The Kaleidoscope: or, Literary and scientific mirror

singers have one note which, in spite of the most sedulous exertion of care and practice, remains almost uniformly detective. Perhaps the rule applies more completely to females. Of this fausse note, however, there is no trace in Mr. Braham that we have been able to discover.

ways outstrips the feelings and fancy of auditors. Hence, pushed to such extremity, that something of the dramatic to speak generally, his imagination sometimes has wanted kind pervades the whole mass of his papers. I have traced that simplicity of design and that purity of execution which it on bills, receipts, on the backs of letters, shoe patterns, are the characteristics of the finest taste. slips of paper hangings, grocery wrappers, magazine When we come to speak of his elocution and his execu-covers, battalion orders for the volunteer corps of St. PanThe analogy between the human voice and instruments tion, we may say that Mr. Braham is eminently articulate; cras, in which he served, and on various other scraps, on is so slight, as to convey scarcely any idea at all of resem- not a syllable is lost to the hearers. He is bold, nervous, which his ink could scarcely be made to retain the impresblance as to tone. The oboe, clarionet, or bassoon, were and as emphatic as consists with the fervour of his feeling.sion of his thoughts: yet most of them crowded on both thase of whose quality Mr. Braham partakes, though cer- His recitative is particularly masterly. sides, and much interlined" In 1810, a small volume, entainly it has far more richness, brilliancy, and refinement, Nothing could be finer than was his execution generally. titled, "Sp cimens of Mr. Blacket's Poetical Talents," was than any of them. At its sweetest, it rarely loses a slight He flew through the whole compass of his voice with the printed and circulated amongst persons likely to patronise appaxination to reediness, and at all times it retains its smoothness and speed of light. The hearer felt no dis-its interesting author. Amongst those who interested pechar properties. The whole compass of his voice is turbance from the want of facility, or from the fear of themselves most warmly in his behalf were the Duchess nineteen notes, and if not all of equal strength, they yet failure. There was no imaginable combination of notes, of Leeds, Lady Milbank, the Rev. F. Wrangham, and defer so little in power perceptibly to the auditor, that it however various or protracted; no sort of grace in use Mr. Pratt, a name well known in literature. This genseems as if the singer could at pleasure produce any given among singers, which Mr. Braham could not (at a some-tleman zealously befriended him through life, and after qitty of tone, from pianissimo to fortissimo, upon any what earlier period perhaps than the present) have expressed his death published his Remains," in two vols. 8vo, one of them. Mr. Braham can take his falsette upon any in almost any manner that was des red. His knowledge of for the benefit of his orphan child. The list of respectable ote from D to A at pleasure, and the junction is so nicely the science of music is not less complete, and his acquaint-names attached to the work is honourable to all parties. managed, that it is impossible to distinguish at what ance with the works of composers in all styles, and of all point be substitutes the falsette for the natural note. ages, is as universal as that of any other singer in existence. There is, nevertheless, an obvious departure from the Mr. Braham then is a master of art, though, had his exact natural tone as he rises in the highest notes (A, B, natural endowments and scientific acquirements been less, C, D,) to the peculiar quality which distinguishes the it is perhaps true that he would have been greater, because fete Bit Mr. Braham has assimilated the two in less power of variety would certainly have rendered him their general colour and bearing with much more success more perfect and more pleasing. We refer all his splendid any other performer who made such extensive use of faults to the influence which so fervid an imagination, b; and his voicing may be pronounced to be sui generis, when it is ministered to by unlimited facility, necessarily fis own proper cast, from the lowest to the highest note possesses over the judgment. Mr. Braham is much too This compass Waberer has heard Mr. Braham sing the first line of mentary distraction of his followers, however numerous sensible a man to derive any satisfaction from the compliWart her, angels, through the skies," (from Jeptha,) they may be. He is, we repeat, master of every style. darst recollects such line separately and apart from the Not to admit this perfection in its fullest acceptation would of the song, will have heard the perfection of his tone, be to deprive him of a part of his honours; and if he has dwill probably admit that he can produce sounds rendered up himself to a luxuriance of ornament, to a deeaching hope, adoration, and fervent piety, sounds most gree of passionate expression a little above the colouring aching and full of beauty. Whoever has heard him in of truth, or if he has vitiated the purity of his taste, and relative preceding this air, as generally sung, the uniformity of his manner, by a general commningling Deeper and deeper still," will have listened to as extra- of the style of the church, the Italian and the English sary changes of tone, expressing remorse, hesitation, theatre, the orchestra and the chamber, it has been from led.epest anguish and despair, awe, heart-rending yet a want of recollecting that the public judgment is formed t and resolute obedience to the Divine power and by the study of such eminence as his own, and that while ice, bitter thoughts urging to the very confines of mad-it is his profession to administer to the pleasure of the age, , and, finally, the shuddering horror of pronouncing it was his duty to preserve, and with such talents it was sentence which fulfils an oath to Heaven, and sacrifices certainly given him, to exalt the dignity of his art. Learthly hope of happiness. We can select no single ecimen which assembles so considerable a portion of the and shadow of the colouring of tone (if we may brrow such a term) as this admirable recitative and air. In the order of musical effects it ranks (as we have said efore) with the finest efforts of Mrs. Siddons in the Irana

CRISPIN ANECDOTES.

An Original.-In 1819, died at Montrose, James Sutherland, cobbler, aged 74,- man of most striking and grotesque features, unsusceptible of a smile; well known in that burgh as a most eccentric character, if not of the very highest order, at least remarkable in his way. It would have puzzled the facetious Mathews to imitate his peculiar grimace and ludicrous gesture He uttered many clever sayings, which would have done credit to some people of higher pretensions; and although quite of those sort of beings who are more rogue than fool." harmless, he might have still have been denominated one His garret, which was not encumbered with superfluous furniture, was yet well designed to suit the temper of its master's mind;" and when seated in his stall, would have been no unworthy subject for the pencil of Wilkie. "Alas! we ne'er may look upon his like again." This is but one specimen of the innumerable stars of inferior magnitude with which the constellation of Crispin is studded,

Patriotic Shoemaker.-Mr. Timothy Bennett, a shoemaker, resided in the village of Hampton-Wick, near Richmond, in Surrey. The first passage from this village to Kingston-upon-Thames, through Bushy Park, (a royal demesne,) had been for many years shut up from the public. This honest Englishman, unwilling," as he said, to leave the world worse than he found it," consulted a lawyer upon the practicability of recovering this road, and the probable expense of a legal process. I have seven hundred pounds," said this honest patriot," which I

