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cloth, spread it again, and draw it along in all places, by | bers the lively birr of the little wheel, and the

turns, till the whole work is finished. This last operation draws away all the remaining foul water. I have seen this likewise done at my lodgings, within a quarter of a mile of Edinburgh.

"When I first saw it, I ordered a mop to be made, and the girls to be shown the use of it; but, as it is said of the Spaniards, there was no persuading them to change their

old method.

"I have seen women by the river-side washing parsnips, turnips, and herbs, in tubs, with their feet; and, since that, upon inquiry, I have been told it is a common thing. "They hardly ever wear shoes, as I said before, but on a Sunday; and then, being unused to them, when they go to church they walk very awkwardly: or, as we say, like

a cat shod with walnut-shells.

"When they go abroad, they wear a blanket over their heads, as the poor women do, something like the pictures you may have seen of some bare-footed order among the Romish priests.

"And the same blanket that serves them for a mantle by day, is made a part of their bedding at night, which is generally spread upon the floor; this, I think, they call a shakedown."

Such was the very worst condition of female servitude viewed by an Englishman. The maid-servants of those times, as least those in rural service, had many little advantages not noticed in this statement, and probably unknown to the author. They were often, indeed till very lately, allowed a certain quantity of flax, and wool, and time for spinning for themselves; and no young woman was conceived worthy of the honours of the married state, who did not largely contribute to the household gear, in blankets, coarse linen, and things of this useful description. Their own home-made coarse linen shifts, checked aprons, striped petticoats, and linseywoolsey gowns, were often, considering the enduring texture of the cloth, in sufficient quantity, when the lass married, to last her half her life-time. We have her picture, as she existed twenty years back, in many of Hogg's tales, and in the sketches of Allan Cunningham.— When she got a house of her own" she entered it fortified by prudence and steady habits of industry. Her guiding household maxim was "A woman's work is never done," and her only variety was in change of occupation. Her favourite wheel, which stood always ready, was her recreation. She spun by snatches, at odd ends of time; and hank on hank was gathered, till the wEB was prepared for the country weaver, and the burn-side bleachgreen; where, early as the lark in a cold clear March morning, she might be seen, and late, as the corn-craik on the shortening evenings of September, at her homely industry, spreading, or watering, or lifting "the bit claith," the in-door glory of her year. Without entering on the question, it may at once be conceded, that prices are much reduced by the employment of machinery. But all is not solid gain that so seems. A stout enduring fabric at 2s. 6d. per ell is, in fact, cheaper than one at 1s 3d. which will not wear half the time, the trouble of twice purchasing, and the double expense of twice making-up, being subtracted from the apparently high first cost. But, laying aside the general question, any one who remem

soothing, drowsy hum of the great wool-wheel, cannot help regretting their gradual disappearance from the cot-house, and the farmer's ingle-neuk. The in-door picture is incomplete without them, especially since nothing has taken their place in the vacant hours of female employment. A very clever woman, speaking of the sexes, said, “ A woman hems a pocket-handkerchief, and so does not go mad." Now the wife and daughters of the hynd, or small farmer, drew in the wheel, and spun, and sung,--and so did not weary, and yawn, and make bad tea, which their husbands and fathers could not afford.

(To be continued.)

CANVASSING-AN OLD-FASHIONED MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.

Hor work canvassing, especially if it fall upon the tail of the Dog-Days. But nothing can conquer the perseverance, good-humour, patience, zeal, and forbearance of a thorough-trained parliamentary candidate, who must be all things to all men, and moreover to all women; must take rebuffs with cheerfulness, and return rudenesses with courtesy. Personal canvassing is new in Scotland, and candidates are not likely to be exposed to the gruff incivilities sometimes offered by honest John Bull. The danger lies on the other side. No Scottish elector, or at least no Scotch elector's wife or daughter, will ever be able to say No to any smiling, welldressed gentleman, with a good orthodox family name, who takes the trouble to solicit in person for such a trifle as a vote. Not that they may exactly approve him, nor even feel the necessity of keeping the promise made. "But who could turn a good-looking, discreet gentleman from the door with a sore heart?" No one seems yet to have imagined, that there can be any thing really wrong in canvassing; or that soliciting a voter, is precisely the same thing in principle as soliciting a juryman or a judge. The practice of canvassing judges was once as openly carried on as the canvassing of voters is now. In one of her letters, Madame Sevigné mentions, as a matter of course, her formal round of solicitation, and of meeting her fair litigious rival in the ante-chamber of the Judge come on the same errand with herself. So late as the celebrated Douglas Cause, it was at least said that solicitation from certain quarters had weight with the Scotch Judges. Now, any attempt made by the parties, even to talk to a judge of a case that is to be decided by him, would be considered an insult; and jurymen are understood to be equally scrupulous. With a voter it still is different ; and indeed the only thing that can be said for canvassing is the perfect openness and unconsciousness of wrong with which it is practised. The ballot, or the progress of public opinion, must, however, soon finish this illegitimate means of obtaining votes. Candidates will come to be judged by their previous public and private character and conduct; and a mode of procedure will be abandoned, which

