missal from the ministry. The errors of the minister, however, had not altogether obliterated in the minds of the people the efforts of the Arguelles of 1812. He was elected member of the Cortes in 1822, and continued faithful to his favourite plans of moderation. In justice, however, to this estimable man, who, it cannot be denied, is sincerely attached to the constitution, we must say that he has since redeemed his character in some degree, by the energetic speeches which he made against the arrogance of the unholy Alliance. After the removal of the seat of government to Cadiz, he co-operated with the most patriotic members of the Cortes; but either his attachment to some of the ministers, or his want of foresight, induced him to join that majority, which gave their assent to the King's departure. On the entrance of the French into Cadiz, Arguelles fled to Gibraltar, and from that place he came over to England. He is now in London. Perhaps he sees his errorsnothing, however, remains for him but to weep over them. Arguelles unites many virtues to a great share of talent. He has a fine expressive countenance, an harmonious voice, and his oratory may be safely pronounced vigorous, eloquent, and correct, ECONOMY OF BEES. Since the publication of the observations of Mr. Huber, on the economy of bees, this beautiful department of natural history has obtained a much greater share of attention. The Rev. Mr. Dunbar has published a paper, detailing some facts connected with the production and elevation of a queen bee, in cases where the little community have been intentionally deprived of that great personage. The Rev. Author states that, "in July the hive (constructed for the purpose of experiment) was full of comb, bees, brood, and honey; the queen very fertile, and at that time laying at the rate of 100 eggs per diem. I opened the hive and took her away. For eighteen hours the working bees continued to labour as if she were still with them; at the end of that time they missed her, and all was instantly agitation and tumult; the bees hurried backwards and forwards over the comb with a loud noise, rushed in crowds to the door, and out of the hive, as if they were swarming; and, in short, exhibiting all the symp toms of bereavement and despair. Next morning, however, they had laid the foundation of five queen cells, having demolished the the three contiguous cells to the one containing a worm which suited their purpose, and by the afternoon four more, all in parts of the comb where before was nothing but eggs and common worms of one or two days old. Two of these royal cells advanced more rapidly in their building than the rest, probably from the larva being more forward; four others advanced more slowly; and three made no progress after the third day. On the seventh day the two first cells were sealed over, and two others nearly so, but all the rest were abandoned, as if the bees were satisfied they should secure at least one queen. On the fourteenth day from the removal of the old queen, a young one emerged from her cell, strong, active, and exactly resembling those produced in the natural way. While observing her motions, I saw her hasten to the other royal cell, which had been closed at the same time with that from which she had come, and attempt to tear it open, in order to destroy its inmate; but the working bees pulled her away with violence, as often as she made the attempt. At every repulse she emitted a shrill cry, while the unhatched queen also sent forth a fainter sound. This accounts for the two different sounds which are usually heard in the evening from a hive about to throw off a second swarm; the shrill sound proceeding from the reigning queen in anger or jealonsy at the presence of the unhatched queen, from whom the hoarse cry proceeds. In the afternoon of the same day the last-mentioned female left her cell. I saw her come forth in majesty, finely and delicately formed, but smaller than the other. She immediately retired within a cluster of bees, and I lost sight of her. Next morning the elder queen was seen chasing the junior rival from one extremity of the hive to the other, and at length the latter was found dead outside the hive. The author confirms the observations of Huber as to the great respect paid to the queen bee: "While her majesty remained a virgin, not the slightest respect was paid her by the bees; not one gave her food; and in crossing towards the honey cells, she had to crawl over the crowd, not an individual getting out of her way; but no sooner did she begin laying eggs, than respect and attention formed the order of the day; the bees, one after another, extended their proboscis with food, and at every step of her progress a circle was formed around her by her dutiful subjects." To the Editor of Saturday Night. SIR,-The following letter will shew, in what manner subjects were accustomed to approach their sovereign, in the days of Queen Bess.