From a work just published at Sheffield, under the should be willing to bestow upon this attempt. It is all I above title, we extract the following sketches:

have, and has been saved through a long course of honest Mr. Braham's tone in divisions was once perhaps more George Fox, the founder and head of the English would be necessary to produce this result; and Timothy industry." The lawyer informed him, that no such sum e and unvaried than that which he employs in any Quakers, was born at Drayton, in Leicestershire, in the determined, accordingly, to proceed with vigour in the her part of his singing. It is the vice of common per-year 1624, and died in 1681. He was brought up a shoe-prosecution of this public claim. In the meantime, Lord fers; nor is it absolutely confined to that rank, to maker, and followed his trade at Nottingham. Whatever Halifax, Ranger of Bushy Park, was made acquainted ange the tone, in passages of agility, by closing or open-may be objected to some of his erratic procedures and with his intentions, and sent for him. An excellent enthe throat or the mouth, in order to evade difficulties, or mental vagaries, all of which his friends themselves do not graving of Mr. Bennett is still extant, which represents increase or diminish the degrees of loudness. Not un attempt to justify, he certainly was an extraordinary man: him of a firm and complacent aspect, sitting down in the rly, we hear a division which begins upon one vowel and has had the honour of founding a sect, the most amia-attitude of his conversation with his Lordship. The inral through two or three others, in order to facilitate ble in their social manners, and the most praiseworthy in scription beneath the engraving is, "Timothy Bennett, of performance of the passare. Mr. Braham was generally their public intercourse; to whom the legislative have Humpton Wick, Middlesex, shoemaker, aged 75."m all these deformities, because nothing within made concessions and granted dispensations denied to province of rapid execution presents any difficulty to every other sect. A very high character of George Fox's the assurance to meddle in this affair ?" And who are you?" inquired his Lordship, that have "My name, my His errors in the substitution of one tone for an- spirt of piety and depth of understanding is given by Lord, is Timothy Bennett, shoemaker, of Hampton Wick. er are errors of judgment or of feeling, caught probably William Penn in his "Rise and progress of the people remember, an't please your Lordship, when I was a young some early and peculiar association. called Quakers." man, sitting at my work, the people cheerfully pass by to This astonishing performer, indeed, had the possession Kingston market; but now, my Lord, they are forced to go all the attributes of tone, power, sweetness, brilliancy, Joseph Blacket-Among the numerous instances of round about, through a hot, sandy road, ready to faint adaptation to all the degrees of sentiment and passion, genius triumphing over the disadvantages of birth and beneath their burdens, and I am unwilling (it was his en to national mannerism. The very variety of education, must be mentioned the name of Joseph Blacket, favourite expression) to leave the world worse than I found ach he is capable, infected his whole performance, ren- who was born in 1786 at Tunstall, a small village, near it. This, my Lord, I humbly represent, is the reason of red the pleasure of his audience uncertain and unstable; Richmond, in Yorkshire, at which place his father was a my conduct." "Begone! you are an impertinent fellow," equently disappointing the ear at the very moment of its day labourer. At eleven years of age young Blacket was replied his Lordship. However, upon more mature reflecos: intense and fervent expectation, and too commonly, sent up to London, and placed with his brother, who was tion, being convinced of the equity of the claim, and anisturbing the sympathy, it destroyed a great part of a ladies' shoemaker. Thus, by a singular coincidence, he ticipating the ignominy of defeat, "Lord Halifax, the e effect. To increase power, he makes his tone some. was destined to resemble Bloomfield in his introduction nobleman, nonsuited by Timothy Bennett, the shoees coarse, and is very apt to quit notes in an abrupt and to the metropolis, and like him to bequeath to the frater-maker," he desisted from his opposition, and opened the Bished state, by sudden stops and instant terminations nity of shoemakers another name to the instances of road, which is enjoyed, without molestation, to this day. words and of the tone. Hence it is, that we seldom en- poetical talent which are recorded of the Gentle Craft." He died 1756. W. from hearing Mr. Braham, the fine flow of tranquil When about 12 years old, he was taken to see Kemble ght that attended the performance of Mr. Harrison. perform Richard the Third, at Drury Lane Theatre. Mr. Braham's conception is rich and luxuriantly fertile. Previously to this, he had neither read nor seen a play, When we speak of conception, we mean to describe that but, henceforth, Shakspeare became his idol; he wer of mind which apprehends the full intentions of the robbed," to use his own words, “the pillow of its due, pet and the composer, as well as the power of invention and, in the summer season, would read till the sun had far isplayed in the combination of ornamental passages. He retired, then wait with anxious expectation for his earliest sters into every composition with a glow of sensibility gleam, to discover to his enraptured fancy the sublime at gives it the strongest efficiency, and calls into full beauties of that great master;" in short, he became irrecotivity all his own natural qualifications. He is always verably a poet, and aspired to shine as a dramatic writer. under the influence of enthusiasm. But he seldom con- His eagerness on this occasion (mental depression, and tucs for any duration of time to satisfy, because he al-personal privation,") says his editor and biographer," was

Such a disinterested instance of public virtue is highly worthy of being recorded; and, though it may not be in the power of every one to suggest valuable improvements, or to confer lasting benefits on posterity-yet each may, like the patriot Bennett, endeavour, at least, not to leave the world worse than he found it.

A celebrated statuary, in the Strand, is well known as a phrenologist, and it is said that he possessed a collection of many thousand human skulls. "Bless me (said a gentleman," what an extensive scullery! I wonder what sort of a kitchen he keeps."

The Fireside.

tant occupations, it is necessary to spend another in mere amusements."--JOHN LOCKE.

PLAN AND DESCRIPTION OF NAVARINO.

Theatre. We beg to call the attention of the public to the announcement of Mr. Lloyds' benefit, at the Theatre, "In order to employ one part of this life in serious and impor- ancient Pylos, in the territory of Messenia, is on the south-is a gentleman equally intelligent and respectable in his The port or harbour of Navarino, the port of the on Thursday evening next, and to remind the public that Mr. Lloyds is the prompter to the Theatre, and that he west side of the Morea, (anct. Peloponnesus,) at 115 leagues most useful, but unobtrusive vocation.-See adv. E. by N. (nearly) from the east end of Malta, and twenty leagues S. E., S, from the island of Zante. The annexed sketch exhibits its figure, according to a recent survey.

