of the investigation of the problem-one in physical astronomy-I could not go: a hundred other subjects successively engaged my attention; and even my attempt to write to my chere ami, displayed every thing but the ardent lover, or the accustomed retailer of commonplace incense at the shrine of female loveliness. At last, after taking up one of Cowper's volumes, I dete mned to take a walk into the fields to hear the "lesser minstrels," as he calls them, sing their morning lay of devotion and love. To say nothing of the unpleasantness of getting my feet wet with the dew that hung upon the long grass and burly weeds, and from which I feel have taken a severe cold, that bids fair to make me a complete phthisicy Englishman-the raw air so irritated my lungs that I could neither enjoy my walk, my poetic exertions, or my breakfast either. I recollected that I had an unfinished piece of poetry at home, and had previ. ously provided myself with a pen-knife, black-lead pencil, and red-roan memorandum book, as my companions; and many a time in getting over a stile or in some such untoward act, a pretty line or two seemed to shine indistinctly before me; but before I could get my apparatus ready, the thought had escaped me, the vision had vanished; and though I had sat for half an hour, still the muses seemed so averse to stiles and blacklead pencils, that they positively refused me their assistance, even though I was under the all-invigorating influence of the morning breeze, and the inspiring direction of the new risen sun. I then returned, and with the hope of being better able to complete my fragment: but, alas! how futile are all the projects of vain man who trusts to any other help than the peculiar, though, perhaps, fitful and wayward vagaries of his own genius. I seated myself at my secretaire, with new pens, clear japan ink, gilt edge hot-pressed superfine writing paper; I adjusted my body, and calculated the position of my arms, fingers, pen, and even the best mode of crossing my legs most to my own personal ease, (for I was always sufficiently a man of genius to know that personal ease was one essential towards writing well,) I wheeled my body once or twice into strange and fanciful attitudes to awaken the slumbering spirit within me, and to prepare me

for the divine visitation of the muse with her burning, melting, purifying, invigorating influence. I rubbed my hand across my eyes, and rubbed my hair up into as pictorial a form as I could devise, and endeavoured to assume the expressive physiognomy of maddened genius, thinking with Burke, that if I could look like a man of genius, I should feel like the man of genius, and, of course, write like the man of genius! but all in vain! Poor mortal of a fool as I was! Gods! ye and the muses only know my pangs! The bell rang for breakfastand though I was very dissatisfied with myself, I felt half gratified at the interposition of Providence in relieving me from my embarrassment.

The day is now nearly gone, and my temper has scarcely gained its usual equanimity. Evening is not garbed in its usual cheerful, gay, and pleasing attire. All seems topsy turvy, and my feelings even yet partake of the irritation of the morning: and, if I ever get up again in the morning by my own good will and pleasure, may all the

-"but mum! remember the third commandment," whispered conscience. If, Mr. Editor! you insert this, you shall hear again from me, when I have recovered my wonted temper, and "the flame of genius descends from heaven upon the human heart." In the interim I remain most sincerely yours,

INEPTUS. Manchester, March 25th, 1822.

P.S. I must make an exception to late lying in bed on the Sabbath-morning. that being so extremely vulgar. Every labourer, every mechanic can lie late that day: and preparatory thereto sit up late on Saturday night. Every judicious man, will, therefore, see his family in bed at ten the last night of the week; in order that they may have time to dress and attend to the other little enticing et cetares, preparatory to ļa proper and public ushering in of the new one. Be it therefore understood, that as the business and feelings of Sunday are different from the business and feelings of every other day, so on Sunday I rise at half past five, in order to have leisure for my toilette, prior to churoh time.

LAPLANDERS.

We have given some account of the Laplanders that are now in our country. We subjoin the following brief traits of character which mark particularly this race of mankind; they are copied from a work published in the latter part of the last century and we doubt not but they will be found interesting.

