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Review. Fitz of Fitz Ford, a Legend of Devon.

bers. The subject of which it treats is matter; first in its essential and relative properties, and secondly in its various capabilities, gravitating power, and diversities of motion. Under these general characteristics, numerous mechanical principles are arranged, and from their simple and combined operation we are furnished with phenomena highly entertaining, and even astonishing to an intelligent mind. The advantage, however, to be derived from this volume far exceeds any amusement which the perusal may afford. In all its parts it is deeply imbued with genuine information, applying the principles of philosophy to the purposes of trade, machinery, and domestic utensils, in language but little encumbered with the nomenclature of science, and therefore easy to be understood by all. A few quotations will be sufficient to confirm the preceding observations.

"Thickness of a Soap Bubble.--Newton succeeded in determining the thickness of very thin laminæ of transparent substances, by observing the colours which they reflect. A soap bubble is a thin shell of water, and is observed to reflect different colours from different parts of its surface. Immediately before the bubble bursts, a black spot may be observed near the top. At this part the thickness has been proved not to exceed the 2,500,000th of au inch.

"Wings of Insects.-The transparent wings of certain insects are so attenuated in their structure, that 50,000 of them placed over each other would not form a pile a quarter of an inch in height. "Gilding of Embroidery - Extreme Divisibility of Matter.-In the manufacture of embroidery it is necessary to obtain very fine gilt silver threads. To accomplish this, a cylindrical bar of silver, weighing 360 ounces, is covered with about two ounces of gold. This gilt bar is then wire-drawn, as in the first example, until it is reduced to a thread so fine that 3400 feet of it weigh less than an ounce. The wire is then flattened by passing it between rollers under a severe pressure, a process which increases its length, so that about 4000 feet shall weigh one ounce. Hence, one foot will weigh the 4000th part of an ounce. The proportion of the gold to the silver in the original bar was that of 2 to 360, or 1 to 180. Since the same proportion is preserved after the bar has been wire-drawn, it follows that the quantity of gold which covers one foot of the fine wire is the 180th part of the 4000th of an ounce; that is, the 720,000th part of an ounce.

"The quantity of gold which covers one inch of this wire will be twelve times less than that which covers one foot. Hence, this quantity will be the 8,640,000th part of an ounee. If this inch be again divided into 100 equal parts, every part will be distinctly visible without the aid of microscopes. The gold which covers this small but visible portion is the 864,000,000th part of an ounce. But we may proceed even further; this portion of the wire may be viewed by a microscope which magnifies 500 times, so that the 500th part of it will thus become visible. In this manner, therefore, an ounce

of gold may be divided into 432,000,000,000 parts. Each of these parts will possess all the characters and qualities which are found in the largest masses of the metal. It retains its solidity, texture, and colour; it resists the same agents, and enters into combination with the same substances. If the gilt wire be dipped in nitric acid, the silver within the coating will be dissolved, but the hollow tube of gold which surrounded it will still cohere and remain suspended."—p. 11.

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"To remove a Tight Stopper from a Decanter. -It frequently happens that the stopper of a glass bottle or decanter becomes fixed in its place so firmly, that the exertion of force sufficient to withdraw it would endanger the vessel. In this case, if a cloth wetted with hot water be applied to the neck of the bottle, the glass will expand, and the neck will be enlarged, so as to allow the stopper to be easily withdrawn."-p. 21.

REVIEW.-Fitz of Fitz-Ford, a Legend
of Devon. By Mrs. Bray, Author of
"De Foix," "The White Hoods,'
"The Protestant," &c. in three Vols.
12mo. pp. 268-264-299. Smith,
Elder, & Co. London. 1830.
THERE can be no question, that of these
volumes, a considerable portion is fictitious.
It must however be admitted, that in many
respects the foundation is laid in truth, that
much of what may be deemed imaginary,
claims tradition as its parent, and that
there was a period, when what now
appears romantic and marvellous, was
received as indisputable fact. Every
reader knows, that monasteries, priories,
abbeys, and nunneries, were the hot-beds
in which romantic stories were generated,
nurtured, and reared to frightful maturity;
and whenever these gloomy cloisters im-
part their history, we always expect won-
ders, arising from the former inhabitants,
from their mouldering ruins, or from the
visitations of unearthly beings. At the
announcement of a monastic tale, expec-
tation stands on tiptoe, and nothing but
what astounds and amazes can prevent
disappointment.

The introductory pages of the first volume lead us through the venerable ruins of Tavistock Abbey, and as we walk along among its crumbling monuments, and glance at the fading memorials of its former greatness, as they now appear, we gather up the fragments of its origin and ancient history, and thus become prepared for the incidents and events about to be detailed.

