323 Peak of Teneriffe. 324 heat or cold. Soon after sun-rise, the | which then blew would permit them to thermometer in the shade was at 51°. judge. They descended the Sugar Loaf in a few minutes, running the whole way, which was found to be the best mode. Among others who have ascended to the summit of the Peak, is M. Mongez. The crater, he informs us, is a true sulphur pit, similar to those in Italy. It is 50 fathoms long, and 40 broad, rising abruptly from east to west. At the edges of the crater, particularly on the under side, are many spiracles, or natural chimneys, from which there exhale aqueous vapours, and sulphureous acids, which are so hot as to make the thermometer rise from 9° to 34° of Reaumur. The inside of the crater is covered with yellow, red, or white argillaceous earth, and blocks of lava, partly decomposed. Under these blocks are found superb crystals of sulphur; these are rightsided rhomboidal crystals, sometimes an inch in length, and he supposes they are the finest crystals of volcanic sulphur that have ever been found. Liquors appeared to them to have lost nothing of their smell or strength at that height; a circumstance which contradicts all the tales that have hitherto been related on that head. Volatile alkali, ether, spirit of wine, retained all their strength; the smoking spirit, of Boyle, was the only one that seemed to have lost any sensible portion of its energy. Its evaporation, however, was not the less quick. In 30 seconds, a quantity which he poured into a cup was entirely volatilized, and nothing remained but the sulphur which tinged the rims and the bottom. When he poured the vitriolic acid on that liquor, there happened a violent detonation, and the vapours that arose had a very sensible degree of heat. tried to form volatile alkali by decomposing sal ammoniac with the fixed alkali, but the production was slow and hardly sensible; while, at the level of the sea, this process, made with the same substances in the same proportions, succeeded very readily, and in abundance. He The water that exhales from the spiracles is pure, and not in the least acid, as he was convinced by several Being curious to investigate the naexperiments. He supposes the elevature of the vapours that exhale from tion of the Peak to be 1900 toises above the crater, and to know whether they the level of the sea. He made several contained inflammable air, fixed air, chemical experiments upon its top; and marine acid, he made the following but he merely gives an account of the experiments. He composed on the edge effects. The volatilization and cooling of one of the spiracles a nitrous soluof liquors, were there very considerable. tion of silver in a cup. It remained Half a minute was sufficient for a dissi- more than an hour in the midst of the pation of a pretty strong dose of ether. vapours, which were continually exhalThe action of acids on metals, earths, ing, but without any sensible alteraand alkalies, was slow, and the bubbles tion; which sufficiently shewed that no which escaped during the effervescence vapours of marine acid exhale from the were much larger than ordinary. The crater. He then poured into it some production of vitriols was attended drops of marine acid, when a precipiwith very singular phenomena. That tation of luna cornea immediately enof iron assumed all at once a very sued; but instead of being white, as beautiful violet colour, and that of that precipitation generally is, it was copper was suddenly precipitated of a of a fine dark violet colour, which very bright blue colour. He examined quickly became grey, and it assumed the moisture of the air by means of the the form of small scaly crystals. These hygrometer of pure alkali, and of the were very distinct when looked at with vitriolic acid; and he thence concluded, a glass, and they were even visible to as well as from the direction of the the naked eye. He thought himself aqueous vapours, that the air was justifiable in attributing this alteration very dry, for at the end of three hours of colour to the vapours of inflammable the vitriolic acid had suffered hardly air, according to some experiments any change, either in colour or weight; that he had made on the precipitation the fixed alkali remained dry, except of luna cornea in such air. Lime water near the edges of the vessel that con- exposed for three hours on the margin tained it, where it was a little moist; of the crater, and in the neighbourand Saussure's hygrometer pointed to hood of a spiracle, was not covered 64°, as nearly as the impetuous wind with any calcareous pellicle, nor even 325 Ancient Indictments.-Poor in China. 