woolsack; and Garter King at Arms, emblazoned; and
"Yes, dad; and the Lord Chancellor riding on his
gledy-piggledy, head over heels, all in the air at once!
all the bishops and maids of honour, topsy-turvy, hig-

[Archie Armstrong runs about, imitating the action
of flying.

K. James. What's the fool about?
Arch. Arm. Learning to fly, Nunky; it is now a neces-
sary accomplishment for us courtiers."

In our days kings fly, and courtiers are wise enough to stay in their snuggeries!

It might be tedious to go over the minute splendours of this so happily recovered production; yet we cannot tear ourselves from a few more treats. The principal spouter in the Ercles' vein is Catesby; but the lady heroines can roar, if need be, like sucking doves-wit-Despair," who ness one Olivia :

Thy flower is fallen! for there was a time
When truth and continence were blazon'd high
Upon the knightly scutcheon; woman's honour
Seem'd its own safeguard, and to be the test,
The guirding band, and sacramental heed
Of the glaived champion. Yes, there was a time
When swords would lightly leave their continents
To 'venge a maiden's wrongs; but yirgin shame
Is now the knightly plume."

This denunciation is more awful, being more

rejected MSS., on the ground that the worst of these we shall always find subjects of serious An essay on Generosity and Extravagance them had always something worthy of notice. meditation to keep mirth within bounds, and takes perhaps too severe a view of the case of Had this Shakspearian effusion been resusci- motives for cheerfulness sufficient to counteract debtors, not distinguishing between those made tated in his time, how he must have gloated the influence of melancholy, and check immo- by misfortune or unavoidable circumstances, over every sentence ! Let us congratulate derate grief." and those degraded by profligacy and dishonest ourselves that the happiness has been ours; principles; but there can be no question of the and consign a like enjoyment to the public, by golden and invaluable rule and advice with referring them or it (for the plural public is which it concludes. also singular) to The Fifth of November!

Essays on interesting and useful Subjects; with a few introductory Remarks on English Composition: designed to assist Youth in the Style and Arrangement of Themes. By E Johnson. 12mo. pp. 247. London, 1830. Rivingtons.

And on Affectation, the following displays an equal knowledge of life and of human character:

We differ from Mr. Johnson in some of his opinions on the Pleasures and Dangers of Imagination; but still his deductions are good, and worthy of the consideration of the female world. To them we leave this essay, for the sake of quoting a clever allegory on Patriotism.

