for holy orders were permitted to act plays, (a custom prevalent among the students in his days) appears to have been inconsistent with his own practice; for, during his temporary dismissal from college, he says, that he found compensation for that absence in the pleasures which the theatre afforded him; and it appears that he himself went to the university with an intention of taking holy orders, though he altered his mind; in doing which he declared," that whoever became a clergyman must subscribe slave, and take an oath withal, which, unless he took with a conscience that could retch, he must straight perjure himself. He thought it better to prefer a blameless silence before the office of speaking, bought and begun with servitude and forswearing." Here Milton refused the subscription to the thirtynine articles, or to canonical obedience, a thing he could not brook in any shape. (To be continued.) ON POLITENESS. BY MADAME THE ABBESS OF F What is politeness? To answer this question accurately is no easy task; the definition of politeness requires considerable thought. How often civility, flattery, and politeness, are considered synonymous. The first is very proper, but it is not so valuable, nor so rarely to be met with as politeness. Flattery is base and grovelling compared with the latter. Every body may learn to become civil, because it consists only in certain little forms subject to language, country, and fashion; but politeness cannot be learned unless the disposition be good; and it is belonging to no particular people or country. It is found among ancients and moderns; it is found combined with peculiar and simple customs. However, flattery is not less natural, nor less independent of time and place, as the passions which produce it have always, and will still continue to be met with in the world. One might reasonably think that those who are born in an elevated state would scorn to be under the influence of so mean a power; but experience proves such a notion to be unfounded in fact. When flattery is put forth under the mask of politeness, it is exceedingly dangerous; but luckily, whenever the disguise is discovered, disgust and contempt spring a up in the breast even of him for whont the mask is worn. Thus we perceive how different it is from true politeness, which always is agreeable and esteemed. Indeed, if we judge of its nature by the terms and actions used, we discover nothing but what is innocent and praiseworthy. To polish a work, in the language of an artisan, means to remove the roughness and to cause it to shine. The same meaning may be applied to the mind, in a motaphorical sense. Do not the phrases, 66 polished discourse," " an elegant expression,"" polite conversation or manners," signify that they are exempt from rudeness, asperity, and bombast? Do they not imply gentleness and modesty; and are they not necessary for the peace and harmony of civilized society? When confined within proper limits, are they not conducive to the happiness of social life? It seems to me that there is a benevolent and gentle impulse implanted in the heart, which causes the mind to discern whatever may be agreeable either in ourselves or others; and it also teaches us, in a delicate manner, to avoid what is painful or pernicious in our communications with society. But let it be understood, that politeness, like taste, depends more upon a natural feeling than an acquired habit. If we were to examine minutely how rudeness injures, and how true politeness embellishes and adorns every thing upon which it reposes, I should spin out this essay to an unwarrantable length; I shall therefore select a few examples of each kind, and briefly observe upon them. What attention is required to dive into good things, when they are enveloped in an uncouth covering! How many men of solid information, how many works of deep erudition, how many learned writings, are disregarded by all but persevering people, who, notwithstanding asperities, or crabbed notions, still press on, to become acquainted with their respective merits? And whence arises this almost universal neglect? Because the agreeable polish is wanting. On the other hand, what will not politeness do? A word, a look, even silence, accompanied by that quality, may become important. Waving all remarks as regards the two former, I beg to ask if silence is not highly beneficial occasionally in society? How frequently has it checked raillery, when unpleasant consequences might be fear ed from its continuance? And how often has it silenced the gabbling tongue of the man who is anxious to display his information? Has not the polite man been compelled to become silent, when the ready keen retort has hung upon his lip? Has not timely silence even stopped compliments when becoming too fulsome? Has it not prevented disputes, and contributed to preserve the peace of society? A polish given to moral discourses diminishes the apparent weight and austerity of the precepts inculcated. It cannot be denied that politeness may become corrupt, and be used as the most dangerous instrument for the worst of purposes. In admitting that it is susceptible of pollution, appears, in my judgment, to acknowledge its nature to be pure and innocent. If so, the question proposed is answered. However, I am not to determine whe-ther it is properly answered or no; notwithstanding I cannot forbear remarking, that politeness is indebted to virtue for its existence; that in being confined to its proper