Place a wafer, or piece of coloured paper, about the e of a sixpence, on the ceiling of the room; stand imdiately under it, point at it with the finger, and turn ee times round, looking at it; then, removing your s, walk straight, if you can, and point to any mark on door or the wall.

Jescribe a circle from left to right with the foot, and at same time from right to left with the hand.

A halfpenny, a shilling, and a sixpence, being placed a table, how to tell which any person has touched in ir absence.

This is done by the aid of a confederate thus:-If the son touched the shilling, which is the highest in value, turns his eyes a little upwards, upon your coming into room: if the sixpence, or piece of middle value, was sted, he looks straight forwards; and if the halfpenny, ich is the lowest in value, was chosen, he looks downrds.

MAGIC SQUARE OF SIXTEEN CELLS.

The numbers 1 to 16 to be so placed in the square of cells, that each row of four cells, when added up, either tically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall make 34; also the four corners. the two middle of the first and arth vertical and horizontal lines, any four cells in a =aare, and lastly, any two parallel diagonal lines, whose Ils, when added up, will make 4.

MAGIC SQUARE OF NINE CELLS.

The numbers 1 to 9 to be placed in a square of nine lls, so that each row of three cells, when added up, ther vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, shall make 1tactly 15.

With respect to a proper situation for a play ground in this neighbourhood, if the Corporation were inclined to make the grant, we think there would be some difficulty in making a selection. In our opinion, the old stone delph, behind the Mount, which has been pointed to, is not at all adapted for the purpose; and we should prefer seeing it planted with trees and shrubs and laid out in walks, as suggested in the Liverpool Mercury seven years ago, and repeatedly since.

The delph called, we believe, the White Delph, between Rathbone-street and St. James's Walk, which is now filling up and levelling, although it is also too small for the purpose, might answer very well as a temporary play-ground.

The attention of some of our neighbours on the Continent has, for some time past, been directed to this subject, which they very justly identify with the good of the community, and the stability of national independence.

Of late, gymnastic exercises have also been patronized in London; and M. Beaujeux, who was initiated under M. Clias, and who, last year, gave a public exhibition at Mr. Paris's Rooms, Hardman street, has completely suc ceeded in establishing a gymnastic school in Dublin.

Several books have been of late written upon this interesting subject; one of which, entitled "Instructions in all kinds of Gymnastic Exercises," with engravings, by Mr. Hone, in his a military officer, is now before us. most amusing Every Day Book, has noticed the same subject; and we take this opportunity publicly to thank him for the loan of the very spirited vignette, which, together with an extract respecting Volcker's Gymnastics, is appended to this article.

Shakspeare, who understood the human character better than any man that ever breathed, in the celebrated speech of Mark Anthony over the dead body of Cæsar, artfully and most successfully awakens the sympathy of his auditors by alluding to that part of the will of his friend which proved what interest he took in the pleasures and relaxations of the people. As a climax to the obligations the Romans owed to their late Emperor, the orator concludes his appeal in the following words :

"Moreover he hath left you all his walks,
His private arbors, and new planted orchards,
On this side Tiber; he hath left them you,
And to your heirs for ever; common pleasures,
To walk abroad and recreate your selves:
Here was a Casur! When comes such another?"

From the progressive rise of the Barometer from the 1st, and frosty weather inay be expected.

REMARKS FOR DECEMBER.

Mean Barometrical height, 29deg. 36min.; mean temature, eight o'clock, a. m. 40deg. 20min.; noon, 47deg.; teme during night, 35deg. 20min.; general mean, 41 *; Pluviometer, lin. 23dec. prevailing winds, east. OPULAR PASTIMES-GYMNASTIC GAMES. ince our first connexion with the public press, about en years have elapsed, during which interval we have ished TWENTY-ONE VOLUMES, including the Merand the Kaleidoscope, a circunstance which we state the mere purpose of adding, that we believe there is one of these volumes in which manly and athletic eations for the people are not recommended. It is a ject into which we have always entered con amore, not y because we were ourselves in earlier life devotedly ached to such pastimes, but because we are convinced t if not absolutely essential to the health and energy of countrymen, they are highly conducive to that most sirable condition of humanity, mens sana in corpore

20.

We have also taken many opportunities of calling the ention of our wealthy Corporation to the subject, in the pe that they might be induced to present to the public uitable and spacious play ground, in which the people ght occasionally amuse themselves, by playing quoits, icket, trap, prison-bars, foot-races, wrestling, leaping, id football (as it is played in some of our counties.) Entertaining this opinion, and thoroughly convinced at the bow must not always be tight strung," we have peatedly urged the necessity of manly and rational pasmes for our countrymen, in order that they might not, sat present, seek their amusements in barbarous sports, or be induced to associate with prize-fighters, blacklegs, nd gamblers.

