"Whoe'er expects a faultless piece to see, Seeks what nor is, nor was, nor e'er shall be."

at the fifth game, he plays the king's gambit, making emark in a note under the letter L, that "cette partie voir qu'un gambit bien attaqué, et bien defendu, n'est ais une partie decisive de coté ni d'autre." So the

hor reasons, supposing that he who plays the gambit

overs the pawn which is given; but as this supposition s not hold good, even upon his own defence, we may -eat with the poet,

"Gambitto à giuocator farsi non lice."

The following are the moves given by Philidor:

2 Pawn ......F-4 3 Knight. ......F-3 4 Bishop......C-4 5 Pawn......H-4 6 Pawn ......D—4

BLACK.

E-5

1 Pawn
2 Pawn.........F-4
3 Pawn.........G-5
4 Bishop .....G-7
5 Pawn ......H-6
6 Pawn.........D-6
7 Pawn .C-6

Cunningham gives the victory to the white; but Philidor, with more reason, thinks the black should win. If, however, the white, on castling, instead of placing the king at G 1, should castle with the king at H 1, according to the Italian method, in the latter case I should rather agree with Cunningham; from which it follows, that the king's gambit might be played, in case the adversary made use of this defence; but not having always this security, I subscribe to the opinion of the celebrated Philip Stamma, of Aleppo, who thinks that every one should abstain from playing it, being, of itself, disastrous, except when you have the good fortune to meet with a player who is a player only in name.

To Boats' Crews, and especially those of Life Boats, these Marine Preservers would be most invaluable, as they serve to keep the body warm and dry; nor do they, in the slightest degree, prevent the wearer from using the oars; whilst, by inspiring confidence, they may be the means of inducing seamen to venture where it would be unsafe, or fatal, to go without them.

They may be had either lined or padded, and so made as to

adjust themselves to persons of all sizes.

Persons in the country, who are desirous of becoming pur chasers, are requested to state about their weight, and their

stature and bulk.

The prices of the Preservers vary from Eighteen Shillings to One Pound and Twenty-five Shillings, according to their finish; and any person remitting the money (post-paid) may have one of the most complete description forwarded to his

An allowance made for a wholesale order, or for exportation,

bit with its defence. It is similar to mine in the first and
At the ninth, and last game, he gives the queen's gam-address.
essential moves; differing, however, as it proceeds, in a
few immaterial points.

E. SMITH and Co. pledge themselves to return the purchasemoney, if these Marine Preservers do not answer the description they have here given of them.

It is presumed that these Marine Preservers would sell very well abroad.

Had the Passengers and Crew of the Alert Packet been furnished with these Preservers, not one of them would have perished. Orders received through the agents for the Kaleidoscope.

By what has been hitherto said, you will observe that the greater part of those maxims, which Philidor approves or condemns in the opening games, fail in their pretended success; and I should consider myself wanting in that sincerity, which I owe to my own character, if I should recommend you to follow his advice,-the fallacy of which I have slightly touched upon, knowing that your quick discernment requires only a hint to perceive them. Give me, among other commands, new proofs of your friendship, and it will always be my endeavour to show myself they may be worn on the naked body, it is preferable to use

your

REGATTA ON THE MERSEY.

ON the 18th July next, Prizes will be given for SAILING and ROWING MATCHES, by a few Gentlemen who have entered into a Subscription for that object; and those who may be disposed to promote it, are requested to leave their Names and Subscriptions with the Editors of any of the Liverpool Newspapers, who have books open for the purpose, or with the Secretary, Lieutenant WATSON, at Seacombe, who will receive the applications of Owners of Boats

DIRECTIONS FOR PUTTING ON THE IMPROVED MARINE LIFE
PRESERVER.

The particular attention of those who use the Marine Life
Preserver is requested to the following directions:-Although

an under-waistcoat of flannel, or some other substance; the thicker the better. This, besides keeping the body warmer than when naked, serves to prevent the cross-belt from chafing the wearer in swimming. A strong pair of drawers, with a loop (2, 3) on each side, just above the hips, is partieularly recommended. A strong piece of tape, or apron-string, should be fastened to each of these loops; and when the jacket is worn, these tapes should be put through the two staples, the jacket drawn down, and the drawers up, as close as possible. This is found to be of the greatest importance, as it

7 Pawn ......C-3 8 Queen ......E-2 These moves are correct: the great mistake consists in coming move of the black, who plays the bishop to , allowing the white to push his pawn to G 3, and reby break up the game in such a manner, that, in a moves, he recovers his pawn, as the author demon. who may wish to enter them for the Races, and will give prevents the jacket from slipping upwards, and it keeps the

ites; but if the black, instead of playing the bishop to 4, were to play his queen to E 7, the white could er regain his pawn; for, if he should play his pawn to 3, the black pushes his pawn to G 4; and, upon the ite re-moving, as his best move, the attacked knight e black) will advance the gambit pawn to F 3, always

information as to the regulations to be observed.

collar down in the water, and consequently elevates the wearer higher in floating.

