The capital invested in buildings and machinery cannot be less than 10,000,000. It is calculated that the rental of Manchester, including Salford, Chorlton Row, &c., will be increased at least 15,000l. this year by new buildings. This increase is principally in cottage property, under 121. a year.

THE EAGLE.

Pedro Mexio, in his Treasury of Inventions, folio, 1613, lets us into a new view as to this bird. "As the eagle, who, in her life-time, is victorious over all birds or fowls; so likewise, after death, her feather, being put among others,devoureth and consumeth them." Then he goes to skins: The skin of a lion, he says, "spoileth the skins of other beasts; and the skin of a wolf eateth and consumeth the skin of a lamb!" Cumberland is a county of eagles. A curious anecdote is recorded by Mr. Gilpin: "An eagle was seen at a distance to pounce upon its prey, which it carried, in a perpendicular ascent, aloft into the air; and, hanging dubious for some time, it was at length observed to descend in the same direct line, and its fall, as it approached, seemed attended with an odd tumbling motion. The cause was soon discovered It fell stone dead on the ground; and a weasel, which it had carried up, and which had had the address to kill its adversary in the air, being now at liberty, ran away."

PERKINS' EXTRAORDINARY STEAM GUN. A discovery has been made which will, in all probability, adjust the account between population and food in the most satisfactory manner. We al lude to the new Steam Gun of Mr. Perkins, which promises very fair to send the whole race of heroes to their long homes in a very short time. According to the following account which we extract from the London Mechanic's Register, the effects of this invention will leave every plague or pestilence at an immeasurable distance behind in point of destructiveness. Ten of his guns, supposing one shot in twenty only to tell, will sweep away 150,000 men in a single day!

"We were enabled, on Wednesday, through the kindness of Mr. Perkins,

to examine minutely, at his manufactory in the Regent's Park, the extraordinary piece of mechanism called the Steam Gun. It is simply formed by introducing a barrel into the steam generator of any engine, and by the addition of two pipes towards the chamber of the gun, introducing a quantity of balls, which, by the action of a handle to the chamber, are dropped into the barrel and fired one by one, at the rate of from four to five

hundred in the minute.

"The explosive force of the steam which rushes from the generator and expels the balls is about 700 lbs. to the square inch with this force a musket ball fired against an iron plate at the distance of 100 feet from the gun, is completely flattened: and when a force of 840 lbs, to the square inch is applied, the ball is actually driven to pieces in such a way that none of its fragments can be collected. As the gun is now fixed, having a direct communication through a wall with one of Mr. Perkins's engines, it cannot of course be removed from the spot, the barrel merely being susceptible of alteration; but in the event of the invention being applied to purposes of warfare, it would be easy to attach a portable steam engine of small dimensions, which could be removed with as much rapidity as any piece of ordnance now

in use. The cost of such a machine altogether would be comparatively small, and as Mr. Perkins is about to construct a 4-pounder, which can be moved about with great facility by two horses, the public will have a good opportunity of judging of its practical merits, of which, however, there cannot be a doubt, after the experiments already made at the manufactory.

"The most extraordinary part of the affair is the smallness of expense in charging artillery of this nature, compared with that of the present system. In Mr. Perkins' Steam Gun, one pound weight of coals is found to produce the same effect as four pounds weight of gunpowder, viz. one pound of coals will generate sufficient steam to expel, with equal force, as many balls as four pounds of powder. Of the rapidity with which the discharges

are made, we say little, after what we observed of the mode in which the balls are expelled; but there is another great advantage, which, on the score of humanity, deserves commendation. An explosion from this gun is next to impossible; for the greater the rapidity of firing, the less is the danger, as the stream of vapour rushes forward, without check, and finds vent in the open air. How many lives, on the contrary, have been lost by the bursting of our common field-pieces, and how little reliance is to be placed upon the greatest care in cleansing them in the heat of a battle. Ten guns upon this principle, would, in a field of battle, be more than equal to 200 on the present system; and a vessel of only six guns would be rendered more than a match for a seventy-four.

