THE MUSAEID. No. II.THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1822. LETTERS TO RICHARD HEBER, Esa. M. P.-Old maids read novels for employment, and young maids read them for pleasure. But there are few women who peruse them with any critical intention, or who form opinions which may serve them for subsequent reflection. It may not be difficult to account for this. The motives of their reading are not of a studious or inquisitive nature; and the female disposition is not, of the grave and severe complexion, favourable to habits of deep and connected thought. There is still another reason which prevents them profiting, as they might do, from this fascinating species of literature. The two days allowed,' by Circulating Libraries, the grand repositoria of romance, are not sufficient for that close application of the mind without which no proper understanding of a book can be attained: and hence it is that, after the first excitement is abated, there is little remembered but the author, the plot, and the principal character.. The volume, which we have now before us, is not the result of such hasty and superficial discussion. It is framed by the hand of diligence and research; and we have no doubt, will prove both serviceable and amusing to the professed or real admirers of the Waverley Novels. The object of the letters is to prove by the internal evidence of these works, and of the avowed productions of Sir W. Scott, the identity of their author. The arguments are skilfully managed, and the proofs are as complete and satisfactory as we could be warranted in expecting from the resemblances which an author may be supposed to bear always to himself. Besides this, there is a taste, and elegance, predominant throughout, which cannot fail extremely to gratify the reader; and the numerous quotations are so judiciously selected, that they recal in the most lively manner, and with the most pleasing associations, the memory of the books them selves. Upon the whole, we cannot imagine a more rational or elegant entertainment than these letters are calculated to afford; and we recommend them to our fair friends, with the fullest conviction that they cannot fail to admire the acuteness and taste which is every where displayed by the author. THE NEW BONNET. -Dulcique animos novitate tenebo. OVID. Shall I not tempt you?-'tis the sweetest thing, • Don't detain me a moment; Mrs. Taylor has the sweetest little bonnet, I hear.' And are you going to have it?' said Volatile, accompanying the fair one in her hasty steps along the west side of the Square. I don't know yet, that depends upon Mamma; but I hope she will let me if I like it, for I am so tired of this ugly poke fashion-you can't imagine.' May I give you my opinion ?' said our friend, but the lady had vanished into the shop. Volatile however hovered round the door. 'Five guineas!' said the lovely Anne to her cousin, five guineas! what a terrible price! do you think any body will be so foolish as to buy it?' And not a single feather,' rejoined the other, nothing but a shabby bit of lace which has no one single recommendation but that of being foreign; I suppose feathers though are really not to be worn.' | | | the step. Excessively genteel,' said one of two sisters who were young twenty years ago, do you think it would become me?' Why e e e n-o-I dont think itexactly-would: something closer perhaps,' said the other, as if half afraid to intimate that the beautiful Mary must now begin to throw a little into the shade those charms which once it was her greatest pride to display. We'll try it again when there are not so many people in the room-I half fancy I may venture.' A numerous company now issued from the shop, whose simultaneous chatterings pretty nearly resembled the clamour of a flight of lapwings. 'Eliza, did you like it?' I can't say that I did much.' Shamefully extravagant!' I'm sure I caught the pattern,' whispered one of the number. We'll try when we get home,' was the reply. 'You know we may easily get the velvet, and the blonde that trimmed our satin dresses last winter will do as well as any other, won't it-quite?' Volatile bowed to the party, 'but they were too busy to bark at him :' though there had been times, when not so interestingly occupied, he had feared the dislocation of every joint in his frame, from the contrary pullings of this formidable crew. Well,' said an elderly lady to her niece, as she pressed on her arm to descend the step. Well, my dear, did you like this bonnet?' O yes! delightful!' said the other. Well, my dear, I can only say that I think its a perfect fright, and quite an indecent exposure of the face for any respectable female Now, my dear madam,' said Volatile, making an advance. Ha! Mr. Volatile is that you? How d'ye do? What were you going to say Mr. Volatile?' I was about to protest against your very old-fashioned notions, my dear madam. This is the first time a lady's face has stood any chance of being visible these five years, and now your matronly amathema is interposing to prevent it, consider, my dear madam, what a mortification it would have been in the days when you were young ?' 