It is not easy to describe these exercises to those who have not seen them. They consist, first,-Of preliminary exercises of the hands and legs, which give force and agility to those members, and prepare the body for the other exercises. Secondly,-Horizontal parallel bars, from three to five feet high, according to the size of the pupil, on which he raises his body by the arms, and swings his legs over in a variety of directions. This exercise opens the chest, and gives great strength to the muscles of the arms and body. Thirdly,-The horizontal round pole, supported by posts, from five to eight feet high, according to the height of the performer. An endless variety of exercises may be performed on this pole, such as raising the body by the arms, going from one end to the other by the hands alone, vaulting, swinging the body over in all direcblock, shaped like the body of a horse. The pupils jump tions, &c. &c. Fourthly,-The horse, a large wooden upon and over this much enduring animal in many ways. Fifthly,-Leaping, in height and distance, with and with out poles. Sixthly,-Climbing masts, ropes, and ladders, of various heights. Seventhly, Throwing lances, running

with celerity, and for a length of tine, hopping, &c. &c. It is, moreover, at our option to take whatever portion of the exercises we may find most agreeable.

The improvement which the gentlemen who practise these exercises experience in health (not to mention strength, agility, and grace) is very considerable, and altogether wonderful in several who have entered in a feeble and sickly state. This, one would think, would be suffi cient to prove that the exercises are not attended with danger, even were I not to mention that I have not seen a single accident. Neither is their utility necessarily confined to boyhood, as several gentlemen upwards of forty can clearly testify: nor does the pleasure of practising them depart with novelty, but always increases with proficiency and time.

viding implements and adequate accommodation has been The expense the professor has already incurred in provery considerable, and his terms are so moderate that a small number of pupils cannot possibly remunerate him; it is, therefore, to be hoped, no less for his sake than for our own, that he should meet with encouragement in this city.

THE EXERCISES.

1. The preliminary exercises serve principally to strengthen the arms and legs, and to increase their activity, to give the body a graceful carriage, to accustom it to labour, and thus prepare it for the other exercises. 2. Running for a length of time, and with celerity. If the pupil follows the prescribed rules, and is not deterred by a little fatigue in the first six lessons, he will soon be able to run three English miles in from twenty to twenty. five minutes. Some of Mr. V.'s pupils have been able to run for two hours incessantly, and without being much out of breath. 3. Leaping in distance and height, with and without a pole. Every pupil will soon convince himself to what degree the strength of the armis, the energy of the muscles of the feet, and good carriage of the body, are increased by leaping, particularly with a pole. Almost every one learns in a short time to leap his own height, and some of the pupils have been able to leap ten or cleven feet high. It is equally easy to learn to leap horizontally over a space three times the length of the body; even four times that length has been attained.

4. Climbing up masts, ropes, and ladders. Every pupil will soon learn to climb up a mast, rope, or ladder of twenty-four feet high; and after six months' exercise, even of thirty-four or thirty-six feet. The use of this exercise is very great in strengthening the arms. 5. The exercises on the pole and parallel bars serve in particular to expand the chest, to strengthen the muscles of the breast, and small of the back, and to make the latter flexible. In a short time, every pupil will be enabled to perform exercises of which he could not have thought himself capable, provided that he do not deviate from the prescribed course and rules.

6. Vaulting, which is considered one of the principal exercises for the increase of strength, activity, good carriage of the body, and courage, which employs and improves the powers of almost all parts of the body, and has hitherto always been taught as an art by itself, is brough to some perfection in three months.

mighty mixture of fear and hatred for him; for not a m
in the troop dared to contradict him.
The story of his putting the wild boar into the cave wa
sufficient to intimidate the boldest of them. At length,
Welshman having been a kind of lawgiver amongst the
a great while, without the least interruption, they be
began to scheme and form a plot against him, in order
possible, to lower his mettle. So they went private
through the corps, and raised by subscription a purse
a thousand livres for any man that would challenge t
fight him at any weapon; and five hundred more
was to have if he conquered. But none would underp
to do it for a great while; at last, a very good swordsm
and one who kept a fencing-school, undertook to challen
him; and, in order to give him a public correction,
got leave from their commander, who was obliged to a
it of the King, for the Welshman was a great favour
of his Majesty, for the honour of France, to mak
pitched and public battle of it. When the Welshm
received the challenge, and found that his honour,
place, and every thing of value lay at stake, and ev
thing depended upon his success in this disagrees
engagement, he began to scheme all the ways be co
think on to accomplish his safety and escape, and
he resolves as follows:

With respect to the professor himself, he has every qua- shelter him in; and, as Providence was pleased to order it, lity that can recommend him to his pupils. The grace there happened just by him to be a hermit's cave, void of with which he performs the exercises is only equalled by any inhabitants; and the Welshman, to his great joy, his attention and care; and his mild and unassuming man- seeing the door half open, runs directly therein, and gets ners have won the hearts of all who know him. His pu- behind it, thinking himself perfectly secure: but he was no pils feel grateful, not only for the benefits they have them sooner got into the cave, than the foaming boar rushed in selves received, but for the a vantage that is likely to ac- after him. The Welshman, finding the boar pursued him crue to the country from the introduction of these whole-into the cave, instantly turned short out of it, and, with a some athletic amusements. presence of mind and motion as quick as lightning, pulled the door as hard as he could after him; and the enraged boar, turning about also to follow him, ran full butt against the door, and which, sticking a little before, he made it now quite fast, for the more he pushed against it, the faster it was. But the poor Welshman, having as yet not recovered from his fright, he had not the power to leave the place; but there he stood, all over in a trembling sweat. In two or three minutes, or less, up came the French king and his attendants; for the boar that was now shut up in the cave, was one which the King and his nobles had pursued in a chase, and which had a little outrun them. The dogs, directed by their noses, immediately made up to the door, where he was inclosed, but it stuck so fast, that their weight could not open it: so one of the King's attendants came up to the Welshman, and demanded, in French, if he had not seen a wild boar run The day for this bloody battle being fixed for the mo that way? but the Welshman answered him in broken English, that he did not understand him. One of the row, at eight o'clock in the morning, the Welshm nobles, who understood English very well, asked him in determined not to stir from home till a full quarter after that language if he had not seen a wild boar pass by him and until several messengers had come in quest of him a few minutes before? "I do not know what is a wild for the good-natured Frenchmen were in great eagernes poar," replied the Welshman, "not I; put, indeed, here to have him despatched. But Taffy having staid in was a little shaky pig come up to me in a grate passion apartment as long as he thought proper (either plotting and fury, look you, ant it was going to pite me; put, egot! or praying) he bundled up a rusty old sword and a pic I was take hur by hur tail, and throw her into that house, axe. and away he trudges to the place appointed. There look you, and I believe hur was there now." The King, he found his antagonist ready stript, and exercising with who understood but little English, demanded an explana- another master, to put his hand in against he engaged tion of what the Welshman said; and the nobleman told and whole multitudes of people were assembled to see thu his Majesty, that he said he did not know what a wild boar bloody encounter, which was expected to be the mos was, but that there was a jack-pig came up to him, and was worthy of observation of any single combat that ever had going to bite him, but he took him by the tail, and put him been fought in that kingdom. As soon as the Welshman into that house. "Now, please your Majesty, what they came to the place appointed, they all began to reprod call a jack-pig in some parts of England, is a little sucking him with a general voice for overstaying his time; and pig; so that I should think it can never be the wild boar his antagonist, whose spirits were supported and kept up he has put in there."-" No, no," replied the King, "to by the encouragement of his friends, brandished his sword be sure it cannot; but, however, whatever it is that he has and with great eagerness challenged him to the combat. put in there, order him to fetch it out immediately. So At which the Welshman carelessly replied," Don't pas the aforesaid nobleman told the Welshman, that it was his yourself into passions; you shall find, look you, that Majesty's pleasure that he should fetch this little jack-pig am come time enough for you presently."So, throw out of the house, that he might see it. But the Welsh- ing down his bundle, and after pulling off his clothes man, not caring for the task, answered him again,-"Py very deliberately, instead of his sword he takes h Got not I; if hur was want hur out, hur may fetch hur spade in his hand, and looking several times very eat out again hurself, if hur will; for, py Got, I was not like to nestly at his antagonist, he makes a mark upon the tur meddle with hur any more, look you.' Here the noble- like a grave, and then began to dig and throw the eart man told his Majesty what the Welshman said, and out of it, and to pick with his pick-axe, and to work a at the same time, insinuated to his Majesty, that he was hard as he was able. At length, the Frenchman, who stood but a poor ignorant fellow, and that he had very little vapouring and ready to engage with him, demanded faith in what he related. So the King ordered the spear- with some contempt, what he was about? and why he di men who attended him in the chase, to force the door open; not come and answer his challenge? "Ay, sy,” quot which they did immediately, and out came the boar with the Welshman, "you are in a plaguey hurry, look you the utmost fury, when the dogs fell instantly upon him, but I pray you, don't trouble yourself any more about i and the sport was renewed: but the King was so amazed I shall be time enough for you, presently. But I will at what had happened about the Welshman's putting the come till I have done what I am about; for, py Got! wild boar into the cave by the tail, that he could not quit I am a shentleman and a Christian man, and every thi the place for some time. Said he, to his attendants, "We else in the worlt, I have never kilt a man in my whole l thought it impossible for this stranger to put such a crea- but I have bury hiin." "Ha! vat is dat he say?" que ture into that cave, and shut the door upon him, as he said the Frenchman; "cot dam! I varrant he has killed he had done, but you find it so. How came he in and the tousand men in his life; else, begar, he vould never ta door shut, else? It was not five minutes before that we de trouble to make dis grave for me! but I vill see de saw the creature before us; and this man, you all saw, all at de diable, morbleu! 'fore he shall kill and bu was there by himself.-How it could be otherwise, I own me, to make dem all sport, begar!" So, as soon as to me is amazing! I desire my Lord," continued he to Frenchman saw the Welshman's eyes turned another the nobleman who was their interpreter," that you take he set out full drive, and ran with all the force and speed care that I see this wonder of a man to-morrow.' So the was master of. And as soon as he was got far enough King rode in pursuit of his sport; and the nobleman, ac- the Welshman, who with great joy saw him set out, cording to his Majesty's command, staid with the Welsh-holding up his head and seeing him, as if by accide man to give him directions where he should come to him running away, catches up his sword, and starting a the next day, in order to his being introduced to the King him, calls out as loud as he could, Got tam hur, and court. Accordingly, the Welshman came, and the hur run away at last, like a fillian? I pray you, & nobleman carried him immediately to his Majesty, who, hur! stop hur! and pring hur pack again to hur cra when he demanded a further account from him concerning look you!" But all attempts were used in vain; he ne the wild boar, the Welshman told him the very same story, stopped till he was got off, nor was he heard of till without variation. Then his Majesty asked him what re- time after. And thus the Welshman saved both his ligion he was of, but the Welshman could give him very and credit; for no Frenchman in the whole kingd little account of that. He was very much pleased at the from that hour, dared to challenge him ever after. fine appearance of the gens d'armes, or life guards, and told his Majesty, that" if he would give him a horse, and make him one of those fine folks, he should be obliged to hur." At this the King was a little surprised, that he asked for nothing better; but, however, he gave orders that he should be immediately equipped. And he was no sooner initiated into the corps, but all the Frenchmen therein wished him at the devil, and contracted a most

