REMARKABLE CUSTOMS.-There were

formerly two customs, fostering and gossipping, peculiar to Ireland, and not known in any other nation, the remains of which are not quite abolished. The rich men sold or exchanged their children, and the poorer sort bought. them. Fostering was considered a stronger alliance than blood, and was the cause of many strong combinations and factions. The English lords and freeholders banished their own followers by intolerable oppression; and by, means of these customs they became, in one country, like the Irish, in their language, their dress, their manner of fighting, and all the customs of life.. As for oppression, extortion, and other trespasses, the weaker had never any remedy against the stronger; therefore no man could enjoy his life, his wife, his lands or goods, in safety, if a greater man had an inclination to them.

Pocock, on the authority of some Arabian Historians, relates a singular usage, which prevailed amongst some tribes of Arabs, of tying a camel over the grave of the deceased, where it was left to perish without food, lest its master should suffer the disgrace of travelling on foot in the other world.

CRIME.-Villains are usually the worst casuists, and rush into greater crimes to avoid less. Henry VIII. committed murder, to avoid the imputation of adultery: and in our times, those who commit the latter crime, attempt to wash off the stain of seducing the wife, by signifying their readiness to shoot the husband.

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RAISING RENT.-A farmer in the neighbourhood of Doncaster, was thus accosted by his landlord, John, I am going to raise your rent." John replied, "Sir I am very much obliged to you, for I cannot raise it myself."

When Roman citizens accused of any crime were summoned to appear before the Judges, both they and their relations appeared in old and soiled robes, in order to excite compassion. It was also customary for all persons to dress thus in times of public calamity.

The custom of giving thanks at meals prevailed amongst heathen nations, by offering to their Gods, a part of what they were about to eat or drink.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. We must once more remind our Correspondents, that no letters can be received, unless post-paid; and that all communications intended for The Mirror must be addressed to the Editor, and not to Mr. Limbird, who would be subjected to a very heavy tax, if he did not refuse all the unpaid letters, and consign them to the Dead Letter Office, in Lombard Street.

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VAN ESS'S LIFE OF BONAPARTE.

This day is published, in 12mo. price Sixpence, to be completed in 124 Numbers, embellished 'with upwards of 100 Portraits of French Generals, &c. No. 1, of

THE LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE; containing every authentic has been formed; with a concise history of the particular by which his extraordinary character events that have occasioned his unparalleled elevation and Death, and a philosophical Review of his manner and Policy as a statesman, a soldier, and a sovereign, including memoirs and original anecdotes of the Imperial Family, and the most celebrated characters that have appeared in France during the Revolution. The whole forming a most comprehensive History of of his campaigns. that important event, with an authentic relation

BY WILLIAM LODEWYK VAN Ess.

An edition may be had printed in Octavo, with Proof Portraits, price One Shilling each number. This work comprises the whole of the occurrences that led to the SPANISH REVOLUTION, and the adoption of that CONSTITUTION which has drawn down upon

Spain the wrath of the HOLY ALLIANCE. Sold by W. DAY, 17, Goswell Street, and may be had of all Booksellers and Newsmen throughout the kingdom.

Published by J. LIMBIRD, 355, Strand, (East end of Exeter 'Change); and sold by all Newsmen and Booksellers.---Printed by

DOLBY, 299, Strand.

Our engraving this week presents a singular instance of the application of mechanical power-in fact, one of its proudest triumphs-the construction of a machine adapted to the transport of goods, without the necessity of animal labour. This is a carriage (for which Julius Griffith, Esq. of BromptonCrescent, has obtained a patent) to be propelled by steam upon common roads. The carriage, which has been constructed under the eye of Mr. Griffith, assisted by Mr. F. Bramah, at Pimlico, is twenty-seven feet in length, including seven feet for the fire, boiler, cylinders, and the mechanism connected with the driving-wheels.

Instead of an axle-tree passing through both the front or both the hind wheels, as is usual in other carriages, the axis merely passes through the nave of each wheel sufficiently to support on each side uprights, which strengthen and connect the frame of the waggon. From the hind part of this frame, or bed, proceed two perches, inclining inwards until they meet: and, being joined a few feet before they reach the front wheels, they VOL. I.

form the bed of a revolving perch; this revolving perch is connected with the bed of the fore part of the carriage, or front wheels, and by its rotatory motion, when either of the wheels is more elevated or depressed than the other, preserves the horizontal position of the carriage.

