THE GATHERER. times before it is possible to apply proper antidotes, a great many die miserably for want of present conveniency to obviate the I am but a Gatherer and Disposer of other Men's evil, before it seizes their vitals. Stuff.-WOTTON. No. VII. Inventor of the Method of teaching the It is the fate of many ingenious men, to whom the world is under great obligations, to be forgotten, as the original discoverers of beneficial arts, for which others are afterwards patronised and rewarded. The Abbés de l'Epée and Sicard, have enjoyed the credit due to the invention of the admirable art of enabling the deaf and dumb to convey their sentiments by speech. But, it appears from the journals of the time, that so long ago as June 11th, 1749, M. Pereyra, a Jew by descent, but a Spaniard by birth, a man of remarkably mild and conciliating manners, read to the French Academy a memoir on this subject. A report was made on this memoir, the 2d of July following, by Messrs. Dortous de Mairan, Buffon, and Ferrein. They highly praised the author. The Mercures for March and April 1750, are to the same effect. The Gatherer takes a pleasure in yielding honour to whom honour is due; and in presenting for the gratitude of mankind the name of Pereyra. England exempt from dangerous Reptiles. Britain cannot sufficiently congratulate itself on that great degree of freedom from dangerous reptiles which it enjoys. The country is now so well cultivated, that little shelter is afforded to them: and if there were wolves in our island now, they could not long continue unknown or undestroyed. We have indeed, adders, and other venomous creatures, but their powers are feeble compared with those of their kind in hot climates. An instance or two of the hazards to which some places are exposed, may enable those who are happily exempt from such evils to value their happiness, and to express becoming gratitude for it. Among the several kinds of adders which are to be found in the Indies, some are of so pernicious a nature, that, whenever they infect any person, he dies in an instant, without the least hope of relief. Of this kind are the greenones, of the coast of Malabar. They are not above an inch thick, but 5 or 6 feet long, and from their greenish colour they are not easily to be discerned in the grass and bushes, where they lie lurking to seize upon such as pass by, and commonly endeavour to fasten either on their eyes, noses, or ears. The poison of these pernicious creatures being so volatile, and of so subtil a nature, as to be soon conveyed to the heart, often It is upon this score that we have seen some of the Indians, who were sensible of their present danger on such an occasion, cut themselves off immediately that member which they knew to be infected by the poison. Of this I remember an instance, says Delon, a certain Naher, during my stay at Tillichery. This gentleman being a little overcome by the tary or palm-tree wine, found one of these small green adders, (the most pernicious kind of all) which he took by the tail, and played with her so long, till she found means to bite him in the finger. The Naher, notwithstanding he was in drink, being sensible of the present danger of losing his life, killed the adder, and in an instant cut off his finger. "What a virtue is promptitude, where delays are so dangerous!" The naturalist, and the moralist, may adopt the exclamation. Is it true, that Ireland at present has neither venomous reptiles, nor even harmless frogs in it? And if true, what is the real cause?-For, as to the blessing of St. Patrick, -Valeat quantum valere potest. "I was once William Penn assaulted by a Duellist. In William Penn's treatise entitled No Cross, No Crown, p. 148, he mentions his having been, before he professed the com munion he was now of, in danger from an assault on a point of honour. myself in France set upon about eleven at night (as I was walking to my lodging) by a person that way-laid me, with his naked sword in his hand, who demanded satisfaction of me, for taking no notice of him, at a time when he civilly saluted me with his hat? Though the truth was, I saw him not when he did it. I will suppose he had killed me (for he made several passes at me) or I in my Defence had killed him, when I disarmed him: I ask any man of Understanding and Conscience, if the whole Ceremony were worth the Life of one man, considering the Dignity of the Nature, and the Importance of the Life of man, both with respect to God his Creator, Himself, and the benefit of Civil Society?" Are any further particulars known concerning this rencontre, which might have deprived the world of a man afterwards so highly esteemed among his society, and so laudable, as a citizen, a legislator, and 'a governor?