7. Fencing with the broad sword, throwing lances, wrestling, and many other exercises.

(To be continued.)

Miscellanics.

THE WILD BOAR,

AND THE CRAFTY AND VALIANT WELSHMAN.
A HUMOROUS TALE.

Evan ap Peugh, an ancient Briton, from North Wales, had a mind to travel for edification; and willing to see the politest part of the world, he bent his mind for France. Now, we should observe, that there is a place in that kingdom called Brittany, which, in some parts of it, as historians do affirni, is to this day inhabited by no other kind of people but ancient Britons, as the Welsh do always term themselves; and that it was a place of refuge given them in former ages, when they were put to flight by their too powerful enemies, the English; and, therefore, it is said the place takes its name from them.

When our traveller was landed upon the French shore, though I know not at what part of it, he inquired, in the best manner he could (for he knew not a word of French) which was hur way to Brittany ?" And, at last, whether he was directed that way by any that understood him, or whether chance had brought him there, is of no great consequence, either to the reader or to the story; but so it was, by some means or other, that he got into a great forest belonging to the French king, where he often took the diversion and exercise of hunting the wild boars. And there they were bred and kept for that purpose.

Now it happened that, as the Welshman was wandering through this forest, he, all of a sudden, was surprised with a terrible noise and mighty rustling among the leaves; when, looking round to see from whence it came, he saw a monstrous wild boar come running towards him, and foaming at the mouth like a mad thing. Seeing the fierce boar thus suddenly, the poor Welshman, in some despair, began to look out sharply for some place, if possible, to

CHRISTMAS.

(From "Time's Telescope for 1826.")

It was anciently the custom in Yorkshire, in the Chr mas holydays, to dance in the church, after prayers, c ing or singing "Yole, Yole, Yole," &c.—Aubrey A.D. 1686.

In the West Riding of Yorkshire, at Christmas Eve, at ight, they bring in a large yule clog, or Christmas clog, and set it on fire, and lap their Christmas ale, and sing Yale, Yule, a pack of new cards and a Christmas bol."-Aubrey MS.

In several parts of Oxfordshire it is the custom for the maids to ask the men for ivy to dress the house; and if man denies or neglects to fetch in ivy, the maid steals any a pair of his breeches, and nails them up to the gate the yard, or highway.-Aubrey MS.