"Among the many vices and follies to which "Let every young man (says the writer, in human nature is prone, there is not one that words which ought to be engraven on every shews its imperfection and inconsistency in so young heart, whether of man or woman) - let glaring a light as that of affectation. If men every young man, who wishes to preserve his only affected such qualities as they might rea-conscience pure and his principles untainted, sonably be desirous of possessing, this failing avoid debt as he would a pestilence; it is as might not be without its use: the habit of difficult to shake off, as fatal in its effects, as assuming an appearance of virtue and good widely devastating in its mischief. Let him WERE not the name of Essays unpopular in sense, would, perhaps, lead to the possession of remember, that every evil is small in its beginour day, as predicating something dry-and them, or at least engender a certain degree of ning; and let him be careful not to encourage were not the terms "interesting" and "useful" respect for all that is worthy and estimable; the seeds of mischief, lest to root out the fullrather repulsive to the vast mass of readers, and many people would doubtless discover this grown plant be beyond his strength." who are all agog for the light and entertaining, very useful fact, that the attainment of excel- we would venture to speak very highly of lence is easier than the affectation of it, which this excellent and unassuming volume. And can seldom be practised with complete success. even as it is, we must, in justice, say a few But, unfortunately, few take the pains to affect words in its favour; for we have been much those endowments which, if really possessed, pleased by its perusal. There are above thirty would do them credit. It is to the most short papers upon various subjects, and not one childish, the most contemptible habits, that "Genuine patriotism is one of the noblest, of them which does not possess interest and affectation commonly leads; and many a per- because it is the most disinterested of affections. utility. The author thinks,-a quality rare in son assumes imperfections and weaknesses that The love of our kindred is implanted by nature modern writers; and placing his thoughts be- are far from belonging to his character, and in our bosoms, and kept alive there by the infore us in a neat, concise, and familiar way, we which, if he thought seriously on the subject, fluence of duty and of habit; and from it spring are made to feel that they are well calculated he would hasten to disclaim. To be free from such a reciprocity of pleasures and advantages, to impress themselves upon the understanding, all pretence, and to maintain, as it is usually that a man will usually cultivate it for its own and particularly upon the minds of the young termed, a natural character, is considered with sake. But the love of our country, though it and intelligent. To this numerous body, there-approval in either sex; and one would there- be also a natural and habitual affection, less fore, we cordially recommend Mr. Johnson's fore suppose, that a commendation so easily closely involves our selfish comforts and gratifiproduction; and, to shew that it deserves our deserved would be very generally laid claim to, cations: the interest of each individual and eulogy, beg leave to quote a few of its miscella- and that perfect simplicity, that is, the absence that of the public are no doubt intimately conneous passages. In an essay on Immoderate of all affectation, must become too universal for nected; yet men, in general, may go quietly Grief we find these just remarks:remark. Yet we do not find it so: we see and carelessly through the world, quite indiffer"Some people have been weak enough to people make a great effort to appear easy and ent to every thing beyond their own little circle harbour their griefs, or, at the least, to keep natural; but effort only leads them farther from of cares and interests, perfectly exempt from up an appearance of sorrow, in order to impress nature, and even simplicity must be the effect of national partiality, or overweening anxiety for others with a belief that they are distinguished habit. We often hear a man of good education the public good. Even in the most turbulent by unusual tenderness of heart: but, in the say coarse, blunt things; or a woman who can times, the majority have little else to do than first place, it may be observed, that they are speak rationally, chatter the most puerile non-to be quiet; but how many virtues, how many entirely mistaken who suppose selfish sorrow sense, in order