Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

upright in glazed earthen vessels, with perpendicular sides, containing a sufficient quantity of water sufficiently to immerse their bases, the spiders thus insulated use every means in their power to effect an escape; all their efforts, however, uniformly prove unavailing in a still atmosphere nevertheless, when exposed to a current of air, or when gently blown upon with the breath, they immediately turn the abdomen in the direction of the breeze, and emit from the spinning apparatus some of their liquid gum, which being carried out in a line by the current, becomes connected with some object in the vicinity. This the spider ascertains by pulling at it with her feet, and drawing it in till it is sufficiently tense; she gums it fast to the twig, and passing along it speedily regains her liberty. Now, that the same means are frequently resorted to by spiders in their natural haunts, for the purposes of changing their situation and fixing the foundations of their snares, I have repeatedly observed."

It must not be forgotten, however, that this theory of Mr. Blackwall is by no means confirmed. On this subject, we refer to a most interesting paper on the aerial spider, by J. Murray, Esq., in the first vol. of "Loudon's Magazine of Natural History." This talented writer observes, that "the aeronautic spider can propel its threads, both horizontally and vertically, and at all relative angles in motionless air, or in an atmosphere agitated by winds; nay more, the aërial traveller can even dart its thread, to use a nautical phrase, in the wind's eye.' My opinion and observations are based on hundreds of experiments; on favourable occasions I am constantly extending their amount, and as often do I find my deductions supported, namely, that the entire phenomena are electrical." Subjoined we present a sketch of the

gossamer spider, sailing along in a parachute, formed by two diverging fasciculi of threads, as observed by Mr. Bowman. In

this aerial navigation the little insect floats with its back downwards and its legs folded, and thus reposing at its ease, upborne on streamers of silken threads, it commits itself to the upper air. M.

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IN INDIA. THE Rev. A. Duff, missionary of the Church of Scotland, in India, observes :With regard to the medium of teaching in our institution, it is English. There is appended to it a Bengali school, where the pupils daily attend, in successive classes, to perfect their acquaintance with the vernacular tongue. But the grand medium, by which all our knowledge is conveyed, is the English language. This has led some to think that our scheme is to eradicate the native languages altogether, and substitute English universally in their place. No such thing was ever dreamed of: no such conspiracy against the languages of India ever entered our imagination. It is the misconception, the delusion, of ignorant or thoughtless minds. What we declare, without fear or contradiction, is, that while it is confessed that the vernacular languages alone are available for imparting an elementary education to the mass of the people of Hindostan, it is insisted on as a fact, that these languages do not at present afford an adequate medium for communicating a knowledge of the higher departments of literature, science, and theology. For such a purpose, these dialects do not contain a sufficient number and variety of terms; and even if they did, there are no original writings, and not enough translated, nor will be, for centuries to come. The English language, and it alone, is found to supply the necessary medium. It is accordingly employed as the only adequate instrument for the conveyance of every branch of useful knowledge, with the view of raising up a higher and more effective order of men, who shall spread a healthful influence over society on every side. The English in India holds the same place now, which the Latin and Greek did in Europe at the period of the reformation. Where did our reformers obtain their information? Not in the vernacular tongues, because these did not contain it. They had to search for it in those ancient languages in which were embodied all the treasures of the existing knowledge. But, by degrees, some of the original European languages have become so enriched by the incorporation of foreign terms, that the necessity for studying the ancient ones, as

[graphic]

media of knowledge, is in a great measure superseded. Precisely similar is the case of India. Do we want to raise up there a class of men who shall have the stamp and character and energy of reformers? If so, they must be the recipients of a higher | knowledge. And where is this knowledge to be acquired? Not, surely, in the native languages, which have it not; but in that modern language which has it all in highest perfection-the English. And when the former become sufficiently enriched by a copious infusion and intermixture of expressive terms, drained from other sources, the latter may, as a medium of acquiring knowledge, be altogether dispensed with. Thus, for the present, must the English language in India be viewed as the medium of acquisition to the thoroughly educated few; and the vernacular dialects, to the ordinarily educated many. The one forms the channel of contribution to the reservoir of those minds that are to be cultivated, so as to disseminate all knowledge; the other will form the channels of distribution to those who must be satisfied with the mere elements of knowledge. The former unseals the inexhaustible fountain of all knowledge. The latter serve as ducts to diffuse its vivifying waters over the wastes of a dry and parched land. To those who have studied the history of the world, and traced the rise of reformations, and marked the progress of society, I now appeal, whether the process now described be not a rational one: one based on the lessons to be gathered from the experience of ages? The English language, I repeat it, is the lever which, as an instrument, is destined to move all Hindostan.

