Part 6

_Enormous Bird._--Mr. Henderson has discovered, in New Siberia, the claws of a bird, measuring each a yard in length; and the Yaknts assured him they had frequently in their hunting excursions, met with skeletons, and even feathers of this bird, the quills of which were large enough to admit a man's arm. This is a fact in support of the tradition, that the earth was formerly inhabited by giants, for men, not exceeding ourselves in stature, would have been helpless against birds of prey of this magnitude.

_Martial glory._--In the Edinburgh Review of Dr. Seybert's "Statistical Annals of the United States," there is an admonition to the Americans to abstain from martial glory. "We can inform them," (says the Reviewer) "what are the inevitable consequences of being too fond of glory. Taxes upon every article which enters into the mouth, or covers the back, or is placed under the foot--taxes upon every thing which is pleasant to see, hear, feel, smell, or taste--taxes upon warmth, light, or locomotion--taxes on every thing on earth, and the waters under the earth--of every thing that comes from abroad, or is grown at home--taxes on the raw material--taxes on every fresh value that is added to it by the industry of men--taxes on the sauce which pampers man's appetite, and the drug that restores him to health--on the ermine which decorate the judge, and the rope which hangs the criminal--on the poor man's salt, and the rich man's spice--on the brass nails of the coffin, and the ribands of the bride--at bed or at board, couchant or levant, we must pay! The school boy whips his taxed top--the beardless youth manages his taxed horse with a taxed bridle on a taxed road; and the dying Englishman, pouring his medicine which has paid seven per cent., into a spoon which has paid fifteen per cent., flings himself back upon his chintz bed, which has paid twenty-two per cent.--makes his will on an 8l. stamp, and expires in the arms of an apothecary, who has paid 100l. for the privilege of putting him to death.--His whole property is then taxed from 2 to 10 per cent., besides the probate. Large fees are demanded for burying him in the chancel; his virtues are handed down to posterity on taxed marble; and he is then gathered to his fathers to be taxed no more."

_Law Intelligence.--R. & C. Rhodes, vs. Peleg Congdon._ The court are of opinion that the legal mode of computing interest, where there have been partial payments, is, to cast the interest on the principal, up to the time of the first payment, which add to the principal; and from this sum deduct the payment, and so on through all the endorsements when one year or more intervenes between the payments, provided the sum paid is greater than the sum due for interest, when the payment is made; if less than such sum is paid, to be applied towards the payment of interest; and where the note or mortgage has not run one year, then, cast the interest tin the payment, as well as the principal, up to the end of the year.--The above decision was made by the Supreme Court, at their late April term, in Kent, Maryland.

_On Books._--Dr. Aikin in his valuable letters from a Father to a Son, thus elucidates the value of a Library:--"Imagine (says he) that we had it in our power to call up the shades of the greatest and wisest men that ever existed, and obliged them to converse with us on the most interesting topics--what an inestimable privilege should we think it!--how superior to all common enjoyments! But in a well furnished library we, in fact, possess this power. We can question Xenophon and Cæsar on their campaigns--make Demosthenes and Cicero plead before us--join in the audiences of Socrates and Plato, and receive demonstrations from Euclid and Newton. In books we have the choicest thoughts of the ablest men in their best dress. We can, at pleasure, exclude dulness and impertinence, and open our doors to wit and good sense alone. Without books, I have never been able to pass a single day to my entire satisfaction; with them, no day has been so dark as not to have had its pleasure. Even pain and sickness have for a time been charmed away by them. By the easy provision of a book in my pocket, I have frequently worn through long nights and days in the most disagreeable parts of my profession, with all the difference in my feelings between calm content and fretful impatience."

_European Literature._---The catalogue of the fair of Leipsic, for 1819, contains one thousand two hundred and sixteen new works, in Greek, Latin, and German; thirty-eight novels, thirty dramatic pieces, twenty-seven geographical maps, fifty-nine pieces of music; and seventy-seven works in foreign languages, the French, Italian, Polish, Bohemian, Danish, and Spanish.

