year 1734, when considerable repairs were executed in the nave, and the stonework was cased with barbarous brick, as was the south transept in 1735; "when, doubtless, the elegant rose window was destroyed, as well as some of the most beautiful features in the moulded tracery of the six east and west front windows of the time of Edward III., or, perhaps, somewhat earlier." Probably, about the same time, the northern front of the northern transept was removed, and timber framework covered with tiles put up as a substitute.

At length, early in the present century, the greater part of the structure was found to be fast approaching, if not at, "that degree of dilapidation which indicates to the practical man what will just stand, or rather, in what state a building can exist without falling down." The freestone of which it was chiefly built, had suffered much from time and weather, and was hastening to crumbling decay. The parishioners were alarmed, and appointed a committee to conduct the repairs; but they slumbered, either from indolence or incapacity, till, in 1818, to the honour of the wardenship of Mr. John Crawford, (whose name deserves record as an example to all churchwardens,) it was resolved to begin by repairing the tower; "the pinnacles and embattled parapets were rebuilt; several new windows were inserted in the bell-loft and belfry; and the tower, split in every direction by the violent vibratory action of the bells, and exhibiting fissures three and four inches in breadth, was secured by encircling it with cast-iron ties of three tiers in height, so concealed within the masonry as not to be perceptible, and so contrived as not to injure the work by contraction or expansion." We should previously have observed that the tower was probably commenced in the fourteenth, and completed late in the sixteenth century, as may be gleaned from its architecture; for there is but scanty record of its erection. In its repair, the original has been followed with a scrupulousness which, in many instances, must have been the result of the erudite research of the architect, Mr. Gwilt.

The beautiful execution of the tower repairs led to a proposition of the Committee, in 1821, to build an entirely new church to fit the old tower; but the opposition of the parishioners, which had factiously shown itself to the repair of the tower, was now redoubled, and the plan for the entire rebuilding was rejected. This attempt, however, led to one good consequence; for, in the following year, a contract was made for the repair, or rather, the rebuilding, of the choir; for the roof was removed, as well as the greater part of the walls. This important work was likewise confided to Mr. Gwilt, who took down the east end to the clere

story, and substituted the end as it now appears, from his own design; consisting of an enriched gable, with an elaborate foliated cross on its apex; staircase turrets, crowned with chaste pinnacles, with niches at the angles; and a new triple lancet window, in the more florid style of the thirteenth century, instead of the original window of five lights of the time of Henry VII.; and a Catherine-wheel window of extraordinary rich ness and beauty. The pedestal of the cross bears this inscription:

This Cross, the last stone, towards the rebuilding of the east end of the Choir of this Church was laid in the presence of the wardens and gentlemen composing the Committee of Church repairs. By GEORGE SADLER, Esq. Warden of the Great account.

Sept. 17, 1824.

GEORGE GWILT, Architect.

Over the vaulting, a new cast iron roof was erected, and covered with copper. The Magdalen Chapel, which had its beauty (never striking) impaired by incongruous alterations, was now removed from the south side of the choir, which was thus advantageously displayed. A new doorway was opened, and the windows in the side aisles built anew: "the piers of the flying buttresses on each side were cased with stone, the arches of them rebuilt, and the pinnacles and finials terminating the abutting piers were added."* These repairs gave a new face to the choir. "The principal part of the masonry," says Mr. Gwilt, "is executed with a sharp grit-stone from the Houghtree (vulgo Hifftree) quarries in the vicinity of Kirkstall Abbey: the rest of the facing is made out with surface flints which are found upon many of the high lands in various parts of Surrey." The characteristic of Mr. Gwilt's repairs is as rigid an adherence as possible to the former work, as observed in the Retrospective Review, "not only in the general design, but in the minutest details, wherever prototypes could be found;" though, we must add, from facts within our knowledge, that the architect's laborious research can only be appreciated by the true lover of art: the nicety of his enthusiasm and devotedness may be "caviare to the million," but it will be justly estimated by all whose approbation or opinion is worth cherishing to build up a fair fame.

The transepts were next restored in 1829 and 1830, from the designs of Mr. R. Wallace. Groined roofs are added to both of them: in the south is introduced a circular window, designed from that in the ruins of Winchester Palace, discovered through a fire

For the outline of the history and restoration of the Church to this period, we are largely indebted to a clever paper in the Retrospective Review, New Series, Part II.

on Bankside, about twenty years since. In the north transept, of earlier date than the south, Mr. Wallace has introduced a window of circular tracery, (adds Mr. Brayley,)" in the style of Westminster Abbey" but the side windows, which were of beautiful length, have been injudiciously shortened.

