anners, threw himself in an easy, cavalier-like way on e next chair, humming mezza voce, the fragment of a shionable air, and turning up his nose at the homely re: the rest of the company consisted of insignificant ersons, who never spoke, except when they asked for rink, and who were only remarkable for the soundness their appetite. After having, more or less, satisfied he crvings of nature, and after having, likewise, (as in Lay bound) opened the road to conversation, by drinking each others' health, the interlocutors thus proceeded: The great Man. “Pray, Mr. Justice, what are the ospects of this year's harvest in your neighbourhood? ve you any idea on the subject ?" The Justice. "At your service, Sir; I farm very rgely myself." The great Man. “Ay, ay! there it is! large farms! never like to hear those words. You gentlemen certainly et rich by that system; little princes, every one of you: ut the country, Sir, the country?" The young Gentleman, to the Rev. Scottenius. "Are ere are any tolerable inns at Brunswick? can you tell e which is the least vulgar ?"" The Clergyman. “I beg your pardon, Sir, I am quite stranger myself, this being my first visit." The Justice was thus preparing to make a long and sci- | cleared the rugged pavement of the little town, Signo entific defence of his own system, when the waiter came Carino said, with a soft, pleasing voice, "I suppose the in to tell the great Unknown that he had now an oppor-young gentleman has never been in so large a place as tunity of continuing his journey: he immediately left the Brunswick ? the crowd will be very great, indeed; and room, and he had scarcely done so, when the young man much precaution is necessary to guard against thieves and (who had come in again) burst out into a horse laugh at pickpockets: but I shall keep a sharp look-out; and I the airs which the fellow gave himself: he (the musician) only recommend him not to go far without a proper comhad known him in Wetzlar, as valet de chambre to one of panion." The town was actually overflowing with stranthe ambassadors, and had received many a glass of wine outgers of every description; and our party had not yet of his hands, when invited to his Excellency's table. The reached the Angel, before the Justice was recognised, and Justice felt vexed at his own condescension towards such a stopt by an old acquaintance, who wanted him to join being, and the rest of the company made the often-re- his own family, and some other friends, that would be expeated remark, that appearances are very deceitful in the tremely glad to see him. Mr. Wauman first objected, great world. on account of his son, and the two gentlemen who were In the meantime some more horses had arrived, and the to follow him; but the musician very kindly offered to see Justice set off with his son, inviting the others to follow him | Valentine safely lodged, and to wait for those who were as soon as they could, and to meet him at the Angel. The yet expected, in order to bring them all to the common virtuoso had persuaded the party that it would be of the meeting-place. The old gentleman accepted, and the utmost importance to him to see a certain prince before young one was not at all sorry for his departure, for he the beginning of the great bustle; and he had, therefore, longed to enjoy the exclusive society of his new friend at been allowed to join the two Wauman's; but, before he full liberty. "You are a very nice young man," he said jumped into their vehicle, he also found means to tell the to him: "you speak so prettily, that it is quite a pleasure waiter, that his cousin, the upper Forester, would pay for to hear you; and I would rather not go with the old peoall. When they were gone, the others looked about for ple." Just as he was thus speaking, a messenger arrived The Forester. "I always put up at the Golden Angel; their own chaise, and they found it in the possession of from Peina, with a note from the Clergyman, stating that they have good accommodations there for man and horse." some youngsters, who, though not travelling, seemed to a most unexpected event had obliged the Forester and The great Man. "We have now made up our minds be very actively engaged. The fact was, that the great him to go in the direction of Goslar, instead of Brunswick, o divide the large farms under our administration, and event, then in forwardness, had set all the youthful minds and that they must renounce the pleasure of following, recal the small farmers: the profits ought to be shared on kite-flying, and balloon-making; they were seen, in which the writer deeply regretted. Master Valentine was mong a greater number of families; and the country will all directions, prowling for the necessary materials, and not in the habit of troubling himself much about causes are much better by adopting every where the same prin-laying violent hands upon whatever they conceived to be and effects; but he was sadly afraid that this sudden deples." waste paper: they had, unfortunately, discovered the parture might, in some way or other, influence his inclergyman's manuscripts; and, declaring them to be the tended marriage, for he knew that the bride was to come very thing they wanted, they had immediately set to from that place; and he had heard so much of her learnwork, cutting and carving like the critics of a Quarterly ing, and other accomplishments, that he could not think Review; and, quite as unmindful of what they took away, of her without trembling. In the meantime, he was only they spared neither religion nor morality, in pursuing the more anxious to profit