to say that if you take as fine a mere person as the one before us out of the ranks of the Life Guards, and put these very clothes upon him, he will look like a man of fashion; any more than the man of fashion would look like a lifeguardsman in his clothes for each has a knack of putting on and of wearing his things" with a difference." But I must insist that the chief and almost the entire merit of the mere appearance of the former (leaving his air and mode of moving out of the question) depends on the artists he employs. There is something about a coat of Stultz, that no one else can achieve; and that no one acquainted with such matters can mistake, whether he sees it on the back of a boor or a Brummel. It is the same with the boots, hat, &c. In short, the only article of dress which depends entirely on the practical skill of the wearer is the neckcloth: for the readyformed French stock-which is probably by this time beginning to penetrate to those "uttermost parts of the earth" which you inhabit-has long since been exploded here, and is now the very climax of cockney vulgarity. Your true London horse-fancier is the most exclusive person in the world, in all that he thinks, feels, looks, says, and does. It is, however, with his looks alone that we are to concern our 66 selves at present. He is almost always a light weight"-consequently small, compact, and what is called dapper in his figure. His face good humoured, healthy (for a Londoner,) and notwithstanding its somewhat vacant look, yet always shrewd, watchful, and knowing. His present costume is a single-breasted bottle green coat,— in length, or rather in shortness, approaching to a jacket, with pockets on the hips to admit his hands when they are not otherwise employed, (which they seldom are except when the bridle is in them,) an outside waistcoat of buff kersey, with covered buttons, or of buff toilinette striped with blue and green, and an under-waistcoat, sometimes two, of some bright fancy pattern and colour; breeches made very loose and short, either of white or buff cord, or of a light drab kersey slightly tinged with green, and covered buttons; jockey boots made very long, so as to wrinkle down, and with a very short top, or in place of this latter a modern innovation (not yet countenanced by the best specimens of this class) consisting of a short piece of light coloured kersey to button on where the boot top would otherwise be. Add to this, long plated spurs, loosely put on so as to adunit of their inclining downward instead of sticking bolt out like a postilion's; a neckcloth usually of some fancy shawl pattern, put on wide, so as to go into folds; a hat rather lower in the crown than the common run, and smaller towards the top; and lastly, an ash stick, quite straight, with the exception of an artificial hook for the hand. The last class of persons we shall encounter here in any noticeable numbers consists of the knowing hands to whom I pointed your attention as we were entering the place. The costume need not to be described, because it varies but little, except in want of precision, from that of the preceding class; of which in fact they are but a variation after all—many of them having formerly belonged to that class, and purchased that experience there which enables them to retail it back again to the rising generation of the said class. The only striking difference between the members of these two classes is observable in their faces-those of the latter having usually a something about them which cannot be mistaken-a mixture of shrewd cunning and seeming carelessness, steeped all over in what, for want of a better word, I must call slang— which cannot be met with any where else. The air, half-familiar, half-respectful, with which one of these persons comes up to a probable customer, with his left hand in his hip pocket, and his right hand swishing, with a bit of ash, the inside of his right boot, and his eyes casting down a sidelong glance at the operation,-announces to him that he has "just picked up the nicest little mare in England, &c." I say, the air with which he does all this is a unique thing, and one which you can have no notion of till you see it. It is peculiar to a London horsedealer; and the coarse, clumsy, clodhopping cunning of your York lads (though perhaps quite as effective) is vulgar in comparison. If one is to be taken in, by all means let it be done with an air. It only remains, to introduce you to Mr. George Young, the ostensible projector, proprietor, manager, and multum in parvo of this model of horsemarkets. And where can I do so to better advantage than as he occupies his auctioneer's throne, and wields his little ivory sceptre, on his Wednesday and his Saturday levee days? Behold him, then, standing in his pulpit, (which, by the way, has the demerit of reminding one a little too much of Punch's perambulating theatre,) at the farther end THOUGHTS ON SLEEP. of the avenue where the sale takes place-his person not unlike that of his predecessor in plans-that prince of projectors-Napoleon; with the exception, however, of his face, which is as little imperial or imperious as can well be, and pleasant in proportion. He is about to" offer to your attention lot 32," and this is the mode in which he does it:" Now, gentlemen, my instructions are to offer you this Bay Gelding as six years old, quiet to ride, quiet in harness, and warranted sound. Go down; "the stableman-ostlers are exploded-runs him down the avenue, and back again; and just as he is turning, the whole yard rings with the never-failing smack! of the attendant's whip at the opposite end. ly with him! Now, gentlemen, what price will you name for the bay ?