Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

[464

the "Persian Letters" had met with readers, the south, the gentleman is from the north; admirers, and purchasers, why might not where both sides of the line are equally the "letters" of Sartjee, the Hottentot? Ac-honoured, neither can envy the other. cordingly, several specimens of her correspondence with her female confidantes in Sartjee displayed, we leave to the curious Display is the order of the day: what Africa, inflamed to the utmost the curiosity Parisians to express, of the Great City of the Great Nation to be- good set terms:" what Totte Maze dis"in good terms; in hold the person of the Belle Sauvage, played, a countryman of our own has des whose wit and vivacity had delighted them cribed in a manner at once amusing and beyond measure in the Journal de Paris. instructive. By what means these letters were inter-imic who presented individuals to themThe Spectator records a cepted, does not appear; but, that they selves-Keluli in Speculum: this mimic were authentic passes uncontradicted; not only presented the likeness of others, the fair writer having left the political but transformed spectators into his own stroke of deuying her hand writing, to be likeness!-was ever acting more perfect! the last shift of a great man in a great was ever talent more captivating! The station; a much more wonderful spectacle lady first, in point of delicacy, due to the than herself, much more portentous and much more preposterous. sex: the gentleman next, the most delightful spectacle!-what a refined amusement for a public audience! fetch Totte Maze from Ethiopia, as well as Why not Sartjee, from Namacqua land?

The following is extracted from Mrs Salt's Voyage to Abyssinia :

Totte Maze evinced very extraordinary native talent.

After all, the Parisians were gulled, but not to their detriment; for the Sauvage was performed by one of the best actresses on the stage of the Vaudeville; who, by disfiguring her figure, and deforming her form, became at once a representative and a rival of the African Venus;-a rival in parts, of a greatness naturally imparted ;— the seat of honour, and not to be mention-of the behaviour of a chief in battle, who Que specimen consisted in the imitation ed without reverence: such is the invari- had not been remarkable for his courage. able custom of all mankind. The learned At first he came in very pompously; calland polite allude to these parts of the ing out in an overbearing mauner to his figure, figuratively: the unlearned and un-soldiers, and vaunting what he would do polite describe them in their broader dia- when the enemy approached. leact, as objects and subjects of salutation, mimicked the sound of horns heard from He then plainly. "Not we from Kings, but Kings a distance, and the low beating of a drum. from us," is the lofty pretension of one of At hearing this, he represented the chief, our northern nobles: the southern Kallias beginning to be a little cautious, and to pyga, much more nobly, and infinitely more ask questions of those around him, wheclassically, derives her honours by descent ther they thought the enemy were strong?, --as we gather from the motto on her This alarm he continued to heighten as carriage "non posteri sed posteriori." picted the hero as nearly overcome by his the enemy advanced, until at last he defears; the musket trembling in his hand, his heart panting, and his eyes completely fixed, while, without being conscious of it, his legs began to make a very prudent retreat.

But in this, much more is meant than meets the ear; and those in the secret, assert, that had the Congress at Vienna been properly acquainted with the plot then proceeding, they might have circumvented Napoleon, and caught him in his own trap. For, what could be expected, other than really happened, from a people whose manners were systematically vitiated, and who had been reduced to that anomalous state of barbarity, which can find delight in spectacles so revolting? Certain it is, that the lesser Savage preceded the greater; and the climax was correctly maintain-enemy was supposed to stand, when, appáedjin presenting-first the huge Elephant,— then the savage African, and lastly,THE WILD MAN FROM THE ISLAND OF ELBA.