by what amusement he might their own windy and inflated system. We shall not at- still pick up before the fatal union, and he hastened to set tempt to describe the just grief of the unfortunate author, off with his prudent mentor, who had advised him to defor we only wish to touch the feelings of our readers, and posit his watch, purse, and every thing valuable, in his not to distress them: besides, the discovery was still made portmanteau, lest he might be robbed among the multiearly enough to save all but one entire sermon and the tude. They sallied forth together; but the young rustic's conclusion, or moral application, of another. This was attention was so much taken up with all the novelties but a slight misfortune compared to what might have around him, that he had been already a considerable time happened; particularly when we consider how many ser-alone before he missed his teacher. He then ran anxiously to and fro, receiving no other answer than curses or sneers from those whom he attempted to stop by his inquiries, whilst every one was eager for the grand sight. He completely lost his way, and a considerable time elapsed before he traced his road back to the inn. He there learned that the other gentleman had returned almost immediately to fetch something which he had forgotton; but that he had been in a great hurry, and that those who wished to see the balloon had actually no time to lose. Valentine set out, therefore, for the second time, and wondered at the stillness of the streets, which had been previously so noisy. The lower stories of all the houses were completely deserted, and a few persons that appeared here and there at an upper window, were either silently gazing at the sky, or pointing at something in the air, which seemed to have neither head nor tail, but by following which he finally got out of town among the returning spectators, by whose conversation he sagaciously concluded that-all was over. Weary and exhausted, he felt an inclination to stop at some of the inviting publichouses on the road, but recollecting that his purse was at the Angel, he returned once more, and found, that whatever the musician might have forgotten the first time, he certainly had not been twice guilty of the same neglect; since he had, during the second visit, taken every thing out of the portmanteau that was at all worth carrying. This was rather more than human nature could bear, and the ill-used Valentine fell down in despair near the rest of his luggage, and amused himself with crying, until the return of his no less unfortunate father. The young Gentleman. "I wonder how they will re- ces," Justice, to the great Man. "Who can that genan be? he seems to be intimate with our very he great Man. “And so he is, the rascal: for it canbe denied that he plays on the flute like a seraph; he is a villain, notwithstanding. When I was at tar on business, he seduced the finest girl of that , and abandoned her, as soon as he had squandered money: he has, since that time, performed as a codin, and I believe that he now belongs to the orchesof Vienna. But to return to our original conversation. shook your head when I spoke of small farms." good purpose. Nevertheless, as the Rev. Gentleman had We are sorry to say that the musician, who had joined [To be continued.] The rose you presented has wither'd and died, Yet, tho' sadly tis chang'd since it bloom'd in its pride, I weep-but I weep not the loss of the flower, 'Tis to think that thy beauties will sink 'neath the power Yet, thơ like this beautiful rose, dearest maid, Thou hast others and brighter, which never can fade,- And when Age's unsparing, unpitying power, TO THE EDITOR. ALLAN. Sin,-The following verses (if I may dignify them with such a title) were written on being compared to one of the "Great Unknown's" strangest literary children. If you think them deserving of a place in your entertaining minor paper, and you have a corner to spare, by inserting them you will oblige-Yours, &c. 'Tis true, Lavinia! I am sad and wild,-- Too oft the memory of days gone by, Too oft forebodings drear of time to come, Sink in my soul the shaft of agony, MOODY. And shade my brow with fixed and hopeless gloom. I will not, need not, tell thee why 'tis so i Thou kno'st that from mine early infancy I have been marked the darling child of woe, The sport of stern, unpitylug misery: And worse than all-to thee th' event is known But I will tell thee, maiden, thou could'st soothe False, cheating fancy, whither would'st thou rove? Thus must I still remain the child of sorrow; Scientific Records. IMPROVED SEWERS OR WATER-COURSES. It is our usual custom when we incur the expense of engravings for one of our publications to transfer them to the other, in order that all our friends may have the advantage of them. On the present occasion we need not apologize for transferring the following article from the Mercury. The Kaleidoscope has now assumed the character of a permanent literary and scientific miscellany, and we have seldom had to put on record, through its pages, an invention of more general utility than that of Mr. Cuff. this conviction on our minds, we feel that no apology be required for the length to which we find it necessary extend this article. The best mode of constructing sewers or water-dra is a subject interesting to almost every man, woman, child in the country; and to the inhabitants of crowd towns it is of vital importance. In Liverpool, where soughs, during heavy rains, are so apt to spread th noxious contents over some parts of the town, filling cellars and lower stories with putrid