The Saturday Magazine.

LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL.

Vol. III.

The first authentic mention of Lichfield occurs in Bede’s Ecclesiastical History, where it is alluded to as the See of an Anglo-Saxon Bishop. The name is of Saxon origin, but its etymology has been much disputed. In the Saxon Chronicle the word is written Licetfeld; in Bede, Lyccetfelth and Licitfeld. Some etymologists derive its signification from leccian, to water (and it is well known to have abounded in numerous lakes and pools); others, from the verb licean or lician, to like, or to be agreeable, and therefore make it to signify Pleasant Field. It has however been more frequently allowed to be derived from lic, a dead body, and consequently as signifying cadaverum campus, the Field of Dead Bodies. This derivation is supported by a prevailing tradition, of the martyrdom of a thousand British Christians on this spot, at the time of the persecution (A. D. 303) under Dioclesian, when Maximian was governor of Britain.

It is certain that the present diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, anciently formed a part of the kingdom of Mercia, which, being conquered by (the Christian King) Oswy, introduced the Christian faith into this powerful kingdom of the Saxon Heptarchy. He made Lichfield an episcopal See, by appointing Diuma, a Scotsman, the first Bishop, A. D. 656. After a succession of three others, the famous Ceadda, or Chad, was raised to the Bishopric A. D. 667. Bede informs us, that “he had built himself an habitation not far removed from the church; wherein he was wont to pray, and read with a few, that is, seven or eight, of the brethren, as often as he had any spare time from the labour and ministry of the word.”

From this period, little is known of the history of the See till after the Norman Conquest, when at the National Council held in London, A. D. 1075, it was determined to remove the See of Lichfield to Chester, which was done by Peter (the first bishop appointed by William the Conqueror), who went by the appellation of Bishop of Chester and Lichfield. Robert de Lymesey was his successor, and removed the See to Coventry, having obtained from the King, the custody of that Abbey (originally founded by Canute); this edifice having been restored and greatly enriched by Leofric, Earl of Hereford, and his celebrated wife Lady Godiva. Robert Peeke, chaplain to Henry the First, was consecrated to this See, A. D. 1117, and was succeeded, 1128, by Roger de Clinton, who was a liberal benefactor both to the city and Cathedral church of Lichfield. He is said to have rebuilt great part at the latter, to have increased the number of Prebendaries, and to have appointed the first Canons. De Clinton restored the See to Lichfield, and styled himself Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. Until the establishment of Chester as a separate See, A. D. 1542, the succeeding bishops were indifferently called Bishops of Lichfield, Coventry, and Chester, having an episcopal residence at each place. Coventry and Lichfield was the usual designation till Bishop Hacket, on the restoration of the monarchy, placed Lichfield before Coventry, as a compliment to the loyalty of the former place. Walter de Langton succeeded to the See in 1295, and did much benefit to the city, forming streets, causeways, &c.; he augmented the income of the Vicars, expended 2000l. on a shrine for St. Chad, and rebuilt the Bishop’s Palace, giving the old episcopal house to the Vicars Choral.

In the time of Henry the Eighth, the Cathedral became a prey to depredation; its ornaments, statues, shrines, and all other valuable articles were converted to the use of the crown, with the exception of the shrine of St. Ceadda; this was saved by the intercession of the Bishop, Rowland Lea, who obtained it from the King. This prelate earnestly endeavoured to save the monastery of Coventry, and its fine church, from spoliation, but in this his labour was fruitless, and they were entirely demolished.

Little of interest occurs afterwards in the historical details of Lichfield, till the commencement of the civil wars. In 1642, a troop was raised for King Charles by Sir Richard Dyott, Kt.: during this time the Close sustained three sieges, by which the Cathedral was greatly injured. Preparations to considerable extent were made, 1643, to defend the Close against Lord Brooke, and three thousand troops. This nobleman was a zealous opposer of episcopacy, and had determined on the complete destruction of the Cathedral; on his approach to Lichfield he prayed that he might be annihilated if his cause were unjust; on his return from placing his artillery, he was shot by a brace of bullets, discharged by a deaf and dumb gentleman, of the name of Dyott, who had watched Lord Brooke’s motions from the top of the cathedral. Lord Brooke’s body was removed to Warwick to be buried with his ancestors; the armour worn by him on this fatal day, and his doublet stained with blood, are in the armoury at Warwick Castle. The gun with which he was killed remains in possession of the Dyott family, resident near Lichfield.

