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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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" LAJTERXS . DEDICATED 10 CEETAIS OPB 0 KE 5 X 3 OF KAHOXAL EDUCATION . "Apeople dwelt in darkness , In gloom and blinding night , Till some grew tired of candles , And dared to long for . light . When straight the established lanterns Were stirred with hate of day , And loud' the lawful rushlights la wrath were hoard to say , - ¦ --• Oh , have you not your lanterns , Your little shining lanterns ! "What need have you of sunshine ? "What do yon want with day 2 ' " Then loudthe people murmured , And vowed it waa n ' t right For men who could get daylight , To grope aboritin night ; "Why should they lose the gladness , The pleasaut sights of day ! But still the established lanterns Continued all to say , Oh , have you not your lanterns , Your nice old glimmering lanterns 1 "What need have yon of sunshine ? "What do you want with day V " But people loathed the darkness , And dared at last to say , You old-established rushlights Aie good things in your way ; But are you , candles , sunlight , — You lanterns , —are you day ?' Still loud the lawful lanterns Sid answer make and say , ? Oh , be content with lanterns Your good old-fashioned lanterns Yon really want too touch light ; Don ' t ask again for day . ' " At last the crowd ' s deeb murmur Grew , patheringto a roar . * And that they would have daylight , In lanterns ' spite , they swore ; And fear was on all rushlights . And trembling and dismay ; . 'Alas , alas for lanterns !' The people heard them say ; ? Oh , woe—oh , woe for lanterns ? "What will become of lanterns ! Alack , they will hare sunshine : Alas , there will he day ! ' " And , as the tempest thickened , Aloud they shrieked in fright , ' Ob , once let in the sunshine , And what will be onr light , We , shining lights in darkness , Shall nothing be in day ; Oh , don ' t admit the sunshine ! Seep ont the daylight , pray ! Oh , don ' t put out your lanterns ! Your own old little lantern !)! Oh . do without the sunshine ! Oh , don ' t let in the day ! " The day came in , but prophets - Do say , 't is certain , quite , That long , through coming ages , Will lanterns hate the light , That to our children ' s children , In sorrow still they'll say , ' Oh , for the times of darkness , Ere lanterns passed away ! Why laid they by ns lanterns , Their fine , their good old lanterns ! We ' re sure it's bad , this sunshine , This horrid glare of day . " Bennett ! s Poems
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The Planetary System ; its Order and Physical Structure . By J . P . Nichol , LL . D . London : Bailliere . Da . Nichol may take the same place in astronomical , as South wood . Smith and the late Andrew Combe in medical science . If he has not himself advanced astronomy , he has extended its knowledge and its study , not merely by rendering the great , but very often scattered , discoveries of modern astronomers
accessible and intelligible , but by the manner in which he popularised the science . So-called ' * popular" compenduuns were rife enough before him , but they were of a dry school-book sort ; the elements were presented , and perhapa plainly , bat after the plainness of a " rule" iu grammar or arithmetic . Dr . Xichol was the first who brought to astronomical compilation the knowledge of an' astronomer and the spirit of philosophy , united to breadth of view and warmth of manner . He
not only elevated compilation himself , but set an example to others . Since the appearance of "The Architecture of &e Heavens , " greater largeness , vigour , and life , seem to nave been infused into most books that treat of any section of cosmogony . The present volume is designed as an introduction to astronomy , for * 'that nnmerons class who cannot boast of acquisitions in mathematics , " and is preliminary to a more pro found and elaborate work which Dr . Nichol
is preparing . In strictness , the theme is confined to a description of the solar system , and an investigation of the principles which sustain and rule it . " But Dr . Nichol is not the man to confine himself too narrowly to his subject . The probable formation of the system enables him to enter , not so much upon the nebular hypothesis , as the demonstrative speculations of La Place , with regard to the formation of the planetary system ; assuming the existence of a central body like the sun ,
instead of attempting to show , with the elder Herschel , how it was formed . The appearance of comets in our system takes the reader "beyond the visible diurnal sphere , " into space . The powerful telescopes of modern times enable Dr . Nichol to describe the vallies and mountains of the moon , to speculate upon the nature and constitution of its matter or groundwork , since we must not say earth , and even to pierce through the atmosphere of the son to the luminary itself .
The general subject of the book has been frequently handled in a jog-trot conventional manner by various compilers , as veil as by Dr . Nichol in his "Phenomena of the Solar System . " Novelty is given to the matter of the present work by the introduction of the cognate subjects we have already mentioned , and by embracing the latest discoveries in astronomy . He imparts interest by his genial feeling and his eloquent style . The plan and treatment of the subject , however , is the great gource of variety and freshness . Dr . Nichol embraces the history of astronomical
discovery , and notices its great discoverers in connexion with the account of the planetary system . This method not only presents the student with an outline of the history of the science , but , as the discoveries were made in the order of the palpable , he is enabled to present the simplest to the reader first , and to impress principles firmly in themind , by noting the early errors and the causes of them . In the same way , he is able to combine a human interest with the exposition of an abstract Science . Tlie fact that the earth moves in its orbit round the sun , that the sun itself turns upon its axis , and similar commonplace truths of astronomy , possess a living interest when
they are associated with the long prevalence of erroneous notions in the world , the opposition Copernicus encountered , and the persecutions to which Galitleo was subjected . In later times , and less priestridden countries , persecution was not to be feared ; but a biographical interest still continues , and one beyond a merel y scientific attraction rises up with the law of progression . It is interesting to see tow each discovery is imperfect , or leaves a difficulty which future inquiries have to solve , down even to the last planet Neptune : its discovery was facilitated , and in part suggested by Bode ' s law , but the planet proved ° n discovery to be an exception to the rule .