water, it must be object of great importance, that the water-courses shou be kept as clean as is practicable, in order that, in event of overflowing, the nuisance may not be absolute intolerable. The plan we are about to describe appears us to be so admirably adapted for accomplishing this of ject, that we have, without hesitation, incurred the expen of the annexed engravings, in the hope that we may the means of calling the especial attention of our town men to the subject, at a time when it is in contemplati to construct a general sough through the town.t We received by post, a few days ago, the descriptio of Mr. Cuff's improvement, which we are about to la before our readers, and to which we invite the special a' tention of our Commissioners, or Surveyors of Hig ways. We think the principle excellent, although fear, that, however effectual it may be for the remov of an intolerable nuisance, it will be attended with co siderable trouble, and some inconvenience, from a cau which we shall state, in the hope that it may be of l importance than it appears to us, on the superficial co There are few subjects more connected with health, sideration we have hitherto been able to bestow upon ti comfort, and convenience, than that to which we are now subject. The projector speaks with confidence of t about to invite the public attention. Cleanliness has been seheme; and, in a note accompanying his prospectu pronounced to be a virtue-a distinction to which, in our he observes, that, if his plan had been adopted, th opinion, it is eminently entitled, as many of the most recent and alarming bursting of the sewers in Circus pestilential and widely-spreading diseases with which street, as described in the Mercury of August 12, cou! mankind have been so repeatedly scourged, have, unnot have happened. He further informes us, that hi questionably, had their origin in filth and indolence, pro-mode of constructing sewers has been adopted, with entir ducing putrid miasm, under various denominations and success, in Leman-street, Whitechapel, London. This fac symptoms. Without laying claim to much acquaintance is of great importance; but its value would have been en with the subject, we are inclined to the belief which❘hanced, if he had informed us how long the experiment ha now appears to be gaining ground, respecting those been tried, as the only objection we can anticipate will b diseases which have been universally, and still are pretty materially affected by that circumstance. After informin generally, believed to be contagious, and communicable our readers, that the projector of this improvement antici where the original local cause does not exist. We believe pates that a saving of one-half in the rates will accrue to that what is called the plague, the dread of which has the rate-payers by his plan, we shall proceed briefly to occasioned the vexatious quarantine system, is a disease state the objection to which we have alluded. As all the originating entirely in local causes, and one which cannot be heavy filth and gravel will lodge in the cesspool (G), it i conveyed and communicated in letters or bales of goods;" obvious that the main sewers will be thereby relieve but we are at the same time of opinion, that a general in- from many of those obstructions which choke up ordinar attention to cleanliness, co-operating with the influence of sewers, and cause bursting, or a pestiferous overflow; bu an inclement season, may render an endemical disease this great advantage will, we apprehend, be attended wi as general and destructive, as if it were communicable by a lesser evil, which, from its perpetual recurrence, will! actual contact or approximation to the persons affected. found a serious nuisance. In the ordinary sewers, duris If, therefore, we are so apprehensive of the exportation of very heavy showers, the impetuosity of the flood carri disease, which is, perhaps, an imaginary evil, we should down to the outlet much of that filth which, in the sewe be doubly vigilant to crush the germ of the real evil at of Mr. Cuff's construction, must settle in the cess (G home, where its consequences are inevitable when it has In consequence of this circumstance, will not the cess, un once taken rout. The necessity of cleanliness and ventil-less it be of great depth indeed, get filled in a very sho lation cannot, therefore, be too earnestly pressed on the attention of every member of the community; and with • The Paris faculty of Medicine lately held a meeting under the Presidency of Baron Portal, for the purpose of receiving a letter from the Minister of the Interior, making known the different opinions which divide physicians upon the question, whether the plague and yellow fever are or are not contageous? His Excellency at the same time laid before the faculty letters from Drs. Lassis, Coste, and Laserre, offering to shut themselves up in the lazaretto of Marseilles, and to wear the linen and garments of persons who have died of the plague or the yellow fever. A commission, consisting of six physicians, four surgeons, and two apothecaries, was appointed to examine the subject. Baron Portal communicated a letter from the Academy of Medicine at Marseilles, announc ing that three young physicians of that place were willing to share the peril of the doctors above-mentioned, and even to taste the matter vomited by the patients. The report will be made at the next meeting of the Academy. time, and, of course, require very frequent cleansing We shall forward a copy of this day's Mercury to t ingenious projector, in the hope that he will be enable