wind, on which Katty hung her muslin to dry; and this accounted for the many rents which ge. nerally appeared in her finery. There was a fine growth of oats, in patches, on the roof of the house, where wrangles of new straw had been thrust in, to repair old breaches in the thatch; but this not having been done in time, the mud wall had taken the wet, and burst out: to remedy this, a great buttress of mason-work had been built to support the wall, which must have cost more than building a new wall would have done; however, it served to lean against. The house originally boasted of two windows, each consisting of four panes of glass, of the kind called bull's-eyes; one eye at present only was left, the seven other vacancies were stopped with two old crowns of hats, the remains of a scarlet petticoat, and straw: so that there was little light but what came through the door, and this had to contend for entrance with a cloud of smoke which issued from within. The dunghill, or rather the muckhole, was at the side of the door; and Merrit persisted in gathering it there, because it had been a dunghill site since the wars of Ireland: but he knew it would be no use moving it, for his wife would not pass beyond the threshold of the door to empty her slops, or dispose of the litter of the house. Inside the house was not much worse than its neighbours; there was no light, but plenty of smoke. The clay floor, trod into holes, covered every thing with dust, and made sweeping vain; which saved Katty a world of trouble-as the rats, which had made a burrow in the thatch, continued their operations, unmolested, day and night, and showered down dirt and straws; and Katty's heart might have been broke contending with them.

“As I was preparing to enter, I heard Katty screeching, Hutchaw! Oolaghan!' and out rushed a sow and her pigs. I made way for them; and to these succeeded a flight of hens and turkies, a flock of geese, three cur dogs, and a lame gander."

THE IMPATIENCE OF THE PROSPEROUS WHEN
AFFLICTED.

"Poor Maurice! spoiled by unceasing prosperity, habituated to find success attend on all his endeavours, unknown to himself he had become presumptuous and self-confident. He received the stroke as if it had been dealt by a secret enemy-he seemed overwhelmed equally by astonishment and desperation-and, when his tears ceased to flow, appeared impatient, bewildered, and farouche."

INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF KILBRIDE
CHURCH-YARD.

"Hither the young should come to learn how quickly falls the star of human glory: and many a one I have since sent a pilgrim to Kilbride church-yard. Even though my eyes were dimmed with tears, I could not but be struck with the

gorgeous prospect from the spot where I stood. The river Ovoca, dark between its mountain banks, that were covered to the sky with eternal oaks, here poured its flood into the glittering sea. To the right, Shelton Abbey, with its long line of towers, gave sanctity to the beauty of the scenery, proclaiming God in the most superb retreat of nature. Thither I bent my steps, solacing my mind with the reflection, that, frail as all good and beauty were here below, they were sufficient to be a pledge, that a great power was at work to make happiness perfect hereafter. It was now long since the abbey had resounded with the solemn offices; but the owners, though belonging to our separated brethren, respected its destination, and preserved it in repair. An ancient man, who had the care of it, pointed out to me a white flag of the marble pavement of the hall, which was stained. He said, that when King James fled from Ireland, this was the last house he slept in. As he was going ont, a few drops of blood fell from his nose, which stained the marble, and had never been washed out since. We naturally sorrow for the unfortunate, yet no one deserves our pity less than James. He was a tyrant and a bigot, and the main cause of all that our religion has endured. Religion and liberty perish each alike, when sundered; neither the one nor the other can elevate its stargirt forehead, unless when their hands are joined; and seldom has this jubilee appeared on earth."

OUR NATIVE COUNTRY RENDERED DEARER
BY ITS DISTRESSES.

"Una, and all, endeavoured to make me take up my abode in Spain, but I could not part from Ireland: like the doating love of a parent for a sickly child, the more this hapless country griev ed my heart, the more I was attached to it; and besides, it would have ill become me to abandon the duties of my poor parish, now that life was grown too short with me, to enable me to begin the care of a new set of souls with any chance of success."

