Let the bottle stand by a fire, or in the chimney corner, two days and nights; then decant it off, in small bottles, well corked and sealed, to be kept ready for use; the same quantity of spirits of wine poured on the ingredients, well shaken up, and placed near the fire, or in some other warm situation, about six or eight days and nights, will serve on slight occasions, on being bottled in a similar manner. FINE GINGER CAKES FOR Break three eggs in a basin, beat them well, and add half a pint of cream, which must also be well beaten with them, and the whole put into a saucepan over the fire, to be stirred till it gets warm. Then add a pound of butter, with half a pound of loaf sugar and two ounces and a half of ginger, both powdered; carefully stirring the different ingredients together, over a very moderate fire, just to melt all the batter. This being done, pour it into two pounds of fine wheaten flour, and make it into a good paste. Roll it out, without any flour beneath on the dresser, of whatever thickness may be thought proper. EXCELLENT MEDICINE FOR SHORTNESS OF BREATH. Mix three quarters of an ounce of finely powdered senna, half an ounce of flour of brimstone, and a quarter of an ounce of pounded ginger, in four ounces of clarified honey. Take the bigness of a nutmeg every night and morning, for five days successively; afterwards once a week, for some time; and finally once a fortnight. A CURE FOR THE GRAVEL. Dissolve three drachms of prepared natron (which may be purchased for 3 d.) in a quart of cold soft water, and take half this quantity in the course of the day. Continue this medicine for a few days, and that painful complaint will be dissolved. It may be taken at any hour, but is best after a meal. The greatest martyrs to this disorder have been perfectly relieved by this simple remedy. Before their friends', their offsprings eyes. What could their agony surpass, Sinking, ah, never more to rise! Gracia was walking on the shore; But ah! a tear was all her store, And sadly did the maiden sigh, Than that which pity's eye now When from their hearts will sorrow pass? The bright tear fell where waves were sighing; Fell where a shell was aptly lying, And soon that shell the tear receives, Alas! alas! SATURDAY NIGHT. We ought not, like the spider, to spin a flimsy web wholly from our own magazine; but, like the bee, visit every store, and cull the most useful and the best."-GREGORY. FINGAL'S CAVE, IN THE ISLAND OF STAFFER, SCOTLAND. "THE mind can hardly form an idea more magnificent than Fingal's Cave, supported on each side with ranges of columns, and roofed by the bottoms of those which have been broken off, in order to form it; between the angles of which a yellow stalagmitic matter has exuded, which serves to define the angles precisely, and at the same time to vary the colour with a great deal of elegance; and, to render it still more agreeable, the whole is lighted from without, so that the farthest extremity is very plainly seen from the entrance, and the air within being agitated with the flux and reflux of the tide, is perfectly dry and wholesome." VOL. I. a tempest. Near the middle of the island are two wretched huts, built of basaltic pillars, one serves for the shepherd and his family, who take care of the cattle that feed on the island, the other is used for a barn and cow-house; these are the only inhabitants of the isle. This family resided here summer and winter for several years; but in winter their situation was frequently unpleasant; for during a storm, the waves beat so violently against the island, that the very house was shaken, though situated in the middle of it: indeed, the concussion was so great, that, the pot which hung over the fire partook of it, and was made to vibrate. This so much alarmed the inhabitants of the hut, one stormy winter, that they determined to leave the hut the first favourable opportunity, for they believed that nothing but an evil spirit could have rocked it in so violent a manner. Since that period they have only resided in it in summer. This story of the herd was considered fabulous till St. Fond's tour confirmed it; 'two of his companions had occasion to reside in it two nights, and on their return declared that the sea broke upon the island with such impetuosity, and rushed into the caves with such force, that the hut shook to its foundation, and that they could get no sleep. SKETCHES FROM LIFE. THE DRUNKEN MECHANIC'S SATURDAY NIGHT. On a Saturday-night, after paying my men, strolling along Chandos-street, Covent-Garden, my attention was arrested by the sobs of a poor woman, who was standing under the gateway. Thinking, perhaps, I might alleviate her wants, I inquired into the cause of her trouble, which, at first, she treated rather rudely; but, upon my assuring her it was not idle curiosity, or impertinence that urged the inquiry, she told me that her husband had been drinking during the week-and that her children were at home without food, and with little or no clothing. "And my husband is gone," says she, "into yonder house, to pledge the only article I have left that's worth a shilling." "But why not go home, my good woman?" I replied. "I cannot, Sir; my landlady is now waiting for her last three weeks' rent, and if I do not take her some money, she will turn me and my little ones into the street."