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The word Anecdote is derived from the Greek avendora, ( Anecdota,) which signifies, things not hitherto known, or, hitherto kept secret." The term has also been used by some authors as a common title for secret histories; but this is an extension which can scarcely be justified, since it more properly denotes a relation of detached and interesting particulars.

Procopius gives the title Anecdota, to a book which he published against Justinian, and his wife Theodora; and it is worthy of remark, that he is almost the only writer among the ancients, who has communicated to the world an unvarnished history of princes in their domestic lives. But whether he had any intention to convey, in the title which he gave to his book, an idea of its unrivalled fidelity, must be left to our conjecture. Varillas has also published a work, which he has entitled, "Anecdotes of the House of Medicis."

The term Anecdote, is also an appellation, sometimes given to such works of the Ancients as have not yet been published. In this sense, M. Muratori gives the name Anecdota Græca to several writings of the Greek Fathers, found in the libraries, and first published by him. F. Martene has given a Thesaurus Anecdotarum Novus, in five folio volumes.

But from what source soever the word Anecdote may have been derived, or to what species of writing it may occasionally have been applied, it is a term which, from its frequent recurrence and common application, conveys to the mind an idea which rarely fails to arrest the attention.

There is an indescribable something which seems invariably to accompany

the term. We catch the sound with avidity; and the appearance of the word, as with a kind of magic, arrests the eye that carelessly wanders over the page in which it happens to occur.

The attention being awakened, expectation is excited; and we seem to be hurried, by a kind of anticipation, into the region of incident, where we wait with confidence to be entertained with some definite and interesting ideas. This mental commotion is purely natural.

The mind of man is so constituted, that it is almost insensibly charmed with novelty; and in that species of composition which comes under the denomination of Anecdote, every reader fully expects to find some gratification for this active principle. Dr. Johnson has briefly defined Anecdote to be " a biographical incident." Now although this definition may not fully comprise every idea which custom has taught us to attach to the expression; yet it has the felicity to exhibit its most distinguishing feature, and to find, for its accuracy of outline, a mirror in almost every mind.

Nothing can be justly entitled to the name of Anecdote, that does not convey ideas which are perspicuous, and interesting from their specific appropriation, and which does not deviate from the monotonous dulness of common life. Of this every reader seems to be almost instinctively sensible. The name gives birth to expectation; and he hastens with avidity to devour the delicious morsel. No solitary incident which extends to an immoderate length, can be ranked under this denomination. Anecdote, like epigram, has its limits, beyond the boundaries of which it cannot pass without assuming a new character, and laying claim to another name. The narrowness of the compass in which an anecdote is in general expressed, and the shortness of the time that is required for its perusal, furnish additional reasons why it is seized with eagerness, and perused with pleasure.

We almost invariably expect to find, in anecdote, some singular event or incident with which we had not been previously made acquainted. In these we hope to behold the human character displayed either in some new exhibition of its fortitude, courage, strength, or weakness; or to have some new feature unfolded; some unexpected

event introduced; or to perceive some bright corruscation of genius, wit, or talent, bursting upon us with pleasing splendour; which, whether marking the career of vice or virtue, always derives charms from the freshness of originality.

nor do any other thing, which the common minds of the world may deem unimportant, without first consulting your wise teachers, the orbs above. Your bleeding, your purging, your journeying, your buying, your selling, are all performed under the same unIt sometimes happens, that anec-erring influence; and your appeals to dotes of the most interesting nature are so combined, that they cannot be separated without losing much of that pleasing effect which they derive from combination. But, on such occasions, they rarely fail to furnish the reader, in the result, with an ample recompense for that additional attention which he pays. An incident may also be so connected with a train of circumstances, that it would be unintelligible without a detail of concomitant events. Many of these are so interesting in themselves, that they furnish pleasure, and frequently instruction, as insulated facts, as well as contribute towards that life and vigour which finally concentrate in the principal incident. They refresh the vales through which they pass, as meandering streams; and ultimately contribute, in their confluence, to augment the grandeur of that cataract which they unite to form, when they retire from observation.

On the Comet now visible.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE IMPERIAL
MAGAZINE.

SIR,

them are doubtless made with more than usual care, while yonder awful visitant pours his vial over our hemisphere. It is not needful that I should expose to your thousands of readers, the reasons why I infer that you are a disciple of the renowned Professor Nicolas Culpeper, and his man Sibly, with all their illustrious predecessors in this divine branch of knowledge: let it suffice with them to know, that you are no contemner of this true wisdom, as many are who rank themselves pretty high in the scale of rationals. For this reason, Sir, I anticipate a ready admission for these few lines into your pages.