Mocking catching: The Imitative Art. Another African!-but we cannot say, Eece iteram Crispina! The lady is from

among the spectators a due share of conThis part of his acting excited tempt, when, dexterously laying hold of the circumstance, he affected to be ashamed of his cowardice, mustered up his whole stock of courage, and advanced, firing his matchlock at the same moment in a direction exactly contrary to that in which the

rently frightened at the uoise of his own gun, he sank down on his kuces and begged for mercy: during this time the expression of his face was inimitable, and, at the conclusion, the whole of the spectators burst into a shout of admiration.

the overstrained politeness of an Amharic In another representation, he imitated

courtier, paying a first visit to a superior. On coming in, he fell on his face and kissed the ground, paying most abject compliments to the chief, and, on being invited to sit down, placed himself with wellfeigned humility close to the threshold of the door shortly afterwards, on the supposition of a question being asked by the chief, he arose, and still carrying on the farce, prostrated himself the second time, he gave an answer couched in very polite and artful phrases, advancing cautiously at the same time into the middle of the room. In this manner he continued to take advantage of the attentions paid to him, gradually stealing along, till he got close to the side of the chief, when he assumed an extraordinary degree of familiarity, talked loudly, and, to complete the ridiculous effect of the whole scene, affectedly moved his nose, almost in contact with the others face. The species of satire afforded great delight to the natives of Tigré; as they pretend on all occasions to despise the submissive and effeminate manners of the people of Amhara, whom they invariably describe, as possessing smooth tongues and no hearts."

[ocr errors]

might be included in the confessionthat he is an instance of that species of reverie, which seems to have been in the contemplation of Professor Stuart, when he penned the following paragraph. Is it absence of mind? no; the mind is earnestly engaged, and its faculties are never more alert. Perhaps it is a kind of suspension of general perception, occasioned by a vio lent direction of specific perception to one object. That object whether present, or absent, engrosses the mental power; while on other particulars, observation is null. To indulge it is dangerous. The astronomer who studied the stars, till he fell into a well, was own brother to the Gatherer; who not seldom seems to pore with his eyes, on what he does not see, and seems to hear, without a single sentence reaching his inner car. It is dangerous, for what answer can he make to questions? It is dangerous, for who can depend on his remarks? It is dangerous, for bye-standers think it unaccountable:-what a character for a Catherer!

There is a certain state of mind, known almost to every one, in which external objects produce no lasting effect upon us. In addition to his other representations, They are either not perceived, or perceived Totte Maze gave a most admirable imita- and not remembered. We may be ention of the mincing step and coquettishgaged for an hour or two in earnest convermanners of the women of Amhara, and of sation with a friend, without being able to their extreme affectation in answering a few say what were the colours of the clothes of the most common questions. In all he had on. We may sit a whole afternoon these representations, the tones of his voice in interesting company without knowing, were so perfectly adapted to the different when we leave the room, how many wincharacters, and his action was so thorough-dows there were in it; or, (to use Mr. S.'s ly appropriate, that it gave me very unexpected gratification.

Totte Máze was one of the cleverest mimicks I have ever seen; the command which he possessed over his features almost equalling that which was displayed on the boards of our own theatres by Suett; an actor to whom he bore considerable resemblance. One of his chief acquirements consisted in the singular art of making other people (particularly strangers, who had not been apprized of his intention) imitate the contortions of his own features, a power which I repeatedly saw him exercise with success, and which on one occasion, drew me into the same kind of ridiculous situation, without my being conscious of the changes in my countenance, until I was roused by a friendly hint from the Ras, who let me into the secret of what he was about.

Absent while present: non-perceptions at Church.

The Gatherer confesses for himself,—and perhaps, others of the Panoramic board, VOL. II. Lit. Pan. New Series. June 1.

illustration), a clock may strike in the same room with us, without our being able next moment to recollect whether we heard it or not.'

In these,' he continues, and similar cases, I believe, it is commonly taken for granted, that we really do not perceive the external object. From some analogous facts, however, I am inclined to suspect that this opinion is not well-founded. A person who falls asleep at church, and is last words spoken by the preacher; or even suddenly awaked, is unable to recollect the to recollect that he was speaking at all. And yet, that sleep does not suspend enferred from this, that if the preacher were tirely the powers of perception, may be into make a sudden pause in his discourse, every person in the congregation who was asleep, would instantly awake. In this case, therefore, it appears, that a person way be conscious of a perception, without being able afterwards to recollect it.'