"There is a time to laugh and a time to weep."—SOLOMON.

No. I.

VIVENT LES BAGATELLES!

(Continued from our former seven volumes.)

English Miles.

The Beauties of Chess.

"Ludimus effigiem belli.”—VIDA.

Sphagia

As Christmas advances, we shall resume our bagatelle department; but as it is somewhat early in the Old Navarino. season, we shall, as we last year observed, merely skirmish, by way of prelude. We had prepared a short article as a beginning; but we have laid it aside in favour of the annexed clever specimen of des bouts rimés, with which we have just been favoured. Des bouts rimés, as most of our readers probably know, are rhyming terminations, and they afford a very amusing scope for ingenuity. Thus, in the very clever specimen we are about to present to our readers, the paper, when laid before those who filled it up, was entirely blank, except the concluding word of each line:-long, song-way, day -strife, life-bring, spring-skies, arise-gloom, bloom —-send, lend—air, fair-can, man-blend, end.

Out of this mere skeleton of eighteen words, those who undertake to fill them up must make nine regular couplets, in the manner of our present ingenious specimen. There is one thing of which we are not yet apprized, and we solicit information on the point: we do not know whether they who propose the bouts rimés, or they who undertake to fill them up, dictate the subject to which they relate. It must be obvious, that if the proposer not only furnish the rhymes, but the theme also, the difficulty in the composition must be greater than it would otherwise be, as he will endeavour to select terminal words, as remote as possible from all bearing upon the given subject. With this preface, we shall proceed with the first of our correspondents' specimens, reserving the other

two until next week.

TO THE EDITOR.

Pylos Rocks.

The depths of water are expressed in English fathoms.

The following description is from Mr. Purday's New
Sailing Directory for the Mediterranean Sea.

"The harbour of Navarino, one of the best, if not al-
together the best, in the Morea, extends to the southward
of old Navarino. It is formed, in front, by the narrow
isle called Sphagia, the ancient Sphacteria, which is three
miles (nautical) in length, The entrance, which is at the
south side of this island, is less than a mile broad, but
the harbour widens to upwards of three miles, and its
general depths, with the exception of two shoal spots, are
from twenty-seven to twelve fathoms.

"Navarino, or Neo Castro, is a city on the S. E. side of the harbour, of six thousand or seven thousand inhabitants; who, at the commencement of the bombardment in 1825, retired northward into Arcadia. The harbour is

SIR,-Should you consider the accompanying bouts rimés (last evening's production of a juvenile fire-side party) worthy of a corner in the Kaleidoscope, their inser-so spacious, and so secured from the sea by the island of tion will gratify

November 23, 1827.

HAPPINESS.

THE AUTHORS.

Fit theme for poet's reverie; how-long
Shalt thou remain unnoticed in my-song?
Balm of life's troublous, care-infested-way,
Bearing sweet foretaste of a brighter-day,
Thee would I seek amidst the cares, the-strife,
The soul-entangling pleasures, too, of-life.
For, ah! the pleasures it alone can-bring,
The earth may take them-from the earth they-spring;
But thy pure joys, encentered in the skies,
Are heaven-descended, and to heaven-arise.
Oh! how thy presence, bursting through the-gloom,
Makes the earth's wilderness, like Eden,-bloom!
Softening the woes succeeding years may-send;
Heightening the blessings every day may-lend:
Without thee, all that ocean, earth, or-air
Together yield, of beautiful and-fair,
Their utmost stores commingled, never-can
Supply the cravings of immortal-man.

Ah! then, in life though joy and sorrow-blend,

Be thou his portion at the "latter end."

7 Castle......B-6

8 Queen......C-8X

9 Knight ...C-7XMATE.

4 Castle any where.

5 Castle......B-8 6 Pawn ....B-5

8 Castle B-8

TE
Sphagia, as to be capable of receiving a numerous fleet.
The narrow passage between old Navarino and the island
admits of fishing-boats only: and there is a part where it
may be crossed by fording. The fortress received its
water from old Navarino whilst the Turkish fleet was in
sight, and before the capture of the island. Navarino is
surrounded only by a wall without a ditch: the height
commanding the city is a little hexagon, defended by five
towers at the external angles, but without ditches, out-
works, or ramparts within. From the sea, a frigate might,
in two or three hours, batter down the walls: the artil.
lery of the place (in 1825) consisted of forty pieces of can-
non; the greater part in the fort, eight on the battery at
the entrance of the harbour, and a few in some of the
towers along the city.

"In 1825, an epidemical disease, resembling the
plague, affected this place, while in possession of Ibrahim
Pacha, who, after desolating the neighbouring towns of
Modon and Coron, retreated thence eastward to Kalamata.

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To Correspondents.

TYROLESE MINSTRELS-The interesting memoir of the Rainer family, which, together with the music, tales@ nearly half of this day's publication, has obliged postpone several articles which were prepared fr

week's Kaleidoscope. Amongst these are the concha d

the article on telegraphs, the continuation of the tions from the Elder Poets, and several other comm cations, which shall be introduced into our next nu We thought it advisable to give the whole memoir of the Swiss Minstrels in one publication, as they are now in verpool, and will make their first appearance this ever (Tuesday) at the Music-hall, and to whose performances particularly invite the public attention.-See adu. The interesting article suggested by A Friend has been

some time in preparation, and shall be inserted in a serie of our numbers; but we shall not commence it until about

Christmas.

THE PARROT.-The lines of Quis, although not destitute of humour, are inadmissible, for a reason which our corr pondent may guess.

"The Pylos rocks extend to a considerable distance from the south end of Sphagia, and narrow the entrance to the harbour. Here it is requisite, when sailing in, to keep nearest to the main or eastern shore. When in, you WRITING AND READING FOR THE BLIND. We have in reseret may anchor behind the island, in from five to fifteen or for next week, an article on this interesting subject, whic twenty fathoms. has been excluded from our present publication by the mar

"The town of Modon, once a place of great trade, is four and a half miles to the south of Navarino. The land

OR,

Literary and Scientific Mirror.

"UTILE DULCI."

— This familiar Miscellany, from which all religious and political matters are excluded, contains a variety of original and selected Articles; comprehending Literature, CriticISM, MEN and MANNERS, AMUSEMENT, elegant EXTRACTS, POETRY, ANECDOTES, BIOGRAPHY, METEOROLOGY, the DRAMA, ARTS and SCIENCES, WIT and Satire, Fashions, NATURAL HISTORY, &c. forming handsome ANNUAL VOLUME, with an INDEX and TITLE-PAGE. Persons in any part of the Kingdom may obtain this Work from London through their respective Booksellers. LONDON-Sherwood and Blackburn-T. Rogerson; Clithero-H. Whalley; Co. Booksellers; E. Marl- Bradford-J. Stanfield;

borough, Ave-Maria-lane; Bristol-Hillyard & Mor-Congleton-S. Yates;

T.C.Smith, 36, St. Jamesstreet.

gan; J. Norton;
Burnley-T. Sutcliffe;
Burslem-S. Brougham;
Ashborne, Derb.-W. Hoon;
R. Timmis :
Ashton-T.Cunningham; Bury-J. Kay;
Bilston-S. Bassford; Carlisle-HIK. Snowden;
Birmingham-R. Wrightson; Chester-R. Taylor;
Boton-J.Kell; Brandwood; Chorley-C. Robin

No. 388.-Vol. VIII.

The Traveller.

TO THE EDITOR.

Glasgow-Robertson and Co.; Macclesfield-P. Hall;
Colne-H. Earnshaw; Halifax-N. Whitley;
Hanley-T. Allbut;
Denbigh-M. Jones;
Huddersfield-T. Smart;
Doncaster-C. & J.White; Hull-J. Perkins;
Dublin-De Joncourt and Kendal-M.&R. Branthwaite;
Harvey; and, through Lancaster-J. Miller;
them, all the booksel- Leeds-H. Spink; J. Clark;
lers in Ireland.
Manchester-J. Fletcher;
Dumfries-J. Anderson; T.Sowler; B. Wheeler; and
Durham-Geo. Andrews;} Gleave and Sons.

Mottram-R. Wagstaff
Newcastle-under-Lyme-J.Mort;
Newcastle-u.-Tyne-J. Finley;
Northwich-G. Fairhurst;
Nottingham-C. Sutton;
North Shields-Miss Barnes;
Oldham-J. Dodge;
Ormskirk-W. Garside;
Oswestry-W. Price; Edwards;
Penrith-J. Shaw;

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1827.

ATTEMPT TO REACH THE SUMMIT OF BEN LOMOND. which it bounded. Again the clouds were closed, and we
continued our ascent-and again they rolled back and dis-
played the former scene, which, now viewed from a more
Sra,—The last beams of a summer sun were just glitter-elevated station, appeared
ig on the bosom of the Loch, and gilding the neighbouring
"Alas! how different, yet how like the same!"
fountains with an almost Italian splendour, when a party,
Darkness returned, and these changes having taken
onsisting of seven individuals, landed from the Marion place several times, the mist seemed to settle into a mass
team-boat, at the sequestered little inn of Rowerdenan, of almost impenetrable fog. Two of our party now re-
with the intention of ascending the "lofty Ben Lomond" solved to return, and taking with them the little boy, left
on the following day. The appearance of the evening us to continue our ascent. Of the six now remaining, two
seemed to warrant our anticipations of a favourable morn-were ladies, who supported in a most wonderful manner
ng, and we resolved to commence our ascent at one o'clock, the fatigue and anxiety we had still to suffer. In about half
order to witness the rising of the sun from an elevation an hour we arrived at a very steep and rocky part of the
f near 4,000 feet above the level of the sea.
mountain, about a quarter of a mile from the summit.
The night passed away, and the wished-for period was The way now became very difficult, and was attended
st approaching, when a person belonging to the inn with considerable danger, owing to the thickness of the
ent round to our several chambers with the mournful in- fog and the slipperiness of the rocks, as it was raining
lligence that ** we couldna gang up the hill ava, for the heavily. After resting a few minutes at the base of this
orning was rainy." I have often since thought that this precipitous acclivity, we recommenced our toilsome jour-
itimation was very much resembling that of the honest ney, keeping in a body, as a very short distance would
fibernian, when he awaked a gentleman (whom he was have put us out of sight or hearing of each other. We were
summon at a certain hour) in order to inform him that benumbed with cold, drenched with the incessant rain,
had still two hours to sleep. For my own part, I would and the way was becoming more difficult at every step:
finitely have preferred remaining in happy ignorance of in short, so unpleasant was our situation, that, although
r disappointment, to being called from a refreshing sleep within a few minutes' walk of the top, we resolved to
the sole purpose of hearing a communication which descend as quickly as possible. At the bottom of the
fectually served as an antiopiate for the rest of the morn-precipitous part we stopped, in order to collect together,
as, in the difficulty of our descent, we had been rather
About seven, however, the mists seemed to be gradually dispersed. In this muster a gentleman and lady were
earing away; and rolling upwards, they soon appeared found to be missing. We called, but no one answered;
ut as a cloud resting on the summit of the mountain-we waited, but no one arrived. To have sought them
ad, at the same time, the sun shining brightly forth, in-
aced us to set out on our projected excursion about a
iarter before eight o'clock, accompanied by a little boy
id girl, in the capacity of guides. We, accordingly,
menced our journey, taking abundant store of pro-
ions and whiskey.

Prescot-A. Ducker;
Preston I. Wilcockson;
I. Walker;
Ripon-T. Langdale;
Rochdale-J. Hartley;
Sheffield-T. Orton;
Shrewsbury-C. Hulbert;
Southport-W. Garside;

Stoke-R.C.Tomkinson;
St. Helen's-I.Sharp;
Stockport-T. Claye;

Ulverston-J. Soulby;
Wakefield-Mrs. Hurst;
Warrington-J.Harrison;
J. and J. Haddock;
Welchpool-R. Owen;
Wigan-Mrs. Critchley
J. Brown;
Wolverhampton-T. Simp
son, Bookseller;
Wrexham-J. Painter;
York-W.Alexander&Son

PRICE 30.

now it was as if a glimpse of other worlds had burst upon follow the shore to Rowerdenan. Accordingly, we selected us-whilst the mist, still rolling above and around, gave what appeared to be one of the straightest rivulets, knowan additional charm to the bright and lovely prospecting that it must inevitably run into the lake. This we were afterwards obliged to abandon, in consequence of its winding amongst the hills in such a manner, that there was little prospect of reaching the outlet that night. Proceeding forwards, therefore, in what we conceived to be the direction of the lake, we soon had the satisfaction of observing the mists begin to clear away; and about three o'clock in the afternoon we found ourselves in the midst of a plain, perhaps half a mile in diameter, and surrounded on all sides by lofty hills. We ascended one of the highest; but nothing was to be seen except mountains piled on mountains in such chaotic irregularity, that even Ben Lomond itself was indistinguishable amongst its lofty compeers. It was a scene of overwhelming grandeur, but conveyed few comfortable sensations to four drenched, shivering, and fatigued beings, looking forward to a night's rest upon the heath. We selected another mountain rill for our guide; and following it for miles, at length got a glimpse of the Loch where it emptied itself. Hope revived, mutual congratulations passed on the happy termination of our adventures, when, judge of our dismay, our utter consternation, to find, instead of the broad bosom of Loch Lomond, a small mountain tarn, whose greatest length was not more than three or four miles. It did, however, bring us in sight of a solitary cottage, towards which we eagerly proceeded. I arrived considerably before my companions, and after searching through a num. ber of outhouses, used for keeping cows or sheep, without being able to find any human being, I was about to give it up in despair, when I espied the smoke issuing from the crevices in the walls of one which, from its smallness and miserable appearance, I had hitherto overlooked. I would have been totally useless, since the mist prevented approached and knocked; the door opened; and after the us both seeing and hearing at any distance. Fearing smoke had, in some measure, cleared away, I perceived a something had befallen them, yet hoping they had de- female form standing in the aperture. I inquired my scended by a different route, we continued our course, distance from Rowardenan, but being unable to answer being now only four in number, including the guide. me, she called a gigantic Highlandman to her aid, and he After walking a considerable way, we observed the little told me it was about eight miles. Reader! hast thou ever "The first part of our ascent was unattended with any girl looking anxiously about her. Suspecting we had been in Scotland? If thou hast, thou wilt be able to bing remarkable; and, with the exception of stopping to gone astray, we inquired of her where we were, and re-estimate my dismay; if not, reckon each Scotch mile equal ake our breakfast, with the rich mountain heather for our ceived the laconic, but appalling answer, "I dinna ken." to one and a half English ones, and then consider what esting place, we proceeded uninterruptedly for about two In a short time, she again met with some objects which astounding news this was for an almost exhausted wanours. But now the blue waters of Loch Lomond, with she recognised, but, unfortunately, again lost herself before derer. ts hundred little islets, began to fade from our view-a we had gone a quarter of a mile. Now, however, we I informed him that I had lost my way in ascending the dense mist rolled along the valleys, and seemed to threaten could hear the dashing of water, and I recollected a cas-mountain, and that there were three more of my party us with another disappointment. Wider and wider spread cade which I had been attentively observing from below the fog, until we found ourselves so completely enshrouded, the evening before. Naturally taking this for the same, that we could not discern any object at a few yards' dis. and shaping our course accordingly, we crossed the stream, tance. Resolved to persevere, and relying on the know- and walked for a long time along the side of the mountain. ledge of our youthful guides, we continued our course Now sinking amongst the aromatic heather, and scaring up the mountain, when the mist parting below us, sud- the moor-fowl from their nests; now wading through the denly gave us a view of the Loch and part of the surround-rapid streams; now scrambling over craggy braes, or with ing scenery. The effect was startling in the extreme.a moment before, and we were shrouded in darkness;

But

• It was the little girl's 17th ascent that season.

cautious steps picking our way through some treacherous
bog, we wandered along, not despairing, but almost hope-
less, of recovering the proper track. Our principal object
was now to find Loch Lomond, as we could then easily

close behind. He pressed me to come in and dry myself; and I entered into a small room, in which burned a turf. fire, but the smoke having no legal exit, escaped through the door, the window, and the crevices in the clay walls of the dwelling. I was kindly welcomed, and when I had composed myself by the fire the rest of the party arrived. The lady was incapable of proceeding farther; and, in con. sequence, her husband resolved to remain all night in the cottage. I now announced my intention of re-crossing the mountain that evening, and inquired if I could obtain a guide: this I was unable to do, and the good people of

the house used all their eloquence to dissuade me from the attempt. They said that, in an hour, the mountains would be dark, and that it was extremely perilous for any one to attempt the passage after that time. I had, however, the strongest motives for my return, and 1 was resolved to attempt it. I had faced difficulties and dangers continually during the day, and now I set them at defiance. Our little guide also wished to get home that night; and having obtained as explicit directions as we could, we prepared to recommence our walk. At the door of the hut we met a woman, living at some distance, who, to my great satisfaction, informed us that her husband would go as guide. She said her house was distant but "a mile and a bittock ;" and we found the bittock, as usual, equal to two of the miles. We did at length arrive there, however,

Scientific Notices.

TELEGRAPHIC SIGNALS BY DAY & NIGHT.
(Continued from page 162.)

A Semaphore of very simple form was proposed by Sir
Home Popham in 1816, and adopted by the Admiralty.
This is the only machine now used by the Government,
and will be perfectly understood by the following figure:

SIR HOME POPHAM'S SEMAPHORE.

and found her husband, Donald, (or, as she called him. This Semaphore has only two arms, each of which plays
Tonalt,) to be a fine old Highlander, about 50 years of on both sides of the machine. The internal machinery,
age. He readily agreed to accompany us, though he said for moving the arms, is curious and ingenious: they are
we were still eight miles from Rowardenan. We accord-moved by a handle on each side of the machine at the
ingly set out; and he enlivened the dreariness of the way, lower part; and, by a combination of cog-wheels, an
by telling us the legends of the country. We had not pro- eye of the person turning the handles, so that he sees in an
index, like the face of a clock, is moved, just before the
ceeded more than a mile or two, when, having fallen rather instant how far he ought to turn them. This Semaphore
behind, I hastened forward to overtake Donald; and in is capable of making forty-eight distinct signals; the
doing so, plunged up to the middle in a bog. I fortu- lower arm has six different positions, and the upper seven.
nately retained my presence of mind, and observing some The plan of communicating messages by spelling is still
rushes at a little distance, by a desperate effort I ob- continued, and, so long as this is the case, the simpler the
machine the better it will be. This Semaphore is also
tained hold of one considerable tuft. I twisted my arm capable of conveying words and sentences, if the numerical
amongst them, to support me, and with the other hand system were applied to it; but, from being incapable of
bent a quantity over the bog. I then struggled to extri expressing more than one figure at once, this plan would
cate myself, and succeeded in getting both my knees upon
be nearly as tedious as spelling.
the rushes. This frail support enabled me to spring over
the rest of the swamp; and I was thankful to regain
"terra firma" with no other damage than a pretty thick
coat of moss earth. I took advantage of the next stream
to cleanse part of it away, though with all my washing I
still presented a very woful appearance.

