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by Dr. Franklin :-"If I hire," says he, " a servant to plough and sow for me, and clothe and feed him during the year, it is perfectly true that I incur an expense in so doing; but at the end of the year, the production, which is the result of his ploughing and sowing, repays back to me the expence I incurred in his maintenance; and it not only repays it, but repays it with an excess; and I am enabled next year to employ more servants, in consequense of the production of that individual servant. But if I feed and clothe a man to fiddle to me, it is very true that I have the advantage and pleasure of his fiddling during the year, but at the end of it nothing remains but the recollection of the tunes ; and though I may have indulged in the luxury, I am not the richer for my expenditure."

Lord Nelson's Humanity.-Lord Nelson was loath to inflict punishment, and when he was obliged, as he called it, "to endure the torture of seeing men flogged," he came out of his cabin with hurried steps-ran into the gangway-made his bow to the marine general, and reading the article of war the culprit had infringed, said, "Boatswain, do your duty." The lash was instantly applied, and whenever the sufferer exclaimed, "Forgive me, admiral, forgive me:" he would look round with wild anxiety, and, as all his officers kept silence, (when the fellow really merited his punishment,) he would say, "What! none of you speak for himavast-cast him off. Jack, in the day of battle remember me, and be a good fellow in future.”— On another occasion, a poor fellow was about to be flogged; he was a landsman, and few pitied him. His offence was drunkenness. As he was tying up, a lovely girl, contrary to all rules, rushed through the officers, and falling on her knees, clasped Nelson's hands, in which were the articles of war. "Pray forgive him, your honour, and he shall never offend again." "Your face," said he, "is a security for his good behaviour. Let him go; the fellow cannot be bad, who has such a lovely creature in his care." The man rose to be a lieutenant; his name was William Pye.

Discoveries in Egypt.-It is at length placed beyond doubt, that the Nile, of which Bruce conceived he had discovered the sources in Abyssinia, and which the Portuguese had seen and described in the sixteenth century, is only a tributary stream flowing into the true Nile, of which the real source is much nearer to the equator. For this information we are indebted to M. Calliaud, a French traveller, who accompanied the predatory expedition of the two sons, Ismael and Ibrahim, of the Pacha of Egypt, into Nubia, and who, in conjunction with M. Latores, has made known to us a new region in the interior of Africa, more than 500 miles in length, and extending to the tenth degree of northern latitude. This gentleman has likewise determined the position of the city of Meroe, of which he found the ruins in the Delta, formed by the Bahr-el-Abriel (the White River), and the Bahr-el-Azraq (the Blue River), precisely in the spot where D'Anville has placed them upon the authority of ancient authors. Avenues of sphynxes and of lions, propylea and temples in the Egyptian style, forests of pyramids, a vast enclosure formed with unbaked bricks, seem to point out in this place the existence of a large capital, and it may serve to elucidate the much agitated, but still undecided question, "Whether civilization followed the course of the Nile from Ethiopia to Egypt; or, whether it ascended from Egypt to Nubia!"

Consumption of Tea.-The quantity of tea taken for home consumption within the last twenty years, amounts, in the whole, to 430,308,170 pounds weight; the average consumption of this article in the kingdom, for that period, will therefore be yearly,21,515,403 pounds; weekly, 413,758 pounds; or 58,947 pounds in each day.

Joint Stock Bubble Companies.-Mr. Waithman's speech, recently delivered on this infamous subject, contained, among many other curious details, the following statements:-The number of these companies got up during the recent mania, he estimates at 600; and the capital required for them at three hundred millions sterling. The capital of the Mining Companies alone was

25,000,000%. the advances on them about 5,200,000%. Taking the money paid on other companies at 9,000,000l. the whole advances amount to 14,200,0007. while the present value of the shares for which all this money was paid out, is only 2,400,0007.! The member for London also painted in strong colours the artifices and frauds practised by the fabricators of these swindling schemes, to which he ascribed the ruin of many thousands of tradesmen and annuitants, and no small share of the present public distress.

New Stomach Pump.-A self-acting stomach pump has been invented by Mr. Timewell, surgeon, occulist, &c. of Chester, whereby any poisonous or offensive matter may be evacuated from that important organ in a few seconds, and nutriment conveyed into it in the same space of time, when nature is exhausted, or the power of swallowing impeded. It consists of a large elasticgum bottle, to which is connected a tube of the same substance; the air being pressed out of the bottle, and its return prevented by a stop-cock, its contents instantly rush into the elastic bottle. Mr. Timewell intends presenting it to the Royal Humane Society, pro bono publico.