-In what a wretched state were the manners of the French nation, and the police of the city (of Paris?) where this incident happened! And yet, no doubt, the French boasted then, as they have since boasted of their nation, as the truly great, the civilized, humane, polite, and, what nott . POETRY. A FRAGMENT, Oh! when I die,the coward nature cries- THE VESTRY-HAMMER OF ST. CLEMENT DANES. Malleolus loquitur ad Rectorem. Two cent'ries past I've for Order been bawling, Ah! wou'd the fates, who tore thee from my arms, A DIALOGUE BETWEEN ARAPHILL AND CASTARA Though, while matters parochial are hotly debated, 4. Castara, you too findly court I've frequently been roughly handled and treated; For, truth to relate, sad confusion and riot In the name of the Church, in the name of the The silken peace with which we cover'd are; Unquiet time may for his sport Up from its iron den rowse sleepy warre. C. Then, in the language of the drum, A. If fate, like an unfaithful gale, Which, having vow'd to th' ship a faire event, A friend has bedeck'd me;-again tight and fast, C. Love shall, in that tempestuous showre, For two cent'ries more I shall certainly last; I am silver'd so gay, and am render'd so smart, That, thanking my patron with true honest heart, I will banish despair-and will ever regale Or till, rotten with labour, with fate and with age, SALVE. Her brightest blossome like the black-thorne showe. Weak friendship prospers by the powre Of fortunne's sunne: I'le in her winter grow. I should o'th'leprosie or canker weare; C. In flesh may sicknesse horror move, The presidential hammer for commanding silence in the vestry room of this parish has been employed for that special purpose upwards of two hundred years. It is of very stout box, has for arms a crown and full blown rose, with the A. letters E. and R., (supposed Elizabeth Regina); it bears the date of 1598; and, except a crack or two, is in tolerable preservation. To prevent this Order-working vehicle, that, hath so much the privilege of antiquity upon it," from turther falling to decay, Mr. Twycross, of Newcastle Street, one of the present overseers, has recently very strongly mounted it with three silver hoops, and presented it to the vestry with these appropriate words engraved on the middle hoop, from our immortal Shakespeare (who was contemporary with the hammer), GRACIOUS SILENGE, HAIL! But heavenly zeale will be by it refin'd: 'Gainst rigid fate I should direct my breath; That two must be, whom heaven did joyne In such a happy one, disjoyn'd by death. C. That's no divorce. Then shall we see The rites in life were types o'th'marriagè state; Our soules on earth contracted be, But they in heaven their nuptials consum mate. Habington's Castara, edit. 4to. 1034, p. 62. SONNET. The traveller, who explores an unknown waste, Far from the scenes where calm contentment dwelt; Where oft by friendship, oft by love betray'd, Pleasures flow by untasted and unfelt; Taught me how best life's blessings to employ, To scenes of nobler aim my thoughts to raise, Where mortal cares are lost in endless joy. EPITAPH ON FREDERIC THE GREAT. [From the French, by Dr. Beattie.] He every human talent misemploy'd, But from his own not one e'er sprung to life. TO LAURA. Can the harmoniz'd tints which the rainbow adorn The complexion of Laura outvie, Or the dew-drop, enrich'd by the blushes of morn, The lustre that melts in her eye? Can the golden light shed when the sun's dying gleams The cup of the tulip illume, Excel the soft radiance that o'er her face beams, Ah! no; all that nature or art can combine I envy not canopied monarchs their throne, H. SONGS, ETC. FROM THE EXILE. How often will proud memory trace, your'e free, Who, slow and sullen, bent their stubborn knee, Then shouts of joy proclaim-" We're free! We're free !". Hail, sweetest boon of heaven, hail liberty! Thus freedom, with heroic fire, Can e'en degenerate minds inspire. Freedom by force o'erthrown can never be, Song.-Count Calmar. The rage, the woes, the slaughter of the field. By patriot zeal inspir'd, Like knights of old, impetuous, wild, and free, Proud Gallia's king was pris'ner made; For brave Castilians fir'd, By courtesy inspir'd, Like knights of old, will die, e'er tarnished see Young Lobski said to his ugly wife, Gay Mr. Lobski was out all night; He had caught no fish, so he bought a few, Says she, "what sport have you had, my dear?** Observe salt water is not fresh, For wives their husbands will condemn, Who think with sprats to gudgeon them, OBSERVANDA INTERNA. National Debt.- An account, shewing what has been redeemed of the national debt, the land-tax, and imperial loan, to the 1st November, 1808. Redeemed by annual million, &c.£72,202,258 Ditto on account of loans...... 71,533,608 Ditto by land-tax.. 23,156,429 Ditto by 1 per cent. per ann. on imperial loan Stock transferred by life annuities, up to 27th Oct. 1808... 