326 The remaining tribes of paupers are such as are diseased. These may be divided into two large classes, viz. the clean, and the unclean. The first class comprehends: 1st, the blind; 2, the lame; 3d, the deaf and dumb. The unclean class consists of lepers. hardly with any filmy appearance; the cause of pauperism, it seems to which proved, in his opinion, not only be the practice for the able part of that no vapours of fixed air exhale the family to support their poor or from the crater, but that the atmosphe- reduced relatives. ric air which rests upon it, contains very little of that air; and that the inflammable vapours and sulphureous acid, alone, were sensible and considerable. The electricity of the atmosphere was pretty considerable; for Saussure's electrometer, when held in the hand at the height of above five feet, indicated 3; while on the ground it pointed only at 10. The electricity was posiSir, your's, &c. tive. ANCIENT INDICTMENTS. D. P. Edinburgh, 3d Jan. 1821. MR. EDITOR. SIR,-In perusing a Work which fell into my hands a few days since, I met with the following Memorandum of a remarkable Indictment. The writer begins his minutes thus:-"MEMORANDUM, That one the 19 daye of February 1661 was the first tyme that I was uppone the Jury for life and death at the old Bayley, and then there were these persons following tryde, and for what crime." After making minutes of nine persons who were tried that day, and of seventeen the next day, being the 20th Feb. 1661, is the following: "Kathrine Roberts is endited for selleing of a Child to the Spirits for 25s. 6d. but after much heareing of the witnesses it could not be clearly proved, and so she was found nott guilty." I must acknowledge I cannot comprehend the nature of the charge in this Indictment. I will be obliged to any of your readers for their opinion apon it. The next minute is Mary Grante is endited for beating of her husband, but nothing is made of this, the law says that the husband cannot endite the wife for a battery." Yours, &c. D. F. POOR IN CHINA.-BY AN OBSERVER. IN China, sudden and unforeseen calamities, such as a river breaking its embankment, fire destroying a village, and the like, often reduce a whole kindred to a state of extreme poverty, and oblige them to beg, for which they have a public license. In all other cases, where disease is not The number of blind poor in China is astonishingly great. I have not been able to obtain any thing even like an approximation of the exact proportion to that of the whole population. The best informed appear not to know, or perhaps they are unwilling to tell; for they generally say, that they came from another part of the country, &c. Some of them learn to perform on musical instruments, and to recite tales, for which they receive payment, and therefore may be considered as subsisting by their industry; but a great proportion of them go about as common beggars, frequently in companies of ten or twelve, in which case they are attended by a guide; more generally two or three go together, and guide themselves along by means of long sticks, by which they seem to feel the way. The blind and lame sit in the streets and highways, and implore the charity of the compassionate. Leprosy is a dreadful calamity in China. It dooms the wretched sufferer, even should he recover, to remain, for ever after, an outcast from his relatives. This class is exceedingly numerous, and crowd the streets and highways. They are seen in considerable numbers near the residence of Europeans at Canton. A cold winter night is usually destructive to many of these miserable beings. They might easily be restored to health; yet in the superstitious notion of the Chinese, the restoration of such to health, does not restore them to any of the comforts of social intercourse, not even to work. In Canton, and other large towns, establishments exist for supplying the destitute, aged, blind, lame, &c. with maintenance. But no division similar to our parishes exists in China; nor indeed any other, unless for police regulations, and these have not connected with them any establishment for the support of the poor. Their places of religious worship are made, occasionally, merely the place | 328 ... branch of industry is left to the Chinese, even to the management of the household affairs of paupers. From this view of the Christian inhabitants of Macao, a people without manufactures, arts, or industry, it will be expected that pauperism of a peculiar description must result; accordingly, we have the incongruous phenomenon-beggars without humility, and even appearing proud in silks and lace, sword and cocked hat, asking charity for the love of God, and telling you, God will pay! This may appear a singular fact in the grand problem of charity. It may require explanation. The early missionaries were well provided with the means of meliorating the condition of the neophytes; and the encouraging circumstances attending their first suc from which alms are distributed, and, we have reason to suppose, more from ostentation than true charitable motives. The mandarins of the district sometimes also distribute from their temples, the allowance to the destitute, aged, blind, &c. but no charitable fund seems ever to have been connected with any of their temples, considered as a religious establishment; yet it appears to be a sentiment pretty generally diffused, that charitable deeds are pleasing to Heaven, and that they may deprecate impending wrath. Accordingly, on certain days charitable donations are made, of money, but more frequently of rice. In a country where the necessaries of life are commonly very cheap, and where a little rice, a little pork or fish, and vegetables, enable the poor to make even a comfortable meal, it will be readily un-cess, procured for them ample means derstood that the condition of the poor is far from bad. Even the leper seems, from the nature of his infirmity, to obtain supplies of food with facility, and he appears to bow to his hard fate with a degree of resignation.