"The Laplanders are of a middling stature. They have generally a flattish face, fallen cheeks, dark grey eyes, thin beard, brown hair, are well built, straight, and of a yellowish complexion, occasioned by the weather, the smoke of their habitations, and their habitual filthiness. Their manner of life renders them hardy, agile, and supple; but at the same time much inclined to laziness. They have plain com'uon sense, are peaceable, obedient to their superiors, not given to theft, not fickle, cheerful in company; but mistrustful, cheat in commerce, proud of their country and constitution, and have so high a notion of it themselves, that, when removed from the place of their birth they usually die of the mostalgia, or longing to return. Their women are short, complaisant, chaste, often well-made, and extremely nervous; which is also observable among the men, although more rarely. It frequently happens that a Lapland woman will faint away, or even fall into a fit of frenzy, on a spark of fire flying towards her, an unexpected noise, on the sudden sight of an uncommon object, though in its own nature not in the least alarming; in short, at the most trifling things imaginable. During these paroxysms of terror, they deal about blows with the first thing that presents itself, and on coming to themselves are utterly ignorant of all that has passed. In their familiar conversations, it is remarkable that the -hearers often move their lips exactly as they do who speak.

"It is the man's business to look after the kitchen, in which the women never interfere. The employmeut of the women consists in making nets for the fishery, in drying fish and meat, in milking the rein deer, in making cheese, and in tanning hides. They prepare the nerves of the ren deer in such a manner as to make them serve as thread. "These people live in buts in the

form of tents. A hut is about four or five fathoms in diameter and not much above one in height. The door is of felt, made like two curtains, which open asunder. A little place surrounded by stones is made in the middle of the hut for the fire, over which a chain is suspended to hang the kettle upon. They are not able to stand upright in their huts, but constantly sit upon their heels round the fire. At night they lay down quite naked; and to separate the apartments, they place upright sticks at small distances. They cover themselves with their clothes, or lie upon them. In winter they put their naked feet into a fur bag.

"That they may not be obliged to carry a number of things in their exeursions, they build at certain distances, in the forests, little huts made like pidgeon-houses, and placed upon a post, which is the trunk of a tree cut off at about the height of a fathom from the root. In these elevated huts they keep their goods and provisions; and though they are never shut, yet they are never plundered.

"The rein deer supply the Laplanders with the greatest part oftheir provisions; the chace and the fishery furnish the rest. They eat every kind of fish, even the sea-dog; as well as all sorts of wild animals, not excepting birds of prey and carniverous animals. They make soups of a sort of cheese, which is so fat that it takes fire on applying a candle to it. Brandy is very scarce with them but they are very fond of it. Every Laplander carries about him a knife, a spoon, and a little cup for drinking. Each person has a portion separately given him, that no person may be injured, for they are great eaters. Before and after a meal they make a short prayer, and as soon as they have done eating, each gives the other his hand. They entertain their guests with fruits and tobacco; when they smoke, they spit in their hand, and snuff the spittle up their nose.

"The Laplanders do not use the hot bath so universal in Russia; but every Saturday they bathe in rivers, the two sexes commonly together; Saturday being with them the holiest day of the week.

"All the money which they have not immediate occasion for, they bury in the earth, as well as their plate, and whatever they think of value. Nor even at the point of death do they des

clare the spot where it is hidden, imagi ning that they shall want it in the other world. By this means the best part of their property is entirely lost.

"Their common diseases are the itch, the pthisic, and putrid fevers. The remedies they prescribe and use, are for the most part idle charms and superstitious ceremonies. In wounds however, they use the turpentine extracted from the fir; and for the cure of the itch they make baths, in which they infuse the bark of the birch. In inter. nal diseases they drink the fresh blood of a wild rein deer. In every species of external pain they light mushrooms prepared like touch-wood, and burn them on the part affected till the skin cracks and bursts.

"Sterility is a sort of reproach among the Lapland women, as with the Jews. They are generally delivered without difficulty. The husband assists at the labour, and affords his wife the neces sary belp. The fancy of the parents directs the marriage of their children, in which they have no other view but interest. A young man is not permitted to marry until he be able to take and kill a rein deer. The wedding is kept at the bride's house, who is dressed in her best manner, and appears before her guests with her head quite uncovered; which at other times is never thecustom with either women or maidens. The married people live with the woman's relations for the first year; at the end of which they retire to their own hut.

"They never offer any flesh in sacririfice, because they are persuaded that the gods themselves will clothe the bones again with flesh. If a dog should devour a bone offered in sacrifice to any divinity, he must be killed; and the bone that he has eaten, must be replaced by the corresponding one of his own skeleton. They imagine their magicians possess the power of controul. ing the winds and the rain; of produ cing and destroying insects, of speaking to spirits, and a thousand other fooleries. But they believe at the same time that the thunder is inimical to the magicians; and hence their proverb, “If it were not for thunder, the world would be destroyed by magic."