910,087 226,602 Total......£168,029,684 Because it appears, that during the eventful pe- The sum to be expended in the ensuing quarter is.... £2,690,673 11s. 2d. City Address and His Majesty's Answer. (Compare Panorama, Vol. V. p. 397.)-The common council of London, assembled on Thursday, Oct. 27, to receive the king's' answer to their address, on the subject of the convention which terminated the campaign in Portugal, having read the answer, the following was resolved: "That his majesty's answer be entered on the Journals; that at the same time this court cannot forbear declaring it as their opinion, that the address and petition presented to his majesty by this court on Wednesday the 12th instant, was con ceived in the most dutiful and respectful terms; that it is the undoubted right of the subject to petition, and that this right ought at all times to be freely exercised in all matters of public grievance, without obstruction or reproof.-That they are, therefore, at a loss to know by what construc ion of their said petition, however strained or perverted, his majesty's advisers could attribute to them any intention or desire" to pronounce judgment, without previous investigation."-That they ar equally at a loss to know why his majesty's advisers should have deemed it necessary to remind them, "that it was inconsistent with the principles of British justice," unless to throw an unmerited odium on this corporation, and raise a barrier between them an the crown, on all occasions where the'r object is free and constitutional inquiry. That had this court refrained from expressing to his majesty their feelings at the humiliating termination of the campaign in Portugal, they must have ceased to feel to think-judgment of this meeting, unnecessary and into act as Britons, and have shewn themselves unsusceptible of that patriotism so essentially necessary for the preservation of their liberties-the maintenance of their national honour-and the independence and security of his majesty's crown and dominions.-They cannot, therefore, sufficiently express their concern, that they should, by any suggestions, have met with obstruction and reprehension in the exercise of this undoubted and invaluable right.-That they particularly regret that his majesty should have been advised to express a hope that recent occurrences would have convinced them that his majesty is at all times ready to institute inquiries on occasions in which the character of the country, or the honour of his majesty's arms, is concerned; and that the interposition of the city of London could not be necessary for inducing his majesty to direct due inquiry into a transaction, which had disappointed the hopes and expectations of the nation." Staffordshire Meeting.-On Friday, Nov. 11, a very numerous meeting of the freeholders of the county of Stafford was held at the Shire Hall, for the purpose of taking into consideration a petition and address to his majesty relative to the convention of Cintra, in consequence of a requisition to the high sheriff for that purpose, when the following resolutions were unanimously carried: Resolved; I. That a petition to his majesty, for the purposes mentioned in the requisition, is, in the expedient.-II. That the freeholders now assembled gratefully acknowledge his majesty's paternal goodness and wisdom, in having been graciously pleased to institute a full and comprehensive inquiry into all the causes and circumstances of a transaction which has so much disappointed the hopes and expectations of the nation. An account of the various addresses relative to the convention of Cintra will be found in our Register of Events. Court of Inquiry.-The members of the board, convened by virtue of his majesty's warrant, assembled on Monday, Nov. 14, in the great hall of Chelsea Hospital, to inquire into the circumstances that led to the convention of Cintra.President, general Sir D. Dundas.-Members: general earl Moira, D. Craig, and lord Heathfield; lieutenant-generals car! Pembroke, Sir G. Nugent, and O. Nichols. We forbear detailing the proceedings until the inquiry is terminated. Population. From the population abstract, not long since published by order of the House of Commons, it appears, that of the total number of males in Great Britain, about 1 in 27 is in the army and militia; 1 in 11, or 20 out of 210 are either in the army, navy, or seamen in the merchants' service. In the sea-ports there are 132 females to 100 males, and in the manufacturing towns 113 females to 100 males. The total of the male population in Great Britain is 5.450,292, and of females, 5.492.351; which is the proportion of 100 females to 99 males. The chances of war with respect to one sex are balanced against the diseases which the other sex is exposed to. Westminster Abbey, Henry VII's. Chapel, and other dilapidated national Buildings-" In concluding the account and illustrations of this unique and very sumptuous building, I feel solicitous that the whole may be found deserving the approbation of that "Committee of Taste," under whose judicious and enlightened auspices the cha pel is to be renovated, and its exterior walls and embellishments restored to their pristine character and effect. This important task is worthy of an enlighted and affluent nation; and its completion will reflect honour on all the persons who are concerned in it. The Gothic or Vandalic destroyers of our elegant and interesting buildings have been who engage themselves in protecting or renova The answer must be obvious; and as the Com- Recent Arrival of Spanish Sheep and Shep-repeatedly and justiv censured for a disregard of herds.-The Spanish sheep, which have lately arrived in this country, came as a present from the Grand Junta to His Majesty. There were 2,500 sent: 700 of them died on their journey; their skins have arrived within these few days. Those that have arrived alive are at Kew and Richmond, and are thriving very well. Thirteen shepherds came over with them. His Majesty, with a princely munificence, has given directions for them to remain in this country as long as they like, at his expence. They are put under the care of Mr. Snarlet, His Majesty's principal gardener, who has allotted to them a house, called the Call-house, situated at the upper end of the Queen's garden, near Hyde-Park corner, where they prefer sleeping upon straw to beds. Two labourers attend them, to procure their food, and assist in cooking, &c. They have a pound of meat a man provided for their dinners and suppers, and are not pleased if the meat is not very fat; they have it cooked in their own way, and, in general, eat the enormous quantity of a peck of onions at a meal. An old sailor, who knows the Spanish | language, has been procured, for a companion and interpreter to them, and by his assistance, after every meal, they stand up, join their hands, and put their toes together, while they sing God Save the King. They also sing a Spanish national air. The old sailor is furnished with money to conduct them about London, and shew them such exhibitions and curiosities as may be most entertaining. They were highly amused and astonished with Westminster Abbey, and the curio-half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the sities to be seen in it. They walk the streets with their crooks in their hands, and their grotesque appearance attracts the notice of the passengers. Increase of Pay in the Naval Hospitals.-In order to insure our brave defenders, the navy, the best medical assistance, and to encourage medical gentlemen to enter the navy, where there is at present a great scarcity of medical officers, government bas acceded to the proposal of the commissioners of naval revision, in their seventh report, and increased, from the 1st instant, the pay and allowance of the officers of the naval hospitals at Portsmouth and Plymouth; and those at Deal and other quarters, now temporary, are to be placed on the same footing, while they are kept up. We are glad to learn, likewise, that on the recommendation of the transport board, all the surgeons to prisoners of war are to have the same salary, viz. £500. per annum, with a house, coals, candles, &c. or an adequate allowance. Voi. V. [Lit. Pan. Dec. 1908.] How reverend is the face of this tall pile, Britton's Architectural Antiquitie We add an earnest request that particular attention be paid to the preservation of the monuments; now scandalously defaced and broken. Grand Junction Canal.-Tuesday, Nov. 1, the Grand Junction Canal was held at the Crown and Anchor tavern, Wm.. Pradd, Esq. in the chair; when a statement of their accounts was laid before mittee, since the last meeting, approved.—Mr. the company, and the proceedings of the comHarvey then read a report from the committee to the proprietors, which gave a very favourable account of the general concerns of the company, shewing, that the increasing trade which they had formerly ventured to anticipate, had been fully realised.-It appeared that the tonnage had increased very considerably since the last meeting.The sinking fund had been increased to near £70,000, and bids fair to bring the concerns into a more properous state in a short time.-A dividend of £2. per cent. clear of property tax, was declared to be made on the 5th of January next.Considering the heavy expenses that had been oc casioned in restoring the aqueduct at Woolverton, within the last half-year, the general expenditu was considered as very moderate.-There was a to X |