-These remarks apply perhaps generally to the southern or warmer provinces of China. In the northern division, where rice is not cultivated, and where the winters are severe, the poor suffer much greater hardships. In proof of this, it may be stated, that the northern beggars often find their way even to Macao. The Chinese pagan population of Macao, is commonly calculated to be from 35 to 40,000. The Christian population, comprehending the Portuguese; the Chinese in the dress of Portuguese; mixture of these in every degree with the original settlers from Europe, India, Africa, and the neighbouring Philippine and Malay Islands-is under 5000. From Timor and the Portuguese settlements in Africa, about 100 slaves arrive annually: from these various sources during 250 years, the present mixed race of Macao has sprung. They have divided themselves into two classes: 1st, those of foreign descent; 2d, the Chinese descendants. The first preserve all the pride and consequence of the first settlers. Most real worth will be found amongst the second class. Each class contains a very few respectable merchants and ship-owners. Excepting such employments as are absolutely necessary for the outfit and management of their ships, every other of building stately churches, and connecting with them ample charitable funds. From these, supplies would be readily obtained; and perhaps the missionaries, not contemplating the possible failure of these funds, were careless in inculcating habits of industry. This is the more probable, as the number of saints' days, on which it is not lawful to do any kind of work without special permission, are so many as greatly to impede every kind of labour; and I have been informed that there is scarcely a day throughout the year, on which they may not have a religious excuse for neglecting their worldly concerns. On the other hand, the Chinese have very few religious hinderances; a few days of festivity about the new year, and of attendance on the tombs of their ancestors, being nearly their only interruptions to labour. Thus, were the Christians ever so industriously inclined, they could not enter into any successful competition with the Chinese pagans. Hence, they seem from the first to have been discouraged from making any effort. They learn to do nothing. The funds for the support of the poor are dilapidated very considerably of late, from causes which it would be painful to state. Were it not that a quantity of rice necessary to supply the absolute wants of nature, is in general easily procured, many must starve; as it is, perhaps no part of the world contains a species of pauperism so greatly and so deservedly wretched; since it arises from the 329 Importance of Revelation.-Literary Contrasts. extinction of that principle of shame which is perhaps the best preventive of idleness, the parent of poverty. The Importance of Revelation. MR. EDITOR, SIR,-When lately looking into an old book, entitled "The Fulfilling of Scripture," written by that excellent and discerning man, Mr. Fleming; I compared many of his sentiments with events which have lately come to pass amongst us; and was much edihed thereby. He observes, "We may often see a very strange concurrence of things, how instruments act in bringing about the Lord's end, and advance the interests of the church; even while each doth most vigorously drive his own design. We have seen the enemies of the church raised to a strange height, all advantages favouring them, until their plot was just ripe; when, lo! at that very instant, something unexpected hath fallen out, which turned their former success to their own ruin and disappointment. We have seen most despicable and ordinary things made subservient to some great piece of the Lord's work. Judgment must begin at the house of God: yet the church's trouble is a forerunner of vengeance on her adversaries; and the cup prepared for them is of a strong composition; the wine is red and mixed, and the dregs very thick. A dreadful winter-storm on the world is pointed out as a spring-time to the church. The godly may mistake and tremble at their mercy, even when it is before their eyes. It is our great concern to fear Him, who guides all these things; and not to faint at the strange appearance of the time, or the signs thereof; but to read our personal duties, from the sad presages of public judgments; to aim at more nearness to God; and to secure a retreat under his shadow, until the indignation pass over. (Isai. xxvi. 20.) "The rage and enmity against the bible and its contents, which have lately been revived, is another proof of the truth contained therein. There is in the natural man, a something (call it what you please) which is enmity against God. But the truth will be more and more discussed, and thereby confirmed: true religion prospers by opposition. The bible will be studied No. 26.