-Your's, &c. W. M. B. TO THE MOST NOBLE AND GOOD PRINCESS, Let not your highness, whom I have been over proud to call my good mistress, think me guilty of presumption, in thus humbly offering my opinion to your perusal at the footstool of your royal throne. Albeit I count myself one of the most unworthy of your Majesty's servants, my liege will certainly forgive me, when, to the best of my poor abilities, I give my reasons for so doing. Often, when I have been paying my duty to your highness, have I heard you repeat that noble aphorism, Virtus tutissima cassis. Virtue the best safeguard. Conscious then of my well-meaning, 'I shall trouble my liege with no further apology. Your majesty is not to learn that your poor servant is nearly related to that same Colonel William Owen, who is now condemned to die, for lack of courage, and disobeying orders, in your highness's service; his crime, as I am told, is-"That being appointed a particular station by my Lord General, under pretence that a shower of rain had spoild all his powder, he (without notice) drew off his whole regiment, and thereby suffered the enemy to escape your highness's glorious armament." My good mistress would never have been troubled with my opinion in this affair, but for the importunity of some particular persons, who are greatly his friends, and that continued ever since my arrival in England, in your highness's good ship of war, the Fearnought, which has been long since committed to my charge; they remind me of the particular attention your highness has always given to my poor opinion in several past matters; of the blot it will be to our family, whose loyalty has been hitherto untainted; that he may live many years to do your majesty good service. In such sort are they continually pressing me, and have at length prevailed. Let not my liege princess, however, think that I am listed against the cause of honour; I love myself, my family, and my friends much, but the Almighty keep me from preferring them to my country's good. Whilst he behaved with honour, I think it will be more for the honour of loved him with tenderness; but now should be severed from it, even though our family, that an unworthy branch it should be my father or brother. Where could they think was my honour, if they imagined that I, who am cause of one who has justly forfeited myself a soldier, would plead in the that title by his cowardice? Would it not, at second hand, be craving a pardon for myself on such occasion? let every one who betrays his country, either by cowardice or corruption, be punished with death: the greater the party, the greater the example; and it is rather an honour than a stain to that family, who give up so unworthy a relation without interceding for his pardon. Such, my liege, are my sentiments; excuse my warmth, as it is in my country's cause I plead. That man deserves not the name of Briton, who thinks otherwise. Your highness benign to your poor servant, on account will not, I hope, look with an eye less of his relation's unworthiness; his service shall ever faithfully attend you. That your majesty may live many years to govern the people, who think themselves happy under your wise guidance, is the hearty wish, and constant prayer, of your highness's most faithful subject, and most devoted servant, THOMAS OWEN. N.B. The answer next number. COCKNEYISMS. To the Editor of Saturday Night. MY DEAR SIR,-As I used to address my good old tutor, when I wanted to cut him, you must know, I have a friend whose name begins with one of the letters in the Greek Alphabet, and a comical dog he is; indeed, so comical, that the ladies all declare they don't understand him; and the gentlemen, that they don't know what to make of him. Suppose, Mr. Editor, that for sake of distinction we call him Mr. Gamma, according to the third Ietter of the Greek alphabet. Now my friend Gamma and myself were one day sitting, cheek-by-jole, or-as Mon sieur Paris would have it-tête-à-tête, on either side of the identical fireplace where I am now writing, when, "I tell you what," vociferated my friend Gamma, "A thorough-bred Cockney I look upon to be the most disgusting animal of the creation!" You may guess, Mr. Editor, that we had been arguing the merits of these said thorough-bred inhabitants of Cockaigne, as my friend Gamma designated them, and I was not a little shocked at his declaration. "Hold hold, my dear fellow," said I," not so fast: a word with you before you blacken all the race.' There's the pretty Miss W, and the lovely Miss L!" At the mention of these ladies, my friend Gamma began to soften a little, and turned his anger towards the walking chapmen, and the venders of cat'smeat, &c.; and I must own that there I was some truth in his denunciations against most of this vapouring tribe. "In the first place," said he, "I no sooner open my eyes in the morning, then my ears are assailed with the dulcet notes of some duenna, or wandering Israelite, in the unvaried strain of "Houl cloos! houl cloos! houl cloos!" or should I venture out for a saunter, it is ten to one but I am bespatterd half over with mud by some savage, in the character of a scavenger; and in recompence for which disaster, should you expostulate, you receive a volume of the grossest abuse. "Were I a Turenne," exclaimed my friend Gamma, "I would pickle such wretches in their own filth, till they learnt better manners."