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Jamaica, its principal use is for feeding pigeons, as its name imports; whilst the ripe seed, mingled with its green leaves, is often given to the various domestic cattle on the planta, tions, on whom it has a powerful fattening effect. Indeed it might even be useful for these purposes in this country; but as yet it cannot be cultivated out of the hot-house. The concluding lines of this lecture must be dedicated to the

LAURUSTINUS,

consider that the latter has its spikes of flowers much longer, and makes a more elegant contrast in grouping; but whenever use shall be considered as well as ornament, then the first variety will be that most cultivated, as it becomes the largest tree, whilst its wood is of the best kind, is extremely hard, and takes an elegant polish. In fact, it bears a strong resemblance to green ebony; so much so as to be called by the French the ebony of the Alps, and is by them used for many kinds of furniture. Of the few trees cut down of English growth, the wood has been found of great or Viburnum; which latter name has been strength, and has been used under very fa- supposed to be derived from the word viere, to vourable circumstances for musical instru- bind, as its twigs were anciently used for ments, nay even worked up into household that purpose. It is possible that some of the furniture, in which it has been esteemed supe- species, of which there are twenty-three, have rior even to mahogany. Should any of our been applied to that use; the principal of fair readers be induced from these hints to try these are the common laurustinus, the way it in clumps in their parks, they will find from faring-tree, oriental viburnum, water elder, its quick growth that even the thinnings of it gueldre rose, and cassioberry bush; all the will produce an ample recompence for the others are distinguished by the differences of expence, if sold either for hop poles or for the the leaves. In some species these are variepurposes of making charcoal; some little gated of different colours, in others they are pains and expence indeed are necessary at first, both gold and silver striped; in some the as rabbits and hares are very destructive to umbels are large, and so indeed are the flowers. it, by stripping it of its bark in winter; to Of our common laurustinus, the flowers selsuch an extent indeed, and with such an evi- dom appear until the spring is pretty well dent preference to it, to the neglect of all other advanced, and it sometimes happens that a young trees, that it has even been suggested as severe winter kills the blossoms unless the a very proper shrub to cultivate in large plan- shrubs are in a sheltered situation. All the tations, which are overrun with these destruc- various species of this shrub are classed by tive animals, as they will not feed off any modern botanists amongst the PENTANDRIA other plant whilst they can find a single la- TRIGYNIA, and natural order of Dumose; in burnum. It is also to be considered in this generic character they have the calyx with the case, that the laburnum, though eaten to the || perianth five parted, superior, very small and ground in winter, will still send forth new permanent; the corolla is one petalled, bell shoots from its roots in the spring, and thus shaped, five cleft, the segments blunt and reproduce a constant supply for these nibblers, fluxed; the filaments of the stamen are five, without any additional expepçe, as the first are as long as the corolla, awl shaped, and expenditure of five or ten shillings in seed, with roundish anthers; the germ of the pistil will tend in a great measure to preserve an is roundish and inferior, with no style but a extensive plantation. turbinate gland to answer its purpose, with three stigmas. In essential character it is unnecessary to say more than that the calyx is five parted, superior; the corolla five cleft; the berry one seeded. The laurustinus is not indigenous in our climate, but is a native of the southern parts of the European continent, particularly in Portugal, Andalusia, also about Tivoli, and even as far north as Nice and other parts of Piedmont amidst the romantic scenery of the maritime Alps. On its first introduction into England, it received the name of the wild bay-tree, and many early botanists in other countries have supposed it a smaller species of the bay; hence it has been generally called laurus, to which is added tine, derived from the Greek word TUNOS, signify, iug small, and from which also we may derive

In thus tracing the natural history of this elegant flowering shrab, such of our philosophical pupils as have traversed the shades of the torrid zone, in either Indies, may perceive a strong resemblance in many points between the English laburnum and the pigeon pea; which is so frequently planted, particularly in || the West Indies, in order to form fences for the cane patches, and which is also frequently seen growing in great luxuriance in soils other wise apparently barren. It may not be so generally known, however, by our English readers, that its seeds are often eaten by the negroes, who consider it as a wholsome and Bourishing food; indeed in some of the islands it is esteemed superior to the English garden pea. In most places, however, particularly in

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our word tiny. That species called the way-
faring-tree, has been found indigenous in
Europe, farther north than the common lau-
rustinus; with us it is frequent in woods and
hedges, and its roots are in great request for
making birdlime. But the most elegant va-
riety is the gueldre rose, whose large round
branches of flowers groupe so harmoniously
with the two first mentioned shrubs. From
the spherical shape of those bunches (which
are, however, abortive) some people have
whimsically called this the snow-ball tree; but
the other name, probably derived from the
Dutch, is now the most common.
early cultivation in England as any other