by experience, to remove this anticipated objection; a whatever the answer may be, we shall not fail to appri our readers of the result. + Mr. Rennie's Report, at full length in the Local Letter Department of the Kaleidoscope, Vol. V. pages 336 and 344. Upon a second perusal of Mr. Cuff's prospectus, we f that he proposes that the cesspool should be cleared out abo once a month: but no mention is made of the mode to employed for emptying the filth, which ought by all means be done without agitating or raking it up, which would cau an intolerable stench. It has been suggested by a frie that the cesspool might have a large cylindrical bucket oce pying its whole space, in which all the filth might be de sited, and drawn up at once, without unnecessarily agitat the filthy and putrid contents. G the cesspool, with ponderous matter lying in it. I branch or collateral sewer, leading into the main sewer. OCEAN. MARINE CHRONOMETERS, AND CURRENTS OF THE P. and F. and which I have frequently transferred from the ship to the shore, for two or three weeks at a time, for the purpose of trial, I have never been able to discover Captain Sabine has published a most interesting and valua- any systematic variations whatever consequent on their ble work, containing a series of experiments to determine removal. With regard to the influence of the iron, as a the figure of the earth, by means of the pendulum vi- cause of the irregularity, a more decisive evidence of its brating seconds in different latitudes. The subjects of circumstances for its exhibition, can scarcely be imagined, not being practically discovered under the most favourable which the author treats are of the highest importance to than took place in the four chronometers of Messrs. P. and nautical men; and, as our Liverpool readers especially F. of which I have given an account in the appendix to must be deeply interested in the subject, we shall lay Captain Parry's Voyages in 1819-20, pages vii. to xii. before them the following extracts from a review of Cap-sults, Captain S. adds:- These particulars are stated in xviii. xix. and xx. Having succinctly mentioned the retain Sabine's work, which appeared in a recent number of detail in the pages referred to; but the circumstance is the Literary Gazette.-Edit. Kal. thus again generally noticed, because it seems to have been overlooked by many whose ingenuity has been exerted in devising contrivances to remedy an evil which has no practical existence, when the common discretion of life is exercised in obtaining the better article at an equal price. Had the especial purpose of the Hecla's voyage been to inquire whether the iron of a ship, in its ordinary distribution, would, under such extreme circumstances, exert a sensible influence on the chronometers, better adapted arrangements could scarcely have been devised for the experiment, nor could a more decisive result in the negative have been obtained.'" MARINE CHRONOMETERS. "Captain Sabine, provided with the best instruments of every description, belonging to the Royal Society, to the Board of Longitude, or his own private property, and four chronometers lent by Messrs. Parkinson and Frodsham, sailed for Sierra Leone, where he arrived on the 22d of February, 1822, when he commenced his operations. He then proceeded successfully to St. Thomas's, (on the coast of Africa.) Ascension, Bahia, Maranham, Trinidad, Jamaica, and New York, whence he returned to London, on the 5th of February, 1823. While at Maranham, Captain S. had written a letter to Sir Humphry Davy, proposing to extend the experiments to the high latitudes. On his arrival in London, he had the satisfaction of finding that his proposal had been approved of by the Board of Longitude and the Admiralty; and the Griper, which had been employed in the North-west Expedition, in 1819-20, was commissioned on the 26th of February, by Captain Clavering; (who also commanded the vessel in which Captain Sabine had made his late voyage;) and on the 11th of May he sailed for Hammerfest, in Norway: the three stations visited were Spitzbergen, Greenland, and Drontheim, in Norway, whence he returned to London, where he arrived on December the 19th. "Though the work is scientific, (far the larger portion consisting of tables,) yet there are many points which are interesting in the perusal. Among these we cannot but notice the extraordinary degree of perfection to which the various instruments are now brought, and, at the same time, the astonishing care, patience, and accuracy, which are indispensible in the observer, qualities which Captain S. evidently possesses in a high degree. In speaking of the instruments, he repeatedly mentions, with peculiar praise, the admirable chronometers of Messrs. Parkinson aud Frodsham. It would be impossible,' says he, to express the advantage of which their chronometers proved to me on all occasions, or how much the thorough reliance which I could place on their time facilitated, or, what is more important, how much it conduced to the accuracy of the variety of observations which successively occupied my attention, and which I was usually pressed to complete in the shortest possible time.' Considering the influence which change of climate is known to exercise on the going of a watch, it must appear the more extraordinary that these chronometers should have stood so severe a test as they were exposed to in the voyages described in this volume. But there is one point which we consider of so much importance, and in which Captain Sabine's opinion is so decisive, that we think it necessary to notice it