and to fix it, to enlarge his knowledge, to form his taste, that is, his perception of the beautiful, to confirm him in good principles, to guard him against many follies, faults and vices. With this object in view, read the best books, which wise and sensible persons advise thee; read with reflection and examination, that is, ask thyself, "Do I understand what I read?" "Do I benefit by it ?" "Do I become wiser and better thereby?" Read with the firm determination to make use of all that thou readest; do not by reading, neglect a more immediate or more important duty do not read with a view of making a display of thy reading: do not read too much at a time and in too quick succession: reflect on what thou hast read, and join it to what thou already knowest to be true: let thy reading be a nourishment of thy heart and soul, moderately enjoyed, and well digested by reflection.—Prov. ii. 1, 5. 2 Tim. iii. 15. The Confessions of Adalbert. By Francis Theremin, D.D., Chaplain to His Majesty the King of Prussia, &c. Translated from the German by Samuel Jackson, Esq. Wertheim. 1838. INTO a discussion of the merits of what may be termed "mystic divinity," it is not within our province to enter. The little volume before us is evidently the emanation of a truly pious mind; and, to the class for which it is more especially intended, it cannot prove otherwise than acceptable. The author's end and aim are fully shown in the following lines from his Preface: "I have attempted to prescribe the commencement and progress of the Christian faith and life in the experience of an individual. In doing so, I have proceeded upon the conviction, that faith is not attained by the consideration of arguments for or against the Divine origin of Christianity; but that urged by an inward feeling of necessity which cannot be repulsed, and guided by a gracious Providence, we apprehend and receive that which God has revealed and appointed for the salvation of mankind; and that an insight into the nature of faith is obtained only through the possession of the latter." The Penny Mechanic; and the Chemist. Part XXV. Berger. to speak; that is quite a minor consideration. Tha the stage appointments should be equal in cost and splendour to those of the same piece as performed at the Academie Royale at Paris, supported by an annual grant of 32,000l. from Government, was not to be expected; nor will any person in his senses contend, that Braham, Allen, Stansbury, and Franks-the Misses Romer, Betts, and Poole, can compete with Donzelli, Rubini, Tamburini, and Lablache—Grisi, Persiani, and Malibran; yet, as a whole, we doubt whether anything so excellent, so admirable in character, has been before seen and heard in this country. The cast was as follows:-Guillaume Tell, Braham; Gesler, Giubilei; Rodolph, Stansbury; Chief of the Canton of Underwald, A. Giubilei; Chief of the Canton of Schwytz, Duruset; Lutern, Miss Poole ; Matilda, Miss Romer; Martha, Miss Betts.-The exquisite overture, with all its sweet and beautiful Swiss simplicity, so unlike the glittering ornament of most of Rossini's other works, was performed with a precision, a force, a brilliancy of effect, for which audience were electrified. All the parts were finely we had not given an English orchestra credit. The sustained. The choruses too were admirably got up; and the scenery, with one or two exceptions, was of a high order of merit. The house was crowded in every part, and the applause was rapturous. Bunn deserves richly to be repaid, and we doubt not he will be repaid for his exertions. He has re-engaged Van Amburgh and the lions. Whether it were in good taste or in accordance with sound judgment on the part of Mr. Macready, is a question we are not called upon to discuss; but, on the same evening, Monday, Sheridan Knowles's historical play of William Tell was produced in a very fine style at Covent Garden. Some curtailments have been made in the dialogue, and the best of Rossini's choruses have been successfully introduced. As a matter of course, Macready was himself the hero. If we mistake not, William Tell has always been a favourite part of his; and on Monday he gave the warm and rich colouring of the patriot mountaineer with even more than his accustomed energy and pathos. Warde played Gesler with much feeling and discrimination; and Mrs. Warner was fairly successful as Tell's wife, Emma. Covent Garden Theatre was crowded to an equal extent with its rival of Drury Lane; and the audience were not less warm and enthusiastic in their ap prac-plause. THIS is the neatest, the cheapest, and the most tically useful penny periodical with which we are