sphere, it would remain virtuous; that if it occasionally be made subservient to vice, it only proves that the best of worldly things may become corrupt by man's abuse of them. Beauty, wit, knowledgein short, every thing of worth, is often employed to a vile purpose, and thus they lose their pristine goodness. Finally, all the abuses which spring from politeness, do not show that it is not a good, neither in its origin nor effects. THE ADVENTURES OF A CAT. Two elderly ladies, who for many years resided in Leeds, had a favourite cat, which was brought up by them from a kitten. One of the ladies dying in September last, the other shortly afterwards shut up her house at Leeds, and came to reside at Cowley, in Ecclesfield. She brought her cat with her in a small hamper, which was placed under the seat of the carriage. The cat remained at her new residence very quietly for nearly two months, when a servant one day beat her for some fault. On this affront she ran away, and in a few days afterwards was seen at Leeds by a neighbour, sitting and watching at the kitchen-door of the house lately occupied by her mistress. There she remained three days without intermission. On the evening of the third day she came into the neighbour's house, who left her in the kitchen all night. There the servant found her the following morning, but on opening the kitchen-door she ran out, and in a few days afterwards returned to her mistress's habitation in a most deplorable state, being almost reduced to a skeleton, and so feeble for several days that she could scarcely take any food. One eye appeared much inflamed, as if from cold, and since then she has utterly lost the sight of it. She is now living, and evinces her attachment to her mistress by sitting daily at her side. The cat was absent about ten days. The distance from Cowley to Leeds, through Barnsley and Wakefield, is twentyeight miles. ST. DOMINGO. A recent traveller in St. Domingo computes the population at 500,000 negroes and about 20,000 mulattoes, exclusive of those formerly governed by Spain. The mulattoes, from their superior knowledge and activity, form a sort of aristocracy, and fill most of the civil offices. They are hated by the negroes, but are too useful to be left unemployed. They are the principal inhabitants of the towns. Their manners are modelled on those of the French. The women transact most of the business; and the name of the husband is frequently omitted in accounts. The Haytian females have the usual failing of fondness for dress: 100 Madras hankerchiefs, 30 or 40 gowns, and other dresses in proportion, not uncommonly belong to a single person. The negroes who reside in towns are chiefly labourers and porters. Their wages are very high; and their independence is such that they will brook no incivility. The bulk of them, however, are cultivators of the soil. "Many of them have coffee plantations, and from the high price which that article has for some time brought in the markets of Europe and America, they have acquired greater riches than they know what to do with. Some of them were pointed out to me who were said to possess many thousand pounds. The men and women were plainly dressed in the manufactures of Europe; the men's dress being comprised of a short blue jacket of woollen cloth, and waistcoat and trowsers of white chintz; the women's consisting of a cotton shift and petticoat, made much after the English fashion, with handkerchiefs here always wears a smiling appear tied round their heads as turbans. For articles of food, however, besides the productions of their own plantations, such as coffee, yams, plantains, with poultry, such as geese, fowls, turkeys, which are reared about their cottages, they had supplied themselves with rice, flour, and dried fish, imported into the sea-port from America, and with wines and spirituous liquors brought from France. "They are generally to be seen clean, with what raiment they have neatly put on. Those country people who frequent the Sunday markets have a healthy clean appearance, and all of them are clothed. Their appearance in general is indicative of happiness and contentment. In general, they can read and write; their reading is chiefly plays and novels." Thus comfortable in their domestic circumstances, they export annually 30,000,000 lbs. of coffee; which at 1s. a pound gives us as high a produce a head as that which, according to Mr. Barham, is got from the slave. Our traveller does not think highly of the courage of the blacks; but he thinks that in consequence of the climate and mountainous country they will not be easily overcome. The independence of Hayti has not yet been acknowledged by any power. The late Pope sent them a Bishop and eleven priests; who were well received, but having excited suspicion by attempting innovations in the government, they were obliged to leave the country. The face of the country is very beautiful. "I used often to dwell with delight upon the many romantic spots to be met with in Caledonia. But what are all these, when compared with the stupendous mountains and beautiful scenery of Hispaniola? It may well be termed the Garden of the Sun,' or Eden of the World.' Excuse me when I say, that our most rugged and romantic spots of Scotland, our loftiest hills, and steepest precipices, are tame, when compared with the scenery of St. Domingo. From the summit of one of the high mountains of that island, the prospect is inexpressibly grand. Nor does Nature appear less magnificent when the traveller, following the track of a river which sweeps along the foot of some of those stupendons steeps, casts his eyes upwards, and contemplates the summit of the lofty cliff, that overhangs him. Nature ance; the chill blast of winter is never felt. A continual summer seems to reign in this climate, and an effulgent sun gives even to the rugged rock a more lively aspect than it presents in our northern latitude. In travelling through some parts of St. Domingo, I found myself shaded by groves of orange trees, giving to the air an agreeable perfume, and the beautiful fruit of which hung over me in the greatest abundance. I confess to you, that in such a novel situation, I almost conceived myself in fairy-land, and had some difficulty to reconcile myself to the reality of the appearance before me."