The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13, No. 372, May 30, 1829

NEW SOUTH WALES

Of the total population of New South Wales, which, in round numbers, may be taken at 40,000, the Free Emigrants

OMEN

As Cooke, the solicitor-general, was beginning to open the pleadings at the trial of Charles I, the king gently tapped him on the shoulder with his cane, crying "Hold, hold!" At the same moment the silver head of the cane fell off, and rolled on the floor.

COTTAGE GARDENS

The comforts and benefits to be derived from a well cultivated garden, by a poor man's family, are almost beyond calculation. What a resource for hours after work, or when trade is dull, and regular work scarce! What a contrast and counteraction is the healthy, manly, employment which a cottage garden affords, to the close, impure, unwholesome air, the beastliness and obscenity, the waste of time, the destruction of morals, the loss of character, money, and health, which are the inmates of too many common ale-houses!—Gardener's Mag.

PAINTING

Painting, were the use of it universal, would be a powerful means of instruction to children and the lower orders; and were all the fine surfaces, which are now plain, and absolutely wasted, enriched with the labours of the art, if they once began to appear, they would accumulate rapidly; and were the ornamented edifices open to all, as freely as they ought to be, a wide field of new and agreeable study would offer itself. A person, who thoroughly understood the well-chosen subjects, and was qualified to explain them to a stranger, could not be devoid of knowledge, nor could his mind want food for constant contemplation. The sense of beauty has hitherto been little cultivated in Great Britain; but it certainly exists, and shows itself principally in laying out gardens and pleasure-grounds with unrivalled skill.—Edin. Review.

Spirit of Discovery

Hydrophobia

In the New Monthly Magazine for October, 1826, is the following statement of the efficacy of the guaco for the cure of the bite of a mad dog, published by the gentleman who first made use of the plant in South America, as an antidote to that scourge of human nature, hydrophobia; his words are, "I shall simply state, that during my residence in South America, I had frequent opportunities of witnessing the direful effects of hydrophobia, without having in any one case that came under my care been successful in its cure by the usual modes prescribed in Europe. It fortunately occurred to me, that the guaco, so celebrated for curing the bite or sting of all venomous snakes, might prove equally efficacious in hydrophobic cases. How far my idea was correct that an analogy existed between the virus of a serpent and that of a rabid dog, I leave to others to determine; but such was my opinion, and I acted upon it in all subsequent cases with complete success."

We understand the same gentleman has received from South America two plants which he was in the habit of prescribing for insanity and pulmonary consumption, with the happiest effects; and as it is his intention to give them an immediate trial, should they be found to answer in Europe, as in South America, of which he has not the least doubt, the discovery may be considered as of the first consequence in medicine.

Mutton Hams

The Journal Des Reconnaissances Useless gives the following method of curing legs of mutton like ham:—It is necessary that the mutton should be very fat. Two ounces of raw sugar must be mixed with an ounce of common salt and half a spoonful of saltpetre. The meat is to be rubbed well with this, and then placed in a tureen. It must be beaten and turned twice a day during three consecutive days; and the scum which comes from the meat having been taken off, it is to be wiped, and again rubbed with the mixture. The next day it should be again beaten, and the two operations ought to be repeated alternately during ten days, care being taken to turn the meat each time. It must be then exposed to the smoke for ten days. These hams are generally eaten cold.

Potato Chestnuts

A mode has been adopted to prepare potatoes as food, which has at least one advantage—that of economy. The potatoes are roasted in a kiln or oven, and are thus prevented from sprouting, (which injures their quality so much at this season of the year,) and are thus preserved for some time in a fit state for consumption. They are better for being again heated before they are used, and though it is to be regretted that persons should be reduced to such food, yet they are cheaper and more wholesome than the bread usually given in times of scarcity to the poorer classes.

New Pyrometer

A new air-thermometer has been invented by M. Pouillet, for the purpose of measuring degrees of heat in very high temperatures; an object hitherto of very difficult attainment. By means of this instrument it has been ascertained, that the heat of melted silver is 1677°; of a melted mixture of one part gold and three parts silver, 1803°; and of melted pure gold 2096°.

To Destroy Slugs

A correspondent of the Gardener's Magazine states, that after in vain trying salt, lime, and dibbling holes for preserving young cauliflowers and cabbages from slugs, he succeeded by spreading some well cut chaff round the plants under hand glasses, and some round the outsides of the glasses. The slugs in their attempt to reach the plant, find themselves immediately enveloped in the chaff, which prevents their moving, so that when he raised the glasses to give the plants air, he found hundreds of disabled slugs round the outside of the glasses, which he took away and destroyed.