particularly; he says: It is known that the rates of chronometers are frequently found to vary on embarkation in vessels, insomuch as to have given rise to the distinctive terms of sea-rates and land-rates. No such variation, however, can be found in the going of No. 423, in any one of the six voyages in which it was embarked between April and November, which alternated with nearly equal periods on land, when it was employed incessantly in observations, including those of magnetism.' ་ "In a note to this passage Captain S. writes: "An opinion has lately prevailed, that the change in the rate of chronometers on embarkation, which used to be considered as a consequence of the motion of a ship, is principally occasioned by the magnetic influence of the iron which she contains; and it has been assumed by some of the writers who have taken part in the recent discussions on the subject, that the effect so attributed is one of general experience. I believe, on the authority of others, Father than from my own observation, that a difference has sometimes, and even frequently, taken place between the land and sea rates of chronometers; but from whatever cause the irregularity may arise, I must regard its occurrence as an evidence of the inferiority of the peculiar chronometer, to the advanced state to which the art of their construction has attained; because, among the many with which I have at different times been furnished by Messrs. CURRENTS OF THE OCEAN. "The chapter of hydrographical notices contains a variety of interesting information and striking facts, relative to the currents in the Northern and Southern Atlantic Oceans; a subject of the highest importance to the convenience and safety of navigation. Ignorance of the existence of currents in the ocean, has proved fatal to many vessels, and on the other hand, a knowledge of their velocity, limits, directions, &c. will often enable a vessel not only to avoid danger, but greatly to accelerate the progress of the voyage. Although this whole chapter ought to be read together, in order to be thoroughly understood, we will select a few short passages that will illustrate these remarks: "In the voyage between Cape Mount and Cape Three Points, the Pheasant's progress appears to have been accelerated 180 miles by the current, which, in the season when the south-west winds prevail on this part of the coast of Western Africa, runs with considerable velocity in the direction of the land round Cape Palmas, to the eastern parts of the Gulf of Guinea. "In the passage between the River Gaboon and Ascension, being a distance of 1400 geographical miles, the Pheasant was aided by the current above 300 miles in the direction of her course. * * * “• But the more important distinction, both in amount and in utility in navigation, is between the waters of the Equatorial and the Guinea currents. These exhibit the remarkable phenomenon of parallel streams, in contact with each other, flowing with great velocity in opposite directions, and having a difference of temperature amounting to ten or twelve degrees. Their course continues to run parallel to each other, and to the land, for above 1000 miles; and, according as a vessel, wishing to proceed along the coast in either direction, is placed in the one or the other current, will her course be aided from 40 to 50 miles a-day, or retarded to the same amount. On the day after the Pheasant sailed from Maranham, she entered the current, the full strength of which she had quitted to go to that place, and it was then found to be running with the astonishing rapidity of 99 miles in 24 hours. On the 10th Sept. at 10 a.m., while proceeding in the full strength of the current, exceeding four knots an hour, a sudden and very great discolouration of the water a-head was announced from the mast-head: the ship being in 6° 08′ north latitude, and 50° 28 west longitude (both by observation), it was evident that the discoloured water could be no other than the stream of the Amazons, pursuing its original impulse at no less than 300 miles from the mouth of the river, its waters not being yet mingled with those of the ocean, of greater specific gravity, on the surface of which it had pursued its course. It was running about 68 miles in 24 hours.' "We conclude with the following extract, containing most welcome information respecting the researches which have for a long time engaged the attention of one of the most able and indefatigable promoters of the science of geography: On a general view of the currents which have been thus particularized, on the Pheasant's progress, in her voyage commencing at Sierra Leone, and terminating at New York, it may be seen that she was indebted to their aid on the balance of the whole account, and in the direction of her course from port to port, not less than 1,600 geographical miles, the whole distance being under 9,000 miles; affording a very striking exemplification the importance of a correct knowledge of the currents of the ocean, to persons engaged in its navigation, and conse quently of the value of the information, in the acquisition and arrangement of which Major Rennell has passed the charts of the currents in the most frequented parts of the later years of his most useful life. The publication of the ocean, which he has prepared with his accustomed and well-known indefatigable assiduity, and strict adherence to the evidence of facts (as soon as he shall deem them dered to practical navigation.'' sufficiently complete) will be a most important service ren The Bay of Gibraltar, in which we anchored, is safe and