We had not gone much farther when we observed the print of a man's shoe in the clay, and, to my surprise, my guide immediately told to whom it belonged. On inquiring how he recognised it, he informed me that there was a particular nail wanting in the heel, and that he knew the shape of the shoe that the person whom he named wore. I believe that the guides have peculiarities such as that just mentioned, in order that they may recognise each other's track. About one hundred yards farther on, we met with the identical owner of the shoe, who informed us that the division of our party who had first descended, growing uneasy at our, protracted absence, had despatched four guides to scour the mountain, and endeavour to gain some intelligence of us. This man was one of them, and was just returning unsuccessful. I inquired of him if he had seen any thing of our two companions, whom we lost on the mountain, but I could get no information respecting them. I had, however, the satisfaction of hearing that those who had returned earlier had arrived in safety. We now soon reached Rowardenan without meeting with any more adventures, after wandering on the mountain for upwards of twelve hours.

The gentleman and lady whom we lost arrived about eleven o'clock at night, and they explained our missing them in the following manner. On turning in order to descend, the lady's foot slipped amongst the rocks, and before she recovered herself, we were out of sight in the mist, which so alarmed her that she fainted. It so hap. pened that the little whiskey we had left was in the possession of this gentleman, and in endeavouring to give some to his companion, in order to revive her, the cork fell out, and it was all spilt! After wandering for a short time, they had fallen in with a shepherd's hut, where they had rested till evening, and then obtained a guide to

Rowardenan.

ENGLISH AND FRENCH LINES OF TELEGRAPHS.

and the use of it is given gratuitously to all vessels paying dock dues. It is conducted on an economical scale, there being only one man at each station with a small salary.

map

it will

This line consists of ten different stations, viz Liverpool, Bidston, Hilbre Island, Voel Nant, Llysfaen, Great Ormshead, Puffin Island, Llaneilian, Gareg lwyd, and Holy. head. The distance, in a right line along these stations, is seventy-two miles, making the average distance of the stations eight miles. By an inspection of the be seen, that the line keeps all the way upon the coast, lofty promontories being chosen for the stations, or hills of a moderate elevation. It is found that the weather is more frequently clear upon the coast than inland; and that points of moderate elevation are better than stations either on the highest hills or on the level shore: the high hills are often capped with clouds, and the shore immersed in fog, when the intermediate elevations are clear. It is in portant that there should be no hill between any two as, in certain seasons, a vapour rises from the hills which tions of nearly the same height as either of the stations, may obscure a somewhat more elevated point.

It would be interesting to know how many days in the year, on an average, telegraphic communications will be practicable. An approximation may be made towards don and Portsmouth line. It is found, by taking the ascertaining this point, from the observations on the Lonaverage of fifteen years, that there are 208 or 210 days in the year, in which signals can be made throughout the day, and about 100 in which they can pass at some periods of the day. Lieut. Watson calculates that there will be greater number of days in which the telegraph will available between Liverpool and Holyhead, owing to less degree of liability to land fogs on this line. The wa most unfavourable for making signals are those from t points between north-east and south, when the weather i generally hazy. Morning and evening are the best tine for observation; there is always considerable obscurity when the sun is passing the meridian, especially in het weather. The telegraph has, unfortunately, commenced working in the very worst month of the year for making signals.

telegraph are the English and French.
The only two nations which have yet employed the
In England,
during the war, there were four great lines of telegraphs,
from the metropolis to the principal naval ports or stations;
and some others in which the machines were of a ruder CONSTRUCTION OF LIEUT. WATSON'S TELEGRAPH.
construction. In the line from London to Portsmouth,
seventy-two miles, there were twelve stations; in that to warehouse, in Chapel-street, near St. Nicholas's Church,
The Liverpool telegraph on the top of Mr. Duncan's
Plymouth, two hundred and sixteen miles, thirty-one was not erected by Lieut. Watson, and differs from his it
stations; to Yarmouth, one hundred and twenty-three appearance, but is exactly the same in principle and is
miles, nineteen stations; to Deal, seventy-two miles, ten the mode of working. All the other telegraphs on the line
mouth and Plymouth were the same, and the lines sepa- with efficiency. That at Bidston (adjoining the lighthouse)
stations. The first eight stations from London to Ports-were erected by him, and appear to us to combine ecoy
rated in the New Forest. Since the war the greatest part which, though the smallest in the line, may be taken a
of these have been done away with, and we believe the a specimen of the whole, consists of a mast of Baltic timber,
Portsmouth line is the only one now in operation. A 50 feet high and 22 inches in diameter (including the k
single signal, previously agreed upon and expected, such fishes or slabs, girt round it with iron hoops :) it is stared
London to Portsmouth, and the answer, intimating that There is also a topmast 27 feet high. In the principl
as the intimation of the hour, has been conveyed from from the top by four strong chains fixed into the rock
it is understood, received, within a minute-the distance mast are fixed three pairs of arms, moveable by pulleys and
being 144 miles. Under similar circumstances, a message haulyards playing in grooves cut through the centre of the
has passed from London to Plymouth, and an answer mast, and worked from a small observatory built round
been received, within three minutes-being a distance of the foot. The arms are of African oak, painted black, and
In France the lines of telegraphs are maintained from extended, they fall into the grooves of the mast, and are
measure 7 feet 6 inches long by 16 inches wide: when ne
the capital to the principal seaports and frontier towns. invisible. The three figures subjoined will, we hope, fully
The communication is made from Paris to Calais. a disillustrate this curious machine, and all its different more
tance of 68 leagues, with 27 stations, in three minutes;
to Lisle, 58 leagues, with 22 stations, in two minutes;
minutes two seconds; to Brest, 150 leagues, with 30 sta-
to Strasburgh, 120 leagues, with 45' stations, in six
tions, in eight minutes; to Toulon, 221 leagues, in thirteen
minutes fifty seconds; and to Bayonne, 221 leagues, in
fifteen minutes.