Closely connected in history with this once celebrated abbey, and contiguous to Fitzford, on which this legend is founded. it in situation, stand some remnants of This was formerly a baronial mansion, inhabited by a family named Fitz, whose name diffused influence, frequently assoing country. ciated with terror, throughout the surround

"The tale of Fitzford," Mrs. Bray assures us, "is founded in truth."-" By the side of the new road leading from Tavistock to Plymouth, stand the ruins of the gateway of Fitzford, which, excepting an old barn, is all that now remains of the mansion and offices of the family of Fitz. This gateway is spacious, and the label ornaments of its architecture, proclaim it to be a structure

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Review.-Fitz of Fitz-Ford, a Legend of Devon.

of the time of Henry the Seventh. Such portions of the carving as appear through the ivy with which it is amply hung, are well sculptured; and the whole might form an interesting subject

for the pencil of a Harding or a Prout. The ancient mansion of Fitzford, that once 'stood in an open court beyond this gatehouse, was many years since pulled down, and the materials used to erect the present market-house in the town." -p. 10.

Anxious to avoid the imputation of imposing fiction on her readers, in the garb of reality, Mrs. Bray leads us to the source of her information, and, without vouching for the truth of the tradition, gives the following account of the manner in which the MS. of the legend came into her hands.

"It was during a summer evening, when, in company with Mr. BI first visited the

ruined gateway, now the only remaining vestige

of the mansion of the house of Fitzford. As we passed along, my friend related various anecdotes respecting the place; but he more particularly drew my attention to Fitzford, as he told me that tradition had peopled even the solitary gateway, now in ruins, with the restless spirits of the invisible world; that strange forms were said to be there seen and that one of these was of a truly German character; since a Lady Howard, famed in her lifetime for some great offence, was now nightly doomed, as a fearful penance, to follow her hound, that was compelled to run from Fitzford to Oakhampton-Park, between midnight and cockcrowing, and to return with a single blade of grass in its mouth; a punishment from which neither the mistress nor the hound could be released till every blade was consumed. My

friend then told me that there were other and more probable traditions, supported by the evidence of history, connected with this gateway, which in early life had much interested his imagination. My curiosity was strongly excited; and, whilst viewing the only vestige of their once magnificent dwelling, it may be supposed that I listened with deep interest to the few, but remarkable facts he related to me of the family of Fitz. He also told me that, having, at one period of his life, the idea of writing a history of his native town, with some account of its local antiquities, and the delightful scenery of the neighbourhood, he had made some memoranda of the interesting traditions of the place, as well as collected materials of a more historical descrip tion. On our return from Fitzford, he placed the manuscript in my hands."--p. 12:

Furnished with these materials, and assisted by the surrounding scenery of Dartmoor, Mrs. Bray proceeds to erect a fabric which she has contrived to render very interesting.

In its general character Fitz of Fitzford is a tale of horror; and most of its incidents are of a painful description. Among these, as stated in a contemporary review of this work, the principal tradition, though truly awful, but not the less probable on this account, is that of an English judge, who sentenced his daughter to be burnt for the murder of her husband. Perhaps it is not known to all our readers, that this crime is considered in our law books to be one of the deepest atrocity. It is denominated petty treason: as being similar in character, though inferior in supposed degree, to that of high treason for the

458

husband being lord of his house or castle, an attempt upon his life by his only liege subject, his wife, was considered by our learned ancestors, who advocated most stubbornly the rights of man, as savouring strongly of an offence against sovereign authority.

The punishment was as horrible as the crime was deemed atrocious. The culprit was to be suspended by the neck from the top of an upright stake, at the bottom of which a bundle of faggots was lighted up, so as to inflict at once the double agony of strangling and burning. The progress of humanity, without detracting from the apparent horror, has diminished the actual cruelty of the execution, by completing the former part of the sentence before the latter is put in operation. This punishment was inflicted, for the last time in Ireland, within half a century of the present day, on a criminal in Dublin, on the spot in Baggotstreet, where public executions used to be inflicted before the progress of improvement launched the culprit into eternity more scientifically through the agency of the spring-bolt and the drop.

A tale founded on such a heart-rending incident, must possess some claims on our attention. The occurrences selected, are said to have taken place during the reign of Elizabeth, a period of much excitement, and several historical particulars of the most striking event of that period, the captivity of the unfortunate Mary Queen of Scotland, are interwoven into the narrative of domestic transactions.