"Of the christian Laplanders there are two kinds: those of the Greek and of the Lutheran churches. And there are very well-meaning, honest men, in each communion."

THE gauntlet has been thrown and accepted-the combat has been fair and honourable, according to the laws of chivalry, and at first sight one might imagine T. S. D. was vanquished by the arguments of COMMON SENSE. He, however, has returned to the charge with renovated vigour; and he seems so resolutely bigotted in his own opinions, and so confident in his own strength, that there is no possibility of convincing him of the fallibility of many of his arguments, since even Common Sense has no effect on him. He may perhaps be very indignant to find that a female dares to mention this; but I trust to his gallantry, as he is so courteous a knight as even to give to his argument the title of his "Lady-love ;" and with all due submission to his superior merit as one of the "Lords of Creation," I shall venture to assume the office of mediator, and terminate, if possible, this brilliant, but unnatural combat. It may certainly pass under this appellation; for finding T. S. D. and Common Sense at variance, is like beholding a man armed against himself.

"Each gives, yet each receives the wound."

The theatre must, to all unprejudiced eyes, appear not altogether deserving of the violent and indiscriminate censure of T. S. D. It is like all the other amusements and pleasures of life, subject to faults and imperfections: but it is not to be so utterly condemned: neither is the author of a book for the " greenroom library," or the follower of this profession to be avoided and despised by society: there are many players who, in domestic life, fulfil and practice the doctrines which many who, in the pride of the Pharisee, "Thank God they are not such," merely profess; and the lives

of many dramatic authors have past away as blameless, as if they had been merely contributors to the more serviceable pages of evangelical magazines; but this is not the standard of all: there are many vicious characters in every department of life, and many of our ancient, and I am happy to say almost obsolete plays, appear to give suf ficient grounds to T.S. D.'s strictures upon them. That the works of Shakespeare himself, contain passages which may deserve the appellation of immoral, his most devoted and enthusiastic admirers will allow; but may not this be as cribed to the semi-barbarous manners of the times in which he lived; for even in the glorious days of that

"Fair vestal throned in the west,"

a

the august and noble Elizabeth, the de" praved taste and rude manners which pervaded even the higher circles, had their influence over genius; and he who spurned the laws of criticism, and overstept the boundaries of this "nether sphere," calling forth from the depths of the abyss the shadowy forms of spirits and of demons, and giving to each " local habitation and a name," was compelled at times to stay the eagle-flight of his resplendent genius, and submit to sully its brightness, in order to gain that popularity which, however blind and headstrong in its decisions, holds the fiat of fame, or irrevocable oblivion. But as this has been canvassed sufficiently, and as Shakespeare has received his due honours from the pen of Common Sense; 1 will enter into no argument in defence of him. The stage has seldom met with a more able opponent than T. S. D. and could he bias the opinions and direct the decisions of the world, the drama would soon be "a thing of forgotten ages" and he would by that means restore to us the golden age, and all the delights of primeval innocence, when "sin had yet no being ;" for from his arguments and the tenacity with which he adheres to them, all must be convinced, that the drama awakens all the guilt and depravity which seems at present to characterize the world. To what a height must the influence of the "theatre" then have arisen in the antideluvian world :-for we cannot but suppose from its dreadful tendency and pernicious doctrines, that it must have been the main source of that guilt for

which there was no mercy, and which the dark and boundless waters of the mighty deluge could only wash away. Can any one who is free from prejudice believe that a rational being cannot enter the "fatal circle" without being contaminated by its induence? Does T. S. D. entertain such degrading ideas of mankind, and such a high opinion of himself, as to imagine he is the only one who could escape its Circean allurements for from the correctness with which he describes the interior of a theatre, the situation of the company, and the technical terms which he uses in speaking of this fatal cause of misery and guilt, we must imagine he has been not unfrequently a spectator of the

lying drama." He must then either be under the influence of the "fascinating allurements of the Syrén-lay," a creature of crimes and passions," to use his own expressions, or else a supernatural being, shielded by the impenetrable panoply of unearthly virtue, who can pass through the fiery ordeal without damage, and

"Look radiantly down on the crimes of the world."