-Glasgow Chronicle. CHARACTER OF THE DUKE OF LORD CHESTERFIELD. Of all men that I ever knew in my life (and I knew him extremely well), the late Duke of Marlborough possessed the graces in the highest degree, not to say engrossed them; and indeed he got the most by them, for I will venture (contrary to the custom of profound historians, who always assign deep causes for great events) to ascribe the better half of the Duke of Marlborough's greatness and riches to those graces. He was eminently illiterate, wrote bad English, and spelled it still worse. He had no share of what is commonly called part; that is, he had no brightness, nothing shining in his genius. He had most undoubtedly an excellent good plain understanding, with sound judgment. But these alone would probably have raised him but something higher than they found him, which was page to King James the Second's Queen. There the graces protected and promoted him; for while he was an Ensign in the Guards, the Duchess of Cleveland, then favourite mistress to King Charles the Second, struck by those very graces, gave him five thousand pounds, with which he immediately bought an annuity for his life of five hundred pounds a year of my grandfather, Halifax, which was the foundation of his subsequent fortune. His figure was beautiful, but his manner was irresistible by either man or woman; it was by this engaging graceful manner, that he was enabled, during all his wars, to connect the various and jarring powers of the grand alliance, and to carry them on to the main object of the war, notwithstanding their private and separate views, jealousies, and wrong-headedness. Whatever Court he went to (and he was often obliged to go himself to some resty and refractory ones), he as constantly prevailed, and brought them into his measures. The pensionary Heinsius, a venerable old minister, grown grey in business, and who had governed the republic of the United Provinces for more than forty years, was absolutely governed by the Duke of Marlborough, as that republic felt many years afterwards. He was always cool, and nobody even observed the least variation in his countenance; he could refuse more gracefully than other people could grant, and those who went away from him the most dissatisfied as to the substance of their business, were yet personally charmed with him, and in some degree comforted by his manner. With all his gentleness and gracefulness, no man living was more conscious of his situation, nor maintained his dignity better. L'ALLEGRO. GOING OFF. A person once visiting the museum of the celebrated gun-smith, Mr. Wallis, at Hull, happened to take hold of a very curious fowling piece, and fixed his attention very particularly upon it.Mr. W. not liking the appearance of the man, requested him to replace the gun where he had found it. The man replied, "The gun is not charged, and therefore there can be no danger of its going off." "True," said Mr. Wallis, "but I had a fowling piece of the same kind stole the other day, so that you see it may go off, though it is not charged!" ALL GONE. During the year 1794, a Theatrical Correspondent wrote to a friend from a great commercial town:-"That things were in a bad way in consequence of the war. The little company who visited our boxes are all gone into the pit; those from the pit are all gone into the gallery; and our gallery friends are all gone-for soldiers!" Some persons talking lately of the taking of Trocadero to the Countess of who is as ignorant as she is noble; "Ah! thank God," she cried, "the wretch is taken! Riego is hanged already, and that is a fine thing! Ah, that miserable Trocadero! the rebel! I hope they will take care that he does not escape." HAYMAN AND THE MARQUIS OF GRANBY. When Hayman was painting the pictures of the British heroes for the Rotunda at Vauxhall, the Marq. of Granby paid him a visit at his house in St. Martin's-lane, and told him he came at the request of his friend Tyers, the proprietor of Vauxhall Gardens, to sit for his portrait. "But, Frank, said the Marquis, "before I sit to you, I insist on having a set-to with you."