acquainted. At the Olympic, on Monday, a new burletta, entitled The Queen's Horse, a free and compressed translation from Le Brusseur de Preston, was produced. Full of humour, incident, and ingenious equivoque, exhibiting the comic powers of Keeley THE THEATRES, CONCERTS, &c. and Brougham, the plot is laid in the troublesome The great theatrical card of the week has been Bunn's magnificent production of Rossini's chef d'œuvre, Guillaume Tell, at Drury Lane, on Monday. Familiar as is most of the music of this fine opera to every amateur, as well as to every professional performer, the entire work had never before been brought forward on the English stage; and the style in which it is now presented reflects the highest credit upon the manager of this establishment. Of the libretto, translated by Bunn himself, it is unnecessary times of Prince Charles Edward, when a handful of Highlanders were preparing to meet the King's forces near Preston, and the whole Border was thrown into "most admired confusion." The performance went off-as most of the performances at this theatre do go off-with very spirited effect. Rumour states that Mr. and Mrs. Matthews are expected in England by the next arrival of the Great Western, the air of America not having been found to agree with Madame.-Power is also expected by the Great Western, to fulfil his engagement at the Haymarket. At the Adelphi, the heroism of Grace Darling and her father, as lately evinced in a rescue from the wreck of a steam-boat, has been taken as the subject of a drama, entitled The Wreck of the Sea, or the Fern Light. It was played for the first time on Monday, and received with great applause. Mrs. Yates personated the heroine in her most effective style; and Mrs. Keeley was vastly amusing as "a lady's maid to a single gentleman.' The piece is of the melo-dramatic order, full of incident, and abounding with scenic effect. The rescue of the passengers from the sinking steam-vessel is a chef d'œuvre in its MRS. ANNE GRANT, of Laggan, Author of " Letters from the Mountains," &c. was born at Glasgow in the year 1756. She was the daughter of a British officer, of the name of Campbell; and, when a child, she was carried to America by her father, who was in a regiment that was stationed for a considerable time amongst the Mohawks, in the back settlements. Mr. Campbell, on his return, in 1763, brought his wife and daughter with him. Ten years afterwards, he settled near Fort Angustus, in the Highlands; and there, in 1779, Miss Campbell was married to the Rev. Mr. Grant, of Laggan, by whom she had a numerous family. Mr. Grant died in 1803; and then, to procure the means of providing for her children, his widow assumed the pen of a ready writer. Her first publication was, in 1803, "The Highlanders, and other, Poems," which reached a third edition. In 1808, appeared her "Memoirs of an American Lady," in two volumes; and, almost immediately afterwards, her most popular production, "Letters from the Mountains," in three volumes, which reached either a fourth or a fifth edition. This work was followed, in 1811, by "Essays on the Superstition of the Highlands of Scotland," in two volumes; in 1814, by "Eighteen Hundred and Thirteen, a Poem in two Parts;" and in 1815, by "Popular Models, and Impressive Warnings, for the Sons and Daughters of Industry," in two volumes. For several years, Mrs. Grant was a valued literary correspondent of ours, in a leading publication of its class her communications, if not brilliant, were always sound and sensible. One of her accomplished and highly-gifted pupils was the lamented Mary Cameron, (afterwards Mrs. Nisbett,) of Banff. Mrs. Grant died at Edinburgh, in the early partof November. JOSEPH LANCASTER, the introducer in this country, if not the inventor, of what has been termed the system of mutual instruction, by which thousands of the children of the poor have been educated, died at New York on the 24th of October. He was born about the year 1771, was bred a Quaker, and long maintained the habits and manners of that persuasion. Failing in an extensive school establishment, at Tooting, many years ago, he went over to America, where he had ever since remained. He was the author of numerous works relating to and connected with his art of teaching. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. On Saturday, Professor Wilson in the Chair, a reference was made, in a letter from M. Julien, of Paris, to the extraordinary travels of a Chinese, from the years 1628 to 1649. This individual, in the course of his twenty years' travels, visited no fewer than 183 principalities in India. The first communication read accompanied a manuscript grammar of the New Zealand language, compiled by the late Rev. Mr. Kendall, and containing several popular songs of that country. He traced it to a Malay origin. The primary roots and the vowels were nearly the same as the English, and it was altogether of a purity rarely found in savage races. A letter was next read from Dr. Stephenson, of Bombay, relative to the divine worship of the Dekkans, on which General Briggs remarked that in the southern parts of India it was a customary form of worship to propitiate tigers, and snakes, and elephants, or other animals likely to destroy life. In the same manner they propitiate smallpox, cholera, storms, and various diseases, particularly in the Dekkan, where Brahminical customs are not diffused so much as in India. A letter was read from Captain Christopher, being a vocabulary of the Maldivian language, the singularity of which is, that, though not derived from Arabic characters, it is from Arabic numerals, and has a considerable analogy with the Ceylonese language. The population of the islands is about 20,000, but they are much diminishing, although they are very averse to emigration; and an instance was given where a native employed in Bengal in translating the New Testament was recalled. Dr. Royle made a communication on the growth of rice in England, for which so many attempts have been made through the agency of the different societies. He proved, however, that the circumstances of the climate in this country were such as to render the attempt futile. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. On Monday a communication was read from Mr. Westwood on the spongilla fluvialis, a disputed point amongst naturalists. He exhibited specimens of an insect, or its larva obtained from it. Mr. Gray. F.R.S., read a paper from Mr. A. White, on hemipterous insects found in different localities. Mr. Thwaites, of Bristol, exhibited a new species of hymenopterous insect; and Mr. Bagster some singular molluscous animals found in a voyage to America, which presented a curious appearance, being like common caterpillars. WESTERN LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION. On Monday evening the anniversary meeting was held, J. C. Carpue, Esq., F.R.S., in the chair. The report read by the secretary, was highly satisfactory. The library had been increased to nearly 10,000 volumes, and an extensive museum was in the course of formation; whilst classes had been formed for the study of languages, of mathematics, and the natural sciences. Some repairs and other improvements were in contemplation, the probable cost of which was estimated at 1,000l., and in order to raise this sum, 5007. had been advanced by James Drummond, Esq., and ten shares of the institution were proposed to be apportioned at 501. each. A donation of 501. for the purchase of books was announced from John Thompson, Esq. ROYAL INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS. tion to the subject of iron, which is too little understood by architects. LINNEAN SOCIETY. The ordinary meeting was held on Tuesday evening, E. Foster, Esq., V.P., in the chair. Specimens from the common willow herb, a plant growing abunwere exhibited of a new species of cotton, obtained dantly in Britain, and becoming of great importance to agriculturists: these specimens were of a much finer texture than the ordinary cotton of commerce, and more easily wrought. A paper was read from John Quebrett, Esq., of Bartholomew's Hospital, containing the results of his physiological researches author proved to be, not a fungus, but merely a moron the ergot of rye. This poisonous substance the bid condition of the stigma of the plant itself, and which, gradually infecting other organs, assumed the appearance of a mass of sporules; and he calculated that twenty millions of them were distributed over every square inch. GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. The first meeting for the present session was held on Monday evening. Earl de Grey, president, in the chair. The Noble President, on taking the chair, alluded to circumstances which had transpired since the last session. An attempt had been made to consolidate the society with another formed for the prosecution of similar objects, but without success. Since they had last met the profession of architecture had lost one of its most distinguished members, in M. Passier, a foreign corresponding member. An instance of the growing interest and importance attached to the institute was recently shown in the case of the visit to this country of M. Zaret, a foreign professor, who made it his depository. During the recess the council have made arrangements for the delivery of lectures on acoustics and geology, two important objects connected with architecture, and On Wednesday evening a general meeting was held, which will soon be delivered. It is also intended to Dr. Fitton, F.R.S., in the chair. The Secretary read Enlarge the benefits of the institute, by establishing af a communication from the Council of the Natural new class, to be called the student's class, for the in- History Society of Liverpool, descriptive of some apstruction of those who are not forward enough for as-pearances presented by the sandstone rocks in the arsociates. Mr. Donaldson announced the list of pre-gillaceous quarries near Mostyn, North Wales, namesents received since the last session, and stated that Ïy, the imprints of what were supposed to be the feet the Noble President had communicated with the of an animal hitherto unknown, and closely resemRajah of Tanjore, to whom the institute is under bling those of man. They were decidedly plantimany obligations, to continue an intercourse which grade; the palmar portions were deeply hollowed, has already been beneficial. Twelve new members and the phalanges, as well as the integumentary from the Architectural Society were also proposed. folds, distinctly visible. These impressions were Mr. Barry exhibited various metals taken out of the each of them about five feet in length, appeared to be excavations for a sewer near the site of the new similar to some discovered in Saxony many years Houses of Parliament, a description of which was ago, and, in the opinion of the authors of the paper, promised on an early occasion. Mr. Fowler read a probably belonged to the Saurian class of reptiles, the paper on the art of glass painting, entering at length feet of which approximate nearer to the human speinto its antiquity, general divisions, classification, cies than any other creature known to have existed. different styles, and proper employment. These statements elicited an interesting conversation, in which Professor Buckland and the Rev. James Yates took part; and a paper was afterwards read by Sir Philip Egerton, Bart. M.P., on the remains of the Cherotherium, found in Stourton Quarry. Sir James Alexander, the African traveller, was present. ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY. ARTISTS' AMATEUR CONVERSAZIONE. On Tuesday evening an ordinary meeting was held, Mr. W. Tite, F.R.S., President, in the chair. A letter was read from Mr. Sims, on various uses of asphalte, which the writer did not however consider applicable to ornamental structures, from the ease with which it was affected by heat from the sun, and On Wednesday evening the artists and artist-amaother causes. A notice was given that the next sub- teurs held their first season conversazione at the Freeject for a sketch was a design for an entrance to a masons' Tavern. Messrs. Hodgson and Graves were railway station, without offices. Mr. Phillips read the only publishers present. The works displayed an essay on some essential points connected with were few, but in one or two cases of considerable structure. His observations were principally con- merit. A clever picture, by Allen, of "Whittington fined to the employment of iron, the history of which | and his Cat," occupied the centre of one side of the was briefly traced through its earliest applications to room, and was much admired: we saw it some years its employment in the construction of building. Not-back in the exhibition of the Royal Academy. A withstanding the contrary opinion given by the lead-gem in the way of line engraving was in the room, ing architects after the fatal accident at the Brunswick Theatre, it had been introduced with pleasing effect into many public buildings, the value of which could be testified by the roof of the fruit market at Covent Garden, and of the fish market at Hungerford. White cast-iron was proved better for construction than grey, having a radiant crystalline appearance, although the latter is used in the fabrication of artillery. Recent failures on the Birmingham Railway have taught the necessity of paying more atten from the burin of Robert Graves, A.R.A. It is from George Harvey's picture of Shakspeare before the Shallow Justice, taken up for deer-stealing. As a whole, the picture is a very fine composition, and the engraving is exquisite. Nothing can exceed its finish or artistical effect, its rich tone, and harmonious blending of tints. It is a private engraving belonging to the Scottish Association, who have paid for it exclusively, monopolising the prints, and having only six impressions before letters taken from the ceived, and to the menagerie 2,488, and the sum received 687. 178. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. plate. Some of Stanfield's drawings were in the room, and a nice little oil painting by Cooper. The latter artist had a series of lithographs, after his designs upon the table, which were most beautiful subThe ordinary meeting was held on Thursday evenjects of animal grouping thrown into natural land-ing, Hudson Gurney, Esq., V. P., in the chair. scapes. Two clever sketches by Boulanger are wor- Several curious objects were exhibited. amongst thy of mention. One (the best) a portrait of Marshal which was a portrait of Sir P. Sidney, from Miss Soult; the other, the meeting between Soult and Capon; a ring, found in the area of the Roman EnWellington. In the latter sketch (though an exceed- campment at Bedford; a variety of gold ornaments ingly clever and graphic one) the effect of contrast is found in Ireland, amongst which were some specitoo strongly forced, and Indian ink and white chalk mens of what is considered ring money by Sir W. are made to produce too much of the effect of that | Becker, from Mr. Hawkins; and a description was fine alliteration which is discovered in the words also given of an accompanying bronze sacrificial urn, "Warren and Whitewash." A proof mezzotint of from Mr. G. Johnson, analogous to several found in the "Battle of the Covenanters at Drumclog" will Italy, and contained in the Townley collection of the come legitimately under our notice when published. British Museum. A communication was read from A small miniature from Gainsborough was well Sir Thomas Phillips, containing a memoir of the sincopied by Miss Augusta Cole. Mr. John Wood had gular adventures of Sir Peter Carew, a gentleman of a clever portrait of Miss Roberts, the daughter of Sir high reputation at Mahon St. Ottery, in Devonshire, David Roberts, presenting a fine, intelligent, and who was engaged in several important foreign services even beautiful countenance, whose likeness, if we for Henry VIII., and who died at Ross, in Ireland, mistake not, we saw in last year's "Book of Beauty." in 1575. A miniature of D. Serres, the Royal Academician, was also shewn with a set of his Nautical Sketches. ROYAL SOCIETY. The ordinary meetings were resumed on Thursday Evening, in Somerset House, J. W. Lubbock, Esq. Vice-President in the Chair. The amount of Funds now in hand was declared to be 1,4637.; and the following medals, for 1838, were announced as having been awarded:-Royal medals to Professors Forbes and Graham, for their researches on the nature of polarized light, and on the oxides and chlorides used in chemistry; and gold Copley medals to Professors Faraday, and Gouse of Berlin, for their discoveries on electric induction and magnetism. A paper was read from Dr. Faraday on the electric power of the gymnotus; the author's object being to show that that animal possessed it in a greater degree than the torpedo, and that the electricity of animal life is entirely dependent on nervous influence. He also entered into some suggestions as to the proper mode of conveying the gymnotus from tropical countries into England, without destroying it, or injuring its health; and showed that this might easily be done by keeping the eel in that part of the vessel which was least subject to motion. The Chairman announced that the newly-elected President of the society, the Marquis of Northampton, intended to hold four soirées in the months of March and April next. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. The last general meeting for the year was held on Thursday, B. Bond Cabbell, Esq., V.P., in the chair, when twenty-one new Fellows and four Corresponding Members were elected. The report of the council announced the receipts in November as 3867. 4s. 6d., and the amount of expenditure 833l. 4s. 1d., and a statement was also given of the accounts for the whole year. There had been received 13,616l. 10s. Ed., and expended 11,130. 14s., leaving an excess of income of 1,785l. 16s. 6d. The present available assets were funded property in the Three per Cent. Consols of 11,291/. 128. 7d., Exchequer Bills 2097. 6s., and cash in hand 6217. 8s. 7d., making a total of 12,122l. 7s. 2d., whilst the whole of the amount due for rent, unpaid accounts, and current expenses of the present month was 1,7241. The number of visitors to the museum in November was 247, from whom 17. 18s. was re WORKS IN THE PRESS. We have seen a beautiful specimen, embellishments as well as letter-press, of" A Topographical History of the County of Surrey." by John Timbs, assisted by John Britton, F.S.A. &c.; with which is to be given “A Memoir on the Geology of the County," by Dr. Mantell. Such a work, which is really wanted, could not be in better hands. BOOKS JUST PUBLISHED. &c. 2 vols. post 8vo., 21s. boards.. Eve Effingham; or, Home. 4, demy 8vo., 18s. cloth.. Bentley's Miscellany, vol. 4, 16s. cloth.. Family Library, vol. 66, "Chronicles of London Bridge," 18mo., 6s. cloth.. Carpenter's Physiology, 8vo. 15s. cloth.. The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book, 2nd edition, 12mo., 48. 6d. cloth.. Lingard's History of England, vol. 9, 5s. cloth don's Chart of English and Scottish History, 18s.. Parley's Cooper's Surgical Dictionary, new edition, 30s. cloth.. GorTales about Rome and Modern Italy, square, 4s. 6d. cloth.. Thomson's British Annual, 1839, 18mo., 3s. 6d. cloth.. The Medical Pocket Book, 1839, 18mo., 3s. 6d. bound.. Poor Richard's Almanac. 1839, 12mo. sewed, 4d. LONDON: Printed by Joseph Masters, 33, Aldersgate Street. Published every Saturday at the Aldine Chambers, 13, Paternoster Row, by William West, and sold by all Booksellers and Newsvenders. THE ALDINE MAGAZINE OF Biography, Bibliography, Criticism, and the Arts. VOL. I. No. 3. DECEMBER 15, 1838. PRICE 3d. For the Accommodation of Subscribers in the Country, and Abroad, the Weekly Numbers of The Aldine Magazine are re-issued in Monthly Parts, and forwarded with the other Magazines.-Orders received by all Booksellers, Newsvenders, &c. THE CREDIT SYSTEM. "Can these things be credited."-TOM JONES. In a civilized country it is most extraordinary to find pursued that which is absolutely injurious to every one. Debt is the curse of our country; and, although this has often been made apparent to the weakest capacity, it is still practised by all sorts of people! It is unjust in its operation, as it wrongs those, who, seeing its evil, refrain from accepting its baneful provisions. He that receives credit pays a certain price for the goods he purchases, which price includes the intrinsic value of the article, and a remuneration for the accommodation of credit; and then it becomes a question whether he who pays cash for what he procures does not pay for the credit that his tradesman receives from whom he buys, and for the bad debts produced by credit, which grace his tradesman's books. It is a most extraordinary thing, that when a tradesman finds, after having given, what might be considered, an unlimited credit, that his customer is sous less; he makes him buy and buy on, pounds' worth of goods, in spite of the certainly that no money can reasonably be expected. take goods he did not want, but he has been obliged to pay thrice as much as he would have done but for 'credit.' The man who buys with money in his hand finds the evil of credit. He purchases for cash' what has been produced on ‘credit.' The cloth that makes his coat is received from Yorkshire on credit, and is sold by a clothier to his tailor on credit: the wine that blesses his convivial hours has suffered by credit, the bed that receives him after the pleasures of the day has grown by credit,' and the last tick of the clock ere sleep shuts out the realities of life, reminds him of credit: such a man pays for an accommodation that serves him nothing. Credit then injures every one; it ruins those who accept it, and cheats those who do not. Every man is capable of doing the state some service,' and should not fall back into apathy when justice cries aloud for aid. The system is wrong in theory and unjust in practice; it has nothing to recommend it but the thought that because we have delay, the transaction is blotted out, or that we shall find some more convenient season to send for our bills! J. H. P. P. LETTER III. NOTICE OF THE RIVINGTON FAMILY. To trace the progress of a young man's LETTERS TO MY SON AT ROME. journey through a tradesman's books, and so on, to a debtor's prison, is a task painfully interesting. The grasping creditor, whom competition has rendered heedless, tempts the unwary, at first, to exceed the bounds of prudence; ere long the truth becomes palpable.No money is forthcoming, and the debtor can save himself from instant incarceration only by plunging still further into debt. But this will not last long: the Queen's Bench is sought for as an asylum from vindictive creditors, and the man who is confined within its walls lives but to curse the folly of his inexperience and execrate the system of credit that has thus placed him out of the world. Not only has he found himself obliged to VOL. I. NO. III. MY DEAR SON, London: Printed by J. MASTERS, 33, Aldersgate Street. D |
