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her and her daughter to abdicate. Mrs. Ferguson at first felt disposed to "show fight," but, feeling the current too strong, had recourse to supplication. This was equally vain: the rule was imperative: indeed, according to Sir Ralph Roberts, as unalterable as the laws of the Sweeds and Stertions. The difference was at length split. A young stockbroker of fashion had just driven up from Capel-court in a hackney cabriolet. Mamma was consigned to the pepper-and-salt coated driver of the vehicle; and Miss Ferguson was allowed to dance her dance out, Lady Brown undertaking to drop her safe and sound in Friday-street in her way homeward, at the conclusion of the festivity.

The managing committee meet monthly, at the King's Head in the Poultry, picking their road on a pavement strewed with lively turtle, "with what appetite they may." Precisely at two o'clock Mr. Willis makes his appearance, with a large blue bag full of application cards, accompanied by proper certificates: these latter consist of the portrait of the candidates, a statement of their stature, age, &c. Each of the female candidates sends also her right shoe, to exhibit the size of her foot. I doubt whether the latter custom be any thing more than Brutum Fulmen. For certain it is, that I have seen feet at Almack's on a Friday, that never could have passed the ordeal of criticism. The gravity with which claims are here discussed, would not discredit a meeting of Privy Councillors to debate on the Recorder's report. Little Miss Fifield was recently debated upon. Her residence in Bondcourt, Walbrook, just placed her out of the select line, or as Lady Roberts denominated it, on the wrong side of the post: and the committee were upon the point of passing to the order of the day, when Willis, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed, "Ladies, have mercy upon her: she is but young: and her poor uncle, who is now dead and gone, kept the Grasshopper tea-shop, at the corner of Paul's Chain." The appeal was not to be resisted, and little Miss Fifield got her subscription. It would

16 ATHENEUM VOL. 1. 2d series.

be unpardonable to omit mentioning an incident, which, in the glorious days of immortal Rome, would have entitled our Lady Patronesses to six civic wreaths. The Lord Mayor of London, at the third meeting in last June, drove up to the door in his gorgeous private carriage, but,not having brought his ticket with him, his Lordship was refused admittance, and was constrained to finish the evening at half-price at the Tottenham-street Theatre. I have already mentioned the generating of a mass of disaffection in the excluded fauxbourgs. Lady Pontop, the wife of Sir Peter Pontop, a coal-merchant in Tower Royal, is among the loudest of these malcontents. This lady, who has been nicknamed the City Duchess, has been heard to utter threats about "knocking up Almack's,” and mutters something about establishing a rival concern. The Lady Patronesses, however, laugh to scorn these symptoms of rebellion, and say that Cheapside has not lived to these days in comfort and credit, to be bearded by Tower Royal! A slight accident occurred last Friday se'nnight, which might have been attended with heavy effects. Young Carter, the broker, was quadrilling with Jemima Roberts: he had passed the ordeal of the Mount Ida step, wherein the shepherd is destined to foot it several seconds with three rival goddesses, and had looked as stiff and as sheepish as young men usually do at that effort, when he came suddenly and unexpectedly, dos-a-dos, against huge Miss Jones, who, though denominated a single woman, would make three of the ordinary size of the softer part of the creation. The consequences were obvious: the lady, weighty and elastic, stood firm as a rock, and "the weakest went to the wall," young Carter, the slender broker, being precipitated head-foremost against the wainscot.

Before the conclusion of the evening's diversion, the ladies and their partners walked the Polonaise round the room. Last Friday evening the order of march was suddenly impeded. Miss Donaldson, the grocer's daughter, having insisted upon taking precedence

of Miss Jackson, whose father sells Stiltons, that mock the eye with the semblance of pine apples, at the corner of Swithin's-lane. The matter was referred to the Patronesses, who gave it in favour of Miss Jackson, inasmuch as, at dinner, cheese comes before figs. I am aware that certain caustic tradesmen, who dwell eastward of the magic circle, are in the habit of throwing out sarcasms upon those who choose to go so far West in quest of diversion. "If you must have a ball,"

say these crabbed philosophers, "why not bold it at the London Tavern, or at the George and Vulture, Lombardstreet ?" But surely this is bad reasoning. If the pilgrim glows with a warmer devotion from visiting_the shrine of Loretto, well may a Miss Dawson or a Mr. Toms move with a lighter heel, when kicking up a dust upon the very same boards, which, on the Wednesday preceding, were jumped upon by a Lord John or a Lady Arabella.

VARIETIES.

Original Anecdotes, Literary News, Chit Chat, Incidents, &c.

NATURAL HISTORY.
Edinburgh Wernerian Society.