'Why Mr. Volatile to be sure, but then the times are very very different now a young lady might then walk along the streets and not encounter such a set of idle, dissipated young men, to stare her out of countenance as infest them now a days: for my part I'm an advocate for large bonnets, and I think that modest girls will do a great deal better to continue them, that's what I think.' Volatile smiled at the young lady, who did not seem exactly to coincide with her aunt's opinion. Emma, my dear, I want some muslin for night caps, will you help me across the square? Good bye, Mr. Volatile?' Volatile again smiled at the niece and wished the old maiden a good morning. 'What are you here yet?' said the fair one whom he had first accosted. I have waited to ask after the bonnet,' said Volatile. O it's a pretty bonnet enough, but nothing to make a rout about, and I am sure I would much rather wear my old Leghorn all the summer than give five guineas for it; I shall not mention it to Mamma for, though I dare say she might purchase it, I should really be ashamed of such a thing-every body would know what I gave for it. O! there she is!' I hope you are well this morning Mr. Volatile: my love, have you seen this astonishing bonnet?' Yes, mamma, but what do you think is the price of it?'Not cheap I'm sure,' Good morning Mr. Volatile,' said the fat and said her mother. No, but abominably dear I can dashing Mrs. Glaise, bouncing out of the shop, tell you-so dear that I won't even ask you to buy What have you been looking at this bonnet?' said it for me.' Well, my love, but we must call on Volatile. Been trying it on Fanny but it's horridly Mrs. : can you go with us Mr. Volatile, I valgar--nay suit some sort of beauties very well- dare say we can find room for you.' Volatile was ، finished ! said she, as her daughter tripped upon | sorry he could not, assisted them into their carriage, gazed earnestly after it as it rolled away, (we thought we heard a sigh)-turned round-caught Tacit's arm, who was passing at the instant, and walked with him to the billiard room. TO CORRESPONDENTS. We have a score of apologies to make to our correspondents Though like sere leaf my old thought pineth, without feeling that the space might have been better oc- We do not doubt that a Young Lady' is a genuine lover of Solitude; indeed, we found her sonnet very re tiring— on a second perusal. 'Twas the sweetest note we ever had,' we saw Artemesia writing it. We hope she will remember Will. Volatile's advice, and use a crow quill for the future; she cannot think how much the contrast will aid the beauty of her hand. -that hand, As soft dove's down, and as white as it; Margaret may send the verses, how could she doubt they Lydia's lines are certainly soft, but not in the right way; The translation by Heloise is altogether respectable; the If we knew Olivia's Mamma, we would advise her to whip the little girl. This is the last week that we shall open any letters that The letter of Thespis is well written, but it would not suit A My sweet Miss Lomas, why so coy, O frigid Thomas! still to thee my soul Nor care for me a Fig. Postscript.-Friday, 4 o'clock, p. m.-We have just called at the Iris office, to correct the proof sheet of our paper, and have found three letters, addressed to us, from Adeline, Lætitia, and X. T. C. We beg to inform our Correspondents, in general, that we have arranged with Mr. Simith, to send our letters on Wednesday evening, and that all communications received after that period cannot be regularly noticed until the following week. We have a card in preparation, which will be issued forthwith; in the mean time, our friends will have the goodness to remember our address-THE EDITORS OF THE MUSARID, AT THE IRIS OFFICE. WEEKLY DIARY. MARCH. REMARKABLE DAYS. REMARKABLE DAYS. MONDAY, 1.---All or Auld Fool's Day. On this day every body strives to make as many fools as he can: the wit chiefly consists in sending persons on what are called sleeveless errands, for the history of Eve's mother, for pigeon's milk, stirrup oil, and similiar ridiculous absurdities. THURSDAY, 4.---Maundy Thursday. Choristers, Cardinals, train-bearers &c.' This day is called, in Latin, dies Mandati, the day of the command, being the day on which our Lord washed the feet of his disciples, as recorded in the second lesson. FRIDAY, 5.---Good Friday. SEA STORIES; No. VI. Oft would he, as on that same spot they lay Barry Cornwall. SUNDAY, 31.