6

TENETS OF A LIBERAL-MINDED CATHOLIC. "You have been early taught, my son,' I called the Reforma. began, to regard what tion as Satan's work; to look upon our separated brethren as wilful and unpardonable heretics. But our ecclesiastics state too absolutely, that the Reformation was purely evil. It was God's work. It was a separation to be deplored, as it affected our Protestant brethreu; but it was a reformation to be hailed with joy, as it affected our own church. It was the reformation of Catholics, as well as of Protestants. Was not reformation wanting, when political pride and aggrandizement infected the bosoms of our Pontiff's and Cardinals? When the most holy privileges of religion were set up for sale, to supply means to their depravity, &c. &c.'"

Gg 2

Gay's Chair; consisting of Poems, never before printed, written by John Gay, Author of the "Beggars' Opera," &c, &c. With a Sketch of his Life, compiled from the MSS. of his Nephew, the Rev. Joseph Baller. 1 vol. 12mo. London.

We noticed this publication in our last Number, under the head of Fugitive Poetry, and gave our opinion on this interesting little volume. The Poems are certainly not in Gay's best manner, but they warmly engage the feelings when we reflect on the pleasing poet and amiable man that penned them. We now come to a few unpublished particulars in the memoir of the life of this bard; with a circumstantial account of the chair in which, after lying so long concealed from human eye, these precious MS. relics were discovered.

INTERESTING PARTICULARS IN THE LIFE OF
GAY.

"When he left school he was, by the advice of his relatives, bound apprentice to a mercer in London. Young Gay, not being able to bear the confinement of a shop, soon felt a remarkable depression of spirits, and consequent decline of health; he was therefore obliged to quit that situation, and retire to Barnstaple, in the hope of receiving benefit from his native air. Here he was kindly received at the house of his uncle, his mother's brother, the Rev. John Haumer, the nonconformist minister of that town. After continuing some months at Barnstaple, his health became reinstated, upon which he returned to London, where he lived for some time as a private gentleman. But his natural genius for poetry soon developed itself in various publications. The Rural Sports, the Fan, Pastorals, and the Shepherd's Week, were universally read and admired. These introduced him to the acquaintance of several great men, and to the most eminent wits and poets of the age, of true taste and polite literature, such as Addison, Sir Richard Steele, Dean Purcel, Swift, Pope, and many others,

"Towards the termination of the reign of Queen Anne, he possessed a very high share of popularity, and was intimate with several who were in the ministry; it is therefore highly probable, that these circumstances were the cause of his being treated with coolness and indifference during the succeeding reign; but such treatment of him was considered unjust, as he never entered into any of the parties or cabals of Anne's ministry; and as a proof of his loyalty and attachment to the house of Hanover, he was honoured with being secretary to the Earl of Clarendon, who was sent as Ambassador to Hanover to notify to the Elector (who was afterwards

George I.) the death of Queen Anne. About
that time he wrote his Epistle to a Lady, dedi.
cated to the then Princess of Wales, to congra.
England."
tulate her, and to wish her a safe passage to

"About the beginning of the reign of George II. that celebrated dramatic work, The Beggars' Opera, was first performed, and which, though it proved very advantageous to Mr. Rich, the manager of Covent-Garden Theatre, was sold by the author, to a bookseller, at a very moderate price. In this work he is pretty severe upon courtiers; and though the minister, Sir Robert Walpole, appeared publicly to applaud the satire of the piece, yet soon after, to show his resentment to the author, he took from him his apart ments in Whitehall, where he had lodged for many years, and which apartments had been granted him by the Earl of Lincoln.

"His satire was never personal, though in the latter part of his life he wrote with more asperity against the great than was natural to his usual affability and evenness of temper. His honest soul was often roused with indignation against the growth of that venality and corruption which he feared might ultimately prove the ruin of his country."

BURIAL OF MR. GAY.

"On notice of Mr. Gay's death, his noble patron the Duke of Queensberry evinced his regard by going immediately to town, and giving orders that the funeral should be conducted in the most handsome manner, and every possible respect paid to the memory of his departed friend. The body was carried from Burlington-House to Exeter 'Change, in the Strand, on the 23d of December, 1732; and after lying in state, was, at nine o'clock that evening, drawn in a hearse, adorned with plumes of white and black feathers and appropriate escutcheons, attended by three coaches, each drawn by six horses. In the first coach was Mr. Gay's nephew (the only relative then in town), as chief mourner; the Duke of Queensberry and Dr. Arbuthnot next following. The pall was supported by the Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Viscount Cornbury, the Honourable Mr. Berkeley, General Dormer, Mr. Gore, and Mr. Pope.