It is hoped that the Gentlemen of Liverpool and the opposite shore of Cheshire will patronise this novel amusement on the river Mersey by any Subscriptions, however small, as the value of the Prizes and general success of the whole de simple as to require little or no direction, as a bare inspection pend greatly upon the sum that may be thus collected.

ON SALE.

500 Dozen LONDON PORTER, in Prime Order,

The mode of putting on this Marine Life Preserver is so of the figure will enable almost any person to understand it. The head is put through the aperture in the canvas, and the upper part of the Cork Collar brought in front, nearly in con

naining with a pawn more, as he would were his adver for immediate use, at 6s. 6d. per dozen.-A reduction on 5 doz. tact with the chin. The strap (1) should be buckled as tightly

As also Fine Sparkling CHAMPAIGNE, at 728. per dozen.
A few Cases of Old HOCK.

y to attempt any other method of attack; with which
vantage, I affirm, that, with careful play, he must win.
At the sixth game he gives another gambit, in which
white, at the third move, instead of playing the knight
F 3, plays the bishop to C 4. No player can possibly be
rsuaded that such a gambit can be good, and much less PASSENGERS IN STEAM-BOATS, &c., AND TO

With a variety of WINES and SPIRITS, on equally Mo-
derate terms.
A single Bottle sold as a Sample.
Bottles to be returned or paid for.
Apply at No. 8, Manesty-lane.

a it be understood why the author puts a defence in the
nds of the black which allows the white to win, when
is game, according to him, is not decisive. The defence
ich is given by Salvio, at the twenty-second chapter of
fourth book, will give you rather more solid informa-

as the wearer can bear it, as this keeps the jacket from slipping up, and also keeps the body warm. Any person who prefers it may line the canvas with flannel; and if the strap should be found too hard, it might also be lined.

A jacket or spencer may be worn over the flannel underwaistcoat, and a pair of breeches over the drawers, if the wearer pleases. They will keep him warmer; and the PrePER-server will buoy him up with any quantity of clothes on, and his shoes or boots, if there should not be time to take them off.

It is of such consequence to fasten down the jacket to the breeches or drawers, that the suggestion is here repeated.

MARINE

PRESERVERS,

Days.

Warranted to support the wearer in the water, either naked
or with his clothes on, and with a considerable weight
of money, or other articles in his pockets.
EGERTON SMITH & Co.

Have on Sale, at their GENERAL PRINTING OFFICE, Lord-
street, Liverpool,

IMPROVED MARINE

LIFE PRESERVERS.

These Preservers may be put on as readily as an ordinary waistcoat, and they will sustain the wearer in the water, with the head and shoulders above the surface, without the slightest exertion on his part. They will defend the body from external bruises, and keep the wearer much warmer than he would be without them. They form no impediment to The Italian players allow a latitude in castling which is the swimmer; and any person may readily learn to swim by mot suffered in England or France. their means.

according to the

custom of those countries. +

This method of castling is not commendable, as it is To persons wrecked at sea, they will be of the utmost immerely defensive; it is termed castling in the Calabrese man-portance, as it is not necessary to take off any part of the er. The above is, however, the only method which is permitted by the English or French players.

wearing apparel; and the wearer may thus not only preserve
his clothes, but also any money he may be possessed of.

Scientific Notices.

Comprehending Notices of new Discoveries or Improvements in Science or Art; including, occasionally, singular Medical Cases; Astronomical, Mechanical, Philosophical, Botanical, Meteorological, and Mineralogical Phenomena, or singular Facts in Natural History, Vegetation, &c.; Antiquities, &c.

RED RAIN,

SUPPOSED TO ARISE FROM BUTTERFLIES.

It

belonged. The nature of the pitch of sounds was first until between eleven and twelve o'clock. Mrs. Washin
explained, and stated to be the quality by which musical ton retired about the usual family hour, but bec
sounds are distinguished from mere noise. The credit of alarmed at not hearing the accustomed sound of
the first philosophical account of this quality was attri- library door, as it closed for the night, and gave sa
buted to Gallileo, who proved that it depended altogether for rest in the well-regulated mansion, she arose agin
upon the number of impulses in a given time. An ex- and continued sitting up, in much anxiety and su
periment by that philosopher, apparently forgotten in At length the well known step was heard on the stair, a
modern times, but described in his Dialogues, was re- upon the General's entering his chamber, the lady ma
peated. It consisted in drawing the point of a blade over chided him for remaining up so late, knowing hims
a metal plate so as to produce sound, and counting or be unwell; to whom Washington made this memora
comparing the dots, which are always produced upon the reply:-"I came as soon as my business was a
tions necessary to the pitch of sound produced.
plates, and which are the records of the number of vibra- plished. You know well, that, through a long lift,
been my unwearied rule never to put off till the morrer
wheel were made to beat against a card, was repeated, and
Hook's experiment, in which the teeth of a revolving duties which should be performed to-day."
the pitch of sound shown to correspond with the number
of impulses in a given time. An extension of this experi-
ment, by Mr. Wheatstone, was also described, in which
the harmonics of a stretched string were produced by
holding it against the wheel; the string producing sound
whenever the velocity of the wheel was such that the im-
pulses of the teeth corresponded in frequency with the
vibrations of the string or of any of its aliquot parts.
Robison's mode of producing musical sounds by air
passing through a stop-cock rapidly revolving, was then
explained and illustrated; afterwards, Cagniard de la
Tour's syren was set in action; and from these were drawn
the explanation of the principles of two new musical
instruments from Germany, the Munt-harmonica and the
Acol-harmonica.