The Advantages of Luxury.-(From Dr. Johnson.)-"Many things which are false," observes the Doctor, "gain credit in the world. One of these is the cry of evil against luxury. Now, the truth is, that luxury produces much good. Take the luxury of buildings in London; does it not produce real advantage in the conveniency and elegance of accommodation, and this all from the exertion of industry? People will tell you, with a melancholy face, how many builders are in jail! If they are in jail, it is plain it is not for building, for rents are not fallen. A man gives half-a-guinea for a dish of green pease: how much gardening does this occasion! how many labourers must the competition to have such things early in the market keep in employ! You will hear it said very gravely, Why was not the half-guinea thus spent in luxury, given to the poor? To how many might it have afforded a good meal!' Alas! has it not gone to the industrious poor, whom it is better to support than the idle poor? You are much surer that you are doing good when you pay money to those who work, as the recompense of their labour, than when you give money merely in charity."

Poison. It appears by the following facts, that the seeds of the laburnum are poisonous. This shrub, (there is also a tree laburnum,) now so common in gardens and pleasure-grounds, bears a profusion of yellow pendulous flowers, which ripen into seeds, similar to the sweet pea. Mr. White, of Crogen Iddon, Glyn Ceiriog, has had eight cows poisoned by eating the seeds. Mr. Beckett, veterinary surgeon, of Oswestry, is of opinion that the seeds act as a powerful narcotic.

Population, &c. of Paris.-In 1823, the number of births in Paris amounted to 26,880; 13,462 males, 13,318 females; 17,129 of these were born in wedlock, 9,751 are natural children; 1,422 still-born children; 7,173 marriages took place; 232,82 deaths; 52 died in prison; 257 were deposited in the Morgue; 317 persons committed suicide; of these were 206 males, 111 females; 21 destroyed themselves from ill-requited love; 128 from disgust of life, mental derangement, or domestic misfortune; 30 from bad conduct, gaming, the lottery, and debauchery; 59 from poverty, the loss of their situations, or deranged affairs; 8 from fear of reproach or punishment; 71 from unknown motives. There are 10,053 vehicles for the service of the interior of Paris, and 733 for the exterior; 500 water-carriages drawn by horses, and 1,300 drawn by men; 178 royal diligences; 306 ordinary diligences; 249 small stages; 500 cabriolets for the exterior. Deducting about one-third in supposing that the stages are not filled, we find that 29,121 persons remove from Paris every week, equal to one person out of 27 of the whole population; every year the departures amount to 1,514,292; 8,396 places taken in the mail-coaches; 50,000 travel annually by boats that ply on the Seine, and probably 6,000,000 by the short stages, and yet in this extraordinary movement of the population, only

123,807 passports were delivered. Among the strangers who visit the capital, the English are the most numerous: from 1815 till 1821, 123,731 have resided there; the number increasing proportionally every year. In 1815, there were 13,822; in 1821 there were 20,184.

Scotch National Church-On Friday the 12th of May, this building, which was erected for the accommodation of the congregation of the Rev. Mr. Irving, was opened for public worship. The congregation was admitted by tickets: but the crowd even exceeded expectation. For a considerable time the carriages, of which there was great abundance, were prevented from approaching the doors; and it was with the greatest difficulty that those who had tickets succeeded in getting within the doors. On entering the church, in which about 1600 or 1700 can be accommodated, we found it, at half-past eleven o'clock, uncomfortably filled shortly after that hour, the crowd without succeeding in forcing open the outer doors, and a most tremendous rush took place. In a moment the place was crammed, and a scene of great confusion ensued, and females were shrieking and fainting, and a noise, scarcely equalled at the throwing open of the doors of a theatre upon some extraordinary occasion, prevailed. By the exertions of the police, who attended in great numbers, the greater part of the intruders were ejected, after they had loudly asserted their right to remain in a place of public worship. When order was restored, the service commenced with the 100th Psalm, which was given out by Mr. Irving, who afterwards offered up a prayer full an hour in length. Doctor Chalmers then ascended the pulpit, and took for his text the 16th verse of the 6th chapter of Jeremiah. After the sermon, a collection was made from pew to pew.

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

Biographical Memoir of his late Royal' Highness Frederick, Duke of York and Albany. By John Watkins, LL D. With 14 portraits, and six other plates. 8vo, bds. 14s.

Dr.Jamieson's Dictionary of Mechanical Science, Arts, Manufactures, and Miscellaneous Knowledge, is now completed. With many hundred Engravings. 4to. bds. 27. 188.

Sermons, preached in the Parish Church of Richmond, Surrey. By the Hon. and Rev. G. T Noel.

The Christian Messenger, containing the most accurate account of all the Religious Meetings held in the metropolis, with the Sermons preached by Drs. Chalmers, Gordon, Raffles, Burder, and others.

Morning Thoughts, in prose and verse, on portions of the successive chapters in the gospel of St. Mark. By the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, vicar of Harrow.

Human Sacrifices in India. Substance of the Speech of J. Poynder, Esq. at the Courts of Proprietors of East India Stock, held on the 21st and 28th days of March, 1827.

A Plain Statement of the Evidences of Christianity, divided into short chapters, with questions annexed to each; designed for the use of Schools, Sunday Schools, and young persons. By Francis Knowles. Price 1s. 6d. neatly half-bound; or in 7 numbers at 2d. each.

Also, by the same author, an Appendix to the above, containing Outlines of the Chapters for the purpose of assisting the memory, price 4d. stitched. The Visions of Patmos; a Prophetic Poem, illustrative of the Apocalypse; with an introduc. tion and notes. By the Rev. Thos. Grenfield, M.A. rector of Shirland, Derbyshire.

In the course of publication, in weekly numbers, A History of the Cities of London and Westminster, the Borough of Southwark, and parts adjacent.

By Thomas Allen, author of the History of Lambeth, &c. &c. Illustrated by numerous engravings of rare plans, views, antiquities, public buildings, &c. Views in Rome, printed in gold; drawn and engraved by Piuelli, of Rome, consisting of thirty views, printed in a newly-invented and elegant manner, and forming beautiful illustrations for the Album and Scrap Book.

Dr. Priestley's English Grammar improved, with an Appendix. 3s, bound.

Poems: The Two Brothers. 5s. boards.

The Imperial School Grammar of the English Language. By George Granville. 2s. boards. Original Sacred Poems. By a Naval Officer. 5s. boards.

The Rubbish Administration, or the Whigs in Power.

Sermons, Doctrinal and Practical, with Notes and Authorities. By the Rev. John Noble Coleman, M.A. 8vo. 12s. boards.

Anti-Slavery Reporter. No. 23.

Folly's Advocate; or the Dancing Masterin search of Pupils; a Dialogue between Monsieur Fribble and Mrs. Prudence.

Selections from the Works of Bishop Hopkins. By the Rev. W. Wilson, D.D.

Rules and Regulations of the Social Order Benefit Society, on the basis of religion and humanity). The Suttee's Cry to Britain. By J. Peggs, late missionary at Cuttack, Orissa.

The Closet Manual, designed as a help to private prayer and self-examination.

Report of the Bethel Union Society.

Observations on Psalmody. By a Composer. 4s. extra boards.

Memoirs and Correspondence of Mr. John Urqu har; with a portrait. By William Orme. 2 vols. 12mo. 10s.

History of the Transmission of Ancient Books to Modern Times. By Isaac Taylor, jun. author of Elements of Thought. 1 vol. 8vo. 8s.

Selections from the Works of the Rev. John Howe. By the Rev. Dr. Wilson. 2 vols. 18mo. With a Portrait and Life. 6s.; or doné up in a superior way, 7s.

In the Press.

The Rev. Henry March, of Mill Hill, has a new work in the press for young people, entitled, "The Early Life of Christ, an example for Youth."

In the press, and will be published in the beginning of July, 2d edition, in one vol. 12mo. with a fine engraving of the author, painted by Jackson, Esq. R.A. and engraved by White, and also a Mission Scene, The Narrative of a Mission to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Bermudas or Somers Islands, with Travels in the United States, and a faithful account of religion on that great continent. By Joshua Marsden, late Wesleyan Missionary.