"The Gatherer has confessed his fault; must he also confess a secret satisfaction on

R

finding others worse than himself? If he
were a Satirist, he might indulge his
spleen in composing "Rules for sleeping at
Church:-in settling what continuance of
non-perception shall be deemed a doze;
how many nods constitute a nap: what
subjects shall be canonically prohibited in
dreams; and what among those who seem
awake: E. gr.-all re-actions of Theatri-
cals;-whatever that could possibly lead
to ejaculations of Brava! Bravissima! En-
core! Encore!-all repetitions of the price
of stock-five eights! three rights! Consols
at a quarter!—all applications at the bar-
My Lud, zour Ludship! We must have a
verdic!! Alas! if all the reveries, the think-
ings of a congregation were suddenly dis-
closed, as
--as the frozen words of Sir John
Maudeville were suddenly thawed-who
would not stand aghast, at his neighbours!
-at himself!-who would not find mercy
in the severest penance, short of absolute
excommunication?

Ralpho the rogue :—a miracle..

Excommunication! and what follows on excommunication? Ask the Church of Rome: she will gravely assure you, that whoever is excommunicated, becomes absolutely useless on the face of the earth, sinks into languor, gradually is consumed by a slow and invisible fire, fades away by imperceptible decay, and becomes thin, skinny, mere flesh and bone, a walking skeletou! This fate is inevitable; and attaches equally to man, and animals: why not, also, to houses and lands? Take an example; and then

[ocr errors]

lege had given the superior all this vexa, tion and trouble.-Ah! the anathema fell with all its force on an old inmate of the abbey, a solemn looking personage, always dressed in black, never seen to smile, the humblest inhabitant of the establishment; so grave, so demure, so spare of speech!-one admitted also to the most unreserved confidence of the Abbot;his constant follower! his favourite, the tame Raven. Alas! on hum fell the excommunication with all its thunderbolts-red with uncommon wrath: he felt it;—indeed he did feel it! his sufferings penetrated his very heart; languor seized his frame, his weakness became daily more apparent ;— when the morning broke, he hung down his wings dejected; when the shades of evening prevailed, dropped to the ground his head with every symptom of the deepest melancholy:-he confined himself to his nest; nor longer dared to shew his guilty beak in the presence of his munificent, but now vindictive patron. This sudden change caused and it was sufficient to cause-conjectures manifold; to conjecture succeeded suspicious multitudinous; suspicious led the way to wonderment; and wonderment produced exclamation. Why was not his nest searched?—The matter was

ner.

[ocr errors]

discussed in due form and order. The Monks reasoned on the thing, after their manner; while the Novices, without reasoning, stood wondering; after their manIt must be done; and it shall be done!" quoth the Abbot; very resolutely; very resolutely, therefore, it was doue; and lo! at the entrance of the nest, just within side, was found the precious jewel-Felix quem faciunt aliena pæricula cautum. the Abbot's ring! Any other bird might In the chronology of the Abbey of have been left to die in his iniquity; but Corbie, in Germany, Father Pia Hilaria the Raven was an old favourite: for many Angelini Gazeus, found an instance of these years he had attended all the monks iu deplorable consequences, that deserves to their walks, within the convent; and when Le remembered. An Abbot of this monas- they spoke to him, he civilly returned the tery, named Conrad, intending to wash his salutation; after his manner. He had even hands, laid aside on a table close adja-been observed to Caw, CAW, CAw, with cent, a valuable ring that he wore on his ring-finger. Having performed his ablution, he turned, to recover and replace his jewel;-it was gone!-lost! quite lost!! In vain was every hole and corner examined and re-examined, as well where it could be, as where it could not be: every monk par-pered, to the Abbot, who coloured up at the took of the same scrutiny; and the fathers good and bad were in universal amazement. The culprit, whoever he was, had effectually secreted his theft. What was to be done? When every thing else had failed, the pious Abbot determined on EXCOMMUNICATION. Ali the thunders of the church rolled in tremendous peals over the head of the guilty wretch, whose sacri

