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February 7. 1818.]

their native colours, makes the reader disgusted with them.

Porson's Review of Brunk's Aristoph.

Thoughts on Various subjects.---John V. and his Mistress strange monster in those days, and the of nature, and not the effect of reason sight of them put both horse and man in-and reflection. For we see it in the to amazement." Dr Piercy observes, good and in the bad, in the most they were first drawn by two horses, thoughtless as well as in the thoughtand that it was the favourite Bucking-ful." ham, who, about 1609, began to draw with six horses. About the same time he introduced the sedan.

An auction of unmarried ladies used to take place annually in Babylon. "In every district," says the historian, "they assembled on a certain day in every year, all the virgins of marriageable age." The most beautiful was first put up, and the man who bid the largest sum of money, gained possession of her charms. The second in personal appearance followed, and the bidders gratified themselves with handsome wives according to the depth of their purses. But alas! it seems that there were in Babylon some ladies for which no money was likely to be offered, yet these also were disposed of, so provident were the Ba bylonians." When all the beautiful virgins," says the historian, "were sold, the crier ordered the most deformed to stand up; and after he had openly demanded who would marry her with a small sum, she was at length adjudged to the man that would be satisfied with the least; and in this manner the money arising from the sale of the handsome, served for a portion to those who were either of disagreeable look, or had any imperfection.' This custom prevailed about 500 years before Christ-but it is doubtful whether a similar sort of

process is not carried on at this day, and among ourselves.

The Hindus, like some of the ancient philosophers, suppose that the soul is an emanation of the spirit of God, breathed into mortals.-So Genesis ii. 7, it is said that God" breathed into his (man's) nostrils the breath of life." But their manner of expressing it is more sublime. They compare it to the heat and light sent forth from the sun, which neither lessens nor divides his own essence;-to the speech which conveys knowledge without lessening that of him who instructs the ignorant;-to a torch at which other torches are lighted, without diminution of its light.

Essay on the Creation.

Gen. iii, 17. "Cursed is the ground for thy sake."-There seems to have been a notion, which, of old prevailed greatly, that the antideluvian world was under a curse, and the earth very barren. Hence the ancient mythologists refer the commencement of all plenty as well as happiness in life, to the æra of the Deluge, Bryant's Myth. v. 5, 279. Hence too, according to Du Halde, some of the Hindus, impelled by the dread of terrestial pollution, suspend themselves aloft in cages, upon the boughs of trees.

Gaming was invented by the Lydians when under the pressure of a great famine. To divert themselves from dwelling on their sufferings they contrived dice, balls, tables, &c. It is added, that to bear their calamity the better, they used to play a whole day without intermission, that they might not be disgusted with the thoughts of food. The invention intended as a remedy for hunger, is now a very common cause of that evil.

A very interesting essay might be written on the unhappiness of those from whom nature and fortune seem to have removed all the causes of unhappiness.

Ed. Review, No. 37, p. 104.

All controversies that can never end, had better, perhaps, never begin.

Sir William Temple.

Voltaire says it is the task of men of the least sense to explain the sense of others. This bears hard upon the tribe of annotators and commentators; those who are described by Bolingbroke as persons" who make fair copies of foul manuscripts, give the signification of hard words, and take a great deal of other grammatical pains. The obligation to these men (he adds) would be Of the indecency which abounds in great indeed, if they were in general aAristophanes, unjustifiable as it certain-ble to do any thing better.I approve, ly is, it may be observed, that different therefore, very much, the devotion of a ages differ extremely in their ideas of studious man at Christ-church, who was We have no specific term to denote this offence. Among the ancients, plain overheard in his oratory entering into a the sogn of the Greeks. "How com- speaking was the fashion; nor was that detail with God, as devout persons are mon is it," says Dr Reid, "to see a ceremonious delicacy introduced which apt to do, and, amongst other particuyoung woman in the gayest period of has taught men to abuse each other lar thanksgivings, acknowledged the dilife, who has spent her days in mirth, with the utmost politeness, and express vine goodness in furnishing the world and her nights in profound sleep, with- the most indecent ideas in the most mo with the makers of dictionaries !" out solicitude or care, all at once trans-dest language. The ancients had little formed into the careful, the solicitous, of this. They were accustomed to call the watchful nurse, of her dear infant; a spade a spade; to give every thing its John V. King of Portugal and his doing nothing by day but gazing upon proper name. There is another sort of it, and serving it in the meanest offices; indecency which is infinitely more danby night depriving herself of sound gerous, which corrupts the heart withsleep for months, that it may lie safe in out offending the ear. I believe there Forgetful of herself, her is no man of sound judgment who would whole care is centered in this little ob- not sooner let his son read Aristophanes ject. Such a sudden transformation of than Congreve and Vanburgh. In all her whole habits, and occupations, and Aristophanes' indecency there is noturn of mind, if we did not see it every thing that can allure, but much that day, would appear a more wonderful must deter. He never dresses up the metamorphosis than any that Ovid has most detestable vices in an amiable light; described. This, however, is the work but generally by describing them in