to pass for a natural character; duties (and those not always the easiest of perto be an indication of fine feeling; and, se- forgetting that the propensities natural to one formance), are often comprised in that little condly, they deceive themselves greatly as to mind are foreign to another; and debasing the phrase, to be quiet! Let it not be supposed the importance attached to any of their pro- nobler nature, to affect that which is mean and that those who are loaded with the cares of ceedings by the rest of the world. All are too insipid. It should be remembered that, by long government, who toil in the senate, command much occupied by their own pursuits of plea- habit, that which was at first assumed becomes fleets or armies, or otherwise figure on the stage sure or of business to pay continued attention natural; that the drawl, the swagger, the of public life, are the only true patriots: these, to sorrows which do not come home to them. foolish lisp, or the vulgar idiom, adopted at the indeed, deserve the thanks of their country, in For a certain time the world that is to say, as age of twenty, will be unconquerable at twenty-proportion as their efforts in her service are much of it as composes the society in which an five; that common sense, however deeply im- constant and disinterested; but the most obindividual happens to move- will sympathise planted, will not thrive without cultivation; scure individual has also his part to perform; with great good-nature in his afflictions; but and that he who neglects to use his reason in the poorest has his mite to contribute to the if the sufferer do not soon make an effort to youth, may be pretty sure of becoming a mere general stock of internal peace, probity, and emerge from his griefs, and shake off his de- driveller before his hairs are gray. At the first industry, which form the main support of every pression, he is much more likely to be entirely view it appears totally unaccountable how such government, and are the basis of all national overlooked and forgotten, than to be celebrated a vice as affectation can exist, since we see no happiness and prosperity. Some must be called for his acute sensibility. Such ostentatious sor- inducement that any one can have for render- to the arduous task of conducting the great row is one of the many species of affectation, all ing himself, in any respect, more imperfect than machine which; he mass of the people compose; of which punish themselves, by rendering those nature has already made him. But a moment's but every atom does its part to forward or rewho adopt them contemptible and ridiculous: reflection will shew us, that the main-spring of tard the movement. Submission, content, and few minds, it is to be hoped, are capable of this, as well as of many other errors, is self- activity, in the smaller parts, or lower orders, stooping to such folly. Yet such as encourage love, which, if not carefully checked, engenders give facility to all its operations, and each may grief are not less to blame than those who a constant desire to attract notice, no matter do his part to impede them, by contempt of the assume it, and bring even heavier punishment by what means; an effort to shine, without laws, or neglect of his own particular function on themselves. To renounce cheerfulness is a ceasing; and a total forgetfulness of a rule or calling. We seldom make sufficient allowvoluntary dereliction of duty, which will inevit- admitting of very few exceptions-that the ance for the heavy and vexatious responsibility ably be visited by decline of the mental and most beautiful objects lose a part of their at- which rests on the higher powers of a state; bodily powers, and, if too long persisted in, traction by being placed in too strong a light. who are not only answerable for their own, will end in their total decay. A sincere parti- A person with only just sense enough to be and often for the people's errors, but are liable cipation in the joys and griefs of our fellow- quiet, will always make a better figure than he to all the animadversions of an ignorant, miscreatures, of those in particular with whom we who, in his anxiety to obtain applause, suffers judging populace, incapable of appreciating or are most intimately connected, will be found to his efforts to degenerate into affectation, and, even comprehending the motives which actuate be the best antidote to intemperate extremes intolerant of neglect, cannot fail to incur ridi. their rulers, yet ever ready to condemn pieceeither of depression or of levity. Amongst cule.” meal the measures which they have no means