The nave remained for repair. Its clustered columns had been strapped with iron, and its walls had grown green and dank with apparent decay. The whole building was considered insecure: its repair was regarded by the parishioners as a frightful expense, and the only result of their deliberations was the removal of the roof, by " an order of Vestry," the necessity for which has been much questioned. This roof was a noble specimen of the skill of our forefathers: it had the striking peculiarity of the corbels, from which the ribs sprung out, being perpendicularly over the pillars of the nave. Some of the timbers are said to have been in fine preservation. Thus, dismantled and desolate, a splendid ruin, stand the sides and west end of the nave, with a Tudor doorway. The organ is moved up to form a temporary end to the choir, and thus matters rest in this part of the building.*

The choir and transepts are now used for divine service, and together have the sublime grandeur of a cathedral; though description will but ill convey an idea of the four magnificent arches which support the tower, or the lofty and massive character of the several arches and columns. The unique effect is likewise aided by the substitution of open seats for pews. The fine altar screen is now uncased of its oak and plaster covering. It is considered to have been the workmanship of Bishop Fox, early in the sixteenth century; from its resemblance to the screen of Winchester Cathedral, and from the pelican being among its ornaments. It will shortly be restored by a subscription nearly raised for that purpose; the estimated expense being 8001.

The Lady Chapel remains to be noticed; but, as we have already explained the circumstances which have happily led to its restoration, we need only here observe that the exterior is now completed, as shown in the annexed Engraving. The interior will shortly be finished, when we hope opportunity will be taken of the late Mr. Bray's suggestion, many years since, that some tracery compartments at the back of the screen once afforded

*We may here mention that in the south wall of the nave is "a singular and once elaborate porch, one of the earliest specimens of pointed architecture. Within a niche, over this doorway was formerly the statue of our Saviour."-Brayley.

The columns are cylindrical, but, soon after the completion of the church they were cased with masonry, and made to assume their present polygonal or clustering forms.

‡ See Mirror, vol. xix. p. 98.

through them a view of the choir. This would indeed be a consummation of effect.

Our

The restoration of the Lady Chapel has been gratuitously superintended by Mr. Gwilt. The cost of the work will be 2,5007. but, we fear, the funds are somewhat deficient. readers may remember the arduous struggle made for the preservation of this interesting structure. The cause has been a national one, and its result will doubtless be honourable to the country; but the conduct of the intelligent Southwarkians is above all praise. They have only to persevere to complete the restoration: and we entreat them to bear in mind Dryden's line:

The greater part perform'd, achieve the less.

We should add, that by an interesting discovery of some Roman remains in Southwark, about four months since, some further light has been thrown on the early history of the site of St. Saviour's Church. On March 20, Mr. Kempe observed, at a meeting of the Society of Antiquaries, that "at the attack and destruction of Roman London by Boadicea, great numbers of the Romans escaped into Southwark, and remaining there, much increased its size and importance. The principal buildings appear to have been round the site of St. Saviour's Church, and on that site there was probably a temple. Some coarse tesselated pavement was discovered in November last, with boars' teeth and other articles on it; and a rude pavement was lately discovered in digging a grave, about ten feet deep, in the churchyard, with a coin, and two large brass rings."**

THE LAMBTON FAMILY. (To the Editor.) WHEN I was in the North of England, some years ago, it was told me, by an old chronicler of local customs, events, and family history, that a Lambton was never yet known to die in his bed. Lord Durham is the head of that ancient house. I think it was also mentioned to me, one of his brothers was killed in hunting, and his father died in his chair. Your pleasing miscellany is widely circulated in the county of Durham. Will some of your readers in that district communicate the nature of the tradition, and the confirmatory facts bearing upon it ?—H. I.

SUPERIORITY OF INFANTRY TO

CAVALRY.

THE British army furnishes us with many brilliant examples of the power of infantry. Perhaps the most extraordinary on record occurred at Minden. In this battle, six regiments of English infantry, supported by two regiments of Hanoverian guards, charged sixty squadrons of French cavalry, which Literary Gazette, No. 854...

they drove before them without any other assistance than their own artillery.