^ Ve have mentioned how the history of error " made use of to explain or enforce truth . * "C natural difficulty experienced b y the ancip in discovering the acfcaal movement of 0 Dr system , may be taken as an example : — JHe obstacles in tbe way of our discovering the a « ua \ character of the planetary system are twofold : t 5 ! ey arise from the position and circumstances w « bin which we view it ; and both art : in the same J T , viz ., they withdraw the truth from simple or direct inspection , andrflduccus to . ttie qeccasjty ' of Ja-errinsf or deducing it fronTwEat is only apparent . 10 the first place , we look at the system as an
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« F externaVobiect sideways . . K from sonw ' point for aloft—the eye m a position similar to F that J from S whichlone examines the diagram of Plate I .-we'descnedthe planetsrolling below as on a great plain , ™ doubt regarding their motions could possibly remain , as each would be seen steadfastly describing its allotted circle ; but the opportunity of thus discerniuS tbe phenomena we would disentangle is evidentl y denied us . In consequence of our residing on the earth , we are not above that system , but in the midst of it ; and because of our system ' s special structure , we are limited to a view like the following : Suppose a ball eec in motion SO as to revolve in a circle on the surface of a table ; its actual motion ; with all its circumstances , would be seen directly by an eye raised above the tableand av . ^ iillll ^ l ?^ i ? . £ »» ,
, looking down on it ; but if the eye were only at the height of the table , and therefore constrained to look on the railing globe sideways , the circular motion would not . be a direct perception , but aninference . The ' visible fact ' would simply be , that the ball passes alternately by some path to the right and left of the eye ; but what the path is , whether merely a straight line through which the ball passeB backwards and forwards , or a curve lino , circular or otherwise , this could not be ascertained , unless after observation much more minute and pro longed than that which revealed mere alternations « the object ' s apparent place . But there is a second
characteristic of our position as observers , which renders thetosk of evolving the true planetary paths more difficult still . We do not look at these moving bodies from a position of rest ; and as the motion of the earth is not felt or originaljy understood , we are inclined to suppose thatall apparent changes of place in external bodies spring from their actual motions ; , so that we are obliged almost to mix up with what is real a large amount of what is unreal , viz ., all those alterations in the relative positions of our globe and the other planets which are caused by our own positive but unfelt revolutions . Notice a body of cavalry on a field-day imitating a skirmish : it would' be difficult even for an attentive
observer to follow and record the complex careers of these horsemen ; but how different the condition of any actual rider in the imaginary affray!—how ' unlikely tbat , by tho utmost stretch of attention , he conld discern so as to narrate , when the scene terminated , the exact conduct of the nearest of his comrades , the directions and distances of his various courses . And with regard to the planets , such a process of discrimination is rendered' yet more hopeless , by the fact that there are no fixed neighbouring bodies by comparison with whose known stability we might infer our own changes or measure those of pur companions . The stars are fixed , indeed , in relation at least to our evolutions ; but wiey are so remote that the motion of the mo 3 t distant planet—the one whose orbit has the widest range—could not be detected through effect of any
apparent change thereby impressed on their positions ; nay , the entire sphere of the planetary orbits , seen from the nearest of these luminaries , could not be discriminated without great difficulty from that mere point which marks the position of the sun . I am not sure , indeed , that in the whole history of science there is ought more instructive than the chapter recording the mode by which these serious hindrances were withdrawn from our way to a right understanding of , the structure of the heavens . In tbe first place , we have the surprising efforts of the Greeks , artificial undoubtedly , and , like other physical speculations of that remarkable people , chiefly distinguished for their logical ingenuity , but pregnant with interest as a milestone in the progress of humanity , and the ground also of all succeeding achievements .
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Complete Works of " Figaro " ( Mariano de Larra . ) Vols . XLVII . and XLVIII . of the " Collection of the best Spanish . Authors . '' Paris , Baudry . Larra was born in Madrid ( in 1809 ); but his father , a physician of some repute , having a medical charge in tbe Imperial army , followed it to Franco in 1812 , and remained there for six . years ; duriug -which the boy forgot his native tongue , and on returning to Spain had to study it anew . The education there given him was as good as the extant schools could afford : he learned
quickly , but did not , like many precocious talents , disappoint the promise of his early years . At the usual time he went to college , where his father wished him to study law ; but here the derangement of his course began ¦ with " a mysterious circumstance , " that made him quit the University of Valladolid . After some attempts to continue his studies at Valencia , he was called by the influence of friends , who gained him some public appointment , to Madrid . Here , however , he soon shook off a charge which he had never , liked , and threw himself on literature for support After
this , he soon took another rash step in marrying , at twenty , a wife whom he did not long treat with common respect , but forsook for other amours . Altogether , his personal dispositions and conduct were not such as lead to happiness or credit . He is described as morose and suspicious in temper , and prone to fits of dejection which excesses were not likely in cure : — -wbile flattered and popular abroad , he was wretched at home . For the last five years of his life every other uneasiness was aggravated by an intrigue with a married woman , who felt or feigned so much remorse at the connection as sufficed to trouble
it , and at length peremptorily broke it off . Larra vainly tried to dissuade her from this step ; and , after the last interview , finding her inflexible , at once went home , and blew out his brains with a pistol before a lookingglass . In the house , it is said , the cause of the noise was not suspected ; the children of the unfortunate man were tbe first to discover the catastrophe on entering the room some hours afterwards . This was on the 3 rd of February , 1837 , —he had not yet completed his twenty-eighth year .
Larra began his career under Calomarde , in 1833 , with a periodical of his own , called the " Pobrecito Hablador" ( " Talkative Poor Gentlemen" )—as a decided liberal : and was forced to cease its publication in a few months . Under the Monarchy of the " Estatuto , " his articles signed "Figaro" came out , some in the "KevistaEspanola , " others in the " Observador , " and later in the "Espanol . " In these we find the writer by degrees detaching himself from the party he first espoused : — whose sincerity or vigour he had little reason to admire . He does not , however , go to the opposite side entirel y ; but takes , as it were
, an Ishmaehte position , shooting at follies , knaveries , and oppressions on all sides , from a ground of sceptical distrust in men ' s professions and promises , which fended—as suspicions always will—towards a certain shade of conservatism . In this basis the growing weight of private vexations may have had a share : — his latter essays are not less pointed or clever than before : but they are often severe where in early days they would have been humorous . A certain caustic mockery takes place of more genial wit ; and the satirist begins to fall out with the species itself instead of assailing its deformed specimens only .