-" Come with me," said I, "show me thy home, and I will have an interview with thy worthy hostess." We walked together a short way, then turning to the right-" Here, Sir," said she," is where I live." I pushed the door, which went with a leaden weight-and no sooner was it partly opened, than the landlady appeared. "Well, I am sure!" said she," and with a man, too: No, Sir, no fellow enters my house, I lodges none but married honest people." After waiting a few minutes, I assured her I came to inquire into the truth of the poor woman's story,who stood behind me, saying that if it was true, I would discharge the rent. "If that's the case, Sir," said she, "pray walk in." I entered the parlour, together with the poor woman; the hostess seemed to possess some trait of feeling, but it was rough—yet I liked her none the less for that. She corroborated the poor woman's tale, and to convince me of the wretchedness of the family, begged I would walk up stairs. Having a great dislike to behold such scenes of misery, I hesitated, and was in the act of putting 7s. 6d. the amount of the lodging due, on the table; when thinking, perhaps, I might be imposed upon, I followed her. We ascended the third flight, and while I live I shall never forget the scene that presented itself. I was lost in reflection for some time; at length I asked the poor woman the trade of her husband? "A boot-closer, Sir." "And what are his general earnings?” “When he has a mind to work, he can get 50 s. a week."-" What! and allow you and these little ones to starve-to be without a bed?"-" Yes," exclaimed the hostess, "it's all true, Sir; he does allow them to starve indeed."-"What a villain!" I exclaimed:-"No," replied the poor woman, "he's not a villain, Sir, but he has a great failingthat of drinking-James is not a villain, indeed, Sir."-" Look at thy children, good woman-dost thou think any man worthy of being called a husband who would allow these little creatures to suffer through his own neglect?" "I love them," said she, " as dearly as my life, and I cannot love them without loving their father."-" Bless you!" I exclaimed, "you are worthy of a better fate and a better husband." Here, reader, is another instance of SATURDAY NIGHT. ANCIENT COSTUME OF THE CHARLES THE SECOND. The Monmouth, or military cock of the hat, was much worn in this reign, and continued a considerable time in fashion. The perriwig, which had been long used in France, was introduced into England soon after the Restoration. There is a tradition, that the large black wig which Doctor R. R. bequeathed, among other things, to the Bodleian Library, was worn by Charles the Second. Some men of tender consciences were greatly scandalized at this article of dress, as equally indecent with long hair; and more culpable, because unnatural. Many preachers inveighed against it in their sermons, and cut their hair shorter, to express their abhorrence of the reigning mode. It was observed, that a perriwig procured many persons a respect, and even veneration, which they were strangers to before, and to which they had not the least claim from their personal merit. The judges and physicians, who thoroughly understand the magic of the wig, gave it all the advantage of length as well as size. The extravagant fondness of some men for this unnatural ornament, is scarce credible: there was an instance of a country gentleman, who employed a painter to place perriwigs upon the heads of several of Vandyk's portraits. Mr. Wood informs us, that Nathaniel Vincent, D. D. Chaplain in ordinary to the King, preached before him at Newmarket, in a long perriwig and Holland sleeves, according to the then fashion for gentlemen; and that his Majesty was so offended at it, that he commanded the Duke of Monmouth, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, to see the statutes concerning decency of apparel put in execution; which was done accordingly. The lace neck-cloth became in fashion in this, and continued to be worn in the two following reigns. Open sleeves, pantaloons, and shoulder-knots, were also worn at this period, which was the era of shoebuckles: but ordinary people, and such as affected plainness in their garb, continued, for a long time after, to wear strings in their shoes. The clerical habit, which, before it is grown rusty, is a very decent dress, seems not to have been worn in its present form, before the reign of Charles the Second. The ladies' hair was curled and frizzled with the nicest art, and they frequently set it off with heart-breakers. Sometimes a string of pearls, or an ornament of ribband was worn on the head; and in the latter part of the reign, hoods of various kinds were in fashion. REMARKABLE INSTANCES OF STRENGTH. Zelandar was so tall and strongly limbed, that at the nuptials of the French King, Charles the Fair, he brought into the Festival Hall two tuns of beer, one tun in each hand. A noble Silesian was so strong that he could break the thickest horse-shoe, and hold, at the same time, three men, two under his arms, and one by his teeth; and who while hunting a vast wild boar, taking him by the snout killed him with his sword. Evelyn's Numismata, p. 227. K2 |