her arms.

Mistress.

This prince was so much captivated by a young and handsome lady of the court, that, although well informed of her having already bestowed her heart on a lover every way deserving of it, he was determined to endeavour at winning the preference through all those temptations which kings have it in their power to offer. The young lady's sentiments and principles were,

223

John V. King of Portugal and his Mistress..

[February 7, 1818.

however, proof against these undue a pure and constant attachment guarded pairing for many years. When these attempts to shake her fidelity to the Mademoiselle de Sfrom that mean melancholy and desolating effects of first possessor of her affections; and species of jealousy which it was in the storm were described to the king, to prove her resolution to maintain tended should effect her downfal. John, he was so deeply penetrated with grief it unbroken, she retired to the convent however, continued to act the part he at the sufferings of his people, that, D'Oliveira, hoping that she should there had assumed, till, unconsciously to him- wholly unable to control his feelings, be safe from the importunities of her self, he became charmed by the sense, his tears flowed unchecked in the preroyal admirer. In this, she was sadly wit, and interesting manners of the per- sence of Father Govea. This worthy mistaken: she fled not with more ear- son through whom he had hoped to man was of the order of Capuchins, and nestness than the king pursued ; and as have wounded the vanity of the first an admirable preacher. The holiness no retreat, however sacred, could be object of his admiration. But his Ma- of his life, which was exemplary, had barred against him, whose power was jesty was at length convinced that the impressed the king with the highest despotic, she was still obliged to sub-latter was rejoiced at being relieved veneration for his person, and the most mit to his visits, and trust to time and from his importunities, and that she perfect confidence in his disinterestedher own perseverance in virtue for that anxiously waited for the moment when ness, a strong proof of which he had release which she had vainly sought in she might feel herself wholly emanci- given in having refused both the diga religious retirement. Determined, pated from the painful restraint under nity of Patriarch of Lisbon, and Cardiat all events, to avoid ever being alone which she had for some time suffered. nal of Rome, which had been pressed with the king, she engaged, as her con- This soon took place: the king's new upon him. The state of mind in which stant companion, a young lady belong-attachment so rapidly gained strength, Father Govea now saw the King of Poring to the convent, who might at the that it shortly conquered all remains tugal, was too favourable to the acsame time be a restraint on the king's of his former inclination; and his se- complishment of a wish he had long conduct, and a strict witness of her cond mistress, less scrupulous or more cherished at heart, to be suffered to own. This circumspection, from which interested by the passion of the king, subside without an effort of obtaining it. nothing could for a moment divert her, yielded without reserve to the pleasures He had in real charity grieved over the failed of proving to the royal lover that of a mutual affection. The intercourse state of adultery in which the king lived, her heart was closed against him. John, to which this led continued unbroken and therefore seized the present auspitherefore, persevered in his suite; but for many years, and was finally dissolved cious moment to represent to him, with suspecting that the little progress he in a manner honourable to both parties. mild eloquence, that God, when justly had hitherto made was attributable to This event originated in the following irritated by the guilty