VOL. 2.]

Owhyhee Tradition of the Death of Captain Cook.

351

glow in the system, was again hurried kindle or direct a generous emulation. away to chillness and shadow beyond As a festive companion he seems to have the gaze of mankind. been utterly unequalled,-without a The details of Curran's private life are second or a similar;-and has left on for the biographer. But of that portion record more of the happiest strokes of a which, lying between public labours and fancy, at. one classic, keen, and brilliant, domestic privacy, forms the chief ground than the most habitual Wit of the age. for the individual character, we may It may yet be a lesson worth the memory speak with no slight panegyric. Few of those who feel themselves neglected men of his means of inflicting pain could by nature, that, with all his gifts, Curran's have been more reluctant to use them; life was not that one which would few men, whose lives passed in continual satisfy a man desirous of being happy. public conflict, could have had fewer But let no man imagine that the possespersonal enemies; and perhaps no man sion of the most fortunate powers is an of his time has left sincerer regrets among excuse for error, still less an obstruction his personal friends. He was fond of to the sense of holy obedience; our true encouraging the rising talents of his emblem is in the archangel, bending profession, and gave his advice and his with the deepest homage, as he rises the praise ungrudgingly, wherever they might highest in intellectual glory.

CORNUCOPIA.

THE REAL CAUSE OF THE DEATH OF decay; and the wood of which he thought

CAPTAIN COOKE.

From the London Literary Gazette, Nov. 1817.

PROFESSOR Pictet of Geneva, ed

to be drier than that of newly felled trees: he therefore gave orders to pull down the hut, without first having consulted the natives. Neither he nor his people, affair took none of them could learn) doubtless, knew (and after the turn the that the place was tabooed.*-The islanders did not hesitate a moment to

itor of the Bibliotheque Universelle, paid a visit in the month of July, 1817, on board the American corvette, lying in the harbour of Genoa; the owner of which, Mr. Crowninshield, was on a voyage of pleasure, and had already vis- prevent, by a desperate attack, an act ited several ports of the Mediterranean. which they considered as an impropriety; His vessel appeared on the outside to be they killed some of the workmen, and a master-piece of naval architecture, and put the others to flight. Probably those the interior arrangement and furniture who escaped did not know the real cause was so convenient and elegant, that dur- of the attack which was so fatal to a part ing its stay in the harbour it was constantly full of curious and admiring visitors.

A sensible negro acted on board the vessel in the double capacity of cook and of calculator of all the nautical observations, necessary for determining the latitudes and longitudes. This negro has lived two years in one of the Sandwich islands, where Captain Cook was killed, The tradition of that event is preserved in this island (Owhyhee); and according to him the following account is given :

of the crew.

The Negro cook appeared much affected by the recollection of his abode in whyhee, and ardently desires to return

thither. He described this island as the

happiest country in the world; and his account of the moral, mild, and hospitable character of the inhabitants, forms a striking contrast to the opinion that has

been formed of them, on account of that

unexpected, and as it was supposed, un-
He had learned to
provoked attack.
speak the language of the country with
tolerable fluency, and some words which

See our recent review of the Voyage to New

Captain Cook who was in want of wood, as well as water, had perceived near the shore an old hut, which appear- Zealand, for an account of tabooing in that country, ed to him to be neglected and gone to

which affords great countenance to this story, p. 339, present number.

352

Cornucopia.

[VOL. 2

he pronounced appeared to be at least piece of marble, on which, at the inauas soft in their tone, as those of most of guration of the Duke, a peasant of a the European languages.

particular family possesses an hereditary He was questioned respecting the right to take his station, having on his cooking of the islanders, and particularly right hand a black meagre bullock, on their manner of roasting hogs upon hot his left a lean mare, and being at the stones. His answers were very intelli- same time surrounded by a crowd of gible and clear; and he often enhanced peasants and other people. When thus by various gestures the clearness of his prepared, the Prince, environed by his description. He bestowed great praise officers, advances with the standards and on the talents and the character of the insignia of the Principality. Count Goritz, king of the island. He is already pos- who is Marshal of the Court, heads the sessed of a navy, and has sent ships to procession with twelve small standards, China. He has also a body guard, and is followed by all the magistrates in armed with muskets and lances, which their robes of office, while the Prince they manage with dexterity. He em- himself appears in the habit of a simple ploys himself with great ardor in the shepherd. civilization of his people. The succession to the throne is hereditary, and the king has three wives.