gives the bustling, and forward such unfair advan- whom he was to marry in Lincolnshire. The weather tage of modest worth and ability.

Cowper, in one of his delightful letters, gives the following humorous account of a candidate going his rounds:—

"As when the sea is uncommonly agitated, the water finds its way into creeks and holes of rocks, which in its calmer state it never reaches, in like manner the effect of these turbulent times is felt even at Orchard-side, where in general we live as undisturbed by the political element, as shrimps or cockles that have been accidentally deposited in some hollow beyond the water mark, by the usual dashing of the waves. We were sitting yesterday after dinner, the two ladies and myself, very composedly, and without the least apprehension of any such intrusion in our snug parlour, one lady knitting, the other netting, and the gentleman winding worsted, when, to our unspeakable surprise a mob appeared before the window; a smart rap was heard at the door, the boys halloo'd, and the maid announced Mr. G Puss was unfortunately let out of her box, so that the candidate, with all his good friends at his heels, was refused admittance at the grand entry, and referred to the back door, as the only possible way of approach. Candidates are creatures not very susceptible of affronts, and would rather I suppose climb in at a window, than be absolutely excluded. In a minute, the yard, the kitchen, and the parlour were filled. Mr. Gadvancing toward me shook me by the hand with a degree of cordiality that was extremely seducing. As soon as he and as many as could find chairs were seated, he began to open the intent of his visit. I told him I had no vote, for which he readily gave me credit. I assured him I had no influence, which he was not equally inclined to believe, and the less, no doubt, because Mr. A addressing himself to me at that moment, informed me that I had a great deal. Supposing that I could not be possessed of such a treasure without knowing it, I ventured to confirm my first assertion, by saying, that if I had any I was utterly at a loss to imagine where it could be, or wherein it consisted. Thus ended the conference. Mr. G squeezed me by the hand again, kissed the ladies, and withdrew. He kissed likewise the maid in the kitchen, and seemed upon the whole a most loving, kissing, kind-hearted gentleman. He is very young, genteel, and handsome. He has a pair of very good eyes in his head, which not being sufficient as it should seem for the many nice and difficult purposes of a senator, he has a third also, which he wore suspended by a riband from his button-hole. The boys halloo'd, the dogs barked, Puss scampered, the hero with his long train of obsequious followers, withdrew. We made ourselves very merry with the adventure, and in a short time settled into our former tranquillity, never probably to be thus in terrupted more. I thought myself however happy in being able to affirm truly that I had not that influence for which he sued; and for which, had I been possessed of it, with my present views of the dispute between the Crown and the Commons, I must have refused him, for he is on the side of the former."

ANDREW MARVEL.

was fine when the wedding party entered the boat; but ing his cane ashore, and crying out, "Ho! for heaven! Mr. Marvel expressed a presentiment of danger by throwA storm came on, and the whole company perished.

The father of the unfortunate bride adopted young Marvel, who in consequence received a better education than his father could have afforded him. After travelling for improvement, he was appointed secretary to the English embassy at Constantinople. On his return it is probable that he found no suitable employment; but he assisted

Milton for a time as Latin secretary to the Protector.