It is of as

די

species of ornamental shrub, for Gerard de scribes it in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and calls it the elder rose, and rose elder; he represents it also as growing in gardens, and is of opinion that its flowers had first been doubled by artificial culture,

We shall close this lecture with reminding our fair readers of what they must often have noticed, that this elegant shrub, though bearing all the variations of this changeable climate, except our very severe winters, yet finds the smoke of London completely destructive of its growth.

(To be continued.)

EXTRAORDINARY INSTANCES OF GOD'S JUDGMENTS.

WE are indebted to Dr. Thomas Beard, of [[ gave they out a most horrible outcry one of Huntington, and Dr. Thomas Taylor, of Al- them threw himself headlong into a tub of dermanbury, two very worthy, and, in their water, provided to rince their drinking cups and goblets, and upon that occasion standing times, eminent divines, for the following sinnot far off: two were burnt to death, without gular information which was published by them in the year 1631, under the title of The stirring once from their place: the bastard Foix and the Earle of Jouy escaped indeed Theatre of God's Judgments: wherein is represented the admirable justice of God against all present death; but being conveyed to their notorious sinners, great and small,especially against || lodgings, they survived not two daies: the King himselfe being one of the six, was saved the most eminent persons in the world, whose exorbitant power had broke through the barres of divine by the Dutchesse of Berry, that covering him with her loose and wide garments quenched and humane law. the fire before it could seize upon his flesh. Froyssard the reporter of this tragedy, saith, that the next morrow every mau could say, that this was a wonderfull signe and advertisement sent by God to the King to warne him to renounce all such food and foolish devices which he delighted too much in, and more then it became a king of France to doe: and this was the event of that gallant masque.

The work is divided into several chapters, each containing some remarks on peculiar vices, and illustrated by accounts of the visitations experienced by the criminals, a few of which may not be unamusing to our readers → Having reprobated dancing as vile, filthy, and forbidden, he proceeds :

THEATRICAL EXHIBITIONS." Upon plays and theatrical exhibitions he is very severe, and concludes with the following occurrences: -Moreover, how odious and irksome in the sight of the Lord such spectacles are, and what power and sway the devill beareth therein, the judgement of God upon a Chris

MUMMERIES. "Now touching mummeries and maskes, I place them in the same ranke with the other; forasmuch as they are derived from the same fountaine, and communicate the same nature, aud produce the same effects, and oftentimes are so pernitious, that divers honourable women have been ravished and conveyed away by their meanes: nay, and some masquers have been well chastised in their own vices: as it happened in the reignetian woman may sufficiently instruct us. Charles VI. to six that masqued it to a marriage at the hostle of S. Pauls, in Paris, being attired like wilde horses, covered with loose flax, dangling downe like haire, all bedaubed with grease for the fitter hauging thereof, and fast bound one to another, and in this guise entered the hall, dancing with torches before them; but behold suddenly their play turned to a tragedy; for a spark of one of their torches fell into the grease flax of his neighbour, and set it immediately on fire, so that in the turning of an haud they were all on Sames, then

There was a woman that went to the theatre to see a play, and returned home possessed with an uncleane spirite; who being rebuked in a conjuration for daring to assault one of the faith, that professed Christ: answered that he had done well, because he found her upon his owne ground.

"The same author reporteth another example as strange, of a woman also that went to see a tragedie acted, to whom the night following appeared in a dreame the picture of a shcete (a presage of death) casting in her teeth

that which she had done; and five daies after, || about with him an evil spirit in the liker ess of death himselfe seized upon her.

WANTON SONGS, &c." As touching wanton songs, and unchaste and ribald bookes (that I may be briefe) I will content my selfe only with that which is alleadged by Lodovicus Vives concerning that matter. The ma gistrate (saith he) ought to banish out of his dominion all unhonest songs and poems, and not to suffer novelties to be published day by day in rimes and ballads, as they are: as if a man should heare in a city nothing but foolish and scurrilous ditties, such as would make even the younger sort that are well brought || up to blush, and stirr up the indignation of men of gravity: this ought magistrates to prevent, and to discharge the people from reading, Amadis, Tristram, Launcelot due Lake, Melusine, Poggius scurrillities, and Boccace novelties; with a thousand more such lyke toyes: and thus much out of Vives."

