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The learning of the Anglo-Saxon dames :

"The cultivation of letters was in that age by no means confined to the robuster sex; the Anglo-Saxon ladies applied themselves to study with equal zeal, and almost equal success. It was for their reading chiefly that Aldhelm wrote his book De Laude Virginitatis. The female correspondents of Boniface wrote in Latin with as much ease as the ladies of the present day write in French, and their letters often show much elegant and courtly feeling. They sometimes also sent him specimens of their skill in writing Latin verse. The Abbess Eadburga was one of Boniface's most constant friends; she seems to have frequently sent him books, written by herself or by her scholars, for the instruction of his German converts; and on one occasion he accompanies his letter to her with a present of a silver pen. Leobgitha, one of her pupils, concludes a letter to Boniface by offering him a specimen of her acquirements of Latin metres. 'These underwritten verses,' she says, 'I have endeavoured to compose according to the rules derived from the poets, not in a spirit of presumption, but with the desire of exciting the powers of my slender talents, and in the hope of thine assistance therein. This art I have learnt from Eadburga, who is ever occupied in studying the Divine law.' The four hexameters which follow this introduction, though not remarkable for elegance or correctness, are still a favourable specimen of the attainments of a young Anglo-Saxon dame. They are addressed as a concluding benediction to Boniface himself

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ART. XVII.-Horse-training. By A. J. ELLIS, B. A.

MR. ELLIS, while on a visit in Yorkshire, happened to read the following passages in Mr. Catlin's work on the North American Indians: "I have often," says Mr. C., "in concurrence with a well-known custom of the country, held my hand over the eyes of the calf (of the wild buffalo,) and breathed a few strong breaths into its nostrils; after which I have, with my hunting companions, rode several miles into our encampment, with the little prisoner busily following the heels of my horse the whole way, as closely and affectionately as its instinct would attach it to the company of its dam. This is one of the most extraordinary things that I have met with in the habits of this wild country; and, although I had often heard of it, and felt unable exactly to believe it, I am now willing to bear testimony to the fact, from the numerous instances which I have witnessed since I came into the country. During the time that I resided at this post, in the spring of the year, on my way up the river, I assisted in numerous hunts of the buffalo, with the fur company's men, in bringing in, in the above manner, several of these little prisoners, which sometimes follow for five or six miles close to our horses' heels, and even into the fur company's fort, and into the stable where our horses were led."

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Mr. Catlin tells us that the wild horses are tamed in a similar manner by the Red Indians. As soon as the animal is caught with the lasso, and is hobbled, the captor gradually advances, until he is able to place his hand on the animal's nose and over his eyes, and at length to breathe in its nostrils, when it soon becomes docile and conquered; so that he has little more to do than to remove the hobbles from its feet, and lead or ride it into camp."

This account astonished Mr. Ellis and his friends, and not without exciting their incredulity. However, they determined to make the experiment. Two trials were witnessed by him, and both, he states, were successful. We copy the particulars of one of them :—

"Saturday, February 12, 1842.-While the last experiments were being tried on the yearling, W. espied B—, a farmer and tenant, with several men, at the distance of some fields, trying, most ineffectually, on the old system, to break-in a horse. W. proposed to go down and show him what effect had been produced on the yearling. When the party arrived at the spot, they found that B. and his men had tied the filly short up to a tree in the corner of a field, one side of which was walled and the other hedged in. W. now proposed to B. to tame his horse after the new method. B., who was aware of the character of his horse, anxiously warned W. not to approach it, cautioning him especially against the fore feet, asserting that the horse would rear and strike him with the fore feet, as it lamed' his own (B.'s) thigh just before they had come up. W., therefore, proceeded very cautiously. He climbed the wall, and came at the horse through the tree, to the trunk of which he clung for some time, that he might secure a retreat in case of need. Immediately upon his touching the halter, the horse pranced about, and forcibly pulled away with a dogged and stubborn expression, which seemed to bid W. defiance. Taking advantage of this, W. leaned over as far as he could, clinging all the time to the tree with his right hand, and succeeded in breathing into one nostril, without, however, being able to blind the eyes. From that moment all became easy. W., who is very skilful in the management of a horse, coaxed it, and rubbed its face, and breathed from time to time into the nostrils, while the horse offered no resistance. In about ten minutes, W. declared his conviction that the horse was subdued; and he then unfastened it, and to the great and evident astonishment of B., (who had been trying all the morning in vain to get a mastery over it,) led it quietly away with a loose halter. Stopping in the middle of the field, with no one else near, W. quietly walked up to the horse, placed his arm over one eye and his hand over the other, and breathed into the nostrils. It was pleasing to observe how agreeable this operation appeared to the horse, who put up his nose to receive the 'puff.' In this manner W. led the horse through all the fields to the stable yard, where he examined the fore feet, and then the hind feet of the horse, who offered no resistance-but while W. was examining the hind feet, bent its neck round, and kept nosing W.'s back. He next buckled on a surcingle, and then a saddle, and finally bitted the horse with During the whole of these operations, the horse did not offer the slightest resistance, nor did it flinch in the least degree.