After the Restoration, Marvel was elected one of the members of Parliament for his native town of Hull; and he continued to represent that place till his death, regularly receiving the salary allowed to Parliamentary representatives. Trained in the school of Milton, he was through life the zealous friend of constitutional freedom, and as pure-minded a public man as ever lived. Marvel kept up an uninterrupted correspondence with his constituents, and daily gave them a faithful and minute account of all public transactions before he either ate or slept. His attendance in his place was unremitted; and, though he was no exhibiting orator, the influence which he acquired from his character, principles, and talents, was very great in both Houses. Many interesting anecdotes are told of his simplicity of manners and inflexible integrity. Though constantly in Opposition, he was a favourite with the King, who, with all his faults, had nothing of the bitterness of a partisan in his nature. His Majesty had met Marvel in private society, and found him so agreeable that he thought him worth gaining over. A person, uniting elegant and complacent manners with incorruptible integrity, was probably a variety of the human species unknown to Charles; and it is related, that he one day sent his lord-treasurer, Danby, to prove the honesty of the patriot. After groping his way up several dark staircases to a very mean lodging, situated in a court in the Strand, Danby found his man, who said, in some surprise," He believed his lordship had mistaken his way."" Not if I have found Mr. Marvel," was the courtly reply. "I come from the king, to know what he can do to serve Mr. Marvel." Marvel told the Lord-treasurer that "he had no need of his Majesty's assistance;" and good-humouredly put an end to the conference by calling his servant to testify that he had for the last three days dined off one shoulder of mutton. mutton is quite as admirable in its way as are the turnips of Cincinnatus. The patriotic member for Hull then gave the king's minister a rational and manly explanation of his principles, declined the royal bounty and favour, and borrowed a guinea from a friend for his immediate exigencies. It is stated that a thousand guineas were proffered to him by Danby at this interview; but it ought to be recollected that Charles the Second seldom had a thousand guineas to send a-begging. It is enough that Marvel would have declined the largess had it been tendered. But the Member for Hull was not always thus inflexible: he often accepted a barrel of ale as a present from his grateful constituents. He died in 1678, and the corporation of Hull voted a sum for his funeral expenses. When will there be such another member of the honourable house?

Marvel's

This accomplished man and inflexible patriot was not less valued for his learning and acuteness in controversial

While so much is said about the fortune and status required for a Parliament man, we take leave to revive the memory of one of the best mem-ciples against Bishop Parker, when that venerable aposbers that ever appeared in the Honourable House. Andrew Marvel, the knight-errant of British patriots, was born at Hull in 1620. His father, who was a clergyman in that place, he had the misfortune to lose early in life in a way of which this singular story is told. The old gentleman embarked on the Humber with a young pair,

* His tame hare.

writing, than for the warmth and elegance of his poetry. "He was," says Mr. Campbell," the champion of Milton's living reputation, and the victorious supporter of free printate to bigotry, promulgated, in his ecclesiastical polity, that it is more necessary to set a severe government over men's consciences than over their vices and immoralities.The humour and eloquence of Marvel's prose tracts were admired, and probably imitated by Swift. In playful exuberance of thought he sometimes resembles Burke. For consistency of principles it is not easy to find his parallel!"-Johnstone's Specimens and Biographical Notices of the Poets.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE BRITISH members of Parliament to act for the general good of the

CONSTITUTION.

IN Britain the supreme government, that is the power of making and enforcing laws,-is divided into two branches, the one LEGISLATIVE, consisting of King, Lords, and Commons; the other EXECUTIVE, consisting of the King alone.

For the maintenance and security of the rights of the people, and the preservation and enforcement of the laws, the King is invested with certain Prerogatives; and the Legislature as a collective body, and also in its separate estates, possesses various privileges:—for the Prerogatives of the Crown, and the Privileges of Parliament, are, in substance and effect, The Rights of the People.

In England the Executive or Regal office is hereditary on certain conditions; but the right of inheritance may be changed or limited by act of Parliament. The principal duty of the King is, to govern the people according to the laws: "but although the King is the fountain of Justice, and is intrusted with the whole executive power of the law, yet he hath no power to change or alter the laws which have been received and established in these Kingdoms, and are the birthright of every subject; for it is by those very laws that he is to govern,' The King owns no superior but God and the Laws.