In the extracts we have now made from this curious production, our readers will perceive that the learned and reverend authors were by no means free from the superstitious cast of the seventeenth century. James the First, in whose reign the volume first appeared, was himself a believer in ghosts and hobgoblins, and indeed wrote a long and pedantic performance in proof of their existence, but even this defender of the faith has been outdone by a ghostly champion of the present day, who having fallen a dupe to one of the most barefaced deceptions that ever disgraced a civilized and enlightened nation, is justly entitled to the ridicule and contempt of every rational person. We allude to the author of the late disrespectful proceedings at Sampford.

OF CONJURORS, &c." John Faustus, a filthie beast, and a sinke of many devils, led

a dog; being at Wittenberg, when as y the edict of the Prince he should have been aken, he escaped by his magicall delusions; and after at Noremberg being by an extraordinary sweat that came upon him as he was at linner, certified that he was beset, payed his host suddenly his shot, and went away: and being scarce escaped out of the walls of the citie, the sergeants and other officers came to appre hend him. But God's vengeance following || him, as he came into a village of the dukedome of Wittenberg, he sat there in his inne very sad: the host required of him what was the cause of his sadnesse; he answered that he would not have him terrified, if he heard a great noise and shaking of the house that night; which happened according to his presage for in the morning he was found dead, with his necke wrung behinde him; the devill whom he served having carried his soule into hell. This story is set downe by many in other termes; but Philip Lonicorus expresseth it in this manner, in his Theatre of Histories.

"Anno 1553, two witches were taken which went about by tempest, haile, and frost, to destroy all the corne in the countrey; these women stole away a little infant of one of their || neighbours, and cutting it in pieces, put it into a cauldron to be boiled; but by God's providence the mother of the childe came in the meane while, and found the members of her childe thus cut in pieces and boyled. Whereupon the two witches were taken, and being examined, answered, that if the boyling had beene finished, such a tempest of rain and haile would have followed, that all the fruits of the earth in that countrey should have been destroyed but God prevented them by his judgment, in causing them to be put to death."

A NEW PSALM.

PART of a psalm composed by a clerk in Yorkshire, on the distemper among the horned cattle in the summer of the year 1784. Sung, and chorussed by the whole congregation in the church-The first four stanzas contain an account of the cattle that died, and the names of the farmers to whom they had belonged; the remaining verses were as follows:

"No Christian bull, nor cow, they say, "But takes it out of hand; "And we shall have no cows at all "I doubt within this land.

"The Doctors, tho' they all have spoke "Like learned gentlemen,

And told us how the entrails look "Of cattle dead and green;

No. XVII. Vol. III—N. S.

||

"Yet they do nothing do at all, "With all their learning store; “So Heav'n drive out this plague away, "And vex us not no more."

This piece was so well received that after the service it was desired again by all the congregation except five farmers, who wept bitterly, and said the lines were too moving.

The minister in going out said to the clerk: "Why, John, what psalm was that we had to day? it was not one of David's.”—“ David's! No, no, Sir," quoth John, big with the new honour he had acquired; “ David never made such a psalm sin he was born. This is on of my own putting together, Measter!"

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ORIGINAL POETRY.

SUNDAY IN LONDON.

Now labour ceases; while the busy throng,
No longer thro' Cheapside are borne along :
The tuneful ballad strikes no more the ear,
Until SAINT MONDAY shall again appear:
Now Mrs. Dripping, deck'd with lace and rings,
For trump'ry she hates, and paltry things,
Beside her deary, in their one-horse chaise,
Sits in plump state, her neighbours to amaze :
Their eldest offspring hires a quiet horse,
And straight to Rotten Row directs his course;
And as some WALKING citizens he views,
Graciously stops, and asks them "what's the
[Jack."

news?"

Says one, "You've got a pretty horse, there, "D-'d mettlesome,” he says, "no common hack,

"I can assure you; but DANG it, 'tis no fun

To ride a STUPID beast, like father's dun; "Bye, bye-I cannot stay-'tis plaguy hot; "But this of fashion is the only spot."Now let us leave the city airs alone,

To view the tradesman of the west end town:
Behold the poult'rers, who St. James's grace,
And the King's butcher, with his smiling face;
-Saddlers, with bridles new, jog side by side;
Whisp'ring each other, they the cits deride:
But the purveyors who attend the great,
(For great men, like the humblest men, must eat)
Know well each Duke, each Countess, Earl, or
Lord,

Who oft times SMILES instead of CASH afford.
The pastry-cooks and bakers, fruit'rers here,
Clad in best clothes, in Sunday state appear:
The grocer's lady, simply clad is seen ;
No fin'ry she adopts, but neat, and clean,
She says, is now much more genteel than show;
She finds the citizens extremely low
In actions, dress, and talk; and doth declare,
Sooner she'd shave than wear such stiff-curl'd

hair!