I rejoice, Sir, that another opportunity has arrived for demonstrating the truth of the derided doctrines of sidereal influence. Yes, Sir, subsequent events will shew the powerful operation of this splendid wanderer; and if it should be, that no pestilence, nor war, nor desolation of any kind, should immediately follow, yet such glorious signs as this may very rationally be referred to the few years just gone by; than which, what period of the world, of the same dimensions, ever teemed with such mighty events? The language, therefore, of our celebrated advocate and upholder, Francis Moore, esquire, physician, may be very properly adopted, to announce, that a few years before, or a few years after, the appearance of a Comet, extraordinary changes and unexpected events may be looked for, more or less."

66

I presume that you are already acquainted with the fact, that another Comet is now staring down through "the blanket of the dark," upon us poor inhabiters of this nether world. I also take it for granted, that you have the different branches of science quite at your finger-ends, and more especially the sublime and important one of Astrology; bearing, as it does, To what cause can the unparalleled a great characteristic resemblance to revolutions which have shaken this yourself, raised to the exalted edito- globe for the last eight-and-twenty rial eminence which you occupy. Like years be attributed, but to the more this celestial science, you are screened frequent appearance than ordinary of from the ken of vulgar eyes,-wrapped those refulgent messengers of fate, in refined obscurity,-pronouncing the another of which now frowns upon us vicissitudes of the world,--and ruling, from the heavens? It is true that of man, the lives and fortunes. Hence some, even enlightened men, affect to I infer, that all your proceedings, from say, that Comets have no influence on the highest to the lowest, are regulated the actions of human beings. Others go by the infallible laws of this dignified still further, and assert, and even atscience. You would not dare to pub-tempt to produce historical proof, that lish a book, nor put on a pair of new the events which have sometimes follow boots, nor purchase a new snuff-box, ed their appearance have been con

These sapient personages

have had the advantage of long observation; and their minds are divested, by the maturity of years, of the aberrations of wild theorists; and they regulate their decisions by the rules of cool and rational investigation. Yes, Sir, it is matter of great exultation to hear, on all sides, such inquiries and observations as these:-"What can be the meaning of this comet?"-"Laws bless us, some mischief is coming on us for all our wickedness."-"When do you think the new war will begin?”— "These wonderful things can't come for nothing, I'm sure," &c. &c.-Now this shews that wisdom has not entirely left us, but that its seeds are deeply sown in thousands of minds; and the shoots will be transplanted into the next generation, unless what is called the light of education blasts them.

cive to the benefit of the world, rather | women.
than to its injury. But these persons
must have either greatly misrepresented
things, or have made a wrong estimate
of the tendency of events; since it
cannot for a moment be admitted, that
these glorious bodies can pass uselessly
through their course; or that the divine
science of Astrology is founded in illu-
sion and deceit. Oh, no! perish all
history! perish all philosophy! perish
all the light of modern science! perish
all reason! before this glory of anti-
quity, this splendour of the intellectual
world, this lifter-up of men to the seat
of the gods, be brought into disesteem!
It is the boast of the present day,
that knowledge prevails more exten-
sively than at any former period of
Britain's existence: but, ah! how is it
to be deplored, that this knowledge is
not profound, not exalted, not pure;
or would there be so great neglect of
that worthiest and most refined part,
the principles of Astrology? such a
disregard of the undeviating doctrines
of presages? How different from the
state of the glorious capital of ancient
Rome; where eclipses, eruptions of
Etna, earthquakes, inundations, per-
spiring statues uttering mysterious
sounds, groaning tombstones, appa-
ritions, monsters, augurs' signs, and
vestals' prophecies, were becomingly
regarded as divine intimations of ap-
proaching evil. And yet it is matter
of consolation, that all the splendour
of this bright system has not yet de-
parted from the Eastern world. The
vast empire of China, and the polished
isles of Japan, still have the discretion
and the wisdom to appeal to the celes-
tial aspects, when entering upon any
important undertaking, or in cases of
great national emergency: but with us,
in our land of literature and science,
all is sceptical, and dark, and unfore-
seeing.