_Egypt._--The last news from this country, of inexhaustible curiosity, contains information respecting the labours of that magnificent undertaking, the Grand Canal of Alexandria. Already the primary effects of it have given an impulse to agriculture and industry, such as might be expected from it. The culture of cotton, of the sugar cane, of the mulberry tree, is beginning to assume a degree of activity, as also the rearing of silkworms; and some important new manufactories are already at work, holding out the promise of future commercial prosperity.

_Lakes in New Holland._--It appears that two large seas or sheets of water have been discovered in the interior of New Holland, supplied chiefly by two considerable rivers, whose sources are on the western side of the Blue Mountains.

_Missions in India._--The Reverend James Bryce, in a sermon preached in Calcutta, March, 1818, said, "Zeal the most active and disinterested, and diligence the most assiduous, have not been spared by the Christian missionary, in his pious attempts to convert the natives of India. But, alas! it may be doubted, if at this day he boasts a single proselyte to his creed, over whom he is warranted to rejoice."

_Increase of Taxes in England._--A meeting of the magistrates, and other owners and occupiers of land in Monmouthshire, was held lately at Abergavenny, for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for relief. The 1st clause of the petition states, "That the farmer at this time can obtain but little more for his corn than in the year 1793, although the taxes are increased _four fold_, and the poors' rates above trebled, since that period."

_British Exports._--The exports of white and plain calicoes from Great Britain, were--In 1814, 58,928,174 yards; in 1815, 65,669 930; in 1816, 50,251,102; and in 1817, 63,525,555.

_Scull of king Robert the Bruce._--Lately in the church of Dumfermline, the grave of the celebrated warrior king Robert the Bruce was opened, in presence of a numerous assemblage of men of rank and science. The scull, and various parts of the skeleton, were in a state of preservation: now that the opinions of Gall and Spurzheim are not passed over as mere pieces of quackery, the curiosity of anatomists, and even of the public in general, was excited by this invaluable opportunity of inspecting and examining such a scull as that of king Robert the Bruce. We are told, that several of the propensities of this great man, were strongly expressed in the eminences of the scull--in particular, that the organ of _combativeness_ was the most prominent of the whole.

_Power of Ice._--The following singular account of the power of ice, is taken from an English periodical publication, of January 1820.

"Huyghens, in order to try the force with which ice would expand itself when confined, filled a cannon, the sides of which were an inch thick, with water, and then closed the mouth and touch hole so that none could escape. The instrument, thus filled was exposed in a strong freezing air. In less than twelve hours the water within was frozen, and began to dilate itself with such force, that it actually burst the piece in two different places. Mathematicians have calculated the force of the ice on this occasion; such a force, they say, would raise a weight of 27,730 pounds. From hence, therefore, we need not be surprised at the effects of ice destroying the substance of vegetables, trees, and even splitting rocks, when the frost is carried to excess.

"The late frost produced quite a phenomenon at the back of the Cold-Bath-Fields prison, where the New River Water Company's leading iron pipes cross the Fleet Ditch. The pipes not having been properly cemented, or the cement having worn away, the water had spouted up high in the air: and when the very severe weather was, it commenced freezing, and continued to freeze till a large cascade or fountain of ice was actually formed, as white as snow, about ten feet above the pipe, and reaching in large icicles concocted together nearly to the water in the ditch below. The bank was covered with a thick coat of ice from the spray, which blew from the water-fall. The circumference of the frozen pile could not be less than eight or ten feet, at half that height from the pipe. At a distance it was not possible to distinguish it from water spouting and falling down; and when close to it the ice looked so clear and beautiful, and the rarity of such an object being considered, made every one behold it with wonder and admiration."

_Ingenious Machine._--The National Fire and Life Insurance Association, (London) have introduced a newly invented machine, which possesses the following properties: In case of fire, it instantly awakens the party in whose sleeping room it is placed--immediately lights a lamp--makes known the hour of the night, and not only that a fire has commenced, but in what room.