Much attention is paid to the description of the natural scenery of Devonshire, and to its local customs. Perhaps, indeed, the author may be accused of expatiating too largely on these embellishments. Scenic descriptions, though highly grateful when slightly touched by a master-hand, are apt to weary when the writer endeavours to infuse into the narration all the varied impressions which the first view of those displays of the gorgeous majesty of nature cannot fail to excite in a romantic temperament.

Throughout these volumes the episodes are numerous, and great varieties of character are developed. With some of these, daily observation has made us quite familiar, but many others assume an aspect belonging to distant periods, the influence of which we have never experienced. For habits and manners so foreign, and even repugnant, to our own, great allowances must be made. Of feudal despotism, exercising its power and caprice without any restraining influence, we can scarcely

459

Review.-Glances at Paris-Sketches from Nature.

form an adequate conception. On this account, numerous incidents, which we now suspect to be legendary, may have been of actual occurrence, and the victims of tyranny may have writhed beneath their awful reality.

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which was in loaves, or rather bricks, of three feet long; which, being put under the left arm, a luncheon was whipt off with a knife in the better hand; and vin de Bourgogne, of a light and pleasant flavour, flowed all around. To these viands succeeded a dish of fresh mackerel, followed by some excellent roasted veal, to say the least, done as well as they could serve it up in old England, which is no small praise. Some boiled asparagus came after this, and other vegetables; a sallad of lettuce, and something else, which I forget, dressed with a choice sauce; a course of sweetmeats succeeded, and the whole concluded with well-toasted cheese, and strong ale of a peculiarly agreeable quality. Being a Scotsman, I am not so particular about the affairs of the table as our southern

The machinery introduced by Mrs. Bray works well. The parts harmonize in their individual and common movements, and all conspire to one general end. To such as delight in beholding romance in real life, and enjoy the memorials of departed brethren are wont to be; but I think, on the whole, ages, these volumes will afford much entertainment. But though in its foundation, and in the more prominent materials employed in the superstructure, history and tradition may give countenance to the legend, few will be able to distinguish where truth and fiction meet together, to divide the spoil.

REVIEW. A Glance at London, Brussels,
and Paris. By a Provincial Scotsman.
12mo. pp. 283. Simpkin and Mar-
shall, London. 1829.

THIS work contains a good share of in-
formation on little matters of general
interest and utility. The author is, without
doubt, a man of observation, and he
exhibits considerable tact in catching up
the peculiarities of national character and
manners. He has not, however, at present,
become a citizen of the world, nor learnt
to speak with diffidence and moderation,
while censuring customs and manners
which are repugnant to his own.
have no inclination to advocate the violation
of the Sabbath, which he condemns, yet
we should feel much hesitation in sanc-
tioning the sweeping anathema, which, from
observing Sunday amusements in Paris,
he thus hurls against the French nation.

We

"In surveying, however, for the first time, a population of thirty millions, it is a fearful judg ment that charity herself is driven to form, that only a few, a very few, shall be saved of such a sum from destruction; the awful majority choosing deliberately to perish, and pass their long eternity far from the smiles of the countenance of the Eternal."-p. 73.

Notwithstanding the tone of censure just employed, this volume has much of a local and domestic nature to recommend it, as will be seen by the subsequent extracts.

The author thus describes a French dinner:

"The dinner was served up in detail, admirably cooked, and piping hot every article; which luxury our vicinity to the kitchen did insure. There was soup made from boiled beef and turkey, with toasted bread floating in it; boiled carrots, and other vegetables, were handed round along with it. There followed a dish of bouilli, or boiled meat, tender and good. There was no lack of bread,

no South Briton could have condemned the above bill of fare; especially as it cost, wine and all, only about two shillings sterling a head. Indeed, I have no doubt, that, great as the English are in all departments of culinary art, the French excel even them in what regards that science; from plain roast and boiled, up to the occult quintessences of cookery."- p. 111.

Of Parisian society and exhibitions the author gives the following lively description :

"At this time I began to perceive in how much greater a degree life is devoted to light amusement here than in England; there is therefore a larger demand throughout for trinkets, ornaments, prints, pictures, and dress. The multitude of print-shops, of booths for millinery, and every thing that administers to the vanity of man and woman kind, is unequalled, in this metropolis of gaiety. Much small business is transacted in the open air; and the banks of the Seine are loaded with almost every saleable thing for human accommodation. To go to seek for lions, therefore, is needless in Paris; there is as much to amuse, in the corner of every street, as may satisfy a stranger for many weeks, without aspiring to any more piquant diversion. Drinking in novelty, therefore, in copious draughts, I looked at the passing myriads of strange faces, and sauntered from book-stand to print-stall; from that again to a conjuror who swallowed four swords at once: I then watched a patient fishing-party, or endeavoured to see how the washer-women washed in the covered rafts in the river; which I soon detected was not in collapsing with the hand, but in rubbing the linen with a soapy brush on a flat piece of board. Crossing by the Pont au Change, I deviated towards the centre of Paris; and passed through some streets, if such they might be called, of a description that surpassed all my former ideas. The hideous darkness of eight stories mourned over-head; and there seemed room for two carriages merely to graze each other in passing below. Truly a more continuous gloom I never witnessed. Any scene of horror, of however deep die and terrible extent, might have taken place in this dismal abode."p. 154.

