Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

us.

MITFORD CASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND.

MONT BLANC.

ARRIVING near the base of those rocks called the "Grands Mulets," we found that a chasm of eighty feet in width separated them from We proceeded up an acclivity forming a narrow neck of ice, but at its termination a wall opposed us; on either hand yawned a wide and deep crevice, and it appeared that there was no advancing without climbing this perpendicular mass of twenty feet in height. The neck we were standing upon overhung a gulf formed by the chasm and crevices, the very sight of which was appalling. The wall met this neck with an angle formed by these two crevices, which continued on each side of it, the angle coming to a most acute and delicate point. No time was to be lost; we were standing in a very perilous situation, and Coulet commenced cutting steps on the angle with his hatchet; and, after great labour, and considerable danger, in the execution of his purpose, got to the top, and was immediately followed by another guide. The knapsacks were then drawn up, and the rest of the party after them. In ascending this wall, being partly drawn up, partly climbering, I stopped for an instant, and looked down into the abyss beneath me: the blood curdled in my veins, for never did I behold any thing so terrific. The great beauty of the immense crevices around us-so deep, so bright, that the imagination could hardly measure them-excited not only my admiration, but even that of the guides, accustomed as they were to such scenes. Safely on the top, on looking around, we discovered that these large crevices extended on each side to a very great distance, the plane of the wall sloping from the upper to the lower crevice with an inclination which rendered walking on it very perilous. Some proposed to return to the commencement of the neck of ice which we had passed, and, making a circuit from it, to get to the base of the "Grands Mulets," on the other side of the great crevice, and climb up the rock; others were for proceeding, and their advice was followed. Walking with the greatest caution, in steps cut with the hatchet, we moved on very slowly; the ice was slippery, and a false step might have endangered the life of more than one individual. The wall now widened, but the slope became more inclined. Taking my steps with the greatest care, I could not prevent myself from slipping; as the space became wider, I became less cautious, and, while looking over the edge into the upper

crevice, my feet slid from under me; I came down on my face, and glided rapidly towards the lower one; I cried out, but the guides who held the rope attached to me did not stop me, though they stood firm. I had got to the extent of the rope, my feet hanging over the lower crevice, one hand grasping firmly the pole, and the other my hat. The guides called to me to be cool, and not afraid;-a pretty time to be cool, hanging over an abyss, and in momentary expectation of falling into it! They made no attempt to pull me up for some moments; but then, desiring me to raise myself, they drew in the rope until I was close to them, and in safety.

The reason for this proceeding is obvious. Had they attempted, on the bad and uncertain footing in which they stood, to check me at the first gliding, they might have lost their own balance, and our destruction would have followed; but, by fixing themselves firmly in the cut step, and securing themselves with their batons, they were enabled to support me with certainty when the rope had gone its length. This also gave me time to recover, that I might assist them in placing myself out of danger; for it is not to be supposed that, in such a situation, I did not lose, in a great degree, my presence of mind. These were good reasons, no doubt; but, placed as I was in such imminent peril, I could not have allowed them to be so.-John Auldjo's Ascent to the Summit of Mont Blanc in 1827.

FOR FENDERS, FIRE-IRONS, KNIVES, &c. AMILIES FURNISHING may effect an ready money, at

RIPPON'S OLD ESTABLISHED CHEAP FURNISHING IRONMONGERY WAREHOUSE, 63, Castle street East, Oxford Market, (At the corner of Castle-street and Wells-street,) where every article sold is warranted good, and exchanged if not approved of.