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It is a maxim of the Constitution, that the King in his political capacity can do NO WRONG, because he acts only by officers responsible to the law, called the MINISTRY or CABINET. The King NEVER DIES; that is, the Executive authority never ceases to exist. The King is head of the Church; but he cannot alter the established religion. He is also Generalissimo of all the Forces; but he cannot raise an army without the consent of Parliament, nor can he maintain it without that consent being renewed from year to year. He has the power of coining money; but he cannot alter the standard. He is the sole representative of his people with foreign States, having the power of sending Ambassadors, concluding treaties of alliance, and making peace or war. The King has the power of summoning, proroguing, or dissolving the Parliament; but he is bound to summon a new Parliament at least every seven years. He is also bound to administer justice in the established course in his Courts of Law, not as a free gift but as the right of the people. The King is the fountain of Mercy, he alone can pardon all public offences, either absolutely or conditionally; and of Honour, as the Constitution has intrusted him with the sole power of conferring titles, dignities and honours. He is also intrusted with the immense patronage of the Church, the Army, the Navy, the Excise, and the Colonies. He has the power of erecting and disposing of new offices, and in short, the entire disposal of an enormous public revenue. As first Magistrate of a great and free people he is invested with many other splendid marks of regal dignity and pre-eminence, "all intended by the Constitution to be employed for the good of the People, none to their detriment, nor can any prerogative be legally so employed."+

The LEGISLATIVE authority is vested in a Parliament consisting of the King, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons.

The House of Lords consists of the two Archbishops and twenty-four Bishops, and of all the Peers of the realm who are entitled to a seat either by inheritance, creation, or election. Since the union with Ireland, an Archbishop and three Bishops represent the Irish Church in Parliament.

country. Their principal duties are to check and reform abuses of the Administration-to redress public and private grievances to watch over the public expenditure-to enforce by their power of inquiry and impeachment a pure administration of justice in all departments to assist in framing wise laws-and, finally, to preserve and promote, by every constitutional means, the freedom and prosperity of the great body of the people.

The powers and privileges of this part of the Legislature, are commensurate to its great importance in the government. The Commons hold the sinews of war, for they are the keepers of the public purse; all grants, subsidies, and taxes must originate with them; for it is a constitutional maxim, that taxation and representation go hand in hand, and that the people only have a right to tax themselves. By the power of withholding supplies, they have a strong control over the Executive; and, by the Constitution, they enjoy all the privileges necessary to their dignity and independence, and the unbiassed discharge of their high functions.

Though new laws may be proposed by any member of either House, the consent of all the three constituent parts of the Legislature is necessary to make them binding on the subject; and though any part of the Legislature may, by withholding its consent, prevent the enactment of a law, it requires the agreement of all the three to repeal an existing statute,

"Thus the true excellence of the British Government consists in all its parts forming a mutual check upon each other. The Legislature cannot abridge the Executive power of any rights which it now has by law, without its own consent. The People are a check upon the Nobility; and the Nobility are a check upon the people, by the mutual privilege of rejecting what the other has resolved: while the King is a check upon both; which preserves the Execu tive power from encroachment. And this very Executive power is again checked, and kept within due bounds, by the two Houses, through the privilege they have of inquiring into, impeaching, and punishing the conduct, not indeed of the King, (which would destroy his constitutional independence,) but which is more beneficial to the public, of his evil and pernicious counsellors."§

The same laws that secure to the King his crown and prerogative, secure to the meanest subjects those rights, which are emphatically styled the birthright of Britons. These are principally, the right of personal SECURITY, of personal LIBERTY, and of private PROPERTY. They are asserted, first by the GREAT CHARTER obtained, sword in hand, from King John, and afterwards confirmed in Parliament by Henry III. Next, by a multitude of corroborating statutes; and, after a long interval, by the PETITION OF RIGHT, the HABEAS CORPUS act, and the BILL OF RIGHTS. And lastly, these liberties were again asserted in the same act (the Act of Settlement) that limits the crown to the present royal family. The Great Charter declaratory of these rights, states, "That no freeman shall be taken or imprisoned but by the lawful judgment of his equals, or the law of the land:" and the Petition of Rights, "That no person shall be imprisoned or detained without cause shewn, to which he may answer according to law." What has just passed under our own eyes, I am not yet at liberty to describe.

The Constitution has established certain other auxiliary subordinate rights of the subject, which serve principally as outworks or barriers, to protect and maintain inviolate the three great primary rights of personal security, per

The House of Commons consists at present of six hundred and fifty-eight persons, who are returned by the coun-sonal liberty, and personal property. One of these is, ties, cities, and boroughs, possessing the right of election. Of these, five hundred and thirteen are returned by England, a hundred by Ireland, and forty-five by Scotland. Though delegated by particular places, they are bound as

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that of applying to courts of Justice for redress of injuries. Since the law is in England the supreme Arbiter of every man's life, liberty and property, Courts of justice must at all times be open to the subject, and the law duly admin

istered therein.