388.

REVIEW.-Sketches from Nature. By John M'Diarmid. 12mo. pp. Simpkin and Marshall. London. 1830. THIS very entertaining volume exhibits the animal and the human character in a variety of novel and attractive lights. It is divided into two parts. The first chiefly contains sketches of natural history, illustrated by an appeal to facts, which cannot be perused, without exciting a considerable degree of interest. The second relates principally to man, the variations in whose nature, modes, and habits, appear in the lives of several

461

Review.-Practical Reading of the Bible.

individuals, who have rendered themselves remarkable by their adventures, exploits, or peculiarities.

These sketches, however, are not exclusively confined either to animals or human beings. They occasionally diverge into the descriptive region, and introduce us to scenery and places, to which either nature or incidental circumstances have imparted a more than common interest. Among these may be noticed, the Mull of Galloway, Langholm and its environs, and the far-famed Gretna Green. Works of art claim also a share of the author's attention, and even sports and pastimes are delineated with his pen.

These subjects taken in the aggregate are thirty-five in number. The style is lively and vigorous, always wearing a pleasing aspect, without being disturbed by any peculiar strokes of humour, or attempts to extort laughter from him who reads. Some of the incidents recorded, are in themselves of the comic character, but when these excite our smiles, it is to the subject, and not to the author, that our risible muscles are indebted for their involuntary relaxation.

For a large class of readers, who will not be instructed unless they can be amused, these sketches are admirably adapted. Mr. Diarmid seems to have noticed, that many who are professedly willing to learn, reluctantly submit to the acquirement of useful knowledge for its own sake, and that unless the book can be set with some attractive bait, the angler's ingenuity will be expended in vain.

We would not, however, be understood to insinuate, that Mr. Diarmid has abandoned the path of sober truth, to furnish out ideal characters either of animals or men. Rather, he has made his selections from the variety which reality affords, and confined his remarks to their rare and more distinguishing features. Hence, multitudes, who aim, in the perusal of his book, at nothing but amusement, will gather from his sketches, some valuable information on subjects of which it would be disgraceful for any one to be wholly ignorant.

In a moral point of view, these sketches will bear the most rigorous scrutiny. We have not found an expression, which the most fastidious need be ashamed to own, or which, in a mixed company, might not with safety be read aloud. To profundity of research and scientific investigations, the author makes no pretensions, nor are his narrations encumbered with long and tedious reflections. Observations of this description are in general blended with the

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incidents, and obviously arise from the occurrences detailed. Many of the anecdotes are original, and well worthy of being preserved. They develop, in the various subjects of the sketches, peculiarities which will cause them to be long remembered from the associations in which they appear. On the whole, it is a volume so admirably constructed, that he who reads for amusement, will insensibly receive instruction, while he who seeks information, cannot fail to be entertained with the means provided for his improvement.

REVIEW.-A Guide to the Practical Reading of the Bible. By William Carpenter. 12mo. pp. 298. Holdsworth, London, 1830.

THIS little volume may be considered as a history of the Bible, in miniature; and no one who examines its contents can doubt, that a vast quantity of very important matter occupies its pages. Wtih the various subjects which it embodies, Mr. Carpenter has been long familiar; and from our acquaintance with his more voluminous publications, we expected here to find compression, as in them we had found detail. Nor have we any occasion to complain of disappointment. Of an extended field we are favoured with a microscopic view; but all its parts are distinctly visible, and their due proportions, and mutual relations to each other, are well preserved.

In its general outline, this volume traces the English Bible through its numerous translations; suggests observations on the reading and study of its parts; and concentrates much argument in favour of its authenticity. To these important topics, the author has applied himself with commendable industry, and both in this, and in his larger work, on nearly the same subjects of investigation, we hail with great pleasure, the result of his inquiries and researches. Of such assistance as lay within his reach, Mr. C. has readily availed himself, but the work is not destitute of originality.

