widow of the late Thomas Selby, Esq. who had afforded us, with cheerful politeness, full opportunity of viewing the interior of a mansion which had realized to us the high-wrought sketches of the olden time, from the hand of a Washington Irving or a Walter Scott. Evening drawing in upon us, we could not visit the extensive fortification of the Romans on Oldbury or Oldborough Hill. Stukeley, in commenting on the map of Richard of Cirencester, has placed the Vagniacæ of the Itinerary of Antoninus at Sevenoaks, and Noviomagus at Croydon, and supposes that the intermediate distances between the stations* are more rectly given in the MS. of Richard, than in the versions of the Imperial road book. cor The suggestion I admit is plausible, though one cannot but smile at the mobility of these Roman stations. If Vagniacæ were at Sevenoaks, Oldbury hill was the castra œstiva of its garrison. And if Noviomagus were at or about Croydon, the works at Holwood Hill had the same relative connexion with Noviomagus. These points are among those doubts of the Roman antiquary which can never fully be set at rest but by the discovery of inscriptions with local allusions. A Roman way crosses the parish of Ightham, and the centre of the station there. It was part of that grand transverse line of military communication which ran in a parallel direction with the remarkable ridge of chalk hills that form a sort of natural wall to the weald or woody country, and which line may be traced into the adjoining countries far westward, the chalk ridge extending from Folkstone in Kent, to the neighbourhood of Farnham in Surrey. The heights commanding this line exhibit marks of a continuous chain of Roman military posts. The rich valley below is the inexpugnable Holmesdale, studded with the moats or castelets of the ancient gentry. Among these, that of the Boleyns at Hever may, by your allowance, at some future period claim a similar descriptive A. J. K. notice. I MET with a book the other day, which aroused my curiosity. It was entitled " Thoughts on Laughter, by a Chancery Barrister;" laughter, and a barrister!-what incongruous terms, and of all barristers, a Chancery barrister! This book, little as the title seemed to vouch for it-a sort of lugubrious mirth, like an undertaker grinning-1 found to be a very amusing little production, leading one from step to step by entertaining and laughable anecdotes, to a very just and clear notion of the causes of laughter, without one being aware, almost, of the reasoning process that was going on. But a more curious book fell lately into my hands, which is indeed more properly the cause of the present letter, as I think it cannot fail to be interesting to some at least of your readers. It is entitled "Traité du Ris, contenant son essance, ses cavses, et mervelheus effais, curieusement recherchés, raisonnés et observés, par M. Lavr. Iovbert, Conselier et Medecin Ordinaire du Roy, et du Roy de Nauarre, premier Decteur regeant," &c. It is printed "à Paris, chez Nicolas Chesneav, rue S. Jaques, au Chesne verd. M.D.LXXIX. avec Privilege dv Roy." In his dedication to "Margarite de France, Royne de Nauarre, filhe, sœur vnique, et fame de Roy," he starts a singular question; "qui est plus dine, le cerveau ou la main ?" After giving reasons, pro et contra, amongst which, "Pour la main i'allegois, que le seul homme an est doué excepté le singe, qui le contrefait. Mais ce n'est pas vne parfaite main. Quant au cerveau, il est commun à tous animaus," &c. he gives judgment in favour of the brain, "voyant que le cerveau commande, et la main obeyt. Ajoutés-y (s'il vous plait) que l'homme ne peut vivre sans cerveau, et il vit bien sans mains." But this disputatious author has no sooner got so far, than he branches off into another comparison: "Mais il ne demeure pas long tams paisible possesseur de la primauté des parties. Car le They stand thus from [Madum] Maidstone to [Vagniacæ] Sevenoaks, 18 miles; to [Noviomagus] Croydon 18; to [Londinium, Aug.] London 15. See Stukeley, in Account of Richard of Cirencester, p. 59. The distance last quoted, is however n additional proof that Noviomagus ought to be left to repose at Holwood Hill. Γ visage son voisin, se mest soudain à la traverse, et y forme opposicion." But it would tire your readers were 1 to cite to them the many curious opinions of this author, nor will I follow him in those passages where he proves, "Commant le diaphragme est ebranlé par le ris." "Que le Ris peut estre declairé à l'example des soufflets et des parties tramblantes."-"Commant par le ris est agitu la poitrine : et d'où vient la vois antrerompue."-"D'où procede l'ouverture de bouche, l'alongissemant des laivres, et l'elargissemant du manton."-" Commant par le Ris se font des rides au visage, mesmemant à l'antour des yeus.' "D'où procede que les yeus etincellent et pleurent."