Louisa, Emily Augusta, and Alice Anne Caroline. He died in 1840, and his firstnamed son having preceded him to the grave, he was succeeded by his second, George Frederick D'Arcy Lambton, the present peer, who was born September 5, 1828. LAURENCE STARK.-A FAMILY THE above is the title of a work well known to scholars, by Engel, an admired German writer. It has recently been translated and published in the Duchy of Baden. The Grand Duke, who is well acquainted with our language, and a patron of English literature, has permitted it to be dedicated to him; and, as was mentioned some weeks back, granted the translator a private audience, and received him most graciously. To English novel readers 'Laurence Stark' may appear to be rather too quiet, but The Family Picture' presents many graceful and affecting touches, with graphic sketches of German life. It opens thus: "Mr Laurence Stark was regarded in all H****, where he lived, as a very whimsical, but also a very excellent old man. His dress and his conduct announced at the first glance the old German simplicity of his character. His clothes were always of one uniform colour, grey or brownish, but of superfine cloth; on his head was a little bob-wig, and on occasions a wellpowdered periwig; with his little hat he came twice out of the fashion, and twice into it again; the stockings were carefully rolled up over the knee; and the stronglysoled shoes, on which shone a pair of very small, but very brightly polished buckles, were cut off square in front. He was no friend to superfluous linen before the bosom and over the hands; his greatest state was a fine laced neckerchief. "The faults, of which this excellent man had not a few, and which were often very annoying to those who were obliged to live with him, were so entwined with his best qualities, that it appeared as though neither could exist without the other. Being really wiser than almost all those with whom he had to do, he had become very arbitrary and positive; feeling that no one could justly reproach him with his sentiments and actions, he was towards others a very free, often very troublesome censor; and because, although his customary goodnature would not suffer him to be greatly excited by any fault, he was unable to pass over one unnoticed, he had become very ironical and bantering. "In pecuniary matters, things went remarkably well with him; for, during the long, long years, in which he had traded and kept house, he had followed the simple maxim: that, in order to become rich, the expenditure must be less than the receipts. As his beginning was but small, and he was indebted for his fortune to his own industry and frugality, he had at first helped himself but very sparingly; but even afterwards, when he had long since earned the first twenty thousand, of which he was accustomed to say, that it had proved sourer to him than all his subsequent wealth, the original spirit of economy still reigned predominant in his house; and this was the principal cause of the constant increase of his fortune. "Of Mr Stark's many children, only two survived: a son who, after his father's example, had devoted himself to trade; and a daughter. The latter was married to one of the most noted physicians of the place, Dr Herbst: a man possessed of no less skill in producing than in preserving life. He had quite a houseful of youngsters, and this circumstance made the daughter the favourite of the old man, who was a great friend to children. As the son-inlaw lived not far from the church which Mr Stark was in the habit of visiting, it was agreed that he should dine with his daughter's husband every Sunday: his piety, indeed, had willingly sometimes have dispensed with the church, if his grandfatherly love could only have dispensed with the sight of so many dear grandsons and daughters. It always opened his heart, when, on entering the house, the little swarm sprang shouting towards him, seized his hands and coattails, and coaxed the little presents from him, which he had for them in his pockets. During grace, the eyes of the little ones would sometimes wander about, and then he would softly whisper to them to pay attention; but the one who was the least attentive was himself; for his whole heart was, where his eyes were, with his grandchildren. "Mr Stark was proportionately dissatisfied with his son. On the one hand, he was too extravagant, spending too much on dress, in riding and driving; but particularly as he went too frequently to the cafés, and into the company of gamesters. On the other hand, it vexed Mr Stark that his son, as a merchant, had so little of an adventurous spirit, and, as a man, too little of the beneficence and generosity of his own character. He regarded him as something between a miser and a spendthrift; two qualities which Mr Stark equally detested. He was himself a true economist, who, by saving and hoarding up, had not so much the money as the great benefits which might be effected by money in view. Where he perceived no object, there he was certain not to give a fraction; but where the aim appeared worthy of the sacrifice, he gave whole hundreds in the coolest manner in the world. But that which vexed him most with his son, was the fact that, in his thirtieth year, the latter still remained unmarried, and that, judging by appearances, he would increase the number of old bachelors. The father would not persuade the son to any marriage, the son would not conclude any marriage without the father's consent; and both were in taste and way of thinking far too different for their choice or wish ever to agree." The father is a benevolent oddity; differences occur between him and a worthy but impracticable son, who becomes attached to Madame Lyk, an amiable widow, who has two children. On certain conditions, after