It is, however, of much less consequence in our estimation, to know whether a book be original or compiled, than to be convinced that it contains materials which are intrinsically valuable, from what source soever they may have been derived. This is a point, which, on the present occasion, we have fully ascertained, and being satisfied with its sterling character and beneficial tendency, we feel no hesitation in strongly recommending it to our readers as a valuable publication.

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Review.-1829: A Poem-Writings of Tyndal, &c.

REVIEW.-1829: A Poem. By Edward W. Cox, author of "The Opening of the Sixth Seal." 16mo. Pp. 124.

Maunder. London. 1830.

THE page of this small volume, which first met our sight, was the one containing its dedication to the Duke of Wellington; and such was the nausea occasioned by this incipient glance, that we felt a strong inclination to throw down the book in disgust. What events soever of a political nature characterize the departed year, we are unacquainted with any legislative achievement which renders it "eternally illustrious," unless the accomplishment of a measure that has proved totally abortive in its effects, can confer this hyperbolical distinction on the year eighteen hundred and twenty-nine.

The poem itself is philosophical, ethical, and satirical; and exhibits much accuracy of observation combined with considerable strength of argument and felicity of allusion. The daily increasing claims on our review department will not, however, allow extended space to so small a volume. An extract or two, calculated to convey a just idea of its merits, and a few brief notices of its general character, must suffice.

Alluding to the departed year, the author

says:

"Time, in his giant march, hath traced one more
Deep footprint on Eternity's dark shore.
Touch'd by his hand, 'mid joy, and care, and strife,

How many forms have started into life!
And, 'neath the mighty shadow of his wing,
How many a once-lov'd one is slumbering:
Beings on whom the young year smiled so bright,
Glad eyes, now lock'd in everlasting night,-
Kind hearts, that dream'd not of their early tomb,-

Fair cheeks, now mould'ring in the voiceless

tomb,

Old friends, young love, the blessing and the blest,-
The wise, the good, have sought their place of rest,
Since first, with hope-crown'd brow and promise
fair,

Thou didst come down to dwell with us, old year."

P. 2. While reflecting on the vicissitudes which may take place before the lapse of another year, the writer feelingly and poetically observes :—

"Oh; who will say that he will hear again,
That peal of mingled pleasantness and pain.
There will be sorrow, where is gladness now,-
A line will be upon the smooth fair brow:
The social round will feel, not say, that one,
Perchance the gayest of the gay, is gone.
Before the hearth will be a vacant chair,
And she-the beautiful-where is she-where?
Woe will have written somewhat on the cheek,-
The strong will feel his late light foot more weak,-
The old they will have pass'd away; the young,-
An added shade will on their brows be flung,-
The boy will take the vigour of the man," &c.

p. 22.

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The following instance of harsh transposition occurs.

"At best with ill enough to grieve for rife,"
Here

"Monosyllables affright the soul:"-
'Then all the earth gleams out in the pure vest,"-
The line below exhibits a gross inele-
gance of language.

"E'en as you will,' the chop-fallen husband sighs."

The description of a modern dandy is good, but we have not room for it. The poem, as a whole, abounds with beauties and defects; but the critic must be of a very morbid temperament who will not accept the former as a ransom for the latter. In a second edition we beg to recommend a revision-more especially--of the punctuation.

REVIEW.-Writings of the Rev. William Tindal, pp. 356-Of John_Frith, pp. 76-and the History of Dr. Robert Barnes, pp. 48. 12mo. Nisbet, London. THESE three articles are neatly printed and elegantly bound up in one volume by the Religious Tract Society, to whose exertions the public have of late been much indebted for many valuable publications.

Of Tindal, the writings are well known; but his translation of the Scriptures, and his martyrdom in 1536, will more particularly prevent his name from ever being forgotten. His writings plainly show that he was a man of strong mind, of lively imagination, and of genuine piety. Being universally attached to truth, he promoted the Reformation by all the means in his power. This raised against him a host of enemies amongst the Papal hordes; but nothing could damp his zeal, or shake the resolution of his spirit. His style is vigorous and masculine, partaking only in a small degree of that quaintness and manu

factured antithesis which mark the writers of the age in which he lived.

Of John Frith, the life is both pathetic and interesting. From the hands of his Papal persecutors he might have escaped with impunity, but he nobly disdained to have recourse to expedients which his conscience disapproved. He therefore boldly appeared before the tribunal which pronounced his condemnation as a heretic, and suffered at the stake, in Smithfield, on the 4th of July, 1533. The manner of his death having immortalized his name, has

*Alluding (we suppose) to the custom of ringing given a resurrection to his writings; and

the old year out, and the new year in.-EDIT.

these, his piety, zeal, patience, and undaunted

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