This naturally leads me to refer to a crisis in the history of India which seems now approaching. If, as has been shown, the communication of useful knowledge will destroy the ancient Hindoo systems; and if the English language cannot be thoroughly mastered without such knowledge being acquired, what follows? The universal spread of English would prove the universal death-knell of the Hindoo systems. And what next? One almost shrinks from the contemplation of it. Weigh the facts of the case. Already, in Calcutta, Allahabad, Delhi, and other stations, there are government seminaries established where English is taught without religion. And the demand for English is likely soon to increase tenfold, if not a hundred-fold. The reason is obvious. Till very recently, the language universal in India as the language of government business, political, financial, and judicial,

has been the Persian, whose attainment will not enlighten, though it may greatly darken the mind and vitiate the heart. At present there is a strong disposition to abolish it altogether, and substitute the English in its place. About two years ago, it was abolished in the political department of government. This change has already begun to work. In the great native courts, instead of a Persian, must in future be supported an English secretary and the next step is to send for an English schoolmaster. In some instances these two offices have been conjoined, so that in several of the palaces of the rajahs there is now an English school. Owing to this substitution of the English for Persian, a considerable sensation has taken place. The present noble and enlightened governor has given intensity to this sensation. Instead of sending, as heretofore, presents of cashmere shawls, and other oriental ornaments, to the different princes, he has, with a wisdom peculiar to himself, as governor-general of India, resolved, in most cases, to substitute something more profitable; such as globes, atlases, telescopes, microscopes, barometers, thermometers, and English spelling-books, with large pictures in them, to suit eastern taste; often accompanying them with a note to this effect, "That having understood that such a person was aware of the great difference between the learning of the east and of the west, he wished he would, by comparison, ascertain the nature and amount of these differences, and, at his own convenience, acquaint him with the result of his inquiries." Such requisition was admirably calculated to stimulate curiosity; and the consequence has been, that from the Burman empire to the banks of the Indus, there has been, more or less, a demand for English books and English teachers.

OLD ENGLISH MANSION.

THE chief feature in the interior of an ancient residence, of every class, was the great or stone hall, which often gave its name to the whole house. The principal entrance to the main building, from the first or outer court, opened into a thorough lobby, having on one side several doors or arches, leading to the buttery, kitchen, and domestic offices; on the other side the hall, parted off by a screen, generally of wood carved, and with several arches, having folding doors. Above the screen, and over the lobby, was the gallery for minstrels, or musicians, and

on its front were usually hung armour, antlers, &c. The hall itself was a large and lofty room; the roof was richly carved and emblazoned with the arms of the family; and "the top beam of the hall," in allusion to the position of this coat of arms, was a toast, or symbolical manner of drinking the health of the master of the house. At the upper end of the hall, furthest from the entrance, the floor was usually raised a step, and this part was styled the dais, or high place. The windows usually ranged along one or both sides of the hall, at some height above the ground, so as to leave room for wainscoting or tapestry below them. They were enriched with stained glass, representing the armorial bearings of the family, their connexions, and royal patrons, and between the windows were hung fulllength portraits of the same persons. The royal arms usually occupied a conspicuous station at either end of the room. The head table was laid for the lord and the principal guests, on the raised place, and other tables were ranged along the sides for inferior visitors and retainers. In the centre of the hall was the rere-doss or fire-iron, against which fagots were piled, and burnt upon the stone floor, the smoke passing through an opening in the roof immediately overhead, which was generally formed into an elevated lantern, a conspicuous ornament to the exterior of the building. In later times, a wide-arched fire-place was formed in the side of the room. By a record of the year 1511, it appears that the hall fire was discontinued at Easter-day, then called God's Sunday; and the fire-irons being cleared away, the space whereon the fire was burnt, or the hearth, was strewed with green rushes and flowers; whence the custom, in our time, of decorating stove-grates with evergreens and flowers when they are not used for fires. The halls at the universities of Oxford or Cambridge furnish a picture, particularly at dinner, of the style and customs of the olden time; and those who are curious to know the mode in which our ancestors dined in the reign of the Henrys and Edwards, may be gratified by attending that meal in the great halls of Christchurch or Trinity College, and imagining the occupants of the upper table to be the baron, his family, guests, and the gowned commoners at the side tables to be the liveried retainers. The service of the kitchen, butteries, and cellars, is conducted, at the present day, precisely according to the ancient custom.