of judging in the aggregate, and to add mur-hereafter; I wish only to make known to you | Chuttrum, where many thousands of pilgrims murs and turbulence to the labours and diffi- how dangerous it is for any one to mock at assemble to behold it. We visited the spot, culties of government. Let us imagine the this, or any sort of spiritual agency. I was and examined this ancient weapon, always exsituation of a skilful mechanic, regulating the impelled, by a curiosity I cannot account for,posed to the weather in an open building, in a movements of some complicated piece of ma- to make this experiment myself; and four dif- country where fogs, dew, and rain, are conchinery (a clock for instance), every part of ferent times I proved the truth of M. Vanhel- tinual. It certainly has a most antique apwhich we will suppose to be endowed with the mont's assertion. It was in Egypt that I pearance, the hilt being of brass, extremely power of seeing and reflecting, and a right to effected this; and a Turk who happened to be rudely formed, and the blade a mere mishapen speak and act, according to its limited observa-present, exclaimed, that I must be a saint, for mass of old iron, which has been broken and tions on the state of the whole clock. Why it was saints only who could have such power rudely mended near the point; or what should should I swing to all eternity,' says the pendu-over evil spirits. Such is the opinion of the be the point, for it has none at present. In lum, while above us all stands that lazy, sleek | Manicheans, who believe that the evil one such veneration is this relique held by the nadial-plate, that never contributes a finger to alone generates noxious animals. It was in tives of Wynaud, that it is left in this open the movements of the clock, or so much as looks vain that I assured the man I had not the spot in the jungle, without guard, or any secudown on me, who am toiling so far below him?' power which he ascribed to me; he persisted rity but the superstition of the people; and 'On you!' says the main-spring, you are in in his belief: but had he seen me afterwards, they attribute such miracles to it, that the ark your proper place, born to drudge, and fit for at Lyons, when for the last time I made the of the Israelites was not held more holy. Its nothing else; what have you to expect, when dangerous experiment, he would not so have touch is instant annihilation; and even its the importance of my function is overlooked? thought. I had a toad procured, and a large appearance, at certain times, is mortal. The I, who have been fashioned with the utmost company were assembled, to see me perform Brahmin who carries it down annually must delicacy, and polished with all the art of man: the feat, in which I had been four times emi- not have even seen man or woman for five yet, while all the world gaze upwards on the nently successful; but so far from having days; and any unfortunate wretch who hap dial, they forget even the existence of a main-power over the reptile, he had this time the pens to come across him in his holy pilgrimage spring. You have, indeed, both reason to power over me. No sooner was this toad put drops down dead on the spot! Such is the complain, neighbours,' says the chain; yet under a very large glass vessel than he turned tale which cunning has worked out of ignoyour situations are sinecures compared with towards me, and fixing his venomous eyes upon rance and superstition; and such the veneramine, and I am never thought of, except to mine, he rose upon his fore feet, standing up, tion paid by these weak wretches to a dirty bit be screwed up, almost beyond what I have as it were, and swelling himself to a prodigious of old rusty iron. Not so our Sepoys; one of strength to bear: and look at those idle gilt size, without moving from one spot: he spat whom, a rajahpoot, volunteered to bring the hands, while we toil to support their elevation, and whistled, and I could see sparkles of fire sacred sword out of the sanctuary, for us to we have nothing better to expect; let us pull emitted from his eyes, which darted with elec-look at. He did so; and, I need scarcely add, them down, or make them work harder, while tric force through my whole frame: then I was was none the worse for his temerity." we take our turn to rest." Lose no time in seized with giddiness and sickness, and a gene- Another Hindoo superstition, at Bangalore, proclaiming our wrongs,' interposes the bell;ral debility, that prevented my stirring or is thus related :— for my part, I desire no rest until affairs go speaking; so that I was deemed a dead man. "Being invited by the Hindoos of our corps on better: I will strike no more at their bid- A friend of mine, however, who was versed in to see the ceremony of walking through the ding, but use my voice to a better purpose; extraordinary cases, gave me some theriague (I fire, I mounted my horse, accompanied by Capevery pin and screw shall know its grievance, know not its name in English) and powder of tain Pepper, and rode to the spot, in rear of and every wheel be incited to turn its own vipers, a foreign remedy, too much overlooked the native lines, where an oblong pit was preway.' It must be allowed, that the task of the in all, except the Italian, pharmacopoeias; and pared, eighteen feet by twelve. I am not workman becomes rather arduous. While he by pouring this down my throat at frequent aware of its depth, because, on our arrival, it tries to regulate the pendulum, out.fly pins; intervals, I gradually came to life again. The was full of live coals perfectly red-hot. A prowhile he adjusts the wheel, the chain snaps, animal itself who committed this mischief, by cession then arrived on the opposite side, and and the clapper of the bell rings out an inces- some means or other, in the hurry and terror every one of them either walked or danced desant din concerning abuse, liberty, and reform; occasioned by my extreme danger, contrived to liberately through the fire lengthways, having and all this time the clock stands, or goes wrong. escape; and you may believe that I never re-only two landing-places in the centre of each Thus we need not doubt that those who neg-peated an attempt which had nearly proved of the smallest faces. This fire was actually lect their own calling, or murmur at the burden fatal to me. Let those account for this trans-so intense that we could not approach its marof their particular station, or stir up the same action who can.' discontent in others, are not patriots, but, on the contrary, the worst enemies a state can have to contend with."

Here we close our review of a very agreeable little volume, which no one can read without information and improvement.

The Separation: a Novel. By the Author of "Flirtation." 3 vols. 12mo. London, 1830. Colburn and Bentley.

AN interesting story, told with much liveliness of detail, and not much regard to style. It is not one of those novels which demand minute and extraordinary attention; but yet, in point of amusement, rather above its crowd of competitors. We quote a curious anecdote from

We observe in these pages a fault too much seen in works of this kind-careless printing. especially where foreign words are introduced, Surely if it be worth while to write, it is worth while to do it correctly.

Colonel Welsh's Military Reminiscences.

[Fourth and concluding Notice.]

gin, but sat on our horses at a few yards distance, watching every motion. I had seen a little, and heard much more, of this strange feat, but never had such an opportunity of positive proof before. It was in the middle of the Hooly feast, and, I understood, the particular ceremony was in honour of the small-pox deity, Mariamah, to whom they sacrifice a cock, before they venture into the furnace. Then, besmeared all over with some yellow HAVING this week introduced a new Oriental-stuff, they go back and forward, both quick ist to our readers, in Mrs. Elwood, and having and slow, without any apparent suffering; and already devoted three papers to Col. Welsh, we one man carried an infant on his shoulders, are the more inclined to part with his agree-which did not even cry. The puppets of this able Reminiscences with a brief good-bye. His extraordinary show were of all ages; and I second volume contains much topographical and saw a very fine boy slip down at the landinggeneral information, particularly respecting place, and the others pulled him up uninjured one of the conversations. Cochin, the Malabar coast, the Doab and Mah- immediately. I have now stated the fact from "Mesdames permitez (wrongly spelt for per-ratta territories; and is also made interesting ocular demonstration; it remains for chemists mettez), I will recount to you a most extraordi- by the number of military, hunting, and histo- to explore the nature of the stuff with which nary story, which is related by Rousseau, a rical incidents, which diversify its pages. We they are besmeared; for every Christian will Jesuit, who lived in the time of Louis XIV., shall simply extract a few brief examples of at once attribute this apparent miracle to the and who is made mention of in Madame de these, wherewith to conclude our review. Near true cause, and give them due credit for a very Sévigné's Letters. He says, that a Dutchman a place called Wallaat, Col. Welsh saw a curi-subtle trick. I never could get any native to of the name of Vanhelmont placed a toad under ous weapon, of which he gives the following explain this; and I suspect that the Mussula glass, and fixing his eyes on the animal in-account:mans, who can have no interest in keeping up tently, it fell dead. What is this but the spi- "In a deep jungle, about two hundred yards the deception, are quite as ignorant of the ritual power of the man over the toad?-and to the northward of this house, is a sacred means used as we are." in respect of this attractive power, which passed pagoda, the repository of a sword, said to be A dozen or two of these salamanders would through the eyes, I could say much.' (The two thousand years old, which is annually car-make their fortunes in London as fire kings, ladies smiled, and exchanged glances, for he ried in procession, by a Brahmin, down the à la Chabert: we wish the colonel had sent a was a remarkably ugly man.) But of this ghaut, to a pagoda called Tricheracoonah sample of them over to us. Our next quota

tion affords specimens of more natural dex-
terity:-
"Setting out (says our author) early the
next morning, we reached a river at Chowhaut,
seven miles on, and crossed a ferry, where I
had the pleasure to see a boy, fourteen or fif-
teen years old, row a boat across the river with
one of his feet, while sitting on the stern, and
actually make it move, with several people in
it, as fast as the one on which I was standing.
Here was a resource of unsophisticated nature
displayed to advantage; and it recalls to my
mind a feat, somewhat similar, which I once
witnessed when out snipe shooting, at Pallam-
cottah. A nullah was full from bank to bank,
and I observed a naked native child, five or
six years old, go up to a buffalo, and, with a
small switch, drive it into the stream; and no
sooner had the tractable animal taken to the
water than the infant driver, laying hold of
his tail, kept himself above water till they
reached the opposite bank, when they parted
company. I have even my doubts whether they
were not perfect strangers before this sociable
rencontre."