LIST OF NEW PATENTS.

To Jane B. Lowrey, wife of T. S. Lowrey, of Exeter,
for her improvements in the manufacture of hats and bon
nets.-Dated the 25th of March, 1828.-6 months allowed
to enrol specification.

To E. Cowper, of Clapham-road Place, Lambeth, for
improvements in cutting paper.-26th March.-6 months.
To F de Fourville, of Piccadilly, for improvements on
filtering apparatus.-26th March.-6 months.
To T. Lawes, of the Strand, for an improved thread to
be used in the manufacture of bobbin-net lace.-29th of
March.-6 months.

The following narrative seems curious and important in connexion with the various accounts of red rain. is extracted from Gassendi's Life of Peiresc, p. 110-113: "Through the whole of this year (1608) nothing gave M. Peiresc greater pleasure than his observations upon the bloody rain, said to have fallen about the beginning of July. Large drops were seen in Paris itself, both upon the walls of the cemetery of the greater church, which is near the walls of the city, and upon the walls of the city, and likewise upon the walls of villas, hamlets, and towns, for some miles round the city. In the first place, M. Peiresc went to examine the drops themselves, with which the stones were reddened, and spared no pains to obtain the means of conversing with some husbandmen beyond Lambesc, who were reported to have been so astonished at the shower as to leave their labour and fly for safety into the neighbouring houses. This story he ascertained to be without foundation. To the explanation offered by the philosophers, who said that the rain might have come from vapours, which had been raised out of red earth, he objected that evaporated fluids do not retain their former hues, as is plainly exemplified in the colourless water distilled from red roses. Nor was he better satisfied with the opinion of the vulgar, countenanced by some of the theologians, who maintained that the appearance was prcduced by demons, or witches, shedding the blood of innocent babes. This he thought was a mere conjecture, scarcely reconcileable with the goodness and providence of God. In the meantime, an accident happened, which discovered to him, as he thought, the true cause of the phenomenon. He had found, some months before, a chrysalis of a remarkable size and form, which he inclosed in a box. He thought no more of it, until, hearing a buzz within the box, he opened it, and perceived that the chrysalis had been changed into a most beautiful butterfly, which immediately flew away, leaving, at the bottom of the box, a red drop of the size of a shilling. As this happened about the time when the shower was supposed to have fallen, and when a vast multitude of those insects was observed fluttering through the air in every direction, he concluded that the drops in question were some kind of excrementitious matter emitted by them, when they alighted upon the walls. He, therefore, examined the drops again, and remarked, that they were not upon the upper surfaces of stones and buildings, as they would have been if a shower of blood had fallen from the sky, but rather in cavities and holes, where insects might nestle. Besides this, he took notice that they were to be seen upon the walls of those houses only which were near the fields, and not upon the more elevated parts of them, but only up to the same moderate height at which the butterflies were accustomed to flutter. In this way he explained the story told by Gregory, of Tours, of a bloody shower seen at Paris in the time of Childebert, at different places, and upon a house in the vicinity of Senlis; and another said to have fallen in the time of King Robert, about the end of June, the drops of which could not be washed out by means of water, when they had fallen upon flesh, gar- (From Curtis's Recollections and Private Memoirs of the Life ments, or stones, but might be washed out from wood; for the time here stated was the season for the butterflies; and he showed that no water could wash out these red marks from stones. After discussing these and similar arguments in the presence of much company at the house of his friend Varius, they determined to inspect the appearance together, and, as they wandered through the fields, they saw many drops upon stones and rocks, but only in hollows or upon sloping surfaces, and not upon those which were presented to the sky."-The butterfly observed by Peiresc was probably the Papilio C. album, or common butterfly. It has been observed to deposit the same red fluid in England.

To H. Marriott, of Fleet-street, and Augustus Siebe,
of Princes-street, Leicester-square, for certain improve
ments in hydraulic machines.-29th March.-6 months.
To Peter Taylor, of Hollinwood, Lancaster, for certain
improvements in machinery for hackling, dressing, or
combing flax, hemp, &c.-29th of March.-6 months.
To John Davis, of Leman-street, Goodman's- fields, for
an improvement (communicated from abroad) in boiling
or evaporating solutions of sugar and other liquids.-29th
of March.-6 months.