"If any two rulers of the earth were to know, that in the event of declaring war against each other, a plague or pestilence would blast both armies, and sweep them from the face of the earth, they would pause before they made such a declaration, but what plague, what pestilence, would exceed, in its effects, those of the Steam Gun? -Five hundred balls fired every minute, and one out of twenty to reach its mark-why, ten of such guns would destroy 150,000 daily.-Mr. Perkins considers steam discovery as in its infancy, for he says he is convinced that a steam engine might be made to throw a ball of a ton weight, from Dover to Calais."

MATRIMONIAL MAXIMS.

If you intend marrying for love, pay your addresses to the lady herself; if for legacies, court those who are to leave them; and if for connexion, court her family.

If you know not what to do with yourself, marry the handsomest lady that you can, upon the shortest acquaintance; and if you do not find it out, she will teach you.

A lady who takes no care of her own person before marriage, will take as little of her household after.

If your lady is fond of play, you must submit to two losses-your own money and her temper.

If you wish to have a dirty and uncomfortable house, marry a lady whom all the world praises for her talents.

Second marriages are not always like second thoughts.

If your wife is continually telling you that she is miserable, and must leave you, affect to leave her, and she will follow you to the world's end.

THE STEAM ENGINE.

The value of the steam engine to this country may be estimated from steam engines in England represent calculations, which show that the the power of 320,000 horses which is equal to that of 1,920,000 men; which being in fact managed by 26,000 men only, add actually to power of our population 1,834,000

the

men.

THE GOOSE

was placed by the Romans in the high class of sacred birds, because the cackling of geese preserved the Roman state from the inroads of the Gauls, who were about to render themselves masters of the Capitol. It is certainly, even now, the most vigilant sentinel that can be posted in a besieged town. Its slumber is light, the slightest noise is sufficient to awaken it, and then it sends forth reiterated cries, not much unlike the hissing of a serpent, which cries are immediately put into chorus by its companions. Geese are the best guardians of houses situated in the country, and at the same time they are the most useful of domestic birds; for, independent of the excellent quality of their flesh, we procure from their plumage, those beds which are allowed to be of the first quality, and most pleasant for repose. The pen, also, which serves to mark our thoughts, testify our affections to those we love, and aid us in the transaction of that business so requisite to the attainment and preservation of our legitimate property. If a flock of geese pass under a triumphal arch, they prudently stoop down, lest their heads should be injured. Even a goose may be affectionate: Lacydes, a Greek philosopher, had a goose whose affection for him was remarkable. It used to follow him every where, both at

home and abroad, by night as well as by day. When it died, Lacydes (who was in this a goose himself) solemnized its funeral obsequies with as much magnificence, as if it had been his son or brother.

PLANTS.

Very accurate casts of the leaves of plants may be prepared by a very simple process, which Mr. W. Deeble has described to the Society of Arts. A quantity of fine-grained sand, in rather a moist state must be provided, on the surface of which a leaf selected for casting from should be laid, in the most natural position which the taste of the artist can effect, by banking up the sand beneath its more elevated parts, by the lateral pressure of the blade of a knife; when thus the leaf has been supported in every part, its surface should, by means of a broad camel-hair pencil, he covered over by a thin coating of wax and Burgundy pitch, rendered fluid by heat; the leaf being now removed from the sand and dipped in cold water, the wax becomes hard, and at the same time sufficiently tough to allow of the leaf being ripped off from the wax mould,without altering the form of the latter. The wax mould is now placed on the sand and banked up in every part, as the leaf at first was; and then an edge or border being raised of sand around the leaf, at a sufficient distance, very thin plaister of Paris is then poured over the leaf, and a camel-hair pencil is used to brush the fluid plaister into every hollow on the surface and exclude air-bubbles. As soon as the plaister is set, it will be found, on taking it up from the sand, that the heat generated during the setting of the plaister will have softened the wax, and that the same may be dexterously rolled up from the impression thereof on the plaister and thus the most beautiful and perfect moulds may be obtained for making any number of plaister casts in relievo, of the leaf which has been selected.

NEW WORKS.

Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, 2 vols. 8vo. 12s.-Hall's Present State of Colombia, 8vo. 7s.-Chrichton's Life of Col. Blackader, 12mo. 7s. 6d.-Topography of the Vineyards, 12mo. 6s-Dictionary of Quotations from British Poets, (Part 3, rhyme,) 12mo. 7s. 6d.-Hewlett's Modern Speaker, 18mo. 4s. 6d.-Nicholson's and Rowbotham's Practical Algebra, 12mo. 4s. 6d..-Foster's Bible Preacher, 12mo. 9s.Selections from Leighton's Works, 18mo. 3s. 6d. Selections from Doddridge's Expositor, 18mo. 3s. 6d.-The Contributions, &c. of the late Jane Taylor, 2 vols. 12mo. 98.-Dawson's Nosological Practice of Physic, 8vo. 14s.-The Anatomy of the Brain, 12mo. 4s.-The Young Brewer's Monitor, Svo. 5s. 9d.-Rose's Printer's Job PriceBook, 3s. 6d.-Crutwell's Housekeeper's Account-Book (1825,) 4to. 2s.-British Gal

leries of Art, post 8vo. 8s. 6d.—Bouilly's Tales for Mothers, Vol. I. 12mo. 6s.—Stanmore, a Novel, 3 vols. 12mo. 18s-Poetical Common-place Book, 24mo. 4s.-Edwards' Alcestes of Euripides, 8vo. 8s.—Harris's Natural History of the Bible, 8vo. 10s 6d. -Innes' Christian Ministry, crown 8vo. 3s. -Family Conversations on the Evidences of Christianity, 18mo. 3s. 6d.-Dunglison on Diseases of the Stomach, 8vo. 7s. 6d.Graham's Observations on Cancer, 8vo. 2s. 6d.

The Memoirs of the celebrated Madam de Genlis, written by herself, are in the London press.

Mrs. Opie is about to publish “Illustrations of Lying in all its hranches"—a very extensive subject.

LAST LINES BY LORD BYRON.

Missolonghi, Jan. 22, 1824. "On this day I complete my thirty-sixth year.” 'Tis time this heart should be unmoved, Since others it has ceased to move; Yet, though I cannot be beloved,

Still let me love.

My days are in the yellow leaf,

The flowers and fruits of love are gone,
The worm, the canker, and the grief,
Are mine alone.

The fire that in my bosom preys
Is like to some volcanic isle,
No torch is kindled at its blaze:-
A funeral pile.

The hope, the fears, the jealous care,

Th' exalted portion of the pain,
And power of love, I cannot share,
But wear the chain.

But 'tis not here-it is not here-
Such thoughts should shake my soul; nor now--
Where glory seals the hero's bier,

Or binds his brow.

The sword, the banner and the field, Glory and Greece around us see; The Spartan born upon his shield

Was not more free.

Awake! not Greece-she is awake!→ Awake, my spirit,-think through whom My life blood tastes its parent lake→

And then strike home!

I tread reviving passions down,
Unworthy Manhood-unto thee,
Indifferent should the smile or frown
Of beauty be.

If thou regret thy youth,-why live?
The land of honourable death

Is here-up to the field, and give
Away thy breath!

Seek out-less often sought than found--
A soldier's grave, for thee the best,
Then look around, and choose thy ground,
And take thy rest.

No. 9.]

[VOL. 2. N.S.

THERE

are few of our popular superstitions, however vague they may be, that have not some slight colour of fact, and that do not originate in some incident of local history. But should this position be denied by any of your readers, they will at least allow that these traditions are often in themselves of great antiquity, and on that account interesting and valuable.

Sailors, it will be allowed, are generally extremely credulous; this may be caused chiefly by their having at times a great deal of leisure, which is employed in telling stories of a marvellous kind to each other. We have the authority of Lord Orford, that superstition is catching; and these tales during a long night-watch, when all is still, and courage in a measure had in requisition, rivet their attention, and get firm hold on their

minds.

ACorrespondent at Maidstone writes, "We have a class of people in these parts called Ufurs, i. e. men in the barging line out of employ, who attend as extra help to get the craft home in our inland navigation: most of them have been to sea, and are tinctured with notions of ghosts, witches, and dæmons. You must know that between this town and Aylesford, we have two places noted for the appearance of fearful sights. One is that of a descendant of the Colepeppers or Culpeppers of Aylesford, who is seen

* One Thomas Culpepper was 'put to deth at Tiborne," 10 Dec. 1541. This circumstance might give rise to the tradi42 ATHENEUM VOL. 2. 2d series.

flying across the path with his head under his arm !

