yer perusal. I am likewise a collector Yeditor of the Mirror, pub- We confess ourselves much gratified with the preceding letter, be it genuine, from Roxbroughshire, or from "East Smithfield" (which the post-mark would imply), as a pleasant joke upon our economical pages. By the by, we often receive very friendly communications from our correspondents, which editorial modesty forbids our printing. The other day a Westmorefand friend proposed to us a Pedestrian Tour to the Lakes, and a batch of "Trout-tickling;" and another correspondent, after dwelling npon the merits of a paper in the Mirror on "the Art of drinking Wine," suddenly breaks forth in this ecstacy- "I do not need the 'Art of drinking Wine,' but by like you so well, that if you will come and spend a month with us, I will give you such Hock and Port, that you'll write upon it for a year. West Cowes, Isle of Wight."Now, good friends, our case is too like Tantalus and Sysiphus. We would accept the "trout. tickling" invitation with pleasure, had we not "other fish to fry ;" and during the month at Cowes we might get "half seas over." However, the Island" is more within compass than "the Lakes:" we are, too, somewhat acquainted with Vectis, and have already wooed her rocky shores with unspeakable delight. I RANZ DES VACHES. (To the Editor of the Mirror.) WITH regard to the " Ranz des Vaches" which appeared lately in the Mirror, you labour under a great mistake; it bearing no resemblance whatever to the famous Swiss song of that name.* I have sent you the first verse of the true" Swiss Cowherd's song," in Patois (which is a species of bad French, spoken by the peasants) with a French translation. There are nineteen couplets which I have not sent, this single verse being sufficient to show the great difference between the original simple Ranz des Vaches and the supposed one. We transcribed the Song in question from the Circle of the Seasons. MILTON'S "PARADISE LOST." (To the Editor of the Mirror.) VERY few readers of The Mirror are unacquainted with the proposal made to Milton for rhyming "Paradise Lost," and his noble reply; but few know, I believe, that within thirty years after the publication of the poem, this was actually attempted. The work is entitled "Milton's Paradise Lost, imitated in rhyme, by Mr. John Hopkins. London, printed for Ralph Smith, under the Royal Exchange, in Cornhill, 1699.” The book is valuable, as showing the extreme neglect into which the poem had fallen. It contains a poetical dedi. cation "to the truly Hon. Lord Catts," and a preface, which commences thus ; "It has been the misfortune of one of my name to affront the sacred prose of David with intolerable rhyme, and 'tis mine, I fear, to have abused almost as sacred verse. I had only this excuse when I did it: I did not so well perceive "To Just at the entrance of the pleasing shade, This grateful noise, rough issuing waters made, Then gently passed as rivers to the main, To my fond view a beauteous image came; But soon I turn'd to take a second view. there Long on the lake, I held my constant eye, the majesty and noble air of Mr. Milton's style as now I do, and were it not already done, I must confess I never should attempt it; but if others have the same opinion of this great author as I have, he will not suffer by me! but rather be the more admired!!" say that I had nothing else to do when I undertook this will be no excuse; for idleness can no more excuse a man for doing ill, than trivial business can for not doing good." After eulogizing "Paradise Lost," and styling Milton "the great father of the poetic race of men," he continues in extenuation of his own attempt: "Paradise Lost, like the tree of knowledge, is forbidden to the ladies, to those I mean, who would taste the apples, but care not for climb- Manners & Customs of all Nations. ing the boughs, and I have heard some say, Mr. Milton in rhyme would be a fine thing; well if they say so, that must satisfy all my present expectation, and for aught I know, Hercules looked well enough in petticoats; if it will oblige them, I should be apt to throw off the lyon's skin, and put the soft apparell on the whole, yet I must needs own, I would rather look on Mr. Milton plain, than in the gaudy dress my effeminate fancy gave him." Again he says, "Though I have but played with him, it has cost me pains: he is too strong for dalliance, and I too weak to close with him-I have only touched him at a distance," and then fairly viewing his inability to paraphrase "the wide conflict of the serpent," adds in conclusion," however if I attempt any further on Mr. Milton, I shall sit closer to him." The reader will remember that this was written thirteen years before Addison's elaborate critique, and appears a noble and disinterested effort to exhibit the beauties and value of a neglected author. The following is a paraphrase of the most beautiful passage in the whole poem-Book