At a meeting of the Edinburgh Wernerian Society, on the 10th January, specimens of the quadrupeds collected by Captains Parry and Franklin, and Dr. Richardson, were exhibited, and an account of the animals collected during the overland Arctic expedition was read by that intrepid and intelligent fellowtraveller of the celebrated Capt. Franklin, Dr. Richardson. An account of two or three of the quadrupeds, collected during the overland Arctic expedition had been read to the Society on a former day, and Dr. Richardson took up the Memoir from the place where it had been broken off. He began with the wolverine-an animal strongly allied to the fox, wolf, and dog tribe: he discussed this apparently intermingled class of animals at considerable length. Amongst other things, we particularly noticed a circumstance which he related respecting the mode in which the Arctic dogs hunt an animal, which, from its size, they may be afraid of attacking. They approach it gradually and cautiously in a semicircle; if the animal show no symptoms of fear, they pause; if, on the contrary, it appear terrified, they drive it about till it is exhausted, when they attack it, and easily overcome it. The hair of the wolverine was dark brown, long, and wiry; on the sides near to the tail, it had a yellowish tinge. The tail was short, and furnished with long hair; the ears short. The next animal described by Dr. Richardson was the Arctic fox. Of

this species three specimens were produced, to show the varieties in the colour and appearance of the fox at different periods of the year. The winter clothing of these animals is white; and Dr. Richardson observed that this alteration happened, not from a change of the hair, but from a change of its colour. The next animal mentioned was the mouse; several specimens were placed on the table. These mice are about the size of our common Hanoverian rat; the body looks round and fat; the head is roundish, the snout not being pointed, as in our mice; the feet are short; but the most remarkable feature which characterises this mouse, is its tail; this member, so prominent and conspicuous a one in all the rat and mouse family (whether in town or country) with which we have hitherto been acquainted, is more particularly short in the mouse of Hudson's Bay; in short, it seems rather to have been appointed for the purpose of showing the spot to which tails are usually affixed, and by way of an apology for the absence of that lengthy appendage, than to have been intended for one. The mouse much resembles the mole, in the shape and size of the body and tail, but not in any other particulars. Dr. Richardson then proceeded to the cervus tarandus, the rein-deer; and described a greater variety in the growth and shape of the horns than we had any previous idea of. The growth of these excrescences, in most animals, appears to be regulated by established laws, and the horns, from sire to son, assume the

same shape and fashion. The rein-deer is so well known in this country, since Mr. Bullock's exertions to procure and exhibit them, that we need not say any more about it. One particular we cannot omit, which belongs more especially to the science of gastronomy, though it is not yet publicly known in this country, nor even in France, so cele brated for her progress in that study. But, were it known, we fear that it could not be conveniently practised in Great Britain, in consequence of the immense expense of importing the animal alive. In detailing the uses of the rein-deer, Dr. Richardson told his audience that the natives used every part of the body as food; and that they carried their epicurism so far as to eat the contents of the stomach. They seemed to imagine that the lichens which had been masticated by the deer, and partially decomposed by the action of the gastric juice of this most interesting animal, were thereby rendered more fit, proper, and digestible, for the use of man. Chacun a son gout!-The musk ox was the next quadruped with an account of which the Society was favour ed by Dr. Richardson. When a herd of these animals is fired at, if the huntsman keep himself well concealed, they imagine the noise to be thunder, and crowd close together; but if by the excellence of their smell, which sense they possess in great acuteness, or by any other means, they discover a human being, they immediately disperse. It occasionally happens that a wounded musk ox will turn on the hunter, and endeavour to make a very violent at tack on him. In this case the hunter will be perfectly safe, if, with a little activity and much presence of mind, he starts on one side, and takes the opportunity of stabbing the disappointed ox as he rages past him. Two specimens of white hare were shown; one from Scotland, the other from the Arctic regions. They were exhibited together for the purpose of allowing the comparisons to be made. The latter specimen was rather larger than the Scottish va riety in general it was a stouter made animal; the tail was longer and larger; the face appeared more full; the ears thicker and more covered with fur;

the fur itself was much thicker all over the body, it seemed also to be rather longer, and was, beyond all comparison, finer and softer. Several other animals also, not included in the account written by Dr. Richardson, were produced, for the purpose of hearing such observations from that distinguished traveller as his experience might enable him to make.

SINGULAR WILL.