What would Vauxhall do with such attrac

99

itself would have satisfied us; but the next was of such a nature, that I conceived it neces-tions? sary to obtain the signatures of the other gen- Col. W. notices a remarkable anomaly in tlemen who sat at the same table with me, to the vegetable world, to which we would direct the sketch, and then requested them to sign the attention of our botanical friends. my journal. Not being able to obtain the same "There is (he states) a creeping plant here, vouchers to every printed copy, I must even winding itself round several of the largest trees, venture a recital, trusting to my character for and in all sorts of fantastic forms; but how it veracity to bear me out with those to whom I has contrived to throw itself from tree to tree, am known; which I trust is pretty generally I cannot possibly conceive. It is generally the the case all over India. Four men placed them- thickness of a stout man's arm, and at the base selves in a solid square, two others then got up measured fifty inches in circumference. The and stood upon their shoulders, and one man natives call it sheekai, or cheekay; the leaves again upon theirs. The performer I have al- are small and delicate, and the small branches, ready mentioned then mounted a ladder, and only, covered with thorns, like fish-hooks. got on his shoulders, which elevated him as Strange to say, we also found some tall trees of high as the top of the scenes, from whence an- the same species, whilst this one was entirely a other man was handed to him, whom he took creeper.' in his right hand, by the waistband, and held Is there no mistake, of an umbrageous paraup over his head a considerable time; when, site for an actual tree? In the following, also raising one leg, to our utter astonishment, he very singular story, there is none. At Trichoor fairly balanced himself, burden and all, on the" the rajah's palace is very large, and well other; after which he threw his live lumber, built, and has an excellent garden within the with a sudden jerk, head over heels, among fort, which is now in ruins; but the gate and the crowd of actors, who now entirely sur-draw-bridge are entire, and by them is the At an entertainment at Canton, we have an rounded the human pedestal, and caught him only road to the palace. On one of the bas extraordinary account of the feats of Chinese in their arms; whilst at the same time he tions stands a teak flag-staff, thirty years' old, actors or tumblers. After a loose sort of pan- made a summerset on the other side, and, de- with a banian tree, of twenty years' growth, tomime, Col. W, tells us: "The whole perform-scending, disappeared among the crowd. Whe- half way up it, the roots of which are dangling ers came forward, tumbling and jumping about ther the puppet he held up was a man, or only in the air. This I considered such a curiosity with surprising agility; some of them far be- an image, I had no means of ascertaining; but as to make a sketch of it on the spot. I preyond any I had ever seen exhibit in my life. it certainly appeared a full grown-man, alive tend not to account for such a phenomenon, One man, in particular, thrust out both arms and in perfect health; and even the act of ba- but the fact is as I have stated it; and the and caught two common-sized tumblers in the lancing themselves, in the two upper persons, staff to which the tree is attached is so solid midst of a summerset in the air, from opposite was surprising. Our landlord being questioned that I could hardly make any impression on it sides of the stage: they fell over his extend- on the subject, declared there was no kind of with a knife." As this is also very curious, ed arms, and remained hanging like towels deception, and the stage was as distinct as at we give the representation of it. upon them, whilst he commenced dancing, and mid-day." For the satisfaction of our readers, twisted himself round and round, as if he were we quote the sketch as an elucidation of the unconscious of any encumbrance. This feat in description.

The following medical fact is worthy of As we are on eastern exhibitions, we may also ened to figures, which they impelled with sur-attention:mention fireworks in Malabar: among these prising velocity; and also some batteries, which, "I have (the Colonel relates) several times in grand contrivances were" some rockets, which after imitating the roar of cannon and musket-my life cured the bites of snakes, with various ran on a horizontal line, guided by ropes at- ry, suddenly exploded, like mines, throwing doses of eau de luce, never exceeding half a bottle; tached to strong poles, and some of them fast-up a profusion of fire-balls." and once, in particular, at Ceylon, when an enor

With this we take our leave of these volumes; and thank their author for the pleasure they have afforded us.