As the sole executive power is vested in the King, all

Blackstone.

Courts are derived from the crown; and justice is administered by judges of its appointment. The principal judicatures are,

The COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, which takes cognizance of all civil suits between subject and subject. It is composed of the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas and three other judges. From its judgment appeal may be made to the Court of King's Bench.

The COURT OF KING'S BENCH determines in criminal causes; and also in many merely civil. In it four judges preside; the first of whom is called the Lord Chief Justice of England, in consequence of the jurisdiction of his court over all subordinate tribunals and civil corporations. Appeals from the decisions of the King's Bench are made to the Court of Exchequer Chamber, or to the House of Peers.

inferior Barons.

The COURT OF EXCHEQUER was originally established to manage the revenues of the Crown. It is inferior to the two former Courts in its jurisdiction, though it has the power of determining causes, either according to law or equity. Here preside the Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and three The COURT OF CHANCERY is so called from the Lord Chancellor, who presides there as sole judge. In this Court are two tribunals; the one determining causes by the Common law, the other in Equity, to provide for cases the existing laws do not meet; to moderate, in peculiar circumstances, the rigour of strict law; to defend the unprotected from oppression; and to extend relief in cases of accident, fraud, and breach of trust. To the Lord Chancellor belongs the appointment of all the Justices of the peace; he is the general guardian of infants, idiota, and lunatics; and has also a general superintendence of all public charities. Appeals from his decisions lie to the

House of Peers.

The COURT OF EXCHEQUER CHAMBER has no original jurisdiction, but is only a Court of Appeal to correct the errors of other Courts. In appealed cases, this Court consists of all the judges except those of the court from whence the appeal is made. İnto it also, are sometimes adjourned from the other Courts, such causes as the judges find upon argument, to be of great weight and difficulty. It then consists of all the judges of the King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Court of Exchequer; and sometimes also the Lord Chancellor. The judgments then pronounced are those of the TWELVE JUDGES of England. But even from their decision a writ of error lies to,

The HOUSE of PEERS, which is the supreme Court of Judicature in this United Kingdom. From it there can be no appeal; and to its judgment every subordinate tri

bunal must conform.

These Courts are all held in Westminster; but for the expeditious and due administration of justice, the judges hold Assizes in most county towns twice a-year, and in

every county once a-year.

Such are the principal Courts," where every subject, for injury done to him in goods, person, or estate, by any other subject without exception, may take his remedy in course of law; and have justice and right, for the injury done to him, freely, without fail; fully, without any denial; and, speedily, without any delay."+" And such in substance are the rights of British Subjects; maintained against the encroachments of power by a Free Press, Freedom of Speech, and the Trial by Jury; an institution which is justly venerated as the chief guardian of the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, since it provides, That no man shall answer to the King for any criminal offence, unless upon the preparatory accusation of at least twelve of his fellow-subjects, (called the Grand Jury) and, that the truth of every accusation shall afterwards be confirmed by the unanimous suffrages of twelve of his equals and neighbours, indifferently chosen, and superior to all suspicion.

"To preserve these rights from violation, it is necessary that the constitution of Parliament be supported in its full vigour, and limits certainly known be set to the royal prerogative. And to vindicate them when actually violated

+ Coke.

or attacked, the subjects of England are entitled, in the first place, to the regular administration, and free course of justice in the Courts of Law; next, to the right of petitioning the King, and Parliament for redress of grievances; and lastly, to the right of having and using arms for selfpreservation and defence."+

Such is a brief exposition of the fundamental principles of the British Constitution, as it theoretically exists: it would take a volume to point out the abuses that have crept into it; and the many insidious ways in which its best constituents have been corrupted and warped. J. J. COLUMN FOR YOUTH.