ings, 12s. per pair; Ivory-handled oval-rimmed Table Tea Urn, 30s.; Plated Candlesticks, with Silver MountKnives and Forks, 40s. the set of 50 pieces; Fashionable Iron Fenders-Black, 18s. Bronzed, 21s.; Brass Fenders, 10s.; Green Fenders, with brass tops, 2s.; Fire Irons, 2s. per set; Polished Steel Fire Irons, 4s. 6d. per set; Brass Fire Furniture, 5s. 6d. per set; Block-tin Dish Covers, 7s.; Bottle Jacks, 8s. 6d. ; Copper Warming Pans, 6s.; 85. 6d. per set; Copper Tea Kettles, to hold one gallon, Brass Candlesticks, 1s. 4d. per pair; Britannia-metal Tea Pots, Is. 4d. each; Japanned Tea Trays, 1s.; Waiters, 25.; Bread Trays, 3d.; Japanned Chamber Candlesticks, with Snuffers and Extinguisher, 6d.; Snuffers and Tray, ed.; Black-handled Steel Table Knives and Forks, 2s. 9d. vented Utensil for cooking Potatoes, superior to those the half-dozen; Copper Coal-scoops, 10s.; a newly inboiled, steamed, or roasted, price 5s., 6s., and 7s.; Copper Iron, and Tin Saucepans and Stewpans, together with every article in the above line, cheaper than any other For Ready Money only.

House in London.

BRITISH COLLEGE OF HEALTH, KING'S CROSS, NEW ROAD, LONDON. MORISON'S UNIVERSAL VEGETABLE MEDICINE.

Cure of a Bilious and Liver Complaint, &c. Sir,-Having been for some years past afflicted with a bilious and liver complaint, attended with much flatulency and great debility, which completely baffled the efforts of several eminent gentlemen of the faculty, and the cause of severe depression and lowness of spirits, so much so, that I was incapable of attending to my domestic concerns, and my life almost a burden to me. Upon hearing of your invaluable medicine (Morison's Pills), I was induced to give them a trial, and am now happy to state, through God's assistance, that I am enabled to perform my duties, and my appetite and digestion are restored to their former state of excellence, and for which I shall ever feel grateful. I have also to observe, that it is not more than two months since I first applied to Mr. Joseph Webb, Feasegate, York, for the medicine, and who can vouch for the truth of my declaration, and to the restoration of my health at the present time.

I am, sir, your obliged and grateful servant, Davygate, York, May 3, 1832.

Cure of Asthma, &c.

To Mr. Meyer,

L.M.

Sir, I beg leave to state that, in consequence of an aecident I received last November, I was attacked with asthma, shortness of breath, and swelling of the body and legs, for which I could obtain but little relief until the beginning of last March, when, having a supply of the "Vegetable Universal Medicine," recommended by you in February, I immediately resorted to them, and a happy to inform you that, after taking a few doses, agreeably to the directions given in such cases, all the complaints above-mentioned left me, and am now in sound health, and have had no return of the aforesaid attacks, although it is now upwards of two months since I expe rienced the relief herein acknowledged. With gratitude to God, and thankfulness to you, sir, I am induced to make this my case known, that others, suffering under similar afflictions, may experience the like relief. I am, sir, your obedient servant, THOMAS STOKES,

2, St. Ronan's, Deptford, Kent, May 14, 1832.