-Is he worth sixty ?-Sixty guineas for the bay ?-Fifty-five?-Fifty?-No one say fifty? Young-quiet to ride-in harness -sound. Forty-five? Go down again."-"Five and thirty's bid-sixseven-eight-forty-go down at forty there's action and courage, gentle men-forty-one-good colour, good con "Gent 66 THOUGHTS ON SLEEP. 397 "BLESSINGS," exclaimed Sancho, on him that first invented sleep! It wraps a man all round like a cloak." It is a delicious moment certainly, that of being well nestled in bed, and feeling that you shall drop gently to sleep. The good is to come, not past; the limbs have been just tired enough to render the remaining in one posture delightful; the labor of the day is done. A gentle failure of the perceptions comes creeping over one; the spirit of consciousness disengages itself more and more with slow and hushing degrees, like a mother detaching her hand from that of her sleeping child; the mind seems to have a balmy lid-closing over it like the eye; 'tis closing 'tis more closing -'tis closed. The mysterious spirit has gone to take its airy rounds. One of the most favorite passages on sleep is the following address from Beaumont and Fletcher's tragedies of Valentinian, the hero of which is a sufferer under bodily torment. He is in a chair, slumbering, and these most exquisite lines are gently sung with music: dition-forty-two-three-four-forty- Care-charming Sleep, thou easer of all four guineas-that horse ought to carry a light weight to hounds-forty-fourfive-forty-five-he's a well-bred 'un too forty-five-no one say more than forty-five?-The hammer's up at fortyfive. Forty-six-run him down once more at forty-six-the hammer's up forty-six-for you, sir, at forty six." at This extensive establishment is under the immediate management of a multiplicity of "managers," who are themselves under the immediate management of the above named supreme manager; who, if report speaks truth, is himself under the immediate management of another manager still more supreme, who stands behind the throne, but, being rather tall, is not quite concealed by it, and who need not wish to be concealed while he himself consents to be managed by the Magna Charta which he has so wisely, not to say concisely, laid down, in the form of fourteen closely printed quarto pages; and who, moreover, may henceforth, for more reasons than one, and in particular for the extensive influence he contrives to exercise over his various subjects, without being ever seen by them, take upon himself the arms, style, and title of KING “MAB.” *-New Monthly Mag. Mr. Maberly, the supposed proprietor, woes, Brother to Death, sweetly thyself dis pose On this afflicted prince. Fall like a cloud In gentle showers: give nothing that is loud Or painful to his slumbers: easy, light, And as a purling stream, thou son of Night, Pass by his troubled senses; sing his pain Like hollow murmuring wind or silver rain. Into this prince gently, oh! gently slide, And kiss him into slumbers like a bride! How earnest and prayer-like are these pauses! How lightly sprinkled, and yet how deeply settling, like rain, the fancy! How quiet, affectionate, and perfect the conclusion! Sleep is most graceful in an infant; soundest in one who has been tired in the open air; completest to a seaman after a hard voyage; most welcome to the mind haunted with one idea; most interesting to behold in the parent that has wept; lightest in the playful child; proudest in the bride adored. A. I. Literary Information. BRITISH MUSEUM. Sir Richard Colt Hoare, Bart. has recently given to the British Museum his splendid collection of Books, relating to the History and Topography of Italy, collected between the years 1785 and 1791, during two successive excursions into that country. Such has been the effect of the unexampled liberality of his Majesty King George the Fourth. No fewer than three donations, of the highest importance, have been since bestowed on the British Museum: a collection of pictures, of extraordinary value, from Sir George Beaumont; collection of coins, medals, bronzes, gems, and drawings, worth more than fifty thousand pounds from Mr. R. P. Knight; and a library of Italian History, from Sir R. Hoare. a BATH LITERARY INSTITUTION. A Literary Institution, of consider. able importance, has been formed at Bath; and, on the 21st ult., it was publicly opened, with a meeting and entertainment, at which the Bishop of the diocese, Lord Lansdowne, and the poets, Bowles, Crabbe, and Moore, were