-"D'ou vient que les bras, les epaules, cuisses, piés, et tout le cors peuvent estre emeus à force de rire."—" De la douleur qu'on sant au vantre par trop rire,” and other curious matters, but not so decent. Nor will I touch upon what he gives as a debateable question : Qu'on peut evanouir de rire, et si on an pourroit mourir," but will at once go into his description of the different kinds of laughter. "An l'espece des hommes il y ha autant de visages differans, qu'il y ha de figures au monde : autant de diversités, tant au parler, que à la vois, et (s'il vous plait) autat de divers Ris. Il y an ha que vous diriés quand ils riet, que ce sont oyes qui sifflet: et d'autres q' ce sont des oysons gromelans. Il y an ha qui rapportent au gemir des pigeons ramiers, ou des tourtorelles an leur viduité: les autres au chat huant, et qui au coq d'Inde, qui au paon. Les autres resonnent un piou piou, à mode de poulets. Des autres on diroit q' c'est vn cheval qui hanit, ou vn ane qui brait, ou vn porc qui grunit, ou vn chien qui jappe ou qui s'etrāgle. Il y an ha qui retirent au son des charretes mal ointes, les autres aus calhous qu'on remue dans vn seau, les autres à vne potee de chous qui bout: les autres ont vn' autre raisonnance, outre le minois et la grimace du visage, qui est an divers si diverse que rien plus. Parquoy de poursuyvre toutes ses differances particulieremant, come il seroit impossible, aussi seroit-il invtile. Neantmoins on peut antandre et savoir, que les principales differances procedent de deus sources : l'vne ent, de la vois fort diverse, à raison de la conformacion du gosier, de la langue, du palais, et desautres parties qui servent à la vois: l'autre est de la diverse agitacio du cœur et du diaphragme." He then gives us, what he calls "les principaus epithetes du Ris, qu'on lit ez bons auteurs." "" vn 1. Le ris modeste. 2. Le ris cachin, qui et immodeste, debordé, insolant et trop long, et qui romt les forces. 3. "Le Ris Syncrousien." This he says is a similar one to the former, and is called from the Greek Syncrousien, de ce qu'il crole et ebranle fort." 4. "Le Ris Sardonien." On this kind, he spends a considerable degree of erudition some, says he, have thought that this is a "ris ample, ou plat, et large : comme quand quelqu'vn rit, la gorge fort deployée;" but this is a mistaken opinion, for it signifies properly Ris feint et simules," and is moreover, "manteur, simulé, et traitre, plein d'amertume et maltalant.” 5. “Le ris d'hotelier," is of the same species. 6. "Le ris canin, le plus souvent procede d'vn mauvais courage, et de malice couverte." 7. "Le Ris Ajacin, quand on rit de rage, felonie, et mal-talant." 8. "Le Ris Megarie, quand on rit etant marry antieremant." 9. "Le Soub-ris." 10. "Le Ris Catonien, lequel est fort deborde et ebranlant. Car on dit, que Caton le Sanseur ne rit jamais de sa vie qu'vne fois, et que lors il rit excessivemant, quand il vit vn ane manger des chardons: et qu' etant tout rompu de rire, il s'ecria, ces laivres ont de samblables laitus." 11. "Le ris Ionique, propre aus mous delicas et adonnés à leurs plaisirs," so named from the Ionians, who were celebrated for their love of pleasure. 12. "Le ris Chien." This is similar to the latter, and so called from "Chio ile de grans delices." 13. "Le ris Agriogele, qui est du jaseur et du bavard." 14. "Le ris Tory bode, vn ris tumultueus, lequel n'est point legitime," and lastly, the 15th. Le ris Inepte." He then says: "Je panse qu'il y ha plusieurs autres nuncupacions et epithetes du Ris, que ie lairray chercher aus curieus, et de plus grand loisir, au Pollux, et autres auteurs approuvés." With these extracts I shall take my leave of this work, but not without observing, that in the list of the books which he has quoted, he has hardly left out one ancient author of celebrity, not even excepting Moses and David, so erudite a composition did he imagine it necessary to make a treatise on laughter. But before I finish this letter, I will give a list of the different laughs by a more modern anonymous writer (1769). He divides them thus: 1. The widemouthed or indecent laugh. 2. The gracious laugh, or the smile. 3. The laugh of dignity or protection. 4. The silly or simple laugh, which must be distinguished from the naturally ingenuous. 5. The self-approving laugh, or that of sheer vanity. 6. The laugh of courtesy, civilized compact, or fashionable usage. 7. The laugh of affectation or disdain. 8. The laugh of sincerity, openness, invitation, and serenity, that in a pleasing manner diffuses itself over the whole countenance. 9. The laugh of hypocrisy or dissimulation, or (according to the vulgar phrase) in one's sleeve; which must be distinguished from, 10. The laugh of determined and absolute malice. 