Notwithstanding the check given to the rebels by the death of their leader, the garrison could not long stand the siege, and were constrained to yield to the Parliamentary forces. This was the first cathedral which surrendered to them, and every species of havoc and profanation was committed by these miscreants. The soldiers belonging to the King’s party were imprisoned in the Cathedral three days and four nights without food, except what could privately be obtained, and the inclemency of the season obliged them to convert the seats and desks into fuel. At this period the venerable pile became one scene of desolation, the centre spire was battered down, the costly monuments destroyed, and amongst others, that of Lord Paget, sculptured in Italy at the enormous expense of 700l. Dugdale says, “courts of guard were kept in the aisles; they broke up the pavement, every day hunted a cat with hounds throughout the Church, delighting themselves in the echo from the goodly vaulted roof, and to add to their wickedness, brought a calf into it wrapt in linen, carried it to the font, sprinkled it with water, and gave it a name in scorn and derision of that holy sacrament, Baptism; and when Prince Rupert recovered that Church by force, Colonel Russel, the governor, carried away the communion-plate and linen, with whatsoever else was of value.”

The Close was retaken by Prince Rupert in 1643, and Colonel Hawey Bagot was appointed Governor of the garrison; he had the honour of entertaining Charles the First, after the battle of Naseby, when his majesty left Ashby-de-la-Zouch, and slept at Governor Bagot’s, in Lichfield, on the 15th of June 1645; this unfortunate monarch twice afterwards revisited this city; but short was its period of tranquillity, for in 1646, the Close was again taken by the Parliamentary forces, under Sir William Brereton, and its walls dismantled. In 1651, by authority of the Rump Parliament, men were employed to strip off the lead from the roof of the Cathedral, and break in pieces the Bells^[1]. It may not be uninteresting to remark on the heavy afflictions, or violent deaths, suffered by many of the spoliators of the Church of those days; among others, Colonel Danvers who stripped the roof, and Pickings who demolished the bells, met with untimely ends.

11We find that although the building was in this dilapidated state, its ministers did not neglect their duties, and Ashmole has the following memorandum. “This morning Mr. Rawlings of Lichfield told me, that the vicars of the Cathedral had entered the Chapter-house, and there said service; that this, with the Vestry, was the only place in the church that had a roof to shelter them.” On the Restoration, Dr. John Hacket was happily appointed prelate: he found the church little better than a heap of ruins, but, zealous in the cause of religion, he immediately set to work with an activity rarely equalled. The morning after his arrival, he employed his own coach horses to remove the rubbish, and took the most vigorous measures to obtain assistance; petitioning from house to house for pecuniary aid, and being himself a liberal benefactor. By his unwearied diligence and munificence, the Cathedral in the space of eight years had nearly regained its original splendour, and was re-consecrated in 1669. The intrepid character of this admirable man may be shown by the following anecdote.—Hacket was preaching in London, during the persecution of the established Church, and although the Liturgy was proscribed, under a severe penalty, he continued the use of it; at length, an armed sergeant and trooper were sent to the church to compel his obedience, but he, with a firm voice and unintimidated manner, read the service as he was wont to do; and when the soldiers, placing a pistol at his head, threatened him with instant death, he calmly replied, “Soldiers, I am doing my duty, do you do yours!” then with a voice equally composed, he resumed the prayers. The soldiers, awe-struck by his pious courage, left the church in astonishment!

From Bishop Hacket’s time, the Cathedral underwent little alteration till the year 1788, when the building being acknowledged to be in a very dilapidated state, subscriptions were raised to repair and renovate it. Under the direction of Mr. Wyatt, the external structure was put in good order, and the internal decorations restored and embellished. The beauty and magnificence of the edifice has since been greatly enhanced, by the addition of some painted windows, from the dissolved Abbey of Herckenrode in Germany: this valuable purchase was obtained by the Dean and Chapter, through the liberality of the late Sir Brooke Boothby, who made the acquisition when travelling on the Continent, for the small sum of 200l., and generously transferred to them his bargain, estimated at 10,000l. These windows were painted at the period when the art had attained its highest degree of perfection, and are considered by connoisseurs as very valuable and choice specimens. Several modern windows of superior merit, have also been inserted, by the present Dean, Dr. Woodhouse, and others interested in the embellishment of the venerable pile. The large window at the west, which had been totally destroyed during the civil wars, and restored by James the Second when Duke of York, has been filled with painted glass, from a legacy of Dr. Addenbroke, who died Dean of this Cathedral, in 1776.