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Preparing for the Press. Elements of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation, with special reference to the New Testament, translated from the Latin of Ernesti, by Moses Stuart. A new edition, with additions by E. Henderson, D.D. theological tutor at the Mission College, and author of Biblical Researches, and Travels in Russia, &c.

A new and copious General Index to the edition of Calmet's Dictionary of the Bible, in 5 vols. 4to. Edited by the late Charles Taylor.

A Vocabulary to the Odissus Tyrannus of Sophocles, with the derivation and composition of the words, with references and explanations. By George Hughes, M.A.

Preparing for publication, in two parts, a History of the Bible. By John Whitridge. Small paper, 4s. large, 6s. each part.

We understand, that a powerful pamphlet, in defence of the interests of Protestantism, is about to appear immediately, entituled, "A Solemn Appeal to the Common Sense of England, against the Principles of Mr. Canning and his Associates."

LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER, SON, AND CO.

[graphic][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small]

THE

Emperial Magazine;

OR, COMPENDIUM OF

RELIGIOUS, MORAL, & PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE.

JULY.]

"THE DISCONTINUANCE OF BOOKS WOULD RESTORE BARBARISM."

Memoir of the

RIGHT HON. JOHN SCOTT, EARL OF ELDON, Late Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain,

(With a Portrait.)

Of all the professions, none has contributed more amply or more splendidly to the list of the British peerage, than the law. It is equally observable that the greater number of these luminaries arose from comparatively obscure situations, and were solely indebted, for the distinction they attained, to their unwearied diligence and pre-eminent talents. Among these ornaments of their country, two of the most remarkable are William Scott, lord Stowell, and his brother, John, Earl of Eldon; the former at the age of fourscore still presiding with energy and dignity over the high court of admiralty; and the latter but lately retired from the court of chancery.

These extraordinary men were born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where their father held a situation as surveyor and director of the coal works. He gave his two sons an excellent education, partly at the grammar school under the reverend Hugh Moises, who lived to see his pupils at the height of professional honour, and partly under Mr. Charles Hutton, the celebrated mathematician, and late professor in the royal military academy at Woolwich.

Mr. William Scott removed early to Oxford on a scholarship in University College, and in 1767 proceeded to the degree of master of arts. At this time he obtained a fellowship, and sent for his brother, with a similar view to his settlement in that famous seat of learning. The elder brother soon became the first tutor in Oxford; and his college, under the government of Dr. Nathan Wetherell, father of the late attorney general, was in consequence crowded with students-chiefly from the northern counties. The proficiency of Mr. John Scott was evinced in his carrying off the chancellor's prize for the year 1771: the subject of his essay being "The Advantages and Disadvantages of Foreign Travel."

He now stood a fair chance of succeeding to a fellowship; but the intentions of 103.-VOL. IX.

[1827.

his friends in the college were frustrated by a circumstance which put it out of their power to oblige him. In the vacation of 1772 Mr. Scott left his brother at Oxford, and went down to Newcastle, where he had some time before contracted a secret intimacy with Miss Surtees, the daughter of an eminent banker of that place. One day after church, the young couple set off for Scotland, and having tied the indissoluble knot according to the laws of that country, returned home to encounter the resentment of their respective relatives.

Both families were thrown into a state of confusion by this act of indiscretion; and no reconciliation could be effected. Thus discarded in the north, Mr. Scott and his bride proceeded to Oxford; where, to all appearance, things were likely to prove worse. With much difficulty, however, an interview was brought about between the two brothers, and a consultation ensued as to the course that should be adopted in the present exigency. The lady had not a shilling of property, and her husband, being without a profession or prospect, had no dependence but upon his brother. The latter, though greatly chagrined and provoked at what had occurred, was too wise and good a man to cherish angry feelings, in a case which admitted of no redress. After expressing his sentiments sharply on the imprudent conduct of his brother, he asked him what he meant to do for a livelihood? The first thought was directed to the church; but here nothing better than a curacy could be expected; and, therefore, this idea was quickly abandoned. It was at length settled, after much discussion, that the "lost young man," as his brother termed him, should try the law, and enter himself a student of the Middle Temple, of which society the elder Mr. Scott was at this time a member, as a preparatory step to his admission into the court of civilians.

This arrangement being made, Mr. John Scott repaired to the metropolis, where he took apartments for himself and his wife in Carey-street. The school of adversity is one of severe, but salutary, discipline; and so it proved in the present instance, for

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