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Mr. Ellis neither being experienced in horses, nor having at the period further opportunity of witnessing similar experiments to those he describes, but feeling perfectly satisfied with their results, has thought it his duty to publish the particulars. In some provinces of France, and also in Ireland, there are horse-charmers, who profess to tame the wildest, by uttering certain mysterious sounds or words to them. Mr. Ellis takes notice of the Irish performers in this way, and thinks that the charm is precisely of the character of that which operated so potently in the cases mentioned.

ART. XVIII.-History of Scotland. By P. F. TYTLER, Esq. Vol. VIII. THIS portion of the History comprises but a short period for a volume, viz., from 1573 to 1587; treating of the distracted state of Scotland during a section of the youth of James the Sixth, when the ambition of the Regent Morton, the King's weakness, the violence of the nobles, and religious dissension, kept the country in a ferment; and when the counterintrigues of France and England more deeply embroiled parties and people. Among other notorious features of the period, the conspiracies against Elizabeth, the designs privately to assassinate Mary, and her execution, of course, figure.

The peculiarity of Mr. Tytler's volume, its superiority to all preceding histories, consists of the stronger light which he has with the most patient and skilful research drawn for the first time from documents in the State Paper Office. Properly speaking, it is only more light, but hardly any thing new as regards important events or actors. This satisfactory fulness will be found in his pictures and reports of persons who were only secondary characters in the drama; such as some of the Ministers of the Kirk, which at present, as well as at that era, contains within its pale dour chiels; ay, and pawky too. Take a sketch of the weak and pedantic James beset to his face: ·-

"This harsh attack upon his favourite justly and deeply offended the King; and Lawson, the author of the calumny, having been commanded to appear at court, he and a small company of his brother ministers repaired to Dunfermline, and were carried into the presence-chamber. Here, owing to the recent changes, they found themselves surrounded with the strange faces of a new court. Soon after the King entered; and while they rose and made their obeisance, James, to their astonishment, took not the slightest notice, but passing the throne which all expected that he was to occupy, sat down familiarly upon a little coffer, and eyed them all marvellously gravely, and they for him, for the space of a quarter of an hour, none speaking a word; to the admiration of all the beholders.' The scene, intended to have been tragic and awful, was singularly comic; and this was increased when the Monarch, without uttering a syllable, jumped up from his coffer, and 'glooming' upon them, walked out of the room. It was now difficult to say what should be done. The ministers had come with a determination to remonstrate with their sovereign against the recent changes; and he, it was evident, enraged at their late conduct, had resolved to dismiss them unheard; but while they debated in per