-VOL. III. 330 more closely than ever, by persons who, perhaps, before had not sufficiently done so, though they had it in their house, and had no doubts about its divine origin. It is not enough to be convinced of its authenticity; and to read a portion of it occasionally: it must be examined minutely, and the different parts compared with each other: (the marginal references will be very useful in this respect, even without a comment.) Nor is it sufficient to be satisfied in this point, in theory; there must be a personal application. When the reader is convinced that there is a universal disease in the human race; let him then inquire, Is there a remedy? and how is that remedy to be applied, in order to a cure? This book will clearly point out all this, if candidly examined." The late Sir William Jones, and the noble Bereans of old, would examine for themselves; and not assent to things merely from hearsay reports. Let the disciples of Voltaire, Volney, Gibbon, and other gentry of the corps, together with the light infantry of Thomas Paine, be informed, (and I insist upon it,) that all the light or knowledge they possess, is derived to them, directly or indirectly, through the medium of that book which they presume to vilify. And had it not been for it, they would have been as dark and ignorant as the savage hordes in New South Wales, or Labrador. There have been little nibblers in every age; but they have always found the file too hard for their teeth. The fact is, some of our modern anarchists would revive the reign of Robespierre again: they would not only destroy the gospel, but trample the laws too under their feet. However, there will always be found in Britain, twelve honest jurors, and an impartial judge, who will decide in cases of this kind. God will defend his own truth: and though he may suffer his opponents to proceed for a time; he will at length arise, and crush them with a mighty hand. I am, Sir, your's, &c. PERSPICAX 331 Literary Contrasts.—Anecdotes.—Adages. teen shillings, and ninepence, for every hundred lines of his poetry. In October 1812, the copy-right of Cowper's Poems was put to sale among the members of the trade, in thirtytwo shares. Twenty of these shares were sold at £212 a share, including printed copies in quires to the amount of £82, which each purchaser was to take at a stipulated price, and twelve shares were retained in the hands of the proprietor. This work, consisting of two octavo volumes, was satisfactorily proved at the sale to nett £834 per annum. It had only two years of copy-right, and yet this same copyright, with the printed copies, produced, estimating the twelve shares which were retained, at the same price as those which were sold, the sum of £6764. Expense of the last edition of Shakspeare's Works, in 21 volumes: The edition consisted of 1250 copies, making 21 volumes in octavo, and each copy was published in boards for eleven guineas: Paper, 1614 reams 7 quires, £3345 8 0 £2. 10. £2. 14. £340. Printing 511 sheets, at £1379. 14. Mr. Reed, £300.Editors, Engraving a head, 1719 14 0 400 0 0 15 0 0 Rep. plates, paper, and printing, 27 17 11 Four sets of the late edition, Advertisements, &c. &c. } 6 11 89 10 62 0 1 832 "I am glad of it, my Lord Duke; second thoughts are best." But this desirable event never took place. ADAGES, SAID TO HAVE BEEN USED Cunning and deception help through one half of life, and deception and cunning through the other. He who suddenly alters his conduct towards you, has either cheated you, or is willing to cheat you. Never trust him whom thou hast once injured. If thou wilt not be deceived by an enemy, never trust a friend. Govern by fear. When thou canst not revenge thyself, be silent, and dissemble. The multitude is like a madman, it must be kept within the length of its chain. Who has courage, seldom lacks success; but all who succeed, have not courage. Fortune has singled out many who know it not. Subjects are like iron, which, unworked, falls to rust. A prince easily forgets the greatest service, but never the slightest injury. He who through force of arms has raised himself to be ruler, must never lay them by. It is sometimes prudent not to resent an injury, but one ought never to forget it. He that lightens the burdens of an enslaved people, betrays his folly. Fortunate is that man who has many friends; but more fortunate he that £5683 4 6 does not want them. ANECDOTE OF FOOTE AND HOWARD. CHARLES Howard, Esq. of Greystock, in Cumberland, published a book, of which the title was "Thoughts, Essays, and Maxims, chiefly religious and political;" and there was no object for which the author was more anxious than that the book should arrive at the honour of a second edition. Mr. Howard, in common with the wits of his time,frequented the Chapter Coffeehouse, and so long as nine years after the publication of his book, when he was Duke of Norfolk, he said one day to Foote in the coffee-room, "Foote, my Thoughts are going to a second edition." To which Foote answered, Injuries must be done at once; benefits conferred by degrees. Love begins at home. AN ANECDOTE. As a Scotch Bagpiper was traversing the mountains of Ulster, he was one evening encountered by a half-starved Irish wolf. In this distress, the poor fellow could think of nothing better than to open his wallet, and try the effects of his hospitality. He did so, and the wolf swallowed every thing that was thrown to him with the greatest voracity. The stock of provisions was soon exhausted, and the piper's only resource was to try the virtue of his bagpipe; which the wolf no sooner |