commodious; and, though it has the Spanish towns of St Roque on the north, and Algeziras on the west, it is s well commanded by the fortifications as to make it per fectly secure for British vessels, even in time of war. The inner harbour is formed by two moles, projecting into the sea, making a kind of artificial basin. These are wel planted with heavy cannon; and, like the whole of the fortifications on the rock, are bomb-proof. The landing place is a spacious warf, at the end of which is a regula town-gate, where sentries are posted to examine all wh pass, and to prevent all persons from communicating with the town who are not provided with pratique, i. e. a license from the health-office of the port to land. The town itself is built at the foot of an immense mountain, anciently called Calpe, which, with Mount Abyla, on the African shore (now called Ape's Hill) formed the famous pillars of Hercules. This abrupt and mountainous mass, with great propriety called the Rock of Gibraltar, is computed to be 1400 feet above the level of the sea, and rises so steeply. from its base to its summit, on all sides, as to make it, in many places, perfectly perpendicular. It appears, at a little distance, one mass of solid rock, incapable of the least vegetation; and the roads, which have been cut with great labour and expense, are invariably in zig-zag direc tions, as it would be literally impossible to ascend in a straight line. On the summit there are two signal-posts and watch towers, with a battery to each, to give alarm in case of danger; and, in every part of this immense rock that is at all accessible to human tread, large caverns have been dug, and port-holes opened through the sides, form ing subterranean batteries, the elevation of which, alone. would prevent an enemy's fire from reaching them, while the same cause would enable them to pour destruction on the heads of their assailants. The principal part of these fortifications guard the narrow isthmus that connects the rock with the Continent of Spain; and, opposing so for midable a front, renders it literally impregnable to the largest besieging force; nor could any thing but treachery wrest it from the hands of its present possessors. I could not learn the exact number of cannon mounted, but heard it supposed to be nearly a thousand; and our precarious stay, added to the difficulty of obtaining official permis sion, prevented my seeing those stupendous efforts of mili tary skill which the fortifications exhibit. About mid-wa up the mountain is an ancient Moorish castle, in a state of excellent preservation for its age; but, being now con verted into a military magazine, strangers cannot obtai admission. From the ships in the bay it has a good sp pearance, and looks like an octangular building of ston which has a greyish cast, and is about the usual heigh and circumference of garrison citadels. From its com manding situation it must have been admirably well adapted to the purposes of a governor's residence, or strong-hold, during the Moorish wars with Spain. The town of Gibraltar, stretching itself along the foo of the rock, and rising gradually from the shore, forms a kind of amphitheatre, and, from the bay, has a charming appearance. It is about a mile in length, and a quarter of a mile in breadth, allowing for its irregularities of shape. and is said to contain (independent of its garrison) about 2000 English, and nearly 5000 foreigners. The houses are, in general, well built, partaking partly of the English and partly of the Spanish style of architecture, calculated, In 1727 it was besieged. The trenches were opened before this fortress on the 11th day of February, by the Condé de las Torres, at the head of 20,000 men. The place was well provided for a defence; and the old Earl of Portmore, who was at that time Governor, embarked with a reinforcement from England, under convoy of a fleet commanded by Sir Charles Wager. He arrived at Gib. raltar in the beginning of April, where he landed the troops, with ammunition and stores. At the same time 500 men arrived from Minorca, making the garrison 6000, who, being plentifully supplied with fresh provisions from the coast of Barbary, treated their besiegers with contempt. [To be concluded in our next.] The Naturalist's Diary. the tally-ho of the fox-hunter is but a feeble cry, compared -We love the robin's simple lay And the plaintive note Falls sweetly on the ear. . Although Flora is not lavish of her beauties in this month, she still presents specimens worthy of our admiration. There are in blow, in September, heart's-ease, nas turtia, china aster, marigolds, sweet peas, nignionette, golden rod, stocks, tangier pea, holly-hock, Michaelmas daisy, saffron, and ivy. The dahlia, unless it have been injured by excessive rains, exhibits an abundance of beautiful flowers in this and the succeeding month. If, how ever, they are trained against walls, the flowers will be superior both in number and magnitude, and there will be a certainty of the seeds ripening. The marvel of Peru is another showy plant at this season, and flowers most vigorously when taken up annually and replanted, like the dahlia. The flowering rush, smallage, and the great burnet saxifrage (which, as a cosmetic, is inferior to none, freckles being quickly removed by it) are now in flower. The convolvuli, or bind weeds, adorn almost every hedge with their milk-white blossoms. Abundance of ripe fruit is now presented to the willing touch: Apricots and dew-berries, With grapes, green figs, and mulberries, Now mellow Autumn reigns; the garden teems And from the west the