The "Vegetable Universal Medicines" are to be had at the College, New Road, King's Cross, London; at the Surrey Branch, 96, Great Surrey-street; Mr. Field's, 16, Airstreet, Quadrant; Mr. Chappell's, Royal Exchange; Mr. Walker's, Lamb's-conduit-passage, Red-lion-square; Mr. J. Loft's, Mile-end-road; Mr. Bennett's, Covent-gardenMr. Haslet's, 147, Ratcliffe-highway; Messrs. Norbury's, Brentford; Mrs. Stepping, Clare-market; Messrs. Salmon, Little Bell-alley; Miss Varai's, 24, Lucas street, Commercial-road; Mrs. Beech's, 7, Sloane-square, Chelsea; Mrs. Chapple's, Royal Library, Pall-mall; Mrs. Pippen's, 18, Wingrove-place, Clerkenwell; Miss C. Atkinson, 19, New Trinity-grounds, Deptford; Mr. Taylor, Hanwell; Mr. Kirtlam, 4, Bolingbroke-row, Walworth; Mr. Payne, 64, Jermyn-street; Mr. Howard, at Mr. Wood's, hair-dresser, Richmond; Mr. Meyar, 3, May's-buildings, Blackheath; Mr. Griffiths, Wood-wharf, Greenwich; Mr. Pitt, 1, Cornwall-road, Lambeth; Mr. J. Dobson, 35, Craven-street, Strand; Mr. Oliver, Bridge-street, Vauxhall; Mr. J. Deptford; Mr. Cowell, 22, Terrace, Pimlico; Mr. Parfitt, 96, Edgware-road; Mr. Hart, Portsmouth-place, Kennington-lane; Mr. Charlesworth, grocer, 124, Shoreditch; Mr. R. G. Bower, grocer, 22, Brick-lane, St. Luke's; Mr. S. J. Avila, pawnbroker, opposite the church, Hackney; Mr. T. Gardner, 95, Wood-street, Cheapside, and 9, NortonJ. S. Briggs, 1, Brunswick-place, Stoke Newington; Mr. falgate; Mr. J. Williamson, 15, Seabright-place, Hackney, road; Mr. J. Osborn, Wells-street, Hackney road, and Homerton; Mr. H. Cox, grocer, 16, Union-street, Bishopsgate-street; Mr. T. Walter, cheesemonger, 67, Hoxton Old Town; and at one agent's in every principal town in Great Britain, the Islands of Guernsey and Malta; and throughout the whole of the United States of America.

market; Mr. Haydon's, Fleur-de-lis-court, Norton-falgate;

Monck, Bexley Heath; Mr. T. Stokes, 12, St. Ronan's.

N. B. The College will not be answerable for the consequences of any medicines sold by any chymist or druggist, as none such are allowed to sell the "Universal Medicines."

CAUTION TO THE PUCLIC.

MORISON'S UNIVERSAL MEDICINES having superseded the use of almost all the Patent Medicines, which the wholesale venders have foisted upon the credulity of the searchers after health, for so many years, the town druggists and chemists, not able to establish a fair fame on the invention of any plausible means of competition, have plunged into the mean expedient of puffing up a "Dr. Morrison" (observe the subterfuge of the double r), a being who never existed, as prescribing a "Vegetable Universal Pill, No. 1 and 2," for the express purpose (by means of this forged imposition upon the pab lic), of deteriorating the estimation of the "UNIVERSAL MEDICINES" of the "BRITISH COLLEGE OF HEALTH."

KNOW ALL MEN, then, that this attempted delusion must fall under the fact, that (however specious the pretence), none can be held genuine by the College but those which have "Morison's Universal Medicines" impressed upon the Government Stamp attached to each box and packet, to counterfeit which is felony by the laws of the Jand.

Printed by J. HADDON and Co.; and Published by J. CRISP, at No. 27, Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row, where all Advertisements and Communications for the Editor are to be addressed.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][merged small][graphic]

I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs,
A palace and a prison on each hand;

I saw from out the wave her structures rise,
As from the stroke of an enchanter's wand,
A thousand years their cloudy wings expand
Around me, and a dying glory smiles
O'er the far times when many a subject land
Looked to the winged lion's marble piles,
Where Venice sat in state, throned on her hun-

connected with a train of more interest-interest. And perhaps there are few spots ing associations than Venice. Its former in Venice more adapted to produce this opulence and power, the eventful charac-effect than that which forms the subject ter of its history, its present degradation, the classic recollections attached to it by those poets who have either celebrated its former greatness, or mourned its present condition-Shakspeare, Tasso, Milton, Byron-all these things are calculated to THERE are few places which stand invite inquiry, and inspire a melancholy

dred isles.