Although this Cathedral cannot compete in size and magnificence with York and some others, in point of elegance it is inferior to none, and its light and beautiful architecture is the theme of universal admiration. The building is in form of a cross, having a large spire at the intersection of the cross, and two smaller ones at the west end; the pyramidal form of the western façade, enriched with highly wrought decorations and tracery, is eminently beautiful; neither must the centre porch be forgotten, being no less worthy of notice. The external length of the church is 400 feet, and the breadth in the transept 187 feet. The Nave and Aisles are good specimens of the simple yet exquisite taste of the architecture of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries; the clustered columns, delicately moulded arches, and vaulted roof, impress the beholder with a solemn and pleasing effect. Amongst the numerous monuments, we must give the first place to that of the Cathedral’s greatest benefactor, the good and pious Bishop Hacket: it consists of a recumbent figure, and at the head is engraved the following appropriate inscription; “I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, till I have found out a place for the temple of the Lord.” But the monument which attracts the eager attention of all admirers of the sculptorial art, is that erected to the memory of the two Miss Robinsons; it is considered a chef-d’œuvre of Chantrey’s, and certainly has rarely been equalled for beauty of design and workmanship. The remains of many celebrated characters are recorded within these walls—that colossus of literature, Dr. Johnson, justly the pride and boast of Lichfield: Lady Mary Wortley Montague, who so greatly benefited mankind by the introduction of the art of Inoculation. Gilbert Walmesley, Dr. Smalbroke, Dean Addison, David Garrick, and Andrew Newton, who founded and endowed the noble institution in the Close, for the widows and orphans of Clergy; for this purpose, he gave, by will and donation, the sum of forty thousand pounds.

The Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, was in early times of very great extent; it is now much more limited, but contains the whole county of Stafford (except Brome and Clent, which belong to Worcester), all Derbyshire, the greater part of Warwickshire, and nearly half of Shropshire. It has the Archdeaconries of Salop, Coventry, Stafford and Derby. In the reign of King John, permission was granted to the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry to build a castle at Eccleshall, and this has generally been, as it now is, the residence of the Bishop. There is also a palace in Lichfield belonging to the See; the present one was erected in 1687, by Bishop Wood, on the ground occupied by the garden of Langton’s Palace (of which there are no remains), and was built in compliance with an order from Archbishop Sancroft, as compensation for damage committed upon property belonging to the See.

Lichfield being situated on the road between London and Liverpool (now so much the line of communication with our sister country), is much frequented by travellers; and few places are more interesting to the lover of literature, having been either the natal spot, or home, of so many distinguished for learned attainments. Every one capable of appreciating the profound wisdom and moral energy of Johnson, must feel a reverence and respect for the place where he first drew breath. Thomas Newton, Bishop of Bristol, brother to Andrew Newton, whom we have already mentioned, and the learned author of Dissertations on the Prophecies, was a native of this city; as was also that famous virtuoso, Elias Ashmole, the contributor of a valuable collection of curiosities and MSS. to the University of Oxford, now assembled in the Ashmolean Museum. Here was the paternal residence of that elegant scholar, Addison; and in addition to the names already brought forward, Lichfield could boast amongst its inhabitants the eccentric James Day, author of Sandford and Merton, Mr. and Miss Edgeworth, Dr. Darwin, of botanical celebrity, and several others of highly esteemed intellectual powers.

12

WOODCROFT HOUSE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

Of which we furnish a view from the pencil of Mr. Blore, is situated in the parish of Etton, in Northamptonshire, about four miles from the city of Peterborough. This building well deserves notice as an early and perfect specimen of English domestic architecture. The form of the windows is peculiar to the time of the first two Edwards, and the character of the mouldings evidently points out that period, as the date of its erection. The masonry is remarkably well executed, and the mouldings beautifully worked; those forming the finish of the Tower, over the entrance, are distinguished by a boldness rarely to be met with. Originally, this must have been a place of some strength; it was surrounded by water, excepting at the western approach, and the walls are four feet in thickness. Though nothing remains of an embattled parapet, there can be little doubt but that it possessed such provision for defence, and that in this, as in other respects, it partook of the character of the mansion-houses of the age.