Sun in glory streams Where, nettled o'er and sheltered from the reach The privet hawk-moth may now be found on the privet shrub, and its elegant appearance affords a contrast to the uninviting form of many of the caterpillar tribe. ay respect, for the situation and climate. The public council of war, in the road of Tetuan, when they resolved ings are excellent; and the streets, though narrow, to make an attempt upon Gibraltar, which was but slenrell paved, and present an air of health and cleanliness derly provided with a garrison. Thither they sailed; and, ten to be met with in this part of the world. The on the 21st day of the same month, the Prince of Hesse age most in use is Spanish; but in this it may be landed on the Isthmus with 1800 marines. On summondamodern Babel, for its inhabitants comprise nearly ing the Governor to surrender, he was answered that the nation, kindred, and tongue: English, French, place would be defended to the last extremity. Next sh, Portuguese, Italians, Turks, Greeks, Moors, day the Admiral gave orders for cannonading the town. and Jews, with intermediate classes and divisions Perceiving that the enemy were driven from their fortifiif these. The French and English dress much the cations at the South Mole Head, he commanded Captain as in their respective countries. The Spaniards as- Whitaker to arm all the boats and assault that quarter. amidst their poverty an air of grandeur that is truly | The Captains Hicks and Jumper, who happened to be ous. Their people of distinction are attended by all nearest the Mole, immediately manned their pinnaces, arade that can be imagined; and the clergy, in their and entered the fortifications sword in hand. The Spaniastic habits of humiliation, seem to look on the laity ards sprung a mine, by which two Lieutenants and about rate of inferior beings. In the middle ranks of so- one hundred men were killed or wounded. Nevertheless, there is something really interesting, particularly the two Captains took possession of the platform, and kept it the Spanish ladies. They possess, in general, ele- their ground until they were sustained by Captain Whitatly proportioned figures, the effect of which is heightened ker and the rest of the seamen, who took, by storm, a rea majestic gait, in which they are said to excel every doubt, betwixt the Mole and the town. The Governor on on the globe. Their complexion is a fine brunette; then capitulated; and the Prince of Hesse entered the r features regular, with small lips and beautifully place, amazed at the success of this attempt, considering te teeth. They dress universally in black, with a scarf the strength of the fortifications, which might have been ood thrown over the head, which covers the ears and defended by fifty men against a numerous army." , and falls carelessly over the shoulders: it is difficult By the treaty of peace between Great Britain and Spain, escribe it with precision, yet its effect is highly interest- it was ceded by Philip to Queen Ann, with the island of . There are, indeed, a thousand dangerous allure-Minorca, on condition that the inhabitants should enjoy nts in the beauties of an Andalusian woman, and their estates, and the exercise of the Roman Catholic remething irresistibly bewitching in eyes full of fire and ligion. pression, that vivaciously sparkle from beneath a fine ched brow, negligently shaded by dark glossy tresses, doccasionally eclipsed by the seemingly accidental inrention of an elegant fan, the graceful exercise of which Hays an arm that serves but to rivet admiration more ly. They are, however, so piously attended by lynxgovernesses, maiden aunts, and human Cerberuses, it the can but silently admire and pity them. The lower lars of Spaniards here are composed chiefly of Andalua peasants, who bring supplies to the garrison and town. ey have preserved the costume of the age of Cervantes, exactly resemble the peasantry of the oldest Spanish tings. They wear high and short-quartered shoes, of brown leather, tied with a rose-knot of some gayured ribbon; cotton or silk stockings, often in rags; tor leather breeches, the knees and flap finely worked cord, round silver buttons, hanging by a silver chain, al of an eye, and long open slits cut round the thigh, a white lining underneath; a white calico shirt, open e neck, and sometimes turning down over the shoulwith a frilled collar, like children at home; a jacket, of the same materials as the breeches, worked with ter buttons and chain, and open slits round the with a black velvet cap and feather, ornamented assels, not much unlike our college caps, with the ers taken off. I was at first surprised to see persons low a rank in life wearing so expensive a dress, as I it could not be made in England for less than £20 or In September and October, the generality of our singbut I was told their wives and children in the ing birds are to be no longer distinguished by their voices: y are employed in making them, and that one suit the sweet sounds they are gifted with, which we call their hem for many years, which I was ready to believe, song, seem to proceed from the male bird only during the he thread-bare condition in which most of them ap- season of incubation, and, except from accidental causes, to be. The Portuguese and Italians dress as in all these cares have terminated before this period. One wn countries. The Turks with much splendour of little bird, however, yet delights us with the sweetest harThe Greeks nearly the same, except in the co-mony: in the calm mornings of this season of the year I their turbans and slippers, to which