_Chinese Superstition._--The following article, which gives some idea of Chinese superstition, is taken from a Peking Gazette:--"The 1st of May, 1818, there arose suddenly at Peking, a tempest, that obscured the heavens and filled the air with sand and dust. The Emperor, thinking it was a judgment from heaven, was very much alarmed, and very anxious to know what it meant: he assembled his ministers of state, and commanded them to endeavour to discover the cause of it: he then reprimanded his astronomers for not having foretold it to him. 'You announced to me,' said he to them, 'three days ago, the happy influence the stars had over me, foretelling a long and prosperous life; this was mere flattery, while you either would not or could not tell me of this impending misfortune.' Three of those _sages_ gave their opinion, that the cause of this tempest was the dismissal of the late chief minister, _Sung Tajin_, and advised him to recall him; but his Majesty, far from approving their proposal, reprimanded them for having the presumption to meddle with the royal prerogative. The body of mathematicians gave in their opinion, assuring him that if this whirlwind, accompanied with dust, continued during the whole day, it indicated a perverse conduct and variance of opinion between the sovereign and his ministers, as well as a great drought and famine. If the wind disturbed the sand, moved the stones, and made much noise, inundations were to be expected; and if the dust continued to fall one hour more, the plague would rage in the southern regions, and half the inhabitants to the southeast would be sick."

The Gazette expresses his Majesty's uneasiness at this long drought. His Majesty has ordered his sons to fast, to pray, and offer sacrifices to heaven, to earth, and to the god of wind. There was to be a solemn festival on the 25th of May, 1819, at which all the princes, ministers, and nobles, were to appear in procession, wearing mourning as a mark of their contrition!

_To Farmers' Wives._--A most excellent method of making BUTTER, is now practised in England, which effectually prevents its changing and becoming rancid.--The day before churning, scald the cream in a clean iron kettle, over a clear fire, taking care that it does not boil over. As soon as it begins to boil, or is fully scalded, strain it, when the particles of milk, which tended to sour and change the butter, are separated and left behind. Put the vessel into a tub of water, in a cellar, till the next morning, when it will be ready for churning, and become butter in less than quarter of the time required in the common method. It will also be hard, with peculiar additional sweetness, and will not change. The labour in this way is less than the other, as the butter comes so much sooner, and saves so much time in working out the buttermilk.--By this method good butter may be made in the hottest weather.

DIED,

In the parish of Aiglish, in the vicinity of Killarney, Ireland, at the very advanced age of _one hundred and fifteen years_, THEODORE O'SULLIVAN, the celebrated Irish Bard.--This extraordinary man, who was a great composer in his native language, expired suddenly, in April last, whilst sowing oats in the field of his great grand children, and retaining his faculties to the last moment! He is said to have sung to the plough one of his favourite lyrics, and actually breathed his last at the final stanza of his national melody. The deceased also followed the occupation of a cooper, and is said to have made a churn, from which butter was taken for the christening of his 26th great grand child.

Lately, at the hospital at Bourges, France, aged 103 years, and 13 days, ETIENNE DELAMETAIRE. He was born blind, and employed for upwards of 60 years in turning a grindstone.

FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

The more disinterested our benevolence, the nearer we approach to the gods, was the sentiment of a reflecting heathen, who lived at a remote period of antiquity. Disinterested benevolence, though of rare occurrence, is nevertheless, to the honour of human nature, sometimes witnessed. 'When it is, the effect, like that produced by beholding an island of verdure in a sandy desert, or a retiring evergreen in the wintry waste, is in the highest degree cheering and delightful. DAVID G. SEIXAS, a young man of this city, of limited pecuniary resources, but of truly philanthropic and elevated views, has for some time past gratuitously instructed a number of deaf and dumb children, with singular success. His unobtrusive merit has at length in some measure become cognisant to the public; and as it is ascertained that there is a considerable number of unfortunate individuals, of this description, in the city _and its vicinity_, an association has been formed, under the most respectable auspices, for establishing an Institution for their instruction.[11] It is hoped and believed, that exertions to promote so excellent an object, will be aided with ample and willing patronage.