The school of

WHAT MEN HAVE DONE.

schools; and last week William Martin and his little sisgot its summer holydays before our ter came by the steam-boat to Edinburgh, for the first time, breakfast was over, either their aunt or uncle, or some to spend a fortnight with their aunt. Every day after kind friend, took them to see sights, which might amuse and instruct them. They were taken to the University Museum, where they saw what to them seemed an infinity of beautiful birds, shells, and minerals. And where have liked much to have some. were they to be got? for both William and Anne would Their aunt could not tell. "It was men-men who sent, or brought them, from all corners of the earth; who had searched land and sea for them." They visited the Botanic Garden. What a variety of beautiful plants! Where were they brought from? "Men-men," was ever the answer-men had discovered and selected them, in India, Japan, America— throughout the whole world, civilized or barbarous-men had sailed over the widest seas and brought them to Scotland;-men were rearing and tending them; investigating their properties and healing uses." They visited the Advocates' Library one morning-Whence had come all these books?-The aunt's answer was ever the same-Menmen-these wonderful creatures, had written, printed, volumes upon them. On their walks they saw some of bound, arranged them; made the shelves, and placed the the finest of the new churches and chapels, and the New High School. Who had planned these fine edifices? There certainly never was any lady so much at fault in her proper names-for men was still the answer of the kind aunt;

she did not even say gentlemen. "Men," she said, “who had spent years in studying architecture, or the art of chiselled by men-who have made their names famous in building. "You will yet see beautiful statues, exquisitely sculpture, and painting, engraving, mechanical contriv ances, the printing press, the steam-engine, and many more beautiful and useful things than I can even name; and for all of them we are indebted to men-to human genius, A little boy who is capable of reand human industry. flection, will think when he sees the productions of genius, or of industry-of the Fine or the Useful Arts-" Like the makers of these, I am the beginning of a man; they have

got before me, but like them, I may be able to do something, for which I shall be honourably remembered among men-once they were all little boys, the smallest bewalks and plays may be useful to you; you may learn ginnings of men. Thus, William, even your holyday that MEN, to which class you belong, are more wonderful creatures than either ants, or bees, or any other living thing."

THE GIRAFFE THE GAZELLE.

FROM remote antiquity the GIRAFFE has excited wonder and curiosity, and been the subject of many marvellous tales. The form and habits of this remarkable animal are now, however, well ascertained, principally from the ob servations of the enthusiastic and indefatigable naturalist Le Vaillant. Travelling in Great Mamaqua-land, he saw a hut entirely covered with what he knew to be the skin of a cameleopard, as the giraffe is often termed Hebad soon

+ Blackstone.

change of situation. The same philosophers enumerate the pangs of the rich, and expatiate on the vanity of their pleasures. Was there ever so palpable a sophism. The pangs of a rich man are not essential to riches, but to the abuse of them. If he were even more wretched than the poor, he would deserve no compassion, because he is the creator of his own misery, and happiness was in his power. But the sufferings of the indigent are the natural conse

after the satisfaction of seeing a living specimen. One of the guides made this discovery so welcome to Le Vaillant; the animal was standing under a mimosa tree, on the leaves of which it was browsing; by the time he reached the spot on horseback, the animal was trotting away across the plain. After a pursuit of giraffes, continued for days under many difficulties and hardships, his hopes were at last realized. Specimens have since been seen in France; and a female lived for some time, about three years ago, atquences of his state; he feels the weight of his hard lot; Windsor, where it increased in size to thirteen feet from the hoof to the top of the head. After this the animal gradually pined and died.

There is a fine specimen, in excellent preservation, in the museum of the Edinburgh University. The giraffe, though a beautiful and graceful animal, is no favourite with the Bedouin Arabs, who in this case prefer utility to beauty. They say it can neither carry like a horse, give flesh and milk like a goat, nor hair for spinning like a camel. The GAZELLE is the most elegant and beautiful of the antelope tribe. One in the menagerie at Windsor, which died in 1827, was only twenty inches in height, and in length twenty-two. Its skin was beautifully soft and sleek, its body extremely graceful, its head peculiarly light, its ears flexible, its eyes, which have afforded the Arabian poets their finest comparisons for the eyes of beautiful women, most brilliant and glancing, its legs as slender as a reed.

no length of time nor habit, can ever render him insensible to fatigue and hunger. Neither wisdom, nor goodhumour, can annihilate the evils which are inseparable from his situation. What avails it in Epictetus to foresee that his master is going to break his leg? Doth that prevent the evil? On the contrary, his foreknowledge added greatly to his misfortune. If the populace were really as wise as we suppose them stupid, how could they act otherwise than as they do?-Rousseau.

EQUALITY OF CONDITIONS.

