French fleet of eighty sail, which was bringing reinforce- that noble river." Latham says, " In the reign of Edward IV. ments to Louis the Dauphin. the estimation they were held in was such that no one who possessed a freehold of less than the clear yearly value of five marks was permitted even to keep any." In Edward III.'s reign the shipping of the CINQUE PORTS was of great use in conveying the armies of that warlike Monarch to France, and also in protecting our own coasts; and in the reigns of Henry VII. and VIII., the "PORTS NAVY" was several times employed for similar purposes. The offices of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and Constable of Dover Castle, are now constantly united in the same person: but they were originally held distinct. The Members for these PORTS are styled Barons; and it appears that in former times they enjoyed superior dignity, and ranked among the nobility of the kingdom. They are now entitled to carry the canopy over the Monarch at his Coronation. THE TAME SWAN, OR, MUTE SWAN. (Anas Cygnus mansuetus. Linnæus.) THE plumage of this species is of the same snowy whiteness as that of the WILD SWAN (p. 469), and the bird is covered next the body with the same kind of fine close down; but it greatly exceeds the WILD SWAN in size, weighing about twenty-five pounds, and measuring more in the length of the body and extent of the wings. This also differs in being furnished with a projecting, callous, black tubercle or knob, on the base of the upper mandible, and in the colour of the bill, which is red, with black edges and tip: the naked skin between the bill and the eyes is also of the latter colour; in the Wild Swan this bare space is yellow. The manners and habits are much the same in both kinds, particularly when they are in a more secluded or wild state: for indeed this species cannot properly be called completely domesticated; they are only as it were partly reclaimed from a state of nature, and invited by the friendly and protecting hand of man, to enliven and embellish the artificial lakes and pools which beautify his pleasure-grounds. On these the Swan can scarcely be accounted a captive, for he enjoys all the sweets of liberty, combined with the complete safety and ample sustenance of domestication. In those times, hardly a piece of water was left unoccupied by these birds, as well on account of the gratification they gave to the eye of their lordly owners, as that which they also afforded when they graced the sumptuous board at the feasts of that period; but the fashion of those days has passed away, and Swans are not nearly so common now as they were formerly, being accounted a coarse kind of food, and consequently held in no estimation; but the Cygnets (so the young Swans are called) are still fattened for the table, and are sold very high, commonly for a guinea each, and some times for more; hence it may be presumed that they are better food than is generally imagined. This species is said to be found in great numbers in Russia and Siberia, in a wild state. They are common on the River Trent, without an owner; and on the salt-water inlets of the sea near Abbotsbury in Dorsetshire; they are also met with in a wild state on other rivers and lakes in different parts of the British Isles. It is the generally-received opinion that the SWAN lives to a very great age; some say a century, others have protracted their lives to three hundred years. Strange as this may appear, there are persons who credit it. This extraor dinary longevity, probably, originates only in traditionary tales, or in idle unfounded hearsay stories, as no one has yet been able to say with certainty to what age they attain. The female makes her nest concealed among the rough herbage near the water's edge; she lays from six to eight large white eggs, and sits on them six or eight weeks before they are hatched. The young do not acquire their full plumage until the second year. It is found by experience that the SWAN will not thrive when kept out of water: when confined in a court-yard, he makes a very awkward figure, and soon becomes dull and spiritless; his snowy-white plumes lose all their brilliant purity, and he becomes almost the reverse of his former self. ROGER BACON AND HIS STUDIES. Placed there, as he is the largest of all British birds, so is Ir has already been observed,* that the pecuniary exhe to the eye the most pleasing and elegant. What in penditure of Bacon in his experiments was extremely great, nature can be more beautiful than the grassy-margined lake, Of his discoveries, that of GUNPOWDER has already been hung round with the varied foliage of the grove, contrasted alluded to: but it should seem that some of his inventions, with the pure resplendent whiteness of the majestic SWAN, in the course of time, were lost; otherwise, certainly, Engby the gentle breeze wafted along with outspread plumes, land would claim the invention both of telescopes and or, securely floating, his elegant and sweeping contour microscopes. brightly reflected on the glassy surface of the water, while he throws himself into numberless graceful attitudes, as if desirous of attracting the admiration of the spectator? The SWAN, although possessed of the power to rule, yet molests none of the other water-birds, and is singularly social and attentive to those of his own family, which he carefully and boldly protects from every insult. While they are employed in the cares of the young brood, it is not safe to approach near them, for they will fly upon a stranger, whom they often beat to the ground by repeated blows; and they have been known by a single stroke of the wing to break a man's leg. But however powerful they are with their wings, yet a slight blow on the head kills them. The SWAN for ages past has been protected on the River Thames as royal property, and it continues to this day to be accounted felony to steal their eggs." By this means their increase is secured, and they prove a delightful ornament to We shall now quote a passage whereby the principle of the Telescope is accurately described, although we can plainly gather from it that the instrument described did not possess the portability and utility of our modern instruments. "SPECULA (or spying glasses), says Friar Bacon, may be erected on a rising ground, opposite to cities and armies, in such a manner that all things done by the enemy may be discovered; and this may be done at any distance we please. "For, according to the laws of OPTICS, an object may be viewed through as many glasses as we think fit, if they are properly placed; and they may be placed, some nearer, and some more remote, so that the object may be seen at any distance we desire. Spying glasses may be so formed, and so placed, that See "Guide to Knowledge," page 480. we shall be able to read the smallest letters at an incredible distance, to number even the dust and sand, and to make the Sun, Moon, and Stars, to descend, or at least to seem to descend, from heaven." The principle of the Microscope seems evidently alluded to in this extract. In his admirable treatise De Scientia Perspectiva, he explains at length and perspicuously the theories of Reflected Vision, or Catoptrics, and of Refracted Vision, or Dioptries, as well as of Direct Vision, or Optics: from these theoretical data, he has deduced many useful inventions, Among others, Reading Glasses are thus plainly described: If a man view letters, or other small objects, through the medium of a crystal or glass, which is the lesser portion of a sphere, whose convexity is towards the eye, he will see the letters much better, and they will appear to him larger. This instrument is useful to old men and to those that are weak sighted, because by it they may see the smallest letters of sufficient magnitude." man of a pale complexion, whom I instantly knew to be Lavater. He conducted me to his closet, and welcomed me to Zurich. "After a few questions about my journey, he said, 'Have the goodness to call again. I am busy at present: or stay and read, or look over anything you please, and do just as if you were at home.' "He then showed me some folios in his book-case, lettered Physiognomical Cabinet, and left the room. He returned several times to fetch some book or some paper, but immediately left the room again. At length he entered it, took me by the hand, and conducted me to a company of literati. "Lavater has an extremely venerable appearance; a firm resolute air; a long pale face; piercing eyes, and a very grave look. All his motions show animation and agility, and he utters every word with energy. In his tone there is something dictatorial, which is probably a consequence of his profession, but it is corrected by a look of the most undissembled candour and simplicity of heart. The expensive character of his experiments has already been hinted at: we shall conclude this part of our notice "When I called the next day, I found Lavater writing a of Roger Bacon's studies by remarking the costly nature of letter. In half an hour the room was filled with visitors. the lenses which he caused to be made, and which may be These visits would be troublesome to any other person; but contrasted with the facilities of acquiring scientific instru- Lavater told me that he was fond of seeing strangers, and ments now, when, for a few shillings, the tyro may obtain that he learnt many new things of them. a complete microscope or telescope, the expense of which, in Bacon's time, even in an imperfect state, could only be obtained by an enormous outlay. We premise that the value of money in those days, as compared with our own, was about fifteen to one. "I have caused many burning glasses to be made, in which, as in a mirror, the goodness of nature may be displayed. Nor are they to be accounted too expensive, when we consider the wonderful and useful things they can perform. "Early the next morning he sent to invite me to go with him and a few friends into the country. We sat down to a plentiful repast, and joked and laughed. After dinner we sat down to play-not at cards. "Each took a piece of paper, upon which he wrote any question that came into his head. The papers were then mixed, again distributed, and every one had now to answer to the Question he had received, and write down a new one. "This game continued until the piece of paper was full, and then they were all read aloud. Many of the Answers were well adapted to the subjects; but those of Lavater differed from the rest, as the moon from the stars. As an example, I will annex a few of his Questions and Answers. "The first I got cost me sixty pounds of Parisian money, equal to about twenty pounds sterling: but afterwards I got a better one made for ten Parisian pounds, or five marks sterling and since I have become more expert, "Question. Who is the real benefactor?' Answer. He I have discovered that better ones may be made for two marks, nay, for twenty shillings, or even cheaper." In a word, there is abundant evidence in his works to prove that this wonderful man was acquainted with the construction of many, if not of all the different kinds of instruments for examining or viewing objects to advantage, which have been the means of obtaining great honour for those scientific men, who, in later times, have been regarded as the inventors. LAVATER IN DOMESTIC LIFE. IT too frequently occurs that persons whose characters for moral excellence are irreproachable, are not equally exemplary in their general tempers and familiar deportment, often permitting pettishness, impatience, irascibility, and an unbecoming inattention to the feelings of others, to mar that uniformity of excellence which ought to be the aim of every one to possess and to exhibit. The estimable character of Lavater has already been exemplified in a favourable point of view, in his benevolent conduct to the poor widow. (See page 455.) The following account of an interview with this amiable and consistent character is translated from the Journal of M. Karamsin, a Russian Nobleman : who relieves present distress.'* The Question,' Is the life of any particular person absolutely necessary for the completion of any particular purpose?' was answered in the following manner: It is necessary, if he remains alive; but would be unnecessary were he to die.' Different words without any connexion were then given, and each had to make sense of them, which gave occasion to a good deal of amusement and laughter." Such were the recreations of the pious Lavater, who fell amidst the horrors of war. Should so benevolent and peaceable a man have expected a death so cruel in his native city?.. PHYSICIANS.-Addison (let us hope with more wit than correctness) compares Physicians to the Ancient Britons :Some slay on foot, and some in chariots. If the infantry do not so much execution as the cavalry, it is because they cannot convey themselves with so much velocity into all quarters, and dispatch their business in so short a time." * This Answer, exhibiting the THEORY OF RIGHT PRINCIPLES, is beautifully and emphatically illustrated by the conduct of Lavater as detailed in the quotation alluded to (page 455), while the PRACTICE OF RIGHT CONDUCT is in strict accordance with the abstract dictum here detailed. It is right to add, that the anecdote of LAVATER AND THE WIDOW was received from an authority wholly unconnected with "When I had rung the bell, there appeared a tall slender that whence this Question and its Answer are derived. as a messenger of Divine Wrath, and torrents of human gore have been offered to appease his anger. In Africa also, on the coast of Mozambique, and in Japan, he is no less terrifically worshipped. This may in some degree. hong account for the superstitious terror of the Negroes in Bar$70 bebadoes, noticed in the following account, as they might have had among them some traditionary tales of their, father-land. The Boa inhabits all countries sufficiently hot to maintain him, fertile enough to furnish him with prey, so spacious as to prevent his being molested, and remote from the intrusion of the human race. In ancient times, it was found near the shores of the Mediterranean. The monsters which were destroyed by the engines of the army of Regulus, the Roman general, are supposed to have been of this species. - His head in some degree resembles that of the Seal or the Dog; the summit is wide, the forehead is raised, and divided by a longitudinal hollow; his eyes are large, their orbits projecting; his mouth opens very wide; his teeth are long. He is distinguished by the beauty of the pattern in which his colours are arranged, which vary according to climate, and species: but this is not a subject of verbal description; representation only can suffice. This Snake sheds his skin after the rainy season. The egg from whence this monster issues is only two or three inches long, and is hatched by the sun's heat. In some countries they wear his skin for ornament and clothing, as did the heroes of antiquity. There are several specimens of this reptile in England. We believe the most valuable one is that in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park. THE following account was sent over to England in the year 1813. The skill with which the animal evaded his pursuers, and "the wisdom" with which he took precaution against being surprised, is well worthy of notice: he appears to have been fully aware of the superiority of Man, and therefore to have dreaded him." "A Serpent, of a species supposed to have been extinct for more than a century, was lately found on this island (Barbadoes). "It was twelve feet long, and two feet in girth, and had killed several head of cattle, by enfolding its body round their throats, and suffocating them: it displayed extra THE ABOMA, THE BOA, THE BOA CONSTRIC-ordinary sagacity in eluding search, never choosing a hidingTOR, THE GREAT BOA, THE BOIGUACU. place which had not several openings remote from each other, and from some of which it always escaped. THIS serpent, which bears in different places the above "Its powers of mobility were incredible, distancing the different names, is the largest species of that tribe of swiftest dogs, and clearing, at a bound, a space of fourteen animals with which we are acquainted on credible testi- feet. mony. It is commonly thirty feet in length, but some specimens have been estimated at forty, and even at fifty "Many of the Negroes, from the sagacity, swiftness, and courage, displayed by the animal, considered it as animated by an Evil Spirit, and began to regard it with veneration." "It was killed eight miles from the place where it was first seen, and where it had strangled a heifer." The hissings of this creature are long, sharp, and frightful; they are supposed to be the precursors of storms, tempests, and pestilential disorders, which may arise from the impure If this were a full-grown specimen, it is probably the state of the atmosphere. Therefore these have terrified smallest species of this animal hitherto described. the superstition of many barbarous nations. |