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out the soul of love in the perfumed breath of the Lily of St. Leonard's. Stand thou, then, Meg Merrilies on the point of thy fated rock, with wild locks and words streaming to the wind; and sit thou there in thy narrow recess, Balfour of Burley, betwixt thy Bible and thy sword, thy arm of flesh and arm of the Spirit :—when the last words have passed the lips of the author of Waverley, there will be none to re-kindle your fires, or recall your spirit! Let him write on then to the last drop of ink in his inkstand, even though it should not be made according to the model of that described by Mr. Coleridge, and we will not be afraid to read whatever he is not ashamed to publish. We are the true and liege subjects of his pen, and profess our ultra-fealty in this respect, like the old French leaguers, with a Quand même, The Pirate is not what we expected, nor is it new. We had looked for a prodigious row-landing and boarding, cut and thrust, blowing up of ships, and sacking of sea-ports, with the very devil to pay, and a noise to deafen clamour, Guns, drums, trumpets, blunderbusses, and thunder.

We supposed that for the time, "Hell itself would be empty, and all the devils be here." There be land pirates and water pirates; and we thought Sir Walter would be for kicking up just such a dust by sea, in the Buccaneers, (as it was to be called) as he has done by land in Old Mortality. Multum abludit imago.

Of the execution of these volumes we need hardly speak.. It is inferior, but it is only inferior to some of his former works. Whatever he touches, we see the hand of a master. He has only to describe actions, thoughts, scenes, and they everywhere speak, breathe, and live. It matters not whether it be a calm sea-shore, a mountain-tempest, a drunken brawl, "the Cathedral's choir and gloom," the Sybil's watch tower, or the smuggler's cave; the things are immediately there that we should see, hear, and feel. He is Nature's Secretary. He neither adds to, nor takes away from, her book; and that makes him what he is, the most popular writer living.

EXPLOSION OF GAS CAUSED BY RATS.

A curious circumstance lately occurred in a shop on the Quaside in Newcastle-an explosion of gas caused by rats. The shop, recently fitted up by a grocer. The gasafter being some time unoccupied, had been pipe, for lighting the shop, came up through the floor, beneath the counter, through a hole large enough to admit a rat to pass.At a bend in the pipe, just above the floor, mals (it is supposed in search of water), as a hole was made by the teeth of these anithough it had been filed through; and consequently the gas escaped, and was partly confined in the hollows of the counter.The escape being discovered by the smell, a search for the leak was imprudently made with a candle, which caused an explosion, that broke several panes in the windows, and damaged the counter considerably ed. This circumstance, however, shows the but happily no personal injury was sustainnecessity of caution in the management of the gas; and that the use of candles ought to be avoided in searching for leaks in confined places, where any accumulation of gas

is possible.

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liam Morris, a rat-catcher.-A few days Jan. 12.-Died, at Louth, aged 71, Wilsince he went out to destroy vermin; and, as usual, took a box containing some poisonous articles, which he used in his vocation, in his pocket, in which also he incautiously put a small fruit pie. The latter he took box not being sufficiently secure, a part of out and ate upon the road; but the lid of his the poison had, without his knowing it, fallen out upon the surface of his pie Medical aid was resorted to as soon as the accident was discovered but the poor fellow's sufferings terminated in death after ten days of excruciating agonies.

LEVITY.

Major Lennon, of Grange cottage, Queen's Aged 15, Mr. Lennon, the eldest son of county. This young gentleman went to call upon a friend a few years older than himself, and being wrapped up in a Portuguese cloak, most imprudently determined upon surprising him, and concealing his face, and assuming a feigned voice, accosted him as a robber. The effects of his levity proved most fatal, for the other snatching up a blunderbuss, wounded Mr. Lennon in the face and head so horribly, that he died the next morning.

FRENCH LANGUAGE.

To Parody a famous expression of Mirabeau, it may be said that "the French language is making the tour of the world." A French Journal is now printed at Smyrna, under the title of the "Spectator Oriental;" and another is published in the Russian empire, at Odessa; two French papers appear at Madrid, the one entitled the "Regulateur," and the other the "Boussole." England has its Courier de Londres; and several French Journals appear in various parts of Germany and Switzerland. Such are the accounts of the French themselves of their language. Let us compare them with the English, destined perhaps one day to exceed all other languages in universality: In Paris, one paper; in Brussels, one; in Canada, several; in America, between three and four hundred; in the different West India Islands, seven or eight at least; in New South Wales, two and a magazine; in India, five or six, and also one or two periodical works; at the Cape of Good Hope, and in our other Colonies, one paper at least. While 15,000,000 of persons in the West Indies and America, 20,000,000 at home, and half a million or more in the different Colonies of the East and in Europe, making a total of 35,500,000 inhabiting every climate, speak the English tongue from childhood; besides all those foreigners whom literature or trade induce to study it. The increase of the English language in America, in the East, and in New South Wales, will only be limited by a territory which far exceeds one quarter of the globe, when its population shall be at a stand. A

more permanent memorial of Britain than

all her martial triumphs, and destined to make her remembered and admired when they are long forgotten.