iv. line 480. "That day I oft remember," &c. First my own form I did with wonder view, I view'd the light and saw the shining day. And wonder'd what I was, whence brought Around I look'd, look'd all around to see TOBACCO PIPES. THE pipe is the general mode of smoking tobacco, not only among the American Indians, but in the East, and all over Europe. The similarity existing between the Turkish pipe and that used by the The American savages is well known. several European pipes are all evidently modifications of the same, changed, and new fashioned, by changing times and customs. The smoking countries of Europe have each their peculiar pipe. Of these, the German one seems to be This consists of the most approved. These The spirit of the the bowl, made of porcelain or baked ment to a great many artists, and they are often executed with much delicacy. This head, or bowl, then, into which the tobacco is put, and which is wide at the mouth, and gradually tapers towards the lower end, is inserted into another vessel of the same material, which is usually filled with water, and is furnished with two apertures; one for receiving the bowl, and the other for receiving the stalk of the pipe. This stalk is generally made of bone, though sometimes of wood, is about a foot in length, and is flexible towards the upper end, so as to yield to the motion of the body. The bowl is sometimes made of a substance called meerscham, in preference to porcelain. This possesses the property of imbibing the juice of the tobacco; and, on this account, those of great age are considered invaluable. The Spanish pipe, again, differs from the German; not being provided, like the latter, with the vessel for water, and also being in general much more massive, and adorned with a variety of ribbons and tassels. The bowl is usually made of a brownish coloured clay, and is not ornamented with any painting. The stalk, which is commonly made of bone, swells out a good deal in the middle, and at this part is hollowed, for the purpose of containing water. In this way, however, the smoke does not, as in the German mode, pass through the water, but merely over it, and is not, of course, so much purified; but custom is every thing, and a Spaniard despises a German pipe as much as a German does a Spanish one. It is needless to describe the wellknown white earthen pipe of Old Eng land. Some connoisseurs consider it a more delicate mode of smoking than any of the rest; as, by its being constantly changed, the smoker is not annoyed by the bitter taste which the others, by constant use, are apt to contract. The formation of these pipes forms a considerable article of manufacture in London. And it is a curious fact that, although they are quite different in shape and substance from the original American pipe, they seem to have been used among us almost since the very first introduction of tobacco. So early as the seventeenth year of James the First, the Society of Tobacco-pipe Makers had become so very numerous and considerable a body, that they were incorporated by royal charter, and bore on their shield a tobacco plant in full blossom. The earth of which these pipes are made is peculiarly white, and has such an affinity for water, that it is necessary to glaze the top of the stalk, where it is inserted into the mouth, in order to prevent its adhering to the lips. The Dutch have evidently copied the form of their pipe from us. In size and shape, the two are exactly the same; but the Dutch pipe, which is generally reckoned the best, is made of a different sort of clay, and does not require to be glazed at the top of the stalk. This, indeed, forms the principal distinguishing mark between them. The cigar is another mode of smoking, originating, we believe, in the East Indies. The cheroot, or China cigar, is much larger than that of the West Indian Islands, being sometimes between six and nine inches in length, while the latter seldom exceeds about three. The cigar has become very common all over Europe; but it is not in very general use, on account of its being much more expensive than unrolled tobacco. The In Hindostan there is a mode of smoking peculiar to that country, termed the hookah. It is there reckoned an essential part of a gentleman's establishment; and every one who aims at haut ton must be possessed of a hookah, and hookah-burdar, or servant, whose sole duty is to attend to it. This machine is rather complicated in its structure, consisting of a chauffoir, a tobaccoholder, a water-vase, and a pipe. latter varies in length, according to the taste of the owner, from three feet to twenty, and is generally made of fine leather, wrought so as to be quite airtight and flexible. The vase is generally filled with plain water; but those who wish to smoke luxuriously put into it water of roses, which gives the smoke a peculiarly delicate flavour.