The round bastion at the north end, represented in the drawing, is that portion of the building to which an interesting historical incident is attached; one of those events, which are the melancholy, and certain fruits of anarchy and civil war.

Dr. Michael Hudson, who is styled by Wood, “an understanding and sober person, and of great fidelity,” was, from his sincerity, called by King Charles the First, his “plain-dealing Chaplain.” When the troubles of that period commenced, Hudson, like some others of his profession, left his benefice, under an impression that his monarch demanded his personal aid; and King Charles having, as we are told, “an especial respect for his signal loyalty and courage,” intrusted him with some important secrets, as regarded his own proceedings. Hudson proved himself a courageous soldier, but, being apprehended by the Parliamentary forces, he suffered a tedious confinement. Escaping from his prison in London, he joined a body of royalists, who had fled to Woodcroft House. When attacked there by the Parliamentary forces, Hudson, with some of his bravest soldiers, went up to the battlements, where they defended themselves for some time. At length they yielded, upon the promise of quarter; but when the rebels were admitted, they broke their engagement. Hudson was forced over the battlements, and clung to one of the stone spouts represented in the drawing. His hands being either actually cut off, or severely hacked and bruised by the sabres of the soldiers, he quitted his hold and fell into the moat underneath, desiring only to reach the land and die there; but this miserable boon was denied him, as, in attempting to reach the bank, he was knocked on the head with the but-end of a musket, and drowned^[2].

May we never, by God’s blessing, witness a recurrence of the scenes which were presented at this eventful period of our history! Our great dramatic poet, who showed his patriotism, by always giving to his countrymen the wisest counsel, and encouraging correct sentiments respecting justice and good government, thus beautifully describes a kingdom, restored to the blessings of internal tranquillity.

It would seem that the earliest of all written language consisted of actual drawings of the forms of animals or things; rudely sketched, indeed, by the hands of our rude forefathers, but sufficiently plain to mark the object designed. This mode appears the more natural, because the representation of sounds, which express the names of things, by certain characters or alphabets, which is the mode now most extensively in use, must necessarily require some previous concert between two parties, the one of whom suggests, and the other agrees, that a particular mark or form on paper shall be the symbol for a particular sound. But if we suppose a savage separated from his friend, and wishing to communicate with him, without having had this previous consultation, and supposing that he has lent his distant acquaintance some articles of 13furniture, such as his bow and arrows, or his knife, which he is anxious to have returned, without the knowledge of his messenger, it seems highly probable, that his first impulse would be to make a rude sketch of these articles, and transmit the impression to his friend. Were the latter an acute man he would probably understand the allusion; and, were he not intelligent enough for this purpose, it is clear he would not be nearly sufficiently so to comprehend the symbols to denote sounds. So that the simplicity of this mode of writing might suggest the probability of its being the first resorted to, without alluding to the hieroglyphics yet remaining on the Egyptian tombs, which, from our want of acquaintance with the manners, customs, and general objects with which the Egyptians were conversant, are very difficult to decipher, if we may judge from the learning expended in explaining them. As a modern specimen of this kind of writing, it may not be uninteresting to describe a letter which M. Martinez received from an inhabitant of the Caroline Islands, in the Eastern Ocean. The following is the drawing of the letter alluded to, and the description is taken from Freycinet and Arago’s Voyage.

“This was written to M. Martinez, at Rotta, who had commissioned a Tamor of Sathoual to send him some shells, promising in exchange a few pieces of iron. The captain gave him the sheet of paper, the original of which is in my possession, and is in red characters. The figure at the top of the letter was placed there as the bearer of compliments: the branch under him is the type of peace and amity: the marks in the column on the left hand indicate the sort of shells the Carolinian had sent to M. Martinez. In the column on the right, are placed the objects he desired in exchange; namely, three large fishing hooks, four small ones, two pieces of iron of the shape of axes, and two pieces a little longer.” This curiously-expressed request was gratified, and many handsome shells obtained in return.

This is, perhaps, as clear an instance as can be found, of the mode in which an unlettered people would endeavour to convey the expression of their wishes to their friends at a distance, and forms a striking contrast to the elegant though complicated process of our own method of writing.