BYRON.

of the above engraving-the Ponte dei Sospiri, or Bridge of Sighs, connecting the Ducal Palace with a state prison. The former was an erection of the ninth century, and is built in a style of rather Saracenic than Gothic, like most of the other buildings of Venice. The latter

The most interesting of these buildings, the Ducal Palace, remains to be noticed. This magnificent structure was for ages the seat of one of the most powerful and terrible governments of Europe. "It is built," says Mr. Forsyth, "in a style which you may call Arabesque, if you will, but it reverses the principles of all other architecture; for here the solid rests upon the open, a wall of enormous mass rests upon a slender fret-work of shafts, arches, and intersected circles." Near the principal entrance is a statue of the Doge Foscaro in white marble; and opposite to the entrance are the magnificent steps called "The Giant's Staircase," from the colossal statues of Mars and Neptune, by which they are commanded. Here the Doges of Venice received the symbols of sovereignty; and upon the landing-place of these stairs the Doge Marino Faliero was beheaded. "Here," says Mr. Roscoe, "the senate, which resembled a congress of kings rather than an assemblage of free merchants, the various councils of state, and the still more terrible inquisitors of state, the dreaded ten,' held their sittings. The splendid chambers in which the magnificent citizens were accustomed to meet, where their deliberations inspired Christendom with hope, and struck dismay into the souls of the Ottomans, are still shown to the stranger; but the courage, the constancy, and the wisdom which then filled them are fled."

was built at a subsequent time, in consequence of a circumstance which is thus stated by Coryate, in his "Crudities.""Before this prison was built, which was not (as I heard in Venice) above ten years since, the towne prison was under the duke's palace, where it was thought certain prisoners, being largely hired by the King of Spaine, conspired together to blow up the palace with gunpowder, as the papists would have done the Parliament House in England; whereupon the senate thought good, having executed those prisoners that were conspirators in that bloody design, to remove the rest to another place, and to build a prison where this now standeth." The history of this latter edifice offers nothing to notice but what is of a painful and revolting character. It is, in fact, one of those scenes of torture, murder, and arbitrary and inhuman confinement, which are commonly to be found in countries which, like Italy, have suffered under the rule of superstition and tyranny. It is thus described by Mr. Hollier in his Journal* of a Tour through this and other countries, a work which strongly exhibits the most desirable qualifications of a traveller -acute, persevering, and impartial observation. "Our next walk was to the Bridge of Sighs, and then down to view the dungeons. The Bridge of Sighs was, without question, a very correct appellation for that miserable path, which led the poor unfortunate objects of tyrannical hatred or superstition to such a Tartarus The council of ten above alluded to were of woe as is there witnessed. Descend- a Criminal Court, instituted in 1325, and ing by a steep and narrow stone stair-invested with full inquisitorial authority. case, just wide enough to admit one Their official duration was at first limited person at a time to walk, we arrived, to ten days, then, after several intermeafter traversing a passage of the same diate changes, it was extended to a year, dimensions, at some holes, ranged in then to five years, and at length they berows along this horribly confined place, came a permanent body. The primary and withal so low as obliged us to stoop object of their constitution was to extinour chins nearly to our knees to enter guish the remains of a conspiracy against them, and, when in, we found it impos- the state; but in their subsequent hissible to stand upright; some of them tory they taught a lesson frequently reitewere all but dark, the greater number of rated since-namely, the madness of conthem completely so. And below these fiding unlimited power to irresponsible another range, inferior in every sense, hands. The hall of the Council is still more close, more loathsome, and into visited by strangers as an object of much which neither the light nor breath of interest. It is ornamented with some splenheaven could possibly enter, as they are did productions of Paul Veronese, and situated below the level of the canals. others. The frieze in this room is divided Surely the poor creatures destined to be into compartments, each containing the inmates of these abodes of wretchedness portraits of two of the Doges. One of these must, on entering them, have bid a final tacitly, but very impressively, tells of the adieu to hope in this world." tragical end of the original, containing, instead of a portrait, a black curtain, painted in the frame, with the name of the noble delinquent inscribed at the foot of it.

The Ponte dei Sospiri is, as has been said, the avenue from this prison to the palace. It is a covered bridge or gallery, considerably elevated above the water, and divided, by a stone wall, into a passage and a cell; it was into the latter that prisoners were taken, and there strangled.

This elegant work was printed solely for private distribution among the author's friends.

There is, perhaps, nothing more remarkable in the internal history of Venice than the secresy and dispatch with which the police department was conducted, owing ehiefly to the inquisitorial power possessed by their magistrates. An instance of this is related by Mr. Roscoe,

in his elegant annual for 1830, with which we will close this sketch.