MAGNETISM.

The Prussian State Gazette calls the attention of its readers to a highly-important discovery, which Dr. Seebeck has communicated to the Academy of Science at BerJin, in three different sittings, the last on the 26th of October," on the magnetic properties inherent in all metals and many earths (and not in iron alone, as was hitherto supposed), according to the difference of the degrees of heat." This discovery, it is stated, opens, in this part of Natural Philosophy, an entirely new field, which may lead to interesting results with respect to hot springs, connected with the observations made by the Inspector of Mines, M. Von Trebra, and others, relative to the progressive increase of warmth in mines, in proportion to their depths. According to M. Von Trebra's observations, the heat at the depth of 150 feet below the surface of the earth is one degree, at 300 feet deep two degrees, at 600 feet four degrees, &c.

REPUTED SPECIFICS.

The Acorus Calamus has lately been discovered to be a remedy for a pain in the breast. The discovery was accidental: the

patient chewing it without any design of using it as a medicine.-Strong coffee is also recommended as a cure for gravel.

"MODES OF CATCHING."

Munich, Nov. 27.-A very extraordinary circumstance has occurred here. A servant maid being in a garden with a child nine months old, set it down on the ground, when suddenly an Eagle darted from the air to seize upon it as a prey. The servant, who fortunately was close by, with the greatest courage and presence of mind threw a shawl at the bird, which covering its eyes, not only prevented him from seizing the infant, but even from escaping. She then boldly caught hold of the robber, and in spite of his struggles held him fast till some persons came to her assistance. His Majesty amply rewarded the heroine, who received some wounds in the contest, and sent the prisoner to the menagerie at Nymphenburg.

TOOTH DRAWING.

Dr. Monsey, an eccentric physician of the last century, was remarkable for many peculiarities, but the mode he adopted for drawing his own teeth was perhaps the most uncommon: it consisted in fastening a strong piece of catgut firmly round the affected tooth; the other end of the catgut was, by means of a strong knot, fastened to a perforated bullet; with this a pistol was charged, and when held in a proper direction, by touching the trigger, a troublesome companion was got rid of, and a disagreeable operation evaded.

A person whom he fancied he had persuaded to consent to this summary proceeding, went so far as to let him fasten his tooth to the catgut; but at that moment his resolution failed, and he cried out hastily that he had altered his mind: "But I have not," said Monsey, holding fast the string, and giving it an instantaneous and smart pull; "and sir, you are a fool and a coward for your pains."

TEMPERATURE OF ROOMS.

Mr. JOAN MURRAY has published some curious observations on the temperature of a room indicated by two thermometers at different altitudes. Two thermometers be

ing placed one on the floor, and the other suspended 6 feet above it, between the 5th and 24th of November, indicated differences of from 1 to 5o, the greater heat being in that 6 feet above the floor. He says that Breguel's Thermometre Metallique, in a still room without a fire, in the summer months, readily communicated the difference in temperature between the floor and a chair, and between this last and the table.

Entelligence.

Captain BASIL HALL, states that occultations of the stars by the moon are easily discernible at sea; and that he himself has made several observations of this kind. This mode of determining the longitude would be much preferable to that of the eclipses of Jupiter's satellites.

The Rev. I. TAYLOR will soon publish, in a duodecimo volume, Scenes in England, illustrated by 84 engravings.

Cœur de Lion, or the Third Crusade, a Poem, in sixteen Books, by Miss ELEANOR ANNE PORDEN, author of the Veils, the Arctic Expeditions, &c. is in the press.

Mr. MACKENZIE, author of the Thousand Experiments, a volume which has acquired for its author a great reputation among the European and American chemists, is preparing First Lines of the Science of Chemistry, for the use of Students, with engravings.

The author of the Beauties, Harmonies, and Sublimities of Nature is writing a work under the title of The Tablets of Memnon; or, Fragments Illustrative of the Human Character. It will contain some very curious anecdotes, and be illustrated by the author's correspondence with St. Pierre, author of the Studies of Nature, Madame de Stael, Dr. Percy, late Bishop of Dromore, and several other eminent, literary, and political characters.

Sacred Lyrics; by JAMES EDMESTON, vol. 3, will shortly appear.

