Page images
PDF
EPUB

MONTHLY MIRROR,

FOR

MARCH, 1806.

THE LATE MRS. ELIZABETH CARTER,
(RECENTLY DECEASED.)

THIS lady, who for a long time enjoyed a very distinguished preeminence in the literary world, was the daughter, we are told, of a clergyman who lived at Deal; and very early in life discovered the superior cultivation which her mind had received, from the su→ perintendence of this worthy parent. She published all the works of Epictetus, which are now extant; consisting of his discourses, preserved by Arrian, in four books, the Enchiridion, and fragments: translated from the original Greek; with an introduction and notes by the translator; one volume, quarto, 1758, (reprinted subsequently, in two volumes, duodecimo.)

Poems on several occasions; one volume, octavo, 1762, (reprinted in duodecimo.)

The translation of Epictetus was published by subscription, and The was honoured with a long list of very distinguished names. learning and ability which the authoress displayed in the execution of her task are well known, and have received that high applause which is so justly their due-the work may with safety be pronounced to do honour to her sex and to her country.

The poems were published at the desire of the late Earl of Bath, and are celebrated among the verses of Lord Lyttleton, who had read them in manuscript. The first of them was written before the authoress had completed her eighteenth year. As compositions, their merit and beauty cannot be too highly applauded. Sublime simplicity of sentiment, melodious sweetness of expression, and morality the most amiable, grace them in every page; while, notwithstanding her previous appearance as the translator of Epictetus, the fine sensibility, the serene dignity, and the lofty imagination which she displayed on this occasion, proved her the genuine disciple of

Plato.

Mrs. Carter was also the contributor of two papers to the Rambler, which we are told, by Mrs. Piozzi, had much of Dr. Johnson's esteem. They are, No. 44, which consists of an allegory, where religion and superstition are delineated in a very masterly manner; and No. 100, which is an excellent letter on modish pleasures, bearing the signature of Chariessa.

EXTRACTS FROM A COMMON-PLACE BOOK.

No. I.

THE SCOTS THISTLE.

A FEW days ago I heard it asserted, upon the authority of Mr. Pinkerton, that the Scots Thistle was unknown, as a royal armorial bearing, until the time of one of the James's, kings of Scotland.→→ Though I entertain the greatest respect for the sentiments of that most eminent antiquary, I cannot help thinking that his opinion on this subject, if really as stated, has been rather hastily formed.At all events, as the investigation is curious, the following brief remarks may not be altogether uninteresting.

Nimmo, the well meaning, though not very well informed, historian of Stirlingshire, states, that on the top of the rock or precipice called, from its vicinity to the ancient Cambuskenneth, the Abbey Crag, somewhat above a mile to the northward of Stirling Castle, and upon the opposite side of the Forth, are extensive ruins, still called the Castle Hills, supposed to be the remains of certain fortifications, as he thinks, erected by the Scots as a frontier," when the Picts and Northumbrians were in possession of Stirling Castle.Among these ruins was lately dug up a stone, with the Scotish thistle on one side, and upon the other sundry elegant Saxon characters, the meaning of which we do not understand." He goes on to observe, that the stone had been designed as a boundary, in the erection of which the Scots and Saxons had been jointly concerned.

This very stone is still preserved in the Town-house of Stirling. I have examined it, and found the words, so unintelligible to Nimmo, to be, plainly and distinctly, Crux Pacis. the initial C, and a part of the following letter r, wanting, that part of the stone having been broken off. Were it entire, the stone would exhibit the figure of a complete cross. The breadth of the cross limb, were the stone entire, might be about fourteen inches; its depth seven. The Scots thistle, on the reverse, is nearly entire, and is similar to those on ancient coins, &c. The whole is formed of a very fine grained sand stone. None of that fossil is to be found on or near that rock, which is very pure Trap, running into Basaltic columns. The workmanship of the whole is masterly; the letters and the figure of the thistle are most elegantly carved. It exhibits an appearance of remote antiquity.

The foundations of some fortifications are perfectly visible on the summit of this rock, and in appearance resemble those fortified

hill tops, supposed to be vitrified, which are so common in Scotland. Though I examined them rather superficially, I found, on one part of these ruins at least, evident proofs of vitrification. That they are of great antiquity I am convinced: we hear of no fortifications erected on this hill since the fourteenth century; nor, indeed, when both sides of the Forth and Stirling castle were in the hands of the same nation, were any necessary. Though cotemporary historians mention Wallace to have encamped there previous to the battle of Stirling, in 1297, though they describe pretty minutely the appearance of the ground, and the face of the country adjacent, they do not even insinuate that any fortification existed on the Abbey Crag,a strong presumption that it exhibited, at that time, the same appearance as now. These fortifications must of course be referred to a more early period.

A story is narrated by the same historian, from Boetius I believe, which may be connected with this very cross.