present. Sir George Gibbes, M.D. delivered the inaugural discourse; and all the distinguished persons we have mentioned spoke on the occasion. SURREY LITERARY INSTITU- An Institution, with the above designation, has been opened under the most favourable auspices, at the Mansion House, Camberwell. BRANDY FROM POTATOES. THE introduction of this process, which has been adopted in many parts of Germany and in the North of Europe, has been recommended by the Swedish government by M. Berzelius, and to the Danish government by Professor Oersted. From the trials made at Copenhagen, it would appear that one-third more brandy is produced than by the usual processes. In Professor Oersted's report, we find the following account of the process:-The potatoes are put into a close wooden vessel, and exposed to the action of steam, which heats them more than boiling water. The potatoes can thus be reduced to the state of the finest paste with the great est facility, it being necessary only to stir them with an iron instrument furnished with cross pieces. Boiling water is then added to the paste, and afterwards a little potash, rendered caustic by quicklime. This dissolves the vege table albumen which opposes the complete conversion of the potatoe starch into a fluid. Professor Oersted frees the potatoe brandy from its peculiar flavour by means of the chlorate of potash, which is said to make it equal to the best brandy from wine."Gill's Tech. Repos. No. 29, P. 322 M ay the God, on whose favor our for- A larm you, when vice spreads her Leaving coxcombs and fools to their Bring the beauties of science still nearer Inspire you with ardor, her steps to Give our friendship more strongly and S hedding ardors of love on life's road as we go. MECHANICS' ORACLE AND DOMESTIC GUIDE. Mechanics' Oracle and Domestic "Let thine Eye descend To trace with patient Industry the page "Of Income and Expense."-Shenstone. (Continued from page 383.) "Remember,that he that sells on Credit asks a price for what he sells, at least equivalent to the principal and intérest of the Money for the time he is to be kept out of it; therefore he that buys on Credit pays interest for what he buys. He that pays Ready Money, might let that Money out to use; so, he that possesses any thing he has bought, pays Interest for the use of it. Yet, in buying goods, it is best to pay Ready Money, because, he that sells upon Credit, expects to lose five per Cent. by bad debts: therefore he charges on all he sells on credit an advance that shall make up that deficiency. Those who pay for what they buy upon credit, pay their share of this advance. He that pays Ready Money escapes, or may escape, that charge. "Good-natured creditors (and such one would always choose to deal with, if one could) feel pain when they are obliged to ask for money; spare them that pain, and they will love you. When you receive a sum of money, divide it among them in proportion to your debts. Do not be ashamed to pay a small sum because you owe a greater. Money, more or less, is always welcome, and your creditor would rather be at the trouble of receiving ten pounds voluntarily brought to him, though at ten different times, or payments, than to be obliged to go ten different times to demand it before he can receive it in a lump. It shews, besides, that you are mindful of what you owe; it makes you appear a careful as well as an honest man, and that still increases your credit. "Beware of thinking all your own that you possess, and of living accordingly. It is a mistake that many people who have credit fall into. To prevent this, keep an exact Account, for some time, both of your expences and your income. If you take the pains at first to mention particulars, it will have this good effect, you will discover how won derfully small trifling expences amount to large sums, and will discern what might have been, and may for the future be, saved without occasioning any great inconvenience. "In short, the Way to Wealth, if you 399 desire it, is plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality; that is, waste neither Time nor Money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them every thing. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets (necessary expences excepted) will certainly become rich, if that Being who governs the world, to whom all should look for a blessing on their honest endeavours, doth not, in his wise providence, otherwise determine." — Dr. Franklin on the Advantage of Paying Ready Money. However, those desperate Economists, Messrs. Pennywise-Justenough Makeitdo-Sparesalt-Skinflint, and Saveall, may thank us for the following extract. 