At the battle of Fontenoy, the French cavalry was totally unable to overcome the British infantry; and had not Marshal Saxe brought up the Irish brigade to his assistance, the Duke of Cumberland must have gained the battle.

Sir John Stuart beat Reynier, at Maida, by infantry alone.

At the battle of Fuentes de Honor, the allied army retired in squares for two miles, repelling every effort of General Monthrun's cavalry; which was obliged to give up the pursuit, leaving about 500 dead or disabled.

At El-bodon, a body of British and Portuguese infantry, not exceeding 1,500 men, nearly unsupported by cavalry and artillery, not only resisted, but attacked and repulsed,, between thirty and forty squadrons of French cavalry, supported by fourteen battalions of infantry, and six pieces of cannon.

The French army is not without similar examples:-The grenadiers of Buonaparte's guard resisted every attack of the numerous Austrian cavalry at Marengo. General Kleber's little corps of 2,000 men, though surrounded by 25,000 Turkish cavalry, at the battle of Mount Tabor, in the year 1799, was perfectly impenetrable.

But, if these and many similar examples were wanting, the battle of Waterloo is alone sufficient to prove that the best and most intrepid cavalry is totally unable to make any impression upon infantry, which is formed to receive, and determined to resist, it. "The most distinguished courage of the French officers," says Colonel Batty, "who daringly exposed their persons to draw on the fire of the English infantry, before their regiment approached near the squares, could not prevail." "Yet," says the author of Paul's Letters, "in full view of those clouds of cavalry, waiting, like birds of prey, to dash upon them, where slaughter should afford the slightest opening, did these gallant troops close their files over the bodies of their dead and dying comrades, and resume, with stern composure, that close array of battle which their discipline and experience taught them afforded the surest means of defence."

FERNANDO.

MADAGASCAR. (From a Correspondent.) THERE is an island situated in a portion of the globe which renders it a conspicuous object to European voyagers in their progress to the East; and yet, very little is known concerning it by the civilized part of the globe. Our geographical readers will probably perceive that we refer to Madagascar; and it is a remarkable fact in the history of the world, that so large and interesting a section of it, should have remained until the present

day, comparatively unknown; no regular attempt having been made to explore it (except very recently,) since about the year 1647, when Flacourt, who was appointed governor of the island by the French East India Company, (that body having obtained an exclusive patent to trade there,) ordered a survey of it to be made. The following memoir is condensed chiefly from Copland's History of Madagascar, published some years since, and which embodies all that has been written on the subject, both by English and foreign authors, up to the period of its publication. We propose, in this analysis, to give such a description of the island, its inhabitants, natural productions, and general history, as to excite curiosity in the minds of our reader for more extended information.

Lawrence Almeida, a Portuguese, appears to have been the first European who touched at the island of Madagascar, in his passage to the East Indies, of which his father had been appointed governor or viceroy. This was in 1506, and it is probable that the island was unknown previous to this period in our quarter of the globe, although the Arabs and Moors had been in the habit of trading thither from time immemorial. Madagascar is situated between 12° and 25° 40' South latitude, and 43° 41' and 50° 30′ East longitude. It lies opposite to Mosambique on the African coast, the channel between them being only 87 leagues across. Through this channel, most of our East India ships pass in their way to and from the East; but the navigation is dangerous, both on account of the rapidity of the current, and of a sand bank called the Bank of Prucel, which extends nearly to the middle of the channel. This immense island is estimated to contain two hundred millions of acres of land, and is divided into 28 provinces of unequal size. These provinces were formerly each under the dominion of its own chieftain, but latterly a large portion of the island has, by conquest, been consolidated into one kingdom, the seat of government being at Tananarivoo, a town nearly in the centre of the island. The coast is furnished with numerous excellent harbours, the principal of which are St. Augustines, Bombetoque, Narranda, Dalrymple and Passandava Bays on the western coast; and Port Dauphin, St. Lucia, Itapore, Tamatave, Antongil and Angotcy, on the eastern. Those, however, principally frequented by Europeans at present, are St. Augustines, Port Dauphin, and Tamatave, particularly the latter, which may be considered the emporium of the commerce of the island. Here our East India ships both outward and homeward bound, touch for supplies of beef and other necessaries, which may be procured in abun dance, and at a cheap rate. Madagascar is,