-From a valuable paper on the Tobacco Plant in the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture. Notes of a Reader. SWAN RIVER NEWSPAPER. A NEWSPAPER has already appeared at the Swan River settlement, entitled"The Fremantle Journal and General Advertiser." It is dated February 27, 1830, price ls. 6d., and contains eleven advertisements. But the curiosity of the matter remains to be told: this new journal is not printed, but written! * We have to thank a correspondent from the India House for the loan of the Journal enabling us to quote the following specimens. Talking of manuscript newspapers, we may be excused the vanity of having imagined that we ourselves had written the only newspaper ever published in MSS. This was actually one of We are enabled to add a few specimens through the medium of the "Sydney Gazette," the editor of which appositely observes, "It is interesting to witness the first dawn of literature upon yonder savage shores, and, though faint and feeble, we trust it will continue to brighten and to spread, until the light of science and morals be diffused over the whole surface of Western Australia. It is amusing to see the editor's remarks on the press of the New Colony: he ought to have talked of the liberty of the quill, for he uses pens instead of types, and amanuenses instead of printers.' Among the Sydney editor's specimens are and A Mr. Thompson "acquaints the inhabitants of Fremantle and its vicinity, that he has on hire saddled horses, for the convenience of those gentlemen who may wish to proceed to Perth and return the same day." The same person gives notice to "all those wishing to cross the Ferry, that a boat is placed in the river, called The Ferry Boat'passage ls. each." A Mr. Lewis announces, that on the 8th of March he should open an "Australian Depôt," or "a general retail and wholesale store, consisting of a large variety of drapery, hosiery, haberdashery, cutlery, other things innumerable, a Mr. Dodd advertises "Holt's double brown stout, ex Egyptian." The Post Master publishes a list of unclaimed letters. An elderly female, who understands milking," is said to be "wanted." The vessels in harbour are said to be the following: In Gage's Roads, the Wanstead, Egyptian, Thames, Pamelia, Eagle, Thomson, and Protector; in Cockburn Sound, the Gilmore, Nancy, and Hooghly. The departures areFrom Gage's Roads, 22nd February, the brig Tranby, for Batavia; 23rd, the brig Skerne, for the Cape, with six passengers. The arrival of the Egyptian is thus flatteringly noticed : "The ship Egyptian, Capt. Lilburne, arrived on the 14th instant, and landed a very respectable class of settlers. It is with much pleasure we add, that they express themselves highly pleased with the conduct of their captain on the voyage from England; and as a proof of their esteem, the steerage passengers presented him with a handsome silver cup, bearing an appropriate inscription, with a representation of the stern of the our school amusements; and when about twelve, years of age, our daily and weekly journal was read by a hundred schoolfellows, and the principal gentry in the neighbouring town. With the reader's permission, we may devote an early page or two to this embryo project.-Ed. Mirror. Egyptian, and the motto 'All's Well. A silver snuff-box was also presented by the cuddy passengers at the same time. We are gratified in having it in our power to give publicity in our first assay to such rare occurrence under such circumstances. "Fremantle, 26th February, 1830.” The leading article is a brief and becoming entrè, bespeaking the candid consideration of the public, intimating that the embryo journal was patronized by the Lieutenant Governor, and stating that a supply of printing materials was expected soon from London. On the usefulness of newspapers the editor gives the following opinion: "Had it not been for the universality of a newspaper, in what a miserable state of ignorance mankind would remain; but thanks to our forefathers, we mortals of the present day live in the age of wonders. Within the last forty years, New South Wales has increased in greater magnitude and interest than we find spread over the history of three or four centuries of former times; and what has contributed more to its advancement than the four newspapers that are published weekly at Sydney? Argumentum ad populum.” We beg to correct his mistake as to the number of newspapers published in Sydney: it is not four, but three. A settler in the interior had been so unfortunate as to lose the whole of his property by fire, and a liberal subscription in his behalf had been made by the Governor and others. We select the following scraps of local intelligence : "From various parts of the country afflicting recitals are received from the settlers, the natives appearing determined to burn them out. How would a few missionaries answer? They might enlighten their minds, and put a stop to the devouring element. "Absconded, from Messrs. Everad