Her voice is gone, she's most completely hoarse; Can any ign'rance be so bad, or worse

Than their's? They know not Duke nor Duchess-no

She wonders what they do in Rotten Row ? Full twenty questions has she answer'd mild, To that great stupid oaf, Old Dripping's child! As "who is SHE, who drives the four small greys? [bays? "And who's that gentleman, with long-tail'd "Who's is that coach-and who the lovely girl, "That turns her ponies with that charming whirl?"

"Poor, clownish cit! he'd better keep at home; "Or thro' fam'd Islington obscurely roam." Can these half-gentry the enjoyment know, That oft attends the servile and the low? The housemaid trim, with ribbons pink array'd, Enjoys this day, more than my lady's maid;

Who, while gay Betty with her sweetheart walks,
Is doom'd to listen, while her lady talks,
Not 'risen yet from bed-and now we haste
From the great contrast to the scenes of taste.
"O insupportable! O heavy day!"

Her Grace exclaims-"To pass the time away
"I know not how-Let John the coach pre-
"And yet Hyde Park, I solemnly declare [pare.→
"Is grown so stupid, and so vulgar too,
"SI ENNUYANT! Good Heav'ns! what shall
I do?
[please to ride
"Till ev'ning comes?"-"Will your Grace
"To Kensington?"-" Name any place beside,
"Twill please me better-What, to view a set
"Of tradesmen's wives, and so the hours forget!
"No; help me dress, and I will haste to pay
"Some morning visits, till 'tis time to say
"Grace o'er our stupid dinner; for I vow,
"I think the Duke is frantic! for some how
"He's grown of learned men, so fond, that we
"Scarce dine without we've authors two or

three,

"To help adorn our table! and at five, "We dine to-day!-'Tis true, as I'm alive; "Because, if later, there's two writers great, "Who could not at our dinner take a seat! "Poor book-worm souls! no learning could I prize,

"Which made me fashion and the laws despise : "However, thank kind Heav'n, they'll soon be gone;

"Long ere the evening's dear delights come on:
"My heart is fix'd from Lady Spade to win
"An ample sum, this night, tho' 'tis a sin,
"Our chaplain says, on Sunday cards to play;
"Heav'n bless bis sober maxims! Let him pray
"And preach; it is his province, pleasure ours,
"On whom kind fortune ev'ry blessing show'rs."
Thus prattles the fair dame before her glass ;
When dress'd, in visits doth the moments pass:
With feign'd politeness, dinner guests she greets,
Tastes LIQUEURS, talks but little, and less eats:
At length, when evening comes, the tables set,
Loses three thousand in one thoughtless bet:
Pharo, Cassino, each by turns employ
Her hours mispent, while both with loss annoy.
Too much doth fashion, on this sacred day,
Encourage gaming, seeking time to slay;
Better amusements for the languid mind,
Yet some of the HAUT TON, on Sabbaths find
Where Sunday concerts charm; where the sweet
song

Of matchless BILLINGTON, their joys prolong;
Here too Italian choristers attune
Melodious lays, and morning comes too soon.
At LADY FROLIC's neither song nor card
Her guests amuse, yet hours they disregard ;
Here the gay youths of either sex are found;
Juvenile mirth, and harmless sports go rounds

Whimsical

worse

CONSEQUENCES

thoughts they | To fam'd Whiteconduit-house, or Chelsea gay, [press. Direct their course, while time flies swift away: guess; And oft looks speak what words dare not ex- The city 'prentice, bound to lower trades, A kind of gentry now, I needs must sing, To those lov'd haunts, his friend or sister leads; Who form'd to tread in fashion's golden ring, There cakes and ale afford a splendid treat; Are yet ungrac'd by title; and their purse And youth the heavy hours can gaily cheat. Not over-stock'd, which makes their station But, Oh! if rain the face of heav'n deforms, Skies dark, unbroken, bode unceasing storms, Ah! then, what pleasure for the vacant mind? What hopes to shew the muslin dress, design'd By taste and fashion, to ensnare the beart Of Billy Bodkin, and point Cupid's dart! The city fair, wrapt in her morning gown, Reads a new novel, and, in vapours thrown, Says she is indispos'd! While fond mamma, Cannot appease the rage of stern papa ;