H

mighty labours at last sought repose; but it came not,
Having first covered up the fire with care, the ca
had long been wont to do, to comfort and restore, a
many and earnest occupations of the well-spent day.
night was passed in feverish restlessness and pain.
nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," was destined ne
to visit his couch; yet the manly sufferer uttered to
plaint, would permit no one to be disturbed in the
on his account, and it was only at day-break he would
sent that the overseer might be called in and bleeding
sorted to. A vein was opened, but without affording
Couriers were despatched to summon Dr. Craik, the
mily, and Drs. Dick and Brown, as consulting phys
all of whom came with speed. The proper remes
administered, but without producing their healing
while the patient, yielding to the anxious looks f
around him, waved his usual objection to medicine,
took those which were prescribed, without hes
remark. The medical gentlemen spared not their s
and all the resources of their art were exhausted
wearied endeavours to preserve this noblest work ciaran
weather became severely cold, while the group
Night approached the last night of Washingt
nearer the couch of the sufferer, watching, with
anxiety, for the slightest dawning of hope. He spoke
old family servant, as she smoothed down his pills,
little. To the respectful and affectionate inquina
he felt himself, he answered, "I am very ill." T
Craik, his earliest companion in arms, longest tried
bosom friend, he observed, "I am dying, Sir, but a
afraid to die." To Mrs. Washington, he said, "
my escritoir, and in the private drawer you will d
papers; bring them to me." They were brough
continued, These are my wills; preserve this
to Colonel Lear, he directed" Let my corpse be kath
burn the other;" which was immediately done.
the usual period of three days."

tude, and perfect resignation to the Divine will The patient bore his acute sufferings with man the night advanced, it became evident that he was To C. Harsleben, of New Ormond-street, Esq., for im- and he seemed fully aware that his "hour was nigh." provements in machinery to be used in navigation and the inquired the time, and it was answered, a few mi propelling of ships.-3d of April.-6 months. twelve. He spake no more; the hand of death w To S. W. Wright, of Webber-street, Lambeth, engineer, him, and he was conscious that his hour was c for improvements in the construction of wheel carriages.posing his form at length, and folding his bands p With surprising self-possession he prepared to die. 15th of April.-6 months. To J. G. Ulrich, of Cornhill, for his improvements on bosom, without a sigh, without a groan, the father of chronometers.-19th of April.-6 months.

Miscellanies.

THE LAST HOURS OF WASHINGTON.

and Character of Washington.)

Twenty-eight years have passed away since an interesting group were assembled in the death-room, and witnessed the last hours of Washington. So keen and unsparing hath been the scythe of time, that of all those who watched over the patriarch's couch, on the 13th and 14th of December, 1799, but a single personage survives. On the morning of the 13th, the General was engaged in making some improvements in front of Mount Vernon. As was usual with him, he carried his own compass, noted his observations, and marked out the ground. The day became rainy, with sleet, and the improver remained so long exposed to the inclemency of the weather, as to be considerably wetted before his return to the house. About one o'clock he was seized with chillness and nausea, but having changed his clothes, he sat down to his in-door On May 9, Mr. Faraday gave a lecture on the produc- work, there being no moment of his time for which he tion of musical sound, with an explication of the principles had not provided an appropriate employment. of action in some new musical instruments. He stated his information to be derived altogether from Mr. Wheat-plained of slight indisposition, and, after a single cup of At night, on joining his family circle, the General comstone, to whom, of course, the new facts brought forward tea, repaired to his library, where he remained writing

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF
GREAT BRITAIN.-MUSICAL SOUNDS.

country expired, gently as though an infant died. pain nor struggle told when the noble spirit took its less flight; while, so tranquil appeared the many in the repose of death, that some moments had p those around could believe that the patriarch w Such were the last hours of Washington.

SIR WILLIAM WALLACE AND THE RED ROVEL During the brief career of the celebrated patriet William Wallace, and when his arms had, for an pelled the English invaders from his native country, said to have undertaken a voyage to France, with a band of trusty friends, to try what his presence (fer respected through all countries for his prowess) m to induce the French monarch to send to Scotland a of auxiliary forces, or other assistance, to aid the Se regaining their independence. The Scottishchaa on board a small vessel, and steering for the port of D when a sail appeared in the distance, which the mar regarded with doubt and apprehension, and at lar confusion and dismay. Wallace demanded to know was the cause of their alarm. The captain of the st formed him, that the tall vessel which was bearing &, with the purpose of boarding that which he com was the ship of a celebrated rover, equally famed i courage, strength of body, and successful piracies, it ville, a Frenchman by birth, but by practice one of the commanded by a gentleman named Thomas de L pirates who call themselves friends to the sea, and et

st.