"A Frenchnobleman, travelling through Venice, and being robbed there of a considerable sum of money, imprudently indulged in some reflections on the Venetians, observing, that a government which was so careful in watching the proceedings of strangers might bestow a little more attention on the state of their own police. A few days afterwards he left Venice, but he had only proceeded a very short distance when his gondola stopped. On demanding the reason of the delay, his gondoliers replied that a boat was making signals to them. The Frenchman, disturbed at this incident, was meditating on the imprudence of which he had been guilty, when the boat which had been following his gondola came up, and the person in it requested him to go on board. He obeyed. Are you not the Prince de Craon?' said the stranger. 'I am.' Were you not robbed last Thursday?' 'I was.' 'Of what sum?' Five hundred ducats.' 'Where were they?' In a green purse.' 'Do you suspect any one?" My valet de place.'Should you know him again? Certainly. The stranger then pulled aside a mantle, beneath which lay a dead man, holding in his hand a green purse. Justice has been done,' said the stranger; take your money; but beware how you return to a country, the government of which you have despised.'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY OF MR. THOMAS JENKINS. [The following most interesting statement has already been published in the excellent columns of Chambers' Edinburgh Journal. Itis, however, so suited to one of the principal objects of our publication, as affording a refutation of of the African race, that we do not hesitate to a prevalent notion of the intellectual inferiority present it to our readers.]

THE facts we are about to relate respecting this person are of so extraordinary a nature, that, if they had happened at a place distant from our scene of publication, or at a time remote from the present, we would have despaired of procuring credence for them, and, perhaps, them publicity. It happens, however, that, both on that account, abandoned the idea of giving in respect of time and place, they are so readily liable to be denied, if found incorrect, that we can bring them forward with the greatest confidence.

Mr. Thomas Jenkins was the son of an Afrifeatures of the negro. His father reigned over can king, and bore, externally, all the usual and, we believe, including, Little Cape Mount, a considerable tract of country to the east of, a part of the wide coast of Guinea, which used to be much resorted to by British vessels for the purchase of slaves. The negro sovereign, whom the British sailors knew by the name of King Cock-eye, from a personal peculiarity, and learning gave to the Europeans over the Afrihaving observed what a superiority civilization cans in their traffic, resolved to send his eldest son to Britain, in order that he might acquire

all the advantages of knowledge. He, accord-ary literature at the table of Mr. Laidlaw's
ingly, bargained with a Captain Swanstone, a children, or interested the servant lasses to give
native of Hawick, in Scotland, who traded to him what knowledge they could. In the course
the coast for ivory, gold dust, &c., that the of a brief space, Mrs. Laidlaw was surprised to
child should be taken by him to his own coun- find that Tom began to have a strange appe-
try, and returned, in a few years, fully educated, tency for candle-ends. Not a doup about the
for which he was to receive a certain consider-farm-house could escape him. Every scrap of
ation in the productions of Africa. The lad wick and tallow that he fell in with was se-
recollected a little of the scene which took creted and taken away to his loft above the
place on his being handed over to Swanstone. stable, and very dismal suspicions began to be
His father, an old man, came with his mother, entertained respecting the use he put them to.
who was much younger, and a number of sable Curiosity soon incited the people about the
courtiers, to a place on the side of a green farm to watch his proceedings after he had re-
eminence near the coast, and there, amidst the tired to his den; and it was then discovered,
tears of the latter parent, he was formally con- to the astonishment of all, that the poor lad
signed to the care of the British trader, who was engaged, with a book and a slate, in draw-
pledged himself to return his tender charge, ing rude imitations of the letters of the alpha-
some years afterwards, endowed with as much bet. It was found that he also kept an old
learning as he might be found capable of re- fiddle beside him, which cost the poor horses
ceiving. The lad was, accordingly, conveyed below many a sleepless night. On the dis-
on ship-board, where the fancy of the master covery of his literary taste, Mr. Laidlaw put
conferred upon him the name of Thomas Jen- him to an evening school, kept by a neighbour-
kins.
ing rustic, at which he made rapid progress-
such, indeed, as to excite astonishment all over
the country; for no one had ever dreamt that
there was so much as a possibility of his be-
coming a scholar. By and by, though daily
occupied with his drudgery as a farm-servant,
he began to instruct himself in Latin and
Greek. A boy friend who, in advanced life,
communicated to us most of the facts we are
narrating, lent him several books necessary in
these studies; and Mr. and Mrs. Laidlaw did
all in their power to favour his wishes, though
the distance of a classical academy was a suffi-
cient bar, if there had been no other, to pre-
vent their giving him the means or opportunity
of regular instruction. In speaking of the kind
treatment which he had received from these
worthy individuals, his heart has often been
observed to swell, and the tear to start into his
honest dark eye. Besides acquainting himself
tolerably well with Latin and Greek, he initi-
ated himself in the study of mathematics.