-I am, &c. J QUIZ. DAINTY MORSELS; OR, AFTER DINNER CHIT CHAT. a tribe of fops, Got 'tween sleep and wake! Shakspeare. The Dandy was got by Variety out of Affectation, his Dam; Petit-Maitre, or Maccaroni, his Grand-dam; Fribble, his Great-Grand-dam; Bronze, his After the celebrated Marshall Turenue came over to England, he was one day walking along Bond-street, on his way to St. James's, where he was going to pay his court to his Britannic Majesty, in a field-marshal's uniform, when he was saluted with a shower of mud, by a saucy scavenger. Turenne, who was a powerful man, made no hesitation, but taking the fellow by the breech with one hand, and by the neck with the other, he soused him into his mud-cart. Great-Great-Grand-dam; Coxcomb and Fop his earliest ancestors; Impudence his uncle; his three brothers, Trick, Humbug and Fudge; and allied to the extensive families of the Shuffletons. Indeed, this Band-box sort of a creature took so much the lead in the walks of Fashion, that the Buck was totally missing; the Blood vanished; the Tippy was not to be found; the Go was out of date; the Dash was not to be met with; and the Bang-up was without a leader, at fault, and in the back ground. In fact, the Dandy was the only Corinthian that remained triumphant, and his excellence was of such genuine quality, that all imitation was left at an immeasurable distance; but in the valgar æra of 1824, the creature is laid aside, and Englishmen are becoming themselves again. When a Bill was brought into the House of Commons to repeal the Test Act, Swift set his face against it with great violence, both in print and conversation. One day being in earnest converse with a nobleman of an opposite opinion, the latter exclaimed, "Well Jonathan, the dissenters, after all, are our own flesh and blood, then why should we quarrel with them?" "So is a louse, my lord," retorted Swift, "but if you take it into your bosom, 'twill bite you!" THE POET'S CORNER. SONG. BY SHERIDAN. Marked you her eye of heavenly blue? - TO THE SEA BIRD. Pleased I behold thee, rover of the deep, Now rising slow, as slow the billows rise: Nor with a coward's haste to seek the shore: Tempt, while I please, the fortunes of the day, Then spread the wing, and bear, at will, away! True Mary! 'tis a shaded bour, And thou art left alone. But thon canst cheer the gloomy way, So, Mary, when the the feathered quire The robin's tones we scarce desire But when, 'mid winter's bleakest hours, Then to my desolated cot The Robin speeds his way, And shares my hearth, my food, my lot, I. O. W. II. JEUX D'ESPRIT. TO A LADY, ON SEEING HER TAKE HER IT DID NOT GO RIGHT. How could you, Mira, think that watch The measur'd pulse of time could catch, Where time's unknown? for what's placed there THE TWOPENNY BAG. Whereat the gentleman began to stare- "My friends," he cried, "p-x take you for your care."-Pope. "Now isn't it a pity:"--but, for the life of us, when we had read the admonition of "Index," the idea was so apropos, that we couldn't help chanting a stave of "O dear what can the matter be, "Dear, dear, what can the matter be," &c. "Impudent" forsooth! Agad, impudent enough in all conscience, and we "hope this hint will be of service to him." W. M. B. has our thanks, we wish to hear from him often. As to our friend "Tuzzi-Muzzi," being subject to risibility, we can't restrain a smile whenever we see or repeat his nomen, as they say in Latin; but we are much obliged by his communications. "Angels and Ministers of grace defend us"-"Gemini! Gemini! Gemini!" Yes, 'pon honour "Gemini !" "Tis said that "two heads are better than one”but if we are to judge from the morsel before us, Lord help the shoulders that bear such! Giles's Second Letter shall appear next Number, and we hope he will not forget his promised sketch of "A visit to the Italian Opera." Contributions (post paid) to be sent to the Editor, at the Publishers. "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. ALAS! how many to their cost have known In writings where the greatest skill was shewn! These cases often turn'd upon a word By chance, no doubt, Or p'rhaps to furnish reason For litigation at some future season, The anguish, or technical, or else absurd. But the Muse now will offer something better: And tho' a word has sometimes had the weight To rob a rightful heir of his estate, She purposes to show In verses few, Property lost but by a single letter. Nor think the subject quite offending As that on which we go. I lately had a pair of shoes That wanted mending: Fav'rites they were most highly, and respected. And my corn-tender'd feet from barb'rous stones protected. I sent them to a cobbler of renown, (For many such there are in this great town) |