mous cobra capella bit a sentinel. The man was tion of the island, burning, slaughtering, and [and men-milliners do now: but afterwards all but dead, having even a locked jaw; yet half laying waste a district of sixty miles in ex-masculine words drove the feminine ones out a small wine glassful, in two or three doses, tent, only excepting the demesne lands of St. of the language, as men had driven the women restored him to convalescence; though he spat John, and the fugitives who had sought refuge out of the employments. Spinster still retains blood for some time afterwards, from the there. Thence the place had risen into some its genuine termination; and the language of strength of the medicine. On one occasion, in importance in the reign of Henry I., under the law seems to presume, that every unmarried the field, when nothing stronger could be pro- whom it continued to improve in freedom and woman is industriously employed in spinning." cured, I administered brandy; and on another, wealth. But as we do not intend to follow The progress of the language does not appear a large quantity of Madeira: but in these cases out the thread of this long narrative, we shall to us to bear out this inference. I forced the patient into action, as a material merely notice two or three passages which But we must close the book. The notes are part of the cure." have occurred to us as worthy of remark, and replete with information; though, in referring leave the work to that class which we trust is to other authors, Mr. Poulson has not even numerous enough to reward the labours and questioned their errors, but cited them just as expense bestowed upon it. So early as the he found them. A more learned antiquary time of Henry II. the burgh of Beverley was would have corrected their mistakes: ex. gr. distinguished by its trade in dyed cloths; and page 5, note 2: the instruments found togeit is evident that the manufactory of woollens ther with Celts at Skirlaugh, near the Humber, was widely extended over the country. Even of which the precise use is said to be unknown, beyond this the author quotes a precept to the are known to have been weapons of offence, sheriff relative to the plunder of a vessel bound and the ring to attach them to the leathern for Spain with scarlet and other cloth of Be-belt of the combatant. Again, page 91, the verley, Stamford, and York; which is a strong halbergellum or haubergeon, said (from Grose) proof that at this early period England ex- to be either of plate or chain mail, without ported her woollens to the nations on the con- sleeves, was, we believe, the hauberk, always of tinent ! mail and with sleeves. Such matters, however, do not impeach the integrity and research of the text; and we conclude with our cordial approbation of the diligent manner in which this volume has been compiled, and the judicious style in which it has been produced, with its plates, fac-simile charters, and other embellishments.

Beverlac; or, the Antiquities and History of the Town of Beverley, in the County of York, &c. &c. By George Poulson, Esq. Vol. I. 4to. pp. circ. 900. London, 1829, Longman and Co.: Parker, Oxford: Deighton, Cambridge.

The Boscobel Tracts, relating to the Escape of
Charles the Second, after the Battle of
Worcester, and his Subsequent Adventures,
&c. &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 347. Edinburgh,
Blackwood; London, Cadell.