Than theirs who labour at some gainful trade,
Who oft look down on those, as wanting aid,
While THEY high distance keep.-This day di-
vine,

They're seldom seen, save at Devotion's shrine :
Not unaccomplish'd are this middling race;
And oft their daughters own each outward grace;
Their sons heroic, virtuous, brave, and wise,
Know well the gifts of nature how to prize:
These in genteel retirement pass their life,
Unvex'd by passion, or her stormy strife;
Too high to mix in company that's low,
Too proud the great to cringe to, or to bow.
When ev'ning comes, the tradesman's joy is o'er;
Dines late, nods in his chair, begins to snore;
While Mrs. Splitplumb wakes her drowsy dear,
And cries," My love, you have forgot, I fear,
"That we must go to Mr. Crab's to tea!—"
"Ay, Crab, the fishmonger!"-"Well, come

with me;

"There, GENTEAL company, we always see!
Neat Mrs. Splitplumb palates every dish;
Whispers her husband-"Each thing tastes like
FISH!"

Her spouse the jest admires; the laugh goes
round;

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-All hail the lady as a wit profound:
A PETIT-MAITRE an attorney's clerk,
With rev'rence doth the lady's talents inark;
Steps up, and asks her, how she lik'd the play
Acted last week? for him he needs must say,
He thought it poor insipid trash, quite low;
And it must prove the author's overthrow.
"Indeed, Sir," she replied, "I think with you,
"I saw not one applaud-except a few
"Of tasteless creatures; who, no doubt, were paid
"For what they did-yet, 'twill again be play'd.
"I went last night to Covent-Garden--Oh!—
"I think you'll laugh, when I shall let you
know

"The WAY I went!-wrapt in my bonnet close,
"The filthy pit, would you believe, I chose ?
"For truly I am stingy lately grown ;
"The boxes are so dear!-So, quite unknown,
"We crowded in: but do not me disgrace,
face."
"By telling this-I then must hide my
The citizens at country boxes keep
'Till Monday morning's dawn begins to peep;
Their Sunday ev'nings pass o'er pipes and wine;
Their wives and daughters walk, if weather's fine,
Along the dusty road; then yawn at home,
Till supper's ready, wishing night was come.
This best of days enjoy a lower class,
Who toil the week-the lover and his lass,

Who swears, girls were not thus when he was [sung,

young;

They were good housewives; what if they ne'er
Or danc'd, or gabbl'd French, what matter? pray,
They made good wives, and work'd the live long
day.-

"But Sunday, lovey, is no day to work;
"Why, I DECLARES, you're just like any Turk???
"Well! let her read good books, and ne'er again
"Borrow romances to distract her brain."
And yet the father feels as much unhing'd,
As when the gout his toe and finger twing'd:
Watches the weather, while the rain still beats
Hard on the sky-light, and his hope defeats :
He posts a page or two in his day-book ;
And oft abroad he casts a wistful look;
The dinner past, nods in his elbow-chair,
Starts in his sleep, and asks if weather's fair?
While the shop gentry, beyond Temple Gate,
Experience of their brother cit the fate;
Minds equally uncultivated own,
And poor the joy they find in rest alone.
Sometimes the carriages to church genteel,
Yelept St. James's, their gay owners wheel;
With hair EN PAPILLOTES, the fair behold,
Whose hair more oft is deck'd' with gems and gold;
But who, so vulgar, at a church would shine,
And bring these off'rings due to fashion's shrine?
But, Ah! if rain the hapless 'prentice keeps
At home; he almost with his sorrow weeps ;
Confin'd the week, condemn'd from morn to eve
To toil, and learn his wants how to relieve:
With joy, he looks for Sunday's dear return;
But pleasure's schemes bad weather must o'erturn;
That day, when fine, the hope of his young breast,
And innocence with youth delights to rest.
O day of sacred joy! ordain'd by Heav'n,
Amongst its bounties, to creation given;
May no fanatic frown ere damp thy bliss,
Or innocent amusement deem amiss;
Not for austerity this day was blest,
But social gaiety and holy rest;
Free trom licentiousness and noisy mirth,
Let each one own the Pow'r that gave thee birth;
When myriads sang around the Heav'nly Throne,
While wond'rous good, the Seventh Day's rest
S. G
they.owh.

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