unusual vigour on the day of the worthy Abbot's installation; when the kitchen overflowed with roast meat, aud good cheer. Pity too, aud compassion pleaded in his behalf:- the cook ventured to speak a few words, half audible, half whis

sound of the word miracle!! The excommunication accordingly was taken off, nem. dis. From that hour the almost dyi g penitent revived; his gaspings for breath ceased; his appetite returned; his gaiety resumed its wonted influence; he hopped about the cook, about the kitchen, about the Abbey court, about the monks, about the Abbot; he became at length

so jolly! so jolly! that all the towns in the neighbourhood of the Abbey of Corbie were weekly thinned of their inhabitants, if not absolutely deserted, such a throng of devotees flocked to the Abbey to behold

the raver which had been reduced to a shade, but was now become a substance :

with the most holy Abbot, whom they be held with augmented reverence, through dread of his resistless power; and who still wore on his finger that ring-that identical ring, which had been lost, but was found in a manner so marvellous; that undeniable testimony of a miracle, and nothing less than a miracle, worthy of eternal commemoration in the chronicle of the Abbey of Corbie.

In the year 1787, a tradesman of London put the following advertisement into the papers of that city.

"NOTICE TO CREDITORS."

"Wherers about six years ago I became a bankrupt, and only paid 5s. in the pound, and within two years afterwards I was bankrupt again, at which time I-paid $s. 20. in the pound.—I do hereby give notice that in about one month from this date I shall be bankrupt again, when (I am happy to inform the public) I expect from the extensive business I have lately carried ou, that I shall be able to pay full 10s. in the pound, after which time I mean to try my luck in the lottery; and if I have a prize, I never intend to go into business

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BURY POST.

Mr. Editor,

I am so thoroughly sick of war, tythes, and taxes, that I had some thoughts of accepting a part of the Tauridean Estate advertised last week, and really if the Corn Bill had not passed, I think the experiment would have been worth trying 5 but somehow I like to be acquainted with the faces of my customers, and the lining of their pockets; and I fear there would be some difficulty at times in passing Constantinople and the Castle of the Dardanelies; and you know, Mr. Editor, I don't understand the Mediterranean lingo, nor could have the weekly enjoyment of the Bury Post. I should suppose the advertiser has built a parish church upon the estate, and means to preach there himself, which will be some inducement for people to emigrate, provided he will guarantee free toleration and security from hostile depredations. He would, I should hope, procure for the amusement of the colonists the voluminous reports of the Agricultural Society, as the numerous population of the country (part of which he offers for sale) will doubtless require some stimulus for agriculturists, that it may be cheaply fed. The price of corn and labour is not quoted, but tis gratifying to learn, those dreadful visaged devils 'yclep'd tax-gatherers, have never appeared on his estate; this is certainly a great recommendation, but if I have seen my butcher and the purchaser of my corn a day or two before the tax-gatherer calls, he is divested of half his terrors, and we sit down together and enjoy ourselves with the greatest familiarity and friendship; his cloven foot vanishes after a visit from the The Rev. Arthur Young, of Bradfield, in miller; but if there is no trade carried on Suffolk, is about to return to an estate in in this country, if I grow corn I must eat his possession, of above 9,000 acres of as it myself, or send it, without receiving rich land as any in the world, in the Cri- the ready money, first through those mea, the most beautiful province in the cursed Streights where Sir Thomas DuckRussian empire. The climate has been work's ship was nearly sunk by the great celebrated by many writers. The present shot from the Turkish cannon into the Meproprietor, during a residence of five years diterranean. Surely, a sight of the enchantupon the estate, never saw the face of a ing Greek girls we read of would be some tax-gatherer, nor ever paid a single far-inducement to run the gauntlet; but I am inthing, except a stamp upon the purchase. The estate is within 12 miles of a sea port, by which all sorts of corn, and other products, are exported to the Mediterranean; Mr. Young is ready to receive proposals from such farmers as are willing to go with him on coutract, either to hire such land as they shall choose for any length of lease, or to purchase it at the price of from 23s. to 40s. the English acre; with the power to take just the quantity that may suit them. Direct, &c.-Bary Newspaper, May 3.

again."