482 miles.

TELEGRAPHS FROM LIVERPOOL TO HOLYHEAD.

ments:

LIEUT. WATSON'S TELEGRAPH.

established between this town and Holyhead, under the
We come now to the line of telegraphs which has been
superintendenee of Lieut. Watson, and which has just
commenced working. This is, we believe, the first tele-
graphic communication opened by any public company.
It is the undertaking of the Dock Trustees, and has been
including the erection of nine houses for the signal-men.
executed, we understand, for considerably less than £2000,
Its advantages will be, to report 1st. the state of the wind
daily at Holyhead; 2d. the vessels passing that place out-
ward or homeward bound: 3d. the state of any vessel in
distress or in need of assistance, along the whole interven-
ing line of coast; 4th. any important information, either Figure A shows the mast, and the six positions in which
political or commercial, from Ireland or America-made the uppermost pair of arms may be placed: figure B short
known in the latter case at Holyhead by the signals of the mast with all the three pairs of arms extended at once:
homeward bound vessels. There are various other pur-and figure C shows it with only one arm of each paire
poses which these telegraphs may be made to answer, and tended. Each of the three pairs of arms is capable of
elapsed, commercial and private correspondence carried on
we do not despair of seeing, before many years shall have assuming six positions, with only one arm extended a
to a great extent by means of these machines. The estab-rope; the lower part is of rope, and made as short as possible,
The haulyards are made partly of chain and partly of
lishment has been commenced without any view to profit, from the liability to be affected in length by the weather.

once, viz. three on the right side of the mast and three on wheels or pulleys which move the arms are visible, instead | So said sweet Juliet; and, had she had a telegraph, it the left, as is shown by figure A. On the right or north of being enclosed in the mast. It also differs in having would have made her happy, and spared her nurse's bones; side, the 1st position is an oblique inclination upwards at the pairs of arms considerably nearer to each other than in nay, it might have saved the life of her Romeo. A sigh or an angle of 45 degrees; the 2d position is horizontal; the Lieutenant Watson's, which is a disadvantage, as the arms a vow might be wafted from London to Bath, or Chel3d position is an oblique inclination downwards: on the sometimes intersect each other at the extremities. But tenham, in a few seconds; a lover might thus most conleft or south side, the 4th position is the oblique inclination the principle of all these machines is exactly the same, spicuously signalize his devotion to the fair one of his upwards; the 5th horizontal; and the 6th the oblique and they are worked in the same manner. The signal- heart; and the pining mistress might learn, from the exinclination downwards. Three other positions are assigned man at each station is continually on the look out for panded arms of the telegraph, how soon she should be refor each pair, which require both the arms to be extended signals from the next telegraph, and he has the assistance stored to the arms of her betrothed. We dare to say that at once, as is shown in figure B: the 7th position is when of an excellent telescope, of the manufacture of Mr. Lieut. Watson will assist any couple about to endure the both are inclined obliquely upwards; the 8th when both Abraham. When he sees the first signal, he makes a pangs of absence, to adapt a Cupid's vocabulary to his are horizontal; and the 9th when both are inclined ob- signal himself to show that he perceives it, and then going telegraph. Nay, we shall show them by and by how they liquely downwards. to the ropes by which the machine is worked, he repeats may do it without his assistance, and with such secrecy This telegraph is adapted to the numerical system; that the signal to the next station. If the message should that the tenderest breathings may be conveyed under an is, all words, names, sentences, &c. are expressed by num- consist of more than one signal, as is generally the case, impenetrable cipher. Paper may be violated, wax may ers or figures previously arranged in a printed vocabulary. the first is repeated before the second is made; and thus, be melted, but a telegraphic love-letter would be more It is also as capable of spelling, when a proper name or un- if the message should contain nine signals, the first part mysterious than the enigma of the sphynx, as well as ommon word should occur, as any other telegraph. The of it would be in Liverpool at the time that the last part swifter than the Bight of Venus's doves." umerical system may be briefly explained. Each num-left Holyhead. Although the signal-man does not see the er, as we have said, is made to signify a certain letter, arms of his own telegraph move, from being in the small ord, or sentence, according to a fixed system. The first house immediately beneath it, yet he has not the least i numbers signify the letters of the alphabet; 1 signifies difficulty in operating with precision. At the end of each 2B, 3 C, &c. The numbers from 27 to 58 are appro- haulyard is an iron weight, which just balances the arms, risted to the points of the compass; 27 signifies North, and in this weight is a bolt, which fits into holes made in 8 N. by E., &c. The numbers from 62 to 185 are ap- the mast at those exact points where the haulyard should ropriated to portions of time, from a second to two years, be pulled to, in order to raise the arms to the required nd including the hours of the day, and days of the month. positions. To render the telegraphs available for combe numbers beyond this, to the extent of more than se- municating with vessels along the coast, the mast can be en thousand, are appropriated to a vocabulary of words turned round, so as to present the machine broadside to id sentences, which will be best understood by the fol- the sea. wing specimen from the work Lieut. Watson is about to blish, and of which he has kindly shown us the proof No.

leets:

36 A.

87 ABACE.

88 Heave all aback.

89 Taken aback.
90 ABAFT V. AFT.

91 Abaft the beam.

94 ABANDON, s, ed, ing,

ment.

202 The storm abated.
211 ABOARD.
212 All aboard.

213 A pilot is aboard.
214 Send aboard.
373 AFLOAT.
374 Afloat abaft.

MARINE TELEGRAPH.

At all events, every kind of commercial intelligence might be conveyed with certainty and secrecy by this method. The two correspondents, being each provided with a vocabulary, have only to agree to add a certain number, say 5, 6, or 7, to the numbers given to the signal.man of the telegraph, and thus it would be impossible for him to understand a word. Instead of 381, the number 386 might be given; instead of 260, the number 265; and the correspondent at the other end, knowing that he ought to deduct five from cach number, would immediately discover the meaning. Even more intricate methods will easily occur to every one. Between such towns as Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Hull, Birmingham, and London, this spe cies of communication would be highly valuable.

It seems very probable that many improvements may yet be made in the telegraph, to adapt it more entirely to every species of communication; though, to us, it appears to be already greatly simplified in the system we have described, and capable of being almost universally applied.

This brings us to the system of communicating between vessels at sea and the telegraph. For this purpose a In time of war, the utility of the telegraph from Holyseries of nine flags is used, so differently coloured as to be head to Liverpool would be extremely great. No enemy's 198 ABATE, s, d, ing, ment. easily distinguishable. Each of these flags represents a ship or privateer could approach any part of the coast withnumber or figure, from 1 to 9, and three of them, dis-out its being instantly known at every station; and all played at once at the main-top, one above the other, will kinds of important intelligence might be conveyed with indicate any number up to 999. By hoisting a signal on the same rapidity. the foremast to indicate the class, it is obvious that as many numbers can be represented as by the land telegraph. If a vessel in distress were to hoist the signal of Class IV. on the foremast, and 816 by three flags at the main-top, the signal-man at the telegraph would look at his vocabulary, and instantly find that Class IV. No. 816, was-"Has sprung a leak." No. 818, under the same class, would signify-" Leak increases, and is dangerous." The answer might be given, Class I. No. 196- Do not abandon the vessel;" followed by Class VII. No. 83, and Class VI. No. 334, which together signify" A steamboat is gone to relieve the vessel in distress." We have selected these as the first illustrations which occur to us in looking at Lieutenant Watson's vocabulary; an inspection of that work will show that any message whatever might be communicated by the same means either from or to the vessel.

35 Abandoned by the crew. 375 Afloat forward. 16 Do not abandon the vessel 376 As soon as she is afloat. fter the vocabulary, comes a list of merchants' names, to -number of some hundreds, each of which has its se ral number in the printed work. Then follows a ga. Beer, including many hundreds of sea-perts, towns, and Runtries. And last of all come the names of vessels benging to, or frequenting, the port of Liverpool. It may seem difficult to express, with certainty, so many ifferent numbers by the telegraph; but, when explained, e process is quite easy. The total number of distinct ords, names, &c. in the vocabulary is nearly 10,000, hich are divided into classes of 999 each. Now the teleaph can express any No. from 1 to 999 at a single opetion. It has been seen that each pair of arms is capable fine positions, and to these positions the figures from 1 $9 are determinately affixed. It is then arranged that he uppermost pair of arms indicate hundreds, the middle artens, and the lowest pair units. Thus, suppose one of he upper arms to indicate 1, the middle arm 5, and the wer arm 3, as in figure C, the number is 153: suppose upper pair to indicate 7, the middle pair 8, and the wer pair 9, as in figure B, the number would be 789. eipher or 0 is not needed, because the absence of any ovement in the middle or lower arms would sufficiently dicate the cipher. Suppose No. 1 to be extended in the oper pair, without any indication in the pairs below, the umber would be 100: suppose No. 1 to be extended in he middle pair, without any indication either of the upper r lower pairs, the number would be 10.

But as the telegraph will only express three figures at time, the number indicated cannot be above 999. To ncrease the powers of the instrument, therefore, nine diferent classes are made, each of them containing 999 numers. The signal-man, in making his signals, indicates in the first instance, by the upper pair of arms, of what class the number is which he is about to express. Suppose he says Class I. No. 195, this is found, on referring to the vocabulary, to signify "Abandoned by the crew." o of all the other classes. By the use of combinations, uch as are employed in the Admiralty semaphore, this elegraph might express any number, however large; but Lieutenant Watson thinks it better to avoid the use of hese combinations, as they are not necessary in a machine so comprehensive as his, whilst they make the operations much more complicated.

And

The telegraph erected on Mr. Duncan's warehouse dif. fers from those of Lieutenant Watson, in having a frame of cast iron, instead of a mast; and the three pairs of

We cannot conclude this sketch of the history and construction of telegraphs, without acknowledging our great obligations to Lieutenant Watson (under whose sole superintendence the line from Liverpool to Holyhead has been erected) for his polite and valuable assistance; and especially for a sight of his forthcoming work, which fully explains his system, and is a key to all the operations of these curious and valuable machines.

METEOROLOGICAL DIARY.

A Method for Facilitating the Observation of distant Stations in Geodoetical Operations.-Lieutenant Thomas Drummond, of the Royal Engineers, having observed It would evidently be a great improvement in naviga. that quick-lime, when intensely heated, has the singular tion, if these systems of flags were universally adopted. property of giving out a most vivid light, availed himself By means of them, and of the vocabulary, the master of a of a ball of that substance, of the size of a pea,-so placed vessel might communicate either his wants, or the infor- in the focus of a parabolic mirror as to admit of being mation he possesses, to the telegraphs ashore, whence the intensely ignited by the flames of several spirit lamps, message would be instantly conveyed to the place from directed towards it by as many streams of oxygen gas, which his wants might be relieved, or where his informa-issuing from separate blow-pipes; by which means a light tion would be valuable. This might often save a vessel of from seventy-five to ninety times the intensity of a well from being wrecked. It would also be of great advantage trimmed Argand lamp was obtained.-Silliman's American Journal. to two vessels meeting at sea. Instead of laying to, in order to communicate with each other, and thus losing several hours, the signals would answer the same purpose at the distance of some miles; and not only would much time and trouble be spared, but the message would be far more correctly conveyed by the signals than by the speak. ing trumpet. In this manner, the name and destination of the vessel, the intelligence she has brought from her port, or picked up on the voyage, the latitude and longitude, or any other information, might be communicated. But for these purposes it is necessary that the system should be generally adopted, and the expense of a set of flags is so moderate, that it would be inexcusable in the proprietor of a vessel to neglect providing her with what may tend so greatly both to his own accommodation and to the safety of the vessel. FURTHER USES OF THE TELEGRAPH.

We come lastly to notice the further uses to which the telegraph might be applied. The difficulty here is to say what kind of correspondence it may not serve to conduct. We know not, indeed, that it will deprive the postoffice of the love-letters which now pass through it, though we see no reason why it should not. On the contrary, its swiftness is admirably adapted for the communications of im. patient lovers.

"Love's heralds should be thoughts; Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw love, And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings."

[From the Liverpool Courier.]
Extreme Thermo-Extreme State off
meter 8 heat du- the Wind
during
Night. morning ring Day. at noon."

Remarks at

noon.

Barometer
at

noon.

Nov.