who sailed upon that element. He attacked and dered vessels of all nations, like one of the ancient Sea kings, as they were termed, whose dominion pon the mountain waves. The master added, that Essel could escape the rover by flight, so speedy was park he commanded; and that no crew, however , could hope to resist him, when, as was his usual e of combat, he threw himself on board at the head of followers. Wallace smiled sternly, while the master he ship, with alarm in his countenance, and tears in eyes, described to him the certainty of their being capd by the Red Rover, a name given to De Longueville, use he usually displayed the blood-red flag, which he now hoisted. "I will clear the narrow seas of this rover," Wallace. Then calling together some 10 or 12 of his followers, Boyd, Kerlie, Seton, and others, to whom the of the most desperate battle was like the breath of life, ommanded them to arm themselves, and lie flat upon deck, so as to be out of sight. He ordered the mariners , excepting such as were absolutely necessary to age the vessel; and he gave the master instructions, n pain of death, so to steer, as that, while the vessel an appearance of attempting to fly, he should, in fact, nit the Red Rover to come up with them and do his Wallace himself then lay down on the deck, that ing might be seen which could intimate any purpose esistance. In a quarter of an hour De Longueville's el ran on board that of the Champion, and the Red er, casting out grappling-irons to make sure of his e, jumped on the deck in complete armour, followed his men, who gave a terrible shout, as if victory had a already secured. But the armed Scots started up at e, and the Rover found himself unexpectedly engaged men accustomed to consider victory as secure, when were only opposed as one to two or three. Wallace self rushed on the pirate captain, and a dreadful strife an betwixt them, with such fury that the others susded their own battle to look on, and seemed, by common sent, to refer the issue of the strife to the fate of the ibat between the two chiefs. The pirate fought as well nan could do; but Wallace's strength was beyond that rdinary mortals. He dashed the sword from the Rover's d, and placed him in such peril that, to avoid being down, he was fain to close with the Scottish champion, 1opes of overpowering him in the grapple. In this also was foiled. They fell on the deck, locked in each er's arms, but the Frenchman fell undermost; and llace, fixing his grasp upon his gorget, compressed it losely, notwithstanding it was made of the finest steel, t the blood gushed from his eyes, nose, and mouth, and was only able to ask for quarter by signs. His men w down their weapons and begged for mercy, when y saw their leader thus severely handled. The victor nted them all their lives, but took possession of their sel, and detained them prisoners.-Tales of the Canon

HE CAPTIVE AFRICAN RESTORED TO LIBERTY.

Letter from a Gentleman of Natchez to a Lady of Cincinnati.

sident of the result of my inquiry, and, a few weeks ago, substituted, both there and at other places, silver cupe
received a letter from Mr. Clay, asking of me to complete or bowls, of the value of £100, for the royal gift of the
the agency, and to send Prince on to Washington city; ancient bells. William III., though not fond of the turf,
for which purpose I was authorized to draw for a sum of paid much attention to the breed of horses for martial
money necessary to defray the expenses of his journey, purposes, and in his reign some of the most celebrated
and to clothe him, if necessary. But the poor old man, stallions were imported. George, Prince of Denmark,
when the news was communicated to him that he was to obtained from his royal consort, Queen Anne, grants of
be free, and return to his country, where he is, no doubt, royal plates for several places. In the latter end of the
a lawful King, (of a country called Fimboo,) he looked at reign of George I. the change of the royal plates into
the old companion of his slavery, the mother of his nine purses of a hundred guineas took place. In the time of
children, he could not agree to part with her. She, too- George II. there were many capital thorough-bred horses
how could she part with him! She wished to follow him in England, the most celebrated of which were the famed
to the end of the world. What was to be done? I had Arabians, Darley and Godolphin,-from the former de-
no authority to interfere as to her, and I felt almost scended Flying Childers. To continue a list of celebrated
grieved that I had taken a solitary step in the business, horses would exceed our limits, we shall, therefore, close
believing that the separation of the old couple would, no with a brief account of the famous Eclipse. This horse
doubt, accelerate the death of both. However, it rejoices was first the property of the Duke of Cumberland, and
me to tell you Isabella is with Prince; they will both call was foaled during the great eclipse in 1764; he was with-
and see Miss Sane,' as the old man, you recollect, al- held from the course till he was five years old, and was
ways called you. I applied again to Mr. Foster, who is a first tried at Epsom. He once ran four miles in eight
truly amiable and worthy man; he could not find in his minutes, carrying twelve stone, and with this weight he
heart to separate his old and faithful servants, and for a won eleven King's plates. He was never beaten, never
small sum (compared to the value of Isabella as a servant) had a whip flourished over him, or felt the tickling of a
he agreed to give her up. So soon as his intentions were spur, nor was he ever for a moment distressed by the speed
known, I requested a young gentleman of the bar to head or rate of a competitor, out-footing, out-striding, and out-
a subscription paper for Prince, asking of his friends to lasting every horse which started against him. When the
assist him to purchase his wife. Two hundred dollars was races on Epsom Downs were first held periodically, we
the sum required. In a very few days he had a surplus of have not been able to trace with accuracy, but we find that,
95 dollars. Several gentlemen gave him ten dollars, one from the year 1730, they have been annually held; for a
gave him fifteen, many gave five, and very few gave less long period they were held twice in every year; it was
than one dollar.
then customary to commence at eleven o'clock, return
"Prince has also several certificates voluntarily given into the town to dinner, and finish in the evening; but
to him, of his uncommon good conduct for twenty-four this arrangement has been long discontinued.
years. N. A. Ware, Esq. has kindly undertaken to see
him safe to Washington city. I expect he will remain
three or four days in Cincinnati; and as he will call on
you in all his finery, (I have had an elegant Moorish dress
made for him,) and perhaps attract some attention, I write
you this long history, that you may be enabled to give
some account of your distinguished visitor.