conduct of printhe opportunities his rival still enjoyed circumstances:--ces, frequently suffered the punishment of keeping alive his interest in the affec- Lisbon was but just recovering from they had incurred, to fall in this world tions of his mistress, he determined on the fatal effects of a disorder resembling on their less faulty subjects, reserving, removing this fancied obstacle to his the plague, which had carried off a it might be fearfully apprehended, a see success, by sending the young man out great portion of its inhabitants, when it verer one for the greater culprits in the of the kingdom; and this he did in a was again visited by a calamity which world to come. This edifying reproof manner most calculated to extenuate in severely renewed the affliction and mi- of the good father, which was extended some degree the motives which actua- series of the survivors. There arose, beyond what it is here necessary to deted him. He generously conferred on from the south, so tremendous a storm, tail, made a sensible impression on the him an honourable and lucrative em- that it threatened to involve this ill-king, and particularly on the point ployment, at a distance from Portugal, fated city and its neighbourhood in ir- which had principally instigated him to and made every branch of his family remediable ruin. Seven hundred ves- venture this exhortation. Of this, his easy in their circumstances through his sels, which were riding at anchor in the majesty gave a solid proof, by instantly munificence. A more summary and a Tagus, were torn from their moorings, resolving to sacrifice to God the object more cruel method of getting rid of a and either entirely wrecked or greatly in that had so long diverted him from his rival, might have been expected from jured by running a-ground. One English duties. It required no small degree a despotic monarch of a country noted man-of-war, commanded by Lord Were, of manly fortitude to fulfil this laufor the most atrocious acts of jealous and destined for the secret conveyance dable determination. His attachment passion. All his Majesty's schemes of money privately granted by the court to his mistress continued unabated, were vain; the object of them main-of Portugal to that of London, alone and her society was an unfailing source tained the same cold, respectful reserve, weathered unhurt this frightful temp-of pleasure and comfort to him after which virtue had first dictated as the est. The ships of war belonging to his the cares and employments of the day. most dignified mode of checking the Portuguese Majesty shared in the de- This he evinced by regularly repairing, unlawful hopes of the king; who now, structive consequences already men- at the fall of every evening, to the conas a lover's last resource, endeavoured tioned. The country in the vicinity of vent D'Oliveira, where she continued to enlist vanity in his cause---that aux- the metropolis exhibited a similar scene to reside, to pass it in her company. iliary which has so often proved all- of devastation---houses on all sides re- He was now to give up for ever an inpowerful where love and ambition have duced to a heap of rubbish---the earth tercourse from which he had for years failed. To rouse this passion in his strewed with the dismembered branches derived his chief delight,-an object behalf, the king affected to transfer his of the finest trees, and millions of the that was still dear to him, and his admiration and attentions to the com- largest olives torn up by the roots, Majesty was nobly firm in prosecuting panion of his mistress; 'but here again presented a sad spectacle of a loss this painful reformation, for he did not he was fated to meet disappointment---which there could be no hope of re- even allow himself a last interview with

February 7, 1818.]

John V. King of Portugal, &c.The Clan Macgregor.