But, Sir, we need not despond; but rather exult at the consideration, that the celestial science, in its direct character, as well as in all its minor ramifications of dreams, and visions, and ominous but unerring prognostics, is not only viewed with complacency, but most warmly cherished and tenaciously maintained by those whom the best teacher, Experience, has made the fittest to decide in matters of such high import. I mean those sage persons, whether feminine or otherwise, vulgarly and contemptuously styled old

If further evidence be wanted to prove the prevalence of belief in the sidereal system, let it be widely known, that more than 100,000 almanacks, constructed by the before-named Francis Moore, esquire, physician, are annually sold in England; and though the unbelieving may contemn the labours of this great seer, here is an overwhelming number of votes in his favour. One may hear some persons sarcastically observe, respecting this sage man, that his almanack for 1819 has not anticipated the present Comet's appearance. But if an error has been committed by the printer, or if the physician, like a judicious author, has left something for the imagination or experience of the reader to supply, surely this will rather raise than depress him in the estimation of the wise and sober. Or if he has, for once, or perhaps twice, failed in his predictions, he has supplied us with some valuable, and, all will acknowledge, correct information, in reference to" Mundane affairs." Refer to the "Vox Stellarum;" and in the invaluable remarks for the month of July, you will find, among other precious intelligence, that "Good news arrives from foreign parts; and trade now does eminently flourish among our British merchants and tradesmen, to the great joy and satisfaction of every good Englishman." And who will dare to deny this?

I have, Sir, a great project secretly in view, for the benefit of my country. and of the world at large: and if the

ruling planets, some mistake was committed; and he was thereby thrown from the northern to the southern hemisphere, that he may be perfected in the celestial system.

ministers of his Majesty's Government | conceive themselves privileged by conferring with me on the subject, I shall most likely bring it into immediate operation. I will tell you thus much, that it is something like a plan for esta- Will it be said, Sir, that the stars blishing a profound astrologer at each have no concern in these matters; Court of Europe, or of the world. when it is known that Timoleon, that These shall statedly compare and com- | noble Greek, won all his famous batbine their celestial observations; and, tles on his own birth-day? and when taking the average horoscope of the it is considered, that Solyman gained nations, direct the proceedings of the the battle of Mohac, and took the forrespective governments in a sure and tress of Belgrade, and the isle of prosperous way. Thus all problema- | Rhodes, and the town of Buda, each tical speculations will be at an end; on the 29th of August? Is there nonational concerns will have the stamp thing in all this? and is there nothing of certainty on them all; and indi- in the sister sciences of geomancy, and vidual ones be conducted by the chiromancy, and onomancy, and other same unerring guide. The trades- branches of the same sublime origin? man will buy and sell by the stel- Declare, ye hosts of men who have exlarian predictions; the stockholder perienced their truth and their utility. will lay up and sell out on the same Is it not known that a comet passed its principles; in short, the whole affairs | perihelion on the 14th of April, 1665, of the kingdoms will be managed by and that the same year the metropolis specific and certain laws, instead of of England was desolated by a trementhe vacillating and hazardous ones at dous plague; and the year following, present pursued. Some difficulties nearly destroyed by fire? Thus realizmight indeed present themselves; but ing the Bard's description,in the execution of what vast design are there not difficulties to overcome? The nation, I trust, will not leave this hint in embryo; but the vox populi will join with the vox stellarum, in urging our rulers to a reformation of their conduct in this respect.

Another scheme of mine is, that all our public men, as generals, historio- | graphers, &c. shall be well instructed in this science. To the latter characters it would be eminently useful; for, | by acquainting themselves with the horoscopes of great personages, they could, without the assistance of public documents, personal intimacies, and such like vague testimonies, ascertain their true histories, and hand down to posterity indisputable records of their times. What a pity it is, that Rapin, Hume, Gibbon, and others, had not cultivated an acquaintance with this high department of knowledge!

I have had some suspicion that our great commander Wellington is a master in this science. On what other principle can it be accounted for, that in every battle he has been victorious, even when he met the "child and champion of jacobinism" at Waterloo? I am much mistaken, too, if Napoleon is not one of our disciples; but, most likely, in calculating the horoscope of Moscow, and the aspects of Wellington's

"A comet burns,

And from his horrid hair shakes pestilence and war."

Is it not miserably true, that the dogstar sheds its baleful influence on the earth? Does not the moon regulate our weather and swell our tides? Do not the sweet influences of Pleiades touch the sons of men? Do not our spirits sink or rise as the firmament pours on us its cheering or its gloomy aspect ? Are not the clouds our masters, and the stars our rulers? Every sound mind joins in the affirmation, and we are all astrologers against our will.

Though this letter has inadvertently
become rather lengthy, yet I hope this
will be excused on account of the great
benefit that will result to your readers,
to our rulers, and to the public at
large; by producing in every mind an
immoveable conviction of the firm
basis on which our system stands ;-a
pyramid, whose base covers the orbit
of Saturn, and lifts its head to the
stars of the seventh magnitude.
I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,
Liverpool, July 13, 1819.