In the written language of the Chinese, a great proof of its having originated in this picture-writing, may yet be seen by a little attention to the forms of their characters, and is, perhaps, the only language now generally in practice, in which these early symbols are discernible, though some have attempted to explain the Hebrew language in the same way, by maintaining that the letters composing the Alphabet were at first characters or drawings of things. In the modern Chinese, however, much of the early rude formation of the characters has been altered, arising, probably, in some degree, from a greater improvement in taste inducing the nation to alter these rough to more elegant forms, and partly from the facility of writing requiring the scribe, in some cases, to strike off, and in others to connect, various parts of the original figure. Thus, the present Chinese character for ‘a man,’ is which was originally drawn or or ; here it is plain that, by lopping off some of the limbs of this rude representative of the human species, we leave something like the form of the present character, though it would appear, that a long succession of ages must have polished the rough material to the improved shape which it now possesses. Again, the character to denote ‘the ear,’ was formerly drawn which is now softened into the present form, thus . ‘A range of hills,’ or ‘mound,’ at first drawn has now become . ‘The sun,’ is now . The reader’s ingenuity may be exercised and amused, and he will be enabled to see how far the preceding remarks are well-grounded, if we present him with a few of the original drawings, placed side by side with the characters into which they have been gradually altered, and which are now in general use.

The numbers one, two, three, and four, remain the same, being the simplest form which can be devised, to maintain the connexion of the drawing with the idea conceived. One, Two, Three, Four.

Ancient form.		Present character.
	the human face.
	the moon.
	rain.
	the eye.
	an arrow.
	the mouth.
	the tongue in the midst of the mouth.
	the teeth.

In order to save a multiplicity of characters, a single one is often placed in various positions, to convey ideas which it would be very difficult, and often impossible, to express by a simple drawing of the object: for instance, how could the idea of ‘a corpse’ be represented on paper; the figure of a man, it is easily seen, is not sufficient, since we cannot tell, from looking at a picture so unfinished as the rapidity of writing would demand, whether the breath be in or out of the body; they, therefore, take the figure for man we have before seen, and lay it prostrate, thus . The figure to represent a rock is supposed to imply a rock jutting over, and affording shelter, and from this was formed the following to denote ‘a stone,’ , that is, as it were, a portion cut out of the rock; hence, to imply a heap of 14stones, the form would readily suggest itself. On the same principle it would be very difficult to describe hail in a sketch; but, by considering it (if we may be allowed the term) as hardened water, they add to the character denoting rain the appearance of solid drops falling; thus, ‘rain’ is expressed by and ‘hail’ thus . In representing the forms of animals, or things, no further accomplishment was necessary than accuracy of eye, and skill in delineating the various shapes; but much greater ingenuity is required in order to represent intangible or invisible substances, such as light, air, &c., or the qualities of things which we call by the term adjectives, such as those implying strength, weakness, or various actions, as to walk, to stop, to eat, to desire, &c., in fact, all kinds of verbs. This difficult matter is generally accomplished by the union of two or more simple forms, placed together in such a way, that their combination may suggest the idea required. To express brightness, the figures of the ‘sun’ and ‘moon’ are placed together . In the character which they employ to denote the adjective ‘aspiring,’ a man’s breath is represented as going out of the body and ascending . To hanker after or desire earnestly, is represented by this character of breath combined with water, corresponding, in fact, with our somewhat common phrase ‘mouth-watering’ . The rather difficult character of a king is described by ‘one,’ ; and the character for land , or united , implying the feudal idea of sovereignty, all the land belonging to one. The adverbs ‘above’ and ‘below’ are very simply expressed, the former being , and the latter . Crafty and intriguing finds its corresponding character in the little crooked symbol . The idea of a family is very happily and prettily expressed by the symbol of a ‘house,’ under which three human beings are sheltered . Many more instances, and some very remarkable ones, might be adduced of this mode of representing complex ideas, by the union of two or more characters for simple objects. In fact, most of the words, perhaps, in common use in Chinese writing, might be divided, and subdivided, till the original simple ideas had been traced out, and the reason of their formation distinctly shown; but the progress of time and refinement, has so moulded and altered even the most simple characters in the language, that considerable research would be required to perform such a task so many ages after their original formation. The inventor of this species of writing amongst this singular nation is said to be Tsang-hëĕ, of whom tradition or invention has preserved the portrait; and, in order to convey to the mind of the spectator some idea of his depth of intellect, and extent of mental vision, they have expressly chosen to represent him as enjoying the privilege of four eyes, instead of the number possessed by ordinary mortals.

