H́nh ảnh trang
PDF
ePub

mour, so often found in them; while the of matter becomes an irresistable induceme

Amongst the works of this kind, newsp immortal fame of the inventors, lead the w of antiquity, and may be called the or from whence branched out all the lite mera of succeeding times. The famous sp &c. are all lineally descended from the p and the idea was adopted by all the politer

P

Before newspapers were in use, local kno so circumscribed, that few gentlemen kne politics, or cotemporary affairs, than what pleased to discover. All who were not of turn filled up their leisure time with domestic or rural sports, while their minds remained adorned. Since then, how much are the arts the taste for enjoying it improved?

These maps of science were first published in year of Charles II. by some members of the ety established in 1662, the oldest in E the encouragement of natural philosophy. l'Estrange was the first editor, and the first marked the year 1663, as a memorable epoch nals of literature; succeeding papers contain supplementary materials to form the manner man; and which first gave that literary priority lishmen which they are allowed to this day on tinent.

Although this mode of obtaining knowledg strictly called no better then a superficial educa if we observe how nearly it approaches to what

[ocr errors]

the education of a gentleman as defined by d'Alembert, it will imply more than is at first imagined. He says, that "a gentleman should have a superficial knowledge of all things, and be profound in one, namely, his profefsional capacity;" he advises also, in order to fave time, that readers of history should begin from the present time, and advance their studies by retrogradation. Now though I am not entirely of his opinion, yet we must confefs it a most ingenious one, to abridge the road to learning; I will even go so far as to avow, that a tolerable body of science may be acquired, by a constant perusal of all periodical publications; and we rarely find a person of common capacity, who reads with attention the several newspapers, magazines, parlour-window books, &c. &c. that is not capable of acquitting himself with decency, and even with eclat, on any topic of general conversation.

ARC-EN-CIEL.

DESCRIPTION OF A NAUTCH AT THIBET,

GIVEN BEFORE THE LAMA.

Taken from the manuscript journal of a late traveller, with which we have been favoured by a respectable correspondent.

I

PASSED my time in looking at the dancers, or playing at chefs with some of the Thibetians. The court held about thirty dancers, half of them men, half women. The men were drefsed in different and party-coloured clothes, with their large bonnets of sheep's wool, a bit of coloured silk in each hand, and a leather machine, something in shape of, but rather lefs than a fiddle, at their side; it seemed, however, to be only

Th

hands and necks; and each wore a small r shape and size of those worn by our female s covered with circles of small white shells. ed a ring; the men and women in opposite and five men were in the middle of it. their own singing, moving slowly round, i step, keeping time with their hands, while t centre whirled round and cut capers, with m motions, which I attempt not to describe. part of the entertainment was performed b with winged rainbow-coloured caps, who j wheeled about to the clashing of cymbals a of tabors; among the rest was a merry-andr a mask stuck over with small shells, and a a large stick in his hand: These two were than the others; they carried on an Occas logue, which appeared to afford great enterta those who understood their grimaced gesture I was not so fortunate as to understand them bliged to seek amusement in contemplating t scene before me, and the effects it produced o merous spectators.

SIR

ANECDOTE OF THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

As the following anecdote does honour to humanity, and sheds a milder, tho not lefs pleasing lustre round nobility, than the pomp of pageantry with which it is usually attended, I hope you will not think it unworthy of insertion in your useful miscellany,

PHILADELPHUS.

A MILD summer morning had invited the late Duke of Bedford to walk abroad, with a book in his hand. His attention was so much engrofsed by the subject, that before he was aware, he had wandered farther from home then he intended. Having stopt of a sudden to see where he was, he observed a woman at a little distance from him, wringing her hands, weeping aloud and discovering every mark of the deepest distrefs. Moved with sympathy, he immediately approached her, desired her to dry up her tears, to tell him the cause of her sorrow, and promised to do her all the service in his power. Seeing a man in a plain but genteel dress, looking at her with an air of benignity, and interesting himself in her sufferings; being entirely ignorant of his rank, she communicated her story to him without reserve. "I have (says she) a large family, my husband is sick, and being unable to pay our rent, the Duke of Bedford's steward has seized our stock, and left us nothing but the dismal prospect of unavoidable ruin; and I came out to this field to take my last sad sight of my poor cows, which are still feeding in the park there." Deeply affected with her melancholy tale, he advised her to drive the cows

home, and offered to set open the gate to her for that purpose. But at this proposal she started, burst again

for aught I know may be hanged for it. struck with the justnefs of her reasoning, nest simplicity of her language, he gave he ney, told her that he heartily pitied her, and the liberty to recommend her and her family of Bedford, whom he knew to be a goodof man, and he hoped he would do somethi for her. Accordingly he desired her to call Wooburn-Abbey for John Russel, and he w duce her to the Duke, and speak to him in The good woman having returned him ma and promising to meet him at the time and pl ed, they parted. Next day, dressed in her be she went to the Abbey, and asked for John R was led into a room and told that Mr Rufsel with her immediately. She had not waited several gentlemen richly drefs'd entered t She knew at first sight the features of him who versed with her the day before, and, strongly with the idea of his being the Duke himself, v to faint with fear and surprise; but his Grac up to her with a look of condescension and which reanimated her drooping spirits, while h her that she had no cause to be afflieted, but mi herself perfectly easy. Then he instantly c steward, ordered him to write her a receipt in ful see every thing returned that had been taken husband. He put the receipt into her hand, a her that he had inquired into her husbands ch and heard he was a very honest man, and had be his tenant. And having given her thirty guinea ed her to go home and rejoice with her family.

« TrướcTiếp tục »