The following remarkable passages have been extracted from the will of Francis Stanhope, esq. brother to Lord Chesterfield, proved the 25th of October, 1739, and registered in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury:-" Item, a silver cup upon a high foot, in which my dear father tipt off his last Sacrament, after disinheriting and defrauding me of the greatest part of my patrimony, by sinking and destroying a deed, and setting up another to defeat me, and, contrary to all right and justice, to settle the said estate (thirteen years after the first deed,) on a most execrable, vile, detestable monster, who is commonly called or known by the name of Dr. Michael Stanhope, who, by his wicked intrigues and base ascendancy over a credulous deluded father and mother, devoured the inheritance of his brothers and sisters, drove two of his brothers to absolute despair, for want of subsistence, after the decease of his father; insomuch, that one brother (viz. Philip) shot himself, and the other (viz. Henry) drank himself to death; and other brothers and sisters, though they forebore such violent courses, he robbed and cheated so much, as to abridge them of the more comfortable way of living they would have been in if they had had their right, and a due proportion of their patrimony.-Item, As I ever was of opinion that pompous funerals,attended with great expenses, are a ridiculous and foolish piece of pageantry, tending more to enrich a ravenous undertaker, in helping him off with his old rotten tattered wares, than to do any true or real honour to the dead, I desire that mine may be done in the plainest manner, without any escutcheons or achievements being put upon the house where I shall happen to die. And I do

hereby farther desire, that none may be invited to my burial, and that no one relation of any kind, or friend whatsoever, do put themselves into any kind of mourning for me; for, though it be customary and natural for through their weakness and infirmities people to grieve and afflict themselves for departed friends, I think it more rational for them, according to the custom of eastern countries, to rejoice at their being delivered from a ridiculous world, full of plagues and continual vexations of one kind or another.-Item, I will and desire, that none attend me to my grave, unless a servant or servants, with one coach and a hearse, and the parish-officers to put me in; and I would be buried in the church of Stoke Newington, in the county of Middlesex, and be carried at or after twelve o'clock at night, that gazing fools may be in bed; but, if it should be an inconvenient hour for the parson to sit up so late, then I would be carried out of London at that time, and lodged at some inn or other house at Newington, and buried at eight o'clock the following morning."

VOYAGES AND TRAVELS.

The Character of the Russians, and a detuiled History of Moscow. Illustrated with numerous Engravings. With a dissertation on the Russian Language, and an Appendix containing tables, political, statistical, and historical, &c. &c. By Robert Lyall, M. D. &c. 4to. 1824.

Few persons have enjoyed such favourable opportunities of studying the national character of the Russians as Dr Lyall, who resided amongst them a number of years, during which period his professional capacity afforded him access to all ranks of society. In the present state of European pol. itics the opinions of such an observer cannot but be regarded as highly valuable.

The first portion of the present volume is devoted to the character of the Russians, and the facts and observations there recorded by Dr. Lyall are calculated to produce a very unfavourable impression upon the reader's mind. The inhabitants of this vast empire appear to have almost all the vices of barbarous life still clinging about them. If we may believe Dr. Lyall, civilization has only half done its work in Russia upon the minds of the people. In external appearances, and in the polish of their manners, the higher ranks differ but little from the

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individuals who occupy the same station in the other European communities; but in

learning, information and the solid virtues The severe character presented by the late of life, they are often lamentably deficient, Dr. Clarke of the Russian men, is, in all its The narrative of the latter gentleman, page substantial details, confirmed by Dr. Lyall. ing "insincerity of the Russians"—" inafter page, bears such titles as the followstance of meanness and cruelty"—"disagreeable customs of the Russians”—“ duplicity characteristic of the Russians”—“inOn the other hand, Dr. Lyall does not restance of ingratitude and perfidy," &c. &c. fuse to give the Russians credit for the virtues which he has observed in them. Even ed an unjust distaste for the people amongst granting that the author may have conceivwhom he was residing, yet the facts which he adduces appear to afford sufficient evidence to bear hiin out in the general conclusions which he has formed. In no other been able to collect so large a catalogue of capital of Europe would a foreigner have vices and follies falling under his own immediate observation. Many of the anecdotes related by Dr. Lyall are highly amusing, and we regret our inability to transcribe a specimen of them.

the greater portion of the volume, is exThe history of Moscow, which occupies ceedingly full and interesting. It contains a detailed account of that city, from a very early period down to the rebuilding after the burning of it in 1812. The various accounts of the conflagration are given at length, and much curious information is added by the author. It may be remarked, that he has carefully examined the stateas a peculiar feature of Dr. Lyall's work, ments of preceding travellers, and contrasted them with the information with which his own experience furnished him.

are well executed and interesting.
The plates which illustrate the volume

Batavian Anthology;

mens of the Dutch Poets, with remarks or Specion the Poetical Literature and Language of the Netherlands to the end of the seventeeth century. By John Bowring and Harry S. Vandyk. 12mo. 7s. 6d. 1824.

Mr. Bowring, who absolutely overruns the ged the poets of Russia from their frozen reliterature of all Europe, has no sooner dragcesses, and introduced them to our more genial climate, than he endeavours to extricate and to give them a footing on the terra firma the unfortunate Dutch bards from their fens, of England.

His next incursion, we observe, is to be amongst the Poles. If any agine it must be these Batavian minstrels race of poets could have reason to rejoice at their transplantion to a foreign soil, we imwho are fortunate in having found such able translators as Mr. Bowring and bis coadjutor. In point of poetical merit, we are not inclined to judge very highly of the Batavian po

ets from the specimens given in this Anthology. The following is a translation from one of the earliest Dutch poets, aud, as the editor remarks, possesses the “natural feel. ing, without the exaggeration of the best epoch of Troubadour poetry.”

"Now I will speed to the Eastern land, for there my sweet love dwells,

rout about his legitimate rights; he sought not to avoid the danger by separating the impassioned pair. No his plan was more original, and one which, at the other side of the Pas de Calais, is not likely to have many imitations He devoted the whole of his attention to the study of his wife's passion; he commiserated her mental strug

Over hill and over valley, far over the heather, for gles; he watched with the most intense

there my sweet love dwells:

And two fair trees are standing at the gates of my sweet love,

One bears the fragrant nutmeg, and one the fragrant clove.

The nutmegs were so round, and the cloves they smelt so sweet,

I thought a knight would court me, and but a mean man meet.

The maiden by the hand, by her snow-white hand he led,

And they travelled far away to where a couch was

spread;

anxiety the combats that took place in her soul between love and honour, while at the same time he affected total ignorance of all these doings; he sought to cure her of her passion without irritating her; and the more he became convinced of her sentiments in favour of the Prince, the more he became profuse of tender assiduities and affection towards her. Our limits do not permit us to follow into further detail the conduct of this model of husbands, nor to enumerate all the hot and cold fits he had to experience during the prosecution of this singular experiment; we can merely state that his

And there they lay conceal'd through the loving praiseworthy efforts and superhuman pa

live-long night,

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I'm not less faithful now, although in fetters bound, And still will chatter on of two sweet lovers' wound."

Le Prince Raymond de Bourbon,ou des Passions après les Révolutions. 2 tomes. 12mo. (Prince Raymond de Bourbon, or the Passions after the Revolutions. 2 vols. 12mo.)

This is rather a remarkable production in its way, not only on account of the singularity of the story, but from the style and language, which are an imitation of those of the period in which the events are laid. In the course of this romance, the Count de la Tournaille gives a very minute account of the amours of his wife, the fair Countess de la Tournaille, who falls desperately in love with Prince Raymond de Bourbon, equally enamoured of her. The husband and historian of their loves paints in the most glowing colours the charms and excellent quali ties of his wife's lover: he does not attempt to disguise the fears inspired by so dangerous a rival, and he calls upon his readers to sympathize in the sorrow he feels at perceiving that his wife's heart is preoccupied with the image of another instead of his own; and he developes, very philosophically, the means which he employed to regain her tenderness. He abandoned himself neither to despair, indifference, nor vengeance; he did not enforce or make any

tience met with success, and the long-tried virtue of his wife triumphed over her pas sion. However, for the sake of truth it must be added, that the lady's virtue was in some degree indebted for this victory to the absence of Prince Raymond de Bourbon, who had set out on his travels and married through despair a young and beautiful princess. Besides the singularity of this story, which is told with considerable spirit, this romance has another and superior merportraits of the principal personages of the it, in exhibiting some strongly sketched the accession of Henry IV. after the termitime, and a stirring picture of the court on nation of a long protracted civil war. This and other scenes are well described, and acquire an additional truth of colouring peculiar to the time, from the old but nervous and picturesque idiom in which they of attention, as being not the least successare conveyed. This romance is also worthy

ful imitation of the histerical novels of the author of Waverley.

L'Europe et l'Amérique en 1822 et 1823. Par M. M. de Pradt. 2 tomes 8vo. (Europe and America in 1823. By M. De Pradt.

This work, which has just appeared, is destined, if not to live long, at least to make a great noise while it does live. The author, M. de Pradt, is one of the most lively political writers of the present day; and though some are inclined to question the profundity or clearness of his views, and others are irreverent enough to term him a political harlequin, yet he has contrived to catch the public attention by the ear, for all his productions, be they light brochures or ponderous octavos, are eagerly bought up, read with avidity, and commented upon by critics of all sides and colours. He certainly has got the talent of exciting public curiosity by a taking ti tle, and a piquant manner of presenting

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