The histories of all nations show that, in the infancy of society, man has few wants. Food for the sustenance of life, clothing for the covering of his person, and a habitation to shelter him from the wind and the storm, form the chief objects of his desire; and these he is easily enabled to supply from the rich storehouse of nature, which the bountiful Creator has furnished for his use. The earth has never ceased to reward the industry of man; and his daily necessities being thus provided for, his future worldly wants occupy but a small share of his thoughts.

As mankind multiply and associate together in cities and towns, their attention is directed to other means of procuring the necessaries of life. Trade, manufactures, and commerce offer ample opportunities for the exercise of talent and industry; and the simplicity and contentment of rural life are exchanged for a more artificial state of society. The accumulation of property henceforth becomes an object of general pursuit, and the busy mind of man is occupied in forming and digesting plans to ensure such a result. Should prosperity attend his undertakings, and crown his labours with increase, he will not be slow in acquiring a taste for additional comfort and enjoyment, which his improved circumstances have placed within his reach. Thus the wants of man increase with his means of satisfying them. They are no longer confined to the simple necessaries of life, but embrace those elegancies and luxuries which owe their origin to the increase of wealth, the refinement of education, and the intercourse of society. Surplus capital thus finds ample and ready means of occupation in ministering to the growing wants of the community. Various trades, arts and professions are introduced, which open up new sources of employment; a stimulus is given to industry, and the powers of the mind are brought into operation to diffuse information and instruction through the land. Thus national wealth, education, and refinement advance together; and the riches which found entrance in one direction, find their way, through various channels, to every ramification of society, as the blood which flows from the heart circulates through every part of the human system.

So long as surplus wealth thus extends, and promotes a nation’s prosperity, it is legitimately employed. But there are certain limits within which it ought to be confined. The morality, intelligence, and industry of the people are the bulwarks of national greatness; and if, by the introduction of any article of luxury or common diet, these barriers are weakened or thrown down, and the flood-gates of immorality, ignorance, and idleness opened, their dark tide will begin to flow, and threaten the best interests of the country. This result is shown by the histories of all those nations which reached the summit of wealth and power by the exercise of temperance, and whose downfall was hastened by their intemperance, producing idle and licentious habits, discord, effeminacy, and a spirit of dependence. Such were the Persians, the Greeks, and the Romans.

Though there are distinctions of rank and station in society, there is a mutual dependence throughout the community at large, similar to the connexion existing among the members of the human body. “The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee; nor the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” The man whom wealth has exempted from the common lot of humanity, “in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,” is as dependent on the cultivator of the soil, the manufacturer, and the mechanic, as they are upon him. Hence all in their 15several stations are equally the guardians of the peace, happiness, and prosperity of the nation to which they belong; and it becomes both their duty and their interest, either to prevent the introduction of any traffic of an injurious character, or to expel that from the land which may have been found to have such a tendency.

The facility with which ardent spirits are obtained in this country, cannot but be regarded as the cause of those habits of intemperance which deface the fair page of our moral history. Drunkenness prevails to a lamentable extent throughout the land, and is the fruitful source of idleness, poverty, immorality, and crime. So far from being diminished, it seems rather on the increase; and the fearful change which it has wrought in the character of our artisans and labouring population, calls for the adoption of some measure to arrest its course.

Ardent spirits are destructive of health, property, and morals; unfit to be used by persons in health, being destitute of any nutritious quality; and the traffic in them is injurious to the prosperity of the country. Besides the misery which the use of them inflicts on individuals and families, it greatly augments the national expenditure. It increases the poor’s rates by increasing pauperism; it enhances the expense of judicial proceedings by promoting crime; and our hospitals and lunatic asylums are indebted to the same cause for by far the greater proportion of their wretched inmates. If the money wasted in the purchase of this worse than useless superfluity, were spent on articles of real utility, a stimulus would be given to trade, manufactures, and commerce.

Such being the consequences of the traffic in ardent spirits, as proved by incontrovertible evidence, the welfare of the nation calls for its suppression. This must be accomplished, not by an appeal to the legislature for an Act of Parliament to abolish the trade, but by enlightened public opinion. If the community be convinced of the noxious qualities of ardent spirit, and the vicious and immoral consequences to which habits of drinking lead, they will cease to buy, and the traffic must come to an end. But this object cannot be attained till the nation rise as one man to crush this enemy to its happiness. This is the result which the institutions called Temperance Societies aim to accomplish. The means they employ is simply the diffusion of information through the land, with a view to correct public opinion, and unite men and women in the practice of total abstinence from distilled spirits as an article of ordinary use. They act upon the well-established maxim that prevention is better than cure; and their first solicitation is to gain the countenance and support of the sober, temperate, respectable, and influential classes of the community, whose combined example may operate upon the mass of the population. Such being their principle and object, they deserve the support and assistance of every friend to humanity and every lover of his country.