WAR TAXES:-LOW PRICES:

Farmers in danger of Ruin.

{

clined, Mr. Editor, to give up my idea of
bargaining, for I have a wife at home, who
is very foud of her dairy and domestic con-
cerns, and I like this little island; but war,
tythes, and taxes i hate, yet I won't stir,
though the farmers are in danger of ruin,
and exchange my snug little cot for one
where, by chance, the descendants of those
Crim Tartars who annoyed Robinson Cru-
soe, and expiled the Genoese, may make
I dare say the situation
their appearance.
of the estate is good, and the soil excellent,
R 2

And, when effaced oppressiou's stains, And ruin's torrents cease again, The glorious task for you remaius, To send the Dove of Peace again. ancient days the cross unfurl'd, O'er all its foes its vengeance shower'd; Th' imperial bird that ruled the world,

but this would be better proved by a map of it attached to the advertisement, in the same way as the patent cooking apparatus was brought into notice; something might be added of the circulating medium of the country, whether it is copper, gold, or sil-In ver, or a paper currency issued from the Banks of Sebastopol. All these matters ought to be enquired into, and as your useful paper is circulated in the first and most opulent agricultural districts of this kingdom, I trust you will excuse the liberty I have taken in requesting the insertion of -this.

I am, Sir, Your's,

TITUS TRICK,

Great Whelnetham, Muy 5.

Poetry.

FOR 1815.

AIR" Duncan Davison.”
The blast of War, that shook the land,
Had yielded to a milder gale;
And Peace, with Plenty in her hand,

Came dancing through the laughing vale. But soon the dream of hope is o'er,.

And days of deadly deeds return,
For see agun on Gallia's shore

With gloomy flame the war-fires burn.
Then since a haughty foe has dared

To bid our pleasures cease agaiu ;
"Tis ours, with hands and hearts prepared,
By war, to conquer peace again.
Dear is to ERIN's son the spot,

That years of toil have bound him to; And dear the warm, though homely cot, Where many a winter found him too. And dear at eve, the matron-smile

[merged small][ocr errors]

That courts a wearied sire's caress.
But sacred home, and child, and wife,
I'll quit for tented fields again :
And breathe the latest breath of life,
Or teach the foe to yield again.
For foremost in th' embattled field,
A British soul undaunted goes;
A righteous cause his surest shield,

His sword, an injured nation's woes.
Oh Britain! launch'd upon the flood,

With triple strength, all storms to brave; Safely you float, through seas of blood,

Prepared, a deluged world to save.

Beneath the hallow'd symbol cower'd, Nor shall the cross of ENGLAND fail, Again to lead to victory; Again the Apostate Eagle quail, And fear to fight, and fear to die. Then British, Irish, Scotch, beneath The triple Standard banded be; And to your fame, a lasting wreath To endless time shall handed be. Oh ERIN, brightest gem that beams In northern Ocean's azure zone ; O'er EUROPE's night, hope's dawning gleam Was flashed from thee,-and thee alone.

For thine the Warrior's sworded hand,

That ruled at will the battle's storm, And thine the Statesman's plastic hand, That gave a world its ancient form, Then rushing through the cannon's flame, « A WELLESLEY!"-be the cry again; And EUROPE soon shall STEWART claim, The bands of PEACE to tie again. Record Tower,

Dublin Castle, 15th April.

FOUR IN HAND.

E. G.

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinua »