See now! along that pillar'd aisle Went forth to track a mightier tide. Pace we the ground-our footsteps tread And white robed Levites pause and pray. Mark the rich rose of Sharon's bowers Her shape must yonder chalice hold. The twain in this dim chancel stand; How all things glow with life and thought, Still points the tower, and peals the bell, The mighty faith of days unknown. The changeless God's eternal fane." Within the much loved galleries of the old mansions, may be seen the cherished portraits of those who have bequeathed their honours and their names," whether for weal or for woe," through many generations. And although these mansions have in many cases changed hands, as Swift, and other close observing, yet far seeing, writers foretold they would, from the evil effects of the funding system; yet, in most cases, numberless works of art still remain. These dwellings are all variously decorated, replete with historic information, even down to those of the country gentleman, whose most splendid achievements are connected with those of the chase. Nor are those objects of elegance, ingenuity, and art, solely appertaining to the mere landed interest. Let a talented American go into the manufacturing districts; take for instance the county town of Derby: "Here will he find characters eminent for their knowledge, urbanity, and public spirit; men who know how to acquire wealth; and what is far more difficult, know how to rationally enjoy it; for of the two, the graceful employment of fortune is generally far more difficult even than its very difficult acquisition." 99.66 "In the house of Mr. J. Strutt, a gentleman, whose origin is from a once much despised class,' une nation boutiquere,' (alas! how little did the renowned author of that remark know of the English nation;) "he will find in his rooms and galleries, above 600 specimens of the following six schools of paintings, and some of every great master in each distinguished school. 1. He possesses the finest Corregio perhaps out of Italy, and some noble Titian's. 2. In the Flemish school, there are abundance of Reubens's, Vandyke's, Cuyp's, Wooverman's, and others. 3. In the French schools, many Poussin's, and a fine Claude. 4. In the Dutch, many Teniers. Rembrandt's, Hal's, and others. 5. In the English, there are many Wilson's, Reynold's, Wright's, Gainsborough's, and Hogarth's, and a splendid specimen of Wheatly. There are also many tasteful pictures by British artists of less repute ; whom Mr. Strutt always liberally patronizes, when he finds they have merit. 6. And in the Spanish school, there are some by Murillo, and Velasquiez. After my traveller has regaled himself here, he may proceed on, where he will be sure to find innumerable objects of art to gratify the mind; for he is in about the centre of the kingdom, both geographically and commercially. And from forty to sixty miles around, there is the most industrious space on the face of the earth." Sir R. Phillips. If he is inclined for the sports of the field, in this busy district is the renowned field of the Meltonians. In this space "there is scarcely a name, I will confidently maintain, of celebrity, in the cabinet, in the field, in arts, in science, in literature, in commerce, or the bar, that will not be found in prominence of figure, or collateral association, exhibited in this national panorama." In truth, in that district reside the master mind * A nation of shopkeepers. which governs England. And there may be found individuals who can display themselves, There was much destruction of works of art carried on in every part of the three kingdoms, by the fool-hardy fury of cruel fanaticism, which commenced with Henry VIII. ;* and although there were some occasional breathing pauses from that time, till the reign of Charles; yet, when the Puritans got the upper hand in parliament, it commenced again, and they followed up its destructive desecration with redoubled fury, in the churches, palaces, and other places, where they had either public or private control. So that, in that devoted country, once as it were inlaid, like the starry firmament from John O'Groat's to the land's end, beaming with brilliant beauties, bequeathed by the genius and generosity of former times, and teaching numberless historic lessons. It is really a wonder there should have been anything left, and that it should not have more resembled a nation that had never been inhabited by anything but savage life. And it would have been so, had it not been for the law of primogeniture, and for an interesting custom connected therewith, viz. a custom of leaving by will, certain chattels as heir looms. As this is so different to the form and genius of the American constitution of government, which the present generation cannot be likely to understand; I will give them an extract from Tyas's "Legal Hand-Book," for this apparently, very simple custom has had, has now, and ever will have, a very powerful bearing in that country. "Loom is a Saxon word, meaning limb; no personal chattels can be entailed, but the law recognises a power of descent in such things, as are necessary to uphold the splendour or dignity of an estate. Thus the jewels of the crown are an heir loomdeer in a park-fish in a pond-the chest in which the title deeds and the household plate are kept-the plate presented to any public officer by the crown, the parliament, or any corpo * "In Edward VI.'s reign, the Duke of Somerset, as protector