The hall, such as we have described it, is found in every old English mansion built before the reign of Elizabeth. But, about that time, the nobles began to disuse the custom of dining in company with their retainers and household in the great hall, and a separate apartment was reserved for the use of the family, which was called the dining-parlour, or banquetting room. The chapel was another principal feature in every early English residence. It usually formed one side of the first court. Both the hall and chapel were often overlooked from windows in galleries and upper rooms. The other apartments were the great chamber, or withdrawing room, (now called the drawing-room,) usually reserved for state occasions, and hung with tapestry; and the gallery for the reception of visitors, for amusement, and in-door exercise. This was a long room, with several bay windows, projecting externally, and forming agreeable nooks for private conversation within. The gallery was often embellished with royal or family portraits, maps, &c. The larger houses had, in addition to these apartments, the smaller in their stead, the parlours-sometimes divided into summer and winter parlours. Of these rooms, some were hung with tapestry, others wainscoted in small panels also of richly-grained oak, and the ceilings framed into panels, also of oak, for which plaster has been substituted. Texts of Scripture and moral truths were sometimes painted on cloths, which were hung in the pannels of the hall or parlour.

Kitchens merit separate mention. The oldest kitchens are said to have been built by the Romans. They were mostly octagonal, (or eight-sided,) with several fireplaces without chimneys: there was no wood in the building, and a stone conical roof, with a turret at the top, let out the steam and smoke; some, however, had vents below the eaves, to let out steam. They generally had four ranges, a boiling place for small boiled meats, and a house for the great boiler. In each kitchen was usually a place for keeping flitches of bacon, similar to our racks in farm-houses.

Staircases in the older houses were carried up in separate turrets, generally circular; the steps being of stone, running round a pillar in the centre, and the outer hand-rail grooved into the wall. In the reign of Elizabeth, staircases first became splendidly ornamented; being of wood, enriched with massive hand-rails and balustrades, curiously carved, while

the landings were superbly ornamented | mering spark, though the overflowings of with figures, &c.-Domestic Life in Eng

land.

THE ALMIGHTY.

corruption threaten it with total extinction, yet, since the great Jehovah has undertaken to cherish the dim principle, many waters cannot quench it, nor the floods drown it. Nay, though it were feeble as the smoking flax, Almighty Goodness stands engaged to augment the heat, to raise the fire, and feed the flame, till it beam forth, a lamp of immortal glory, in the heavens, Isa. xlii. 3, Song viii. 7, Isa. xli. 10, John x. 28.-Hervey.

TAXES IN SWEDEN.

Fo

dress, which so universally prevails. tresses, in consequence of that rage for reigners who have acquired a fortune in Sweden, and who are disposed to leave it for another country, are obliged, on quitting it, and transferring their property to other hands, to pay one-sixth part of the whole to government.-Rae Wilson.