To make Kitchen Vegetables tender

When peas, French beans, &c. do not boil easily, it has usually been imputed to the coolness of the season, or to the rains. This popular notion is erroneous. The difficulty of boiling them soft arises from an excess of gypsum imbibed during their growth. To correct this, throw a small quantity of subcarbonate of soda into the pot along with the vegetables.—From the French.

Beet Root Sugar

Has now become an article of some practical magnitude in French commerce; since the annual consumption is between seven and eight million pounds.

Silk Trade

It was lately mentioned by Mr. Huskisson, in the House of Commons, as a proof of the flourishing state of our trade, that British Bandanna handkerchiefs were in the course of shipment to India. In addition to this fact, we can state of our own knowledge that they are now exporting to France, in no inconsiderable quantities, not merely as samples, but in the regular course of trade.—For. Quart. Rev.

Electricity

It is curious to take a retrospective view of the mode in which the effects of the Leyden phial were announced to the world, on their first discovery. The philosophers who first experienced, in their own person, the shock attendant on the transmission of an electric discharge, were so impressed with wonder and with terror by this novel sensation, that they wrote the most ridiculous and exaggerated account of their feelings on the occasion. Muschenbrok states, that he received so dreadful a concussion in his arms, shoulder, and heart, that he lost his breath, and it was two days before he could recover from its effects; he declared also, that he should not be induced to take another shock for the whole kingdom of France. Mr. Allemand reports, that the shock deprived him of breath for some minutes, and afterwards produced so acute a pain along his right arm, that he was apprehensive it might be attended with serious consequences. Mr. Winkler informs us, that it threw his whole body into convulsions, and excited such a ferment in his blood, as would have thrown him into a fever, but for the timely employment of febrifuge remedies. He states, that at another time it produced copious bleeding at the nose; the same effect was produced also upon his lady, who was almost rendered incapable of walking. The strange accounts naturally excite the attention and wonder of all classes of people; the learned and the vulgar were equally desirous of experiencing so singular a sensation, and great numbers of half-taught electricians wandered through every part of Europe to gratify this universal curiosity.

It is on the nervous system that the most considerable action of electricity is exerted. A strong charge passed through the head, gave to Mr. Singer the sensation of a violent but universal blow, and was followed by a transient loss of memory and indistinctness of vision. If a charge be sent through the head of a bird, its optic nerve is usually injured or destroyed, and permanent blindness induced; and a similar shock given to larger animals, produces a tremulous state of the muscles, with general prostration of strength. If a person who is standing receive a charge through the spine, he loses his power over the muscles to such a degree, that he either drops on his knees, or falls prostrate on the ground; if the charge be sufficiently powerful, it will produce immediate death, in consequence, probably, of the sudden exhaustion of the whole energy of the nervous system. Small animals, such as mice and sparrows, are instantly killed by a shock from thirty square inches of glass. Van Marum found that eels are irrecoverably deprived of life when a shock is sent through their whole body; but when only a part of the body is included in the circuit, the destruction of irritability is confined to that individual part, while the rest retains the power of motion. Different persons are affected in very different degrees by electricity, according to their peculiar constitutional susceptibility. Dr. Young remarks, that a very minute tremor, communicated to the most elastic parts of the body, in particular the chest, produces an agitation of the nerves, which is not wholly unlike the effect of a weak electricity.

The bodies of animals killed by electricity, rapidly undergo putrefaction, and the action of electricity upon the flesh of animals is also found to accelerate this process in a remarkable degree. The same effect has been observed in the bodies of persons destroyed by lightning. It is also a well-established fact, that the blood does not coagulate after death from this cause.

Transplanting Shrubs in full Growth

Dig a narrow trench round the plant, leaving its roots in the middle in an isolated ball of earth; fill the trench with plaster of Paris, which will become hard in a few minutes, and form a case to the ball and plant, which may be lifted and removed any where at pleasure.—French Paper.

Freezing Mixture

A cheap and powerful freezing mixture may be made by pulverizing Glauber's salts finely, and placing it level at the bottom of a glass vessel. Equal parts of sal ammoniac and nitre are then to be finely powdered, and mixed together, and subsequently added to the Glauber's salts, stirring the powders well together; after which adding water sufficient to dissolve the salts, a degree of cold will be produced, frequently below Zero of Fahrenheit. But Mr. Walker states, that nitrate of ammonia, phosphate of soda, and diluted nitric acid, will on the instant produce a reduction of temperature amounting to 80 degrees. It is desirable to reduce the temperature of the substances previously, if convenient, by placing the vessels in water, with nitre powder thrown in occasionally.