had the satisfaction of placing the precious volume in the hands which were so eager to possess it-only a shilling or so being required from Mr. Moncrieff. Tom carried off his prize in triumph, and, it is needless to say, made the best use of it.

It may now be asked, What was the personal character of this extraordinary specimen of African intellect? We answer, at once, The best possible. Tom was a mild, unassuming creature, free from every kind of vice, and possessing a kindliness of manner which made him the favourite of all who knew him. In fact, he was one of the most popular characters in the whole district of Upper Teviotdale. His employers respected him for the faithful and zealous manner in which he discharged his humble duties, and every body was interested in his singular efforts to obtain knowledge. Having retained no trace of his native language, he resembled, in every respect except his skin, an ordinary peasant of the south of Scotland: only he was much more learned than the most of them, and spent his time somewhat more abstractedly. His mind was deeply impressed with the truths of the Christian faith, and he was a regular attender upon every kind of religious ordinances. Altogether, Tom was a person of the most worthy and respectable properties, and, even without considering his meritorious struggles for knowledge, would have been beloved and esteemed whereever he was known.

When Tom was about twenty years of age, a vacancy occurred in the school at Teviot-head, which was an appendage to the parish school, for the use of the scattered inhabitants of a very wild pastoral territory. A committee of the presbytery of Jedburgh was appointed to sit on a particular day at Hawick, in order to examine the candidates for this humble charge, and report the result to their constituents. Among three or four competitors appeared the black farm-servant of Falnash, with a heap of books under his arm, and the everlasting soldier's greatcoat with the staring "XCVI." upon his back. The committee was surprised; but they could not refuse to read his testimonials of character, and put him through the usual forms of examination. More than this: his exhibition was so decidedly superior to the rest, that they could not avoid reporting him as the best fitted for the situation. Tom retired triumphant from the field, enjoying the delightful reflection that now he would be placed in a situation much more agreeable to him than any other he had ever known, and where he would enjoy infinitely better opportunities of acquiring instruction.