they are re- the woodlark carols in the air, chiefly in the neighbour-one we have, displays his most brilliant tints at this season d in their choice by their imperious masters. The hood of thickets and copses, with a soft quietness perfectly great part of whom are blacks, wear also the Mo-in unison with the sober, almost melancholy stillness of an dress, as they profess that religion. The Arabs, the hour. He sings likewise in mild spring days; but at f whom are Bedouins, or Wanderers of the Desert, that season the contending songsters of the grove, and the no fixed residence or habitation, are literally rolled variety of voice proceeding from every thing that has utsingular garment of white serge or stuff, large terance, confuse, and render almost inaudible, the woodto make two pair of sea blankets, wearing neither lark's plaintive note. It is a humble, unobtrusive bird, 1p, nor shoes. And the Armenians, and Barbary associating only in little families, which upon our approach who are chiefly pedlars and porters, forming the crouch close to the ground, then dart away with a sudden grade in the scale of this mixed multitude, and start, mount to a little elevation, and settle again almost with indignity on all sides, are glad to cover their immediately. The skylark's song is very sweet, full of harless with any garment their precarious gains will mony, and cheerful as the blue sky and bright sunny beam hem to procure, reserving to themselves no other in which he sports and circles, and he is heard and admired ion than that of shaving their heads, and wearing by all, from the ploughman to the prince; but the note of eards, rigidly adhering to all the mortifications im- the woodlark is local, not generally known, and from its by their creed. remarkable softness must almost be listened for to be heard, and claims nothing of the hilarity of the other. Its gentle, quiet melody, seems rather that of placid contentment. This little creature will often continue his song, and circle in the air by the hour together; and the vast distance from whence his voice reaches us in a calm day, is almost incredible. The call of anas clangula (golden eye) and the duck tribe may be heard from great elevatíons, but this is, perhaps, less surprising, considering their magnitude, than that we should hear the clear soft note of the woodlark. The strength of the larynx (throat muscles) in birds is infinitely superior to that of the human race; the conquest of Gibraltar from the Moors, it red in the hands of the Spaniards until the year 1704, it was taken by the English. The circumstance is elated by Smollett, in his Continuation of Hume's y: Ja the 16th day of June, Sir George Rooke, being by Sir Cloudesly Shovel, resolved to proceed up the ranean, in quest of the French fleet, which had thither from Brest, and which Rooke had actually vered in the preceding month, on their voyage to en. On the 17th day of July, the Admirals called a SEPTEMBER, 1825. [From Time's Telescope.] The phalana russula and the saffron butterfly appear in this month. The sulphur butterfly also will frequently be seen in the bright mornings of September, flitting about the gay flowers of our gardens: this creature, like the nettle-fly, appears at two distinct seasons of the year, being one of the earliest butterflies that animate our spring. Mild and pleasant weather is generally experienced in Even in the month of March we sometimes see him sportSeptember; often, indeed, this is the finest month in the ing about under the sunny side of some sheltered copse, whole year, unless the summer have been hot and dry, like a primrose fluttering in the breeze. In his autumnal when rain may be expected both in this and the succeed-visit, however, he is not the gay, animated beau that he ing month. appears in spring, for, though recently produced, his colour is much paler, and he is feeble and inert in all his actions: in his early visit he is wary and shy, in his latter one, he frequently suffers himself to be captured by the hand. Of the few colours that vary the hues of spring, yellow seems the predominant one: our wild and cultured plants, the primrose, cowslip, pile-wort, globe-flower, buttercup, cherlock, the brassica tribe, and multitudes of others, assume this colour; and this fly, the only bright yellow of the year. Herrings pay their annual visit to England in September, and afford a rich harvest to the inhabitants of its eastern and western coasts. Towards the end of this month the nut-hatch visits our orchards, particularly those which contain nut-trees, or filbert hedges. Much amusement may be derived, in September, from watching the curious operations of the garden spider, and observing the rapidity with which he forms his beautiful web,-and the artifices he uses to entangle his victims, entrapping not only the small defenceless fly, but the armed wasp and honey-laden bee in his gluey toils. French Anecdote of English Liberty.-In a certain cul de sac in London, the houses are propped up by beams across the street; such a convenience was irresistible to the English penchant for hanging, and in the month of Nov. it was no uncommon thing to see four or five gentlemen suspended side by side; this attracted the notice of the police, who stationed a sentry to put a stop to the practice; he was not long at his post before a gentleman approached, and deliberately threw his rope over the beam, and began "Sir, it is not to adjust it; the sentinel observed, mitted to hang here." How!" exclaimed the other, "not permitted to hang! G-d d-n it, what is become of English liberty!" |