66 Early in the morning is the best time to have a choice of meat at market; but under certain circumstances the Economist will prefer the evening; wholesale and large butchers having a large stock of veal or lamb on their hands on a Saturday night in summer, will sell upon almost any terms; as the meat, although then perfectly good and fit for eating on Sunday, would not resist the assaults of Captain Green until Monday; upon these occasions, a fine joint of veal or lamb may be often purchased for threepence or fourpence the pound, which would in the morning have fetched seven-pence or eightpence. "Some adventurers endeavour to draw customers to their shop, by dazzling them by offering for sale some particular article at a losing price as a lure to the unwary, while they more than repay themselves by unsuspected and exorbitant profits on others. "Sugar is sometimes sold at an under rate, merely to gain custom for Tea, which is sold far more than proportionally too dear; or great bargains are allowed in ribands and gauzes, with a view to allure purchasers for silks and laces at an exorbitant price. In such cases it is often contrived that the cheap article shall be one of trifling worth, and one the value of which is well known; while the dear article is of an opposite description. When the bait has taken, the price of the cheaper commodity is commonly raised, or one of inferior worth is substituted in its place. Shops of this sort are commonly called, Cheap Shops."-Gisborne's Enquiry, &c. 8vo. 1795, vol. ii. p. 199. 1 Essence of Anecdote and it. "Argument for a week, Laughter for a mouth, and a good Jest for ever."-Shakspeare. ANECDOTE OF GEO. STEEVENS. SELECTED BY BOADEn. 'Where 1,' said he, a young man, I would begin the study of English versification in the rhymed plays of Dryden.' As I suppose I expressed some surprise at this singular declaration, he asked, Where in the whole compass of our literature could I find any thing superior to the following passage in the second part of the Conquest of Grenada? He then, from memory, recited in his silver voice, the satirical explanation of Lyndaraxa, in the second scene of the third act. MISTAKEN PARSIMONY. At the usual time of leaving off parlour and drawing-room fires, a stationer in the vicinity of London placed a bill in his shop window, announcing-" paper shavings for grates." The bill caught the eye of a lady from the contiment, who desired to have some of the shavings; they were brought-she wished to have a considerable quantity, as they were very fine. On putting them into the balance she exclaimed, "What you weigh them for ?" "We sell them by weight-sixpence a pound." You sell them !" cried the astonished foreigner. After writing up for Grates, that is for nothing, you want to extort sixpence a pound! it is a shameful imposition." And she left the shop wwwith the utmost indignation. ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE. In the sportive days of an illustrious Prin ce, whose brilliant wit and fascinating nanner's excited the admiration of every o ve, he felt strongly inclined to attend a masquerade, but being seriously indisposed he consulted his physician on the subject, who informed him it would be hig bly dangerous. The Prince, still anxious, said he only intended to go in a Domino. The physician still persisted in his objection, which he enforced by adding, it will probably be your death. The 1'rince replied "Beati sunt illi qui moriu utur in Domino;" and followed his inclination, happily without any ill effect. A HOME STROKE. The late Dr. Busby, when chaplain to the forces quartered at Dover, was one afternoon delivering a discourse from the Eighth Commandment, in which he animadverted on the sad consequences of stealing." It is," said he, "such an ungentlemanly, beggarly thing for a soldier to steal.-Not, My beloved brethren, that I would tax any of you with the commision of so foul a sin.-No, God forbid :-though I have lost a pair of boots, and several other things since this regiment was stationed on the Heights!" CORRESPONDENTS. In answer to numerous enquiries relative to Luther's Ring, we beg to clear ourselves from any intentional neglect, by saying, that the tale, as our readers know, was taken from the European Magazine of December, and was to have been continued; but as it has been never concluded in that journal, we are not allowed to go on, but we have the assurance that it will be continued in the forthcoming Number. If the author of "Long Yarns" will be more choice in his language, we shall be, happy to hear from him; his first Essay is therefore rejected. Josephus' drawing will be acceptable. J. C. is rejected; we are surprised that, having written so much poetry like prose, he will never attempt prose like poetry. Vale, Arthur Arguitive, Dom. Antiq., and T. P., are received, and will appear. X. Y. Z., F. C. N., Amicus, Basil, Twig'em, and a number of constant readers and subscribers are respectfully informed that their valuable time and correspondence are wasted; they cannot be inserted. We have to apologize for a serious error which has taken place in two latter Numbers, viz. the insertion of the same article twice; it was entirely a mistake of the printer and shall never take place again.-Ed. With No. 29 of this series, or 113 of the old, will be published a Supplement, containing an Index, Title, &c. which will conclude the 4th Volume. LONDON: Printed for WILLIAM CHARLTON WRIGHT, 65, Paternoster Row, and may be had of all Booksellers and Newsmen. |