THE almighty Architect stretches out the north, and its whole starry train, over the empty space: he hangs the earth and all the ethereal globes upon nothing: yet are their foundations laid so sure, that they can never be moved at any time :-no unfit representation to the sincere christian of his final perseverance; but such as points out the cause that effects it, and constitutes the pledge which ascertains it. His nature is all enfeebled, he is not able of himself WITH respect to taxes in Sweden, to think a good thought, he has no visible there is one on elegant furniture, pictures, safeguard, nor any sufficiency of his own; gilded ornaments, and splendid female and yet, whole legions of formidable ene- attire. Such are the sumptuary rules mies are combined to compass his ruin. observed respecting their dress, that it The world lays unnumbered snares for his amounts to a high offence if servants prefeet; the devil is incessantly urging the sume to imitate their mistresses in any siege by a multitude of fiery darts or wily part of their apparel, especially that of temptations; the flesh, like a perfidious the cap. If regulations of this nature inmate, under colour of friendship and a were introduced into England, I am specious pretence of pleasure, is always for disposed to think it would not be ward to betray his integrity: but, amidst found so very difficult to distinguish doall these threatening circumstances of per-mestics from their masters and missonal weakness and imminent danger, an invisible aid is his defence. "I will uphold thee," says the blessed God," with the right hand of my righteousness." Oh comfortable truth! The arm which fixeth the stars in their courses, and guides the planets in theirs, is stretched out to preserve the heirs of salvation. 66 My sheep," adds the great Redeemer," are mine; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." What words are these! And did they come from Him who hath all SCRIPTURE EXPLANATIONS.—NO. XXXI. power in heaven and earth? And were they spoken to every unfeigned though feeble follower of the great Shepherd ? then Omnipotence itself must be vanquished before they can be destroyed, either by the seductions of fraud or by the assaults of violence. If you ask, therefore, What security have we of enduring to the end, and continuing faithful unto death? the very same that establishes the heavens, and 'settles the ordinances of the universe. Can these be thrown into confusion? Then may the true believer draw back unto perdition. Can the sun be dislodged from his sphere, and rush lawlessly through the sky? then, and then only, can the faith of God's elect be overthrown finally. Be of good courage, then, O my soul; rely on those Divine succours which are so solemnly stipulated, so faithfully promised. Though thy grace be languid as the glim

"Now the coat was without seam, woven from the

top throughout."-John xix. 23.

I HAVE often heard this passage disputed, and have heard many ridiculous and infidel observations made upon it. The passage presents no difficulty to Hindoo weavers; without seam, from the top throughout, as they have a method of weaving garments stated in the text.-W. Brown.

SELF-WILL-Men, left to their own wills, will rather go to hell than be beholden to free grace for salvation, John v. 40.—Cole.

JOHN DAVIS, 56, Paternoster Row, London. Price d. each, or in Monthly Parts, containing Five Numbers in a Cover, 3d.

W. Tyler, Printer, Bolt-court, Fleet-street.

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

WHEN we turn our attention to the vast assemblage of the smaller mammalia, distributed throughout the globe, we cannot but feel convinced that our information on their habits and manners is, for the most part meagre and imperfect; that too often indeed the naturalist has to content himself with that degree of knowledge, if knowledge it can be called, which relates merely to their general affinities in the group to which they belong, while their peculiar habits and instincts are almost wholly unknown.

Some animals, terrific from their power and disposition, imposing from their bulk, or attractive from their beauty, force themselves, as it were, upon our notice, and compel or court us to watch their movements. Those, on the contrary, to which we now refer, are unobtrusive and retiring: their timidity and feebleness lead them to avoid the scrutinizing eye of man; and though the depredations they not unfrequently commit in the fields and enclo

VOL. III.

sures, which own his careful labour, are repaid by a system of extermination, still little or nothing is known about them; they are regarded as a set of insignificant miscreants, whose habits are only annoying and vexatious, but beneath especial inquiry. What in reality do we know of the habits of the small rodentia of Europe? Very little of most, and still less, as might be inferred, of those of the small rodentia of distant climates.

In the singular animal now presented to our readers, we have an example in point. It is the leaping hare or Cape jerboa, common in many parts of Southern Africa, but of the minuter detail of whose history, much yet remains to be collected. Here the naturalist must depend upon the traveller; but it too often happens that travellers have not the opportunity, (environed as they mostly are, by unnumbered difficulties,) of following out a series of zoological observations; and many, perhaps, have not the inclination. The picture of an

X X

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »