, and we trust that tify us with some display of her powers. She possesses a the middle of a charmed circle of black stone. A wild eeting on Wednesday will be attended by all the peculiar richness of tone, and her execution of some pas-chorus of spirits is heard while he performs the mystic rites We know, indeed, that sages was truly admirable. She has a graceful and com- which are to call up the Demon, who equivocally agrees manding figure and expressive features. Upon the whole, to the temporary substitution proposed by his wretched are generally anxious on this subject; and it will be even judging from a first attempt, when her powers must victim, and disappears. Rodolph then, true to his promise, fing to them and our townsmen in general to learn of necessity be approaches, but is withheld some time by the appearance sur enlightened representative, Mr. Huskisson, has of the shade of his mother on the edge of the precipice, fed himself decidedly favourable to the establishwho motions him back again. Caspar calls for the interference of Zamiel, and the figure of Agnes seems to beckon him forward into the recess, until he finally enters the circle and beholds the performance of the unholy ceremony. The bullets are then cast one by one, at the production of each the horrors accumulating by the appearance of all sorts of wild and hideous phantasmagoria, somewhat in the spirit of the unparalleled scene of the Brocken in Faust. Owls, ravens, and other birds obscene flit across the s of workmen in this town. The Drama. TO THE EDITOR. "Cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd I do not, for a moment, hesitate to predict that she will horizon. Miss Holdaway (from the English Opera House) ap- -The chief novelty since the opening of our theatre ms, trumpets, blunderbusses, drums, and thunder," n sooth, no charms to me; but since we seldom can leasure without its accompanying alloy, why we must y content;"-see at once Helicon and the Hades, ngle horrors and harmony. If I remember aright, Chesterfield, in one of his celebrated "Letters," his son to leave his reason at the door with his ainea when he goes to an opera,-an advice, this, would be very salutary in the present instance to e; and which I cannot but strenuously recommend, ticular to all those who are, like myself, sticklers e now almost defunct "regular drama," yet who to the theatre on these "irregular" occasions to the music; let us suspend the faculty of reason, our eyes and ears only into play, and then we shall ly be a match for the most fashionable admirers of quisite species of entertainment. The overture was admirably executed by an augmented Liverpool folks: I wish I could say as much for the choruses and; but I understand the piece will be brought out again after this week; so they may perchance" reform it altogether" in this respect, as well as scenery, &c. June 3, 1825. DER FREISCHUTZ. N. cavern: "Pinions flutter, shadows move, but all of the terrific and repulsive class, until a shadowy We have been thus minute in respect to the principal [FROM A RECENT NUMBER OF THE EXAMINER.] scene, because it exhibits in itself the predominant spirit which has governed the composer in the whole of his masThe rising reputation of the German Composer Weber, terly composition. From the first bar of the overture to and the singular popularity of his Der Freischütz, or the the last of the finale, the wild and supernatural is borne Seventh Bullet, throughout Germany, in the principal continually in recollection, with a variety of combination, towns of which it is said to have been performing almost which is admirably indicative of the strength and fertility of uninterruptedly for the last twelve months, gave a great the mind which could produce it. We have indeed heard impulse to public expectation when the intention was an- this very predominance objected to,-that the melody is nounced of getting it up at the English Opera house. We broken too much by discords, to the occasional interruphave no reason to believe that expectation will be much tion of pathos and singleness of interest. We are not of disappointed; for, although it was obvious, from the size the opinion, and for this reason, that in a piece of this naof the theatre, and the limited nature of the establishment, ture, we apprehend the mind of the auditor should never that all the necessary effect could scarcely be produced, so be allowed to subside into common-life impressions; not much has been done, as will clearly establish the origina- to mention that the dramatis personæ are all more or less lity and excellence of the composer, and prove the earnest operated upon by the consciousness of some mysterious and praiseworthy exertions of the management which has interference. In the mean time it must be confessed, that to proceed. The plot, I presume, is already so form our readers, is founded on one of these traditional Freischütz by the nature of the story, we guess that we produced it. The story of the piece, we need scarcely in-independently of the character given to the music of Der ally known, that I need not here recapitulate it. instances of diablerie for which German imagination has are not to look to Weber for those melodies which form at of Caspar was intrusted to Mr. Bass, who ma so great a predilection, and which differs from the similar the distinguishing and almost unrivalled excellence of the heterogeneous materials he had to deal with lore of other countries by its singular wildness, intensity, Mozart. At least we are not led into that conclusion editably to himself. In the incantation scene, his and grotesqueness. The plot of Der Freischütz is taken by the present opera, which in every other species of beauty from a curious work, entitled Popular Traditions of the may challenge wide and general comparison. The overnent and declamation made more of the preposte-North, and may be briefly stated as follows:-The Hunts-ture is admirably spirited, indicatory, and impressive. ilogue he had to repeat than I could