and president of the council, issued an order to fine every man possessing a representation of the Virgin Mary, Christ, or any picture stories; fifteen shillings for the first offence, four pounds for the second, and imprisonment for the third. It became the fashion to destroy, in Elizabeth's reign, pictures and statues; the then attorney general said, he believed there was such a predilection for the destruction of works of art, that there were some people who would have knocked off the cherubim from the ark." Mrs. Jamieson's "Hand book to the Galleries." rate body, for public services; the library-the armory-the family pictures. Also all those things which cannot be separated from the inheritance, such as chimney pieces, pumps, ancient fastened tables, and benches in the hall; then it extends and the law recognises the power, and the ecclesiastical courts extends its broad and concave shield over it in the church; as the tomb stones, monuments, and coat armour, and other ensigns of honour. For although the church, for the time being, is always in law the freehold of the clergyman; yet they were necessarily, and by consent, first introduced for the advantage and honour of the family; and they are to exist there for the instruction, and the benefit of generations still unborn." And see how full of wisdom such an ancient regulation is. Lord Kaimes says, "virtuous actions are found by induction to lead us to imitation, by inspiring emotions, resembling the passions that produce those actions; and hence the advantage of choice books, choice things, and choice company." A late instance of perhaps the choicest, if not the largest, private collection of books now known to exist, will serve to illustrate its effects. "The Gentleman's Magazine," for 1835, informs us of the death of Earl Spencer, aged seventy-six. He was a great sportsman, and also a great book collector at Althorpe, in Northamptonshire. In his will he has made them a heir loom, they are now attached to that estate, and cannot be sold by his successor. They will not go at present to the trunk maker, whom Lord Byron considered "the sexton of authorship," or wrap up sweet-meats at the confectioners; or, as Butler, in "The Anatomy of Melancholy," alludes to, was the custom in his time, (1612,) " serve to put under pies, lap spice in, and keep roast meat from burning," but will be the means of illustrating the manners and customs of our period, carrying down instruction and delight to the latest posterity. Unless some other over-heated, misdirected faction, should have a temporary ascendancy, and, with their desecrating firebrands, overwhelm these peaceful and peace-creating treasures, in one overwhelming blaze. Oh! how true is the following remark of the learned Sir W. Jones: 66 Many there are who read the Scriptures, yet are then grossly ignorant; but he who acts well, is a truly learned man !" "To know That which before us lies in daily life, JUGGLERS. "The juggler, mentioned in Xenophon, requested the Gods to allow him to remain in places where there was much money and abundance of simpletons." On this subject I shall quote a few excellent remarks from Professor Beekman, who says, " people of this description will never want encouragement and support, while they exhibit, with confidence, anything uncommon, and know how to suit the nature of their amusements to the taste of the spectators. "Jugglers, indeed, seldom exhibit anything that can appear wonderful to those acquainted with natural philosophy, and mathematics; but these often find satisfaction in seeing truths already known to them, applied in a new manner; and they readily embrace every opportunity of having them farther illustrated by experiments. Many times, it often happens, that what ignorant persons first employ merely as a show for amusement, or deception, is afterwards ennobled by being applied to a more important purpose. The machine, with which a Savoyard, by means of shadows, amused children, and the populace, was by Liberkühn, converted into a solar microscope; and to give one example more, which may convince female readers, if I can hope for such, the art of making ice in summer, or in a heated oven, enabled guests, much to the credit of their hostess, to cool the most expensive dishes. 66 But, if the art of juggling served no other end than to muse the most ignorant of our citizens; it is proper that they should be encouraged for the sake of those who cannot enjoy the more expensive deceptions of an opera. They answer other purposes, however, than that of merely amusing; they convey instruction in the most acceptable manner, and serve as a most agreeable antidote to superstition, and to that popular belief in miracles, exorcism, conjuration, sorcery, and witchcraft, from which our ancestors suffered so severely. Wherever the vulgar were astonished at the effects of shadows, electricity, mirrors, and the magnet, interested persons endeavoured by these to frighten them; and thus misapplied the powers of nature, to promote their own advantage. "Those who view the art of the juggler in the same light as I do, will, I hope, forgive me for introducing these observations, and allow me to continue them, while I inquire into the antiquity of this employment; especially, as I shall endeavour by these means to illustrate more fully my subject." "The deception of breathing out flames, which excites, in a particular manner, the astonishment of the ignorant, is very |