The direction of the carriage is effected by the action of a bevel pinion connected with a spindle, which is governed by the coachman; this pinion acts on a wheel, whose movements compel those of certain iron braces fixed to the exterior of the front wheels, which turn upon the same spot where they touch the ground; so much power is gained by this pinion, that little force is required from the coachman to produce the necessary direction.

In addition to every other kind of security that the most profound reflection has enabled Mr. Griffith to adopt, there are two safety-valves calculated at fifty pounds upon a square inch, whilst every part of the steam apparatus has been proved at the rate of 200 pounds upon a square inch.

R

From these safety-valves, as well as from the cylinders, the steam is conducted into two condensers, formed of flat copper tubes; that part of the steam which is condensed, falling to the bottom of the condenser, is conveyed to the reservoir of water for further use, whilst the uncondensed steam is conducted through the chimney, and here extinguishes such sparks as may occasionally find their way from the charcoal, combined with coke, of which the fire is made.

The fire, placed under the boiler, is surrounded by iron plates, and so far removed from the part of the carriage destined for goods, that no possible danger can be apprehended.

The weight of the carriage (which is in form of a caravan), and the whole apparatus, may be calculated at 1 ton it is destined to carry three tons of merchandize, making a total of four tons and a half upon wheels conformable to the regulations established by law, and subject to the usual restrictions.

Actuated by a disposition to promote the public welfare, it is Mr. Griffith's intention to reduce the prices now paid for the carriage of goods throughout the country; and, should it be proved that Mr. Griffith's steam carriages can convey goods in an equally secure manner with other waggons, at the rate of five miles per hour, or 100 miles per day of twenty travelling hours; and, at a freight, 25 per cent. cheaper than the present prices, there can be no question that he will have deserved well of his country and of mankind.

ROB ROY.

This reputed chief of the warlike Macgregors was the hero of various exploits, commemorated in traditional story; and many of his " deeds of fame" display a generous magnanimity, which, in happier circumstances, might have rendered him an eminent benefactor of the human race. In early youth, he was distinguished by a passionate admiration of the poesy of his country, and he is said to have recited several thousand lines. Rob Roy's intimate acquaintance with the soul-exalting relics of bardic composition, no doubt, tended to inspire the liberal humanity, which softened the harsher features of his intrepid-or, perhaps, desperate character. The love of nature led him in boyhood, and in maturer age, to delight in wandering alone through the hills and glens of his native land. In peaceful times, he would, probably,

have been conspicuous as a poet; and if, instead of aggression, he had found protection from the powerful borderers of his little property, he was gifted with talents to anticipate the translator of Ossian. Tradition makes him the deliverer of many distressed damsels. On one occasion, travelling alone, through the sequestered passes of Glenetive, his natural taste for the sublime was excited by the picturesque grandeur of those romantic scenes. The sun had nearly dipped his golden hair in the western main; but some parting tinges played upon the rugged towering pinnacles of Cruachan, and the profound tranquillity of nature was unbroken, except by gentle murmurs of the tides, that with solemn placidity gave a character of life to the waters of the lake. He threw himself along a mossy rock, and gazed on the magnificent perspective, until the slim outline could scarcely be traced, between him and the horizon. From enrapturing reveries, he was startled by female shrieks; and, drawing his trusty blade, he sprung forward to follow the sound. The shrieks were stifled; but the voices of men drew nearer, and they seemed in hot altercation. Rob Roy laid himself down among "tall rank grass of the wild," and distinctly could hear two persons disputing in a high English accent. The one expostulated in behalf of a captive lady-the other insisted upon his right to extort a compliance with his dishonourable solicitations. They still proceeded, through trackless paths; and Macgregor, with silent determination, pursued. They soon disappeared, as if elves of the wood had descended to their Tomhans. The screams of a female furnished a direction; while the Celt no longer stood in perplexity, and he lost not a moment in shaping his course according to the sounds, which led him to a decayed turret, the only remains of a fortress, situated upon a craggy eminence. The voice was, at times, suppressed, and then burst forth with frenzied energy. Rob Roy feared not the face, nor the arm of man; but he afterwards confessed, that early impressions of supernatural agency daunted his courage. Again he recollected, that "the gleaming counterspell, the steel of the mighty, was in his hand, and he pressed onwards, to unravel the mystery. He could discover no door, no window, in the halfruined tower; but he perceived, after surrounding the rock, that from a tangling thicket the tones of distress were most audible. The moon emitted