In the North Riding of Yorkshire, it is the custom for parishioners, after receiving the sacrament on Christday, to go from church directly to the ale-hous and here drink together as a testimony of charity and tr. dip-Aubrey MS.

it cannot cost more than one shilling; portable, because
it can easily be carried in the coat pocket, or rolled up
into a very small compass; and infallible, because it has
an equal purchase on the instep and heel, without the
possibility of the boot slipping out."

The Draw-well.-A gentleman had a son who was
deemed an idiot. The little fellow, when nine or ten years
of age, was fond of drumming, and once dropped his
drum-stick into the well. He knew that his carelessness
would be punished by its not being searched for, and there-
fore did not mention his loss, but privately took a large
silver punch-ladle, and dropped it into the same place.
The butler was blamed, but the draw-well was not thought
of. He then got a silver half-pint, and tumbled that in
It was formerly a custom for the butcher of Merton Col-after it; the servants were blamed, but in a short time it
Oxford, about Christmas time, to invite the scholars was forgotten. He at last got a silver salver, and threw
a treat at his house, when he used to provide a bull for that down also. This was a matter to be inquired into,
steward to knock down with his own hand; whence and a very strict inquiry took place; the servants all
treat was called the "the kill-bull."-Pointer's Oxon. pleaded ignorance, and looked with suspicion on each
dead. p. 23.
other, when the young gentleman, who had thrust him-
It is still, we believe, a custom at Queen's College, Ox- self into the circle, said he had observed something shine
end, to have a boar's head (or the figure of one in wood) at the bottom of the draw-well; a fellow was dropped
brought into the hall, every year on Christmas Day, down in the bucket, and soon bawled from the bottom,
hered in with an old song, in memory of a noble ex-
"I have found the punch-ladle, and the salver, and here
lait said to be performed by a scholar of this College, in is the half-pint, so wind me up.' "Stop," roared out the
killing a wild boar in Shotover wood.
lad, "stop; now your hand is in, you may as well bring
up my drum stick."

Scientific Records.

LIST OF NEW PATENTS.

To Matthew Ferris, of Longford, Middlesex, calicoprinter, for his improvements on machinery for printing cotton, &c.-14th December.-6 months.

To James Ashwell Tabor, of Jewin-street, Cripplegate, for his means for indicating the depth of water in ships and vessels.-14th December.-2 months.

Fashions for January.

PROMENADE DRESS.-Pelisse of satin Turque, of a myrtle-green, lined with rose-coloured sarsnet: the corsage made the straight way, and full both in the back and front, and set in gathers in the band; it closes in front, and is ornamented from the throat to the feet with large mother-of-pearl buttons: the sleeves are of a moderate width, and terminated at the wrist with a plain doublecorded band: double pelerine or cape deeply vandyked, and edged with very narrow chinchilli fur, to correspond with the muff and the broad chinchilli fur at the bottom of the skirt Buttons and trimmings (when not of fur) are generally of the same material as the pelisse. Black velvet hat, of a moderate size, bent in front; the crown ornamented with a profusion of velvet bows, and a gold slider in the centre: rose-colour strings, the same as the ribbon round the throat, which ties in two bows and long ends, supporting the collerete of worked muslin. The hair in ringlets; and cap à trois pièces, with a narrow full border, fastened under the chin. High walking-shoes of black leather, lined and edged with fur.

EVENING DRESS.-Dress of geranium-colour gros de Naples; the corsage made to fit the shape; rather high in front, but lower on the shoulders, and trimmed round' the top with a notch-ruche of the same material; a light folded drapery, in the form of a stomacher adorns the bust. To Augustus Count de la Garde, of St. James's-square, The sleeve is short and extremely full, and set in a satin for improved machinery, communicated from abroad, for corded band, with long white crepe tisse sleeves inserted at breaking or preparing hemp, flax, &c.-Dated 24th No- the shoulder, and confined at the wrist with broad bead vamber, 1825.-6 months to enrol specification. bracelets and ornamented mancherons. The skirt is made To Joseph Eve, of Augusta Georgia, in America, but to wrap, and flows off from the side, and is shaped circunow residing at Liverpool, for his improved steam-engine.larly on the right, just above the wadded hem of the pet-24th November.-6 months. ticoat (which is of the same gros de Naples as the dress) and is trimmed with two double ruches, deeply notched, which have a very pretty effect, particularly when made of the Italian patent crape. The ceinture is of gros de Naples, edged with corded satin of the same colour, and supporting a gold watch set with rubies, and gold chain and trinkets. The hair is in large curls, and forms a kind of antique wreath round the head; a cluster of winter flowers is placed on the right side. Ear-rings of pearl and gold shaded gauze scarf; white satin shoes.