WE allow that this book has lain some time upon our table, and been occasionally looked at with a sort of critical affright; for it is a huge and solid antiquarian and topographical tome, and, like all other works of its class, contains This novel fact is very remarkable: we had so much of what is chiefly interesting to local no idea, before, that the staple of England was readers, that we almost always repent of the la- exported by foreign merchants, and in foreign bour it costs us to wade through that matter for ships, so early as in the last quarter of the 12th the sake of the quantum which possesses general century. And the growth of this traffic at interest. Having now performed the task, we Beverley (and, of course, elsewhere), is shewn are bound to bestow great praise on the inde- by proceedings about seventy years afterwards, fatigable zeal and industry of the compiler, in the reign of Henry III. In 1254 a toll who seems really to have gathered together granted by the king to the burgesses, gives every particular respecting Beverley; a town them, among other articles, a right to levy on of such ancient note and importance as well to wine, ashes, bags of wool, cattle of all kinds, merit every research and illustration. It is woad, herrings by the thousand, luces or pike, true there are parts which we think might and other fish both salt and fresh, skins, carts, have been omitted without injury; for exam- bordes, millstones, and corn. The wool and AT the time when a fugitive king sets his foot ple, copies of the oaths commonly taken by the woad here enumerated prove the manufactory upon our shore, we read with a strange degree mayor, jurors, coroners, burgesses, constables, of cloth; the other articles being for domestic of associated interest this correct and ample &c., which, as they present no peculiarity, use and consumption. record of an event similar in its common only swell the volume, without conveying in- Eward I. visited Beverley several times, and results, though so different in all its details. formation worth having. But still there are the details of his measures and entertainment Charles X. has quitted his kingdom without a a multitude of curious matters rescued from furnish good pictures of the age: how kings, struggle, surrounded by his family, and allowed oblivion or obscurity by the diligence of Mr. in travelling, were received and fed, what gifts free egress by the government which superseded Poulson and the patriotic feeling of Mr. Scaum, were bestowed on the courtiers, and how the him, and the people. Charles II. fought bravely for whom the work is published; and it not only fund was raised to meet these necessary ex- for his crown; and, after it was lost, escaped, throws light upon the early history of Beverley, penses. But as our notice (for it would be through a series of adventures of the most but upon the habits and manners of the in- impertinent to call it a review), must be li- romantic kind. Never were courage, secrecy, habitants of our first rich manufacturing towns,mited to a mere indication of the character of fidelity, and devotedness, exhibited in finer -in which respect it is most valuable to lite- this large work, we are obliged to abstain from lights than by those who concealed the royal rature. We have also to notice about thirty farther antiquarian records, and to finish with wanderer, and finally effected his retreat; and well-executed and appropriate embellishments, one quotation, which places an etymological our author, by collating and reprinting all the such as the Minster, arms, seals, public build-as well as mercantile point in an original best accounts of this memorable event, has ings, tombs, coins, figures, &c. &c., which re- view. By an act, 37th Edward III., A.D. 1364, rendered a delightful service to our national flect credit upon the artists, and shew that the parliament, after setting forth that many history and literature. It is the production of a Beverlac is yet a place of spirit, taste, and en- merchants, by undue arts, by combinations, scholar and an able writer; of one who is most terprise. fraternities, and guilds, had engrossed all competent to adorn any subject he may underThe contents are divided into various periods kinds of goods, till they brought enormous take, and who in the present instance has of the town's history, prefaced by notices of prices, ordained that every merchant should chosen a theme of undying interest. There is a the British, Romans, Saxons, and Normans; make his election before Candlemas, of one clever Introduction, followed by a Diary of the then follow its civil and political history as a particular kind of goods, and should deal in no king's movements, drawn up from the best borough; accounts of its churches and of its other. Artificers were in like manner tied sources; then come Extracts from Clarendon's corporation; and other miscellanea. Beverley, down to one occupation, with an exception of history, with his numerous errors pointed according to our author, dates its origin from female brewers, bakers, weavers, spinsters, and out; a copy of the Letter from a Prisoner at about A.D. 700; and he rejects all former other women employed upon works in wool, Chester, from the Oxford edition of Clarentraditions as fabulous. It was founded on a linen, or silk embroidery,* &c. "If this act," don's State Papers; Charles's own account, mere, or lake, abounding with beavers; and observes the author, " had been in the language dictated to Mr. Pepys at Newmarket, 1680; hence its name Beuen-legd, subsequently Be- of the country, the same terms would have verlac, or the Lake of Beavers; and in the been used, as will frequently appear in these Domesday Book it is stated to have afforded a pages, namely, brewster, baxter, webster, &c. fishery of 7000 eels. The church having been the termination ster signifying a woman (not a converted into a Benedictine monastery, we man) who brews, bakes, weaves, &c. When have the records of that religious seat, and men began to invade those departments of afterwards of a charter granted to the town by industry by which women used to earn an King Athelstan, about the middle of the tenth honest livelihood, they retained the feminine century. Beverley is stated to have escaped appellations for some time, as men-midwives by a kind of miracle from the desolation with which the Norman conqueror visited this por-women were great favourites of the laws of England." This seems to confirm Blackstone's observation, that

Was it to keep up this delusion, that when music became so fashionable with our fair, as to put an end to housewifery, they called their principal instrument the Spinet?-Ed. L. G.

a

+ This notice reminds us of a tribute which we owe to

recent publication by Lord Ashburnham, (2 vols. 8vo. Payne and Foss; Baldwin and Cradock), in which the noble author vindicates his ancestor " Jack Ashburnham he betrayed his master, Charles I., by persuading him to from an imputation thrown upon him by Clarendon, that seek refuge in the Isle of Wight. His lordship's arguments appear to us to be conclusive on this question; and considerably to lessen our belief in its accuracy. he impeaches Clarendon's History with so much effect, as