"The burial service was performed by the Dean (Dr. Wilcox, Bishop of Rochester), the choir attending. His remains were deposited in the south cross aisle of Westminster Abbey, over against Chaucer's tomb, and a monument was soon after erected to his memory.

"Mr. Gay dying intestate, his whole effects, amounting to about six thousand pounds, were equally divided between his sisters, Katherine Baller and Joanna Fortescue.

“Mr. Baller, from whose manuscript this is compiled, concludes with these words :- I, the elder son of Mr. Gay's oldest sister Katherine Baller, have drawn up this memoir, both from my own knowledge, and from what I have at different times heard from my beloved mother."

DESCRIPTION OF GAY'S CHAIR.

"Under the arms of the chair are drawers, with the necessary implements for writing; each drawer turns on a pivot, and has attached to it a brass candlestick.

"The wooden leaf for reading or writing upon may be raised or depressed, or entirely let down, at the student's pleasure.

"Under the seat is a drawer for books or paper, and behind is the concealed drawer, in which were found the manuscripts: it is curiously fastened by a small bolt, not perceivable till the larger drawer is removed.

"The chair is made of very fine grained mahogany, covered with leather, ornamented with brass nails, and, considering its antiquity, is in pretty good repair: the whole is admirably constructed for meditative ease and literary application."

66

Letters on History. By the Author of Affection's Gift." In Two Parts. Part the First. 1 vol. 12mo. London.

We have already given our meed of well deserved praise to the last excellent work of this author, who so well and laudably improves the talent she has received, by imparting her instructions to the young mind, and storing it with the most useful and important knowledge.

This First Part treats of sacred history; and inculcating the true principles of religion, proves the authenticity of the Gospels; and considering the elements of history, gives a sketch of that which is sacred; the incidents of which, by their style and manner, are rendered truly interesting to the reader, which the following extracts are sufficient to prove.

THE LIVES OF ISAAC, JACOB, AND JOSEPH. "In the life of Isaac we observe less variety of incident, but we are introduced into the interior of domestic life-behold an affectionate son, the comfort and the joy of his parents, an example of retired virtue and of that devotional and contemplative disposition which elevates the mind to God, and calms the violence of human passion. In the eventful life of Jacob we observe the overruling hand of Providence, the sweetest descriptions of domestic and simple manners, the power of virtuous love, the painful struggles of nature, the mild spirit of resignation when he was bereaved of his children, the tide of joy 'which rashed upon his aged heart on the recovery of his lost and darling child, and the evening of his stormy day closing in calm serenity. To enter into a detail of the circumstances recorded, or of the wonderful and pathetic narrative of Joseph would but be to gild pure gold and to

add perfume to the violet. Such is the beauty of the descriptions as contained in the sacred volume. They must come home to the bosom of every one who possesses a heart to feel, who has a relation to cherish, a friend to love. With minute exactness, and inimitable pathos, the sacred historian dwells with apparent delight upon each event. The unsophisticated feelings of nature, the genuine workings of human passion appear in every period, and we at once enter into every scene, and feel all the charities of fa ther, son, and brother."

CHARACTER OF RUTH.

"The character of Ruth is throughout distinguished by grace, beauty, and propriety. A soul of true sensibility, ready to sacrifice every earthly advantage for the enjoyment of remaining with, and becoming useful to the mourner she loved; with a spirit timid and sweetly bashful, yet firm and resolute where her affections and her duty called for the exercise of those qualities. How striking the propriety she eviuces; all tenderness, earnestness, and affectionate warmth in addressing her bereaved mother-all modesty and dignified reserve, when replying to the friendly attentions of Boaz."

WORKS IN THE PRESS.

