shattering it in a most dreadful manner. On the 16th, we were again visited by a violent storm of thunder and lightning, accompanied with showers of hail, which commenced about seven or eight o'clock in the morning, and, with some short intervals of cessation, continued till night; the thunder was at times dreadfully loud, and the lightning very dense and vivid. The weather continued very sultry and moist, with much lightning and distant thunder, till the 26th; the remainder was extremely wet and cold, and the mountains in this neigh bourhood were completely covered with snow. June. The heavy rains which occurred at the commencement of this month, caused another considerable in undation here, which was productive of much injury to the crops in the low grounds; the mountains at this time were covered with snow. The weather continued showery and remarkably cold till the 18th; the remainder was fair and exceedingly pleasant. July. The mean temperature of this mouth (59,35) is unusually low for the season; the weather was dry, and on the whole very favourable for securing the bay. On the 26th we had some lightning, and distant thunder. August. The weather during this month was excessively wet and gloomy, which not only impeded the harvest, but was also attended with considerable injury to the grain. During the night of the 17th, the sky was illuminated with incessant gleams of lightning. September.This month, like the last, was excessively wet: we seldom have witnessed a season more unfavourable for harvesting the grain than the present; during this, and the last mouth, only eleven of the sixty-one days were fair. From the 19th of July till the end of this month, the variations of temperature and density were very trifling; the invariable wet weather, and westerly winds, produced a sort of crisis in the atmosphere. Notwithstanding the uncommon humidity, the mean height of the barometer for this period (29,7 inches) is only one-tenth of an inch and a small fractional part below the general mean; yet, excepting a few hours on the 15th of this month, the mercury, during those ten weeks, was constantly below thirty inches. But the principal occurrence to be recorded this month, is one of the most alarming and destructive inundations that were ever experienced in this part of the country. A heavy and incessant rain from the east commenced here on the morning of the 18th, and continued without intermission till the following morning; when the rivers which environ Carlisle, the Eden, the Caldew, and the Peterill, overflowed their banks to an extent never before witnessed; and exhibited a scene of distress, of which it is difficult to express an adequate idea. The greatest proportion of destruction was effected by the Caldew, whose mountain-torrent swept away every thing before it; cattle and sheep were carried down by the current, and immense quantities of gram were swept away and entirely lost; at times, the flood presented the singular appearance of moving fields of corn; houses were washed down, and furniture of almost every description floated away; a great number of bridges were destroyed; ma. nufacturing machinery, timber, trees, fences, &c. were all carried away in one promiscuous ruin. The losses sustained by this terrible deluge are incalculable. October, The weather during this month was mild, calm, dry, and pleasant; and the temperature and density remark ably equal: such a series of fair and brilliant weather, without frost, as that experienced this month, is in our climate, in this season of the year, a very uncom mon occurrence. The hirundines were unusually late in leaving us this season: these birds were in flocks on the 27th of last month; after which time none were seen till the 15th of this month, when considerable numbers collected again; after this, the numbers decreased gradually, the last stragglers being seen on the 22d, November continued mild and dry, and remarkably fine, till the 15th; the rain which fell during this period (seven weeks) of uninterrupted time weather, amounted to only half an inch in depth. After the 15th, the weather was variable, and frequently very severe; when intense frost, snow, sleet, and mid rain, occurred in succession. On the 19th, the fost was particularly severe, the average temperature being eight degrees below the freezing point, at which tane all our mountains were clothed in white." December. The weather throughout the whole of this month, excepting two or three mornings of hoar frost, was mild, bumid, and gloomy; and during the former halt of the month, the wind was often very violent, and accompanied with heavy falls of hail and sleet. On the night of the 14th, we had a dreadful hurricane feeling. hurricane from the south; and on the requires experience, judgment, taste, and C. I. SMYTH. markably variable: the vibrations of the To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. morning of the 15th, the barometer was 28,06 inches, the greatest depression of the mercury that has occurred since the commencement of this register it is 1,77 inches below the general mean, and makes the extreme range of the barometer for the last nine years, 2,8 inches. The mountains in this neigh bourhood were covered with nearly the whole of this month. SHOW The average of the thermometer and barometer, for the whole year, is nearly equal to the general average; both are a small fractional quantity lower. The quantity of rain exceeds that of the general average 2,165 inches. Carlisle, Jan. 3, 1810. W. PITT. SIR, Y addressed you on the subject of the scenery of Esthwaite Water, which he improperly terms "Esthwaite Lake," confines his observations to a few acres of ground, forming but a small portion, and that by no means the most interesting, of the country he wishes to bring into general notice. I reside nearly a mile from Esthwaite Water; and I assert that the meadows bordering on the water abound with innumerable musquitoes during the months of July, August, and September. Their bite is equal in effect to that of the same venomous insect in the West Indies. Every gentleman near Hawkshead, as well as Mr. Hawkrigg, who rents Strickland Ease, is ready to bear testimony to the existence of mus YOUR correspondent T. who has To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. quitoes at that place. It is about forty SIR, N my paper on the Musical Terms used by the ancient Greeks, in your last Magazine, is an unfortunate omission in page 122, column 2, line 17. The sentence, if complete, would run thus: "Because so simple an instrument as a bullet, affixed to a piece of tape graduated into inches, would give the precise time in which a composer intends his movement should be played or sung." The little ivory measures used by the ladies, will answer this purpose very well: but still better years since they appeared in the neighbourhood of Esthwaite, and it is supposed their eggs were brought in a sugarcask from Lancaster. Mr. T. shews little taste in comparing the peninsula to Mr. Curwen's retreat at Belle-Isle on Windermere; and he relates a circumstance respecting an offer for Mr. Curwen's island, which I have great reason to believe has not taken place. Field Head, near Hawkshead. I. L To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, N answer to the letter of Mr. Mol if the case is made of brass, the specific leson, in your Magazine for last gravity of that metal being greater than that of ivory. I cannot but regret that our old ecclesiastical composers did not transmit down to posterity the precise time in which their grave and truly devotional compositions (if played in a proper time) ought to be performed. Young and inexperienced organists would do well to consult the specimens of various church-composers, published by Dr. Crotch, in his second volume of Specimens; and pay that deference to his sound judgment, to which his high talents, and the honour conferred upon him by a famous university to fill the chair of their professor of music, so justly entitle him. Much might be said on this subject, if professors were inclined to avail themselves of every opportunity of improvement, instead of thinking they "were already perfect," in an art which month, I beg leave to say, that the ideas in my Essay on Musical Genius and Composition originated solely with myself. I never saw his essay entitled Melody the Soul of Music, nor have I ever accidentally heard or read of it. The assertion that I make an allusion to his essay in the expression "Body of Music," was certainly premature, and to me appears very ridiculous. If any one of your numerous readers should have an oppor-tunity of comparing the two composi tions, which I have not at present my self, he will much oblige me by declaring upon examination, whether the resemblance between them is of so suspicious a nature, and the coincidences so striking, as to entitle mine to the appellation of "a literary curiosity." Great Marlow. A. B. E. For EDWARD, King of England, afterwards the Too prone perhaps to trust in those we Confessor. sons of GooDWIN, Late Earl of Kent. know? His predecessor, Hardiknute the Dane, Whose wife he had seduc'd. The feeling king Spoke with warm pity even of the tyrant That stood between him and the throne; but Tosti Frown'd bitterly, and gnaw'd his stiff'ning lip; Swore he would dip his dagger in the breast Of any man, that to his wife should whisper The prayer of wanton lust. I smil'd in scorn. Art thou not pale, Editha? Wherefore tremble? Edi. I know the sternness of my father's anger ; The very picture chills me to the heart: H. 'Tis a rash, unruly, Unpardoning, soul, that dwells in his strong breast. It vex'd the king to be so rudely thwarted. His rolling eye-balls crimson with his wrath, Edi. My dear, dear father! H. Thou weep'st: I too, when anger left me, wept To find a brother could be so unkind. sence Check'd not the rage of Tosti, doom'd his exile; Resum'd his earldom of Northumberland, You will not take it, sir? 11. Patience, Editha; all may yet be well. 2D Prince Princes are pamper'd with such soft obedience, That suddenly to thwart their resolutions, Serves but to root them firmer. hopes I have That when his wounded pride begins to heal, Edi. Plead with zeal, Thou wilt be heard. heart. The monarch has a Tosti, there's woe enough in store for thee, I love him for it; he seems to know his sire, M. He has a form, Editha, like the gods. The king of slaughter starts, H. I suspect, That thy mere wishes, maid, would more at his feet The daughter's woe; with words and tears of prayer, Attempt to soothe his soul into forgiveness; And clasp his knees, and plead with him for mercy? H. Thou wilt not ask in vain. Since His tongue dwells often on thy beamy eye, He names Editha; and no courtier's voice Edi. In Goodwin's hall, where Edward chanc'd to see me, Oft, when the chace was vocal on the heath, He chose to linger in the women's room, Woo'd me to paint him flowers upon his shield, Or trifled with the scarves that I was purfling: At times he courted me to shady walks, To view her image in that waveless rill. H. 'Tis well, sweet niece; I trust he is unchang'd. Methinks he might be here: he said his train Should tread upon the heel of Harold's haste. Do I not hear the trampling of bis horses? These sounds of minstrelsy announce the king. Edi. (aside.) Why do I tremble? Is the coward awe With which the slave locks up to a superior, The common portion of all them that bear The name of king? Lie still, my busy heart. I see I have not bound my hair with flowers, H. Return, Editha, soon. (She goes.) On thy own head, Go, unforeseeing victim, bind the garland; Tur thou lov st Edward to thy uncle's wishes. Uprears in darken'd air his shield, 'Tis thine to hear with gladden'd soul: The Nornies, from unmeasur'd stores, When high the tide of battle flows, For, Edward, on thy head The Nornies, from unmeasur'd stores, Three nights she watch'd to hear At length in slumber's arm she sank: She wakes-to rest no more, Behold the widow by her once-lov'd hearth No more she hears, with silent joy, Who now shall reach her boy the deeds Edw. Below them far. Upon thy fa vour'd head The virgin goddess sure of love and beauty Hail, loveliest maid! Upon thy flower-soft Allow me to exhale the fervent joy Hast thou for me no smile, no look of wel. Edi. How should I wear the glittering robe of joy, When grief confines my heart? The king's displeasure Glooms on my father-I bewail his fate. Edw. Smile thou, no frown remains on Thou art the arbitress of Tosti's fortune: Lay it upon those lips, and give it me; Find new excuses in my partial breast. Edi. I have not seen my father since he left thee; But surely that unswerving loyalty To thee, and all our ancient race of kings, Heir'd from his fathers, has not left his breast: He fought thy battles once, and still he loves thee. H. My liege, restore my brother to your If Harold can forgive him, Edward may. Edw. Editha, were thy steps within my halls, There should thy wishes be my law of mercy: I want a tongue, like thine, whose gentle whispers Might temper the emotions of my wrath, It injures the dear friendships of my youth. My father's home, forget the ties of duty? wish; That some superior spirit from above, Edw. Since I have seen Editha, other Unnotic'd glide before my purged sight, Edi. Why dost thou borrow Flattery's ready hand, To throw confusion's crimson veil upon me Or Braga's music lurking in my voice, Edi. To virgin ears, my lord, a father's |