Swanstone brought his protege to Hawick, and was about to take the proper means for fulfilling his bargain, when, unfortunately, he was cut off from this life. No provision having been made for such a contingency, Tom was thrown upon the wide world, not only without the means of obtaining a Christian education, but destitute of every thing that was necessary to supply still more pressing wants. Mr. Swanstone died in a room in the Tower Inn, at Hawick, where Tom very faithfully attended him, though almost starved by the cold of a Scottish winter. After his guardian had expired, he was in a state of the greatest distress from cold, till the worthy landlady, Mrs. Brown, brought him down to her huge kitchen fire, where, alone, of all parts of the house, could he find a climate agreeable to his nerves. Tom was ever after very grateful to Mrs. Brown for her kindness. After he had remained for some time at the inn, a farmer in Teviot-head, who was the nearest surviving relation of his A great era in Tom's life was his possessing guardian, agreed to take charge of him, and, himself of a Greek dictionary. Having learnt accordingly, he was removed to the house of that there was to be a sale of books at Hawick, that individual, where he soon made himself he proceeded thither, in company with our inuseful in rocking the cradle, looking after the formant. Tom possessed twelve shillings, pigs and poultry, and other such humble duties. saved out of his wages, and his companion When he left the inn, he understood hardly a vowed that, if more should be required for the word of English; but here he speedily acquired purchase of any particular book, he should not the common dialect of the district, with all its fail to back him in the competition-so far as peculiarities of accent and intonation. He eighteen-pence would warrant, that being the lived in Mr. L's family for several years, amount of his own little stock. Tom at once in the course of which he was successively ad- pitched upon the lexicon as the grand necessary vanced to the offices of cowherd and driver of of his education, and accordingly he began to peats to Hawick for sale on his master's ac- bid for it. All present stared with wonder count, which latter duty he discharged very when they saw a negro, clad in the grey castsatisfactorily. After he had become a stout off surtout of a private soldier, and the number For a time this prospect was dashed. On boy, Mr. Laidlaw, of Falnash, a gentleman of XCVI. still glaring in white oil-paint on his the report coming before the presbytery, a magreat respectability and intelligence, took a back, competing for a book which could only jority of the members were alarmed at the fancy for him, and readily prevailed upon his be useful to a student at a considerably ad- strange idea of placing a negro and born pagan former protector to yield him into his charge. vanced stage. A gentleman of the name of in such a situation, and poor Tom was ac"Black Tom," as he was called, became, at Moncrieff, who knew Tom's companion, beck-cordingly voted out of all the benefits of the Falnash, a sort of Jack-of-all-trades. He acted oned him forward, and inquired, with eager competition. The poor fellow appeared to as cowherd at one time, and stable-boy at curiosity, into the seeming mystery. When it suffer dreadfully from this sentence, which another; in short, he could turn his hand to was explained, and Mr. Moncrieff learned that made him feel keenly the misfortune of his any sort of job. It was his especial duty to thirteen and sixpence was the utmost extent of skin, and the awkwardness of his situation go upon all errands to Hawick, for which a re- their joint stocks, he told his young friend to in the world. But, fortunately, the people tentive memory well qualified him. He after- bid as far beyond that sum as he chose, and he most interested in the matter felt as indignant wards became a regular farm-servant to Mr. would be answerable for the deficiency. Tom at the treatment which he had received, as he Laidlaw, and it was while acting in this capa- had now bidden as far as he could go, and he could possibly feel depressed. The heritors, city that he first discovered a taste for learning. was turning away in despair, when his young among whom the late Duke of Buccleugh was How Tom acquired his first instructions is not friend, in the very nick of time, threw himself chief, took up the case so warmly that it was known. The boy, probably, cherished a notion into the competition. "What, what do you immediately resolved to set up Tom in opposiof duty upon this subject, and was anxious to mean?" said the poor negro, in great agita- tion to the teacher appointed by the presbytery, fulfil, as far as his unfortunate circumstances tion; "you know we cannot pay both that and and to give him an exact duplicate of the would permit, the designs of his parent. He the duty." His friend, however, did not re- salary which they already paid to that person. probably picked up a few crumbs of element-gard his remonstrances; and, immediately, he An old smiddy [blacksmith's shop] was hastily

fitted up for his reception, and Tom was immediately installed in office, with the universal approbation of both parents and children. It followed, as a matter of course, that the other school was completely deserted, and Tom, who had come to this country to learn, soon found himself fully engaged in teaching, and in the receipt of an income more than adequate to his wants. To the gratification of all his friends, and some little confusion of face to the presbytery, he turned out an excellent teacher. He had a way of communicating knowledge that proved in the highest degree successful; and, as he contrived to carry on the usual exercises without the use of any severities, he was as much beloved by his pupils as he was respected by those who employed him. Five days every week he spent in the school. On the Saturdays he was accustomed to walk to Hawick (eight miles going and as much returning), in order to make an exhibition of what he had himself acquired during the week, to the master of the academy there; thus keeping up, it will be observed, his own gradual advance in knowledge. It further

shows his untiring zeal, that he always returned to Hawick next day-of course, an equal extent of travel-in order to attend the church.