It is one of the most important objects of government, to prevent an extreme inequality of fortunes; not by taking away the wealth of the possessors, but in depriving them of the means to accumulate them; not by building hospitals for the poor, but by preventing the citizens from becoming poor. The term equality, does not mean that individuals should all absolutely possess the same degree of The SPRINGBOK, so frequently seen near the Cape of wealth and power; but only that, with respect to the latGood Hope, in the Bushman territory, is another interest- ter, it should never be exercised contrary to good order and ing species of antelope. They are scattered in herds over the laws; and with respect to the former, that no citizen great part of Southern Africa. They receive their name should be rich enough to buy another, and that none from the extraordinary springs or leaps they make. Though should be so poor as to be obliged to sell himself. This looking like other deer when at feed, they will, if pursued, supposes a moderation of possessions and credit on the side bound into the air to the height of eight feet, as if they of the great; and a moderation of desires and covetousness were about to fly. Sometimes when driven from the wilder- on the part of the small. Would you give consistency and ness by long-continued droughts, they pour upon the set- strength to a state, prevent the two extremes as much as tlements in vast herds, and with all the destructive conse--possible; let there be no rich persons, nor beggars. These quences of the locusts, devouring every thing they can find. two conditions, naturally inseparable, are equally destrucWhen the rains fall they immediately retire. Herds of tive to the commonwealth. The one furnishes tyrants, nearly thirty thousand have been seen scattered over one the other the supporters of tyranny. It is by such the vast plain. When taken young, the springbok, like other traffic of public liberty is carried on; the one buying, the species of deer, is easily tamed; and it is often seen, as deer other selling it. This equality, they tell us, is a mere are in America, and even in the Highlands of Scotland, as speculative chimera, which cannot exist in practice. But a pet about farm-houses, and a playmate of the children; though abuses are inevitable, does it thence follow they are living in peace and amity among dogs, goats, and poultry. not to be corrected? It is for the very reason that things The writer of this sketch remembers a tame deer, that always tend to destroy this equality, that the laws should had been brought when newly dropt, from the hills to a be calculated to preserve it.-Rousseau. farm-house near Inverness, which grew up in such perfect familiarity with the house dog, that the latter constituted itself its protector, and not only defended it from all attacks, but would at night-fall go to the neighbouring brushwood to seek out its friend and bring it home. C.1.J.

ELEMENTS OF THOUGHT.

THE PEOPLE.

IT is the populace which compose the bulk of mankind: those which are not in this class are so few in number, that they are hardly worth notice. Man is the same creature in every state; therefore that which is the most numerous ought to be the most respected. To a man capable of reflection, all civil distinctions are nothing. He observes the same passions, the same feelings, in the clown and the man of quality. The principal distinction between them consists in the language they speak; in a little refinement of expression. But if there be any distinction, it is certainly to the disadvantage of the least sincere. The common people appear as they really are, and they are often not amiable. If those in high life were equally undisguised, their appearance would make us shudder with horror. There is, say our philosophers, an equal allotment of happiness and misery to every rank of men; a maxim as dangerous as it is absurd. If all mankind are equally happy, it would be ridiculous to give ourselves any trouble to promote their felicity. Let each remain in his situation. Let the slave endure the lash, the lame his infirmity, and 1st the beggar perich, since they would gain nothing by a

EQUALITY AMONG CITIZENS.

A too great disproportion of wealth among citizens weakens any state. Every person, if possible, ought to enjoy the fruits of his labour, in a full possession of all the necessaries, and many of the conveniences of life. No one can doubt but such equality is most suitable to human nature, and diminishes much less from the happiness of the rich, than it adds to that of the poor. It also augments the power of the state, and makes very extraordinary taxes, or impositions, be paid with more cheerfulness. Where the riches are engrossed by a few, these must [ought to] contribute very largely to supplying public necessities. But when the riches are dispersed among multitudes, the burden feels light on every shoulder; and the taxes make not a sensible difference on any one's mode of living." Add to this, that where the riches are in few hands, these must enjoy all the power, and will readily conspire to lay all the burden on the poor, and oppress them still farther, to the discouragement of all industry.-Hume.

HUNTING, OR WINTER SHOES.-A pound of boiled linseed oil, two ounces of coarse bees wax, two of spirit of turpentine, and one of Burgundy pitch; melt slowly, and rub into the leather before the fire with sponge, again and again giving a fresh layer, till the leather will absorb no more. The shoes or boots are not only impervious to wet, but will wear much longer. N. B.-In America, Indian rubber is now used for clogs, an effectual preventive of moisture.

* Written half a eentury ago.—What follows looks like prophecy,

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