In most quarrels there is a fault on both sides.—A quarrel may be compared to a spark, which cannot be produced without a flint, as well as a steel; either of them may hammer on wood for ever, no fire will follow.

To this little fish we are said to be indebted for one of the grandest and most useful inventions since the world began. It is thus described:—It swims on the surface of the sea, on the back of its shell, which exactly resembles the hull of a ship; it raises two feet like masts, and extends a membrane between, which serves as a sail; the other two feet are employed as oars. This fish is usually found in the Mediterranean.

The Mocking-bird is a species of thrush, not uncommon in many parts both of North and South America and the West India Islands. In size, it does not exceed the European song-bird, and perhaps is not equal to it in the beauty of its plumage; it is, however, far from being an inelegant creature, but it is better known for the peculiarity and amazing power of its voice. Although not gifted with any powerful weapons of self-defence, these birds display extraordinary courage in defence of their eggs and young, and will fearlessly attack any animal which may approach their haunts, even their greatest enemy, a species of black snake.

“To these qualities” (says Wilson, the American author), “we may add that of a voice full, strong, and musical, and capable of almost every modulation, from the clear mellow tones of the wood-thrush, to the savage scream of the bald-eagle. In measure and accent, he faithfully follows his originals. In force and sweetness of expression, he greatly exceeds them. In his native groves, mounted on the top of a tall bush, or half-grown tree, in the dawn of dewy morning, while the woods are already vocal with a multitude of warblers, his admirable song rises pre-eminent over every competitor. The ear can listen to his music alone, to which that of all the others seems a mere accompaniment. Neither is this strain altogether imitative. His own native notes, which are easily distinguishable by such as are well acquainted with those of our various song-birds, are bold and full, and varied seemingly beyond all limits. His expanded wings and tail, glistening with white, and the buoyant gaiety of his action, arresting the eye as his song most irresistibly does the ear, he sweeps round with enthusiastic ecstacy. He mounts or descends as his song swells or dies away. While thus exerting himself, a bystander, destitute of sight, would suppose that the whole feathered tribes, had assembled together on a trial 16of skill, each striving to produce his utmost effect; so perfect are his imitations. He many times deceives the sportsman, and sends him in search of birds that perhaps are not within miles of him, but whose notes he exactly imitates; even birds themselves are frequently imposed on by this admirable mimic, and are decoyed by the fancied calls of their mates, or dive with precipitation into the depths of thickets, at the scream of what they suppose to be the sparrow-hawk.

THE MOCKING BIRD.

“The mocking-bird loses little of the power and energy of his song by confinement. In his domesticated state, when he commences his career of song, it is impossible to stand by uninterested. He whistles for the dog—Cæsar starts up, wags his tail, and runs to meet his master; he squeaks out like a hurt chicken—and the hen hurries about, with hanging wings and bristled feathers, clucking to protect its injured brood. The barking of the dog, the mewing of the cat, the creaking of a passing wheelbarrow, follow, with great truth and rapidity. He repeats the tune taught him by his master, though of considerable length, fully and faithfully. He runs over the quiverings of the canary and the clear whistlings of the Virginia nightingale, or the redbird, with such superior execution and effect, that the mortified songsters feel their own inferiority and become altogether silent, while he seems to triumph in their defeat by redoubling his exertions.

“Both in his native and domesticated state, during the solemn stillness of night, as soon as the moon rises in silent majesty, he begins his delightful solo; and serenades us the livelong night, with a full display of his vocal powers, making the whole neighbourhood ring with his inimitable melody.”

A lover of natural history cannot I think be a bad man, as the very study of it tends to promote a calmness and serenity of mind, favourable to the reception of grateful and holy thoughts of the great and good Parent of the universe. He cannot be a cruel man, because he will be unwilling wantonly to destroy even an insect, when he perceives how exquisitively each of them is contrived, and how curiously it is made for the station it is destined to fill in the animal world.—Jesse.