"The other is that of a white horset enveloped in a body of fire.

"Let those who please, laugh at these stories, but certain it is that most of our people would sooner make a large circuit than pass by either of these places on a dark night. It happened a few nights since, that two men and a dog had to pass the scene of these fearful incidents; the dog frisked playfully before them, till on a sudden it gave a pitiful howl, and slunk back evidently in dismay! 'What's that in the hedge?' says one of the men. 'I don't know,' cries out the other but it looks like a rein-deer.' • No,' rejoins the other, it is a woman.' While they were gazing on it, the form moved gently across a field of clover. 'I'll follow it,' says one, be it what it may;' and he was as good as his word. He ran,-it ran,-he quick

tion. Some attribute a similar fate to Hengist, who made himself notorious in this vicinity, circa 450.

† A stone some time since broken up and removed, at no great distance from this scene of wonder, bore for name the 'white

horse-stone,' the legend of which is, that one who rode a beast of this description, was killed on or about the spot so commemorated. Might not this have been Horsa the Saxon, who was slain near

Egelsford,' and whose name is so analogous to that of the animal in question? As to the circumstance of the figure being surrounded with fire, it may not be irrelevant to state that ghosts assume the privilege of walking the earth chiefly during purgatory, and while doomed

-to fast in fires Till the foul crimes done in their days of nature Are burnt and purg'd away.'

ened his pace, but it had still the start, till his courage was curbed by a thump against some of the sheep gates through which the spirit had glided, little the worse for wear. He paused-fear shrunk his sinews and congealed his blood,' a feeling of horror overwhelmed him, causing

6

each particular hair to stand on end Like quills upon the fretful porcupine.' His knees smote each other, and he nearly fell, till on recovering a little he ran back to the place where he left his companion, who had made the best of his way towards a neighbouring hamlet."

The following remarks were elicited in a conversation with an old man, with whom I accidentally fell in just below Aylesford. He recollected (he said) a large stone in the neighbourhood being broken up, and displaced, alongside of which human bones were found; adding, that in "yonder field" "a mortal many" bones and skulls were ploughed up some time ago; and lately a human jaw and shin-bone. "There once stood a town on this spot," continued he, "and the cottage just at hand is built entirely of its stone

foundations which were turned up by the plough. It was called Eckell Town, and that wood still bears the name of Eckell Wood.*

In Cookstone or Cuxton Church, near Rochester, is the corpse of a woman, who, in her will, directed her coffin to have a lock, the key of which was to be put into her own hand, that she might be able to release herself at pleasure! This legend is as old as my great grandmother. In May 1832, 1 made inquiry on the spot as to its truth, when I learnt that the said coffin having mouldered away, had been committed to earth recently.

A superstitious practice of sticking pins in a stile whenever a corpse is taken over it, prevails in these parts. Its origin would oblige.

A skull, with a spear head through it, was dug up at Deptling a short time since; the remains of a helmet, supposed to be Roman, were dug up in Maidstone: it was crowned with a knob, as if to receive a plume of feathers; an urn was also discovered here, but broken up in hopes or finding treasure!

IN

* Eccles,' is still the name of a manor in Larkfield hundred, and in the lath of Aylesford. It is mentioned in Domesday by the name of Aigtessa, and was, at the time of making that survey, a place of some consequenee. Houses are noticed in this record. See Hasted.

+ The Deserted City; Eva; Electricity. Poems, by J. Bounden. 8vo.

fer Mr. Bounden's labours to pass sub silentio; but upon further consideration, their merit appears to claim an exception in their favour. The "Deserted City" is indeed occasionally somewhat pedestrian in its style, but is not destitute of poetical passages. "Eva" displays more imagination, but the tale is an unpleasant one. is written in the Spencerian Stanza, and displays considerable powers of versification, as our readers will perceive from the following extract.

EVA.

'It