[11] This truly laudable enterprise, as well as many others of a similar character, (without derogating from the important services of others,) is most essentially indebted to the enlightened zeal, and public spirited benevolence of one of the Vice-Presidents, ROBERTS VAUX, Esq.--The justice of this small tribute to distinguished worth, although dictated by friendship, will be cheerfully acknowledged by his fellow citizens generally.

THE DEAF AND DUMB BOY!

When smiles play around thee, why sad and forlorn, Amid all the transports thy fellows enjoy; In life's cheerful morning what prompts thee to mourn?-- Alas! he is SILENT--poor sad-fated BOY!

When nature is robed in her mantle of green, And winter has fled with his vapours & snows, Every bough has its vocalist gladd'ning the scene, He naught of this soul-cheering melody knows!

His ear never welcom'd the music of sound, His tongue never utter'd the wonders of thought, His DUTIES and END wrapt in darkness profound, Have ne'er to this child of misfortune been taught.

Perchance ere the period when heart-rending woes, To a premature grave had a fond mother brought, As maternal affection more fervidly glows, When our path through existence with sorrows is fraught!

Life's gath'ring ills were dispell'd by her smiles, For love an inaudible language can speak; But bereft of that friend who all suffering beguiles, The tear of affliction now traces his cheek.

His wants disregarded, his wishes unknown, Yet generous bosoms with sympathy feel, When they make his condition--a moment their own, His eloquent, silent, resistless appeal.

Though drear be his prospects, we view with delight, His sorrowing features now bright'ning with joy, For Mercy descending in vesture of white, Will solace the SPEECHLESS AND DESTITUTE BOY.

E.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

The following is a copy of Verses which I took from a manuscript above forty years ago. I think them good, and as I have never seen them in any printed book, I infer they are very rarely to be met with.

From your friend and well-wisher,

_May_ 8, 1820.

C. E.

ON MAN'S DEPENDANCE ON HIS CREATOR.

Through all the various shifting scenes Of life's mistaken ill or good, The hand of God conducts, unseen, The beautiful vicissitude.

He portions with paternal care, Howe'er unjustly we complain, To each his necessary share Of joy and sorrow, health and pain.

Trust we to youth, or friends, or power, Fix we our foot on fortune's ball; When most secure, the coming hour, If he sees fit, can blast them all.

When lowest sunk with grief or shame, Gorged with affliction's deepest cup, Lost to relations, friends, or fame, His powerful hand can raise thee up.

Before his throne the poor, opprest With slanderous rage, acquitted stand; He guides the exile to his rest, And country, in a foreign land.

His powerful consolations cheer, His smiles erect the afflicted head; His hand can wipe away the tear That secret wets the widow'd bed.

All things on earth, and all in heaven, On his eternal will depend; And all for greater good were given, Would man pursue th' appointed end.

This be my care. To all beside, Indifferent let my wishes be; Passions be calm, and dumb be pride, And fix'd my soul, my God, on thee.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

My leisure hours are mostly employed in holding a sort of literary _chit-chat_ with some favourite author or editor; but I am never more agreeably entertained than at your _Evening Fire-side_, by the various topics there introduced and discussed. The Essayist _remarks_ the pride, extravagance, and vices, which at present prevail, and _teaches_ us that these are unworthy of rational beings, and that their opposites, humility, prudence, and virtue, with the exercise of charity and forbearance, can alone ensure us felicity. The Agriculturist descants on the improvement of the soil, the rearing of flocks and herds, and the enviable pleasures of rural occupations. The Mechanic sets forth the superior advantages of some new invention; while the man of science communicates the result of ingenious experiments in the particular branches of knowledge which have engaged his attention. And last, though not less a favourite than the rest, is the Bard, whose title to poetic inspiration is not unfrequently evinced by his giving

----"_to airy nothing "A local habitation and a name_."