have thought man Caspar, having sold himself to the Demon of the The entrance of the Demon is also most strikingly accomable of. His last scene, however, will admit of Forest, Zamiel, endeavours to obtain a three years' respite panied throughout. The Naturalist's Diary. JUNE, 1825. [From Time's Telescops.) The morning bursts; all heaven has shed ts light and music round thy bed: The birds are busy in the eaves; —he sun-light dances on the leaves hat tremble round the window's rima nd to and fro the shadows skim f busy wings without, that ply i quest of larva, worm, or fly. hrow now the sunny casement wide, ndows the warm and odorous tide, room dew-besprinkled shrub and flower, hat blossom round that sylvan bower. But, oh! thou world of light and glee! That soul can ever picture thee? astrays the fond enthusiast eye ound the green earth and flaming sky, rom every meadow, bush, and tree, ings morning's loudest melody. Mark to the cuckoo's wand'ring notes! ark to the lark, whose music floats hrough the wide air. The dew yet lingers on the grass, down the long green lane you pass, Can match these verdant boughs that fall, W. and M. Howitt. their appearance. Mr. Mordaunt has once or twice made] Your Journal, therefore, send us soon, Or death will seize your weary Mohun The weather, in 1823, seems to have been equally unseasonable, during the whole summer, nearly all over the Continent. In France it was as wet as in our own moist climate; and, in various parts of Germany and Italy, there were extraordinary falls of snow up to the eve of the dogdays. In 1824, the latter part of June was wet; and, contrary to all usual custom, the greater part of July fine, except some tremendous hail-storms; and August wet; and in September and October we were carried back to April, its rain, its sunshine, its flowers, and its verdure. In Switzerland, the summer of 1824 had been so ungenial, that, at the latter end of September, in an island in the lake of Constance, consisting entirely of vineyards, the grapes were still green, and it was feared the vintage would be wholly lost. In this variable month of June we should recollect the observation of the poet, that we now possess the Blithest of all the sun's glad beams, When between storm and storm he gleams; December, with his breath so hoary, Among all the various ornaments of the garden, the Rose, that queen of flowers, stands pre-eminent; its beautiful buds now open to the sun, and invite us to say with the poet, Who can view the ripened rose, nor seek To wear it? [To be continued.] A GHOST. [FROM THE MEMOIRS OF MADAME DE GENLIS.] "At a social entertainment (says the Countess) the Chevalier de Jaucour was requested to relate his grand story about the tapestry. I had always heard of this adventure as being perfectly true; for he gave his word of honour that he added nothing to the story, and he was incapable period of the revolution. He was twelve years of age when of telling a lie. The adventure became prophetic at the his father, who wished to send him to the army, under the care of one of his uncles, brought him to his chateau. The same evening, after supper, he was conducted to a large room, where he was to sleep: on a stool in the middle of He undressed himself, and went immediately into bed, the room was placed a lighted lamp, and he was left alone. leaving the lamp burning. He had no inclination to sleep, and as he had scarcely looked at his room on entering it, he now amused himself with examining it. His eyes were attracted by an old curtain of tapestry, wrought with striking: it represented a temple, of which all the gates. figures, which hung opposite to him. The subject was were closed. At the top of the staircase belonging to the edifice, stood a kind of pontiff' or high priest, clothed in a long white robe, holding in one hand a bundle of rods, and in the other a key. Suddenly the boy, who gazed earnestly on the figure, began to rub his eyes, which he thought deceived him; then he looked again, and his surprise and wonder rendered him motionless! He saw the figure move, and slowly descend the steps of the staircase! At last it quitted the tapestry, and walked into the room, and this should be an additional incitement to us, even in crossed the chamber, and stood near the bed; and addressthe comparatively sunless month of June, to court the ray, To hoard up warmth against a wintry day. every sense Drinks in the balmy season; every day, is is the Quaker-poet's description of a "morning in ,"such a morning as sometimes occurs in our variable ate, and such a morning as we several times witnessed We should not fail to instil into the minds of the young une of the present year, 1824. This month, however a love for the beauties of nature. We should accompany sant it may appear in the pictures of the poets, is fre- them in their walks, and tempt them to observe, particuntly wet, cold, and unpleasant; but the complaint is larly in this, occasionally, delightful month, how new: a century ago we find the same character of the >-famed June. Among the Suffolk Letters, lately pub. ed, is one from Lady Hervey to Mrs. Howard, dated m Bath, June 7, 1725, in which she observes, "I do know what weather it is in town, but here it is as cold in winter, which is very agreeable to the water-drinkers, t very little so to the rest of the company." And Lord esterfield, in one of his letters, dated June 1, 1767, says, This has been every where an annus mirabilis for bad ather; and it still continues. Every one has fires, and eir winter clothes as at Christmas." Again, in the Suffolk Correspondence, Mrs. Bradshaw, riting to Mrs. Howard, from Gosworth-hall, in Cheshire, ay 28, 1722, says, "It is impossible for me to give you account of the manners and customs of this place at esent, for the weather has been so wet that none of the ghbouring nymphs or swains have been able to make In place of gaudy apple, blooms the may, ing the poor boy, who was almost petrified with fear, it covered with a cold sweat, remained for more than a |