1229

his mistress. This lady acted with no ture with a patience and fortitude which houn, its friends, and allies, and the less dignity and fortitude. Finding that excited astonishment. This banditti plunder of the lands of Luss; of having, the king did not visit her the day after had committed violent depredations on on the 7th of February preceding, inthe hurricane, she sent a messenger to the lands of John Lyon of Muiresk, for vaded the lands of Alexander Coique inquire into the cause, who was at the which Macintosh, the captain, had been houn of Luss, with a body of 400 men, same time commissioned to present the executed, and Patrick declared an out- composed partly of his own clan, and king with a couple of shirts, which she law, and a commission of fire and sword of the clan Cameron, and of lawless had made for him with her own hands. issued out against him. In resentment thieves and robbers, equipped in arms, By the advice of Father Govea, how- of these proceedings, Roy and his asso- and drawn up on the field of Lennox ever, this present was not delivered. ciates plundered the lands of Belchir- in battle array; of having fought with On the return of the messenger, the la- ries, the property of Lyon of Muiresk. Sir Alexander, who, being authorised dy was fully informed of all that had Lyon defended his house of Belchirries by a warrant from the privy council, passed, and the resolution which had against the assaults of these robbers till had convocated his friends and followin consequence been formed by his the 30th of April 1666, when they sur-ers to resist this lawless host; of hav Majesty respecting his future conduct rounded the house, brought straw and ing killed about 140 of Sir Alexander's in regard to her. So far from resent- corn from the barnyard, piled them a- men, most of them in cold blood, after ing this desertion, she appeared desir-round the mansion, and set the whole they were made prisoners; of having ous of following his example, and ob- in flames. The proprietor, and his son, carried off 80 horses, 600 cows, and literating, by a life of penance, the guilt a lad of about 18 years of age, were 800 sheep; and of burning houses, she had incurred by their illicit com- glad to come out of the house on a ca- corn-yards, &c. This was not the first merce. She readily quitted the mag-pitulation with the robbers, who pro- time that the laird of Luss had suffered nificent apartments which the king had mised them their lives. Having got by the Macgregors. When the king with boundless generosity built and a- possession of the house, they carried off was at Stirling, on the 21st December dorned purposely for her use ;-re- the furniture, and arms, horses, and 1602, about six weeks before the enturned all his costly presents, and, cattle to the hills of Abernethy, about gagement on the field of Lennox, the with an humble spirit, retired again to 16 miles distant. They also carried laird presented himself, attended by a the lowly cell which she had occupied the gentleman and his son prisoners, number of women, corresponding to that in the days of her innocence. The king and, regardless of the articles of capitu- of his followers who had been killed or consoled himself for her loss, by elevat-lation, murdered them both, leaving wounded by the Macgregors. A jury ing and enriching those of her family their bodies in a field, pierced with ma- of landed gentlemen of most respectable whom he knew to be most dear to her. ny wounds. Roy and his banditti, to family sat on the trial. Among the Thus ended this amour. the number of forty, proceeded next to number, however, was Thomas Fallusassault the borough of Keith, where daill, burgess of Dumbarton, the spethey levied contributions, and fought cial confident and adviser of the laird. Some Account of the Clan Macgregor. with all who opposed them. In this as- The jury unanimously convicted the sault, however, Roy was so severely prisoner, who, in consequence, was con Patrick Roy Macgregor, by his acti- wounded as to be unable to make his demned to be hanged and quartered at vity, courage, and cruelty, had render- escape. Next day he was apprehend- the cross of Edinburgh, his limbs to be ed himself the most celebrated of a ed, and conducted under a strong guard stuck up in the chief towns, and his most formidable band of robbers, that to the tolbooth of Edinburgh. On the whole estates to be forfeited. Four of long infested the Highlands. It con- 25th of March 1667 he was brought to his followers were condemned at the sisted of about forty persons, whose stile trial, and sentenced to be taken on the same time; eleven others on the 17th of life had nourished a strength and ac- 27th to the cross of Edinburgh, his February; and six more on the 1st of tivity of body, and a cruelty of disposi- right hand to be cut off, and then to be March. Many pages of the criminal tion, displayed in wanton outrages a- hanged till dead, and his body to be records are engroesed with the trials of gainst the feelings of others, yet ac- hung in chains on the gallows between the Macgregors. It became the obcompanied with a fortitude that bore, Leith and Edinburgh. The executioner ject of national attention to break this without shrinking, the pinching of cold mangled him so shockingly, that he was lawless confederacy. A statute was and hunger, and the torture of the ex- next day turned out of office. Pat-passed in 1633, ordaining that the whole ecutioner. Lachlan Macintosh, the rick Drummond, the associate of this of the clan Macgregor should appear captain of this band, about a year pre-outlaw's guilt, was at the same time the before the privy council, and give suceding, had finished his course in the rety for their good behaviour; that the hands of justice. Patrick, who sucsirname of Macgregor should be aboseeded in the command, was a man of lished; and that no minister should robust make, but diminutive stature. baptise a child, or clerk, or notary subThe red hair which grew thick on all scribe a bond, or other security, under his body, indicated his strength, while the name of Macgregor, under pain of it added to his ugliness, and got him deprivation. This act was rescinded at the name of Roy. His stern features the restoration, but as it is probable the bespoke ferocity; his keen red eyes, and Macgregors had aggravated the outnose like the eagle's beak, heightened rages of a disorderly life, by the unparthe terrors of his countenance; and donable crime of jacobitism, the act was both at his examination and execution, again revived in the first parliament he bore an uncommon severity of torWilliam and Mary. Within these

companion of his sufferings.