While thus highly amused and instructed myself, I am unable, being of humble capacity, to contribute in return to the edification of others, unless by occasionally communicating what I may chance to glean in the course of some of my _literary_ peregrinations. As this may not be unacceptable, I send you, as a token of my good will, and desire for the prosperity of your interesting Miscellany, a _scrap_ of American poesy, which, though published a few years since in some of the public journals, it is believed will be new to many of your readers. The writer is a young lady of Virginia, by the name of HENNING, who thus modestly speaks of a production, which, it must be admitted, is alike creditable to herself, her sex and country:--"The subject which I have selected, has already employed the talents of an eminent poet, (_Akenside_,) and as he has gathered in the rich harvest which it presented to the sickle of his genius, I must, like Ruth of old, be content to collect the scattered ears, not however expecting the same result to my employment as that which attended my fair-famed predecessor."--Your friend,

X.

ODE TO IMAGINATION.

Oh thou! whose power inspires the minstrel's song. And pours the tide of tuneful verse along, Whose rapid wings through ether speed their flight, While earth extended lies beneath thy sight, Send one bright beam of that celestial blaze, That round thy brow in dazzling lustre plays, One ray, to gild the gloom of mental night, And burst its shroud with thy refulgent light!

By thee each scene, that meets the gazing view, Is cloth'd in beauty's bright attractive hue: 'Tis thine to wake the bold exalted thought, With splendour graced, with mental ardour fraught; The lofty strain of eloquence is thine, By thee its torrent rolls, its beauties shine; Thy power directs the mind's adventurous flight, And guides its course to Grandeur's lofty height.

'Tis thine fair Beauty's brightest forms to trace, Adorned with charms and rich in every grace, By thee the painter's mimic canvas shows A youthful form where each attraction glows; By thee the eye its seeming lustre sheds, By thee the rose the snowy cheek o'erspreads, Till to the sight the lovely semblance seems A living goddess, sung in fabled themes.

Nor does the strain whose headlong torrent falls, While sounding echoes strike the lofty walls, Nor Venus robed in heavenly charms alone, The potent magic of thine influence own. Oft have thy visions cheered the drooping breast, By anguish pierced, by gloomy cares opprest, A while suppressed the deep complaining sigh, And wiped the tear from sorrow's streaming eye.

The lonely exile, forced afar to roam, And leave for ever his lamented home, Though foreign scenes to meet his view arise, By thee transported, sees his native skies. Each scene, that gave his youthful heart delight, Again salutes his fond enraptured sight, And Friendship's voice, which once he loved to hear, In tender accents meets his listening ear.

But who can tell how wide thine influence reigns? The weary captive, bound in galling chains, Cheered by thy light, forgets his dungeon's gloom, And seems to gaze on Nature's vernal bloom, The leafy grove, the blue ethereal sky, The flowery field, delight his wondering eye, While Nature's music breathes its thrilling notes, And on his ear in melting softness floats.

Fair Queen of Visions! I invoke thine aid, Whose wondrous force, what strain has e'er display'd? For who can trace thy wild eccentric course, Or paint of mental light the lovely source? As well might Art with feeble skill essay To paint the warm enlivening orb of day, With mimic hues its sparkling beams to light, And pour its radiance on the aching sight!

E'en though I gained that mountain's fabled height, Where Music breathes the soul of warm delight, I'd ask not power thy wondrous might to sing, So far beyond my thought's sublimest spring, But send one beam of that celestial blaze, That round thy brow in dazzling lustre plays, One ray to gild the gloom of mental night, And burst its shroud with thy refulgent light.

AN INVOCATION TO POVERTY.

BY CHARLES JAMES FOX, ESQ.