His Highness is no sooner perceived by the peasant on the marble stone, than he exclaims in the Sclavonian tongue, "Who is he that comes attended by CHESELDEN AND THE CONVICT. such a proud magnificent train ?" He is On the 13th of August, 1763, we read, answered, It is the prince of the coun"Died in Newgate, George Chippendale: try." The peasant again inquires, “Is he was respited in order to have his leg he an equitable judge, zealous for the cut off, to try the effect of a new-invented good of his country? Is he of a liberal styptic; but as it was not tried, he was disposition? Does he deserve to be hon◄ pardoned on consideration of being oured? Is he an observer and defender transported for life." Lady Suffolk was of the Catholic religion?" Being early afflicted with deafness. Cheselden answered in the affirmative, "I desire the skilful surgeon, then in favour at to know," he again exclaims, "by Court, persuaded her that he had hopes what right he comes to take my place?" of being able to cure her deafness by Count Goritz answers, "The favour some operation on the drum of the ear, is purchased of thee for sixty deniers; and offered to try the experiment on a these beasts are thine; thou shalt have condemned convict then in Newgate, the clothes the prince now wears, and who was deaf. If the man could be thy family shall be exempted from taxes." pardoned, he would try it, and if he suc- The prince then approaches the peasant, eeeded, would practise the same cure on from whom he receives a box on the ear, her ladyship. She obtained the pardon of and an exhortation to be an equitable the man, who was cousin toCheselden, and judge. On ending his harangue he rewho had feigned that pretended discov- signs his place to his prince, and retires, ery to save his relation. No more was driving off the bullock and the mare. heard of the experiment: the man saved his ear too, but Cheselden was disgraced at court. Acker. Repos. Nov. 1817.

From the Literary Panorama, November 1817.
ANTIENT CEREMONY.

The prince having mounted the stone, brandishes his sword, swears to judge his people impartially, descends from the marble, goes to hear mass, quits his pastoral garb for apparel more suitable to his rank, and returns to the stone from The following curious ceremony was whence he hears some causes or grievformerly observed on taking possession ances, and receives homage for the vacant of the Duchy of Austria:-In a pleasant valley, near the town of Saint Voit, are to be seen the ruins of an ancient town, A dispute once arose in the way of the name of which is unknown; in the raillery, between the Earl of Temple and neighbourhood of these remains stands a the first Lord Lyttleton, on the com

fiefs.

ETYMOLOGICAL ANECDOte.

VOL. 2.]

Curious Picture.-Extract from Time's Telescope.

parative antiquity of their families. Lord Lyttleton contended that the name of Grenville was originally Greenfield; Lord Temple insisted it was derived from Grande Ville. "Well then," said Lord Lyttleton, "if you will have it so, my family may boast of the higher antiquity; for Little towns were certainly antecedent to Great cities; but if you will be content with the more humble derivation, I will give up the point, for green fields were certainly more ancient than either."

OLD PICTURE AT EPPING,
From the Gentleman's Magazine, October 1817.

A picture at Epping Place (once a
gentleman's house, but now an inn),
said to have been bought at Mr. Cross's
sale at Gilson, represents a lady, appar-
ently between 30 and 40 years old,
sitting on the ground in a field, a castle
at a distance; a very old man, with a
long beard, rests his head on her lap; by
her stands a gentleman, who points to
three others coming towards them, two
of whom seem near the lady's age, the
third is
young.

"Madam, I pray, this one thing me shew,
What yon three be, if you them know:
What's their descent? and nativity?"

In the lower corner is the answer: "Sir, the one by my father's side is my brother,

So is the next in right of my mother;
The third is my owne sonne lawfully begat,

And all sonnes to my husband in my lapp.
Without hurt of lineage in any degree,

Shew me in reason how this may bee."

353

The interpretation given of this house is as follows:

"There was old Justice Clives,

He married two wives;

By the first had a daughter, Miss Tabitha Clives.

His first wife being dead, he brought home a young

bride,

But by her had no issue, he sicken'd and died.
And, spouse being dead, she soon thought of a second.
Sir John of yon Castle began his addresses,
She yields as a spouse, and, to crown their caresses,
With two fine chopping boys yon Castle she blesses.
The good lady dies, the whole Castle's in tears.
But this union, alas! did not last many years,
Sir John mourns three months for his dearest of wives,
And casts a sheep's eye at Miss Tabitha Clives.
Look here, child, a man may not marry, my life,
Pray read on without laughter, there's nothing comes

This buxom young widow a beauty was reckon'd,

His grandmother, no, nor his grandfather's wife.

after,

That a man may not marry his wife's first husband's daughter.