An entertaining work is now in the press, consisting of Anecdotes, collected and arranged under separate heads, by Sholto and Reuben Percy, brothers of the Benedictine Monastery, Mont Benger.This collection is, we understand, the fruit of much curious reading, during many years of monastic seclusion. The first part will consist of Anecdotes of humanity, embellished with a portrait of William Wilberforce, Esq. M. P. The second on Eloquence, with a portrait of Lord Erskine. The third on Enterprize, with a portrait of the lamented Mungo Park. And the fourth on Youth, with a portrait of the son of Sir G. Dallas. These will be followed by Anecdotes of Science, Genius, Liberty, Heroism, &c.

Mr. F. Nash, having been employed at intervals during the last three years in Paris, making Drawings of its principal Buildings and the surrounding Scenery, it is proposed to publish a series of Engravings (in number from fifty to sixty) under the title of Views in Paris and its Environs. The work, comprising not less than five plates in each part, with appropriate letterpress, will extend to ten parts, in royal 4to. one to be published every three

The growth of coral appears to cease when the worm is no longer exposed to the washing of the sea. Thus a reef rises in the form of a cauliflower, till its top has gained the level of the highest tides, above which the worm has no power to advance, and the reef, of course, no longer extends itself upwards. The other parts, in succession, reach the surface, and there stop, forming in time a level field with steep sides all around. The reef, however, still increases; and being prevented from growing higher, extends itself laterally in all directions. But this growth being as rapid at the upper edge as it is lower down, the steepness of the face of the reef is still preserved. These are the circumstances which render coral reefs so dangerous in navigation; for, in the first place, they are seldom seen above the water, and, in the next, their sides are so steep that a ship's bows may strike against the rock before any change of soundings has given warning of the danger:

DUTCH LADIES.

Of all nations, perhaps the Dutch have suffered most from hasty and illiberal criticism, and particularly the female sex; yet, taken as a whole, the state of female society in Holland would not suffer by a fair comparison, either as to culture or morals, with the females of any nation in Europe.

to Bviksloat, and visit the adjacent villages, and there the stranger would be surprised to see the antiquated, yet highly picturesque costumes that have, unchanged by time or fashion, held their place for many centuries.

Viewed collectively, the Dutch ladies are exemplary wives, tender mothers, and humane and indulgent mistresses. Those of inferior rank betray a bad taste in their love of tawdry colours and showy dress. While young, their complexions are generally very fine; but, whether it is from the effect of damp and humid climate, or the general use of fire-pots to keep the legs and feet warm in cold weather, their charms decay much earlier than with the English females.

The Dutch ladies call the English prudes; the latter accuse the former of gross indelicacy of manners: if the excessive reserve of English ladies could be a little relaxed, and the too great freedom of those of Holland in the same proportion restrained, perhaps as perfect a model of female manners might be formed as Europe could afford.

CURIOUS MUSIC.

LOUIS XI. of France, was as whimsical as he was cruel and arbitrary. The Abbe de Baynes, a man of great wit, having invented many things relating to musical inThat freedom of manners which strikes struments, was introduced to Louis, and so forcibly the imagination of an English- retained by him in his service. One day man, exciting unfavourable ideas, would the King (imagining the thing to be absonot be thought in the least indecorous by lutely impossible,) commanded the Abbe to a native of Italy, France, or Germany. procure him harmonious sounds from the Hence, whilst the untravelled Englishman cries of hogs. The Abbe did not seem would set even the first circle of Dutch || surprised at the proposal, but said the females down in his journal as eminently deficient in delicacy, three other travellers, of different nations, having been reared amidst corresponding manners, would see nothing singular nor censurable.

The primitive manners of the old Belgic republicans, is banished altogether from the bigher circles of society, and only found in the provinces, amongst the farmers and labourers, and tradespeople.

The opulent and fashionable females of Amsterdam copy French or English fashions so closely, that there is no trait of nationality visible. But cross the river Y

matter was feasible, if a great deal of money were advanced to enable him to perform it. The King ordered the money demanded to be immediately paid him; and desired the Abbe to set about it without delay. He did so, and effected the most surprising concert ever heard. He got together a number of hogs of different ages, and placed them in a tent covered with velvet, before which he fixed a painted table, representing a large organ. He then contrived an instrument behind it, with a certain number of stops so artfully made that when he touched the keys belonging to the