After he had conducted the school for one or two years, finding himself in possession of about twenty pounds, he bethought him of spending a winter at college. The esteem in which he was held rendered it an easy matter to demit his duties to an assistant for the winter; and, this matter being settled, he waited upon his good friend, Mr. Moncrieff (the gentleman who had enabled him to get the lexicon, and had since done him many other good offices), in order to consult about other matters concerning the step he was about to take. Mr. Moncrieff, though accustomed to regard Tom as a wonder, was, nevertheless, truly surprised at this new project. He asked, above all things, the amount of his stock of cash. On being told that twenty pounds was all, and, furthermore, that Tom contemplated attending the Latin, Greek, and mathematical classes, he informed him that this would never do the money would hardly pay his fees. Tom was much disconcerted at this; but his generous friend soon relieved him, by placing in his hands a carte blanche order upon a merchant in Edinburgh, for whatever might be further required to support him for a winter at college. Tom now pursued his way to Edinburgh with his twenty pounds. On applying to the Professor of Humanity [Latin] for a ticket to his class, that gentleman looked at him for a moment in silent wonder, and asked if he had acquired any rudimental knowledge of the language. Mr. Jenkins (as he ought now to be called) said, modestly, that he had studied

Latin for a considerable time, and was anxious

[graphic][subsumed]

THE ecclesiastical architecture of Lincolnshire has long been justly celebrated for its magnificence; and, perhaps, none of its superb remains are more deserving of admiration than that which forms the subject of the above elegant engraving.

The cathedral of Lincoln is scarcely secondary in extent and magnificence to any English edifice of a similar appropriation. It was commenced in 1086, by the Anglo-Norman bishop Remigius; but the structure raised by him and his immediate successor was destroyed by fire early in the 12th century. The whole was, however, speedily rebuilt, but was much enlarged and improved in subsequent ages, the part last erected being finished about 1380.

This noble cathedral is situated on a lofty eminence, and constitutes a fine ob

The ground plan differs little from that of other cathedral churches. Branching from the northern side are cloisters, which communicate, as at Canterbury, with the chapter-house. The interior is rather admirable for magnitude of proportions, and commanding grandeur in general effect, than for symmetry or delicacy of component parts. The nave is in the architectural style of the 13th century, and was probably, with the central tower, erected in the reign of John, or of his son and successor, Henry III.

The upper transept and the choir are in the sharp-pointed or earliest English style, and have consequently a great irregularity of character. The pillars have detached shafts of Purbeck marble, different in form, but invariably light and slender.

to complete his acquaintance with it. Mr. P-,ject throughout a long extent of the sur-Some of the arches are high and pointed,

finding that he only spoke the truth, presented the applicant with a ticket, for which he generously refused to take the usual fee. Of the other two Professors to whom he applied, both stared as much as the former, and only one took the fee. He was thus enabled to spend struction, without requiring to trench much upon Mr. Moncrieff's generous order; and next spring he returned to Teviot-head, and resumed his professional duties.

the winter in a most valuable course of in

[blocks in formation]

whilst many are of the trefoil shape, and others semicircular. These confused indications of an infant style in architecture scarcely offend the eye, from want of symmetry, when the general display is found to have an influence over the feelings at once grateful and impressive.

rounding level country. Each division of the exterior is distinguished by great sublimity of character; but the grand western front is of superior attraction. This superb façade consists of a central elevation, comprising three doors of entrance and two lateral parts. Windows, arcades, niches, and numerous pieces of curious Such are the prevailing characteristics sculpture, form its principal embellish- of the structure. Several chapels have ments; and above the whole rise two lofty been added, at different times, to the oritowers. The magnificence of the church, ginal plan, and numerous funeral monuon a general view, is considerably augments were erected, in remote ages, to mented by an august tower which proceeds from the centre, and rises, in its loftiest part, to the height of 300 feet.

persons of distinguished rank and worth; but we regret to say that few of the monuments are now remaining.

« PreviousContinue »