some feeble rays, by which he discerned a vaulted passage, which, with cautious steps, he explored. A faint glimmering of light guided him, where, with disordered dress, dishevelled tresses, and a lovely countenance, marked by tears, he found in a large apartment, a female stretched upon some grass, nearly exhausted by violent efforts. On seeing Rob Roy, she attempted to rise, saying, "If you come to end my life, cheerfully shall I meet the blow. Death is my only refuge.' "Yield not to despair, lady," he replied, " Rob Roy Macgregor comes to release you. But every moment is precious, quickly tell me your name and your wrongs.' "I am," said the lady, "a daughter of the chief of -, treacherously decoyed from the castle of my father, by a knight of England. He and his friend were visitors; they persuaded my mother to let me go out to ride with them, to learn some of the fine performances of English ladies in hunting; and after going some miles, I was forced into a stranger sloop, and carried away. I now find that each of the friends had designs on me. They deceived each other; but the younger has honour and pity.""Remain as you are,' " said Rob Roy, "I hope soon to return with good tidings." The chief, with an air of authority, stalked into a vault, where two gentlemen were harshly debating, and three armed men paced the floor. They all shrunk back from the terrible apparition. "Shame to manhood!" said Macgregor. "A lady of high birth insulted! tremble! for even the demons of darkness are stirring in her cause. After a pause, the elder knight said, "You, at least, are no airy demon, but substantial flesh and blood, and shall feel this, if you do not instantly take yourself off." He made a push at Rob Roy as he spoke; but the chief was the most dexterous swordsman of the age, and soon laid his adversary at his feet. Calling for a parley, the younger knight was disposed to restore the lady; nor did the mercenary seamen oppose it, being unwilling to risk the consequences, when no further reward from their employer could be expected. Rob Roy bound up the wound of the elder knight, and by a shorter way, he and the lady were conveyed to the sea-side. In less than forty hours, the battlements of

castle were visible. At some distance from the common landing place, Macgregor desired to be put on shore. He proceeded with rapid steps to the casile, to inform the chief of his daugh

ter's safety, and to claim his hospitality for the wounded knight, for whose security he had pledged his honour. The younger knight was married to the lady, and the elder suffered to depart, unmolested, to his own country, for the chief considered himself bound in honour and gratitude to fulfil the terms promised by Rob Roy.

In ancient times, and among chiefs of more modern date, the engagements made by a friend were esteemed inviolable by the party concerned.

A rivulet which runs near the spot where Fletcher of Cameron, a follower of the Macgregor chief, murdered the boys who came as spectators of the battle of Luss, is called the stream of young ghosts; and it is believed, that if crossed by a Macgregor after sunset, he will be scared by unhallowed spectres. This is a remarkable proof that superstition is not only irrational, but unjust; since neither of the alleged murderers were of the Macgregor clan, and the chief, when he compelled the boys to enter the church, instead of standing exposed to random shots from the combatants, had no view but to preserve their lives, and to detain them as hostages, if circumstances required a pledge for the safety of his own people. Yet superstition represents the ghosts of the victims peculiarly hostile to the clan of Macgregor. So late as the year 1757, every spring, the tragical fate of the scholars of Dunbarton was commemorated by the boys of that ancient town. They assembled on the supposed anniversary; the dux of the highest class was laid on a bier, covered with the clergyman's gown, and carried by his companions to a grave, previously opened. The whole school, bearing wooden guns reversed, performed the ceremony of interment, and recited Gaelic odes over the dead, allusive to the horrible massacre. They returned singing songs of lamentation in the same language.

There are records to show that Sir Humphrey, laird of Luss, under pretence of desiring a permanent reconci, liation, invited Macgregor of Glenstrae, and the principal vassals of his clan, to meet him at Lennox; but he prepared five hundred horsemen, and three hundred foot, to form an ambuscade, and cut off the retreat of the Macgregors. Their chief came from Rannock, with only two hundred followers; but they were a chosen band; and having discovered symptoms of enmity in the Colquhouns, they marched homewards with due precaution. At