Microscopic Examination of the Blood

By the aid of Tulley's achromatic microscope, and under highly magnifying powers, it has recently been discovered that the globules of the blood congeal into flat circular bodies, and arrange themselves in rows, one body being placed partly underneath another, and in like manner as a pile of similar coins, when thrown gently down, would be found to arrange themselves. This curious effect has been attributed to the vitality yet remaining in the blood, during the act of congealing. At any rate it is a most singular fact, for although we might naturally conceive that the flattened circular plates would place themselves in juxtaposition, yet we never could have supposed that they would have partly slipped underneath each other. In order to make this very curious experiment, it is necessary that the blood, as freshly drawn, be slightly and thinly smeared over the surface of a slip of crown, or window glass, and be covered with a very thin slip of Bohemian plate glass; and thus some slight inequalities in the thickness of the layer of blood between them will be produced, and which are necessary to succeed in producing the very curious appearances abovementioned.—Gilt's Repository.

To make the Liqueur Curaçoa

Put into a large bottle, nearly filled with alcohol, at thirty-four degrees of Baumé (or thirty-six) the peels of six fine Portugal oranges, which are smooth skinned, and let them infuse for fifteen days. At the end of this time, put into a large stone or glass vessel, 11 ounces of brandy at eighteen degrees, 4-1/2 ounces of white sugar, and 4-1/2 ounces of river water. When the sugar is dissolved, add a sufficient quantity of the above infusion of orange peels, to give it a predominant flavour; and aromatise with 3 grammes of fine cinnamon, and as much mace, both well bruised. Lastly, throw into the liqueur 31 grammes (1 ounce) of Brazil wood, in powder. Leave the whole in infusion ten days, being stirred three or four times a day. At the end of this time taste the liqueur; and if it be too strong and sweet, add more water to it; if too weak, add alcohol, at 30 degrees; and if it be not sweet enough, put syrup to it. Give it colour with caramel when you would tinge it.—From the French.

Subterraneous Growth of Potatoes

A mixture of two parts Danube sand, and one part common earth, was laid in a layer an inch thick, in one corner of my cellar; and, in April, thirty-two yellow potatoes with their skins placed upon its surface. They threw out stalks on all sides; and, at the end of the following November, more than a quarter of a bushel of the best potatoes were gathered, about a tenth part of which were about the size of apples—the rest as large as nuts. The skin was very thin; the pulp farinaceous, white, and of a good taste. No attention was given to the potatoes during the time they remained on the sand, and they grew without the influence of the sun or light. This trial may be advantageously applied in fortified places, hospitals, houses of correction, and, in general, in all places where cellars or subterraneous places occur, being neither too cold nor too moist; and where it is important to procure a cheap, but abundant nourishment for many individuals.—From the French.

Retrospective Gleanings

CHILTERN HUNDREDS

The three Hundreds of Desborough, Stoke, and Burnham, in Bucks, are called the "Chiltern Hundreds," and take their name from the Chalk Hills which run through Bucks and the neighbouring counties. The property of these Hundreds remaining in the Crown, a Steward is appointed at a salary of 20s. and all fees, which nominal office is accepted by any Member of Parliament who wishes to vacate his seat.

PEG TANKARDS

At Braintree and Booking, in Essex, when topers partake of a pot of ale, it is divided into three parts or draughts, the first of which is called neckum, the second sinkum, and the third swankum. In Bailey's Dictionary, swank is said to be "that remainder of liquor at the bottom of a tankard, pot, or cup, which is just sufficient for one draught, which it is not accounted good manners to divide with the left-hand man, and according to the quantity is called either a large or little swank."

CHIMNEYS

Has the precise period been ascertained when chimneys upon the present mode were first constructed in England? It was apparently not sooner than Henry the Eighth's time; for Leland, when he visited Bolton Castle, in Yorkshire, seems to have been greatly surprised by the novelty and ingenuity of the contrivance. "One thing (says he) I much notyd in the haull of Bolton, how chimneys was conveyed by tunnills made in the sydds of the waulls, betwixt the lights; and by this meanes is the smoke of the harthe wonder strangely convayed."

The front of St. John's Hospital at Lichfield, presents one of the most curious ancient specimens extant of this part of our early domestic architecture. This building was erected 1495, but it is possible that the remarkable chimneys may have been subsequently added.

OLD LONDON

(For the Mirror.)

In a collection of Epigrams written by Thomas Freeman, of Gloucestershire, and published in 1014, is the following, entitled "London's Progresse:"—

"Why, how nowe, Babell, whither wilt thou build?I see old Holbourne, Charing Crosse, the Strand,Are going to St. Giles's in-the-field,Saint Katerne, she takes Wapping by the hand,"And Hogsdon will to Hygate ere't be long,London has got a great way from the streame,I thinke she means to go to Islington,To eate a dish of strawberries and creame.The City's sure in progresse I surmise,Or going to revell it in some disorder,Without the Walls, without the Liberties,Where she neede feare nor Mayor nor Recorder.Well! say she do, 'twere pretty, yet 'tis pittyA Middlesex Bailiff should arrest the Citty."W.C.R.R.