This trial, and some former proceedings relating to the clan Gregor, afford the most characteristic evidence of the barbarous state of the Highlands in those times, of the lawless manners of the people, and despicable imbecility of the executive arm. The crimes with which another of the chiefs was charged resemble more the outrage and desolation of war, than the guilt of a felon. He was accused of having conspired the destruction of the name of Colqu

230

Perplexities of Literature-Retrospective Glance at London.

years, however, this act has been finally abolished.-Arnot's Criminal Trials.

The Perplexities of Literature.

Tenet insanabile multos

[February 7, 1818. other day, at a coffee-house, the waiter Addison, and what I have suffered from brought him the Chronicle, which he certain books already noticed, I am immediately threw at his head, crying strongly tempted to borrow some lines out, "What the devil do you give me from Pope, and say, let this paper for? let me have the Post;

"a folio common place

I always like to read good news!" Pam- Found the whole pile, of all their works the base: phlets, then, and papers I have abandon-Quarto, octavo, shape the less ning pyre; Scribendi Cacoethes, et agro in corde Senescit.ed, for if I read one sort, and happen A twisted birth day ode complete the spire!"

Juv. Sat. VII.

Of making many books there is no end, and much reading is a weariness of the flesh. Ecclesiastes, cap. 13. v. 12.

What

I

ESTI.

in-if the other, a pensioner. to open my mouth, I am called a jacobdouble-faced rascals ministers must be -those who look at them on the one A Retrospective Glance at London. ADDISON, in the Spectator, No. 124, side, see in them all kinds of virtues and THERE is not a more amusing occuhas observed, that" were all books re- excellent qualities, while the spectators, pation than that of tracing, by the asduced to their quintessence, many a on the other, behold nothing but imbe-sistance of records of various sorts, the bulky author would make his appearance cility, corruption, and vice. Poor La in a penny paper; there would be scarce vater! what wouldst thou have done in great changes that time has worked in manners, and modes, and in the aspect such a thing in nature as a folio; the these days! of things. Former writers, who treated works of an age would be contained on Reviews are no direction to my judg; of the moving scenes of their days, now a few shelves, not to mention millions ment whatever. Should the Edinburgh introduce us, when we refer to them, to of volumes that would be utterly anni- tell me that a book is admirable, and quite a different world to that of which hilated." These remarks, it must be praise it, another who has read the confessed, Mr Editor, expose a prodi- Quarterly assures me it is utter trash, excite is the greater, inasmuch as we we form a part; and the interest they gious grievance in literature, which I and that I know nothing at all about the are in general familiar with the names feel as much as any man; but I have matter. Such reading is like poring that occur in their descriptions, while others to complain of. With nothing over all the laws that have been enac- the characters and circumstances they else to do, I am strangely puzzled what ted;-by the time you get one statute describe, are strange, or at least very to read-not for want of books, for they tolerably fixed in your memory, you unlike those which we are in the habit exist in profuse abundance, but as I come to another, by which it is repeal of having suggested to us by the same appellations. The reader may at once When I resided in the metropolis-imagine the effect of this, by fancying (it is now many years ago)-I recollect his intimate friend, whom he is accusIn early life I let nature take her that certain poets were (excuse the tomed to shake by the hand, as a very course pretty freely, consequently, 1 Irishman)-the immortals of the day. worthy young man who studies the law, experience very little satisfaction in Fame had no breath for any other; but in a plain blue coat, drab pantaloons, and moral essays, which are at every turn at present I hear that some gentleman half boots, suddenly entering his roomgiving one some disagreeable slap. of Caledonia, or of the Lakes, fills all door, decked out as a spruce Templar, Plays and novels I find still more im- her trumpet; and such will, most like- such as Addison describes-with pink pertinent, for as it pleased my stars to ly, in time (less time) give place to o-knots on his shoes, an embroidered coat marry me at fifty-six, to a lady just turn-ther ribands esteemed more fashiona- and waistcoat, a sword by his side, and ed of sixteen, you cannot conceive the ble. On this fantastic head I have long a bag-wig on his head; or, to go still vexation contained in books of this sort. ceased to venture an opinion. farther back, arrayed as To read them at home is perfect tentera young The classics are my only safe reading; Druid, (according to the records we hook work, and to go to the theatre is Thucydides and Tacitus can be perused have of the druidical fashions,) in a still rather worse. The last play I saw, with solid information, and even talked (and it is the last I'll see) was The School of with security. With regard to them, and long beard, a wand in his hand, long habit with six collars, short hair for Scandal, and on Sir Peter exclaim-party spirit is dead, and all are agreed and an egg incased in gold hanging ing, "When an old man marries a young that formerly there were foolish princes, round his neck. With the Mall, in wife, he deserves-he-no-the crime and diabolical tyrants, as well as cor- St James's park, we continue very well carries the punishment along with it!" rupt and wicked ministers, and oppres-acquainted,-but we no longer associate I could not for the soul of me help sed and degraded people. thinking that the house was laughing at

