the existence of the sun, and which he endeavours to explain by the undulatory theory of light. We have thus, with a full consciousness of the difficulties of the subject, ventured to offer a theory of the cosmogony, which appears to us to reconcile the facts of geology with Holy Writ, without encroaching on any of its essential truths. In concluding this lengthened review of Mr. Turner's work, we regret that want of space forbids us to dwell on many parts of it which are highly interesting and instructive. A second volume we perceive is announced for publication, and we shall look forward with pleasure to its appearance. PARAPHRASE OF THE EIGHTH PSALM. O LORD, our Lord, what majesty E'en childhood's voice attests thy power, When I survey each rolling sphere, Lord! what is man, that thou shouldst bow Or what the son of man, that thou Should'st tend him with a father's care? Nigh unto angels is his place, Which thy free mercy has assign'd; To him thy providence hath given Whate'er has growth, whate'er has breath, Yet give me, Lord, to read aright And feel how truly weak is man. E. S. SIR, To the Editor of the Analyst. Conceiving that among your readers there may be many who love to study the habits and fashions of our forefathers by examining their architectural and monumental remains, I purpose, should it meet your approbation, occasionally introducing to their notice, such objects of antiquarian or historical interest as have hitherto escaped the notice of the antiquary, or been but briefly dwelt upon by our local historians. With this view I have sent you a short notice of Porter's Mill, in the parish of Claines, about three miles from Worcester; and should it in the slightest degree interest any of your readers, the wishes will be fully answered of Worcester, Nov. 22, 1834. Yours, respectfully, H. E. There are perhaps few spots to be visited in the neighbourhood of Worcester that will better reward the lover of landscape, the artist, or the antiquary, than Porter's Mill; the rich and varied scenery with which it is surrounded will delight the former, the artist will be pleased with the picturesque outline of the house, whilst the associations connected with it have an equal charm for the lover of antiquity. That portion of the house which has been spared from the hands of the improver is well worthy of attention, as illustrating the style of residence of the middle gentry early in the sixteenth century. Originally the house was constructed of timber-framing, the intermediate spaces being lathed and plastered: the west end is deserving an attentive consideration;-the bold projection of the upper stories of the house in advance of those immediately beneath, had the two-fold advantage of preserving the lower part from wet and producing a pleasing effect of light and shade. The barge-boards and pinnacles which, no doubt, at one time decorated the gables, cease to exist; there is, however, a good specimen of a brick chimney very common in the counties of Worcester, Warwick, and Stafford :—the plan of each shaft being that of one square placed diagonally on another, presenting eight right angles. Over a fire-place now used as a bakehouse, are the arms of Elizabeth, and the five-leaved rose, one of the Tudor badges. It is impossible to examine this or any of the domestic buildings between the reigns of Henry VII. and Elizabeth, without being struck with the ingenuity, which out of materials at first sight so unfitted for the purpose of the picturesque, could produce an effect so pleasing to the eye. A moulding is never seen without its apparent use, or a carving that does not form part of the design which could ill be dispensed with; the chimnies which moderns twist into every variety of form to conceal, are here made principal features in the effect to be produced, and this frequently with nothing more than the common red brick, as is the case in this instance. The derivation of Porter's Mill is no doubt from the family of Porter, who for nearly four hundred years occupied land in what is now considered the parish of Claines. Nash, in his history of Worcester, quoting Leland and other authorities, informs us, that in the reign of Edward I. John le Porter enjoyed a grant from Bishop Giffard of a tenement in Northwick in fee for ten shillings per annum. The family afterwards resided at Tapenhall. In 1485 we find Margaret, wife of John Porter, with others, in possession of lands at Tapenhall, and a mill, for which they owed suit to the court at Worcester. In the heraldic visitation at Worcester, in 1634, the arms of John Porter are registered, and those of his grandson in 1683. The arms are sa, three bells arg., with quarterings impaling three stirrups, or. In the church-yard of the parish of Claines, though much dilapidated from its exposure to the weather, and the drippings of a spout, is a very fine specimen of the style of monuments in the sixteenth century, a recumbent figure in robes, upon a raised tomb bearing the inscription "John Porter, which was a lawyer, 1577." The lower part of the tomb is enriched with panels, and betrays the dawn of that meretricious style of ornament which prevailed to the exclusion of good taste in the succeeding reigns. Probably the arms of Elizabeth and the Tudor badge over the fire-place at Porter's Mill were placed there by the individual whose memory this monument is intended to commemorate. NO. V. THE BLESSINGS OF LIFE. TRANSLATED FROM MARTIAL. Vitam quæ faciunt beatiorem, Jucundissime Martialis, hæc sunt, &c. WOULDST thou the choicest blessings know ; E. S. 2x INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. SIR, To the Editor of the Analyst. THE