AVVER

(For the Mirror.)

The word "Avver" has doubtless the same origin as the German word "Hafer" "Haber" which signifies in English, oat.

In some parts of Germany a pap of oatmeal "Haferbrei" is very common as breakfast of the lower classes. Of "Haferbrod" oatbread, I only heard in 1816, when the other sorts of grain were so very scarce in Germany.

A German and Constant Reader of the Mirror.

THE HALCYON

(For the Mirror.)

So often alluded to by the poets, is the bird called the King Fisher. It was believed by the ancients that while the female brooded over the eggs, the sea and weather remained calm and unruffled; hence arose the expression of Halcyon days.

R.N.

SIR ISAAC NEWTON

(For the Mirror.)

Woolsthorp, Lincolnshire, a little village on the great north road between Stamford and Grantham, is memorable as the birthplace of that illustrious philosopher, Sir Isaac Newton. The house in which he was born, is a kind of farmhouse, built of stone, and is, or was lately standing. The learned Dr. Stukely visited it in 1721, and was showed the inside of it by the country people; in a letter to Dr. Mead on this occasion, he says, "They led me up stairs, and showed me Sir Isaac's study, where I suppose he studied when in the country, in his younger days, as perhaps, when he visited his mother from the university. I observed the shelves were of his own making, being pieces of deal boxes, which probably he sent his books and clothes down in upon these occasions."

Halbert H.

The Gatherer

"A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles."SHAKSPEARE.

When Dr. Johnson courted Mrs. Porter, whom he afterwards married, he told her "that he was of mean extraction, that he had no money; and that he had an uncle hanged!" The lady by way of reducing herself, to an equality with the doctor, replied, "that she had no more money than himself; and that, though she had not a relation hanged, she had fifty who deserved hanging." And thus was accomplished this very curious amour.

W.G.C.

On the Dorchester road from Sturminster, is a public-house called the "King's Stag," its sign displays a stag with a gold collar around its neck, and underneath are the following lines:—

When Julius Caesar landed here,I was then a little deer;When Julius Caesar reigned king,Round my neck he put this ring;Whoever shall me overtake,Spare my life for Caesar's sake.Ruris.

When Lord Norbury was applied to by a collector of one of the local taxes for the amount of tax, his lordship said, he had already paid it, and on looking to his file, discovered a receipt, signed by the same collector who then applied for it. The tax-man, confounded, apologized in the best manner he could, stating his regret that he did not recollect it. "I dare say," said my lord, "you are very sorry you did not re-collect it."

IN KENSINGTON CHURCHYARD

"Here are deposited the remains of Mrs. Ann Floyer, the beloved wife of Mr. Richard Floyer, of Thistle Grove, in this parish, died on Thursday the 8th of May, 1823.

"God hath chosen her as a pattern for the other Angels."

IN DUNDEE CHURCHYARD

"Here lies the body of John Watson,Read not this with your hats on,For why? He was the Provost of Dundee,Hallelujah, hallelugee."

NEW MEASURE

Shortly after the introduction of the New Weights and Measures, an innkeeper in a market-town, not far from Sudbury, in Suffolk, sent his ostler to a customer with a quantity of liquor, which he delivered with the following words:—"Marstur bid me tell ye Sar, as how 'tis the New Infarnal Measure."

A farmer calling upon his landlord to pay his rent, apologized for being late, by saying that his illness prevented his attending earlier, and he did not know what his disorder was. The gentleman told him it was "Influenza." Returning home he was met by the schoolmaster of the village, who inquired after his health, "I am very poorly," replied the farmer, "my landlord tells me my complaint is Humphry Windsor."

A witness on a trial being interrogated by Judge Willis, in a manner not pleasing to him, turned to an acquaintance, and told him in a half whisper, "he did not come there to be queered by the old one." Willis heard him, and instantly replied, in his own cant, "I am old 'tis true—and I'm rum sometimes—and for once I'll be queer—and I send you to quod."

H.B.A.

An exciseman whose remarks and answers were frequently rather odd, riding at a quick pace upon a blind pony, was met by a person who praised the animal much, "Yes," replied the officer, "he is a very good one, only he shies at every thing he sees."

SIR WALTER SCOTT'S NEW NOVEL

A supplement published with the present Number, contains an outline of of the Novel of Anne of Geierstein, OR THE MAID OF THE MIST; With Unique Extracts, &c.

LIMBIRD'S EDITION OF THE

Following Novels is already Published: