No. 1.] The Selector. "WE CULL THE CHOICEST." JANUÁRY, 1826. "Culture's hand Has scattered verdure o'er the land BOWRING. NEVER, perhaps, was there a time, when the poet's beautiful allusion to the blessings of instruction, could be repeated with greater truth, than the present. Indeed its truth seems to gain daily confirmation; for, in a mental point of view, the verdure of our land hourly increases, and in those parts too, which appeared the most sterile, and most difficult of cultivation. The year commences its wonted course under auspices particular gratifying to all who feel an interest in the progress of science, and the improvement of society. The exertions, which are making in different parts of the kingdom, to extend scientific knowledge, and to call forth latent talent, form one grand (perhaps the grandest) character of our times; and bid fair to produce a rich harvest of intellectual fruit, and social prosperity. We need scarcely remark, that we allude, principally, to the Mechanics' Institutions, which are springing up under the patronage, and by the labours of men, eminent for their wisdom, as well as their rank in society; and are so well supported by those whom they are intended to benefit. Such Institutions must tend to raise the numerous classes of mechanics to an improved state of being; as well as to benefit, in various ways, society in general. They will find themselves no longer mere machines, moving entirely at the will of their directors;-but enlightened artificers, putting in practice their theoretical knowledge, and inB VOL. 1. [Price 3d. terested in making new discoveries and improvements in their various branches of employment. By this means their labours will be lightened, and a new and higher direction given to their thoughts. Or if their own branch of manual labour admits but of little interest, any further than the pecuniary gain which it brings, they have hereby an opportunity given them of studying other and more interesting subjects, which afford their minds both employment and pleasure. The time was, and that very recently, when mechanics had no facilities afforded them of acquiring knowledge on any other subject than that by which they were to earn their daily bread. Indeed such is the situation now, of this numerous class of men, in most of our towns and villages. But we fondly hope that the honourable example so successfully set, by persons of talent and influence, in our larger towns, may be speedily followed in our lesser ones, by all who possess the same character and influence; that the prediction of Mr. Brougham may be fulfilled, viz. that there will soon be a Mechanic's Institution in every town in the kingdom. With the hope of persuading the Mechanics in this neighbourhood, to commence the formation of such an institution, and of inducing those who are competent to assist them, kindly to lend their assistance, we will quote a part of Mr. Brougham's speech, delivered at the first anniversary dinner of the members of the London Mechanic's Institution "It was not to be supposed, (said Mr. Brougham,) that in every place where the Mechanics were numerous enough to form an institution, they should all at once be wealthy, and possess, as at London, lecturers duly qualified, a library and apparatus; but it was well to begin with what they could accomplish, and to have Mechanics' Institutions, with a library of useful books. This has been done in various places with such success, that after six months, notwithstanding such comparatively limited means, lectures have been introduced; and he would particularly notice Kendal, in Westmoreland, and another small place in Scotland. When he saw what had been thus done in a year. and half, he was sure that he should not be considered an enthusiast for stating, that ere long there would not be a town without such an institution. Although (continued Mr. B.) it is the Mechanics themselves to whom this is chiefly due, yet I think every man who has the means of assisting the institution, by contributions of books and apparatus, or gratuitous lectures, ought so to do; and I never will believe that a man possesses an enlightened mind, or a desire to serve his fellow-creatures, who allows a number of Mechanics to exist in his neighbourhood, without coming for ward with his advice, his exertion, and if needs be, with his purse, to establish a Mechanic's Institution; and I am happy to say, that men of every party, political or religions, and persons of either sex, may conscientiously come forward to support establishments of this nature." The sole intention of these institutions, being to impart knowledge on various subjects, and to give even the humblest artizan a chance of rising in the scale of wisdom and excellence, the benefit of them can be doubted only by the enemy of his species, or in other words, the adversary to the general diffusion of knowledge amongst mankind. The Philanthropist will view them in their true light, as schools for the real improvement of that part of our population which has been hitherto most neglected, and consequently, as extensive blessings to society. The man who does not rejoice in seeing his fellow-creatures, who, for want of the advantages enjoyed by others, were led to devote their leisure moments to the lowest and most degrading vices, rising from their former state of ignorance, and vice, and misery, to a state of comparative wisdom, virtue, and happiness, must be destitute of benevolence, and unworthy of the name of a Philosopher, however great may be his literary attainments. And it is not too much to expect that such will be the happy effects of Mechanics' Institutions:indeed the subject is placed beyond a supposition, because the experiment has been tried, and in some cases, has exceeded the expectations of those who were the most active in their formation. We hope some benevolent individuals in this town may be led to make the trial, and that our Mechanics will have the good sense to avail themselves of an opportunity afforded them of acquiring a knowledge of scientific and other subjects. If a number of Mechanics of different trades, were to unite together, and get a room to meet in, we have no doubt that several contributions would be made, to supply them with books and other things necessary to their improvement. Probably too, some of our teachers of Writing, Arithmetic, &c. would offer their services gratuituously during the infancy of the society; and others who have devoted their time to literary pursuits, would take a pleasure in contributing to the welfare of the institution. No time could possibly be more favourable than the present, for commencing such a useful work. We are now enjoying the blessing of peace, and have both time and opportunity for cultivating the mind, which can scarcely be had during the time of war. The disposition which generally, we think, prevails, on the part of those of eminent abilities and extensive learning, to give instruction to those who need it, makes the time of commencing peculiarly favourable. We hope therefore, that no time will be lost, and that it will be in our power, not long hence, to record the existence of a FALMOUTH MECHANIC'S INSTITUTION; and to publish from time to time reports of its proceedings. We shall be happy to lay before our readers any proposals on the subject, and pledge TO A POET'S INFANT CHILD As of another atom piled,— Or wave launched on the sea ourselves to do all in our power to THE MAY-FLOWERS OF LIFE, EY ALARICA. WATIS. (From the Literary Souvenir.) Memorial frail of youthful years, Cold is her hand who placed thee here When boy-hood's burning dreams were mine, How can I e'er forget the hour That hour is past,-those dreams are fled,- It is not for thine eye so clear, Nor ev'n for thy beauteous brow, Sweet, infant, that I hold thee dear; I saw them and forgot. VIOLETS.-A SONNET. Beautiful are you in your lowliness; Bright in your hues, delicious in your scent; Lovely your modest blossoms, downward bend, As shrinking from our gaze, yet prompt to bless The passer-by with fragrance, and express How gracefully, though mutually eloquent, Above your lowly birth-place birds shall sing, fling The emerald glory of its earth-born light, 1 To the Editor of the Selector. Sir, If you judge extracts from history, &c. admissable in your Selector, I will send you a piece monthly, and begin with the following: And am, Sir, Yours, &c. Falmouth, December 8th, 1825.. No. 1. PALESTINE, OR THE HOLY LAND. (From the Modern Traveller.) Trodden down By all in turn, Pagan, aud Frank and Tartar, Beneath the As with a curse. Thus art thou doomed to lie, At the time of the Christian era, Palestine was divided into five Provinces ; Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Perea, and Idumea. On the death of Herod, Archelaus, his eldest son, succeeded to the government of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea, with the title of Tetrarch; Galilee being assigned to Herod Antipas, and Perea, or the country beyond Jordan, to the third brother Philip. But in less than ten years, the dominions of Archelaus became annexed, on his disgrace, to the Roman Province of Syria, and Judea was thenceforth governed by Roman procurators, Jerusalem, after its final destruction by Titus, A. D. 71, remained desolate and almost uninhabited, till the emperor Hadrian colonized it, and erected temples to Jupiter and Venus on its site. The empress Helena, in the fourth century, set the example of repairing in pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to visit the scenes consecrated by the Gospel Narrative, and the country became enriched by the crowds of devotees who flocked there. In the beginning of the seventh century, it was overENJOYMENT.-A SONNET. run by the Saracens, who held it till How oft in thickest crowds we feel alone, Jerusalem was taken by the Crusaders, When every face that passes, like a mask, in the twelfth. The Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem continued for about eighty years, during which the Holy Land streamed continually with Christian and Saracen blood. In 1187, Judea was conquered by the illustrious Saladin, on the decline of whose kingdom, it passed through various revolutions, and, at length, in 1317, was finally swallowed up in the Turkish And leave the heart's wild craving ac'er the less. empire. Palestine is now distributed into pashaliks. That of Acre or Akka, J. E. extends from Djebail nearly to Jaffa; that of Gaza, comprehend Jaffa and the adjacent plains; and these two being now united, al! the coast is under the jurisdiction of the Pasha of Acre. Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablous, of Palestine, are included in the Tiberia, and in fact, the greater part pashalic of Damascus, now held in renders the present Pasha, in effect, conjunction with that of Aleppo, which the viceroy of Syria. Though both Pashas continue to be dutiful subjects of the Grand Seignior in appearance, and annually transmit considerable sums to Constantinople, to ensure the yearly renewal of their office, they are to be considered as tributaries, rather than subjects to the Porte; and it is of the sultan, as caliph and vicar of supposed to be the religious supremacy Mahommed, more than any apprehension of his power, which prevents them from declaring themselves independent. The reverence shown to Syria, attests the strong hold which the firmans of the porte throughout the Sultan maintains, in this character, Pashas of Egypt and Bagdad are aton the Turkish population. The tached to the Turkish sovereign by the same ecclesiastical tie, which alone has from crumbling to ruin. kept the ill-compact and feeble empire The toad and serpent: 'tis with some loved one To birth through the soul's chambers evermore, BION. THE BEGGAR'S DOG. (From the Amulet.) "AND SO we must part, my old friend my poor Rover!" was the exclamation addressed by a very aged man to his dog, who looked wistfully into his face, as if conscious that there was something more than usually melancholy in the countenance of his master. “And so we must part!"—The poor man wept as he leant upon a long staff, gazed down upon, and patted the animal, who licked his hand, seeming to know that he had some share in his master's sorrows. There are few who have not known abundant instances of the fidelity of the dog. Providence has evidently intended them to live in social intercourse with man, whom they regard as their natural protector, to whom they must render good service in return.-Every one with whom this animal has been domesticated has some story to tell of its kindness, its intelligence, and its worth-and those who seek amusement in contemplating the "lower world," find especial delight in noticing the dog. He attends to all the motions, watches every turn and change of the countenance, and appears to understand even the language of his master. Is he glad?-the dog is happy. Is he sorrowful?-the dog sympathizes in Faithful and devoted to death-and often when the grave closes over the body of his master, the dumb servant is the only earthly being that seeks no where else for hope or comfort. Man has many calls and many duties to wean his memory from the dead; and women, even women, soon cease to think of the departed-but the dog seldom forgets the first object Absence, (which of his attachment. is death without death's hopelessness) be it of ever so long a duration, scarcely ever weakens the affection of the animal; and the long remembered voice of kindness awakens to its full vigour the devotion of the dog. his sorrow. "And so we must part, Rover!" re- The story of this aged man was not 5 in which he had himself passed many His former cottage was now without inhabitant, and the weeds covered the little garden that in his time was so neat and beautiful. In the village there were few who recognized him, and of those few there were none to welcome him to a place from which his memory had almost passed away, and which had long ceased to be the home of any of his kindred. From the parish only he could obtain relief, and there his claim had been acknowledged. But by a late regulation, no pauper was suffered to keep a dog; and this was the sorrow that now pressed so heavily upon him. "And so we must part, Rover!" he "They will repeated a third time. not give your master food, if he shares it with his dog. And there is no one else to give me bread. I told them I would ask no allowance for you, but would give you a part of mine, and he cruelly asked me, what did a beggar want of a dog? "What do I want |