and Talbot, James House, about five feet seven inches in height, with a shuffling walk. Report speaks rather bad of this Mr. House. "Some miscreants, a disgrace to the name of men, are going about the coun try maiming cattle. Last evening, a fine ewe, belonging to Mr. Walcott, was brought home in a miserable condition, occasioned by a blow from some villain. Other reports are current, but this is authentic. "The editor has received various epistles from settlers that appear furiously discontented, because contentment they never knew in any clime or country. The editor has refused inserting them.". KNOWLEDGE FOR THE PEOPLE: OR, THE PLAIN WHY AND BECAUSE. Part II. Zoology- Quadrupeds. THIS Part illustrates the general economy of Quadrupeds, and not a few of the habits of the most important species. The "Whys " and "Becauses" are thus arranged, under distinct heads: as "The General Subject-Bones- Stomach-Clothing-Secretions-Respiration- Feeling the Eye-MusclesApes-the Bat-Squirrels-the Dormouse - Marmot - Lemming-Porcupines-Bears-the Dog-Wolf-Jackall -- -Fox-Lion-Cat-Camel-Antelope -Unicorn-Ox-Deer - Elephant Horse Ass the Mole Beaver Seal-Mermaids-the Whale, &c., with the Domestication of Animals, and explanations of a few fabulous varieties. As the most popular and interesting, we extract from the Horse :" Why is the ear of the horse so interesting a part of his anatomy? Because it is one of the most beautiful parts about him, and even more intelligible than the eye; and an observer of the horse can tell, by the expressive motion of the ears, almost all that he thinks or means. Why is it a good sign for a horse to carry one ear forward and the other backward, when on a journey? Because this stretching of the ears in contrary directions, shows that he is attentive to every thing that is taking place around him, and, while he is so doing, he cannot be much fatigued, or likely soon to become so. Few horses sleep without pointing their ears as above, that they may receive notice of the approach of objects in every direction. "When horses or mules march in company at night, those in front direct their ears forwards; those in the rear direct them backwards; and those in the centre turn them laterally or across; the whole troop seeming thus to be actuated by one feeling, which watches the general safety."-Arnott. Why does the eye of the horse point a little forwards from the side of the head? Because the animal may have a more extended field of vision. Why does not the loss of one eye enfeeble sight? Because the cther acquires greater energy; though it much contracts the field of vision. It is said to render the conception erring, and the case of misjudgment of distances is the one commonly brought forward to show this. One-eyed horses have, however, been found extraordinary leapers. Why is it a vulgar error to suppose wall-eyed horses not liable to blindness? Because there is no difference of structure which can produce this exemption; but the wall-eyed horse, from this unseemly appearance, and his frequent want of breeding, may not be exposed to many of the usual causes of inflammation. Why does the pupil of the eye expand when a horse is brought to the door of the stable? Because it may keep out the extra quantity of light, which would be painful to the animal, and injurious to vision. When opposed directly to the sun, the pupil, or aperture in the iris, will almost close. Why was the inflammation of the horse's eye formerly called moonblindness ?" Because of its periodical return, and some supposed influence of the moon ; an absurdity which is its own contradiction. Why are the eyes of horses kept clean ? Because, like birds, they have a kind of third eyelid, called the haw, moistened with a pulpy substance or mucilage, to take hold of the dust on the eye-ball, and wipe it clean; so that the eye is hardly ever seen with any thing on it, though greatly exposed from its size and posture. Why do horses shy as they grow old? Because of a decay in their sight; a loss of convexity in the eye, lessening the convergency of the rays, and throwing the perfect image beyond, and not on the retina. Why are the teeth a criterion of the horse's age? Because the incisor or front teeth of the horse have a production of enamel in their centre; but the cavity which this forms, containing no cement, is merely filled by the particles of food, &c. As the enamel descends only to a certain extent in the tooth, the teeth disappear at last, from the constant wear of the part in mastication; and this is improperly called the filling up of the teeth.--Blumenbach Why are the grinders of the horse never perfect? Because the tooth is not finished when it cuts the gum: the lower part of its body is complete, while the upper part is worn away by mastication, and the proper fang is not added till long after. Thus, if the part out of the gum is complete, the rest of the body is imper |