serious estrangements and a variety of incidents, the senior consents to be reconciled. A portion of the scene which ensues is subjoined: "But why do you not mention one of the chief conditions, your marriage. Have you made no choice yet?' "With the customary shyness, with which questions of this description are usually answered, the son said I have.' "Do I know her you love?' "With still greater shyness he brought forth the words-' Only lately.' But how fluently did he speak, as he began to praise the virtues of his lady, and to abuse the malice of certain wretches who discharged their spiteful, venomous darts even at the purest, most unspotted virtue. "This preface,' said the old man,' might frighten me. May I ask the name of your choice?' "It was of no use that the son pronounced the widow's name, in a very low, modulated voice. He was forced to repeat it all the louder. "She!' said the old man gravely, taking a few turns up and down; the widow ! Is it only information that you are giving me, or "It is the exposition of my profoundest, dearest wish, for which I entreat your kind approbation, your paternal consent.' "Between yourselves, I hope, everything is already arranged. You are agreed?' "How rejoiced was the son now to have followed the advice of his brother-in-law, and to be able to assure his father, without swerving from the truth, that not even the first word of love had been exchanged between him and the widow; not even preliminary, under presupposed consent of the father. "So much the better!' said the old man. 'Then there is nothing to be undone.' "To be undone, my father? Should it, must it be so?' "I see the path this love has taken very clearly. You have acted towards the widow with an honesty, with a generosity, of which your heart convinces you that they contribute to your honour, to your greatest honour. Thus the sight of her has naturally become dear to you, for it reminds you of the best action of your life; but real, profound love, which will last till old age, and indemnify you for all that you must give up and sacrifice on her account. No, my son, I cannot possibly presuppose this here; it's impossible!' "Wherefore impossible, my fatherand what should I give up on her account -what should I sacrifice? I see nothing.' "Is the wealth nothing to you, that so many others would bring? The widow herself is without fortune.' "True! but' "Her share of the paltry remnant of Lyk's former fortune is, by our laws, the half. How far do you expect this will reach in covering what I may perhaps be compelled to draw from the business? "I will retrench, my father. will retrench the business as far as may be needful, and my household to the very utmost. I will be saving and active in the highest degree.' "Good! But all this you will ask at last, and I ask now: for whom? For a woman, who is already none of the youngest, and of whose beauty no traces will be left in a few years.' "Is it then her beauty that I look at? God is my witness! I have never compared her with any other. That which moved me, and has won me to her for ever, are her virtues, which have been proved in so many a sorrowful, trying position, and of which I was for months a near and a happy witness.' "The old man walked about again, and was silent. She has children,' he then recommenced. 66 6 "They increase my love for her. They are a pair of angels.' "But angels that have wants. When the little of the father's property that remains for them is exhausted, these children will have called you father, and you will be bound to provide for them as a father.' "That I certainly shall, and shall do it joyfully.' "Joyfully? What you expend on them will be lost to your own children. Will you foolishly throw away on strange blood what might benefit your own. Tell me, I beg, how can you even imagine such a thing-allow it to take possession of you even for a moment?' "The son knew the father too well not to be exceedingly alarmed. 'You do not speak from your own heart, my father; impossible!' "How do you mean? From whose heart but one's own can one speak?' "You assume a strange, narrow, extremely limited soul, which you lend me as mine. From it you utter these things with which you think to perplex or convince me. I see, I have entirely and for ever lost your respect. I must therefore go my own way; and I will do so. My sole wish to God is' -folding his hands together-that you may live long, very long, and still see with your own eyes, how much you erred in me, how much you wronged me.' He turned from his father to the window, his heart distracted and lacerated by the most adverse feelings. "The father could not require more than such a proof of his sentiments, and of the total change in his character. After a deep, solemn pause, in which he gave the son time to collect himself, he called him gently by his Christian name: Charles! "The mild, trembling accents of this tone, irresistibly compelled the son to turn round. What were his feelings, at seeing the good, venerable old man standing there, his eyes filled with tears, and his fatherly arms opened to receive him! 'Charles!' again exclaimed the old man : 'why have you so long concealed yourself from me?'-and now the son, overpowered by his emotions, although still uncertain what he had to hope for, rushed towards his father, seized one of his hands in both his, and covered it with kisses. 666 'Will you,' said the old man, 'in this beautiful, and for us both, certainly neverto-be-forgotten hour, swear to me, sacredly swear to me, that you will never think otherwise than as you have just declared yourself? that you will never, not even in the inmost depths of your heart, reproach the good Madame Lyk, or her children with their want of fortune? that you will look upon her love and virtue, as more than all fortune, and always regard her children, as if they were your own?' "The son was not only moved, he was overwhelmed. 