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indeed, equal in richness of soil and natural productions to any country on the face of the earth. Myriads of cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs, range over its luxuriant plains, which under the glow of a tropical sun, and intersected with innumerable rivers and streamlets from the mountains, are clothed with perennial verdure; while the umbrageous recesses of the contiguous forests afford them an agreeable shelter from the scorching heat of the noontide rays. The fields, which are cultivated with great care by the natives, produce rice, barley, maize, yams, bananas, &c. in abundance. The sugar cane is indigenous, but the mode of manufacturing the sugar is not known. There are also four different kinds of silk worms, which do not appear to have been much valued on account of their produce, by the aborigines. In proof of this a remarkable and ludicrous fact is mentioned by Flacourt. In his instructions as governor, his attention was particularly directed to the collecting of hides, bees-wax, and silk, as articles of commerce; " but," says he, we were greatly disappointed, for on inquiry we found that the Blacks ate the hide with the beef, and the wax with the honey; and that in regard to silk, they invariably opened the cocoons, and after eating the worm threw the silk away!" There are four kinds of honey found in the woods, one of which is the genuine Tabaxir of the ancients. Timber of every kind, fitted for either ornamental or useful purposes, is found in their forests, some of it of immense size and height, and crested with parasitical and creeping plants, which add to the gloomy sublimity of the deep recesses. Among these the raven palm deserves notice on account of its useful qualities. Like the bread-fruit tree, it seems to supply the general wants of the natives. The ends of the branches afford a pleasant and wholesome food. The timber, which is incorruptible, is used in building houses. The leaves not only form durable roofs, but furnish the table with mats, plates, dishes, cups, and spoons; while the ribs or fibrous parts of the leaves, which are large, are manufactured into partitions and floors, and a gum is extracted from the flower buds, sweet as honey and of an exquisite flavour. There are also found in the woods, the cocoa nut, lemons, oranges, limes, tamarinds, figs, grapes, of various kinds, (one of which is an annual,) plums, nutmegs, pimento, pepper, ginger, grains of paradise, and many other fruits and spices; abundance of dyeing woods of various colours, and several kinds of hard wood, forming valuable articles of commerce, when civilization shall have succeeded the present state of barbarism. Thonsauds of flowering shrubs and plants deck the woods and fields, presenting a boundless sphere for the botanist. Among these, the

anramatico deserves particular notice. Its leaves are large and throw out shoots at their extremities, but what particularly distinguish it are its flowers, which are bell-shaped, with one convolution, which brings the mouth upwards; they are so large as to hold more than half a gallon of water, and, being generally full, they afford an agreeable relief to the natives in their hot and toilsome journeys through the woods; while the fruit is curiously formed like a vase and cover, and possesses an excellent flavour. There are few kinds of quadrupeds on the island, but of these few there are abundance: four species of oxen are found, among which is the bison with his shaggy and capacious front, being wide enough between the points of the horns for three men to sit. Many of the farmers possess incredible herds of cattle, to the number of 20 or 30,000; and there are numerous herds running wild about the plains in some provinces. There is an animal of the zebra, or ass kind, but it does not appear that any attempt has been made to tame it. The porcupine, babyroussas, tendraes, wild hogs, swarms of monkeys of every size and kind, and various other quadrupeds, live in perfect security in these forests. The Madagascar bat, or Harpy of the ancients, is a most formidable animal. It is as large as a hen, and its wings extend two feet from tip to tip. They hang, with their heads downwards, on the top branches of the tallest trees during the day, but in the evening they sally out in great numbers and annoy the natives very much, frequently fastening upon their faces, and inflicting terrible wounds. Of reptiles, they have scorpions, lizards, centipedes, several kinds of snakes, immense spiders, chameleons, &c. &c. The breast-leaper is a singular animal which we have never seen described by any writer except Flacourt. is a kind of lizard which attaches itself to the trunks or branches of trees, and being itself of a greenish hue is not easily perceived. Its principal peculiarity is, its being furnished with little claws or hooks, like those of a bat's wing, on the back, legs, tail, neck, and lower jaw. If a native approaches the tree where it hangs, it instantly leaps upon his naked breast, where it sticks so firmly, that, in order to remove it, it is frequently necessary to cut away the skin with a razor. A vast variety of the feathered creation, including eagles, flamingoes, a species of ostrich, hawks, paroquets, pigeons, pheasants, partridges, wild fowl of every kind, and domestic poultry, are found in abundance, Singing birds of various kinds enliven the forests and valleys with their notes, and diversify the scene which Nature has so bountifully spread for these islanders; while their coasts, rivers, and streams, furnish numerous tribes of fishes, which afford an agreeable variety in their food, and a stimulus to indus

It

try and exertion. The crocodile is an inha bitant of all their rivers, and proves a great annoyance to the natives in their aquatic diversions. They, however, hunt them with their spears into nets made of strong ropes, and placed at the narrowest passes of the streams, and by these means destroy great numbers of them.