How any one in common life would chuse thus to throw off his "mortal coil," and assume such a formidable and unsocial character (for this sinless being could not possibly deign to mingle with the contaminated herd of human beings) I cannot determine; but in spite of all his forcible and energetic arguments, T. S. D. must, in himself, be convinced that it is possible for a being, possessed of pure and steadfast principles, though not gifted with virtue beyond mortality, to enter a theatre, attend to the per formance, which will not certainly in our days be of a nature to outrage his ideas of propriety, and return quietly home from this aspersed place, without receiving any injury to his morals, and without considering to-morrow's necessary routine of business as a hardship.

The drama deserves praise as well as censure; and all may not feel that fearful infatuation which we may naturally suppose from his able and glowing picture of its effect, T. S. D. has sometimes experienced. The mass of spectators at the theatre have no ideas beyond the pleasure they experience in witnessing a good performance, with which they are generally too much occu

pied to have time for a philosophical reverie on its fatal effects, or an attempt to disseminate vice and infamy around them, I speak of the general class of society which has yet preserved the respect due to it; not of those abandoned profligates of which it is a disgrace to speak, whose very infamy betrays their vicious nature, and who to the disgrace of human nature are to be found every where, from the theatre to the temple of the Most High. It is, in such alone, that the mistaken theory of T. S. D. can be proved: to those who rush blindly into destruction, and who convert the most innocent pleasures into crimes, merely because they are partakers of them.

But I seem to be forgetting my office of mediator, and am, I fear, awakening the vengeance of him, whose wrath I should deprecate; I will therefore retreat in time, and turn to Common Sense, who though entertaining a more impartial view of the Theatre and amusements in general, and who does not seem so immoveable and tenacious in his opinions, yet entertains as decided an aversion to dancing as Michol the wife of David! could all see with the eyes of T. S. D. and Common Sense what a picture would this world pre sent. We should have neither sun shine nor flowers, mirth nor joy, music nor delight. It would be a bare and hideous wilderness, even as it is we find but few hours of pleasure. How can a man of sense then wish to show it more revolting than it appears? it is certainly with a view to do good, but to use an old fashioned saying, "the remedy is worse than the disease." Amongst all amusements dancing may best deserve what he has said of it but to extend this censure to music! every thing animated in nature speaks in its praise. birds who pour their unequalled harmony in the fresh and fragrant breeze of morning, seem but to exist in melody and music; it is one of the great laws of nature! the music of the spheres is too well known to be adduced in its favour from the rising to the glorious setting of the sun, where can he look round and find it not? he must have felt the influence of a soft and tender voice; or he is completely insensible that the simple word which in itself comprises all our fondest and kindest feeling, may surely be felt in the expression of a

The

what other word could so well have defined her feeling on hearing the tread of one who had been "lang far awa" or express the thoughts of that Poet ofthe Passions when in describing the beauty of the Bride of Abydos, he speaks of "The mind the music breathing from her face." In the midst of my quotations I might apply "the man who has not music in his soul" but Common Sense knows the whole of it and I do not wish to awake his anger. "If I had any grace or power to move ye" the argument should rest, as it is a theme for constant contention but in which Common Sense should disdain to appear, as he generally does in many disputes of the like nature, and on which T,S. D. should no longer throw away the brilliant ideas that would adorn a nobler contest.

Leeds.

IANTHE.

CURIOUS FACTS CONCERNING THE POPULATION OF ANCIENT NATIONS.

MR. EDITOR!

I find I have ventured much in raising against myself three classes of opposers, -I may say foes; for if I am to consider your friend J. J. as a sample, I must expect a proper portion of invective to be mingled up with the arguments by which my remarks are controverted. I have the Disciples of Adam Smith, the eulogizers of Missionary exertions, and the promoters of General Education, to contend with: what sort of a figure I shall cut in the dispute, the event must tell, and wisdom bids me not to attempt to predict. However, I feel little hesita tion in engaging another party or two if they like to start up, and, to use the language of another of your correspon dents, shall throw down my glove of mail upon those questions in their broadest forms and most extensive connec tions: but as I am fully occupied by business of importance, I shall merely hand you the following paper, as pre paratory to a series of observations on the subject. It is a luminious state