In Germany, on Christmas Eve (Mr. Aubrey gravely - observes) many sinfull things in some places are dun by young maids or men, e. g. a maid washeth her feet in a brazen bason, and afterwards throwes out the water, and placeth it in any place, and hearkens to it, by this she will know what manner of man the future husband will bee; when she heareth scribbling, she taketh it, that he will be a scholar or a scrivener; if she heares sewing, a taylor or shoemaker, &c. Yea, as some say, maids will keep a piece of meat at the first and three following Advant Sundays, and at twelve o'clock at night before Christma, doe lay the table cloth, and sett up the meat, without y kayf, then say, Here I sit and would fain eat, if mysweetheart would come and bring me a knife;' wherepan a ghost in shape of a man presenteth her with a ife, and such a one her future husband will bee.-Ibid. To Henry King, of Norfolk-street, Commercial-road, Another Christmas custom in Germany, recorded by master mariner, and William Kingston, of Portsmouth 4. Aubrey, is as follows:-"The night before Chris-Dock-yard, master millwright, for improved fids for topthey take a trencher, and put upon it a little heap of masts, gallant-masts, bowsprits, and all other masts and at, as big as a walnut more or lesse, for such a one and spars to which the use of the fid is applied-26th Novemach a one, and for themselves two, and set it in a safe ber.-6 months. place in the morning when they find the heap or heaps tire, all will live the following yeare; but if any or are melted down a little, they take it that the same man or woman will dye for which it was designed."—Ibid. Etymologists have puzzled themselves greatly about these yule clogs or logs to keep away evil. In Rolle's trans ation of some of the Psalms, made in the 14th century, we And shall not dread yueles," for what we now translate, vill fear no evil."—(Ps. xxiii.)

To Richard Jones Tomlinson, of Bristol, for his improved frame-work for bedsteads and other purposes.26th November.-6 months.

To Marc Lariviere, of Prince's-square, Kennington, Surry, for his apparatus to be applied to the stamps, flypresses, or other presses for perforating metal plates, and for the application of such perforated plates to various useful purposes.-28th November.-6 months.

To William Pope, of Ball-alley, Lombard-street, mathematician, for his improvements on wheeled carriages.3d December.-6 months.

To William Pope, of Ball-alley, Lombard-street, for improvements in making, mixing, improving, or altering soap.-3d December.-6 months.

To Henry Berry, of Abchurch lane, for his improved method of securing volatile or other fluids, and concrete or other substances, in various bottles and vessels.—3d

December.-6 months.

To Ezekiel Edmonds, of Bradford, Wiltshire, clothier, for improvements on machines for scribbling and carding sheep's wool, cotton, or any fibrous articles requiring such process.-3d December.-6 months.

To John Beever, of Manchester, for an improved gunbarrel.-3d December.-6 months.

To Edmund Lascombe, of East Stonehouse, Devonshire, for a method, communicated from abroad, of preparing an oil or oils extracted from certain vegetable substances, and the application thereof to gas-light, and other purposes.-6th December.-6 months.

Correspondence.

GRAMMATICAL ACCURACY, CRITICISM, &c.

"Homo, in periclum simul ac venit, callidus,
Reperire effugium alterius quærit malo.”

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR, I cannot say that I regret Castor's intention to make his exit; for, though I do not dislike fair discusson, I certainly have no desire to be slandered by a man in a mask. His last letter must appear, I should think, even to an indifferent person, somewhat disingenuous and malevolent, though it is, at the same time, so absurd a's in a great measure to refute itself: for I suppose no person of common sense will believe that I would attempt, inten-" tionally, to misrepresent Murray's grammar, a book that is in every body's hands, especially when I mentioned the very page from which the extract was taken.

It is true that (merely to save room) I gave, in MurTo John Phillips Beavan, of Clifford street, Middlesex, ray's own words, the substance of two paragraphs, withfor a foreign invention of a cement for building, &c. out stating that the intermediate paragraph would have 7th December.-6 months.

To Francis Halliday, Esq. of Ham, Surry, for improve. ments in machinery to be operated upon by steam.-9th December.-6 months.

Fig. 1 consists of a piece of tough leather, about ghteen inches long, and an inch and a half wide, the ds of which are to be firmly sewn together with wax To Joseph Chesseborough, dyer, of Manchester, patent having an incision cut as represented at A, the open- card manufacturer, for improvements in machinery for of which must be sufficiently large to admit of the making wire cards for carding wool, cotton, tow, &c. and of the boot to be pulled off, passing through, as shown also certain improvements on a machine for shaving and in fig. 2, one part resting on the instep, the other on preparing leather used in making such cards.-9th Decemheel; the toe of the other foot is then to be thrust into ber-6 months. vacancy at C, when, by a little exertion, the tightest To Robert Addams, of Hammersmith, for a method of may be drawn from the leg with the greatest cer-propelling carriages on turnpike, rail, or other roads. ty. A boot-jack of this description is cheap, because 14th December.-6 months.

added nothing to the weight of the three sentences which I quoted; but it is not true that "the object of the writer is clearly very different from that for which the quotation is here given." Murray's object unquestionably is to lay down certain general principles of grammatical criticism; and my "primary object," (respecting which Castor has expressed suspicions so unwarrantable,). was to show how rules of grammar are to be judged. For, as different grammarians give different rules, it is necessary for the critic to know not only that "rules exist for the composition of our language," but also how these rules

known to be better than another.