11. The laugh constrained, is that observable when we make effort to repress an unseasonable impulse. 12. The laugh extorted, or machinal, is brought on by excessive tickling, or by wounds of the diaphragm, or by certain noxious beverages. 13. The laugh caused by a sourness of the mind, despite, resentfulness, desire of revenge, mixed with a certain pleasure that is in near alliance with pride. And, lastly, 14. The laugh inextinquishable, as Homer calls it in Greek, but that, in our vulgar phrase, may be expressed by the outrageous or horselaugh, whose explosive bursts we cannot stop. They so violently agitate our sides and breasts, as to throw the whole body into a kind of convulsive agony. There was also an Italian Astrologer, the Abbé Damascene, who published a treatise of about six sheets, printed at Orleans in the year 1662, wherein he distinguished the different temperaments of mankind, by their different manners of laughing. The hi, hi, hi, according to this droll essay, notifies melancholical people; the he, he, he, phlegmatic persons; the ho, ho, ho, those of a sanguine disposition. I. J. L. P. S. Since writing the above letter, I have been informed that the little work entitled "Thoughts on Laughter," is by Basil Montague; who, some years ago, lectured on the same subject. Mr. URBAN, 109, Picadilly, Jan. 19. I SEND you a copy of a letter of our glorious Lord Nelson, written to my late friend Richard Ford, Esq. who was at the time attached to Lord Nelson, as Agent Victualler afloat. Mr. Ford dined daily at Lord Nelson's table when on board the Victory, and was also accustomed to visit his lordship at his residence at Merton in Surrey. Mr. Ford died, to the great regret of all his friends, as a more amiable person could not exist, on the 8th Jan. 1836, aged 63, and was buried in the New Cemetery in the Harrow Road. You may depend on the correctness of the copy of the letter, even to its faults. S. P. C. "DEAR SIR, Victory, Oct. 2nd, 1805. As I hear that Mr. Cutforth the Agent Victualler at Gibralter is very much indisposed, so as probably to render him unable to go over to Titnan to settle several things with the Governor and English Vice Consul at that place, I have therefore to desire that you will go to Gibralter, and should Mr. Cutforth not be able to proceed to Titnan that you will carry my instructions to Mr. Cutforth into execution, marking to the Governor or Vice Consul that whatever I may allow for the Guards or any other purpose is from myself and not to be considered as a General Tax, and you will consult with Mr. Cutforth upon the best mode of keeping these Gentry in Good humour and that the fleet may get liberal supplies without any further trouble. I have the firmest reliance upon your Abilities and Zeal that this Matter will be well terminated, and although no Man wishes to be more economical of the Public Money than myself Yet in our present state and with the Sort People with whom We have to manage these matters Care must be taken not to be Penny Wise and Pounds foolish, I need not say more but that I am sure I shall be content with whatever you do and I am with Great Esteem Dear Sir, Your very faithful serv', NELSON & BRONTE. You must not be many hours at Gibralter but ask Ad1. Knight for a conveyance to Titnan, for Ad'. Louis with a Squadron will leave the fleet this day.-N. & B. Richard Ford, Esq. ON THE POPULAR CYCLE OF THE ROBIN HOOD BALLADS. (Continued from p. 28.) WE have now given an abstract of all the remains of the cycle of Robin Hood, in its older form. We have seen that it consisted of the common popular stories of outlaw warfare in the green wood, as they were sung at the festivals and rejoicings of the peasantry, with whom, at the time the songs were made, such tales must naturally have been favourites. As far as we can judge, the different incidents of the cycle were not numerous, and it is probable that the compiler of thegeste' introduced into it all that he knew. This poem, indeed, seems at the period of its publication to have been the grand representative of the cycle, and to have contained at least most of that which was commonly sung about the roads and streets. In a curious "lytell geste," printed also by Wynkyn de Worde, and of which, as far as we know, the only copy extant is preserved in the public library, Cambridge, teaching how the plowman lerned his pater noster," which was contrived by the priest, who sent to him in a time of scarcity a number of poor men in proper order, each having for name one of the words of the prayer, on promise of paying the plowman if he remembered them in the order in which they came; five of them seem to have sung this very geste. The passage, by the way, was unknown to Ritson, when he compiled his preface. "Then came Panem, Nostrum, Cotidia- Amonge them fyve they had but one peny, They songe goynge homewarde a gest of When ballads began to be printed, and were spread over the country in the shape of broadsides, the few which had existed when their chief repository was the memory of the peasantry, were found to be insufficient. The more easily it was gratified, the more greedy became the desire after novelty. But the ballad-writers of after-times were not blessed with very inventive minds, and it was, therefore, much more usual to change a little the circumstances and persons of the older stories, and to publish them to the world as new, than to write originals. It would not be difficult to point out examples of this among the modern ballads. That originals, however, were written, there can be no doubt. It was now, indeed, that outward causes began to affect the cycle, for the romances of the Normans had become degraded, and had taken popular forms, and even their stories have found a place among those of Robin Hood and Little John. The foregoing slight review of the material of the cycle, the nature of the stories which formed it, brings us at once to conclude that the character and popular history of Robin Hood was formed upon the ballads, and not the ballads upon the person. There arises, however, thereupon, an interesting question-who was the person that in these ballads bears the name or title of Robin Hood?-a question at the same time which certainly does not admit of a very easy solution. The notion that he was a person living in the time of our first Richard and third Henry, seems to rest entirely on the passage in the history of Fordun, which passage, as we have already said, was written perhaps not earlier than the middle of the fifteenth century, and of which the only foundation was one of the ballads in which the name of a king Henry occurred, probably proving only that the ballad was written in the reign of a king of that name. Wyntown, also, who places Robin Hood at the date 1283, by his mention of Inglewood and Barnesdale, had evidently the ballads in his mind. Lytil Jhon and Robyne Hude Wayth-men were commendyd gud: In Yngil-wode and Barnysdale, Thai oysyd all this tyme thare trawale." The life, by Ritson, prefixed to his edition of the Robin Hood ballads, with the pedantic notes which illustrate it, is the barren production of a poor mind. The "accurate" mister Ritson, who condemned with such asperity the slightest wanderings of the imaginations of others, has therein exhibited to us some truly pleasant vagaries of his own. He gives us an essay upon the private character of the outlaw! His mode of accounting for the silence with which the chroniclers and historians of those times have Mr. Barry, in his "Thèse de Littérature," has advanced an ingenious and much more plausible theory. He, as we have already observed, supposes that Robin Hood was one of the outlaws who had resisted the first intru sions of the Normans, and compares him with Hereward, whose life is still preserved, and is at present in the course of publication, who returned from foreign lands to avenge the injury done to his family by William, by the death of the Norman who had had the temerity to intrude upon his heritage, and who gathered his friends and supporters and retired to the fastnesses of the isle of Ely, where he long bade defiance to the Conqueror. "Tous ces hommes qui restaient des outlaws, malgré leur physionomie et leur dénomination nouvelle, avaient un caractère commun. Saxons, ils détestaient les Normands, leurs officiers sans pitié, et vanche, ils étaient les amis des pauvres, Mr. Barry supposes that songs, such as those which Ingulf mentions as having been sung in the public ways in honour of the popular hero Hereward, were the original form of the Robin Hood ballads. We think, however, that Mr. Barry has gone too far. There is no other ground but bare conjecture for supposing Robin Hood to have been actually one of the Saxons outlawed by their opposition to the Normans, and there are many reasons for adopting a contrary opinion. Yet it is very possible that, when the sudden change from Saxon to Norman rule was no longer felt, and when the deeds of these Saxon heroes began to be forgotten, the Robin Hood cycle, let it have originated where it may, gradually succeeded to and took the place of the ballads which celebrated Hereward and Waltheof. Still, however, supposing the Robin Hood cycle to have succeeded the ballads which celebrated the last Saxon heroes, we have made no progress towards a discovery of the original personage who had become its hero. Was he the representative of some northern chieftain whose actions had gained a place among the national myths, and who had become an object of popular superstition? Many circumstances join in making this supposition at the least extremely probable. We know that the ballads of this |