Many methods have been suggested for saving life in cases of accidents on the water: the following was stated to me as an experiment actually made by the relater; he had thus supported himself in the sea, at Plymouth, for twenty minutes, and could have done it much longer. As danger of overturning or of sinking appears, have your hat in readiness, and place it under your chin, holding it with your hands in the same position upon the water as on the head. The air in the crown will prevent the water from rising, and is sufficient to keep the whole head above water.

St. Swithin’s Day.—See Saturday Magazine, vol. i., p. 14.

1685 Execution of Duke of Monmouth, after his defeat at Sedgemoor.

1815 Napoleon went on board the British ship Bellerephon, Captain Maitland, after his defeat at Waterloo.

1817 Died, at Paris, the Baroness de Staël, the daughter of M. Necker, and author of several political works, which enjoyed considerable popularity while the events of the French Revolution, with which the name of M. Necker is so intimately connected, were recent. Her works evince much knowledge of the human heart.

 622 On this day the flight of the impostor, Mohammed, from Mecca, took place, and from it his followers date the events of their history. This epoch is called, from the Arabic word, which signifies to fly, or to leave one’s country, the Hegira.

1377 Richard II., only child of Edward the Black Prince, was crowned at Westminster. He did not inherit the warlike genius or the talents of his father and grandfather, but seems to have been of a mild, amiable disposition, and may truly be said, in the words of Shakspeare, to have been “a man more sinned against than sinning.”

1546 Ann Askew, a young lady of great merit and beauty, (connected with most of the ladies of the court, and with the Queen, Catharine Parr,) was burned at Smithfield, for denying the doctrine of the real presence.

1800 Died, at his seat near Southampton, Bryan Edwards, the Author of the History of the West Indies.

1674 The remains of the two Princes, Edward V. and his Brother, were discovered in the Tower, and, by order of Charles II., removed to Westminster Abbey.

1761 Peter III., husband of Catherine II., was murdered. The unfortunate Emperor was strangled with a towel, and the next day his body was exposed to the populace, and his death attributed to that disease we now call cholera.

 371 B. C. The Battle of Leuctra, in which the Lacedemonians were defeated, and their general, Cleombrotus, slain.

1100 Death of Godfrey de Bouillon, the most celebrated leader among the princes and nobles who went on the first crusade: when Jerusalem was taken, he was unanimously chosen king.

1374 Petrarch, one of the earliest, as well as the most elegant, among the Italian poets, whose romantic attachment to the beautiful Laura has rendered his name familiar, even to those who are wholly ignorant of Italian literature, was found dead in his library on the seventieth anniversary of his birth.

1796 Louis XVIII. compelled to leave the army of the emigrants, and place himself in the hands of the Austrians.

1812 A Treaty of Peace between England and Sweden was signed at Ærebo.

 365 B. C. Rome was taken and pillaged by the Gauls, who put to the sword the senators and old men, who alone remained in the city.

  64 Nero, for his amusement, caused Rome to be set on fire in various places. This conflagration was attributed by him to the Christians, and all who could not escape or conceal themselves, were put to death with the most cruel torments, among others, St. Peter and St. Paul suffered martyrdom.

1333 The Battle of Halidown Hill, in which the Scots were defeated by Edward III.

1588 The Spanish Armada arrived in the British Channel. This formidable fleet consisted of 130 vessels, carrying 2630 pieces of brass cannon. It was fitted out by Philip II. of Spain, and blessed by a special nuncio from the Pope. Its approach spread terror and dismay; but Elizabeth took advantage of the panic to excite her subjects to defend their country without draining her exchequer, and while nobles and citizens fitted out ships at their own charge, the lower orders flocked to man the vessels and defend the coasts. The armada, however was dispersed by a tempest, and, while still in disorder, attacked by the English under Lord Effingham, and compelled to seek safety in flight.

1620 A massacre of the Protestants in the Valteline, a fertile valley of Switzerland.

1819 Died, at Edinburgh, John Playfair, a celebrated mathematician and geographer.

Seventh Sunday after Trinity.

1403 Battle of Shrewsbury. In this engagement the Prince of Wales, afterwards Henry V., made his first essay in arms. The death of Henry Percy, bettor known as Hotspur, made this battle still more memorable.

1683 The execution of Lord Russell, for high treason, took place in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

1704 Taking of Gibraltar by the English.

1796 Died, at Dumfries, in his thirty-eighth year, Robert Burns, the poet.