---Palm Sunday. In the missals, this day is denominated Dominica in ramis Palmarum, or Palm Sunday, and was so called from the palm branches and green boughs formerly distributed on that day, in commemoration of our Lord's riding to Jerusalem. In Yorkshire, and the northern counties, Palm Sunday is a day of great diversion; young and old amusing themselves with sprigs of willow, or in manufacturing palm crosses, which are struck up or suspended in houses. In the afternoon and evening, numbers of impudent girls and young men sally forth, and assault all unprotected females whom they meet out of doors, seizing their shoes, and compelling them to redeem them with The procession issued forth into the money. These disgraceful scenes are Sala Borgia (the hall behind the Sistine Or, the Voyage and Adventures of Cyril Shenstone, Esq. continued till Monday morning, when the Chapel), and marched round it forming girls extort money from the men by the nearly a circle; for by the time the Pope same means; these depredations were had gone out, the leaders of the procesformerly prolonged till Tuesday noon. sion had nearly come back again; but Of the present ceremonies observed at they found the gates of the chapel closed Rome on Palm Sunday, we have a pleas-against them, and, on admittance being ing account by a modern traveller. About demanded, a voice was heard from within, half-past nine in the morning, the Pope in deep recitative, seemingly enquiring entered the Sistine Chapel, attired in a into their business, or claims for entrance robe of scarlet and gold, which he wore there. This was answered by the chorisover his ordinary dress, and took histers from the procession in the hall; and As soon as this tale was finished, a spruce young throne. The Cardinals, who were at after a chaunted parley of a few minutes, of a dandy in his outward man, exclaimed in an gentleman, delicate in his appearance, and somewhat first dressed in under-robes of a violet the gates were again opened, and the under tone to his next neighbour 'Pon honour colour (the mourning for cardinals), Pope, Cardinals, and Priests, returned to Charles that's dd bad Scotch-I believe this with their rich antique lace, scarlet trains, their seats. Then the Passion was chaunt-fellow is some impudent pretender, who knows just and mantles of ermine, suddenly put off ed; and then a most tiresome long service these accoutrements, and arrayed them- commenced, in which the usual genuselves in most splendid vestments, which flections, and tinkling of little bells, and had the appearance of being made of dressings, and undressings, and walking carved gold. The tedious ceremony of up and coming down the steps of the each separately kissing the Pope's band, altar, and bustling about, went on; and and making their three little bows, being which at fast terminated in the Cardinals gone through; and some little chaunting all embracing and kissing each other, and fidgetting about the altar being got which is considered the kiss of peace. over; two palm branches, of seven or The palms are artificial, plaited of eight feet in length, were brought to the straw or the leaves of dried reeds, so as Pope, who, after raising over them a to resemble the real branches of the cloud of incense, bestowed his benedic-palm-tree, when their leaves are plaited, tion upon them: then a great number of which are used in this manner for this smaller palms were brought, and a Cardi- ceremony, in the Catholic colonies of nal, who acted as the Pope's aid-de-camp tropical climates. These artificial palms, on this occasion, presented one of these however, are topped with some of the to every Cardinal as he ascended the real leaves of the palm-tree, brought steps of the throne, who again kissed the from the shores of the Gulf of Genoa*.' Pope's hand and the palm, and retired. * Rome in the 19th centuary. Then came the Archbishops, who kissed both the Pope's hand and toe, followed by the inferior orders of clergy, in regular gradations, who only kissed the toe as they carried off their palms. ས The higher dignatories being at last provided with palms, the Deacons,Canons, I APRIL. April is derived from Aprilis, of aperio, open; because the earth in this month, begins to open her bosom for the produc[tion of vegetables. about as much Scotch as Jack Robinson.' heard since the tower of Babel was built.' Lord how the wind howls' said the simpering lady, I declare I never heard any thing so frightful Ha! Ha! Ha!' roared Jack Brindle, Why that's a mere puff' Puff,' said the other lady, Oh Lord how sick I am-Oh! Oh!' The sea was a little rough, but in the course of an The Captain now went on deck, and I followed. hour the wind subsided, and tranquility was restored TALE V. The Outlaw's Tale. I. Slowly advanc'd the leaky skiff, ་ 11. You hoary fool, keep to the side, With peevish rage Vicentio cried, Keep to the rocks, and shan the light, Perchance they wot not of the scheme, Now, with a speed increased, they glide Bright spangles from the oar blades dash, Or moss grown rocks, or wood fringed bay. V. Lovely, as fancy could pourtray, VI. But intermingled with the wild With thick impenetrable shades Where large eyed stags stood listening round The tree tops held the croaking crows It was not now this scenery showed, As well as