following remarks are a continuation of the subject com menced in your last number, on the great use and services of insect-eating birds. Those of the genus Sylvia, and which are only summer visitants, have been already noticed; but there are several of our native birds, belonging to that and other genera, which are insectivorous, and equally deserving notice and protection. The first is the common wren, (Troglodytes Europæus,) which, from the vivacity of action and song, and from its familiar habits and harmless character, is a universal favourite. This little bird is remarkable for building its nest like, and rearing its brood in, a cave; whence the specific name of Linnæus, and generic name of Cuvier, than which no name can be more appropriate as an allusion to an ancient people called Troclodyte, who lived in caves. This name is, however, carped at by Professor Rennie, who has changed it to Anorthora, because, as it is supposed, the bird cocks its tail! The nest is usually built against the ivy-covered stem of a tree, under the eaves of thatched buildings, and often within open sheds or cattle hovels, where the little architect can find a bracket-like projection out of the reach of cats or other natural enemies. The nest is elliptical in shape, and chiefly composed of soft moss; having a small hole in the side as an entrance. In this almost dark cave the eggs are laid, and a numerous brood are reared, in number from ten to fourteen. Soon as the young are hatched, it is amusing to witness the assiduity of the old pair in feeding their helpless progeny. From day-light till dark their vigilance and labour are incessant; hurrying backward and forward between the nest and the thick bushes and trees where they find small caterpillars, spiders, and winged insects, which they quickly distribute amongst their young. The cleanliness exhibited in the care of the nursery is a remarkable trait in the character of this little bird, and differs widely from that of some others, as the house-martin for instance, whose nest is quite filthy before the young can fly. Instinct, which guides them in forming such an enclosed nest, also teaches the necessity of cleanliness. In the breeding season insects and their larva are plentiful, so that both parents and progeny fare well; but in winter the wren has much difficulty in procuring food. In this severe season they may be seen in search of insects which have secreted themselves in crevices of buildings, bark of trees, or among the lichens and mosses. In faggot piles, hay or corn stacks, overhanging banks of lanes or rivers, the wren may be seen creeping out and into every cavity, like a mouse. Insects of a particular kind are necessary as food for the wren; which is the reason why they cannot be kept in cages like other birds; for though in confinement they pick a little boiled minced meat, or egg, they do not live long. Considering then the countless numbers of insects that must be destroyed in a single season, or during the lives of a single pair of wrens, their great use in preventing an injurious increase of the insect tribes may easily be conceived, and a still greater share of regard ought to be shown to those little benefactors of the human race. The next insect-eater to be noticed is the smallest British bird, namely, the golden-crested wren, (Sylvia regulus.) This little warbler, with his " fairy song," subsists on the same kind of food as the preceding, but is much more a forester, not frequenting domestic offices or other buildings like the common wren. They are chiefly met with in thick woods, especially where pine and fir trees abound. These, from their thick impervious foliage, afford shelter not only to these birds but also to numerous insects on which they feed. They build their nests (which are but very little larger than an egg-cup) near the points of the drooping branches of the fir trees, at a considerable height from the ground. Here they rear their broods in comparative safety from oolists and beasts of prey but magpies and crows have no mercy for the callow young, if once they find them. They sometimes venture into open gardens to visit the gooseberry and currant trees; and are also seen in thick hedges: but they are not so useful in the orchard as the other warblers. These birds are readily recognised not only by their diminutive size, but by the bright burnished gold stripe along the crown of the head: hence the specific name. Among insect-eaters the redbreast, (Sylvia Rubecola,) must not be forgotten. This is the most familiar, or rather the most impudent, of the feathered race. Small earth-worms, caterpillars, carrion, and various flies, are his common food; but the redbreast is not nice in his diet, partaking of whatever may be offered, whether vegetable or animal; and so voracious that he will even feast on the dead carcass of the antagonist he has killed in battle! The redbreast is the most pugnacious of his tribe; constantly quarrelling not only with his own species, but every other bird which intrudes on what the robin presumes to think his own domain. In the winter they repair to farm houses and gardens; retiring to woods and unfrequented places during their breeding season. The wagtails, of which there are three species, viz. Motacilla alba, flava and cinereus, may be ranked among insect-eaters; but, as they feed chiefly on gnats and the larva of other water insects, they are not so ostensibly useful in fields and gardens as some of those already mentioned. To the farmer, indeed, they may be of some service in thinning the race of Tipula whose larva live on the roots of grasses; but such depredation is never visible. Of |