The long announced biography of Public Men of all Nations Living in 1822, will appear in April, and be embellished with 150 spirited engraved portraits. It will form three volumes somewhat larger than Debrett's Peerage, and may be regarded as the peerage of talents and genius in every walk of life.

Cataline; a Tragedy, in five acts; with other Poems, will be published in a few days, by the Rev. G. CROLY, A. M. author of Paris in 1815, Angel of the world,&c. In the Arctic Land Expedition Lieutenant Franklin, R. N. proceeded from York Factory towards their wintering ground at Cumberland, a distance of about 900 miles from the coast.-Lieutenant Franklin, Dr. Richardson, Mr. Back, and Mr. Hood, attended by the Orkneymen, who had been engaged to man the boats in the rivers of the interior, had worked in the Company's service several years, and understood the language of many of the Indian tribes, left the factory on the 7th of September, 1819. As the travellers advanced, the mild season not having yet begun to disappear, vast herds of grey deer were observed passing the rivers towards the Esquimaux lands. They entered upon Lake Winnipie, at the farther side of which they had to encounter the grand rapid, extending nearly three miles, and abounding in obstructions quite insurmountable. Here they were obliged to drag their boats on shore, and carry them

over the land. The woods along the banks were all in a blaze, it being the custom of the natives, as well as of the traders, to set fire to the trees, for the double purpose of keeping off the cold and the wolves. The expedition passed several other rapids and falls, along a flat, woody, and swampy country, across five miles of which no eye could see. After a tedious journey of fortysix days, (the dangers and distresses of which rather increased than diminished as they advanced,) the expedition arrived at Cumberland, a post situated on the banks of a beautiful lake, and stockaded against incursions of savages, the attacks of wolves and bears, and the more ferocious assaults of rival traders. Here the winter of 1819 was passed. In June 1820 they set forward in canoes manned by Canadians. On the 29th of July they arrived at the north side of Slave Lake. A party of Copper Indians were engaged to accompany them, and they commenced the work of discovery. On the 1st of September they reached the banks of the Copper Mine River, in lat. 55. 15. N., long. 113 W., a magnificent body of water two miles wide. They had penetrated into a country destitute of wood, and the men were exhausted with the labours of carrying canoes, cargoes, &c. amounting to three tons, from lake to lake. Their broken spirits were revived by success; but the season was too far advanced to make farther progress. They returned to a small wood of pines, and erected their winter residence of mud and timber, which they named Fort Enterprise. By Indian report this river runs into the Northern Sea, in west longitude 110, and in lat. 72. In June, 1821, they proposed to re-embark, and it was supposed that the river would enable them to reach the sea in a fortnight.

NEW WORKS.

Sir Andrew Wylie of that Ilk, 3 vols.

Irah and Adelah, a Tale of the Flood, and other Poems; together with Specimens of a New Translation of the Platis,by Thomas Dale, of Benett College, Cambridge, Svo.

Aroita and Palemon, after the excellent poet Geoffrey Chaucer; by Lord Thurlow. Poems on Several Occasions; by Lord Thurlow.

The French Protestant: a Tale; by the author of the Italian Convert, 12mo. 3s.

Stories after Nature, f. cap. 8vo. 6s.

Legends of Scotland (first series) containing Fair Helen, of Kirkonnel, and Roslin Castle; by Ronald M'Chronicle, esq. 3 vols. Fanny Fairfield, the Farmer's Daughter: a Juvenile Tale, 12mo. 5s.

Singularity: a Tale; by Jane Harvey, author of Brougham Castle, &c. 2 vols. Lemira of Lorraine : a Romance, 3 vols. The Recluse: a Romance, a Translation of Le Solitaire, 2 vols.

The woman of Genius, 3 vols. 12mo.
Dinan, a Romance.

Langreath: aTale; by Mrs.Nathan, 3 vis

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ever blooming and young, superintended their interests, and her marriage with the gentle Zephyrus must have singularly promoted the welfare of her delicate subjects. They have been showered on the heads of heroes, been chosen by Love as his most appropriate twisted in the chaplets of Hymen, and gifts, and most intelligible symbols. Affection has delighted to strew them on the graves of the departed, and Poetry has sung their praise, till, the wearied ear turns from the oft-told tale.

the

THE flower-garden is usually in all its glory in June, if the weather have been mild and favourable to vegetation. The region of Flora, with its odours and endless hues, is an object of Who will assert that in modern days admiration to man alone, and constitutes flowers are less honourably distinguishone of the most pleasing and innocent ed?-who that has seen the Epergne recreations to none but man is it an laden with their mingled blossoms; object of the slightest moment. The most dainty dishes garnished with their general sense of beauty, as well as of brilliant tints; or the splendid drawinggrandeur, seems familiar to man in the rooms and gay boudoirs, where they creation. The herd, in common with grow in tubs, or float in vases, or stiffen him, enjoy the gentle breath of spring; in saucers filled with moistened sandthey lie down to repose on the flowery who, above all, that has beheld them bank, and hear the peaceful humming in bunches, bushes, and arborets minof the bee; they enjoy the green fields gling with the tresses, towering high and pastures; but we have reason to above the heads, or, as in recent times, think, that it is man only who sees the hanging confusedly about the throats image of beauty over the happy pros of our most fashionable females ?— pect, and rejoices at it; that it is hid-Flowers of all hues,and without thorn den from the brute creation, and de- the rose.' pends not upon sense, but on the intelligent mind.

In every age and every nation, flowers have been honoured, cherished, loved and admired. In the olden time they graced the festivals, and adorned the altars, of the deities. A goddess, 22 ATHENEUM VOL. 11.

With how much care, too, do we tend 'the firstlings of the year,' and endeavour to persuade them to expand their bright petals, and breathe their delicious scents a little earlier than the laws of nature permit. In the language of that exquisite poem, 'The

Flower and the Leaf,' the choicest offering which Flora's altars ever received,

When buds, that yet the blast of Eurus fear,

Stand at the door of life, and doubt to clothe the year, we tempt them forth, and promise them our fostering protection, Then, at our call emboldened,' the hyacinth, the narcissus, and the crocus, burst their sheaths; we delight to deck our rooms with these children of early spring we display them exultingly at our windows, and, Qui possit violas addere, divas erit. Faint, however, are the pleasures which flowers afford in cities, when compared with those which they bestow upon their admirers in the country. There, the florist rears them near his home, watches them, improves them by culture, takes a parental interest in their progress, and a lover's pride in their charms, while health and cheerfulness reward his labours. There, the botanist explores the hedges, and traverses the hills in pursuit of some new addition to his herbal or his knowledge, and the barren heath and dull common acquire interest and beauty in his eyes.

Oh! friendly to the best pursuits of man,
Friendly to thought, to virtue, and to peace,

are tastes and studies of this description, when cultivated as the amusement, not the business of life, and kept in due subserviency to higher and more useful pursuits.

Botany appears to be peculiarly adapted to the study of ladies, as it tempts them to the enjoyment of air and exercise, which though the best friends to health and beauty, the most effectual remedies for nervousness and ennui, are yet very generally neglected by the flowers of the human race. It is favourable, also, to the acquisition of habits of inquiry and observation, and sends the eye constantly abroad on expeditions of discovery. It is not a botanist who can travel from Dan to Beersheba, and cry, all is barren ;' on the contrary, wherever a blade of grass appears, he is on the watch for rarity or beauty, and seldom returns from a ramble without some novelty to relate, some treasure to display.

On minute inspection, how much of amusement and instruction may be de

rived from the study of flowers,-that study in which Israel's wisest monarch delighted; he who spoke of trees from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop on the wall! The daisy, insignificant as it apparently is, (yet immortalized by the pen of Dryden, and graced by the song of Burns) becomes, on closer observation, an expanse of wonders, a cluster of miracles. Scores of minute blossoms compose its disc and border, each distinct, each useful, each deli cately beautiful. The convolvulus and honeysuckle appear to the careless eye to twist in a similar manner round every thing in their neighbourhood; but the botanist discovers that they are governed by different laws, the former always twining itself according to the apparent motion of the sun, the latter in a contrary direction; and when busy man attempts to alter this arrangement, he invariably injures, and perhaps destroys, the plant.

The physiology of vegetables is a most curious and entertaining branch of the science of botany; and, owing to the great improvement of our microscopes, may be pursued to an extent far beyond the most sanguine hopes of former students. In some recent experiments, the growth of wheat was actually rendered visible to the eye; a bubble of gas was seen to dart forth, carrying which instantaneously formed into a with it a portion of vegetable matter, fine tube, and one fibre was completed. In short, with instruments like our's, what may we not hope to accomplish in studies, unexhausted and inexhaustible as are those of nature ?

In this delightful month, the fields of clover (trifolium pratense) white and purple, are in blossom; and the dog

rose

rosa canina), and the poppy (papaver somniferum),have their flowers full blown. The milky juice of

Sleep is a god too proud to wait in palaces,
And yet so humble too as not to scorn

The meanest country cottages;
His poppy grows among the corn.
The halcyon Sleep will never build his nest
In any stormy breast.

"Tis not enough that he does find
Clouds and darkness in their mind;
Darkness but half his work will do:
'Tis not enough; he must find quiet too.
Horace, imitated by Cowley.

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