-Hayman not understanding him, and appearing surprised at the oddity of the declaration, the Marquis exclaimed:-"I have been told you were one of the best boxers of the school of Broughton, and I am not altogether deficient in the pugilistic art; but since I have been in Germany, I have got a little out of practice, therefore I will have a fair trial of strength and skill." Hayman pleaded his age and gout as insuperable obstacles. To the first position the Marquis replied that there was very little difference between them; to the latter, that exercise was a specific remedy; and added, that a few rounds would cause a glow that would give animation to the canvas. At length to it they fell, and after the exertion of much skill and strength on both sides, Hayman put in such a blow on the stomach of the Marquis, that they both fell with a tremendous noise, which brought up the affrighted Mrs. Hayman, who found them rolling over each other on the carpet like two bears. NORRIS, THE ACTOR, AND THE DOCTOR. Norris, the actor, was a man that seemed to derive a great part of his merit from the oddity of his little formal figure, and his singular squeaking tone of voice, and to that degree, that his entrance into a coffee-house, and calling to the waiter for a dish of coffee in the soberest mood, would have raised a smile on the face of the gravest man present. When Farquhar brought out his Constant Couple, Norris was so universally admired in the part of Dickey, that he retained the name of Jubilee Dickey to his death. As he lay bed-ridden for some time, quite worn out with age, his relations would send for a physician, though against his positive order; when the doctor came to his bed-side, he asked the patient the usual questions, to which Norris gave no manner of answer, but being very much pressed by the doctor to speak to him, he at last turned his head, and in his usual comic, squeaking tone of voice, said, "Doctor, pray can you tell how to make an old clock go when all the wheels are worn out?" He died soon after. MODE OF BURYING ATTORNEYS IN LONDON. " A gentleman in the country who had just buried a rich relation, who was an attorney, was complaining to Foote, who happened to be on a visit with him, of the very great expenses of a country funeral, in respect to carriages, hatbands, scarves, &c. Why, do you bury your attorneys here?" asked Foote, gravely. "Yes, to be sure we do: how else?" "Oh! we never do that in London." "No!" said the other, much surprised; "how do you manage?"-" Why, when the patient happens to die, we lay him out in a room over night by himself, lock the door, throw open the sash, and in the morning he is entirely off."- "Indeed!" said the other in amazement; "what becomes of him?"-" Why, that we cannot exactly tell, not being acquainted with supernatural causes. All that we know of the matter is, that there's a strong smell of brimstone in the room the next morning.' THE APOTHECARY OUTWITTED. A gentleman having a rich aunt (to whom he was presumptive heir) very much in the hands of her apothecary; who not only laid her under an annual contribution for medicines she little wanted, but frequently meddled in family affairs; at last took a resolution to retaliate on him in the following manner: -He called upon him one day, seemingly in a violent passion; and after reprobating him for the various impositions practised on his relation, added :-" But this is not the worst of it, Sir; not satisfied with imposing on her credulity in expensive and unavailing medicines, I find you have had influence enough to prevail on her to bequeath you two thousand pounds legacy in her will, to the absolute robbery of me and family." This last piece of news, though pleasing to the apothecary's ear, he most strenuously denied having the least knowledge of. "Well, well," continued the other, "you may go on a little longer, but my father will be in town in about a fortnight's time; and then, as much as you may plume yourself on your hypocrisy, the will shall be entirely altered.” And now," said Foote (who gene rally told this story in the company of some medical man), "what do you think was the consequence?"-" Why, the old joke, that the lady, leaving off medicine, recovered of her maladie imaginaire."– "No such thing, I assure you; the apothecary was too wise to trust so common a case: for, understanding that his patient's brother was coming to town in a fortnight in order to alter the will, which he supposed was in his favour, he took care the sister should die before that time. But alas! when the will came to be opened, there was no legacy for the doctor, so that he had nothing but the murder to console him for his ingenuity." PHYSIOGNONY. Foote being asked whether the infant child of a very weak father did not carry a corresponding likeness, he replied: "I am not so great a physiognomist as to know whether the father is like the child; but this I know, there is a great deal of the child in the father." THE HOUSEWIFE. No. XIII. FOR A COUGH. Mix vinegar and treacle in equal quan tities, and let a tea-spoonful be taken occasionally, when the cough is trouble-, some. Hugh James, of Carlisle. RECIPE FOR MAKING BUTTER Put the milk in a flat earthen dish, let it stand twelve hours, put it over a slow fire until it is scalded, but not to boil; afterwards let it stand twelve hours, take off the cream, and put it in a round earthen dish, and stir it round with a clean wooden spoon, and it will come to butter in five or ten minutes.-N.B. The cream cannot be kept too cool during the time you are stirring it. It is, therefore, the best way to put your dish into some cold water. As soon as the butter is so forward that you can take off a little butter milk, keep putting in cold water and washing the milk out. You may keep your cream after it is scalded three or four days before making your butter-it will not hurt it. Any person who has swallowed a pin or bone of a fish, will find almost instant relief by taking four grains of tartar emetic, dissolved in warm water, and |