Larra was not merely eminent as a writer of political" leaders / ' He composed a novel on the story of the Troubadour Macias , some original comedies , and translated some from the French , Bayoud this , he was a livel y observer and dexterous painter of manners . Of these he has left some admirable sketches- —writings tl : e most acceptable to foreign readers ; in which much of what is peculiar iuthe usages and disposition of the people , in the ways of thinking aud living in Madrid , is set down with a stall that belongs to the higher order of essays . limn these compositions we take a specimen or two of Larra ' s manner : — _ . MFE IS SPAIS .
f ™ , ? ; ° to confess that our native land is not a country in which men live in order to eat — we may give thanks , on the contrary , if we ' eat in order to hve :-thi . « m truth , j s not t ' he ^ point in which we show how little we love ourselves there is no species of entertainment in which weare not wanting : there is no sort of convenience we -ire not destitute of . " What a strange land is this ! " exclaimed to me , not a month since , a foreigner who had come to study our customs . It must be observed , indeed , for truth's sako that tho stranger
was French ; and that your Frenchm an of all nien in the world is the least apt to comprehend the monotonous and . sepulchral silence of our Spanish way of life . — " There will no doubt be races here on a grand scale , " he said to me the first thing in the morning . " We will make , a point of seeing them . " — "Pardon me , sir , " I repljed , " there are no races here /'— " What , do not the yonng men of family like the course ? Do not the horse-i even go at full speed here ?"— "TSci even horses . "—?« Let us ' go a-shoothi « , then . "— " There is no shooting here ; we bave neither the where nor the what /'— " We
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"'win go then to see the carriages ! promenade . "' Z ' H ''. tarnajreB there are , none . "— H" ' Very good , Z to somo country , house where we can pass an agreeable day . — There are no country " houses , we do not pass agreeable days . "— " Bat surely there are a thousand different kinds of amusement , as every "here else in Europe ; puolic gardens for dancingon a smaller , scale , may be ; but you have your Tivoli , your Riuelagh .-your Champs Elyseessome kind of diversion for the public . "— " There ° & f tbe public , the public does not divert itself , it ls worth seeing the foreigner's face ' of wonder when he . is frankly informed that the bpanish public either feels in itself no want ' of amusement , or amuses itself like the wise man ( for in this respect all may . pass for such ) with its own thoughts . 'My foreign friend thought Iwished ' to impose on his credulity ;—and said at last with a lock . between discomfiture and re .-ignation , — '' Patience , then :-we will content ourselves with c . Sa ^ ifer ^ n ™ ¦ tT ^ l :
going to the balls and soirees given in private houses of good . society . " — " Gently , good sir , " I interposed , * 'it may be as well to tell you as tlie proverb says , there are r-o fowls , and you come asking for eggs . In Madrid there are no balls , no soiriis . Everybody talks or prays , it does what he HI es at home with three or four intimate friendsand that is all . " * * As for the poor middle class folks whose limits are every day growing fainter ,- on this side shading into hig h society , which has now cot a few intruders from thence—on that sinking into' the lower stratum of the populace that are gradually assuming its habits—these have one way only of amusiug themselves . Does some holiday come round ? Is there a marriage ? A child born ? Has the master of tho house got a place—which in Spain is the highest pleasure known ?—the celebration is one and the same . A
great hired coacb , a tolerably hard bargain—filled with a party still harder to emm into it ?— some six * 6 uls at tbo most it may contain . But papa gets in , and mama , the two girls , two intimate friends who had been invited , a female cousin who just dropped in by accident , the brother-in-law , the riurae-maid , a child of two years old , and grandfather . Grandmother does not go too , because , the died last month . The door is shut at last with the same difficulty as the lid of a trunk overfilled for a long journey , —and now for the inn where they mean to dine . The hope of this grand repast , towards which the coach is carrying them after a fashion of its own—tbe being borne along on high —the blushing of the girls who have to sit on the guests knee-and above all the absence of the daily puckero , put the good folks into such an excitement , that you may know half a league off the coach that is taking . to the inn family going on a party of pleasure .
A stranger from France is addressed to the " Poor Gentleman , " with letters of introduction . He comes to Madrid on several important affairs : —
Intricate family concerns ; claims on the Government ; anu some large designs besides , which he had formed in Paris , of inventing considerable sums in some kind of business or manufacturing speculations , were the motives that had brought him to our country . Accustomed to tho activity prevailing among our neighbours , he formally assured me that he meant to spend but a short time here , ; especially if he did not promptly meet with a safe investment for his capital . The stranger appeared a man deserving my attention ; I soon concewed a regard for him , and in the sinceritv of mycompassion tried to persuade him to return home , the sooner the better ; provided , ol course , be had any othar end in view than a iournev of uloaant-A
He was surprised , and I was forced to explain my self more clearly . " Look here ; M . Sans-Delai ( that was bis name ) you come with the design of staying a fortnight and expect in that time to finish your business /'— " Certainly , " he answered , " a fortnight only—and that js no trifle . The first thing to-morrow , let us find out a genealogist for the information I want in my family affair ; in the afternoon he can examine his registers , trace my pedigree , and at night I shall know bow 1 stand there . As to my claims , the day after to-morrow I send them in , fortified by the proofs he will have given me , and duly legitimated , and as this will be a thing of clear and undeniable justice ( for in that case only I shall pursue my right , ) the cause will be decided on the third day , and I shall have what belongs to me . As to my money speculations my
proposals will be offered on the fourth d , iy . They will be found good or bad , accepted or refused on the spot—this on the fifth day . On the sixth , seventh , and eighth , I visit the sights of Madrid , rest on the ninth ; take my placs in the diligence on the tenth , unless I have a mind to stay a little longer , and SO return home t — there are st 11 five days ofthefifteen to spare . " Whep M . Sans-Delai had reached this point Itried to repressabuvstof laughter thathad been nearly choking me for some n . inutes ; and though good manners supported me in stifling the untimely merriment , it could not keep from rising to my lips a gentle smile of pity and astonlshment , m spite of myself , at bis plans of execution . " Allow me , M . Sans-Delai " I said , with a
manner serio-comic , " allow me to invite you to dine With me on the day ¦ which completes your five months' 6 tay in Madrid . * * * I assure you that , within the first fortnight of your reckoning you will not have got speech even of one of the persons whose assistance you require . " * * * The following morning came s we set out in company to seek a genealogist ; which could only be done by asking from friend to friend , and from one aquaintance to another : —at last we heard of one , but the worthy man , confounded at our haste , frankly declared that he must take due time ; we pressed him , and at length as a great favour he said that we might call on him in a few days . I smiled , and we went away . Three days passed ; went
we again . " Call to-morrow , " the servant answered , " my master is not up jet . " Next day , " Call to-morrow , " she said , " for he is just gone out . " Call again to-morrow , " was the reply the day after , " for master is taking his siesta . " On ; the Monday following , : " Call to-morrow , for he is at the bull fight to-d . iy , " On what day at what hour can you see a Spaniard ? At length we did see him . «< Please to call again tomorrow , " he said , " for I have forgotten something . Call to-morrow , the papers are not yet cepied out fairly . " By the end of the fortnight the copy wasready ; but my friend had askedfor particulars of the name of Diez , —and the man had understood him Diaz—the information was useless
While expectmg what the new search might bring I said no more to my friend , who had already lost all hope of getting within si ght of his ancestm-B It was clear that in default of this first step the subsequent claims could not take place . For the proposals he thought of making in respect of various undertakings of utility , a translator bad to be engaged ; the translator led us the same dance as the genealogist had done from day to day he kept us to the month ' s-end . ' We found tbat he required with the utmost urgency money to subsist on daily ; while at the same time he could never find a moment of leisure far
his work . The copyist afterwards did just the same , besides filling bis transcripts with falsities ; for a writer who can write properly is not to be found in this country . This was not all—a tailor was twenty days in making a coat that he had been ordered to finish in twenty-four honrs :-the shoemaker with his delays obliged my friend to buy a pair of ready-made boots—the laundress required n fortnight to wash one of his shirts , and the hatter to whom he sent his hat for an alteration in the brim kept him for two days at home with a bare head . His acquaintances and friends never kept a single appointment , nor sent word that they could not come , nor once answered his notes .
Meanwhile , as time went on , he had sent into Government a proposal of important improvements in a branch I need not here specify , —it was , however , supported by excellent recommendations . Four days afterwards we called to learn the result of our applications . " Call again to-morrow , " said the porter . " The officer of the Board is not at the office to-day . "—Something serious must have detained him , said I to myself . We went to take a walk , and met—what an accident !—the officer of the Board in the Betiro Gardens most busily cneaged in enjoyingwith his wife the sunshine of our
clear Madrid winter . On Tuesday , the next day , the porter said , " Call again to-morrow—his worship the officer of the Board does not give audience to-day . " " Some important business on his hands , no doubt , " said I . But as I am . a kind of devil , and have been an imp in my time , I took occasion to peep through a key-hole . His worship was standing before the brasier making a paper cigar , and looking at a charade in the Correo ( newspaper ) which I dare say was hard enough to guess . ' It is impossible , that we should see him to-day , " I said to my companion ; " his worship in fact is extremely busy . "
So tlie comedy of idleness and procrastination goes on , through many other details of the same kind , described with equal sharpness , until at length poor M . Sans-Delai , having lost six months'time , and effected not one of the objects he expected to have done within a fortnight , returns home in despair , — " taking back to his foreign country an admirable notion of our customs , —with this for his leading observation : 'that for six months he had been unable to do anything in Spain , —but call again to-morrow / "
This picture bears the date of 1833 : —it is , we have some reason to think , as true at this moment as it :- \ vasseventeen-year 8 since . ¦ The bad habits that spring from certain national propensities , depraved by the misgovernment of ages , avc not corrected in one generation . Yet they are surely in the way of being cured
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Jhen pens '" such " Larra ' s begin to lay their antaffihT ^ ^ ^ «' - free from 1 the Press <* Spain is not yet betJ 3 T re 8 tra « ts : m 6 fe fatal to % 3 "" ?^ than preventive of some of its "or t abuses , still this organ , lame though it the haul of * ^ n eW ' ^^ nt in ofWnlI \ ° ^ S t ^ fpreVailed in days ^ obS jri ^ di Baenco can never lShJnvnJ by . Agrees ,, however slowly , £ u& ?* ¦ " ' ? rettdic ° 8 ^ e sapped , and a Ke S 3 ? ^^ P -Win spite aonled tnt proh JbltioDS ^ military violences kKf ^ . ^ influeQce * at all kinds of despotism instinctivel y fear L ~*"' l 7 TT
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able difficulties are ' got rid of , the Widow Harcourt surrenders , to the assaults of her military lover , who in the end turns out io be Har court and a son of a cousin of her late husband ' s , the name of Cutter having'been assumed to cover some extravagant which he was guilty of in youthful days . The pal . lant Captain , consequently ^ not only secured the hand of the lady , but her fortune also . Mrs . Stirling was aa effective as usual , and made quite , a feature of the Widow Harcourt , and Mr . Leigh Murray , looked arid played The Odious Captaiu Cutter , admirably . The piece was put upon the stage with strict regard to the period when the events preaenied" are supposed io have ' occurred , namely , 1745 , and the applause at the fall of ih « curtain was expressive of the unmixed satisf action of the audiense . ' Tlie . ' author was called for , and lie bowed from his box .
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fjgjj ^ « BM * w on Youth . London : How the youth should be treated in order that the man may arrive , in due season , at a healthy maturit y ' of rnind and body ' is the general question which forms the subject of thiB . book . But the interest is not- lost in generality . > The argument is brought home by being specially directed against certain plausible and popular theories of education ' which appear to be gaining ground , and which , if carried generally into practice , may cause therum of one generation , before the ' error bo detected , and of another before it be retrieved It is by a livel y apprehensio n of this danger , that the author seems to have been moved to take up his pen ; which , once taken up , carnes him lightly over a larger field of speculation thari he probabl y meditated when he began .
The form which he has selected to cast his thoughts in , is that of familiar conversation the Bcene being laid at Cambrid ge , " on a fine day in the May term , and the topics and characters , ( in . spite of their classical terminations ) being perfectly Engliah , modern , and natural . The dialogue is framed on the Platonic model , with a little narrative introducing , running through , and closing it . Two passages will suffice as specimens , the first showing what the author would not have , the second what he would have .
Then , you know , there are your Religious Estab . lisnments , where the intellectual and nioral culture -of tbe boys is incessantly attended to-not a momenfc spared for mischief ; and then , " such care taken of their healths ! " Ten hours a day hard studyofthe hardest stuff , most indigestible by the young—moral essays ; sermons ; the little play time cut up into little intercalary snips of time not allowing of any generous and invigorating game , even if the few square yards of gravel , or the strir *
edict against all . amusements that threaten the boys' limbs , or the master's window panes , ever so remotely should allow it . No cricket , no footballperhaps a little gymnastic gallows , where boys may climb , and turn over , and swing like monkeys , in perfect safety ; no rowing , no sailing , ho stolen ride on horsebank or on the coach box ; no running and leaping over hedge and ditch , animated by the pursuit of some infuriated gamekeeper ; but a walk two arid two , in clean dresses , along tho hiah road , dogged by the sallow usher——"
"Of course no fighting , " said Euphrnnor , " and , I suppose , no flogging neither . " "Arid yet , " said 1 , "the clenched fist so soon resolved into the open hand , when once the question of might and right was settled—how much better than the perpetual canker of a grudge never suffered to explode ! And the good flogging had its humour—soon passed away , shamo and smart , from fore and aft-rnuch bettor than the heart-pining , body-contracting confinements and impositions which double the already overloaded task-work , and revenge a temporary fault with lasting h . jury . " " You get quite excited about it , doctor , " said Euphranor . " But it is enough to make me angry , if it be as you say . " ¦ ¦ .. *
" Oh , it succeeds ' well , " I continued ; " the boy who came to school with some troublesome activity about him is soon tamed down , grows pale , cheerless , spiritless , hopeieas , and very good—a . credit to the school—and likely , to be a blessing to his parents . " ... . . "I have no heart to follow him , " said I . "Poor fellow ! the last I heard of him was , that after a most unimpeachable progress through school and college , " getting all the prizes , he : was going off to some new German baths covered with boils-and blotches ; or at the Old Bailey , laying his hand on that part of his coat under which the heart is supposed to beat , and catling God to witness the innocence of a murderer who had already confessed his crime to him . " Take now , by way of contrast , the portrait of a boy of sixteen , who has had the benefit of such au education as the author approves .
'' Idoubt 1 shall be content with him , " said I , " if ( at sixteen ) he shows me outwardly , as before , a glowing cheek , an open brow , copious locks , a clear eye , and looks me full in tho face withal ; his body a little uncouth and angular perhaps , because now striking out into manly proportions , not yet filled up ; fledh giving way to fibre and muscle ; the blood running warm and quick through his veins , and easily discovering itself in his cheeks and forehead , at the mention of what is noble or shameful ; his voice ' sweet and tuneable / as Margaret of Newcastle notices of her brothers—she does not mean , she says ( nor do I ) an emasculate treble , but no 'husking or wharling in the throat ' —that is her word—a . clear , open , bell-like voice .
telling of a roomy chest , and in some measure , I think , of a candid gnul . However that may be " continued I , seeing Euphranor shake Ins head at me withasmile , " candid of soul I hope hois ; forl have always sought his confidence , and never used it against himself ; never arraigned him severely for the smaller outbreaks of youthful spirit ; never exacted sympathy where it was not in the nature of youth to sympathise . He is still passionate , perhaps , as in his first septenniad , but easily reconciled ; subdued easily by affection and the appeal to old and kindly remembrance , but stubborn against force ; generous , forgiving ; still liking to rMe rather than to read , and perhaps to settle a difference by the fist than by the tongue ; but submitting to those who do not task him above his due ; apt to sleep under the i-ermon , but not ceasing to
repeat morning and evening tho prayers ho learned at his mother ' s knee ; ambitious of honour , perhaps—but of honour in action rather than in talk ; somewhat awkwardly disposed to dancing , and the accomplishrncnta of the drawm » -room , which even now he shirks in order to go earth-stepping with Tom and Jack , who used to sot him on Topsail ' s back in days gone by . In short , I shall be content to find him with all the faults of a vigorous constitution of soul and body , which time and good counsel may direct into a ' channel of action that will find room for all , and turn all to good . One must begin life with all the strength of life , subject to all danger of its abuse ; strength itself , even of evil , is a kind of virtue ; whereas weakness is the one radical and incurable evil , growing worse instead of better with everv year of life . "
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OLYMPIC THEATRE . A New comic , drama , in one act , entitled That Odious Captain Cutter , was produced at this theatre on Monday evening with complete and wellmerited success .- It . seems that the chiva ' ry and generous daring of a Captain Cutter ( Mr . Leigh Murray ) has taken the town by surprise , and bis noble deeds are made the subject of constant para graphs in the journals of the day . Amongst Ihe admirers of this military hero , whom by the way sfce only knows by report , is tbe Widow Harcouri ( Mrs . Stirling ) , but her elderly attendant , Mistress Prudence ( Mrs . B . Bartlett ) , is so bored by
constantly reading bis name in the papers , that she designates him the Odious Captain Cutter . The VVidow , in the event of her marrying again , must give her hand to a relative of her late husband '? , or forfeit her fortune . The consequence is , that she is persecuted by the attentions of Mr . Peregrine Harcourt ( Mr . G . Cooke ) , an elderly suiter , and by Mr . Valentine Harcourt ( Mr . Kinlock ) , an affected coxcomb , who is satisfied that bis personal qualities are sure to have the desired effect upon the lady . Mr . Peregrine Harcourt finding tbat he is not likely to make much impression upon the VVidow , 13 resolved , if possible , to get her fortune , and with tbat view
he writes a letter to Captain Cutter , who is known to Valentine Harcourt , and induces him to vijit the Widow ' s house as Captain Jenkins , hoping tbat the Captain will make 6 uch an impression on the widow , as to induce her to marry him , which , would cause her to sacrifice her fortune . The Widow and the Captain meet under very peculiar circumstances , for the latter has been locked in her apartment by Mrs . Prudence , who believes his visit is of a most deadly character . Nothing less than to kill Valentine Harcourt , in whose interest she isi Tbe Widow is struck wilh the person and manner of tbe Captain , who , however , > isnotvas enthusiastic in bis admiration ofCaptain -Cutter as the ladvconlH desire .
The entrance , of Valentine Harcourt leads to the knowledge that Captain Jenkins and Captain Cutter is one and the same person ; and after some agree .
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uKTitofit *" Iike a chronoIoger ? ~ Because Legal Question . —If an auctioneer knock a dumb-waiter" down , is he liable for an assault ? why is n paoai-maker Uko a man with an overra ^ ssssit * - " ^ * -- * tZ SK fe £ S" ° » ' ¦ " »»« * - ^" X-S Sfci fMSrootle ffho wus not unhappy . —Juuh , s . Bad wbather .. —An editor received a letter iri which weatlity wns spelled wethur . " He said it was the worst sptll of wentber lie had ever seen
PKiiFiBY . — 'l'he perfidy of an apparent , friend is the last truth tbat strikes a feeling mind withconvic * lion . —Eliza Cook ' s Journal . Did St . Paul ' s clock ever strike thirteen 2 — -Once ; when a verger ol" the cathedral , from mere goodnnturo , let , 1 little boy in without taking his twopence . — l ' uncli . Setting tub river os Firs . — " Moltv , " said a lady io her servwit , "I think you'll never set the river on fire . "— ' Indade , ma ' am , " innocently replied Molly , " I'd never be after doing anything so wicked—I ' d bo burnton up all the little fishes . "
Matches , wherein one v > arty is nil passion and the other all indifference , will assimilate about as weli asioe . ami fire— Elizn Cook ' s Journal . Tender hearted children . —A lady living at Cheltenham nffiruiH , that her boys arc the most tender-hearted children she ever knew She says , that if she asks one ot them to draw a pail of water , lie instantly bum * into tears . ' Resignation .-it is difficult to conceive anything mure bemiUiul than the reply given by one in affliction , when he was aslted how be bore it so well . " It hei-tens the stroke , " said he " to draw near to Him tUuc handles tbe rod . "
1 'unny Books .- A party of Chinese , in thanking the missionaries for a bountiful supply ofreli-ious tracts , said- " We like a good deal to " have books , iinti shall , no doubt , find them very agreeable and funny . ' Time is nn old novelist , who tokos pleasure in prinung . his tales on our countenance . Ik writes the first chapter with swan ' s-down , and ecravesUie last witli . 1 steel pen . The income of the counties of Eneland and Wales amounted , in 1 S 48 , to £ 1 , 554 , 748 4 s . 7 f d . ; and in 1840 , £ 1 , 641 , 887 8 s . Gil . The expenditure ' , " , V ™ / me tw 0 . VCill < s amounted , in 1848 , to £ 1 , 400 , 728 0 s . Hid . ; and in 1849 , to 31 , 383 , 004 2 g . aid .
IxTEMPEiuNcK . — Rocivllect , all j-r men who « rink brandy and whisky to maUe you strong , and » U ye delicate ladiea , who sip brown stout , porter , and al-j , to make you fat , that" all drinks supply the wants of natiire only by the quantity of elementary water which they contain . " Buddhuism . —Looking to its influence afc the present day over at least three hundred and fifty millions of human bein » s—exceeding one-third of tho human race—it is no exaggeration to say that the religion 1 of Buddhuis the most widely diffused that now exists , or that ever has existed since the creatinn of monkind .
Unplkasant I . nvitatjon . — Tbe following was posted on the door of the Ludlow Church , in Hertfordshire , some time back : — " This is to give notice , that no person is to be buried iu this churehyard but those living in the parish . Those who wish ; to be buried are desired to apply to me , Eplirnim Grub , parish clerk . " » Danger op Coquuthy . —Women often lose the men they love , and who love them . By mere wantonness of coquetry they reject and they . repent ; they should be careful not to lake this step too hastily , for & proud , high-minded , gifted man will seldom ask a woman twine .
Progress of Temperance . —Durin ? the fifteen years , from 1836 to 1819 , the decrease " in the consumption of nun and British spii-ifs has been nearly 0 , 500 , 000 gallons ; in . beer , 3 , 706 , 000 barrels ; and in wine , 1 , 200 . 000 gallons ; while a proportionate increase has taken place in the consumption of coffee , ten , and cocoa . „ R . A . UE . —An instance of real and petmanent conjugal affection was produced at the Somerset Sessions , which has never , perhaps , been paralleled in the annals of humanity . In an appeal causa , a woman , who was there as a witness , swore that she had never lost sight of her husband for twelve hours together , at . any one time , either day ov nl ht , during a period of fifty years . The amount of Und in the United Kingdom is estimated at sevsnty-eight millions of ncres , of which fortvseven millions are cultivated as meadows , pastures , arable , and gardens , while sixteen millions are put down as incapable of being brought into
cultivation . . The traffic of London streets has lately been calculated in order to provide facilities for the great increase at the Exhibition . It appears that tin ; number of vehicles that daily pa = s Bow Church Cheapside , is 13 , 796 , containing 52 , 092 passengers ; and . adding the pedestrhms to these , not fewer than 119 , 602 persons pass this point daily . Antidote , against Poison . — Hundreds of lives might have been saved by a knowledge of this simple recipe—a large faspoonfnl of raudc mustard mixed in a tumbler of warm water , and swallowed aa soon as possible ; it acts as an instant ometic , sufficiently powerful to remove all that is lodged in the stomach .
Si'pehstitioot DELUsioN .-Servant girls and damsels of a higher degree-maids-of-no-wotk as well as niaids-of-all-work—occasionall y seek a knowledge i . ffniuriiy in coffee-grounds . That they are n < . t only deluded m their belief , but also frequently mistaken in their [ -rounds , is proved by the fact , that the latter , in many instances , consist chiefly of chicory , roasted corn , beans , and potato flour — Punch . A Pauadoxicm , Pie . —A . poor wi . W and her numerous progeny were seated around their humble board , on Christmas-day , with a pie Wore them for . dinner . It was but a small pie—much too small for the number of plotters by which it was surrounded . ' I ' m afraid , Billy , " said the anxious parent to her eldest sou , ablii . be , hard-working lad of sixteen , 'that the pie is bakfd rather too much , "— " Never doubt , it , mother , " replied the boy , drily ; " my fear is that it will prove hardly enough . " - ~ Sheffield Times . ' *
An Odd Wish . —Wo often hear strange savings from Brother Jonathan ; but we question if he has evsr surpassed the following :-There is a man now living 111 the far nortli of Herefordshire who was heard the other day to express a wish that his mouth had baenmade on the top of his head , that he might put his victuals in his hat and eat and work at the same time , to prevent the loss of time for meals these short days . . . ' . ? . Life—Insects generally must lead a truly jovial lite . Thmk what it must be to lodge in alilv Imagine a palace of ivory and pearl , with pillars of silver and capitals of gold , all exhaling such a pertume as never arose from human center . Fancv again . tbe . fun of tucking themselves up for tlie night 111 the folds of a rose , rocked to sleep bv the gentle sighs of summer air , nothing to do when you awake but to wash yourself in a dewdrop , and fall to eat your bed clothes .
CuauAN s Sp irit of Eccentricity . —A relative of Bushe s . not remarkable for his Hindoo ablations , once npphed to him f . » r a remedy for a sore throat . VYliy . said Bushe gravely , "fill a pail with water as warm as yon can b .-ar it , till it reaches up to your knees ; then take a pint of oatmeal , and scrub vour legs with it for a quarter of an hour "— "Whv hang it , man , " interrupted the other , "this is nothing more than wtuhing one ' s feet . ' "— " ( W-iinlv my dear Mn , ' / slid he , "I do admit it is open to * that oh ] ectton . ' -Cnrrm and his Contemporaries Courtship .- " My drar Amelia , " 8-, m p dandy , falling upon his knees before his adorable , " I have long wished for this opportunity , but h&rdlv dare speak now , for fear you will reject me ; but " I love you—say , you will be mine ? You would be to me everything desirable—everything my heart could wish—your smiles would shed " -here ' he came to a
pause . "Your smiles would sited , " and apin came , to a stop , for he could not think of a word suitable to be applied . " Never mind the wood * U 4 , " exclaimed Amelia ' s younger brother , who had slipped into the room unperceived , at ttiis moment , " buteo on with your courting . " A Steam Boat Lvcioent . — A rather amusing story is told by the Boston Advertiser . On the Ocean steamer , a few weeks since , an eldevlv gentleman pacing up and down the upper saloon , stopoed in front of the mirror , and suspecting that he recoenised a family resemblance in the indiviilnnl w « * him , walkedI . to the gl . ™ , aid dSSSwIta quired- "Is your name Brown ? " Kn . « Question repeated louder- "Y ^ , JJ j ^ ^ & ZJS 2 ^^** swer " Well " R-mt Vi D " ? Still no an--T ^ tiSvJ ^ S / V' L ^ ° r eith ? r a roar . *«*« ea / . 1 he saloon was in
einbod n ° r OIlly - ^ , r b ^ l ?« embodied Even ln childhood tho girl loves an imiation of humanity , her doll , and works / / j " . he my gets a hobby horse ortools , and mvkLitlalim . Lut 116 noblest quality wherewith " ¦ flirLJHn . imiLu .... dow « d women fin-the . good of the w <) rW * PBB 3 ® that love whicli seeks no sympathy and gj Fjfuftj-It lta child is the object of Jove , ajrt * 7 ^ ttSMr £ Z < r \ watching , but it answers them onl / fe ^ grfsiJtM ^ \ and anger ; and the feeble creatu ^ Ylmt ^ rMir ^^ iXOl the most repays the least . But the [ njo \ fc ^ fci <* : K « J and the greater the iintliankful ^ efsyo ^ u . ^^^ ^^^ i W and , while lathers prefer ' the strougto | p ^ Wifie ^ iit ^> j . } j < " / dren , the mother feels most love lbrN ^^ geJapoU- \^/ gamil 0 UB * WV , LSAU'L ^
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SURREY THEATRE . " On Monday evening a liew . and interesting drama , m thr ^ e acts , was . produeed at . this theatre , entitled the WwWs Games . It is made up of a variety of incidents , which , while they render it roost interesting to an audience , make it difficult to comprise a detail , of them in . the limited space of a notice o « tbe performance . The piece professes to give an exemplification of the vices , viriuesi ' . ' jJelU ' doingi . and ilMoinp of the year 1851 , and such being i « s compreiiensive scopes it may be supposed that in the course of Us development much amusement was con-( erred . Such was the case ; for the manner in which all the characters in the piece were gone through elicited unbounded applause ' , so much ' so . that at its conclusion the whole of the leadine cba . racters in the piece were called before the curtain and received the hearty plaudits' of a numerous
auditory ,. for the . excellent manner in nh ' icn they had performed their respective parts—as a guarantee for the success of the piece , it may be' only neces . sary to state that'Mr Bruce Norton , Mr . T . Mead-Messrs . Shepherd and Widdicomb , Miss . Cooper , and Misis H . Coveney , represented the principal cha racters of the piece . . The acting of Messrs , Shepherd and Widdieorahe in the piece had a most decided effect , and called forth the hearty aoplau- * of the audience . Mr . T . Mead , as a man who had risen from tbe ranks , and made bis fortune by perseverance and ' industry , against the greatest odds , also did his part admirably . The piece was announced for representation amid much applause , and bids far to be a great favourite with the public . The performance concluded with the favourite pantomime of the Merry Wives of Windsor .
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DRURY LANE THEATRE . MR . MACREAM's ' fAREWELL TO THE STAGE . This event , which will be long memorable in the annals of the ' English drama , took place on Wednesday evening . Mr . Macready took his parting benefit" at Drury-hne , and apppared , for the last time , in the character of Macbeth . For some time past , the public excitement ' had . been im . raense , the demand for places was almost unprecedented , and long before the doors were opened they were besieged by crowds eager for admission . The arrangements , however , both outside and inside the theatre , appear to have been excellent ; . for though the house was filled in every partfrom the flw
, , to the eeiling , with unexampled rapidity , yet there was not the slightest confusion or disturbance . The boxes and stalls were filled with persons , distinguished in the circles of fashion , literature , and art ; and many , we learned , came from distant parts of the country to be present on an occasion so striking and interesting . The scene ontside the theatre prior to the commencement of the performance was most singular . Drury-lane , Vinegar-yard , and the Western end of Great Russell-street , " were completely occupied by a crowd , which bad begun to collect as early as two o ' clock in the afternoon . Mr . Macready ' s reception may be imagined . The whole audience , by one impulse , sprang to their feet the moment he appeared ; and the house raiie
with peal upon peal of applause , while hats and handkerchiefs waved in every quarter for more than ten minutes . ' Mr . Macready evidently strove to restrain his feelings , and to keep himself calm and collected , to meet the exertions' of the evening . When the house had given vent to its enthusiasmhe addressed himself to his part , and certainly h « never in his life displayed greater physical power , or greater mental energy , than he did on this trying occasion . He was admirably supported by Wrs . Warner , who really outdid herself ,-and ' -shared largely in . the applause bestowed on the performance , Mr . Phelp ' s Macduff gave some foreshadowing to not a few , that when he who that night passed
away was gone , the mantle must descend to liini The audience were vociferous in demanding his apl pearance at the close of Act IV . When tbe play was ended and the applause which attended the fall of the curtain had : snbsided , an interval of great expectation succeeded , while Mr . Macready was changing his dress and preparing himself for the trying scene he had still to encounter . At length the curtain rose again , and he came forward in his ordinary attire . Again the whole audience rose , and shout after shout burst from every part of tbe house , as if the enthusiasm of the audience could not be exhausted . At length they prepared themselves to listen ; and no soon-r did Mr . Macready ' s first words become audible
than a pm might be heard to fall In the house HU address was listened to in the deepest silenccj interrupted , only by the vehement bursts of applause with which the most striking passages were received . He spoke as follows : — : My last theatrical part is played ; and , in accordance with long-established usage , I appear once more before you . Even if I were without precedent for the discharge of this act of duty , it is one which my own feelings would irresistibly urge upon me ; for , as I look back on my long professional career , 1 seem it but one continuous record of indulgence and support , extended to me . cheering me in my onward progress , and upholding me in the most trying emergencies . I have therefore been desirous of
offeringmy partingacknowled gmenta for the partial cmdness with which my humble efforts have been tmi . ormly received , and for a life made happier by your favour . The distance of more than five and thirty years , has not dimmed my recollection of tho encouragement , which gave fresh impulse to the inexperienced essays of my youth , and stimulated me , o perseverance , when struggling hardly for equality of position , against the genius and talent of those artists whose superior excellence Iungrudomgly admitted , admired , and honoured . Thatencouragement helped to place me , in respect to privileges and emolument , on . 1 footing with my distinguished competitors . With the growth of time your favour seemed to grow : and undisturbed in
my hold on your opinion , from year to year I found friends more closely and thickly clustering round me . All I can . advance to testify how justly I have appreciated the patronage thus liberally awarded me , is the devotion throughout those years , of my best energies to your service . My ambition to establish a theatre in regard to decorum and taste , worthy of our country , and to have in it the plays of our divine Shakspeare fitl y illustrated , was frustrated by those whose duty it-was , in virtue of the trust committed to them , themselves to have undertaken the task . But some good seed has yet been sown ; and in the zeal and creditable productions of certain of our present managers we have assurance that the corrupt editions and unseam ! v representations of past days will never bo restowaf but tbat the purity of our great poet ' s toxfc will from henceforward be held on our English stage in tbe it
reverence should ever command I have little more to say . By some the relation of an actor to his audience is considered as slicht and transient . I do not feel so . The repeated manifestations , under circmns ; aiices personally affuctinffme , of your favourable sentiments towards mo will live with life among my most grateful memories ; and , because I would not willingly abate onejofem your esteem ; I retire , with the belief of yet unfailing powers , rather than linger on the scene to set in contrast the feeble style of a <» e with the more vigorous exertions of my better years Words-at least such as I can command-are ineffectual to convey my thanks . Iw offering thorn , you will believe that I feel far . more than I give utterance to . With Bentiments of tbe deepest gratitude I take my leave , bidding you , ladies and gentlemen , in my professsional capacity , with regret , and most respectfully , a last farewell . "
At the end of this speech , which was especially cheered in several places , Mr . Macready retired with somewhat of a look of lingering regret , and , though the audience shouted for his reappearance , he came before them no more . The impression he leaves on the public mind is most forcibly shown by this demonstration . London seemed to declare wilh » ne voice its respect for a great artist and accomplished man .
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Death of a Veteban REFORiiEB .-Mr . Kivker lone -mil honourably knoirn among the Reformers of the Sh 0 England breathed hit ast at . , Oakwell . Eatc GataH lUr Ncwcastlc . on . Tjno , on the 7 th oVFebnmryXfiftK the advanced ago of 81 . Tho iWn « o . T .. b » « disciple of ThomL l ^ . o . ' andWffi . S n » W « tS ^^ SST" * * ^^ oVoSs
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THE CRY OF THE LAWFUL 3 toc - ' k . :. ^~ . ;; : y _ ^^^^^ Mlk : ' " ' - «™ n » v OT ™? 7 . Lm , . ™ . ' ¦ ¦¦¦ - ¦¦¦¦ - a
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 1, 1851, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1615/page/3/
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