'I will, I will!' he stammered, and was incapable of uttering another word. "I take your emotion as an oath.' And now laying his hand on his shoulder, he drew him to himself, and kissed him repeatedly and from his heart. As to the position in which I shall place you, depend upon me; I am no ungenerous father: and therefore take my house and business; and further-my tender fatherly blessing on your love!" " SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. SOCIETY OF ARTS.-The secretary read a paper On the Daguerreotype art,' including a complete history of its origin and progress. The most important part of this communication related to an improvement lately applied; it is a process of engraving on a metallic plate. M. Fizeau, who has effected one of the greatest improvements in the Daguerreotype, namely, the fixing of the image, is the discoverer of this new mode of engraving. Professor Grove has tried the process, which consists in dissolving, by the electrotype process, those parts of the picture which consist of pure silver. Thus the plate is etched in, and transformed into an engraved plate for printing; the action, however, of the galvanic battery sometimes extends to those parts which should remain unattacked. Dec. 20. W. H. Hughes, Esq., V.P., in the chair.-A. H. Simpson, S. Lewis, jun., and C. K. Dyer, Esqrs., were elected members. The secretary explained the Automaton Calculator invented by Dr Roth, of Paris, by which any number, either simple or compound sums, may be rapidly and accurately added together, provided the whole amount does not exceed 999,999, or 999,9997. 19s. 11 d. The instrument consists of an oblong mahogany box, fifteen inches and a half long, two inches and a half wide, and one inch thick, having a metal plate at top, in which are nine semi-annular perforations, beneath which are fixed the requisite trains of wheels. Round the perforations are engraved the index figures, opposite to which, in the perforations, are the teeth of corresponding wheels. Under the indexes are nine circular holes, in which the numbers set down appear, as if written on paper or a slate. To set down any required figure, a pointer is inserted in the notch corresponding with that figure on the index, and by pressing the pointer against the left-hand tooth of the notch, it is moved down to the left extremity of the annular perforation, and the figure is at once exhibited in the circular hole beneath. When the operation of adding up any amount within the range already mentioned is finished, it is requisite that O should be shown in each of the semicircular holes, before another operation can be performed; this is done by pulling out a slide at the left end of the instrument, which first gives 999,9997. 19s. 11 d., and by adding d., the nine Os are obtained at once. Mr G. A. Hughes, who has been blind for seven years, exhibited his system of Stenography. The system consists of two dots, the one smooth and the other rough, which, with the aid of a guide line, are so arranged that all the letters of the alphabet, as also the numerals, are readily represented, merely by impressing the paper, either with the smooth end or rough end of the embossing instrument, in squares, regulated by what Mr Hughes calls the formula, consisting of a brass frame, furnished with vertical and horizontal bars. MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.-Dec. 20.-A communication from Mr Tuck, upon certain Parasites in the Dog, was read. These parasites were found by Mr Topping, on examining microscopically the contents of the pustules of a mangy dog. They belong to the genus Demodex (Owen), first discovered, figured, and described by Dr Lemon, of Berlin, as inhabiting the sebaceous sacs and hair follicles of the human skin. The discovery of this parasite may throw some light on the cause of the disease called "mange," a distemper by no means confined to one class of animals.-Mr Ross communicated an observation relative to the_Daguerréotype Process first noticed by R. H. Solly, Esq. If an ordinary Daguerréotype portrait be examined with a power of about 200 linear, the surface in the parts upon which the light has acted, instead of being perfectly smooth, is found to be covered with a series of minute dots or globules, arranged in a hexagonal form. -A fluid for cleaning glass was also presented. It consists of a strong solution of nut-galls. Glass wiped with this fluid is effectually freed from all greasiness. The ambassador from the Horticultural Society, Mr Fortune, who was sent out to collect plants for that body early in the present year, reached Macao about the 9th of July, and has established himself for the present at Hong Kong. Everybody to whom he had letters received him with the greatest good will. Messrs Dent and Co. very liberally offered him the use of their gardens; and Colonel Malcolm had kindly taken charge of a box of plants (which has since been received, with the contents in excellent order). On the mountains a Habenaria, probably H. Susannæ, with beautiful fringed white flowers, was common; and Mr Fortune also met with a small yellow-flowered Cælogyne, and Arundina chinensis. In the gardens he found a white Glycine, not so handsome as G. sinensis, but rather pretty, and a charming Mussænda, with large white bracts and sweet-scented yellow flowers. The Lagerstroemias were most beautiful, flowering as freely as our hawthorn, even on small plants. ON THE CHOICE OF A WIFE. (From the Latin of Sir Thomas Moore.) BY T. BEST. MAY the companion of your life be such, Your lovely children from their earliest youth She'll train to wisdom and a love of truth. When forc'd by business from your