STELLARIO.

ANECDOTE OF MONTECUCULI.

MONTECUCULI, a celebrated Italian general, who was the great competitor

On the 3d of November last, being in Yorkshire, I had the curiosity to visit Kirklees Park*, where the famous Robin Hood was interred. The spot is inclosed by a wall four feet in height,

feet high iron-railing. Several yewtrees grow contiguous; and the following is the inscription on the stone, which I took pains to copy correctly, both as it respects the spelling and capitals.

of the renowned Turenne, one day, while his army was on a march, issued an order that any of his soldiers found walking over the corn, should be put to death. A private, who was ignorant of the mandate, on returning from a neigh-on the top of which is a six or seven bouring village, walked through a path in a corn-field, where he was seen by the general, who directed the Prevot to hang him. The soldier, on discovering his situation, advanced towards Montecuculi, and pleaded his ignorance; but pleaded in vain. "The Prevot," replied the general, do his duty." As all this occurred almost in an instant, the soldier, who had not been disarmed, turned to him, and in a fit of rage, despair, and vengeance, exclaimed,-"I was not guilty before, but now I am;" and immediately discharged his piece at the general. Fortunately, the shot missed him; and Montecuculi pardoned the

offender.

Remarkable Epitaphs.

66

shall

TO THE EDITOR OF THE IMPERIAL
MAGAZINE.

Newcastle-under-Lyne, 7th June, 1819.

SIR,

A few days ago, I copied the following
from the tomb-stone of Mr. Samuel
Johnson, who was interred in a plan-
tation belonging to the Earl of Har-
rington, at Gawsworth, near Maccles-
field, Cheshire.
A. D.

"Under this stone

Rest the remains of Mr Samuel Johnson, Afterwards ennobled with the grand title of LORD FLAME:

Who, after having been in his life distinct from other men

"

By the eccentricities of his genius, Chose to retain the same character after his

death;

And was at his own desire buried here, May 5th, A. D. 1773, aged 82."

Stay, thou whom chance directs, or ease per-
suades,

To seek the quiet of these sylvan shades,
Here, undisturb'd and hid from vulgar eyes,
A wit, musician, poet, player, lies:
A dancing-master too in grace he shone,
And all the arts of op'ra were his own.
In comedy well skill'd, he drew Lord Flame,
Acted the part, and gain'd himself the name.
Averse to strife, how oft he'd gravely say,
These peaceful groves should shade his breath-
less clay.

That when he rose again, laid here alone,
No friend and he should quarrel for a bone:
Thinking that were some old lame gossip nigh,
She possibly might take his leg or thigh."

"Hear underneath dis litl stean
Laz robert earl of Huntingtun
Neer arcir ver az hie sa geud
An pipl kauld im robin heud
Sick utlawz az hi an iz men
Vil england nivr si agen'

Obitt 24. kal. Decembris 1247."

The Park is situated about five miles from Birstall, Had

dersfield road, and is the property of Sir Geo. Armitage, Bt.

MR. EDITOR,

IF you judge the following piece worthy of publication, your insertion of it in your Imperial Magazine, will much oblige your subscriber and reader,

JAMES REDFERN.

An Anchor necessary for safety.
When seas are tranquil and serene,
And skies are cloudless, clear, and bright,
When all around is one vast scene

Of peace, of grandeur, and delight,—
The sailor walks the deck with ease,

Indulging all his little pride,

As on before a gentle breeze

He sees his vessel smoothly glide.
Elated with his present joy,

Her various trappings he surveys;
Her carvings now arrest his eye,

And now her costly gildings blaze :
He views aloft, in tow'ring height,

Her swelling canvass rise and spread,
And contemplates with fond delight
The splendid figure of her head.
But when deep gloom o'erspreads the sky,
And winds and waves discordant jar;
When thunders roar, and lightnings fly,
"And all is elemental war;"
His dream expires, his fear awakes,
His pleasing contemplations die,
Straight to his anchor he betakes,-

On that his hopes of life rely.
Thus man, while passing o'er life's sea,

When all things round assume a smile,
Indulges thoughtless mirth and glee;

Each trifle can his heart beguile :
When fortune fills his crowded sail,

And wealth flows in with ev'ry wind,
Well pleas'd he courts the flatt'ring gale,
As all the bliss for man design'd.
He lifts ambition's shining vane,
Displays the gaudy flag of pride,

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