would read such as have in them "
no ed.
offence i'the world," I am nearly starved
amidst plenty.

me.

*

with it in our thoughts the bustle and mystery of love-adventures, of which it appears to have been formerly the famuch use with the dramatists of last vourite scene, and is accordingly in'

It appears, then, (at least to me,) that As it respects me, then, these are in this the most writing age, there never sealed books. was less that a wise man would wish to I shall next mention political pam-read-confusion and not instruction is phlets. If I peruse one I feel illumin- the result of great reading, and of these ated, and all is clear to me as the noon- hellucnes librorum, these gormandizers of day, but if I read two my light goes out, modern literature, I, who confine my- * Druids, among the Britons, by their office and I am plunged into cimmerian dark-self to a few good classics, may say with did determine all kinds of matters, as well private ness. It is just so with newspapers--in-the philosopher in Plato, "I should be as public; and were justices, in law matters deed a friend of mine who loves to see as great a fool as they are, if I read as every thing marching on triumphantly, much."

will never look but at one Paper. The Considering, then, the reflection of

and controversies, for offences of death and title of laws.

Jones's Answer to Tait's Questions about the Druids.

February 7, 1818.]:

Arts and Sciences-Patent Printing Machine, &c.

century-women of fashion intriguing in masks, have been succeeded by footguards and nursery maids. Will's coffee house remains, and so does the Grecian, and White's, we believe; but for all their original purposes they have perished. Steele, were he with us now, and writing his Tatlers, could not with any propriety date his papers on poetry from the first, on learning from the second, and on topics of gallantry and pleasure from the third. The only place of this kind that retains any portion of its old air, is the Chapter in St Paul's church-yard; it still adheres to its original uses,-takes in the periodical publications and new works,has a small library attached to it, serves no dinners, and is frequented by persons of a literary character and appearance. The very benches and waiters here have the look of 1720; and its general aspect on entering it, almost conjures up Addison, standing with his back to the fire, surrounded by a group of wits, whose sallies are the delight of the whole room. These attractions have resulted from the gradual fluctuation of manners; another source of the altered looks of things is the wonderful extension of the metropolis, which has for many years been going into the country. An old print represents the village of Charing, with its cross; near to which is a road-post, with two indexes, one pointing "To London," the other" To Westminster." Saint Martin's in the fields, is now one of the closest-built and most thickly peopled parts of the town. By Spring Gardens we now understand the site of a noted hotel, and an excellent pastry-cook's shop; but in our old comedies it is alluded to as a favourite place of intrigue, to which its umbrageous walks and mazy thickets gave but too convenient a cover. In a work called " Character of England," by Jo. EVELYN, Esq. dated 1650, we have this description given us of Spring Gardens. The manner is, as the company return from Hyde Park, to alight at the Spring Garden-which inclosure is far from disagreeable, for the solemnness of the grove, the warbling of the birds, and as it opens into the spacious walks at St James's. But the company walk in it at such a rate, you would think all the ladies were so many Atlantas contending with their wooers; and, my lord, there was no appearance that I should prove the Hippomenes, who could with much ado keep pace with