While the surface of the earth is thus rich in natural productions, its bowels are not less so in the variety of metals, minerals, and Iron precious stones which they contain. and steel, copper, zinc, tin, lead, and tutaneg, are found in the mountains, a chain of which reaches nearly the whole length of the island. Iron and steel are smelted and wrought with considerable skill by the natives, and the quality of those specimens, which have been brought over and tested, is equal to any which Europe affords. Of gold, there are four different kinds found on the island; but it is believed that only two are native, and these are of inferior quality, being pale and almost as soft as lead. The streams from the mountains furnish the supply of this article, as well as silver, sufficient for the wants of the inhabitants, who use it principally in manufacturing trinkets and ornaments for their women and the chiefs. It is said, however, that the Portuguese, who first attempted to colonize the island, discovered and worked a gold mine with considerable success in the interior; but their labours were stopped by the native chiefs, who, becoming jealous of the establishment of foreigners in the heart of the country, gave directions to massacre the whole party, which was done accordingly. Many of their ornaments, in gold and silver, display great taste and skill, considering they are destitute of the tools used by artisans in a civilized country. The only minerals at present known on the island are salt, saltpetre, sulphur, and pitch (Pix. Asphaltum). Of precious stones they have an abundance of every description in the streams and brooks; and large masses of rock crystal are found in many of the provinces; these also are manufactured by the ingenious natives into a variety of ornaments and trinkets.

Such is the island of Madagascar as it regards its natural productions; and, with a climate congenial to the prolongation of human life, it would, under other circumstances than those in which its inhabitants have been placed, present a perfect paradise. But, to the ignorance of savage life, which yet allowed them to pluck the fruits spontaneously offered to their hand, in peace, has succeeded the gloomy and frightful ravages, which the introduction of the slave trade by Europeans, has inflicted upon them; converting a garden into a desert, tearing asunder the ties which unite society together, and affording the fruitful causes of interminable

wars and the bitterest animosities. For centuries has this infernal traffic been the scourge of this beautiful portion of the globe; and but for its influence, Madagascar would probably at this day afford a very different spectacle to the world than that of a nation of savages. (To be continued.)

Anecdote Gallery.

THE BOAT.

SOME four or five years since, the worthy Mr. L- was employed in the customs or excise of Scotland, whose situation conferred on him the command of a small sail-boat; and in this real idol of his heart, he was con stantly out at sea, either in his official capacity, or for recreation. Those consolidations of, and reductions in, government offices, which have since been more extensively pursued, were already commencing; and Mr. L was threatened with the loss of a situation he had filled for years, with probity, and so as to give general satisfaction.

On learning the likelihood of this misfortune befalling him, he said-"For the loss of my place I shall care little, if I am not deprived of my boat, that boat which I love like my own child, and for which, if I lose it, I shall die broken-hearted."

Mr. L, though not a very young man, was tall, upright, and hale-looking-with that fresh complexion, and cheerfulness of countenance and spirit, which declare " a green old age." He was in perfect health when he spoke thus, and to all appearance, might have seen twenty summers more; but, in a few days, the loss of his situation involved that of his boat, and in a few weeks he was dead! Peace to his manes! There is no question but that the unfortunate man really died broken-hearted, for the loss of the boat, which had been to him "even as a daughter;"-and when we remember that we have more than once crossed, and sailed about, the Frith of Forth, in that identical light bark, we sigh for the fate of its owner!

RESULT OF SUPERSTITIOUS TERROR.

To a couple of ladies, sisters, and members of a well-known family of friends in Norfolk, the following distressing incident, some time since, occurred :

One night, the door of their dormitory opened, and, by the sound of light footsteps, they were satisfied of the entrance of some person into the chamber; the curtains at the foot of their bed were hastily undrawn, and a female figure, resembling that of a servant who happened at the time to be ill in the house, appeared, and throwing up her arms, with a groan, or strange guttural sound, immediately vanished. Exceedingly alarmed, the Misses G. only sought to shut out from