Kenneth the Second, who is said to have overthrown the British monarchy, was, in 855, succeeded by his brother Donald the Fifth. This king, after defeating the united armies of the Northumbrian Saxons, under their princes Osbrecht and Ella, the Cambrian Britons, and a number of fugitive Picts, was, in his turn, vanquished by them, and made their prisoner. The Scots, to obtain peace, were not only obliged to pay a large ransom for their king, but to cede to the Northumbrians all their lands south of the Forth, and to the Cambrians those south of the Clyde, with the castle of Dunbarton. The Northumbrians, occupying the ceded territory, rebuilt the castle of Stirling, before demolished, and erected a stone bridge over the Forth, upon the summit of which a cross was raised, with the following monkish inscription.

Anglos a Scotis separat crux ista remotis

Hic armis Bruti, Scoti stant hic Cruce tuti. The arms of the town of Stirling, upon which is a bridge, and in the middle of it a cross, with the last of the above-quoted two lines, as a motto, around it, the form of which denotes very high antiquity, somewhat confirms the above story, which I think strengthened by the cross, &c. above described. If Stirling was in the hands of the Northumbrians, the Abbey Crag, equally strong by nature, situated on the opposite bank of the river Forth, the passage of which, from the south, it commands, was an eligible spot for a garrison, to hold in check their neighbours on the southern rock. If, upon a peace, such cross was erected, by the Saxons at Stirling, as that above stated, it is probable the opposite party would do the same on their fortification. This might be the very cross erected. The thistle on the reverse proves the erectors to have been Scots.

Whether the above story be true, in whole or in part, the ap→ pearance of the Scots thistle on the reverse of the cross, the form of the stone, and the characters themselves, with other circumstances, denote a degree of antiquity much beyond the fifteenth, and probably as old as the ninth century.

[ocr errors]

The true Scots thistle, of late the subject of some controversy, grows with much luxuriance almost all around the rock on which Stirling castle is built, and I have heard upon that of Dunbarton, but, so far as I can learn, no where else in Scotland.

Justus.

LETTER TO A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.

DEAR MADAM,

AS you occupy a very handsome house, and are able to furnish it in a proper manner, will you excuse a friend who is anxious to give you a little advice on the subject?

Your building being formed of the finest materials, it will shew in a moment any flaw or spot that may accidentally tarnish the surface; it is of a proper height, a well-proportioned size, and built on a regular plan.

On the top stands a turret, of a globular form, with two chrystal windows in front; these are so constructed, as to command an exprove of tensive prospect, and, if always kept clean and bright, will considerable utility, as well as a great ornament to the house: I advise you not to look through them at every object that passes, above all things, I would have you shut them early at night, as many disagreeable circumstances happen from a neglect in this particular; you may open them as early as you please in a morning.

and

On each side, I observe a small portal to receive company; pray take care they do not always stand open; as you will be crowded with visitors, and perhaps with some you may not like; let them never be shut against your worthy parents, a sincere friend, or a fellow creature in distress.

I took notice of one gate in the front, at which all your company goes out; in general I recommend it to you to keep it closely barred, lest, should any bad characters be seen forth coming, you draw a scandal on your residence; if at any time, on necessary occasions, it should be opened, I would lay a strict injunction of watchfulness on the two porters, who stand as sentinels, in liveries of scarlet, just without the ivory palisade.

Some ill-advised people paint the two pannels, just below the windows; an example which I hope you will shun rather than follow.

This part of the edifice is supported by a pillar of Corinthian marble, whose base is ornamented with two semi-globes of alabas. ter, before which, most prudent people draw a curtain of needlework; a practice of late years strangely neglected by some, who, by such conduct, prove themselves grossly deficient in policy, propriety, and good taste.

Beneath, is the great hall, in which I understand you have a small closet of exquisite workmanship; this I suppose is the place of your secret retirement, open to none but yourself, or some faithful friend: take care always to keep it clean, and furnished with a small but well-chosen library of the best practical authors: enter it frequently, especially when you return from public worship, or from visiting your friends.

Avoid two opposite errors, which the owners of many houses fall into: let not the outside hall appear like the shop of an undertaker, fitting out a funeral, and crowded with gloomy objects, and woeful countenances, nor like a lord mayor's coach, bedaubed with gilding and finery; let it be plain, neat, and always clean, to convince the world that you attend more to utility than ornament.

You must not be surprised to find the tenement you inhabit subject to decay and accident; it is the common effect of time to efface beauty, and diminish strength; during the short space you have already lived in it, repairs have been frequently wanted; these, you must consider as plain intimations, that the house itself, in a certain number of years, will fall, and like the baseless fabric of a vision, leave not a wreck behind.'

If I recollect right, you are only a tenant at will, and may be turned out, with or without warning, for that was the condition on which it was let to you: be always ready therefore to go, at a moment's notice, and be particularly careful to keep the furniture in the globular turret, and the contents of the little closet, arranged in good order, that you may be able to lay your hand on them without perplexity or confusion.

It will be in vain to attempt to do it, as some have fancied they can, in the bustle and hurry of a sudden removal; a neglect of this important precaution has proved an irreparable injury to thousands.

Excuse this hasty epistle, pardon the liberty I have taken, and impute it to the warm zeal and sincere attachment of Your humble servant.

« PreviousContinue »