Over the head of the gentleman, who Sir John prevail'd, Miss Tabitha commences a lady

stands by the lady, are these lines:

with joy,

And soon prov'd with child, and the child prov'd a boy."

TIME'S TELESCOPE, FOR FEBRUARY.

The green moss shines with icy glare;
The long grass bends its spear-like form:
And lovely is the silvery scene

When faint the sunbeams smile.
Reflection too may love the hour,
When Nature, hid in Winter's grave,
No more expands the bursting bud,
Or bids the flow'ret bloom.

For Nature soon in Spring's best charms
Shall rise revived from Winter's grave,
Again expand the bursting bud,
And bid the flow'ret bloom.

SOUTHEY.

in this month. SHAKSPEARE, in allusion to this month, says,

You have such a February face,

Full of frost, of storm, and cloudiness.

M. Acerbi thus describes a winter in Stockholm :-The snow that begins to fall in the latter weeks of autumn covers and hides the streets for the space of six months, and renders them more pleasant and convenient than they are in summer or autumn. One layer of snow on OME etymologists derive February another, hardened by the frost, forms a surfrom Februa, an epithet given to Juno, face more equal and agreeable to walk as the goddess of purification; while nn, which is sometimes raised more than others attribute the origin of the name to a yard above the stones of the street. Februa, a feast held by the Romans in The only wheels now to be seen in this month in behalf of the manes of the Stockholm are those of small carts, emdeceased. The Saxons named Febru- ployed by men-servants of families to ary sprout kele, on account of the sprouts fetch water from the pump in a cask. of the cole-wort which began to appear 2X ATHENEUM. Vol. 2.

This compound of cart and cask al

354

Explanation of Saints' Days, obscure Customs, &c.

[VOL. 2

ways struck me as a very curious and ex- PURIFICATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN traordinary object; insomuch that I have MARY, OR CANDLEMAS, FEB. 2. taken the trouble of following it, in order THIS festival is of high antiquity, and to have a nearer view of the whimsical the antient Christians observed it by usrobe in which the frost had invested it, ing a great number of lights; in rememand particularly of the variegated and brance, as it is supposed, of our blessed fantastical drapery in which the wheels Saviour's being declared by Simeon, to were covered and adorned. This vehi- be a light to lighten the Gentiles. This cle, with all its appurtenances, afforded to practice continued in England till the a native of Italy a very singular spectacle. second year of Edward the Sixth, when The horse was wrapped up, as it seem- Archbishop Cranmer forbade it by ored, in a mantle of white down, which, der of the then privy-council. And under his breast and belly, was fringed hence the name of Candlemas Day. with points and tufts of ice. Stalactical The Greeks call this festival Hypante, ornaments of the same kind, some of which signifies the meeting, because them to the length of a foot, were also Simeon and Anna met our Lord in the attached to his nose and mouth. The Temple on this day. The candles carservant that attended the cart had on a ried about on this day, were blessed by frock, which was encrusted with a solid the priests.

mass of ice. His eye-brows and hair This day is called Christ's Presen jingled with icicles, which were formed tation,' the holiday of Saint Simeon,' by the action of the frost on his breath and in the north of England, the 'Wives and perspiration. Sometimes the water Feast Day.' At Rippon, on the Sunin the pump was frozen, so that it became day before Candlemas Day, the Collenecessary to melt it by the injection of a giate Church is still one continued blaze red-hot bar of iron. of light all the afternoon, an immense number of candles being burnt before it.

SAINT BLASE, FEB. 3.

Neither men nor women carry any thing on their heads or shoulders, but employ small sledges, which they push He was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, on before them. When they come to and suffered martyrdom in 316, under a declivity, they rest with their left hip the persecution of Licinius, by command and thigh on the sledge, and glide down of Agricolaus, governor of Cappadocia to the bottom with a velocity which, to and the lesser Armenia. His festival is a stranger, appears both astonishing and kept a holiday in the Greek church on frightful, guiding all the while the motion the 11th of February. In the holy of the sledge with their right foot. If wars his relics were dispersed over the you add to the objects which I have been West, and his veneration was propagaldescribing, the curious appearance of the ed by many miraculous cures, especially many different pelisses that are worn of sore throats. He is the principal patwith the fur on the outside, you will ima- ron of the commonwealth of Ragusa. gine what a striking scene the streets of No other reason than the great devotion Stockholm present in winter to a foreign- of the people to this celebrated martyr er, especially to one that came from the of the church, seems to have given occa southern part of Europe.'