them; but, as fast as they run, they stay there so long as if they wanted not time to finish the race; for it is usual here to find some of the young company till midnight: and the thickets of the garden seem to be contrived to all advantages of gallantry, after they have refreshed with the collation, which is here seldom omitted, at a certain cabaret, in the middle of this paradise, where the forbidden fruits are certain trifling tarts, neats' tongues, salacious meats, and bad rhenish; for which the gallants pay sauce, as indeed they do at all such houses throughout England; for they think it a piece of frugality beneath them to bargain or account for what they eat in any place, however unreasonably imposed upon.'

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ARTS AND SCIENCES.

The Patent Completing Printing Ma

chine.

231:

by the assistance of two boys it prints 750 sheets on one side per hour. As dispatch, however, is of the utmost im portance to a newspaper, it was deemed advisable to construct what is called a Double Machine. This differs in no respect from that above described, excepting the addition of a second printing cylinder, by which means, with the assistance of four boys, 1100 sheets are printed within the hour on one side. The machines used for printing the Times newspaper are on this plan, and have now been constantly in use since November 1814. After the Times machines were constructed, the grand improvement of the Completing Machine was suggested, so called from its delivering the sheet printed on both sides. It has a double inking and printing apparatus, with two carriages or coffins, each large enough to admit a double demy form 34 by 21 inches. The paper is laid on an endless web, called the feeder, which revolves at intervals; thence the sheet passes into the maABOUT ten years ago, Mr Bensley chine, and is ejected in a few seconds was applied to by Mr Konig, a Saxon, printed on both sides. By this means who submitted to him proposals for 900 sheets are struck off in an hour, joining him in the prosecution of a plan printed on both sides, or 1800 impresfor improving the common printing sions; if the double sized paper be press, which consisted chiefly in mov- used, 3600 single impressions. Two ing the press by machinery, by which boys and an overlooker are all the asthe labour of one man might be saved. sistance requisite, and a steam-engine A press was formed on this plan; but of one-horse power is sufficient force the result was so unsatisfactory as to to impel it. The patentees must feel a induce the rejection of it altogether. just pride in the completion of such an It will readily be conceived that this arduous undertaking, after so many resolution was not taken till after num- years of labour and expence; and it is berless experiments had rendered the not the least gratifying circumstance prospect of success hopeless. The idea attending it, to consider that in Engof cylindrical impression now presented land so important an invention has been itself, which had been attempted by matured, which had been previously others without success; and a machine rejected by all the principal cities on on this construction was completed, the continent; for the inventor (Mr after encountering great difficulties, at Konig) spent not less than two years the close of the year 1812. It may be in seeking patronage in Germany and proper here to introduce an outline of Russia, till at length, to use his own its operation-The form, (i. e. the words, he was" compelled to take recomposed types) is placed on a car-fuge in England, the only country where riage or coffin, which is constantly passmechanical inventions are duly rewarding under the inking cylinders, obtained.' ing a coat of ink in its ingress and egress; these cylinders have a lateral and rotatory motion, for the purpose of Improvement in Sir Humphrey Davy's equalizing the ink before it is communicated to the form. After the form is Safety Lamp. thoroughly inked, it passes under the printing cylinder, on which the paper is laid, where it receives the impression, and thence delivers itself into the hands of the boy who waits to receive it. This is termed a Single Machine;

SIR H. DAVY has made a farther discovery in regard to combustion, which will prove a very great improvement to his safety lamp. He thus describes it in a letter to the Rev. J. Hodgson of Heworth:

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