Prince is really a most extraordinary man-born to a
kingdom-well educated, for he now writes Arabic in a
most elegant style-brought a slave into a foreign country,
he has sustained a character for honesty and integrity which
is almost beyond parallel; he has been faithful, honest,
humble, and industrious; and although he adheres strictly
to the religion of his country, (Mahometanism,) he expresses
the greatest respect for the Christian religion, and is very
anxious to obtain a Testament in his own language, that
he may read the history of Jesus Christ. I wrote to the
President to request one for him, but that part of my letter
was not answered. I am, however, in hopes, if one is to
be had at Washington city, he will be gratified on his
own application for it.
"Prince called to see us yesterday, with his wife and
sons, who are really the finest looking young men I have
ever seen. They were all genteelly dressed, and although
they expressed themselves pleased with the freedom of
their parents, there was a look of silent agony in their eyes
I could not bear to witness. I hoped the old man would
be able to realize his prospects and regain his property,
which, if he does, he says he can buy them free at ten
prices."

Regatta on the Mersey.-By an advertisement which appears in another part of our paper, it will be seen that a few gentlemen of Liverpool have entered into a subscription for the prizes that are to be given at the rowing and sailing matches which are to take place in July, on and two for the boatmen on the river. A book for subour river. There will be two races for gentlemen's boats, scriptions is open at the Mercury-office, and at the other printing-offices.

BELL'S LIFE IN LONDON, AND SPORTING CHRO NICLE, price only Sevenpence, of Sunday, the 22d of June, will contain a reprint of the Twenty Engravings which have appeared under the head of The Gallery of Comicalities," during the last six months. They will occupy the space of four folio columns, and consist of three series, viz. Six Prints of Hogarth's Harlot's Progress, Six spirited Sketches of British Sports, and Eight of Monkeyana, or the Gambler's Progress. The cost of the Twenty Prints, for Drawing and Engraving, was One Hundred Guineas, the whole of which may be bought for Sevenpence, in Bell's Life in London, of Sunday, the 22d of June.

Persons in the country, desirous of having Bell's Life in London, of Sunday, the 22d instant, containing the above series of Engraved Comicalities, can order it, for that day only, from any newspaper agent, or can commission a friend to buy it at the office, No. 169, Strand, London: being a regularly stamped newspaper, it can be sent, free of postage, to any part of the United Kingdom. It will THE ORIGIN OF HORSE-RACING.-EPSOM RACES, &c. in franks, for the country, without extra charge, until be kept on sale at No. 169, Strand, properly folded up Wednesday, the 25th of June inclusive.

"Natchez, April 7th, 1828. This letter will be handed to you by a very extraordiy personage-no less than your old acquaintance Prince, Ibrahim,) who is now free, and on his way to his own antry, where he was captured in battle nearly forty years , and has been in slavery nearly the whole of that long The first information that we have of horse-racing in Bell's Life in London is the best and cheapest Journal iod, upon the plantation of Mr. Thomas Foster, in this this country is in the reign of Henry II.; there can be no published in London, at four o'clock on Saturday afterextant. It is a large folio twenty column Weekly Journal, anty. I am much gratified to have been the instrument doubt that Epsom Downs early became the spot upon noon. This paper combines, with the news of the week, his emancipation, although, from his advanced age which the lovers of racing indulged their fancy; and peryears) he can but possess merely a glimpse of the bless. haps the known partiality of James I. for this diversion a rich repository of Fashion, Wit, Humour, and other s to which he was entitled from his birth. will justify us in ascribing their commencement to the interesting incidents of Real Life. The events in the As I happen to have a leisure half hour, I will give period when he resided at the Palace of Nonsuch, near Sporting Department are copiously detailed, and, for aca sketch of the manner in which his liberation has Ewell; and his reign may be fairly stated as the period curacy, stand unrivalled. The emblematical Illu trations, en brought about. You may recollect, that I frequently when horse-racing became a general and national amuse- which head the articles on Drama, Poetry, the Turf, the gested to him, that if he would write a letter to his ment. They were then called bell-courses, the prize being Chase, the Ring, the Police, Cricketing, Pigeon-shooting, ntry, I would have it conveyed for him to his own a silver bell, and the winner was said to bear or carry the the Aquatic Register, and the Affairs of the Fancy, were wrote his letter in my office, which I directed to the England as such, was purchased by the royal jockey of a the price of this news paper, which is only Severpence. ntry. I think it was early in the spring of 1826 that bell. The first Arabian which had ever been known in al designed by Cruikshank, in his most humorous and happy manner. These cuts alone are worth more than e of our Consul-General at Tangier, (Captain John Mr. Markham, a merchant, at the price of £500. During The sale of Bell's Life in London, and Sporting Chronicle, llowny.) Thomas B. Reed, Esq. one of our Senators, the civil wars the amusements of the turf were partially is the largest of any London Weekly Journal, except the k charge of the letter to Washington, from whence it suspended, but not forgotten, for we find that Mr. Place, s sent by the Department of State to its destination. stud-master to Cromwell, was proprietor of the famous iring last summer, I received a letter from the Depart- horse White Turk, and several capital blood mares, one Innkeepers and Publicans are likely to benefit by adent of State, informing me that the letter had been for- of which, a great favourite, he concealed in a vault during ditional business to their houses, from taking in Bell's Life rded, and a translation of it returned; and I was re-the search after Cromwell's effects at the time of the Resto-in London, and Sporting Chronicle. ested to inquire on what terms Mr. Foster would liberate ration, from which circumstance she took the name of the ince, to the intent that he might be returned to his own antry. On applying to Mr. F. he agreed to give him without any compensation, conditioned that he should t enjoy his liberty in this country. I informed the Pre

Coffin Mare, and is designated as such in various pedigrees.
King Charles II., soon after his restoration, re-established
the races at Newmarket, which had been instituted by
James I. He divided them into regular meetings, and

Observer.

It was in Bell's Life in London, of Sunday, June 8th, that the spirited Engraving of Ascot-heath Race course, the King's Stand, &c. appeared, the size of which print was nine inches by six. This number is reprinting, and can also be had until the 25th of June.

Correspondence.

FIGURE OF THE EARTH.

TO THE EDITOR.

perished, with the exception of a Carabee, who, without
being aided by a plank, or other morsel of wood that
might have assisted him, kept himself buoyant upon the
water for the space of sixty hours, supporting hunger,
thirst, and the violence of the tempest which caused the
loss of the vessel, and at last landed at a small creek,
and communicated the news of the wreck which had hap-
pened."

COMPLETION OF THE TUNNEL UNDER THE TOWN
OF LIVERPOOL, CONNECTED WITH THE MAN-

CHESTER RAILWAY.

about their mothers like so many little fish, and their mothers are so dexterous, as to support themselves on the water with their infants at the breast, whilst the men are employed in putting the boat to rights, and emptying out the water.-In 1699, a small vessel belonging to the monks of La Charite, was overset by a gust of wind, beSIR,-I have perused Mr. Hunt's letter to you regard-tween St. Lucie and Martinique, and all who were in it ing the earlier disappearance of objects when situated lower to the ground, than objects whose elevation is greater; and which is the case to a certain degree. Mr. Hunt's manner of accounting for this occurrence is, however, absurd. The difference in the density of air at the bottom of a post four feet in height, compared with the density at the top, must be very trifling indeed. Neither, in my opinion, is the disappearance of the chalk line at the foot of the post owing to the curvature, which will also be very trifling, and which is overcome a hundred-fold by the height of the eye. The disappearance of objects, or parts of objects, situated closer to the ground, arises from the On Saturday last the final communication between the greater obscurity which prevails close to the surface of the shafts of the Railway Tunnel was effected; and there is ground than in a more elevated position, where the light near Wapping, to the deep cutting at Edge-hill. This now an uninterrupted passage from the intended depôt all around the object is more perfect. I am also inclined magnificent work is about 2200 yards in length, 22 feet to believe that were the ground beneath the object made wide, and 16 feet high; it is almost entirely cut through white, and thus made capable of reflecting the light, that the solid rock, but which, in several instances, is so shatit would continue longer visible. It has long been consi- tered and broken, and occurs in such thin beds, or layers, dered a proof of the earth's spherical shape, that ships, in as to render it necessary to insert an arch of brickwork for the security of the roof. Numerous droppings of water, approaching us, first exhibit their rigging, &c. and lastly which issued through the pores of the rock, have been the hull. Of the earth's rotundity there no longer exists a successfully stopped by the application of Roman cement. doubt; but that the disappearance of the hull of the ship, Looking at the extent and magnitude of this undertaking, in going from us, is entirely caused by a segment of the with all the difficulties inseparable from such a work, and considering that it is little more than eighteen months earth's circumference intervening between the eye of the since it was commenced, (during which time no less than spectator and this object, I consider rather doubtful; and 160,000 tons of stone have been removed from beneath I have often felt inclined, when witnessing this occurrence, the surface, and made subservient to the purposes of to ascribe it to the greater obscurity prevailing close to the improvement above,) we cannot but be astonished at the surface, than does exist where the masts, &c. are seen re-understand that preparations are making for lighting it rapidity of the operations which have effected it. We lieved by the light of the horizon. There is no doubt that, with gas, and when this is done, the public will be adfrom the figure of the earth, the hull should first disappear; mitted to a sight of it. It is expected that there will be a but I should scarcely ascribe the disappearance which the a sufficient current of air from the bottom to the top, to hull of a ship experiences, in proceeding from us, to this answer all the purposes of ventilation. We regret to say that the opening of the final communication, on Saturday cause, at least in ordinary cases. evening, was attended with an accident of rather a serious nature. So eager were the miners (who had been labouring many a weary hour within the sound of each other's blows) to put an end to their toil and anxiety, and receive the reward promised to their exertions, that they forgot the caution which was necessary on such an occasion. The men on one side had prepared a blast, and had called to their fellow-workmen on the other side to warn them of it, but, in the bustle of the moment, the call had not been heard, and so slight was the partition between them, that, on the blast going off, it forced its way completely through, and three men (one of whom was an intelligent superre-intendent, who was directing the operations) were considerably burnt by the gunpowder; but we are glad to find that they are all likely to recover.-Tuesday's Advertiser.

I would beg leave to ask some of your calculating correspondents (Mathematicus for instance) what a segment of the earth's circumference amounts to for fifteen or twenty miles; and if it would hide an object fifteen or twenty feet in height?—I am, yours, respectfully, June 7th, 1828.

SWIMMING FEATS.

A. M.

We thought we had already exhausted all the well corded instances of extraordinary swimming, having taken some pains with a subject on which we always enter con amore. On looking, however, into Clias's Elementary Course of Gymnastic Exercises, we met with an instance of genuine swimming, (by which we mean, not floating with the stream), which excels any thing we have hitherto laid before our readers; and we regret that more particu. lars of the feat are not supplied.

what we consider a great curiosity, and which may be seen
Specimen of Wood-turning.—We have at our office
exhibited in the window just over our letter-box. It is
made of boxwood, about a foot in length, the lower part,
or pedestal, resembling, in size and shape, the queen-piece
of a set of chessmen ; at the other extremity is a small
knob, about the size of a nut. The intervening piece,
which connects these two, is a continuation of the same.
wood, not thicker than a fine pack-thread. When the
pedestal rests on the table, the knob at the top, by its com.
parative weight, bends the slender connecting thread into
a curve, as a heavy ear of wheat bends the straw.-It was

turned in a lathe by Thomas Ollis, turner, of Liverpool,
and it has been very much admired by all who have seen
it.-Edits. Merc.

In September, 1821, (says Mr. Clias,) an English officer, of the name of Smith, swam across the lake of Geneva from Morges to Amphion, a distance of seven miles and a half, and back, without stopping." If, as seems very likely, in a lake, Captain Smith had no stream in his favour, we repeat that this is a more surprising feat than any we have yet recorded. If he swam at the "top of his speed" all the time, which was impossible, he could not have been less than twelve hours immersed, but the probability is that he did not average one mile in the hour, Great Curiosity.-A gentleman in this town lately preand that fifteen or sixteen hours must have elapsed be-sented Mr. Egerton Smith with what is considered a great tween his setting out and returning. The following ex- curiosity. It consists of upwards of two hundred leaves of traordinary instance of the power of remaining immersed the palm or some other tree, on both sides of which are inin the sea, is given in Capt. Clias's work, on the authority scribed some Eastern characters, written with a pointed instrument, probably resembling the Roman Stylus. The The Carabees, expert at every thing, are particularly leaves, in shape and colour, exactly resemble a two-foot so in the art of swimming, as if they were born in the Gunter's scale of boxwood, and they are gilt on the edges. water, and formed for it; they swim like fish; the women There are eight lines of manuscript on each side of the acquit themselves as well as the men. When a canoe leaf, so that the whole will contain between three and overturns, which happens very frequently, because they four thousand lines. Mr. Cohan, professor of music, in carry too much sail, they absolutely lose nothing of their this town, from whom Mr. Smith received this curiosity, baggage, and their being drowned is a thing never heard states that it is a Burmese Bible. Mr. Smith has presented We see on these occasions the children swimming it to the Liverpool Royal Institution.

of Vancouver.

of

Improved Life Preservers.-Our readers in the country will perceive by the advertisement that the agents for the Kaleidoscope will receive orders for the Improved Ci Collar Jackets; and we here repeat our pledge, tha they do not fully answer the purposes stated in the alte tisement, the purchase money will be returned. Weka several persons who have learned to swim by a few with the jacket.

The Alma Mater is a clever little miscellany, pebb at Glasgow, consisting of original pieces by the sta of the University of that city. In our next numbe purpose appropriating one of the stories in this pleas little volume.

To Correspondents.

COMPLETION OF THE EIGHTH VOLUME OF THE KALEIDO

-Our publication of this day fortnight will complete
eighth volume; and the interesting and valuable ar
recommended by An Old Friend is intended to form part
the contents of the first number of our ninth volume.

THE UNHAPPY PAIR, OR THE CONSCIENCE-STRICKEN FATERE
-This affecting and moral tale is given entire in our
sent number, of which it occupies nearly two pages.
SPECIMENS OF THE ELDER POETS-We shall next wees **
The Duke of Gloucester's speech on the abolition of slaver

sume our series of selections from the Elder Poets

shall have a place in the next Kaleidoscope.

We have received the lines of an Old Contributor.

Printed, published, and sold, every Tuesday, by E.SHT and Co., at their General Printing Office, Lord-stret Liverpool, and to be had of all Booksellers.