prospect charmed the sight. But further all was dark and drear, IX. Yet not Vicentio or the rest, Were by such scenes or thoughts imprest; To hear of the defenceless hold XI. Men, such as these, save but a few But let us follow now the band, • How cam'st thou by thy knowledge, say, When, where, and how long is the way It was when Hawberk ruled the gang, XIII. Suspicion this might well excite, Upon a dark and wintry night; The Baron asked, where he had been, But Langton taken by surprise, His speed, redoubled by his fear, He might have 'scaped the Baron clear→→ But turning down a craggy glen, Sudden he met the Baron's menHe fought, but soon was overpowered And dragged in safety to their lord; Who ordered Langton sack and all To be conveyed straight to his hall. Next day we searched the forest through, Each path and glen, and cave we knew, And all Fitzalban's park around, But yet our comrade was not found. Then call'd a council in our need And by them all it was agreed, That dressed in suitable disguise A number should go out as spies. Accordingly his way each went, And I was to the castle sentThe tale I will not now relate That gain'd me entrance to the gate, Straight to the kitchen I was led, And hospitably warmed and fed." XVI. And now it was my task and care To find or not, was Langton thereYet me I feared they would suspect If I should ask of him directSo cautious I resolved to be, Nor do my errand hastily— And by the question far about Lead them to speak the matter outWhile I would listen and appear To have no thought or interest near→→ The evening came with boisterous. gust, And blew in heaps the winter's dust, That, thickly falling from the sky, Seem'd like close network to the eye.' To be Continued. BARRISTERS. A gentleman who is now attending York assizes writes:-"1 spend most of my time in the Nisi Prius Court. Besides that the trials are of a less painful nature than those at Crown end, the Bar have. certainly there the widest scope for the display of talent. I visited it for the first timeon Tuesday, in company with my worthy friend Timothy. We set off early, in order to secure a good place. been withdrawn. A few evenings since, having gazed intently upon its image, which prevented me from distinguishing TO THE EDITOR. 'Wretched, indeed! but far more wretched yet, My friend was in danger of laughing outright, when his eye caught a first glimpse of the galaxy of wigs, which make so many foolish faces wise, and so many wise faces foolish.' Odds bobins,' said he, but they are a rum-looking set.' And sure enough they are. never look upon them, without being reminded of the Ugly Club at Oxford, mentioned by the Spectator. Some frowned from under deep wigs. These Timothy took to be the Chamber Counsel, of whose unfathomable legal knowledge, he had often heard. Others mounted fierce wigs, and pert wigs. These he doubted not, were the formidable lawyers he had read of, who terrified poor witnesses so in cross-examination. A few sported sly wigs; and a great many were encumbered with wigs that bore no character at all. All these he set down as the briefless. There were new-moon phizzes and An eminent literary character, by far the ablest of full-moon phizzes; sleepy eyes and sleep- the Manchester contributors to a well known northern less eyes staring eyes and squinting miscellany;-a worthy and inoffensive subscriber to eyes sharp noses and snub noses--hook bers of some of our most valuable literary institutions, noses and long noses-twisted noses and have successively been the butts against which the twittering noses;-in short features diff-wit of this club has been directed. I do not make ering as much from each other as possible, but all agreeing in that true legal characteristic-ODDITY! 'What formidable gloom their faces wear! As Sir Richard Blackmore says of the SIR, The letter of commendation, to give it a gentle title, with which a correspondent, who has essays which appear in the Iris under the title of the public, in your last number, respecting the beautiful Club,' has much surprised me; for it is notorious that not one of the elegant compositions' to which your correspondent alludes, is untainted by offensive personalities. adopted the signature of a Clubite,' has favored the a respectable news room in this town; and the mem this assertion because, in the ridiculous portraits with How any one should conceive such essays to be the There, however, are two opinions advanced in this letter, in which I certainly coincide, and common candour requires, that I should name them; the first is, that the essays alluded to, notwithstanding the variety of the signatures, are all the productions of a single genius, long accustomed to niceties of composition; it may, perhaps, also be added, to those of publication: the other opinion is, that the attack made upon the club' might have been expected ; on this latter subject, indeed there cannot be two opinions. To the author of the Club' I have, at