sion to the wool-combers to choose him QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY, Feb. 1. the titular patron of their profession; The institution of this and the two and his festival is still kept by them at preceding Sundays cannot be traced Norwich with a solemn guild. Perhaps higher than the beginning of the sixth or the iron combs, with which he is said to the close of the fifth century. When have been tormented, gave rise to this the words Septuagesima, Sexagesima, choice. and Quinquagesima (seventieth, sixtieth, SHROVE TUESDAY, FEB. 3. and fiftieth), were first applied to denote This day is also called Fastern's these three Sundays, the season of Lent Een' and Pancake Tuesday. Shrove is had generally been extended to a fast of the preterite of shrive, an antiquated six weeks, that is thirty-six days, not word which signifies to hear or make reckoning the Sundays, which were al- confession. On this day it was usual ways celebrated as festivals." for the people to confess, that they might

VOL. 2.]

Time's Telescope for February.

355

be the better prepared for the observation the above. We fancied he was meant of the ensuing season of penitence, and to burlesque our nation; for an Englishfor receiving the sacrament at Easter. man is always so dressed on the Italian It was afterwards converted into a day stage, and especially as we sometimes of idle sports and amusements. er violently by the hand, in the English saw these characters shaking one anothmanner caricatured. After the promenade had continued about two hours, the coaches were all drawn up in a row on each side of the street, and foot passengers either stationed between them and the houses, or seated on rows of chairs or benches on the foot-walk, which is in some parts raised three or four feet above A horse race

At Ludlow, there is a singular custom on this day. A rope of 36 yards long and 3 inches thick is provided at the expense of the chamberlain or chief constable, which at three o'clock in the afternoon, is suspended at one of the mar ket-house windows till the clock strikes four, when it is immediately thrown into the street by the chamberlain, and there seized by the hands of several hundred the central pavement. persons. On this occasion the inhabi- now took place. tants are divided into two parties, namely, Castle and Broad Street wards against (continues Dr. Smith) every afternoon, 'We mixed with the motley crowd those of Old Street and Corve Street. our English clothes serving most comA scene of great tumult continues till pletely as a masquerade dress, and proone of the parties has succeeded in pul- curing us a number of rencounters, all of ling the rope to the extremity of one the facetious and good-humoured kind. of the wards. The Popish Carnival commences from diversions were carried to the highest On the last day of the Carnival, all the Twelfth day, and usually holds till Lent. pitch. The crowd was prodigious; At Rome, the Carnival lasts for nine but although every body was full of days, and it is no where seen in such tricks, and all distinction of ranks and perfection as at this place. thus describes it: The equipages on without the least ili "behaviour, or any Dr. Smith persons laid aside, the whole passed off the Corso (the principal street of the thing like a quarrel. It was the most city) displayed great magnificence, and good-humoured mob I ever saw. About a fantastic style of ornament never indul- dusk every body took a small lighted ged but in Carnival time. They were taper in their hands, and most people preceded by running-footmen, and attend- held several; happy were they who ed by numerous servants in splendid could keep the greatest number lighted, liveries. The great variety of droll for the amusement consisted in trying to masks on foot were by far the most di- extinguish each other's candles. Some verting part of the scene. numbers of coarse athletic carmen dres- windows, and even roofs, being crowdHere were people carried large flambeaux. All the sed as women, fanning themselves with ed with spectators, and scarcely any a pretended delicacy and listlessness body without lights, the street looked highly comic, and hanging on the arms like a starry firmament. of their mistresses, whose little slender fig- many carriages parading up and down, Below were ures, strutting in breeches, made no less much more whimsical and gaudy than ridiculous an appearance. This kind had yet appeared. of metamorphosis, on such an occasion, triumphal cars, decked with wreathes of Some resembled and in such a rank, is entertaining flowers and parti-coloured lamps in fesenough, though not, in my opinion, to toons. The company within carried tabe tolerated in any thing like regular pers, and a plentiful ammunition of su society. A very common character in gar plums, with which they pelted their these masquerades is a man dressed like acquaintances on each side, insomuch a quaker who runs up to every body that the field of action looked next making a sort of thrilling buzzing noise morning as if there had been a shower with his lips, and a very idiotic stare. of snow. These carriages contained the We could not enter much into the hu- first company and most elegant women mour of this personage; for he never in Rome, fantastically dressed, but genspoke, nor made any other noise than erally unmasked. They were open to