MATILDA.

The Kaleidoscope.

cannot, as he wished and intended, give it to C, who, in his turn, cannot pay D; and thus, the indolence or in regularity of one man puts twenty-three individuals to the most serious inconvenience, and keeps out of circulation, it one day only, the sum of about five hundred pounds, which had it circulated, as it ought to have done, would, in al probability, have found its way into the pockets of a thou sand individuals, by being expended at the shops of trades

came into existence, and by what criterion one rule may be | form. We all wish you to consider the subject, and we habit of deferring every payment as long as he can, or be should be glad to purchase a quantity for our own amuse- cause his cash-keeper finds it an easier matter to say "call This point it was necessary for me to carry before en- ment, and as presents to our young friends and acquain-again" than to count out the cash and take the receipt. B tering at length into any further discussions; for, as Cus-tance. No work, to our knowledge, being extant solely being disappointed of the money he ought to have received, tor, when he attacked me, announced that he was going of this description, it would be a desideratum, and you to show that Miss Edgeworth's pages teem with glaring might enlarge considerably your previous stock from other inaccuracies;" and, as I intended to show the contrary, I minor works which may contain scraps of puzzles, conunexpected, in the course of that contest, to have frequent drums, &c.-Your notice of this, in this week's Kally occasion to refer to the foundation of the rules of gram- would oblige yours, respectfully, mar. That enterprise Castor wisely abandoned. But since I had begun, I thought it best to complete the proof which I had undertaken, as, from Castor's confused ideas of the rules of grammar, a reference to their origin seemed to be the most satisfactory method of defending that expression of mine which was the object of his attack. I did not assert that the use of that expression, by Mr. Fox, is a complete proof of its propriety; but that, since Mr. Fox has been dead twe ty years, that expression cannot be an inaccuracy merely of the present day; and that the general practice of the best educated people in England, and Murray's observations on the use of the Potential Mood, are sufficient authority for adopting the phrase “* I should think," in the present tense.

The suggestions contained in the following para-men, or in the markets. "Money," as is well observed
graphs, simple and obvious as they are, appear to us to be by Hume," is the oil which renders the notion of the
entitled to the serious attention of the whole community, wheels of trade smooth and easy." It ought, therefore,
especially at a time of financial embarrassment like the to be applied to its proper use; and if men consulted
present.
either their moral duty, or their own interests, instead a
hoarding up that which was intended for general use, a
cording to the mischievous advice of Cobbett, they would
act upon a diametrically opposite principle, and appro
priate every pound they could spare to the discharge of
their just debts. No man who neglects this duty does
unto others as he would that they should do unto him.

MODE OF RENDERING COUNTRY BANKS MORE SAFE
AND RESPONSIBLE-DUTY OF EVERY MAN TO PAY

HIS DEBTS WHEN IN HIS POWER.

(Continued from our last.)

In the Kaleidoscope of last Tuesday we recommended a precautionary measure, which, if generally accepted, would be productive of most important and beneficial consequences to the whole community, by the assurance and security it would afford the public that country bankers were worthy of the implicit reliance which, unfortu nately, has too long been reposed in them without any such guarantee.

Castor asks if I will contend that the rule-A verb must agree in number and person with its nominative, may be dispensed with on the authority of some illustrious example?" I answer, not on the authority of one, but of many illustrious examples, that rule may, in some cases, be dispensed with. This happens with respect to collective nouns, in most languages, as, "The council were divided in their sentiments," Pars erant cœsi;” and with respect to plural nouns of the neuter gender, in Greek, as, * Tauta panta pepraktai,”- All these things has beendant evidence of the fact, that men of great reputed done." This manner of construction is much more frequent in perhaps all Greek authors than that of making the verb agree in number with its subject.

Public confidence in bankers never can, nor ever ought to be restored as long as the present radically defective system is suffered to exist. We have of late had abun

We

wealth, but really insolvent, have contrived to put into circulation their local promissory notes, to an enormous amount, on the strength of their presumed capital. As I quoted Lowth through the medium of Custor, it have also seen that some bankers, when a run has been was his fault if the Bishop appeared more ambiguous than made upon them, could not satisfy the demands of their he really was. As he appears now, in Castor's last letter, I creditors, because their estates, upon the repu ation of am very much of his Lordship's opinion: he recommends which their credit rested, were either deeply mortgaged, his grammar-book, and I recommend mine, as very useful entailed, or in some way or other rendered unavailable in to students of grammar. It is their guide; it holds the the hour of need. This is a state of things which could same place with regard to their object, that Carey's never happen, if a plan like that we last week suggested Itinerary," or "Le Nouveau Guide de l'Etranger àwere adopted; as the banker, whose estates were already Paris," holds in reference to the objects of the traveller. I have always admitted that a well-informed guide is a valuable acquisition; for, as Custor observes, "if I had not sanctioned this opinion by my grammar, I should, in producing that work, have laboured in vain:" I should not easily have persuaded people to purchase an article, if I had assured them that it was good for nothing.

In my third paragraph I have given Castor a hint, "to help him out of his dilemma" between Fox and Murray: but, in his first letter, he got into some much greater dis lemmas, from which he has not even attempted to extricate himself. Indeed, his assertion that one or two of my positions appear hypercritical, if not incorrect," amounts to a confession that he can devise no means of escaping from his dilemma between It is therefore that," and "It is for this reason that; and between his feeling desirous to convey instruction," and his " promoting a discussion which may lead to convey instruction." I am sorry to leave him thus involved; but nothing can be done; his case is hopeless. JAMES MACGOWAN. Liverpool, Dec. 29, 1825.

mortgaged, not having the requisite deeds to offer as
security to the managers of the deposit office, would not
be supplied with official bank paper upon which to issue
his local notes..

The utility of such an establishment as we have recom-
mended is so obvious that we shall now take leave of the
subject, satisfied with having pointed out a simple and
certain mode of accomplishing an object of great and
general utility.

We shall take this opportunity to revert to another, and still more simple, means of effecting very extensive good, by the mere discharge of a positive moral duty, which is of more importance than seems to be generally imagined. We allude to the punctual discharge of debts, whenever it is practicable. The too-prevailing habit of deferring payments, and obliging those who ask for them to call again," is productive of incalculable inconvenience and distress.

We will here put a case, which, in other words, we stated upon a former occasion, at a public meeting at the Town hall, during a period of considerable commercial depression. We will suppose that A owes B £20, Bowes C £20, C is indebted to D the same cum, and so forth to the end of the alphabet; and we will further assume, that B, C D, and the whole twenty four, with the exception of A, are punctual tradesmen, who stand pledged to each other to discharge the said debt of £20 upon a certain day; and that, knowing each other's regularity, they anticipate the receipt of the money with almost as much certainty as they expect the arrival of the day itself. When the day does arrive, however, A fails to pay B, not because he has not the money, but because he has acquired the unjustifiable

4 Bishop......H—6× MATE, by discovery.

* If the black king moved to H 8, the white castle would checkmate at E 8.

To Correspondents.

THE WELSHMAN AND THE WILD BOAR.-The story under this title, in the present number of the Kaleidoscope, is copied from an American publication. As it is new to us, it will probably be so to a majority of our readers. Our impres sion, however, is, that it is of trans-atlantic manufacture: and if it be, we think it is no bad specimen of Jonathan's humour.

Strangers' Friend Society OfFICE.-The following sums, which were omitted in the last Mercury, are inserted here, in the hope that some of the subscribers may chance to sed the Kaleidoscope:

From P.

Mr. Ramsbotham

Mr. Wm. Forshaw, Dale-street...
Mrs. Hart, of Lachford

£0 10 0

100

0 10 0 100

BAGATELLES. Our correspondent Matilda, whose note have inserted in a preceding column; is informed, that the flattering proposition therein contained has been frequentif suggested by others. We shall take it into consideration. but the success of such a publication would depend up the countenance which the London booksellers might gi it. They are not very partial to books printed in the cou try. Every publication must emanate from head quarters or else it will stand little chance of favourable notice the reviews and periodicals in the interest of the metre politan booksellers.

has taken.

CHRISTMAS BAGATELLES.-We thank Quis for the trouble la
We shall ascertain whether, in his collection
one or two of which we have appropriated, there are f
puzzles which we have not already given in some of the
volumes of the Kaleidoscope.

In preparation for immediate insertion:-W. A.-Amate
W. W. M-x-A.—A. M.—M.-P.-Bob Logic-H. D-
Anonymous-M‘Q.

we have further to acknowledge C. M.-Observator-C. B
Chester C. C. C.-G.-S. on German literature-An Inh
bitant of Chester.

H. K. Y.'s essay shall appear very soon.

Frinted, published, and sold, EVERY TUESDAY,
E. SMITH & Co.-75, Lord-street, Liverpool.