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plexity he relented in the cabinet, to which he had retired, and called them in. Pont then said they had come to warn him against alterations. 'I see none,' quickly rejoined the King; but there were some this time twelvemonth, (alluding to his seizure at Ruthven,) where were your warnings then?' 'Did we not admonish you at St. Johnston ?' answered Pont; ' and were it not for our love to your Grace,' interrupted Mr. David Ferguson, could we not easily have found another place to have spoken our minds than here?' This allusion to their licence in the pulpit made the King bite his lip; and the storm was about to break out, when the same speaker threw oil upon the waters by casting in some merry speeches. His wit was of a homely and peculiar character. James, he said, ought to hear him, if any; for he had demitted the crown in his favour. Was he not Ferguson, the son of Fergus, the first Scottish King? and had he not cheerfully resigned his title to his Grace, as he was an honest man and had possession? Well,' said James, no other king in Europe would have borne at your hands what I have.' 'God forbid you should be like other European Kings !' was the reply; "what are they but murderers of the saints? ye have had another sort of upbringing: but beware whom you choose to be about you; for, helpless as ye were in your cradle, you are in deeper danger now.' 'I am a Catholic King,' replied the Monarch, ' and may choose my own advisers.' The word Catholic was more than some of the ministers could digest, and would have led to an angry altercation, had not Ferguson again adroitly allayed their excited feelings. 'Yes, brethren,' said he, turning to them, 'he is a Catholic, that is a universal king; and may choose his company as King David did, in the Hundred-and-first Psalm.' This was a master-stroke; for the King had very recently translated this psalm into English metre, and Ferguson took occasion to commend his verses in the highest terms. They then again warned him against his present counsellors; and one of the ministers, stooping down, had the boldness to whisper in his ear, that there was no great wisdom in keeping his father's murderers or their posterity so near his person. Their last words were stern and solemn. 'Think not lightly, Sir,' said they,' of our commission; and look well that your deeds agree with your promises, for we must damn sin in whoever it be found : nor is that face upon flesh that we may spare in case we find rebellion to our God, whose ambassadors we are. Disregard not our threatening; for there was never one yet in this realm, in the place where your Grace is, who prospered after the ministers began to threaten him.' At this the King was observed to smile, probably ironically; but he said nothing; and as they took their leave, he laid his hand familiarly on each."

ART. XIX.-The Life of Lieut.-General Hugh Mackay of Scoury. A NEW edition revised, with a Memoir of the author, the late John Mackay, Esq., of Rockfield. General Mackay was a distinguished Scotch officer under William the Third, and Commander-in Chief of the Forces of Scotland, 1689 and 1690. He fell in the King's service. The edition has been revised by Mr. Mackay, author of the "Thames and its Tributaries," who has also written the Memoir of the biographer.

ART. XX.-Questiones Mosaicæ, or the Book of Genesis compared with the Ancient Religions. By OSMOND DE BEAUVOIR PRIAULX. FROM certain indications very hurriedly observed in turning over a few of the leaves of this volume, and not altogether indifferent to the importance of the title, we expected on a careful perusal to find matter for the exercise of curiosity, some original information, and at least the results of learning. We have been in every one of these respects wholly disappointed. Excepting signs of a considerable range of reading confined to books that are to be met with in accessible libraries, we can discover no merit in the writer; while the superficial and the egotistic offensively predominate. Sceptical and contemptuous, however, as the contents and the tone of the book really are, we think that it will do little harm it has neither stamina nor style to pervert; nay, not even to captivate the fanciful or the erratic.

Our author divides the host of writers who have commented on the Bible into three classes, but to neither of which, he informs us, does he belong; these are the "Orthodox" believers, the "Infidels," and the "Rationalists,"-the last, although they appreciate the wants of the age, and with reverence approach the remains of antiquity," having nevertheless erred "in that they have translated into modern language the idioms of a society long since extinct."

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But how does our author proceed? He has sought, he tells us, "to ascertain the views and opinions of which the Pentateuch may be considered the expression;" having begun "by putting aside all question of its inspiration, well assured, however, that if indeed inspired, the fact would press itself upon me at every line." Accordingly the author modestly takes it upon himself to admit nothing that is recorded in Genesis to be inspired, unless it squares with his sense of propriety as to the occasion when inspiration is necessary and proper, and also unless the inspiration itself-the thing done and recorded--be consistent with his views of wisdom and truth. It is thus he sits in judgment, and takes upon himself to pronounce upon every line," finding that no such thing ever occurred, so far as the Book of Genesis extends. All that he has found is "different nations uttering the same cry, speaking the same thoughts, though not indeed in the same phrase;" and that by making "nation interpret the language of nation," he comes to this conclusion, that every marvellous story in the first Book of Moses,-that of the Temptation, the Fall, the Ark with its inmates, &c., are nothing more than legends and myths which all nations at a certain period of development naturally fabricate and believe. Osmond de Beauvoir Priaulx knows nothing, he admits, of "the Oriental languages;" never was possessed of "philological talents." Poor man!

ART. XXI.-The Naturalist's Library. Highley.

AN ornithological volume, making the 34th of the entire publication, and the 12th of the particular series. A memoir of Dr. John Walker is prefixed, The plates numerous and admirable as usual.

VOL. II. (1842.) No. II.

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