house to roam, Impatiently you'll wish to be at home, From all your social friends with glee retire To her soft bosom whom you most admire: When she with skilful hand the lyre explores, And from her voice melodious accents pours, (Than which not Philomel's can be more clear) She'll soothe your cares and charm the You'll dedicate to hear her with delight; ON THE GREAT DUKE'S SLEEPING IN THE The Sovereign smiled upon the chief Her foes would ever find him waking. THE COIL OF ROPE ON NELSON'S PILLAR. That frightful mass of cord, I feels, Such lubber foolery to check, Should be removed from Nelson's heels And put about his Sculptor's neck. BEN BACKSTAY. A PHYSIOLOGICAL MYSTERY. PALMS OF THE HANDS AND SOLES OF THE FEET. IN the Times journal (August 14, 1841),* an East Indian correspondent states, 'that in the March previous, on crossing the Soubunreekâ river, his attention was attracted to a number of human skeletons, which lay scattered upon the white sands adjacent to the course of the stream. Upon inquiry he learned that these were the unfortunate relics of pilgrims whe were on their road to the great pagoda at Juggernaut, and were drowned two evenings before. On his approaching these remains of mortality, he perceived the flesh completely devoured by Pariah dogs, vultures, *This narration again appeared in the same journal, October, 1843. and other animals, leaving entire the bottoms of the feet, and the palms of the hands this extraordinary circumstance reminding him of the passage recorded in the 2nd Book of Kings, ix, 35: "and they went to bury her (Jezebel), but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands." In 1834, a middle-aged man, an American by birth, appeared at Westminster Hosptal, in order to show himself to the physicians and surgeons of the establishment. He was covered over with a green horny substance in the shape of quills, excepting his face, the palms of his hands, and the soles of his feet. He was known at the fairs as the 'Porcupine Man.' In the Philosophical Transactions (vol. xxxviii, p. 299), mention is made of another man covered with a horny substance, like the quills or bristles of a hedge-hog, all over his person, excepting his face, the palms of his hands, and the soles of his feet. In 1841, a Welsh youth named Thomas Jones, called the 'Cambrian Porcupine Youth,' was exhibited at the Cosmorama Rooms, Regent street: he also was covered with a coat of hardy thorns, resembling that of a hedge-hog or porcupine: excepting his face, the palms of his hands, and the soles of his feet. : Again small pox never affects either the soles of the feet, or the palms of the hands. G. S. PLAN OF WOLFF, THE MISSIONARY TRAVELLER, FOR SEEKING BRITISH CAPTIVES AT BOKHARA. RECENT advices encourage a hope that Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly, who were reported to have been murdered by the Khan of Bokhara, are still in the land of the living. Curiosity now anxiously turns to what may be accomplished by Mr Wolff, the missionary, who has volunteered to endeavour to ascertain their fate, and if possible effect their release. The enterprise is one of difficulty and beset with danger. From the 'Friend of India' we learn Wolff proposes to go as a Christian minister. On the former occasion he entered Bokhara on horseback with his Hebrew Bible and his Greek Testament in his hand. He now proposes to enter it on foot, robed as a doctor of divinity, with his gown and hood. We question whether the haughty King of Bokhara will open the prison doors of the captives at the request even of the wisest doctor of Cambridge or Oxford. As a rigid Mahomedan he can have no respect for the sacred orders of the unbelievers. Neither can Wolff expect to obtain their release for money or without it. If he takes no money he will be laughed at; if he carries the money in his portmanteau it will probably be taken away, and he himself sent to keep the prisoners company, with the hope that the ransom of three will be higher than that of two. To invest him with a public character, and depute him as an envoy from the government, would be to compromise the character of that government, without any hope of effecting the object. The King of Bokhara would be infinitely more likely to cast the accredited agent into a dungeon than to liberate the prisoners at his request. Every effort that could be made, short of the despatch of a public mission, was made by Sir W. Macnaughten to effect the release of Colonel Stoddart at a time when we were all-powerful in Aff. ghanistan, and seemed to hold the destinies of Central Asia in our hands; but he failed. Miscellaneous. MESMERISM.-A boy was lately said to have been mesmerised at Deptford. Mr D. Hope, surgeon to the Dreadnought hospital ship, treated the case as an attempt to impose on public credulity. Mr Vernon, the individual reflected upon, a lecturer on mesmerism, in consequence requested, in the course of last week, the presence of a number of medical men to witness a renewal of the experiments. The result of these is described to have been such as to shake the opinions of those who had been most sceptical on the subject, and to establish the skill and integrity of Mr Vernon. LAST MOMENTS OF CASIMIR DELAVINGE, THE CELEBRATED FRENCH POET.-"The invalid, accompanied by his wife and son, was obliged to stop at Lyons by his malady. A physician was called in, who considered his illness fatal, and informed Madame Delavigne that her husband had only a few hours to live. He succeeded, however, in restoring calmness to the patient, who had been alarmed. About eight the same evening, the poet, lying in bed, and in full possession of his faculties, asked his wife, in order to amuse the son, to read aloud. She took up Guy Mannering,' and continued reading for three quarters of an |