present, nothing particular to say; nor, if he ceases from his personalities, shall I ever trouble him he is reported to be of a very changeable disposition ;-let him change his mode of writing, that change will, at least, be one for the better ;---let his attacks be directed against the leading vices, and the ridiculous follies of the age; and let him not affix bis censures to the backs of his quondam friends, whose real characters are unimpeachable ;---let him do this, and he will add to the number of his present admirers, a majority of his sensible and virtuous townsmen; the field is an ample one, and the task itself honourable. If, however, on the contrary, he persevere in the path in which he has set out, he may depend upon one thing, that his labours shall not go unrewarded. His eulogist closes his letter with a fable; I, too, would willingly do the same, but being afraid of extending this letter to too great a length, I must contend myself with referring this gentleman, to the works of the Phrygian Slave; and, that he may not mistake the fable to which I allude, it may be well to inform him that the moral of it is, that those who have glass-heads, should be careful of throwing stones.' ICHNEUMON. LECTURES ON POETRY. On Monday next, 1st. April, at seven o'clock in the evening, the REV. J. J. TAYLER, A. B. will begin a COURSE OF LECTURES, at the Rooms of the Literary and Philosophical Society, George-street, Manchester, on the HISTORY OF ENGLISH applying to Messrs. Robinson and Ellis, 5, St. Ann's POETRY.-Further particulars may be learned by Place; Messrs. Clarkes', Market-Place; Mr. Sowler's, and Mrs. Bancks, St. Ann's Square; or Mr. E. Thomson, Market-street; who will also receive the names of Subscribers. TO CORRESPONDENTS. We are much surprised that Ichneumon can suspect Letter-Box in the Door. MANCHESTER: Printed, Published, and Sold, by AGENTS, WHEN the landlord of the Green Dragon came into the room last Friday evening, it was. very evident from certain twists of his features, and glances of his eye, that there was something which he wanted an opportunity to communicate. We, therefore, invited him to tell us what it was, when he informed us, that the servant-maid, who is rather an interesting black-eyed girl of about nineteen, had remained up, on the preceding evening, after the family had retired to rest, to converse with her cousin, as she calls a young man, who sometimes comes with her mistress's consent, to visit her. When she had parted from him she was much alarmed, on her way to bed, at meeting, on the third landing of the stairs, with a little old woman, dressed in a red cloak, who, while the girl was gazing upon her, grew so tall that her head seemed to touch the ceiling. Our landlord, who appears very desirous to stand well in our opinions, smiled at the maid's alarm while he was stating the circumstance, but, notwithstanding his address, it was very obvious that his mirth, like that of a certain assailant of the club, was only affected in order to conceal his real feeling. Those who have seen the Green Dragon, which, having been built in former times, is rather antiquated and singular in its structure, will easily imagine, that it is not unlikely it should share the fate of many other of the old houses in the town, and lie under the suspicion of being haunted. The landlord had no sooner quitted the room, (for we seldom enter upon a discussion while he is present), than one of the members took up the subject. "How absurd," said he, "is it for people to trouble their heads about spectres. It is plain that the dead can never return, as no one can conceive of the mode of their reappearance. They cannot appear in the body; for that moulders in the grave. They cannot appear spiritually; for nothing but substance or matter is visible. Therefore there can be no "I have heard," remarked a third member, Another member thought that spectres were most frequently mere optical illusions. A tree or a sign-post; a cow or an ass, had, when seen in the dusk of the evening, often, he said, been mistaken for a hobgoblin. "A person," he emphatically added, "who has credulity enough to believe in such nonsense, may be frightened almost to death by his own shadow." "I never hear of ghosts," said the first speaker, "without recollecting what Grotius affirms of the devil, who, as we are gravely told by this celebrated theologian, was, in his time, frequently heard howling in the forests of the Brazils. No, no, gentlemen," continued he, "there are no other ghosts but the fictions which a cheated imagination conjures up. There were, previous to the French revolution, legends of ghosts in Italy; but Buonaparte's police, soon after its establishment there, completely frightened them away, and, I understand, they have, since that time, been very rarely heard of in that country." This WEEKLY. PRICE 3 d. against which they are applied may, I think, The president, who was observed to take Spectator, No. 10. |